Sheri gives him a small smile and quietly says, “We’ll either be vindicated when this is all over, or,” she shrugs, “we’ll be dead. I could care less what the tabloids say.”
“Sheri, you are a formidable lady. Tim is a lucky man.” He smiles. “And you, Sheri, are also a lucky woman to have him.”
She winks. “Regardless of what they say about Christoff Bobinski, you are a gentleman.”
“Quiet, you’ll ruin my image.”
Scanning the room, Sheri sees Pasha Antonovich headed their way. A retired Air Force general, he wears his dress uniform replete with medals. He also looks the part. In his early 60s, he has a shock of white hair on a well-weathered face with a burned in frown.
The frown turns to a smile as he takes Sheri’s hand and kisses it. With a discreet cleavage check, he says, “You are much more beautiful than the actor that portrayed you in the docudrama.”
“Uh, thank you … I guess.”
She introduces Christoff.
Antonovich shakes his hand. “Of course, you were responsible for building the Antarctic base. Very impressive.”
Christoff says, “Thank you. Dr. Lopez, her late husband and I were colleagues on the project. I’m simply hosting her while she’s visiting.”
Sheri smiles. General Pasha Antonovich is divorced and Christoff subtly but effectively made it clear she’s fair game.
After some small talk, Christoff wanders off and Sheri asks, “As Minister of Emergencies, Pasha, what are your greatest concerns?”
Antonovich thinks for a moment and then says, “My job is to determine how to prevent disasters or mitigate them. Most of the threats I worry about are weather, earthquakes and epidemics.”
“What about technology?”
“Yes … that is a concern,” he gives a wry smile, “particularly, with this administration.”
Dinner is announced and Sheri sits next to Antonovich. She asks him many questions, mostly about himself and his rise to the cabinet. As expected, it’s a very interesting story, and in the process, she knows he’s interested in her. Finally, she returns to the technology question.
He responds, “Although I haven’t read your books — I promise I will — I have read many books … like George Orwell’s 1984.” He pauses. “Sheri, that technology is here. President Volkov is very interested in these issues.” He smiles. “Would you like to meet him?”
“Yes!”
After dinner, he brings her to Alexander Volkov. “Sir, I’d like to introduce Dr. Sheri Lopez, one of the original members of the Millennium comet deflection team.”
In excellent English, he says, “It’s good to meet you and thank you for your work.”
“It’s an honor, sir.” She notices that he’s guarded and the first man who hasn’t noticed her cleavage. He’s polite but it’s clear that he isn’t interested in talking to her. “Mr. President, I understand that you’re quite the outdoorsman. I enjoy camping too … except for those tiny flying insects.” She pauses. “They seem to be everywhere now-a-days.” She raises an eyebrow. “Don’t you think?”
He stops scanning the room and looks at her. “In your country, I believe they call the smallest, most irritating insects, ‘no-see-ems?’”
“Yes, they’re practically invisible and follow us everywhere, almost as if … they’re being controlled.”
“Dr. Lopez, I’m glad you were able to come to Russia. Are you working on a particular project right now?”
“I’m doing ground work for a new book about dangerous technology. I know you’re extremely busy but I would love to have a few minutes of your perspective, and maybe I can share some things I’ve … uncovered as well.”
He looks at her and almost imperceptibly raises an eyebrow. Then, loud enough for those around him to hear, he says, “I’m sorry, Dr. Lopez, affairs of the state and my schedule prevent me from granting personal interviews, but it was a pleasure to meet you.”
He shakes her hand, a clear dismissal. After he leaves, she excuses herself from Antonovich and finds Christoff.
He says, “I saw you talking to the president.”
“Interesting man but our conversation didn’t go very far.”
Christoff smiles thoughtfully. “Just as beauty can open doors, professional politicians, particularly married ones, must be careful about whom they’re seen talking with publically.”
As they’re about to leave, Antonovich comes by. “Sheri, I would like to give you a tour of the Kremlin this evening. I have to be over there anyway to meet briefly with,” he gives her a meaningful smile, “the president.”
“Yes, yes, I would love that, thank you, Pasha.”
He nods. “Let me say some good byes and I’ll be right back.”
After he leaves, Christoff says, “You sure you want to go alone?”
“The invite’s pretty specific and I don’t want to risk missing this opportunity. If it turns out to be nothing but a date,” she smiles, “I can handle myself.”
“I’ll stay close by and listen in through Jen and your earbud.”
Antonovich directs her to a waiting S class Mercedes. He opens the back door for her. After they’re inside, he instructs the driver in Russian where to go. Jen translates perfectly with little delay.
On the way to the Kremlin, Antonovich gives her a short history lesson of the Kremlin with some fun and bawdy asides that would never make it into the history books.
After they arrive, he gives her a badge to wear and takes her through several security stations. The last one requires an airport-like body scan and she has to give up her phone and earbud.
Once inside, he says, “It’s safer to talk in here. I really do want to give you a tour of the Kremlin and … maybe take you to dinner some time? But you made the President curious and he said he would like to talk to you briefly, if that’s ok?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Follow me.”
They go on a complex route ending in a small but plush conference room. They sit down and make small talk until a door on the other side of the room opens and President Volkov comes in.
As he sits down, he says, “Dr. Lopez, I apologize for the secretive meeting. My political opponents would love to hear about me meeting privately with a beautiful woman.”
She smiles. “I completely understand. I assume this room is secure?”
“Yes. I’m sorry I don’t have a lot of time, so you will forgive me if I get right to the point. You spoke of bothersome insects….”
“I’m referring to the Wraith nano-drones.”
He nods. “I thought that was the case. What do you know about them, who do you represent and why did you want to talk to me?”
Running on her intuition, she decides to go for broke and watch their reaction. “We know the nano-drones are now being used for more than counter-terrorism. Along with RFID chips and active tracking capsules, they’re being used to spy and potentially kill or threaten world leaders.”
Volkov and Antonovich look at each other, then Volkov asks, “And who would be behind this?”
“We were hoping you would know.”
Volkov speaks briefly to Antonovich in Russian. Without Jen, she doesn’t know what they’re saying, but it’s a calm conversation.
Finally, Volkov says, “We’re aware of the implanted chips and nano-drone spying. We don’t know who is behind it.” He pauses. “You still haven’t told me who you represent and why you are here. I, of course, checked your background. You’ve worked directly for the U.S. government and hold a high level security clearance.”
“Yes, but I represent a group not associated with any country or the United Nations. I’m here because we have our suspicions about who might be behind this, and … I’m afraid Russia, or some organization inside Russia, is on the short list of suspects.”
Volkov frowns. “Why would you think we were involved? The Wraith technology is American.”
“Yes, but the U.S. Director of National Intelligence believed
he was being monitored by nano-drones before his death. We recently learned he was killed by a neurotoxin, which was developed by Russia. We’re also aware of your secret development of concealable EMP devices and your rejection of a U.N. brokered elimination of nuclear weapons.”
Volkov sits back in his chair, and calmly says, “The toxin you refer to has been around for decades and used by several intelligence agencies. As for the EMP devices,” he raises an eyebrow, “what do you think its purpose would be?”
She shakes her head.
With a slight smile, he says, “Nano-drones are controlled by tiny microprocessors.”
Sheri nods her understanding.
“As for our policy toward the U. N.,” he pauses, “we have a short list of suspects as well. At the top of that list is … the United Nations.”
She frowns. “Why would you think the U. N. is involved?”
“I can’t share that. It would put ongoing operations at risk. Suffice it to say, we have evidence that someone — someone probably highly placed inside the U.N. — is involved.”
“Then why don’t you release it to the press?”
“We still don’t know the identity of the individual and the evidence isn’t sufficient to make a public accusation.”
51
DISCOVERY
Sitting outside Turan’s Houston office, Wendy doesn’t have to wait long.
He comes out and shakes her hand with a smile. “Congratulations, Colonel. In a few hours you’ll officially be the ISLO’s commander.”
She smiles. “Thank you, sir.”
“How was your short Caribbean vacation?”
“It was mostly relaxing.”
He smiles again. “What happens in the Caribbean stays in the Caribbean.” He gets up and closes the door to his office. “This room is shielded so we can talk about the Harrison investigation. I wish I could tell you we had some definitive answers, but the best the CIA and MI6 have been able to determine is that Harrison was connected to Russian intelligence. Don’t forget that Josh was under conventional surveillance by Russian agents in New York.” He hands her some personnel files and says, “Wendy, I’m going to recommend that before we boost, we replace the following three individuals.”
She flips through the folder. “Just because they have a Russian connection?” She looks up. “You think they’re involved?”
Turan shakes his head. “We have no evidence, and I still have trouble believing the Russian government is directly involved, but someone over there is … and right now I’m afraid they’re guilty by association.”
“This really sucks for them.” She sighs. “But you’re right. We can’t take any chances.”
“I’m glad you agree. You’ll need to approve the replacements.” He pauses. “Now it’s your turn. Is there anyone you want removed or added to the crew before you boost to ensure the mission and protect the station?”
She looks at him for a few moments and finally takes a deep breath. “Yes. Yes, there is.”
“We’ll make it happen. Who do you need removed?”
She says very slowly, “I want to replace my current deputy with Commander Josh Fuze.”
Turan looks surprised and then leans back in his chair. “Wendy….” He stops and then continues slowly, “Taking him a million miles away from Elizabeth,” he gently shakes his head, “won’t guarantee he falls in love with you.”
She blows out a lung full of air. “Look, I admit I like him … a lot, but I also saw him in action against a trained opponent. I need someone deadly like him. Someone I can trust … someone we can trust. And,” she raises her eyebrows slightly, “it might help you as well.”
Turan frowns.
She looks down. “You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see that you and Elizabeth have chemistry.”
Turan shakes his head. “Even if that were true, the same thing applies. Taking Josh a million miles from Elizabeth won’t change how she feels.”
With a wry smile, she says, “Actually, I am a rocket scientist, and … it certainly improves the odds.”
He laughs and then shakes his head. “Wendy, you’re not going to turn me into a King David. Setting aside for a moment that I need him here as my deputy … space station duty is voluntary. I can’t order him to go. He’s not even a U.N. employee yet.” Turan looks at her intently. “Tell me truthfully, how much of this is a real fear about a threat to the station?”
She leans forward and speaks quickly. “Look, there’s no way Harrison acted alone and no guarantee removing those with Russian connections will protect us. Sir, I’ll be taking a tin box filled with a nuclear reactor and the world’s most powerful laser further from home — and help — than anyone’s ever been in history.” Matching the intensity of his expression, she finishes, “And I’ll probably be doing it with at least one enemy agent onboard. What would you do?”
He sighs and then nods. “Ok. I’ll offer it to him but it will be totally his call. The event on the ISLO is just the tip of the iceberg and we need him here too.” He shakes his head. “If he agrees to go, I can’t spare him for the full six months.”
She nods. “I’ll take him however I can get him. Thank you.”
Frowning again, he looks at her a little suspiciously. “Wendy is there anything else you’re not telling me? I chose you specifically because I need someone I can trust completely. I know, with the infiltration of the astronaut core, we’re all afraid that whatever we say might get leaked. Wendy, we’re sitting in a secure room and I promise anything you share will be kept private.” He pauses. “I need to be sure my new Commander can trust me … and I her. Is there anything else you haven’t told me?”
She takes a deep breath and finally says, “You’re sure this room is secure?”
Josh is finishing still another staff briefing when Turan pokes his head in the conference room. “Just got back from Houston. How’s it going?”
“They’re doing a great job, but I had no idea how many programs this department is into.” With a smile he adds, “I’m thinking maybe a janitorial position would be a good way to start and work my way up.”
Turan smiles. To his staff, he says, “May I borrow him for a minute?”
As Turan sits down next to him, his staff collects their briefing material and leaves.
Josh asks, “How’s the ISLO’s boost window looking?”
“There will be a delay but it’s looking good.” He pauses. “Which is why we need to talk. While I was out there, Colonel Crow came to talk to me about two matters.”
Josh waits.
Turan exhales sharply and with a small headshake says, “Wendy wants you to be her deputy aboard the ISLO.”
“Yeah, I know. Being an astronaut was my dream since I was a child, but in this situation … I think it would be a bad idea for multiple reasons.”
“She admitted she likes you … a lot, but she made a strong case that she needs some eyes and muscle onboard after the incident.” He frowns. “She also shared something else.”
Josh nods in question.
“I just came from the Secretary-General’s office. I’m concerned.”
Josh nods again.
Looking around nervously, Turan adds, “We can’t talk about the other topic here.” He exhales slowly. “Anyway, you probably heard Jupiter sucked up another planet-killer comet this week. I could really use your help as my deputy here … but there’s nothing more important than protecting the Earth from another impact.” He pauses. “It’s your call but if you accept the position on the ISLO, it could be just for a month and instead of being her deputy, you could maintain your status as my deputy. That way you wouldn’t have to work directly under her.”
With a shared look, they tacitly agree not to touch that comment.
Judy wakes up when she feels a pinch on her left wrist. Still mostly asleep, she tries to rub her wrist with her right hand and hits the bracelet. Waking up suddenly, she sits up and tries to remove the bracelet. It’s locked. Afraid
of being monitored, she waited to hack it. Now it’s too late. Her chest begins to feel tight.
After leaving the building, he gets a call from Jen. “Are you alone?”
He hears his usual nano-drone companion. “Uh, no.”
“Ok. I finished that crossword puzzle you gave me.”
She must have broken the encryption. “Did any of the words surprise you?”
“Yes. We missed one that has historic impact and ties the whole crossword puzzle together.”
He’s not sure what she means but it sounds important. He needs to get clear of his drone and find out what she knows. “Can’t wait to hear all about it. As soon as I get a clear spot on my schedule, we’ll talk more. Love you.”
He waits for the usual response but hears nothing.
“Hey Jen, you there?”
Nothing.
Sheri and Christoff are on their way to the Moscow airport when three black SUVs surround their taxi. One pulls in front, one beside them and one behind. They slow down, forcing the cab to stop. Men in black windbreakers jump out with automatic weapons. The cab driver just holds his hands in the air.
Christoff says quietly to his phone, “Jen, we’re being arrested or kidnapped, please track us as best you can and let Tim and Josh know.”
He gets no response.
The men open the doors on both sides. One of them says very calmly in Russian and English, “Please step out of the vehicle.”
Christoff nods to Sheri and they both slide out. The man motions them toward one of the SUVs.
Christoff politely asks in Russian, “May I ask who you are?”
Impossible (Fuzed Trilogy Book 3) Page 26
