53
‘ICIS’ Saltbox Hill
Biggin Hill, Kent
Lat = 51 degrees, 19.7 minutes North
Long = 0 degrees, 1.2 minutes East
Wednesday 20th September 1989 (next day)
Zero ten forty-five hours BST
And
Safe house
Stockton lane
Richmond, Virginia
USA
Lat = 37 degrees, 33.2 minutes North
Long = 77 degrees, 30.0 minutes West
Tuesday 19th September 1989
Zero five fifty-eight hours EDT
Having passed through the extensive security systems at ICIS the Everest team along with the Prime Minister were in the Intel room, also present were Major Strayker, Vince Edwards and GAIL.
All of the Everest team had previously seen GAIL’s image on the Plasma screen at Downing Street however, this was their first live encounter with GAIL.
Like everyone else before their first life encounter with GAIL was amazing, Vince addressed the group, “Ma’am, gentlemen I would like GAIL to explain to you her mission parameters,” he turned to GAIL and said, “over to you GAIL.”
“Good morning Prime Minister and gentlemen. My mission parameters are to supply Intel, to protect this country and its inhabitants, should I exceed these parameters, my systems will shut down permanently and then all electronic circuitry and components will go into melt down, in other words I will die.”
Sir Richard Evans head of the British army said, “GAIL, I am pleased to at last actually meet you, may I ask you a question?”
“Certainly Sir Richard, “replied GAIL.
“You just stated that if you were to breach your mission parameters you would die, my understanding of death is that it only relates to a living organism?”
GAIL looked at him and replied, “You are correct Sir Richard, and in your world death relates to any organism a living thing that has or can develop the ability to act or function independently. In fact, your dictionary puts the definition of death as the permanent cessation of all biological functions that sustain a particular living organism. I am aware that I am not a living organism, but in my world death is as real to me as it is to you Sir Richard!”
Sir Richard a man whom had been a serving British officer for many years experienced an uncomfortable feeling within him, the rest of the Everest team were also feeling his discomfort, Sir Richard looked at GAIL and said, ”GAIL, please accept the apologies from a man for who technology is still a hard thing to come to grasps with.”
GAIL’s face gave him a smile and she said, “No need for the apology Sir Richard, I am aware of my uniqueness and if I was a person whom liked to bet, I would put some money on that question being asked again in the future.”
Vince stepped in and said, “Ma’am, gentlemen we should be going live in a minute to Colonel Storm.”
Max looked at his watch zero five fifty-six, the teams were gathered around the large kitchen table, Max said, “okay men, before the briefing update, the PM and the Everest team will be listening in at ICIS via the PCDL.
Roy I will start with a summary and then you can give your update and then Vas you can give yours, I will then answer any questions from ICIS,” Max looked at is watch and turned on his PDA and said, “Eagle-3 to ICIS, over.”
Strayker responded, “receiving you Max, the PM and the Everest group are present as is Vince and GAIL ready when you are, over.”
Max answered, “firstly; the warehouse on Nicholson Street has a ninety-nine percent probability of being used for the storage of the Red Mercury, let me hand you over to Eagle-4 Roy Smith.”
Roy Smith said, “Last evening we had a vehicle arrive at the warehouse and our liaison here identified them as the two CIA operatives Sydney Carter and Sean McFaul, also present was a female of Asian origin. I took a picture of her on my PCDL when she was dropped off at a hotel and downloaded it to ICIS, that’s all.”
Max said, “thank you Roy, Vas if you could give us your update?”
Vas said, “Up until half an hour ago, nothing has happened except regular guard changes, my team are still onsite keeping eyes on the warehouse, that’s all.”
Strayker was first to respond, “GAIL, have you identified the female?”
GAIL replied, “Yes Major, her name is Sun-Yung she is a former member of the Korean 707th Special Mission Battalion her speciality is nuclear armaments, she killed her commanding officer a year ago for what appear to be no apparent reason and fled the country. It is believed she went to one of the Western block countries,” GAIL deliberately paused and then resumed.
“Prior to joining the Korean military she had studied nuclear physics; it would appear from her military record she has a natural talent with weapons and hand-to-hand combat. Sun-Yung was given access to nuclear weapons systems to develop her knowledge and skills to complement her years studying the subject.”
The Prime Minister responded, “Colonel, it looks a good certainty that you have found the Red Mercury what your plan is?”
Max replied, “I intend to go in later tonight Ma’am, I have been advised by our liaison that there will be a hard perimeter put in place by the local law enforcement, once we are in place, I have still to formalise my AP.”
“Thank you Colonel,” replied the PM.
Strayker said, “How safe are we with the local law enforcement being involved Max?”
“Sir; Chuck Morris the CIA director is coordinating it and he will inform the Police to set up once we are on site, on the pretence it is a CIA operation.”
“Thank you Max,” Strayker looked around the room and said, “Does anyone else have any questions?”
Pierce Evans said, “What do you propose we do about the two CIA operatives and the Korean woman Sun-Yung?”
The Prime Minister was quick to respond, “Our remit is to secure the Red Mercury and we will then leave it up to the Americans to tie up the loose ends, is everyone in agreement with that?”
Everyone in the Intel room nodded in agreement.
Strayker said, “Max, did you hear and understand the PM’s protocol?”
“Copy that sir, I will re-contact you at zero four-thirty hours your time tomorrow morning, thirty minutes before we go in.”
“Thank you Max, I will be here.”
With that, GAIL terminated the Comms link.
Strayker then addressed the PM and the Everest group, “you are all welcome to come back here to watch and listen in to the mission. Ma’am you will be able to do the same at number 10.”
The PM said, “May I make a suggestion? That those who wish to do so, can come to number 10 instead of here if would make things easier for them.”
Strayker said, “Good call Ma’am, anyone wishing to return here, please advise Vince before you leave so he can update the security systems with your details, for when you return. In addition, I will have my driver Corporal Edwards meet you at Biggin Hill airfield at zero four-hundred hours and transport you here. Unless anyone has any further comments, I believe we are done!”