| From: | Avenger <Avenger@*******.DEMON.CO.UK> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Hunting the Disease |
| Date: | Thu, 5 Mar 1998 21:51:08 +0000 |
>>>>>[
+++++Unauthorised access protocols initiated
+++++Set: STOR
+++++EYES ONLY: SAC C. D'Arkan
+++++Include PerVidCam:CD
The Hoover building, several stories of concrete and glass, imposing,
forbidding, and somehow reassuring. Functionally designed, with just
that little touch to take the edge off. Agents scurry in and out of
the building on whatever errands they are assigned, much like ants from
a nest, a seemingly endless stream of suited men and women. The line of
trees along the broad sidewalk surrounding the building offering some
colour to the huge edifice.
"Stay here, I'd rather not have to explain your presence at the moment.
OK?" D'Arkan straightens his tie in the car mirror, glancing across at
the woman sitting next to him, her face obscured by wide glasses and her
long dark hair tied up around her head in an intricate style that defies
logic and gravity.
The NAN agent lowers here glasses and peers at D'Arkan over the top, her
hazel eyes wide and innocent. "Overcautious again Chris? No, I'm
joking. I'll wait here and be a good little girl." She smiles, taking
the edge off the comment.
"You're my wild card Sorilea, nobody knows who the hell you are. At
the moment, you're just furniture, a pretty girl on my arm, being shown
the sights by an ambitious SAC. I'd prefer to keep that illusion, at
least for a while longer. Maybe I am being too cautious, but this whole
situation stinks like a sewer, and I want the edge this time. With
luck, they - whomever /they/ are, will make a mistake and underestimate.
That could be enough for me to catch someone with their fingers in the
cookie jar." Brushing his hair back with his fingers, and grimacing at
his reflection as the unruly mess springs back into it's uncontrollable
scruff.
Sorilea reaches over, scrubbing her fingers through his hair. "I like
it wild, leave it alone." She chuckles deep in her throat, the sound
both cheeky and somehow erotic at the same time. The kind of laugh that
it is pleasant to listen to just for the musical quality and honesty of
its humour.
D'Arkan jerks his head away and scowls at her, "Please, don't mess with
the hair. It gives me enough trouble as it is."
"Such vanity in an FBI agent, no wonder you people have so much trouble
solving cases, you all worry too much about your appearance." She
shakes the creases out of a newspaper, The Washington Post, and hides
behind it. "Go, you'll be late, and we couldn't have you late as well
as scruffy."
With a grunt, D'Arkan opens the car door and climbs out. Waiting for a
gap in the traffic, he trots across four lanes, heading for the sidewalk
leading to the entrance of the 10 storey building. The broad entrance
leads into a wide lobby, marble flooring with impressive columns
supporting the high ceiling. The symbol of the FBI, engraved in gold
and coloured leaf in the centre of the floor. A broad stairwell leads
up to the next floor, sweeping round in two arcs to the left and right
of the entrance, elevators to the upper floors to the sides of the
entrance, all covered by guards. Electronic surveillance very much in
evidence around the entire entrance area. An information and reception
area occupies the right hand side of the foyer offering directions and
assistance for visitors. A map of the building hangs on the wall
above the reception desk. The main stream of operatives seems to be
coming from the floor above the entrance, a constantly moving stream of
suits walking up and down the stairs, many carrying files or notebook
computers.
D'Arkan walks towards the elevators on the left side of the lobby,
showing his badge and ID to the guard standing in front of the fourth
elevator. Placing his palm over a plate next to the doors, his index
finger sliding into a small housing D'Arkan waits for a moment as the
reader scans his hand. A green light flickers briefly and the hand is
removed. The elevator doors open and Chris steps into the elevator. A
soft female voice greets him by name and rank after the doors close.
"Top Floor." D'Arkan looks up at the level indicator as it climbs to
the top of the building. Moments later the elevator stops, and the
doors slide silently open. Facing the elevator sitting at a desk are
two marines in dress uniform, armed. Two more stand in the corridor
facing the elevator, assault rifles at easy. Only the two at the desk
move to acknowledge his arrival.
D'Arkan approaches the desk, holding his ID out to one of the marines.
"Special Agent Christopher David D'Arkan, Commander Achilles Project.
Senior Director Mallinger, Project Co-ordinator is expecting me." The
Marine checks the monitor screen in front of him, while his partner
sweeps a device over D'Arkan's suit. The device growls four times, and
the marine holds out a metal tray. D'Arakan places his SIG, four
magazines, handcuffs, cellphone and two backup weapons into the tray.
The Marine walks over to a row of lockers and places the weapons inside,
locking the door and handing D'Arkan the key. At this point, a fifth
soldier walks out of a room behind the reception desk. D'Arkan follows
him downt he plush corridor, their footsteps muffled in the deep pile of
the carpet. The Marine stops in front of an oak panelled door, knocking
lightly. An electronic click precedes the door swinging open. The
Marine steps aside allowing D'Arkan to enter the office beyond.
The office is large, even by normal standards, luxuriously appointed, a
heavy mahogany and oak desk imposingly situated in front of the windows.
Behind the desk, in tie and shirt sleeves, Director Mallinger sits
relaxed looking out of the window, a pipe clamped between his teeth,
happily pumping thick fumes into the atmosphere. He turns as D'Arkan
enters, rising to greet the agent. "Enjoy your flight Chris?"
"Yes thanks, it was pleasant enough, though I can't help wondering where
the airline resurrects those awful old movies, and why." He takes a
seat in one of the heavy synth leather chairs facing the desk.
Mallinger walks over to a cabinet, the door to his office swinging shut
and locking, a faint hiss as the room seals, very faintly a light
buzzing starts up. "OK, we're sealed, you can talk freely. Coffee, or
something stronger?" The Director presses a panel on the cabinet, and
the front swings round, revealing a well stocked and beautifully
designed drinks cabinet, coffee percolator bubbling on one side and
expensive packet of Brazilian coffee beans above it on a glass shelf.
"Coffee would be fine, thanks." D'Arkan removes his jacket, folding it
neatly over the arm of the chair next to him, crossing his legs, he digs
a pack of cigarettes out of his breast pocket, lights one, and sits
fiddling with the silver lighter, waiting for Mallinger to sit again.
"You're causing quite a stink Chris, I've had SOCOM on the phone,
specifically Lieutenant Colonel Ernang , he was not impressed over the
mail you sent him. He didn't object to the complaint, but he got really
upset over having half the damn manual, and fifty Federal statutes
quoted at him. Not a happy gentleman to say the least. We had a
pleasant little chat, where he reminded me of the Secrets Act, National
Security and the fragile nature of the identity of his personnel, and I
spent an hour reminding him of his position in life. Eventually the
threat of Committee action seemed to wake him up, and he's been more co-
operative since. Sergeant Major Christiansen, the man's SNCO, occupies
quite a high position in the operation. You haven't made any friends
over there Chris, and that's not a particularly good thing. now, I've
had the information you sent through, but I want to hear from you why
this is so important that I have to start breaking heads to get you
clearance to something there shouldn't have been any argument over."
"Where to start is the interesting part. OK. Briareus. The
organisation headed by Briareus has proved an extremely difficult
target, i've lost four agents in the last month to him, and we still
don't have a damn thing on them. Several incidents, not least of which
was the recent attack on the co-operative talks show signs of his
handiwork but I can't prove a damn thing. Following the attack,
Tairngire has virtually given up, they've closed their borders even
further and are extremely unsympathetic to the talks, the Nations on
the other hand, have taken the self exclusion of Tairngire to be a good
sign, and are co-operating fully, their side of things is going ahead
nicely, and with a few easily met concessions they are prepared to allow
cross border pursuit, and will negotiate regarding extradition. I don't
see any trouble there, except if Tairnire decide to get offended, then
anything could happen. Border incidents are warming up again, Tairngire
are certain Seattle forces attacked them, the Nations are convinced
almost beyond doubt that Tir ghosts assassinated the politicians at the
talks. So far, neither nation has responded in arms, but it wouldn't
take much to cause trouble. Briareus himself, is seemingly
invulnerable, he's been roaming the halls of power, dining openly with
his concubine and making all sorts of accusations in Tairngire media
regarding a number of embarrasing situations within the Tir. It's
becoming impossible to gather information on him without direct
intervention and assault on suspected cells of his operation. That's
out of my field, and something that needs to be put to committee.
"The street situation is showing dividends, already Lone Star and the
FBI have made a record number of arrests of itinerants and violent
criminals. That is developing nicely, and the media coverage, aside
from a recent glitch during a series of bus hijacks has been pretty
favourable. Achilles unfortunately are getting a reputation as the
black clad gestapo of the federal goverment fascist overdogs, but I
think we can live with that. It's only a few loons and radicals that
are expounding these ideas and they are receiving little support. The
greatest steps forward for the projects are being made in Boston and
Detroit. The gang war in Boston is virtually out of control, resulting
in complete freedom for the project there, the results have been
extremely favourable, and even Boston PD are welcoming the extra guns
and arrests. Detroit also have made steps forward in media presentation
and are the golden boys of the Mayor and DA's office. Torus in Miami
have achieved nothing, and I suspect we have a problem there. Already
my agents are complaining about the situation, and I've had a report
that things are not all they seem. This I feel needs investigation. I
can either leave it up to you, or turn my agents loose.
"Achilles are suffering slightly in the eyes of the media. Whether that
is because our opponents are somewhat more inventive, or because the
situations that surround my project are more violent, I am unsure.
However, I expect to see significant progress within the next twelve
months.
"COT have also proved to be elusive, though I think we've finally got a
line on them. We've started tracking their cells in Seattle, and
passing information across to other projects so they can take action on
any cells that appear within their jurisdiction. If my thoughts are
correct, we'll find sufficient information and evidence in Miami, to
directly link COT to a series of murders and incidents in the Florida
sector, operations that are similar to the ones experienced over the
last two years in Seattle. Thunda was not the first of his kind, I
suspect something similar occured in Miami and Atlanta, with Seattle
being the culmination of that series of events. I believe that they
have begun to repeat themselves. If that is the case, then they will be
moving again shortly. I think their next move will be to New York, the
possibilities and problems being experienced in new York fits their
profile nicely. If that's the case, then we'll have another Thunda
within 12 months, and I want to avoid that at all costs. Lynch is
working with four of my agents in Miami to see what they can pull in
from there, already we've had some returns, and I think we'll be
justified in taking the actions we have." D'Arkan sips at his coffee.
"The final thing is this mysterious opponent that has been plaguing
SIGA for the last few years. Farmer, and a whole gamut of agricultural
implements. Filtering his actions out of the general chaos and passing
that across to SIGA has not proved easy.
"We're fairly certain that the recent bus hijacks were orchestrated by
Farmer, a means to draw Lynch into the open and identify the man, find
out what he's up to. This procedure is not new, nor is it unexpected.
He does this regularly, prior to indulging himself on another wild
scheme, some of which SIGA have managed to get hold of, others we can
only guess at, but he's starting to get over confident. Not only is he
openly taunting Lynch but he's also, I suspect attacking him, or lining
him up for an attack. Haze was recently involved in just such an
attack, a firefight on a busy street. Somehow, without the support of
his companions, and without access to Achilles datastores, Haze found
out that Lynch was in Miami, where in Miami he was, and lined him up for
a turkey shoot. He failed, but the question remains - how the hell did
he find out. Special Agent Anderson has a team working out of Seneca
and Fort Lewis, creating a ruckus on the matrix to scare off his
support, if they believe we're close they'll abandon Haze to his doom,
and we have a chance at them. Sooner or later they'll make a mistake.
This is part of the reason I'm here today, and why Lt Colonel Ernang is
so upset."
"We'll get to that at the moment." Mallinger taps the grounds out of
his pipe and places it in an ornate stand beside several others. "Your
association with SIGA and Lynch has attracted some attention, not all of
it favourable. SIGA have operating standards and their agents work in
areas that are the wrong side of the law - albeit barely. Their matrix
staff are sneaky beyond belief and will indulge their fantasies without
clearance from the Hill, Lynch and his wife Lillith are well known for
their extreme body count during operations, for example the few
occassions they've worked on your cases, they've successfully wiped out
everyone that opposed them. You are not making friends by working so
closely with them. I'd like an explanation as to why you seem to rate
these people so highly that you openly defend them in the media and in
committee."
D'Arkan takes a deep breath gathering his thoughts. "Lynch is creative,
he cares nothing for general opinion, though he can be vehement in his
opposition of critics - this is mainly in the correction of a mistaken
view than any belligerence. He very closely resembles a terrier, he'll
go after his mark, worrying the hell out of it until something shakes
loose. His enthusiasm in killing has resulted from several points.
First his direct contact with the kind of corrupting influence that the
Projects face, the close involvement of his wife in that very
corruption, and the fact that it nearly destroyed both of them. He's
also the luckiest man I know. He's taken more bullets than most people
have had hot meals, his repetoir of scars would put a British tea bag to
shame, which although nothing to brag about, indicates the nature of his
opposition. He is a violent man in an increasingly violent society, the
solution to a situation that we all wish didn't exist, but he is a
solution. His doggedness and resilience are remarkable, his abilities
astounding. I can't think of another operative as versatile or as
effective, whether it be in a vehicle, behind a rifle or in an aircraft
there seems to be very little he can't do, and he does it remarkably
well. He has an attitude to match his track record and the people he
faces, he's volatile, short tempered, yet surprisingly humorous in the
right situation. He also values friendship above anything else. He left
the Middle East situation to return to Seattle when I was shot, not
because he thought he could kill a few people in revenge as some might
have you believe, but because one of his few friends was hurt, that
matters, it at least indicates he has not lost touch with his humanity.
Above that I value his opinion, he shows a remarkably simplistic view of
things, often exposing pieces of a puzzle that dilligent study has
missed, not because his investigative powers are superior, far from it
in fact, but because he looks at things from a completely different
angle. SIGA have been staunch supporters of Achilles since we formed
two years ago, they were fundamental in breaking the coded support of
Thunda, they've been important in other investigations and I see no harm
in their continued involvement, while Lynch works with Achilles he
answers to me directly. If he gets told to sit down and shut up, he
does so. Under no circumstances is he a loose cannon while he's with
us. Achilles could operate comfortably without him, but it would not be
so entertaining. For all the man's showboating, he is one of the few I
would trust with my life."
Mallinger smiles while tamping the tobacco in a different pipe, "So, I
take it you like him then?"
"Yes sir. I guess you could say that." D'Arkan walks over to the open
cabinet and helps himself to more coffee.
"Admire him?"
"No. Admiration is not the right word. I wouldn't trade places with
the man for all the money in ZO. He occupies a position that many in
Seattle do admire, and it is surprising to see the types of people who
brown nose up to him, Shadowrunners of some standing who consider him a
friend, not understanding or ignoring the fact that they could be his
next target, forgetting that he works for a federal agency dedicated to
the opposition of organised crime and active in several theatres. Their
number is dwindling as newer faces arrive on the streets, people less
trusting who understand the threat posed by a latter day Federal
Marshall, but there are still some who treat him as 'one of the guys'.
A situation I find amusing, and one that Lynch entertains, but rarely
uses. I think he understands that he cannot afford to get friendly with
anyone like that, just in case he finally has to hunt them down. It's
always harder to shoot someone you call friend. He is hated by many
more, those who fear him, and have reason to fear him, and those who
refuse to acknowledge that it is society who bred Lynch, not the other
way around. He is a product of this generation, and until it finally
ends, people like him are needed to combat it. If you want a direct
comparison, consider the escalation in violent reactions from the
Police, Lone Star, Knight Errant, and the government agencies like the
NSA, FBI, CIA, DEA etc. We're all gearing up to a battle, a battle for
the streets and for law and order. The agencies of law enforcement are
slowly beginning to resemble a military force, in equipment, methods and
tactics. It is this very situation that I entertain Lynch's sometimes
strange behaviour, he is already experienced in military tactics, thanks
to his suggestions and contacts, Achilles are getting some of the best
training available, after all, we occupy the position that SIGA took
almost a decade ago. With this experience, I can avoid making the
mistakes that SIGA and Bartlett made, and maybe pass some of that on to
the other projects. Lynch is a useful tool, and a good friend, I don't
admire the man, but I do respect him."
"That's good enough for me. You might need to table that to the
committee later this year, unless we get some dramatic results from one
of your major cases, at which point I believe they'll turn a blind eye.
Understand something here Agent D'Arkan, we do not object to your
association with SIGA, nor do we object to the cross fielding of cases,
it is the methods and public behaviour of Lynch that is the question.
How much we want the projects to be publicly linked to this manner of
operational method. With sufficient results, that association can be
ignored in light of the achievements it is producing. In respect to
results, what exactly is going on between Achilles and SOCOM?"
Mallinger leans back in his chair, applying a flame to the tobacco, once
he has it glowing to his satisfaction he looks at D'Arkan expectantly.
"Haze. We have a series of terrorist events resulting in the slaughter
of nearly two hundred people. Haze has been directly linked to those
events, and is responsible for one of the slaughters. We already have
several people who were involved in that situation, most of them are
dead, we have two live suspects that will be going to trial later this
year. One of the suspects brought in was an associate of Haze, a troll
called Titan. I received mail notification that Titan had died during
questioning. I wanted to see the tapes. Sgt. Christiansen decided that
was fine, after he'd finished editing them, and making certain that any
implications of their complicity in Titans death was covered and the
questioning agents' identities concealed. I objected to the editing,
but agreed to the obscuring of the identities. Christiansen decided
that was unacceptable and started to get belligerent. I quoted
regulations at him, and finally pulled rank. Hence the communication to
your office and Lt Colonel Ernang, and my presence in Washington. I
want to see those tapes, unedited, if that means a private viewing in
DC, then fine, but I will see them. I believe they may hold evidence
regarding the investigation into the hijacks, slaughter, Haze's
whereabouts and possibly information on this Farmer that Lynch is so
desperate to get his hands on. If I can help SIGA nail Farmer, the
resulting confusion and uproar will enable me to do two things - get
Briareus and occupy a position that would be invaluable to the future of
Achilles.
"Farmer is someone important her in DC. Part of the Hill undoubtedly,
maybe even an advisor to the Whitehouse. I don't know, but he knows our
methods, he understands how the FBI and other agencies work, he has
access to documents that many wouldn't even know existed, he has access
to funds that are quite considerable, considering some of the operations
that have been identified as his. He's devious, manipulative, and
damnably clever. However, he's making mistakes that are going to prove
fatal. He's directly involved Achilles in SIGA's opposition, he has
also started hiring unreliable people from the shadows, and supporting
those people, feeding them information that can only come from his
organisation. He has also revealed enough about himself that I know
he's part of this whole snake pit in DC. My presence here won't affect
Farmer directly, but it will cause a sufficient headache that he might
make a mistake somewhere else. I believe, that he is directly involved
in this Titan affair, and that he's supporting Haze directly through his
organisation. We know he recently lost an operative, someone important
to his organisation, Ezmarelda Diaz - Emma. Her corpse was discovered
last year in a burnde out cellar. Lynch is certain that Emma has run
for the hills, and now works elsewhere, having escaped a possible
assassination attempt by the Farmer. We both would like to speak with
this woman, she knows more about the Farmer than we could possibly
gather. But her disappearance or death is sufficient indication that
his organisation is falling apart.
"A side benefit to this is that through tracking Farmer, I may upset the
apple cart that is supporting Briareus and COT. They also are receiving
support from somewhere. My report details my thoughts on those two, so
I won't repeat myself here, but I suspect that in exposing Farmer and
his organisation, it will shake a few other rotten apples out of the
tree, and give us a break on the other cases. Corruption at this level
is drawn to similar entities of like nature. The people supporting the
operations of Farmer, COT and Briareus may not be working together, they
might not even be aware of their individual associations, but they most
certainly know each other. Disease breeds disease and affects those
around it. I intend taking a large chunk of that disease and
eradicating it. Seattle is a site of infection, but is not the organism
itself. That resides here in Washington. I'm here to gather
information, and start a ruckus that will hopefully expose some portion
of that corruption. Once I've identified it, I can start to chew away
at the edges and expose the core. As Lynch has said on many occassions,
his forte is that of a Bull in a china shop, mine is that of
investigator. I investigate, he breaks things. Between the two of us,
we should achieve something. From what I have so far, I can see
significant breakthroughs sometime this year." D'Arkan lights another
cigarette. Waiting expectantly for some reaction from the man across
the desk.
"You realise what you're saying don't you Chris?" D'Arkan nods. "You
are indicating that either the Whitehouse, or Congress is part of this
whole thing. The developments of COT, Briareus, Farmer, the whole
shebang, plus whatever else they've got their hands into. Do you have
any idea what that could do to this administration? The media would
have a field day with it, their would be congressional investigations
and senator committees springing up everywhere. It may well instigate
the worst witch hunt seen since MacArthur. The severity of the
attention could well bring down the president, another scandal to mathc
that of Watergate and the rest."
"Or it might not. The nature of such corruption is that it is
secretive. If we can identify the individuals concerned, there might
not be a need for investigation, media circus and witch hunts. There are
other ways of dealing with such a situation." D'Arkan leaves the
statement hanging.
Mallinger, hiding behind a cloud of blue smoke quietly speaks. "You're
talking about erasure D'Arkan. Something that hasn't been done for many
years. Dangerous ground Chris, very dangerous."
"There have been precedents sir. The CIA and FBI have done this in the
past when the situation demanded it. An accident or terrorist incident
would attract the media, but would not create the other circumstances
that would occur if this were brought into the light of day. Even if
the president himself were involved."
"That has never been proven Chris, and you are mistaken to make that
association, the FBI were not linked to anything surrounding any of the
presidential assassinations." Mallinger, obscured by the smoke, has a
tense tone to his voice.
"No sir, not directly. But we have the most extensive files anywhere in
the western world. Every person born in this nation that has a name,
has a file. Anyone of any importance has a file and extensive data.
Hoover started a habit that the FBI has never managed to kick. Many
people joke about the files in the basement of this building, but only a
few really know. Even Lynch jokes that I would have an attack of some
sort should I ever find out what is hidden, what he doesn't know is that
I know damn well what's buried here and beneath the Whitehouse. I
simply don't have the time to dig through it all to find our suspects.
I dare say that I could even find evidence that links the FBI to a
number of other questionable operations. I'm not stupid sir, though I
sometimes wonder. I understand the implications behind my
investigation, and that of SIGA, I also know for a fact that there are
ways around things that do not involve mass media attention. There is
always an alternative." D'Arkan, himself almost surprised at the words,
sits back into the chair with a thud, drawing deeply on his cigarette as
the full implication of what he's said sinks in.
A couple of minutes pass, while Mallinger, puffing on his pipe, studies
D'Arkan. "OK. I'll think about this. We can't table this sort of
thing to the committee, if your corruption is as high as you think, they
might have access to this conversation and any motions tabled. If I
accept your proposals, we're both going out on the edge of a very
unstable cliff. You are already there just suggesting this. Go watch
your video Chris, SOCOM are expecting you. Come back tomorrow, and I'll
give you my decision."
"Sir..."
"No. No more talking Chris. I have to think about this, and the
implications that surround such a concept. We'll talk again tomorrow.
Go, before SOCOM get awkward again." Mallinger turns his chair round
looking out of the window. D'Arkan stands, picks up his jacket and
walks to the opening door.
"12 noon Chris. You'll have your answer then. Don't get too carried
away in the meantime."
"No sir. Tomorrow then."
D'Arkan leaves the room, collecting his gear on the way out. He stands
in the elevator looking solemnly at his reflection until the doors open
onto the lobby. He takes a look around the lobby before leaving and
heading back towards the car.
On arriving at the car and climbing in, Sorilea closes the paper. "You
don't look happy Chris, didn't go the way you intended?" She folds the
paper and tosses it onto the rear seat.
"No, it went exactly as I expected, but I'm not sure if I'm following
the right path. Anyway, I've got a movie to watch, I'm afraid you are
going to have to sit in the hotel for a while."
Sorilea looks at him, a sly grin on her face. "Oh, I'm sure I could
find something to occupy myself with, room service is quite delightful,
and I am on your expense account after all."
D'Arkan sighs, "Achilles expenses are not a licence to shop. Get
yourself something to eat, but please don't buy the entire range of
winter wear from Sears or Smith & Wesson."
The NAN agent chuckles again as D'Arkan joins the traffic.
+++++End include
]<<<<<
-- SAC C. D'Arkan <21:42:03/03-05-59>
FBI, Achilles Project
Hoover Building, DC
