Vindicated by explosive proof, Neal listened to the man’s words and knew he was no longer the outsider trying to be politically sensitive in order to be accepted. He had been proven right beyond all reasonable measure. And now the president, this man, and this entire room all knew it. Something in him gave a little and his smile changed minutely from an ingratiating one to one bordering on patronizing. He no longer needed to bend to these people; they needed to bend to him. Placing his hand on the chief of staff’s forearm, he looked the politico in the eye and interrupted the man’s calculated overture.

“Jim, you don’t mind if I call you Jim, right? Listen, I think that we should get something very clear. My team and I have been working on this for nearly a year now. We have had direct contact with the Agents, we know who they are, where they are, and what they are capable of. Now, don’t get me wrong, I appreciate your sentiment, goodness knows having the support of the government, and hopefully of other world leaders as well, in time, will be essential as we start hunting down the remaining Agents and preparing for whatever is coming next.”

Jim nodded and was about to reply but Neal pressed on, getting to the crux of his point, “But as we enter the next stage, Jim, I think it is very important you remember that you’re involved in this solely because we needed something from you. Now that this first step is complete, you are absolutely right to say that we are going to need a task force. But I think you are a bit off the mark about our level of involvement.”

Jim looked at Neal and raised his hands placatingly, “Neal, my friend, whoa. I’m not trying to say you aren’t the sole reason we were successful here today. Goodness knows I am sure I speak for the president when I say you have our deepest gratitude. There’s no reason to be defensive, Neal. Make no mistake, we’re going to need you for the next phase. You have …”

“Jim … Jim,” said Neal, his smile becoming even more patrician, “please, stop, listen to me, Jim, listen. I’m not saying for one second that we won’t be involved in the next stage. You couldn’t stop us if you tried.” Neal glanced at the colonel who was staring at him agog and fought the urge to smile as he said, “What I am trying to say, Jim, is that you were mistaken in saying we would be merely ‘involved’ with your ‘task force.’ Jim, right now you are talking to the people who are going to be in charge of that task force.”