Note: The villainous Soviet organization mentioned in this
book is not fiction and at one time had existed as the most secret department
in the Soviet government. That organization is SMERSH. SMERSH stands for Smeirt
Spionam- Death To Spies. The only fictional account of them in this story is
their plot. General G. and Colonel Nikitin are real people that once lived and
were agents of SMERSH.
Seize The Day
Part 1:
Cargo Of Death
1.
In some
places everyday is killing day. Take The U.S.S.R. for example. At least the
Soviet government each year, not a great loss to them, kills 1,000,000 of their
people. There was one department that was mostly responsible for these deaths.
That department was SMERSH, a contraction for Smiert Spionam, "Death To
Spies". And the department within SMERSH most responsible for these deaths
was department 2, in charge of Operations and Executions. This was the branch
where the meeting between top agents of SMERSH was being briefed by General
Grubozaboyschivok[known by them mostly as General G.] in Moscow. General G. was
dark and had a clean-cut face. He also had a 3-inch scar down his right cheek.
"As
you know comrades," General G. spoke aloud with his deep Russian
accent," We are about to attempt something that has never been attempted
before. An operation that will require precise planning and perfect responses.
We are attempting to provoke war between the United States of America and the
United Kingdom, two of our most bitter enemies. It has taken decadent planning
and expenses, but we have it all planned out. What we will do is attack an
important area in the United States under the United Kingdom's name, without
warning of course. We will then attack the United Kingdom under the United
States name. We have built weapons resembling the technology we obtained from
our spies in each government to make our attack look authentic. After the
attack is made, both governments will blame the other and if necessary will
continue the attacks until war is broken out. We can then drink a toast!"
General
G. was interrupted by Colonel Nitikin of the M.G.B. , "But Comrade
General, what happens if during the second attack we are caught off guard by
the American or British navys'?"
General
G. replied, " Do not overwork yourself with such mediocre scenarios. We
have planned the operation so carefully we are positive there are no flaws in it.
Our equipment will attack successfully and return home successfully!"
Colonel
Nikitin interrupted again, "And who have you assigned the planning
to?"
" I
have assigned the operation planning to comrade General Jeremy Vivrelecu , he
is also seeing that no one catches on to our scheme. Coincidentally, he is
working on the assignment now. He is carefully choosing who will assist him in
the operation."
***
In Jeremy
Vivrelencu's eye only the best could possibly work with him. Vivrelencu was
currently 36 and was born in Turkey and was raised there until he was 22 and
had requested to work for the Russians. He believed strongly with the Russian's
beliefs. He ended up working in SMERSH. The agents of SMERSH were impressed by
Vivrelencu's knowledge and he quickly soared to higher positions. He now needed
2 partners in planning for the operation and had brought upon a meeting for any
SMERSH agent that thinks he can fulfill his needs. He had no preference for
partners, only that they are capable of doing what had to be asked for.
Vivrelencu looked around the plywood table, and then into the eyes of each of
the 9 SMERSH agents requesting to be partners. They all looked fit enough for
the job, but He knew so well that sometimes with fitness lacks brains. He raised
his hand signaling that he wanted silence so he can speak.
"Comrades,"
spoke Vivrelencu with his deep, husky voice, "You are all here because you
wish to become a partner in planning. I have looked at all of your work
records, and am very happy with most of them. However, I hope you all
understand the responsibility that comes with this job. You may be killed. You
may have to kill. It depends in the situations. You are also my bodyguard. You
will obey my commands. If failure comes you will be liquidated! Now,
Unfortunately, I am only required 2 of you. Now, I have chosen from you, the 2
that, judging by your work record are the smartest, toughest and fittest. I
will read those names aloud now. My choices are Jacques Fransisco and Perry
Hoseden. Now the 7 of you were not chosen thank you for your time today, but
now you must leave us." The 7 disappointed agents stood up, bowed to
Vivrelencu, and walked out the door. "Now with you 2 I would like to
stress to you the full details of the plan and what work you will be required
to do!" He grinned and sat back in his chair.
2.
"Comrades",
Vivrelencu continued, "You will first be responsible for choosing the
targets of our attacks. You will show them to me and I will approve or
disapprove them. I expect the targets to be highly needed, but will ensure that
our battle equipment come back safely. You will first choose our American
target. Then you will choose a target in England. Any questions?
Jacques
Fransisco stood up, "Comrade Colonel, when do you expect our decisions
done by?"
"No
longer than 3 days from now I will expect the American target, 3 days after
that the target in Great Britain. Any more questions?"
There
were none, so Vivrelencu sent them off for their work and lit a cigar. He got
up, walked out of the meeting room, and saw General G. talking to another
SMERSH agent. Vivrelencu walked up to him and said, "Comrade General, I
have chosen the 2 men fitting of my needs."
"That
is good news Comrade," General G. replied, "But who have you chosen,
may I have their names?"
"The
French, Jacques Fransisco, and the Italian, Perry Hoseden, both very fitting.
They should be beginning their planning right now. We shall have the decision
in 3 days, then the decision for the attack on Great Britain in 3 days after that,
and then they will work on secondary targets, in case war is not broken out
yet. All according to plan!"
General
G. was astounded, "You have exceeded my expectations! Good work, if you
keep up this kind of progress, there is nothing that can stop us!"
Vivrelencu
knew the compliment was coming, as it always did and said, "Thank you
Comrade General!" he turned around and walked down the hall to his office.
He sat down and lit another cigar. He sat staring into space for many moments,
thinking. Was there anything else he could take into the plan? He had partners.
He had an army. He had a spy in Britain, A woman, Maryann Amandi. Not only was
she in Britain, but also was included in the British government. She can
destroy any leads on the case. The plan seemed foolproof. Was there any
weakness? That question had been rattling in his mind ever since the operation
had started. So far every weakness he had come across was either fixed or
patched up so that it is easily recoverable. There was one weakness hat could
not be patched up. The weakness that once the Americans blame the British,
besides the US themselves, the USSR is the only other place in the world
capable of creating the war equipment and may investigate. There were many of
their spy's that they could send, but there was one that would be no doubt the
best choice. James Bond, an enemy of SMERSH. He had already caused much trouble
in their organization. Already killed many of their operatives. There Negro
contact in Jamaica, Mr. Big, was killed by Bond. Hugo Drax had backing from the
USSR to destroy Britain with a rocket but was stopped by Bond! That was the
last we heard of him. If he gets assigned to this mission, we must put in an
effort to kill him!
3.
Jacques
Fransisco sat down and spoke to Perry Hosedon, "So what are your first
choices?" Hosedon took out a
pencil, "My first choice would be Miami, Florida. That would be difficult
to approach though, but we may be able to plan a route. My second choice would
be the Coast of California, a very big loss of life. Of course there is also
Texas, and I don't think it would be hard to set a route there, only a very
long travel. About 5 days. And the Americans will lose many lives, a bad loss
to them."
"We
have both made an alike decision, Texas. I also believe it is the easiest place
to approach safely and cause a great loss to the Americans. That will be our
choice, unless you have any objections?"
"No,
that is very suitable", Hosedon said stiffly," But now we must plan a
route to get there."
"I
agree", Fransisco took the map and the pencil, and shaded in the target
area of the Texas coast. He examined it for a few moments and said; "I
think Murmask is a suitable starting point, over Sweden, around Europe, to
northern South America, along the Mexican coast line, to Texas. Of course we
will be far enough from England, South America and Mexico to keep out of sight.
Like I said before, about a 5-day sail. Now that we've got the basic outline
done we must have General Vivrelencu approve our work."
Hosedon was
realizing that Fransisco and him would work very well together. They shared the
same thoughts in the plan. Very similar minds! They walked out of the room and
looked around for General Vivrelencu. Hosedon walked up to the main desk and
asked, "Where is Comrade General Vivrelencu today?"
The clerk
replied, "Oh, I believe he is in his office Comrade, You can use the phone
to call him if you want."
"Thank
you", Hosedon and Fransisco said in unison. Hosedon got to the phone first
and typed in the number of Vivrelencu's office. " Hello Comrade General,
we have set the target and the basic outline of the route. Target Texas; Go
from Murmask, around Europe, To Northern South America, along the coast of
Mexico. Of course we will be far enough away from each coast not to be noticed,
discluding Texas. Then the ships, planes and equipment will arrive home safely.
Very well comrade, that will be satisfactory! Good-bye!" he looked at
Fransisco, "If tomorrow we can have the coordinates set, then the next day
after that we can start sending out the battleships. He has asked that you stay
with him while I go on one of the battleships for the assault."
Fransisco
grinned, "We have done well my friend!"
4.
It was
January 17, 1955 at exactly 6:31:56 A.M. aboard the "Carpe Diem", the
main and biggest of the 3 battleships created to imitate the British's.
Everything was perfect from the appearance to the British flag hanging on the
masts. That was also the same with all the other battleships and aircraft. The
aircraft was residing in the hold, and about 3 hours away from target they will
be released. The battleships contained 8 torpedoes each, enough to blast away
the coastline, while the aircraft would fly into a small area out of reach of
the battleships and attack it with machine guns and missiles. The whole attack
will last only around 5-10 minutes and then they would turn back, giving the
American army no time to strike back. Genius, thought Hosedon, every weakness
considered and patched! The plan had to be foolproof or none this time and
money would have gone into it! Only one known weakness in the plan! One! What
are the chances that one weakness will pull apart the plan? We need not worry
of it! War will break out and we can smoke a cigarette and laugh at the
dumbfounded countries fighting each other!
Hosedon
was obviously a confident person. He walked on deck, leaned over the railing
and looked into the stars, nothing but water all around him. We should be
sailing over Spain, Hoseden thought, if we keep this time we may be at target
earlier than expected. He searched into the morning darkness for the other
battleships. All looked good for the starboard ship. He strolled to the port
side to check that ship. All well there too. Crew having a drink, getting ready
for duty, nothing could be better. He pulled out and lit a cigarette, his first
of the day, and inhaled a deep breath. Nothing could suit him more than
watching the sunrise over the sea whilst smoking a cigarette. Just imagine,
they were passing by a whole continent and nobody knew they were there.
Hosedon
stood there for the next 10 minutes, watching the sun slowly rise from the sea,
the wake-up call to the rooster, who is the wake-up call for the human. It is
strange how such things tie in like that. He then wondered why Vivrelencu had
chosen himself over Fransisco. Maybe he was arranging Fransisco as his
bodyguard and him as a planner. Or it could be some unknown circumstance not
worth thinking over. Now 75% of the sun was emerged from the greenish-blue
water. How beautiful the sun looked rising from the water. The sunrise was the
inspiration for the ship's name, which means "Seize The Day". Surely, upon
arrival to Texas they will seize the day with their attack! Hoseden thought of
another advantage of war between two countries, whilst they fight us Soviets
can sit back in our chairs and research a some lethal technology! The USSR in
time will become the leading world power! Hosedon decided to quit dreaming of
their success until their success came. It would be hard for him though, as he
was a very imaginative person. His thoughts were rather limited though, as he
saw every perfect plan as a success, but each plan requires a great amount of
duty to be pulled off right. Many foolproof plans in this world had been spoiled.
Just like when Mr. Big was killed in Jamaica, perfect planning and work was
still thwarted. And by none other than Bond! There were many ways of getting
back at these countries, and this plan he was embarked on was one of them!
Now that
morning had come, Hosedon threw his cigarette overboard and headed for the
galley for some breakfast. One is hungry when he has only slept 5 hours! He
ordered some iced orange juice, 5 strips of bacon, and a bowl of scrambled
eggs. He lit his second cigarette of the day while waiting for his breakfast to
be made. He kept dreaming of the day of
the attack. He noticed his mind had been focused to one thing for the past few
days. He told himself to loosen up and relaxe. His breakfast came and he gulped
down half of his orange juice instantly. It was a bad habit many men had of
gulping down most of their drink before eating a bite of their main course. He
folded one of the strips of bacon in half and stuffed it into his mouth. How
good it tasted, crisp and warm! He stabbed his fork at the scrambled eggs as if
he were an Indian trying to spear a buffalo! It was warm and soggy, just how he
liked it! They must have hired a good collection of cooks for this vessel! He
folded another piece if bacon and ate it down. He lifted his fork for another
bite of scrambled eggs. This was the life! And
while he sat here eating, death was slowly approaching Texas. The
battleships both were carrying large amounts of death each! He laughed at the
thought and bit a chunk of egg off his fork.