The Polar Protocol: Ice and Fire by Willie Hirsh

Author:Willie Hirsh [Hirsh, Willie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hildebrand Books
Published: 2023-07-10T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

* * *

March 21, Morning

Moscow

The soccer match’s final score with Liverpool was a tie, which ended Nik’s soccer team’s quest to seek their first European championship trophy. But for the Russians it was a big victory to tie with one of the top soccer teams in the world. This elevated Nik’s celebrity, by scoring the tieing goal, big news in Russia. “It was the best loss ever won,” Pravda announced in the morning paper, and the soccer club fan page went ballistic.

The Domodedovo airport was full of soccer fans waiting to greet the returning team. Nik was the center of the attention with interviews and photos covering newspapers and the internet boosting his prestige as a hero, exactly how the SVR wanted him to come back–internationally famous.

The little scar and stitches on his face were attributed to a soccer hooligan attack in the hotel and the media knew how to turn it into another heroic event in which Nik prevailed.

Pieter knew the truth and went along with the story and knew that Vladimir would keep his eye on the odd civilian group joining the Russian expedition. Vladimir trusted Pieter who put together that ensemble.

In London, the British police granted the request to bury the case in the archives and blame hooligans. Byron went back to his boring administrative desk work since he lost Lucy under his watch. They all knew she was responsible for the diplomatic incident.

Russian Defense Minister Rubi, with a nod from his president, started the virtual meeting to discuss the international incidents and develop strategic new plans to keep their military’s advantage. The expedition logistics and objectives were important, even though the navy had already dispatched three Akula nuclear class submarines to surround the frozen continent, protect the future expedition, and deter anyone whose plans interfered with their secret assignment–the pilfering of the Interceptor.

“Yes, it’s confirmed!” exclaimed Rubi. “All three loaded subs left their bases and are enroute.”

During the encrypted virtual conference meeting, Rubi coordinated with FSS Director Vitali, Anatoly the head of the SVR, and his senior agent, Pieter; also attending was the director of the FSB, Counterintelligence Director Lenny Kratzki (a civilian position) a tough ex-general with the army, and the head of the Russian Arctic Special Commando Forces. The topic of discussion was to solidify the expedition’s needs and requirements and they report directly to Primankov.

Rubi asked to keep the mission confidential. “It’s not an open call for volunteers; it’s a military action and keep it that way,” he stated, knowing time was of the essence.

“Long debates would not serve the confidentiality needed for the success of this type of mission. We already know and saw signs that the Americans have no intention of losing their Interceptor a second time. That shows it’s not a trap; we see some ‘out of the ordinary activities’ at the South Pole. The American South Pacific fleet is preparing to set sail south from Pearl Harbor,” Rubi said and waited for a response before continuing. No one said a word.

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