Page 154 of Cry Havoc

“One man?”

“That is correct, sir.”

“These Special Forces soldiers are a breed apart. I look forward to reading the psychological profiles of those in Siberia.”

“We understand this man was a SEAL.”

“Like our maritime Spetsnaz?”

“Precisely.”

“I did not realize their SEALs were working in Laos.”

“It appears he is assigned to MACV-SOG as a maritime subject matter expert.”

“See what else you can find out about him.”

“Yes, Director.”

“The fact remains that Hanoi vacated the camp before the raid, which proves the value of our networks.”

“The raid almost succeeded,” Penkovsky noted.

“An illegal raid, outside what we know they call operational boxes, which limit where they can operate in Laos. Quite unusual.”

“It was only averted due to our asset’s initiative. Had an air support request not come to the attention of MACV in Saigon, Sergeant Voronin may very well have been captured.”

“He would die first.”

“Director, the fact that a FOB commander authorized an illegal raid into Laos tells us that they know Saigon is compromised.”

“And the fact that our asset still has access to top-secret briefings at MACV tells us that regardless of their suspicions, our agent-in-place retains his cover.”

“For now,” Penkovsky acknowledged.

“And, perhaps for the duration of the conflict.”

“We were also fortunate that Major Dvornikov was in Hanoi and not in Bangkok, where I understand he has been spending an inordinate amount of time.”

“That is where he meets with an asset who cannot travel to Hanoi,” said Lavrinenko.

“He endangers the mission. He should be in Hanoi.”

“I remind you that his plan is working, Comrade.”

“I am concerned that Dvornikov’s excursions to Thailand are putting us at risk.”

“He now travels with Sergeant Voronin.”

“The major is our one direct link to our assets in Saigon.”

“I will have the Rezidentura in Bangkok put additional men on him when he is in Thailand. He will not even know they are there.”

“Good. We are at a major turning point, Director. If our analysis is correct, the Americans will lose more men this year than in any other year of the conflict. Riots are destroying their cities. Their civic leaders and politicians are being assassinated.”

“All while we are poised to invade Czechoslovakia,” the director said, almost to himself.

“It is not just in America, Director. The riots and strikes just last month in France captured headlines around the world. Students from Nanterre and the Sorbonne inspired by Marx almost toppled the Fifth Republic. Even though de Gaulle has reasserted control, his reign is coming to an end. The world is changing in our favor.”