Robert Smith - The Planner

Planner sipped his water. He looked at his watch, grunted and then looked back at Bates, “Remind me to go over every single back story and operations phase C. We have to have a tight control on the legends. And control the news stories. We have time to develop this and manage the news later.”

“Ok,” said Bates.

“So what’s next?”

“The Next Stop?” recalled Bates. “That’ll be Operation GI Joe. It’s in this building, Department of Defense. You’ve probably walked past their office to get here.”

“Ok,” said Planner. “Let’s Roll!”

* * * *

The officer introduced as Joe, was in mid-thirties, military hair cut, but wearing an ill-fitting, off-the-peg, gray suit. The suit fitted poorly because his bulging muscle physique, as expected from someone that trained for special operations all his working life. Around his thick neck, he had many different access passes attached to his lanyard. He stood at a white board where he had drawn a rough plan of Pentagon. Bates and Planner were in chairs facing him.

“So as you know,” Joe boomed, in a formal military style. “The primary objective of Operation GI-Joe is the destruction of the DoD’s Financial Audit operations, including those being conducted by the Office of Naval Intelligence and Army. This is mandated by the COG and is required to cover the tracks of all other operations. 35”

“So all the budgets for BE2 are being funnelled through the DoD 36?” asked Planner.

“Yes, Sir. We’re all using DoD budgets,” Joe replied crisply. He pointed to the Pentagon plan, “The secondary objective is the destruction of the Naval Command Center. This is to inhibit the use of Navy aircraft in any air defence.”

Planner exchanged glances with Bates with a nod.

Joe continued, “The Army Audit department 37, ONI, Naval Command Center 38and computers are currently being re-housed in the refurbished wedge of the Pentagon currently being undertaken by AMEC. Here. Wedge one.”

“How many other departments will be there?” asked Planner.

“This part of the building is mainly empty. I believe the list of new occupants are mainly Navy Departments. Remaining departments of the ONI, for example, will be likely to move in over the summer.”

“Unfortunate,” mused Planner. “Any chance of slowing down the move? Delay the internal decoration, for example?”

“We have that under consideration, Sir,” Joe reported. “However, since the targets are computer systems, with advanced warning, we will be able to evacuate and have very few casualties.”

Planner nodded his approval.

Joe switched over to a powerpoint slide which listed the operational options. Joe continued his report, “Currently we have two main options for taking this area out: (a) drone airliner aircraft crash or (b) manual airliner aircraft fly-over. For either option, we ensure target destruction with either a missile or a bomb… or both. Ok, technically, six options. And there are sub-options for option (a), we can either have an actual 757 drone or smaller craft such as Global Hawk, with a suitable paint job.”

“Supported by witness testimony?” asked Planner.

“Right. Covering all possibilities. We can pick and choose the witness testimony to suit.”

“And we’re able to plant bombs inside the Pentagon?” asked Planner.

“Yes. AMEC is the contractor on site at the moment, renovating the building at the point of impact 39.”

“And any fly-over aircraft would land immediately?” asked Planner.

Joe returned to the map and points to the runway behind the Pentagon in-line with the attack route. “Yes, there’s a little-used runway at Reagan Airport just behind the Pentagon where the aircraft would land.”

“What sort of evacuation warning time do we need?” asked Planner.

“Probably about ten minutes. That’s a reasonable time for a building evacuation.”

“So what’s you’re preferred option?” Bates asked Planner.

“I’m undecided at the moment,” said Planner. “We will need precision explosives inside the building to ensure the destruction of the computers and the data. But what about data back-ups? All the financial data would be archived and backed-up and held elsewhere, right? Do you know where the back-up tapes are stored?”

“For the DoD Financial Audit?” Joe said and finally started smiling. “You’ll like this: the data back-ups are stored in the World Trade Center. 40”

“Oh perfect,” said Bates.

* * * *

Returning back to the CIA Offices, the device controlling the lock into the CIA Offices failed to accept either Planner’s or Bates’ swipe card. They could hear the sound of drills and saws.

“Building work,” sighed Bates.

“Apparently”, agreed Planner.

“So what did you think of GI Joe?” mused Bates.

“I think he needed a scar across his face to really look the part,” joked Planner.

“I hadn’t registered that until you mentioned it,” laughed Bates vigorously.

Planner walked to a water cooler close by, and drank more water. “We’re back on track, now, I feel,” he said when he returned. “If you are up to it, can you clear up the Phase C for GI Joe? We didn’t really cover that. I’m thinking about CCTV coverage and witnesses: Less is more for this target, I think.”

“OK, got it,” said Bates, still chuckling from Planner’s joke.

“Blame it on security.” Looking at his watch, Planner said, “And can you check with Nicholas about the Naval Command Center? OK, I’m going to check into the hotel and take some aspirin.”

“Sure. Headache?”

“This whole thing is a headache. But yes, I think this is wearing me down. I need a whisky and a movie.”

“That’s a good idea. Have you seen Gladiator yet?”

“I heard that was good.”

Bates mimicked Russell Crowe, “On my command, unleash hell!”

“Funny,” said Planner, not amused. “When you get inside, can you send my luggage over?”

Feeling refreshed, the next morning Planner was in the hotel breakfast room, reading about the latest analysis on the US-China incident in the newspaper, when a familiar businesswoman popped into view at a 45 degree angle.

“Smithy!?”

Planner lowered his newspaper. “Why”, Planner spluttered, “Ms Smith!”

Katherine pulled a face in response and silently mouthed her name with a nod.

“It’s good to see you. What a surprise. What are you doing here?” enthused Planner.

“I stay here three nights a week,” said Katherine with a smile. “My office is just there.” She points out to the World Trade Centre Plaza.

Planner cannot conceal his shock. “You work there! In the towers?”

“Ninety Fifth floor. North tower,” she said hunching her shoulders. “Good job I’ve a head for heights as well as figures. So what brings you here?”

“Well, I’m in WTC7,” said Planner biting his lip.

“Hey,” said Katherine, in surprise. “That’s where the Security and Exchange Commission is?!”

“I know that now. I didn’t know that yesterday,” laughed Planner.

They both chuckled.

“You never see what’s staring you straight in the face!” observed Katherine

“Too true,” agreed Planner. Quickly looking around, Planner asked, “So have you had breakfast? Do you want to join me?”

“Well…” smiled Katherine, a fake smile, crinkling her nose.

“You have to go?” Planner said.

“I’m actually running late. I’ve got an early morning meeting. About you-know-what,” Katherine said merrily but taking a step backwards.

“The Jerks?” asked Planner standing up.

“Right. They have playing musical chairs at the top of the organization. We’re trying to work out what they are doing. So… sorry, um. Nice to see you again. Perhaps another time?”