"Orders . . . orders from Minsk," Voshchanka said. "I have been relieved of command."

"What...?"

"It's true," Voshchanka said in despair. "That Lithuanian ass Palcikas complained to his president, who brought the matter of our . . . urn, investigation of the helicopter crash to the Commonwealth Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers ordered that I be relieved of command of Commonwealth forces in the Baltic states."

"They cannot do that!" Colonel Gurlo gasped.

"There's more," Voshchanka said. "The Defense Ministry of Belarus is opening an investigation into whether we were authorized to release weapons and overfly Lithuanian airspace in chasing down that Lithuanian traitor. They are upset at the loss of the helicopter and the crew."

"As are we!" Gurlo retorted. "They should be investigating where that other attack aircraft came from, not persecuting you for the loss!"

"It doesn't matter," Voshchanka said wearily. "I'm to return to Minsk to sit before a review board." He looked at Gurlo with pained, almost destitute eyes. "Oleg, I could lose my rank! I could lose everything! A dismissal before a review board could ruin me. No one goes before a review board without suffering."

Colonel Gurlo was thunderstruck-he was watching his commanding officer, his mentor, almost reduced to tears by the Lithuanians. "What can we do, sir? Who else but you is qualified to take command of your deployed forces? Everything will unravel."

"That was the third part of the message," Voshchanka said. "As part of the conference held between Lithuania and the Commonwealth, the

Commonwealth Council of Ministers is ordering all Commonwealth forces out of Lithuania and back to Belarus. A civilian liaison group will be established in Lithuania to oversee treaty verification and transitional procedures. Our forces in Kalinin are to be removed as well-until 'other' Commonwealth forces can replace them. You know what this means?"

"These 'other' Commonwealth forces-the Russians?"

"Exactly," Voshchanka said. "A detachment from Latvia and one from St. Petersburg will arrive within two to three weeks to set up patrols in the port city and along the highways.

Belarus forces will not take part except during annual exercises."

"It's happening." Gurlo sighed. "Just like General Gabovich said- everything is falling apart, sir. We're going to lose all that we-"

"Shut up," Voshchanka said, rising from his chair to pace the room. "Just be quiet. I have to think. "The room was silent for a few moments when the telephone interrupted. "I don't want to talk to anyone," Voshchanka said as Gurlo picked up the receiver.

Colonel Gurlo listened for a few moments, then said to the caller, "Hold on." Voshchanka turned to admonish Gurlo for disobeying his orders, but Gurlo said quickly, "It's General Gabovich, calling from Vilnius on the secure line. He says he knows about your orders and he is repeating his offer to help."

"Gabovich? How in the-?" But Voshchanka fell silent. Yes, Gabovich certainly did have his spy network intact-he knew about the orders at the same time as Voshchanka himself, perhaps even earlier. He picked up the phone: "This is General Voshchanka."