New York City, January, 2078, Monday…

The UN commission to study the Colombian-Venezuelan problem and make recommendations found heavy going in its first days. Even though the petroleum deposits of heavy crude were the real cause of the bickering, the delegates from both countries got wrapped up in the issues surrounding their religious conflicts. Each team threatened to abandon the discussions, but Peter Cardenas kept them talking. He had long ago learned that doing so was seventy-five per cent of the battle. It was hard to go to war as long as discussions continued.

Every night Cardenas briefed Rayburn, Winters, and sometimes Delgado on what was happening at the UN. What he didn't know was that after he signed off and Winters bid farewell to the two men, Rayburn and Delgado continued the discussion. In one of these late tete-a-tetes Delgado told Rayburn to proceed with his idea to get Sergio Battaglia involved.

The rotund National Security Adviser set up the late afternoon meeting at one of his favorite spots, the campus of Catholic University. He knew its President and several professors there and often cultivated the relationships with them, figuring that was one place he could get a juicy lectureship after he retired from public office.

Thus Peter Rayburn stood waiting in the drizzle in the Metro parking lot by the university. It was not a good day to be out. But afterwards he would have dinner with Father Smith, a person, like himself, who enjoyed fine food and drink. For now he had to wait in the rain.

The things I have to do in service of my country. There was a time when public service really meant something. No more. The Federal Government has just become Big Brother to many and irrelevant to many more. Except when someone is asking for a handout. A long black limo pulled up beside him and the rear window rolled down.

"Can I offer you a ride, good sir?" asked Sergio Battaglia.

Sergio moved over and Rayburn slid into the car. He threw his umbrella on the floor. The Russian looked at it with distaste.

"You said you have news for me that you needed to tell me in person."

"Yeah. He wants to deal."

"So soon? I was just beginning to have fun stirring up those Latin boys." Battaglia examined his fingernails, wondering if he needed a manicure.

Rayburn studied his other boss. He found Sergio to be arrogant and annoying most of the time but admitted that he was very clever. He figured that he personally had an unusually high success rate in steering the man to do things that were actually good for the country, especially when there was some profit in it for Sergio.

"He's afraid they'll do something rash."