A covert incident at an airport draws a deadly line between espionage and science fiction: the murder of Dr. Hass and the discovery of encrypted notes in his pocket, pointing to a scheme to obtain raw materials for mass-producing a dangerous RH gas. This gas carries a chilling duality: in small doses it sharpens thinking and potential, while in larger amounts it can turn people into a joyous, mindless workforce and a laboring crowd. The thread of the case winds through international intrigue and the shadowy currents of intelligence work across Europe.
Soviet authorities entrust the investigation to Colonel Konstantin Ladeynikov, a seasoned intelligence officer who must navigate a treacherous landscape where he has already drawn the wary gaze of rival services. His challenge is not only to unravel the identity of Hass but to remain in a foreign country long enough to see the operation through. The core problem is clear: Ladeynikov does not have Hass’s portrait, so he needs someone who can recognize him in person.
To solve this, the KGB leadership reaches for an unlikely ally: Ivan Savushkin, a respected actor from the children's theater who is also a father of two and, crucially, a man who speaks fluent German. Savushkin is asked to draw Hass’s portrait, a task that could unlock the entire operation. His involvement is steeped in a harrowing past: in 1944 he escaped from a Nazi concentration camp where Hass had conducted lethal experiments, turning people into mindless, almost animal-like beings. The memory of those experiments haunts Savushkin, but it also binds him to the mission.
As Savushkin contends with his past and the dangerous present, he comes to understand how pivotal his role is in the broader effort to identify Hass and counter the threat posed by the gas program. His German language skills and his insider’s perspective on the kind of deception and menace at play give him a unique footing in this delicate operation. Reluctantly drawn into a high-stakes chess game, Savushkin agrees to participate, recognizing that his contribution could tilt the balance between containment and catastrophe.
Throughout, the story maintains a steady, restrained tone that emphasizes the tension between personal conscience and professional duty. The stakes are not merely geopolitical; they hinge on a single portrait that could unlock a dangerous conspiracy. As the narrative unfolds, the alliance between seasoned espionage tactics and deeply personal history illuminates the path forward, casting Savushkin as a crucial hinge in a broader effort to understand and thwart the threat embodied by Hass and the ominous RH gas project.
