Chapter 1

Communication with the motherland could be maintained around the clock, since progress did not stand still, but contemplation through the screen was not enough for Kolesnikov. He wanted to lie on the grass, not thinking about anything. And the air to breathe would be not filtered and artificial, but native, fresh, living. He even hung a picture of the Kremlin in his office.

"You're a sentimental fool, Kolesnikov. You're getting old," he thought.

With regard to longing, he was terribly jealous of Udina. It seemed that he did not care at all about the remoteness of his homeland. He firmly and confidently held his line, never being embarrassed or even blushing from the nonsense he often said. It was impossible to convince him of anything, even by providing proof. Stubborn and impenetrable. Udina might not have annoyed so much if they had only met at Council meetings, which were not held too often. But cruel fate and the humorously minded Citadel Council decided that Kolesnikov clearly lacks the proximity of Udina for great happiness in his personal and public life. And they brought this person to a dangerous distance – the office of the Alliance ambassador was directly opposite his own. Kolesnikov had already measured the distance between the desks with his steps. A pistol could easily hit without even bringing the sight closer. Even a tasteless vase could be thrown and hit the head of the hapless Udina, if, of course, the doors were open. And if the Alliance's ambassador managed to anger his calm neighbor so much.

And it seemed that you could overlook such a trifle as dangerous-close distance, but the bastard ambassador, apparently, decisively missed Kolesnikov, so he rarely left him alone for a long time. He kept trying to provoke a scandal and announce to the whole galaxy that the ambassador of the Soviet country is a total cad. But it didn't work out for him. Kolesnikov patiently endured all the antics of Udina, from time to time answering him with little things like a barricaded door for a night and false calls to his office for one of the asari girls working for the Consort. It was childish, but watching Udina suffocate with anger in the morning when he was finally rescued from the office was damn nice. Or seeing the ruddy face of elderly ambassador proving that he did not invite a "lady of the night" to himself. Of course, this was an abuse of friendship with some C-Sec officers – Kolesnikov himself would not have thought of some antics, but many people did not like Udina and messed with him with pleasure. However, Udina did not make such personal insults public, apparently being shy, and the Soviet ambassador managed to keep an innocent expression on his face, watching as his new "friend" hurriedly rushed to the bathroom after another night "arrest" in his own office.

"So they don't approve of the construction of a new station," the General Secretary said thoughtfully.

Kolesnikov looked at the holographic image of the leader.

"The Alliance likes to experiment with new models of ships more. They spare no expense for this. And the Council is indifferent to any construction in human systems, unless, of course, it is a weapon of mass destruction. Perhaps today I will have a chance to admire this miracle of technology. They say the Alliance's trial mission on this ship was... not very successful."

"This alliance is straining me more and more. And Mr. Udina still hopes to make the USSR look like a clogged appendix on the Earth's body. And he is probably trying to recruit you, my dear friend. I wouldn't be surprised if long tea parties in his office took place," the Gensec smiled slightly.

"If he had known that he was inviting a spy to his office, he would not have been so hospitable," Kolesnikov also could not restrain a smile. "And no tea parties, definitely."

No, there was one after all. On the first day of acquaintance, the hypocritical Udina invited him to drink coffee in one of the Presidium coffee houses. However, the diplomat turned out to be utterly stingy and did not even buy a bun for this very coffee for his Soviet colleague. And Kolesnikov tried as best as he could to forget Udina's lengthy monologues during their "date". Tedious speech with unpleasant, bitter coffee – perhaps he needed to take revenge on the ambassador for these two hours. Kolesnikov even wanted to take his ignorant colleague to a literary evening in retaliation. And not to give alcohol. And not to let him out of the hall. Or to be completely cruel and take him to a ballet…

"Yes, it's not easy with Udina, but it could have been worse," Kolesnikov said.

Actually, it couldn't have been worse. But, in principle, the Alliance ambassador was not gay and did not molest him. There is already something to thank fate for. But it also deprived him of a reason to break Udina's kneecap. Kolesnikov used to look for the good in the bad and vice versa.

"I am waiting for your report after the meeting, Kolesnikov," the General Secretary said goodbye.

Kolesnikov nodded. Having called Udina via communicator, he warned that he would come in now. He just couldn't, like an Alliance ambassador, just burst in without knocking. It didn't even cross his mind. One of the advantages of being on the Citadel was the opportunity to ignore the unspoken Soviet rules. Namely, to unbutton the top button on his uniform tunic. In the service, he did not allow himself to do this. Order means order in everything. It was firmly embedded, probably at the root level. Yes, and wearing a military uniform, though with detached shoulder straps and stripes, was habitual. The Soviets did not abandon the old uniform and did not sew semi-clownish multicolored outfits for soldiers from inconvenient and impractical materials. Everything was the old-fashioned way: shoulder straps, which deformed if they were sewn incorrectly. And you can immediately see who has their hands screwed to the wrong place. Moreover, it's not scary to bend over, because you were absolutely not afraid that the trousers will come apart at the seams, as happened with the Alliance generals-admirals-marshals at inopportune moments. Even if this uniform was not as beautiful as the one of dandy allies, it was native and by all traditions.

"Kolesnikov, you make us waiting," said Udina, busily sitting in an armchair and surrounded by soldiers and officers with Alliance stripes.

Why would that be. He was not a minute late, and Udina knows it. The constant desire to rise at someone else's expense made Kolesnikov laugh. But it is also not difficult to play along with the ambassador.

"I'm sorry, Udina. I've never been so ashamed," Kolesnikov spoke sincerely. "Imagine, they asked to look through the "hit lists" of elements not desirable by the USSR, that interfere with the smooth operation of the Soviet machine. They asked if they needed to add someone from my surroundings," Kolesnikov squinted. "I replied that I knew only you at the Citadel."

His reward was Udina's instantly pale face. The West has always fed its citizens with fairy tales. Like the communists are savages, shooting their own people without trial, and what can they do to us if they get here. It is worth noting that such scolding even amused the communist party.

"Don't take it so seriously, Udina. I'm kidding. I know not only you," Kolesnikov met the black officer's gaze. He didn't even flinch. And he did not rush to defend his ambassador. The intel officer could not even imagine what would be done to a person who spoke to the Soviet ambassador extraordinary like he did to Udina.

"Now is not the time for jokes, Kolesnikov. The Alliance colony was attacked by the geth. Or you don't care, because it's not a communist settlement?" the ambassador managed to pull himself together.

"Don't talk nonsense, Udina. There are no communist or non-communist colonies. There are human ones. And we have to take care of them together, despite..." Kolesnikov paused, choosing his words.

"Despite the fact that you are a lying bastard who should be whipped on Red Square," he thought.

"…the fact that we are different and do not always understand each other," he finished.

"I'm glad if you think so," Udina even stopped frowning. "Anderson, be kind enough to tell Kolesnikov what you told me. About the failure of the mission."

"I would not call this mission a "failure", rather not entirely successful. Shepard managed to disable the bombs and saved the colony. It could have been much worse," Anderson said calmly.

Kolesnikov shifted his gaze to the tall man standing next to the Alliance captain. Previously, he had not personally observed the hero of Elysium, who was not considered as such in the USSR. It also seemed strange that during the Blitz he did not count the losses, and now he suddenly decided to save an almost empty colony from an explosion. What was he saving? The boxes that the Alliance loved to build so much, promising that soon they would become skyscrapers? So it's not as scary to sacrifice people as ugly houses? Kolesnikov did not understand this.

"There was something else, ambassador," Shepard said, looking at Kolesnikov. "The beacon that we were supposed to take out caused me strange visions before it exploded."

"A beacon like the one on Mars?" Kolesnikov asked, shifting his gaze to Udina.

He turned away. He didn't even think to tell about this mission. He only said that this was a test flight of the Normandy and test for Shepard for the Spectre status. And nothing else. Apparently, he considered the essence an unimportant part.

"Saren led the geth who attacked the colony. The Council's Spectre," Shepard continued. "And I agree with Udina - the mission has failed. The Spectre that attacked Eden Prime killed another Spectre that was supposed to be watching me. The first independent task and the result is not even comforting. Deplorable, rather."

"But why would the geth attack the colony? As far as I know, they waged war only with their creators. And even then within the home system of the quarians. Why would they come out of their planet and attack humans specifically? Why humans?" Kolesnikov looked at Udina. He shrugged his shoulders.

"Apparently, the Spectre status will always be unreachable for humanity," the Alliance ambassador said wistfully.

"A minute ago you reproached me with inhumanity, and you yourself began to talk about ranks and statuses. You're thinking the wrong way, Udina. If this is an act specifically against human race, then we need to think about how to nip it in the bud. Maybe the posthumous grant of Spectre status will make you happier, but definitely not me. Besides, look for yourself: one agent kills another. Not too friendly somehow. Why go into this rotten organization, if there long familiar races do not feel sorry for each other? Maybe we should first deal with our internal government contradictions, and then jump "from dirt to princes"?"

Judging by Udina's face, he didn't understand the last sentence. However, this was not so important.

"Aren't there traitors among the Communists?" asked the dark-haired man who deigned to turn around.

"There are, of course," Kolesnikov looked into his eyes. "But not often and not for long."

The youth turned away again.

"We'll meet at the Council meeting, Kolesnikov. I think it will be interesting for you," Udina said.

"I have no doubt," Kolesnikov replied, leaving the ambassador's office.

Kolesnikov never tired of being surprised. And it seemed to him that he had seen all the idiocy in this world. But no, there were individuals still striking his imagination. And most importantly, the same individual was, as it seemed to the spy, an uninteresting book that had already been read. Shepard, proving his right, didn't look so bad, Anderson calmly assenting to him was even better, the couple standing behind the platform, playing the role of an entourage and keeping quiet, was just great… and there was Udina.

The Alliance ambassador did not seem to understand that the Council was not convened to appoint him chairman of the Spectre cabinet. Or the chambers, the devil knows what kind of hierarchy they have, but because of the attack on the colony. He uttered the phrase "Humanity deserved" six times – Kolesnikov was counting on his fingers. And nothing else. Shepard, far from politics, was taking the rap for the ambassador. Of course, he was not taught to speak as required for such meetings. Kolesnikov realized a long time ago that the Alliance did not consist of stupid and narrow-minded people, but of understudied people. They were not to blame for the fact that choosing a certain kind of activity for themselves, the study of other sciences that were not related to it became impossible. The Alliance just didn't "load" his own people with knowledge, which was why they regularly suffered, although diligently closing eyes to the reasons.

And of course, Shepard was ignominiously sent to screw himself. Though in more beautiful words. But the meaning was the same. Kolesnikov himself was silent, as he did not know much. The asshole Udina, apparently, tried to be mysterious, so he did not tell his colleague about the details. The fact that the accused Spectre and the murdered man turned out to be of the same race was completely unsettling. Whatever the relationship between the Alliance and the USSR, they were not at enmity. There was misunderstanding, outright dislike, understatement – whatever. And here one turian kills another and all this happens among the Spectres. No, one should not rush into such an organization. It's probably even better to run away from it.

"You'll have to look for evidence of Saren's guilt yourself. Start with Harkin, and then how it goes," Anderson advised.

Frowning, Shepard, dissatisfied with the Council's decision, nodded dryly. Kolesnikov perfectly understood his feelings. He himself was disgusted in the first months of this work. However, his level of education was higher, so the intel officer quickly began to feel where to be silent and where to talk nonstop. And also to see the second bottom in the decisions taken. Just like now. Why not conduct an investigation, because the organization you created was spat on? And by who? By humans, who can't even agree with each other. And where is the prestige of this status, if any the most drunk volus can spit at a Spectre? It seems that the Council is simply buys time for unclear purposes. But apart from Kolesnikov, the indifference of the Citadel government, seemingly, did not particularly surprise anyone.

"I'll be in Udina's office if anything happens," Anderson said, saying goodbye.

Kolesnikov also went to his office. There was a lot to tell the General Secretary.

"Admiral Hackett demanded the presence of a board from the Defense Committee at the construction of our station," the General Secretary shared.

"I don't recall such a fest when our scientists were watching the construction of the Arcturus station," Kolesnikov replied.

"The devil is with them, let them admire," the General Secretary simply replied, not shy in his expressions. "If they want to watch, let them watch, if they want to study, let them study. And if they climb into forbidden zones– we'll shoot them."

"And we will annoy the Alliance once again," said Kolesnikov.

"If you and I get into the classified archives on working with the station, we will be shot too. I don't know about the Alliance, but we are all equal. If they are not satisfied with something, it is better not to climb there. Well, or not to be offended afterwards," the General Secretary smiled. "Udina is probably furious now."

"Yes, half an hour ago he furiously devoured his lunch, now he is waiting for his English five o'clock tea. While Shepard runs around the Citadel with his tongue hanging out."

"I sent Rear Admiral Mikhailovich to the Citadel. To check out the Normandy. Like, you control us, and we control you. I think he will add gray hair to Udina. The scoundrel will forget the word "Spectre" when he begins to choke with indignation."

Kolesnikov smiled. An excellent choice of a controller. Mikhailovich was nasty and meticulous. And also self-confident to the point of insanity. And he could easily stump unprepared listeners with angrily fair phrases. Kolesnikov didn't like him too much, but now he was happy, knowing that everything he had to endure because of Udina would return to him in greater volume. It would be nice to lock these two up somewhere and watch them through a crack, giggling sneakily. And to make a bet with himself: which of them will be the first to go crazy and ask to go home to mommy. Kolesnikov would have bet on Udina, since it was difficult to make crusty Mikhailovich lose his temper.

"Establish contacts with Shepard. Persuade him to report to you personally, at least we will be aware of the situation," the Gensec advised. "Udina won't tell you anything even under torture."

"No, probably only under torture, he will tell. Even in Russian, if necessary. Even in the sign language, if you try very hard."

"It is unlikely that he will go for it," Kolesnikov doubted.

"Then recruit someone from his team. Why should I teach you? And if you manage to negotiate with someone from the crew, it will be just perfect. You can even get a "Star".

"Yeah. A fish one and on the chest. Or demotion for attempted recruitment. Or both, complete with a multi-year subscription to a prison," the spy thought.

"Do what you must," the General Secretary said finally.

Kolesnikov mentally applauded Shepard. In less than a day, he managed to collect evidence and complement the crew with new members. And he was glad that they were not humans. It meant that xenophobic sentiments did not rule the commander's brain. So, he didn't have much hatred for the Communists either. Misunderstanding someone else's mentality due to ignorance of the subtleties of the political system was not so terrible. Anyway, it's worth a shot. He just had to be careful about what words to choose.

"Congratulations, Shepard. The Alliance has long earned the right to be a part of this organization," Kolesnikov decided to start from afar.

"Didn't the USSR earn it?" a question immediately followed.

"We did not strive for this, so it is difficult for me to answer. If you prove to us that humanity should serve the Council in this way and for the benefit of all, then we will try to learn from experience and change the categorical policy."

"So I am a test subject in the eyes of the USSR? I'm already starting to feel used. Not the best start for cooperation."

Having heard the right word, Kolesnikov nodded to Shepard in the direction of the elevators, offering to move away. After hesitating, the commander followed Kolesnikov.

"It seems that Udina is much happier than me. You'd think he was the hero of the day," Shepard said in confusion, squinting at Udina.

"He thinks he's the hero. With your status, you brought him closer to his dream - to take a seat on the Council. A typical ambitious politician," Kolesnikov responded.

"Like you, it's worth noting," the commander quickly responded.

"You are mistaken. I was doing military service, not civil one. Believe me, all this is as wild to me as it is to you," the intel officer confessed, leaning on the railing and looking at the artificial pond. "I still don't understand what sins I was sent here for. We have an expression "don't get into other's sleigh," but there is no advice on how to act when you are dragged into this sleigh and tied up."

"What do you want from me? Sympathy?" Shepard asked bluntly.

"No. I want to ask for help and provide support in return," Kolesnikov turned around and looked into Shepard's eyes. "In any territory of the USSR, where you have to face Saren or the geth, the Defense Council will provide you with any assistance. Air, ground, whatever you need. Udina, because of your appointment is tied hand and foot by the Council. And the Alliance is with him. You were honored to become one of their elite agents, but a lot of responsibilities are added to this. The USSR, as a government, remains bound only by its laws and the treaty with the Alliance. Now the Alliance is accountable for every step to the Council. Therefore, the reactions to your requests will be slow. And don't forget about Udina, who cares about you only as long as you are a Spectre."

"I don't trust Udina," Shepard confessed, also leaning on the railing. "But the Communists too. And what do you want in return?"

"All the same information that you will send to Udina and the Council," Kolesnikov wanted to cross his fingers for luck.

"It looks like a treason," Shepard said thoughtfully. "And you risked a lot by talking about yourself and making such an offer to a Spectre."

"I was making an offer to a human," Kolesnikov corrected him. "I am not a politician, but an officer. And I'm much more concerned about the fate of humanity than Udina's ambitions. That's why I took the risk."

Shepard looked at the ambassador carefully.

"The phrase "Let's keep it between us" is missing."

"That would be better," Kolesnikov nodded.

"I need to think about it," Shepard said.

"Of course. In case of a positive decision, set up this channel. It is not tapped by anyone except me," he entered the data into the omni-tool.

"Shepard, Rear Admiral Mikhailovich arrived. He demands to let him on the ship immediately," Kolesnikov heard from the commander's omni-tool.

The intel officer smiled. Now Mikhailovich will start driving everyone crazy with his cavils, and he will nobly save the crew from humiliation and too long downtime at the docks. And Shepard will gratefully agree to report not only to the Council. Kolesnikov was definitely beginning to like Mikhailovich …

Thanks for reading!

Do not hesitate and write about all mistakes, translation screw-ups and your impression of the story itself)

Credits:

Author: Екатерина2 ( ficbook /authors/724290)

Fanfic: "Из СССР с любовью" ( ficbook /readfic/3443325/9028842)