Approach the barn

The boys bring Dadonov, Dmitriev and I along to back them up while they retrieve the documents the next day. It’s a short trip there, and we creep through the woods. We stop when the barn comes into view.

“I don’t like this.” Clarke mutters, looking out over the field.

“Sir,” Dadonov speaks up. “It looks like if we follow the wood line to the right, we can get a lot closer.”

“That’s a good idea. Everybody stay down. Let’s go.”

Nods of acknowledgement are passed forwards, and I follow my allies, crawling on the ground, edging closer and closer to our goal.

We reach the closest point still hidden among the trees. Clarke turns around and uses hand signals to direct Hobbs and I to take different paths to the barn. He signals for me to go around the rotted carcass of an old tractor. I take a deep breath, anticipating the order to advance, and check my PPSh. It’s ready to go.

The order comes with the wave of the hand, and the three of us dart out of the trees, staying low and spread out. I take cover briefly when I reach the tractor and peek around it. Hobbs and Clarke reach the barn first, and I leave my position to chase them down.

Dadonov and Dmitriev catch up to us, and take cover against the barn.

“You two stay out here and watch our backs.” Clarke orders them.

“You can count on it.” Dadonov tells him with a nod.

Clarke waves us forwards, and readies his pistol at the entrance. He carefully leans to peer inside, then snaps back.

“Let’s make this quick.” He whispers to us, then nods his head in the direction of the door.

One after another we round the corner into the barn, weapons ready, and creep inside.

“Where is it?” Clarke mutters. We creep along.

“Look.” Hobbs whispers, pointing to the middle of the barn. “A briefcase.”

We creep forwards towards the case, wedged behind a barrel, and stop at the edge of the shadows. Hobbs steps forwards and picks the case up. He sets it on the barrel and begins to open it.

“This is it!” He says excitedly. Clarke and I leave the shadows to join him on either side.

“Open it!” Clarke urges him.

Hobbs opens the case and takes a hold of the first piece of paper.

“Wait a second.” He says. “This is blank!” He flips through the papers frantically. “They’re all blank!”

The barn screams to life with cries of “DROP YOUR WEAPONS!” that come from every direction.