The Devil's Playground

by Michael Reagan

this area very effectively. It was because of this Jiang had always known that he needed a conduit that had the ability to cross all worlds. The person he had chosen was Thomas Litchfield.

  The surveillance footage of him from Japan walking out of the criminal Katayama's nightclub, someone the MPS had discovered also happened to be one of the senior members of the Iron Triangle, had only confirmed it for him.

  When Jiang had read the report he had assumed that Litchfield must have been sent by his master to represent the Russians' interests. Now he determined he would force him to look after China's as well.

  When he had first appeared on the MPS radar as the catalyst for bringing Russia and America together over that debacle in Adwalland, it had had not been lost on the intelligence chief that Litchfield had been cleverly used by Steve Krivets, the Governor of California, who was then the CEO of MGN, to act as one of his allies and representatives in the peace deal that he helped to broker because Litchfield was one of the largest shareholders in the news organization.

  It also hadn't been lost on him, that MGN's wider news group, in return for the favor, he had often acted as a counterpoint to any negative press about him.

  Recent events in Turkmenistan and even his spat with Japan had proved that to Jiang. Or so he believed.

  "A true master of the dark arts," he muttered in admiration as he read the reports of Zhang filling him on her observations of how Litchfield conducted his business with the media.

  Jiang chuckled. "Of course it also helps that Litchfield has direct access to Putin to assist with the peace plan."

  So the question was, "Now I have opened the door how do I get the pupil to walk through it?" Jiang thought as he looked into the darkened space of his office, already knowing the answer.

  The information that Katamaya had shared with Thomas with regard to Jennet Amayradova weighed heavily on his mind. The fact that she was Rejejow's daughter explained everything as to why her husband had targeted TLH interests in Turkmenistan.

  Mikhail was the first to speak about the matter once they were alone and back at the hotel in the suite again.

  "This feud will never end," he said with deep sadness.

  "Have you let the team know to be on their guard?" Thomas asked referring to protection of their families and his. The disparaging look of Mikhail told Thomas instantly what he thought of that question.

  "I am sorry," answered Thomas.

  Mikhail looked at him but didn't say anything.

  "There has to be a way to end this feud," Thomas said.

  Mikhail shook his head then said, "Yasher koach," a Hebrew phrase that translates literally as 'straight strength' and means that figuratively that may you have strength, or may your strength be increased.

  "Not sure a blood feud counts," replied Thomas because the Jews traditionally used the phrase as a way of congratulating someone for performing a mitzvah or a good deed.

  "No." said Mikhail. "But I am wishing you to find a way to continue doing a good thing."

  "Why?" Thomas asked.

  "Because if you don't then the only way you'll stop this feud will be to kill Rejejow's entire Clan," he said with a grim look. "Are you sure you can do that?" Mikhail asked.

  Thomas looked at him for a moment as he thought about his old friend's statement.

  "Let's go get something to eat," he said to change the subject. But as they stepped out of the suite the words of Mikhail rattled around in Thomas's head.

  "Can I do that?" he thought, not knowing the answer as he put his hand on the shoulder of his old friend.

  It hadn't been a busy day so far for Thomas and Mikhail consequently as such they had spent most of it watching the television in the bar of the Hilton twiddling their thumbs while they waited for Katamaya to get back to them. The appearance of Rob though quickly changed that for the pair of them.

  "I might have guessed nothing is secret in this world!" said Thomas to him as he shook Mikhail's hand and embraced the Israeli in the Arabic/ Jewish way with a kiss on both cheeks twice and then a third time to reflect their friendship first.

  "Only wish it in better circumstances," Rob replied, embracing Thomas in the same way.

  "Drink?" asked Thomas signaling to the waitress.

  Rob smiled and nodded when Thomas asked him if a dash of Glenfarclas would be acceptable. Once the waitress left to get the order, Rob started.

  "A right old shitstorm we find ourselves in lads," he said matter-of-factly.

  It was the turn of Mikhail to respond in Hebrew.

  "Eyn Ashan Bli Esh," he said, meaning there is 'no smoke without fire' in English, referring to the fact that it was the fault of Rob's paymasters.

  "On that I agree with you Mikhail," answered Rob with sadness written all over his face. "The question is what are the three of us are going to do to fix it?" he then asked as his drink arrived.

  An hour later and over a few more shots Glenfarclas, a plan was formed between the three 'Wise Men of Asia,' the name they had used to christen their idea.

  When Ali had listened to Rob outline Litchfield's plan, he had thought it was bold and incredible at the time. The question though was would the President go for it. He was about to find out.

  As the Armed forces of the United States of America were still on DEFCON 2 it took him ten minutes to finally be let into the POEC. The second he caught sight of the President's face Ali could see that "America's Quarterback" seemed to have aged ten years. He was also in no doubt that like most men in his position and as a result of the level of stress that came with job, that Daniel Parker would be grey haired within a year despite only being only forty nine years old.

  "How are you holding up?" the President asked before Ali could greet him as he gestured for him to sit down.

  "I am fine Mr. President," answered Ali, figuring there was no point in adding to the man's stress.

  "Okay, Ali, talk to me. What is Litchfield up to?" the President asked, getting straight down to business.

  "With the support below the line of ARCTIC TIGER and NIGHTSHADE, he is presenting a deal via Yorijo Katamaya to the Iron Triangle," he said using Putin's and O's codenames.

  "Young's instrument?" Parker questioned, not quite believing Ali.

  Twenty minutes later having explained the influence and power of the hidden world of Japanese politics and business, the President shook his head in disgust.

  "So you want me to shake hands with the Devil?" he questioned.

  Ali grimly nodded.

  "In my religion the Prophet says-" Ali stopped. It wasn't his place to preach to POTUS.

  "No, please continue" Parker ordered, putting him at ease.

  "On the Day of Resurrection, all things will be measured and weighed. Of them, the tears streaming down out of the fear of Allah are strong enough to quench oceans of fire. Mr. President you see I believe that although we will be judged by Allah, if we can find a way to save souls, even if it requires us to do a deal with the Devil, then I am certain God will forgive us," Ali said with emotion on his face.

  Parker noted Ali's thoughts with a simple thank you and a grim smile.

  "So, when does Litchfield want me to call Governor Krivets?" he asked.

  "As soon as he has an answer from the Katamaya as to whether his friends will accept Korea's terms, with regard to the Beijing part of NOBLE's plan, he will come back to us once he spoken to ARCTIC TIGER," informed Ali.

  "How long does he need?" Parker asked.

  "Forty-eight hours," Ali answered.

  "Okay let Ashley know that I will wait for NOBLE confirmation before I call ARCTIC TIGER," answered the President. "In the meantime let's just hope the Chinese don't do anything stupid and the Japanese don't decide to launch a fucking invasion of Korea," he said with exhaustion showing all over his face.

  As Ali got up from his seat the President added, "Interesting guy, this NOBLE. I think Dowling underestimated him, Ali."

  Ali nodded but didn't respond to the comment. If h
e was going to be subpoenaed during a Young impeachment case, the last thing the President and he should talk about were Hank Dowling and any personal relationship that he held with the man.

  The President immediately picked up on Ali's look.

  "I know!" he said with a grim smile.

  "Thank you, Mr. President," Ali said signaling the meeting was now at an end.

  "Thanks, Jess," Steve Krivets said, handing his baby daughter back to his former news anchor wife before taking the phone from her as he sat in the back garden of their house in Beverley Hills enjoying his family time. Something that was godsend after the traumatic last few days running the world's tenth largest economy.

  "Tommy! What can I do for you old buddy?" he asked his long standing friend while rubbing the back of his neck from the tension, a direct result of the State of Emergency he was overseeing in his State. By the time Rob finished explaining his plan thirty minutes later, Steve's mind was in whirl. Nevertheless, he asked "When?"

  "Forty-eight hours," came the reply.

  "Okay, I am in," he answered without hesitation. "Oh, Tommy-"

  "Yes?" answered his friend.

  "Good luck," Steve said before putting the phone down.

  "Sounds serious, Hon," Jessica noted, using her nose as a former reporter before becoming a political wife and mother.

  Krivets directed a gritted smile at his honey blonde wife. Despite being in her mid-thirties she was a beautiful woman even if his tastes before his marriage lent to the younger side.

  "About serious as it gets babe," he said flashing his pearl white teeth before explaining to her what Tommy had just asked him to do.