Free Keepers of the Lost Garden (The Lost Garden Trilogy Book 2) by K.T. Tomb

Konstantin.
    The fact that this 1.5 million-ton, cement-producing plant was shut down by one man, did just that.
    The impatient man was extremely thin. He usually tugged on his beard when he was nervous.
    He couldn’t stop tugging now.
    Alexey exited the jeep and marveled at the size of the cement plant. His excitement was expressed in his first words to the Iranian.
    “Simply amazing! I would hire you in an instant! How could one man have possibly shut down a plant this size?”
    The Iranian’s eyes darted back and forth as if he were expecting trouble. “I have no time for pleasantries! The bomb threat I called in will not keep the doors closed for long. I had to wait until the military completely searched the building before I could store your items. It will be any day now when they decide to open it back up.”
    Sulna stepped close to the Iranian.
    He was immediately repulsed by her smell.
    He took his scarf and wrapped it around his nose and mouth. “By Allah! I was told of you, but nothing could prepare me for that smell!”
    Sulna grabbed him and drew him in closer. “We have not time for this, as well! What do you need from us?”
    The Iranian pulled away from Sulna’s grasp and unlocked the huge double doors to the plant. The metal door creaked as the Iranian struggled to open it.
    As the door slowly moved outward, Sulna and Alexey gazed upon the very thing that might sway the war in their favor.
    There were two box-shaped tanks with steel-welded turrets.
    Alexey’s confidence rose to insurmountable levels.
    The Iranian smiled at his success of hiding the tanks. “They are Zulfiqar MBTs.”
    Sulna looked puzzled. “MBTs?”
    “Main battle tanks.” The Iranian continued his description. “They are 36 tons each with a diesel engine, giving them a 21.7 horsepower per-ton ratio. It takes a crew of three to operate, but these are modified to work with no less than two people. There are several soldiers with you who can operate the Zulfiqar, so you won’t have any problems there. The user manuals are inside each tank.”
    The Iranian addressed Alexey. “I need to know where to take your items. Where do I meet you with them?”
    Alexey’s surprise confused the Iranian. “What do you mean? I was under the impression that we would take them now.”
    “That’s impossible!” Sulna took over. “There is no way that we can take those things with us. Just like there is no way that we can take the trucks into Eden. Do you have some paper and a pen or pencil?”
    The Iranian ran around the side of the building to his motorcycle. He looked through the storage compartment and found what Sulna had requested. He then ran back to Sulna and gave her the paper and pen.
    She placed the paper on the hood of the jeep and then looked around to get her bearings. She started to draw a map. A map that led to the entrance of Eden.
    Alexey glared at the Iranian, who continued to pace. “You obviously need someone else to help you bring them to the designated area. These people had better be trustworthy.”
    The Iranian showed his disgust. “You do not worry about who I get to help me! They are my responsibility! We will meet you wherever the stinky woman tells us to meet.”
    Sulna pushed the paper and pen into the Iranian’s face. He grabbed them and ran to his motorcycle.
    Sulna and Alexey returned to their jeep.
    Alexey smiled. “We actually have a chance of winning this war.”
    He started driving as Sulna looked at the surrounding mountains. He decided that he had better calm her down.
    He still needed her.
    “Sulna. My breath is always taken away by the majestic beauty of the mountains. Of course, they pale in comparison to your beauty.”
    She ignored him as she continued to stare away from him.
    “All is in readiness, my dear. We have the upper hand.” Alexey felt confident.
    He got Sulna’s attention.
    She turned to him with fury in her eyes.
    “Do you think this is a game, Alexey? Are you pleased, even though