THIRTEEEN
By the time Gordon, Tom and Alan had entered the flight deck of Thunderbird Two, Penelope was already deep in discussion with the rest of the family.
"Ah, here they are now."
She acknowledged the new arrivals with a nod.
For Tom, any introduction seemed poor timing and so all three just slipped in to seats alongside Parker who was tapping away at a laptop computer, only pausing to swipe occasionally at the screen.
"Do you have the document I requested, John?"
"Yes," John's voice floated into the cockpit with surety. "I have it, Penny, but I'm not sure why."
"Tell me what you see."
"I see a multi-currency bank statement for an International Account," John reported.
He was distracted as he tapped a few times off-screen.
"Here, now you can see for yourself "
The screen divided a third time to show feeds from Tracy Island, Thunderbird Five and the document.
"Hmm," Penelope gestured to Parker, who repeated John's actions to put a second document up on the screen. "Spot the difference."
"It looks the same." Tin-Tin spoke up, eyes still scanning down.
"A-actually, no."
Brains stepped forward towards the screen in the lounge on Tracy Island. "H-h-here." He pointed. "There is a debit of err… one m-million dollars."
"American Dollars."
Jeff's eyes met Penelope's.
"Quite," Penelope agreed. "The financial statement that John has originates from an International Server and is a true picture of the transactions in the account. The statement Brains has, is re-routed from an American Server."
"I don't get it," Gordon intervened. "Someone put a million dollars in Kasim Templar's bank account?"
"Not quite, Gordon," Penelope replied. "Yes, the account is linked to Kasim Templar but the money only appears to be there. It isn't actually there."
"So, it's been ghosted," Jeff concluded. "By someone in the States?"
"Virginia." Brains narrowed it down.
Jeff and Penelope exchanged another glance.
"Langley, Virginia?" John was on the same wavelength. "Are we suggesting the CIA want to make Kasim Templar think they've paid him a million dollars?"
"It would appear so," Penelope confirmed. "I can only think of one reason for that."
"He's on their pay-roll?" Alan sounded aghast at the idea.
"You think Kasim Templar is working for the CIA." Jeff had known her long enough to understand how she worked.
"I think that Kasim Templar is supposed to think so."
"It would be the perfect solution to the western economic crisis."
"And once you add his dislike of International Rescue to the mix, whosoever harnessed him to their will would be the most powerful country in the world." Penelope carried on. "Vorva is the obvious choice for controlling world finances but perhaps most convincing is that the bullets used to assassinate Sergei Vladisgov, which we can already link Kasim Templar to, were supposedly destroyed at the behest of the World Security Council by none other than… the CIA."
"So we think the CIA … what?" Alan was struggling to comprehend it all. "Got Templar to assassinate Sergei Vladisgov and start a world war to create money?"
"It is plausible." Now Penelope was nodding.
Brains stepped in again. "Ah… actually, no. Kasim Templar was in L-Luxembourg in jail when Vladisgov was err… sh-shot."
"Yes, he was," Penelope accepted. "But Templar has mercenaries who would be more than willing to assist him. He was visited three days before he escaped by two men, one of which was using an alias known to Sam Morton; the chap we originally though might've been the woman."
Jeff was shaking his head in disbelief, "So that was the viability check."
"I believe so," Penelope agreed. "If Templar could have Vladisgov assassinated from inside a Luxembourg prison, they would allow him his stipulation; a shot at International Rescue to avenge his imprisonment at our hands." She paused. "The bullet was the proof that Templar instigated the assassination; it was proof to the CIA that it was his kill."
"So, that's where we fit in?" John was sceptical. "Revenge?"
"Yes. In the grand scheme of things, International Rescue is inconsequential. This incident was a by-product of Templar's hatred for International Rescue; he had a grudge he wished to settle. He attempted to do so, whilst also satisfying the CIA's demands." Hypothesis complete, she reached for her tea cup.
"Seriously?" Gordon was equally as sceptical as John. "In exchange for shooting Vladisgov, you think Templar's demand was a hit on us? And the CIA just goes: okay, sure, you do that." He pulled a face. "No way. If Templar's condition was a crack at us, the CIA would've thought Santa Claus had come three months early; they'd want a piece of us."
Penelope ignored the sarcasm and responded to the point. "I agree entirely with what you're saying Gordon and I'm not suggesting that the CIA didn't welcome an attack on International Rescue or even actively encourage it, if it meant getting their hands on our technology or our identities. I do believe, however, that to the CIA, International Rescue would be a bonus. I'm sure that had some influence in the logic behind the decision but we are not the objective of this operation."
"It sounds …." Alan was unconvinced "… farfetched."
"Great power leads to great corruption, Alan," Penelope tried to explain. "Knowing how the CIA operate, I don't think it so fanciful." She paused to look directly at Jeff. "In fact, I think it the most probable theory we've discussed yet."
Jeff agreed. "Kasim Templar might want revenge on us but he has no interest in a world war. None of it made sense, we've all said that and you've got to admit the Western economy is most likely to benefit."
"The CIA aren't above mass murder to achieve their own objectives either," Penelope reminded them. "Six years ago they killed 250, 000 people when they shot down a commercial airplane in Canada to cause tension."
"That was never proven," Alan interjected.
Brains jumped straight in, "All the err… f-forensic ev-evidence, suggests that the missile was not only manufactured in the … err….s.. , but also the trajectory of it, to hit the way it did would have to have been err… launched inside the err… United States." He stopped realising the implications of what he'd just said. "Ahh, my personal research so my err… my theory only of course."
"Brains is right," John added in. "The victors write history. That attack in Qu'lak; some people believe the CIA were behind that to try to create instability in the East and around Vorva."
"I think that's the crux of the matter," Penelope balanced her tea cup on a nearby console. "The world's power resources are failing. People need energy and renewable energy isn't sufficient. Vorva is the future."
"The CIA would've welcomed this guy with open arms," Gordon looked directly at his father to reiterate the point. "It's a no-brainer, he's a golden bullet for them."
"Well, my question is what we do now?" Jeff wasn't interested in discussing politics or the past, and was growing impatient. "We think the CIA are involved, so what? What does that mean for Scott and …. "
"Actually, Jeff," Penelope interrupted. "I'm quite confident we can handle the CIA, after all it wouldn't be the first time we've had to do so. That's not the most concerning part of this development." She waited for Jeff's furrowed brow to straighten out again. "I'm aware that the Russian Intelligence Service have an agent undercover, attempting to secure the agreement that Russia and Gallium signed…"
Gordon's eyebrows shot up. "Agreement? I didn't think there was an Agreement."
Penelope waved a hand at him as if it was irrelevant and Gordon looked offended by her dismissal. He opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly everyone began to speak at once.
"The point is her orders are …."
"Her? As in a female agent? The Woman is Russian?"
"Well…"
"Why would she…"
"Scott said she was British…"
"If I could just…."
"For Pete's Sake!" Jeff rumbled, his nerves frayed to breaking point. "Let Penelope speak!" Silence reigned across the airwaves. He took a deep breath. "Go on, Penny."
"Her orders are firstly to retrieve the document," Penelope spoke steadily. "But secondly to detain the International Rescue Operatives and return them to Moscow for further interrogation…"
XxxxX
"That's not true."
The Colonel was shaking her head in denial but her attention remained on Kasim.
"Then you deny that Russia entered Gallium?" Kasim's eyes were hard with the narcissistic knowledge that she could not deny it. Any one of the world's News Companies could provide hours of footage evidencing the truth of his words.
"No, of course not…"
"You deny this was an act of war?"
"Of course I deny it. Gallium signed an agreement requesting Russia's assistance, as well you know," the Colonel challenged him. "You stole it when you had Vladisgov assassinated. My orders are to retrieve it."
Kasim's features morphed into a smirk and he rasped, somewhere deep in his chest. "That document does not exist. It is Russian fantasy to justify actions."
Scott watched the back and forth, sparing a glance at Virgil who had propped himself against the wall, a hand to the wound in his abdomen.
"There was an agreement?" Nobody seemed to register Scott's surprise.
"Trust me, I have no allegiance to Russia but on this occasion they have done nothing wrong." The Colonel was defensive. "Sergei Vladisgov was a good man. He knew the economy was failing. He knew the Western world would soon make attempts to gain control over Vorva. Gallium was vulnerable, particularly with the tensions between him and Vasilli Machov." She shook her head a little, "Machov had already betrayed Russia therefore he couldn't be trusted not to betray Gallium too. Sergei asked for Russian allegiance rather than risk civil war."
A few moments of silence ticked by as both parties digested this revelation. There were so many twists and turns, Scott found himself having to really concentrate to follow the conversation. "There was an agreement?" he repeated, louder this time. "Galium requested Russia's help?"
"Of course there was an agreement!" The Colonel's snapped response was a mixture of frustration and incredulity. Scott felt as if he'd just asked the most stupid question in the world.
"No," Kasim growled out. "There is not, and as for you!" He raised a finger to point at the Colonel, control on his temper slipping. "You have no proof of this. That agreement does not exist."
"Oh," The Colonel shrugged a little, nonchalantly. "That's okay then."
Scott felt awkward. He couldn't be sure but he hoped this was some kind of farce. He looked to Virgil to portray his confusion with wide eyes and a high brow but, concerningly, Virgil's eyes had slipped shut.
Scott's initial take on the situation was proved correct when she fixed her expression on Kasim once more and every deceptive facial muscle transformed into staid defiance within seconds.
"Then the document I removed from your safe and sent to Moscow an hour ago will be of little use to them."
Kasim's expression froze.
"That is not possible. No one has access to that safe."
Scott was no stranger to the tone of Kasim's voice. His experience came from rescues where despite the odds stacking against them, they articulated a belief that all would be well. It was always a well-rehearsed act of desperation, usually as some kind of tragedy played out.
"Ahh, I see," The Colonel pushed the point. "Not that the document doesn't exist, but that I couldn't access the safe."
"You twist my words, only I and …."
"Aban? Oh yes…" Slowly, deliberately she placed a hand to her cargo trousers and pulled out a set of keys to throw in Kasim's direction. "You can have these back now. I suppose I have no further use for them. It's over, Kasim. There will be no war. Chevlock will already be requesting an audience with the WSC. He will take the agreement and prove that Russia acted within reason. Gallium will be governed as an extension of Russia."
Kasim took a step forward, ready to participate in this dance of deception. He had his own ace to play.
"You forget, Colonel, society needs war just like it needs crime…. To survive. You would be naïve to think otherwise. I'm sure the Commander, here, is very impressed. You have much in common with these incredible notions of yours to save the world. I do not think he would be so impressed if he knew what your orders were… exactly".
He threw the piece of paper in his hand towards Scott's feet. "Read it."
Scott hesitated.
"Please," he directed with an unusually smug softness. "Read it."
Scott reached down to the floor to retrieve the paper, now damp from Kasim's sweaty palms.
"Those orders are for her to return you to Moscow for further questioning," Kasim was paraphrasing the words Scott was reading, the translation from Russian to English slowing his comprehension. "She was going to keep you and your secrets to herself."
"That's not true," the Colonel interjected.
"Are they not your orders?" Kasim challenged.
"Yes," the Colonel responded calmly.
"And I doubt you have ever disobeyed an order before, Colonel. Ours in not to reason why, that is what you say, yes? So it is unlikely you would disobey this one – you agree?"
"I would not have followed it through," she reiterated.
Scott didn't move.
"You expect the Commander to believe that?" Kasim mocked. "You are a traitor to me and your country, we can not believe a word you say."
"A traitor to you yes, to my country … maybe," the Colonel agreed, "but to me, to myself, not any more. I believe there's a place in the world for International Rescue." She looked directly in to Scott's eyes, trying to convey just how much she meant that.
The moment was interrupted as Kasim began to clap.
"Very rousing, Colonel, but you must realise that despite your…" Kasim hesitated to use the same word, "belief, there is no one left to save you now. And you have told me yourself that I have no reason to keep you alive. You have made sure my mission fails, now I will return the favour."
The Colonel nodded her head ever so slightly. "Yes, of course. I can't imagine your CIA contact will be very happy with you."
Scott's head snapped up and he found confusion returning, he looked to Kasim in time to see his grin falter.
"You see, Kasim, you didn't fool me either." The Colonel shrugged and narrowed her eyes a little. "You know, sometimes I think we're not so different, you and I. Except I have learnt a lesson you will not; the ultimate betrayal is to sacrifice yourself. Your own beliefs. As a terrorist, fighting for a cause you had faith in, I could respect that. A little misguided perhaps, but I could accept you were fighting for something you believed in. But to betray that for American Dollars and power…. I can not respect that at all."
By now Scott was thoroughly confused with the way this conversation was playing out. "I don't understand, the CIA?" he began, "What've they got …."
"You sold yourself to the devil, Kasim!" The Colonel accused, totally ignoring Scott. "And you dragged International Rescue in to it to satisfy your thirst for revenge. I bet the CIA loved you, didn't they? You were just too good to be true; a world war and International Rescue. It will be your downfall. They may have let you live if you'd done what they asked but now you're too much of a liability. You may as well have signed your own death certificate."
"I do not know what you're talking about," Kasim continued to play dumb.
Scott's head was spinning. In truth, he didn't know what she was talking about either but no one seemed that bothered.
"No?" The Colonel wasn't convinced. "Then the CIA officer outside isn't your contact? He didn't visit you three days before you escaped from Luxembourg?" The questions came in quick succession, with the ease of someone trained to interrogate.
"I know what you are doing Colonel," Kasim dismissed her, neither confirming nor denying her claims. "You are killing time for your extraction team to arrive."
The Colonel barked a laugh that was undoubtedly genuine. "My extraction team?"
"You think I do not know about the team in Balesk?"
Recovering from her laughter, she schooled herself to reply. "Kasim, those orders are the price I pay for withholding information from the Russian Intelligence Service." She briefly looked to Scott and he realised just what that information was. "I'm lucky they can't prove I know, otherwise they'd kill me outright. Sending me on this mission is a far more diplomatic way to rid yourself of a turncoat. This is a suicide mission. That's no extraction team, Kasim. It's a hit squad." She paused to allow any lingering amusement in the air to die off. "And, it's for you."
Kasim still shook his head in denial. "You are wrong. They give me money for services. They give me immunity."
"They'll give you a bullet," the Colonel told him sternly. She studied him for a moment and Scott saw her expression change, soften a little, as she realised: "You really don't see it do you?"
There was no answer.
"The Western Economy is failing," The Colonel she explained with more patience then Scott would ever credit her for. "Something must be done before it collapses completely. On the cusp of economic calamity, what better solution than war? A good old war will make everyone rich, it's a tried and tested fact. You're no double agent, Kasim, you're the fall guy."
Kasim maintained his denial. "You are bluffing."
"Am I? On a good day, maybe if you'd given them International Rescue on a platter… ... But you can't provide them with the secrets to International Rescue. You can't even say you've succeeded in creating a war. The CIA will kill you when that hit squad from Balesk enters this complex and to the world, you'll be just another madman terrorist whose plot was foiled."
Kasim didn't speak.
"It's win-win for them. But you're right about one thing though. I am killing time." She lifted a finger to point over Kasim's left shoulder. "Until that little red dot stops flashing and this whole place goes up."
As Kasim turned to look, she charged towards him. Pushing him against the door and grappling for the gun. He was stronger but she was more agile and they wrestled for control, pushing the gun upwards to the ceiling then to the side and then alternating between them at chest level.
Scott was two strides towards assisting when the weapon fired once. Then twice.
He froze.
Eyes drawn to the solid red light in the hinge of the door, suddenly he realised that it wasn't flashing anymore … …