Code Name Antares

Chapter 8

The KhAD, the Afghan secret police, officially known as the State Intelligence Agency, was headquartered in one of the most well protected areas in Kabul. Work never stopped, whether inside or outside the building.

Under the firm control of the KGB, the KhAD was used by the Soviets to gather intelligence, infiltrate the Mujahideen, spread false information, and bribe tribal militias into fighting. KhAD’s system of informers and operatives extended into virtually every aspect of Afghan life. It assumed responsibility for training young Afghans to be loyal to the Soviet Union, but a good deal of money and the promise of better weapons to recruit new members was a necessity.

Farhad Hashimi, head of the KhAD, a graduate of Colgate University in New York, was considered to be very intelligent and very powerful in all aspects of the organization. His close association with the KGB was purely political, enabling him to bolster his own self image, remain in power, and obtain modern day weapons — weapons he might one day use against the Soviet Union.

Hashimi’s footsteps echoed as he walked along a passageway in the headquarters building. This day he wore a typical outfit known as a perahon tunban, consisting of a knee length light-colored shirt and dark, baggy trousers, along with a vest. As a government official, he also wore a cap made of sheepskin.

Stopping just outside the doorway of the main entrance, he looked toward the mountains where snow had already begun to melt, but along with spring rain, many roads were washed out, making passage difficult. He put his arms behind his back, as he perused the inner courtyard. Guards walked the perimeter and meandered through the entire grounds, either carrying AK47s or RPG launchers.

A sound of far-off gunfire and explosions made him retreat further from the doorway, just as an MI-24 attack helicopter flew overhead, called in by a Russian patrol coming under fire outside a small village. Fighting between Soviets, Afghans, Mujahideen had not improved; if anything, it had worsened. Hashimi needed weapons desperately, and not used or weapons confiscated from other wars. He wanted modern weapons.

An all-terrain vehicle, a UAZ-469, similar to a Jeep, drove into the courtyard then stopped close to the building. Two men got out, both wearing Soviet Union army uniforms. Major Viktor Zubarev, KGB, and his security guard and interpreter, Sergeant Tresinsky.

Zubarev was about 5’11” and slim. His uniform, shoes, cap were impeccable. The way he carried himself and his dark brooding eyes evoked authority. He took long, slow strides as he walked toward Hashimi.

Today the Afghan was to learn whether the Soviets would deliver the weapons as promised. No one, including the Soviets, seemed to have complete knowledge or details of the weapons, just that they were developed by the Americans and considered top secret.

What he suspected, though, was the Soviets weren’t going to hand them over without some form of payment. He assumed that was one reason why Zubarev was meeting with him. It would be interesting to learn what kind of price Russia would put on five top secret American weapons.

As the Russians approached Hashimi, two Afghan guards took their places closer to the entrance. Hashimi motioned for Zubarev to follow him. They would conduct their business as they walked along the passageway, staying out of perimeter rooms as a precaution in case of attack.

Hashimi wanted to keep the meeting as short as possible and got right to the point. “Do you have word on the weapons?”

A low-flying chopper made them go quiet, while they followed the sound with their eyes.

Zubarev rested a hand on his Makarov in his side holster. “I am expecting them in several days.”

“What about the type of weapons? What makes them top secret?”

Zubarev shook his head. “That I still do not know. But with that classification, you can be assured they will be like nothing either one of us has ever seen.”

“And when will you tell me the price, Major?”

“As soon as we receive word they are safely aboard our ship. The weapons must be inspected and tested before we turn them over to you. You understand, of course.”

Hashimi’s distrust in the Russians had steadily increased, but he was willing to do anything necessary to obtain the weapons. All he could do was wait, and not cause a rift between himself and Zubarev.