1941. The life of Ivan Gouchkov, a student of Physics and Mechanics at the Leningrad Industry Institute, dramatically changes one day just before his spring exams when he comes to the attention of Major Lobanov, Head of Intelligence at the Leningrad Military District Command. Several months later, Main Intelligence Directorate receives information that the USA is developing a powerful nuclear weapon. Soviet Intelligence recruits Ivan and sends him to "Object X", a uranium enrichment plant in Nevada. To avoid suspicion, Ivan's appearance is changed, and he is given a new identity. He is turned into Stanley Liber, a marine cadet who had gone missing but who somehow has miraculously survived. Furthermore Ivan is to marry Sheila, Liber's fiancee.