Sigma One

by Hutchison, William

  Cherisa stepped out of the restroom, resolved to get out of that bar as quickly as she could, with or without Amanda and strode briskly up to where the two were seated and interrupted them.

  "Amanda, I'm not feeling well," she said. "I think I'd better go home now." As soon as she made her announcement, she noticed the dour look on both their faces.

  "Please don't leave now, Cherisa. Mr. Huxley just invited us over for drinks," Amanda pleaded and then, in a whisper added, "he wants us to meet a senator!"

  Cherisa had expected as much and weighed her decision carefully before answering. If she left, Amanda would probably stay anyway, and by the looks of it, would likely join both the men. She didn't think that would be such a good idea. Knowing Radcliff, he might try to make a move on her, or if he didn't do that, because he was probably drunk, if Pat's condition was any indication as to how much the senator had had to drink, he might say something untoward regarding their relationship. If he did that, it might jeopardize her chances to continue her new-found friendship with Amanda. In either case, leaving didn't seem the best thing for her to do, even though she wanted to. If she stayed, on the other hand, at least she could see if Radcliff was interested in Amanda or not. In addition, staying might give her the opportunity to find out just how serious SIGMA ONE's problems were. She had only heard Radcliff's version, and she was dying to know how Mr. Huxley viewed the situation so she could have one more up on her co-coworkers and use that information to needle them.

  Her mind made up, Cherisa accepted and the trio left the bar and made their way toward Radcliff. When they arrived at his table, Pat quickly introduced Amanda to Radcliff, her being the newcomer to-the group. Even before the introduction Amanda recognized the senator. She had seen his pictures innumerable times on the news defending this bill or that, dedicating this public works project or that. When Radcliff stood, she also noticed how much taller he was in real life and how much older he looked in person than on the news. She also thought to herself that the news make-up artists who had to work on him must really know their trade. On TV, Radcliff showed no indication of the bags that were evident under his eyes now, and his hair seemed three shades more gray even in the dim light of the bar than under the video spotlights. On TV he looked like he wasn't a day over fifty-five. Standing in front of her, he looked at least seventy.

  Amanda extended her hand toward the elder statesman as soon as Pat finished saying her name. Radcliff reached out and gently grabbed it and kissed the back of it, impressing her and causing her to giggle slightly. His bushy gray moustache tickled. Radcliff then moved around and repeated the chivalrous act with Cherisa, although when he was done kissing the back of her hand, he held on to it and guided her to the chair next to his and sat down, an action that made her happy her secret lover was paying more attention to her than Amanda.

  Once seated, Radcliff ordered a round of drinks, two Chardonnays for the ladies, a straight up vodka for himself and, to his surprise, another ginger ale for Pat, who after talking to Amanda was starting to realize he had better maintain his sobriety and not make a fool of himself.

  After twenty or so minutes of small talk, Cherisa was finally able to steer the conversation to SIGMA ONE's difficulties doing so by adroitly picking up on a comment the senator made regarding his support of the recent Presidential announcement regarding sending a U.S. astronaut to Mars.

  "Just think of the benefits to mankind if we discover that Mars was once a planet that could support life," Radcliff proclaimed. "It would mean that we could potentially use the information to head off other natural disasters that might occur here on earth, such as the depletion of the ozone layer."

  Pat listened intently, but Cherisa was the first to pick up on the comment and turn it to her own advantage.

  "That's all very true, Senator," she said. "But aren't there other things we could best spend our money on, like finding a way to stop nuclear war before it might happen. Don't you see, this futuristic Mars project is going to be a massive drain on the budget offering very little hope for near term returns?"

  The senator took another sip of his drink while Cherisa continued. "Don't you think there are other projects," she said referring to SIGMA ONE in the third person to avoid any security compromise, "that might use the funding better?" She paused, hoping that Pat would pick up on her cue and give his opinion.

  "Well, of course, Ms. Hunt," Radcliff replied, "the benefits from a Mars landing won't be felt for a long time. And, it is a long term plan that was laid out by the President. I don't see that it will have any major impact on the budget in the near term, and certainly not to the project that I assume you are referring to." Radcliff then turned to Pat, "do you?"

  Pat got a serious look on his face and then answered, "No, I have to agree with you. What little money that is allocated this fiscal year for that NASA goal is not the issue. What is an even greater issue, though, is how we are going to keep THE PROJECT, alive over the next two and a half months. It's serious!" He then turned to Cherisa and Amanda and looked directly at them and continued. "And if we don't all pull together, and I mean soon, there won't be any PROJECT, and without THE PROJECT, there won't be any Mars shot. Hell, there won't be anything! Think about it! It's serious!" He then paused allowing them to think about what he had said momentarily and then added in a stern you'd-better-believe-what-I'm-saying tone of voice "without the project, mankind will destroy itself!"

  Cherisa and Amanda understood entirely. It was serious. On hearing Pat's position, though, each had different reactions. Amanda put down her half-filled glass of wine and ordered a cup of cappuccino following Pat's sober lead. Cherisa, on the other hand, finished her wine and joined Radcliff in another vodka. Her job was safe in either case, whether SIGMA ONE succeeded or failed made no difference to her , and right then, she was pleased as the Cheshire cat Radcliff had been ignoring her friend and she just wanted to not think about it--which is just what she did as she downed her drink.

  The evening ended shortly after Pat's last remark and each of them went their separate ways, although Cherisa almost ended up with Radcliff after he made it very clear that he wanted to spend the night with her. Had it not been so late and the throbbing headache she had as a result of having too much to drink, she probably would have gone, but she didn't and so, slept alone for the first time in four nights.

  Although Pat was no closer to a solution at the end of the night than when it started, as he drove home he was feeling happier than he had in days as a result of getting to know Amanda better even though she had refused his offer for coffee after they left the bar. As he continued to drive though, his happiness soon faded and was replaced with a twinge of guilt for staying three hours longer than he intended and for his feelings toward Amanda. When he finally pulled his car into the-driveway forty minutes later, it was nearly eleven thirty.

  Sarah met him at the door and he could tell she was irritated so, to

  avoid an argument, he offered a weak explanation for his tardiness by saying he was working late with Radcliff before taking his jacket off.

  By the look on Sarah's face, he could tell she didn't believe him but she served him his dinner anyway without saying so much as a word, not wanting to say something she might regret later. While he ate, on more than one occasion, he looked up at her and noted how the years had been kind to her, simultaneously but unconsciously comparing her to Amanda. His guilt continued to grow as he silently picked at his meal knowing full well his not saying anything was adding to the gap that was growing between them. But at that particular time, it didn't matter to him at all.

  CHAPTER 12

  General Kurt Lassiter arrived at the Senate building sharply at 9:15 a.m. His meeting was supposed to have begun at 9:00, but he purposefully arrived late. Even though Radcliff was a powerful figure in the Senate and the general would need his support when he decided to run for office next spring, Lassiter knew such support wouldn't come without some arm twisting on his part. Kurt decided it wo
uld be better to arrive, not at the appointed time, but fashionably lath. By so doing, he wouldn't appear too eager, and it would give him the upper hand forcing Radcliff to squirm while he waited, and leaving him wondering if he would show at all.

  Kurt had devised a plan that, if he could pull it off successfully, would greatly enhance his career, and he felt his tardiness would give him just the psychological edge he needed to persuade the bureaucrat to see things his way.

  He entered Radcliff's office and was immediately impressed when he saw how richly appointed it was. The dark wood wall paneling and rich dark green, thick pile rug gave him the impression he was entering a study which would have been more appropriately situated in a fine Elizabethan manor than right in the heart of the Senate Office Building. The first edition leather bound books which lined the wall on shelves which reached from floor to ceiling, and the two plush high back red leather chairs which sat in front of the senator's massive maple desk, added to the opulence. The lavish interior made Kurt even more determined to achieve his political goals than he had been when he devised his plan the day before. Even though he was a four star general, his office in the Pentagon couldn't hold a candle to his governmental counterparts- and this enraged him. If his plan succeeded, however, soon it would be him seated behind the desk instead of Radcliff. As he thought this, Kurt began to get mental pictures how he would redecorate his new lair, perhaps getting rid of the dark green carpet which reminded him of his sister service, the Army, and replacing it with rich Air Force blue. He smiled as he pictured the changes he would make.

  Radcliff, on seeing the general, got up from behind the desk, and took off his bifocals as he put the book he was reading down. He then came around in front of the desk and extended his hand in greeting.

  "I wasn't sure you'd make it, Kurt," he said as he shook the general's hand. "You sounded pretty set on seeing me today during your phone call yesterday, and I had to rearrange a luncheon with the Vice-President to see you." As he sat down, his friendly voice turned stern and cold. "Now what's so damn important. It had better be good." Radcliff intentionally tried to put the general on the defensive to establish that he had the upper hand. He didn't like being made to wait.

  Kurt sat down next to him, but didn't appear to be the least bit threatened as he sat forward and cordially began, "Senator,...."

  "You can call me Horace, Kurt," Radcliff replied cutting him off, trying to alter the mood of the meeting on seeing his opposition wasn't impressed by his previous tactic. He continued, "don't stand on formality. No one else is here but you and me. Now please get on with it. What did you want to see me about?"

  "Horace, as I discussed with you on the phone yesterday, we have intercepted a very important message from the Kremlin to the KGB. I couldn't discuss it over the phone as you well can understand."

  Radcliff nodded. "This room is clean. You can speak freely here." "As I was saying, this message indicates that the Soviets are going to try to demonstrate their SIGMA ONE capability quite soon."

  Radcliff sat back in his chair. He was curious what game Lassiter was playing and he didn't like Lassiter's condescending tone of voice. But a Soviet demonstration of their version of SIGMA ONE was serious! He decided to play it out and listen to what the general had to say even though the news was rather alarming. "How soon is soon?" he asked.

  "Sixty days."

  "How are they going to do it? What are their plans?" Radcliff asked.

  Lassiter leaned forward in the chair. He had a smug look on his face knowing he was in command of the situation and had the Senator's curiosity piqued.

  "The message was received by one of our agents and it indicated they are planning to get Dr. Andre Kamarov over here under the cover of an international chess exhibition game in Las Vegas on--December 24th. Christmas Eve. He is then going to be transported via one of our own helicopters to take an aerial tour of our northern missile fields."

  Radcliff couldn't believe what he was hearing. "How come we're sponsoring such a trip? Who authorized it? It seems outrageous." He was visibly shaken.

  Kurt could see Radcliff's change in composure. "I agree with you. But the State Department set it up. The military had nothing to do with it, and in fact, fought it all the way up to the JCS level. But the State Department got their way. They say his visit is supposed to be symbolic of the new spirit of cooperation that they are trying to foster between our countries. The trip is also supposed to represent on the Soviet's part a grand demonstration of Glasnost.

  ”But why the missile tour?"

  "The State Department's public affairs office dreamed that one up. They think it will help build public support for their cause in the arms negotiations to have a Soviet chess master view the missile field. They plan to telecast it on live TV. When Kamarov is high in the sky over our fields, the audio dubbing will describe the missiles as 'The pawns" in an international "game of death" that our two countries are continuing to play. His being here is supposed to demonstrate the Soviets willingness to talk about how we both can quit playing such a game and the telecast is supposed to build public support in both nations for renewed arms negotiations. As you know, the US press has seemed all too pro-military lately thanks to the fiasco in 'astern Europe when the Soviets were caught cheating. This telecast is supposed to represent a new willingness on their part to be truthful. In fact, while Kamarov is viewing our missiles, he's supposed to denounce his country's previous acts and is to deliver a verbal apology. The press will love that. But that's not the issue. What is the issue is that in spite of all the partial down-building that is going on in NATO, both countries continue to maintain enough big missiles, like the one's Kamarov will see, to blow us all into the next century and the State Department feels mutual disarmament is our only long term solution. They feel that if we are ever going to achieve that goal, that it will take both countries' peoples--not just their governments'--support to make it happen. They feel, right or wrong, the governments can't do it on their own. The Kamarov stunt, and that's what it really is, a stunt, is supposed to set the stage for building such public support in both countries. I simply can't let that happen!"

  Finished giving most of the details he couldn't divulge on the phone the previous day and setting the stage for his plan, Kurt leaned back in his chair and lit a cigarette.

  "That all sounds well and good," Radcliff added, "but what's this about a demonstration of thought programming and why can't the Soviets do it without bringing Kamarov over here? Why can't they do it from their homeland?"

  "The demonstration on thought programming isn't known to the State Department, as I said previously, Horace. Only my men know about it, and the Soviets need to be close to the fields to make their version of thought programming work. They haven't discovered how to do it from a distance. That information came from the last tape Walker received before his agent was killed."

  Kurt continued to puff on his cigarette as he gave Radcliff the details he wanted him to know. "When the Soviets get Kamarov over our missile fields, according to the intercepted message, he's supposed to program one of our missiles to launch. When it rises until it is almost out of site, probably fifty miles downrange and clear from his helicopter, he's supposed to blow it up by programming the range safety computer on board. The press will obviously be focusing on the missile as it flies out, and they will know by its trajectory it's generally headed for Soviet Russia. It will be interesting to see their reaction to the launch and the destruction. Anyway, when he finally blows the missile up, he'll then go on the air and announce his government's blackmail scheme."

  Radcliff was dumfounded. "We know all this and we're just going to let it happen? Is that what you're trying to tell me?"

  "Remember, Horace, I said my men intercepted the message. No one else knows about the missile launch or the blackmail scheme. We haven't told the State Department, and I don't intend to inform them. My plan is to kidnap Kamarov before he can be airlifted North. Then, like Colonel Anderson said in t
he hearings, we'll take him to Camp Arthur and deprogram him and use him for our own demonstration. We won't even need SIGMA ONE to carry out our plan. All we need is to capture Kamarov, deprogram him, and then we'll fly him north over the pole and have him launch one of their missiles on one of their own cities. While it's in flight, we'll announce the terms of our deal with them: that is to say, complete unilateral Soviet disarmament."

  Radcliff listened intently. The plan seemed sound. But if even the slightest thing went wrong God knows what would happen then. He wanted to hear more. "What if deprogramming Kamarov fails?"

  "If it fails, and if the NSF folks can't make their version of SIGMA ONE work in time, then as I said in the committee meeting, we'll disclose everything to the public--the Soviet plan, the NSF's mission, SIGMA ONE, everything. We'll make them out to be the bad guys and you can take credit for uncovering the plot. I’ll give you that one. It should help you in the polls. And with the disclosure of their plans, the American public will be more than glad to support continued funding of the NSF, at whatever level your boys think they need to achieve their goals. Or, alternatively, if you want to keep the whole mess quiet, you can arrange for a closed briefing to the Senate and disclose it only to them. You won't get headlines from it that way, but they will more than likely be reasonable and probably support continuation of the project. In either case, you'll get credit."