The general thought about it. “Go on.”

“There are no Allied Special Force units in or near Kaliningrad. However, we are already picking up indications that they are trying to infiltrate British SAS and SBS, together with American Deltas and SEALs into Estonia and Latvia. Precisely where NATO will attack. If it is foolish enough . . .”

“So?”

“So, these five British infantrymen were in Latvia conducting training and were caught behind our lines when we recovered our Baltic Provinces. They have been left there. The border is so closely guarded by land, sea and air that nothing can get in and nothing can get out. They are stranded and making mischief. And that’s it. Nothing strategic, just being nuisances.”

“They’ve certainly succeeded in that,” the general growled, with the first hint of a smile of recognition for a fellow professional.

“I know, Colonel General. Which is why I’m here . . . Anyway, we believe they are on a recce mission. No more. No less. They are with a handful of Forest Brothers. However, each missile battery is guarded by a reinforced company and each is based in a highly defended complex. What possible threat could these few British constitute to us? What can they hope to do?”

“Attack our missiles . . .”

“With what, Colonel General? When I saw the British officer he was on the back of a motorbike, looked half-starved, and was armed only with an infantry rifle. What can he hope to do with that? And, even if he were to attack them, NATO knows the President will reply with nuclear missiles. They’d be mad. Which is why their Special Forces are nowhere near here. These men are lying low, trying not to be caught. Doubtless trying to do something useful, like reporting back our troop dispositions.”

“Your conclusion?”

“This is your opportunity, Colonel General. The President wants this British officer. Were it not for that I’d bomb them from helicopters and drones and send in our airborne to pick up the remains. Because that’s all that would be left of them. But the President wants us to give him this man to put on television. Alive . . .”

“Take a seat, Vronsky . . . Sasha!” he bellowed at the closed door.

A terrified-looking ADC opened the door and saluted. “Yes, Colonel General?”

“Vodka, two glasses, and a plate of ‘salo.’5 And quickly. Major Vronsky and I have a plan to put together.”

The general turned back to him. “Your plan?”

“Colonel General, early this morning we intercepted another radio transmission. Same radio, same operator. It’s the British. This was about twenty kilometers north from Pravdinsk, in the forest south of the River Pregolya.”