They continued to discuss how Turkey was walking a tightrope, deepening economic ties with Russia while diplomatically engaging with the West. Sami was very excited to have Oliver and Candy assigned at the embassy and was looking forward to how things might evolve going forward.
Sofia was enthralled as she processed everything. Although feeling she was in a bit over her head, she also realized how important a role Major Grimes was playing. She also realized why he had wanted her to get cleared to know all of this. Their relationship was just beginning but, without knowing what she now knew, that relationship would not have been able to progress very far. And … she very much wanted that relationship to progress much,muchfurther indeed.
Eventually, it was time for all the visitors to say goodbye. Sami hugged Missy close and said, “I wish I could have been at your wedding but that just wasn’t possible. I am so happy you and Mike are married now and I know that marriage will continue to bring you both great happiness.”
Missy also hugged Oliver and Candy. She joked with Sofia that they needed to get to know one another a little more before they began any hugging.
Sofia chuckled and as she looked over at Major Grimes, she said, “I look forward to that, Missy. If your supernatural senses are as incredible as what I learned they are in yesterday’s briefing, then you must knowexactlyhow much I’m looking forward to that.”
Missy giggled and said, “Oh, my senses are indeed that incredible and yes, I do know. I want youbothto continue growing closer. You have my blessing.”
Later, back in her room with Mike, Missy said, “Today was a good day. I’m very optimistic about things despite my worry that this war in Ukraine will not be ending any time soon. We have a lot of good people who are striving to bring peace to this world. I may be a soldier who will go into battle time and time again, but my goal in doing that is always with that purpose.”
Mike said, “I know that, Missy. It tears my heart with worry about what you must do but fills my heart with so much pride at the same time, it’s quite a dilemma. Let’s go to bed. Sufficient unto the day …”
Missy laughed as she finished “… are the problems thereof.” She climbed into bed with Mike and for the next several minutes, while they made love to one another, they both forgot all about the world’s many problems.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Monday, July 18, 2022
When Missy returned from her run that morning, she again found Mike eating breakfast with Major Grimes. She filled her tray with food and drinks and headed over to join them. They were not at the “officers” table this time and Master Sergeant Town was with them. Once again, Staff Sergeant DeMarco come over to take away her tray for her.
“Your exec officer has arrived,” said Master Sergeant Town.
“Great,” agreed Major Grimes. “Now we can focus fully on the next mission which General Hingham wants her to go on. I’ve already been briefing Mike about that.”
Mike said, “And I’ve already insisted that I go along as far as Kiev. I can hang out there with Lieutenant Colonel Grady and Master Sergeant Town at that office which the Ukraine Military Intelligence folks have established for us in their headquarters. The communication from there is secure and since I’ll usually be within five hundred miles of wherever you might be leading the team, that means you can talk directly to me and won’t need to risk using any satellite phone.”
Missy nodded and said, “That works provided I don’t need to take them further east than Moscow.”
Major Grimes said, “Your target this time is actually about five hundred and sixty-five miles from Kiev as the crow flies. We figure we can have Mike move toKharkiv when the time comessince that’s only about four hundred and fifty miles from your target.”
“I’m not thrilled to have him in Kharkiv,” objected Missy. “They get frequent rocket and missile attacks there and …”
“I want to do this, Missy,” explained Mike. “I trust I’ll be safe enough and I’ll certainly be lots safer than you will be. Since using me for communications actually makes you and the teamsaferthan other options, let’s not discuss who is or is not thrilled about anything.”
Missy sighed and asked, “What’s the target, anyway?”
Major Grimes smiled and said, “The Russians have this huge arsenal belonging to their Main Missile and Artillery Directorate. It’s located at Barsovo, which is in the Vladimir Oblast about one hundred and twelve miles east and a little bit north of Moscow. This facility is used for storing and assembling munitions and it spreads across more than eight hundred acres. It also includes a laboratory for testing explosive materials and workshops for high-tech weapons. It stores a wide variety of missiles and artillery shells. We believe there are more than one hundred thousand tons of explosives there.”
“Wow, I can see why General Hingham might want us to hit that,” said Missy. “I assume we need to somehow make it appear to be an accident like we did for that manufacturing plant in Bryansk.”
Master Sergeant Town grinned and said, “Yeah, you go in, you do some mischief and mayhem, and you get back out. Leave no evidence that any U.S. forces were involved. That’s what will always be in our playbook now.”
Major Grimes said, “Getting to Barsovo is more than twice as far as when you went to Bryansk so we’re guessing it will take you more than twice as much time for this mission. You were gone five days for that one so this is likely to require at least ten days.”
Missy nodded and said, “We managed to bring enough MRE’s with us when we did that Bryansk mission. We will need more food this time for going to Barsovo and back so we’ll need to steal some food in Russia as well as use a couple of vehicles. That won’t be a problem. Since we should travel on secondary roads, the mission could require even more than ten days. Our team members should all be able to speak a little Russian since we’re probably going to be meeting some local folks along the way this time.”
“That’s what we’ve planned,” agreed Major Grimes. “Sergeant Town is remaining in Ukraine with Mike and your team will have mostly our lower ranking members. They’re the ones who’ve been studying Russian with you and Captain Novikov. Both Mel and Ruby are going so with three of you women along, your team will hopefully seem more convincing as being merely peasant agricultural workers wherever you go.”
Missy nodded and said, “So agricultural workers rather than factory workers. We’ve been training for that. I know we all have identity paperwork which can work for us in those roles.”
They continued to discuss the mission for another half hour. Then, Major Grimes said, “I’ve scheduled a complete briefing on this mission at ten hundred hours up in the Ops Center. It’s almost that time now, so let’s all head on up there.”
After the team had assembled, Major Grimes gave them a more detailed briefing of the planned mission. He explained Missy was again leading this and identified who had been chosen to accompany her. In addition to Ruby and Mel, Staff Sergeants DeMarco, Morgan, O’Meara, Murphy, and Carter had all been selected. Sergeants First Class Heimbold and Harold were also chosen and would act as leaders for two separate parts on the team.
Master Sergeant Town and Mike were also going, of course, but they would remain in Ukraine. Staff Sergeants DeMarco and Mel would be on opposite team parts, as would be Staff Sergeants Morgan and Ruby. Likewise, Mel and Ruby would be on opposite parts. This was how they always trained for missions, always on separate team parts not wanting close relationships to possibly interfere with any operations.
