The Unspoken Words

  Chapter 11: "Interrogation Record" The morning after the meeting at Cape Rytyi dawned overcast. Elena sat in Gromov's office, nervously tapping her fingers on the armrest of the chair. The colonel was searching through the safe hidden behind a painting of Moscow—a banal hiding place, but effective. "Here," Gromov finally extracted a small metal box. "What my mother gave me. My father's archive, which he kept secret even from his superiors." He placed the box on the table between them and opened the lid. Inside lay folders yellowed with age, photographs, several audio cassettes, and a small notebook in a worn leather binding. "I've never shown this to anyone," Gromov said quietly, taking out one of the cassettes. "I don't even know why I kept it. Perhaps I was waiting for the right moment. Or the right person I could trust." Elena carefully took the cassette. On the faded label was handwritten: "I. Velichko, first ...

Chapter 10: "An Unexpected Ally" "Gromov?" Elena couldn't hide her surprise. "What are you doing here?" "The same as you," the colonel held his pistol, but somewhat uncertainly, without his usual firmness. "Looking for the truth." The rain intensified, wind drove heavy clouds over the cape, but the strange glow above the stone didn't weaken. Through the noise of the elements, voices could be distinguished—people at the stone were discussing something, clearly excited by what was happening. "Are you with them?" Elena nodded toward the group of scientists and military personnel surrounding the stone. "Are you working for Markov?" Gromov hesitated, then slowly lowered his pistol. "No. But not entirely with you either. The situation... is more complicated than it seems." Elena relaxed slightly, but remained alert: "Explain yourself." They stood in the rain, sheltered behind a large boulder. Th...