The Falstaff Enigma (44 page)

"At this crucial time I call for all officers of the Soviet armed forces to rally behind their new commander as we examine the various options available to respond to this gross act of aggression. Once again, comrades, the fascists wish to destroy our great revolution, but they shall soon learn the wrath of the Soviet worker. They shall soon learn that the great patience of the Soviet people has its limits. They shall soon learn that underneath the peace-loving velvet lies the sharpened steel of ultimate socialist victory. They shall soon learn that they cannot murder us, rape us and attempt to destroy us without paying the highest of prices. The deceit of fascism stands as nothing beside the righteousness of the struggle of the working man. The dark face of …"

Anatoly Borskov raised the microphone to his lips. ''Robert, are you there? Over."

"Yes, my friend."

"Send in the liberators. Over." The KGB colonel's heart rate eased to its usual pace.

Robert Austin, an analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency, an arm of the United States Department of Defense, issued the orders for elite Soviet forces to storm the television studios of Moscow One. The fighting was over in less than an hour. Marshal Timolenko did not survive. His destiny had not been what he expected.