The Spy Who Loved Me
Part 1
The mouse scratched at the walls of the small Plexiglas box it found
itself in. It didn't seem to notice when the lights in the room dimmed
or when a robotic arm with a laser scanner descended from the ceiling
and bathed it in a red wave of flickering light. A slight electrical hum
filled the room. Moments later a shining object looking rather like a
giant sparkplug lowered itself over the mouse.
A slightly hollow sounding female robotic voice echoed throughout the
room. "Sequence initiation in three, two, one. Initializing."
A green shimmering light cascaded around the mouse, freezing the mouse
in place. Moments passed as the mouse dissolved into nothingness.
"Recombination sequence initializing."
Seconds later, another shining object began projecting a green light
into another part of the room. Through the shimmering verdant waves the
shape of a mouse began appearing.
"Recombination complete."
I walked over to the Plexiglas box where the mouse had appeared and
looked inside. The mouse was moving around and looked perfectly healthy.
"You did it, Professor!"
"We still need to confirm the mouse is healthy and its brain is
functioning as before, but it looks to me like we accomplished the first
successful teleportation of a living creature!" I watched the mouse
inside the container and smiled. Years of research had finally brought
me to this revolutionary and historical event. "Send the mouse for
testing."
Part 2
Several months later I stood at a podium in front of fifty students. I
held up a jar with what looked like dirt inside. "All life on earth is
made up of a collection of molecules. I hold in my hand the remains of a
human body once the water has been fully removed. If I add water, would
a living human spontaneously arise? Not at all. Aside from the fact that
the water has been removed from this body, what's the difference between
this pile of molecules and me? It's how the molecules are arranged. Our
DNA holds the information within it to organize molecules in such a way
to create a living being."
The door to the stage opened on my right as two men in dark suits walked
through. "Professor Mark Riley?"
"I'm teaching a class right now. Can this wait until later?" I turned
back to the class.
"Mr. Riley, you need to come with us." They flipped their wallets open
to display official looking badges.
"What's this about?"
"Sir, we can't discuss this right here. Your presence is needed
immediately."
"All right then. Class dismissed." I followed after the two men and once
I was alone with them I asked to see their badges again. "Who are you
and what do you want with me?"
"We're with the CIA and this is a matter of national security. We have a
plane waiting."
"Exactly where are you taking me?"
"Alexandria, Virginia."
"That's halfway across the country! I'm not prepared to go with you
without more information." I stopped walking and turned to head to my
office when I felt strong hands pull me back.
"Sir, we're trying to avoid the use of force. We're armed. We don't know
why we've been sent to retrieve you other than you're not in trouble.
The government needs your immediate assistance."
Part 3
Between being yanked from my class, a flight to DC, and a long car ride
to a secured warehouse building, I was tired, hungry, and irritated. I
was led into the warehouse and carefully screened.
"Professor Riley. I'm glad you're here. We'll take him from here." The
man dismissed the guards, or thugs, that had escorted me. "I'm Stephen
Mahone, Assistant Director of the CIA. Please come with me. I'm sure you
have many questions and I have answers. I ask for a little more
patience." He led me to a closed-in wood-paneled conference room with
large monitors on the walls. There were food and drinks on the table.
"Take a seat and help yourself. I'll gather the rest of the team."
At this point my hunger was stronger than my irritation. I dug into a
sandwich as the door closed behind him and indicated it locked with a
red glow above the handle. A few minutes later Stephen returned with an
older gentleman and a very beautiful young woman. I stood and extended a
hand to the gentleman. "Professor Maxwell Harding. I met you once before
at a lecture you were holding on biological transmutation."
"The pleasure is mine. I've read some of your most recent research on
teleportation. Brilliant stuff."
Stephen took control of the meeting and introduced the woman. "Mark
Riley, please meet Brooke Westerling, CIA Senior Analyst." The woman
stepped forward and extended her hand. I admit I was taken aback as I
always pictured women in the CIA to look more Old Navy frumpy and less
Victoria's Secret model.
"Pleased to meet you, Professor Riley." I turned her hand over slightly
as we shook hands. I noticed she had a silver ring on her thumb.
"Let's get started. Please take your seats. I've reviewed your
clearance, Mr. Riley, and found you still have an active top secret
clearance level. What we will share with you is top secret." The screen
turned on and displayed a picture of an incredibly stunning brunette
woman. "This is Natasha Petrovich, twenty-four years old, Russian, and
considered the most skilled spy and assassin in the world. Orphaned at
the age of five, she was selected and raised within the Russian
Sukhoputnyye Voyskia. Some say that's Russia's equivalent to our CIA.
From an early age she was rigorously trained and released into service
at the age of fifteen. She was captured on US soil a mere ten feet from
the Secretary of State. She was found in a room next door. We believe
her intent was to steal a top secret document on our involvement in the
Middle East."
"How does this have anything to do with me?"
Professor Harding took the floor. "Mark, since I last met you I've been
working with the CIA on testing molecular manipulation of neural
networks. I've come close to transferring the brain from one person into
the body of another through electrical stimulation and brain wave
exchange. However, I've run into limitations that I can't overcome. This
is where you come in. Your recent success in teleportation can give us
the solution to our problem."
"Wait... How did you know I had a successful test?"
"We're the CIA." I began to wonder just what other things they know.
Professor Harding continued. "We believe the mechanism you created to
teleport can be merged with my research to safely swap brain portions
while preserving portions of memory that would otherwise be
overwritten."
Stephen added, "In case you haven't figured out what we're trying to
accomplish, we plan on swapping Brooke into Natasha's body and sending
her back to Russia with a fake document. Brooke would have all the
knowledge and skills of Natasha and be in a perfect position to
infiltrate Russia for us."
I looked over at Brooke. "You want to attempt this?"
"It's for the good of the country. Do I like the idea of swapping
bodies? Not really, but she's easy on the eyes and younger than me by a
few years."
I couldn't fathom swapping bodies. "What about timing? Doesn't Natasha
need to check in regularly? How much time do we have?"
"She regularly goes dark on her missions for months at a time. I
estimate we have about two months to pull this off. We need you here
full-time to work with Professor Harding. Whatever you need, we can
get."
"Two months? What about my students and my work?"
"We already have a sub in for you."
"I gather that means I don't have much of a choice."
"You have a choice, but we anticipated you might want to be a part of
the greatest technological advancement in warfare since the invention of
the nuclear bomb."
Part 4
The previous seven weeks were a blur of activity. Once we completed the
build of a larger version of my teleporter it became even more
challenging to isolate the selective brain matter that would be merged
and transferred. Integrating Professor Harding's brain map data into my
system was like trying to replace a carburetor with an orange and still
have everything work in the end. Testing had been extensive and I'd been
working nearly twenty hours a day non-stop. Finally we felt we were
ready.
The day of the exchange came. Natasha and Brooke were led into the lab.
This was the first time I'd seen Natasha in person and her photos didn't
do her justice. She was a knockout, even with the look of contempt she
held on her face. Natasha and Brooke were both handcuffed as once the
transfer took place, no one wanted the most skilled assassin in the
world to be unsecured. They were both led to a platform in the middle of
the room. There was no second platform required as we weren't
teleporting anything per say; it was more like realigning brain function
maps from one to another. I stood before them both and the guards were
told to wait outside. We were given the order to proceed.
Using my wireless device I activated the start sequence just as Natasha
jumped behind Brooke and started strangling her with her cuffs. "Shut it
down!" I screamed, but I knew it was too late. Brooke was going to die
and I was the closest person to them. I dove for them and wrestled the
surprisingly strong Natasha. I saw red laser light bathe us as I pulled
her wrists away from Brooke's neck letting Brooke take a raspy breath.
"Sequence initiation in three, two, one. Initializing."
A green shimmering light surrounded us as we frozen in place, unable to
move. My vision blurred and I had the strangest feeling of nothingness.
The next thing I heard was "Recombination complete" as we collapsed
together onto the floor. My vision gradually recovered and I saw the
strangest sight. I was looking at myself. I tried to process what was
going on but my thoughts were muddy and sluggish. Memories of training
in a Siberian winter came to mind. I heard the guards rush in and they
lifted us to a standing positions. My hands were in cuffs and were
around Brooke's neck. Brooke started struggling until rifles were all
pointed at our heads. Professor Harding and Stephen came into the room.
I was starting to hyperventilate as I stared at my body in front of me.
The next thing I knew, we were all injected with sedatives and whisked
away to separate rooms.
Part 5
When I came to I was cuffed to a bed. I knew I was in Natasha's body. I
had all of my memories as well as hers. My mind began picking up details
about the room and possible weaknesses in the security. Things I would
have never noticed before where now the focus of my attention. I
recognized the type of camera, the model of lock on the door, and the
bed materials I was on. I was like a walking spy encyclopedia. I sat up
and looked down, feeling comfortable in this body, but also freaking out
inside. I was a thirty-year old man in the body of a young woman.
Eventually the door to my room opened and a guard, Stephen, and
Professor Harding entered and sat down. The thought came to me that I
could kill them all. I pushed the thought away.
Stephen began. "Professor Riley?"
"Yes, it's me." I almost said "Da." My voice was sultry, sexy, and had a
Russian accent.
"Professor Harding did what he could to verify brain wave functions of
the others. When you tried to help Brooke, you created a three-way
transfer. You went into Natasha, Natasha went into Brooke, and Brooke
went into your body. I'm afraid we can't undo it."
"What do you mean you can't undo it?"
"Biological transmutation has its limits." The Professor chimed in. "We
carefully balanced the amount of brain matter to transfer to make this
work. You now have Natasha's memories and yours mingled together. It's
incredibly complicated. In order to get you back into your body, we'd
have to overwrite what's currently there, which would kill Brooke. If we
put you all back into the device at the same time the chance of extreme
psychosis is high as you would likely carry three people's memories.
What you did was very brave and most likely saved Brooke's life, but
you're stuck now."
I shook my head, feeling my long hair move with me. "So now what?"
Stephen put his hand on my knee. I knew how to break his arm ten
different ways. I suppressed the images. "Professor Riley, how would you
like to work for the CIA?"
"You're kidding me. You want to send me to Russia to complete a mission?
I'm not a spy... Well, I guess that's not entirely true... I have all
Natasha's training... You have no idea how many people this woman
killed... Oh shit! She has a husband!"
"Don't worry about her husband. From what we know of Natasha, they
rarely see each other. We're hoping you could deliver the fake documents
and break out one of our agents in a prison in Saint Petersburg. All
we're asking are those two things. You've got twenty-four hours to
decide."
"We've got sixty-seven hours. That's when Natasha's next check-in is.
Can you get me out of these cuffs?"
Professor Harding placed some electrodes on my head. "I just need to
confirm whose brain is in control. Natasha's will work at a subconscious
level, your brain waves will be far stronger. This was intentional to
allow Natasha's brain to control her muscle memory. I'm scanning you
now."
"What happens to Brooke and Natasha?"
Stephen leaned back. "Brooke will stay on with the CIA, but with your
memories she can also continue the work you were doing. She lost a few
years of her life as she was twenty-seven and you were thirty.
Surprisingly, she's doing the best of all of you. Natasha, in Brooke's
body, will go to prison."
"What about Natasha's training and skills?"
"While she retains that knowledge, Brooke's body that she's now in was
never trained that way. Think of it like a computer program. She has the
skill, but she'd have to mentally translate the training into action
with a body that's never learned these things. Yes, she's still very
dangerous, but she'll never be as fast or skilled again."
"The scan's complete. We're good."
Stephen nodded to the guard who unlocked my cuffs. I rubbed my soft
feminine wrist and stood. Simply standing with this body was a graceful
and athletic act. I felt the quickness and strength in my muscles. "I
think I should see Brooke."
"That would be a good idea. Your brain must come to grips with your new
situation. We also need to have a guard around you for a day or two.
It's not that we don't trust you, but in theory, you're the world's
greatest assassin and the powers that be still see you as Natasha, an
enemy of the United States. It's hard for them to understand what just
happened."
"It's hard for them to understand? I'm a male professor in the body of a
female Russian spy. I should be scared to death, but my subconscious
mind feels perfectly at home in this body."
"I can't guess what you must be going through. How do you think you'd
feel if you didn't have her memories?"
"I'm not so sure I want these memories. Natasha's life was difficult and
what she had to do for Russia... It's as if she had to shut her
conscious off to survive."
One male and one female guard arrived. They'd be my escort for the next
while. On the way to see Brooke I asked to stop in the bathroom. The
female guard entered with me and stood by the door. My new mind was
always on the move. Everything in the bathroom became a weapon to use. I
stopped to look at myself in the mirror. A face stared back at me that
was both familiar and not. I felt like I belonged in this body and yet I
knew I didn't. My long dark brunette hair fell below my shoulders. My
blue eyes were brighter than the Caribbean and sparkled with
intelligence and cunning. My skin was flawless and I had high cheek
bones and full red lips. I glanced down at my athletic and curvy figure
knowing what it looked like and yet never having seen it. I was
breathtaking, which was why Natasha had made such a good assassin and
spy. She could show a little leg and virtually any door would open. I
turned and left the bathroom and soon I was standing in a room with
Brooke. The guards waited outside so I guess they trusted me enough to
give a little distance.
"Professor Riley, I presume?"
"Yes. Professor Riley with a heaping side dish of Natasha Petrovich. Or,
rather Natasha Petrovich with a side dish of Mark Riley."
Brooke laughed and reached to give me a hug. "Thank you, Mark. I swear
she was about to kill me. If you hadn't intervened... You're my hero.
Your bravery has caused significant impact to your life."
I felt her strong arms around me and noticed for the first time I was a
good five inches shorter than I was before. Memories of Natasha seducing
men and making love to her husband sent a rush of warmth through my
body. Was I getting turned on by my old body? How weird is that?
Brooke let go. "I was told this isn't reversible. What are you going to
do in Natasha's body?"
"They've asked me to continue the mission."
"You're kidding me? They don't waste time do they? Including the prison
rescue?"
"Yes. I'm not sure how I feel about the whole thing. Do you feel odd in
my body? Like it's comfortable yet foreign?"
"That's exactly how I feel! In a way, it may be more comfortable for me
than for you."
"How so?"
"I always believed I should've been born a man. This is like a dream
come true for me." She flexed and arm and stood all macho-like. "I feel
so strong now."
"You mean you thought you should've been a man and you still like men?"
Picturing my old body making love to a man gave me the shivers.
"No, not at all. I love women."
"So you were a heterosexual man trapped in a woman's body?"
"That's it! I look at you and... Oh sorry... I have your memories. You
were a heterosexual man in a man's body and now you're in what? A
heterosexual man in a woman's body? That's got to be confusing."
"It is. Natasha appears to have been bisexual. Her memories of being
with men and her husband are pervasive. Yet my brain is still very fond
of women. I guess this is what it's like to be bisexual, confused or
excited by both."
"Can you believe within minutes of being together we're talking about
our sexual preferences?"
"You and I are the first people in the world to truly experience life in
the body of the opposite sex. I can understand how it would be a topic
at the forefront of our minds."
"For two months we worked side by side on this project. I have your
thoughts and memories. You thought I was beautiful. You wanted to ask me
out on a date. You never asked me because you were working so hard."
I suddenly felt a little violated. "That's not fair. I don't have your
memories."
"I'll tell you what I thought of you. You were kind and thoughtful. I
thought that perhaps I could learn to live with having a male partner if
it could be you. Can I do a test?"
"What kind of..." She leaned forward and kissed me. My new body melted
into her arms and her kiss, responding automatically with a passionate
response. I was having a hard time breathing as we broke away. My face
was flushed.
"That was a great test. You're a very good kisser. Can we try again?"
"Yes, I mean, no! What the hell is going on with me?" I was very
confused.
"I'm sorry, Mark. It just felt so right."
"It was as if my brain turned off and my body took over. I should go.
I'm glad you're alright."
"You know where to find me."
I practically stumbled out into the hallway. This body loved sex.
Apparently Natasha used her body for more than killing.
Stephen was there. "How did that go? You seem a little out of breath."
"Brooke's doing very well. I think she'll be fine."
"And you?"
"It was hard seeing my old body. I'm glad it was Brooke that wound up in
it though. I think she'll take care of it. I feel like I just moved out
of my favorite home."
"We need to bring you up to speed but it's getting late. Why don't you
head back to your apartment? I've sent over Natasha's suitcase. Tomorrow
I'm hoping you'll decide to help us out. Get some food and rest and I'll
see you in the morning."
"Spasiba."
"Funny, Professor Riley. I've instructed everyone from here on out to
call you Natasha. Mark doesn't suit you anymore."
It was a logical yet shocking statement. I wasn't Mark Riley anymore. I
sighed. "Understood. Good night."
I walked back to my room with my guards flanking me. I already knew what
was waiting for me in the suitcase. Skirts, a dress, pumps, fitness
clothing, runners, a nightgown, and several blouses. Natasha, with the
exception of mission-specific attire, almost always wore feminine
clothing. Logically she wore them to drive men crazy, offer more
maneuverability, and make her appear less threatening, but she also
preferred the textures and feel of them.
Back at my room I stripped and examined myself in the mirror. Natasha's
body was magnificent. C-cup breasts, lean muscles, and a trim waist with
nice hips. My male brain was incredibly turned on. I filled the tub with
water as it seemed much more appropriate than a shower. I laid back in
the tub and luxuriated in the hot water. It was so nice to have room in
a tub. My old body would be squeezed into the tub like a sardine in a
can. I closed my eyes and let my hands feel my body. I knew what to do
and yet the feelings that were generated by my touch were new to me.
One hand slipped between my legs and the other massaged my breast. I
closed my eyes and began to fantasize. The crazy thing was that both
images of men and women were turning me on. It wasn't long before I
began shaking and moaning. The further I went with my fantasies, the
more my body responded. I pictured a man entering me and I gasped and
exploded. A throaty growl emerging from my lips. It was the most
wonderful experience I ever had and my body was just getting started.
After three orgasms I was so filled with endorphins I almost fell asleep
in the tub. I dried myself off and fell into my bed but the sheets felt
so rough. I reluctantly pulled out the nightgown and slipped it on
before climbing back into bed. It felt so much better and I fell asleep
right away.
Part 6
The next morning I woke instantly to the slightest noise outside my
door. Natasha had trained herself to sleep lightly. There was a knock at
the door. I got up, feeling strangely awake. In my old body it would
take some time to wake up. I opened the door to see Brooke, I guess now
Mark, standing there. His eyes went wide as he looked over my body in
the skimpy nightgown. It was hard to describe what I was feeling.
Powerful, vulnerable, confident, sexy. He looked up and down the hall
then stepped inside my room and closed the door behind him. He pushed me
back against the wall and kissed me. My brain shut off again and my body
took over, wrapping my arms around his neck. When he pulled away I
almost pounced on him. I was so conflicted.
"I couldn't sleep at all last night, Mark. Our kiss kept me awake and
seeing you this morning..."
I was breathing heavily. "I've decided I have to take the mission. If
for no other reason than to clear my head and give me time to adjust to
my new condition."
"I understand. I really do. The mission is vital to our country. But I'm
being a little selfish in wanting to keep you here to explore if there
may be something between us."
"I liked you before Brooke. You know that as much as I do. But I don't
know if this attraction is just this body or me."
"We also have to figure out other logistics. I'm now you. What happens
with your place and your accounts? I have access to your passwords. What
happens to mine? I suspect you'll want your things and place and I want
mine for now."
I shook my head. "That's too much for me to think about at the moment."
"I was asked to tell you to change into fitness clothing this morning
and meet everyone in the cafeteria for breakfast." He leaned forward
again and encircled my thin waist with his arm and pulled me into him
for another kiss. "I can't get enough of you. I think I'm going to
burst."
Gasping and my breasts heaving from the passion stirring within me, I
pushed back. "We can't do this. Not now."
Reluctantly he stepped back. "I know... Your mission should take a few
weeks. That will give us time to consider our positions." He turned and
left the room leaving me feeling emotionally bereft. Were these emotions
I was feeling the work of female hormones, how the female mind processed
things, or was there something more to it? I changed into my fitness
clothing and headed to the cafeteria. My body anticipated exercise and
having been cooped up for several months made it all the more eager.
Natasha had exercised for hours every day in her room, but she loved the
open spaces to run flat out for miles.
"There you are, Natasha." It took a second for my brain to catch up with
my body at the sound of my new name. "How are you holding up?"
"I've decided to take the mission, Stephen. I believe it will keep me
from going stir crazy analyzing myself."
"Then we've got a lot to cover. Get some food and we'd like you to head
to the gym to make sure you're fully aware of your abilities."
"That would be good. You've no idea how different this brain sees
things. I have every escape route memorized, I see more than a dozen
weapons at my fingertips, I know that this guard here is favoring his
left side, and I see three ways I can destroy the complex and everyone
in it. It's a lot to adapt to."
Part 7
The soldier in front of me was close to twice my size in weight. He had
stripped off his shirt to make himself look tougher, at least that was
my assumption. His heavily muscled torso rippled as he moved. Right away
I could tell he was well trained. Far from the gym brutes that built
muscle and don't stretch, this man had both strength and agility. His
moves were graceful indicating he was a trained martial artist. He
balanced on the balls of his feet. I noticed all these things in a
single glance. He lunged forward with an all or nothing move more to
intimidate than damage. I ducked under his arm and threw a right-handed
uppercut just beneath his ribs followed by a left hand flat against his
throat. I stopped short of the power necessary to break his larynx. He
stood stunned and gasping, his hands moving to his throat giving me an
easy time of sweeping his legs and bringing him to the ground. A second
man, whom was commanded into the ring as I was distracted, came up
suddenly from behind me. Before his arms could wrap around my body I had
dropped low and sent my elbow into his solar plexus. I grabbed his thumb
and pulled backwards, using my other hand to apply pressure to a nerve
in his arm. With a painful scream he dropped his arms enough for me to
drive his arm back and behind him. My free arm reaching around to his
neck and apply pressure to his carotid artery, slowing blood flow to his
brain and causing him to collapse on the ground.
I amazed myself at how quick and fluid my movements had been. These were
automatic responses, trained into this body since early childhood. I
didn't think, I simply reacted. I wasn't however, an assassin. I was
Mark Riley. I reached down and helped the two men up, thankful that I
wasn't feeling the pure raw sexuality I had with Brooke. My body was
attracted to them, but I could control it. Possibly the exercise helped
release endorphins that took the edge off.
Part 8
By evening, I'd reviewed all the details of the mission. Natasha's
memories made it easy to fill in the gaps that the CIA weren't aware of.
The first part would be easy. Deliver the document to the head of the
Sukhoputnyye Voyskia in Moscow. Natasha had an apartment in Moscow and a
vacation getaway on the shores of the Black Sea in Sochi. Her normal
routine was to travel to Sochi, make contact with the Sukhoputnyye
Voyskia, then travel by plane to Moscow. All of Natasha's travel
documents had been restored to me. Natasha typically flew first class,
so I arranged for a series of flights to Sochi leaving DC at 11:12 am
the next day.
On this end, the CIA promised to connect me with an agent in St.
Petersburg in a week's time. Together we would infiltrate the Kresty
prison, free the American agent, and escape through Finland. I, as
Natasha Petrovich, would be officially received with asylum in the
United States and granted citizenship. Think of it as a modern day
defection.
I convinced Stephen to let me see Natasha, even though he seemed very
reluctant. I don't know why, but I felt there had to be some closure
between us, after all, I was in her body. Besides, there were things in
her memories I was trying to figure out even though I doubted she'd
answer my questions.
Natasha's cell was sparse and was designed as a cell within a cell. The
guard gave me time alone in the outer cell. Natasha, in Brooke's body
looked up at me with wetness and pure hatred in her eyes.
"You came to gloat over your victory? That's my body! I want it back,
Brooke!" She was pulling against her cuffs to get to me.
"Things didn't go quite as planned. I'm Mark Riley."
Even though her eyes softened slightly, I could tell she was terribly
angry and violated. "You made this possible! Undo it!"
"I wish I could. I really do." I sat down on a bench and felt an
overwhelming burden for what we'd done. "I'm sorry, Natasha. I was just
as much a pawn in all of this as you it seems."
For some reason she seemed to respond to my sincerity. Perhaps it was
because she was so used to her body she saw true sorrow in my eyes. "Why
can't you put me back so I can at least die in my own body?"
"It's not so simple. When you attacked Brooke and I tried to intervene,
there was a three-way switch. The result makes the reverse transition
impossible. I wish I could give you back your body."
"I have Brooke's memories. I assume you have mine?"
"Yes."
"Then you know I was set up."
"I know this was your belief. I've got nothing to substantiate it."
"Can you get me out of here?"
"I don't have that kind of authority. I realize you did what you had to
do to survive and you were looking for a way out. You're a victim here
as much as I am now."
"If you know those things, then you know I'm not the sordid assassin and
spy people believe about me. Goodbye, Mark Riley."
"I'll put in a good word for you. I doubt it will make any difference."
"Don't trust them." Natasha looked away from me as I stood to leave.
"Don't trust who?"
"Anyone."
Part 9
I sat at dinner in the cafeteria with Mark, deciding a public place
would be helpful for keeping ourselves from doing something we'd regret.
"Mark. It's so hard to call you that. I feel like I'm looking in the
mirror and expecting my reflection to mimic me. What are your plans?"
"With your knowledge and memories I'll stay on with the CIA and work to
perfect the teleportation and transference system. The funding will be
greater and I'll be able to possibly do some field work as well. Any
thoughts of what you'll do after this?"
I had many thoughts. Natasha had a place in the Cayman Islands that even
Russia knew nothing about. She'd put away millions of dollars into Swiss
bank accounts. For all her 'spyness', she'd been planning a way out for
herself. Her desire had been to be free, but she needed money and
resources to do so. She felt she was close to having everything she
needed to take back control of her life. She wasn't a ruthless killer,
she was a slave that was ordered to kill. "I don't know. Maybe I'll like
being someone like James Bond. Natasha, Natasha Petrovich, double-o-
one."
Mark laughed. "Don't you mean, double-o-seven?"
I grinned. "James Bond can't compare to Natasha Petrovich. I should have
top billing."
Mark stretched his hand across the table and took mine in his. I felt
the blood rush to my face. "Well, double-o-one, please take care of
yourself. I think there's something between us and I want to get the
chance to explore that."
"I'd like that, but, let's not make any plans until I return."
"Agreed. Good night, Natasha and safe journey. I'll not be here in the
morning to see you off. Apparently they have a mission to prep me for so
I'm heading to DC tonight."
"You be safe, Mark."
Part 10
Just before I went to sleep I logged onto my bank accounts and changed
my passwords. I did the same with Natasha's. I started to feel very
badly for Natasha. She'd felt she was set up and that her capture here
had been a trap. But who would have set her up and what was their
motivation? Could it have been someone in the Sukhoputnyye Voyskia that
suspected Natasha would try to leave her position? If so, then they
would have to be in communication with someone at a high level in the US
government. I shook my head, noticing the feel on my long hair. If I was
Natasha, being forced to lose this body, it would be like the worst
torture imaginable. I never thought about the ramifications. It would be
different if the people were consenting, but I could imagine how she was
feeling, being forcefully swapped out of my body, into one I did not
want and knowing my body, my identity, would be used to hurt people I
cared about. At least from Natasha's perspective, there wasn't anyone
she cared for. Even her husband was a political partnership. She'd
learned to enjoy her rendezvous with him, but it wasn't by choice or
love and killing him wasn't a safe option.
Part 11
The next morning I showered, packed, and dressed as Natasha normally
would for her trips. I wore a body hugging dress with a short hem,
coming to mid-thigh. Black stilettos and sparse jewelry, just enough to
make me look noticeable, but not enough to set off the metal detectors.
A pair of dark designer sunglasses would keep my face from being picked
up by most facial recognition cameras. When I checked myself out in the
mirror I was blown away by my beauty and elegance.
After a quick meeting with Stephen I was driven to the DC airport.
Moving through security with my fake passport under the name Natalia
Cominsky didn't set off any flags. I suspected the CIA had cleared my
name and documents for the trip.
Flying first class had its privileges. I relaxed in the upscale waiting
room with a free buffet and comfortable leather chairs. Aroma of freshly
brewed coffee and cut fruit filled the air. This was a relief from the
typical crowded herds of people waiting at the gate. The airport had
been a new experience for me as I attracted a lot of attention from men
and women. While Natasha had been used to the ogling stares, I wasn't.
"Ms. Cominsky? We can take you to your gate now."
"Thank you."
Part 12
The flights were long and boring but it was nice to be able to pull a
blanket over myself and lay the seat flat to sleep. My smaller size in
combination with the larger first class seat made for a very comfortable
rest. I arrived in Sochi feeling quite refreshed.
I cleared security and customs quickly and hailed a cab to take me to my
home. Entering the house I was conflicted with knowing where everything
was located and feeling comfortable, but never having truly been here
before. I felt like I was having a long series of Deja-vu. The place was
fairly large with about fifteen hundred square feet of space. It was
nicely furnished in a modern style with clean lines and white marble
floors. To my right was the master bedroom, to my left was an office
with all the computers and communication systems I needed. I headed
there first and sent an encrypted message to Sergei Kosolov, head of the
Sukhoputnyye Voyskia. This message was short and cryptic but would be
understood and within twenty-four hours I'd receive a response for time
and place of my meeting.
With that done, I wandered into the bedroom and started running a bath.
While that was filling, I went into the large walk-in closet and admired
the rows and rows of beautiful clothing. At the back of the closet was a
hidden door that led to a small room filled with rifles, handguns,
knives, poisons, and every other spy gadget one could imagine. I
confirmed everything was in place and picked up a 9mm handgun. My hands
moved quickly and deftly over the gun, emptying the breech, removing the
clip, checking the clip for bullets, and reloading it. I wanted to have
this with me at all times. I kept remembering Natasha's last word to me,
'anyone'. If Natasha had been set up, then anyone here could have done
it and my return could trigger an attack if the intent had been to kill
her.
On the way back through the closet I grabbed a luxurious white robe and
slippers. I turned on some music, suddenly finding myself partial to
light jazz. Natasha loved jazz. Something about the unscripted nature of
the music called to her desire for freedom. I found myself doing things
I never did before. I danced my way around the room as I stripped out of
my clothes. The longer I was in Natasha's body the better I felt and
more connected I was to her true inner feelings. Casting aside all the
darkness of her life, she was a beautiful person and full of life. She
had deep desires to be loved and even have a family. She cared about
people. I was falling for this woman whom I now was.
I pulled up a chair next to the tub, placed the gun on it, and covered
the gun with a large white towel. The gun would be within easy reach.
The water was hot and the sudsy water parted as I stepped inside and
sighed with pleasure as the hot water soaked away the stresses of the
trip. It was now just after four in the afternoon Sochi time, seven
hours ahead of DC time. I had flown through the night. For me, it felt
like lunchtime.
After my bath I changed into a blue dress, put my handgun into a purse
and strapped a knife to my thigh. It felt strange to be doing these
things. My mind logically knew these were good precautions, but I'd
never been a spy before. Walking around fully armed was a foreign
concept to me. I left the house and walked down the street to a
restaurant that overlooked the Black Sea. It was still a little early
for the normal dinner crowd so I was seated at one of the windows. I
recognized the staff and they knew me. I found it surprising that
Natasha was so well loved by everyone. If they only knew what she did
for a living I wonder if they'd be so warm towards her.
That night I lay in bed and reviewed my options. It was so nice to have
a few moments to myself. So much had happened in such a short time. Did
I miss my old body? Partly. I had been strong and taller, but had I
really been better as a man? There was something about my male body that
gave me self-confidence. Perhaps it was knowing fewer people would try
to take advantage of me as a man that gave me those feelings. However,
Natasha had no lack of confidence. It wasn't arrogance, just a lifetime
of training and knowing every nuance of her body. Could I live in this
body for the rest of my days? It wasn't that I had a choice in the
matter anyways. People might scoff at me, but I was enjoying this body.
The power it had over men. The feeling of being sexy and graceful. The
beautiful clothing I could now wear. Yes, I could easily live as
Natasha. Maybe not her career, but as her.
What about Mark? Funny how I've now started thinking of Brooke as Mark
now. It hadn't been that long yet it was becoming so natural. There was
no question I became aroused at our kisses, but what did I really know
of him? My body had responded, but why? I couldn't put my finger on why,
in the back of my mind, I felt something was a little off. How could
someone fall so quickly into wanting a relationship as Mark had with me?
Natasha's worldly experience suggested an ulterior motive, but then
again Natasha had never really known true love. Everyone had manipulated
her for something.
I closed my eyes and drifted off. I was a young girl watching my parents
being put into the back of a pickup truck. There was no ceremony. I
stood stoic. Inside I was torn asunder, but I was alone now. I needed to
be brave. A man took my hand. He had a scar that resembled a bolt of
lightning on his hand. "You're a very special girl, Natasha. I'm going
to send you to some people that will make you even more special."
My vision shifted and now I was older. I was ten years old and I was
standing outside in bare feet and dressed in a light, coarse nightgown.
The snow pelted my face, icicles formed out of my nose, and my feet were
too cold to feel anymore. It was so brutally cold. A frightening man
dressed in a thick jacket and heavy boots came to stand in front of me.
His face was almost hidden by the fur hat on his head. He was shivering.
I remember feeling disdain for him. "Just a few more hours until dawn,
Natasha. If you survive the night like this, you'll be rewarded. You
must learn to control your needs. Everything is in your head. You can
tell your body that it's not cold outside."
I was angry and defiant. Who was he to tell me it's not cold when he's
standing there in a jacket and shivering. "If it's all in your head, how
come you're not out here with nothing on?"
The force of the blow staggered me. I'd tried to block it but my body
was slow to respond in the cold. I felt blood pool in my mouth. I should
have known better. These people weren't my friends, but they did make me
stronger.
Part 13
I woke with the sky still dark. I hated time zones. It was three in the
morning. I rolled over and my hand brushed against the cold metal of the
handgun under the pillow bringing me back to the reality of who and
where I was. I recalled the dreams as something from Natasha's memories.
What that poor little girl had gone through. It was criminal. I thought
back to Natasha now in Brooke's body. Brooke was beautiful. Five-foot
nine, blonde hair with blue eyes. She was fit, not as fit as Natasha,
but slightly softer. Natasha would normally have found her attractive
with the exception she hated Brooke. I could imagine Natasha looking at
herself in the mirror and seeing the person she hated, one of the people
responsible for her capture. Brooke had been there in the hotel. So was
Stephen when the trap was sprung.
I was drawing closer and closer to the person whose body I now
inhabited. How could I be falling for someone that would have nothing to
do with me? She'd be in prison the rest of her life, or used as a
bargaining chip in some political negotiation. I pictured myself kissing
her. I shook my head to clear away the image.
Part 14
I managed to sleep a little more and woke to a few rays of sunshine
poking through the clouds. I walked out onto the deck and looked over
the Black Sea. I realized I couldn't be a spy. I'd finish the task at
hand, but Natasha had been right. This wasn't a life, this was slavery.
I shuddered at the thought of having to kill people, at never being able
to be close to someone because they'd be targeted. I pulled my robe
around me tighter and looked back into the house. I knew what was
important to Natasha. She loved her clothing and the odd trinkets she
collected that lay around the house. In another few days, I'd never come
back here again. I'd be considered a criminal against the state.
I went back inside and checked my email. The response was there. I was
to meet Sergei at the Sukhoputnyye Voyskia headquarters in Moscow in two
days. I'd fly to Moscow tomorrow. I didn't need to reply as it was
assured I'd be there. I made my flight arrangements and got dressed. I
had a lot to do.
Part 15
It was late that afternoon that I had finished boxing up clothing and
items and awaited the van to come pick things up. I was sending these
items to the Bahamas where I had a contact that would send them on to
the Cayman Islands. Over the years Natasha had built up trusted contacts
around the world that she could use without being questioned. I wanted
to leave no leads for Russia to find me.
For the rest of the day I researched the Kresty prison. Considered to be
permanently closed, most people knew that it was still used for
political prisoners. Bruce Langdon, was confirmed to be there. The
prison faced the Neva River and as most of the riverfront properties
were lit giving tourists a view of the river skyline at night, the walls
leading away from the river were dark. Getting into the 1700's build
prison wouldn't be difficult. The difficulty would be getting out with a
prisoner that was likely in rough shape. The plan was to use the sewage
system in the prison to escape into the river where a boat would be
waiting. I had a few concerns, but nothing I was too worried about.
Since the prison was officially closed there would be tight security
only in the areas around where Bruce was held.
A small boat would take us into the Bay of Finland to Primorsk, where we
would then use a car to drive to Toryanovka. We'd move by foot from
there, cross into Finland, then get another vehicle in Vaalimaa. From
there we would travel to a safe house in Helsinki and fly out the next
day.
I'd had a busy day and tomorrow I'd be travelling again. I changed into
running gear and went for a long run along the shores of the Black Sea.
Natasha's body was so fit that I wasn't even breathing hard even after
five miles. For the first time in my life I experienced the runner's
high. At least I thought it was a runner's high, but it could have been
the exhilaration of feeling this body move and bounce in ways that I
wasn't used to.
That night I continued to analyze Natasha's capture. Sergei had given
her the mission. That wasn't unusual. What was unusual was that Sergei
had contacted her with specific details of where and when the Secretary
of State would be in the Hotel. This was highly unusual. Natasha had
always been left to choose her time and place. Sergei had set her up,
but who was his contact?
Part 16
The flight to Moscow was a short one and I had no problems navigating my
way to Natasha's Moscow apartment. The apartment had a view over Red
Square and was only a few blocks away from the Sukhoputnyye Voyskia
headquarters. I unlocked the door and took in the small room. Far from
the modern amenities of the Sochi vacation home, this apartment was
furnished in an older style. There was a very small kitchen and a table
for two. The single bedroom fit a double bed. I looked around and
noticed a few things Natasha would want to keep but there was little
here that offered any sentimental value. She'd kept those in Sochi. This
place had been her base when visiting headquarters.
I stepped into the kitchen and opened the small fridge. It had been
recently stocked. I moved to the bedroom and noticed the sheets had
recently been used. Ivan, Natasha's husband must be in town. I started
to panic and decided a quick retreat to a local hotel would be wise. I
went to the mattress and lifted the corner up to expose a cavity
underneath with a thigh holster and handgun. I had to leave my other one
in Sochi as traveling by plane I had no choice. The gun was in my hand
and I was turning to leave when I heard the front door unlock. I pushed
myself flat against the bedroom wall and raised the gun. I could hear
the footsteps coming closer. I turned into the doorway and leveled the
gun just as the intruder was coming into the bedroom.
I stared into the eyes of Natasha's husband. He was a large man, nearly
six-foot four. Sandy blonde hair with ice blue eyes. He was thickly
muscled and fit. He too worked for the Sukhoputnyye Voyskia but in a
more political position. With the exception of his size, strength, and
quick reflexes, he was still no match for Natasha in a fight. However
one slight mistake would be all he'd need to gain significant advantage.
Natasha didn't love him. This was a marriage predetermined by the agency
to keep an eye on each other. That Ivan was handsome and strong suited
Natasha from a physical attraction perspective. Their love making was
usually rough and lust-filled.
"Natasha, darling." His eyes were filled with raw energy. He spoke in
Russian. I lowered the gun and set it on a dresser, still within reach.
I was dancing on a razor's edge. If the Sukhoputnyye Voyskia wanted me
dead, they could easily send Ivan to do the job. I felt Natasha's body
respond to his presence in a similar way that it had with Mark. "You're
slipping, my love. I knew you were here before I entered the apartment.
I could smell your light perfume and you also left your suitcase in
plain view." He pressed himself closer to me.
"I'm only in town for a few nights. I just arrived." I found myself
taking a step towards him.
"And I'm only here until this evening. I've been missing your body." He
reached for me and roughly slid his large hand around the small of my
back and pulled me against him. Natasha's body responded out of a deep
need, but not out of love. It was animalistic pleasure. In my mind I
knew I should resist, but I also knew I shouldn't. Ivan was a dangerous
man and for my own sake, I needed to rely on Natasha's wisdom which was
telling me to do what I had to do to survive. I was somewhat frightened,
even though I had Natasha's memories of their sex, something she found
some enjoyment from.
I found myself wrapping my arms around his thick neck and kissing him.
He lifted me up, my legs wrapping around his torso as he pressed me
against the wall of the bedroom. I could feel his bulge through his
pants as my back collided against the wall with a thump, rattling the
picture frames. His tongue gained access between my lips. His fevered
arousal causing my body's desires to ignite. His hand found my breast
and squeezed. His other hand pushed the hem of my dress up as he slid
his hand along my bare thigh.
We stayed in that position for a few minutes before he pulled me from
the wall and fell on top of me on the bed, the headboard making a loud
sound as it smacked against the wall. I briefly thought of what the
neighbors must be thinking. I was pinned under Ivan's massive body. He
was almost out of control with his desires and I'd soon lose my nice
dress. Strange to think I was a man in Natasha's body about to have sex
with her husband, and I was thinking about preserving my dress. I
roughly rolled ourselves over finding myself straddling him on top with
his back to the bed. I pulled my dress over my head and tossed it to the
side as his hands found my bra snap.
My body was rocking back and forth over his swollen member. I could
smell the faint odor of my wet vagina. I reached back and unhooked by
heels and let them drop to the floor as his hands massaged my breasts.
Turning back towards him I began quickly unbuttoning his shirt exposing
his chiseled chest and stomach. My brain was still in rebellion mode
until my first orgasm rocked my body. This was fairly common for Natasha
to have multiple orgasms during sex. I was still shaking when Ivan
rolled me onto my back and tossed his shirt to the side, then began
unbuckling his pants. He quickly stripped and yanked my panties down my
legs.
I looked down my body, between my breasts, to see Ivan standing before
me. His erect member looked massive as he stared down at me greedily. He
pulled out a condom and I watched him put it on himself. Natasha had
always insisted he do this to protect her body from STDs and from
getting pregnant. I was grateful for her wisdom as he pressed the head
of his penis against my incredibly moist vagina.
His hands were placed on either side of my shoulders. His taught muscled
body angled directly above me. My hands ran up and down his back. He
didn't take his time, instead, he plunged himself as deep into me as he
could. I gasped and moaned loudly, my nails digging into his back
involuntarily. I felt myself stretch wide and felt so filled inside. I
almost came again right then and there. He began his deep thrusting into
me. My back was arching and my hips rocking in rhythm to his movements.
I felt my breasts move up and down in time with his strokes and the
sound of the headboard hitting the wall.
This was unlike anything I'd ever felt before. I felt vulnerable yet
immense pleasure. We continued for a number of minutes. I could feel
myself building and felt the muscles in Ivan's back beginning to
tighten. His penis began throbbing inside me with each stroke he seemed
to swell even larger. I screamed as I came, waves of orgasmic bliss
coursing through my body. I gripped his penis with my vaginal muscles.
He tensed, thrust deep, and then erupted inside me. We climaxed together
for what seemed like minutes before he fell to my side exhausted, his
penis falling out of me leaving me feel empty inside.
Ivan immediately fell asleep and began snoring lightly. I lay there a
few moments, slightly shocked at myself having enjoyed intercourse with
a man. I got up and grabbed some fresh clothing and went to have a
shower. I showed quickly, changed, and noticed Ivan was still sleeping.
I slipped out of the apartment to go find some food and hoped that by
the time I came back Ivan would be gone. As much as I enjoyed the sex,
it wasn't something I wanted to do again if I didn't have to.
Part 17
I returned to the apartment late that night having spent the evening
away. Thankfully, the apartment was empty. There was no note left by
Ivan. This was the nature of their relationship. They'd be apart for
months at a time and briefly come together for interludes like we just
had. I went to the bedroom and picked up my clothes from earlier.
Knowing the mission I had coming up in St. Petersburg I unpacked and
repacked with the clothing I'd use for the next week. I also added ropes
and weapons I'd need for breaking into the Kresty.
Part 18
The next morning I took my large suitcase to a private courier that
would deliver it to the hotel the CIA had booked in St. Petersburg. It
would be there upon my arrival tomorrow. This allowed me freedom from
the burden of traveling with a heavy suitcase.
I walked through the Red Square on my way to the Sukhoputnyye Voyskia
headquarters building. My high heels clicked on the stone pavers as I
weaved my way through the throngs of tourists. I paused momentarily to
look at Saint Basil's Cathedral. The church was a place Natasha liked to
visit. Now, this may be both the first and last time I looked upon it. I
considered the tourists and wondered what they would think if they knew
I was walking next to them with a gun and two knives strapped on me. I
had no idea what I might be heading into. The Sukhoputnyye Voyskia
headquarters were located in a building next to the Kremlin. This was
the center for Russia's Cold War decision making.
The guards at the entrance to the Sukhoputnyye Voyskia had me remove my
weapons to go through the scanner, but then gave them back to me. They
knew me well and were very respectful towards me. I walked through the
large, maze-like halls until I came to Sergei's office. I checked the
time and went straight in.
Sergei was a large man that has seen far too much caviar and vodka. His
round belly had only become larger over the years. His hair was gray and
thinning. To think he was one of the most powerful men in Russia didn't
ever phase Natasha.
"Natasha. Good to see you made it. Did you have any troubles?" His eyes
were shifting quickly.
"None that I couldn't handle."
He raised his bushy eyebrows a little. "I heard you were captured."
"The fact that I'm here with the document you wanted me to retrieve
should remove any doubts that I failed the mission." I handed him the
document. Something Natasha had never noticed before was the lightning-
shaped scar on his hand. My eyes widened with recognition. He noticed
the subtle change in my stance but didn't acknowledge anything.
"I hear Ivan was in town yesterday." He was probing. He knew Natasha had
been captured, further settling in my mind he was a part of the setup.
"We met at the apartment."
"I'll review this document. I should have a new mission for you within a
few weeks. You earned a little relaxation. Why don't you stay in town a
few days and enjoy some shopping. I know how much you like new clothes."
"I'll stay a bit longer then head back to Sochi. It's much warmer than
here this time of year."
He waved his hand as a dismissal.
Part 19
Back at the apartment I sat in a chair overlooking Red Square. Clouds
had rolled in making dusk come early. I was just thinking that I was
glad everything had gone smoothly when the door to my apartment burst
open with men clad in black and carrying Uzis. They hesitated only a
moment to get their bearings, find me, and opened fire shattering the
window behind me. Bullets threw tufts of foam seat cushions up into the
air from the seat I had been in moments before. Grateful for the
lightning fast reflexes of Natasha I had dove behind a heavy wooden
cabinet with my gun in hand. Two quick shots from my handgun took out
the two that were at the door but there were more coming. I jumped up
and ran for the bedroom only to have the glass shatter from another man
coming in through the window. His momentum carried him across the bed
and slammed me into the wall. Momentarily winded, I regained my footing
and kneed the man in the face, then drawing one of my blades from my
thigh, slashed his neck. The spray from his artery covered the wall, my
hands, and my face. I dropped the man to the floor and dove over the bed
as several more men opened fire through the bedroom doorway. Momentarily
protected I reached under the bed and grabbed a shotgun and shot out the
feet of the men in the doorway. They fell to the ground screaming. I ran
back towards the main door to the apartment pausing to smash the butt of
the shotgun into the faces of the two on the ground. I had to get out of
here quickly.
As I reached the door Sergei and Ivan entered with guns leveled at me. I
let off one shot of the shotgun catching Sergei in the chest who went
down hard. The pellets tore through his shirt exposing a bullet proof
vest over his massive belly. Ivan got a shot off which grazed my side as
I launched myself at him. I kicked the gun from his hand then followed
with another straight leg kick to his chest throwing him back into the
fridge. He was winded but definitely not out of the fight. I swept his
legs causing him to fall to the ground just as he got his hands on my
wrist and threw me back and over the kitchen counter. By the time I
scrambled to my feet he was back on his with a knife in hand and
stalking me like a tiger after its prey. He was wary, but at this point,
I was unarmed.
He swung a cut towards my midsection. I pulled back just in time to see
the blade slash nothing but air beneath my breasts. With his swing he
overcommitted himself as his arm continued across his body. A roundhouse
kick with my left foot hit with enough force to spin him so his back was
towards me. I followed my roundhouse with a back kick into his lower
back with as much force as I could. My heel hit perfectly and caused a
cracking sound from his back. It didn't break, but he lost the use of
his legs momentarily as the nerves were pinched. Grabbing my second
knife from my thigh I plunged it into his back, between his ribs, and
into his heart.
Turning, I saw Sergei staggering to his feet. His eyes were wide. I was
furious with adrenalin-filled anger. I picked up an Uzi and shot him in
the leg as I walked towards him. "You were there eighteen years ago. Did
you kill my parents?" He held his hands up. "Tell me!" I yelled at him.
He shook his head. I shot him in the other leg.
Through his screams of pain he spoke with spittle spraying from his
lips. "You're going to kill me anyways. I saw this day coming a long
time ago. They both ran from the Sukhoputnyye Voyskia to have a life of
their own. When I found them I killed them, only to discover they had
given birth to you. What greater revenge than to turn their daughter
into a weapon for the Sukhoputnyye Voyskia, the agency they rejected."
I could hear sirens coming. "Who was your contact at the CIA?"
"Never!" I raised the Uzi and fired point blank into his brain. I was
covered in blood, bleeding from the wound in my side. I was barefoot,
and the Russian police were coming. I grabbed my knives and handgun and
ran out the door. My only hope was in getting out of Moscow quickly
before they locked all transportation down. It was now dark and the
streets were wet from a recent rain. I ran down side streets until I
could catch my breath in a small alcove. I hid my weapons under my
tattered dress and checked the wound in my side. It was superficial and
wouldn't even leave a scar. I reached down to a puddle and washed my
hands in the cold water. I splashed some on my face as well. There was a
safe-house used by the Sukhoputnyye Voyskia a few blocks away. Natasha
had stored a few things there in case she couldn't gain access to the
apartment. It would be a risky delay, but I couldn't leave the city
looking like I was.
I stealthily made my way to the safe-house and stood silently outside
the door. I heard nothing within and carefully opened the door. The room
was dark and silent inside. A quick scan of the room showed no one
around. I grabbed a few clothes and shoes, and refreshed the bullets in
my handgun. I stripped and cleaned myself off well using soap and water.
I bandaged the wound in my side, changed, and left for the metro.
Part 20
Thirty minutes later I was in the back of a truck heading for St.
Petersburg. It would be safer than the train and the driver had no idea
I picked the lock and climbed in the back while he was filling up for
gas. I sat amongst the boxes and crates. I'd just killed seven men.
Natasha was a killing machine. I'd killed her husband and the head of
the Sukhoputnyye Voyskia. I think Natasha would be happy knowing these
men were dead. Not long ago I'd been a professor. Now I'm an assassin. I
noticed blood under my fingernails and started crying. There was a
difference seeing Natasha's memories, and actually pulling the trigger.
Part 21
It was about seven hours later and nearly three in the morning when the
truck came to a stop. I jumped out the back of the truck and oriented
myself. I was on the outskirts of St. Petersburg. Natasha had a small
apartment here, but it was likely under surveillance by now as it was
known by the Sukhoputnyye Voyskia. I needed a disguise. I'd head to the
hotel where my items were shipped to. From there I'd purchase a wig when
the shops opened in the morning. My only hope was that the hotel didn't
already have my picture. I had to assume within a day my face would be
plastered on every television and paper within the country. Assuming I
met my contact from the CIA tonight, we could attempt the rescue later
tonight and with that, help get me out of the country.
The hotel was located near the central core of downtown St. Petersburg
and across the Neva River from the Kresty. I arrived at the hotel by
four in the morning and booked a room even if it would just be for a few
hours. When the person behind the counter looked away I managed to find
what room the CIA had booked for me later in the day. I secured a room
under an alias Natasha had rarely used and one different than the CIA
had booked for me. My large suitcase was waiting for me and the porter
brought it to my room.
Once in my room I started the bathtub and found some fresh clothing from
my suitcase. I checked my wound and found it healing quickly. I long
soak in a hot bathtub would do wonders for me. I turned on the news, and
as in Sochi, pulled a chair next to the tub where I placed my weapons.
All of Russia would be looking for me soon. One doesn't kill the head of
the Sukhoputnyye Voyskia and simply leave the country.
I sank into the hot soapy water and submerged myself completely. What a
night. I was glad for Natasha's memories as she'd been in many bad
situations before. Maybe not this bad. I thought about where my mind had
been when I killed all of those people. I'm pretty sure Natasha would be
pleased Ivan and Sergei were killed, although I think she'd rather have
done that herself. The water was getting cold and I looked at my hands.
I'd scrubbed myself raw absentmindedly. I got out of the tub and started
working on drying my hair when I overheard my name on the news.
'Sergei Kosolov, Head of the Sukhoputnyye Voyskia was murdered last
night in a Moscow apartment. The police had been called around 8:20 pm
to reports of shots fired in an area just east of Red Square. When they
arrived they found seven Sukhoputnyye Voyskia staff murdered,