Mikel steps beside me and gestures toward the warehouse nearest the train yard.
“The convoy will likely stage here before unloading,” he suggests.
“I agree,” I reply.
Polina adjusts the satellite angle again until the loading docks along the western wall become clearer.
“If the trucks enter through the south gate, they will move through this corridor before reaching the dock area,” she explains, tracing the route across the display with one finger.
The vehicles would pass between two warehouse buildings before reaching the loading platforms, forcing them through a narrow corridor with limited maneuverability.
I rest one hand on the edge of the table while studying the angle. “This corridor becomes the choke point.”
Mikel nods slowly. “That was my thought.”
“If the trucks enter together, they will have little room to reverse.”
Polina glances between us. “You intend to block the exit.”
“Yes,” I answer.
I straighten and step away from the screen while considering the next phase of the operation. Capturing Ivan remains the preferred outcome, but contingency plans must be in place if the situation escalates.
I walk toward a smaller tactical monitor along the wall, where the warehouse’s structural layout appears in faded blueprint lines. Years of neglect have weakened several portions of the building closest to the rail line. Rust spreads across the steel beams supporting the western wall.
After studying the structure for several seconds, I turn back toward the others. “Mikel. Prepare demolition charges.”
His posture changes slightly as he processes the instruction.
“You want the facility disabled,” Mikel concludes.
“Yes.”
Polina glances over from her workstation. “Are you planning a structural collapse?”
“Only if necessary.”
The building nearest the loading dock contains the largest cargo area. If violence begins and Ivan attempts to escape through the rail corridor, removing that structure will eliminate the exit.
Mikel studies the blueprint again before asking, “Where do you want the charges placed?”
I step back toward the display and gesture toward two support columns along the western wall. “Here and here,” I explain. “These beams hold the majority of the roof weight above the loading dock.”
Mikel follows my finger across the screen. “If both supports fail simultaneously, the roof collapses across the dock area.”
“And blocks the rail exit,” I add.
Mikel pushes away from the table and walks back toward the communications console as the plan takes shape. “I’ll have the equipment ready.”
While he begins contacting the team, Polina continues compiling surveillance information across the monitors. Vehicle routes appear across the map. Observation points. Traffic cameras along the nearby highway.
I return to the financial records still open on the tablet and scroll through the most recent transfer logs. Another payment entered Volkov’s accounts earlier this afternoon. A large one. Exactly the type of capital movement required to fund a shipment of this size. The timing confirms Ivan intends to move quickly.
Polina glances up from her terminal. “Do you believe Ivan knows we’re close to him?”
“No,” I reply.
“If he did, this shipment wouldn’t occur,” she continues.
