Episode12: Civil War

Natasha turned to Reznov. 

"Reznov, stop it. Let her go…" 

She glanced at Carlina's face—time was running out for her. But it seemed like Reznov had already made up his mind to finish her off. 

Right as Carlina was about to pass out, Natasha lunged at Reznov. With all her strength, she shoved him back, freeing Carlina from his grip. Carlina collapsed to the floor, gasping and pulling air into her lungs. 

Elina shouted, furious, "Natasha! What are you doing?" She aimed her gun at Natasha. 

Natasha spun around, her voice trembling with anger. 

"I'm done, Elina!" 

She raised her own weapon at Elina. 

"You want to keep going like this? With his way? Reznov isn't the man he used to be. This has to change." 

"You're losing sight of the goal, Natasha," Elina shot back. "You're letting your emotions mess with your head. We all know Reznov's the best one to lead us." 

Natasha's throat tightened, a tear rolling down her cheek as she yelled, "The way he was for Andrei and Ivan? The way he led them straight to their deaths? Do you know what I saw the night before that mission?" 

More tears spilled out. 

"I saw Ivan talking to his daughter. She was only four… You took her father away from her!" 

Elina's tone was cold and flat. "None of that was Reznov's fault." 

With a quick move, she snatched Natasha's gun and kicked her to the ground. 

Reznov raised his weapon to shoot Carlina, but Dmitry suddenly charged him. He landed a solid punch to Reznov's face, sending him stumbling back. 

"I won't let you screw this up any more…" 

Mike, still tied up, threw himself against a table, making a loud crash that turned Elina's head. Seeing her distracted, Natasha kicked Elina's knee, dropping her to the floor, and the two started fighting hand-to-hand. 

Meanwhile, Dmitry and Reznov faced off. It was like time froze—like it was just the two of them in the room. Reznov paced slowly. 

"I didn't expect this from you, Dmitry. You were always reliable. But Natasha… I knew her feelings would get the better of her someday." 

"Shut up, Reznov!" Dmitry snapped. "You caused all of this. Look around—besides Elina, you've got no one left!" 

Reznov let out a laugh, then his face hardened again. 

"One's enough." 

He rushed at Dmitry and threw a punch to his gut. Dmitry grabbed Reznov's arm, holding it down, and slammed three hard fists into Reznov's face. Reznov staggered back. 

Both were breathing hard, hearts pounding. Reznov locked eyes with Dmitry. 

"This won't end well for you." 

"I'm ready for that." 

Reznov charged again, lightning-fast, aiming for Dmitry's throat. But Dmitry caught his hand, yanked it down, and pinned Reznov against the wall. Reznov smirked. 

"You're still unbeatable in a fistfight." 

Then he smashed his forehead into Dmitry's face. Dmitry stumbled back, clutching his bloody nose. 

"You bastard…" 

Reznov grabbed Dmitry's shoulder and pressed hard on his wound. Dmitry screamed in pain, trying to shove Reznov off, but it was no use. He collapsed to the ground. Looking up, he saw Reznov standing over him, gun in hand.

With a hint of sadness in his voice, Reznov muttered, "Goodbye, old friend…" 

He took a deep breath, and three shots rang out, piercing Dmitry's chest. 

Natasha, still wrestling with Elina, screamed, "No!" She tried to run to Dmitry, but Elina grabbed her from behind and smashed a brick into her head, knocking her out cold. 

Mike, hands still bound, rushed at Reznov. But Reznov calmly fired a shot into Mike's leg, dropping him to the floor. Mike writhed in pain, shouting, "You bastard… you don't even spare your own people!" 

Reznov didn't look at him. His eyes were fixed on Dmitry's lifeless face. 

Mike's radio, lying off to the side, crackled to life. 

"We're coming in—get ready!" 

Suddenly, the base's wall exploded. Chunks of concrete and brick flew through the air, but Reznov just stood there, like time had stopped for him. Debris whizzed past his face as he stared at the blood pooling under Dmitry on the floor. 

Kras stormed in with Red and Vera, guns blazing. Elina ran to Reznov and pushed him behind a pillar. 

"Reznov… you okay? Snap out of it!" 

Reznov shook his head, like he'd been pulled out of a dream. Back in reality, he scanned the room and nodded at Elina. Stepping out from the pillar, he saw Kras and Red dragging Carlina and Natasha back. Reznov opened fire and advanced toward them. 

Kras turned to Carlina, who was wounded. 

"We've got to get out—now—or we're dead. Their firepower's too much!" 

Carlina grabbed Kras's collar, her face a mix of rage and despair. 

"What about Mike? We can't leave without him!" 

She tried to stand, but a blow to her head knocked her out. Red crouched next to Kras behind a wall. 

"She was becoming a problem… Come on, we've got to move." 

He returned fire, forcing Reznov back, then hoisted Natasha under his arm and bolted outside. 

Vera, waiting in the van, shouted, "Hurry up, let's go!" 

They piled in fast, tossing the unconscious Carlina and Natasha into the back. Vera slammed her foot on the gas, and the van peeled out, kicking up dust. Elina stepped out of the base, ready to shoot at the fleeing van, but Reznov put his hand on her gun and stopped her. 

"That's enough for today. Come inside—we've still got him." 

Elina and Reznov walked back into the base and saw Mike still sprawled on the ground. Reznov knelt down and grabbed Mike's chin. 

"Finally caught you, Mike." 

He smirked. 

"Elina, grab the med kit. I just got him—I don't want him dying yet." 

Mike tried to get up, but Reznov held him down with one hand. 

"Don't bother struggling, kid. We've still got a lot to do…"