Robert Smith - The Planner

“And if you were looking real hard?” pressed Planner.

Paris interrupted, “This is why we are not using US-made nano-materials. We are using explosives from France. It would be as good as untraceable.”

“France?” asked Bates amazed.

“Yes, the French,” said Paris with some Gallic pride, “through their space programme, the Arianne Five, have become the world leaders in nano-material technology since nano-materials are also used for solid rocket propellants.”

“So the material can be traced back to the French? Won’t that be a bit awkward? Diplomatically?” asked Planner.

Venice made a balancing gesture, “This is part of Operation Stage C. We appreciate that each nano-material is unique and can be traced back to its factory of origin, so we will be destroying the factory.”

“What? Isn’t that even worse? Diplomatically!” spluttered Bates.

Paris shrugged. “Already covered. And in any case, they needed a new fabrication plant… it had constrained capacity. The site is shared with a fertiliser company, the explosion will look like it originated there and will be blamed on the Middle East. 87”

Cowboy added, “The point I’d like to make is… that we have considered Stage C and Stage C has affected our methods. We are leaving no stone unturned.”

Casino also added, “And we have contingency plans, as you’d expect for any Psychological Operation.”

Sinatra tapped on the white board, “I can show you the scripts of the TV newscasts we’re proposing both for BE2 and the documentary follow-ups. We have the drafts of the academic papers just here. We’re very serious about selling the story.”

“I don’t doubt the effort you’ve expended. I just think the objectives are… dubious.”

Casino had repressed some irritation in his voice, “A good point and while we could spend some time assuring you the objectives are worthy, we’re not here to discuss that aspect, ok? Just overlaps and clashes. Now… have we briefed you sufficiently, Mr Planner?”

Planner leant back and considered his response. “I need to analyse the timelines… and get back to you. I may have further questions.” Planner paused and Las Vegas team sat back, almost as-one with self satisfaction, waiting for a further response.

After what seemed like a long span, but was in fact, only a few seconds, Planner asked “Who’s organising the demolitions itself? Can I talk to whoever it is?”

Cowboy said, “Of course. That would be Mr Digger; a very diligent man. I’ll get him to call you.”

“That’ll be great. Thanks,” said Planner.

“When you can, please send the documentary and news scripts over to me,” added Bates.

“No problem,” beamed Sinatra.

* * * *

Planner and Bates were in the Hotel Bar discussing baseball; Bates was a Yankees fan and Planner preferred the Red Sox. They both agreed that the schedules that year was unbalanced, and the two teams were playing each other far too many times.

Planner received a text message from Katherine, it read “Sorry can’t make tonight either. Next week, perhaps?”

The conversation went quiet and Bates noting Planner’s grimace, decided to raise the subject of the previous meeting. “You appear to be remarkably quiet about the Las Vegas meeting. There’s a lot of issues there. Yet you seemed to be in such a rebellious mood beforehand too.”

“Hmm, I don’t really want to think about it,” sighed Planner. “Another case where they are not exactly Keeping It Simple. They were prepared for us. Too prepared. It seems they were expecting some push-back. Very slick. Did you notice how quickly they mentioned their top level cover in their pitch. I think we were being managed.”

“You may be right,” said Bates.

“Fucking dirty job we have. I’m not up to talking about it at the moment,” Planner finished his drink and glanced at the TV on the bar.

“Ok” said Bates.

“Anyway I have a phone call to make,” said Planner and rose from his seat.

“Planner, before you go,” said Bates gently, “I was thinking. It might be best, for the team, if we continue to include within the schedule, the advanced warning plan.” Bates was referring to the advanced warning of the attack on the twin towers discussed within the team to reduce collateral damage.

“But do something different on the day?” queried Planner.

“No, I’ll have the warning call directed to one of our own guys,” suggested Bates.

“A fake call to a fake recipient?” said Planner with half a smile.

“Well if you have a better idea,” shrugged Bates. “If we change the plan the team will find out soon enough. It may dampen morale.”

“You’ll sort that out?” asked Planner.

“Sure.”

“Ok. Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow,” said Planner and left.

* * * *

Inside his hotel room, Planner inserted a new Sim-Card into his cell phone and dialled a number.

“It’s Robert.”

“Ah, Robert. I hear you’ve been having some productive meetings,” said the Lodge Master smoothly.

Planner wondered how he knew that. “I’ve reviewed all the operations except one,” said Planner. “Planning is well advanced in each one I’ve reviewed, although I feel that collectively there may be an issue.”

“Hmm. This is more of your Loose Ends, Robert?”

“I feel we are pushing into new territory in the complexity of the story we are weaving. We may be pushing various credibility barriers. It might generate resistance and discontent.”

“I understand, Robert,” soothed the Lodge Master. “We have identified a range of scenarios for the aftermath and have contingency plans for each. Take, for example, your point about the story not being believed leading to a backlash, a revolution even. Who do we really have to persuade? Everybody? No, that’s not going to happen. You know, and I know, that many people will see through the magic trick we have arranged. No, the only people we have to persuade are the Police and the Military and they get their opinions from the papers and TV and we control those channels.”

“Indeed, Most Worshipful Master, but information is not controlled solely by these channels anymore,” said Planner humbly.

“We’ve never relied just on the Press. I presume you appreciate our COINTELPRO 88will ensure that we seed opposition groups with our men. To tackle the inevitable Conspiracy Theories,” he chuckled, “that will arise, we will flood channels with obviously our opinions and outlandish fake stories.”

“Disinformation 89?” suggest Planner.

“Indeed. If they reject our version of events then we’ll say that aliens did it.”

“Right,” replied Planner with half a laugh, realising the remark was a joke, but it was not very funny considering the number of times covert aircraft projects had been deliberately linked by the CIA to aliens from outer space. “So in other words, leave it to Stage C operations.”

“Indeed. I’m surprised, Robert, that I have to go over such matters with you.”

“I beg your worshipful master’s pardon. In my previous operations I had full control of the means and investigative control.”

“I do understand, Robert. However, our mission is clear. And we can manage the loose ends. We plan to manage those loose ends nicely… we’d all much prefer that way… but we can lose the kid-gloves, a much more unpleasant societal outcome. But it has to happen, otherwise a far more terrible future awaits America, you have to trust me on that. I presume you realise there are reasons why it has to happen this way and no other? Each objective for each mission leads to a higher-level goal set out by the COG. These goals can only be achieved using the plan enacted as it has been laid out.”