though he wasn’t likely to drink it. He was also quite wary of her presence. She was not cleared, that he knew of, but was a personally hired shill, and he knew she couldn’t be trusted with any modicum of privacy.
As they sat, he looked at Gillette, who gave the barest nod of acknowledgment. So, no one trusted Highland, but he couldn’t officially say anything about his boss.
Highland sat down and said, “I wanted to say I do understand the necessities of flying yesterday, and bear no hard feelings.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” he said simply. If she wanted to accept an apology he hadn’t made and wasn’t going to, fine. As long as the bank transfer cleared.
Das said, “While the situation was unfortunate, we hoped it would offer an opportunity to identify either individuals of interest, or refine our understanding of groups.”
“And what did you find?” Gillette asked.
“Not much that is conclusive, but we are building a database. Eventually it will yield results.”
Unspoken was whether or not he’d share those results with BuState, contractors, or even his own people. Sometimes, intel served best by not being released.
Gillette asked, “There’s nothing you can share at this point?”
Das spread his hands and said, “We have identified two groups friendly to Ms Highland who may have, through an excess of enthusiasm, presented so as to alarm others.
Highland said, “Ah, the Mtali Women’s Conference and the Justice League.”
“You’re familiar with them?” Alex asked.
“Of course!” she said, cheerfully. “Such enthusiasm. They’re creating a future for us.”
Gillette’s expression indicated he didn’t appreciate being blindsided by his own superior. Alex made a note to see if Elke had any other conversations of interest.
“Well, that’s good to know,” he said. Can you suggest they limit their enthusiasm out of respect for you, to help things move more swiftly? You can arrange a personal meeting with them later.” He intended such a meeting never take place, and he’d juggle schedule and create threats as needed to ensure that.
“I can try,” she said, shrugging slightly. “But these are a simple people.”
What a condescending bitch. Worse, she seemed to delight in “simple people” as her support. She must assume most people were “simple.” Beyond that, many of them seemed proud of the fact.
He brought his attention back to security. There were still items of note.
Gillette said, “I do note there are ongoing discussions between you and Mr. Blanding. My concern is that his communications may not be secure.”
“That’s ridiculous!” she snapped. “He’s been a confidant and trusted friend for decades. You may remember he formerly had your job, among others.”
“I am not questioning his loyalty, ma’am,” Gillette said with a tone that Alex interpreted to mean he certainly was. “But his phone and feeds are no longer subject to shielding through our system. They could be hacked from outside.”
“He’s very knowledgeable. He’d never let that happen.”
“Knowingly, no, but some of the modern techniques are very discreet. I stress constantly over your own quarters here, in case someone is pulling conversations and other data.”
“You assured me they aren’t.”
“That I’m aware of, they aren’t. That doesn’t mean they can’t.”
Thanks for that confirmation, Alex thought.
“I need his counsel. This is a critical time, and will continue to be so for the rest of the election cycle.”
“Of course. I only suggest you be careful what issues you phrase.”
Well, this had easily turned to protecting her campaign rather than herself. Still, if she paid attention, it would help.
Das apparently took a cue to keep her busy and not argumentative.
“Ripple Creek furnished us with their video and EM records. We are searching it for evidence. So far, there were at least three encrypted networks operating in that area. One was for your supporters. Regretfully, some of them were well intentioned, but seem unclear of where the line should be drawn. They actively agitated for action against your opponents.”
“While regrettable, that’s entirely understandable, given the cruel and false accusations leveled at me, along with threats and actual violence.”
Really, was she unable to not make a campaign speech? No one here cared, all knew the score, and this was about a real issue. She seemed to think talking could fix anything.
Das ignored it and continued, “Well, we’re still trying to crack the other two networks. The encryption was good. Very good. Good enough military experts are fighting with it. This suggests your opposition has serious resources.”
She came out of politician long enough to be bitch. “It’s taken you this long to figure that out?”
“We are determining details, ma’am. The method of encryption should lead to a source, and from there we can learn who is involved.”
“Very well. Inform me at once. The voters must know this.”
Das apparently didn’t know how to refuse without risking her ire. Alex stepped up.
“I will also be using that information to determine best routes and appearances for you, ma’am. My job is to ensure your safety during high-visibility appearances.”
“Yes, with safety that is very high visibility, and excessive,” she snarled.
“Ma’am, you instigated events to create an impression, and neglected to tell us-” The expressions of the others indicated they hadn’t known that.
“I did not! I-”
He cut her off with a steady, firm voice. “Had we known, we’d have helped you arrange it so we wouldn’t respond in a fashion meant to hurt people. I’d have advised against it entirely. You may have now created the meme that it would be clever, amusing or some kind of score to attack you. Now we have to deal with it. My agents respond as the threat appears. If someone tries to look lethal, we respond accordingly. If we don’t, you wind up dead sooner or later and we get the blame. You can have our security, or arrange your own.”
He hadn’t intended to tell her off, but the woman was beyond irritating.
“Yes, your job, your company comes first.” Her tone was belittling.
“Word indeed,” he said. “They do.”
Everyone looked at each other, embarrassed, though she’d apparently forgotten her rising argument with Das.
“I see there is nothing further to accomplish here. Good day,” she said and rose.
Alex realized the other two now considered him a hindrance. He’d had that intel, and not shared it.
He shrugged, nodded and stood himself.
Elke found it amusing to listen in that morning.
Highland was cursing up a storm to JessieM and the walls.
“Those mercenary assholes! That loose-lipped bastard, telling everyone we staged an attack. They can’t be trusted with anything.”
JessieM sounded timid as she said, “It’s always best to keep information inside, ma’am.”
Yes, Highland had told them of the fact herself. She seemed to have missed that. Interesting that she didn’t trust her own intel people, or the military’s. What a terrible world she lived in.
Highland said, “Well, we’re safe here. Das admitted he can’t spy on us, and Gillette said he detected nothing. As long as our phones are off, we’re okay.”
That was amusing, and even more so as her monitors picked up two phones handshaking the nodes and logging out. They’d both had active systems.
So, Elke must assume someone else with similar gear was monitoring Highland, too. It wasn’t certain, but it was eminently possible. That was the nature of their world. Still, their principal assumed she had secrecy. It was a good thing she didn’t know about Shaman’s monitors, also.
JessieM said, “Ma’am, you present well. You are still perceived as strong, courageous and honest in the face of adversity.”
“Hmmph. And what is being said about my security detail?”
