25
The Spetsnaz bravely moved deeper. Room after room, tunnel after tunnel. The farther in, the more complex, a catacomb of rock and darkness.
Still, no sign of life.
The bodies had stopped, though. They saw no more. It was as if the slaughter was done on impulse, and that impulse had ended.
“Think there’s any more?” Boris asked.
“You can bet on it. Someone did this. I’d expect a dozen or two,” Kirov responded.
“What’s the point of this, Colonel? What exactly are we looking for?”
His men hadn’t been privy to much, but they were all comrades, and considering where they were, what they might be up against, Kirov took a moment to fill them in.
“This is a weapon. Designed in Soviet labs, those four missiles contained something very powerful. It creates soldiers that are advanced, it enhances their DNA, intensifies the traits of a good soldier, making him a great one.”
“So we’re entering a cave of Muj who are better than before? Great,” Boris muttered.
“Much better. They have enhanced senses, faster reflexes. If it did work, and there are any remaining, we must be ready. Expect them to look messed up, too. Don’t let it shock you if the chemical effected their skin, their hair, their shape. If they attack, shoot fast.”
“Comrade Colonel, you can’t be serious? A chemical that makes them…”
“Super-soldiers, yes. It even allows for muscle and bone growth. They’ll be undergoing changes right now.”
“Bullshit,” Boris rubbed his bald head, having a hard time believing the Colonel’s words. “Even if that was possible, it couldn’t be that fast.”
“They will begin growing. A few inches, but they’ll grow. They’ll be stronger, faster, things like that. This is why we’re here, ladies. To see if it worked. To see if this can be used to our advantage.”
“Sir, if it does work, we might have some trouble ahead.”
“Indeed. Shoot first, ask questions later. Their primal instincts will begin to come out. They’ll change into animals, although that change will take some time. We have an advantage — surprise. Plus, we’re going in right away, before they can fully change. Just remember, no matter what they look like, they’ll be getting smarter by the minute, more cunning. So stay alert. This compound effects their cell structure, but also their psychology. If they want us dead, they’ll sure as hell try,” Kirov said. His voice was low, though it still carried through the cavern.
“What we just saw…" his first in command, Morozov began, his face white. “… we just saw the work of animals, no matter what they’ve told you, sir. This test designed the perfect killer, that’s for sure. I hope they never intend to use it on us.”
“I’d guess that’s the plan. If it works, that is. So far, they killed their own. Whether that was on impulse or not, we’ll know once we clear this cave,” Kirov said.
“It happened so fast,” Boris exclaimed.
“Too fast, according to what I was told. Less than a half hour and there’s already mutilation. Whatever the chemical did, it caused them to thrive on killing. Did you see the piles? The guts on the walls?” Kirov asked. “It was as if they were proud of it, too. Almost like art.”
“Art?” Boris asked, appalled.
“The desire to kill is strong, that’s obvious. It’s absolute madness.”
“Why do it?” Morozov asked.
“Because we’re losing this war. Let’s admit it, they’re tougher. This compound is the Soviet Union’s last hope. They’ve gambled much on its success.”
“They’ll be mighty disappointed,” Morozov stated.
“Perhaps. We’ll see once we find the rest. If this does work, if we can find but one or two that are alive, then it’s a success. After they fix a few things, this compound could do wonders for our people. It would shake the foundation of world politics. The Americans would fear us, the world would fear us. Let’s hope we find something to our advantage, otherwise the Soviet Union has lost this war,” Kirov said.
The men were taken aback. They’d never heard the Colonel speak in such a manner.
“We’re taking part in lunacy,” Kirov added. “Perhaps history, too. If we survive this, we’ll have glory, men.”
“How many you estimate, Colonel?” Boris asked.
“Who the hell knows? This place could house hundreds. I’d guess ten, maybe twenty did this. Saw few men among the bodies, so I’m guessing the Muj men did this. The chemical made ’em angry and they just snapped.”
“And if there’s more?” Boris asked. He wasn’t one to question his Colonel, but this situation was unusual. “What if there’s more?”
“Well, that’s our fucking problem now, isn’t it, Corporal? Now get moving and let’s clear this cave out. We have a helicopter to catch. Soon. Now move,” Kirov ordered.
In a sense, all the men were defeated. There was no going back, no safe haven here. Death was around the corner, they just didn’t know which one. The tunnels grew darker, the rooms dim the farther they traveled. It was expansive, maybe even miles of tunnels to explore.
Green team moved on, Kirov and the other two teams close behind. Up a small incline, a squeeze through a small passageway. Their AK-47s were at the ready, always ready, fingers itching to pull the triggers. Their rifles were the only thing that caused them some relief. The fact that they could dish out a lot of firepower quite effectively.
On and on, each man was left with his own thoughts. A million possibilities went through their minds, a million worse case scenarios.
Kirov was bothered by the strangeness of this all. He now understood the secrecy, he now understood the importance. He now understood why he was picked to lead this mission.
But to kill their own, that was something that made him even more cautious. Something didn’t sit right with the fact. Who would do such a thing?
For a moment, Kirov even considered turning back. He could recall his teams, head to the rally point, be up in the air in a matter of minutes. He had that authority, for this was his mission. He could abort if needed, however there was a provision to this — he’d receive hell if he failed this task.
No way was he going back. Once inside the cave, he’d accomplish his mission.
Had the chemical worked?
He couldn’t ascertain this fully, and he knew it. There were the piles of dead behind him, and that left some alive, some who had slaughtered their own. He needed to see them, to observe them, and then most likely kill them.
Retreat was not an option.
Even a popular war hero, even a decorated Colonel could be replaced. In the Soviet Union, everyone was expendable.
He urged his men on.
26
The men were horrified, but obeyed Kirov regardless. They took a few more samples, scraped the walls, gathered sand and pebbles. Bits of moss grew on the cave walls, strange looking moss. Morozov pulled out a glove, pulling the sticky plant-life from the crack and inserting it into a container.
They made haste, done with their job and proceeding forward quickly.
Another tunnel, another chamber. This one opened up wide, much larger than the ones before. It was massive, something that seemed impossible to create. There were faint lights above, more equipment, tables and cots, boxes of ammunition and rifles, shelves of clothing and shoes. More bunks, racks of maps and books and Korans. In one corner was a kitchen area, what seemed like restrooms nearby. Primitive, but usable. There were a few couches and many chairs for comfort, even a television along one of the walls. It was cracked, no longer working.