Natalia’s Game. Крейг Т. Бушар
I guess I’ll soon find out.
The boardroom door opens, and a stunning blond with blue eyes and “physically gifted” walks out and greets me. I assume she is from Transylvania. Lots of slim blonds there. I like that thought. She wears a pin-stripe suit with a white silk blouse and a mid-length skirt, slit up one side, partially revealing her thigh.
“Good morning, General Thomas. I am Alina Balan. Welcome to Romania. Your participation makes this meeting different from others we have had.”
Her English accent is excellent. She looks me in the eye and extends her hand. I accept it. Unusual. She has long, delicate fingers. Her hand is relaxed and welcoming.
When shaking hands with the opposite sex, Romanian customs dictate that touch is acceptable for only a couple of seconds. Alina holds my hand twice that long. Alina Balan is just a little too perfect. Too hot. What is her role here?
We walk together into the boardroom. While I glance around, looking as casual as I can, it’s hard not to acknowledge what the room has to ofef r. It exhibits wealth not often found in Romania. The room revolves around a Harkness conference table, topped with a thick layer of glass decorated with a chiseled edge. The curved legs are painted bronze. After marveling over the table, I averted my attention to the displayed artwork. In one corner is a sculpture by Constantin Brancusi. Although abstract, the piece mimics a bird’s closed body. It rests on a piece of white marble. I hide a smile, thinking about the morning’s events and how I’d destroyed their prized falcon.
Surrounding the entering generals, the walls house Spoerri and Luchian – famous Romanian artists – artwork and an engraving by Albrecht Durer. Durer was the German artistic genius who trained under Da Vinci and later wrote Europe’s first advanced mathematics book.
I shake each general’s hand, trading formalities, and turn toward the door, wondering if a certain brunette assassin I’m crazy about would be entering anytime soon. Then for the shocker. Next to the Durer hangs a Da Vinci painting. The Da Vinci is probably worth more than the school and the entire town of Mamaia nearby. This room is unlike anything I’ve seen in Romania.
I take note of two empty seats, no windows, LED lighting – unusual for Romania – and a small camera in the darkest corner near the ceiling. Flowers in a vase on the table undoubtedly contain a microphone. Amateurish.
I recognize some of these guys in the room. I had met Helsing the day before. Very professional.
General Voiculescu was in the news as the first Romanian diplomat ever invited to the White House. He must be important.
General Ponoru is their interface with NATO on cybercrime. Major Balan works for Ponoru.
And Major General Ion Grecu. I don’t want to tangle with him. I’ve read his CIA file. He’s less sophisticated but a warrior. And smart. I will keep an eye on him.
At the Board Meeting
Helsing speaks first.
“I call to order the Second Quarter Board Meeting of the SRI. Major Balan, please record the date, time, and attendees and keep the minutes.”
Balan gets right to work, scribbling away. She not-so-casually glances at me, lingering for a moment and giving me this odd sexy look before returning to her work. Oh, boy.
Helsing continues, “Our agenda today is in the Board book in front of you. It is short.”
Major General Grecu gives his intro a little snort, leafing through the book’s pages.
Helsing summarizes. “We will discuss Intelligence gathered over the past year, and we have invited General Thomas as a special guest.” Some light clapping fills the room; Balan claps audibly louder than anyone else.
“Any questions before we begin?” Helsing waits for the others to answer, but no one reacts. Then he turns to me and continues: “General Thomas, I hope your trip was smooth and your lodging is acceptable. Thank you for your willingness to discuss our complex world and where it might head.”
I observe protocol. “Thank you for having me. My accommodations are excellent, and the service by your staff is impeccable. I realize the importance of your topic since Romania is one of the former states under the influence of the Soviet Union. That’s becoming a hot topic under President Putin.”
I pause to hold their attention.
Grecu uses the opportunity to jump right in.
“Excuse me. What are we doing here? Chairman Helsing, will we discuss our National Strategy with the senior commander of the American CIA?” Others are nodding, and it’s clear they have chosen Grecu to put me on the spot. Helsing doesn’t like Grecu and is anticipating the worst. Generals don’t like to be called by their first names in formal meetings…
“Ion, the world is changing. Either we change with it, or we die. General Thomas has an extraordinary view of where the world might be going. We can learn. Early in his career, General Thomas produced a report that challenged intelligence-gathering forever. ‘Analysis and Assessment of the Gateway Process’ provided a framework for expanding human consciousness, out-of-body experiments (OBE), and altered states of mind. If you haven’t yet read the report, please do. The first section provides a timeline of key historical events that led the CIA to investigate paranormal skills. The second section discusses the principles of various theories required for mastery of hypnosis and transcendental meditation. The last section outlines the steps to transcend space and time.”
Grecu is quiet but maintains eye contact with me. That stalemate lasts only a few seconds before he blurts out, “So what role did you play in the report?
I answer, “The report was written about me. I understand you have tried to explore the quantum sciences. Perhaps I can be of help. Our two nations are bound together by friendship and trust.” Eyebrows shoot up around the room.
Helsing: “There are photos of Thomas near the Berlin Wall when it fell in 1989 and again that year at Tiananmen Square. There is a record of him traveling to Mogadishu in 1993, where two American Black Hawk helicopters went down in hostile territory. Most of the crew died, but a few survived the crash. Shortly after Thomas arrived, a team of fewer than ten men rescued the trapped soldiers and somehow found a way back through congested, enemy-filled streets while killing 1000 Somali crazies who were peppering them with bullets and bombs.
“Thomas was photographed during Saddam Hussein’s capture in 2004 and again with McChrystal in 2007 during the Iraq Surge. He was on the ship in 2011 when the Navy Seals dumped Bin Laden’s body into the ocean.
“He negotiated Operation Bright Light with our former President. The US rewarded us handsomely for their black-ops site in Bucharest. That facility led to the arrest of Sheikh Mohammed, who bombed the World Trade Center. Mohammed eventually led us to the capture of Bin Laden. Bright Light is a deal that worked for both sides. As you know, Bright Light paid for the missile defense system that protects us from the
Russians and continues to pay our salaries in this perpetually tough economy.”
Grecu is a stocky guy who looks like someone stufef d him into a uniform a size too small. He shrinks back but glares at me, though I think I’ve won the others.
I say, “Gentlemen, should I continue?”
Helsing firmly says, “General, my apologies for this opening. Please continue and know that you are a proven friend of Romania.”
With that statement, I’m on stage. “Gentlemen and lady, to begin, there is dissatisfaction in Moscow with the current alignment in Eastern Europe. That’s concerning. I’m unsure if I can help, but I’m happy to provide my frank views. ”
“Our relationship with Romania is valued. Though your media paints a false picture, Operation Bright Light has been a success for both countries. Our government now holds Romania in high esteem. We view you as a partner.
“The Russians are becoming a problem. They annexed Crimea and now have their eye on critical portions of Ukraine.” I carefully check each participant’s body language.