“Just watch.”
Panicked, Stokes lashed out on Twitter. Since he didn’t want to reveal the existence of his offshore holdings and his huge indebtedness to the Russians, he kept his message vague, but still threatening: “Russia playing dirty games again. U.S. will react with more tough sanctions against Chiseler Kozlov unless he immediately ceases provocations. DIRTYBUSINESS! @PresStokes”
President Kozlov tweeted back in kind: “American president is thief and liar. Russian banks immediately cancelling all outstanding loans to Stokes. GOOD RIDDANCE. @VKozlov”
And so it went:
“Klepto Kozlov must immediately cease & desist & reverse actions. Otherwise…!!! WATCHOUT @PresStokes”
“Stokes as usual issuing empty threats. Owes Russ banks more than 1 billion. A truly bankrupt president. SHAMEFUL @VKozlov”
Heads up from Stokes Watch
Stokes continues vague but violent threatens against Kozlov.
To: all Media
Urgent
The mounting hostility that the Foggy Bottom News Service reported on earlier today between the American and Russian presidents has now broken out into an open and very ugly Twitter war between the two leaders. The White House press spokesman says the American president has no idea what the issue is. But our usually reliable White House insiders tell us it is all about President Stokes appropriating $150 million from an offshore company controlled by Kozlov. They say it is a bitter business dispute between the two leaders.
True to his Texan heritage, President Stokes seems to be approaching this like a showdown between two gun slingers. The fear is that this whole affair could spiral out of control.
Meanwhile, claiming to be worried by the vitriolic exchanges being hurled between the leaders of the world’s largest nuclear powers, General Borovik quietly consulted with other top Russian military commanders. They were also aghast at the sudden unexplained escalation of tensions with the U.S.
There was some question among the officers about whether President Kozlov was still in full control of his mental faculties. There was also some very preliminary talk that the Russian military might have to act on its own. The Russian generals decided to put out confidential feelers to their American military counterparts. “Of course, we would never challenge or disobey President Kozlov,” General Borovik told the Russian officers, “but we must keep a close eye on this very dangerous situation. We can’t let it get out of control.”
“If Russian aggression continues, cannot say what the outcome will be. No cards are off the table. DANGER!! @PresStokes”
It was after that last tweet from Stokes, that Russian President Kozlov decided to up the ante. He would present his case directly to the American public. “If they knew what was going on,” he told an aide, “they would be as outraged as myself.”
Ignoring the pleas for caution from some of his staff, Kozlov ordered the Russian cyber command to enact a sophisticated maneuver they’d been perfecting for years: taking over control of America’s major TV and cable networks, as well as other key broadcasting facilities around the globe.
Thirty minutes later, having changed into a dark black suit and blue tie, the Russian president went live from his Kremlin office. In calm, measured tones, he denounced “the newest American plot against Russia.” An interpreter gave a running English translation:
“We have tried to begin a new era in our relations. But the thievery and lying of the American president make that impossible. He is now threatening more sanctions to impoverish our country. Instead, it is he who will be impoverished. He will be destroyed by our decision to cancel all outstanding Russian loans to his businesses. America, your bankrupt president will now be truly bankrupt. It is time for the American people to choose a new leader, an honest leader we can work with to bring peace and prosperity to the world.”
At the same time in London, after days of frustration, Captain Jean Swanson was triumphant. The sophisticated analysts of Britain’s GCHQ surveillance had finally come up with the solution.
She immediately called George Ramos, who headed the S-Team, the White House’s clandestine action unit. Ramos was watching dumbfounded on his office monitor as Russian president Kozlov continued his violent diatribe against President Stokes.
“This is Ramos,” he said impatiently. “What is it Swanson?”
“The Brits have located Penn’s operation,” she said.
“Jesus, it’s about time. The White House is going wild. Are you sure you’ve got the location?”
“Certain,” said Swanson. “By analyzing CCTV coverage, GCHQ were able to retrace the movements of Charlie Doyle last Friday to a mansion in West London, 51 Belgrave Place. I’m uploading a live picture of it to you right now.”
“But Friday’s two days ago,” snapped Ramos. “How are you sure that’s where Penn is operating now?”
“We’ve checked the past forty-eight hours of CCTV images covering the main entrance of the house. At 7:16 a.m. this morning, a person arrived by taxi and entered the building. He was carrying a suitcase. Here’s the image. He doesn’t have the physical appearance of Penn, but the basic eye-nose measurements are identical.”
“What about gait measurements?”
“They didn’t match Penn’s. But it’s not that difficult to fake if you know what you’re doing.”
“Go on.”
“At 8:30 a.m. another individual arrived, dressed like a man, but with the height of Sarah Levin. Here’s that image. GCHQ can’t be dead certain but her gait also seems to match Levin’s. Eye-nose measurements also the same.”
“What about electronic surveillance?” asked Ramos.
“So far we’re unable to determine what if any communications are emanating from the site. It appears to be totally shielded, like it’s the goddamned Russian Embassy or something. We’ve also checked ownership. The house belongs to Jake Pearlstein.”
“The startup billionaire?” said Ramos.
“The same.”
“Jesus H. Christ! So what are you suggesting?”
Here at last was the opportunity to shine, thought Jean, to show her superiors what she was made of. “This is the way I see it, sir,” she said. “Even if we can convince MI5 or the police to raid the place, it could lead to lengthy questioning and interrogations. There’s no way of knowing what could result.”
“So?”
“So, I say that we terminate the targets as quickly as possible. I’ve also got a good idea how we can handle any PR problems regarding collateral damage.”
“Look, Swanson. Things are in an uproar around here. Kozlov’s still laying into Stokes on the tube. We haven’t been able to regain control of the networks. Stokes is going absolutely wild. Things are falling apart at the seams.” He’s panicking, thought Jean with disgust as Ramos rushed on, his voice quavering. “The Republican leaders are peeing in their pants. We’ve got reports that there may be a military coup in the making. At this point, Belgrave Place is just a sideshow for us.”
“So what do I do?” said Jean.
“I gotta go,” said Ramos. “It’s your call.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE:
Washington, D.C.
In the Oval Office, President Stokes, switched channels on his TV monitors with mounting fury. They were all carrying Vasily Kozlov’s rant. Livid, Stokes buzzed his National Security Advisor, John Bradbury. “What the fuck is going on?” asked Stokes. “All our stations are broadcasting lies from a foreign leader attacking me, the president of the United States! Outrageous!”