CHAPTER 4. SOMEONE LOSES, SOMEONE FINDS

"Critical of his environment. But not aggressive."

"Higher education. Chose telecommunications institute. Research engineer, experimental track. Continuation of childhood interests. That's why he studied radio electronics at technical college. Guided in this direction from the young technicians' club onward. Straight-A student. Recruited for Project 'Invisible Cigar' but dropped out at preliminary stage, abandoning his university under influence of American religious propaganda."

"Plus—honor student, research work, leap from technical school to elite. We'll require the same now."

"Minus—abandoned everything and left. Why is he even alive? Religious. Possibly idealizes America. What if he defects?"

"Military service. Non-confrontational, no hero. Avoided brutality. Once told fellow servicemen he wouldn't lie to superiors if others committed misconduct before his eyes. Due to his jest, a recruit went AWOL. Discharged as lance corporal, diesel-generator platoon leader. Achieved this rank in six months but advanced no further to sergeant."

"Minus—refused to bear arms during peacetime. When Chechnya war began, continued refusing under death threats. Probably why he wasn't promoted further."

"Ideal psychological profile: has morals, inner strength, but protests gently," the FSB officer summarized.

"Church activities. Translator, preacher, foreign contacts. Under surveillance in the '90s. File updated. Church denied re-registration. Participates underground. Reports to our informant."

"Serves a higher Boss."

"Provocatively clean, but we have leverage: he broke the law and could end up in detention," she noted.

"Employment. Retail. Refused electronic voting participation. Subsequently appeared accidentally in opposition channel video. Millions of views. Became honesty symbol."

"Here's where things get interesting," the Main Directorate observer smirked. "Opportunity and threat simultaneously."

"He didn't campaign. Simply told the truth. Without even drawing conclusions. That's what earned trust."

"Family. Married. Wife teaches mathematics, been our unofficial asset for years."

"Emotionally vulnerable. Makes him easier to control. That's a plus. And!" — The handler raised his finger — " He truly loves her. That bond is strong. "

"Previously worked in book distribution. Has persuasion skills. Flexible but not deceptive."

"So — suitable?" someone asked from behind.

Silence.