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And...
Allen Andersen’s office
Dasha sat in a seat across from Allen Andersen at his desk Boris stood by the window, silently observing. Andersen leaned back in his chair as Dasha looks up. “So why ask us here? It seems you have good plan, why add Boris?”
Allen Andersen smirked as he looked from Dasha to her monster. He said exactly what was on his mind. “Because you and I are a lot alike, Dasha. We both find, tame and control monsters, and wield them as needed to destroy our enemies. It’s clear to everyone you’re the brains of your operation and Boris destroys those you need removed.”
Boris, played his part by smirking at this, though the truth was he was smirking at how well the act was working. Dasha glanced back at Boris and turned to Allen Anderson. “Da, I am brains of the outfit. Which is why I know Valora was once on your payroll. I also know she could have killed you in North Korea and did not. I also know Valora never fails to unleash violence on her targets. Pardon me for being rude but you-” Dasha pauses and glances at Anderson’s cane and back at the man himself. “Are not in a position to fight her off. Why set her up?”
Anderson’s jaw clenched a bit at the reminders of Valora’s association with him, her sparing him and his physical limitations. However, when he spoke, he kept his voice calm and even. “All true. I’m actually curious myself. This match is also not as unbalanced as it looks. Eric Dillinger is a rookie. Untested yet. Sato is an ally and might help her. Johnny Rage should be reliable but we both know relying on just one person to take Valora out is a bad bet. So I need your monster.”
Dasha considers this and raises an eyebrow. “That is the only reason you need us?” Allen Anderson smirks and nods. “Not quite. Your country’s involvement and interest in Central America and the Caribbean is… well known. I was hoping you might have some idea of Valora’s past. Perhaps some idea how she is keeping off the radar of the most powerful nation in the world?”
Dasha glanced at Boris. Wondering if now was the time to break the illusion carefully crafted. But decided against it for the moment. “Valora is an insurgent, Mr. Anderson. Insurgents specialize in hiding from the powerful. They are like cockroaches. Shine light on them, they scurry away and hide until the light passes then they come out again. Why should we help you?” Allen Anderson leans forward. “I do my homework too, Captain Ivanova.” He says looking over the young Russian officer in front of him. “I suspect your country is supporting the Rebels of Society. They have a distinct Russian communist scent to them, Is it possible your country is playing both sides?” Dasha raises an eyebrow. ‘I’m sure I have no idea what you are talking about, mr. Anderson.’ She says holding up a hand, stopping Boris in his tracks as he had turned and taken a step towards Anderson. Dasha looks at Allen Anderson and thinks for a moment before nodding. “What do you know of Valora’s past?” Allen shrugs. “Not much. I know she was born in Los Angeles, seems to have spent some time in Mexico, and has the skills of a whole elite squad of special forces soldiers.”
Dasha smirked and nodded. “She was considered prospect for recruitment. She is fan of Che Guerrera. Her training is close to his. She went to University of Southern California on football scholarship… wait, you Americans call it soccer. Anyways. She graduated with top marks in psychology, criminal psychology. Forensic psychology. She got a grade A education.” Dasha withheld the fact that Valora went to medical school and continued. “After graduation, she went to Mexico City, invited by a friend with the intent of starting a Mexican version of the F.B.I. Behavioral Analysis Unit, profilers. And you are right. She is expert at psychological warfare, insurgency, interrogation, and many types of weapons. She first demonstrated this in Mexico City. her partner was killed by drug cartel thugs. She responded by waging a war and completely destroying said cartel. She earned the name Angel of Death at this time. Because she fought cartel by their rules. Killed their people. Their people’s families. In the end, she killed the entire family that ran the cartel. Mounted their heads on pikes around their villa. This was when she first came to our attention and our agent in the area decided she was potential recruit target. I… don’t recall offhand if she was approached by us or not. But with time, her skills and experience grew. Your president made a huge mistake when he made an enemy out of her. But you know this, already. Da?”
Allen Anderson smirked and nodded his head. “Indeed. The woman has a natural gift for violence. I can tell you have an interest in her as well. So let’s talk about price. I need your monster. What do you need for this aid?”
Dasha thinks. “What is your plan for match?” Anderson smirks. As he replies, laying out his plan, his hopes for driving a wedge between Sato and Valora and perhaps even forcing Abbigail to choose between her mentor Valora and her tag partner Sato, Boris notices movement. He moves over and looks closer. Allen Anderson’s hopes for capturing Valora lost in background noise. Then Boris sees it again and leans out the door. The figure was wearing a security uniform. Boris watched as the figure left and turned back to the meeting. “Dasha. Boris hungry.”
Dasha pinched the bridge of her nose, Boris’ manner of speech, her annoyance, all if carefully choreographed to sell the act as Dasha sighs and looks at Allen Anderson. “You see what I have to deal with.” Allen Anderson returns the smirk and nods. “It’s the burden we bear, my dear. But we have an agreement, yes?” Dasha nods. “Da. Boris will take part in the match.” She says before turning to him. “BORIS!” She snaps, getting the man’s attention. “Listen carefully dumb ox.. You will work with the team Mr. Anderson is putting together to dismantle Valora Salinas. What happens after the match we’ll deal with later.. I don’t want to overload your tiny brain with too much info… dumb ox.”
A short while later, the pair left the hotel and Boris turned to Dasha. “Valora was here. During meeting.” Dasha nodded. “So that’s what distracted you.” Boris sighed. “Was boring. You and Anderson have something in common. Both focused on Valora.” Dasha nods. “We noticed that too. There might be way for both of us to get what we want from her. In the meantime, We have to prepare for the match ahead. Go get something to eat. Meet me in our hotel room, one hour.”
Boris nods and salutes his superior officer and heads off in search of food and Dasha turns and walks over towards the hotel lobby, silently counting down, smirking as she hears her phone ring.
Boris, for his part, let out a breath of relief. He was finally released from the act. Now, his part of the work began. He made his way to a local food cart. Waiting his turn he came up and placed his order, speaking pretty good Spanish, definitely better than one would expect of him.A few minutes later, Boris walked away from the cart with a taco and a hint of information. He made three more food stops to throw off the people trying to follow him. One of whom came around the corner and looked around, muttering to himself. ‘What the fuck? How the hell did I lose a 7 ft fuckin’ giant in the ugh-” He was cut off by Boris coming from behind him and wrapping him in a sleeper/choke hold. “Because you are bad at your job, comrade.” Boris said, gradually tightening his grip, breaking the man’s neck one bone at a time before dragging him into the alleyway and carefully arranging the body, touching his bluetooth device and waiting before speaking quietly to Dasha. “Da Dasha. Boris here. You were right. Anderson had me followed. Niet. his man won’t make it back. Understood.” Boris took the man’s wallet, grabbing his ID, his money, and other useful items from the wallet and nodded to himself, continuing along the way, idly thinking of his match. Whether his team mates could keep up with him or not was irrelevant. He had his plan. Beating Valora was one… but the main plan, Boris figured, was meant to try and cause some splintering between her and the ROS.
All Boris knew was that even Valora, skilled as she was, would have a hard time with what had been set up for her.