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himself, and he always enjoyed his old instructor’s company.
     
    Gennadi had always had the reputation for being too socially liberal, too kind and too accepting of all lifestyles. But there was no doubt that no one rivaled him when it came to coming up with brilliant new ideas within jet and space propulsion, and along with those top secret assignments he taught physics.
     
    “Right, you’ve been patient, but I need to get right to it. You know that when I am working on a new project, I go into my formal study and meditate. I recline and relax and must act like an American hippie. I’m surrounded by my crystals which I am sure hold some form of power we can tap into. I read about it, but can never figure out the theory behind them. Anyway, I am getting sidetracked. While I have been trying to focus on how crystals can enhance a laser beam, I have been having some disturbing dreams.”
     
    “Dreams?”
     
    “Yes, ones of death along all the European and American coasts. Confusion, chaos.”
     
    There was a long pause.
     
    Andrei was still sitting patiently. Gennadi was strange, but not prone to hallucinations or believing in signs found in chicken entrails. He must have a point. The insects were getting louder as the sun now dropped to the horizon and sent out clear, sweet light to dance over the Caspian.
     
    “The entire Earth was buzzing and unsteady. All but a small area here, where a flag with our bear on it was flying steadily and our part of the Earth was the only spot where the clouds of destruction were not swirling.”
     
    “You sound concerned. Do you actually think this is a premonition?”
     
    “I really do, my friend. The dreams are not like a normal dream. They are strong, like I have just watched a film. None of the details fade. The same dreams come to me each time I am in my study. Without fail.”
     
    “Even if I felt as you do, I could do nothing to make our superiors act in any way. Why have you decided to share this with me?”
     
    His old teacher looked up. Held his gaze for a very long time. “Because you are in all these dreams.”
     
    Andrei’s eyebrows were raised in surprised. “I hope I was standing near the flag.” He tried to make light it of it, but the seriousness coming from Gennadi was palpable.
     
    “Ah, I know you try to lighten the mood. But, yes, you are with the flag. You are staring out into the black and in your fighting uniform, ready to move into the chaos. I think you are set to fight it back.”
     
    “First, it has been a long time since I have stood under any flag with our Russian bear on it. Your vision cannot be accurate. The Soviet Union is modern and sleek now. Second, I’ve been a fighter pilot, then a trainer, now head of our whole branch … but I’ve never been a John Wayne, my friend. Why would I stand alone and try to fight the whole world?” Now Andrei was smiling a soft smile.
     
    “Oh, there are other small spots, I just can’t pin point them. I think you are going to join forces and save the world.” They both smiled at this grandiose language.
     
    “And what do you want me to do about this tonight?”
     
    “Nothing. I just wanted you to be prepared to do whatever you have to. You may be the only one who sees whatever happens as a global issue at the start. If you know that something big is coming, if you are prepared mentally; you can respond quicker, you can make better decisions to keep our people safe.”
     
    “A sound speculation. So the coastal areas are danger zone, you think?”
     
    “Are you taking me seriously?”
     
    “Oh, I don’t really know, Gennadi. This is fantastical. I believe you are sincere. Do I believe it is a real premonition? No, I don’t really think so.” He shrugged, he did not want to hurt his friend’s feelings.
     
    “You were always my favorite, Andrei. It is because you are brave and also balanced, not like so many military men. You don’t hunger for power just to have it. You are