Ghost Bird... Do You Copy?

A Most Beautiful Sound

Chapter Thirty-One

A Most Beautiful Sound

( Playlist - bogoróditse djévo by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Alleluia [Ralph Manuel arrangement] on youtube look for University of Utah Singers)

Charles's POV:

Back in September

Again, please remember that this chapter will be considered to be in Russian unless otherwise specified.

I read through our documents as we drove down the dark, snowy road. Everything had been drilled into us. I knew it. There was no way for me to forget it even if I wanted to, but I read through it for Maxim and me anyways. It never hurt to review.

What had been determined was that we were with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This would allow us to ask any and whatever questions needed, root out any defectors, traitors or subservients. Thankfully these positions had high turnover rates, so chances of recognition were slim to none.

The whole ride into Moscow was a battle of. "I know that already. Quit telling me what to do. Alexandre, if you tell me one more time, I am going to pull over and run this knife through your gut. Once for each syllable you speak." Listening to him made me laugh. Me talking, on the other hand made Maxim scowl.

It was not long before we had pulled in to our temporary apartment. I was in need of sleep. I believe Maxim was too, although he wouldn't admit it. "I'll get the bags out of the car. You burn these."

"I would argue with you, Alexandre, but it seems a moot point right now." Maxim went over to the kitchen, grabbed a pan and started to work while I went back out to finish grabbing our gear. Once I returned we went through everything, checking our weapons mainly, and decided to get some rest. We had completed one hurdle, several more remained. The morning would decide whether we lived or died.

I awoke to a beautiful white morning as fresh snow lay on the ground. "Maxim! Maxim! Wake up. You weren't lying. The snow here is beautiful." I wasn't kidding around. Our apartment overlooked St. Basil's Cathedral.

"You want to see something spectacular before we get to work?" Maxim got up and started dressing in his uniform.

"Absolutely." I felt like a kid in a candy store.

"Have a seat. I will make you a treat for breakfast... if I can remember how my mother did it." Maxim set himself to work in silence while I watched.

"What are you trying to make?" I was truly curious.

"I am attempting to make you a traditional Russian breakfast. Kasha, butterbrots, fried eggs, and there is some tvorog in the fridge." He kept on working. He was very efficient, and orderly, but before long we were both sitting down and digging in.

"Oh my god, this is so good. I think you did your mother proud." I continued stuffing my face.

"If you think this sh*t is good, then my mother's cooking would floor you." Maxim had a hint of sadness in his eyes when saying that, but still was upbeat.

We finished eating and cleaned our dishes, then grabbed our side arms and headed out the door.

"I promised you something special." Maxim said once we had reached street level.

"I thought you cooking breakfast for me was special."

"When I was younger, and getting into a lot of trouble, I had made it to Moscow near the end before I left for the states. I was so hell bent on destroying everything, even myself. I was walking through Red Square when I heard echoes from inside Saint Basil's Cathedral. So I walked inside. The choir had been practicing that evening. They sang bogoróditse djévo by Sergei Rachmaninoff. I am no believer by any means, but I think that was the final push I needed to leave. It was such a beautiful sound, not of this earth. I sat in the cathedral listening to them practice over and over. Being that it's Sunday Mass, you should get the chance to hear them sing." He finished and we continued walking.