01 The Persona Protocol (aka the Shadow Protocol) by Andy McDermott

Author:Andy McDermott [McDermott, Andy]
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“So you bribed some poor Russian to borrow his car?” asked Bianca.

“I gave him enough to buy a whole new car,” Adam replied as he carefully guided the aging Lada around the edge of the bay. Even with chains on the tires and following the Vityaz’s tracks, the snow-covered road was tricky to navigate. “And then I had to pay off the others who were jealous that I didn’t choose their cars.”

“Did you tell them why you needed it?”

“No. That’s the whole point of a bribe. I pay, they don’t ask.”

She was already irritable about leaving the comfort and security of the plane, and being patronized did nothing to help her mood. “So, two new things I know about Dr. Eugene Browning—he speaks Russian, and he’s a sarcastic git.”

Adam laughed. “Yes, sorry. Sometimes a persona comes through without my meaning it to.”

She regarded him quizzically. “You’re not in total control?”

“Oh, nothing like that, no. It’s more a subconscious influence. Like picking up a local accent after moving to a new town.”

“Or saying ‘I’ instead of ‘he,’ like you did when you were talking about that bribe Browning took in 1985?”

“Just living the part. Less chance of messing up my pronouns in front of the bad guys.” He looked across at her. “Are you warm?”

Despite wearing a thick hooded coat and padded over-trousers, she was hunched tightly in the seat, the medical gear and a case containing a Geiger counter in her lap and gloved hands wedged firmly under her folded arms. “Do I look warm?”

“I’d turn up the heater, but as you can see …” The dial was already as far into the red as it would go.

“Adam,” said Holly Jo through his earwig, “Zykov just reached the town. Looks like he’s going to the docks.”

He looked across the fjord. “It’ll probably take us about ten more minutes to get there. Keep me informed.”

“Will do.”

Bianca gave him a questioning look. There had been no time to fit her with an earwig. “Zykov’s heading for the port,” he told her.

“Like you thought.”

“Yes. Al-Rais is almost certainly aboard the Woden. Two questions: One, where are he and Zykov going to meet Sevnik? And two, how many terrorists has he brought with him?”

“You don’t think al-Rais has come alone?”

“Unlikely.”

“Well, that’s … cheery.” She slumped back in her seat.

The car continued around the inlet. After ten minutes of slithering through the snow, it passed a sign: . Provideniya. Beyond was the town itself, strings of buildings stretched out parallel to the shore. Under the gray sky it looked thoroughly uninviting, even the brightly colored houses providing little cheer.

“We’ve reached the town,” Adam told those in the jet. He looked along the waterfront. Dark cranes rose above the docks. The Woden was visible, lights shining in its wheelhouse. “Heading for the port.”

“Okay,” said Holly Jo. “Zykov and his men just went aboard the ship.”

“No sign of al-Rais?”

“Not yet.”

“Right. Keep watching. We’ll be there soon.” The road into the town had been partially cleared of snow, making progress easier.

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