‘Data and meaning,’ repeated Caitlin. ‘It’s all about frame of reference. General Musso?’

The de facto ambassador shook his head. He did not look happy.

‘Mr McCutcheon, this is disturbing on so many levels,’ he began. ‘Firstly, on the face of it, I agree with you that what you have uncovered should be of some concern. However, I am also disturbed by the way in which it was uncovered. You’ve spoken a number of times this morning of the need to repair relations between Seattle and Fort Hood. Now, one of the reasons that relations have come to the present sorry state is because of Governor Blackstone’s insistence on running a virtual shadow state down here. Duplicating our capabilities, usurping the federal government’s prerogatives, abrogating agreements signed in good faith, and bending us over for an ass fucking with malice – for no reason other than the Governor’s unseemly enjoyment of fucking the President in the ass whenever the mood should take him.’

Righteous indignation was turning to genuine anger.

‘Did it ever occur to you or Governor Blackstone that by running your own foreign intelligence service, you could potentially be crossing over with legitimate operations of the National Intelligence Agency, or any of the service intelligence agencies, or Echelon or allied agencies, with whom, I both hope and presume, you would have no formal or informal liaison arrangements?’

If he meant to unsettle or intimidate McCutcheon, he failed. Blackstone’s aide waved off the attack.

‘We took our concerns to Seattle and they blew us off,’ McCutcheon replied. ‘I can understand that. The President has a lot more to worry about than half-a-dozen wrinkled old fascists coming out of retirement to dance the Macarena for Roberto. But we are a lot closer to what we perceive as a growing problem down here and, granted, we don’t have national responsibilities to divert us. Governor Blackstone is a big believer in self-sufficiency. This is a problem. We decided in the first instance to look into it ourselves. We decided it’s bigger and more complicated than even we imagined, so we’re kicking it upstairs to the big boys. We figured you’d be happy about that. It’s a growth experience for us. We’re learning to let go and trust you.’

‘Oh, spare me . . .’

‘Gentlemen, please. I don’t know how many times I have to say the politics are irrelevant. At least for the moment. Can we at least agree that we’ll deal with this as quickly as possible?’

‘So you’re on board for the big win?’ asked McCutcheon, sounding hopeful.