I see nothing other than a simple boardgame

[chesspolitik]

Isn't it strange the complications
People attach to situations
Almost as if they want to miss
The wood for the trees

Nothing will change my basic feeling
When they've done all their wheeler-dealing
Those in the strongest situations
Do as they please -- The Arbiter (Chess)

Comments

[decourcyonrocks.livejournal.com]

It was early in the morning and Walter was heading down to the hotel bar with practically a skip in his step. Today was the day of the match, but before hand there was a whole other chess game to play. A chess game where he was the master, he and Molokov. And if everything played to plan, Walter would be the official winner...but his Russian counterpart wouldn't be leaving the table empty handed.

Speaking of his Russian counterpart, Walter spotted him at the end of the bar and threw his sunglasses down on the table before sitting on the stool beside him and ordering a coffee. "Good Morning." He said in a very chipper and confident voice.

[molokovcocktail.livejournal.com]

"You are cheerful this morning, comrade," Molokov muttered dourly as he stared into his cup, willing the caffeine to hurry its way through his veins. It was a little, rarely-indulged ritual of his to linger over a cup of coffee in the morning and he resented any intrusion, no matter how necessary it was.

[decourcyonrocks.livejournal.com]

"It's a lovely morning in Bangkok and there's a game to play. Why shouldn't I be cheerful?" Walter smiled as his coffee was served and he poured in milk and sugar, just like any American. He did love his job and he couldn't wait to get going, bald complications aside.

[molokovcocktail.livejournal.com]

"Our game," Molokov murmured, his expression lightening as he contemplated the moves to be made. It was only a fool who thought the game was happening on the chessboard. No, the real game, the only game was played between countries, with people as the pieces.

"We are... agreed on the course we must take?"

[decourcyonrocks.livejournal.com]

"Precisely." It was chess on an epic scale that Sergievsky, Trumper and Vassey would never have understood. How could he not be excited?

"And of course. Though yesterday you implied you had some information for me. Something regarding the lovely Miss Florence."

[molokovcocktail.livejournal.com]

"Ah yes, the lovely Miss Florence," Molokov repeated, careful to disguise the utter hatred the very sound of her name inspired in him. "I have been informed that her dear father, for so long thought to be dead, is in fact alive in prison."

He paused to take a sip of his coffee. "We are willing to entertain a deal for his release."

[decourcyonrocks.livejournal.com]

Molokov may have disguised it but Walter knew it was there. She wasn't his favorite person either. But this...this was interesting, even if it was in her benefit. He cocked his head curiously. "Really? After 30 years in prison?"

This would make his job so much easier. Even if it wasn't true. "The terms the same as for my agents?"

[molokovcocktail.livejournal.com]

"There is one additional request," Molokov answered, bending his head close to de Courcey's. As an additional precaution, he switched to Spanish. It wasn't likely they'd be overheard - he had put agents around to be sure of that fact (and likely, his counterpart had too) - but it was the principle of the thing. An incautious spy was a dead spy, and he planned to be around for a long time. There was great work to be done, after all.

"Sergievsky." He paused for a moment, unable to resist letting Walter wonder if there was going to be shooting and paperwork involved after all. "He must lose the match to your Trumper. If he does this, then Miss Vassy's father and your men will be released."

[decourcyonrocks.livejournal.com]

Walter only nodded, his smirk returning after it had momentarily faltered when the thought that Molokov wanted to shoot Sergievsky as part of the deal did pass his mind. His Spanish was effortless as he replied, "Of course. Mother Russia wanting to save face?" He paused for a moment, taking a long drink of coffee as he considered all the possibilities. "Trumper will be pleased. And I'm sure Sergievsky will gladly lose if it means returning Miss Vassey's father to her. What of the wife? Do you still plan on using her?"

[molokovcocktail.livejournal.com]

Molokov nodded, entirely too pleased at the prospect. "Of course. We must not waste any opportunity here. Our errant grandmaster must return home where he belongs, that is all there is to it. I am sure his wife will be very happy to have him home as well. She will help us, I am certain. I will suggest things - they may even be true."

He motioned for a refill of his coffee and once the waitress had sidled away, he continued. "And you. You will speak to Miss Vassey?"

[decourcyonrocks.livejournal.com]

At the idea of suggesting 'things' Walter just chuckled, shook his head and took a drink of coffee. He could only imagine what those things would be but it didn't matter. As long as they had the wife on their side.

"Don't worry about Ms. Vassey, or Mr. Trumper for that matter. I'll take care of it." Then Walter cupped his coffee between his hands, getting serious for a moment. "Now...what do we do about our new interloper? I've had my agents digging all night and so far they've found nothing on him. He told Trumper a name...Lex Luthor."

[molokovcocktail.livejournal.com]

The name meant nothing to Molokov, which was slightly worrying but he shrugged the thought aside. He had dealt with unknowns before, with unerring precision when the occasion called for it. This Luthor was no match for a KGB agent and a CIA agent working together in perfect harmony.

"You know what my answer is. I still stand by it."

[decourcyonrocks.livejournal.com]

"No shooting anyone. Some how, I don't think Mother Russia wants to cover up anything more then influencing the results of a simple Chess game." Not that there was anything simple about this particular chess game but the sentiment was the same. Not that anything was going to go wrong of course? How could one man change their perfect plan? Perfect, if Walter could keep a reign on his trigger happy counterpart.

Then he shrugged. "Of course, on the slim chance this Luthor succeeds...I'll help you hide the body."