AK 239: The Enemy Is Already Here

Jen, while typing, asks, “So did you see all of the plutonium 239?”

What?

“Ya, they’ve got enough 239 here to blow up every city in North America.”

“What are you doing?”

Jennifer intently working on a computer says, “I’m forcing many radioactive nuclei of uranium atoms to each split into two fast-moving smaller nuclei in the reactor core. This is nuclear fission and it happens in picoseconds, a trillionth of a second. By overloading the fission process I’m creating a chain reaction. Bombarding the nuclei with high-energy neutrons.”

I didn’t understand a single word she just said. I didn’t care. I’m still staring at her beauty.

“If I do this right, I will force a massive amount of energy in the radioactive uranium nuclei, releasing higher energy neutrons and gamma rays. The fission also releases kinetic energy in the smaller nuclei, about one million electron volts per nuclei! Once that first uranium nuclei is fissioned the chain reaction begins and…”

I sarcastically say, “Sorry I asked. Just hurry!”

Jen ignores me and dials up the power to overload conditions.

I become convinced this is a not a good idea,

“Are you sure this mountain will contain all the radiation?”

“It’s contained the uranium radiation for millions of years. I’m trying to minimize the blast,” says an intense looking Jen.

I’m impressed,

“When fuel cladding is breached with Cesium-137 and Krypton-85, it will leach into the coolant over there and that’s gonna make…”

I’m not paying attention as I’m worried and looking out the door. I finish Jen’s sentence,

“One big frickin’ explosion?”

“Ya!” Jen stands up and runs out the door.

I run after her stopping her,

“Wait. I can’t leave the doctor or Al. Also, I tied up Ruddy and Katrina.”

“Go get the Russian doctor and Al. The others? We don’t have time for.”

We both stand up and walk over to where all the scientists can now see us.

Everyone, still in NBC suits, including Doctor Vladimir Peskov, freezes for a second staring at us.

I look at Jen not in any protective clothing and think:

Well, there goes a couple more years off my life!

Alarm-bells begin sounding and red lights flash.

I start yelling in Russian the only word I think I know,

“Beak… Beak…”

The scientists continue standing frozen in place, staring at me, so I spray bullets into the air yelling,

“RUN!”

That, they understand! They flee toward the closest vein.

Jen grabs the machine gun and begins smashing the controls.

I ask her, “So what do we do now, soldier?”

Jen takes off her high heels then says,

“WE RUN!”

Russian Command Center

Bokan Mountain

Inside the Command Center, Russians feverously rush about as their reactor overload warning system continues to alert them about a meltdown. The general is on a computer and attempting to override the sabotage.

A Russian officer looking worried says, “We can’t fix this from here, sir.”

Zelin speaks to his next in command,

“Open up the mountain. Get everyone down there now and fix this or we’re all dead!”

A very young and very worried young soldier walks up to Zelin who’s not paying any attention to him.

“Uh, sir?”

Zelin barely acknowledges his existence and doesn’t look at the kid while he continues working.

“Yes?”

“The president wants to speak with you.”

Zelin stops.

“Turn off all emergency alarms. Everyone atten-tion.”

All stand in the room at attention.

Zelin nods to the kid who then puts President Mironovich’s image on the large screen.

Zelin takes a big gulp wondering how he will explain all of this.

The Russian president appears on the large screen. He is not happy.

“Zelin you are relieved of command.”

Zelin interrupts, “Sir I would…

The president continues, “You better destroy all evidence of everything there. If you make it out alive I have given the order to kill you. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.”

The screen goes dark.

Zelin looks around at everyone.

After a very long pause, the general says,

“I don’t know who will do it but make it fast.”

No one moves a muscle.

The general then says,

“Let’s go. Send out the evacuation order.”

Flashing green lights now turn red and on the speaker system a woman’s voice says,

“Evakuirovat’, Evacuate, Evakuirovat’, Evacuate.”

Zelin stands there a moment before talking to his right hand man again,

“The Iranians will be waiting for us out there. We must be prepared.”

“Yes sir.”

Ruddy’s Room

Bokan Mountain

Jen and I run down the hall to Ruddy and Katrina’s room.

Jen says, “They must’ve captured Al and Tatiana.”

I respond, “I wouldn’t be so sure. They seem to know their way around.”

This time I try the door instead of kicking it down. Jen nods her approval as the door easily opens.

As we search the rooms, there is no sign of Ruddy or Katrina.

There are only big trails of duct tape everywhere.

“You used duct tape on them too?” asks Jen with a bit of disgust.

I ignore her.

“Let’s hope Al and Tatiana made it out alive.”

We gotta go now or we’ll not make it out alive,” says Jen.

I agree and start to head out the door when I stop her.

“Wait. Come here.”

Jen stops at the door.

“What?”