Andrei Voronin stood in the security center of Gadzhiyevo Naval Base’s ordnance complex, eyeing the camera displays across the front wall. The complex was a frenzy of activity today, as every handler and supervisor had been called in for an urgent inventory of all ordnance in the complex. Did his supervisors have any idea of how many bombs, missiles, mines, and bullets were in these bunkers?
Compounding Voronin’s irritation was that two of his most senior ordnance supervisors had stopped showing up to work a few days ago—not even providing a simple notice they were quitting—leaving him shorthanded directing the inventory.
Although the inventory was progressing slowly, it was going well. The weapon inventories completed thus far had totaled to the recorded quantities.
Two men in business suits entered the command post, and after questioning the nearest worker, headed toward Voronin. Upon reaching him, they flashed their identification: Federal Security Service.
“How are the inventories proceeding?” the older man asked.
Voronin relayed the results and answered additional questions posed by the agent. When the man asked if he had noticed any unusual behavior from any of the ordnance handlers or supervisors, Voronin saw an opportunity to make Bogdanov’s and Morozov’s lives difficult—an appointment with the FSB was one of the least pleasurable activities to have on one’s itinerary.
He explained how the two men had abruptly stopped showing up for work a few days ago, and finished with, “Why don’t you visit Bogdanov and Morozov, and invite them back to work. I could use their assistance.”
One of the agents took down their names while the other inquired further, showing an unusual amount of interest in two men who had recently quit their jobs.