Episode8: Zhivana

Mike was still in shock. Carlina's face was half-lit by the dim dashboard light, but he knew that determined look all too well.

— "Carlina… what the hell happened?"

She kept her eyes on the road, but the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.

— "You'll thank me later for showing up when I did."

Mike gave a crooked smile and leaned back in his seat. His body still ached, and Jake's blood was still on his clothes—but at least now, someone familiar was by his side.

— "Honestly, I don't know how I could've handled this without you."

Carlina shot him a quick glance but didn't say anything. Silence settled in the car, broken only by the engine's hum and the rain pounding on the roof.

After a moment, Mike spoke again.

— "So? You gonna tell me why you weren't at the airport?"

Carlina clenched her jaw like something was still bothering her. Then she said quietly:

— "I ran into someone on the way, Mike. Someone with information. Something that made me realize who Reznov really is."

Mike frowned and leaned forward.

— "What are you saying?"

Carlina gripped the steering wheel tightly. She hesitated, then took a deep breath.

— "Something's off. I can't explain everything here. Just wait till we get to the base—we'll talk there."

Mike didn't take his eyes off her. There was something in her voice—not fear, not panic, but… concern.

— "You're starting to worry me, Carlina."

She kept her gaze on the road.

— "I need you to trust me, Mike."

Mike paused for a second.

"I've trusted you since day one."

If he had looked closer, he might've noticed her hands relax slightly on the wheel.

"Get some rest. Once we're there, we'll figure out our next move."

Mike leaned his head back and closed his eyes. The car kept rolling down the dark road. The rain was heavier now, and the silence between them, though thick, wasn't uncomfortable.

After a few hours, Carlina's voice stirred him awake.

— "Mike. Hey, wake up—we're almost there."

The car was weaving through a forested path. If Mike looked out the left window, he could see a small town in the distance. He turned toward Carlina.

— "You brought us to Zhivana?"

Carlina looked out the windshield with a helpless expression.

— "I know you don't like this place, Mike… but I didn't have a better option."

The car drove down a narrow, muddy road between the trees. In the distance, the cement walls of the Zhivana base came into view—an old facility that used to belong to Mike's allies, but now looked more like a forgotten fortress.

Mike looked out the window and muttered, "I hate this place."

Carlina glanced at him but stayed quiet. Maybe she didn't know what to say. She just sighed and drove toward the rusted gate.

The car slowly pulled in and stopped behind the main building.

Mike got out and brushed off his coat. The damp night air carried the scent of mold and gun oil. They climbed the concrete steps and entered what used to be the command office. The dim lights and old maps on the walls still gave it that military feel.

On the table in the middle of the room, files and maps were scattered around. But what caught Mike's attention was the man sitting behind the desk.

A middle-aged man with a graying beard and glasses. He lit a cigarette and looked Mike over.

— "So, you finally made it. Name's Kras. I'm guessing Carlina told you about me."

Mike crossed his arms.

— "Not really."

Kras smirked.

— "Then have a seat. I'll fill you in."

Mike sat on one of the old chairs. As Carlina walked out of the room, she said, "I've got a few things to take care of. You two talk," and closed the door behind her.

Kras took a deep drag from his cigarette and opened one of the files.

— "I'm guessing you want to know what's really going on."

Mike frowned.

— "Reznov. Who is he really? What does he want?"

Kras nodded slowly.

— "He's not the big deal. What he's looking for—that's what matters."

Mike leaned in.

— "Be more specific."

Kras slid a file across the table. Inside was a black-and-white photo of a ruined building, stamped: CLASSIFIED – 1989.

— "A secret lab. Been around years ago. They were doing some shady experiments there—stuff that was better off staying buried."

Mike studied the photo.

— "So Reznov's trying to cover it up?"

Kras's tone turned serious.

— "Or maybe… he wants to bring back whatever's still in there."

The room went quiet. Mike spoke softly:

— "What do you know about it?"

Kras exhaled and leaned back in his chair.

— "Not much more than you do. But I know this—Reznov's not just some soldier, Mike. Whatever he's chasing, whatever he knows—it's dangerous. I've been tracking him for a long time. But there's one problem."

Mike raised an eyebrow.

— "What's that?"

Kras looked him in the eyes.

— "We still don't know what his endgame is. But whatever it is… it's not good."

Kras stood up and started pacing the room.

"I've been chasing him for a long time, Mike. But this—this might be our best shot to catch him and get the truth out of him. Will you help me?"

Mike clenched his fists on the table.

— "I don't care about your damn lab or your mission. I just want revenge—for Jake and the others."

Before Kras could answer, footsteps echoed in the hallway. The door opened—Carlina walked back in.

— "So? How's the chat going?"

Mike smirked.

— "You still don't knock, huh?"

Carlina ignored the comment.

— "Let's cut the small talk. We're putting together an ops team. I've already reached out to some people I used to work with. We're gonna catch Reznov—and make him talk."

Everyone looked at her. Kras spoke cautiously:

— "They're pros, Carlina. If they team up, it'll get dangerous. You got a plan?"

Carlina gave a calm smile.

— "Yeah. We use bait."