“Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Burns,” Wu replied.
“Your offer is most impressive… the one regarding the H-18 Devil Dragon aircraft. While I cannot give you any details on the how, because we have not planned anything yet, I can assure you that we are grateful for your generous offer. I know it will be dangerous, and risky, and may lead to loss of life.”
Ford looked at the Deputy. “We can do it. Absolutely. We can do this, sir,” Ford said out loud with complete confidence. Ford was a forward leaning, hard charging officer, eager to fly, and most enthusiastic to fly an adversarial aircraft like this one. He would be the only American to ever pilot something like this, at these speeds, and the thought of co-stealing it with Wu thrilled him. It would be an unbelievable opportunity, not only to fly this thing, but to help Wu.
“I understand, Ford. I’m sure you both can,” the Deputy said, with the tone of a wise and older father figure, as he placed his hand on his arm.
Calvin Burns knew this was a lot to process in a short amount of time. Not only did he need some time to think, some white space to really think this through, but he valued his team’s input. The Deputy wanted to hear what they had to say out of the ear shot of Wu. He thought for a moment, and although they were under a time crunch, a few minutes chatting privately was what was needed.
“What I would like to do, Wu, if it’s ok with you, is go around the room here in Washington, DC. We have a few analysts sitting around here to support this effort, and I would like to seek their opinions. Then over to Chris, sitting there with you, then finally, Ford.”
Ford was immediately thankful that his opinion was being sought, but not a second later was taken back that they were going around the room. These are analysts! They look at things I do, and Wu does, and all they do is crunch data, maybe write a report! he thought. What is there to discuss? Make a plan and let’s do it. Let’s fly this thing out. Is there even a chance we won’t do this? These thoughts quickly went through his head.
“Ahh, yes. Yes, sir,” Wu said, sounding a bit surprised to know there were others in the room.
Wu, familiar enough with American culture, was fully aware they were going to talk about him and his proposal. He wasn’t offended, and knew he was asking a lot of the United States and of Ford. The only thing bothering him now was that he was in the Consulate for a while, and for some reason if someone was keeping tabs on his arrival time, it would potentially be an issue.
Robert immediately double checked the green light on the equipment, verifying that no outside agency or individual was attempting to tap, or penetrate, their call. He was somewhat caught up in the moment, and wanted to ensure the encryption was fully operational. The last thing they needed was the Chinese government listening in on their plan, before it even began. The light was green, and Robert let out a big breath.
The Deputy put his head down, then looked up at the group. Glancing around the room, he smiled, and nodded. He thought about the developing story and how the original tip off came from a potential missile launch. Calvin Burns has been around the block a few times, but this topped it. What the hell was going on? he said to himself. How did the Chinese get stealth jet plans, and worse yet, fly the thing, without us knowing? And over Korea and Japan for joyrides, over sovereign airspace? That took balls the size of Detroit. Damn, he thought.
“Robert, could you please mute us?” asked the Deputy, “we’ll be back with you in a few minutes, Wu and Chris.”
“Yes, sir,” Robert answered, and did as asked.
“Well, this is a rapid and unique chain of events,” standing up and putting the reading classes on his forehead. “I’ve never experienced this one before. Let’s go around the room. Be honest in your opinion, and no bull. Robert, let’s start with you,” the Deputy said. The Deputy gave off the aura that he was disappointed, that this was something they missed as a DIA organization, but was going to be a bright prospect as well.
Robert reviewed his notes on the yellow legal pad. He held a doctorate from George Mason University in Psychology, so there was no question that he did a personality profile on Wu right in the room. The hard data backed him up.
“I did the normal 25 questions to profile him, which I can dig deeper into later. Out of the gate, I do trust this guy. Ahh, Lee. I ran his voice through the software, and he’s telling the truth. I’m sure the FBI over at the Consulate did as well. Came back as negative.” Robert paused, and flipped to the second page of his notes. “He was telling the truth on his medical condition and meds, which was verified from DIA medical doctor Erin Clifton when she was with us earlier.”
“What’s your assessment on his Personality Profile? Is he capable of pulling this off?” the Deputy asked.
“Sir, I’ve got a tentative report already sketched out. Ahh, from what I heard, Wu seems to be resourceful, action oriented, and someone who is in an excellent position of responsibility. His desire to take control leads him to make things happen, and resists being labeled by peers and senior leaders. He’s a self-starter, well-educated, and well-read. The details and routine of regular flying most likely bores him, although he can review details for Devil Dragon with ease and…”
“Wait. Bored to fly, but ok for flight test?” Mark asked.
“Yup. He, ahh… most likely pushes his buddies hard, and can be a pain in the neck to an adversary. And a supervisor. Wu seems like a critical thinker, is articulate, matter-of-fact and hands-on, but in a good way. The Chinese Air Force selected him years ago as a military pilot for a reason. He just enjoys moving through life. Fast. Once a position is dull to him, he may move on to another. This may also translate to his personal life with women. I know he is single. I would also say that he may regularly rebel against the rules, which is why he came to us. He is unhappy with Communist China and their policies, so that makes sense. Wu is a… a natural leader and decision-maker, which is why I can see him as a test pilot. I say some of his main assets are that he is self-disciplined, confident and convincing.”
“Thank you, Robert. Very extensive. Anything else?’ asked the Deputy.
“All that from a conversation on VTC?” Ford asked.
Robert ignored Ford’s comments at the moment. “There is, sir. I also ran his voice through the software to see if it matched one of the pilot’s voices from RIVET JOINT. It’s a 100 % voice vocal range match.” He looked around. “Regarding pulling this off, after some careful planning, yes, I think we are a complete go, this is a go… a mission.”
“Okay, thank you, again, Robert. Emily, what do you think?” asked the Deputy, still eager to hear opinions.
“An honest self-assessment of myself is required,” she stated, already acknowledging her bias towards the situation, which was the true sign of a professional because of how close she was. “I am somewhat torn because of my relationship with Ford. Ford and I have been dating for years, sir. Would I want him to go on a clandestine mission like this, one where he may not return? No. My feelings are lukewarm because I am biased. But, I will add, that I do trust Wu Lee, not only because of this interview, but because Ford Stevens vouches for him. And certainly, I trust Ford. This mission, to me, is a one-hundred percent go. Let’s do it.”
“Alright, Emily, thank you. Dating, eh? Okay. Honest. I appreciate your opinion. Mark? You’re up.”
Mark had his Green Bay Packers hat on and turned around, sporting his five o’clock shadow that looked like a small beard. His cut-off sleeves of his green football jersey were in full display, hidden earlier from the hoodie sweatshirt he was wearing. Mark looked like he was ready to attend a fantasy football meeting, and here he was, ready to give his assessment on most likely one of the largest covert aviation operations in United States history.