Chapter XXXVI
“Gentlemen,” Milson began as he addressed the video feed to his Russian colleagues half a world away. “Regarding the Aten report of Dr. Richards before you. Now that you have had sufficient time to read it, no doubt several times, do you have any questions?”
So began what would be one of the most momentous scientific negotiations of modern history. Completing the American panel in Chicago on the secure satellite uplink were to Milson’s right the sober image of Dr. Paul Young and to his left one sneezing physicist, Professor Ernest Jung. While Young sat quietly in his usual pose with hands folded as if in prayer, Jung was fully engrossed with his box of nose tissues sneezing, wiping his nose, and tossing the used tissue into an off-camera wastepaper basket – all performed seemingly in one continuous motion. The Russian observers found it a fascinating exercise, illustrating the conservation of motor energy.
As for Milson, who called this meeting, his yellow legal pad before him was covered with neatly written notes jotted down in several colors. Richards’ field report, already with its bottom right corners bent and well-worn from many reads and rereads, betrayed similarly colored marginalia that were marked with encircled capital letters – letters that matched those on the first page of Milson’s legal pad.
As for the three Russians joining in – Rosovec, Ostrogorsky, and Drazinzka – only the young Rosovec, himself the Director of the Advanced and Theoretical Technological Research Institute, seemed responsive to Milson’s opening gambit, while the two older poker players of this powerful trio sat back deeply in their heavily padded chairs, pretending mild disinterest.
Rosovec, with a black curl of hair rakishly hanging down over his forehead, speaking for his panel, stated openly and forthrightly, “Indeed we do, Dr. Milson. In fact, we congratulate Dr. Richards on his report. His level of detail was found to be quite exacting. His descriptions clear. But his interpretations, well, we thought quite frankly that they represented extraordinary leaps of intuition for an Egyptian philologist.
“Specifically, his notion that the Aten was powered by some sort of hydrogen propulsion system is quite possible, especially given the quantities of water loaded aboard it on a nearly daily basis. But one might conclude that the organic systems aboard the craft also needed the water.
“Also his thesis that at least a portion of the Aten was composed of organic technology, on the basis of the reeking smell he had encountered, we are, at least in principle, sympathetic to and in agreement with.
“However, where we most strongly differ with Dr. Richards’ assessment is with what he described as the so-called pilot of the craft. The bloated and decomposing pile of seemingly disorganized optical sensors, limbs, vascular bodies, and other similar appendages appeared to have been incorporated directly into the craft’s structure. We prefer to understand this organic material as the Aten’s organic technology itself and do not interpret them as the rotting remains of a pilot per se.
“Finally, Dr. Richards’ outlandish suggestion, albeit based on what he had heard from contemporaries on the scene, that somehow the target Akhenaten and this so-called pilot were linked in some sort of telepathic union, we find far-fetched. While we recognize that the target Akhenaten was indeed a powerful inline telepath – as were his offspring – we have no evidence whatsoever that would suggest such a linkage between the target and the Aten craft. To us, it would be far more reasonable to assume that the target controlled the Aten craft via some sort of sophisticated mechanical means.”
All during this read oration on the part of the Russians, Milson and Jung had been taking furious notes. The latter having plugged both of his nostrils with tissue in order to prevent their dripping upon his yellow pad.
After several moments of silence following the delivery of Rosovec’s prepared remarks, Milson looked up, smiled, turned to his left, and nodded to Jung, who cleared his throat.
“Academicians Ostrogorsky, Drazinzka, and Rosovec. We thank you for your reasoned comments regarding Dr. Richards’ field report. In many ways, we too share your concerns.”
Given the solicitous tone of Jung’s preamble, all three Russians’ attention were piqued to hear the implied “but” that was about to arrive. And they were not disappointed, for Jung immediately cut to the chase.
“However, given the level of alien technology that has been superficially described, and given our total lack of understanding regarding organic systems, we think it best to first cast our net quite wide. And when it comes to the purported telepathic linkage between the target Akhetaten and the Aten craft, the same applies.”
Pause for a sneeze.
“Especially given the well-known and documented Russian experiments in parapsychology, telekinesis, remote scanning, and telepathy, I find it remarkable that you now consider it fanciful for a being on the ground to telepathically communicate with an airborne aircraft. So, given this turnabout, would you be so kind and enlighten us as to why you support this negative position?”
While Jung’s pointed question still hung in the air, an uncomfortable stirring broke out among the Russians as they looked meaningfully at one another. One way or another, the subject clearly was an awkward one that the Russians preferred to avoid. But nonetheless, they knew that they had to answer. Give some reason. Silence would not do.
Finally, Ostrogorsky cleared his throat, sat forward, leaning his arms heavily on the conference table before him, and then stated flatly, “Gentlemen, I regret that we are not prepared at this time to discuss this still-classified topic. However, I do promise to answer Professor Jung’s query in full. May we table this for another time?”
The Americans were taken aback by Ostrogorsky’s deference, and only two silently nodded their heads in unison, but all with eyes slightly slitted in wariness. Collectively, they all thought, Yep! We know all about you. Now, why are you suddenly being so tight-lipped?
Jung, undeterred and without batting an eye, continued, “Well. Does that mean your side is not interested in the take if we are lucky enough to recover of this craft?”
To which Rosovec quickly replied, “Just what are you referring to, Professor Jung, as ‘the take,’ as you so poetically put it?”
“By ‘the take,’ Academician Rosovec, we specifically mean the technological windfall that the successful recovery of the Aten craft and its subsequent study may represent.”
“Well, sir,” coolly answered Rosovec, “that was surely never implied. Furthermore, we consider ourselves full partners in this endeavor and have already paid our ‘down payment,’ as it were, with the service of Alexander Piankoff. Now, where is this conversation going?”
The Russian concluded with considerable steel in his voice, but with a maddeningly polite smile.
“Oh, nothing much.” Jung shrugged as he absentmindedly wiped his dripping nose. “I was curious as to your level of commitment, sharing of information, especially given your country’s research in parapsychology. As for us, we believe in full disclosure. We also believe that such disclosure is tantamount to the future formation of a very valuable commodity – trust.”
Ostrogorsky allowed, “Trust is a thing earned. Not a thing given freely.”
“Agreed, Academician Ostrogorsky, but when do we collectively begin that process?” Jung returned while purposely using the word “collective.”
He knew that it had confounded the USAF’s translation software as the Russians had “collectively” winced at its use. As with so many things, context is king.
“Then I suggest,” Drazinzka began, “that we begin trusting one another now. As of this moment, not to would be folly. Now, that said, Professor Jung, what precisely do you want to discuss regarding our former parapsychological program?”
“I do not wish to churn through its entirety, Academician Drazinzka, but I am quite sure that we would like to hear why your panel believes that it is unlikely or impossible for an individual to be in remote telepathic communication with a craft like the Aten?”
Again after several shared looks among the Russians, Rosovec began, “Professor Jung, in reply to your question we believe it to be highly unlikely that an individual can remotely fly a craft, like the Aten, using telepathy alone. We have already tried, and we have failed miserably. The individual in question, frankly, became highly unstable as a result.”
Following about ten seconds of silent staring, Young broke the deadlock with the following suggestion.
“Well, Academician Rosovec, thank you for your frank answer. And thank you, Professor Jung, for your contributions as well. Now, shall we move on?
“We still have to approve the assassination of the target Smenkhkare by Dr. Richards and Ms. Gregorieva. To date, she has done very well. Has accepted the deep hypnotic implantations. Consequently, we believe that she and Dr. Richards will make a good team. Are there any qualms from your side on either the constitution of this dual deployment or its intended agenda?”
Team constitution? Intended agenda? Drazinzka thought. What oddly neutral and antiseptic ways to describe an assassination team and its target. Only that bloodless Brit could have enunciated it in such a cool manner. As for Vesna Gregorieva’s fitness for such an arduous task, I have absolutely no doubt. She is an absolute lioness. But whether she would make a dependable teammate? Now that I would like to see!
During the time that Drazinzka was musing on the above, the Russians all glanced around, exchanging unreadable looks that the Americans could not decipher. Then, finally, apparently by previous assent, Rosovec spoke for them all.
“We do not have an issue with either the deployment of this assassination team nor its intended target. We only wish for its success.”
Now it was the Americans turn to gape in dismay at the Russian’s blunt use of language. Gulping unconsciously, Young almost answered, but somehow was beaten to the punch by Milson.
“Academician Rosovec, thank you for so clearly reminding us of the true purpose of our precious, joint assets on this critical temporal mission. We too wish for their success, but also for their safe return. In fact, during several training sessions, Ms. Gregorieva has proved to be a quite formidable and resilient presence. She is highly motivated. But of these things, you no doubt already know. But what you probably do not know is the source of her true motivation. That which drives her so. Surprisingly, it is the blessed memory of Alexander Piankoff himself, her self-proclaimed hero, beloved mentor, and we also suspect secret crush.”
During the delivery of this measured discourse by Milson, all three Russians became exceptionally attentive. Drazinzka, smiling inwardly, again rued the day that Milson was not a member of his own security department. Ostrogorsky winced at the accuracy of the Egyptologist’s remarks. As for Rosovec, much of this information about Gregorieva was real news. By the silent and downcast eyes of his so-called colleagues, they were more than well aware of it. More evidence, Rosovec had to conclude, that his colleagues had again purposely compartmentalized his knowledge base. For what purpose he did not know, but the fact that they had deeply troubled him. And for perhaps the first time, Rosovec began to consider why he was sitting here? What was his purpose? So this proud man made perhaps the most important decision of his life.
I must contact the Americans directly and very quietly. Then perhaps I will finally get some straight answers. And who knows? Perhaps some personal alliances can be made. Regardless, I must meet with this Milson. What a brilliant mind!
Milson continued, “Consequently, Alexander is Vesna’s goad and also her source for revenge. It is this desire for revenge, which she has managed to tightly focus, that will no doubt sustain her on this mission. Sadly, at least in Vesna’s mind, she has no real choice but to confront those who so tortured her teacher. And then there remains the issue of Dr. Richards and Ms. Gregorieva,” slowly shaking his head of snowy white hair side to side.
“Their ability to form into a cohesive team, well, let us just say that is a work still in process.”
Drazinzka actually smiled at that statement.
That’s my lioness!