The Soviet Network

by Amerigo Merenda

Genres: War & Military; International Crime & Mystery; Historical Fiction; spies; historical fiction; political thriller; espionage; Soviet Union

Synopsis

THE SOVIET NETWORK, an historical novel, is a story that involves underground saboteurs who gradually dismantle communism’s monolithic ideology. For generations, citizens behind the “iron curtain” were persecuted by dictators who smothered freedom and sheltered tyranny. Family relationships, threatened by espionage and violence, suffered through a reign of terror. Russia’s authoritarian political history will show its ugly face when millions of citizens are denied human rights. Liberal democracy could not penetrate one party’s domination until a respected Ukrainian military officer, Commander Rypchensky, organized a disciplined underground network whose goal was to replace totalitarian despotism with a democratic government. Romantic relationships are trapped in a web of political turmoil where murder and terror rip families and loved ones apart. Reading THE SOVIET NETWORK will reveal by contrast, how life in a totalitarian culture can destroy our human spirit.

 

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Release date: December 26, 2017

Publisher: Mira Digital Publishing

Print pages: 256

Content advisory: Profanity

Sample

Chapter 1
Captain Rypchensky was evolving into a dissident who harbored contempt for the
Communist Party. In 1963, he began to formulate a strategy for altering the status quo
within the Soviet Union. The best pathway for incapacitating a corrupt and incompetent
system was from within. His thoughts persisted, even as he read the story of David and
Goliath to his son, Kristoff. The youngster loved the story as much as his father enjoyed
embellishing his version of the tale. Stories about giants could be indelible moments
experienced by a four year old boy. He wondered whether his son would someday
recognize the meaning of “giant killers” in another context. He also wondered whether, by
expanding this story, he was displacing his resentment toward a detested political system.
Kristoff was always overwhelmed by the power of Goliath and how David managed to
overcome his disadvantage in size. The captain showed his son a picture that portrayed
Goliath after being struck a mortal blow. Kristoff responded.
“How can this happen, father? The giant is so big and strong.” The captain, a rising
military officer, realized the formative years of his son’s education would be in part
determined by his example. He was conflicted about placing too much drama into his
son’s frame of reference at this age, but also knew that his moral compass was being
framed by his words and example.
He squeezed his son gently and quietly explained.
“Sometimes even giants can be weak. We must be strong, not weak.” Then looking at
his son’s curious stare he said: “If you ever have to choose between being afraid of giants
and being afraid of weakness, be afraid of weakness.” His wife Monique was listening in
and was not amused with the direction of his embellishment. But his son’s interest
continued to pique.
Kristoff was amazed at his father’s response, as young boys would imagine the
enormity of Goliath. “Why, father?” Like many young children, Kristoff asked why many
times.
His father was pleased with his curiosity. “Well, sometimes you have to fight people
who are bigger and stronger.”
Without hesitation, Kristoff responded, “How can you win? The big person is too
strong.”
The captain smiled. “It depends. David defeated Goliath because David was smart and
brave.”
Captain Rypchensky’s wife Monique waited for the right moment to lead her four year
old son off to bed.
“Are you smart, Father?” Kristoff asked.
For a fleeting moment, the captain had a pang of fear he did not understand. “Smarter
than whom?”
Kristoff looked at his father. “Smarter than Goliath.”
Monique must have sensed the story had reached a point where she should intercede
when her husband responded, “Only if I have to be”.
His story telling approached a point where he could place his family under
surveillance if he allowed political views to expand his son’s thinking. Four year olds have
no filters and could reveal parental sentiments outside the home. Living in a police state
had to include this possibility. As much as the captain wanted to satisfy his son’s curious
mind, he realized he was treading in dangerous currents. Then his son asked another
question.
“Are there any giants like Goliath today?”
Once again, he wondered, how far should he allow his son’s imagination to probe.
“Well, not exactly. As you get older, you will learn about giants.”
However, this was not enough to satisfy young Kristoff.
“Why can’t I learn now?”
His mother’s instincts took over, motivated by her personal experiences of life in a
police state. She reached down and lifted her son with her answer.
“Because it is time to go to bed; give your father a kiss goodnight.”
Kristoff resisted. “Why can’t I learn now?”
Monique embraced her son before she repeated with more authority, “Because it is
time to go to bed. Now give your father a kiss good-night.”
The youngster persisted.
“Father, please tell me more about giants.” The captain embraced his wife and son
with his massive arms.
“Maybe another night. Goodnight, my son.”
Childhood memories often surfaced for Kristoff, revealing a segment of his father’s
psychological profile, portrayed through childhood stories. It was during moments of
solitude when Kristoff vividly remembered episodes where his father would portend
ominous thoughts within a story. As a child, he didn’t realize his father was speaking to
him subconsciously, almost as a way of planting a reality that would reveal itself in his
adult years. Now as an adult journalist for Pravda, Kristoff explored his father’s hidden
messages. He also discovered his father purposely isolated him from political drama to
protect him. Kremlin walls shielded dangerous and hidden messages. Kristoff understood
there were few if any adults living in the Soviet Union who could share personal thoughts,
political or otherwise, with their children. Totalitarian fear bred secrecy and anxiety.
As he matured, Kristoff began to realize how much of his adult life was spent thinking
about his father, now with the rank of commander, one of the most powerful men in the
Soviet army. Their relationship changed after his father’s promotion. Intrigue that
surrounded Commander Rypchensky was too dangerous for his son to explore. Kristoff
had a problem with that because now, at age twenty-seven, his career in journalism, at his
father’s insistence, required avoidance of domestic politics. His frustration was building,
but he understood his father’s wisdom and would never endanger their careers and
relationship, with political jargon that could be easily misinterpreted. Journalism in the
Soviet Union was without question an arm of the state, with little demand for a journalist’s
true literary skills, except for the purpose of propaganda. Religion and politics were toxic
subjects, topics wisely avoided in public circles. However, Kristoff sensed his frustration
was also discretely shared by his parents. There were signs of dissonance within Kremlin
political families. Frustration was steadily building.
Monique, Kristoff’s mother, was born in Russia. Her French mother was married to a
Russian artist, who developed a style of avant-garde painting that became very popular in
Western Europe. Mysteriously, he disappeared during one of several purges during the
Stalin era. Monique had repressed memories of her father that were very painful for her as
a child. Now, as an adult, she, like thousands of other citizens, suffered in silence. She
desperately wanted to share her discontent with others but feared dire ramifications. Her
father’s mysterious disappearance still haunted her. Repression was a very common
defense mechanism in Russia. It was necessary for survival. Kristoff sensed this when he
continued to probe his grandfather’s life. His mother would cut him off or change the
subject. Once he saw tears in his mother’s eyes when his questions were persistent. At that
moment, he realized her painful psychological threshold had reached its limit; he learned
never to question her again.
Kristoff’s family name was Rypchensky. His father’s traditions were culturally
Ukrainian although his father’s mother was Russian. As a child, Kristoff didn’t know why
cultural attachments mattered until later in life when he became aware of tension between
the two republics. Stalin’s policy of forced migration of Russian populations into other
republics, some thousands of miles away, was enforced to maintain cultural superiority. A
priority was forcing Russian language on inhabitants. Ukrainians maintained their dialect.
They also preferred Western European cultural habits. Their associations with cultural
hubs in Warsaw, Berlin, Paris, and Rome, exposed Ukrainians to material amenities.
Kristoff’s father made sure his son was informed of Ukraine’s unique traditions. His
father’s ethnicity was reinforced by Russian arrogance directed toward other social
traditions. Cultural distinctions became more apparent as he matured into adulthood.
The Soviet Union’s vast land mass has eleven time zones, containing fifteen republics,
with over forty languages. Eastern republics have large Muslim populations that can
present major obstacles to Russian hegemony. The Russian war in Afghanistan was
instigated by religious zealot’s plans to create a theocracy. If religious and cultural
divisions continued to clash with Communist autocrats, Russia’s eastern empire was
threatened. Religious-cultural wars breed contempt and longevity. Avoiding this
possibility is a primary objective of communist leaders who had little choice but to allow
for cultural-religious traditions. However when communist authorities realized the rebirth
of jihadism spreading from Afghanistan to Soviet republics containing large numbers of
Muslims, they invaded Afghanistan. Their efforts failed in part because mujahideen
fighters were determined enemies. Rugged geography was another factor. Alexander the
Great and the British experienced similar results. What may have been the most critical
factor in Russia’s defeat was the introduction of stinger missiles provided by the United
States. Without air power, Russia could not control territory.
Controlling eastern republics with large Muslim populations required mixing Russian
settlements with native populations. This policy began with czars and continued with
twentieth century dictators. The success or failure of these policies will eventually be
determined. The communist goal is to encourage a moderate political ideology that
maintains cultural equilibrium. Assimilation of cultures has introduced a different
demographic. However, on occasion, military force has been used when native
populations protest against violations of their political and cultural traditions. Basically,
Russian domination has been maintained with force. One important factor insisted upon
by Russia is linguistic uniformity. A Russian common language taught in schools, creates
common bonds that can transcend culture. Ethical and moral justification of policies used
for Russification will weave their way into lives of Soviet citizens with mixed results. The
Soviet Union’s western republics had different concerns, Ukraine in particular.
The Rypchensky’s status elevated their privileges. Because of her husband’s rank, and
the large communist Party in France, Monique was allowed to attend school at the
Sorbonne where she was professionally trained in impressionism. Her intellectual capacity
was wasted in Moscow. She always looked forward to touring Western Europe with her
husband where art dealers from all over the world would convene. Her mother’s family
resided in Paris, allowing opportunities for French cultural attachments. Paris was the
antithesis of Moscow. She could sense contrasts while browsing shops, often stopping to
peruse or make purchases in charming boutiques, followed by dining in French cafes.
Paris was liberating. On occasion, Kristoff would accompany his mother. He became
fluent in French and enjoyed conversing with his mother’s family. During these moments
in Paris, Kristoff began to comprehend his mother’s joy while touring the city of lights.
Her face beamed with contentment. Upon their return to Russia, he could sense changes in
mood, not only with his mother, but also with Russians walking Moscow’s streets. The
differences were psychologically miles apart. His mother was a different person when they
returned.
When Kristoff’s father was promoted to the highest rank in the Soviet Army, life
changed more dramatically. There were more privileges offered to the elite and
Commander Rypchensky, a Ukrainian by birth, enjoyed a lifestyle reserved for a select
few. Kristoff’s opportunities expanded as well. New experiences were open to him,
including travel and material comforts. His mother’s deep French roots and artistic
training highlighted her cultural deprivation in Russia. To compensate for this disparity,
she frequently took advantage of privileged liberties that allowed her to share interests and
freedoms with her relatives in France. Often, Kristoff thought of this paradox. The very
establishment that was the defender of communism, was being corrupted by exotic
comforts whose origin was often foreign. The Soviet Union, defender of monolithic
communism, was being “corrupted” by material comforts and intellectual pursuits whose
origins were not only foreign but also democratic and capitalist. In elite circles, this irony
did not persist unnoticed.
Kristoff was aware and proud of his parent’s intellectual and political interests. His
father was a trained physicist whose military career was advanced toward the closing
months of WW II, when his division captured several prominent German scientists, who
were instrumental in establishing and promoting the Soviet Union’s success with long
range rockets, expanding the Soviet’s military threat post war. Subsequently, rocket
technology became a cornerstone for space exploration, leading to Russia’s successful
space program, culminating in Sputnik’s success. These accomplishments advanced the
world’s view of communism.
Commander Rypchensky was reputed as the consummate professional. And he was.
Tall and ruggedly handsome, he commanded respect from his subordinates and peers. It
was only a matter of time before his leadership would replace an aging military hierarchy.
The Soviet military had substantial political leverage, and, depending on leadership
loyalties, could make unforeseen changes in the body politic. Military personnel’s political
preferences were unknown. Officers were promoted on the basis of professional skills.
Many of the brightest were trained in math and science. Their understanding of
communism’s shortcomings was inescapable. Commander Rypchensky decided upon a
military career rather than one in science because highly ranked military officers
possessed more potential for political alternatives.
Commander Rypchensky’s political views remained a mystery. His agenda may have
been shared with loyal comrades. Being outspoken, however, was dangerous for him and
other officers associated with intellectual provocateurs, especially when dissonant
undercurrents circulated. Kristoff was kept uninformed intentionally. Protecting his son
from political conflict was foremost. Kristoff believed his perception of reality was
unmistaken. The status quo was unacceptable. He also knew better than to ask questions.
Circumstances required silence. Within the Kremlin, a code of silence was mandatory for
survival.
Kristoff’s bond with his parents was strong. Having two loving parents was one of his
most cherished possessions, followed by Nadia, a woman he met during an emergency
snow delay at Boryspil International airport, east of Kiev. They made plans to meet again
at Rasputin’s, one of several popular discos in Moscow, where elite young professionals
gathered to dance and commiserate. Nadia would alter Kristoff’s future. Not only was she
beautiful and smart, but she was also a member of the Bolshoi Ballet. Their relationship
matured to the point where marriage was a definite possibility. He purchased a diamond
ring to offer Nadia before introducing her to his parents. When she invited Kristoff to her
apartment for dinner, the opportunity presented itself. Kristoff was unaware of Nadia’s
plan to defect during a future performance in New York City.