Berlin Blue: Your Past Owns You - A Zbikowski Thriller

Thank you for downloading this Mondrala Press book. Mondrala Press publishes English translations of great Polish books—books with a track record of international critical and commercial success but which, for political reasons, have never been published in English. And now, finally, they are. Be the first to discover a new, exciting territory! To see our newest titles or to subscribe to our mailing list, please visit www.mondrala.com The Greatest Books You Have Never Heard of ZBIG ZBIKOWSKI Zbig Zbikowski was born in 1952. After graduation in 1976, he worked as a journalist, academic teacher and book editor in Poland and Germany (Berlin West). He is married and has two daughters. His novel Transprussia was nominated in Poland for the European Union Prize for Literature. Also by Zbig Zbikowski: In English: By MONDRALA PRESS Berlin Blue (2023) Berlin Indigo (2024) In Polish: By EDIPRESSE Berlin Blue Berlin Indigo Transprussia By SAGA EGMONT Willa Morena (18 volumes) In German: By TOLINO Berlin Blue Zbig Zbikowski Translated by Tom Pinch ©2015 Zbigniew Zbikowski ©This English translation Mondrala Press, 2023 Originally published in Polish as Berlin Blue in 2015 Mondrala Press is an imprint of Ringel & Esch, S.A.R.L.-S www.mondrala.com All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without permission in writing from the publisher, except for brief quotations in reviews. ISBN Kindle: 978-2-919820-21-4 ISBN Paperback: 978-2-919820-22-1 ISBN Hardcover: 978-2-919820-26-9 Edited by Bill Allender Cover Design by Book Cover Zone Although this story is based on historical facts, the story itself is complete fiction. All the characters and events are entirely fictitious and no resemblance is intended to any event or any real person, either living or dead. During the Cold War, East Germany was a front-line state in Europe. To assure Soviet military access to it in the event of a war with NATO, both Russia and East Germany were vitally interested in maintaining a firm communist grip in Poland. When, following a wave of strikes in 1980, that grip seemed to be slipping, USSR and East Germany forced Polish authorities to carry out a military coup and intern opposition figures. Many managed to escape and found themselves in West Berlin—a democratic, pro-western enclave within the borders of East Germany—and from there, they tried to continue their anti-communist agitation. Only naturally, they became an object of intense spying by both Polish and East German security services. The activities of these services remain largely wrapped in mystery. Their archives have been partially destroyed, and access to them remains limited by law. Many of those who have lived through that period continue to live with an unsolved mystery: which of their friends and colleagues were spies reporting on their activities. Old scores remain to be settled. CALENDARIUM OF THE FALL OF THE SOVIET EMPIRE: 1945:USSR imposes the Iron Curtain. West Berlin remains the sole, pro-western, democratic enclave in Eastern Europe. 1975 onwardsDeepening economic crisis in the Soviet bloc. June 1976A big wave of protest strikes in Poland followed by several years of opposition ferment. December 1979USSR invades Afghanistan to demonstrate its readiness to defend the empire. Summer 1980Nationwide strikes in Poland lead to a partial liberalization of press and assembly in that country. December 1981Under pressure from USSR and East German regimes, the Polish communist party stages a military coup to reestablish communist dictatorship. 1980-1981Martial Law in Poland. The Communist Party attempts economic reforms. 1983-1989Polish economic reforms fail, leading to increasing discontentment. 1989Polish communist party concedes failure and allows free elections which it loses by a landslide.The first non-communist government in Eastern Europe since 1945 is formed in Warsaw.USSR pulls out of Afghanistan.Lithuanian communist party secedes from the Soviet communist party. 1990Baltic states announce their secession from the USSR.Hungary opens its western borders.East German communists accept free elections for 1990.Berlin Wall is dismantled. 1991East German communists lose elections by a landslide. Newly elected East German government signs a unification treaty with West Germany.A failed military coup in Berlin deposes Gorbachov and allows Yeltsin’s Russia to secede from USSR. End of the Evil Empire. DRAMATIS PERSONAE Jacob Kubatski (“Ferrocyanide”): 1 It was an ordinary