The Great Game (closed)

[magbeam]

January 1954
Moscow

Stalin has been dead for several months, and the leading figures of the Politburo are vying for power. Malenkov, Bulganin, Khruschev, Zhukov, and Molotov engage in everything short of all-out war against each other. Three weeks ago Beria, once also a contender, lost when, in a rare moment of unity, the other contenders united and ordered his arrest and execution.

The disruption - albeit temporary - to the Soviet intelligence/counterintelligence system, along with the political vacuum caused by the loss of the Man of Steel, has caused a minor crisis in the minds of the Moscow power-players, giving each of them additional resolve to take command and provide firm leadership. Who knows what such an opportunity might afford to the Western powers who would seek to destroy Communism - or those within the Union, to whom the crisis might breed dissatisfaction...

OOC: This is a sequel to the An Enemy of the People thread. It is reserved for Lady Mornington and myself.

---

Edvards Celmins looked out at Moscow through the windows of the limo as it took him from the airport to the Swedish embassy. Even after all these years, it was the first time he had ever seen the heart of the Red Empire. He had almost been to Moscow once before, ten years earlier. He smiled, rather grimly. If he and his friends had managed to visit Moscow then, things would be much different now. But it was useless to speculate on what might or might not be.

Celmins was a fit man, in his early thirties, a Latvian by birth. He had immigrated to Sweden with his family during the war. A lawyer fluent in Swedish, he was now being sent to the Swedish embassy in Moscow, as a new attache.

Of course, that was the official record. The reality was somewhat different. Celmins really was a Latvian lawyer who had emigrated to Sweden with his family in the war. However he was a captain in the King's Life Guards, and was a spy for military intelligence. This was his third trip within the Soviet Union, although the other two had been recon missions into Red-occupied Latvia. Now he was being sent into the belly of the beast.

Of course, he supposedly had 'diplomatic immunity.' But then again, so did the American agent in Moscow who had vanished into Lubyanka a few months ago, and whose track he was supposed to discover...among other things. This current chaos provided possible options that might not be available elsewhen. Celmins knew the risks of being too cocky, on the other hand. This Yank had too, and look where it had gotten him. But with the two recon planes shot down by the Reds, his Swedish bosses were getting a bit antsy. They would want something.

He sighed as the limo entered the Swedish Embassy compound, the gated entrance swinging shut behind him. A chauffer opened the door for him and he stepped out, hoisting his suitcase out before him. As far as most of them knew, he was merely the lawyer, the attache. Celmins would get settled in before getting his assignment from the local chief at the Embassy. Despite his knowledge that impatience would get him killed, he felt a certain eagerness to get to work. The sooner he got to work, the sooner he could help destroy those who had destroyed his homeland.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Major Elsa Hildebrandt

It was nothing but a polite way to say that one was demoted. There was no other way to describe the situation that Elsa had ended up in. Liason between the Military District of Moscow and a Swedish military attaché. Not the head one at that but some lower clerk. A useful idiot in so much as the Swedes used that term.

Things had not gone Elsa's way since the unfortunate events taking place during the cooperation with the Cheka. She had been taken from active service in the GRU and placed behind a desk to write reports that no one would read. Elsa suspected that it had to do with the NKVD taking the credit for apprehending the American spy Masters. It was nothing she could have done to prevent it but the GRU needed a scapegoat and what better than to have the Balt-Jewess take the blame.

Elsa was well aware that she wasn't considered a proper Soviet. A German name and a Jewish ancestry did not exactly endear one in to the rank and file, nor to the intelligentia. Perhaps it was why Elsa had begun to doubt the merits of Communism. This was furthered by the apprehension of her lover Alexandr who had 'disappeared' just after the interrogation that Elsa had carried out in Lubyanka Prison. She suspected that Colonel Koskov had something to do with it and that it was his vengeance for her refusal to go to bed with him.

That's why she was standing outside the Ministry of Defence waiting for the Swede to arrive and get his accreditation. It was a further snub that she'd be assigned to handle a Swede. The GRU had a classification of the European countries. Hard and Soft ones. West Germany, Britain and France were considered hard countries and intelligence gathering was quite risky. The soft countries on the other hand, Scandinavia, Austria and the Netherlands were little more than a training area for aspiring GRU officers.

Elsa took a deep draught on her cigarette and straightened her cap. Relations to the westen neighbour wasn't at the best right now. The Red Airforce had shot down a Swedish aircraft just a few week earlier. It was obvious that they had been carrying out signal surveilance and had sneaking along the the Soviet airspace just outside the Estonian SSR. She didn't trust the Swedes no more than she trusted the Finns. Bastards the lot of them and enemies of Russia and the Baltic republics. She was well versed with the Imperial ambitions of the Swedes that had only been crushed a century ago. Comrade Stalin should have invaded both Finland and Sweden when he had the chance. Had not the so-called democratic socialist goverment of Sweden supported the Finnish fascists during the Winter War and even during the War of Aggression? She did not belive for a second that the so called peaceful governments of neutral Finland and Sweden would align themselves with the USSR should it come to a conflict with the West. Norway and Denmark were proof enough, both having joined the aggressive pact NATO.

As she saw the limousine pull up she recalled a saying that her father had used during her childhood in independent Latvia. "Vecie Labie Sviedru Laiki" which roughly translated into "The Good Days of Swedish Rule".

"Well we'll just have to see about that shall we."

Steeling herself as she assumed attention for the visiting attaché.

 

[magbeam]

Celmins had washed up, changed into uniform, and gotten a bite to eat before meeting the station chief. In the embassy's basement, of course. Some things were just too ingrained to change, no matter how melodramatic.

The talk with the chief had been brief. He had been shown a picture of Masters, the American who had gone missing while trying to gain information on the Strategic Soviet Rocket Forces, and a long-range photograph of his accomplice, a secretary of Beria named Zinaida Sokolovskaya whose beauty was apparent even in the grainy photograph. She, too, had gone missing, just before Masters. Two and two were easy to put together, and Celmins doubted she was still very pretty.

But then again, she was a secretary to Beria and therefore likely a toy of the pervert, so probably it was a blessing. Given the current climate in Moscow, many of those arrested by the NKVD on the whims of Stalin and Beria were being pardoned - quietly, still ostracized, but pardoned - by the Politburo. It was unlikely that two spies would be among those released, but the situation was chaotic, and they had been arrested so shortly before this mess began, and the Chief promised that they would keep a lookout for them in the trains back from Siberia.

Celmins nodded, taking out a Pall Mall and lighting it, before offering it to the Chief, who politely declined. He inhaled deeply, enjoying the coarse feeling. Much better than the dried donkey shit the Reds use for smokes, he reflected wryly. He had used that to his advantage in his two previous sorties. He wondered if a ranking Red Army officer would also feel the lure. If he was careful, he would likely find out.

"So, who'se the Red bastard I'm going to have to toe with?" he asked, inhaling again.

The Chief smiled. "You're going to like this." He slid across a glossy photo attached to a dossier, and Celmins stubbed out his cigarette, whistling as he picked it up. A blonde bombshell in a Red Army uniform. He found it hard to believe someone like her would be a serious member of the Soviet military as opposed to a member of the oldest profession dressing up for a cadet graduation ceremony or something.

He reluctantly flipped the photo over, browsing through the dossier, looking up again almost instantly.

"Elsa Hildebrandt? What kind of a Russian is this? I thought they deported all their Germans away to Turkestan during the war?"

The Chief shrugged again. "Who knows what went through their heads. Maybe it's what she took into hers." They both chuckled as Celmins continued to read.

"GRU...boyfriend vanished...Latvian...Ah, I see." It all started to click.

"Jewish, too," the Chief added. "I hope that won't be a problem?"

Celmins sneered inwardly, but kept his outer calm. As much as they appreciated him and his work, his...previous employment still seemed to be something they couldn't get over. "She could be an American Negro and I still wouldn't care if it'll help us get our goal."

The Chief raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. "One other thing," he added as Celmins finished up reading her file. "She was seen entering and leaving Lubyanka the day that Masters and his little girlfriend disappeared. Strange for a GRU, huh? And with Masters trying to gain Red Army secrets? Of course, it's likely a coincidence."

"Yeah, sure," Celmins replied, putting the file down and lighting another cigarette. His mind was swirling. What a strange specimen. He couldn't wait to meet het.

That had been two hours ago, and now his limo was appraoching the MoD compound, and he saw a blonde figure waiting for him. Leaving the car, he stepped up to her, the woman stiffening as he approached.

He saluted, then extended his hand. "Major...Hildebrandt? Captain Edvards Celmins. It seems that we will be working together."

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Major Elsa Hildebrandt

Elsa finished her cigarette as the black Volvo pulled up and the attache stepped out. He was taller than her and wearing the uniform of the King's Life Guards denoting him as a captain. She had studied most uniforms and insignia of the Western defence forces and would have known even before he introduced himself. Celmins. That was a Latvian name, and for a second she almost lost her focus. That made sense, the Swedes sending a Latvian born attaché was a subtle way of telling the Soviet Union that they had not forgotten their claim to the Baltic republics.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Captain Celmins. May I take the opportunity to welcome you to the Soviet Union and further extend my sincere hope that our collaboration will strenghten the bond between our peace-loving peoples. I'm Major Hildebrandt and will act as your liason."

She declined to shake his hand. There were still issues about Latvians that grated at her nerves. The memories of how her mother had been treated by the supposedly democratic government, not to mention the average Latvian, because of her Jewish roots was still a sore that Elsa had never allowed to heal. The Latvians were a race of fascists, that much was clear. Had not they themselves declared Latvia as being 'Judenfrei', cleansed of jews during the German occupation. There were also the two volunteer divisions of Latvians in the Waffen-SS. The 15 and the 19 Panzergreandier divisions, bearing the red and white insignia beneath the skull and crossed bones of the SS:

Elsa wondered briefly whether Celmins had been a volunteer and if so whether he'd been a fighting soldier or belonging to the Totenkopfverbände, the infamous guards of the concentration-camps. It wouldn't surprise her if he was.

Putting her thoughts away for a second as they entered the small datcha that lay in the garden of the Ministry of Defence. It was usually here that attachés got to meet the commanders of the Red Army and be introduced. It was also a good way of sussing the foreigner out in order to see if he could be turned to work for the USSR.

"I'm sure you are aware of the protocoll Captain Celmins. You are to present your credentials, which is a mere formality and then we have some tea with Marshal Primakov."

She walked a pace or so in front of Celmins, unwilling to engage in any conversation. It didn't feel good at all, first the fact that he was Latvian but also the doubts Elsa had started to experience as to the merits of Socialism. She had tried to convince herself that it was an irrational response to Alexandr's disappearence but she suspected it might be something deeper and more sinister.

Opening the door to the datcha and annoncing their arrival to the corporal on guard who politely took her cap and coat and did the same for Celmins. Elsa could not resist rolling her eyes at the sight of the augilittes that adrorned his grey uniform. The Swedes still assumed to play at being a martial people even though Russia had comprehensively beaten that out of them in 1809.

"Shall we proceed Captain?" Elsa intoned the order subtly but not refraining from letting him know that it was just an order.

 

[magbeam]

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Captain Celmins. May I take the opportunity to welcome you to the Soviet Union and further extend my sincere hope that our collaboration will strenghten the bond between our peace-loving peoples. I'm Major Hildebrandt and will act as your liason."

"Thank you for welcoming me to your fine country, Major," he answered. Of course, despite the official truth, this was not his first assignment to the Soviet Union, and he found it anything but 'fine.' She could likely guess the latter; the former was...his little secret.

Celmins held his hand out for a second longer, before letting it drop as she made no move to take it. It didn't bother him, but he filed it away in the back of his head. The first entry in his library of personal information on Elsa Hildebrandt. Anything and everything had potential future value.

He took the opportunity to study her. Hildebrandt was even more striking in the flesh than in her picture. Many men said that of many women, but Celmins had had the opportunity to compare many such examples and knew that it was far from always true. In her case, it was. He would certainly try to bed her. He couldn't even make out any of the physical distinctions of Jewishness.

She walked in front of him, leading him to the dacha, granting him a nice view of her swaying hips. Certainly not mannish in that regard, but clearly she was intelligent, resourceful, clever - to be a Germanic Jew from the Baltic nations and served during the war, and survived the quiet purges afterwards, she would have to be.

Not for the first time, Celmins wondered what could have made such a clearly intelligent, capable woman betray her country to the Red Empire that gobbled it up. Then, he mentally shrugged. Perhaps she was no more of a Communist than he was a fascist. If a man was fighting a mad dog and someone handed him a stick, one wouldn't inquire into his politics. Perhaps she had thought that Stalin would be better on the Balts than Hitler. And on the other hand, maybe she was a die-hard Bolshevist brainwashed by her Jewish heritage. Celmins knew better than to make assumptions, either way.

They arrived at the dacha's entrance. "I'm sure you are aware of the protocoll Captain Celmins. You are to present your credentials, which is a mere formality and then we have some tea with Marshal Primakov."

Ah, let the chess match commence, he thought. But on the outside, he only smiled. "Of course, Major," he said graciously, as they entered. "I'm looking forward to having genuine Russian tea from a genuine Russian samovar." No mention he had drunk it before and it was pure shit, but he guessed a Hero of the Soviet Union would have better drinks than an extremely minor Party official in Riga.

As the corporal took their coats and hats, he noticed less than enthusiastic response to his uniform's merits - all hard earned, along with other ones that his masters couldn't or wouldn't let him wear. So he allowed himself a slight ogle of her now-coatless uniform. Nothing too egregious, of course, just a quick swipe with his eyes. Fair was fair, and he certainly didn't want to embarass himself with such lowbrow antics in front of the Marshal.

"Shall we proceed Captain?" she asked, just a shade short of being petulant, and he had to hide the urge to laugh. As if he was one of their little Russian wind-up dolls to be ordered around. For that, he took a few seconds to fiddle with invisible threads or slightly-tilted medals, before looking up and giving her a smile.

"Of course, Major. I certainly wouldn't want to keep such a vaulted Hero of the Soviet Union waiting." The man was no Zhukov, but he had officially been the great victor of the Second Battle of Brest-Litovsk. A bloodbath won only because superior Soviet numbers overwhelmed superior German strategy, leadership, and materiel, but a victory was a victory to the Soviets, and a hero was a hero - especially one who had enough faults to reassure Stalin.

The Marshal was an overweight, tall figure with bushy eyebrows and a jovial disposition, sided by two stern-faced aides, a colonel and a lieutenant colonel. Primakov's plate of medals across his uniform jangled as he reached over to shake Celmins' hand after they saluted, which was followed by a toast of high-proof vodka by all to the everlasting friendship between Sweden and the Soviet Union. That was how you knew you were with professionals, Celmins ruminated, you could lie sincerely and in style.

The vodka flowed down Celmins' throat, warming him, although he noticed that the Major seemed not to enjoy it. Another little factoid, secured in his brain. They sat down, in a semi-circle around a table, as aides brought in tea and black bread that they broke. Primakov spoke of the goodwill that all Soviets had towards their peace-loving, nonaligned friends across the border; Celmins spoke of the deep respect the Swedes had for the country that had spearheaded the destruction of Hitler's empire.

It was all very formal, very dry, and very boring. Neither side spoke of anything of actual interest or importance - such as the missing spy, the shot down recon planes, or the fact that Sweden was quite clearly leaning towards the Western powers. Celmins felt sorry for the lowlevel GRU staffers who had to listen to the hidden recording devices.

Finally, after an hour, the meeting was over, the Marshal begging off for his other quite pressing duties - likely guzzling vodka or getting Zhukov's laundry. Celmins, Primakov, and the others rose; he saluted and shook hands of all the Reds, resisting the urge to wipe his hand on his pants after each turn, and finally recovered his hat and coat from the polite corporal. Hildebrandt leading the way, he made his way back to the limosine that would return him to the Swedish Embassy, so he could file his first report. The thought was enough to just fill Celmins with excitement.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Major Elsa Hildebrandt

She kept her distance from Celimins as they rode through Moscow, heading for the Embassy. Her own escort would pick her up there and the courtesey that he offered was purely due to protocoll.

Elsa found it hard to speak to him, not only because he was Latvian but also because her own increased doubts as to the merits of the Soviet system. In a way Celmins was a ghost that reminded her of her father's country and all the hopes that had be crushed at the feet of the Red Army.

"Where you born in Latvia Captain Celmins, I'm sorry I mean the Latvian SSR. I understand that a number of your countrymen took refuge in Sweden when the Red Army liberated the Baltic SSRs from the fascist oppressors in 1944. I believe a number of those had been serving with the Fascists during the war. I'm sure you did not belong to those Captain."

She sat back again and lit a cigarette, filling the interior of the car with the sharp smoke of the citizen issue cigarette. "I myself was born in Latvia Captain Celmins. It proves the superiority of the Soviet System does it not that a Baltic-German Jew could rise to such level does it not. I understand that it is different in the West, I have yet to visit the United States but as far as I understand it, the blacks are still treated little better than slaves. And as for Britain there's the issue of the oppressed Irish. Thankfully your country does not stoop so low. Further I admire the ice-hockey team, one of the few which is worth admiring. Perhaps one day people like you and I will be obsolete, and that our differences will be resolved in more peacefull manners."

The car pulled up and Elsa stepped smartly outside. "I will have a meeting with you on Wednesday Captain Celmins. I recommend Hotel Moscow. Shall we say 13:00? Good I look forward seeing you."

With that she got in the Volga and left the compound. He was a cold fish that Celmins and one that needed to be watched. Elsa was certain that he must have served with the Waffen-SS and she'd discover in just what position.

 

[magbeam]

Celmins kept his distance from Hildebrandt as they sat down. Certainly it was too early for them to get chummy. He kept his eyes off her as well as he looked out the window during the drive, seeing the dreary Soviet architecture occasionally punctuated by Orthodox cathedral defaced with red stars at their summits. He only turned his gaze back to, languidly, when she spoke.

"Where you born in Latvia Captain Celmins, I'm sorry I mean the Latvian SSR. I understand that a number of your countrymen took refuge in Sweden when the Red Army liberated the Baltic SSRs from the fascist oppressors in 1944. I believe a number of those had been serving with the Fascists during the war. I'm sure you did not belong to those Captain." She began to light a cigarette, the rough smoke filling the compartment. He did not object, thinking it too early to offer her one of his cherished Pall Malls, and took the opportunity to answer her taunts.

"You were correct the first time, Major. Latvia was still an independent state when we were born there." He of course had no idea when she was born, but given how she looked, it was likely in the time of brief independence - and his reminding her that when she was born she owed no allegiance to Russia was his first riposte in the game of manipulation she had just begun.

"But I was born outside of Riga. And I did what I had to do to make it during the war. A survivor such as you should understand." He didn't need to point out to her what he had actually done, at least not yet, and it would be the height of counterproductivity to do so. And truth be told, he was glad to drop the subject. That period in his time brought up too many painful memories, even after almost one and a half decades. Oh, Daina... Thankfully, Hildebrandt didn't seem to notice, taking the opportunity to continue with her spiel.

"I myself was born in Latvia Captain Celmins. It proves the superiority of the Soviet System does it not that a Baltic-German Jew could rise to such level does it not. I understand that it is different in the West, I have yet to visit the United States but as far as I understand it, the blacks are still treated little better than slaves. And as for Britain there's the issue of the oppressed Irish. Thankfully your country does not stoop so low. Further I admire the ice-hockey team, one of the few which is worth admiring. Perhaps one day people like you and I will be obsolete, and that our differences will be resolved in more peacefull manners."

"I do not know what you mean, Major," Celmins said, innocent confusion in his voice masking a small blip of concern - did she know his true nature? "I was under the impression that our duties were to help continue the state of peace and friendship our nations enjoy, and I am sure that diplomatic attaches will always be needed. It is indeed a testament to your new country that one such as you could rise through the ranks. I do sympathise, however, as it must be lonely being the only Balt-German not enjoying temporary relocation to Turkestan."

He allowed a small smile to cross his face, as they approached the embassy.

"But thank you for the compliments on our hockey team. If you're ever in Stockholm, it would be my pleasure to take you to a game."

He again smiled at the small jab, the second of his probes, as they left the limosine. It wasn't the possible date - Anna certainly would not approve, not that family trumped his assignment, and he still wished to bed her - but rather giving her the idea of being in Stockholm. If she replied, Celmins missed it before she spoke.

"I will have a meeting with you on Wednesday Captain Celmins. I recommend Hotel Moscow. Shall we say 13:00? Good I look forward seeing you."

"I look forward to it as well, Major Hildebrandt. Good day." They saluted and she entered her Volga, driving off, and he entered the building.

-----

The Station Chief listened intently, absorbing everything that Celmins related about his first encounter. Celmins would of course still write up a detailed report on it to submit, and the Chief still would read it unsparingly, but both men preferred to have a chance to speak/listen first. The Chief only interrupted twice.

When Celmins was relating his fear of he knowing his real identity, he tsked it away. "There's no conceivable way they could know and either allow you in or not get you when they had the chance. Still, we'll look into it. The fact you're still with us means we won't pull you out now."

And when he mentioned their rendezvous point for Wednesday: "You know, that's the place where they nabbed Masters."

Celmins paused again, to look at him. "Should I be worried?" he asked, even though he knew the Chekists to be beyond such petty games as nabbing all their Westerners in the same hotel.

Again, the Chief shook his head. "Nah. Mind games. Seeing if you know anything about Masters. You know how to respond to that."

The answer of course being not at all.

-----

That Wednesday at 1300 found Captain Celmins in the center of Moscow, walking up the hotel. Its four sides were each of a different style, clashing horrendously. He wondered if they'd bother to fix it now that Stalin was dead. Twenty years and still Molokov and his friends pissed themselves at the thought of asking him to approve a hotel design! Incredible, but not unbelievable. Of course, the Russkies had bigger things on their mind now than revamping hotels. Like whatever Masters had almost found.

Pushing that from his mind, Celmins finished walking up the steps, entering the hotel and looking for pure blonde hair in a bun.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Elsa Hildebrandt

Elsa shrugged at the thought of her countryman as she got into the Volga that would take her back to the GRU HQ. She instinctively disliked Edvards Celmins. There was something about him that didn't make sense and she was determined to figure it out.

Dashing up the stairs to the department office in the drab building just next to Army HQ and reporting to the Resident, General Grigory Ivanov. It was routine really, the monitoring of diplomatic staff especially from less hostile states did not merit that much attention, but protocoll was after all protocoll.

However Elsa's did deviate on one point, namely omitting her suspicions as to the activities of Celmins' during the war. She had decided that she'd do her own research into the identity of this Latvian. The GRU had been efficient at the end of the Great Patriotic War, getting hold of the most of the SS archives both regarding operations and otherwise. Hence the Soviet Union could boost with one of the most comprehensive lists of former SS personel. Her rank did enable her to access some of the microfilm copies of the records, and although she would only have two divisions to sift through it would take a lot of time.

Getting a cup of tea from the small cafeteria before heading down into the cave-like archives of the GRU, signing in at the desk and requesting the documents regarding the 1 Latvian Waffen-SS Division and beginning the tedious labour of going through the list of names. It took her better part of the day and although it wasn't much of an intellectual pursuit it was still something worthwhile.

At 6 PM she was informed by the attending clerk that the library would close and that the comrade major unfortunately was required to leave. Elsa did so, clocking out. Like most of her colleagues, Elsa did not own a car of her own and relied on the metro to get to her small flat in one of the projects outside of Moscow. Her uniform granted her a seat even now but she refused it. A society supposedly equal that grovelled for a mere major was not what she had fought for.

She got of at her station, picking up the Pravda and a package of cigarettes as she made her way to the highrise. The lift was out of function as per usual and she had to take the stairs. She reached the sixth floor to find a sad looking bundle crouching outside the door of the adjacent flat. The neighbour's daughter Natascha, probably left all alone as her parents worked double shifts at one of the factories that surrounded Moscow. It wasn't unusual that Fyodor and Irina did that, forgot to give the girl a spare key.

The Rodina demanded sacrifices, Elsa was aware of that, but this was not in the plans. She would have to have words with her parents in the morning but right now there were more pressing issue. Lifting the still sleeping Natascha up and carrying her into her own flat. Better let the girl use the bed and give her some time to continue her work.

At 2 AM Elsa had to conceed defeat. There was little in the records of the 15:th Latvian that substantiated her suspicions that Celmins had seen active service with them, yet she knew that either the 19:th or the dreaded Totenkopfverbände would eventually yield results.

She must have fallen asleep at the table and was woken by Natascha shyly tugging at her sleeve.

"Comrade Major I've made you some tea. It's 6 o'clock and mother should be home by now."

Elsa looked at the girl who was dressed in her Komsomol uniform. "Thank you little comrade. Remind me to tell your parents that they ought to furnish you with a spare key or" Elsa got up to rummage through one of her drawers until she found a spare key. "Now comrade, next time you find yourself being locked out by your parents you can at least find a proper place to sleep. Rodina needs all her citizens to be alert isn't it so?" She smiled and ruffled Natascha's hair before letting her out. It was sad but what could she do? Well a good turn deserves another and Elsa enjoyed the company of Natascha in so much as company was a factor. It was probably more the case of seeing the reason for her work. To protect the children of the Rodina. That was her mission.

___________________________

Elsa spent most of the next day in the archives sifting through the documents regarding the second Latvian Waffen SS division, thinking it to be a dead end when she stumbled upon a small note in the margin.

"Jan 1944. Iron Cross First Class awarded to ensign Celmins."

Got you! Celmins was not that common a name and it made sense. She had him now. The audacity of the Swedes to send a fascist as their military attaché to the USSR like that. Oh well the newfound knowledge would be used with some discrimination. if she played her cards right she'd be back on the field proper.

_____________________________

She was waiting in the foyer of Hotel Moskva. She had taken pains to brush up her uniform and in recognition of the day she was wearing the Order of the Red Star on her chest. She knew Celmins would recognise the coloured ribbon. It was a provocation but a subtle one, suitable for this kind of game.

 

[magbeam]

Celmins finally saw the figure he was looking for. How could he miss someone like that? Her hair could practically be used to draw in ships at night. And he was not the only one; a number of heads turned to glance at he as unobtrusively as possible, the men in lust, the women in jealosy, both wondering how someone like that could be an Army officer.

Celmins could feel the eyes on his back - jealousy, now - as he approached her and saluted, not bothering to offer his hand, not in this public setting and after her snubbing him the last time. He allowed himself a glance down at her uniform, hoping to stop a snort of derision. She had dolled herself up, he noticed. Was this how the Soviet Union helped create a culture of equality and classlessness, by having their officers preen themselves with useless buttons and ribbons like in every other country?

And what was that, the Order of the Red Star? The most common award in the Red Army? Not like what he had earned in battle. Was she trying to impress him? Of course, that could be for several different reasons, but it was far too soon for seduction.

Their salute finished, Celmins spoke first. "Good afternoon, Major Hildebrandt." He would be damned if he addressed anyone as 'comrade' anything, especially in the Soviet Union. He felt dirty enough saying it normally; here, it would probably be an infection vector. Not to mention, politically unwise if any of his Western compatriots overheard.

Instead, he continued. "It is good to see you again. I believe you wished to meet with me today? Shall we fetch a bite to eat while doing so, or will this business require rather more privacy?" Let her take that how she would.

-------

Colonel Dmitri Sergeiovich Koskov sat easily in a chair before the desk of his supervisor, Major General Gennadi Subarov. The Sokolvskaya affair had been good for Koskov; he and his old comrade had not only apprehended the American spy and his little bitch, but had managed to take the credit for it from the GRU and their little bitch, that Jewish slut who by all rights should never have been granted a seat in the Soviet military, and wouldn't have had it not been for the desperate straits the military had found itself in the Great Patriotic War. Too many of its officers had had a penchant for being arrest for counterrevolutionism.

Koskov smiled a bit at that. After the Masters affair, he had offered the Jewess his protection and patronage in return for her own...attention to details. Yet she had refused him, rather rudely. Subsequently, he and Subarov had 'discovered' that her lover, the Bolshoi violinist Alexandr Smirnof, had engaged in questionable political actions. Smirnof, along with Masters and the traitor, were currently sitting in adjacent cells at the bottom of Lubyanka. None were in very good conditions, not after Koskov had worked over them - Subarov had arranged that their interrogations not only be handled entirely by the NKVD, but under Koskov's direct supervision as well. This had earned him a nice promotion to full colonel, when last he had heard, the Jewess was bitter and effectively, if not technically, demoted and kept from further work of any use.

"What's the smile, Dmitri Sergeiovich?" Subarov asked, as he refilled their shot glasses with vodka. The two were old Army buddies from the time of the Revolution and civil war, and were reminiscing about old times and the fact their luck never seemed to run out - the current example being that, so far, they had both escaped the Politburo's purge of the Cheka following Stalin's death.

"Just thinking about the Masters case, Gennadi Nikolaevich," he replied, taking the glass in his hand. "That alone probably saved us from visiting our own Siberian facilities. Na zdarovya," he added, downing the vodka in a single gulp.

"Na zdarovya," the general answered also gulping the firey spirit down. "It's a bad business, this Politburo manuevering. Only Stalin could keep them down. Look what happened to Lavrenti Pavlovich." Subarov was high-ranking anough to address Beria by name and patronymic. "It's a sure thing that they're waiting to do the rest to us. Never mind that it's us who've kept the system in check and flowing correctly. Now it's us who're hunted down by Zhukov and his military intelligence goons." It was only the safety afforded by the fact they were speaking within Lubyanka, the veritable citadel of the Soviet intelligence network, that allowed them to speak that way, even in the current climate.

Koskov agreed it was a shame, and the two spoke for some more, before Subarov finally had to excuse himself. Koskov returned to his newer office. Even in the Soviet Union did rank have its priviledges, and this new officer - with its larger window, bigger space, and bustier secretary was proof enough of that. He sat down in his leather chair and pondered.

The Jewess was probably chortling right now over the apparent decline of the NKVD in favor of the GRU's resurged stock held by the Politburo. A temporary thing, to be sure, but Koskov did not like her to think that she had won. He still trumped her, with his promotion and glory and holding of her lover. A small smile split his face. Perhaps he should remind her about that. He resolved to visit her soon, to help gather information on the class traitor Smirnof. An 'informal chat,' of course, but still enough to remind her of her place - and again offer her a spot beneath him. He called his secretary to arrange the visit.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Elsa Hildebrandt

"Oh I do not think the nature of our discussions needs to be kept privately Captain Celmins. On the contrary, I do think it better if we are both perfectly visible so to allay any fears of hmm any inproprieties. I am sure that your government would like me to, how shall we say, work more closely with you as well as mine wishes you to do the same."

She nodded ot the waiter who had materialised next to their table. NKVD most probably. The Cheka kept a firm grip on every venue such as this. Besides the Hotel Moskva was their greatest success in recent years, and it would be more than likely to have them swarming around it like flies on a corpse.

Elsa kept her face impassive as she ordered a cup of tea for herself, declining Celmins' offer to go for something more extravagant. She would not allow herself to end up in his debt, no matter what. Besides being here at the Hotel Moskva didn't exactly lift her spirits, but she figured it to be a subtle reminder to Celmins what might happen if he's step out of line.

"So tell me captain. You were born in Riga if I'm not misinformed. Did you serve with the Red Army against the fascist invaders during the war?"

She made sure to keep her question as neutral as possiblem, given that she already knew that he had been fighting on the opposite side. The 19:th Latvian Waffen-SS division.

"I myself took part in the final push to drive the Fascists out of the Baltic SSRs in 1944. Rather a mess one might say, but I do believe that even though we suffered heavy casualties the German invaders fared even worse."

Elsa put her cup down and rummaged through her pockets for the cigarettes. She took her time lighting one as she kept looking at Celmins. No discernable reaction yet. So the game begins. She smiled as she stubbed her cigarette out and immediately lit a new one.

"Are you settling in well here captain? I would recommend you to visit the museeums and of course the Lenin Mausoleum. A bit of a wait but it's well worth the wait. I further understand that the 1 attaché will visit Leningrad's Military District next week and I take it that you are going to accompany him? 900 days of siege but the citizens did not surrender."

She sat back and finished her tea. "Perhaps I'm boring you captain and we should change the subject of this discussion. Let's talk about something that has recently caught my attention. Latvian volunteers in the Waffen SS. The 19:th Division which was known as the 2:d Latvian one."

There was the shadow of a smile playing on her lips as she sat back in the chair and exhaling the bluish smoke.

"As you know we are quite interested in the former soldiers of such detachments Captain Celmins."

 

[magbeam]

Celmins sat down at the table the Major chose, listening to her insistence on why they stay in the open, delivered in such a bumbling manner that even a schoolboy would have known what she meant. So already he knew that they would try to turn him. He had suspected they would but thankfully this naive girl had as well as spelled out their intention to.

The Chekist waiter appeared and asked what they would have. Celmins ordered brandy, offering one for Hildebrandt, who of course declined in favor of tea. How droll. The waiter returned to serve them and Celmins took a sip - not great, of course, but servicable, and Hildebrandt began to speak.

"So tell me captain. You were born in Riga if I'm not misinformed. Did you serve with the Red Army against the fascist invaders during the war? I myself took part in the final push to drive the Fascists out of the Baltic SSRs in 1944. Rather a mess one might say, but I do believe that even though we suffered heavy casualties the German invaders fared even worse."

She began to search her pockets, fetching a cigarette. Celmins offered her a Pall Mall, which she of course declined, and as she lit her own, he replied.

"I was indeed born in Riga, or at least just outside it. I remember the Baltic campaign all too well. The Germans put up an admirable defense, given their state at the time, but of course Soviet manpower pushed through in the end. I imagine the small Normandy distraction also helped." A neat sidestepping of the issue of whether he had served, plus acknolwdging that the Soviets won only through their sheer numbers and the considerable help of their Western allies. A nice parry, Celmins thought. Hildebrandt smiled and continued.

"Are you settling in well here captain? I would recommend you to visit the museeums and of course the Lenin Mausoleum. A bit of a wait but it's well worth the wait. I further understand that the 1 attaché will visit Leningrad's Military District next week and I take it that you are going to accompany him? 900 days of siege but the citizens did not surrender. Perhaps I'm boring you captain and we should change the subject of this discussion. Let's talk about something that has recently caught my attention. Latvian volunteers in the Waffen SS. The 19:th Division which was known as the 2:d Latvian one. As you know we are quite interested in the former soldiers of such detachments Captain Celmins."

Celmins kept his face still, the polite smile and look of attentiveness still frozen in place without obviously looking like he was doing so, or at least he hoped. Inside, however, his mind was boiling over. Obviously she had found that little gem of his past...or had she? Maybe she had just had a hunch, selected one of the Latvian SS divisions, and lobbed a bomb? Or maybe she actually had a reason to wonder about it - a brother or lover, perhaps, enlisted with the Germans and never seen again? He would have the station look into it. If true, and if he still lived, he could be a nice little chesspiece. But until then, no reason to assume she knew - of course, no reason to assume she didn't, either.

"I am aware of that SS division, Major Hildebrandt, and that a number of our countrymen - and women - sided with those who invaded our homeland. I also am aware that your new country is interested in the German collaborators. The Swedish military is, also. May I ask what prompted your sudden interest?"

And, on another hunch, Celmins remembered what the chief had said those days ago, when he had arrived, and decided it would be a nice counter-punch.

"And, on the subject of Moscow's cultural attractions, I think I would like to experience the reknowned fine arts of your city. Museums are not to my taste, however. I confess, I have always wished to attend a performance of the Bolshoi. I have heard their violinists in particular are superb. But again, that's just what I've heard, and you know how rumors are. Have you ever heard them, Major?" Celmins left it ambiguous as to whether he was referring to the violinists, or rumors.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Elsa Hildebrandt

He was well informed no doubt about that. The mention of Alex, for it was undoubtedly a reference to him, made her freeze for a fraction of a second. She vividly recalled lieutenant-colonel Koskov of the NKVD whom she supposed ot be the architecht behind Alex' arrest. It didn't take a genious to understand that he had been responsible and that it had been nothing but revenge for her rejection of him.

Elsa met Celmins' stare with an impassive one of her own as she lit another cigarette and inhaled deeply.

"Alas there are so many rumours captain. The Bolshoi does not stand and fall with one violin. I'd recommend that you book your tickets well in advance though. The seats are generally highly sought after."

She mentioned to the waiter to bring a refill for her tea. "Now about the 19:th Waffen SS division. I do understand that your government co-operated rather well with mine in the aftermath. A hundred or more Latvian and Estonian traitors were handed over to the USSR for trials. Let me assure you that they were all treated fairly as oppose to the patriots who stood up against the Fascist invaders and fell into their hands."

Elsa sat back again, knowing that mention of the extradition of the Estonians and Latvians was likely to affect Celmins. If she'd understood the situation correctly he would have jumped ship in 1944 or so and that would mean that he must have been a prime candidate for going on the ship to the USSR.

"The workers and peasants of the USSR are anxious to know the facts about the horrors that were committed during the Great Patriotc War, Captain Celmins, and the people expect their government to do it's utmost to apprehend and punish war criminals and traitors."

She stared at him again as she put the cup down and made to stand up. "I look forward to our next meeting Captain. Shall we say the day after tomorrow?"

Elsa refused to take his proffered hand, nodding curtly as she made her way out of the crowded Hotel Moskva. 'I got you now Celmins'. She knew she was on the right track and if everything worked out well she could be able to put the Swedes in an awkward situation as well. That would serve her career and get her back into the field again.

 

[magbeam]

"Alas there are so many rumours captain. The Bolshoi does not stand and fall with one violin. I'd recommend that you book your tickets well in advance though. The seats are generally highly sought after."

"Wonderful advice, Major. Thank you," Celmins said with a small smile. He hadn't mentioned anything about a specific violinist yet she had said that anyways; the station's intelligence seemed to be accurate, thankfully. He would have been rather embarassed if she had had no idea what he was talking about. She called for more tea and continued, apparently unaffected otherwise.

"Now about the 19:th Waffen SS division. I do understand that your government co-operated rather well with mine in the aftermath. A hundred or more Latvian and Estonian traitors were handed over to the USSR for trials. Let me assure you that they were all treated fairly as oppose to the patriots who stood up against the Fascist invaders and fell into their hands."

Celmins felt bile rise in the back of his throat over the memory of that incident, when his new country of residence had bent over and spread herself for Stalin. Shortly after the end of the war, at the insistence of Stalin, the Swedish government had extradited over one hundred Balts who had served with the Germans to Russia. They had all been shot shortly thereafter. Celmins had thanked God that the Swedes thought him important enough to keep, but that had been mixed with the horror and guilt over the fact that many of his friends, some of whom he had known for long before the war, had been betrayed by the government he now served. Still, war was war, and Celmins was not naieve enough to think that there still would not be casualties. He had had such immature notions boiled out of him the hard way.

"The workers and peasants of the USSR are anxious to know the facts about the horrors that were committed during the Great Patriotc War, Captain Celmins, and the people expect their government to do it's utmost to apprehend and punish war criminals and traitors."

"As you say, my government cooperated with yours and handed over our countrymen who served with the losing side of the war. I understand most were sentenced to execution, although, as you say, no doubt the famed incorruptible Soviet law system was as fair and impartial with them as it is with all Soviet citizens." Including your violinist boyfriend, he left unspoken.

That must have done it, as she stood up suddenly. "I look forward to our next meeting Captain. Shall we say the day after tomorrow?"

"Of course, Major. I look forward to it," he honestly said, enjoying this little hunting match. She ignored his hand as he knew he would and walked away, leaving him to finish his brandy.

---

As Elsa left the Hotel Moskva, a man stepped in front of her, leering down at her.

"Why, Comrade-Major Hildebrandt! What a pleasant surprise! Dmitri Koskov! Full colonel now, of course, thanks to the wonderful job I did in the case we worked on. But whatever brings you here?"

Koskov knew full well what brought her here, as he had gotten her daily plan from her office - after considerable wrangling from Subarov, of course. He also knew how his words would likely affect the platinum blonde. She had snubbed him; now he would make her as miserable as possible until she submitted to him.

He looked over to see a man in a strange military uniform also walk out of the Hotel lobby. Koskov knew that it must be the man she was sent to see, what was his name? Celmins, that was it. He appeared not to take notice of Hildebrandt or himself, but Koskov's sixth sense told him the fascist took in everything. He turned back to Hildebrandt.

"Ah, of course. Your fellow Latvian, the one you are assigned to liason with. You must be careful, Comrade Major, some might get the wrong impression of you associating with that traitor. Thankfully for your career, I have taken note and General Subarov is petitioning to have the NKVD be assigned to his case, thus freeing you of any...embarassing rumors. Especially after the revelation of your previous...associate's...views."

He stepped even closer, his hand reaching out again at a loose strand of blonde hair, just as he had those months ago at Lubyanka. "I must say, seeing you here truly is a wonderful surprise. I would be honored if I could share a drink with you, Elsa."

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Elsa Hildebrandt

She had anticipated seeing Koskov again. It fit well with his personality to be the type of character to gloat.

Elsa stepped back as he attempted to touch her again.

"Why my warmest congratulations Comrade Colonel. Further I thank you for keeping a respectable distance. Besides it is not suitable for a married man to be seen having drinks with an unmarried female comrade."

Damn all Chekists and Koskov in particular. He was an awkward dinosaur and ought to have been sorted out years ago. Elsa had to focus hard not to allow herself to pull the heavy Tokarev pistol from it's holster and shoot him then and there. Inhaling as she gave him one of her patent impassive stares.

"We both are aware of protocoll are we not Comrade. The Cheka monitors the citizens of the USSR and the Suka guards Rodina from foreign enemies. Surely you do not want me to take this conversation to Comrade General Ivanov of the GRU?"

Elsa stepped back and watched the colour rise on Koskov's face. The man was not used to being snubbed, Elsa had learned that the hard way. Although she could not prove it as such she was sure that Koskov had been the man behind Alexandr's 'disappearence'.

"Do not be inpudent Comrade!" Elsa kept her voice as impassive as the icy stare she bestowed on Koskov as he rapped of the nonsense about nationality. "I am first and foremost a Soviet citizen. I find it rather disturbing that there are still issues of the feudal racial sentiments simmering in our system. As far as the assignment of keeping tabs on captain Celmins that rests firmly with the Suka. We both know that Comrade and it would be rather hmmm how should one put it, unfortunate if Comrade Marshal Zhukov would get wind of your machinations. Good day to you Comrade!"

Elsa nodded curtly, not offering him the statutory salute that his rank merited. After all she had some protection being with the GRU. No one of her superiors would chide her for snubbing a Chekist. After all they were a bunch of sybaritic half-wits. There was no science to the methods of the Cheka, and the view that while the intelligentia belonged to the Suka, the low-brows resided in Lubyanka.

Still it paid to be careful, Koskov surely wouldn't just let her get away with the blatant snub she just offered him. Elsa made a mental note to be tell Natascha to be careful from now on. That was the only way Koskov could get to her, by eliminating the people she cared for. As for herself there was nothing that implied her as a traitor. Besides she had a few services to call in should push come to show.

If Elsa had learned one thing it was that paid to be careful, and of course to know more than the enemy. Preferably before the enemy became one.

 

[magbeam]

"Why my warmest congratulations Comrade Colonel. Further I thank you for keeping a respectable distance. Besides it is not suitable for a married man to be seen having drinks with an unmarried female comrade."

"I would have thought that our modern Socialist society is beyond such petty, patriarchal modes of thought, Elsa," Koskov said, livid with rage and quietly stewing himself at the anger of this girl's impudence, continuing to use her first name with no title as as great a personal slight he could. Damn her German heritage for denying him the use of a patronymic, but at least it would help show her how truly isolated she was from the rest of her 'countrymen'. "At least, the Socialist system I fought from the beginning to establish was." There, a nice reminder that he was the one who had fought in the Revolution, while she was a mere opportunist, entering the Soviet society only when her homeland, her true allegiance, was re-annexed.

"We both are aware of protocoll are we not Comrade. The Cheka monitors the citizens of the USSR and the Suka guards Rodina from foreign enemies. Surely you do not want me to take this conversation to Comrade General Ivanov of the GRU?"

She stepped back, and Koskov had to concentrate hard on not snapping out at her in a fashion that was surely too petty for someone of his station. "Surely even one such as yourself must be aware of the fact that, with the expansion of our area of control, even foreign enemies can reside within our borders, Comrade Hildebrandt," Koskov finally managed to sputter, sneering as his mouth twisted over her disgusting German name. It was about as direct a threat he had ever made to a fellow officer of the Soviet military.

"Do not be inpudent Comrade! I am first and foremost a Soviet citizen. I find it rather disturbing that there are still issues of the feudal racial sentiments simmering in our system. As far as the assignment of keeping tabs on captain Celmins that rests firmly with the Suka. We both know that Comrade and it would be rather hmmm how should one put it, unfortunate if Comrade Marshal Zhukov would get wind of your machinations. Good day to you Comrade!"

Koskov could only stare at that retreating bun of gold as the major stormed off, her final insult one of hypocrisy - not saluting a ranking officer, and therefore of disregard of the entire, structured, meritocratic system she had spent the entire spat praising. The whore! The lying, ungrateful, foreign whore!

He briefly considered the possibility of bringing her up on charges then and there, but after a few seconds, shook his head ruefully. They wouldn't stick, not yet, at least...An idea suddenly struck, and Koskov smiled. He was suddenly very glad that he hadn't killed the violinist yet. Moving through the lobby of the hotel, ignoring all the people who scampered out of his way while avoiding eye contact, he made his way to his Volga, the driver returning him to Lubyanka.

Back in his office, Koskov prepared two letters. One, an inter-office form, authorized a revolutionary tribunal to try to convict Alexandr Smirnof for counterrevolutionism and capitalist roading. The second was addressed to Major Hildebrandt:

Comrade Major Hildebrandt:

Allow me to apologize for my crass behavior earlier today. I exhibited traits that do not reflect well upon the Soviet system we both serve. In the heat of the moment, I forgot the reason I sought you out. As you may know, an associate of yours, Alexandr Smirnof, has been arrested by the NKVD on charges of counterrevolutionism and capitalist roading. He has refused to confess, and so General Subarov has authorized a tribunal. Due to the fact you had a close relationship with him, you are being called as the prosecution's primary witness. I need not say that a successful conviction of an enemy of the people such as Smirnof will bode well for your career and may lead to the dismissal of several notes of concern in your file. The trial is in three days, my office will be in contact with you before then. I look forward to once more working with you to destroy the enemies of the revolution.

Colonel D.S. Koskov​

---

In his station car taking him back to the Swedish Embassy, Celmins ran through the encounter in his head. The first thing he had done when he entered the car, the doors closed and driving away, was finally allow himself to release a ragged sigh, reach into a pocket for a handkerchief, and mop up the sweat from his brow. That had been more than a bit nervewracking, he had to admit, but things were coming up nicely. He felt he had almost enough information on her to start chipping away at that icey exterior - delicately and slowly, of course.

The colonel she met with outside - something Kostov? Koskopov? - had given him the biggest shock, making him think for a second that he was about to be sent to Master's fate. But the man seemed to have been there to see Hildebrandt. And she hadn't seemed very happy to see him. Curious. Was she sleeping with him for promotion? But he had an NKVD uniform. Curious indeed.

Ah, well. He had two days before their next meeting. Plenty of time to look into it and any connection the major might have to the 19th. He took out a Pall Mall, lit it, and luxuriated in the feeling that, at least for the next few minutes, he could just relax.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Elsa Hildebrandt

She had been reasonably pleased with the last meeting with Celins and not even the antics of Koskov could put a dampener on her humour. Elsa knew that her instincts had been right when she suspected that Celmins had something to hide, and this could potentially be the leg-up she needed. Added to this was of course the rather big scandal that it would wreak on the supposedly peace loving neighbours in the west. If she could prove that the military attaché had served in the Waffen-SS, then heads would roll at Defense forces HQ in Stockholm.

She arrived at the GRU building and filed her report to her superiors. Elsa had yet to divulge her suspicions about Celmins' past but decided that the comprehensive report should not be delivered until she had him firmly in her trap. What she did report was however that the Chekists had interfered, or at least tried to. Knowing that there was no love lost for the NKVD among her colleagues, she could afford being honest and received a promise that Comrade Marshal Zhukov would be kept informed of the scheming individuals who staffed the NKVD in general and Colonel Koskov in particular.

Taking the Metro to her flat, and stopping at the Party store to pick up bread and cheese before making for her flat. She found her door unlocked and Natascha sitting by the table doing her homework. She looked up at Elsa as she made her way into the small livingroom and stood up to greet her.

"Good evening Comrade Major. I put some tea on and I have done all the homework that I am required to."

Elsa could not help but smile as she hung her coat up and put her cap on the shelf. "That is very commendable comrade Natasha. The Rodina needs her citizens to be educated in order to further the advancement of Communism"

She ruffled Natasha's hair as she placed the dark bread and the cheese on the counter in the kitchenette and washed her hands in the sink. "Tell me what is it that you are required to study?"

"The campaign of Comrade Zhukov to drive the Fascist invaders out of Rodina and bring peace and security to Europe." Natasha beamed as she looked up "Comrade Zhukov is indeed a great citizen isn't he Comrade Major?"

Elsa sipped her tea as she nodded to Nataschas enthusiastic questions. "Yes he is indeed Comrade. And I think it's time we used our first names. After all even a major needs to be off-duty at some point. You call me Elsa from now on."

She sat down with Natascha and took another sip of her tea. "I had the priviliege of serving under Comrade Zhukov during the Great Patriotic War. He is indeed an inspiration to us all. I shall make sure that you're learning all there is to learn about this later but now it's time for some supper don't you think?"

____

As she came into work the next morning she found a letter on her desk. Bearing the legend of the NKVD she braced herself as she read it and cursed through gritted teeth. Damn Koskov and his schemes. Elsa had to concentrate hard not to lose her composure. She had forced herself to forget about Alexandr but now it was all brought back to her. Of course this was a plot to punish her for her refusal to go to bed with him. Still she had to admire the trap he'd put her in. She could not speak out on Alexandr's behalf even though she knew he was innocent. Further she might herself be implicated having associated with him. Elsa would need help to sort this out and as she sat down to think the solution struck her.

Getting up from her desk and knocking on the door of General Ivanov. She was allowed to step inside and took a seat.

"Comrade General. I am sure you're aware of the Tribunal to which I'm summoned to give evidence. I fear this might be a plot by the Chekists to further undermine the station of the GRU. It seems that Colonel Koskov have taken a personal dislike to me since the business in Lubyanka. I fear that this may be a maskirovka Comrade General."

Ivanov gruffed a reply prompting her to continue. Even though he looked dull he had one of the sharpest minds in the GRU and he had probably assessed the situation already.

"I propose that we go along with this, but I may have an idea for a way to get even with the Chekists as well as gaining influence for the Suka. I have recently discovered that Celmins of the Swedish embassy have a past as an ensign in the Waffen-SS. I know the policy of the Politburo about such but hear me out Comrade. We get Celmins to take out Koskov. That would be retaliation for the American spy Masters. Then we apprehend him and give him an ultimatum. Work for us or end up in Gulag. Thirdly we leak the info to the press in the west thus weakening the Swedish defense forces' credibility- Potentiall leading to further aquisitions of agents working for our cause."

Ivanov grunted a reply before dismissing her. He promised to look into it and even smiled at her. This could just about work.

 

[magbeam]

The next day, Celmins sat alone in the backseat of the black limousine, again riding from the Embassy to the Ministry of Defense to meet with Hidebrandt. Anyone looking within would see a stiff, slightly-bored looking man, but inside, his mind was grinding over Hildebrandt yet again.

Nothing had been found on any 'Koskopov' or similarly-named Chekist that had a link to her, not surprisingly. Nothing had also been found (in the admittedly-short time) linking her or any of her former acquiantances to the Lithuanian SS soldiers, making it more likely she had identified him (somehow - how exactly had she done that?) as a former Waffen-SS. Which made it even more likely they would try to use it against him, which made it more likely he would be recalled to Stockholm.

Celmins had mixed feelings about that. He wanted to accomplish his mission and help drive another nail into Stalin's glass casket, but if the Reds were planning something...He had no desire to find out firsthand what the Lubyanka prison was like.

The limo arrived at the MOD after passing through security checkpoints and searched, and Celmins stepped out to find the familiar blonde head of Hildebrandt waiting for him. "Major Hildebrandt," he said, saluting, not offering his hand this time. "What is on the agenda for us today?"

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Elsa Hildebrandt

"Captain Celmins. How good of you to come at such short notice. I take it that our esteemed friends at His Majesty's Embassy are busy planning for the visit to Leningrad's military district."

She motioned for him to follow her as she donned her greatcoat and the boatcap bearing the siple Red Star. "I thought perhaps you would find a stroll through our beautiful capital to your liking."

Elsa walked briskly to the lifts and allowed Celmins to step inside before she followed suit. She remained silent as they travelled down to the ground floor and made their way out on to the crowded Moscow streets.

Walking at a brisk pace until they reached a rather secluded park, that had once been the private garden of a patrician house but that was now home to a few chess boards as well as a small kiosk selling the ever present Kvass. She led him to one of the benches and offering him to take a seat as she ostensibly looked around to see that no one would interfere with their discussions.

"I fear Captain that what I am about to tell you might shock you. It is tantamount to treason for all intents and purposes. I fear however that I have been made privy to information that potentially threatens the peace and stability of the Baltic region."

She sat down and lit a cigarette looking thoroughly distraught as she took a deep draught.

"Not so very long ago we discovered that the Cheka, yes that is what you would call the NKVD, have been hatching some highly irresponsible ideas in order to destablise the relations between the USSR and the West. Most notably the apprehension of the American intelligence officer Masters which I'm sure you're aware of. The motives behind this seems to be to gain influence with the highest echelons of the USSR, and further discredit the GRU. The main objective is to plunge the world back into war. Yes you needn't looked shocked captain. Many of the highest officials in the NKVD are old revolutionaries who aren't how shall I say, in synch with the times."

Elsa extinguished her cigarette only to light another one. "Colonel Koskov of the NKVD is the mastermind behind all this and his personal objective is to finish the business of the Winter War of 1940. If he provokes the West then the USSR will be forced to take action and Finland is the chosen target. I needn't tell you that it would once more have Russia at your doorstep. Our estimates is that it would prompt Sweden to abaondon neutrality in favour or a membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and that in turn would mean that the USSR would be forced to step up her military presence in the northern Baltic. I believe you have some 30 000 men at Boden, Arvidsjaur and Luleå? Well the USSR can field 200 000 soldiers in that theatre."

She looked closely at Celmins before continuing. "I'm offering you a way to save the Finns and your new country the faith of Latvia, Edvards. One hit the death of one man and we can resume to live in peace. Further you will get your revenge for Masters."

Elsa finished her cigarette and stood up. "Call my office later this afternoon."

 

[magbeam]

"Captain Celmins. How good of you to come at such short notice. I take it that our esteemed friends at His Majesty's Embassy are busy planning for the visit to Leningrad's military district."

"Oh, but of course, Major Hildebrandt. My superiors are eager to witness this testament to Soviet strength." Celmins managed to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. Oh yes, he was thrilled to get to go on a field trip as if he were his son's age to listen to history lectures on how Soviet luck and mass starvation had kept the city out of German hands. If this was all she wanted to talk to him about, Celmins would be disappointed indeed.

"I thought perhaps you would find a stroll through our beautiful capital to your liking."

This surprised Celmins somewhat, but he cautiously agreed. His danger sense was up again, and he wondered if he was being led throughout the city to 'disappear,' remembering her point about keeping in public from the other day. But that was ridiculous, too many people (including his Swedish driver) had seen him leave with her, too many questions would be asked...Right?

She led him to an empty and secluded park, filled with snow and not much else, and yet still looked around. Celmins steeled himself, preparing for anything from a knife in the chest to a profession of love. What followed came somewhere in between.

Celmins couldn't help but let his mouth drop open as she began to speak. He was about to interrupt her, then shut his mouth, listening through to the end. Her use of his surname didn't escape his notice, either. She finished with an admonition to call on her later that day, and then she was gone. Celmins sat there for a few seconds more, then stood up again, walking back to his limo, trying not to break into a run. He could almost feel the scopes on his back.

---

The discussion with the section chief was fierce, even though they agreed on almost everything: that Hildebrandt was faking a sudden devotion to her Baltic ancestry and world peace, that this was some kind of plot to have him get rid of her dirty laundry while also advancing her cause, that he'd be set up and arrested if he did it and news of his past life released if he didn't. What they disagreed on was what to do about it. The chief wanted to learn more, Celmins wanted to wash his hands of it and head back home to Anna.

Cowardice and dereliction of duty left a bitter aftertaste in his mouth. But this was different. Hildebrandt, and thus the GRU, knew too much about him, and seemed hell-bent on placing him between the proverbial rock and the hard place. But the chief was adament, and combined with subtle threats about the Swedish government's ability to retain someone revealed as a Waffen-SS (and one who refused to follow orders at that), and Celmins reluctantly agreed. Once he did so, he put it from his mind. He had agreed; he now had to focus. Worrying or growing angry about the injustice would just distract him and get him killed while trying to carry out the new orders he now had.

Thus, he found himself once more at the Ministry of Defense, going through an even longer wait for an unannounced visit, using the pretext for going over the visit to the Leningrad district with his fellow attache. Finally, he found himself in her office.

"I am sorry to disturb you, Major Hildebrandt, but the Embassy staff has run into some problems with the proposed visit. But it is late and I perhaps I could buy you dinner for the inconvenience?" She of course insisted on buying her own portion but it gave them an excuse to lead the MOD, and as soon as they were in a relatively secure area en route to the supposed restaurant Hildebrandt had reccomended, he spoke.

"I have been authorized to ask for more information on this plan of yours," Celmins said, not bothering to hide his suspicion from his voice. "Furthermore, the Swedish government will offer you sanctuary if you require to escape your enemies." That wasn't strictly true, but Celmins still thought there was no reason not to throw it in.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Elsa Hildebrandt

Once again seated in the dining room of Hotel Moskva. She ordered the least expensive dish on the menu and refrained from any frivolities as far as drinking was concerned, opting for mineral water.

"I have no plans to defect, and I must warn you captain that this is not an attempt to turn you to our case. My main concern is to retain the current status quo in the Baltic region. I'm sure that the Military Intelligence in Sweden would be equally concerned should the Security Police start meddling in the delicate world of intelligence gathering."

She lit a cigarette and blew a cloud of bluish smoke to the ceiling. "Further I'm sure that you appreciate the rather thin ice I'm currently negotiating as I'm divulging this information to you captain. Koskov is the architecht of much of the misfortunes that have befallen your colleagues of the Western intelligence community. Yes I know that you probably know that I was present at the interrogation of Masters' little girlfriend. The reason was to keep the GRU in the know. We cannot expect the Chekists to handle such delicate affairs can we? I like to belive that people like you and I are making the world a safer place. We both strive to know as much as possible of our neighbours in order not to suspect them of foul play. It's a delicate business and one that calls for cool heads. With the Cheka at the rudder I'm afraid that this will not be the case."

Elsa drained her glass and refilled it as she watched Celmins sit silent. "You do not seem convinced Captain, or shall I perhaps call you Untersturmführer Celmins. Decorated with the Iron Cross both classes I believe. An impressive record you have. The 19:th Division of the Waffen-SS also known as the Second Latvian. I wonder how our esteemed friends at the Swedish Embassy could overlook this fact?"

She sat back and stared impassively at him as she finished her cigarette. "It would be unfortunate if this became common knowledge would it not captain? Now shall we dispense with the nonsense and get down to business perhaps"

Elsa had spoken in a low tone of voice but the message was crystal clear. She knew what he was and further she declared that she would have him broken should he chose not to collaborate with her.

 

[magbeam]

"I have no plans to defect, and I must warn you captain that this is not an attempt to turn you to our case. My main concern is to retain the current status quo in the Baltic region. I'm sure that the Military Intelligence in Sweden would be equally concerned should the Security Police start meddling in the delicate world of intelligence gathering."

"Since we're speaking bluntly, then no, we would not enjoy that," Celmins said, having ordered sparingly, soup and bread and some vodka. Something that would not make him tipsy, but that she would think might, something to keep the ball somewhat out of her court. "However, if we tried to rectify it, the Security Police would not arbitrarily arrest and execute us, as I'm sure you are aware could very well be your fate. We could help protect you if you were to defect."

He sat back, listening to the rest of her speech, his face apparently not hiding the fact he did not believe a word of what she said. She was a Red, plain and simple. That meant that she did not care anything about status quo or balances of power or keeping the peace. It meant she wanted to paint the world, or at least all of Europe, red and for her to suddenly become a traitor against that cause, especially after all her words praising the Soviet system, struck him as patent nonsense. If she had said these things while wanting to defect, he might have believed her, but not in this case.

"You do not seem convinced Captain, or shall I perhaps call you Untersturmführer Celmins. Decorated with the Iron Cross both classes I believe. An impressive record you have. The 19:th Division of the Waffen-SS also known as the Second Latvian. I wonder how our esteemed friends at the Swedish Embassy could overlook this fact? It would be unfortunate if this became common knowledge would it not captain? Now shall we dispense with the nonsense and get down to business perhaps."

Well, that was that. No use playing games any more. "Who can tell why they overlooked that?" he asked, shrugging. "Perhaps they simply overlooked that aspect of my record. Perhaps they never knew it about me in the first place. Or perhaps my government's highest levels has decided I am useful enough to keep on service. In any case, I would say it was doubtful that the word of a Red bitch might change that." The slur slipped from his mouth before he could stop it, a testament to how she had rattled him beneath his calm exterior. He cursed silently, mentally tightening up his controls.

"Very well," he said, after another pause and another spoonful of borscht. "Let us talk business. When, where, and how do you want it done? We'll need everything you have on him - photos, known acquaintances, records, habits, places he routinely visits, his home. I assume you'll want me to be the one?" Time for one more try, Celmins thought, and added, "And we'll want something in return."

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Elsa Hildebrandt

"Do not be impudent Captain!"

Elsa snapped the command at his harshly spoken words aimed at her. She had been called worse, but it didn't pay to let Celmins get away with it.

"You shall have all the necessary material of course, and further you will report to me directly. As for my influence, let us just assume what happens when the biggest morning papers in Stockholm get wind of your previous employment. I'd guess that heads will roll at HQ then. And belive me Captain, when a general is unhappy a captain will be on the suffering end."

She stood up and left a few Rubels on the table. "Do not think this is a game Celmins. It's all very real and in case you get any silly ideas rest assured that your excellent service record will be mailed to the papers not to mention the Defense secretary. I do belive you have the freedom of information principle which makes it so very hard to cover up any mishaps. Further it would be a shame for dear Mrs Anna Celmins of Banérgatan 31 in Stockholm to wake up and find herself married to a former SS soldier."

Elsa stared impassively at him as he got to his feet, and bestowing her with a belligerent stare. "The exchange will take place in room 205 in half an hour. I recommend that you sober up and start behaving like a professional."

She had spoken the last sentence in Latvian, staring impassively at him as she did.

 

[magbeam]

Celmins sat stonily still as Hildebrant berated him. Who did she think she was, giving him orders? That he was one of her wide-eyed new apparatchiks fresh off the train from Turkestan?

"Do not think this is a game Celmins. It's all very real and in case you get any silly ideas rest assured that your excellent service record will be mailed to the papers not to mention the Defense secretary. I do belive you have the freedom of information principle which makes it so very hard to cover up any mishaps. Further it would be a shame for dear Mrs Anna Celmins of Banérgatan 31 in Stockholm to wake up and find herself married to a former SS soldier. The exchange will take place in room 205 in half an hour. I recommend that you sober up and start behaving like a professional." And then she was up and gone.

Celmins had been preparing a snide remark, one of his cutting comebacks, when she mentioned his wife and address, and it took every ounce of strength he had to stay stonily silent and not jump up and spear his fork into one of her eyeballs. He could handle everything else, her pompousness, her underestimating of how far the Swedish government would go to cover up the past of one of its prime intelligence sources, her treatment of him. What he couldn't handle was the more-than-implied thread that Anna would, instead of waking up to an SS officer, not wake up at all.

The bitch! The goddamned, cold-hearted, ruthless, lying, whoring, double-crossing, treasonous bitch! Anna and their children meant everything to him, just as Daina once had before the Reds that that blonde Jewish cunt worshipped had raped and killed her. Everything he did in his job, all the dangerous missions and objectives that even he found morally dangerous, he did with his wife, son, and daughter in mind. Celmins truly hoped that some day, war would be a distant misery, as would the oppression that had caused his life to become such a living hell and driven him from his home. It was to the end of that world that he worked for that Erik and Johanna could perhaps live it when they grew up.

That Hildebrandt would even suggest hurting them, taking him from them, taking Anna from them...Hadn't she loved her violinist? Wasn't he taken from her? And yet she still felt no compunction about taking his wife from him, even hinting such things? Celmins let out a small, dry laugh that startled one of the waiting staff passing behind him. She admonished him to be a professional? If only she had known how only his control had stopped him from killing her then and there!

Taking another few deep breats, Celmins returned to eating his now-cool and gluey borscht, with each breath mentally imagining it cooling his innards off. By the time he finished his bread, he once more felt in control of himself, his emotions - an admitted problem - under control. The thirty minutes were also up. Leaving his rubles, he stood, making his way to the stairs that led to the second floor.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Elsa Hildebrandt

She was seated on the bed of the cramped room as she heard the knock on the door telliing her that Celmins was waiting.

"Enter"

Elsa pointed to a brown paper folder placed on the blue duvet of the bed as she lit another cigarette. "You will find all the necessary information you need on Koskov in the file. Further you will be given assistance by the GRU should it be necessary. I don't think the Chekists are clever enough to see what's coming their way though but better safe than sorry, eh"

She sat back again and craned her neck to the side, cracking the discs of her spin as she did. "Now Edvards, I take it you do not exactly cherish the idea of working with me, and let me for the record state that I don't like you either. The difference between the two of us are that I ended up on the winning side and you did not. You probably know that I'm Jewish. Is that the reason to your intense dislike?"

Elsa tossed him her package of cigarettes, seeing how he patted his pockets for his own. "Do you have any ideas how my mother was treated by our countrymen? No of course you don't, let me just say that it helped looking like an aryan and having a German name. But I suppose that is all well and fine, a suitable sacrifice to pay for the glory of the Latvian republic."

She had stood up as she delivered her tirade, for the first time showing a crack in her otherwise cold demeanour, and as she realised it she smoothed down her skirt and pushed the unruly strand of hair from her forehead as she sat down again, once again assuming her patented impassive stare.

"Do tell me captain. How are we to proceed from now? As for being monitored I've made sure there are no one listening to this particular room tonight."

 

[magbeam]

"You will find all the necessary information you need on Koskov in the file. Further you will be given assistance by the GRU should it be necessary. I don't think the Chekists are clever enough to see what's coming their way though but better safe than sorry, eh?"

Celmins saw the package, but made no move to reach for it. That would mean he would have to get closer to this thing sitting before him. And assistance from the GRU? Celmins almost rolled his eyes. He felt safer already with the glorified MPs of the Red Army at his back!

"Now Edvards, I take it you do not exactly cherish the idea of working with me, and let me for the record state that I don't like you either. The difference between the two of us are that I ended up on the winning side and you did not. You probably know that I'm Jewish. Is that the reason to your intense dislike?"

This time, he did laugh. "You know that's not the case, Hildebrandt," he said, consciously using her last name when she had used his. "I'm no more a Nazi than you are a Red." He paused, staring at her a few moments, then shook his head. "No, I think you are a true believer. Why else wouldn't you want to defect? Why else would you join? The reason I don't like you is because you threatened my wife, something I'd bet you have a hard time understanding. Because your Red Army raped and killed my fiancee, just after it raped and murdered our homeland. And because you then ran off to join up with them. What kind of courage is it to abandon everything you were born with to side with those destroying it?"

As angry as he was with her, he deftly caught the pack of cigarettes tossed to him, lighting one up and watching as she rose to her feet.

"Do you have any ideas how my mother was treated by our countrymen? No of course you don't, let me just say that it helped looking like an aryan and having a German name. But I suppose that is all well and fine, a suitable sacrifice to pay for the glory of the Latvian republic."

"Ah, so now we find out why you hate me so much," he replied, tossing the carton back onto the bed next to her as she tried to make herself look presentable. "Because I sided with the Nazis, who at least pretended to want to liberate our homeland? To fight those who destroyed it, who killed the woman I loved? I'm sorry for your mother, but tell me, how many Jews was it that Stalin deported to Siberia, the special 'autonomous' zone he so thoughtfully made for them there? How many Jews were killed in Russian pogroms? And is it a coincidence that Trotsky just happened to be Jewish? Bahh," he said, waving his hand in annoyance.

"Do tell me captain. How are we to proceed from now? As for being monitored I've made sure there are no one listening to this particular room tonight."

"You're the one with the plans and who dragged me into this, Comrade," Celmins said, with a shrug, still glowering. It took him a few moments to force himself to consider the question. He was stuck here, between pressure from the chief and humoring this woman, stuck against his will but stuck nonetheless. He might as well make as much from it as possible, especially if it would give him the chance to get at least somewhat close to her, get something of use.

"First, let me go through this." He sat down on the cot, as far away from her as he could, opening the Koskov file. As he browed it, he continued to talk. "The Chekists know we've eaten together several times, we're both in here, and that you've ensured there are no unwanted listeners. They'll probably draw some harsh conclusions from that. I suggest we stay the night here, or at least a few more hours, and make sure we leave dishevelled."

He glanced over at her, then back to his reading. "Looks like you're halfway there. They'll think we're lovers. Whenever we need to meet to discuss your little project, we can do so again in similar situations. It will at least draw less suspicion than me dragging you out of your office after barging into the MOD unannounced. You seem to be rather cavalier about them but I for one would not like to join my friends in their custody. Now shush."

He was reading the sections on Koskov's personal habits, daily routine, routes to and from work, acquaintances and their homes. After a few minutes absorbing it all, Celmins looked up at Hildebrandt again.

"Now, how we proceed from here will, at the risk of repeating myself, depend on where, when, and how you want him dead. Or will I have free reign over this matter?"