Critical Flaw

By Larry Tyree

The egotistical Colonel had a flaw.
A flaw fueled by revenge and guided by deceit is a dangerous emotion, especially when it involves an attractive woman.
Colonel Andrius Pavlov, Commander of the Euro-Turpicanian Secret Intelligence Service, had such a flaw. A flaw that ate at him day and night for eight long months in a United Federation prison.
Now, his new found freedom would allow him to seek his cruel revenge on the lovely young Federation agent who had lured him into a trap. A trap that foiled the WWII invasion of Hawaii by the Japanese Empire. A trap that also led to his capture and imprisonment.
Now, it’s payback time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Larry Tyree
• Release date: Jul 4, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463321119

Larry Tyree

Retired hotel executive Larry Tyree has spent most of his life working and living in the great Southwest, from the Superstition Mountains of Arizona to the mystical Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Santa Fe, New Mexico. He has acquired a unique perspective of the many unexplained happenings in the Southwest, from historical to recent events.As a young man, he was a law enforcement officer who met and dealt with many unforgettable characters along the Apache Trail of Arizona and throughout the mysterious Superstitions.Later, his hotel career took him to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Once again, he became intrigued with local accounts of extraordinary and unexplained occurrences. After having interviewed hundreds of people over the years, he has acquired insight into the exciting possibilities of a perhaps not so imaginary world of science fiction.Tyree lives near Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife Mary. Travel is their mutual passion, while the author remains alert for good story possibilities. Look for more adventures to come from Time Port Santa Fe. For further information, contact the author at [e-mail].

Book preview

Critical Flaw, is the fourth adventure novel in the Time Port Santa Fe series that started with Accidental Traveler.

Tyler Farnsworth and Annie Sullivan began their journey in the year 1941 in the small community of Tesuque, just outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

They have traveled through time to many adventures; from the Civil War era all the way forward to the magnificent United Forces Federation and the Chicago Metro Plex in the year 2229.

Time travel is one of those topics that has been debated for many years, and probably will be for years to come. The noted German-born scientist and philosopher Albert Einstein, was convinced that time travel was a fact early in the twentieth century. Other scientists and researchers have developed many theories over the years, including the possibility that the UFO phenomenon of today, is actually our own time travelers from the future watching over us.

We have all had those thoughts in our past, i.e. If I could go back, or I wish I could have lived, and so on. The world of science fiction gives us the ability to create some of those thoughts and ideas, if only for entertainment.

From Accidental Traveler, to The Return, and then Rebels & Rogues, I have created an adventure map for Tyler and Annie that started in Phoenix, Arizona and then went to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and from there, locations around the globe.

Join me in one more adventure, Critical Flaw, as my pair of young adventurers strike out to protect the history of our world as we know it.

L.T.

~ 1 ~

Chicago Metro Plex, 2084

Andrius Pavlov took a long, slow deep breath. His eyes quickly darted about the dark and dingy corridors of the solitary confinement facilities at United Forces Federation’s Chicago Metro Plex. He briefly glanced from one massive prison guard to the other. This could be it, he thought. This could finally be my release. He wanted to be euphoric, but he was hesitant. He had been tricked into believing that before. The arrogant six-foot plus, brash super-agent of the Euro-Turpicanian Empire Secret Intelligence Service slowly stepped outside of the maximum-security holding facility and into daylight at the vast prison complex. Soon he could be free and on his way back to Doha. Soon, he could once again feel the warm light of day on his pale skin. He held his breath, listening for any indication that freedom was about to be his.

Still shackled by thick uncomfortable steel restraints, he waited impatiently for his captors to escort him away from the darkened concrete dungeon they called a prison; a location where he’d been confined for eight long months. Yes, eight long, unpleasant months.

Day after day he endured lengthy grueling interrogations and mental retribution, but he didn’t crack. He knew it was just a matter of time before he would be back in Doha. A time that wouldn’t come soon enough. Eight months he had impatiently waited while negotiations were sluggishly taking place for his release. A release in exchange for a United Forces counterpart. An agent who had made a similar dreadful misstep that led to his capture. Someone, who like himself, had somehow made a crucial blunder ending up a political prisoner of the state.

Andrius Pavlov, known around the unsettled world as Andre the Assassin, had been the commander of the highly touted Euro-Turpicanian Intelligence Service at the time of his capture, a position which reported directly to dark side emperor, Audení Cifysi.

Pavlov was a husky, well-built man with close-cropped dark hair and deep set eyes, usually hidden by large-framed dark glasses. His choice of clothes was impeccable. He preferred medium gray suits with dark ties and expensive handmade shoes.

His rise to Chief Agent, and the rank of Colonel was rapid and bloody. His reputation was exactly what Cifysi wanted at his disposal.

Now, his future uncertain at best, the only thing occupying his devious mind was the UFF operative who had lured him off that sunny Waikiki beach and into a trap. It had been a costly mistake that ultimately thwarted his involvement in the invasion of Hawaii by the Japanese in 1941. A mistake that ended up in his capture and torturous confinement by the Federation.

It had been a good plan. He had successfully engaged the Japanese spies, Hiroshi Fujita and Kenju Yamato, and helped them lay the groundwork for a land invasion following the second dive-bomber attack on the island on December 7, 1941. But somehow, the UFF had found out about the plan and sent a team of experienced time travel trackers to intercept him. A team which included a tall blond female agent who, with a smile and a suggestive wink, was the reason for his imprisonment. A woman who was going to pay dearly for what she’d done to him.

For the duration of his confinement, United Forces Federation and the Euro-Turpicanian Empire had played political football with his mind and soul. This was a game that he himself was a master at, but not necessarily a good recipient of.

Andrius stood quietly. Was it finally coming to an end? He gradually took in his surroundings as the shackles were slowly removed and he was unceremoniously placed aboard an empire high speed military shuttle pod that would take him back to Doha. Finally, he mumbled; the exchange for a UFF operative who’d been imprisoned by his governing body, the Euro-Turpicanian Empire. Finally!

Pavlov’s scheming mind had never stopped during his incarceration. He had plenty of time to think about his revenge, and now it was going to be fulfilling. He smiled smugly to himself as the shuttle left the departure port and embarked on a journey half-way around the world to Doha.

He tried to settle back and rest, but that was not about to happen. His mind was too unsettled. It kept flashing back to his childhood and his parents, a time long past. He smiled as he remembered his home town of Kansk in Siberia, once part of the Russian empire before it was engulfed by the Euro-Turpicanian Empire.

As a boy he used to watch all the MiG Fighters landing and taking off at the nearby Kansk-Dalniy Airbase. He would watch with envy for hours in the immense cold weather, wanting to be one of the pilots. His father, Vlad, had worked his entire life for the Trans-Siberian Railway, the longest railway in the world that connected Moscow and the far East.

Andrius used to ride the train with his father all the time. His mother would pack them a lunch box and Andrius would sit and watch from the train window as it passed through the snow-ridden, God-forsaken country hour after hour.

His father always said that Andrius would be a railroad man, but he had different ideas. When he was seventeen, he went to visit the airbase with his school counselor and he was hooked. He enrolled in the Cadet Recruit Program right out of high school, and within three short accelerated years he found himself sitting in the pilot’s seat of a MiG-44, the fastest fighter plane in the world.

The dashing young pilot found that there were many benefits to being a celebrated fighter pilot that he had not expected.

His burgeoning success, along with his brash arrogance, led to many steamy encounters with the opposite sex. Encounters that included wild and crazy binges that ended up with a stay in the base brig on more than one occasion.

He was assertive and relentless and earned a reputation that would guide his way through the various ranks until his unscrupulousness got him to the top.

In spite of his rapid climb to the top, beautiful women had always been his flaw. On more than one occasion, he came dangerously close to disaster, but each time he was able to skillfully work his way out of the dilemma, always landing on his feet.

Pavlov shook his head and smiled to himself. He watched as the transport climbed swiftly through the billowy white clouds, as if it was aiming directly at the warm midafternoon sun. It would be a quick three-hour journey home in the small supersonic transport pod, but relaxing was impossible.

He didn’t look forward to his impending meeting with Emperor Cifysi. It would no doubt come as soon as he arrived back in Doha. It would be brutal, if not life-threatening.

He’d been a trusted soldier of the empire. A soldier of the highest position reporting directly to the Emperor. He took a deep breath; this won’t be pleasant at all. He’d been warned before about his more than obvious infatuation with the opposite sex, and now it had caught up with him, big time. The consequence for his actions was now uncertain to say the least.

It was just approaching dusk as the shuttle quietly moved toward the landing pad on the headquarters building. The evening air seemed refreshing after living in that hole for far too many months of the last year. It felt good to finally be back in Doha. But that too was a double-edged sword. Hopefully, once the magnitude of his blunder was over, he’d set out to find this woman who had set the trap that embarrassed him. He would get even. He would make her life miserable. Assuming my life is spared.

His mind quickly cleared as the shuttle hatch silently slid open and he was face to face with two ETSP, Euro-Turpicanian Secret Police, agents who were waiting for him on the deck. Commander, one of the agents said, the emperor is waiting to see you. Come with us.

Pavlov looked around and took a deep breath as they walked briskly down the long corridor leading from the arrival port. It felt strange to have two heavily armed soldiers at his side as if he were still a prisoner, or was he...

His heart was pounding so loud; he was sure the two soldiers could hear it. Surely it was going to jump right out of his chest and bound down the hallway.

The trip was short, and within minutes he found himself standing in front of the massive ornate double doors to the leader’s personal quarters. For someone who was always confident and on the arrogant side, he found his knees were shaking violently, almost causing him to lose his balance. His mind was racing. Was this going to be a death sentence?

Before he could even knock, the huge pearl-white doors slowly swung open, leaving him face to face with Emperor Audení Cifysi.

Excellency, a worried Pavlov announced. He entered the royal chambers and immediately bowed. There was silence. Pavlov felt trickles of perspiration dripping down his back. His mouth immediately went dry. This man of profound conceit and intimidation suddenly found himself on the other side of the fence. He was in fear for his life.

I could have left you to rot in that prison, Pavlov! a glaring Audení Cifysi announced even before the door had closed behind him.

Cifysi, a small man, just five foot six, was extremely intimidating for his size. He was rather portly in circumference. His balding head sat atop his short but thickset neck. His deep, dark eyes seemed to burn holes in Pavlov’s chest.

His climb to power had been a brutal and bloody one as well. Pavlov had a right to be scared. Cifysi had bludgeoned his own brother to death with a stiletto and sold his sister into slavery to get where he was. He had singlehandedly murdered a dozen opponents and adversaries over a ten year period. A brutal dictator would be a mild statement, to say the least.

Pavlov didn’t reply. He stood in front of the emperor, his eyes trained on his feet. Finally, he responded.

Yes, Excellency, he said in a meek voice. I’m totally humiliated, to say the least.

The Emperor stared hard at Pavlov. The women made a complete fool of you, Pavlov. He paused again.

Pavlov could feel the anger in his voice. I’m sincerely sorry for letting you down, Emperor Cifysi. It will never happen again; I assure you of that.

This is your last warning, Pavlov there’ll be no further!

Pavlov let out a long, slow breath. Maybe, just maybe, he would be able to ride this out. Yes, Excellency, the demeaned former Commander of the Euro-Turpicanian Intelligence Service responded.

I’m reinstating you to your former position. This is the last we will speak of it. You’ll not make the same mistake again, or it will be the last mistake you’ll ever make! Is that clear, Pavlov?

Yes, Excellency… He bowed deeply and slowly backed out of the large security doors of the leader’s chambers. He was almost light-headed. A deep breath slid from his chest and a small smile came to his lips as he straightened up and threw his shoulders back. He felt relieved. After all, he could have met his demise on the spot. He was fortunate to be alive. Fortunate indeed. He took another deep breath.

Pavlov wasted no time. He quickly left the emperor’s palace a free man. His two escorts had faded into the darkness. His stride lengthened as he hurried two blocks down the familiar dimly-lit cobblestone street to his old office, tucked away in a small nondescript headquarters building with no markings. It felt great to be back home and in charge again. The night air was pungent and burned his nostrils, but he didn’t care. It was great to be free. Anything was better than that small stinking cell he had been forced to waste away in. He had made a pact with himself; he would never be locked up like an animal again. It wasn’t going to happen.

Now it was back to business. The business of capturing the UFF operative who had made a fool of him. He smiled to himself, his head now filled with reprisal and vengeance.

He hastily punched his personal code into the keypad beside the large door. Instantly a camera lit up and scanned his facial features. Without hesitation, the massive steel door slowly swung open. He looked around at the familiar surroundings and smiled. With the exception of a few dust bunnies, everything appeared just as he had left it.

The massive office felt warm and inviting. Yes, he was home. His large ornate teakwood desk was neat and everything was in its place as if it was awaiting his arrival. The huge computer wall-display system was already spewing updated clandestine information in an array of pictures, colors, and numbers. A system that would put any broadcast organization to shame.

He slipped out of his shabby trench coat and threw it on a chair in the corner of the room. Rubbing his hands together, he slid into his large, overstuffed leather chair. How good it felt to be back. He wasted no time opening the lower right-hand desk drawer and pulling out his decanter of Medovukha. This was an occasion for celebration. He smirked again. Raising the small glass, he said out loud, Revenge will be sweet my dear. He downed the first shot and quickly poured another. Sitting at his desk, he savored his arrival back into his comfort zone. As he watched the computer spew out one dossier after another, there was a soft tap on his office door. Enter, Pavlov bellowed in his once familiar arrogant style.

The door opened slowly, revealing his longtime loyal and devoted assistant, Nika Urakova.

Colonel, she said warmly. "I am pleased that you have returned to us safe and sound.

You look remarkably well, a cheerful Nika said smugly. They apparently treated you suitably. The tall, slender Russian-born agent entered the office with a smile. I was so afraid you would not return and I’d be forced into working for your ghastly replacement."

Pavlov ignored the comment. We’ve a lot of catching up to do, Nika, his eyes trained on his small glass of Medovukha as if it was a newly found nugget of gold.

I trust everything in my office has been kept up to date awaiting my return. His voice was stern, not expecting a reply as he sat behind his large desk.

Nika slowly sauntered over and sat down on the corner of his desk, her short skirt hiked up above her knees. I missed you, Commander, she smiled cordially.

You need to remember that Nika! Now, we have crucial business to take care of.

He pulled a small, clear computer board from his desk. We are going to capture a UFF operative, the one responsible for my imprisonment in that dark and dingy little cell. The disgust was prominent in his voice. His eyes narrowed.

Nika quickly took the hint and removed herself from his desk. Glad to see things are back to normal, Commander, she smiled to herself.

We need to set a trap that will take place in the same timeframe as the one I was… his voice trailed off. I need to make sure they send that same operative. It needs to be something a female would quickly relate to.

It sounds to me like this female operative trapped you in your own weaknesses, Commander. She turned and walked to the front of his desk. I’m guessing her looks and charm must have played a major role in your downfall. She looked Pavlov in the eyes waiting for a reaction. There was none. He was too busy searching the computer for an event that would fit his needs.

Finally, he spoke. Nika, sometimes you just don’t know when to keep your mouth shut. It’s always been your weakness!

Nika Urakova had grown up on the streets of Kyiv in the Ukraine, the product of a ghetto environment. She was on