DISCLAIMEr
This biography is a work of fiction
The Author does not condone nor partake in criminal activity
BIOGRAPHY
BASIC INFORMATION
Kostya 'Bell' Novikov is a specialist in the acquisition of clandestine human intelligence and the provision of 'wet work' services. In plain English, he collects information through any means necessary, and is willing to put a bullet in you for a high enough price.Novikov received his training with the KGB in a ghost department - Spetsbureau 13. In this unit, known colloquially as the Department of Liquid Affairs, Novikov amassed 72 confirmed kills. He was also member of the terrorist network Perseus, an organisation dedicated to restoring the USSR to its full glory.For a brief period, Novikov was captured by the CIA. He underwent psychological torture using hypnosis and neuroactive drugs which left him in a fugue state, unable to remember his own personal history. He spent several months working for the CIA, helping his handler Russell Adler decrypt his own work.Currently, Novikov is on the run and working as a freelance operative in the West. He is starting to piece his life back together but his amnesia still poses a problem. Novikov is considered a traitor by both the KGB and Perseus Network. He is considered a fugitive by the CIA.
EARLY LIFE
Konstantin 'Kostya' Novikov was born in the Leningrad Military District during the early stages of The Cold War. He was named for his Father - a Staff Sergeant in the 76th Air Army. Kostya was the first and only surviving child of Konstantin and Yulia Novikov.Their marriage was a particularly unhappy arrangement. Konstantin was a violent alcoholic plagued by memories of his service in the second world war, whilst Yulia had suffered from several miscarriages and feared her son would not survive infancy.Shortly before his fifth birthday, Novikov was sent to live with family in Moscow. His uncle, Andrei Kedrov was a computer engineer at the Experimental Design Bureau - a government department tasked with developing new technology. Andrei would go on to share his passion for advancing technology with his nephew - an intelligent and curious child.Novikov grew into a skilled mathematician and linguist with an affinity for cryptography. His talents were developed under the influence of Kedrov, who helped to steer him away from the drunken street fights he seemed drawn towards.Novikov received an exemplary education. He won an academic scholarship to study at Moscow State School 57 at the age of fourteen and would be offered a place at Moscow State University at the age of seventeen. To the disappointment of Kedrov, he would reject the offer and enlist as a soldier in The Soviet Ground Forces instead.
THE KGB
Whilst in active military service, Novikov attracted the attention of superiors who would place him under covert surveillance. His intellect was considered an asset and secured him an offer of employment with the KGB.Novikov underwent formal training to develop his foreign language and cryptography skills to a professional standard before qualifying as a KGB Agent. He was assigned to The Eighth Chief Directorate and stationed at The Lubyanka Building in Moscow.Here, Novikov was responsible for monitoring and decrypting foreign communications, encrypting and protecting data, and establishing secure lines of communication with agents in the field. In this role, Novikov would prove a valuable asset.During a routine sweep of internal communications, he noted an anomaly in the interaction between an officer and an agent in the field. He was able to decode a concealed message that identified a number of double agents within the Lubyanka Building.Novikov informed his superiors - his efforts resulted in the arrest and execution of several double agents, and a formal recognition for his services to the state.
SPETSBUREAU 13
Following The Lubyanka Incident, Novikov was back on the radar of his superiors. He was noted as an unwavering loyalist with a unique skillset and a military background - an ideal candidate for training with Spetsbureau 13.Spets 13 - colloquially known as The Department of Liquid Affairs - was a highly classified government department dedicated to the protection of The State both domestically and internationally. Spets Agents were encouraged authorised to utilise deadly force.Novikov was given additional training in wet work - a euphemism within the organisation that alluded to the spilling of blood. He would go on to amass 72 confirmed kills whilst working on behalf of the department.
THE PERSEUS NETWORK
In the winter of 1979, Novikov was approached by a charismatic stranger at a bar in Moscow. He introduced himself only as Perseus - the leader of an underground network dedicated to establishing The USSR as a dominant global superpower.Perseus believed that current leaders were incapable of securing a victory for The Soviet Union in the ongoing Cold War. He claimed that drastic action was necessary to ensure that The State would not fall under Western attack.Over the course of several months, Novikov met with Perseus several times. He was eventually persuaded to join The Perseus Network and began using his position within The KGB to their advantage.In Late 1980, The Network secured intelligence pertaining to Operation Greenlight - The CIA had planted nuclear devices in every major European city with the intention of detonating them as a last resort in the event of a Soviet Invasion.The Network planned to gain access to the codes for The Greenlight Arsenal with the intention of detonating in March 1981 from the safety of The Solovetsky Islands. The event was designed to shift the balance of The Cold War and pave the way for a Soviet Coup.
THE TRABZON AIRFIELD
In January 1981, Novikov accompanied Arash Kadivar to the Trabzon Airfield Base. Kadivar had been stockpiling weapons on behalf of The Perseus Network and intended to ship his arsenal to Solovetsky in preparation for the upcoming detonation.Whilst supervising the loading of cargo, Kadivar expressed that Novikov had gotten too close to Perseus for his liking. With little warning, an envious Kadivar shot Novikov in the chest and left him to bleed out.This was observed by several CIA Operatives tasked with monitoring Kadivar's movement. Kadivar was captured and executed by US Operatives Russell Adler, Frank Woods, and Alex Mason.Novikov was discovered alive and apprehended by Adler.
mk ultra
Whilst recovering from his injuries in the custody of The CIA, Novikov was extensively interrogated - to no avail.Frustrated with his lack of progress, Adler consulted with MI6 specialist Helen Park who agreed to supervise the implementation of experimental techniques initially developed during The CIA's MK Ultra Program.Novikov was subjected to psychological torture using neuroactive drugs and hypnosis. Memories associated with The Perseus Network were preserved and concealed in his subconscious. They could be accessed once Novikov had been lulled into a suggestible state using the sound of a ringing bell accompanied by the trigger phrase: WE'VE GOT A JOB TO DOMemories of his own personal history were overwritten. Kostya Novikov was erased and replaced with Bell - a valuable yet volatile US Asset.Bell was raised in a Moscow orphanage with no surviving relatives. He had joined The KGB at the age of eighteen and voluntarily defected shortly afterwards. He was led to believe that he had been recruited by The CIA and had worked alongside his handler Russell Adler for several years.
CIA SAFEHOUSE E9
In February 1981, Bell was stationed at Safe House E9 In West Berlin under the supervision of handlers Russell Adler and Helen Park.He was part of a team tasked with investigating and apprehending members of The Perseus Network. He served alongside Frank Woods, Alex Mason, Lazar Azoulay and Lawrence Sims. Bell spent several weeks unknowingly decrypting his own work. His subconscious insight and pre-existing skillset were utilised over the course of numerous classified operations.On a number of occasions, Bell displayed signs of noncompliance. His conditioning was frequently reinforced and his mental and physical health began to deteriorate under the strain of regular psychological manipulation and experimental drug abuse.
IDENTITY CRISIS
In March 1981, The E9 Team intercepted intelligence that confirmed The Perseus Network had access to the entire Greenlight Nuclear Arsenal. It was agreed that Bell was the last hope should the team wish to prevent a nuclear disaster.Bell was subjected to physical and psychological torture at the hands of The E9 Team. Adler administered dangerous doses of neuroactive substances and walked Bell through his implanted memories in order to forcibly extract information relating to The Perseus Base.After several hours of interrogation the conditioning failed - Bell was able to unlock his memories of Perseus. Aware he would be considered an enemy of the state at home, he reluctantly agreed to cooperate with The CIA and direct The E9 Team to Solovetsky in time to prevent detonation.
POST SOLOVETSKY
Bell was physically and psychology damaged by the interrogation process and several weeks of sustained experimentation. It was clear that he would be unable to withstand an additional round of brainwashing; he was a walking testimony to the most illicit and classified practices of the Western intelligence community.The CIA deemed him a loose end.Adler was tasked with leading Bell out along the Solovetsky coastline under the guise of reaching an uneasy truce. Over the course of several weeks, Bell had developed a genuine respect for his handler; in many ways, the feeling was mutual. Adler seemed sincere in thanking Bell for his service - though he had one final request.Both drew their pistols - Bell was the first to take a blind shot before escaping Solovetsky alone.Bell spent several months drifting across Europe in search of familiarity. Occasionally, he was able to conjure up memories of unfocused faces or the outline of an almost familiar skyline - but he failed to connect the dots.Kostya Novikov was lost.
CURRENT STATUS
Novikov has adopted the identity of a missing tourist - Alexei Orlov. This name is typically used on official documentation and belongs to a Russian national.Officially, Alexei works in cybersecurity. Less officially, Novikov operates as a mercenary specialising in the acquisition of clandestine human intelligence, wet work and personal security. He operates out of a safe house in Schöneberg, Berlin, with an additional base in Mile End, London.Novikov estimates that he is in his mid to late thirties. He speaks with a moderate Russian accent and is able to recall a handful of memories pertaining to his time with The Perseus Network. He is aware of his involvement with Spetsbureau 13 though he struggles to recall any concrete details of his service.Whilst he would like to return to Moscow and search for surviving loved ones, he is considered a defector and an enemy of the state; he would likely be shot on sight.He is currently available for hire as a freelance operative in various locations across Europe, Asia, and The Middle East.