A Delicate Silver

by Mr. David R. Dorrycott

the usual suspects copyright Mr. Simon Barber

A delicate silver chain flowed like water through the paws of a Russian direwolf. One known only as The Leveler. Sidokha was his real name, though even he had forgotten his family name. So long ago had he last used it. Only Starling himself ever used his real name though. Again silver chain flowed from one paw to another, pouring like water so finely was it crafted. Though the locket it was attached too never moved. Had he been discovered with that piece of jewelry just ten years ago he would have been shot. Now though, only the red bird himself could order that. Gradually he stopped playing with the object, eventually snapping it open.

Inside was mounted a worn photograph of The Grand Duchess Anastasia Nicolaievna Romanov. Born in 1901, she had died of a gunshot wound to the forehead at the ripe age of seventeen. He knew that for certain because he had been the last person to kiss her, and the one who had shot her as well. After he was done with her that was. No woman should die a maiden after all. He personally had dumped her cooling body down that mine shaft, but not before taking from her neck this one object as his prize. An object that had importance unknown to his best agent, Tatiana Bryzov. Had Anastasia been alive she would now be twice as old as Tatiana, and still know the sable at sight. Thirty six full years old, where’s Tatiana was only eighteen. Still there would be no mistake in those liquid eyes he had watched life fade from. But there was a secret only he now lived to carry. When the Grand Duchess’s mother was brought before his firing squad she was heavy with child. A child that one young officer, barely twenty-three himself decided to save. That child had been born on the rough trip to that very same mine shaft. Had been the only survivor of that group of aristocrats doomed to die at a certain then General’s express orders. Hidden in the locket he carried was the only proof as to whom that child was.

He smiled as he looked into that open locket. Not daring even now to touch what lay within, what lay hidden under the photograph within its own compartment. Closing his captured toy he leaned back in his commandeered chair looking up at the ceiling for a moment. Oh what the White Russians freezing in Vostokiye would give to know the secret he held. What that fat sow hunting any living member would do, to be able to extinguish a certain young girls life forever. Slipping his toy back into its leather case he dropped both into a pocket. “Get in here” he yelled abruptly in Russian, returning to his normal style of sitting.

Opening the office a very peasant class bear stepped in. “You desire my services comrade?”

“Agent Bryzov will be here within the hour. When she leaves you are to escort her to her English toy. I have a large box to be delivered to that cat, you will carry it. Insure that nothing happens to the box or what it contains. I suggest that you carry a hidden sidearm. Now return to your duties.”

“Yes Comrade” the bear agreed, shutting the door behind him as he left.

Sidokha was not fooled. That one had the brains of half a turnup. He would have to be eliminated before the direwolf returned to Russia, else he would be a fool and try to kill Tatiana. That he would succeed was impossible, but he might go for that English girl and there he would most likely succeed. Sidokha had plans for that top heavy little pile of fluff. Watching as Tatiana carved her from crotch to neck was one of them. Once they were through with that cat she would have to go. Else she would forever be a distraction to his protegee. Letting Tatiana kill her slowly was the present he intended to give that sable. It was a present Starling had given him, when one of the Great Leaders mistress’s was discovered to be an English spy. Absently his left paw slipped into that pocket, caressing well worn leather. ‘Oh Tatiana, if you only knew what I hold’ he told himself.

A little while later Tatiana did enter her Consulate. As always she wondered if she would be leaving alive, or as pig food. When dealing with The Leveler one could never know. She well remembered watching as he gutted one of his friends simply for speaking poorly of Starling. Ignoring the two guards (together they could not take her, as she had proven to both two years ago) she walked inside. Soon she was standing before Sidokha himself, though even now she did not know his true name. “My weekly report Comrade” Tatiana announced as she laid an envelope on his desk. This one she knew that on her best day, and his worst, she could never take.

Without a word to the attractive sable standing across from him Sidokha picked up the envelope. Opening it to read what it held with great care. Eventually he finished, letting the paw written pages fall to his desk like so many leaves. “You do well” he stated. “You mention a problem with those two third years?”

“Nothing I cannot deal with Comrade. They follow, I simply lose them. Or lead them to Millicent. I think the English girl does not like watching my actions with the cat. It is not her calling. I like making her watch. It is... fun.”

“I see. You are going to your Millicent next yes?”

“Unless you have another assignment for me Comrade, yes” Tatiana answered. “We are to be married in two weeks.”

“Not two weeks. On the twentieth. That is seventeen days, not two weeks. Be clear in all your answers.”

“Seventeen days Comrade. You will attend?”

“No. I wish to. I had planned such. Orders have come. I must return to Russia tomorrow. We have discovered he who turned in Vostokiye. Comrade Starling has requested my assistance with the interrogation.”

Tatiana shivered in reaction, for she well knew what kind of interrogation that poor agent was in for. She had been forced to attend several this direwolf had preformed, even to assist in the last one. Unlike the direwolf before her she did not find any pleasure in inflecting pain. None at all. “You will return” she asked, begging her private Gods that he would say no.

“I will meet you a week after your return from Hawaii. You are my best agent Tatiana. I know enough that these words will not swell your head, else I would not say them. I have a use for your little cat, and when she is no longer useful to me you will show me, on her naked body, just how sharp that blade is that she carries.” He stood, walking over to a table holding a large cardstock box. “Your measurements were very useful. I would not wish your wife to be in less than the best that Russia has to offer.”

Opening the box Sidokha withdrew a traditional Russian wedding dress. If that traditional wedding had been held in a palace, for a Czar. “It has no use in Russia anymore. A gift from Starling himself. He wishes a copy of your wedding photograph. For his private treasures. You impress him. When you finish this Songmark he has an important mission for you. Even now the foundation for that mission is being put into place. You will cause fall of White Russians in Vostokyie. They still hunt for a Romanov to guide them. Information has been leaked that Alexandra Romanov was secretly with child when in Siberia. That child was taken away before she was shot. Given to peasant family to raise. You will be that Romanov my Tatiana. You will be the fall of Vostokyie, for you are my best student. ”

Tatiana was impressed by the dress, though she paid close attention to the direwolf’s words. If even a tenth of those jewels were real it was a gift worth more than she had ever seen in her life. “I thought my name on that interrogation order” she admitted, not daring to move from her position. Not daring to ask further this mad plan.

“It was. Orders had already been written to have you returned my pet. Signed by Comrade Starling. They had arrived here only hours after the real traitor slipped his paw. Had he not, you would not be looking upon this dress, but the floor as chains were locked about your body. In days I would be interrogating you, not this other. So close did I almost lose my star pupil. Would you like to see those orders?”

“If I may Comrade” Tatiana answered. Her voice shook a bit, but she held her position. Barely. To have come so close to The Leveler’s blades. So very close. Comrade Gadinka would have been a pleasure trip compared to what she knew The Leveller would put her through, and still not yet take her life. When the papers were offered her it was with shaky paws that she held them. Iosif Starlings signature, in that dark green ink he used when the message was not good news. They still existed, which could only mean one thing. “I... I see. Then I am still to be interrogated?”

“One day. Perhaps” the direwolf admitted. “Should you ever disobey any order given you. For any reason. You may keep those papers as a reminder that we are all but puppets to the greater good. It could be that one day you will interrogate me. Should that happen, you will make me proud should you show no mercy.” He indicated her shaking paws. “As I would be, were my name upon those.”

Carefully folding the papers Tatiana slid them into the same place her report had been. They had been her death sentience. The end of her short life. “You have orders” she asked, slowly regaining control of herself.

“Only these. You will give this dress to your Millicent. It holds no danger to her or you. It was left over from the Czar’s time, never used. Should it need to be adjusted I believe that the English have adequate oppressed workers for that. You will deliver a copy of your wedding photo to these offices. A very large print. Your official photographer already has the order. I will not be here, so another will accept it. That of course will be sent to Comrade Sterling himself. Know this my little Tatiana, he has his eyes upon you now. Do not fail him.”

“My mother?”

“A photograph of proof of her passing will be delivered to you one week after you return from Hawaii, as promised. I will place it in your paws myself.” Sidokha sat, looking up at his still nervous agent. “When you have ended your toys life, most likely not long after your departure from this Songmark, we shall have each other again. Yes?”

A wave of disgust rolled through the sable’s body, a wave she managed not to show. “As you desire.”

“Good. Then go. I shall not see you until your return from Hawaii. One waits to carry your toys dress. Good hunting.”

Gathering the box Tatiana left. Unsurprised that her ex-controller was waiting to take it from her. He was a problem, and once the direwolf was gone he would be a worse problem. For he wanted her as his own toy. This Comrade’s name she did know, though she refused to use it. He was truly an unintelligent beast. Better he had remained on the farm. For he could barely write his own name and cared nothing for further education.

Some hours later Tatiana was in the English Consulate with Millicent. Tatiana was sitting, watching as a seamstress carefully made adjustments to that fantastic dress. “I was told that it is unwise for the groom to view his bride to be in her wedding dress” Millicent commented when she had the chance. “Before her entry into the church. That it would bring great bad luck to the marriage.”

Tatiana shrugged her shoulders. “I am not groom. I am Lady. Dah? Is not words to be Lady and Wife?”

“Pravda” Millicent agreed, causing her love to smile at the word. “You are the greater, thus I am to be the wife. When this wonderful lady has finished I have questions for you” the feline continued, straightening as the seamstress popped her buttock with a paw.

“As far as know Russia not ready invade England” Tatiana answered. She played with her tail, a habit she had picked up from her adopted mother. “Think maybe Fall of 1939.”

“Very funny. I care not for your Russian secrets” Millicent laughed. “Unless I am undressing them.”

These words caused Tatiana to blush, an act that brought a glowing smile to Millicent’s face. ‘She is so pretty when she smiles’ the sable thought. ‘Why did I not see this before? Of course, it is because I could not love her before.’

Before she could form a response the seamstress stood. “You may now undress. It will be ready in time. But the bodice child. It was made for a much smaller woman.”

“Then I shall have to be very careful” Millicent admitted. “Until after the wedding at least.” With the seamstress’s help she slipped out of her wedding dress. “And I was only going to wear a new dress I was looking at” she admitted as the seamstress left. “How could you afford such a thing?”

“I would like to know as well” a deep voice added from the same door that the seamstress had just left through.

Millicent screamed, holding her clothing in front of her as Major Hawkins walked in, shutting and locking the door behind him.

“Welcome” Tatiana answered without moving, for she had scented the bulldog waiting his chance to enter for some time now. “We talk dah?”

“We talk” the bulldog answered, pulling a chair forward from the wall.

“GET OUT” Millicent yelled. “I am not yet dressed!”

“Is she always this feisty” Hawkins asked as he pulled out his pipe, ignoring the blood red feline standing behind him.

“Yes. Much enjoy. Dress Millicent. You are mine to display dah? Then I display you again. Maybe one day you display me. Dah?”

“Tat.... Very well.” Throwing her clothing back onto the chair they had lain upon, the much embarrassed housecat began dressing. “We WILL discuss this” she continued as she made a show now of picking out each piece of clothing then examining it carefully before slowly putting it on.

“I don’t see why you bother” Hawkins laughed. “Tatiana will simply take them off you again tonight.”

Holding her brand new Sears bra Millicent turned full face towards the amused English agent. “Yes she will, and none too slowly either Major. Then she will feast upon my helpless body like a great jungle cat with a fresh kill. All through this long night. While you and Mr. Dassher drool hopelessly over those little photographs he took.”

Turning to face the feline the bulldog smiled. “Ah, were I young again. Millicent, believe me in this. We’re I young I would be challenging your Lady to a duel for your paw. You are much worth the having.” He gazed long upon the sight before him, then turned his back upon Millicent again. Though with much greater difficulty than the feline would have believed. “Seriously. How did that dress come to your paws.”

“The Leveler” Tatiana admitted, certain that Hawkins knew that name. “Information is was Caar’s, was never used. Has no place in Russia today. Starling itself sent to me.”

“I see. Tatiana. That is a design used by the Czar’s. Millicent is much taller than Anastasia, so it could never have been for her.”

“A question oh mighty British servant” Millicent asked as she slipped on her skirt. “Being as Anastasia was born in 1901. Simply please, how are you going to pass a not quite eighteen year old woman off as a thirty six year old.”

Tatiana leaned back, watching the emotions crossing Hawkins face. Hawkins though did not answer for some time. Finally he took a deep breath. “So go the plans of the mighty” he sighed. “So long, I was but twenty four when I met her last. She was the great jester, a wonderful photographer. She created my first wife’s best portrait. All simply to irritate her sister. Tatiana, it is the truth. When I look at you I see her again. Time passes so oddly. Quickly when the heart is light, dragging like an anchor when the heart is heavy. Your Lady is correct. I cannot pass you on as Tatiana, or any Romanov alive at that time. Now they are all dead.”

Millicent started buttoning her blouse, having already returned her dagger to its accustomed place. “I had truthfully wondered Major Hawkins. Though I much love Tatiana and will live where she wishes me to, the thought of helping her live such a lie. What with both our throats on the block is more than I could manage. I could never bring kittens into a life such as that. If you somehow do place her upon the throne of Russia, be well aware that I will be beside her for England’s interest.”

“Among other things” Hawkins agreed. “Tatiana. Tell me what you can of your last meeting. I ask of you no secrets, just what you may tell me.”

Looking over to Millicent, who was slipping the last of her clothing back on Tatiana held up one finger. “Office. Alone” she whispered. Her eyes though were on Millicent, a signal to the English agent that there was information the feline must not know. Not yet.

“Very well. After lunch then.” He turned to his now dressed Most Secret courier. “I will be borrowing your Tatiana after lunch. Will this cause you any difficulties Millicent” he asked.

”None, as long as she is returned to me in the same condition I have loaned her to you” the housecat agreed. “I would much dislike telling my mother in law to be that her daughter was abused by some mean, nasty English agent.” She did though smile, her expression telling Hawkins that she had no worry on that score.

“She is maturing” the bulldog commented.

“Dah. Though if mature much more, will burst buttons” Tatiana agreed. She did though smile to Millicent, then licked her lips in another signal. One only Millicent saw and one that caused her heart to race even now.

“I will see you by supper” Millicent asked Tatiana.

“Yes. I cook you nice Russian meal. Stone soup.”

Millicent laughed, a sweet full sound that now lightened the sables soul. “I think not. I have chicken prepared. It will be ready by six. Be home by then or I shall feed it to the guards. You can then howl for your supper.” She picked up her purse, walking towards the door Hawkins had locked. “Coming for lunch dear” she asked.

“Dah. After lunch. Your office” the sable explained to their male companion.

As Millicent opened the door she paused a moment. “Have Mr. Dassher destroy those snaps he took Major Hawkins. As my wife to be wishes to display me to you two, I shall insure that you have something the worth of viewing. If I have both your words no other will see it?”

Hawkins swallowed, covering his nervous answer. “Should your Lady agree” he managed. “I will be delighted to supply signed promises to that effect.”

“Very good. Tatiana, after lunch I will find a photographers shop. His results I will paw deliver to Mr. Dassher upon receipt of those documents. A Lady should not be seen as any base object of simple lust Major. She should be admired, enjoyed for more than simply her body. Still you have both seen all I have to offer. It is best that your imaginations not be allowed to wander into fields best left untouched. Good day sir.”

Hawkins watched the door close before standing. “My has that girl grown up since finding the Russian” he laughed. “I fear for Tatiana. Now that she has woken up, I fear that Millicent will ruin her.”

They were eating at Perrys again when Tatiana broached the subject. “Photograph. You were jesting” she asked.

Millicent looked up from her plate, a blush evident under her facial fur. “Tatty. Twice now you have let these men look upon my body against my desires. You treat me as a street woman, with no modesty. I have no secrets from those two, where I should only have no secrets from you. So I grant them a special photograph, what does it matter anymore?”

“They not know how you wear dagger” the sable offered.

“They will in this photograph. Tatty. I love you. Lately I have come to realize that you do love me as well. At least a little I think. But as much as I do love you, and that more each day I find, I am not an object of property. I am not one of that Mare’s broken women to do whatever I am told. I am a Lady Tatty. I will show my body to whom I wish to see it, and for now that person is only you. In the future, when we select those who will grant me the kittens I know we both so much desire. Then another will see my secretes. Tatty. Please, don’t do this to me again. I beg you.”

Tatiana played with her food, pushing it around on her plate. Had been playing with her food since it arrived. “Milly. Please. My social skills. They are nothing. I have no secrets. Have been used by others when want. Will have to allow in future too. Social skills. You will help me learn such?”

“Dah. If you will cease allowing every male you meet to undress me.”

“Agreed. You still will make photograph?”

“I have given my word Tatty. A woman who does not keep her word is not a woman worth knowing. She is certainly not a woman worth loving. Or trusting.” Millicent looked around them, though they had kept their voices low she was aware that some species would have picked up the conversation. “When you return home this evening, we will speak more about this. Now it is time I located a photographer.”

Tatiana let her fork drop, her meal almost untouched. “Go to Double Lotus. Explain to barmaid what need. She send you to trustful photographer. My word Milly, I not do this again unless have too. I apologize.”

“Thank you” the housecat answered. “I truly wish to become useful to my country Tatty. To be useful is important to me. Having a poor reputation simply would not allow this. Now it is your turn to pay as I recall, thus I will be waiting for you at home. With I hope a small surprise that will delight you.”

After walking Millicent to the Double Lotus Tatiana returned to the English Consulate. There she found not only Hawkins and Dassher waiting her, but the greyhound she vaguely knew as Captain Heller. “Millicent’s offer not for Greyhound” she said after the door closed behind her.

“Much to my loss” the greyhound admitted. “Whatever that delightful ladies offer is, which I currently have no interest in knowing. This is not why I am present though.”

“Those two hounds are here because of a Chess game Tatiana. One that is already well in play” Major Hawkins explained. “Please, sit. This will be a very long meeting. Should we hurry then you, and I will make our dinner dates.”

“Ah yes. Certain American darkfur otter doctor” Tatiana explained as she settled into a chair meant for her species. “Would not wish to affect that. You will marry her I think. This meeting. My people will wonder at this meeting.”

“Not to worry this time” Dassher piped up. “I have specific information for you that will interest them. We have a mole, an Italian leaning mole. I have his name. You will meet with him a little before leaving. I think that will do as a second contact within our hallowed walls?”

“Dah. Most likely. Is maybe using body to get information they think. Controller think that all women for anyway. What Chess game?”

Carefully Major Hawkins explained what he could about the game currently being played, and Tatiana’s place within it. When he finished the sable stood, walking to the rooms only window. “I owe you life” she admitted after some time. “Two. Mine, Millicent’s.” Still looking out that window she explained everything that had happened in her Consulate, keeping nothing back. “So they too want me as Anastasia” she finished, her voice now emotionally dust dry.

Silence filled the room then. Silence that held as three brains shifted into overdrive. “It could work” the bulldog decided after several minutes silence. “Alexandra was still young enough, she would have only been forty six in 1918. It is possible, and if Starling starts a witch hunt for this supposed last daughter of the Romanov family. They might just take the hook. I have told you many times Tatiana that you and Anastasia could have been twins.” He opened a drawer, taking out a folder. From it he extracted an eight by ten photograph. “Come look.”

Turning from the window Tatiana walked over to the waiting bulldog, taking from his paw that offered photograph. Holding it she walked to a mirror, studying both photograph and reflection for some time. “My name is Bryzov” she said, her voice flat, emotionless. “And Wei. Not Romanov. It is nothing more than chance.”

“Chance, fate, truth. Does it really matter” Hawkins asked. “You claim to be a true daughter of Russia. Not a Socialist. To save Mother Russia from Starling. What would you do? Would you become a Romanov?”

“Anything” the sable admitted. Then corrected herself. “Anything but harm Millicent.”

“You do love her” the collie Dassher gasped. “I thought it nothing but an act.”

“Was. At first” Tatiana admitted, still staring at her reflection. “Not now. Mother give gift. Now I feel true love for your Millicent. It is pravda. You have captured me fully. I am turned agent.”

“There was a Tatiana Romanov” Heller offered. “Perhaps. Tatiana, had you any brothers. Any sisters?”

“None.”

“Which of your parents was a sable” he continued.

“Both.” She turned to face the three now watching her closely. “Politics aside. This can not work. I not Romanov. When Grand Duchess see’s me she know truth in moment. Cannot work. I cannot be Tsarina. I not place Millicent’s throat in jaws of hungry bear. We wish family. Cannot place children in death camp.”

“No” Hawkins agreed. “You can’t, only your jaws are for dear sweet Millicent’s neck.”

Tatiana stared at the unsmiling bulldog. “You know? You know and let her into my paws?”

“We knew” Hawkins admitted. “But not until after you already had her heart. I have followed carefully your mothers healing of that woman’s soul. You see, a certain ferret gave me open leave to speak to any priestess. This I have done many times since that day. Not only Oharu, there is a rather interesting Priestess on Main Island watching over a certain Svedish citizen for example. These talks have truly opened my eyes about this country. I now believe that there is no chance any aggressor nation will ever again rule here for any length of time. Millicent’s problem is one that cannot be hidden, though she managed longer than I believed possible. I took my suspicions to your mother. Oharu worries for your two. It was not difficult to get her to tell me the truth. It was in her eyes to both your best interests that I know. I understand that Millicent wishes to become a diplomat. With this weakness unchecked she could never be allowed near such a position. With you controlling that weakness though.”

Tatiana laid the photograph down within Hawkins easy reach. “You give hard choices” she stated. “Mother also make hard choices. I say no, Millicent’s future lost. I say yes, I maybe die as false Romanov. Millicent’s bloody body beside me. What if I turn away now?”

“Millicent will be sent home for treatment tomorrow” Hawkins admitted. “There are rather good sanatoriums in England. They have had promising results with the new treatments.”

“Lobotomy. Extreme electrical shock. I rather kill her myself” the sable snapped. “Those not treatment. Those torture. Better send her Cranium Island as diplomatic envoy. At least she think be doing what dream do. Death be quick there.”

“I believe that one of your fellow students, a squirrel named Nancy Rote, went to Cranium Island recently” Dassher suggested. “And returned not only alive, but unchanged. Other than being married to a rather dangerous little shrew. That in the least would give young Millicent a chance. Perhaps.”

Tatiana laughed. “Squirrel go Cranium Island marry mad scientist shrew. How long you think before shrew start experimenting on new wife? I give Nancy half summer with shrew before shrew reduces her to mindless toy, or worse.”

“That is probably the truth, but it is well beyond our current interests” Hawkins interrupted. “Tatiana, there is more. Millicent is to be bait for a trap. One that could leave her as mindless as that Greek girl your mother brought back. It was a trade done while knowing you would not care what happened to her. It cannot be undone now, even though you have fallen in love with her. Finally.”

“Tell” the sable demanded as her flattened paw hit the table like a pistol shot. “Tell.... All.”

Much later a very unhappy sable knocked lightly upon Millicent’s door. Within moments that door swung wide open, a happy housecat enveloping her conquering hero home. It took her only seconds though to know something was wrong. “Tell me” Millicent demanded, drawing her love into the building before locking her door behind them.

Walking to the small love sofa Tatiana sat, stood to pull her tail aside and sat again. To her amazement Millicent did not laugh, simply settling on the floor at her feet. “It is important. It involves us. It is dangerous” the cat decided. “Very well, if into the sharks mouth we must throw ourselves, at least may it be holding paws?”

Tatiana smiled, leaning forward to run her fingers through Millicent’s hair. An act that always caused the feline to purr. “Would mind” the sable asked. “If I cut your throat right now? Feasted upon your heart?”

Millicent leaned back, studying her sables face. “It is then that bad? We are to be sacrificed upon the altar of liberty?”

“Bad enough” the Russian admitted. “Pravda. Is beyond my ability to change. We are but pawns now.”

Millicent gasped. “The chess game” she managed softly. “I have heard father speak of it, when he thought I was not awake. Oh Tatiana, are we truly pawns. To be discarded? Will they at least allow us our marriage? Tell me. Please my dearest. Tell me everything.”

Softly Tatiana repeated everything that she had been told, by both sides of that game that she found herself now nothing but a piece to be played in. When she finished Millicent stood. Reaching into that hidden slash within the folds of her skirt she withdrew her dagger. “Tatty. You are the only one who may freely taste my blood. Who will ever freely feast upon my willing body. What you have told me is frightening. It is nothing I ever wanted. None of it. I simply wanted to be a diplomat, to some small forgotten country perhaps. Then somehow that changed, I found that I wanted to be your wife. Even if that meant giving up all my dreams and living in a cottage forgotten by all. I found you worthy of that price. Well worth that price my dear Russian love. But to be expendable bait to slavers? Or as the Tsarina’s wife forever denied children? No Tatty. I never wanted either of those. I do not desire them now.” Tossing her blade on her floor the housecat turned and walked away, moving to stand by her radio in silence, to leave Tatiana to make sense of things.

“Milly. Many your people taken by slavers” the Russian started, then stopped when Millicent opened the radios upper section, taking a record from the pile next to it. “Milly. Please listen. I swear to you. I rescue you myself. This I swear on my name.”

“Not your mothers” Millicent asked, setting the record aside to pick up another.

“Which mother” the sable asked. “Oharu Wei, adopted mother? Who want’s I be priestess. Or Mama Krasa. Who I give to OGPU, now NKVD. Milly. I not have right swear on either name. That pravda.”

“Truth” the cat laughed, setting her second record aside as well. “Truth” she repeated in a softer voice. Turning to face her companion she frightened Tatiana with her anger. “WHEN HAVE YOU EVER TOLD ME THE REAL TRUTH” she screamed.

Startled Tatiana almost stood, catching herself only just in time. She had never seen Millicent this angry and wasn’t certain what to do yet.

“You find out my greatest secret. Drug me. Take me to your bed. I was a maiden Tatty. A MAIDEN! Being with a woman, I’d never considered that. Never. And you caused me to love you. Love YOU! I need you now. Even though I am aware that I am nothing but a toy to you. Something to play with, then discard when your done. Tatty.”

Millicent took a deep breath, forcing herself to unclench her paws. “Tatty” she continued, her eyes now closed tightly. “I had never been attracted to a woman. Or more likely, I never allowed myself to be so attracted. Then you broke through all my walls, all my safeguards. I had my life planned. Oh yes, I was going about it wrong. Thank you so very much for correcting that. I owe you something for that at least. All my life I wanted to be like my father. I listened in to his meetings when he was unaware. I read his writings, the writings of others like him. All his books, his letters. Even the secret ones. I studied hard. And all that time I fought my personal demon thinking I was just like everyone else. Then you waltz into my life. Not only do you shatter my best defenses as though they were dried ancient clay, you take me to Oharu. Oharu who works with me. Opens my mind. Shows me how to deal with this without asking for anything in return. She is like no priest or nun I have ever met. She is kind to me. She has never even asked so much as a thank you or a smile from me. Though I have of late freely given them. You though, I am a blouse to wear when you require it, to be tossed aside when you do not. Even then. Even knowing all this, I can not stop from falling deeper in love with you. You, a Russian spy who only accepted me because I am your punishment. Yes, your mother told me. Your punishment. Now you throw me to the wolves as bait for slavers, knowing I will be taken. I will be abused. I will not even have a choice in which male I first lay with. Why?”

Tatiana held her paws out, pads upward. “I.. Milly. I..” She too took a deep breath to calm herself. “In so much you are so right. I have used you. Milly. There never was a place in my heart for any man, or woman. But I asked mother. She made a place in my heart for you. Open a place I seal a lifetime ago, because I discover you do not deserve a loveless life.” She laid her paws on her knees, still pads up. “Before. Yes you were tool. Something to be used. Discarded. Yes, pravda I felt nothing for you. Dah, you are my punishment. Punishment for what I do to birth mother and father. But truth is Milly. I do love you. Please. Please do not make me live without you. I not like to bear such pain. I not strong like mother Oharu. To know you live, that I not able touch you. Not able hold you. Truth Milly. Now I need you.”

“And the slavers? I am just to be icing on their cake?”

“Milly. I have no say that. I try stop, they imprison me. Still use you. We are toys to large forces. Leaves blow in wind. Please Milly. Let me rescue you. Do not have me tear heart apart because you in danger. I not able save you if in prison. Please not to do that to me.” Tears started falling from Tatiana’s face. Tears caused by emotions she could not express, could not understand as yet. “Not do that to me.”

“Then you do love me” the housecat gasped. “That isn’t a lie. Then I am lost, no matter what?”

Tatiana kept her eyes down, looking at her paws and not up into Millicent’s face. “You let me rescue, you not lost. My soul on this. I walk away. Never say anything about weakness. Never bother you again. My word.”

Picking up the third platter Millicent looked at its label, turning it over before placing it upon her turn table. Lifting the stylus she placed its needle on the records surface, touching a lever before speaking again. “You leave me Tatiana and I will most certainly curl up and die. There are British subjects lost?”

“Not know how many” the sable admitted. “Some yes. Other countries too. Russia, America, Japan and Spontoon at least.”

“You will save me?”

“Dah, or join you.”

Millicent sucked air between her teeth as she made her decision. “You are aware of Three Moons ships cat” she asked.

“You know?” the Songmark girl gasped, looking up.

“Please. They made all we young ladies watch a film of her. Then listen as Doctor Riverstone explained exactly what had been done to her. A warning not to trust anyone from Krupmark. Yes, I well know.”

“Why ask then?”

Millicent looked down for a moment before answering. “Because” she explained as she looked up again, triggering that lever. “If you find me like that. Promise me that you will feast upon my living body. Living like that would be Hell for me.”

“My word. I feast your heart. My word” the Russian agreed, feeling hot tears soaking her facial fur.

Millicent walked to the sitting sable, taking Tatiana’s paws into hers as music began to play. “Then dance with me my love” she whispered as the music of Liszt filled the room. “We will play their game, you will save me and I will bear you many many kittens.”

Elsewhere Major Hawkins laid down the earphones he had been wearing, reaching over to open a switch. Vacuum tubes ceased their ruddy glow as he shoved the entire device into a hidden compartment, covering it with a sliding panel though elsewhere other ears maintained their listening post. A complete transcript of every word said in that building would be on his desk in the morning, and afternoon if the sable remained that long.

“And” the waiting greyhound asked.

“The word is given. Build your foundation well. If the Soviets are doing the same thing use them. Commence shadow operations to make it look like you are hunting the same person” the bulldog answered. “Create whatever evidence you need, I will inform the Home Office by code tonight.” He waited until Captain Heller had left before speaking further. “We almost lost them Dassher” he admitted. “Had not Tatiana’s mother opened that sables heart, and by God that is supposed to be impossible my parish priest kept saying, we would be cleaning up at least one body right now.” He turned around, staring at the standing collie. “I’d give odds on it being two. You gave those papers to the Russian?”

“Our agreements yes. As well as the material from our little mole and the negatives I took” the Dassher answered. “He will be hard pressed to deny Tatiana’s claims now. Seeing as to do so would mean he would have to admit being a mole. Which of course would result in a very messy death. Luck that was, to stumble over him. If it hadn’t been for that attack on Millicent’s quarters we’d have no real clue. That Millicent’s quarters are the reversed letters for our little traitor. That was pure luck.”

“True. Now we will see if our little maid has half the honor her Songbird has already shown. Sherry?”

“Delighted.”

Tatiana pushed herself away from the little table carefully. It was late, it had taken time for both of them to heal each other. Now they understood their true feelings and why. Now they were starting anew. Millicent it had been proven was an excellent cook. Apparently someone in her life had given her careful instruction, as the chicken and rice had been the best Tatiana had tasted in years. It was evident to the Russian that though her little English kitten might be a self centered girl, she still had been given some useful training by someone at home. Tatiana burped slightly, motioning to her empty milk glass. “Taste different. Like very much. Is sweet. What is from” she asked.

Millicent blushed so deeply that the sable thought her companion would catch on fire, a sure sign she had done something completely out of her social training. “You remember your comment, that I seem a bit larger. Upstairs” she asked, waving her face to cool it.

“Dah. Look same to me really. Still is much territory to examine for spies each night.”

Millicent blushed even deeper, not speaking until she could breath. “Tatty, you so embarrass me even when we are alone together. Please promise me that you shall not speak so coarsely in front of my father?”

Laughing the sable waved one paw in dismissal. “My word. I do best not to embarrass in front of father. Mother, that another matter. I look forward meeting her.”

“TATTY! Ohh.. Very well. Then have things the way you wish. You remember your mother explaining to us that my weakness can never be completely cured? That only you may keep me from throwing myself to some den of lions one day?”

“Dah, though I think mother make little joke. Mother once cross path mad carnivore huntress. She sickened at idea.”

“Yes well. You see Tatty. I spoke with your mother many weeks ago. An idea I had. She listened most carefully to what I had thought up. We spoke for some time, then she meditated upon my idea while I listened to the waterfall. I really do love that waterfall Tatty. It was with great delight that she allowed my to do this. Still I had to visit a wet nurse first, for instructions.”

“Wet nurse?” Tatiana looked again at the now empty glass, her third that night, which had exhausted the supply in Millicent’s little ice box. “That is?”

“My love is forever tainted Tatty. I give my love to you freely. But to fully do so, you must consume some part of my body. You mother agreed, my illness went too long untreated. She felt that cutting my body would forever shame you. So I thought of this. It is only for a short time. Truly.”

“But...” Standing the sable move around the table, lifting Millicent’s unresisting form from her chair as if she weighed nothing. “Nyet” she decided after studying the unresisting, but now giggling form before her. “You are not with kitten.”

“Of course not. We have not yet become married Tatty. Thus we cannot as yet select he who will give me the kittens that I will bear for you. I am still quite pure, in that respect. Still it is a wonder how certain herbs made into a tea, taken twice daily will often fool ones body.” She frowned. “You are not angry with me?”

“Nyet” Tatiana admitted, gently releasing the housecat. “Shocked dah. Mad? Nyet. I must have time. Time to digest this new side of you.”

“Oh yes” Millicent giggled. “You will be digesting me a lot. Especially in Hawaii. As there will be no icebox in our room I think. Your milk I am afraid will be rather warm.”

This time is was the sables turn to blush.

Sidokha studied the report that had just been placed into his paws. It was from their Italian contact. He smiled as he read that Tatiana had located the Italian’s mole within the English Consulate. Immediately placing him in the unenviable position of feeding her information from the records section as well as the Italians. Giving her those last orders had been the right step. It had refocused her onto her mission, her duty to Starling. Walking to his desk he took out a little code book he carried. Within the hour a message in deepest code was on its way to Moskov.

Bryzov loyal. Begin Project Romanov. Leveler.

In another hour, just after sunset with a certain bear comrade to escort him, the direwolf was on his way to Eastern Island and a waiting military transport. He had not lied this time to Tatiana. Starling had called him back. His talents were needed. Just before his aircraft left the tarmac a large garbage container was loaded upon a waiting barge. Comrade Turnip was no longer a danger to Tatiana, or anyone else.

Albert Sapohatan stood in a rather empty movie theater, quietly reading the posters for coming attractions. He noted with disgust that another Shirley Shrine movie was to be released. Something about ancient diamond mines and angry natives. A soft noise near the protection booth door caused him to turn slowly.

“Knight takes pawn” a deep English accented voice said in Spontoonie.

“Queen takes Knight. Check” he answered, walking over to that darkness. “The Red King has resigned?”

Major Hawkins opened the booth door, walking through without worry. That ferrets men had already swept this theater, though it might not be used like this again for months or years. “He has accepted that he has done what he wanted. There is yet one pawn to remove as he took the other himself before returning to Moskov.”

“An untrusted piece is best taken from the board by oneself, before it does damage to your game.” Albert locked the booth door behind him, walking up to a small machine filled room. “Your decision?”

“Millicent is yours, though that Russian will carve you a new one if she is lost. All went as to plan, so far. The Red King will return. He wishes to watch as his Red Knight carves open her by then useless White Pawn.”

“I see. And your other plot?”

Hawkins laughed softly. “Can you believe this my friend. Starling has the exact same plan in mind. My new Knight does not like it, she does not believe it will work. Truthfully, I do not think so either. Still we shall place certain things into movement. One never knows.”

“I see. Your Queen is with my Queen. Should I sacrifice my Queen to take her?”

“The O’Flynn is here? How surprising. I should think you might, as you she is the best piece either of us have. Since you lost that little girl to the propellers.”

“Second best. My Queen met yours in a certain graveyard. It seems she had come to grieve the fall of a friend.”

“So Oharu can do that. I am surprised. Very well, what must I do to recover my Queen” the bulldog asked. “Or is she already lost to me, a pet for that mouse. Like Tatiana became.”

“Nothing. I simply wished to inform you of her presence. And our two lovebirds?”

Hawkins stood, walking over to examine one of the silent projectors. “Tatiana is trying. Millicent is changing, but Millicent will never be an agent. It isn’t in her, she hasn’t the emotional control needed for example. Her time at Madam Maxine’s though is turning her into a real lady, but I mistrust that place.”

“With good reason. They more than train social manners to Huntress’s there. Oh your kitten is safe, since she is now my piece to play. But be careful of any other of your ladies that attend that place. They might return to you somewhat changed.”

“A warning?”

Joining his bulldog companion the ferret shrugged. “You would warn myself. I see no reason to hide from my best friend that truth. Will you marry the otter?”

It was Hawkins turn to shrug. “I am courting her as best I can Albert. American’s are so different. One moment I think she is ready to throw herself into my arms, the next a glacier seems to grow between us. It doesn’t help that I am nearly twenty years older than she is. Still she is so beautiful, so intelligent. Why I have barely felt the touch of her paw and I find her in my dreams. No wonder Oharu was nearly captured by her. Even with that Doe already in her heart.”

“Adds character to a man, finding a new companion. She is a lot like your first, remember?” He ran a finger along polished copper, idly thinking of the woman both of them had chased and the bulldog had captured. “Say, do you think that we could arrange Shirley Shrine to defect to the Russians?”

Shaking with disgust Hawkins winced. “The Americans have her. They can keep her. I would shoot her myself should she cross my path. Except to do so would cause many problems for my country.”

“I fully agree. Perhaps we could arrange swimming lessons for her, should she visit these islands again. My friend, I will follow your little play with interest. Now I must begin my own game. It was good talking with you again. One day you should meet my new wife. I feel that you would find her fascinating.” Turning away, Albert Sapohatan walked out a second, somewhat smaller door. Leaving his companion to depart the way he had come in.

Sometime later he opened his homes door to face two rather well kept automatics. “It’s mah husband” his wife explained. Albert calmly took his hat off, placing it on its peg before speaking. “Your Major Hawkins thinks you are with the Priestess Oharu. Perhaps you should see her before you report to him” he announced as he headed towards the kitchen. “Catching up on old times?”

“Trying to seduce the O’Flynn into joining our side isn’t catching up on old times” his wife huffed. “She desires a great deal of... Well just say we would be a poorer nation in one respect, richer in another. Besides, as you remember she is an old friend of mine.”

“Turning your friend to our side simply won’t happen” Albert observed as he poured himself a drink. “Not this friend. She is completely loyal to Ireland. We haven’t the military force required to push the English out, so we are useless to her.” He walked past the two women, nodding to the skunk. “The Commander is dead” he whispered.

“Ahn by your people” the skunk asked.

“He hunted upon our lands. Without permission. Worse, one of his prey was to be one of our priestess.’s That simply cannot be allowed. Not even to you my dear.” Turning to his wife he pecked her on the cheek. “I will be in my office if you need me. Try to keep the moans to a low roar. And air out the room when your done.”

Elizabeth stuck her tongue out at her departing husbands back. “Men. One track minds all of them.”

“Which is good” her companion observed. “Else we would find ourself in diffaculty ah controllin them. Now, you were ah saying about China?”

Millicent woke when Tatiana returned to the bed. Sunlight was just beginning to peep through her bedroom curtains and her love was already awake. That Tatiana had visited the water closet was evident. “You did sleep well” she asked.

Tatiana sat on the bed, looking down at the sprawled form of her wife to be. Even now she found it hard to accept that she was going to marry this woman. For Starlings orders had been direct, her mothers explanation clear. Yet even at this instant her love for the feline was just that much more than love for a sister. It was going to take some serious changes within herself the sable knew. She was going to have to enlarge that thimble in her heart, but carefully. Oh so carefully. “With you. Sleep is sweet” she admitted. “Must leave soon” she explained. “Must report to Russia, then return to Songmark. Before pass expire at noon.”

“Then I must prepare for you a breakfast” Millicent decided, throwing her covers off. “I will not have it said that my most important guest, the future Tsarina Tatiana Romanov herself, was forced to leave my home with an empty stomach. Please, give me in the least that much time.”

Shaking her head in disbelief Tatiana found Millicent’s discarded robe, giving it to the woman before she herself started turning the bed down. By airing the bed linens they stayed fresher Millicent had informed her. Though they must still be washed weekly and yesterday had been Millicent’s wash day. When she had done that small task Tatiana again sat on the bed. It had been designed for one. In truth it was not that much more comfortable than her own Songmark bed. Unless Millicent was in it. ‘I have truly taken her into my heart’ the sable thought, running a flattened paw along the place Millicent had laid that night, with Tatiana laying over her, using her soft form as a living mattress. “She is truly a sweet woman” she whispered. Finally standing again Tatiana located her own clothing.

Last night they had simply cuddled, healing from the argument that had almost destroyed their still fragile relationship. It was a fight that could not have been won by either, yet had been too important for either to lose. Compromise. That was what had been needed. So much was the young Russian learning about sharing her life with anyone. Compromise had not been in her vocabulary before attending Songmark. She had not truly understood its true meaning until last night. So much about her was changing.

A little over an hour later, with Millicent’s musk still heavy on her Tatiana walked into her consulate. “I am to report” she explained in perfect Russian to the short dour looking rat that served ass receptionist. “To Comrade Milkin.”

“Very Good” the rat hissed, his tobacco stained teeth looking like rotted stumps shoved into bleeding gums. Picking up one of the many phones (only three truly functioned Tatiana had discovered) he dialed a number. “Comrade Milkin. Comrade Bryzov to report. Yes. Thank you.” Hanging up the phone he examined the waiting woman, quite obviously inhaling the combined scents coming from her. “She will see you” he finally reported, his curiosity answered. Tatiana left him to his phones and whatever imagination might be in that tiny head as she walked down a well known hallway.

There was a difference to the office she noted as she entered. It was lighter, had been aired out and several rather ponderous pieces of furniture had been replaced. Though the new furniture was not in that much better shape, their more delicate style reduced the rooms normally heavy atmosphere quite well. “Welcome Comrade Bryzov” the racoon said in greeting, standing to offer her paw. It was something the bear had never done, and had he done so it would only have only been in order to try and pull Tatiana to a well worn couch. Taking the racoon’s paw in her own Tatiana was surprised at the firm but not over bearing grip of the other woman.

“It is not always a pleasure to have NKVD in my office Comrade. Please sit. You need water?”

“Thank you no Comrade” the sable answered, selecting the best chair for her form that was near the desk. “I am to report that all goes well with the English subversion. She is falling well into my grasp, though even now that control is very delicate. Also that I have made contact with an English turncoat working for the Italians. Finally” she opened her Songmark jacket, removing a rather thick envelope from an inside pocket. “I have these reports given me by him. I can not verify their truthfulness.”

Leaning over her desk to accept the envelope Comrade Milkin gave her thanks. “It is a start” she admitted as she sat. “My predecessor, may he sleep forever, was not very good with you Tatiana. I have no interest in women, nor had I been your controller then would I have given you certain orders regarding the Englishwoman. Is it your desire to withdraw from the English tart? I will gladly allow such.”

Tatiana winced behind the mask that was her face. “Throw away Millicent” she asked. “After I have worked so hard, no. In any case The Leveler demands I continue. He has promised that when she is no longer of use I may send her to the same place my previous controller now apparently resides. He is truly dead?”

“By the levelers own paw” Milkin reported. “It was quick.”

“Then my instructor had little time. I remember his training well” Tatiana admitted. “He so likes to take days, not seconds.” She was pleased to observe the racoon’s shocked expression, though she made a point of not expressing that pleasure in her own face. “I remember an otter. A German who had been found in a very secret building. We took four days before offering his still beating heart to the fire. He told us a great deal. Too bad he was such a good agent, for only in the last hours did he tell any truths we discovered. Those being useless by then.”

“I see” the racoon managed to say. “This is a warning?”

“Yes. Do not cross The Leveler. Even I, his favorite, would not dare do such. Deep within his heart he hates all women. I do not know why. Even I, though he uses me when he has need. You have further instructions for me?”

“Yes. Yes I do.” Opening a drawer the racoon dropped Tatiana’s envelope into it. Removing a thinner one she held it out to Tatiana. “From your instructor. I do not know what he says. I find now that I do not wish to know. I will see you next week?”

Standing Tatiana took that unwanted envelope. “No. I am told I will have no further passes for two weeks. If it is important, have it brought to the gate. They do not read personal mail. Do not perfume the paper, my classmates do read my love letters from Millicent. Until I come again.” She saluted, turned and left the office her duty done. For today.