"Competent — score 93/100," was all that he saw.
Next he read his report on the formal intelligence tests:
"Peterson shows excellent analytical and problem solving skills. His IQ is way above average at 162. He should prove to be adaptable to most situations. However, he can become impatient in some situations."
This was also news to him.
When he had come to the last page, he passed it back to his boss Bill Simpson, wondering why he got to read this.
Simpson made no move to take the dossier back, "You missed the best section. Take a look at the back page."
Matt turned over the report and hand written in red ink on the back was a signed note from the Director of the Farm.
"Recommended for assignment as a field agent."
"You better get home and pack, tomorrow you leave for Moscow" said Bill. He handed Matt a mobile telephone handset. "This is a special unit" he explained. "It contains a GPS unit so we can track your movements, guard it with your life" Bill joked.
"Call me every day at 4pm my time just to check-in. If you don’t call I will know there is a problem and I will send in the cavalry."
"You sound like my mother" said a stunned Matt.
Chapter 50
Previously this flight would have been on an old Ilushin aircraft, but these were now no longer used for passengers. The Airbus 310 looked almost new from the outside, but it did look like it could do with a good clean on the inside. Matt hoped the engines were better serviced than the galley appeared to be!
Matt found the seats in the plane downright uncomfortable, but thanked god that his Russian hosts had provided business class arrangements. This was by far the longest flight Matt had ever taken, the short eight hour hop across the Atlantic to London did not compare with this twelve hour marathon.
He was in awe of those international businessmen who seemed to spend the better part of their lives in airport terminals and eating aircraft food. He was glad it was them and not him!
"It is time for us to make some plans for your time in our country" explained Oleg after the dinner trays had been collected and the beautiful blonde hostess returned with a bottle of vodka that she casually slipped to Oleg.
Oleg filled two glasses and handed one to Matt "Let’s toast our success".
Matt was beginning to enjoy the icy potency of the top shelf Russian vodka. He cheered "Bottoms up" and requested a refill.
"I have made some plans for when we arrive in Moscow. Unfortunately this is not my only pressing issue" he said in perfect English.
"My most trusted aid Natasha has been assigned to accompany you on your mission. She has full security clearance and will give you any help she can. I myself briefed her last night."
"Thanks Oleg, I can speak some Russian, but someone who knows the ropes will be a great help" said a grateful Peterson.
They chatted for a while, and Oleg kept refilling the vodka glasses. Finally, the Russian seemed ready to rest and closed his eyes.
Matt stood up and unloaded his computer bag from the overhead locker and extracted his notebook computer. He randomly grabbed a DVD from a bunch in the bag and slipped it into the slot on the side of the machine and plugged in a headset. Soon Bruce Willis was on the screen in Die Hard, but Matt never got to see the ending. The vodka had taken its toll.
He slept soundly until he awoke to the sound of a thick Russian accent announcing "this is the Captain, we will shortly begin making our descent into Moscow …"
Chapter 51
The flight attendants stood in the aisles holding back the impending stampede allowing Oleg and Matt to deplane first.
Waiting for them was a uniformed officer and a tall well dressed young woman.
"Matt, this is my driver" said Oleg indicating the man in uniform "and this is Natasha, your contact here."
Natasha was nothing like the Russian women portrayed in movies. She was of medium height with a well-toned body that had enough curves that could not be hidden by the unisex cut of her business suit. Even with her hair worn up and no makeup Matt recognized her inherent beauty. Her unmasked confidence attracted him, making him want to know her better, perhaps much better. Their greeting, however, remained professional. When she welcomed him in perfect English, her voice indicated no trace of her Russian heritage. He knew that she could pass for an American anywhere and from the slightly amused look in her large brown eyes, he realized that he had met his match.
Together they walked to the parking garage and climbed inside a well appointed black limousine.
"This is where I get off Matt" said Oleg, "but Natasha will look after you from here. Good luck with your search. We can celebrate your mission with some more vodka when you return with good news!"
The driver then drove for three quarters of an hour and delivered them to a featureless apartment building in a sea of similar buildings.
Chapter 52
Matt was not at all impressed with the accommodations offered by Natasha. The old building was massive but lacked most creature comforts. The apartment that Natasha opened with her key was at least warm. Inside there was a small living area and there were two small bedrooms. Matt was ushered into the small one.
As if reading his mind, Natasha spoke first "Matt, please understand that this is first class accommodation usually reserved for party members, this will be the best of quarters during your stay here. It will get much worse when we travel north."
"Thanks Natasha, these quarters will be fine, I don’t expect we will spend much time in Moscow anyway, when do we go to Vladivostok?"
"My orders are to give you all the help I can. But I will not put either of us in unnecessary danger. We have work to do tomorrow. There is some food in the kitchen, help yourself" she noted as she turned and marched into the bedroom allocated to her and locked the door with a thud.
Matt found the bathroom first. He freshened up then decided food was not a priority. He was asleep almost as soon as he hit the pillow.
His cell phone woke him at midnight for his check-in call with Bill Simpson.
Chapter 53
Matt woke early and struggled to get back to sleep. Eventually he gave up and decided to stick with his usual routine of a morning run. He quickly and quietly changed into his running gear.
Not knowing where to find a key, Matt eventually found a roll of wrapping tape in a kitchen drawer. He just taped the plunger of the door and pulled the door closed after him. To a casual passerby the door appeared latched.
The miles were passing by quickly under Matt’s casual gait. The grey apartment block looked just like all the others in the area. So as not to get lost, he just decided to run down one road for a half hour, then turn around and come back.
After 30 minutes, he was still surrounded by apartment blocks and decided to head back. Matt was a little surprised that there were not more people outdoors. He certainly did not spot any other runners.