Cloud Invasion: R-D 2 (R-D #2)(67)

"Where is that?" I asked.

"Here," Auggie pulled up a map on his tablet. I stared in dismay at a map of Chernobyl.

Ilya cursed in Ukrainian over my shoulder. "They're doing it there, because people are kept away from the area," Matt explained. "For obvious reasons."

"My son was questioning activity there when he was killed," Ilya snapped, the accent heavy in his voice. "By Baikov."

"And they likely laid low for a while afterward," Auggie nodded.

"I do not want my cabbage anywhere near that place," Ilya exploded.

"I wasn't suggesting that," Auggie said. "Calm down, I think we may be able to get someone else in there. Photographs are all we need."

"Let me guess-you have someone watching satellite feeds, now?" I asked.

"Yes. Is that a problem?" Matt turned to me.

"Who is it?"

"Don't worry, this isn't the same one who watched the South American feeds-we're keeping an eye on him already."

"Good. Have fun getting your photographs," I said. "I really don't want to go to Chernobyl."

"You think they're using the underground site near Chernobyl-2, don't you?" Ilya breathed.

"Yes. Know anything about the Russian Woodpecker?" Matt's left eyebrow lifted.

"Hmmph. I laugh at American conspiracy theories."

I looked from Ilya to Matt and then back again. What I understood from all that I wouldn't want to say. Not in public, anyway.

"There was a tunnel from that facility into Russia," Ilya confirmed. "It was reported to be blocked when Ukraine became independent."

"Ukraine doesn't realize it's being used again," Matt said.

"Corinne?" Auggie gave me a pointed look.

"Hey, don't look at me," I raised both hands in surrender.

"Who are you sending in there?" Ilya asked. "I warn you, if they are caught, it will not go well."

"I'm sending Opal," Matt said.

*

"Are you sure?" I asked Opal for the third time.

"I can get in and out," she said. "No problem."

"Can you speak Russian?" Ilya asked.

"I can say nyet," she laughed.

"Look, I'll know if you're in trouble," I said.

"Cori, stop worrying about me," she leaned forward and hugged me. "You have enough on your plate. Let me do my thing."

"All right."

"I still do not like this," Ilya crossed arms tightly over his chest.

"You could come, too," Opal pointed out. "And bring Corinne, because she can haul your stubborn ass out of there when it needs to go."

"Honey, let's go," I said, allowing my shoulders to droop. "I don't want anybody in more danger than they're already in."

"In and out," Ilya commanded. "When I say leave, we leave, you understand?" My face was in his hands as his eyes locked on mine.

"Okay," I squeaked.

"Good. Come, I will make sure you dress appropriately."

*

Appropriate dress was all black with black athletic shoes. Apparently, Ilya conveniently failed to remember that we hadn't been seen when we visited the facility outside Seattle.

Opal was dressed in black, just like we were, when we met in the kitchen again. "Don't be detected," Matt warned. "Any sign of it, you get the hell out."

"Sure thing. I'd salute, but that just seems silly," I said.

That's when I saw the dimple in Matt's cheek for the first time. "Come on, you know you want to laugh," I said.

He choked trying not to laugh.

"Now you know what I've had to deal with for years," Auggie told Matt.

"You poor thing. I'll buy you ice cream when I get back," I teased.

Matt burst out laughing.

"Cori," Auggie warned.

"Yeah."

*

I saw the actual Russian Woodpecker when we arrived where Ilya directed. It was a huge metal frame, stretching far into the night and towering above the trees that grew around the base.

Fact and fiction of conspiracy theories aside, it was used during the cold war to detect any missiles lobbed in Russia's direction. The metal frame of it stood as a testament to the nuclear standoff. I realized that base-jumping tourists now leapt (foolishly) off the thing at times, but that was their reason for being there, not mine.

Want inside the underground facility or in the tunnel leading into it? I sent to Ilya and Opal.

Tunnel, Ilya responded.

Tunnel it is, I replied and moved us there.

You sure we can't be seen? Opal's mindspeech made me want to laugh. I know you knew, she said. Thanks for keeping my secrets.

I told you I would, I said. Come on, we'll be moving in a bubble-you won't need to walk. I don't want to put pressure on anything.

Only a small part of the underground facility was actually in use, and that turned out to be the part closest to the tunnel. The rest was blocked off, with a thick wall between it and what was accessible aboveground. Ukraine was harboring the enemy without anyone being aware.

Passing computer stations and technicians dressed in plain black uniforms with no insignia, we eventually reached the manufacturing room.