The rain continued to beat down on the glass as Agent Stephan Obreiski of the FBI continued to stare out of the windshield of his car, looking down the dark Moscow street. After enduring what seem to him like the longest plane ride in his life, he was immediately greeted with work, not even giving him a chance to get over his jet lag, or get his bearings in a foreign country, one that they were currently at war with.

He couldn't believe that the assignment had been actually issued. It was one thing for the FBI to be operating out of the United States, let alone openly in a hostile country. With the current war, he was amazed that he was standing in Moscow. Here he was, in a country that probably wanted him dead, and he was supposed to do his job, with all the hostility circling around him.

He shouldn't have been surprised when his superiors selected him for the assignment. Even though he had been born in the United States, he had close roots within eastern Europe, particularity, between Poland and Ukraine. His grandfather was a young peasant farmer living in Ukraine, living under the shadow of the Soviet Union. When the communist government started to abduct farmers and enslave them in gulags in harsh Siberian region, he fled to Poland, trying to get across the iron curtain and into the Allied held Western Germany. He stayed in Poland, buying his time to make it across. It was during this time he met his grandmother, a young bar girl in Warsaw. They soon fell in love and eventually fled across the iron curtain into Allied territory. A year later, they were in America, starting up a small pub in Boston. His family had remained their since.

It was a town he had hailed from for all his life, until he had been selected into the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a criminal profiler. From there, he moved to D.C, working in an office right in the heart of the nation's capital, beginning his training as an agent. After passing countless physical and mental tests, he finally was selected. He could begin to work under others, gaining experience and furthering his career.

But it was all different now. This was the first assignment were he was on his own, no more partners or mentors to help and guide him. And not only that, but he couldn't think of a more better 'baptism of fire' then this. Even though he was just as fluent in Russian as he was English, he still felt like a fish out of water. Just standing in this country made him feel awkward.

He knew better then to know what was happening. The U.S and the Russian Federation had been at war for nearly a year, and relations weren't getting anytime better with the current events that he had heard happening out of Moscow.

A radical leader, known only as the Patriot, was leading a group of revenge hungry Americans in a 'patriotic' war for redemption against Russia. Only three days before, they attacked the GUM supermarket complex, right in the heart of Moscow. In a terrorist style attack, they released a chemical agent, killing innocent Russian civilians.

It was a cowardly tactic, but in the eyes of the Russian President, it was just another direct attack from the United States. They had already been blamed in an airport attack, now they were being accused of funding and supporting a terrorist organization known as the USSA, or the United Sovereign States of America. Each time the USSA killed or attacked, it would just add more fuel to an already growing fire that was the relations between them and Russia.

They had denied it of course, because they had truly nothing to do with those radicals. But their word had long lost its integrity, and it would never satisfied President Vorshevsky. If the United States wanted to prove their innocence and their word that they didn't wanted to see the innocent being killed, whether it be Russian or American, they would have to give more then just a defense statement.

That was were he came in. He was the United States offering to the Russian Federation: A single criminal profiler to help in the investigation in finding the Patriot. It was to be that if the United States didn't truly support the USSA, then they would have no problem in helping stop them.

He didn't know if a single agent from the FBI, let alone a young one that had little experience on his own would appease the Russian President. He felt like his superiors back in Washington had served him to the wolves, as if to keep them calm until they became hungry once again. It was definitely not a good feeling he had had when he was flying over.

Regardless of how people treated him or what they thought of him, he still had a job to do. He would help catch the Patriot, not only for the United States sake, but for everyone's sake. As far as he was concerned, he was here assisting in the investigation. Peoples personal opinions towards him wouldn't stop him from doing his job.

He pulled the keys from the ignition and reluctantly opened the car door, stepping out onto the rainy Moscow street. He pulled his dark coat over his suit, trying to keep himself dry and warm as much as possible.

Obreiski sighed. "What's with all this rain?... It seems as soon as I show up, it begins to pour...Just my luck...I can already tell I'm going to enjoy being here..."

He tried to ignore the cold drops continuing to beat down on his head as he proceeded across the street towards a nearby alley. He was in the pour district of the city, and the surroundings definitely showed. Graffiti along the wall and pieces of trash littering the sidewalk were all evidence that this was one of Moscow's poorer regions. It seemed fitting for what had just happened.

Obreiski continued across the street towards the flashing blue and red lights of numerous squad cars set up along the street in front of the alley. He could already see numerous police outside and the yellow tape already set up. It seemed that he was rightfully informed, the Patriot had struck again. But instead of public attack, it was murder. He hadn't figured the Patriot for a serial killer, but he hadn't really begun to investigate anything so he shouldn't be surprised. Hopefully some of his questions could be answered in the coming days.

He was tired, but there was no rest for the weary. He had received direct orders as soon as he landed from the Moscow Investigation Bureau. They hadn't given him much time, only that he was given an address and orders to met a Lieutenant Cecile Kowalski. He hadn't even had time to get settled in, and he was already running around the city.

As he approached the yellow police tape, he was stopped by a police officer standing guard by it.

"This area is currently off limits to civilians." The officer said, raising his hand. "I'm going to have to ask you to step back sir."

"I'm Agent Stephan Obreiski from the FBI." Obreiski explained. "I was told I would be expected."

The officer raised a eyebrow and studied him carefully. "You have some proof of this, 'Agent' Obreiski?"

Obreiski reached into his pocket and flashed his blue and white FBI id card for the officer.

The officer looked at it carefully before nodding. "Alright, your clear."

Obreiski nodded and stuffed the id back into his coat pocket. He ducked under the yellow tape and on to the crime scene at the entrance of the alley.

"I was told I could find a Lieutenant Kowalski." Obreiski said, remembering his order. "Is she around?"

"I believe I saw her arrive." The officer replied. "She should be down in the alley somewhere."

Obreiski nodded and gave the officer a polite smile. "Thank you officer."

He began to walk down the alley and towards the crime scene. As he walked he glanced around to see some of the police giving him quiet looks as he past by them, glancing briefly towards him as he walked past.

Obreiski ignored them and continued to walk down the narrow alley. "Looks like everyone was well informed of my arrival...Glad to see I'm getting such a warm welcome..."

He continued to walk down the alley until it finally opened up into a large concrete clearing. There were at least a dozen police officers in the back alley, carefully looking around for any signs that the killer left. His eyes panned the area until they caught sight of a small white tent, small spotlights set up and directly lit on the tent. It was no doubt the source of all this activity. It was where the victim's body lay.

He started over to the small tent, continuing to shield himself from the rain. He was already soaking wet, even only after being out for minutes. He didn't want to catch a cold or come down with something when he hadn't even begun to work. He would just hope his immune system was stronger then his tolerance to the cold.

He finally reached a young petite female with dark hair wearing a large rain poncho over her coat, one that he wished he was wearing. She was shielding a small notebook from the rain, carefully looking over the pages. As Obreiski reached her, she noticed him and looked up to meet him.

"Yes?" The female asked, looking up from the notebook.

"Lieutenant Kowalski?" Obreiski asked.

The women nodded. "Yes, that's me." She replied.

"I'm Agent Stephan Obreiski from the FBI." Obreiski introduced. "I was told by your office that you would be down here."

Kowalski paused, thinking to herself before remembering. "Oh yes, the American. I remember now."

She presented her hand. "I'm Lieutenant Cecile Kowalski, Moscow Investigation Bureau."

Obreiski shook her hand, surprised by her friendliness towards him, He had been expecting a more different reception, one where he was simply tolerated and ignored rather then greeted. But he was presently surprised by her out non hostile attitude towards him, even though he was an American. At least some things weren't as bad as expected.

"Well Stephan, if you wanted a little rain, you definitely found it." She said. "You definitely look like your enjoying the weather."

He looked down at his hands and realize he was shivering uncontrollably from the cold. He was definitely wishing for a rain poncho. His coat was absorbing the rain like a sponge.

"I thought it was summer here..." Obreiski replied, rubbing his arms for warmth.

"So did I." Kowalski said, smiling. "But it seems like weather always has its ways with surprising everyone."

Kowalski put her notebook back in her pocket and looked off across the alley.

"Lets get somewhat out of this rain and get something warm to drink." She said. "Even I'm getting a little sick of this weather."

Obreiski happily agreed and followed her across the alley. As they walked, he remembered his job, and the many questions he had.

"So.." Obreiski started, walking next to her. "What happened?"

"A couple of garbage men were doing their rounds when they found a body early this morning." Kowalski replied. "Based on what we've seen so far, it looks like the work of the USSA's leader, the Patriot."

"Have you identified the body?" Obreiski asked.

"Not yet, but we should know more by the end of the day." She replied.

"Any leads or witnesses?"

"The killer didn't leave too much, and I really doubt anyone saw anything." Kowalski replied. "Given the neighborhood and the time, I'd be surprised if there were any witnesses."

The two stopped under a small awning, that provided protection from the rain and cold, much to Obreiski's relief. A small table was set up, with a thermos of coffee and styrofoam cups next to it.

"Help yourself." Kowalski said, pouring herself a cup of coffee.

"Gladly." Obreiski replied, taking a cup and letting Kowalski pour himself a cup. He brought the cup to his lips and drank the hot liquid. As soon as the coffee went down his throat, his entire body instantly warmed and he felt energized.

"Wow." Obreiski said. "This stuff is good. And strong."

It's called Yuran's blend." She said. "It's a homemade blend."

"Well, he definitely has strong tastes." Obreiski said, downing the final gulp of coffee.

With a somewhat feeling of warmth and energy back into his body, he could finally focus on more important things then dealing with the rain.

"Has the body been identified?" Obreiski asked, looking towards the small white tent.

"No, but we should know more fairly soon." Kowalski replied. "However, we have reason to believe it was a young girl that disappeared about a week ago. Once the family confirms this, then will know for sure."

"Can I have a look?" Obreiski asked.

"Sure, go right ahead." Kowalski replied, pulling out her notebook. "I'll just stay here where its warm." She added with a slight smile.

Obreiski sighed and reluctantly forced himself out from underneath the dry awning and back out into the rain. It was bad enough it was so early in the morning, let alone raining. But he promised himself he would do he job. And if he had to deal with working along side angry Russians, then he could deal with a little rain.

He finally approached the small tent that held the body. He took a small black recorder from his pocket, brought it to his face and pressed the record button.

"Audio memo recording number one, Agent Stephan Obreiski. Investigating Patriot killing. Time is..."

He glanced down at his watch. "6:25 in the morning."

He pulled the small tent flap aside to reveal the body. In it, was the body of a young girl, no less then twenty years of age, lying on her back. Her face was pale and her eyes closed shut.

"Audio memo one, the victim is a young girl." Obreiski said to himself, continuing to speak into the recorder. "Based on what she is wearing, it would seem that she lives inside Moscow's poverty district."

He scanned the body until he found something interesting sitting beside her. An American flag was folded neatly next to her head. As he leaned in closer, he noticed that the flag was soaked in blood.

"Audio memo one, an American flag is folded next to the victim's head, in a military fashion." Obreiski said. "It's soaked in blood, possibly the victim's."

His eyes traveled from the young girl's head down to her wrists. He found two gashes across both of them, dried blood around them.

"Audio memo one, the victims wrist's were slit." Obreiski said, looking at the wounds. He leaned in closer to get a better look, and realized that they we're surprising not the cause of death.

"Audio memo one, the wounds on the victim's wrist were caused postmortem, which means the victim died of some other means..." Obreiski said.

"Theres no other signs of violence on the body...Its possible the victim was drowned or poisoned, but it can't be said for sure..."

He noticed the victim holding something in her hands, causing Obreiski to lean in closer. He carefully pried her hand open to see what she was holding. A small sliver figurine was in her hand. It was in the shape of a revolutionary war minute man. And engraved underneath the small soldier, were the words Patriot.

Obreiski narrowed his eyes at the figurine. "This is just his 'calling card', so everyone would know that it was him who personally killed her..."

He closed her hand and closed the flap on the tent. He had seen enough, and he wasn't going to learn anything more then what he and the police already knew. Even so, he was taken back on the level of difficulty the case would be for everyone.

"Very impressive..." Obreiski thought to himself, thinking about the murder. "Seems the Patriot left only the clues he wanted us to find, knew exactly what he was doing..."

Obreiski sighed. He wanted to think more about this, but out of the rain. Beside, he still had people he had to meet, and he didn't want to already get off on the wrong foot, even if he already was in their eyes.

As he was starting back to his car, he noticed Lieutenant Kowalski, walking up to him from behind.

"I'm about done here." She said. "You?"

Obreiski nodded. "Ya, I've seen enough. I'm leaving too. I need to meet an Alexsandr Lukin down at Special Intelligence."

"You mind giving me a ride?" She asked. "I car pooled here. My office is on the way anyway."

Obreiski nodded in comply. "Happy to." He replied, gladly to show his kindness to anyone that would ask for it. He wasn't about to give the United States a bad name, at least not in terms of chivalry towards a lady...

The two walked down the alley and toward his car, himself already happy to be getting out of the rain.

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