A/N: I've got a few guys in my mind's eye playing out some of the parts I've been writing about. See if you can spot the subtle hints!
"I assume that the meeting with the governor went well."
Yevin groaned. He had not expected this particular topic to crop up today, especially among the people with him. They were his inner circle of advisers, men he could trust to deliver calm decisions and opinions even under the face of enemy fire.
"I can safely say it is best left forgotten," he replied.
"Yes, Tarenin's private secretary told me all about it," replied Major General Boris Churbanov. "He's a fine young man, Alexei. It came up when he visited my daughter, with whom he has a somewhat romantic relationship."
"Congratulations on that, Boris," said Yevin, clicking their glasses of vodka for a toast. "Do join in, my young comrades!" he told the others.
"Now, I have promised Tarenin that I will look into the 'militant affair' with all assets," he said after downing his vodka. "Lev, Vyacheslav, what's your say on this?"
"We have mobilized all men under our direct command," replied Lieutenant Lev Arigov. "Since it's our job to train the Groznyy Militia, we've seen this as an excellent opportunity to train them in what I call 'intelligence gathering techniques.'"
"I hope you're not talking about torture," said Yevin.
"Of course not, Comrade General," replied Arigov. "Technically, we call it 'passive aggressive interrogation,' but I like to call it 'soft threatening.'"
"That's a curious idea," said Churbanov. "Please do explain."
"Usually, when we threaten a person, we look angry." This came from Lieutenant Vyacheslav Klimov. "Passive aggressive interrogation, or soft threatening as Lev likes to call it, aims to scare an individual while the examiner maintains a calm and peaceful demeanor, like what he's threatening to do is all in a day's work, as the Americans like to say."
"It sounds effective," said Yevin. "How much information have you gathered that way?"
"As of now, none," Klimov admitted. "But I'm about to do a dry run later in the afternoon. Lev here would've done it, but he's a little more emotional than me. He can't keep his feelings bottled up for long."
Arigov made a halfhearted punch at Klimov, who quickly ducked down. "No, he's serious, Comrade General," he said. "We have a promising target lined up in our sights, ripe for the picking."
"I'm glad that you two have a plan to extract information from our prisoners without resorting to torture," said Yevin. "I'm laying a lot on the line here. I have given my word to Tarenin to solve this mystery expediently, and I have no intention of breaking my word, especially to the governor. I'm trusting on you two to give Tarenin and his committees something good and juicy to investigate. Are we clear on that?"
"Yes, Comrade General!"
"Sir, there's a Private Abramov from the Committee for State Security asking for you. He says he's also accompanying a Lieutenant Kumilyova and a Lieutenant Atolova."
"Kumilyova and Atolova?" said Klimov. "Can't say I've heard those names before."
"This Abramov guy says he's from the KGB, but I don't remember us doing anything to violate state security," said Arigov. "Send them in."
Abramov was ordinary enough. Like all KGB agents that they've met, he was obsessed with letting everyone know who he worked for. The women, though, were a different matter altogether.
It was as if Hollywood had come to Chechnya. The women looked like some actresses over there named Selena something and Demi something…
Carter and Rosie were similarly taken aback. Arigov and Klimov looked like the last people you would expect to be Russian officers. They resembled Cory Baxter and Newt Livingston from Cory in the House, which also reminded them of Colonel Kulyuchev, who bore a striking resemblance to President Martinez.
Abramov, sensing the questions forming in their minds, stepped in. "Let me tell you one thing, comrades. You are not American actors and actresses; you are four Russian officers under the employ of the Red Army and the Committee for State Security. So, will everyone please calm down?"
For once, everybody listened. They all took their seats. "I will be leaving now," said Abramov. "I have to submit my report to the Comrade Chairman."
The four just gazed at each other until Rosie broke the silence. "Colonel Fedorova sends her regards," she said.
"Colonel Fedorova," muttered Arigov. "Of course."
Klimov motioned for a quiet conversation. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"I've thought about it. The Director thinks that Chechnya is quickly becoming a high-risk assignment for Governor Tarenin. They've sent these two over to help us on the off chance that a revolution will develop in Chechnya. I remember Dudayev. Do you?"
"You don't have to tell me twice."
"Who's the Dudayev guy?" asked Carter.
"Dzhokhar Dudayev, leader of the first independent Chechen state. He was killed by a Russian rocket strike back in 1996, similar to what happened to Daryaei. Rumors are that the CIA helped in triangulating his satellite phone's signal."
"Uh."
The two officers noticed that the women were listening to their conversation. "Ty po russkiy," said Arigov. You speak Russian.
"Da," replied Rosie. "It's good to know the language of one's enemy, don't you think?" she continued in Russian.
"It is," said Arigov in English. "Well, we've settled our differences. I guess that we'll all be waiting here until the shit hits the fan and we have to evacuate Tarenin."
A/N: Yes, I see Cory as Lieutenant Arigov, Newt as Lieutenant Klimov, and President Martinez as Colonel Kulyuchev! I'm planning on revealing who the others have been in future chapters. Wait and see who those guys are!