The tape had been anonymously dropped off at a Sky News station in Kenya. Within hours, it was broadcasted throughout Europe, before quickly being picked up by other news stations around the world. A C.I.A. SIGINT substation in England had pirated the signal off of one of the dozen Sky News satellites in orbit. Before even the producers at Sky News saw the footage, Vance and his team had viewed it many times over.

He was disgusted at what he saw. Frozen on the television in front of him was the image of a V-22 Osprey flying away from a pier in Mogadishu. There was no denying it, the Osprey was solely operated by the United States, and the world media had jumped on this footage.

As he looked at the image, he tuned out the presentation that was going through intel he had collected. Vance knew that this tape was no chance recording but rather a set up. Petrov knew they were going to follow him and knew even where to place the damn camera to get the best footage possible.

"Vance," the Deputy Director of National Clandestine Service shouted, "Vance!"

"Sorry sir."

"So would you like to explain to the Director what happened in Mogadishu, 'cause frankly I don't know what the hell happened there, yet I am briefing him in thirty minutes."

Vance cleared his throat and quickly shuffled through several papers before answering, "Well sir, Petrov was a step ahead of us, our men," he said referring to TF-303, "did everything by the book. We're not the ones responsible for the blast, but no matter what we say, it won't do any good. Petrov planned for this to happen."

"Here I thought you had this guy figured out. I was told you were the expert on this guy, that you could read his mind before he could. So why didn't you think this could have happened?"

"Hold on here," Vance said, becoming more defensive, "You're blaming me for what happened in Mogadishu? You can't blame me, or the guys on the ground. We reacted as quickly as we could to the situation as it developed."

"You've had a man on the inside for months and did nothing with that opportunity. Petrov could have been taken care of ages ago."

"That's beyond the point, we had more to gain out of keeping him alive. Three months ago we positively identified nine terrorists who would have entered the country unknown, with the intent of blowing up the lower part of Manhattan. Last I knew, Wall Street was still there."

"Now look where we are though, over a thousand dead in Poland, and God knows how many in Mogadishu. The worst part is, we look like the ones responsible for this," DD/NCS shouted as he pointed to the television screen.

The tempers of the two Agency men were flaring. No one else in the room dared to speak.

"Poland was tragic, I'll admit that, but Petrov was heading for a big deal. We learned that after the Poland incident. Hell Frank you read the report, Nikoli almost gave us the place it was going to be held."

"Yea, he almost did. Do you even have a clue as to where Petrov is at now, or are you just going off of Nikoli's last message about Pakistan, if that even was the message he was trying to get out."

"Nikoli was never off with intel he relayed before, not once, and I'm not going to start questioning him now that he's dead. That kid did more in the last few months, than most of you will do in your entire lives."

Everyone at the table exchanged glances with one another. Vance was right about that. Nikoli had done more than was asked of him many times, and now he was dead, killed serving his country. The only recognition he would get for his service, would be a nameless star on a wall.

The Deputy Director took a deep breath before calming, "One more shot Vance. If there's another fuck up like Poland, then you're finished. You got me?"

"Perfectly sir," Vance said as he pushed the chair out from underneath him and stood up.

He quickly collected the few papers and notes on the desk and put them in a file before leaving the room, slamming the door behind him, which caused several of the junior members in the room jump.