The Russian president shrugged. “In Georgia and the rest of the former republics, there are already signs of growing political instability.” He inclined his head toward the billionaire with a dry, ironic smile. “Thanks, of course, to the civilian and military leadership deaths inflicted by your HYDRA virus.”
Malkovic nodded.
But now Ivanov pounced. “Unfortunately, Mr. Malkovic, HYDRA itself may now present the greatest threat to our success.” Coldly, the head of the Thirteenth Directorate looked across the table at Brandt. “Herr Brandt’s failure to eliminate Dr. Petrenko before he talked was a serious mistake. But his continuing failure to capture or kill this Colonel Smith and his associates is a potential disaster. The longer Smith runs free here in Moscow, the greater the chance that he will penetrate the HYDRA secret. Put bluntly, that is a chance we cannot take.”
“Very true, Alexei,” Dudarev agreed. The Russian president pointed to the screen depicting armored spearheads thrusting deep into Ukraine, Georgia, and the others. “ZHUKOV’s success depends entirely on our achieving almost complete surprise. But if the Americans learn of our involvement in the deaths caused by your viral weapon, everything we hope to achieve is put at risk.”
“What do you propose?” Malkovic asked stiffly.
“First, that my directorate assume full control over the search for Smith and the American journalist, Ms. Devin,” Ivanov told him. He turned back to Brandt. “But I want total cooperation this time. Nothing must be held back or concealed from me. Nothing. Is that clearly understood?”
For a moment, the former Stasi officer said nothing. His jaw tightened as he tried to hide his anger. Then he shrugged elaborately, feigning almost total indifference. “As you wish.”
Malkovic kept his gaze fixed on Dudarev. For all his ruthlessness, Ivanov, like Brandt, was merely a servant. The Russian president was the man who pulled the strings. He raised a single eyebrow. “Well, Viktor, is that all?”
Dudarev shook his head. “Not quite, my friend.” His fingers drummed softly on the table. “This American intelligence effort troubles me. Despite its real successes, so far, at least, it appears that HYDRA has not yet sufficiently blinded Washington. I also worry that President Castilla may prove more stubborn than wise. If, in the end, he proves unwilling to accept our conquests, the risk of an unwanted direct confrontation with the United States grows exponentially. Given our strategic advantages in Ukraine and central Asia, we should still prevail, but the costs, in troops, equipment, and money, might be excessive.”
The other men in the room nodded slowly.
“For that reason,” Dudarev continued, “I have decided to make sure that this particular American president no longer threatens us.” He focused his eyes on Malkovic. “You will instruct your people to hand over the appropriate HYDRA variant to one of Ivanov’s couriers as soon as possible.”
Malkovic stiffened in surprise. “But the risks of killing Castilla are ? “
“Manageable,” the Russian leader said calmly. He glanced at Ivanov.
“Correct?”
The head of the Thirteenth Directorate nodded coldly. “We have a mole in place, inside the White House,” he confirmed. “Deploying HYDRA successfully should present no particular problems.”
Malkovic felt cold. “There will be hell to pay if the United States ever suspects what we have done,” he said tightly.
Dudarev shrugged. “Let the Americans suspect what they will, so long as they cannot prove anything.” He smiled thinly. “Which brings me to another concern. In the circumstances, with American agents on the prowl, have you considered the possible dangers to your HYDRA facility?”
“The lab is secure,” Malkovic told him flatly. “The Americans will not discover it.”
Beside him, Brandt nodded in agreement.
Dudarev eyed them both with amused cynicism. “That is good news,” he said after a moment, delaying just long enough to make it clear that he did not believe them. “Still, it might be safer for all of us if Dr. Renke and his scientific team were transferred here ?to one of our special maximum-security Bioaparat complexes, for example. Don’t you agree?”
Malkovic grimaced. Now he could see the game the Russian president was playing. Complete control over HYDRA and the secret of its creation was his high card in this high-stakes gamble. The unique viral weapon created by Renke made the billionaire an irreplaceable ally, a man with whom Dndarev must deal as an equal. But if he ever lost his monopoly on this lethal technology, the men in the Kremlin would be free to act as they saw fit. For that reason, he had kept all knowledge of Renke’s whereabouts a closely guarded secret, especially from the Russians.
“The facility is safe,” he repeated coldly. “Of that you have my most solemn word.”
Dndarev nodded slowly. “Very well, I am willing to accept your pledge.”
Then, quite abruptly, his seemingly mild, half-amused expression hardened.
“But one thing must be made absolutely explicit, Mr. Malkovic: Since you will not allow us to protect the secret of this weapon ourselves, we will hold you personally responsible for any further failures. Five days remain before we can launch ZHUKOV. Five short clays. But until our soldiers and combat aircraft are in action, the Americans must not learn of HYDRA’s existence. If they do, your life is forfeit. Remember that fact.”
Later, during the brief limousine ride back to his Pashkov House office, Malkovic moodily considered the Russian president’s threat. So the tiger has shown me its teeth and claws, he thought grimly. He scowled. All the more reason then to make sure that he kept a firm grip around its throat.
He looked across at Brandt. The tall, blond-haired German was sitting on the rear-facing seat, staring blindly out the window.
“Will Ivanov succeed in capturing or killing the Americans?” Malkovic asked quietly.
Brandt snorted. “I doubt it.”
“Why?”
“Because the militia and the security services are fundamentally unreliable,” the German explained slowly through gritted teeth. “For all of Dudarev’s vaunted purges, both still contain too many officers who are either corrupt and willing to sell information or protection to fugitives with enough money?or else who are tainted by so- called ‘reformist’ ideals. The chances are too great that Smith and Devin will find officials willing to help them, or at least to turn a blind eye while they escape. If Ivanov thinks otherwise, he’s a fool.”
Malkovic pondered his subordinate’s bitter, cynical assessment in silence.
With his own neck very much on the line, hearing Brandt’s low opinion of the FSB and militia was deeply worrying.
The billionaire came to a decision. “Then you will continue your own hunt for Smith and Devin,” he told Brandt. “I want them found, and found quickly. Preferably by your men, and not by the Russians.”
“What about the Thirteenth Directorate?” the other man wondered. “You heard Ivanov. He’ll want every scrap of information we dig up. It will be hard enough tracking down the Americans without tripping over FSB agents at ever: turn.”
Malkovic nodded. “I understand.” He shrugged. “Give the Russians enough of the data you have obtained on this man Smith to keep them happy.
In the meantime, press your own search as far and as fast as possible.”
“Capturing the two Americans under Ivanov’s nose will be difficult,”
Brandt warned. “But I promise you that my men and I will.”
“I am not paying you to try, Herr Brandt,” the billionaire said ieilv. “I am paying you to succeed. I strongly suggest that you remember the difference.”
“And if I take Smith and Ms. Devin alive?” the German asked calmly, ignoring the implied threat. “Without Ivanov finding out, I mean. What are your orders then?”
“Squeeze them dry,” Malkovic said brutally. “Find out who they’re working for and how much information on HYDRA they have already relayed to the United States ? “
“And after that?”
“Kill them,” Malkovic snapped. “Quickly, if necessary. But slowly, if possible. Colonel Smith and Ms. Devin have caused me a great deal of trouble and anxiety. That is something I would dearly like them to regret.”
