Shadow Flight

Matthews watched as technicians, dressed in light blue smocks, placed thick mats over portions of the wing. They were being extremely careful not to step outside the walkways outlined in white paint. The mats provided protection for the bomber's composite wing.

The American pilot remained quiet when Gennadi Levchenko walked across the hangar, entered his cluttered office, then stepped into the small interrogation cubicle. The chain-smoking director ordered the two guards out, then turned to Matthews.

"Shall we proceed, colonel?" Levchenko asked as he motioned for the gaunt, droopy-eyed technician to inject Matthews with Versed.

"You cowardly bastard," Matthews retorted in a low, hostile voice.

"Do it," Levchenko ordered.

Matthews looked out the window while the skinny Russian pulled up the sleeve of his flight suit and placed a rubber tourniquet around his right bicep. The specialist picked up a freshly opened syringe and leaned over the pilot.

"Goddamnit," Matthews snapped, then winced again when the technician shoved the needle in further.

Levchenko looked at the B-2 aircraft commander, sat down in a chair, lighted a Pall Mall, then turned on a Panasonic cassette tape recorder. "Tell me about the materials that make up the leading edge of your bomber."

Matthews looked Levchenko in the eyes, darting a glance at the needle in his arm. The syringe was almost empty. "My name is Lieutenant Colonel Charles Edward Matthews, United States Air Force. I have been drugged and coerced to compromise my country."

Matthews continued to talk, appearing to be alert and cognizant.

His mind, however, failed to record the conversation. The drug-induced amnesia prevented the nerve cells and their fibers from processing and storing the brain's activities.

Levchenko interrogated Matthews for more than two hours, stopping only to allow the medical technician to inject more Versed. Matthews outlined the operating parameters of the B-2, including the dash speed, absolute altitude, range without aerial refueling, armament capability, and maximum load. He also explained the intricacies of the Hughes APQ-118 multimode radar, detailing the penetration, target search, navigation, detection, and tracking capabilities.

Levchenko pressed harder, wanting to know if the aircraft had an Achilles' heel. Matthews cited the Red Team counterstealth study, which indicated that the technology would not be vulnerable for the foreseeable future.

During the second hour, Levchenko had Matthews explain the tactical advantages of the supersecret bomber. "Tell me, Colonel Matthews," Levchenko said, noting the time, "precisely how the B-2 will be deployed in the event of a nuclear war."

Matthews spoke slowly and clearly, pausing at times. "Our primary mission… is to seek and destroy mobile Soviet SS-20, SS-24, and SS-25 missiles. We will approach from high altitude, after being refueled en route, and… use reconnaissance satellites to pinpoint our targets. We are prepared to do this…," Matthews said, hesitating again, "anywhere in the world… "

"What is the next step?" Levchenko asked, realizing that Matthews was beginning to shake off the effects of the drugs. "Tell me your priorities after you find the mobile weapons."

"We strike the known… relocatable targets," the pilot responded in a halting manner, "then continue to other designated areas and attack… hardened underground command centers and… control installations for space-based reconnaissance satellites." Matthews, attempting to regain consciousness, twisted his face and stuttered slightly.

Levchenko ordered the technician to inject a small amount of Versed, then checked off another line on his list of questions and rechecked the cassette recorder. The second ninety-minute tape was nearing the end of the first side.

The KGB agent leaned closer to Matthews. "What is your priority after you attack the command centers and satellite control centers?"

"We would search," Matthews answered, pausing when his head drooped, "on our own for missiles… and military targets of opportunity."

Levchenko looked at his watch. "What are the primary means of detecting Soviet missiles?"

Matthews's face contorted slightly, then relaxed again. "We use passive… infrared, and laser sensors."

The interrogation expert knew that Matthews needed time to recover from the extended questioning period. "What weapons would you use against the missiles?" Levchenko asked, then wrote a quick note.

"Nuclear bombs…," Matthews replied with a discernible slur, "and nuclear… armed SRAM Two missiles."

Levchenko waved the thin medical technician over to Matthews. "Stay with him until he has recovered. I will send in the guards."

"Da, comrade director," the technician replied, then checked the wide straps holding the American pilot to the chair. "Will you be conducting another session before—"

"I will let you know," Levchenko interrupted, "when the next session will be."

"As you say, comrade director."