These Are Very Dangerous and Difficult Times [dated to 10/31]

[chesspolitik]

By the day of Halloween, Anatoly was completely convinced that danger was lurking around every corner and that no corner of the island was safe. There was simply no telling where Molokov or de Courcey could be and he was afraid that if he stepped outside, even for a moment, that they would find a way to snatch him. He could only begin to imagine what sort of things they would have in store for him and he did not want to find out how the reality matched with his fears.

But as inconvenient as it was, he did need to do things like shower and eat and for that, he had to leave his hut. If Lex had not been there to act as his faithful bodyguard, he would have been content to remain a hungry and rather ripe grandmaster. Their trip to the compound passed without incident and after being reassured several times that Lex would be waiting in the rec room for him, Anatoly went to take a shower.

When he emerged and headed to the rec room, clean (if not exactly clean shaven), he found not Lex but a note in his handwriting. Opened, it simply said that Lex had spotted Molokov lurking about and advised him to leave the compound as soon as possible. He would be waiting outside and then the two of them could go to the IPD.

Without thinking or even stopping to pack up his chess set, Anatoly fled the rec room, heedless of the startled looks around him. He burst outside of the Compound and turned the corner, expecting to see Lex waiting for him. Instead, he found Molokov with de Courcey besides him with a nasty smirk. There was a burst of pain as Molokov's fist connected with his face and then he knew only blackness.

When his consciousness finally returned, he found himself tied to a palm tree on a deserted stretch of the beach. Lex was tied to a tree beside him, looking rather worse for the wear. Molokov and de Courcey weren't in sight but he had no doubt they were near, concocting some devious plan.

"Molokov, you Chekist bastard!" he shouted in Russian as he struggled futilely against his bonds. "What do you hope to accomplish by this?"

Comments

[chesspolitik]

"I don't know," Anatoly said quietly. "I came to and they were gone. I am not sure where they went but I am very much afraid that I can guess."

Florence was almost certainly their target and if Molokov really wanted to hurt him, he could think of a few others that could be in danger.

[capable_of]

So could Lex and he didn't like the thought. The little super heroes Anatoly was fond of came to mind, as well as a few others. He strained to free himself again before slumping back against the tree. "Do we know what they want?"

[chesspolitik]

"They have not said in so many words but I think it is clear this is payback for Bangkok," Anatoly answered. "Why else all of this?"

[capable_of]

"I meant specifics. Do we know how they plan on getting their payback?" It took all his patience not to snap at Anatoly with impatience. He couldn't figure out how to get them out of this if he didn't know what was going on and he had just restated the obvious.

[chesspolitik]

"I know nothing," Anatoly answered, leaning his head back against the tree with a sigh. He was useless, worse than useless and now everyone he loved would suffer along with him. "I am sorry. I am so sorry, Lex."

[molokovcocktail]

"Are you not a genius, Mr. Luthor?" Molokov asked smoothly, stepping out from behind one of the trees with every sense of theatricality he could muster. "Your dear comrade has done his very best to embarrass me and his own country? What do you think will happen?"

[capable_of]

"I'm genius enough not to underestimate you." Lex spat back, biting back his frustration to keep his voice flat. "And I have no doubt you with waste no expense to get your revenge. I could myself lucky that I can't estimate your every move." While he knew what he would do, and how much did he wish he didn't, he didn't want to risk Anatoly's life by guessing wrong.

[molokovcocktail]

Molokov glanced over at Sergievsky to see if he had some comment to make but finding him sullen, he shrugged and turned his attention back to his young genius. "Now, I think you underestimate yourself. I have heard so many interesting stories of you. I think perhaps you could offer me a bit of a challenge if you put your mind to it."

[capable_of]

Lex was perfectly fine stealing all of Molokov's attention. The less attention on Anatoly the better. "Why? Are you so uninspired that you need a real super villain to think of your plans for you?" He taunted back. "I know what I would do. The question is, how ruthless are you?"

[molokovcocktail]

Molokov merely smiled and bent down so he could look Lex straight in the eye. "I think you will soon see how ruthless I am. Perhaps your dear Anatoly will tell you some stories while I go and collect another guest."

[capable_of]

Lex didn't flinch as he looked right back. "He's told them to me. And I can counter with stories of my own father. So do your worst, I doubt you can shock me." It was bravado at it's best but no one did bravado better then a Luthor.

[molokovcocktail]

"I assure you, Mr. Luthor, I intend to." With that, Molokov straightened up and reminded himself yet again that he could not teach the brat a lesson until everyone was in place.

[capable_of]

"Why wait? Let's get it over with." Lex said simply to keep Molokov's attention on him.

[molokovcocktail]

"You are very eager for this, are you not?" Molokov sneered. "It is a pity but you will have to wait."