What about the Prince's hotel?

Considering the two options, Alex wondered if there wasn't a better choice. "Why don't we sneak into where he is staying and do the switch there? The airport and the concert are both pretty public places, and too much could go wrong."

"We've considered that, Alex," said Mrs. Jones. "We managed to get a camera into the prince's hotel suite, and what we saw convinced us that his room is about the worst place possible to pull off the switch."

"You got a camera into his room? How did you do that? And I'd like to see the footage -- that could really help me with understanding how K'han acts and thinks."

Mrs. Jones looked troubled and glanced at Blunt. He considered Alex's question for a moment before nodding his approval to Mrs. Jones. As she made the arrangements for the video to be seen, Blunt spoke.

"What you are about to see is footage from a camera worn by one of our operatives who was posing a member of Lady Carrington's security team during a diplomatic meeting with Prince K'han."

Alex nodded. Lady Carrington was the deputy minister for the Office of Strategic Energy Cooperation.

Blunt continued. "Lady Carrington managed to get a brief meeting with the prince shortly after he arrived in town. What you are about to see begins a few moments before she and the prince arrive at the hotel suite."

With that, the monitor on Blunt's wall came to life, and Alex saw a first-person view of walking into the Royal Suite at one of London's most luxurious hotels. Even through the grainy quality of the camera, Alex was impressed by the luxury, but he also saw what concerned Mrs. Jones about the possibility of making the switch there. Even without the prince being present, there were easily a dozen people in immediate view. Alex noted several people who appeared to be security agents and an unusually-large number of young, attractive women, who did not seem to have any particular assignment readily noticeable.

Alex could tell that the operative who was wearing the secret camera had stationed himself in a position to have a good view of the room and had settled into position, awaiting the arrival of the diplomatic team. He didn't have to wait long. Soon the energy level of the room increased, and Alex knew something was happening.

Just then, the doors to the suite opened, and Alex watched the Prince stride confidently into the room with the refined Lady Carrington at his side. Several additional security agents accompanied them, making the armed presence in the room even more formidable.

“So you see, Your Highness, a partnership between our two countries would be of mutual benefit,” said Carrington as they stopped in the middle of the room.

K’han appeared somewhat bored by the conversation, and Alex detected what looked to be a mischievous gleam in the Prince’s eye before he spoke.

“What I can see is that you need our oil drilling technology, Ma’am. I’m glad you came to me, because I am the expert. I have learned to drive a shaft right where it needs to fit.” As he spoke, his eyes fell unashamedly over the woman’s body.

Carrington apparently caught the sexual reference, but held her poise as she said, “We have untapped potential for oil exploration throughout the world; the problem has been being able to access it for use.”

K’han, his eyes still roving over Carrington’s body, said, “I can help you with that. I’d like to take you on my yacht and show you my techniques in offshore drilling. I’m sure they would take your breath away and have you begging for more.”

Carrington’s face turned noticeably red as she tried to change the subject. “Perhaps we can have our people get together and begin negotiations?”

“Oh, I’m all for group efforts and teamwork. Last night I barely got any sleep because I was deeply engaged in a group project right there in that bedroom,” K’han said, gesturing toward some doors. “In fact, there are probably a few still in there right now, waiting to continue our collaborations. Would you like to join me and see me at work?”

Carrington shook off her disgust at the overt harassment and said, “Some other time, perhaps. I don’t want to keep you from your work. I hope you will give serious thought to my proposal.”

“Oh, I will,” replied K’han. “In fact, I’ll have you very much on my mind in a few minutes and will probably call out your name just as my work hits its climax.”

With that, Carrington motioned to her entourage, and they departed the suites. The last image Alex saw of the Prince showed him laughing in apparent self-satisfaction.”

“What a dick!” said Alex, as the screen went black. “Is that all he ever thinks about — how to get into someone else’s pants?” As he spoke Alex uncomfortably crossed his legs, hoping to cover the evidence of his growing erection. Admittedly, if he was in K’han’s position, he’d have a hard time not taking advantage of the opportunities.

“Now you can see the challenges of trying to make the switch at the hotel,” said Mrs. Jones. “So unless you have other ideas, we need a decision.”