Chapter 6 Section five

Members of the wartime cabinet gathered in the Situation Research Room in the basement of the White House.The long, windowless room was brightly lit by fluorescent lights from the ceiling, but the gloom that filled the air didn't dissipate. Everything here lacks color.Mahogany conference tables, black leather chairs, black suits of high-ranking officials sitting upright—everyone and everything in the room are gray and dark, and the silhouettes of individuals penetrate each other. The whole room seems to have become a living body, which makes people shudder.However, as the head of this superpower, the embodiment of the country's personality, and the highest decision-maker, Mr. President, he seems extremely irritable.

"Have you found the reason?" President Vance directed his anger at the senior officials lined up, "The loss of such a large amount can only be caused by our leaking information, right?" Looking at the ministers who dared not answer, President Vance designated the answerers. "I'm asking you, Charlie." Reluctantly, Director of National Intelligence Watkins looked up from the briefing and replied: "You are right that the death toll of private military company employees in Iraq has skyrocketed, but has returned to previous levels in the past week. I think it may be Our counterintelligence countermeasures worked."

"You didn't answer my question. How did the enemy know about our plan of action?" Why can militants in Baghdad effectively snipe employees of private military companies?Watkins himself doesn't know the answer.But it shouldn't be his responsibility. “The Pentagon probably knows better than the intelligence community what the private military companies are doing. The Department of Defense should have their operational plans, or the State Department…” "According to the investigation, there is nothing wrong with us," said Latimer, frowning as usual. Vice President Chamberlain said in a reproachful tone, "Did the CIA underestimate the intelligence-gathering capabilities of the Islamic Armed Group?"

These senior officials of the current government have participated in this kind of dull meeting many times, and they can sensitively detect the subtle changes in the atmosphere of the meeting every time.Vice President Chamberlain has apparently thrown the intelligence agencies out and made everyone blame those guys. "That's not the case." It was Holland, the director of the CIA who had remained silent, who refuted.With silver hair and a mustache, he exudes a mysterious aura befitting the head of an intelligence agency. "Our analysis is flawless." "You are so sure, what basis?" Chamberlain asked.

Latimer interjected: "Let's talk about that later. The important thing is that private military company mercenaries are the canary in the coal mine. No matter how many of them die, the public will never know. However, if If the same casualties happen to the U.S. military, public opinion will criticize the government. Now the death toll must not be allowed to rise again.” Holland nodded reluctantly, lest the meaningless argument should continue.Finally, he cast a resentful glance at the assistant to the president for national security affairs.It should be this guy's job to moderate conflicts between government departments.

"That's the end of today's meeting, right?" the president said as he began to sort out the documents. At this time, the chief of staff to the president, Ikas, said: "There is also the issue of the International Criminal Court." Vance sighed and asked Wallace, the president's chief legal counsel: "How is the revocation of the signature going?" "The United Nations Secretariat has refused to entertain our request to rescind the signature." Vance smacked his lips.Late in the previous administration, the former president signed the international treaty establishing the International Criminal Court.If the treaty continues to be ratified, the Americans will have to accept the trial of the international court after committing war crimes.So the current government unilaterally revoked the signature, but the United Nations did not buy it.

Who do they think they are!Vance cursed inwardly. "We're just going to have to move forward with a bilateral waiver agreement," Secretary Ballard said.The pacifist among the former soldiers lost his sense of existence immediately after entering the new government, but he still faithfully performed his duties, "In this way, the countries that have concluded agreements with us cannot send American personnel sent to the International Criminal Court for trial." "It's too soft," Vance said. "For those countries that don't agree with us to sign the exemption agreement, all economic assistance will be cut off directly."

Ballard did not express his claim, saying: "Then do it." "Okay, everyone, get back to work." The president announced the end of the meeting. On both sides of the slender table, the cabinet ministers and their adjutants began to prepare to leave.When the nearest seat became available, Vance called to the chief of staff and said, "Call Dr. Gardner." "Okay," Ikath said, picking up the handset of the intercom security phone, "Dr. Gardner, please come in." Scientists in their fifties passed by senior officials and entered the situation research room.

"Hello, doctor, sorry to keep you waiting." Vance rose from his chair to greet the President's science and technology adviser.For Vance today, someone who can let go of his guard and talk to him is very precious.Perhaps feeling the kindness of the president, Gardner also showed a gentle smile and sat beside the president. CIA director Holland who was present forgot the unhappiness of being mobbed and attacked just now, and observed the words and deeds of the technology adviser with great interest.Holland, who subscribes to amateur science magazines out of interest, still has great doubts about this "specially approved contact plan".Has this administration underestimated the threat too much?If the new organisms mentioned in the President's daily briefing really appear, not only the United States, but the entire human race will face the question of life and death.At this very moment, that kind of creature is quietly growing in the depths of the Congo rainforest.

Before getting into the subject, Vance started with other simple questions. "The question I asked last time, that... what is it called?" "Embryonic stem cells?" "Yes, embryonic stem cells. The doctor's opinion is that the research should be restarted?" "Yes, otherwise the competitiveness of the United States will be significantly reduced." Vance's idea was refuted in person, but he was not angry with Gardner.He does not think in terms of science and ethics, but out of consideration of not losing the support of conservative Christians.

"But that is a very difficult issue. I am grateful for the doctor's suggestion, but the previous policy cannot be changed. This is my conclusion after careful consideration." "Of course I respect your decision." Gardner also spoke cautiously, "Then work hard to study related fields. The 21st century will definitely become an era of biology, and the United States must not lag behind." I wish other dignitaries could master this question and answer, thought Vance.He asked the chief of staff to deliver coffee to Gardner, and then slowly asked, "How is the plan going?" The science and technology advisor of the special contact plan sipped his coffee and replied, "It was slow at first, but now it's smooth sailing. Thanks to Secretary Latimer's kindness, the Pentagon has prepared a very nice room for me." The word "good intentions" reflects Gardner's character.In the White House, good intentions alone usually get nowhere.Vance couldn't help laughing, but found that Holland was the only one present who was still stern.What is the CIA director worried about?thought Vance. "Is it the special planning room?" "Yes, it's like this room—" Gardner looked around the situation research room and said, "Video conferencing devices and screens displaying various information are all available. The person in charge of the room is an excellent young man from the Schneider Research Institute. His design was chosen as an alternative. He had full authority over everything." Secretary of Defense Latimer said: "Being a senior analyst in the early thirties is really outstanding. Although it has not done a good job yet, it will definitely make a difference in the future." Vance knew the subtext of this comment, and the reason why he chose this person to take charge was because if something went wrong with the plan, he would be fired directly, which was quite worry-free.In fact, this plan based on the "Heisman Report" has the lowest priority among all ongoing secret plans. "The people who will implement the plan have also been finalized, and they have already started training in South Africa." Vance asked a question of his own concern: "If the creature mentioned last time really exists, can it be considered that it has become a threat to the United States?" "That's nothing to worry about. They haven't grown big enough to be a threat to the United States. It's still a baby, after all." "So that's it. Then get rid of it as planned." "Okay, get rid of it." Gardner nodded. For the first time, Vance felt unfamiliar with this trusted technology consultant.Instead of objecting to the dirty task, this steady gentleman pushed it forward.Vance speculates that the creature is extremely dangerous even to scientists who do not believe in extreme religious teachings. "By the way," Gardner asked, "has Congress been notified of this plan?" "Only the budget was reported." Vice President Chamberlain added: "The law states that at least thirty days before the operation begins, the budget must be reported to the upper house of the House and Senate, but there is no need to reveal the specific operation plan. Those guys don't know what we plan to do. Of course , and they don't know who is involved in the plan." Gardner seemed relieved.He was just a scholar, but he participated in the top secret plan of the United States, and was so excited that he could not sleep at night.Vance couldn't help laughing, "The plan can only be implemented smoothly with Dr. Lao's trouble." Gardner nodded and said, "The plan executors mentioned just now have actually formulated a meticulous plan. I can guarantee that they will be able to complete the task within a month." Holland, who was listening to the conversation, stroked his beard nervously, trying not to be too pessimistic.Both the president and the tech advisers seem to have underestimated the enemy.If that kind of creature came into contact with civilized society, the world order that was so hard to maintain would collapse in an instant. Holland's thoughts turned to the four men who had been called to South Africa.In order to avoid the doom of mankind, they will become sacrifices to the heavens, right?