Daniel "Bell" Folten

3.5 miles from Duga-2 Radar Array, Khabarovsk Krai, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic

1981

Bell fired the shot from his revolver, causing Adler's body to go limp and collapse into the flowing water. He walked towards the edge of the grass as he watched the corpse get taken over the waterfall by the white water. The monster was dead, but not the beast.

"Comrade, we heard gunfire. Are you alright?" One of the men asked over comms. "I'm-'' he paused.

Suddenly he heard footsteps approach him from behind. He swiftly spun on his heel, still gripping his pistol, pointing it towards Park.

She too had her own pistol in hand, aimed towards him.

"Shoot me." He spoke smugly. "Please…" this time with a desperate and defeated tone. Already having to bear the news that he isn't who he thought he was took a heavy toll on his psyche. He was confused, overwhelmed with emotions. His body, mind…. heart, it hurt. It felt like he wasn't even in reality, like he was dreaming. It seems as if the only thing his mind knew to do was to continue unconscious functions throughout his body, such as breathe. The only other thing that seemed embedded into his mind was killing Adler, and that job he took care of moments ago.

Then the sudden recollection of serving by Perseus' side came flooding back to him. He was going to get another shot at redemption. It was with Perseus that his loyalties would truly be tested. The very thought of him would send shivers down the spines of even the most notorious crime bosses throughout Russia and beyond.

"I could kill you." He said, no emotion in his voice.

"You could." She said. "But if you don't, they will." She was implying about Perseus' men who probably already heard the gunshot and were making their way back towards the two now considering he never gave a response back. And the moment they saw her, they had no reason not to fire every bullet towards her.

Approaching her carefully, he lowered his own weapon, placing it in its holster, while she still had hers aimed at him.

"I can only offer this once. From this day forward, I would desire nothing more than to have you join the cause, by my side of course. We could be on the winning side of the war." He extended his own hand out, offering her a place of power. There was a hint of desperation behind his blue orbs.

Taking his hand would mean betraying the country she was born to, the country she pledged herself to. The one her father had once pledged himself to. But it's not like she even had anyone to go home to once the war was over. If the Soviet Union didn't have the upper hand before, they sure did now, and will continue to do so with the launch of the nukes. America would be blamed for it all and eventually fall to pieces. Everything would become chaos sooner or later, Perseus would make sure of that.

Even back in the CIA and even MI6 it was difficult to gain a reputation of respect, not that hers was that great. If she had a bullet for every argument she'd gotten herself into with Hudson, Adler, and countless others about what should be done, she'd have enough ammo to supply an entire army. Even Adler shrugged off some of her suggestions at times. If it wasn't for Bell considering her recommendation about capturing Volkov, he might have died. Perhaps along Bell's side, things would be different.

"I would want nothing more." She smiled, placing her pistol in his hand. He slid it behind his back.

They embraced, sharing a kiss. He was relived to hear those words. A reality where she didn't take his offer was one he couldn't imagine. He smiled, something he didn't think would ever be possible again.

"They will arrive shortly. When they do, stand down and stand behind me. At first they might not be too fond of you but I will help plead your case, but your loyalty will be something you yourself will need to prove." He said softly, holding her hands in his.

"I know." She replied.

As they heard a series of footsteps, Bell stepped away and towards the approaching men. Seeing the enemy agent, they aimed their weapons at her.

"Hey, hey!" Bell said harshly. "Stand down!" He commanded.

They stepped aside to allow Perseus to come forward. Bell's angered and defensive expression was melted away when the man himself appeared. He thought he felt his face go pale. He wouldn't lie to himself, his fear began to grow. Not for himself, but for her.

"What is this Comerade?" Perseus judged, skeptical.

It took him a moment to find an answer without sounding stupid. He put on his best poker face, almost as if he was putting up a mental barrier. "She could prove useful to us sir. She handed her weapon over to me, pledging her allegiance to our cause. I beleive her intentions to be genuine.

"Why don't we have a chat, hm?" Perseus waved his arm towards him. Bell looked back at Park, she could see the slightest fear in his eyes. "She will be fine, come." He turned his attention back to Perseus as he steppeted forward.

Their backs turned, Perseus threw up his hand. Bell heard the men begin to shuffle, he turned around and saw them seize Park, placing her in restraints.

"Hey!" He shouted.

Perseus placed a gentle hand on his arm. "I said she will be fine."

"Why are you doing this? I already told you she wasn't a threat!" He hissed through gritted teeth, throwing the man's hand off his arm.

"Surly you must understand, I am only taking the neccesaary precautions. "I can take more if I need to." He threatened, placing a firm grip on Bell's shoulder.

His expression faded, remembering it was best to keep his cool, for her sake.

"Forgive me sir." He sounded apalogetic, regretting his actions.

"It is understandable, we all can get tense at times. It's what war does best." He said placing an arm around the younger man's shoulders as they walked.

"So tell me, why do you put your own reputation on the line for this... agent."

"She's..."

"Special." Perseus finished for him, taking his arm off his shoulders. He heard the men, keep a slow pace behind them.

"It is complicated, but I can assure you she will prove to be a valuable asset." Bell said.

"I will be the judge of that." He said as they approached the edge of the forrest where their military vehicles were.

"The rest of the men will join us soon, they have already dealt with the other two Americans." Perseus pointed further down the road, where gunfire began to settle.

They stepped aside as some of the soldiers escorted Park to the back of the military vehicle. Seeing his eyes were painted in fear, she offered him a kind smile to settle his mind before the doors closed.

"Don't sweat it Petrov, she will be taken care of and shortly serve right along your side." He assured the younger man. His name went right over Bell's head.

As they got into their own military vehicle, Bell stayed silent on their way to the plane for Moscow.

The entire time his mind wouldn't allow him to stop worrying about Park's fate. Everything was telling him it was going to be ok, even his heart, his mind had other thoughts. Soon everything would be set right, the USSR would become stronger than ever. Perseus and it's allies would be thriving. The war would end, and perhaps maybe they go home for a bit, and relax their minds. Hopefully.