The prosecution then called CIA Director Gerald Karst to the stand.
"Mr. Karst," said Fitzsimmons, "what did the defendant report to you about her involvement in Operation Conclave?"
"It's all in the written report she submitted with her resignation- more paperwork for the jury to read through, I suppose, but there was one other thing. She admitted to me that she deliberately leaked her involvement in the raid to the press."
"And how long has the defendant served under your direction?"
"Since she first joined the CIA."
"And in all this time under what kinds of cover did she work- that you are at liberty to disclose to the jury, of course?"
"Zeitgeist remained working with the FBI, only under a different department and under the name Elizabeth Errol-Koenig. She'd also worked under her own identity as a diamond dealer and a member of the Hellfire Club. Bear in mind, she could work under two or more covers simultaneously, and so in addition she worked on those assignments respectively as freelance journalist Angelique Sauvegarde, and as rogue CIA officer Celestine Ritter."
"Tell me about Celestine Ritter, what you can anyway. For what purpose did the defendant work under that alias?"
"That was so she could investigate the Hellfire Club both in New York and in London. That way, if she stepped on any toes within British Intelligence, we could sacrifice Miss Ritter without losing Zeitgeist. Fortunately-"
"Half a moment," said Fitzsimmons. "Now, whose idea was it for her to adopt the cover of rogue officer?"
"Hers," said Karst. "And, actually, her mission succeeded in no small part because of that."
"Regardless," said Fitzsimmons, "what do you think now about that willingness she showed to play the part of a rogue spy? Do you think it's possible that reflected a growing desire to disregard the law, the chain of command, and take matters into her own hands?"
Karst looked unsure. "It's possible, I suppose."
"And what can you tell me of her assignment in Ronsaphan?"
"Quite simply, her cover there was as a mercenary and an assassin looking to improve her weapons proficiency and find more work. Her assignment was to track illegal weapons shipments and terrorist trainees that came through Thailand."
"I understand that did not go quite as smoothly. Now I understand that the details of who did what wrong there are being kept secret both by the CIA and MI6. But the end result was..?"
"According to Zeitgeist's report, the mission was compromised. The whole smuggling and terrorist training operation there was wiped out, but it came at a terrible human cost. She and only one other survived. Everyone else, even village bystanders, was slaughtered."
"How many died by her hand?"
"It was impossible to determine."
"But is it safe to assume that when this mutant menace gets herself in trouble, people die by the dozens, or in this case, perhaps even hundreds, right?"
"OBJECTION!" shouted Jack.
"No further questions," said Fitzsimmons. She returned to her seat, feeling quite confident as Jack, looking as if he'd been suddenly forced to completely scrap and improvise the cross-examination, approached the stand.
"Director Karst," said Jack, "when my esteemed counterpart questioned you about my client's work as Celestine Ritter, you were about to say something about the purpose of creating that persona, but were cut off. What was it you were going to say?"
"I was just going to add," said the Director, "that Scotland Yard and MI6 shared our concerns about Black Air and their apparent connections with the Hellfire Club. Through Celestine, consequently, we were able to cooperate more fully and directly with British Intelligence. But officially, Celestine did play fast and loose with our agreement to not spy upon British subjects, and once her assignment was done, she had to disappear."
"You also said you supposed it's possible that her willingness to take that role reflected a growing desire to flout the law and chain of command, and take matters into her own hands. Did you ever consider the idea that this actually reflected some different characteristic?" Jack asked.
"Yes, I most certainly did, at the time, even if I'm not so sure any more."
"What was that?"
"A tendency to put herself on the line for our best interests."
"And after Operation Conclave, how did you feel about her resignation?"
"I personally hoped she'd stay on at least until the investigation was closed," said Karst. "She had proven herself a very capable operative, able to get unusual amounts of information, for instance, from contacts, while avoiding potentially compromising situations far more effectively than most. I was worried that her resignation would amount to a premature admission of guilt. But, of course as it turned out, she had to go."
"Did she say why?"
"As a matter of fact, yes," said Karst. "She did not want the agency to appear to be covering for her."
