Free Necessary Retribution by Mike McNeff Page A

wounds?”
    “The doctor is a lady and they seemed to click.”
    Emmett's face broke out in a grin. “A little lovin’ would do that boy a world of good.”
    “How's Ivanov doing?”
    “Okay. He gave me some problems in the beginning, but I straightened him out. He's been asking me about American prisons and I think he wants to work a deal to do all of his time in our country. He ain't too keen about going to Britain or France.”
    “He apparently isn't too dumb.”
    “Not on that score.”
    “I'll talk to you later, I want to get a debrief done before we land.”
    “Roger, boss.”
    Robin walked up to the team area conference room where the men were assembled. He looked over the team and smiled. Ernie had opened the bar and the men were relaxing with their favorite adult beverage.
    “Listen up, gentlemen. I want to do a final debrief while things were fresh in our mind. I know we debriefed our main missions while we waited for pick up, I just wanted to make sure there weren't any final thoughts.
    Rick Santos raised his hand. “I just want to say from the time we formed up to jump out of the plane until the time we got back, I was scared shitless.” Knowing chuckles floated around the team. “I also want to say working with this team is the highlight of my life. We are the best damn team in the world. Tell Grassley to bring it on.”
    The team cheered and they rose up and pounded Rick's back. Rocky gave Rick a bear hug. Robin smiled with satisfaction as he looked on. Yes, we are the best damn team in the world.

    Colonel General Ivan Picushkin, Commander of the Soviet Union Nuclear Arsenal, took a long drag from his cigarette in the rear seat of his official car parked in a wooded area on the south end of Lake Ladoga near St. Petersburg. Viktor Danshov sat across from the general. Danshov ran the narcotics and fencing business for the Russian Mafia. Bao Ma Teo, an intelligence agent for the Ministry of State Security for the Peoples Republic of China, sat next to the general.
    Danshov leaned forward in his seat. “General, Mr. Teo is my contact for the people who wish to purchase your merchandise. I think you will be pleased with his offer.”
    General Picushkin turned to Teo. “I am listening.”
    “My contacts would like to purchase five devices. They are prepared to pay ten million US Dollars apiece”
    Picushkin's cigarette stopped on the way to his lips. “How can I be sure your clients have that kind of money. They are not from any government.”
    They do have support from several of our allies.”
    “I understand they are Muslim Jihadists.”
    “That is correct.”
    “Will any of these devices be used in this country?”
    “Aside from the Chechnya question, they do not want to make the Soviet Union an enemy. One of the clients, is Saddam Hussein, so you can be sure he certainly doesn't want that to happen.”
    The general sat quiet for a moment. “The price will be twenty-five million for each device. I will deliver them in Pakistan as you previously asked as long as Pakistani Intelligence (ISI), is still willing to provide protection.”
    “That presents two problems. The first is you want too much for the devices. The second is, one of the devices needs to be delivered to North Korea.”
    “Well, then Comrade Teo, I'm sure you can find other sources for your needs.”
    The back of the car fell quiet for a few moments until Teo spoke. “I guess there is an occasional time when the concept of supply and demand applies. We will agree to your price, but one of the devices must be delivered to North Korea.”
    “No, I will not deliver anything to North Korea. I will make delivery of that device in Vladivostok since that is the closest port to North Korea and it must be before the other devices are delivered in Pakistan.”
    Teo slowly nodded his head. “Very well, I will make the arrangements. Your demands make for difficulties, but you are doing a good thing General. I fear your government will