Part 29 (1/2)

”Finally, if by some small miracle we're able to pull this off, I would expect that you would withdraw all troops from Canada. Completely. And then, once the Canadians have a.s.sessed their damages, we will discuss reparations.”

”Becerra, let's not get ahead of ourselves,” said Kapalkin.

”Oh, we won't. We'll also discuss reparations for every nation involved in the construction and operation of the International s.p.a.ce Station.”

”Perhaps we should have kept to ourselves,” said Izotov. ”You Americans are all the same-always with your hand out. The world does not owe you anything.”

”In this particular case, General, you owe us something: the truth. And if you're lying now, then the hand coming at you will not be empty-if you understand my meaning.”

Izotov snickered. ”I understand.”

”President Becerra, protecting those Canadian reserves is in the best interests of both of our governments,” said Kapalkin. ”Let us focus on that and not use this situation as a bargaining tool to address other conflicts or desires.”

”We're going to put everything on the table here. But you're right. We can't do anything until we're sure those nukes have been deactivated. General Kennedy? I'd like you to coordinate with General Izotov.”

Kennedy nodded, though the awkwardness in her expression was clear.

”Gentlemen, we will be in touch with further details.” Becerra broke the link with them and returned to the private channel with General Kennedy. ”Let's get those NEST teams called up and in the air.”

”Yes, sir. But, sir, have we just climbed into bed with the Russians?”

”They say to keep your enemies close. Can't say I like sleeping with them, though. Let's get to work.”

THIRTY-FOUR.

Sergeant Raymond McAllen and his Marines, along with Khaki, the Russian helicopter pilot Pravota, and their rescued pilot Major Stephanie Halverson, had been hiking away from the chopper for about four hours, following the woods south, taking short breaks roughly every forty-five minutes.

The snow was knee-deep in a few spots, and it was slow going to be sure. Halverson had warmed up and refused to be pulled in the litter, though McAllen could tell she wouldn't last much longer. The Russian wasn't faring much better.

McAllen called the next halt, and they gathered below a stand of white spruce, hidden by the dense evergreen branches, while Gutierrez and Palladino took off ahead to reconnoiter the path and report back. Szymanski was keeping an eye to the rear, which thus far had been clear of pursuing ground forces.

Halverson's survival kit had been left behind, but the Russians began d.o.g.g.i.ng them from the air, with the occasional Ka-29 pa.s.sing over the forest, driving all of them into the snow for cover. McAllen had been forced to break radio silence to get an update on their pickup, and they learned they had at least two more hours to wait until their bird arrived. They could shave off some of that time by continuing to head south.

McAllen was qualified to guide in the chopper, but so was Khaki, so when their taxi arrived, the Canadian had volunteered for those honors.

As they sat there, huffing beneath the trees, McAllen offered up the last few pieces of his chocolate-coated energy bar to anyone willing.

Halverson took a piece and said, ”You look like you're freezing. You want the suit?”

He shook his head. ”I've been accused of being cold-blooded, so it all works out.”

”I will take your suit,” said Pravota, wincing over his zipper cuffs.

”She's not offering,” snapped McAllen.

”That's right,” Halverson growled.

McAllen turned back to her. ”So, is this rescue everything you dreamed it would be?”

She glanced away. ”They killed everyone at my base. Killed my wingman. Killed this poor family who was trying to help me. d.a.m.n, Sergeant. If you didn't pick me up, I would be dead by now. Don't sell yourself too short.”

”Thanks. I just, uh, I'm not thrilled by the prospect of two more hours of hiking.”

”Me neither. And can I ask? Why are we dragging along this guy?” She flicked a dark glance in Pravota's direction. ”Why didn't we leave him back at the chopper? Or just shoot him and be done with it.”

”A POW's a bonus in my book. And he's an officer. Not sure my boys will ever get a crack at capturing an officer again.”

She grinned crookedly. ”I'm sorry I interfered in your little professional development project.”

Her sarcasm stung. ”Hey, relax. We'll get you out of here.” McAllen leaned forward to brush snow from his boot.

A shot rang out, punched into the tree trunk at his shoulder.

He threw himself forward and cried, ”Get down!”

They were finally rolling into downtown Calgary, Ninth Avenue Southwest, and Staff Sergeant Marc Rakken signaled his rifle squad seated inside the Stryker to make their final gear checks.

Navy SEALs already in the city had asked that at least one Stryker platoon enter Calgary Tower, a tall column of concrete supporting a huge, conical-shaped observation deck. The tower was the city's most identifiable landmark, and it had been seized by several squads of Spetsnaz troops who were using it as an observation post.

After all, the tower was famous for offering the best views of Calgary, and those Russians knew it'd only be a matter of time before someone entered to flush them out.

And with no way to escape, they also knew they would be fighting to the death.

As Rakken sat there, waiting for the platoon to pull up outside the tower, he nervously flexed his gloved fingers. It had been an exhaustingly long ride. With some shuffling after the bombs had gone off during their trip up 95, his platoon was now spread among three Strykers, down a squad, and certainly a little demoralized.

Still, no more bombs had gone off after the initial ones, and their road march had proceeded without incident. Thorough searches of every vehicle had turned up nothing. Most of the officers were convinced that the bombs in question had been cleverly disguised as Stryker parts.

Ha.s.sa and Appleman were on the intercom, discussing two civilian choppers that for some reason had been allowed to circle overhead, when Appleman suddenly broke off and said, ”All right, Sergeant. We're here. Get ready!”