At the president’s order, the director of the Federal’naya Sluzhba Kontrrazvedky swung into action. The FSB was the successor to the KGB for internal security matters and had inherited its reputation for ruthlessness. The director ordered borders, both internal and external, to be slammed shut. Transportation and communications would grind to a halt. Nobody would be able to move without the correct papers, and then only under close scrutiny.

More than one man in the bunker thought how ironic it was that the old ways threatened to be returned. Several vowed out loud it would be temporary, until this crisis could be quelled.

Smitrov told them of his kidnapping by Durov’s troops, of his rescue by the Americans. He promised that he would return to Moscow as quickly as he could. He didn’t have to tell them why it was so necessary. Even if he successfully thwarted Durov, someone else with an equal appetite for power would step in to fill the vacuum unless he was back at the helm of state, strong and secure.

Smitrov dropped the handset the second he completed his talk with the council. He did not have enough strength to hold it any longer. He closed his eyes for a moment as he lay back.

“Is Captain Glass still here?” he asked.

“I am here, Mr. President.”

“Captain, please take me to Pechenga,” he said to Glass.

“Where?”

“Pechenga. It is a mining and fishing town on the Norwegian border. I visited there with my father when I was a boy. It is far enough away from Murmansk that it is unlikely Durov would be able to do anything there. They have a hospital and an airfield so I can more quickly return to Moscow.”

Glass looked at the chart. Sure enough, there was Pechenga, at the head of the Pechenga Fjord. It appeared to be a hundred miles from Toledo’s current location in the Barents Sea. They could be there in four hours, easily.

Glass stood and turned to leave the wardroom. Smitrov reached out and took his hand as he walked past. His grip was surprisingly strong. “Thank you, Captain. You have done much to help save my country.”

Glass didn’t quite know what to say. He looked down for a moment. “Let’s just pray this all works out. Now you get some rest while we get you to Pechenga.”

Smitrov closed his eyes again as Glass left the wardroom. He was asleep in a few seconds.

Chapter 45