KGB HQ, Moscow 26 November, 1989 6:56 P.M.
Ethan walked into the building with slight trepidation. His mask chaffed and he could barely see anything through it, especially at night. Of course that was the price to pay to get into a branch of the KGB operational headquarters. He was masquerading as someone named Goldystien, apparently a high-ranking official within the KGB. The only way to get in, Jim had said, for they knew the real Goldystien was on unannounced holiday.
Ethan thanked again the IMF contacts in east Europe as he passed through the threshold and into the elaborately decorated lobby of the HQ. A large, white crystal chandelier was suspended from the vaulted ceiling of the reception area. The ceiling itself was painted with a large mural but Ethan did not know what it depicted.
This way, instructed one of the guards at the reception in Russian. Ethan had had some time to brush up on his Russian before this mission and was glad now that he had taken the time. They quickly passed through the security checks, Ethan flashing his bogus ID to the guards.
Ethan nodded politely when he had finished passing through the security post, trying to smile as convincingly as possible even with the mask on. It was then he noticed the guard was actually one of the IMF team, Anna Williams, instructing him where to go. His smile abruptly faded, replaced by a look of relief, that Anna was here. There was some uncertainty as to the guard rotation, Jack Harmon had told them, and if Anna was not at the function, there could have been major difficulty with the mission.
Hello, Mr. Goldystein, Anna said warmly in perfect Russian. She slipped a small device into his pocket very subtly, just as planned, and Ethan pretended not to know. They continued on, down a narrow corridor with extremely subdued lighting, before turning into a large and, by contrast, brightly lit dining hall. A large, pearlescent table dominated the room, which the company hastily took seats about.
I believe you all know me, one of the Russian officials began. He appeared to be the head of the meeting of KGB here, but Ethan did not know him. This is Agent Golydstien of course, and here are Agents Putin, Grandekov and Iseti. The man continued on, introducing the ten or twenty people around the massive table, but Ethan paid no mind.
Well, now that that is done with, the official said a moment later after running all the way around the table, we will have a light dinner before we get down to business. He clapped his hands twice, summoning several caterers. Each carried a silver platter with a soup bowl of borscht and some peruski arrayed around it. Each person at the table got their own platter, which some hastily started on, while others politely waited for all to be served.
Ethan had tried borscht before and decided he didn't like it, but now seemed a bad time to make his aversion to the reddish delicacy known. He cautiously picked up his spoon and sipped his borscht, following suit with the others in the room. A light discussion began which Ethan carefully followed but added nothing to.
After several minutes, most of the agents around the table finished their soup and bread' as Ethan thought of their food. The caterers removed the platters as each person finished them and hastily made an exit from the room.
Now, before we digress too much, the head guy began, let us begin about the real reason we are here. We are certainly all aware of the growing dissent within the Soviet Union and even within our own KGB
Ethan decided now was a good a time as any to not follow the discussion as it likely had no importance to him. He perked up slightly when the lights dimmed and a slide presentation began, displaying mug shots and information about several Russian defectors. Even Vladimir Taretchnakov flashed onto the screen after a minute or so, which reminded Ethan of the mission at hand.
According to the info gleaned at Kiev, Taretchnakov was being held in this building, hence the carefully planned infiltration. Now was as good a time as any to start the rescue, Ethan mused. The darkened room was full of a great many people, and Ethan doubted they would miss one for a long time.
He took the field scanner Anna had given him out of his pocket and subtly made for the door. Time to rescue a defector.
