OPERATION: SALT THE EARTH - Log 5
Mar. 5th, 2018 02:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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xp_logsNorth and Sydney track down the industrial spy to a hotel in St. Petersburg and have a productive conversation regarding the lost materials.
"I never can get comfortable in Russia. I mean, I know it's different, but after four decades of them being the enemy, walking around a Russian city always makes me feel like I have a bulls eye on my back." Sydney said as he and North trekked through the streets. They were an utterly unremarkable pair, by intention, looking like a pair of bored middle managers or public servants out for a walk during their lunch hour.
"That is the feeling that will save your life," North replied, checking the map pulled up on his phone as they took a right and crossed the street. "Or make you look like the world's most paranoid bastard."
"Don't try and teach your grandmother to suck eggs." Kevin replied, quickly dodging some traffic as they cut across the street. "The Hyatt. Of course. Let's find a North American based chain."
A mark's predictability always did make their lives easier. North certainly was not complaining as the pair of them left the chilly December air at the revolving doors and slipped into the heated lobby of the hotel. They passed unhindered through the lobby, for all purposes looking like two businessmen returning to their rooms after a morning meeting.
Kevin motioned them towards the stairs. The elevators would have working cameras, but the stairwell cameras would be inexplicably in need of maintenance; the housekeeping staff and the concierge would have their own side hustles involving either petty theft or sending drugs or prostitutes up on request to visiting businessmen via the stairs. He gave North a wry smile as they passed the third camera with a red light on before opening up the door on the fourth floor.
Two right turns and the door to the corner unit on the left opened up with a click after North held his phone to the electronic pad for five seconds. He swung the door open, the sound of the TV in the background both confirming the presence of their mark and conveniently masking his quiet footfalls as Kevin guided the door shut.
Neil was sitting in a chair, sipping from a glass and watching what was apparently the Russian version of hotel Skinimax service. Somewhat ironic, Kevin thought, considering that the man was about to get fucked. Fortunately, he was alone which meant there was no need to be subtle.
"Neil." Kevin stepped into view from the hall, pistol in hand. "We need to talk. And if you even think of reaching for that gun, you're going to get your kneecaps shot off." He didn't know if there was a gun, but past experience suggested a better than average chance.
"Who are you?"
"Mostly irrelevant," North replied, disappearing momentarily into the bathroom to ensure there were no surprises lying in wait. "You have some information that you will provide, preferably without us having to use any unnecessary violence."
"Well, if we need to use it, it's necessary violence. For example, if he doesn't talk and we drill out the back of both knees to make him, that is necessary violence." Kevin's mouth quirked with a smile. "So here's the deal. Make it easy so we don't need to use any necessary violence. That sound fair?"
"I- I, oh shit, oh shit..."
"Please, do not. The smell would not gain you any favours," North advised as he reappeared into their line of sight and settled himself comfortably against a wall. "Simple questions, simple answers. You were recently employed by Frost Industries. Typically, there is no SOP in place to track down ex-employees to throw a party for them but we have strong reason to believe that you are in breach of your confidentiality obligations."
Kevin gave the man an encouraging smile along side his wave of the gun. The man paled further.
"I am. I was. I-"
"Calm down, princess. Who did you sell the your research to?"
"I didn't- I-"
"-- am running out of time? Yes," North said. Drawing a weapon of his own would be overkill at this stage. "Names. Now."
"Orehkev. I sold it to him." Neil sputtered, terrified at the cold men pointing guns at him.
"Oh, I know that asshole. Brown-nosing scientist. Mostly a political animal."
"Soviet- ah, no. He was with the mafia for a while too, yes?" North jerked his chin toward the trembling scientist. "Where is he now?"
"I don't know. I passed the encrypted information over through a courier."
"Sounds about right. I have some contacts that we can use to find him. He's been back working for the government, trying to regain his lost credibility." Kevin said and gestured at Neil. "What should we do with him?"
"I imagine Frost would want to deal with him," North mused, watching with vague interest as the man visibly lost colour. "She has had a shitty week. We should be nice. Deliver her a pretty package to play with."
"I never can get comfortable in Russia. I mean, I know it's different, but after four decades of them being the enemy, walking around a Russian city always makes me feel like I have a bulls eye on my back." Sydney said as he and North trekked through the streets. They were an utterly unremarkable pair, by intention, looking like a pair of bored middle managers or public servants out for a walk during their lunch hour.
"That is the feeling that will save your life," North replied, checking the map pulled up on his phone as they took a right and crossed the street. "Or make you look like the world's most paranoid bastard."
"Don't try and teach your grandmother to suck eggs." Kevin replied, quickly dodging some traffic as they cut across the street. "The Hyatt. Of course. Let's find a North American based chain."
A mark's predictability always did make their lives easier. North certainly was not complaining as the pair of them left the chilly December air at the revolving doors and slipped into the heated lobby of the hotel. They passed unhindered through the lobby, for all purposes looking like two businessmen returning to their rooms after a morning meeting.
Kevin motioned them towards the stairs. The elevators would have working cameras, but the stairwell cameras would be inexplicably in need of maintenance; the housekeeping staff and the concierge would have their own side hustles involving either petty theft or sending drugs or prostitutes up on request to visiting businessmen via the stairs. He gave North a wry smile as they passed the third camera with a red light on before opening up the door on the fourth floor.
Two right turns and the door to the corner unit on the left opened up with a click after North held his phone to the electronic pad for five seconds. He swung the door open, the sound of the TV in the background both confirming the presence of their mark and conveniently masking his quiet footfalls as Kevin guided the door shut.
Neil was sitting in a chair, sipping from a glass and watching what was apparently the Russian version of hotel Skinimax service. Somewhat ironic, Kevin thought, considering that the man was about to get fucked. Fortunately, he was alone which meant there was no need to be subtle.
"Neil." Kevin stepped into view from the hall, pistol in hand. "We need to talk. And if you even think of reaching for that gun, you're going to get your kneecaps shot off." He didn't know if there was a gun, but past experience suggested a better than average chance.
"Who are you?"
"Mostly irrelevant," North replied, disappearing momentarily into the bathroom to ensure there were no surprises lying in wait. "You have some information that you will provide, preferably without us having to use any unnecessary violence."
"Well, if we need to use it, it's necessary violence. For example, if he doesn't talk and we drill out the back of both knees to make him, that is necessary violence." Kevin's mouth quirked with a smile. "So here's the deal. Make it easy so we don't need to use any necessary violence. That sound fair?"
"I- I, oh shit, oh shit..."
"Please, do not. The smell would not gain you any favours," North advised as he reappeared into their line of sight and settled himself comfortably against a wall. "Simple questions, simple answers. You were recently employed by Frost Industries. Typically, there is no SOP in place to track down ex-employees to throw a party for them but we have strong reason to believe that you are in breach of your confidentiality obligations."
Kevin gave the man an encouraging smile along side his wave of the gun. The man paled further.
"I am. I was. I-"
"Calm down, princess. Who did you sell the your research to?"
"I didn't- I-"
"-- am running out of time? Yes," North said. Drawing a weapon of his own would be overkill at this stage. "Names. Now."
"Orehkev. I sold it to him." Neil sputtered, terrified at the cold men pointing guns at him.
"Oh, I know that asshole. Brown-nosing scientist. Mostly a political animal."
"Soviet- ah, no. He was with the mafia for a while too, yes?" North jerked his chin toward the trembling scientist. "Where is he now?"
"I don't know. I passed the encrypted information over through a courier."
"Sounds about right. I have some contacts that we can use to find him. He's been back working for the government, trying to regain his lost credibility." Kevin said and gestured at Neil. "What should we do with him?"
"I imagine Frost would want to deal with him," North mused, watching with vague interest as the man visibly lost colour. "She has had a shitty week. We should be nice. Deliver her a pretty package to play with."
