Echo Six: Black Ops 4 - Chechen Massacre by Eric Meyer Page B

feet, lurched toward him, and almost fell into the chair opposite. He looked at Ho’s dinner plate.
    "A fine meal, my friend. They only serve the very best on the Trans-Siberian Express."
    "Indeed. What can I do for you?"
    How can you eat this disgusting shit?
    The Chechen leaned forward, and he could smell the alcohol on the man’s breath. He wondered about lighting a cigarette, would it cause him to burst into flames? It was tempting. He kept his face stoic, but inside thought it would be worth seeing, anything to rid him of this obnoxious person.
    "Are you confident with your security arrangements, Colonel? As you know, my payment will not be released until the shipment crosses the border into North Korea. Do you feel able to deal with any threats we may encounter along the way? You know they’re sure to make an attempt on the warheads."
    He put down his knife and fork, for he no longer felt hungry. Maybe a drink would help ease his nausea, but not that truck fuel these people swallowed in large quantities.
    "Mr. Abramov, as you know, I have a full company of security troops on the train. Two hundred armed soldiers. There is nothing we can't deal with."
    Except you, you piece of Muslim filth. How I would like to see you in one of my prison cells, in return for your continued insults to my country and our Leader.
    The Chechen glared at him. "I believe you may be underestimating the problem, Colonel. It's inconceivable that the Americans haven't learned something of the shipment. And if so, they're certain to try and intercept it. I have my contacts in both the FSB and the SVR, the Russian foreign intelligence agency, watching for any sign they're planning anything, but these people are not perfect. An attack could happen at any time."
    The Chechen’s obsidian eyes bored into him, his breath almost asphyxiated him, and the North Korean officer felt irritated at the man's impertinence and lack of manners. To anger him, he deliberately picked up his knife and fork and ate several mouthfuls of food while the man watched, his expression dark and violent. Finally, Ho looked up.
    "You're right, Mr. Abramov. An attack could happen at any time. In fact, I'm counting on it."
    The Chechen looked taken aback, and Ho worked hard to keep his expression neutral, satisfied that his words had had the desired effect. Did the man think his security for this shipment was so lax he hadn't anticipated an attack? Of course the enemy would try and stop them. The whole world feared a nuclear-armed North Korea, and NATO would do anything to stop it happening. There'd been that NATO Special Forces unit which had penetrated his country, and they'd caused North Korea huge problems and left a trail of damage, death, and destruction in their wake, all for nothing. His country would become a nuclear power after this shipment he’d arranged reached Pyongyang. The Leader would have the weapons he needed to fight of the threat of the Western imperialists.
    Yes, of course they’ll send another of their elite units to try to stop the shipment, but I have a surprise waiting for them, several surprises, in fact.
    Ho’s philosophy was to always anticipate those things that could go wrong, and build layer up on layer of defenses to make sure it never happened. Apart from the brush with the NATO unit, it had always worked for him, and it would work now. He picked up his glass of wine and took a long drink. He was aware the Chechen was still watching him curiously, and this time he allowed a tight smile.
    "Your Chechen fighters have a reputation for brutality, Mr. Abramov. Let me assure you, it is nothing compared to the skills of my men. When the Westerners come, and I am certain they will, we’ll show a demonstration of what we North Koreans can do."
    "Do you have any idea where they may make the attempt, Colonel?"
    "Our best guess is the city of Irkutsk. We have monitored the movements of the man in charge of their Special Forces, NATFOR, Admiral Brooks.