Control’s image, seated behind a wide flat desk, appears on the screen. His sharp British accent matches his tailored black suit. Behind him, a monitor flickers to life as he begins.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you’re en route to Chechnya to conduct an espionage and sabotage mission. An ex-Soviet general named Ivan Stratovich has managed to steal a prototype for a chemical distribution system designed to piggyback on a conventional ICBM, delivering a deadly chemical payload over thousands of miles. This device, the Chemical Distribution Missile Augmentation System, or CDMAS for short, will be on auction to the highest bidder in the next few weeks. We can’t let this device fall into the wrong hands. You must find and destroy the prototype, along with any research materials Stratovich might have about it."
The monitor flickers to reveal a strong-jawed man in his late 40’s, wearing a Russian military uniform.
"Stratovich is pretty small potatoes, but considering how volatile the region is, we can’t afford to go in there guns blazing and potentially create an international incident. Luckily, the general has provided us a way in. He’s just come into considerable wealth from selling weapons on the black market, and he’s been collecting priceless works of art left and right as a way to buy his way into the upper class. He’s arranged for a showing of his new collection and invited many European notables, most of which we’re pretty sure he doesn’t know personally. You’ll be among the guests."
The image switches again to display a large manor house, surrounded by a tall stone wall.
"The showing takes place in three days, which should give you plenty of time to prepare. You’re to infiltrate the manor house during the gala, complete your mission, and withdraw without notice.
"We’ve provided floor plans for the manor that we believe are at least marginally accurate, and you may draw upon R&D as usual. Security should be lowered during the art showing, but I advise against taking hardware that might attract attention.
"That’s all agents. Make us proud."