King of All I Survey
Chapter 100: The Trompowsky Attack: Make Your Decision

Chapter 100: The Trompowsky Attack: Make Your Decision

"No one wants war," Vargas replied evenly, meeting Arroyo’s stare head on.

Arroyo smiled, "Another answer that could be made by anyone with or without a direct affiliation to the parties we are discussing." Arroyo’s smile faded.

"I have given you some valuable information Mr. Vargas. I have told you very specifically that several encrypted servers used by the CIA are compromised and can be traced. I have given you one specific call that was so traced through those servers to the precise locations of the intended recipients. That alone is enough to convince your agency to keep you here. As I have outlined, I have enough evidence to bring before the United Nations and The Organization of American States to prove the US government directed a military assault on civilians in my country for the purposes of fomenting unrest or even rebellion. Do I make myself clear?"

"I understand the situation, but you don’t seem inclined to pursue that avenue. What are you suggesting?"

"I would like to help the CIA root out what must be a rogue element of corrupt or at least independently acting agents and higher level officers. I would like to think we share common cause in that desire."

"I think the agency would frown upon any outside investigation into its members, communications, or activities regardless of the circumstances," Vargas stated flatly.

"Yes, I’m sure you’re right. Nevertheless, I will share what information I have, though not its sources. I will leave the apprehension and disposition of the criminals to the United States, so long as I have evidence that they are removed from their positions and punished for attempted murder, conspiracy to commit terrorist acts, attempting to overthrow my government, and a dozen or more other crimes for which I will provide evidence. I don’t know whether it’s your policy to have public trials for such individuals, but under the circumstances, I will need to see some evidence that they have received justice, to assuage any lingering concerns that this was an official United States action against my sovereign nation."

"I don’t..." Vargas began, but Arroyo quickly interrupted.

"Just present this information to your chain of command as per agency policy. You may share anything I have said here today. Also, relay that I have the eleven participants of the military incursion in custody, alive and unharmed. They will remain incarcerated and well cared for. I will look very unfavorably upon any attempts to free them... or to silence them. I will give your agency some time to figure out how to respond to this information, but I expect any and all interference in my country to cease immediately. Your people can try to ’make friends’ and offer advice, I don’t care about that. But any acts of violence or incitement will have commensurate consequences, as will any attempts to acquire or destroy information that I may have regarding any aspect of this incident. I have no intent to share it or use it for any purpose except to stop any intended violence against my people."

Arroyo leaned back in his chair, "That is all I have to say for now, Mr. Vargas. This file is a gift to show my good will. It contains the photos of all eleven of the terrorists, the location at which at least several of them trained, names and backgrounds. The file includes details of the traced phone call from inside our meeting to its end destinations. Note that this means we can see and pinpoint anyone who accesses the servers which were used to hide it and make it available. I will say the list of people using those servers is quite long. Now, I will be happy to answer any questions you might have, within limits."

Vargas took a moment to consider. "How did you get this information?"

"No, that is not within the limits. I will say this: we did not receive it or any guidance from any other national intelligence agency or indeed any outside governmental source at all. We are not in league with the Russians or the Chinese or any other countries that would compromise United States interests," Arroyo answered.

"I see," Vargas said considering what to ask without revealing too much. "Are the supposed contractors American citizens? Can the embassy send someone to talk to them?"

"You have their identities in the file. You may not speak to them, but if you have specific questions for them, I can have my people ask them and relay the answers." Arroyo smiled knowing that it would be unlikely since any such attempts at communication could not be kept private.

Vargas knew it too, he smirked. "You know, of course, that Camal de Leon is a vicious and ruthless criminal. I would not trust him."

"I know his history," Arroyo replied, his obvious disdain for Rafael evident in his tone and on his face. "Nevertheless, he also has conditional amnesty and remains a protected Guatemalan citizen. He should not be targeted in any way."

Vargas nodded and began thumbing through the documents in the file. One page caught his attention, and he read it in detail. He looked up at Arroyo when he finished.

Arroyo smiled broadly, "If that is the page I think it is, consider it a bonus. It and the following pages show the precise locations of all hidden listening or video capture devices within any US embassy around the globe. As you can see, we are quite good at finding them. Therefor, it would be pointless for you to leave the small radio transmitter attached to the left side of your belt in this building as you planned."

Vargas was disciplined enough not to reach toward or even glance in the direction of his belt and the tiny clandestine device hidden there.

"There might be those in some agencies who would find your ability to detect such things, if this list proves accurate, to be a threat in itself. Or those who might feel a need to acquire the methodology for their own use," Vargas said as if it were a casual observation about a complete stranger he noticed on the street.

"Those people would be unwise to pursue the matter and risk alienating a friend who is providing them with such valuable information, while keeping their secrets in complete confidence," Arroyo replied.

"Another implied threat?" Vargas asked.

"No, simple friendly advice about the relative wisdom of making certain choices," Arroyo countered.

Vargas looked at the file, and shook his head slightly, "This is a start, but I’ll need more..."

Arroyo laughed. "I asked you not to lie to me, Mr. Vargas. What you mean to say is you want to see how much more you can get as dictated by your department guidelines. As yet, you have offered nothing in return, and your agency is suspected of trying to murder hundreds of my citizens while blaming me." Suddenly, Arroyo’s face and tone hardened into a menacing growl, "The fact that I don’t burn it all to the ground is all the ’more’ you’re going to get until you show me that your agency heads are not complicit. Call me at the number on the inside cover of the folder, whenever you have something to say or to ask, my secretary will put you through without delay... on a truly secure line. Have a good day, Mr. Vargas. A car is waiting outside to take you back to the embassy."

Arroyo stood and offered a handshake. Vargas took it, hesitantly.