Gardens of Destruction

Lieutenant Andrey Lipov was preparing his luggage, or more precisely, arranging what his wife hadn’t packed in the suitcase. It was difficult for him to part from his family, but his profession demanded it. He loved Lena and was grateful for her immense patience during his combat missions, especially appreciating her reserved nature, a quality of great value in a woman. He had married late at thirty-five; before that, it had been impossible to establish a family. Only after settling in one place did he start to consider it. He didn’t regret the delay; on the contrary, he believed he found the most wonderful wife in the world. Moreover, she bore him the most beautiful children – a boy and a girl, currently fifteen and thirteen respectively. In a word, he saw himself as a contented man.

For many years, he had served the state conscientiously and hadn’t expected to be used for new tasks beyond Russian territory. Approaching fifty, he had submitted a retirement request, although he felt he was in peak form, or at least that was how he perceived himself. The towering giant had lived through several wars, participating in operations in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Georgia, and who knows how many similar ones, always managing to survive. Not without injuries, of course, but mostly with luck, he believed. He wasn’t convinced that good training could save you. It could help, but not save you.

It was difficult beginning for him. There was a certain suspicion surrounding him due to his heritage. He hailed from an old family of Bessarabian Bulgarians who had relocated to Imperial Russia, fleeing from the atrocities of the Ottoman Empire. His flawless Russian often misled people to think of him as a pure-blooded Russian, but his heart always fluttered whenever he heard the name of his ancestral homeland.

Due to his abilities and imposing physique (his name origin Lipa - Lipov means Linden-Tree in both Bulgarian and Russian), he quickly advanced and was transferred from his former combat comrades to “Vympel” – a strategic squad with a secret purpose under the First Main Directorate of the KGB, trained to conduct operations against special objects. Following the disbandment of the unit during another military reform in Russia, he was retained in service after serious re-qualification. Andrey didn’t have problems due to his natural intelligence. He had always wanted to study more, but after the fall of communism, he couldn’t afford it; he had to provide for his family, and the income from security services, if not sufficient, was at least secure. The work at the services was quite different from the combat operations he had been involved in. Here, he had to rely more on his quick thinking than his quick reaction with weapons. Gathering information proved no less challenging than sniping, for instance. Now, however, he found himself in a different situation, one he wasn’t convinced he could handle.

Lieutenant Andrey Lipov had been summoned the previous day to the office of the department chief, an uncommon honor. His direct supervisor was also present.

“Lieutenant Lipov, I presume you have no idea why you’re here?” said the general.

“I have no assumptions, General, sir,” he replied, secretly hoping it was about his recent retirement request. He had every right to ask for it, but they were well within their rights to disregard his wish.

They didn’t invite him to sit, and he stood like a statue in the middle of the room while the general leafed through some folders on the desk. The room had a pungent smell of mildew... and of communism. Nothing had changed in this office since the fall of the wall. Portraits of the party leaders stared at him accusingly from the wall, as if blaming him for the current state of the country.

“I see your file, Lipov, and I must say, you have been an exceptionally reliable servant, and your experience as a Spetsnaz makes you a good candidate. With the colonel, we agree that you should be the one we send.”

Andrey sensed that things weren’t going in the right direction. Obviously, it wasn’t about his retirement, but rather a new task, and he suspected it was quite significant, considering he was summoned by the general rather than informed through the usual channels.

“Please, have a seat, Lieutenant,” they finally invited him to take one of the empty chairs.

“Now, we need to talk about something,” continued the head of the department.

“I assume you are aware of the information about the asteroid that fell in the States?”

“Yes, General, I am partially familiar with the case,” replied Andrey, though he only had access to what he had seen in the news, not any classified information.

“Good. Lieutenant, I want to inform you about your next assignment,” the chief gazed at him intently. “You’ll be assigned as security for Professor Alexey Mironov. Are you familiar with him?”

“I haven’t heard of him, General,” Lipov admitted.

“He’s one of our top scientists, an astrophysicist, who has worked for years on our space programs,” clarified the colonel, who had been silent until now.

“What does the professor need security for?” asked Andrey.

“Here’s the situation. After tough negotiations, we’ve managed to agree with the Americans to send a team of our scientists, led by Professor Mironov, to the research base near the object.”

Andrey pondered. So, this was it. He was going abroad. His first thought was how he would tell his wife. He had promised that everything would be over soon, that he would retire and have more time for himself and the kids. And now, the Americans. He didn’t like these people. Despite conducting several successful operations with them, despite encountering decent individuals among them, he continued to have an underlying dislike for them. It irked him, the way their society was structured, the blurred values, the vulgarity, and the insensitivity. He couldn’t stand this narrow-mindedness, centered solely around one word - money. Yet, his upbringing during communism also played a role. He wasn’t sure which aspect he detested more. Now, he could do anything, travel anywhere, buy anything, but he lacked money. Back then, he had the means, but couldn’t do any of those things. He regretted the iron discipline he had.

“Andrey, Andrey,” he heard the colonel’s voice. “Where did you drift off? We’re not done yet.”

“Apologies, gentlemen. I got lost in thought. I was expecting you to call me regarding my retirement request, but clearly, it’s something else.”

“Don’t worry,” reassured the general. “I know it’s unexpected. Believe me, we were also surprised when we got the call from above, informing us about the agreement with the Americans.”

“I’m not a scientist. I don’t know what I can do there,” Lipov expressed his surprise.

“You won’t be a scientist, Andrey,” intervened the colonel. “You’ll be part of Professor’s team. We’ve arranged to have a few unarmed guards, and you, being a specialist in cold weapons...”

The colonel knew Andrey’s passion for what he called “men’s weapons.” He believed that a battle is manly only when it’s face-to-face, like in ancient Rome, gladiators. Today’s weapons couldn’t make a fight; it was plain and simple murder.

“Besides,” continued the colonel, “We’ve assessed that the Americans will expect KGB personnel to be among the scientists. They’ll focus their attention there. They’re unlikely to suspect you, as you’ll be visibly military, part of the security. And you won’t have access to the scientific research there. I hope they won’t become suspicious of you.”

“Am I going alone?” Andrey inquired.

“No, of course not!” exclaimed the general. “There will be more of our people, both among the scientists and the security.”

“Okay, what will be my real task then?” Lipov tensed, clenching his fists, trying to remain composed. He hadn’t even left yet, but he felt serious trouble awaited him.

The general and the colonel exchanged glances and said something silently, as if they understood what to say from this point onward.

“Lieutenant Lipov, we must tell you something of the utmost secrecy.”

Andrey tensed unconsciously, his heart racing.

“What you need to know is that according to all our scientists, the object that the whole world thinks is an asteroid, isn’t.”

“Do you think it’s a setup by the Americans? Some new weapon?” Andrey speculated.

“No, it’s not that. It’s worse. It’s not the Americans. Our scientists suspect it’s an object of extraterrestrial origin.”

The lieutenant shuddered. He hadn’t expected things to unfold like this; he didn’t know what to say.

“What we need from you is to observe the Americans and see if they’re hiding anything from us. If they’re conducting secret research away from the scientific team in the base. We expect you to try to penetrate inside and bring us artifacts from there.”

Andrey was shocked. His mission surpassed all boundaries of imagination. He wondered if he was dreaming or if he was indeed having this conversation with his superiors. He clasped his head and buried his face in his palms. No one interrupted him.

Andrey pleaded, attempting to dodge the task, after lifting his head.

“Can’t you send someone else? I’m not in my prime anymore, and I have a family to support.”

“No, Lipov, you can’t. We’ve chosen you for several reasons, which we won’t discuss now. We simply consider you the most suitable. This is an order. You know what happens if you don’t obey orders,” the colonel said sternly.

“Don’t worry, Andrey,” the general intervened with a softer tone, using his first name for the first time.

“We’re not sending you on a suicide mission. You’ll do what you can; we don’t expect miracles. Keep in mind that there’s a substantial reward, though, if you bring back an artifact from the object.”

The lieutenant almost choked upon hearing the sum. It would make his family wealthy, allow his kids to study in prestigious private schools, buy a new car, a new house—he briefly daydreamed.

“What if something happens to me while trying to get the artifact? What will you do?” he muttered more to himself, but received an answer without expecting one.

“The reward has already been allocated. Even if you don’t return, they’ll receive it!” the general said.

Andrey didn’t know what to do, but evidently, there was no choice for him. For unknown reasons, he had been chosen for the task and saw no option for refusal that wasn’t tied to imprisonment. He made a swift decision; at least his family would be provided for, regardless of whether he returned alive.

“Mr. General, Colonel, give me the case documentation and tell me when we depart so I can prepare!” he said, standing up, bolstered by the approving looks of his superiors.

***

Andrey stood in the corridor, his wife Lena clinging to him tightly, their embrace a lifeline amidst the impending storm. The half-open bedroom door revealed the sleeping forms of their children, their peaceful slumber a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within the couple’s hearts. Their eyes met, a silent exchange of love and sorrow, for they were well aware that this farewell would be long and arduous. The air in their cramped apartment was heavy with the weight of their impending separation. Andrey’s mission, a task his comrades had deemed irreversible, loomed before him, a stark reality that threatened to shatter their fragile bond. Yet, he refused to succumb to the superstitious dread that gnawed at his resolve.

“I must depart, my Lena,” he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur.

Lena’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, yet her gaze held a strength that mirrored his own. “I know, Andrey,” she replied, her voice laced with understanding. “Let us sit for a moment, my love, before you venture forth. Let me gaze upon you one last time, before you fade into the distance, leaving an indelible imprint upon my soul.”

They found solace in the narrow, uncomfortable shoe rack, their embrace a silent promise amidst the chaos that threatened to engulf them. With each passing moment, the weight of their farewell grew heavier, their hearts sinking with the realization that they were on the cusp of an uncertain future.

Suddenly, Andrey stood, his eyes brimming with tears. “Wherever I may roam, whatever trials I may face, know that I will return to you,” he declared, his voice filled with unwavering determination. “I promise you, my love, I will find my way back to you, no matter the cost.”

With a final, lingering gaze, he turned and strode towards the door, his footsteps echoing in the stillness of the apartment. Before leaving, he paused, his heart heavy with the weight of their separation, and whispered softly, “I love you, Lena.”

***

Patterson heard a knock on his office door but decided not to respond immediately. He felt overwhelmed by all the responsibilities and tension that were upon him. The door opened without waiting for his permission.

“General, forgive me,” it was his secretary. “Captain Davidson is here to introduce himself to you.”

“Let him in,” Patterson sighed heavily, thinking how he didn’t want to deal with new faces at the moment.

The door opened, and the captain entered with quiet but confident steps. Patterson assessed the man in front of him—young, self-assured, and experienced. His demeanor and posture indicated he wasn’t just another parachutist from Washington.

“Davidson reporting as ordered, Sir!” he began according to protocol.

“So, it’s you,” Patterson responded significantly.

He didn’t invite him to sit, just observed him intently. The soldier didn’t react; he just stood there, surveying the room with interest, not moving an inch.

Patterson straightened up abruptly. “Listen, Davidson, I don’t know who you are or what connections you have. I’m not interested in the reasons you’re here for. I’ll tell you one thing only—don’t mess with me. Under no circumstances. I’ll tolerate you as long as you fulfill your duties conscientiously; if not, not even God can save you.”

“Yes, Sir!”

“I have no explanation for why there needs to be a head of security at the base not chosen by me! The whole thing stinks, and I’ll find out what it’s about! But this is my base and my operation, and here, my orders are the only ones followed, period!”

“Yes, Sir, everything will be as you command! I believe we share common goals,” Mark replied, glancing through the window toward the colossal structure in the distance.

“We’ll see. You’re dismissed!” Patterson calmed his tone, and the captain quickly left the room with brisk steps.