A new recruit

                    Naval Intelligence Division
                          Rajah-4 Field Office

       **********EYES ONLY, AAA***************

BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION:

Agent D: So good of you to join me, Mr Drake. Care for a drink?

Drake: No thank you, I've brought my own. What's all this then?

Agent D: Mr Drake, let me first say that I am honored...

Drake: Save it. Get to the damned point. I don't have all day.

Agent D: Actually Mr Drake, you've done very little with yourself since arriving in Rajakesh. Our man says you rarely venture out of the Wellington, and when you do its to secure more contraband; and since you've indicated you have already succeeded in that endeavor, I'd say your schedule is quite open. Now that we are both clear about that, I will as you say, get to the point. (Agent lights pipe, puffs three times, sips beverage). Mr Drake, your country needs you.

Drake: Ha! I highly doubt that. Did a rhinocerous escape the London Zoo?

Agent D: No, Mr Drake. We've intercepted a message at Enigma. (Agent hands Drake File #0098905, Drake reads)

Drake: Is this what I think it is?

Agent D: It appears so. That is all East Orion Company equipment, and in quantities that forbid the supposition of theft. Look at the pictures taken by our man inside the operation. There is a traitor to the Crown working within the Company. Seems they are just waiting for the Monsoons to soften the ground. We expect them to act sometime around Christmas.

Drake: I'll have that drink, if its all the same.

Agent D: So are you with us? We know who you are, and when you are from. You may be the only one who can help us.

Drake: How so? This is a military matter, and one that I assume has been seen by men who know how this technology works far better than I.

Agent D: Its simple, really. You are the only living man with the skills necessary to complete the task that has actually lived with the Americans. What was it, Dakota?

Drake: Wyoming. Bears were bigger there, and I lived with the tribals mostly, before the Purge. I don't see how that would help matters. If you know all that then you have to know more than I can tell.

Agent D: Not as big as the Russian ones though, eh? What was it, Siberia? (Drake stares, drinks, nods)

Agent D: We don't want you to tell us about the past. We want you to tell us how they think, and how their people might react. We want you to mingle with them. You are the only Brit we know of that instinctively thinks like they do, enjoys their culture. In truth, we hope they attempt to recruit you.

Drake: And then I kill him.

Agent D: (swirls ice in glass) And then you kill him.

Drake: It'll start a war. A real war.

Agent D: We are already at war, Mr Drake. The Americans have seen to that.

Drake: Alright. I'm in.

Agent D: Excellent! I've taken the liberty of having a hundred rounds made for your rifle.

Drake: I have all the bullets I need. (Drake pats vest pocket)

Agent D: Very well then. You will be doing a great service to your...(Drake stands and leaves)

Agent D: Did you get all of that?

Agent F: Indeed sir. So what happens if they do succeed in recruiting him?

Agent D: Then we will have a very dangerous opponent, indeed.

END TRANSCRIPTION

Special Agent "D" report: Drake is in surprisingly good shape for a man his age, however you figure it. He is prone to excessive consumption and quick to violence, but he truly is the only man we can trust with this. If he can handle this matter efficiently, we are fairly certain that the boys at Enigma can intercept and obfuscate any signals coming from the Americans for long enough to give our Gyroboys a fighting chance, especially if Singh comes through with his plasma weapon. I've dispatched instructions to Ambassador Hughes to be at his estate for the holidays, but he is ignorant as to the plan. He may not like it happening literally in his back yard, but given that its either cooperation or a trial for High Treason, I am fairly certain he'll come around quickly.