Lovel. “It’s a good bill.”
“Thank you,” said Zen. “Thank you, Ms. President.”
Zen nodded at Secretary of State Alistair Newhaven and National Security Advisor Michael Blitz, who were seated in a semicircle in front of the President’s desk. Zen wheeled himself next to Newhaven, while Black joined the aides near the side of the room.
“Have you heard anything about Senator Osten?” asked the President. “His staff told us he was taken to the hospital as a precaution.”
“That’s more information than I have,” said Zen. “I only just heard that he had a heart attack.”
Todd nodded grimly. Before she could say anything else, her phone buzzed.
“That should be General Danker,” said the President. “I’ll put him on speaker.”
Danker was the American representative to NATO. He was currently in Germany, touring facilities there. Zen had met the Army general when he was an aide to the Joint Chiefs of Staff a decade and a half before. Danker was more a politician than a tactician, which made him perfect for the NATO post.
Zen watched the others as they exchanged small talk with the general. Each had a different style and personality. Blitz leaned forward in his chair, eyes squinting slightly, a very serious look on his face even as he asked the general how his wife was. Newhaven fidgeted—he always fidgeted. Lovel was his usual easygoing self, making a joke about German beer.
President Todd, meanwhile, seemed impatient—also completely in character.
“So—the NATO meeting in Kiev,” she said, bringing the brief how-are-ya session to an end. “Can we have an update on it?”
“The Russians oppose it, of course,” said Newhaven, launching into a brief recap of the political situation.
Russia had long opposed Ukraine’s addition to NATO. They were not politically in a position to do much about it—with the drop in energy prices, the Russian economy had slumped to its lowest state since the collapse of the Soviet Union. But they certainly weren’t happy about it.
“There’s intelligence that they might attempt to disrupt the sessions,” said Newhaven. “Very good intelligence.”
“I would say that physical threats to the participants cannot be ruled out,” said Blitz. “They should be expected.”
“I concur,” said General Danker over the speakerphone.
They discussed the threats briefly. Such intelligence reports and warnings were much more common than people thought, but the fact that this had been connected to a legitimate government made it unusual. Still, there was no chance that NATO would call off the meeting, or that any of the members, including the U.S., would decline to attend. Terrorist-type threats had become an unfortunate fact of life in the post–9/11 era.
President Todd moved the discussion back to the importance of having Ukraine join NATO. She saw Russia’s objections as a sign that the policy was a good one, though not everyone in Congress agreed. That was an important issue, since the new NATO membership would be part of a revision to the NATO charter and subject to Senate ratification.
“Senator Osten’s illness could be a major problem for us,” she said. “He was scheduled to be at the conference. If he’s had a heart attack, I’m afraid that will complicate matters.”
“Someone from the committee will go,” said Zen. “It may even be me.”
Todd pressed her lips together. “Senator?”
“I’m next in line. And I’m the only other one who supports the measure on the committee. In our party, anyway.”
“It would be helpful if you attended, and then were able to persuade your colleagues upon your return,” said the President.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been to Kiev,” said Zen.
“There will be impeccable security,” said Danker over the phone.
“I’m not worried,” said Zen.
8
Rome, Italy
N uri felt the weight of Frau Gerste’s sigh all the way to Rome.
He also felt the weight of Gregor’s shoulder, as they
“Thank you,” said Zen. “Thank you, Ms. President.”
Zen nodded at Secretary of State Alistair Newhaven and National Security Advisor Michael Blitz, who were seated in a semicircle in front of the President’s desk. Zen wheeled himself next to Newhaven, while Black joined the aides near the side of the room.
“Have you heard anything about Senator Osten?” asked the President. “His staff told us he was taken to the hospital as a precaution.”
“That’s more information than I have,” said Zen. “I only just heard that he had a heart attack.”
Todd nodded grimly. Before she could say anything else, her phone buzzed.
“That should be General Danker,” said the President. “I’ll put him on speaker.”
Danker was the American representative to NATO. He was currently in Germany, touring facilities there. Zen had met the Army general when he was an aide to the Joint Chiefs of Staff a decade and a half before. Danker was more a politician than a tactician, which made him perfect for the NATO post.
Zen watched the others as they exchanged small talk with the general. Each had a different style and personality. Blitz leaned forward in his chair, eyes squinting slightly, a very serious look on his face even as he asked the general how his wife was. Newhaven fidgeted—he always fidgeted. Lovel was his usual easygoing self, making a joke about German beer.
President Todd, meanwhile, seemed impatient—also completely in character.
“So—the NATO meeting in Kiev,” she said, bringing the brief how-are-ya session to an end. “Can we have an update on it?”
“The Russians oppose it, of course,” said Newhaven, launching into a brief recap of the political situation.
Russia had long opposed Ukraine’s addition to NATO. They were not politically in a position to do much about it—with the drop in energy prices, the Russian economy had slumped to its lowest state since the collapse of the Soviet Union. But they certainly weren’t happy about it.
“There’s intelligence that they might attempt to disrupt the sessions,” said Newhaven. “Very good intelligence.”
“I would say that physical threats to the participants cannot be ruled out,” said Blitz. “They should be expected.”
“I concur,” said General Danker over the speakerphone.
They discussed the threats briefly. Such intelligence reports and warnings were much more common than people thought, but the fact that this had been connected to a legitimate government made it unusual. Still, there was no chance that NATO would call off the meeting, or that any of the members, including the U.S., would decline to attend. Terrorist-type threats had become an unfortunate fact of life in the post–9/11 era.
President Todd moved the discussion back to the importance of having Ukraine join NATO. She saw Russia’s objections as a sign that the policy was a good one, though not everyone in Congress agreed. That was an important issue, since the new NATO membership would be part of a revision to the NATO charter and subject to Senate ratification.
“Senator Osten’s illness could be a major problem for us,” she said. “He was scheduled to be at the conference. If he’s had a heart attack, I’m afraid that will complicate matters.”
“Someone from the committee will go,” said Zen. “It may even be me.”
Todd pressed her lips together. “Senator?”
“I’m next in line. And I’m the only other one who supports the measure on the committee. In our party, anyway.”
“It would be helpful if you attended, and then were able to persuade your colleagues upon your return,” said the President.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been to Kiev,” said Zen.
“There will be impeccable security,” said Danker over the phone.
“I’m not worried,” said Zen.
8
Rome, Italy
N uri felt the weight of Frau Gerste’s sigh all the way to Rome.
He also felt the weight of Gregor’s shoulder, as they
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