Chapter 46

46

May 14, 5:03 P . M . ANAT

Airborne over the East Siberian Sea

As the transport plane rushed low over the break in the fogbank, Captain Turov gazed down at the massive bulk of an icebreaker. A triumphant surge rushed through him, but it was equally quelled by relief.

"They're here," he gasped out, then called to the pilot. "Circle us over."

Behind him, others crowded at windows, either in the cockpit or the main cabin. Excited murmurs echoed throughout the plane.

Sychkin shoved up front, abandoning his lapdog, Yerik.

"We found them," Turov announced.

"Not just them!" Sychkin exclaimed, his voice booming as if from a pulpit. He shifted Turov's attention to the collection of black rocks sticking out of the ice. "That must be Hyperborea. Or at least, the mountainous tip of a greater plateau buried beneath it."

Turov frowned back at him, "Why do you think that?"

Sychkin scowled. "Look closer." He pointed at the tall peak in the center of the grouping. "Someone blasted ice off its flank."

Turov squinted and saw the man was correct. "There's a tunnel opening, too."

"And the ice is chewed up at the entrance," Sychkin added.

"By tread marks."

Sychkin grabbed Turov's arm. "A party must have already gone below. If so, they could ruin all our hopes. All of Russia's future."

The archpriest's eyes shone with a rabid fervency.

"We must stop them," Sychkin insisted.

Turov drove the man back into the cabin with the others. "Then let us do our job."

As the archpriest retreated to a window, Turov addressed the entire cabin, taking the pulpit himself this time.

"We land in three minutes. As soon as we touch down, we'll drop the rear door and split into two teams. The eleven under Lieutenant Osin will secure the landing site, using the snowmobiles to establish a cordon. Your priority will be to lock down that icebreaker, to keep those aboard at bay."

He turned to the second team. "The eleven with Lieutenant Bragin will be with me. We're going to strike for a tunnel into the mountain."

"I must go with you," Sychkin demanded, his eyes still fire-bright.

Turov frowned, ready to refuse.

"You don't know what's down there," Sychkin pressed. "You may need my knowledge of Hyperborea. And Yerik can keep me well protected. I won't burden your men."

Turov still wanted to balk, but ultimately he didn't care if the bastard got himself killed. As long as he stays out of my way . Plus, he knew the archpriest could become problematic later if Turov refused. There were many in positions of power who still bent an ear to this fool. And Turov had a future career to consider.

He pointed to both Sychkin and Yerik. "You will obey our every word. Do not step out of line. Is that understood?"

Sychkin bowed his head, but there was nothing submissive in his manner.

Another raised an arm. "I know this enemy," Valya Mikhailov asserted. "You saw what they did back at your base. Don't make the mistake of sidelining me again."

In truth, he welcomed her input, but her abrasive attitude rankled him.

Before he would commit, he swung into the cockpit. Before landing, there was another force that needed instructions. He spoke to his radioman. "Any further word from the Lyakhov ?"

"Yes, sir. Just now. Message came garbled, but clear enough. They've run into a mishap with their propellers. Maybe engines. They're working on repairs now."

Turov frowned. "How long?"

"I lost them before they could clarify. I'll keep trying to reach them. But we'll be clear of the solar storm in another hour."

"Reach them before that. Get the Lyakhov to send whatever forces they can by helicopter to this spot."

Turov turned around and found Valya standing there. She had moved silently, as ghostly as her pale visage.

"That was no accident at the patrol boat," she stated firmly. "That was the enemy again."

He frowned. "How can you—"

"I noted a flash of fire just before I spotted this icefield. It could've been anything, but with the Lyakhov being stranded, I wager the enemy is trying to delay the vessel's arrival. To gain enough time to outlast the solar storm."

Turov took a deep breath.

It made frightening sense.

He pointed at her. "Then you're coming with me."