Moscow, Russia1145 hours.26th April.Seated in the opulent sanctuary of his office, Oleg, found himself immersed in profound contemplation. Despite the exquisite collection of antiques that adorned the room, his mind remained consumed with thoughts of the elusive Strauss and his mysterious agenda.The icy gaze of Stalin immortalized through a meticulously sculpted bust, bore down upon him, sending shivers down his spine. Positioned strategically on the wall, directly across from his colossal table adorned with towering stacks of documents, a vintage telephone, and a state-of-the-art personal computer, the presence of the dictator's stern visage was impossible to ignore.Glimmers of sunlight danced their way through the slits of the Venetian blind, cascading into the room like ethereal ribbons. Accompanying this gentle illumination, a tender breeze drifted in through the window, carrying with it the scent of an impending monsoon, its arrival a mere whisper in the wind, weeks away fro
Everett, Washington D. C. 1305 hours. 26th April. The bustling setting was brimming with captivating characters, all seemingly tied to the popular figure who had transitioned from a celebrated war hero to an elusive outlaw.From the relentless press, diligent cops, and dedicated paramedics, to the curious locals, the rugged path winding towards the perilous summit, overlooking the sprawling expanse of Everett forest, buzzed with a flurry of commotion. Sheriff Calum guided his vintage car along the twisted road, accompanied by his fresh-faced deputy, sporting a soot-marked mustache, to a spot where a dozen police cruisers were parked - It had now become a temporal parking lot.In the heart of the impromptu parking space stood a colossal, time-worn tree, its gnarled branches reaching out like ancient fingers in a desperate bid for connection. This magnificent arboreal entity stood tall, its weathered trunk offering solace and sanctuary to those who sought its shade. It soon becomes
Everett, Washington D. C. 1345 hoursApril, 26thThe twelve National Guards, accompanied by four ravenous cadaver dogs, defied the rugged challenges of the jaunty cliff in a bid to capture their quarry who was also a fugitive of the state. Their descent was facilitated by state-of-the-art mountaineering equipment. Each one donned special weapons and gadgets required to ease their sojourn in the rugged terrain. As they scaled the treacherous precipice with a calculated finesse, Ed could not but wonder what kind of man Crowne was. News of his astounding survival was rife. The account painted a picture of a man well-acquainted with the unforgiving landscapes of combat, a hardened soldier not to be trifled with. Yet, despite his remarkable reputation, Ed knew better than to underestimate the Captain. Armed or not, this enigmatic figure possessed a formidable presence that could not be disregarded.One by one, they descended stealthily, landing upon the verdant forest ground. On their pa
Everett, Washington D. C.1400 hours26th April. The dog recklessly bounded into the depths of the foreboding mines. The dark labyrinthine tunnels conspired against its acute and primordial sense of smell, saturating the air with an intoxicating medley of herbs and shrubs that masked any discernible trail. Confusion wrestled with its instincts, as the dog's finely-tuned olfactory prowess struggled to dissect the cacophony of scents that swirled around. Amidst the dark recesses of the mines, the very essence of the dog's purpose faltered, overshadowed by the mélange of aromatic distractions that permeated the space.The hound's discerning senses were soon submerged in a tumultuous sea of sound as the gushing, bubbly waters surged forth from one of the chambers that comprised the enigmatic mine. The canine's acute ears, once attuned to the slightest rustle or whisper, now strained to distinguish the source of these mesmerizing aquatic symphonies. Undeterred, the hound's primordial in
Everett, Washington D. C. 1715 hours. April 26th.Amidst his unconscious state, a piercing cry, reminiscent of an albatross soaring in a far-off realm, abruptly snapped him back to present reality.As his eyes slowly fluttered open, he abruptly realized that he was still in the forest. Determined to regain his footing, he fervently attempted to rise upright, only to discover with mounting dismay that he was restrained, his hands and feet had been expertly tied while ensconced on the forest floor. This thwarted his efforts to break free.Utter bewilderment seized him as his senses registered the astonishing reality before him. To his incredulous dismay, he beheld a cruel tableau—the entirety of his loyal men, bound hands and feet, their bodies firmly tethered in arranged formation, mirroring his own restricted position.Adding to the disarray of his predicament, he began to discern an extremely precarious situation. His eyes now wide open scrutinized his attire, recognizing the grim
Everett, Washington D. C.1802 hoursApril 26th. It all happened in a flashAmidst the Sheriff's endeavor to discern the next individual reclining on the ground, he unknowingly did not know that the seemingly inert figure still clung to his weapon, hands firm.In such proximity, the enigmatic individual squeezed the trigger. A searing blast accompanied the sharp crack as the gun went off, propelling the bullet on a direct course toward the robust lawman's collarbone. The impact that followed was of monumental proportions. The rifle owned by the lawman slipped from his grip as his shoulder bone fractured with a spine-chilling snap. Wracked with a jolt of terror-inducing pain, he crumbled, copious draughts of blood seeping from his left shoulder.The individual who had fractured Calum's shoulder squirmed to his feet much to the Sheriff's chagrin. He took off his goggles - it was Captain CrowneAgain, the other fellow too regained his footing taking off his mask and smarting from the
Everett, Washington D. C. 1906 hours. April 26th. As the van raced through the bustling crossroads, its sirens wailing in a chaotic symphony, Crowne couldn't ignore the sense of electrifying anticipation that seemed to wrap the city in a captivating haze. He observed this from the narrow window within the bay he occupied Carles.In the depths of his thoughts, a notion popped up – the City had grown weary of the nefarious deeds of a tainted and dishonest Sheriff, or so he surmised. After some minutes, the panel van changed direction, finding itself amidst a tranquil neighborhood, far removed from the exuberance of the unruly thoroughfares. The prevailing serenity of this new territory did not escape his notice.Amidst his ruminations, his musings turned to Clara and Lucille. He acknowledged the suffering he had inflicted upon them, a toll he deemed necessary to uphold the revered principles of law and order in the grand tapestry of existence.While he was engrossed in a pensive ma
London, United Kingdom1402 hours26th AprilOut of the blue, Ballard reached out to Thelma, catching her off guard as she savored a cup of coffee in a quaint café. Her phone hummed with a message that beckoned her attention. The task at hand: a journey to Pointsdeep, where the esteemed Dr. Lee Mason was domiciled. Without delay, Thelma dialed Pete, summoning him to whisk her away from the pleasantly warm café setting.In a matter of twenty minutes, Pete arrived at the elegant café. With a sense of urgency, she quickly approached and eased herself into the car. As Pete brought the vehicle to life, it roared onto the highway that wound its way toward the distant and remote hinterlands.During their journey, Thelma couldn't escape the grasp of her thoughts about Quaresma. Her mind wandered, pondering his current predicament. Was he confined in a shadowy dungeon, perhaps facing torment? The most distressing notion that occupied her was the haunting possibility of Quaresma's lifeless bod