Construction Site of the Communist’s New Intelligence Building
Rosa had departed from the government compound once Vikoria and Kai Sinclair went to talk inside his office. He had a detachment of HUMVEEs from the Slarvainian Military come and pick him up, no longer trusting those Vikoria had assigned to him. He now assumed they were rather on the Varsalian payroll or maybe Varsallians all together. The game he was playing had changed, it had taken a drastic turn downward for him and he was going to attempt and re-gain some kind of control and ask assistance from the new intelligence director, Max Viven.
The new intelligence building was being constructed outside of the city. Fredrick Rosa had been convinced by Max to separate the locations of government and intelligence as a security precaution. Having it isolated outside of the city made it harder to infiltrate and easier to defend. With what had happened today Fredrick Rosa now had no more reservations about his decision and was glad he had made the choice he did.
The new intelligence building was simple in design. It could easily be described a large black rectangular tower with rows of uniformly placed windows along each floor. It wasn’t supposed to be elaborate or lavish but instead plain and easy to build. It was being constructed on a small man created hill that elevated the tower and made it easily stick out against the landscape. It was just a bit more than half completed, twenty-five of its forty-five planned floors had been finished.
Fredrick Rosa’s vehicle pulled up in front of the construction site and he got out and began looking for Max. He spotted him around the side of the building talking with some contractors. Fredrick approached and caught the attention of Max who then excused himself to go over and talk with the President.
“President Rosa,” Max began, “I wasn’t expecting you out at the construction site so soon.”
“Me either Director VIven. Me either.” The President replied staring up at the emerging tower, “I need to talk to you though about matters of state.”
“I see.” Replied Max, “Well how about we head back to the compound and we can discuss it in my office or yours?”
“I’m afraid we can’t talk about it back at the compound. Mr. Viven, I’m afraid that there’s a Varsal conspiracy to undermine the national sovereignty of Slarvainian.”
Max eyes darted around looking to see if anyone had heard the President’s last sentence. He then took the President by the arm and leaned in, “We should have this conversation elsewhere. Come with me.” Max then led the President into the construction site itself to a temporary service elevator. The two men took the elevator to the top completed floor of the building. “Most of the workers are on their way home so we’ll have the top floor to ourselves. Now please, Mr. President, tell me about your inclination.”
Fredrick Rosa told him from when VIkoria first reached out to him almost two years ago to what just happened in the bunker. Max all the while listened, nodding along as Fredrick Rosa recounted his story and staring out over the edge of the building at the expanse that was Elloy City.
“I don’t know how much Vikoria is really in control here, but she’s been able to freely flex her superiors will over us for quite some time now.” Fredrick Rosa concluded.
Max stood in thought for a little while and the two statesman just stared out at the Capital City. Max let out a long sigh and finally replied, “In my line of business Mr. President, I have to trust no one, I have to assume that everyone is out to stab me in the back. I don’t encourage you to always take this stance, but I would encourage you to from here on have more of that stance.”
“I think I understand that more now than I did before. But in this gigantic world, Director Viven, one cannot succeed without relying on some people.”
“I agree.” Concurred Max, “That’s a fundamental reason of why we have society.” He sighed again, “So I’ll tell you what I’m going to do, President Rosa. I am going to trust you and help you in getting us out of this situation.”
“Thank you.” Replied Rosa, dropping his head.
“No need Mr. President. It’s now my duty. We do need to assess our situation though and develop a plan of action. What’s your assessment of the rest of the cabinet?”
“Well what do mean?” asked Fredrick.
“Do you think they’re in cahoots with Vikoria?
“To be honest I don’t know. I was hoping you’d have a better idea since you’re, you know… the Director of Intelligence.”
“I should but I’m afraid our intelligence agency is largely defanged for the time being. Hell, I’m relying on private investigators for field work and the global black market for information. All of which is highly expensive. So again Mr. President, what is you evaluation of the cabinet?”
“Well I don’t think any of them are directly working with Vikoria against the interest of the state. It’s their inexperience though that I’m afraid is being manipulated. Kind of like my inexperienced was exploited.”
“But what about this Sinclair?”
“If he is it’s because he’s made some kind of deal with Vikoria.”
“So you think he has his own interests?”
“I know for a fact he does.”
“Excellent. I would suggest you get close with this Kai Sinclair.”
“Close? He’s a capitalist,”
But Max interrupted, “Capitalist pig with his own interests that will eventually bump up with Vikoria’s. It is the way of life. You don’t have to be sincere, but at least have him in a position to be an ally when the time comes. He still lives here, Slarvainian is still his home.”
“For whatever that is worth.” Fredrick added.
Max let the President have his comment, “I’d encourage you to do the same with Stuart and Laci. Stuart is principled but a political and Laci is principled in her political beliefs to a fault. We might be able to use these to our advantage.”
“We sound like Vikoria.” Fredrick said.
“We need to play the game, Mr. President.”
Fredrick Rosa was silent.
“Whose side is right?” Max asked.
“Ours, of course.”
“Well then there should be no problem in playing this game.”
“I suppose…”
“Well, that’s good enough for today.” Max said, “I’ll accompany you back to the compound.”
“I’m sure VIkoria won’t be happy with me. I accepted the monarchist surrender without consulting her and I’m sure she’s not happy that we can’t just stick the prisoners in a ditch.”
Max laughed, “I can accompany you to meet with her as well if you’d like. I have some updates to give as well.”
“Wouldn’t it be more appropriate considering what we’ve discussed that only I receive classified information?”
“I agree out of principle but if we start excluding Vikoria she’ll quickly know something is up. She’ll already be suspicious since you disappeared shortly after your… confrontation.”
“I guess you’re right. Accompany me to the meeting. Maybe she’ll be less… pushy with more of us in the room.”
“Shall we then?” Max said gesturing towards the elevator.