The Fourth Protocol

By 1968, the East-West agreement had established a fragile peace that was maintained by strict protocols like the Fourth Protocol, which prohibited unusual methods of nuclear weapon delivery. This period of tentative stability masked the brewing chaos that would soon unfold, particularly in Britain.

MI5 officer John Preston was tasked with a secret operation to infiltrate the home of government official George Berenson. During this mission, he stumbled upon top-secret NATO files that had inexplicably surfaced.

Unfortunately for Preston, his unauthorized methods led to significant embarrassment for Acting Director Brian Harcourt-Smith. As a consequence, he was demoted to a lesser role managing Airports and Ports, a significant drop from his previous responsibilities.

Meanwhile, KGB officer Major Valeri Petrofsky received instructions from General Govorshin to breach the Fourth Protocol. He was tasked with creating a simulated American nuclear disaster to escalate tensions in British-US relations.

A tragic incident in Glasgow occurred when a Soviet sailor was struck by a truck while fleeing port authorities. Among his possessions, Preston found a disk of polonium, which raised alarm bells regarding the potential for a bomb.

Preston reported his alarming findings to Harcourt-Smith, only to be suspended for supposedly fabricating the incident to regain his standing within MI5. This suspension only fueled Preston's determination to uncover the truth behind the conspiracy.

Despite his suspension, Preston received support from Sir Bernard Hemmings, the critically ill MI5 Director, and high-ranking official Sir Nigel Irvine. Their backing allowed Preston to continue his investigation into the conspiracy involving the KGB.

Preston managed to track down Winkler, a notorious Czech KGB agent, at the airport, which marked a turning point in his pursuit. This encounter heightened the stakes as Preston raced against time to prevent a catastrophe.

As Petrofsky became romantically involved with KGB agent Irina Vassilievna, their relationship deepened amidst a backdrop of deception. Together, they assembled bomb components, with Irina sneaking in her own deadly agenda.

Under the misconception that the bomb was set for a two-hour delay, Petrofsky remained oblivious to Irina's betrayal. She secretly reset the timer to zero, setting off a tragic chain of events that would soon follow.

Preston's relentless pursuit of Petrofsky took him across Ipswich, leading him dangerously close to the KGB officer's hideout near the RAF Baywaters airbase. The realization that Petrofsky was poised to detonate the bomb sent shockwaves through him.

In a heart-pounding moment, Preston apprehended Petrofsky at his doorstep just as an SAS team stormed in. The ensuing struggle culminated in Preston overcoming Petrofsky, who was then executed by an operative under direct orders.

At Hemmings' funeral, Preston faced a shocking revelation as he spotted Irvine discussing matters with General Karpov, leading him to question the motives of those he once trusted. This moment marked the deepening of his disillusionment with MI5.

As the power dynamics shifted, Preston realized the extent of the treachery involving Irvine and Karpov. Their collaboration aimed at discrediting Govorshin for personal gain further complicate matters, leading Preston to make a life-altering choice.

Faced with overwhelming betrayal and disillusionment, Preston decided to distance himself from MI5's intrigues and reunite with his young son. This decision marked a poignant end to his tumultuous journey amidst espionage and deceit.