Cold War: After the Bell

Prologue

June 10, 1981
Kastovia, Verdansk
USSR

With time on his hands, Anthony decided to look more into the report that started Stitch's distain for him.

Finding his way to his new quarters he opened a drawer at his desk and pulled out the file he decided to keep to himself. "Thomas B. Park." He uttered. That name was no coincidense. He found it ironic that years later he would in fact end up working along side that man's sister to help in the hunt for Perseus.

He recalled that conversation they shared that one night, before he left for a mission. She had told him how difficult it was to have gathered the small leads she did. Thinking about it now, he knew it was best that she wasn't here with him now. He began to realize that it will only be a matter of time before she discovers what actually happened that day in December of '69. He only hoped that he wouldn't have to face her when she asks him. But he wouldn't hesitate to kill her.

Setting that file aside, he began to wonder about his own family. He knew they were dead, but what bugged him is how they died. If his family didn't live in the middle of town, how would they have gotten caught in the midst of enemy fire?

Letting his mind get the best of him he made his way for the room not far from his quarters. Sliding his key card in, the door opened reavling tons of drawers each filled with many files. Just as the room in their previous base had been, the drawers were labeled with years. Seeing that he was already aligned with Perseus in '69 his family was already dead. His best guess was to go with '68. That was in fact the year he had first gotten an offer to work for the Red Army.

Opening the metal drawer he searched all the tabs until he came across one that was labeled October 15, 1968. The date seemed to ring a bell to him. Opening the folder, much of the document had been blacked out.

"See Operation Fire House for full debreif. Only avaliable to high ranking personel only." The bottom of the paper read.

Scanning over it once more he recognized a few  names of his faimly members along with descriptions of people that also must have been the rest of his family. He began to grow frustrated when he held the paper underneath a light only to discover it was exactly as Perseus had said: His father simply died a hero while the rest of his family unfortunatly got caught in enemy fire.

Certainly something else happened. His mother had told him! Or was it simply just an allusion conjured by his own mind from the snowy mountains extreme cold? If it was simply an allusion, then so be it. But he was determined to find out what really happened, no matter how long it took him. But he was willing to set aside the mystery to invest his time in bigger problems, such as the conflict within his own country. For now his own personal assignment would have to be put on hold. If he found evidence in the meantime, great. But he knew he would get to it eventually.

He placed the file back in its place and left the room to head back to his quarters and get some much needed rest.

June 2, 1981
CIA HQ: Langley

"Have you decided on who you want assigned to you?" Hudson asked noticing Park had a few files in hand.

"Yes, these three." She handed the first file across the desk to Hudson. "Wyatt Jones, or his allias, Bulldozer."

"Enlisted at age 18. Seems to be quite determined to serve for his country." Hudson said as he examined the file. "CQB and hostage rescue expert.. Well if he's the one you want, I'll give your request to the President. Who's next?"

"Samantha Maxis." She said handing over the second file.

"Maxis? Are you sure about this one?"

"Just read the file Hudson."

"I already know everything about her. But do you understand how dedicated she is to Reqiem. We don't even fully understand where she came from, her entire background is shady. The only reason the CIA hasn't dove deeper into it is because of .. well lets just say because of her good friend Weaver. But just because shes former BND doesn't mean she's going to perform well in this task force."

"Don't you realize that the first time we tried this you put me along side a damaged, unstable agent. He didn't even know his own name, and he performed quite well until the end that is. So yes, I understand where her loyalties lie but once she hears about what I'm doing I think it will interest her very much."

Hudson sighed as he put a hand to his forehead. "Fine, I'll let the President know." He said looking up once again.

"Our third and final one, John Baker."

"The Scout Sniper?" Hudson assumed.

"Yes."

"I hear he's got a but of a temper."

"Well thats one reason Adler had planned on possibly recruiting him once our little mishap was over and finished with. He had told me once that his temper was never going to be an issue. Time as a Navy Seal will certainly prep him for this op."

"Well Park, I think you've certainly picked up a bit of Adler's insanity when it comes to Maxis, but overall it seems like you've got a strong group going." Hudson said as he handed back the file. "Here's coordinates for the new safehouse, once the President approves your team, they'll be out there in a few days. Anthing else I can do for you agent?"

"Well, I do have one request." She became hesitant on finishing her sentence.

"Which is?"

"I want all evidence surround Bell's creation and existence handed over to me. If we're going to hunt for Perseus then any intel we gathered from Bell could be useful to us.

Hudson sighed once more. "Theres no reason as to why you need that. Bell's dead anyways, at least thats what you told us during your debrefing, correct?" He adjusted his glasses on his face, seeming a bit skeptical.

"Yes, but the entire reason we know as much as we do about Perseus is because of Bell. So I need those files Hudson."

"Theres not many left, most we burned along with the old safehouse."

"Your kidding?" She asked

"No, its because of that failed subject that the safehouse was burned down! Its because of him that this country is almost on it's last leg. People are starting to turn on one another. Some are even switching sides. Last week we had 25 soldiers change their minds and defect to the USSR, 23 we were able to put down once they tried to take out most of their squad but... nevermind. The point is, I'll give you what we have left, but you can't show those files to any of the new team members. They're disclosed to you and Sims only. Now please leave before you ask me for anything else."

"Wasn't difficult at all Hudson, was it?" She said on her way out of the room.