Operation ANNA: The strangest Soviet mission

[jemhouston]

Fire is starting to make the water bubble.

[Belushi TD]

I am so very glad to see this back. Whenever a story like this has a hiatus, I have a mental image of all the characters standing around, sort of looking at each other, thinking to themselves "Well, what next?" So glad that they're not still sitting in limbo.

Well done, Sir.

Belushi TD

[Bernard Woolley]

Great work, Matt.

[Jotun]

I am so very glad to see this back. Whenever a story like this has a hiatus, I have a mental image of all the characters standing around, sort of looking at each other, thinking to themselves "Well, what next?" So glad that they're not still sitting in limbo.

Well done, Sir.

Belushi TD

If you tried to shame me into continuing the Manthatisi story…and the attack on the Regierungsbunker…you succeeded At least I read my notes again…ahem.

[Belushi TD]

I am so very glad to see this back. Whenever a story like this has a hiatus, I have a mental image of all the characters standing around, sort of looking at each other, thinking to themselves "Well, what next?" So glad that they're not still sitting in limbo.

Well done, Sir.

Belushi TD

If you tried to shame me into continuing the Manthatisi story…and the attack on the Regierungsbunker…you succeeded At least I read my notes again…ahem.

I was not TRYING to.... However, I'll be perfectly happy to claim credit for it, should it be the impetus you needed to start writing again!

Belushi TD

[Andys]

Why have none of the POWs asked why the Russians are doing this?

[Matt Wiser]

From General Kurchatov's meeting with Capt. Michaels in her hospital room:

Kurchatov nodded gravely. “Very serious. I have seen the videotape the Iraqis made of your.....interrogation,” he spat. “And that was probably the most disgusting thing I have ever seen.” Apart from what the Dushmani did to any Soviet soldiers unfortunate enough to fall into their hands, Kurchatov said to himself.

“What's the point of this?”

“We intend to get the Iraqis to improve conditions for your comrades left behind,” Kurchatov said. “More in accordance with International Law.”

Michaels was thinking for a minute. If the Russians are serious, and they can help Lisa, Jessica, Mac, and the others? This isn't collaboration. It's more like sticking it to those bastards back in Baghdad. “General, I won't hold anything back. I'll tell you what happened to me, and what I know happened to other people.”

[Wolfman]

Iraq’s been busy doing things the Soviets, while willing to do these things if need be, would prefer to avoid, and have angered their erstwhile sponsor…

[Matt Wiser]

And it begins...


Baghdad, Iraq: 0930 Hours GMT:


General Kurchatov sat in the back of his car as his driver-a Spetsnatz Ensign-weaved his way through Baghdad's notorious traffic. Even with a war on, the General noted, the Iraqis were making sure that people were happy and content, and that, he saw, meant that there were no fuel rationing measures in effect. From what both Colonel Nastin and Major Bezarin had found out, there had been rationing measures in 1991, and for a few months after that. Now, though, Baghdadis were out and about, even with the war. And driving like demons, his Spetsnatz driver/bodyguard noted. Kurchatov nodded at that, with his excursions outside the Embassy to Samarra and regular visits to the Defense Ministry confirming those observations.

Now, as his car approached the Swiss Embassy, he mentally reviewed the guests who were likely to be attending, and would have to have left before the next phase could begin. With the Charge's car in front of him, the General went over his list. The Iraqi Foreign Minister, Naji Sabiri, would be expected to attend. The same with the Ambassadors from the GDR, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and the other Warsaw Treaty States, along with their Military Attaches. Also expected would be the Cubans-though with the state of affairs on that island approaching civil war, one could excuse the Cubans' absence. Then came the DPRK-another Soviet ally whose behavior was...questionable, and yet, from the daily situation update he knew that the Koreans were tying down American and other allied forces from being used either in the Gulf Theater or in Europe. Vietnam would be there, though with the Cam Ranh Bay air/naval base complex now neutralized, their role in the war was essentially over. He wasn't sure about Indonesia. Venezuela, of course, could be counted on-especially with that hothead Chavez still in charge.

Several Arab states either neutral or friendly to Iraq would also be there, though with Libya and Syria both effectively removed from the game board, that left Yemen as a Soviet ally still fighting. Lebanon and Algeria would also be there, Kurchatov assumed, while the pro-Western countries like Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt had recalled their missions prior to war's outbreak.

Then came the traditional neutrals. The Indians had drawn down their mission after an Iraqi missile had damaged an Indian tanker in Iranian waters, but they still had their mission in-country. The Thais might also be there, along with a few South American and African countries not involved in the war. The smallest, the Vatican's Papal Nuncio would no doubt be there. And, of course, the biggest one of all: China. Just what were the Chinese up to? Two GRU officers had staked out the Chinese Embassy, and they had reported that there was a rooftop party whenever there was a major air strike on Baghdad. Just as we do, the General thought. No doubt the Chinese Defense Attaché and his staff were noting American and other Coalition tactics in those strikes and reporting their observations to Beijing.

Of those he had to wait to leave before giving the go signal, it would have to be the Iraqi Foreign Minister, along with all of the Soviet allies, whether Warsaw Pact or others. And the Chinese.

His driver, though, interrupted his thoughts. “Comrade General, we're here.”

Kurchatov looked past the driver. A single Iraqi Policeman checked the driver of the Charge's own Mercedes, spoke to him, then nodded. While several others, their AK-47s in view, stood nearby, looking as if they were paying attention. Then a wave, the gate to the Embassy opened, and the Charge's car passed through. The gate closed as the driver approached the security check.

The policeman came to the driver's side, and the driver rolled down the window. All the policeman needed to see was Kurchatov's invitation, and he waved to the guard at the gate. That swung open, and the Mercedes went on through. Now, for all intents and purposes, they were on Swiss soil.

“What do you think, Vassily?” Kurchatov asked the driver as he parked the car.

The Spetsnatz man had a scowl on his face that Kurchatov could see in the rear-view mirror. “Very sloppy, Comrade General,” the Ensign said as he got out of the car and opened the left passenger door for Kurchatov. Both were in civilian clothes, though the Ensign had access to an AKSU-74 underneath the driver's seat and several magazines, and Kurchatov, too, had a weapon in a hidden compartment beneath the rear passenger seat. “Our own guards, no doubt, would check a car going into a diplomatic compound a little more thoroughly, but still respecting diplomatic niceties.”

“No doubt, Vassily. Now, keep an eye on things, and let me know when people start to leave.”

“Comrade General?” The Ensign had his own cell phone used when he had to be notified when to pick up the General after such affairs as this.

“Something's going to happen, Ensign, that we're involved in, and Moscow has approved it. Just let me know when the guests start to leave-especially the Iraqis and our allies,” said Kurchatov. “And one other thing.”

“Yes, Comrade General?”

“Let me know if you see any of the caterers start to exhibit signs of any tradecraft.” That, the General knew, might cause a problem as they would be operatives from either the Mukhabarat-Iraq's main intelligence service, Directorate of General Security-the domestic intelligence and counterintelligence service, or even Qusay Hussein's Special Security Organization.

The Ensign, who knew full well what the General meant, having served a tour in Cyprus as part of the GRU station at the Embassy in Nicosia, nodded. “I'll let you know instantly, Comrade General.” He held up his cell phone.

“Very good, Vassily.” Kurchatov nodded, then saw the Charge' getting out of his car, along with the Swiss Ambassador coming to greet the both of them. Under normal circumstances, these sorts of receptions and get-togethers were part of the job. Now, though...it was unusual, but not unheard of. “Time to be diplomatic for two or three hours.” The General got out himself, and before going to see the Ambassador, told the Ensign. “See what kind of small talk you can pick up from your counterparts.” His driver would shadow him in his dual role as bodyguard. And yet, the buffet table would be where a lot of small talk would be made and information obtained.

“Yes, Comrade General.”

Kurchtov nodded, then went over to the Ambassador. “Mr. Ambassador,” he said in English, putting out his hand.

“Welcome, General,” The Ambassador said in his own perfect English. “I'm glad you could come.”

One thing Kurchatov noted was that was likely to be the common language of the guests. He did appreciate the irony. Many of the guests were from countries at war with the major English-speaking countries, and yet.... “Thank you, Mr. Ambassador. Some time away from my responsibilities, even if it's just for a few hours, is always welcome.”

The Ambassador nodded. It was well-known in Baghdad's Diplomatic Community that Kurchatov was in charge of the Soviet Military Assistance and Advisory Mission to Iraq. He was also pleased that Kurchatov had shown up in civilian clothes. The other military attaches who had come had done the same. He gestured towards the Ambassador's Residence, where the lunch and reception would be held. “Shall we?”

Both Maslov, the Charge', and Kurchatov exchanged glances. Unsaid was So it begins. “Of course, Ambassador,” Maslov said.

[jemhouston]

One nice thing about battle is you can use steel knives when you stab them in the back.

[Belushi TD]

As opposed to diplomacy, when you have to use the cocktail forks from the hors-d'oeuvre tray or the skewers that hold the olives in your martini to stab someone in the back.

Belushi TD