Vladivostok, Russia
Joint Russian-Chinese Intelligence Facility
The sleek private jet touched down gently on the runway, tires whispering quietly against the rain-slick tarmac. The aircraft rolled to a smooth stop, engines humming softly before winding down to silence. Matthew Borja glanced casually out the window, noting the discreet perimeter guards waiting patiently in the distance, rifles at rest but clearly prepared for trouble. Vladivostok's gray morning skies hung low, matching the seriousness of the situation.
Natalia rose from her seat, adjusting her jacket carefully. She'd spent most of the flight silent, quietly digesting Matthew's unexpected proposal. Now, her cool composure had returned, masking her internal tension behind professional calmness.
"Welcome to Vladivostok, Mr. Borja," she said crisply, motioning politely for him to stand. "We'll meet General Sergei Volkov here. He and his Chinese counterpart, General Wei Lijun, are already waiting for you."
