"It was a heavily scrambled message to an aircraft flying from Berlin to Helsinki," said Zilash. "Corporal Ivashin ordered satellite reconnaissance of the aircraft. Though the flight path took it under heavy cloud cover-- intentionally, it appears-- we were able to get a couple of good looks at it through breaks. The aircraft is an Il-76T."

Orlov and Rossky exchanged glances. For the moment, their feud was forgotten.

"Where is the plane now?" Orlov asked.

"On the ground in Helsinki, sir."

Rossky leaned forward. "Zilash, were you able to see a number?"

"No, Colonel, but it's an Il-76T-- we're sure of that."

"A lot of planes are being shifted around," Orlov said to Rossky. "Someone might be using the opportunity to defect."

"Two other possibilities come to mind," Rossky said. "The team Valya has been watching may be a feint to draw our attention from some other mission, or the U.S. is running two entirely different operations from Finland."

Orlov agreed. "We'll know more when we see where the Il-76T is headed," he said. "Zilash-- keep following the plane and let me know the instant you have anything else."

"Yes, sir."

As Orlov punched off the speaker, Rossky took a step toward him. "General--"

Orlov looked up. "Yes?"

"If the plane enters Russian airspace, the Air Force will want to bring it down, the way they did that Korean Airlines jet. They should be alerted."

"I agree," said Orlov, "though with a wall of radar and other early-waming devices, it would be suicidal to try."

"Under ordinary circumstances, yes," said Rossky. "But with the heavy increase in military air traffic over the past few days, it wouldn't surprise me if the plane simply tried to slip in and lose itself somewhere."

"Point well taken," Orlov said.

"And the boat?" Rossky asked. "We're obliged to inform the Navy--"

"I know what we're required to do," Orlov cut in. "But that one is mine, Colonel. Let them land, watch them, and tell me exactly what they're up to."

Rossky's jaw shifted. "Yes, sir," he said, saluting without enthusiasm.

"And Colonel?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Do your best to ensure that nothing happens to the crew. Your very best. I don't want to lose any more foreign agents."

"I always do my best, sir," Rossky said as he saluted again and left the office.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Tuesday, 12:26 A.M., Helsinki

The South Harbor district of Helsinki is famous not just for the crowded market square that adjoins the Pressidential Palace, but for the boat rides which leave for Suomenlinna Island several times a day. Nestled at the entrance to the harbor, this imposing "Gibraltar of the North" is home to an open-air theater, a military museum, and an imposing eighteenth-century castle. Adjacent Seurasaari Island is connected to the mainland by bridge and is the site of the Olympic Stadium, which hosted the 1952 games.