September 24, 2025 • 23 mins
Step into the quirky world of Dolliver Wims, a misunderstood teenager from the backwoods who seems to attract chaos wherever he goes. Is he truly malevolent, or is there something deeper at play? Dolliver is a gentle soul who only wishes to be liked and to lend a helping hand. Yet, inexplicably, he finds himself blamed for every mishap at the university research facility where he works as a porter. Accidents occur around him‚Aîsharp knives turn dangerous, bookcases fall without warning, and guns discharge from their holsters‚Aîyet he remains unscathed. As he joins the army, the stakes heighten, and disaster seems to follow him like a shadow. Is Dolliver Wims the secret weapon to world peace, or is it the very chaos he unwittingly brings that holds the key? Tune in to this captivating tale filled with humor, intrigue, and a touch of the absurd. (Summary by Phil Chenevert)
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Part three of I was a teenage Secret Weapon by
Richard Sabeam. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.
Part three. Lieutenant Whims unfolded out of the jeep into
the jungle mud. The driver pointed to a cluster of
tents sagging under the weight of the streaming rain. You'll
(00:23):
find Major Hecker in there. Thanks for the ride, Whims said.
As he wrestled his gear out of the jeep. He
located the headquarters tent and orderly brought him into the Major.
Lieutenant Dolliver Williams's reportin' for duty. Suh, the saluting, Whims
said crisply. Major Hecker's hand slid wearily to the vicinity
(00:44):
of his fatigued and unshaven face. In return, salute, welcome
Lieutenant to Langton, Burma's foremost nothing. Whims handed his orders
to the Major, who said, as he accepted them, you
be taking the third platoon of a company they lost
their lieutenant two days ago. The Major glanced at the
(01:06):
orders and exploded, what do they mean? Attached to your command?
As an observer? I need a platoon leader. What are
you supposed to observe? Whims shifted uneasily I can't rot say, sir.
The truth of the matter was that Whims didn't really
know his commission had been virtually thrown at him. In Washington.
(01:31):
He had been vaguely briefed that he was to be
sent to the front in Burma on a mission of
the utmost importance, and not to breathe a word to anyone.
It was only when he alighted from the plane in
Rangoon that he fully realized that actually no one had
breathed a word to him about what exactly he was
(01:51):
to do. His orders merely stated that he was to
get as close to the enemy as possible and observe.
The Major regarded him nastily. What's that insignia you're wearing?
They look like question marks. I guess they do, Whims replied, unhappily. Well,
(02:13):
orre they? The Major inquired with a soft shout. I
guess they are? Suh, you guess? The Major now regarded
him with open animosity. And I suppose you don't know
what they stand for? Well, sir, I tried to find out,
but somehow I couldn't get a straight answer. Okay, okay,
(02:37):
Lieutenant Cloak and Dagger. But if you don't want questions,
why wear the things if the commies know you're special
and catch you. But I'm not no special nothing, I'm
just yeah. Sure. The Major poked a grimy finger at
the paper before him and grinned almost savagely. It says
(02:57):
here you're to operate with our most forward units. That's
just fine. I've got a patrol going out tonight. They
will take you close enough to sit in their ever
loving yellow lapse. As Whims was leaving, the Major suddenly
called after him, say, Lieutenant, since you're some kind of
special agent, you probably have an inn at the Pentagon.
(03:20):
Will you pass the word that I need a lowis replacement,
one that doesn't wear punctuation marks. The patrol had not
been out twenty minutes before it fearfully decided it had
better ditch this boy lieutenant, who with every step sounded
as if he were setting off a room full of
mouse traps. At a whispered signal from the sergeant in command,
(03:45):
the patrol slid noiselessly off the trail and dropped to
the ground as the groping Whims went clattering by in
the darkness. Within the hour, Whims tripped over a Chinese
patrol that lay cowering in the ferns as it listened
apprehensively to what it thought was an approaching enemy battalion.
(04:06):
The next several days were confusing ones for whims. With
little food or sleep, he was hustled from place to
place and endlessly questioned by officers of increasing rank. He
was passed up to the divisional level, where he was
briefly interrogated by a Russian officer adviser to the Chinese headquarters.
(04:28):
There seemed to be some disagreement between the Russian and
Chinese officers concerning whims, and they were almost shouting when
he was pulled from the room and thrown back into
his cell. In the chill early hours of the following morning,
he was yanked out of an embarrassing nightmare, where he
(04:48):
dreamed he went to a hoe down in his briefs,
he was squeezed between two furtive men into a shade
drawn limousine with unillumined head lamps, and after a friend ride,
the vehicle screeched to a halt. He heard a roaring,
and in the darkness he was dimly aware that he
was being shoved into an airplane. After that, he was
(05:12):
certain of nothing as he plunged gratefully back into sleep.
Whims was back at the hoedown, only this time without
even his briefs, and all the interrogators had stopped dancing
and were circling around him, glaring and demanding to know
what he was hiding. As they closed in upon him,
(05:35):
he was snatched from the dream by two guards who
prodded him out of his cell, down a bleak corridor
and into a large room. The windows were hidden by drawn,
dark green shades, and two low hanging, unshaded electric light
bulbs provided a harsh illumination. The chamber was sparsely furnished,
(05:57):
with a splintered desk, several battered chairs, and a half
dozen Russian m v D officers. A man so thick
and heavy in appearance and movement that he was obviously
a concrete abutment come to life, stepped up to Whims.
The man's stony visage cracked in a slow, cold smile
(06:20):
as he rumbled in English, Welcome to Moscow, Lieutenant Dolliver Whims.
I am Colonel Sergey Bushmiloff. I am your friend. The
word friend sounded rather squeaky, as if it had not
been used in years and needed arling. Whims glanced around
(06:44):
the room. These people were like unshielded reactors, throwing off
hard radiations of hostility. Ah sure could use a friend,
he said, with utmost fervency. Good said Bushma, there are
some things I wish to know, and you are going
(07:05):
to tell me because we are friends. I can only
give you my name, rank and serial number.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Sa.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
Whims saw the colonel's face harden and his fist clench.
Just then a burst of angry shouting and scuffling erupted
in the corridor. Suddenly, the door was flung open and
half a dozen Chinese stormed into the room, trailing a
couple of protesting Russian guards. Two of the Chinese were
civilian attaches from the embassy, and the remainder were uniformed
(07:38):
military intelligence officers. Bushmilov whirled and immediately recognized the foremost man, Curlping.
What are you doing here? He exclaimed in startled surprise.
Colonel Ping replied in Askew English, the only language he
had in common with Bushmilov. Lieutenant you kit stolen, he
(08:02):
pointed at Whims. Bushmilov unconsciously shifted his bulk to blood
Whims from Ping's view.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
You are wrong, Colonel Pang. Your intelligence was not getting
nowhere with him, and we are having more experience in
these matters. We think you will prove to take him
to Moscow.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Ah.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Yes, then why you sneak away like folding Arabian tints. Eh.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Although Bushmilov did not comprehend what Arabian tents had to
do with this business, he did understand the accusation. Before
he could reply, Ping continued, us a Chinese not fooled, comrade,
Colonel You Russian think us not good like you like
smart okay us not belong Russia like satelight us, belong
(08:56):
us us not let you take what you want and
know asking you will give it back. The American officer
OSK can make him say secret. Bushmilov stiffened and dropped
all pretense at cordiality los will He shook his head
in annoyance. I will not do that without order for
(09:16):
my superior minister Modrilensky. Now you will be kind to leave,
that is bisiness to finish. No go unless us take
officer and angry, Bushmilov strode to the door and snarled
at the two guards in Russian. One of them dashed
away down the corridor. We shall see, Bushmilov sneered at Ping.
(09:42):
Yes os shall ah, said Ping, withdrawing his automatic pistol
from its holster. The other Chinese did the same, and
their movement was duplicated immediately by the Russians. No one
moved or spoke further until five Russian security guards burst
into the room with submachine guns at the ready. The
(10:04):
corporal in charge looked at Bushmilov for instructions. The Russian
colonel looked long and thoughtfully at the primed Chinese. He
had not expected them to go to this extreme. Perhaps
they were only bluffing, But one sudden misinterpreted movement are
the wrong word, and another ugly incident in an already
(10:26):
dangerously long chain might be created to accelerate the deteriorating
Sino Soviet relations. Without specific instructions, he dared not take
the responsibility for any untoward action. Bushmilov ordered the guards
to stand at ease and dispatched one of his henchmen
to notify his superior of the crisis. You being very wise, Kamrade,
(10:52):
Colonel Ping said, you are being very annoying. Bushmilov snapped, okay, yes,
Ping replied, Chinese people's are Republic ambassador now at Kremlin
demand give back American officer come soon, now us go
take lieutenant you annoying finish ah, Bushmilov spoke sharply to
(11:15):
his junior officers, who still stood with drawn pistols. One
of them came over and stationed himself alongside Bushmilov. He
explained to Ping I go along with questioning. My men
will shoot any one who interfere. Colonel Ping knew his bounds.
O kay, yes, us wait, when are to come you
(11:37):
give us Lieutenant us stay listen. Bushmilov turned to Whims.
You were captured six days before, two weeks from now,
at this month end, you supposed to be exchanged by
Geneva konkordat number seventeen. Now you tell me why your
(11:59):
government in such a hurry they cannot wait, and why
they make special request to government of Chinese People's Republic
for immediate return of you, and why it offered twelve
Chinese officers or ranks to get back only you. I
don't know, Sir Wim said in honor surprise.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
I warn you if you not cooperating, you not go
home at month end. You cannot pretend with us. We
check and know much about you. You go in army
three months before now no university education, no military experience,
(12:44):
and now.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
You or second lieutenant so quick, how so oh, I
can tell you all that, wim said with relief. That
ain't no military secret when we was having basic training.
This here allowed as to how I did some right
smart soldier in during maneuvers, and he up and give
(13:06):
me a battlefield commission. Bush Milov's eyes were slits. Ha
ha ha, bush Miloh said, without a smile, You Americans
all the ways making jok. I enjoy that good laugh.
Now we are sidious. It is true, yes, that you
(13:28):
are intelligence officer sent to Burma with special mission. We
know everything, Bushmilov lied, but we want you to say
it with your words.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
The few details.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
Can't tell you nothing because they ain't nothing to tell.
I mean. Bushmilov swung up his arm to strike Whims
across the face. His hand smacked against the pistol held
by the Russian officer standing next to him. The gun
went off. The bullet zipped through the window across the
courtyard into another office and passed the nose of Minister
(14:06):
of Internal Security Modrilensky Mordrlinsky shouted for his guards, while
his aid pointed out the window and yelled, dejaq came
from Bushmilov's office. See the glass is broken in his window.
Modrilinsky paled, Bushmilov, my truest comrade, Who is there to trust? Ah?
Speaker 2 (14:28):
This I expect from that filthy plotter Brejanian or that
sneak Lemchovsky or Kamatchev and Gorshkinets and that baby faced Knevets.
They do not fool me.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
I assure you. They would all like to denounce me
and steal my job. And the others.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
I know them all, every last one of them, and
I'll deal with them.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
They'll see. But Bushmlov, several guards with submachine guns burst
into the room those windows. Modrileski screamed, shoot them, kill
the devianist plotters. The guards were uncertain which windows Margorleski
was indicating with his wildly waving arms, but they had
(15:16):
no intention of risking the displeasure of the top man
of the m v D. They tentatively sprayed all the
windows around the courtyard with bullets, and when they received
no censure from their chief, they went at it with
Gusto Mardolinski was too busy shouting orders to other guards
to give them any further attention. The sound of the
(15:38):
firing was assurance enough that his orders were being obeyed.
By the time he had despatched men to get Bushmilov
and neutralize other potential plotters, the occupants of most of
the offices overlooking the courtyard were crouching at the windows,
shooting indiscriminately at each other.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
I can't believe it about Bushmilov.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Morgiorallehski shouted to his aid over the din. You know
he was at the Kremlin yesterday with Shaposnik. The age
shouted back, and you know how close Chappotnik is to
the premier. Maybe they have discovered our plan and bush Milov,
as your successor, was ordered to liquidate you. Margoroleski slapped
his forehead. Of course, we must act at once. Send
(16:24):
our men to Marshal Musianko and tell him it is time.
He must get his trusted troops into the city before
the other to suspect what is happening, especially that Kamashev.
Major Kamashev of the m v D put in a
hasty call to the Minister of Transport. I am forced
to phone because of a sudden emergency. Mordioulehski must have
(16:48):
gotten wind of our plans. His men are besieging my office.
You must get General Kudorovitch to move his men into
the city at once, and watch out for the Foreign Minister.
I think he and Lemachovsky are up to something. Major
Imichowsky of the m v D was listening to the
Foreign Minister. The premier has ordered the arrest of the
(17:11):
Minister of Heavy Industry for plotting with General pla Koskaya
to bring in troops to seize the government. As soon
as General Zunolov arrives with his troops and we are
in control, I will teach these vile counter revolutionaries that
they cannot plot against the party and the people with impunity.
(17:32):
And be careful. I think the Minister of hydro electric
Power is involved with your Colonel Brijarion. Colonel Virjanion of
the mv D was shouting into the phone. Why can't
I get the Minister of hydro electric Power?
Speaker 2 (17:48):
If you don't want a vacation in Siberia, you had
better get my call through. I'm sorry, comrade, Colonel, the
harried operator whined, But it isn't my fault.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Can I help it?
Speaker 2 (17:59):
If all of Moscow decides to use the telephones all
at once, the lines are.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Still tied up. I will keep trying. Come, Brijhannian slammed
down the phone, just as an aide rushed in. Konel,
I have good news. Our men have gained control of
most of the immediate hallway, and we have captured the
laboratory from Captain Karnovets. Wonderful Berjohnny Un beamed as he
(18:26):
hastily left the room. General Kodorovitch's command kor rattled and
bounced along the rough shoulder of the highway past his
stalled seventy first Motorized Infantry Division. He found the van
of his column tangled with the rear of that one
twenty fourth Armored Division under General Plekoskaya. Kodorovitch sought out
(18:47):
Plakoskaya and found him at table under some trees, having
a fine lunch. Would you mind getting your army out
of the way, General Kodorovitch said to General Plakoskaya, I
have emergency orders to proceed immediately to Moscow, so have I.
Plekoskaya replied, wiping his lips, won't you join me for lunch?
(19:11):
I haven't time, Kodorovitch snapped, glaring accusingly at the roast
fowl and wine on the white linen. Oh but you have,
my dear Kodorovitch, Plakoskaya said, pleasantly. You see, neither of
us is going anywhere for the moment. There's a brigade
of the forty eighth blocking the road ahead, the forty
(19:33):
eighth from Kiev. Kudorovitch exclaimed, what is the brigade of
the forty eighth doing up here looking for its sister
brigades from which it was separated? When the one hundred
sixteet mechanized in his hurry to reach Moscow, cut through
their column, the one six steet mechanized, Kdorovitch exclaimed again
(19:55):
he wanted to stop talking in questions, but all this
was coming so fast stand unexpectedly. Don't even inquire of
me about them, Plekoskaya said, shuddering. They are so disorganized
and tangled with two other armored divisions whose designations I
don't even know. It all happened because they were trying
(20:17):
to outrace each other to the trunk highway, and they
arrived at the intersection almost simultaneously. You can't possibly imagine
the hideous clatter when you have two stubborn armored divisions
and an obstinate recognized one, all trying to occupy the
same road at once. Ah, I could hear it all
(20:39):
the way back here, pa Koskaya belched delicately. General, do
wash off the dust of the road and join me
at table.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
No, thank you. If that's all the delay is, it
should be cleared soon and we'll be moving again. I
don't want to be with my division, General Kodorovich, you
evidently don't underst stand what has happened. The word that
has been passed from the most forward units, which are
in the city itself, to the rear ones indicate that
(21:10):
Moscow is the hub of one vast military traffic jam,
thirty to perhaps fifty miles deep, and growing worse all
the time as new groups are moving in. But I
must get to the city, Kudorovich insisted, I have orders
to surround the Kremlin, see off m v D headquarters,
and is your mind, Lekoskaya interrupted. The Kremlin is well surrounded.
(21:38):
General Smoleden is deployed around the walls. General Alekseev is
deployed around General Smoleden. General Parretsev is deployed around Alekseev
and so on to the outskirts of the city. Ah.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
Those of us out here, of course, cannot deploy off
the roads, for who knows tomorrow The Minister of Agriculture
may be premier, and he may not take it kindly
if we trample the collectives. But how can you sit
there and do nothing? Whin they people's government is in
some kind of danger, Kodorovitch said, with some heat. It
(22:15):
is very simple, Plekoskaya said, with mild irritation and sarcasm.
I merely bend at the knees and hips and have
a lunch of a weight adequate enough to keep me
from floating off my chair and rushing about seeking trouble.
Of course, it takes years of experience to learn how
(22:35):
to do this, and most important, when in kindlier turns,
Plekoskaya continued, whatever it is that is happening in the
Kremlin and the other hotbeds of intrigue will have to
happen without us. There is no telling who, if any
one is in control. Conflicting orders have been coming over
(22:58):
the military radio, depending upon which click controls which headquarters.
Why do you know my dear Kodorovitch. Already this morning,
the one hundred twenty fourth has alternately been ordered to
march to Moscow and a dozen other places, including downtown Siberia.
(23:19):
Kodorovitch did not smile at Plekoskaya's slight humor. He was
squinting anxiously through the bright sunlight at the immobile column
of men and vehicles jammed along the road into the
far blue distance. End of Part three
Part three of I was a teenage Secret Weapon by
Richard Sabeam. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.
Part three. Lieutenant Whims unfolded out of the jeep into
the jungle mud. The driver pointed to a cluster of
tents sagging under the weight of the streaming rain. You'll
(00:23):
find Major Hecker in there. Thanks for the ride, Whims said.
As he wrestled his gear out of the jeep. He
located the headquarters tent and orderly brought him into the Major.
Lieutenant Dolliver Williams's reportin' for duty. Suh, the saluting, Whims
said crisply. Major Hecker's hand slid wearily to the vicinity
(00:44):
of his fatigued and unshaven face. In return, salute, welcome
Lieutenant to Langton, Burma's foremost nothing. Whims handed his orders
to the Major, who said, as he accepted them, you
be taking the third platoon of a company they lost
their lieutenant two days ago. The Major glanced at the
(01:06):
orders and exploded, what do they mean? Attached to your command?
As an observer? I need a platoon leader. What are
you supposed to observe? Whims shifted uneasily I can't rot say, sir.
The truth of the matter was that Whims didn't really
know his commission had been virtually thrown at him. In Washington.
(01:31):
He had been vaguely briefed that he was to be
sent to the front in Burma on a mission of
the utmost importance, and not to breathe a word to anyone.
It was only when he alighted from the plane in
Rangoon that he fully realized that actually no one had
breathed a word to him about what exactly he was
(01:51):
to do. His orders merely stated that he was to
get as close to the enemy as possible and observe.
The Major regarded him nastily. What's that insignia you're wearing?
They look like question marks. I guess they do, Whims replied, unhappily. Well,
(02:13):
orre they? The Major inquired with a soft shout. I
guess they are? Suh, you guess? The Major now regarded
him with open animosity. And I suppose you don't know
what they stand for? Well, sir, I tried to find out,
but somehow I couldn't get a straight answer. Okay, okay,
(02:37):
Lieutenant Cloak and Dagger. But if you don't want questions,
why wear the things if the commies know you're special
and catch you. But I'm not no special nothing, I'm
just yeah. Sure. The Major poked a grimy finger at
the paper before him and grinned almost savagely. It says
(02:57):
here you're to operate with our most forward units. That's
just fine. I've got a patrol going out tonight. They
will take you close enough to sit in their ever
loving yellow lapse. As Whims was leaving, the Major suddenly
called after him, say, Lieutenant, since you're some kind of
special agent, you probably have an inn at the Pentagon.
(03:20):
Will you pass the word that I need a lowis replacement,
one that doesn't wear punctuation marks. The patrol had not
been out twenty minutes before it fearfully decided it had
better ditch this boy lieutenant, who with every step sounded
as if he were setting off a room full of
mouse traps. At a whispered signal from the sergeant in command,
(03:45):
the patrol slid noiselessly off the trail and dropped to
the ground as the groping Whims went clattering by in
the darkness. Within the hour, Whims tripped over a Chinese
patrol that lay cowering in the ferns as it listened
apprehensively to what it thought was an approaching enemy battalion.
(04:06):
The next several days were confusing ones for whims. With
little food or sleep, he was hustled from place to
place and endlessly questioned by officers of increasing rank. He
was passed up to the divisional level, where he was
briefly interrogated by a Russian officer adviser to the Chinese headquarters.
(04:28):
There seemed to be some disagreement between the Russian and
Chinese officers concerning whims, and they were almost shouting when
he was pulled from the room and thrown back into
his cell. In the chill early hours of the following morning,
he was yanked out of an embarrassing nightmare, where he
(04:48):
dreamed he went to a hoe down in his briefs,
he was squeezed between two furtive men into a shade
drawn limousine with unillumined head lamps, and after a friend ride,
the vehicle screeched to a halt. He heard a roaring,
and in the darkness he was dimly aware that he
was being shoved into an airplane. After that, he was
(05:12):
certain of nothing as he plunged gratefully back into sleep.
Whims was back at the hoedown, only this time without
even his briefs, and all the interrogators had stopped dancing
and were circling around him, glaring and demanding to know
what he was hiding. As they closed in upon him,
(05:35):
he was snatched from the dream by two guards who
prodded him out of his cell, down a bleak corridor
and into a large room. The windows were hidden by drawn,
dark green shades, and two low hanging, unshaded electric light
bulbs provided a harsh illumination. The chamber was sparsely furnished,
(05:57):
with a splintered desk, several battered chairs, and a half
dozen Russian m v D officers. A man so thick
and heavy in appearance and movement that he was obviously
a concrete abutment come to life, stepped up to Whims.
The man's stony visage cracked in a slow, cold smile
(06:20):
as he rumbled in English, Welcome to Moscow, Lieutenant Dolliver Whims.
I am Colonel Sergey Bushmiloff. I am your friend. The
word friend sounded rather squeaky, as if it had not
been used in years and needed arling. Whims glanced around
(06:44):
the room. These people were like unshielded reactors, throwing off
hard radiations of hostility. Ah sure could use a friend,
he said, with utmost fervency. Good said Bushma, there are
some things I wish to know, and you are going
(07:05):
to tell me because we are friends. I can only
give you my name, rank and serial number.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Sa.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
Whims saw the colonel's face harden and his fist clench.
Just then a burst of angry shouting and scuffling erupted
in the corridor. Suddenly, the door was flung open and
half a dozen Chinese stormed into the room, trailing a
couple of protesting Russian guards. Two of the Chinese were
civilian attaches from the embassy, and the remainder were uniformed
(07:38):
military intelligence officers. Bushmilov whirled and immediately recognized the foremost man, Curlping.
What are you doing here? He exclaimed in startled surprise.
Colonel Ping replied in Askew English, the only language he
had in common with Bushmilov. Lieutenant you kit stolen, he
(08:02):
pointed at Whims. Bushmilov unconsciously shifted his bulk to blood
Whims from Ping's view.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
You are wrong, Colonel Pang. Your intelligence was not getting
nowhere with him, and we are having more experience in
these matters. We think you will prove to take him
to Moscow.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Ah.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Yes, then why you sneak away like folding Arabian tints. Eh.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Although Bushmilov did not comprehend what Arabian tents had to
do with this business, he did understand the accusation. Before
he could reply, Ping continued, us a Chinese not fooled, comrade,
Colonel You Russian think us not good like you like
smart okay us not belong Russia like satelight us, belong
(08:56):
us us not let you take what you want and
know asking you will give it back. The American officer
OSK can make him say secret. Bushmilov stiffened and dropped
all pretense at cordiality los will He shook his head
in annoyance. I will not do that without order for
(09:16):
my superior minister Modrilensky. Now you will be kind to leave,
that is bisiness to finish. No go unless us take
officer and angry, Bushmilov strode to the door and snarled
at the two guards in Russian. One of them dashed
away down the corridor. We shall see, Bushmilov sneered at Ping.
(09:42):
Yes os shall ah, said Ping, withdrawing his automatic pistol
from its holster. The other Chinese did the same, and
their movement was duplicated immediately by the Russians. No one
moved or spoke further until five Russian security guards burst
into the room with submachine guns at the ready. The
(10:04):
corporal in charge looked at Bushmilov for instructions. The Russian
colonel looked long and thoughtfully at the primed Chinese. He
had not expected them to go to this extreme. Perhaps
they were only bluffing, But one sudden misinterpreted movement are
the wrong word, and another ugly incident in an already
(10:26):
dangerously long chain might be created to accelerate the deteriorating
Sino Soviet relations. Without specific instructions, he dared not take
the responsibility for any untoward action. Bushmilov ordered the guards
to stand at ease and dispatched one of his henchmen
to notify his superior of the crisis. You being very wise, Kamrade,
(10:52):
Colonel Ping said, you are being very annoying. Bushmilov snapped, okay, yes,
Ping replied, Chinese people's are Republic ambassador now at Kremlin
demand give back American officer come soon, now us go
take lieutenant you annoying finish ah, Bushmilov spoke sharply to
(11:15):
his junior officers, who still stood with drawn pistols. One
of them came over and stationed himself alongside Bushmilov. He
explained to Ping I go along with questioning. My men
will shoot any one who interfere. Colonel Ping knew his bounds.
O kay, yes, us wait, when are to come you
(11:37):
give us Lieutenant us stay listen. Bushmilov turned to Whims.
You were captured six days before, two weeks from now,
at this month end, you supposed to be exchanged by
Geneva konkordat number seventeen. Now you tell me why your
(11:59):
government in such a hurry they cannot wait, and why
they make special request to government of Chinese People's Republic
for immediate return of you, and why it offered twelve
Chinese officers or ranks to get back only you. I
don't know, Sir Wim said in honor surprise.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
I warn you if you not cooperating, you not go
home at month end. You cannot pretend with us. We
check and know much about you. You go in army
three months before now no university education, no military experience,
(12:44):
and now.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
You or second lieutenant so quick, how so oh, I
can tell you all that, wim said with relief. That
ain't no military secret when we was having basic training.
This here allowed as to how I did some right
smart soldier in during maneuvers, and he up and give
(13:06):
me a battlefield commission. Bush Milov's eyes were slits. Ha
ha ha, bush Miloh said, without a smile, You Americans
all the ways making jok. I enjoy that good laugh.
Now we are sidious. It is true, yes, that you
(13:28):
are intelligence officer sent to Burma with special mission. We
know everything, Bushmilov lied, but we want you to say
it with your words.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
The few details.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
Can't tell you nothing because they ain't nothing to tell.
I mean. Bushmilov swung up his arm to strike Whims
across the face. His hand smacked against the pistol held
by the Russian officer standing next to him. The gun
went off. The bullet zipped through the window across the
courtyard into another office and passed the nose of Minister
(14:06):
of Internal Security Modrilensky Mordrlinsky shouted for his guards, while
his aid pointed out the window and yelled, dejaq came
from Bushmilov's office. See the glass is broken in his window.
Modrilinsky paled, Bushmilov, my truest comrade, Who is there to trust? Ah?
Speaker 2 (14:28):
This I expect from that filthy plotter Brejanian or that
sneak Lemchovsky or Kamatchev and Gorshkinets and that baby faced Knevets.
They do not fool me.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
I assure you. They would all like to denounce me
and steal my job. And the others.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
I know them all, every last one of them, and
I'll deal with them.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
They'll see. But Bushmlov, several guards with submachine guns burst
into the room those windows. Modrileski screamed, shoot them, kill
the devianist plotters. The guards were uncertain which windows Margorleski
was indicating with his wildly waving arms, but they had
(15:16):
no intention of risking the displeasure of the top man
of the m v D. They tentatively sprayed all the
windows around the courtyard with bullets, and when they received
no censure from their chief, they went at it with
Gusto Mardolinski was too busy shouting orders to other guards
to give them any further attention. The sound of the
(15:38):
firing was assurance enough that his orders were being obeyed.
By the time he had despatched men to get Bushmilov
and neutralize other potential plotters, the occupants of most of
the offices overlooking the courtyard were crouching at the windows,
shooting indiscriminately at each other.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
I can't believe it about Bushmilov.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Morgiorallehski shouted to his aid over the din. You know
he was at the Kremlin yesterday with Shaposnik. The age
shouted back, and you know how close Chappotnik is to
the premier. Maybe they have discovered our plan and bush Milov,
as your successor, was ordered to liquidate you. Margoroleski slapped
his forehead. Of course, we must act at once. Send
(16:24):
our men to Marshal Musianko and tell him it is time.
He must get his trusted troops into the city before
the other to suspect what is happening, especially that Kamashev.
Major Kamashev of the m v D put in a
hasty call to the Minister of Transport. I am forced
to phone because of a sudden emergency. Mordioulehski must have
(16:48):
gotten wind of our plans. His men are besieging my office.
You must get General Kudorovitch to move his men into
the city at once, and watch out for the Foreign Minister.
I think he and Lemachovsky are up to something. Major
Imichowsky of the m v D was listening to the
Foreign Minister. The premier has ordered the arrest of the
(17:11):
Minister of Heavy Industry for plotting with General pla Koskaya
to bring in troops to seize the government. As soon
as General Zunolov arrives with his troops and we are
in control, I will teach these vile counter revolutionaries that
they cannot plot against the party and the people with impunity.
(17:32):
And be careful. I think the Minister of hydro electric
Power is involved with your Colonel Brijarion. Colonel Virjanion of
the mv D was shouting into the phone. Why can't
I get the Minister of hydro electric Power?
Speaker 2 (17:48):
If you don't want a vacation in Siberia, you had
better get my call through. I'm sorry, comrade, Colonel, the
harried operator whined, But it isn't my fault.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Can I help it?
Speaker 2 (17:59):
If all of Moscow decides to use the telephones all
at once, the lines are.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Still tied up. I will keep trying. Come, Brijhannian slammed
down the phone, just as an aide rushed in. Konel,
I have good news. Our men have gained control of
most of the immediate hallway, and we have captured the
laboratory from Captain Karnovets. Wonderful Berjohnny Un beamed as he
(18:26):
hastily left the room. General Kodorovitch's command kor rattled and
bounced along the rough shoulder of the highway past his
stalled seventy first Motorized Infantry Division. He found the van
of his column tangled with the rear of that one
twenty fourth Armored Division under General Plekoskaya. Kodorovitch sought out
(18:47):
Plakoskaya and found him at table under some trees, having
a fine lunch. Would you mind getting your army out
of the way, General Kodorovitch said to General Plakoskaya, I
have emergency orders to proceed immediately to Moscow, so have I.
Plekoskaya replied, wiping his lips, won't you join me for lunch?
(19:11):
I haven't time, Kodorovitch snapped, glaring accusingly at the roast
fowl and wine on the white linen. Oh but you have,
my dear Kodorovitch, Plakoskaya said, pleasantly. You see, neither of
us is going anywhere for the moment. There's a brigade
of the forty eighth blocking the road ahead, the forty
(19:33):
eighth from Kiev. Kudorovitch exclaimed, what is the brigade of
the forty eighth doing up here looking for its sister
brigades from which it was separated? When the one hundred
sixteet mechanized in his hurry to reach Moscow, cut through
their column, the one six steet mechanized, Kdorovitch exclaimed again
(19:55):
he wanted to stop talking in questions, but all this
was coming so fast stand unexpectedly. Don't even inquire of
me about them, Plekoskaya said, shuddering. They are so disorganized
and tangled with two other armored divisions whose designations I
don't even know. It all happened because they were trying
(20:17):
to outrace each other to the trunk highway, and they
arrived at the intersection almost simultaneously. You can't possibly imagine
the hideous clatter when you have two stubborn armored divisions
and an obstinate recognized one, all trying to occupy the
same road at once. Ah, I could hear it all
(20:39):
the way back here, pa Koskaya belched delicately. General, do
wash off the dust of the road and join me
at table.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
No, thank you. If that's all the delay is, it
should be cleared soon and we'll be moving again. I
don't want to be with my division, General Kodorovich, you
evidently don't underst stand what has happened. The word that
has been passed from the most forward units, which are
in the city itself, to the rear ones indicate that
(21:10):
Moscow is the hub of one vast military traffic jam,
thirty to perhaps fifty miles deep, and growing worse all
the time as new groups are moving in. But I
must get to the city, Kudorovich insisted, I have orders
to surround the Kremlin, see off m v D headquarters,
and is your mind, Lekoskaya interrupted. The Kremlin is well surrounded.
(21:38):
General Smoleden is deployed around the walls. General Alekseev is
deployed around General Smoleden. General Parretsev is deployed around Alekseev
and so on to the outskirts of the city. Ah.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
Those of us out here, of course, cannot deploy off
the roads, for who knows tomorrow The Minister of Agriculture
may be premier, and he may not take it kindly
if we trample the collectives. But how can you sit
there and do nothing? Whin they people's government is in
some kind of danger, Kodorovitch said, with some heat. It
(22:15):
is very simple, Plekoskaya said, with mild irritation and sarcasm.
I merely bend at the knees and hips and have
a lunch of a weight adequate enough to keep me
from floating off my chair and rushing about seeking trouble.
Of course, it takes years of experience to learn how
(22:35):
to do this, and most important, when in kindlier turns,
Plekoskaya continued, whatever it is that is happening in the
Kremlin and the other hotbeds of intrigue will have to
happen without us. There is no telling who, if any
one is in control. Conflicting orders have been coming over
(22:58):
the military radio, depending upon which click controls which headquarters.
Why do you know my dear Kodorovitch. Already this morning,
the one hundred twenty fourth has alternately been ordered to
march to Moscow and a dozen other places, including downtown Siberia.
(23:19):
Kodorovitch did not smile at Plekoskaya's slight humor. He was
squinting anxiously through the bright sunlight at the immobile column
of men and vehicles jammed along the road into the
far blue distance. End of Part three
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