The Persona Protocol

by Andy McDermott

  Morgan was first to speak. ‘What do you mean, sir?’

  ‘I mean, none of this ever happened.’

  ‘You’re going to cover it up?’ said Bianca.

  ‘Yes, Dr Childs, we’re going to cover it up,’ said Sternberg scathingly. ‘What, did you really think we’re going to proclaim to the world that the Director of National Intelligence personally subverted a black operation in order to supply classified information to al-Qaeda, so that they would assassinate his political rival to promulgate the War on Terror?’

  ‘Well, not when you put it that way,’ she mumbled, abashed.

  ‘Damn right. Harper committed a terrible crime that cost hundreds of lives, but exposing it would cost thousands more – terrorist groups around the world would be emboldened, and the United States’ credibility in fighting them would be shattered. And there’s no telling where the loss of confidence in America’s democratic institutions would lead. Harper was approved by Congress, remember. This isn’t something either side can make political capital out of; everyone’s in it together.’

  ‘How are you going to cover it up?’ asked Tony. ‘Harper killed himself one block from the White House in front of dozens of witnesses. There’s probably a video on YouTube already.’

  ‘NSA can take care of that,’ said Sternberg, the statement ambiguous enough to suggest that the intelligence agency might already have done so. ‘But we can handle it; it’s just a matter of presentation. Harper was divorced, in a high-pressure job, the assassination of the Secretary of State took place on his watch, et cetera. A storyline that ends in a self-inflicted gunshot wound practically writes itself.’

  Bianca was appalled. ‘So the truth just gets buried?’

  ‘As the saying goes, Dr Childs, the truth hurts.’

  ‘So do lies,’ Adam said quietly. ‘Harper will get a eulogy that paints him as a patriot and a loyal servant of his country, won’t he?’ Though his tone was even, the bitterness behind it was unmistakable.

  Sternberg at least had the courtesy to look uncomfortable before quickly changing the subject. ‘Anyway, that’s one side of the matter. The other is you. Only a few people know the full story. The President has made it very clear that he expects that to remain the case. In return for a promise of absolute silence on the subject, he’s willing to grant all three of you full pardons.’ Kiddrick made a flustered sound, but Morgan’s stare muted him before he said a word.

  Bianca hesitated before asking: ‘And the alternative?’

  The National Security Adviser laughed sarcastically. ‘I hear it gets very hot in Cuba. Especially at a certain US military facility on the southern coast. Lots of insects carrying tropical diseases.’

  She sighed. ‘Yeah, I thought it would be something like that.’

  ‘What about the Persona Project?’ said Tony. ‘Is it being shut down permanently, or is this just a temporary suspension?’

  ‘A lot of that depends on Agent Gray,’ replied Sternberg. ‘If he’s fit to return to duty . . . and if he’s willing. I can understand that after what he discovered, he might have certain reservations.’

  Everyone turned to Adam. ‘I haven’t made a decision,’ he said softly, not meeting anyone’s eyes.

  ‘As for the Persona Project itself, it’s definitely proven its worth – even if not in the way anyone expected,’ Sternberg continued. ‘You stopped the RTG plot – and the whole affair provided a kick in the pants to the Russians that they need to step up their nuclear security, thank God – but al-Rais is still out there somewhere. He won’t give up, so we can’t afford to either. An intelligence asset like Persona is too valuable to relinquish, so I’m sure it’ll be reactivated in one form or another. So, Dr Kiddrick, Dr Albion – good to see that you’re recovering, by the way – don’t send out any résumés to the private sector just yet.’

  ‘I wouldn’t dream of it,’ said Albion cheerily.

  ‘I’ll send over the paperwork regarding the President’s offer,’ Sternberg went on. ‘The option is open for Agents Gray and Carpenter and Dr Childs to go through it with a USIC-approved lawyer, but,’ steel entered his voice, ‘I would strongly advise that they just sign it, because the terms are not going to change.’

  ‘I’m sure they’ll do that,’ said Morgan, giving the three a warning look.

  ‘Good. I’ll be in touch.’ Sternberg’s image vanished from the screen.

  Morgan leaned back in his chair. ‘Is all that acceptable?’ There was general, if in some cases begrudging, agreement from around the table. ‘I’m glad to hear it. Now, is there anything else?’

  ‘What about the PERSONA equipment?’ asked Bianca. ‘Was it recovered?’

  ‘What was left of it,’ complained Kiddrick. ‘The main unit was badly damaged. I don’t even know if it’s repairable – we’ll probably have to build a new one.’

  Albion gave him a wry smile. ‘Try to make it lighter this time.’

  ‘And what about the disk?’ said Adam.

  Morgan and Kiddrick exchanged glances, the former hesitating before answering. ‘We found it at Harper’s. It had been destroyed.’

  ‘Oh, no,’ said Bianca, dismayed. She turned to Adam. ‘I’m sorry . . .’

  He was stone-faced, at least on the surface. ‘It told me what I needed to know.’

  ‘But there was more on it than just—’

  ‘I know. It’s okay.’

  Unwilling to accept that, she turned to the two other scientists. ‘Is there any way Adam might be able to recover his memories without the disk?’

  ‘No,’ said Kiddrick firmly. ‘Not a chance.’

  Albion made a scoffing sound. ‘Ah, that renowned can-do spirit! Don’t be so quick to write him off, Nathaniel.’ He looked at Bianca and Adam. ‘There might be a way – a modified version of Hyperthymexine to force recall, maybe. I’d have to put some work into it, but all might not be lost.’ Kiddrick still displayed clear antipathy to the mere idea, but said nothing.

  ‘Anything more?’ said Morgan. Nobody replied. ‘All right. Tony, you and I have a lot of paperwork still to do. Everyone else, I hope to see you again if and when the project’s restarted.’

  The group left the room. Albion paused outside the door. ‘Bianca? I’m sorry I dragged you into all of this.’

  ‘Thanks, Roger,’ she replied, letting the others past. ‘Although, while I wouldn’t exactly say it’s been fun, it’s certainly been an interesting experience. Even if I’m not allowed to tell anyone about it on pain of death.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sure they wouldn’t actually kill you. Just waterboard you for a couple of decades.’

  She cringed. ‘You say that as a joke, but . . .’

  ‘What’s the situation with Jimmy’s company?’

  ‘The sale’s still going ahead, but everything’s bogged down with legal and financial stuff – just like you said. I wouldn’t have been able to do any work even if I’d stayed there.’

  ‘Good, good. So are you going back to England?’

  She looked down the corridor at Adam and Tony. ‘Yes, but not right away. I want to do something here first.’

  ‘Help Adam through this?’

  ‘Yes.’

  He smiled. ‘That’s another reason why I knew you were the right person to do my job.’

  ‘Don’t expect me to make a habit of it, okay? It’s far too stressful.’ She kissed his cheek. ‘I’ll see you around.’

  ‘Always a pleasure,’ he replied.

  She hurried to catch up with the two men. ‘Hey.’

  ‘Hi,’ said Tony. ‘Something up?’

  ‘No, I just wanted to let you both know that I’ll be staying in the States for a little while longer.’

  ‘Finally taking up that offer of an apartment?’ Tony said, grinning. ‘Let me know if you need a hand moving in.’

  She smiled. ‘I may do that.’

  He stopped as they reached an office door. ‘Sorry, I’ve got some bureaucracy to deal with,’ he told her. ‘That’s what happen
s when you let someone wreck a building. But whenever you need me, just give me a call.’

  ‘I will. Thanks.’ Another smile, then he entered the office, leaving Bianca and Adam alone.

  ‘So why are you staying?’ Adam asked her. ‘The project’s suspended, and Roger will probably be able to work again by the time it resumes.’

  ‘I’m staying because of you,’ she told him.

  He looked surprised. ‘Me?’

  ‘Yeah. Adam, I know it’ll be difficult for you to talk about what happened with other people – like your mother – because of the whole secrecy thing, but I want you to know that you can come to me. For anything.’

  ‘Thank you,’ he said.

  She waited for him to expand on that, but he remained silent. ‘That’s it?’ she exclaimed when her patience ran out. ‘That’s all you’ve got to say?’

  ‘I don’t know what else to say. I’m still trying to come to terms with everything. And without the disk . . .’ A resigned sadness filled his eyes. ‘I had it back, Bianca. I had everything back. But now nearly all of it’s gone again. Like Michael. I know I had a brother, but . . . I don’t remember him. Not in the important ways.’

  ‘But at least now you remember enough to mourn him. Don’t you?’

  He sighed, then managed a faint smile. ‘Yeah. I guess I do. That’s a start, I suppose. Thanks.’

  ‘I’m here to help.’

  He nodded, regarding her thoughtfully – then his smile suddenly widened. ‘I know something you can do to help me.’

  ‘What’s that?’

  ‘My apartment’s kinda . . . empty.’ She arched an eyebrow. ‘No, I didn’t mean that to sound suggestive!’ he said, amused. ‘There’s a big space in the corner, so I was thinking maybe you’d help me buy a TV. So I can become a normal American again.’

  Bianca laughed. ‘I’d love to.’