The Sixth Seal, page 4
part #2 of Zahra Kane Archeological Series
“Antarctica, really?” Zahra asked. That was the last place she thought she’d be sent, not that she had a first place in mind, either.
“Is that a problem?” Eddy asked.
“Not at all,” Zahra quickly replied. “Just wasn’t what I was expecting to hear. Breaking the newbie in, huh?”
“No. We don’t do that here. This isn’t like stationing new arrivals in the Arctic Circle or even Minot Air Force Base.”
“Good to know.”
“Yeah, welcome to TAC, where nothing is what we expect. You better get used to it quick, Zahra. As of now, you need to have zero exceptions about anything work-related.”
Zahra felt a little deflated. This wasn’t exactly a rah-rah speech.
“So,” she said nervously, “going in blind, no matter the intel, huh?”
Eddy chuckled. “Pretty much. Having second thoughts?”
Zahra snorted. “Hell, no. Just taking it all in, you know?”
“I do. It can be overwhelming initially, but I’m sure you’ll do fine. Just so you know, Director Raegor handpicked you for this one. Says it will be a good jumping-off point for you — a good way to get your feet wet.”
“And frostbitten.” Zahra could already feel the Antarctic chill all the way from Levanzo.
Cork leaned in closer and quietly said, “Not to mention other parts of the anatomy.” She pointed at her own chest and winked. “Wear layers, luv.”
“Is someone else there?” Eddy asked.
Zahra’s eyes burned into Cork. “No, it’s just me. The wind is really howling here. Sometimes, it sounds like the whispered words of an idiot.”
The Brit frowned, crossed her arms over her chest, and sat back.
“Yes, well, I was just making sure it wasn’t that tree trunk of a pilot of yours, Ms. Milton. I’ve looked into her. She reminds me of a blabbermouth I had to deal with a couple of years back.”
Eddy’s words must have been loud enough for Cork to hear. The “tree-trunk-shaped blabbermouth” shot Zahra a death glare. In turn, Zahra was forced to hold back a laugh.
“What about travel?” Zahra asked, moving the conversation forward.
“Already arranged. You’ll be getting the details shortly.”
“Copy that.” Zahra blew out a long breath. “So, where to first?”
She heard Eddy clack on a keyboard. “You’ll be heading to Punta Arenas to rendezvous with the first member of your team?”
“Team?” Zahra asked, standing. She paced back and forth. “I thought TAC missions were normally done solo, minus a local contact and whatnot?”
“They usually are, yes. This is technically a solo mission. You alone will be representing TAC. The individuals you are meeting are not agents of ours, but they do possess the skillsets to make this operation successful.” Eddy sighed. “Unfortunately, they also represent foreign nations.”
“Why is that unfortunate?”
“Because of the way we operate and what our goals are. We like to stay in control.”
“Obviously. There’s a lot of money to be had out there.”
“Exactly. Trust is a must.” She laughed softly. “I know it’s cliché, Zahra, but it’s also true.”
“Can we trust these team members of mine?” Zahra asked.
“I believe so, yes,” Eddy replied. “Okay, so the first member of your team will naturally represent the German government.”
“Naturally…”
“My contact has assured me that he will find you someone you can rely on.”
“Good to hear. What about the other member?”
“So, there’s something you should know…”
Here it comes. Zahra knew everything couldn’t be this cut and dry.
“First things first, how’s your Russian?”
“Fine, but what does that have to do with this?” Zahra replied, speaking fluent Russian.
“Excuse me?”
Zahra repeated the response in English.
“Oh, yes. Well, your next team member will represent the Russian third of your lineup, though…”
“Though, what?” Zahra asked, pausing her pacing.
“Though Yana doesn’t actually represent the Kremlin.”
“Who does this Yana represent?”
“Theoretically, she represents herself. Yana did some work for us recently, and she comes highly recommended by one of our best agents. Her off-the-books profession includes cold climate operations.”
Zahra put two and two together. “You’ve set me up with a Russian mercenary?”
“Um, yes… Yana is a disgruntled former FSB operative, which is a good thing. You won’t have to worry about her intentions. She is being paid to be loyal to you and TAC only.”
“Good, I guess?” Zahra started to pace again.
“Look, Zahra, Yana was our best option. We don’t exactly have a lot of friends within the current Russian regime.”
“It’s fine, Eddy. I trust your judgment. Raegor does, too. That’s enough for me.”
“Thank you, Zahra. Yana will act as your number two. She has a lot of field experience and her personality… Well, let’s say that you two should get along great.”
Zahra wasn’t sure how to take that. So, she ignored it and kept her mouth shut.
“Okay, Zahra, that’s about it. Pack lightly and wait for your itinerary to arrive via email. Your gear will already be in your hotel room in Chile. More will be waiting for you when you land in Antarctica.”
“Sure. Uh, thanks, Eddy.”
“You’re welcome, and Zahra?”
“Yeah?”
“Take a moment to breathe. I’m sure you’ll do fine. Eddy out.”
Zahra turned and placed her phone on the patio table. Then she leaned on it with both hands, closed her eyes, and breathed, just as Eddy had suggested. Zahra knew she was more than qualified to take on a job like this.
Cork was the first to speak. “Antarctica, huh?”
Zahra nodded, opened her eyes, and looked at her friend. “Yeah, Antarctica.”
Cork picked up her mug. “Well, like I said, wear layers or freeze your nips off.”
Chapter 6
Zahra
Zurich Airport
Zurich, Switzerland
Zahra despised layovers, especially when she traveled internationally. Her internal clock was already getting screwed up by the time zone crossings as it was. Add in a four-hour period of nothingness, and Zahra’s mind and body morphed into sludge.
She checked her watch. “Come on…” Based on what the lady had said over the intercom, her plane would start boarding in about twenty minutes. She was this much closer to sleeping soundly.
Over the years, Zahra had become an expert at sleeping on planes.
Or in the back seat of a car.
Or on a rock in Afghanistan.
Zahra could pretty much fall asleep anywhere and on anything.
She zoomed through her Instagram feed for the hundredth time, dying from the wait. This was the only place she couldn’t pack it in and pass out. Zahra was too on edge to nap right now. She was too nervous. There was nothing that would relax her, knowing that she was closer to getting the mission underway.
A baby cried somewhere off to her right. She reflexively looked that way and locked eyes with someone who was not a hollering newborn. This was a grown man in a black trench coat… and he was staring right back at her.
Zahra zeroed in on him and waited for the guy to break contact first. But he didn’t.
Dammit, she thought. Who knows I’m here?
A family of six passed between their gazes, and when the way was clear again, the trench coat wearer was gone. A chill ran up and down Zahra’s spine. She contemplated calling Eddy and warning her that her mission might already be compromised.
You can’t do that.
First, Zahra had no proof that the man was following her. He could have just been the run-of-the-mill creep who had gotten caught people-watching. Second, phoning Eddy now would only make the woman lose confidence in Zahra the Newb.
“Or…” she said aloud, “you’re overtired, and he was never there.”
That was also a distinct possibility.
A familiar voice announced that Zahra’s flight was now boarding. Zahra gathered her carry-on and headed for the entrance to the jetway. Every few steps, she looked for the trench coat guy, but she never saw him again.
Chapter 7
Zahra
Punta Arenas, Chile
After landing in Chile, Zahra still couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being followed. Begrudgingly, she called Eddy back at TAC HQ. She didn’t want to, but she owed it to the company to be truthful with them.
She sat in the back of a cab that was inbound to the Garden Hotel, trying to speak over the obnoxiously loud jazz music. It’s not that Zahra didn’t enjoy the genre. It was just really loud.
“You think you’re being followed?” Eddy asked.
“Maybe, but it could also be nothing. Still, I trust my gut, and it’s saying to watch my back.”
“Yeah, I’ve been there before, and honestly, with your background, I’m not taking this lightly. If you were actually a rookie, then I might feel differently.”
“Thanks, Eddy, that makes me feel better.”
“Good. It was supposed to. Seriously though, in my experience, nothing is never nothing. Keep a sharp eye out for anything odd.”
Zahra snorted. “Have you seen the world lately, Eddy?”
“You know what I mean.”
“So, while I’ve got you…”
“Yes?”
Zahra needed to choose her words carefully. “This Yana woman, are you sure I can trust her?”
“More or less.”
“That’s not what I wanted to hear,” Zahra said, sighing hard.
“Look, Zahra, all you need to know is that her abilities will be invaluable if needed.”
Zahra looked out the window. “You still haven’t answered my question.”
“Fine. Yes, she’s trustworthy… ish.”
Zahra rolled her eyes and fell back in her seat. She decided that she was never going to get the answer she wanted, so she shifted gears mentally. Zahra’s driver shifted gears in real life and sped up. The sudden acceleration, combined with the poor condition of the vehicle, caused her to panic.
Holy crap!
“W — what about our Palmer Station contact?” she asked, looking for something to hold on to. But there was nothing available. Both ceiling handles were missing, having long since been ripped out of their mounts above each door.
“Captain Kyle Ford of the United States Air Force. Has logged hundreds of hours in the Antarctica air over the years. He’s supposed to be the best they have. I’m sure you’ve been on a C-130 before, correct?”
“Many times, unfortunately. I swear, riding in one of those things should get you an automatic visit to the chiropractor or at least a deep-tissue massage.”
Eddy laughed softly. “Yeah, can’t say I disagree. What about one on skis?”
Zahra’s eyes opened wide. “No. That would be a first for me.”
“All I’ll say is that it’s an ‘interesting’ experience.”
Zahra shook her head and closed her eyes. “Why can I feel you smiling from here?”
Eddy cleared her throat. It was clear that she had been smiling. “As far as Captain Ford is concerned… He’s a real straight shooter. Professional. A real no-nonsense type.”
“Oh, so you mean a no-fun type?”
“We don’t need fun, Zahra. We need results.”
“Yeah, I know. Thanks, Eddy.” The cab stopped outside her hotel. “Okay, I’m here. Talk again soon.”
Chapter 8
Eddy
Tactical Archaeological Command
Eagle County, Colorado, USA
The start of Zahra’s first official operation hadn’t gone as smoothly as Eddy had hoped. The nature of the discovery in question was incredibly sensitive, and she knew other parties might eventually get involved. Nazis in Antarctica, specifically being stationed there, had been a hot topic since the war ended. Until now, there had been no evidence of them actually setting up shop there.
Conspiracy theorists loved to tell tall tales of Nazis ending up in all corners of the globe, building massive subterranean complexes and continuing their sadistic societies. As far-fetched as these stories seemed, Eddy knew there was a fantastical element to them that made them attractive fodder for those who believed in Lizard People and the Illuminati.
A U-boat in the ice changed everything. It was proof that they had, at least, tried to get men there. The model of Unterseeboot lent to that even more. Based on the handful of pictures that had been taken, Eddy had Googled the model and saw that it had been designed to travel long distances and carry heavy cargo.
It wasn’t a prototypical attack sub. This U-boat was a gigantic transport vessel.
Eddy looked at her phone. She wanted to call Raegor but quickly decided against it. His mission with Jack had done a number on him. Raegor’s body didn’t respond well to stress, not since his chemotherapy. He had fought and beaten cancer, but it had also won part of the battle.
No, leave him out of this. She took a deep breath. We can handle this.
Chapter 9
Yana
Garden Hotel
Punta Arenas, Chile
The Garden Hotel sported a spacious, outdoor, full-service bar — and that was precisely where Yana Fedorov sat now. She’d been instructed to meet TAC agent Zahra Kane here. That was good. Yana always preferred to get pleasantries out of the way early.
The athletic blonde was tickled when she saw a bottle of Jewel of Russia Ultra Black behind the bar. Yana gleefully ordered a heavy pour of the premium vodka. It featured a creamy mouthfeel, subtle peppery notes, soft rye spice, and very little burn on the finish. She always drank it neat, much to the dismay of most other people. Ice watered down flavor and, to Yana, brought out more of the alcohol taste.
Her last mission with TAC had been a doozy; she hoped this one would be too. Yana loved a good challenge. She also loved the adventure that came with the challenge.
“Cerveza por favor.”
Yana’s eyes darted left. In her periphery, she watched a woman sit next to her. It only took a second, and in that short time, Yana read the newcomer as thoroughly as she could.
Her skin tone could only be described as “coffee with cream.” She was well-built but not as muscular as Yana was, and her raven-black hair owned perfect waves.
In short, she was gorgeous.
Middle Eastern, perhaps?
“What are you drinking?” the woman asked.
Yana’s eyes lifted to the mirror built into the back wall of the bar. They found the other patron. The question wasn’t what had gotten Yana’s attention; it was a classic conversation starter. What had raised the hairs on Yana’s arms was what language the question had been asked in.
The Middle Eastern woman had asked the question in fluent Russian.
Yana stayed calm, took another sip, then held the lowball glass, inspecting its contents. “Jewel of Russia black top,” she replied in English. “It doesn’t get better.”
The barkeep returned and placed a bottle of Cerveza Cristal atop a napkin, setting both in front of Yana’s new friend. Yana took another sip of vodka, but this time, instead of admiring her drink, she set it down and turned. She met eyes with her neighbor and noticed how striking they were.
Yana said as much. “You have the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen.”
Zahra Kane grinned. “Is this how you always begin introductions?”
“What can I say? I speak my mind.”
Zahra took a long pull of her beer, then sighed. “I’ll have to remember that…”
The two women never formally introduced one another. They just sat there and shot the shit, getting to know each other through informal conversation. Yana was grateful for it, too. Meeting new people — people she was going to have to rely on whether she wanted to or not — was always more awkward than it needed to be.
Zahra must have felt the same way, hence the lack of conventional introductions.
The bar was mostly empty, and the bartender was also acting as a de facto waiter. He was currently away from the bar, giving the mercenary and the archeologist some much-needed privacy.
“So, FSB, huh?”
Yana nodded. “Yes.”
“How long?”
Yana emptied her lowball. “Too long.” She was thankful that Zahra didn’t push the subject further. She knew Eddy would have already clued her in. “What about you? What did you do before this?”
“British Army Intelligence Linguist.”
That stunned Yana. “You’re British?” Zahra’s voice contained no British accent.
The non-Brit smiled. “That’s what my passport says… I grew up in New York and moved to England with my dad and brother after my mom was murdered.”
Yana sensed there was a lot to unpack there, so she left it alone.
For now.
“What about after the army?”
Zahra took another long pull. “Worked for the British Museum for a bit… until it sorta blew up.”
“That was you?” Yana asked, once again shocked. She’d heard about the attack on the museum shortly after it had happened. There’d been quite a few deaths, and not from the explosion or subsequent fires.
“I was there, yeah,” Zahra replied. “But no, I didn’t cause the destruction.” She looked away. “My cousin did. He tried to kill me several times.”
Yana shook her head. “You are a very confusing woman to get a read on, you know that?”
Zahra shrugged. “What can I say? It’s a gift.”
“One thing… In public, please call me Anastasia.”
“Why’s that?” Zahra asked, eyebrow raised.
“Let’s just say that I have made a name for myself in certain circles. I’ve also collected a long list of enemies along the way.”
