Where Fox and Hare say Goodnight 4

»Phew, chillier than I thought!«

Since there was no rule that those who shared a bedroom also had to team up for their activities, Lioba and Isabelle had taken one of the canoes to explore the lake. Cordelia, who was a bit tired from the flight, but also had no intention to attend the sauna, at least not now, had deliberately went last to the living room and now had to prepare something for lunch. She was accompanied by Samantha, but since Cordelia didn`t intend to prepare something difficult, she had let the girl off the hook after she had chopped the vegetables, so she could join Veronique and Lalita in the sauna.

Both Isabelle and Lioba were dressed in winter jackets, together with woollen caps and gloves, but still, the air on the lake was icy. Isabelle, who had lived in the Alps for two years, guessed it would snow soon.

For a while, they paddled along the shore, admiring the scenery. Isabelle tried to find a way to address the elephant in the room: how Lioba was coping with her getting married to Mike. However, she just couldn`t find a good way to put it and so, she chose another subject instead:

»It was Maman`s idea! Bringing Aunt Veronique, you know?«

Lioba chuckled.

»You mean, she took the opportunity to park her with us, so she wouldn`t try to seduce her boyfriend, too?«

At that moment, they heard the sound of something big break through the woods from the shore. Isabelle turned around and tried to see what had caused the noise.

»Maybe, it`s a moose!«

»If it`s a male moose, we could hook it up with Veronique!«, Lioba remarked. Then they heard another sound: a high-pitched scream that quickly changed into a muffled groan. The girls exchanged an uneasy look.

»Do moose make rutting cries like that?«

However, they both knew what the strange noise had sounded like: a woman trying to scream whose mouth had been clamped shut. Lioba looked over her shoulder. They had reached the far end of the lake, their resort was some 300 yards away.

»What do you suggest, Lieutenant Marceau? Retreating and informing the others?«

Isabelle noticed that her companion had delegated the responsibility to her. But Lioba was right: she still was a Policewoman. So, she pointed at the close shore.

»We will have a look! If it`s just a lovesick badger, we can have a laugh later on! And if it isn`t, we still can retreat!«

***

Linnea had quickly given up fighting against the tight grip of her attacker. He was taller and stronger than her, and also seemed to have no issues with just tightening his grip on her.

She had been passing some thicket, having become a bit careless when she had spotted the lake from the hill. In the distance, she had seen a house with a smoking chimney, and on the lake, there was a red canoe with two people in it! Rescue was close!

However, when she had passed one of the bushes, she had been grabbed from behind and her scream had quickly been stifled. Her attacker had slung his arm around the lower part of her face, so he could not only silence her, but also keep her from squirming too much. However, what had made Linnea stop fighting had been the gun so close to her face.

In enforced silence, she had waited for things to come. Now, she could see two details about her attacker: it was a woman – and she was black. Linnea couldn`t tell more, but she could tell with almost absolute certainty that this woman was no Russian.

Now, she felt the other`s grip tighten and also, the Black was holding her breath. Linnea also didn`t dare to make a sound. A few seconds later, she heard steps and saw two women in black combat gear pass their hideout: Nastja and Olesya.

The two Russians exchanged a few whispered commands, then, they slowly sneaked away. Linnea felt how the other woman relaxed a bit. Now, she dared to make herself noticeable.

»Mph!«

The Black looked at her and whispered:

»You were prisoner of the Russians?«

Linnea noticed that her Norwegian had an English accent. She nodded the little she could and the Black removed her gun. Linnea expected that she would now remove the arm from her mouth, but instead, she felt the other`s fingers at her carotid artery. Then, there was a sharp pinch. Linnea twitched and let out a faint mew; then, she collapsed.

***

At the shore, Isabelle and Lioba stood back to back. Lacking better weapons, they had raised their paddles like clubs as they listened for more treacherous sounds.

There! Isabelle heard someone step over dry twigs and she jumped forward, swinging her paddle.

»Uff!«

She had indeed hit someone: a brunette in a tight black gear that had a rifle over her shoulder and a gun in her right. Isabelle`s attack had sent her to the ground, but obviously not hurt her.

Isabelle wasn`t sure what exactly she had to do now. If this was an innocent huntress, it would be the best to apologize, but if she was some criminal? However, the decision was taken from her as now, there was the metallic sound of unlocked guns and then, two more women were aiming at her and Lioba. The two wore the same combat outfits and all three women also sported the same haircut, a bob that ended below their ears.

 Whilst Isabelle still stood with her paddle raised, Lioba tried to save the situation:

»Unnskyldning! We are tourists and didn`t want to disturb anyone! If you don`t mind, we will just get back to our canoe and mind our business, too!«

The brunette came to her feet and brushed some leaves from her clothes whilst the black-haired one asked in English with a noticeable Russian accent:

»Have you seen someone? A blonde girl?«

The brunette and the black haired watched the two girls at gunpoint whilst the third, who had auburn hair, had a look inside the canoe. When she returned, she held a coiled rope that had been stowed in the boat`s bow. She said something to her comrades.

Neither Isabelle nor Lioba spoke more than a few words of Russian, but when she also drew her knife and the brunette produced a roll of duct tape from her pocket, they had an idea what the three Russians were up to.

***

When Linnea woke up, she thought that she had been thrown into some long, dark tunnel and was still rolling downwards. Her neck ached, and though she didn`t feel the nausea the chloroform attack two days before had caused, her head was somehow throbbing and she had a bad taste on her mouth.

Linnea wanted to blink, but her eyes didn`t open. When she tried to wipe over them, she felt that her arms didn`t move. Now, suddenly awake, she realized her situation. Linnea`s arms were kept behind her back in a vice grip; tight bonds kept her wrists and elbows together, and around her legs, she felt similar bonds at her ankles and above and below her knees. Her mouth was stuffed with a rag, and both her lips and eyes were encircled by tight rounds of sticky tape. The shaking was caused by the fact that her kidnapper had hoisted her over her shoulder and was carrying her. The chilly air told Linnea that they were still outside – and that she was still naked, except for her panties.

»Mhm? Uuhhmm!«

Linnea tried to squirm, but her captor just tightened her grip and didn`t even slow down. Was it the black American? Linnea guessed so, for the rough material of the shirt that constantly rubbed over her boobs felt like drill.  Linnea couldn`t help but noticing the strength of the woman who carried her as if she was a feather pillow. She didn`t talk, and not even breathe harder. In addition, Linnea noticed that though the Black had her hand on her butt to keep her in place, she didn`t take advantages in groping her buttocks or pushing her thumb between her legs, like Olesya had done.

»But why is she kidnapping me? I mean, she`s obviously no friend of these Russians!«

However, she couldn`t ask the Black and even if she hadn`t been gagged, Linnea doubted that she had answered. For a while, they kept walking and then, Linnea heard some rustling and felt both some canvas brushing over her skin and a rise of temperature. Obviously, they had entered a tent.

Linnea was put down on some soft surface. Then, the tape was unwound from her lips and not too gently, but also not roughly, the rag was pulled from her mouth. Linnea gasped, but before she could try to utter a sound, a mug was held to her lips. It was tea, warm and slightly sugared. Greedily, Linnea drank. Then, oppressing her urge to scream or shout, she said:

»Thanks! I am Linnea! Linnea Andersen! Please, I am a Norwegian Policewoman! These Russians have kidnapped me, and replaced me by one of their own!«

The Black didn`t interrupt her. However, when Linnea heard herself talk, she had to admit that her story sounded unbelievable. Her captor let her have another sip of the tea and then, she just asked:

»They replaced you?«

Quickly, and forcing herself to remain calm, Linnea told about how she had been kidnapped, that there were three Russian women she knew about – and that they had shown her a woman looking like her patrolling together with what would have been her new colleague, Mailin Dahl. Then, she asked:

»What are you doing to me now? I mean, you are fighting these Russians, aren`t you?«

Even blindfolded, Linnea could sense how the Black nodded.

»They are the enemy, and you are save now. However, it would cause too much of a commotion if I would send you back to your colleagues. And I also do not have the resources to have you evacuated!«

Linnea turned her head to where she guessed the Black`s face was.

»Wha-what do you mean? What are you planning to do with me?«

A hand touched her shoulder, firm, but not brutal.

»For the moment, I will keep you here!«

Though it was to no avail, Linnea looked to her left and right.

»But – where is ›here‹? Please, can`t you at least untie me – and give me some clothes? I will freeze!«

The air inside the tent was much warmer than outside, but she was still nearly naked and she shivered. In a calm, but steady voice, the Black answered:

» All you have to know for now is that here, no one will find you. And I can`t set you free, but I can make things a bit more convenient for you. I don`t want to make you suffer unnecessarily, but I can`t take any risks. Now, do you want some more tea, or something to eat?«

Feeling as if a strong hand was pressing her stomach together, Linnea nodded and the Black put her hand at the back of her head.

»Then, open wide!«

Seeing no point in being defiant, Linnea allowed the other to push the still damp rag back into her mouth and to secure it by some rounds of tape. Then, the zip tie around her elbows was cut. Linnea mewed from pain and relief, glad she no longer had to thrust out her boobs. The Black put a pair of ordinary handcuffs around her wrists, then, she cut the zip ties tying her hands, too. In a similar manner, she freed her legs from the zip ties, but secured her ankles with another pair of cuffs. Linnea had to admit that this was indeed an improvement.

»If she`s gone, I can get my hands to my front and remove the gag and blindfold!«, she thought, trying not to show that she was considering her next escape.

»You need to pee? Remember I will have to leave for some hours!«

It was matter-of-fact, not meant to further humiliate her, and so, Linnea nodded. The Black led her outside, and though she kept her arm in a firm grip and aided her in lowering and then adjusting her panties, Linnea felt less awkward than when she had been with the Russians. Her new captor was just taking no risks.

Back inside the tent, Linnea trembled and she had goose bumps all over her from the short time outside. The Black chuckled.

»Looking at you and me, one should not believe that you are from here and I am from South Carolina! Well, lie down!«

Linnea obeyed and her captor made her stretch her legs out. Something like a blanket was draped over her and then, she heard the sound of a zipper. Linnea realized she had been packed into a sleeping bag from neck to toe. She was already feeling warmer, but now, her chances of removing her gag and blindfold had reduced.

Obviously, the Black had thought in a similar direction, for she now took a tension strap, wrapped it several times around the sleeping bag and pulled it tight, turning Linnea into a 21st century mummy. Then, the Black said:

»Let me have an eye at our Russian friends now! Just try to relax a bit, I will be with you again in a few hours!«

***

Working as a team, the Russians had not taken long to truss up Isabelle and Lioba. Whilst the brunette had watched at gunpoint, the others had each taken care of one of the girls. They had started by making the two stand back to back, pulling their arms around the other and tying their wrists in front of the companion`s crotch, letting a long end dangle. They had removed the girls` gloves that now were used to gag Isabelle and Lioba. When their lips were sealed with tape, both found out that their respective gloves had some disadvantages. Lioba`s leather gloves were smooth, but more substantial than the scratchy woollen ones Isabelle now had to chew on.

Their shawls were tied over their mouths and noses, and the ends tugged into their collars. Since both were still wearing their caps, only their eyes were still free.

»At least, our faces won`t freeze!«

The black-haired one now threaded the end of Lioba`s wrist tie between both girls` legs and, standing in front of Lioba, she pulled. Lioba`s bound wrists were pressed against Isabelle`s crotch and both mewed with discomfort. The Russian pulled the rope upwards, between Lioba`s breasts and over her right shoulder. Then, the auburn took over, pulling the rope over Isabelle`s left shoulder, threading it through her belt and tying it off. The procedure was now repeated with the rope dangling from Isabelle`s wrists, so her hands were pressed against Lioba`s pubic area whilst the rope went over her right and her companion`s left shoulder and was knotted off at Lioba`s belt.

With six more pieces of rope, the Russians, now also aided by number three, then tied their legs at knees and ankles and also tied their arms together at the elbows. Then, the brunette stabilized their upper bodies whilst the two others lifted their victims` legs. Both Isabelle and Lioba mewed and reared up as their butts followed gravity and the crotch ropes bit into their flesh.

They were sat down in their canoe that was shaking from their attempts to move. Each girl`s ankles were tied off to one of the boat`s frames; then, they gave the canoe a firm push, sending it out onto the lake.

They had then withdrawn into the woods, and both Isabelle and Lioba had tried to free themselves. However, they found out very soon that struggling too much would cause the fragile canoe to capsize. They could not move individually, and though they had for the moment ignored the bite of the ropes between their legs and tried to reach the knots, they had found out that they were out of reach. Since their gags would also remain firmly in place, all they could do was to hope that soon, the others would look after them, see and free them.

A faint breeze was sending their canoe slowly towards the resort, but this was rather a curse than a blessing: the wind turned the already icy air even colder and though they had alt least been left with all their clothes, both girls felt the cold polar air try to get through every gap in their attire.

»Mhhmm! Uuhmm!«

Lioba, who had the ability to remain calm under duress (at least if Veronique wasn`t involved), had remained calm once they had realized they wouldn`t get loose on their own accord, but now, she moved her hands in Isabelle`s lap. She looked down and saw that Lioba`s fingers had turned blue. Now, Isabelle painfully felt her own fingers: without gloves, they were hit by the cool air, and the fact that their circulation was severely limited didn`t help the matter.

Isabelle gulped when she realized that there was only one source of warmth available.

»Whatever it takes to keep our fingers!«

She pushed her hands against Lioba`s crotch, at the same time straining her thighs to allow her companion to bury her hands between them. Lioba mewed, but then, she seemed to understand and Isabelle shuddered slightly as Lioba`s ice cold fingers pushed between her legs. At the same time, she felt the warmth of Lioba`s thighs and crotch, and though she knew exactly how close she was to the other`s private parts, Isabelle let out a sigh of relief.

The canoe was now almost in the middle of the lake and Isabelle, who was sitting in the right position, could make out the house. She had to oppress a sigh when she saw the smoke come from the chimney. It was an image of peace, and soon, the others would have to learn that once again, crime had found them.

She still had no idea who these women were, or why they had assaulted them. Their language had sounded Russian, but though the relationship between Russia and the West had worsened, she had not heard that a new Cold War was going on. So far, Norway was still considered to be a save and peaceful country.

»Just as save as France or Malta! I just wonder whether it`s Mike or me who is the magnet for such things happening!«

Isabelle had lost count, but she guessed that since she and Mike had first met, this was about the 20th time she ended up bound and gagged. Actually, the first time Mike had literally bumped into her life, he had been the one tying her up and gagging her – and stealing her panties.

»At that point, I had wanted to bring him to justice! And now, I am going to marry him!«

Isabelle oppressed the urge to scream. She knew that she was behaving like a typical damsel, but right now, she would have loved if Mike had showed up and freed her.

She heard a high-pitched yell, and for a terrible moment, she feared that now, the Russians were assaulting her friends and family, too. Then, however, she heard a giggle and then, she saw a stark naked Lalita run into her view, followed by an equally nude Samantha who was carrying a bucket, most likely filled with icy water. The two girls chased each other around the sauna`s hut before disappearing from view again, and Isabelle let out a groan of frustration when they not even once had looked at the lake.

Now, a third woman appeared. She was walking slowly towards the pier, and she was sporting a white terry cloth bathrobe. Since she was redheaded, Isabelle knew it had to be Aunt Veronique.

Veronique stepped to the end of the pier and took off her bathrobe, stretching her body so her ample boobs were thrust out. Then, shivering slightly, she went onto the ladder and carefully dipped one foot into the water. Isabelle heard her squeal and quickly withdraw.

»Mmhrrrrmmm! Uuhhmmmm!«

Veronique turned around and for a moment, Isabelle hoped that she had realized their predicament. They were some 100 yards away and Veronique could not spot details, but at least, she had to notice it was strange that Isabelle and Lioba were sitting back to back and had no paddles.

»Huhu!«

Veronique waved her hand and then, she put on her bathrobe and rushed back into the sauna again. Isabelle fumed and pulled on her bonds, but stopped when the canoe was shaking too much from her efforts.

»If you need an ally to kill Aunt Veronique, count me in, Lioba!«, she thought as they had to wait helplessly for the wind to get them closer to the shore.

***

»Was it me? Have I been too impatient?«

Mailin walked up and down her office like a cougar in its cage. Things had developed so good – until then, all of a sudden, the whole house of cards had crashed down.

After they had easily done all the paperwork and Mailin had showed the whole Office (a tour that had lasted some ten  minutes), the two had sat down at Mailin`s office. Here, Mailin had »accidentally« loosened her hair, and she had thought that Linnea liked what she saw. When her new colleague had fetched some coffee for them, her hand had rested on Mailin`s shoulder as she had placed the mug in front of her, and Mailin had felt that she hadn`t been able to resist letting one of her tresses run through her fingers, albeit just for a moment.

Things had gotten even better when she had told Linnea that she was now at Kirkenes for more than five years. Linnea had asked her about her age, and Mailin had told her to guess. With a voice that had sounded slightly hoarse (at least, Mailin was sure it had been), Linnea had said:

»The best way to guess a woman`s age is by her hands!«

Linnea had taken her hand and brushed over her knuckles, soft as a breeze. Mailin had felt a blissful tingle and she had bitten her lower lip to keep herself from letting out a fluttering breath. She hadn`t been sure whether Linnea had noticed it. She had gently brushed over the gap between Mailin`s knuckles and, with an impish smile, she had guessed:

»With all these wrinkles, I would say – 52!«

Of course, Mailin had gasped with played fury and tried to withdraw her hand, but Linnea hadn`t let her go. In fact, Mailin hadn`t struggled too much. Giggling, Linnea had tried a second time.

»Half of it?«

»That`s 100 points for the Rookie!«

»As I said, the hands are the best indicator!«

Now, Mailin had of course demanded a chance to guess Linnea`s age, but Linnea had told her it would be unfair, since she already knew from Linnea`s folder. Then, she had withdrawn to the bathroom. Mailin had rearranged her hair so it fell over her shoulders in golden cascades, but when Linnea had returned, she had shown a rather concerned expression and then had asked, since it was about noon, if it was okay if she`d use her lunch break to run a few errands at her apartment. Linnea had somehow tried to soften the blow by telling her that the way her home looked like now, she could not invite her there, but when she had left, Mailin had once again stood by the window and looked after her, sighing deeply.

If one had asked Mailin a few days ago, she would have answered that she was straight, maybe a bit bi-curious. The event in her life closest to a »lesbian experience« had been ten years ago, when during a game of »Flipping the Bottle«, a kiss with another girl had become more passionate than originally intended. Of course, whenever she had entered a public sauna or a dressing room, Mailin had noticed the looks of some of the girls, and she had been more flattered than appalled by these. Sometimes, she had also risked an eye and liked what she saw, but so far, there had been only men in her life.

Mailin thought why now, Linnea had caused such a turmoil within her. Sure, there had been her breakup, but she had felt bad because Eirik had turned out to be a jerk, not because she suddenly was no longer attracted by men.

However, it hadn`t been the sex Mailin had missed during the last months anyway. She had two healthy hands (and a vibrator in her nightstand) to deal with her carnal desires. The problem was that everyone who saw the 5`11`` athletic Amazone considered her to be strong, tough and independent. Mailin was all of these things, but that didn`t mean she liked to be so all the time. Or, as her mother had put it:

»Just because I am good at ironing shirts, I do not like it the slightest!«

Deep in her heart, Mailin wanted tenderness. She wanted to be caressed, kissed – and she had so strongly felt that Linnea could be the giving her what she needed.

»Well, obviously, I am just a silly cow! Time to be tough again!«

Reflexively, Mailin put her hair into a strict bun.

***

The reason for Linnea`s mood changing abruptly and her leaving the Office had had nothing to do with Mailin, or the fact that Linnea hadn`t liked being with her. The reason lay rather in the fact that Linnea was not who she pretended to be – and that she hadn`t replaced the real Linnea for fun.

At the bathroom, she had thought what to tell Mailin if the Norwegian would touch her hands and feel that she was older than the 21 she pretended to be. Lenya had considered bad genes, an overuse of dish soap or even confessing that she had lied about her age for some reason. Then, however, she had checked her phone. Beside WhatsApp, she had another messenger installed: one that was only used by her three colleagues.

They had informed her that the real Linnea had escaped, but that they were after her. In addition, they had had an »accident« with two tourists at a resort and so, Linnea should be prepared if the Police would be informed about said attack during the next hours.

So, Lenya had needed a few minutes on her own, to sort her thoughts and feelings. Why had her comrades been so careless? She had to admit that she not only was angry because the potential danger, but also because the new situation would have consequences on her relationship with Mailin. Lenya still could feel where her hair had run through her fingers, and she less than ever wanted her fake colleague to suffer any harm.

»Whatever it takes to fulfil our mission!«, she said to herself as it was time for her to get back to the Police Office.

***

At their hut, Mike and the others had stowed their luggage inside and then decided to get some appetite by improvising a football match. They played with varying enthusiasm: David and Ravi fought as if this was a cup final, whilst Billy tried to be goalie whilst at the same time drinking his beer and puffing his cigar. Mike finally looked at Bishop and said:

»Sir – Roddy, please don`t call me ungrateful! I mean, we are at fresh air, we are having beer and fun – but you said something about a real adventure!«

Now, the others also gathered around them. Bishop took his time to light his cigar and to sip from his beer. Then, he asked:

»Does any of you know where we are, Gentlemen?«

»Norway!«, Billy shrugged. For him, standing outside and occasionally kicking a ball was just adventurous enough.

»Northern Norway«, Mike gave a slightly more precise answer.

»Where fox and hare say Goodnight – if there were any bloody hares and foxes!«, David added. Ravi chuckled.

»Hard words from a Scotsman! Compared to the Highlands, this is like fucking Piccadilly Circus!«

Before David could start defending his home, Bishop cleared his throat loud enough the others fell silent. Then, he pointed somewhere to the Southeast.

»If we would walk into that direction, just some ten or 15 miles, where would we end up?«

»Russia! Or Finland!«

»Exactly! And that`s why we are here!«

Now, Bishop told them that during the Cold War, the NATO had kept a listening post right here, close to the Russian border. The post had been officially abandoned in 1992, but the NATO had kept the equipment in good shape and up  to date, just in case politics might change.

»And now, times have changed!«

He continued by mentioning something all already knew: half a year ago, Finland had joined the NATO. This had allowed to move the listening post to a spot some 50 miles away, on Finnish territory, where they could spy on the Russians more easily.

»So, this place, though officially still restricted area, is all ours for the next four days! And now, for your expected adventure!«

Bishop explained that at the time when the post had been manned, the soldiers had not just been sitting around staring at their control boards or watching the Polar Light. Instead, they had installed a training course for elite soldiers. With hidden traps, cliffs to abseil and trees to climb.

»So, as a start, we are going to do something easy! You see that hill over there?«

In fact, »over there« seemed to be some three miles as the crow flew. Bishop grinned.

»The first one to get there will be rewarded with a bottle of the finest Single Malt! However, to make clear that this is not a picknick trip! Change clothes, men!«

Ten minutes later, all five were more or less properly dressed for a prolonged walk through the woods. Bishop had given each a backpack that contained a canteen, some rope, a knife similar to Mike´s Finn knife, and a compass. Then, he produced five red wooden sticks and tied one to each man`s left upper arm.

»These are your lives! If one loses his stick, either by accident or combat, he has to return back here to get a new one! Of course, since I will participate in the game, too, I can only trust on your honesty!«

All vowed to stick to the rules, and even Billy, who seemed not too eager to stumble through unknown terrain, finally raised his hands.

»I could be at home with my wife – the best Single Malt, you said?«

Bishop clapped his hands.

»Now, Mike, as the main person, you may start! We will follow you with two minutes in between each other! May the games begin!«

***

After they had trussed up the two redheads, both Milena and Olesya had continued to search the woods for Linnea whilst Nastja had followed the line of the lake´s shore, though in save distance. There was some possibility that Linnea had reached the resort and could now be calling for help.

For a moment, she had thought that there was indeed a sign of Linnea, as she had spotted a naked woman running on the other side of the lake. However, even from the distance, Nastja had seen that she was dark-skinned, and another one, also nude, who had been chasing after her with a bucket had been a redhead. Little later, yet another redhead had stepped onto the pier and revealed her buxom figure, but obviously, she hadn`t even noticed the two girls sitting bound and gagged inside the canoe.

Nastja had watched the second redhead through her binoculars, not only because she liked what she saw, but also feeling some relief. If these women were idling around in the nude, they sure weren`t suspecting a crime happening right now.

Nastja now approached another house on the other side of the hill. It seemed to be the office of the resort, but was obviously also used as a home. At the parking lot, she spotted a red van with advertising for the »Polar Paradise resorts«.

In previous decades, an agent would have cut the telephone wires, just as a precaution. In times of wireless communication, this was obsolete, but Nastja could smell it would snow soon and so, she could perhaps take care that these girls could interact with the outer world a little later.

Unseen, she reached the parking lot, sneaked under the van and then, her knife came to work. She nodded to herself: this car would need a mechanic before it would be able to start again!

She peeked from under the car and spotted a carport docked onto the office. In it, she saw two snow mobiles.

»Okay, now that I am here!«

Getting over to the carport was a matter of seconds, and the snow mobiles with their easily accessible engines were even easier to sabotage than the van. Nastja was just cutting the last petrol tube when she suddenly heard a voice from behind.

»What the hell are you doing there?«

Nastja spun around. She saw a blonde woman, wearing a black pencil skirt and a business jacket with a white blouse. Her blue eyes behind the glasses showed a mixture of surprise, curiosity and rage.

Nastja quickly realized the image the blonde woman saw: a woman wearing combat gear, with her knife in her hand and with stains of oil, petrol and breaking fluid spilled over her sleeves. Before the woman could repeat her question, let alone call for help or run away, Nastja drew her gun.

***