Chapter 13: Team

Torrential rain shrouded Lviv, a rare occurrence at the end of summer in Western Ukraine. In the Duvanka alley behind Rostochek Street, a patrol of soldiers in raincoats, armed and ready, passed by the alley entrance. Occasionally, they stopped to inspect one or two pedestrians who crossed their path.

War had broken out!

Just two days ago, the despicable Germans had torn up all agreements with Warsaw and launched a surprise attack on the Polish troops stationed on the border near Debowa. Now, no one knew the situation there. According to Warsaw's broadcasts, brave forces were organizing staunch resistance. Under the command of Marshal Edward Rydz-Śmigły, large contingents were assembling in the west. Meanwhile, as Poland's allies, Britain and France were actively preparing to join the war. It was believed that the detested Germans wouldn't hold out for long, and defeat was their only outcome.

Whether everything broadcasted was true remained unknown, but one fact had already confronted Lviv's citizens: since this morning, German planes had entered the skies above Lviv, dropping numerous leaflets.

The police and garrison were tense; they confiscated all leaflets and imposed a curfew in the city, casting a heavy atmosphere over the entire town.

Shortly after that squad of soldiers passed through the alley, two figures holding umbrellas turned into it. A man and a woman, they seemed like a couple, arms linked, exchanging smiles that would unconsciously ease one's guard.

After walking twenty-some steps into the alley, the two finally stopped at the entrance of a residence. It was a three-story building along the alley, likely with some historical significance, perhaps once inhabited by notable figures. Now, however, it appeared dilapidated, with weathered and mottled exterior walls, looking rather inconspicuous.

The woman with wavy blonde hair stopped at the door. After scanning the surroundings to ensure no one was there, she raised her hand and rhythmically knocked on the door.

Soon, with a creak, the old door opened. A young man with a gaunt face peeked out, glanced at the two figures, and couldn't hide his joy. Before he could say anything, the woman with wavy hair pressed his head and pushed him inside.

Entering through the door, just a step away inside, there was a wooden staircase leading upstairs. The stairs gave an impression of long neglect, creaking underfoot as if they might collapse at any moment.

The three ascended the narrow stairs to the second floor. The young man leading them pushed open a door, and instantly, a fog of smoke billowed out, its pungent smell capable of choking someone to death.

The woman with wavy hair seemed accustomed to such situations; she walked straight into the room. It was the man in the duckbill hat who appeared somewhat uncomfortable; upon entering, he couldn't help but cough a few times.

The room inside the door appeared to be a warehouse, cluttered with various items, leaving very limited space. Gathered in this room were four or five people, all around thirty years old. From the moment the man in the duckbill hat entered, all eyes focused on him.

"Comrades, let me introduce him to you," the woman with wavy hair said, "this is Comrade Lieutenant Viktor Viktorovich Tarashev."

As she said this, the man took off his duckbill hat, revealing a face that seemed sunny when smiling, but with deep wrinkles that hinted at a serious expression when the smile faded, which could be quite intimidating.

"Now, let's all introduce ourselves," the woman continued, "starting with me. Comrade Lieutenant, I am Sophia, Sophia Krivoyevna Sokolova, responsible for intelligence operations in Lviv, including overseeing undercover operatives."

Though they had already made contact previously, Viktor smiled and extended his hand to shake hers, saying, "Hello, Comrade Sophia. Thank you for your hard work."

"I am Kubkin, Kubkin Andreyevich Iskolov," a burly man who looked stern stood up, extending his hand to Viktor. "Formerly with the Nikolaev Militia Headquarters, transferred here two years ago."

"Hello, Comrade Kubkin," Viktor replied, shaking his hand. He knew Kubkin was responsible for coordinating the various guerrilla groups in Lviv and was known for his strong capabilities.

"I'm Andriy Antonovich Hrukhov, in charge of ideological propaganda," a bespectacled, refined-looking man stepped forward, extending his hand.

"Hello, Comrade Andriy," Viktor maintained his smiling expression as he shook his hand.

"Boris Vladimirovich Borisov, responsible for logistical coordination," a significant figure in this context, Borisov was officially part of the Border Guards, although he currently cooperated with Viktor's work. "Hello, Comrade Borisov," Viktor greeted him.

With the introductions complete, the young man who had led them in remained silent throughout. He seemed to be merely an office worker, not yet qualified to introduce himself in such circumstances.

These people present were Viktor's team for executing the plan, his so-called "team." What made things more complicated for him was that he was unfamiliar with all these individuals; he had no prior dealings with them and knew nothing of their characters. However, on the positive side, the internal purges within the country, especially within the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs, had not reached Lviv. Hence, these were experienced underground operatives.

Once the Soviet Army occupied Lviv in the future, Viktor could use these people as the backbone to quickly establish the Lviv State Security Bureau, which was his advantage.

After a brief self-introduction, Viktor began to read out the orders from higher authorities—referred to as orders, but in reality, they were more like reassurances.

With all the commotion within the Soviet Union, Lviv couldn't be completely unaware. At least, the leaders who had been responsible for the work of these people were now imprisoned, likely to be sent to the firing squad at any moment. Whether these individuals would face retribution was uncertain.

Now, Viktor brought new orders from higher-ups. Alongside new tasks, these orders included arrangements for their future—establishing the Lviv State Security Bureau after occupying Lviv. What did this imply? Undoubtedly, it meant their days of undercover work were nearing an end. Before long, they would become officials of the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs and could openly disclose their identities.

Most importantly, with these orders, it meant they wouldn't be subject to the purges within the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs. They were safe.

Upon Viktor finishing the reading of the orders, everyone present seemed excited. They were eager for the Soviet troops to cross the border and occupy Lviv as soon as possible.

After reading the orders, Viktor began detailed task assignments, primarily focusing on the "Lviv Operation."

With the assistance of his subordinates, the entire operation plan became much simpler. What Viktor considered a daunting manpower issue was nothing to Kubkin; he could mobilize all the guerrilla groups active in the Lviv region in no time.

As for weapons and logistical supply issues, Borisov didn't see them as problems either. He could apply to the Border Guards and smuggle the necessary supplies through soon.

Sophia handled intelligence work, crucial for the plan. Andriy was responsible for essential propaganda work, stirring up unrest among the Ukrainians in Lviv. Thus, by the end of the assignments, Viktor had nothing left to oversee personally.

Of course, having "nothing left" didn't mean nothing at all; he needed to coordinate and take responsibility for the entire operation plan's implementation. If the plan went smoothly, his contribution would be significant. But if not, the responsibility he would bear would also be immense.

Such was the role of a leader.

For Viktor, Lviv was not a safe place. Nowadays, the capabilities of the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs in counter-espionage were not as strong as they would be in the future. In comparison, the intelligence agencies of the Polish General Staff were much more formidable. Over the past few years, the Polish General Staff's intelligence agencies not only invested heavily in undermining the Soviet Union but also diverted resources to support Japan's actions in the Far East.

Under the arrangements of the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs, Viktor had been undercover in Lviv for three days. Reward posters with his photograph were plastered all over Lviv's streets, indicating that information about him had leaked from the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs.

Thus, the current People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs was indeed a department riddled with holes.