One Hundred Twenty-Six: The KGB's Decision

After leaving the Changbai Technology Laboratory, Basha Kuravlyova immediately put into practice every anti-surveillance technique she had mastered during her training back home. She started by constantly switching taxis and buses throughout Silicon Valley, and finally, she boarded a plane to tour several famous American tourist cities. Only after she was absolutely certain that no one was tailing her did she board a flight back to Switzerland. Before departing, she had already reported the compromise of her identity to the organization through secret channels, and the organization had authorized her withdrawal.

Seated on the plane to Switzerland, Basha finally felt a sense of relief. Although she was a professionally trained agent, that did not mean she was fearless. She had initially assumed that her exposure would cost her her life, but to her surprise, the people at the Changbai Technology Laboratory had not reported her identity to the FBI, the CIA, or any other intelligence agencies. Could it be that what the Oriental man said was true? While she was currently safe, it did not mean she was out of danger. For an agent whose identity had been compromised, even a successful return home meant facing the first hurdle: an internal investigation. If the organization suspected her of betrayal, her life would be forfeit. This was no easy trial to pass.

As expected, no sooner had Basha landed in Switzerland than she was whisked away through secret channels by organization personnel and taken back home. Inside a clandestine KGB base, a stern-faced Caucasian man, roughly forty years of age, sat opposite Basha and spoke:

"Comrade Basha! Please provide a detailed account of your experiences during your year-long infiltration of the Changbai Technology Laboratory in the United States, including the circumstances of your capture when the mission failed. Do not omit anything, and do not hold back! You are well aware of the organization’s capabilities; even if you try to hide something, we will eventually uncover it. We need firsthand information to judge the true intentions of this Hong Kong man named Wei Hua. We know he has close ties to the U.S. government; not only is he close with a high-ranking official in the CIA named William Harrison, but he is also well-acquainted with the current President of the United States. In fact, a portion of the President’s campaign funds was donated by this very man. How could such an individual possibly want to provide his advanced technology to us?"

Basha knew that the situation was now entirely out of her control. All she could do was recount every detail of her time there; as for how the organization would deal with her, she would have to leave that to fate. She meticulously described her year of work at the laboratory while a recorder documented every word. Her account continued until the moment she was picked up by the organization's operatives in Switzerland.

"You say this man, Wei Hua, told us to send someone with the authority to make decisions to Hong Kong to negotiate with him, is that correct?" the middle-aged man asked.

"Yes, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel! That is exactly what this Hong Kong man said in the small room within the laboratory’s warehouse. He claimed to be a businessman, and in his eyes, most things in this world can be treated as commodities to be bought and sold. He also mentioned that he has no interest in ideologies, whether they be socialism or capitalism," Basha replied.

"Very well, Comrade Basha. You will remain at this base for now. You know the organization’s regulations; we need time to verify your claims, so you are not permitted to leave," the man stated.

"I understand, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. I will remain at the base until the organization has verified my report. I submit to your orders," Basha promised. The Soviet KGB was rightfully considered one of the world's most formidable intelligence agencies, possessing capabilities on par with the U.S. CIA, Britain's MI5, and Israel's Mossad. Less than twenty days later, Basha was summoned to meet the Lieutenant Colonel once again.

"Comrade Basha, you are a good comrade and an excellent operative on our secret front. We have verified almost everything you reported. You have not failed the trust placed in you by the organization and the state. Your loyalty remains intact, so we intend to put you back to work. Do you have any objections?" the Lieutenant Colonel asked.

"I have no objections! I will do whatever the organization requires. I will follow your arrangements completely!" Basha replied.

"Our decision is to send you to Hong Kong. We believe that what this Wei Hua said may be true, as he has not disclosed your identity to anyone regarding the Changbai Laboratory incident even now. We believe he truly wishes to conduct a trade with us, and our Space Agency is indeed in need of his solar cell technology. We want you to contact this Wei Hua in Hong Kong and see what his conditions are. What do you think?"

"I accept the mission to Hong Kong," Basha affirmed. Just as Wei Hua was meeting with the group of 'princelings' from Beijing at Rong Zhijian’s home, Basha had already flown to Hong Kong. She now operated under the guise of a commercial representative for a Swiss technology firm, there for a business inspection. Wei Hua’s Xuechi Company was among her targets. Basha was not alone; she had brought two comrades with her. Upon exiting Kai Tak International Airport, the three checked into the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.