"Good." Mariana makes notes. "Friday we do full reconnaissance—thermal imaging, exterior surveillance, map every entry and exit. Saturday we finalize the tactical plan. Sunday we execute."
"He wants Sonya on that stage at ten-thirty PM," I say. "That's when the rescue team goes in. The moment he sees her, his attention locks on her. That's your window."
"Three-minute extraction," Mariana confirms. "In and out before he knows we're there. By the time he realizes his hostage is gone, she'll be in federal protection and we'll have all his leverage removed."
Sonya is quiet, staring at Natasha's frozen face on the screen. "She's terrified because of me. Because Anton's obsessed with me."
I pull her aside while Sergei and Mariana begin coordinating communication protocols and team assignments.
"This isn't your fault," I say quietly.
"She wouldn't be there if not for me. If Anton wasn't—" She stops, breathes. "I should have warned her, should have told her to leave the city, should have—"
"You didn't know he'd escalate this way. None of us did."
"I know how he thinks. I should have anticipated—"
I cup her face in my hands, forcing her to look at me. "We're going to get her back. She'll be safe before he even knows we're there."
"You can't promise that."
"I can and I am." My voice is steel. "Sunday night, you walk onto that stage and give him the performance he wants. Keep his eyes on you, keep him talking, keep him distracted. And while you're doing that, Mariana's team will get Natasha out. By the time Anton realizes what's happening, it'll be over."
She searches my face, looking for certainty, for reassurance.
"And then we end him. Together. With Natasha safe, with his leverage gone, with nothing between us and justice except his delusions."
She leans into my touch for just a moment, allowing herself to be vulnerable for thirty seconds before straightening, stepping back, becoming the warrior again.
"Then let's make sure the plan is perfect," she says.
By 6:00 PM, we have the framework:
Friday morning:Mila confirms Natasha's exact locationFriday afternoon:Full reconnaissance—Mariana's team maps the building, identifies entry points, establishes surveillanceSaturday:Tactical planning—rehearse the extraction, coordinate timing, finalize communication protocolsSunday 10:30 PM:Dual operation begins
Team A (Maksim + Sonya): Arrive at Juilliard main stage, engage Anton
Team B (FBI Hostage Rescue + Sergei's men): Breach secondary location, extract Natasha
Timing: Rescue begins the moment Sonya steps on stage
Communication: Earpieces keep both teams coordinated
