Disclaimer: The characters and plot of the Leviathan series are the sole intellectual property of Scott Westerfeld
"Sir, maybe something happened. I think it's time to consider the possibility that our contact has been compromised by tsarist forces."
"He'll be here, Robert. I'm sure of it."
"And how can you be sure of…"
"Comrade Stalin!" shouted Jack Featherstone, "for a second I thought you couldn't make it here, and my partner here actually thought you were caught by the tsarists. Of course, we all know that couldn't happen, correct? Did you bring the vodka? I haven't had a good drink since I got here!"
Colonel Jack Featherstone never truly trusted the Bolsheviks, but he always understood the benefits of having allies like Josef Stalin. The short Georgian man had proved himself useful many times over since they met, providing America with a link to the communists, as well as being able to report the latest happenings within Lenin's otherwise secretive and ultra-nationalist organization. Stalin had even managed to pull strings within the party to aid American policies at times. Thanks to his actions, the Greater American Union had a vital associate in a major enemy nation and would hopefully soon have the largest country in Europe as a client state.
"So, comrade, I trust everything has been going well since out last meeting?" Jack inquired.
"Well, mostly" said Stalin
Major Robert Colt, Featherstone's second-in-command narrowed his eyes. Colt, like small minority of Americans, absolutely hated Communism in all its forms, believing the ideal was evil and un-American. Jack, of course, saw this a nonsense, but even he couldn't change Robert's beliefs.
"What do you mean, mostly?" Robert inquired, his voice dripping with contempt, "Is there something you're not telling us?"
Pulling out his pistol, ironically a Colt Model 1913 Special Operations Pistol (Loosely based on the Mauser C96) Robert pinned Josef to a wall, the barrel of his gun to Stalin's head.
Oh no, thought Jack, here we go again
"Robert, drop the gun and let him go. Stalin, like he said, what do you mean by "mostly"," Jack commanded.
"A few days ago", Stalin began, "I discovered a letter from Lenin that was sent to Leon Trosky. As per you orders, I opened it and read the contents of the letter, intending to report then back to you as soon as possible. Colonel, Lenin intends to remove me from my position as General-Secretary. I disposed of the order, of course, but Lenin will figure out that I found it soon. You have to do something!"
""Okay. Stalin, I'm going to need IDs for me and the members of my squad. We're going to pay our friend Vladimir Lenin a visit."
Author's Note: Yes, I am aware that Darwin's book was call the origin of species, no the origin of life. In fact, I have read the book at least 3 times. However, as Darwin made a second, even larger discovery during his time in the Galapagos Islands, the name of the book would probably have changed from its title in our timeline.
I have to make a few changes to what Scott wrote as well: Italy is Darwinist, and Eddie Malone is from the Atlanta Inquirer, not the New York World, in my story.