The Russian Slender Experiment

Chapter 6:R & R

May 24 ,1981

St.Petersburg

11:32 PM

"The attack was attributed to a group funded by the CIA."

Typical, Max thought as he lay on the couch, watching the late night Soviet news. Well, the only channel that was broadcasting at this time. He listened to the male host ramble on as he downed his drink. This was his idea of a vacation.  Sitting in his flat in St.Petersburg, drinking his nights away.

"The casualties were high, but the morale and perseverance of the military is higher than before. Despite our heavy losses, our forces were able to inflict much larger losses on the terrorist forces."

Something isn't adding up, Max frowned. First, a base annihilated in Helmand and now a massive insurgent attack on another military base? Why didn't HQ notify me of an impending attack of this caliber?

Too tired and wasted to even question why all of this did not click, the young agent turned his gaze out the window toward the lights of St.Petersburg which were lighting up the dark sky. The Raketa Clock tower simmered a bright gold in the distance, its clock glowing like a bright blue moon. The sight enthralled him, but just as he was about to drift off, the next segment of the news caught his attention.

"We have been informed that reports of missing children have been filed in nearly a dozen countries,  including our own land,"the news reporter explained.  "Reports are surfacing in France, South Africa, Germany, England,the United States, Italy, Brazil,  Japan, Australia, and even a few locations inside the Motherland including Moscow, Ryazan,Kiev, and Odessa. While it is not clear what is behind this sudden disappearance of these children, police all over the world are attributing the cause to child traffickers. "

"What in the name of Lenin?"Maxim muttered in disbelief. "All those children from different countries, huh? This is surreal!"

Something was definitely up and he had planned to get to the bottom of it if it was the last thing he did.

---

Caspian Military Base

Dagestan, USSR

Same Time

" Smirno!"

All the occupants inside the garage of the base turned to see Major Dragunov , flanked by two black-clad and masked GRU security agents and his aide Svetlana, standing at the entrance. Major Dragunov and his entourage faced the military men as the GRU leader started his speech.

"Priviet , soldiers of the Motherland," the GRU leader began. "With permission of General Soldatenko, I decided to embed some GRU personnel within your unit. I have learned that you are supposed to be on alert for possible insurgent gatherings within the area which I know you are quite capable of handling, but it wouldn't help to have some of my men provide extra eyes and ears within your infantry, tank, scout, air, and even Spetsnaz units.Are there any objections to this plan?"

As expected,no one spoke up. No sane person would ever object to the demands of the GRU or even the KGB. Those who did suffered a not so delightful fate. In other words, you couldn't say no.

"Khorosho, now without further adieu,  continue doing a good job serving the Motherland,. Dragunov saluted. The soldiers and officers of various ranks returned the salute as the GRU Major , along with his escorts, left the base. As soon as they entered the chilly night on their way to the helicopter that would escort them back home, Svetlana grabbed the Major's hand.

"Sir, do you really think that rebel groups might actually congregate here of all places?" she asked, the wind flipping her wavy blonde hair around as she glanced at her superior with her icy blue eyes.