Read Online The Atlantis Stone by Alex Lukeman - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Alex Lukeman
Tags: thriller, Literature & Fiction, Thrillers, Action & Adventure, Espionage, Mystery, Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, Thrillers & Suspense, Thriller & Suspense, Spies & Politics
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had expected to be taken to the Senate building, where Orlov had his office and where many official functions took place. Instead, the driver guided them toward the Kremlin Armory and stopped at the entrance. An officer wearing the rank badges of a major waited for them outside. He saluted as Vysotsky got out of the car.
"General. Captain. Please follow me. The president is waiting."
Construction of the current Armory building had started in 1844. It had always been a museum housing prized artifacts of Russian history.
They found President Orlov standing in front of the ivory throne of Ivan the Terrible, the first Czar of Russia. An aide and a photographer stood not far away. Orlov had his hands clasped behind his back, contemplating the elaborate carving on the throne.
A brilliant diplomat and a ruthless general, Ivan the Terrible had single-handedly created the Russian Empire. His nickname was well deserved. Paranoid and mentally unstable, Ivan was remembered as much for barbaric cruelty as for diplomatic successes.
Valentina had never been in the museum. She looked at the magnificent throne and then at Orlov. His expression was rapt. Nearby was a display case holding the Imperial Crown of Czarist Russia. The magnificent crown glittered with gold and priceless jewels.
He'd like to be sitting on that throne, she thought, wearing that crown.
Orlov turned to her and smiled. His flat, blue eyes almost twinkled. He could have been someone's favorite relative, but Valentina was not fooled. Behind the twinkle was a shrewd and calculating presence. Having Orlov turn his attention to you was like being in a room with a half domesticated wolf. You could never be quite sure what the wolf was going to do.
"Look at that, Captain." He gestured at the throne. "The man who sat there is an inspiration for us all. His vision founded our nation."
"Yes, Mister President. A man to admire."
The lie came easily. Valentina thought Ivan the Terrible was a butcher, a madman like Stalin. She didn't share the thought out loud. Everyone knew Orlov admired Stalin.
For such a powerful man, the Russian president was not impressive in size, not even as tall as Valentina. She knew he was much stronger than he looked. The Russian media liked to point out Orlov's physical prowess, his ability to swim long distances and lift heavy weights.
Briefly, she wondered what he'd be like in bed.
Probably quick to finish and quick to leave.
His mind still on Ivan, Orlov said, "More than admire. He is a man we should strive to emulate, committed to Mother Russia and her role as the greatest power in the world."
"Yes, Mister President," Valentina said again.
"It is young officers like you who are the future of our country, Captain," Orlov said. He turned to Vysotsky. "Do you not agree, General?"
"Yes, Mister President. Captain Antipov is one of our best."
"I knew your mother, Captain. We were in the KGB together."
Orlov had reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before resigning to enter politics.
He knew my mother. He must know everything about her. Everything about me.
It was not a comfortable thought.
Orlov gestured and the aide stepped forward, holding an open box with Valentina's medal. It was round and gold, the size of a large coin. The ribbon was a dark, earth red. In the center was a double-headed Russian eagle, overlaid on an enameled knight's cross that matched the color of the ribbon. The medal was topped with two crossed swords. Orlov lifted it from its silk cushion.
"Captain Antipov." Orlov's voice turned formal.
"Sir." Valentina stiffened to attention.
"You are awarded the Medal of the Order for Merit to the Fatherland, 1st Class with Swords, for exceptional service. Your courageous actions have strengthened our nation and contributed to public order and safety. Wear it with pride."
Orlov reached up and pinned it over her left breast. The camera flashed as the photographer took his shots. She felt Orlov's hand linger on her breast.
"General. Captain. Please follow me. The president is waiting."
Construction of the current Armory building had started in 1844. It had always been a museum housing prized artifacts of Russian history.
They found President Orlov standing in front of the ivory throne of Ivan the Terrible, the first Czar of Russia. An aide and a photographer stood not far away. Orlov had his hands clasped behind his back, contemplating the elaborate carving on the throne.
A brilliant diplomat and a ruthless general, Ivan the Terrible had single-handedly created the Russian Empire. His nickname was well deserved. Paranoid and mentally unstable, Ivan was remembered as much for barbaric cruelty as for diplomatic successes.
Valentina had never been in the museum. She looked at the magnificent throne and then at Orlov. His expression was rapt. Nearby was a display case holding the Imperial Crown of Czarist Russia. The magnificent crown glittered with gold and priceless jewels.
He'd like to be sitting on that throne, she thought, wearing that crown.
Orlov turned to her and smiled. His flat, blue eyes almost twinkled. He could have been someone's favorite relative, but Valentina was not fooled. Behind the twinkle was a shrewd and calculating presence. Having Orlov turn his attention to you was like being in a room with a half domesticated wolf. You could never be quite sure what the wolf was going to do.
"Look at that, Captain." He gestured at the throne. "The man who sat there is an inspiration for us all. His vision founded our nation."
"Yes, Mister President. A man to admire."
The lie came easily. Valentina thought Ivan the Terrible was a butcher, a madman like Stalin. She didn't share the thought out loud. Everyone knew Orlov admired Stalin.
For such a powerful man, the Russian president was not impressive in size, not even as tall as Valentina. She knew he was much stronger than he looked. The Russian media liked to point out Orlov's physical prowess, his ability to swim long distances and lift heavy weights.
Briefly, she wondered what he'd be like in bed.
Probably quick to finish and quick to leave.
His mind still on Ivan, Orlov said, "More than admire. He is a man we should strive to emulate, committed to Mother Russia and her role as the greatest power in the world."
"Yes, Mister President," Valentina said again.
"It is young officers like you who are the future of our country, Captain," Orlov said. He turned to Vysotsky. "Do you not agree, General?"
"Yes, Mister President. Captain Antipov is one of our best."
"I knew your mother, Captain. We were in the KGB together."
Orlov had reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before resigning to enter politics.
He knew my mother. He must know everything about her. Everything about me.
It was not a comfortable thought.
Orlov gestured and the aide stepped forward, holding an open box with Valentina's medal. It was round and gold, the size of a large coin. The ribbon was a dark, earth red. In the center was a double-headed Russian eagle, overlaid on an enameled knight's cross that matched the color of the ribbon. The medal was topped with two crossed swords. Orlov lifted it from its silk cushion.
"Captain Antipov." Orlov's voice turned formal.
"Sir." Valentina stiffened to attention.
"You are awarded the Medal of the Order for Merit to the Fatherland, 1st Class with Swords, for exceptional service. Your courageous actions have strengthened our nation and contributed to public order and safety. Wear it with pride."
Orlov reached up and pinned it over her left breast. The camera flashed as the photographer took his shots. She felt Orlov's hand linger on her breast.
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