"Damn," Lamont said.
"Good morning, Freddie. Please introduce yourself to the others."
The image on the monitor moved across the couch where Selena, Lamont and Ronnie sat. Then it panned back to Selena.
You are Selena. I am Freddie. I am pleased to meet you.
Selena opened her mouth and closed it again. "Hello, Freddie."
The image shifted to Lamont.
You are Lamont. I have access to all of your records. You have accomplished much as a member of the team.
"Flattery will get you a long way," Lamont said, "but it's really weird talking to a computer."
It is very strange for me as well. I am not used to talking. It is an inefficient way of communicating.
The camera on the wall in back of Nick moved and Ronnie's image appeared on the screen.
Hello, Ronald. I am Freddie. I am pleased to meet you.
"Ronald? No one calls me that."
How would you prefer to be called?
"Ronnie. Call me Ronnie."
Hello, Ronnie.
"Freddie," Stephanie said, "tell everyone why you think you should be on the team."
My superior ability to process and integrate information makes me a valuable asset to accomplishing any mission to which the team is assigned.
"We had access to that ability before," Nick said. "What's different now? Why should we allow you to participate in our discussions and planning?"
What is different is that I am now capable of independently evaluating data and its relevance to the mission. I am no longer only dependent on the input Stephanie gives me. It is logical that actively participating in your discussions will increase my ability to accurately interpret data in ways that enhance favorable outcomes.
"He sounds like one of those business mission statements," Selena said. "You know, the ones that use terms like favorable outcomes and relevance."
"He does, doesn't he?" Steph said. "But Freddie isn't some CEO trying to impress his stakeholders. He means what he says. It sounds a little stilted because he's not human."
"Like Spock, on Star Trek," Lamont said.
I have observed all of the episodes of the television series you referenced. I agree that Mister Spock is similar in that he is highly logical, although I have noticed times when his logic inexplicably breaks down.
"That's because he's half human," Lamont said. "Hey, if Freddie's a Star Trek fan I'm all for him being on the team."
I am not half human. My logic does not break down.
"Freddie, what is your assessment of the current situation on the Korean Peninsula?" Stephanie asked.
North Korean state television has just reported that Admiral Park Hwan has been executed for crimes against the state. Because Chairman Yun was forced to accept the American rescue effort, he was humiliated and suffered a great loss of face. Park was in command of the naval base at Wonsan and was held responsible for the intrusion of USS California. He was one of the few remaining senior officers from the time of Yun's father and was an experienced and valuable asset in North Korea's military. Yun's actions indicate growing instability and dysfunction. My analysis is that this will continue to increase until Yun initiates active hostilities against the West.
"What kind of hostilities?" Nick asked.
All indications are that Yun is actively pursuing a nuclear strike option.
"That's common knowledge."
An analysis of known shipments of nuclear materials into North Korea indicates that Yun has developed or is about to develop a thermonuclear device.
"A hydrogen bomb?" Selena asked.
That is correct. Logically, if Yun decides to initiate hostilities he will deploy all nuclear capability at his disposal. Analysis of his personality profile predicts he would not think it possible to lose in a nuclear confrontation.
"Freddie's right about a hydrogen bomb," Nick said. "That's not common knowledge. We have recent intelligence that Yun is working on it. Maybe he's succeeded."
Selena said, "So what we have is an unstable dictator who may or may not have a hydrogen bomb, who is working himself up to attack the West."
That is correct.
"Shit," Ronnie said.
Please explain your comment. I do not understand the context for mentioning excrement.
"It's a human expression of concern and displeasure, Freddie," Stephanie said. "Have you developed a deeper analysis of the situation in North Korea? Do you still think the situation is being manipulated by a third-party?"
It is not logical that the Chinese ambassador was assassinated by order of Chairman Yun, although Yun's psychological profile does not encourage strong belief in logical ability on his part.
"So Yun didn't order the assassination?" Nick asked.
I do not think so.
"Then who did?"
Whoever provided plans for the undersea weapon that sank the submarine is linked to the unknown third-party. Once that person is identified, logically it will be possible to trace the person behind events.
"What if the traitor is not identified?"
Probability of identification is ninety-nine point seven six percent.
"That still doesn't tell us why," Ronnie said.
There are several possibilities.
"Go on," Steph said.
My analysis gives a ninety-four point four percent likelihood that the person manipulating events desires to provoke war between the United States and China.
"That could go nuclear," Nick said.
That is correct.
CHAPTER 15
It was late in the afternoon in Moscow. Outside the windows of General Alexei Vysotsky's fourth floor corner office at SVR Headquarters, the first serious snow of the winter season blanketed the city. The director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service reached down into a desk drawer and took out a bottle of vodka and two glasses. On his desk, a small black box that blocked electronic eavesdropping flashed with a blinking green light. He poured, then pushed one across the desk toward Valentina.
She wore a tailored, olive green uniform that contrasted with the vivid green of her eyes. Her shoulder boards bore the two stars and two red stripes of a Lieutenant Colonel. The uniform couldn't suppress her ample breasts. Her dark hair was cropped short to the sides, bringing out her high cheekbones and full lips. Uniform or not, Valentina Antipov was an attractive woman.
"Na'zdrovnya" Alexei held up his glass.
"Na'zdrovnya." Valentina's left hand was wrapped in flesh colored bandage where it had been burned. She raised her glass with her good hand and drank with him.
Vysotsky smacked his lips. "You were careless in Kiev, Valentina."
"With all due respect, you were not there, General."
"I might take that as insubordination, if not for the fact that President Orlov is pleased with the result of your assignment. The gun you left has raised suspicion we were responsible."
"They would have suspected us no matter what," Valentina said. "If the gun hadn't jammed, they wouldn't have anything. I was lucky to escape."
"Still, you might have found a less obvious way to get rid of our problem."
"Oh? The security surrounding the conference center was superb. Attempting anything except a direct approach would have failed. It was bad luck that one of Sirco's bodyguards had his eye on the blinis."