Cargo 069. Александр Скуридин

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      After coming back to his office, General Larin called the commander of the secret military unit to have the so-called “negotiations”.

      The negotiations between the head of Analytical Department and Colonel Burlak were pretty short. Leonid Mikhailovich was not surprised by Eagle’s Solomon decision and suggested, as he said, an “alternative solution”:

      “Sergei Petrovich, you should explain to Lieutenant General that we have the opportunity to put a hypnotic block against the experimenters. In this case, they will not be able to influence our political elite in any way.”

      “I’m afraid that Igor Ivanovich,” General emphasized his boss’s name, “will not be satisfied with this measure because of… some features of his character.”

      “The trait of being careful first of all!” The Colonel said cheerfully.

      “I didn’t say that, Leonid Mikhailovich!” Larin allowed himself to smile.

      “But we both thought about it…” Burlak suddenly went serious and made a suggestion: “I know how can we impress our dearest Igor Ivanovich. Lieutenant General, you will need to convince our Deputy Head that the Americans have already started preparing for such a settlement.

      First, it gives a unique opportunity to control any politician. Second, it’s a way to physical immortality. Why wouldn’t our Commander-In-Chief clone himself, for example, and then easily transfer the consciousness into his own clone?”

      “Is that really possible?..” “Well, it’s not us who’ll decide on the clone,” General replied to the long Colonel’s speech and turned thoughtful. “As for the Americans… that’s a great idea.” Our curator will definitely agree with the suggestion to throw cold water on the frisky Yankees. Meanwhile, let Lieutenant Colonel Bystrov and Captain Kotov work out the program. And then, well, let’s see. I also think that the advanced level of the Americans in this will force our dearest Igor Ivanovich to take a fresh look at the essence of the issue.

      Chapter 6

      That morning Lieutenant Colonel Wood was inspecting the military unit he commanded. They were waiting for a very important person here in Fort Myers, Congressman Jimmy Scott, the recently appointed Head of the Secret Missions Commission.

      The funding of battle mages depended largely on him. Yes, these guys were funded from Pentagon but they were involved in special missions not only by orders of the Armed Forces. Mostly, it was behind-the-scene specialists from Langley office who were interested in sensitives’ capabilities.

      Major Archibald Gottlieb was obediently following his commander.

      “Faithful Gottlieb” – this is how Archie once called himself at a friendly feast. But was it true? Without any doubt, Major was an excellent professional in his specific field. But was he loyal indeed and should his boss expect some weird tricks from him?..

      Gottlieb was eager to go to India and Tibet. It was nice, since a trip to the East could help getting some fresh knowledge. But they should keep an eye on Archie and Miss Betsy there. They should appear unexpectedly. This is how they could see whether Gottlieb was faithful or not. This couple could easily apply knowledge and skills for their own selfish purposes. In this case, it’s not only the reputation of him, Flenry Wood, who can go down the drain, but also all further career opportunities.

      The class jumped up, showing genuine reverence, as soon as the big brass appeared in the room.

      “At ease!” Wood commanded.

      The students and the teacher took their seats.

      He paid attention to Miss Gordon teaching the class: “Very pretty although she recently gave birth to a child…”

      The teacher of sensitive disciplines and Major Gottlieb were the most powerful mages of the unit, its so-called “core”. That’s why a certain caution and endurance were required when dealing with Archibald. Like the Russians say, measure thrice and cut once, or, as they sing, “better do it once forty times…” This tactic is especially applicable to Betsy.

      Recently, Gordon had such a passionate affair with one of the cadets that they even managed to stir the all-female officer’s dorm. This newly appeared drunk Romeo was trying to get through Betsy’s window at two o’clock in the morning. It would be ok, but Romeo made a mistake climbing into the room of two cadets and staring feeling up one of them. Naturally, their cries have been heard over the entire building. Finally, it came to the garrison commander and they had to expel the indigent drunkard.

      The “Betsy” mission should definitely be fulfilled in a little different way: they should first send this perfect couple to a joint trip to India, to tantra followers.[2] Archie would never resist Betsy’s charms after an impressive ceremony and being in the Tantric mood. That could be an obvious reason to keep a disobedient deputy in his place.

      Yes! This is what they definitely needed to do!..

      The inspection didn’t show any shortcomings so Lieutenant Colonel returned to his office. An hour later they phoned him from the checkpoint and reported that Congressman had arrived. Henry Wood ran to the gate personally to greet the “very important person”.

      By the evening, the American reconnaissance delivered an important and timely report: “Major Archibald Gottlieb and Sergeant Betsey Gordon, Secret Army officers from Fort Myers, flew to India. After that, they follow to China, and then to Tibet.”

      It gave a food for reflection.

      Chapter 7

      Dmitry Bystrov and Vitya Kotov took the news of the suspension of such important experiments very hard. They understood what it was all about. All sober-minded officers knew Eagle’s nature and his pathological indecisiveness in all important but not entirely understandable issues. In such cases, he tried to secure himself with the good old “safe side” principle. But the Deputy Head was a former military officer checked in military difficulties and complexities. He even was wounded once.

      And besides, all orders are peremptory. The fact that Igor Ivanovich called his decision a recommendation did not change anything. Prudent General Larin did not dedicate his friends to all these semantic subtleties.

      Besides, the nature of the Deputy Head was not very much discussed in the system. Sometimes somebody spoke about this in an ironic manner. But that was all, since something “more” could undermine leader’s authority.

      And as you know, the intentions and actions of bosses are inscrutable.

      Administrative “tops” ignored the specific traits of Igor Ivanovich’s character. It was worthwhile to have such a cautious leader in our difficult times. You can easily make the wrong move and…

      Igor Ivanovich never made big mistakes. He had a couple of minor fails, but they had no effect on the overall positive outcome of the case. That’s why higher authorities appreciated and respected Lieutenant General.

      However, when it was up to deal with the issue “for the sake of the Motherland” in detail, Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate did it in a quick and aggressive way. He discarded all of his eagle maneuvering and started acting with a fair amount of gradual and petty scrupulousness.

      And now Igor Ivanovich called General Larin and Colonel Burlak to his office in the very morning.

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