Save by a Miracle

Chapter 6

Mac's Prospective:
I exited the room in search of Ari, carrying a teddy bear and rose with me, as it was Valentine's Day. Knowing that Ari was pregnant and unable to consume chocolate, I decided to gift her a teddy bear and a rose instead. Additionally, I wanted to console her as she was upset over Banister's death. Eventually, I found her seated on the stairs, sipping water. "Hey," I greeted her. She responded sadly with a "Hey." Wanting to lift her spirits, I informed her that I had something for her. Curiously, she turned towards me and inquired about it. Handing her the teddy bear and rose, I presented them to her.

I wish Ari a Happy Valentine's Day, and she responded by saying I was sweet. I scratched my head and she gives me a kiss on the cheek. I thank her, and she said, "You're Welcome." I rubbed her back and assured her that everything will be fine. Ari looked at a photo she took of a bomb and asked how we were going to defuse it. I tell her I don't know, but we would figure it out together. She liked the sound of that, and I smiled, knowing that my wife was happy. I had to go back inside to continue figuring out our next move.

The point of view changed, and we started analyzing what happened earlier when Banister was killed. The man who killed Carla is Vladimir Sevchanko, and Thornton said his words were dangerous. This psycho was like a nuclear weapon because he knows his stuff. We have to assume that he had accelerated his plans, Mac said. That one Russian nuke near American soil was enough to start a new Cold War. Thornton suggested that we hunt him down before that happened and put Mac in front of the nuke to disarm it. Jack agreed, and Ari joined us, determined not to let the culprit get away with it. Jack welcomed her aboard, and they
fist-pumped. Riley asked if they could do it, and Mac admitted he didn't know. Ari reassured him that he could do it and that they all had his back.

The Soviets had many secret programs that the US was unaware of, and parts of this nuke looked familiar to Mac.

I have never seen hardware like this before on the control computer. It seems to be a custom-built Mac. So, if we are talking about computers, let's put Riley in front of it and let her hack it. Then we can relax and enjoy some cocktails because it's finally Friday. What's the big deal here?

I have never come across file name extensions like these before. This operating system is not just old, it seems to be unique and exclusive. Riley suggests that we might be looking at a dead hand device, a bomb design from the Soviet era. Its purpose would be to ensure that if we were to take Moscow, Moscow would retaliate and destroy us. Mac starts fiddling with some paper clips while Thornton continues talking.

It's a concept of mutually assured destruction, where the blast would render the city uninhabitable, covering an area the size of Texas, Mac explains. Riley lets out a sigh.

Riley comments, "Wow, those Soviets really couldn't handle losing." Jack agrees, questioning why we signed treaties to dismantle these weapons if they still exist. "Mac, what do you see?" Jack asks. "Riley, what does this say?" Mac inquires. Riley responds, "Zhar Pitsa, it's Russian for FireBird." Ari loses focus on the discussion and notices Mac playing with a paperclip. She takes a moment to divert her attention from the conversation to Mac's hands.

Thornton interrupts, stating that FireBird is the rumored name of a Soviet secret weapons program. Riley decides to investigate further and pulls up numerous documents.

Among the documents, there is one from 1971, signed by a scientist named Alexander Orloff, who gave orders regarding classified weapons, including FireBird. Mac reveals this information. Ari's stomach starts to ache, causing her to cry. She reaches for her water bottle and takes a sip. Alexander Orloff, FireBird's Chief Engineer, was not just any scientist.

Mac suggests that if the person programmed the bomb, they may be the only one who knows how to deactivate it. Ari agrees, and Mac informs them that the person is located in Northern Virginia. Mac then hands a paperclip to Ari and instructs them to find Orloff and gather whatever is necessary to shut down the bomb. Thornton agrees, and Ari responds by saying, "Yes, Mama."

Mac mentions that Agent Banister was alone when going into the country, but he feels responsible for her and is determined to find Chef Chanko and bring Agent Banister back home. Ari expresses confusion about where to find the Russian super genius, and Mac suggests they leave and go home, promising to see the others the next day for their flight. The team departs, and Ari feels so sick that she cries when they arrive home.

Mac carries Ari into the house and asks if she is okay, to which Ari sadly responds no.

Mac asks if she is hungry, but Ari shakes her head no. Mac helps Ari remove her flannel shirt and puts it in the hamper. He then goes into the closet to get ready for bed and comes out shirtless. Ari comments that he looks tasty, but sadly. Mac smiles and climbs into bed with Ari, kissing her on the cheek. They both fall asleep.