Kolginov examined the card and recognized the man's name immediately~although they had not met before, Kolginov knew Gabovich was the head of security for Fisikous, hired by the scientists themselves to Provide "special" security procedures and services for parts of the facility not yet open to inspection by Lithuania. Kolginov also knew that GaboVich and his_aide, a man named Teresov, were former KGB_officers_and most likely still had their entire KGB apparatus intact. Kolginov had never seen the third man. He motioned to Luger and asked, "And that man...

"Doctor Ivan Sergeiovich Ozerov. He is under my supervision. He is not required to show you his identification," Gabovich said testily. "Now, what is your reason for being in this wing of the facility, Major Iron Wolf?"

"I am on an inspection tour of-"

"There are no guard posts down this corridor, Major," Gabovich pointed out. "I suggest you keep your nose out of business that does not concern you."

"If you have a problem with my actions, Comrade Gabovich," Kolginov said loudly, "you-"

But he never had a chance to finish. Gabovich, flushed with anger as his patience finally snapped, pulled out a huge Makarov pistol and aimed it at Kolginov, silencing him immediately. Teresov pulled a gun on Surkov before the NCO could reach into his holster.

"I am ordering you to close your mouth, move away from this area immediately, and keep your mouth closed about this incident, or I will shut you up permanently," Gabovich said.

"This is a private operation, underwritten by the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Ozerov is a CIS scientist under my care, and you are in violation of internal-security regulations. If you have damaged this operation with your actions, I will see to it that General Voshchanka goes to your government and has you stripped of your rank. If you don't believe we have the power to do that, just try it. Now go.

Kolginov glanced at Surkov and shook his head. He knew that Surkov could probably disable Teresov in the wink of an eye, and he might even reach Gabovich, but eventually one or both of the CIS officers would gun them down. There was no use fighting it out here and now-better to wait. Kolginov and Surkov stepped backwards away from the two MSB

agents, and Teresov made sure that they were retreating away from the conference level before rejoining Gabovich.

"Damn those Lithuanian busybodies," Teresov cursed. "Do you think they heard what we were saying?"

"I do not know," Gabovich snapped. "See to it that access by Lithuanian security forces is restricted or denied."

"How do I do that?" Teresov asked. "The Commonwealth offers equal access to the Lithuanian Self-Defense Forces as it does to us. They let everyone in this place-Latvians, Byelorussian troops, Polish investors, everyone. We don't have the strength or influence to get the CIS to keep the Lithuanians out."