Kaleidoscope
Chapter One
The Secretary of State was livid, but Oscar Goldman was breathing fire. "What you're asking, Sir, is beyond ridiculous. It's ludicrous, unfeasible, and damn near impossible!"
"Steve Austin represents a multi-million dollar investment that I'm not willing to throw away if there's a reasonable chance of extracting him."
"I've been working for more than 36 straight hours, trying to come up with a plan," Oscar told him.
"We're running out of time. In less than 72 hours, he'll be sold to the highest foreign bidder. I don't have to tell you what kind of disaster -"
"Don't you think I know that?" Oscar pounded his fist on the desktop in utter frustration.
"You have an operative capable of getting in there, finding Austin and getting out in time, but you're refusing to send her. Why?"
"Sir, Jaime Sommers has been out of the hospital for just over a week, and -"
"Almost two weeks, and Doctor Wells says she's in perfect health."
"Did you happen to mention to Rudy Wells that you want to ask Jaime to go on a suicide mission?"
"Difficult, yes, but not impossible. And Goldman, I'm not asking..."
"But this is a unique situation, Mr. Secretary. You know about Jaime's struggles with amnesia -"
"Wells said she's finally fully recovered."
"Which is exactly the problem, Sir. Many of her newly-recovered memories involve Austin and their lives together as a couple. They were extremely close -"
"I know all about that."
"Problem is, she hasn't seen or spoken to him since regaining those memories. Steve himself doesn't even know yet."
"Touching scenario, Goldman. You do realize that touching little reunion will never happen if we don't get him out."
"My fear is, she'll see him, become overwhelmed by memories, and either blow her cover or freeze completely."
"She'll just have to be professional enough not to let that happen."
"You're also expecting her to parachute in..."
"Do you mollycoddle all of your operatives, or just this one?"
"It's a new invention, called compassion," Oscar said through clenched teeth. "You might want to check it out."
"Never heard of it; not here, anyway. You know, Goldman, I'm starting to believe the rumors are true..."
"And what rumors would those be?" Can't punch him, Oscar told himself. I'd go to prison.
"About you and the Sommers girl."
On the other hand, it might be worth prison...
The Secretary laughed. "I can give you any of them - from 'G' rated to 'Triple-X'. Heard 'em all."
"I'll pass," Oscar said grimly.
"Never put much stock in those rumors, until now. They're saying you're lost your objectivity, your impartiality; seems they might be right. You aren't sleeping with her, are you?"
"I won't even dignify that with an answer. Sir."
"Have you even called her yet, to discuss this assignment? This was not optional."
"I can't, in good conscience -"
"Well, I can!" The Secretary picked up Oscar's desk phone and began to dial. "I'll send her in myself."
Oscar glared at his boss. "Dammit - I'll do it. She barely knows you."
The Secretary smiled. "Doesn't like me much, or so I'm told."
"Right now, Sir, with all due respect, I don't either."
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"Oscar, if Steve's in trouble, of course I'm gonna help him, but -" Jaime glanced over at the Secretary of State, sitting wordlessly in the corner, his arms folded skeptically across his chest.
"Ignore him and just talk to me," Oscar told her. "What were you about to say?"
"Two and a half days isn't enough time to get in there, establish a cover and get in on the bidding."
"Exactly," Oscar affirmed, looking at the Secretary.
"I'm gonna do it commando-style."
"Now, wait a minute -" Oscar interrupted, but Jaime kept going.
"Get in, find Steve, get out. Period."
"Jaime..." Oscar looked directly into her eyes until he was sure he had her full attention, then he got up and moved to the window - which happened to be as far as he could get from his boss. With his back to the room, Oscar whispered in the softest, quietest voice possible. "Stop talking, Babe, before you're commited to something I can't get you out of."
Before turning around, Oscar spoke in a normal voice. "This mission carries serious risks to begin with. But your idea -" he turned to look at Jaime, "plunging in with no cover at all, as an intruder...it's suicidal."
"Oscar, I can do it. I want to do it. It's Steve's only chance."
"With the original plan," he said, sitting down again, "you'd at least have a decent time and space window to parachute in. Your way, there'd be no window at all. When the pilot says jump -"
"Not a problem," Jaime said confidently, while her mind and emotions screamed NO! "I'll be fine."
"Jaime, listen -"
"Goldman!" the voice in the corner boomed, "if she's fine with it - has her own plan, in fact - why the hell are you trying to talk her out of it?"
"I have a gut feeling," Oscar began.
"And I have a presidential directive. Which do you think takes precedence?"
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