For centuries, throughout their extensive family tree, the notorious Rassov’s trusted only each other.
It had to be that way, for the nature of the Family Business demanded care, discretion, and utmost death-defying solidity….a united front, preserved through centuries of social and political upheaval, revolutions and cataclysmic planetary conflict.
Because the Rassov’s could trust each other, the countries around the world could trust them.
Thus, the clan motto:
Прежде всего, семейное доверие
Prezhde vsego, semeynoye doveriye!
ABOVE ALL, FAMILY TRUST!!
Which is why, upon returning to the Family dacha outside Vladivostok, an enormous pastry of a mansion filled with the fragrant smells of Mama Mamie’s cooking, favored daughter Nemesis – Nemi, for short – was upset and very angry. She felt her trust had been slightly betrayed and she lost no time in letting her feelings be known.
“What the hell, Mama???!!!”
Mama Mamie’s almond eyes narrowed hearing her delicate daughter curse.
“What happened to the rest of our plan…i carried out MY part!”, Nemi exclaimed, “And it was easy, though i did have to crunch up into an extremely tiny space on order to avoid detection…..quite uncomfortable!”
“But mission accomplished?” Mamie quietly asked. She relaxed her scrutinizing amber eyes, because she understood how her daughter might be disappointed in what happened to the rest of the mission. Mamie was disappointed as well. They all were.
“Yes, of course, Mama, when do i ever fail?”
“Never, my darling daughter…never…”, Mama Marie’s voice was warm with love, the rich Russian syllables rolling off her tongue, rather like a cat purring.
“Papa made the decision to call off the boys,” Mama Mamie explained as she added more red onion to the simmering pink borscht. “ Too much exposure….so much blatant hate surrounding this bunch of monsters…it seems like everyone, every nation, is out to eliminate them….PaPa felt we need to proceed more delicately, so knowing you’d succeed with the Press Secretary and at least rid ourselves of one …how shall I say…barnacle….? He’s called a Family meeting after dinner to discuss what’s next. Papa always knows what’s best…..Yes? Agreed?….Here…taste this…more onion?”