"But he still russian guy. So it mean that he is nationalist and love Russia. His life abroad teached him many things about West. Thank to KGB intellegence. So now he wants to invent and copy them to Russia. It is fine for me."
... Even before I graduated from school, I wanted to work in intelligence. It was a dream of mine, although it seemed about as likely as a flight to Mars. And sure, my ambitions sometimes changed. I also wanted to be a sailor. And at one point I really wanted to be a pilot.The Academy of Civil Aviation is in Leningrad and I was hell-bent on getting in. I read the literature and even subscribed to an aviation journal. But then books and spy movies like The Sword and the Shield took hold of my imagination. What amazed me most of all was how one mans effort could achive what whole armies could not. One spy could decide the fate of thousands of people. At least thats the way I understood it.
The Academy of Civil Aviation quickly lost its thrill. I had made my choice. I wanted to be a spy.
My parents didnt understand this right away. My coach had gone to see them and told them that as an athlete, I could get into an institute practically without passing exams. So they tried to talk me into going to an institute. My coach took their side. He couldnt understand why I was resisting. You have a 100 percent chance of getting in to the very Academy of Civil Aviation, he said. And if you dont get into university, then youll go to the army.
It was a difficult situation. My father was a very powerful man. But I dug my heels in, and said I had made up my mind.
Then another coach of mine from the Trud Club, Leonid Ionovich, came to visit. He was a clever guy. Well, he said to me. Where are you going? Of course he already knew. He was just acting sly. I said, To university. OK, thats great, he said. But what faculty? The law school, I answered. Then he roared: What? To catch people? What are you doing? Youll be a cop. Do you understand? I was insulted. Im not going to be a cop! I yelled back.
For a year, they put pressure on me every day. That only increased my desire to go to law school. But why law school? Let me explain.
In order to find out how to become a spy, somewhere back at the beginning of 9th grade I had gone to the office of the KGB Directorate. A guy came out and listened to me. I want to get a job with you, I said. Thats terrific, but there are several issues, he said. First, we dont take people who come to us on their own initiative. Second, you can come to us only after the army or after some civilian university.
I was intrigued. What kind of university? I asked. Any! he said. He probably just wanted to get rid of me. But what kind do you prefer? I asked. Law school. And that was that. From that moment on, I began to prepare for the law faculty of Leningrad University. And nobody could stop me ...