<div style="text-indent:1em;">Natasha listened intently as the old man spoke. The questions buzzed around in her head faster than she could count them. Who had drafted her into this "special mission", <span style="font-weight: bold">and why</span>? What would become of Balashov? Would she have to start all over again, building her business back up from scratch, in a strange new city?</div><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">The old man was right, of course. If a radiation storm was heading their way, something had to be done, with a quickness. Perhaps a new start in a major city wouldn't be so bad. But taking over  Kalininsk along the way? There isn't enough time for much infiltration, and a full frontal assault would...</div><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">The old man coughed again.. "We have selected the militia leader and Russian 6th Army Veteran, Alek Aleksandrov to lead in this mission..."</div><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">"Oh." thought Natasha, "guess we'll leave those problems to..." She turned to see who was going to lead this 'special mission'.  She watched Alek Aleksandrov stand. And stand he did. Twice her weight, and well over a foot taller than her. It was the fellow with the dog tags.  "Not bad looking" she thought, as she offered a brief smile.</div><br/><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">But then again, that last man she dealt with who called himself a leader wasn't all that bad looking either. Just dumb as a box of rocks. Sometimes Natasha wonders if letting him live was the best thing for the human gene pool. Hopefully, this Alek Aleksandrov fellow won't get them all killed.</div>