The Cool War

by ANDREW FETLER
Illustrated by NODEL
Here's what happens when two Master Spies tangle ... and stay that way!
Nothing, nothing to get upset about, Pashkov said soothingly, taking his friend's arm as they came out of the villa forty miles from Moscow. Pashkov looked like a roly-poly zoo attendant leading a tame bear. Erase his memory, give him a new name and feed him more patriotism. Very simple.
Medvedev raised his hand threateningly. Don't come howling to me if everybody guesses he is nothing but a robot.
Pashkov glanced back at the house. Since the publication of Dentist Amigovitch , this house had become known all over the world as Boris Knackenpast's villa. Now the house was guarded by a company of soldiers to keep visitors out. From an open window Pashkov heard the clicking of a typewriter.
It's when they're not like robots that everybody suspects them, he said, climbing into his flier. Petchareff will send you word when to announce his 'death'.
A question, brother.
No questions.
Who smuggled the manuscript out of Russia?
Pashkov frowned convincingly. Comrade Petchareff has suspected even me.
He took off for Moscow, poking his flier up through the clouds and flying close to them, as was his habit. Then he switched on the radio and got Petchareff's secretary. Nadezhda?