30
Emergency Everest meeting
10 Downing Street
City of Westminster
London SW1
Lat = 51 degrees, 30.2 minutes North
Long = 0 degrees, 7.7 minutes West
Friday 15th September 1989. (Same day)
Twenty thirty hours BST
Two hours earlier the Prime Minister had received a phone call from the American President.
The President had confirmed the Intel that they had been given, along with Intel that the President had received from the Russian President.
The Everest meeting had been hastily called and now all the usual members were present, the Prime Minister opened with her account off the conversation with the American President.
“Gentlemen; the American President has confirmed our Intel regarding Sydney Carter and Walter Smith, as well as the freight being taken from the docks. Some additional information is that Walter Smith had a conversation with the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs immediately after his conversation with Sydney Carter. In addition, the Russian President has spoken with the American President to confirm that a shipment of the Red Mercury has left their WPF establishment under the control of the KGB agent Ivan Balagula on the 3rd August 1989. They both agree that this Red Mercury is now on US soil and the only reason is to disrupt the SALT-1 agreement.”
The PM paused in order for everyone to have time to digest what she had said.
She continued firstly by passing around several folders and said, “You can see the transcripts from the conversations between Walter Smith, Sydney Carter and Yuri Yurchenko.”
Everyone opened the folders and perused the notes, after a few moments they all looked at the PM.
The Prime Minister looked around the room and said, “The Russian President is now aware of the link with their US Russian foreign affairs minister Yuri Yurchenko. The American President has requested an unusual request and the Russian President is in agreement with it,” she paused and then continued.
“Because of the potential implications and the fact that there is a potential conspiracy within both their communities, the American President has asked that we send our OSC over there to track down the perpetrators,” again she paused before continuing.
“As we are all aware; any nuclear explosion on American soil that could be traced back to Russia could lead to all-out war and we are on the front line of Europe’s defences. We would certainly be one of the first countries to come under the Russian retaliation. It is in our interests to help the Americans. The Russian President agrees with the American President, as he believes there could be others within their community that want the SALT-1 agreement to fail. So I have to ask you to agree on sending the OSC to America? Please take your time with your response to the request, whilst you are doing that I will have some hot drinks brought in.”
The PM quickly made a phone call and a few minutes later a woman brought in a trolley with hot drinks and cups. She quickly left the room.
The PM said, “Please help yourselves gentlemen.”
Each man got up and walked over to the trolley, Strayker gave the PM a quick look and she gave him a nod, a subtle communication that she would have her usual black coffee.
Max was the only one to remain at his seat, the PM had noticed this and said, “Colonel please help yourself to a drink?”
Max replied, “Thank you Ma’am, I will have one in a moment.”
A few moments later, everyone was back in their chairs and the PM said, “Any thoughts gentlemen?”
There was a long pause with no one responding, Strayker had held back waiting for someone else to react. However, when it was obvious that none of the others would not he said, “Ma’am, gentlemen; as you are all aware the OSC was set up to protect the interests of this country, I would be the first to admit that the original remit never had this in mind. However, whichever way we look at this the evidence is clear; we will become a target if the Red Mercury device is detonated in Washington. The Americans and Russians believe they cannot trust their own people to sort this out; this makes sense and a request for external help also makes sense. I vote that we direct Max and his teams to Washington to help with tracking the people and device down.”
The Prime Minister was quick to reply with, “I second that proposal.”
Each of the Everest team also agreed to the request.
The Prime Minister said, “thank you gentlemen, the Americans have a person that is hundred per cent reliable at their end to liaise and work with our teams.
The Prime Minister looked at Max and said, “Colonel Storm I would appreciate your thoughts?”
Max had sat back listening to the exchanges and was temporarily caught off guard by the PM’s question.
“Ma’am, gentlemen, I agree with Major Strayker; if this is left unchecked we may well be facing another world war and as a result the world as we know it will change forever. Have the Americans supply the contact details of their man, I will also need someone who can defuse any device we may find?”
The PM looked at Max before replying, she knew this man and his teams had placed themselves on the line on previous occasion with losses, but they had always triumphed over adversary.
This however was a mission that if it failed could result in a world war and this time there would be no winners.
“On behalf of me and everyone around this table thank you Colonel, We only have thirteen days left before the SALT-1 signing, anyone else have anything to add?”
Sir Richard Evans head of the British army replied, “I have just the man for you Colonel to defuse any device you may come across, as soon as your transport arrangements have been finalised let me know and I will have him come to you.”
“Thank you Sir Richard,” replied Max.
The Prime Minister said, “I will inform the American and Russian Presidents of our decision immediately.”
Thirty minutes later the Prime Minister had spoken with both the American and Russian Presidents informing them that the OSC would assist with their issue.
The US President advised her he would contact her later with details of the contact and the best way for the OSC to enter America, without drawing any attention from the authorities.