Cyber Attack (9 page)

WHO IS RUNNING THINGS?

Naturally, the comedians throughout the classroom had their opinions. Muffled voices volunteered answers ranging from a shadow government to wealthy elitists to ancient aliens. Sarge suspected all of the above had a role in the world’s affairs.

“Miss Crepeau, we started with you this semester and we will allow you the first opinion on this topic,” said Sarge.

“Professor, follow the money,” said Michelle Crepeau, a veteran of Sarge’s lectures. “Wealth provides a tool to improve your bargaining position in any negotiation, at any level. Money represents power and control.”

“This is quite the pessimistic view of the world’s wealthy,” said Sarge. “Aren’t there wealthy individuals who are philanthropic—therefore doing noble deeds with their excesses?”

“That is true,” replied Miss Crepeau. “But everyone has an agenda and the ultra-wealthy are in a better position to shape opinions.”

Sarge saw a number of heads nod throughout the room. Over the past year, Miss Crepeau, articulate and attractive, had gained a tremendous amount of respect in the Kennedy School of Government. Sarge looked forward to following her career path.

“Miss Crepeau makes an interesting point, and if you were paying attention, she added some nuance to her response,” said Sarge. “Did you notice she used the qualifier
ultra-wealthy
? Miss Crepeau, why did you add this to your statement?”

“Professor, there are many millionaires in the world,” said Miss Crepeau. “I don’t believe they have the ability to shape opinion on a national scale, much less international agendas. The ultra-wealthy have the ability to buy the equivalent of most nations’ gross domestic product. They have the resources to pay off our national debt. Someone with that much money either uses it to gain more, or to wield power and exert control over others.”

“The world’s ultra-wealthy use their resources in many ways,” said Sarge. “They participate in a vast network of secret societies, think tanks and charitable organizations to advance their agendas. They have the ability to control public perception through their ownership of the media and their dominance over a nation’s education system. They are able to influence the affairs of nations via their funding of political campaigns.” Sarge paused to catch his breath and to command their attention for the main point.

“Finally, this control ultimately provides them the ability to impact the operations of the leaders in global governance—the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization. When you consider the big picture, global governance is a people business and the power of money controls the agenda.”
Let’s identify the evil ultra-wealthy and see if any familiar names pop up.

“Who are the ultra-wealthy?” asked Sarge. He pointed to Mr. Lin, who was originally identified as shy by Sarge but broke out of his shell on the second question of day one.

“The tech giants lead the way, sir,” responded Lin. “The names Bill Gates, Larry Ellison, Jeff Bezos of Amazon, and the nouveau riche Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook.”

“Do you believe these individuals are part of the world’s power brokers?” asked Sarge.

“Not really. I believe they are too high profile to get involved in behind-the-scenes policy-making,” replied Lin.

“Not shadowy enough for you, Mr. Lin?” asked Sarge. “I’m guessing only the cloak-and-dagger ultra-wealthy stick their noses in global affairs. Does anyone else believe this?” Sarge saw a few hands pop up, but he chose Nikolas Dukakis, son of the former governor and presidential candidate Michael Dukakis.

“I don’t know about the cloak-and-dagger aspect, sir,” said Dukakis. “Wealthy individuals have plenty of minions to distribute their resources. They may use their banking or investment houses. They may enlist their subordinates in their multinational corporations to advance their goals.”
The answer to this question should be enlightening
.

“Mr. Dukakis, you heard Lin’s list,” said Sarge. “Do you have a list illustrative of your theory?”

“I do. I’d include, based on the most recent Forbes richest people list, the Walton family of Walmart fame, the casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, and the Koch brothers.”

“All republicans,” said Sarge.

“Naturally,” responded Dukakis. The room filled with laughter.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

“Without arguing which of the ultra-wealthy individuals in the world use their resources for good,
or evil
, as Mr. Dukakis seems to imply, I believe we can all agree their influence on world organizations is far greater than ours,” said Sarge.
Let’s see who has been paying attention
.

“Mr. Ocampo,” began Sarge, “earlier this semester we discussed the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944. We identified the participation of the United States as an important step in the advancement of global governance. Who were the driving forces behind the conference and what did they hope to accomplish?”

“John Maynard Keynes and Harry Dexter White were considered the founding fathers of the World Bank and the International Monetary fund,” said Marcos Ocampo, the grandson of a former high-ranking United Nations official. “The stated purpose of the World Bank and the IMF was the reduction of world poverty.”

“Hard to argue with such a lofty goal,” said Sarge sarcastically.

“True, and consistent with the beliefs of Keynes and White,” continued Mr. Ocampo. “Keynes was a believer in government intervention in the economy to maintain a proper balance between the needs of consumers and goods produced. Mr. White was accused of disclosing military secrets to the Soviet Union during World War II. I believe their world view translated into the working apparatus of the IMF and the World Bank.”

“So you believe politics plays a role in the two most important financial institutions on the world stage?” asked Sarge.

“Undoubtedly,” replied Ocampo. “In addition, both institutions are dominated by a small number of powerful countries who choose the leadership through a largely political process.”

“It seems Ocampo and Dukakis have a difference of opinion on who is running things, in part based upon politics,” said Sarge. “Perhaps the statement my rich and powerful guy is better than your rich and powerful guy is apropos—right, gentlemen?”

“He has more on his bench than I do,” replied Dukakis.

Sarge laughed.
You’d be surprised
.

“What about the United Nations?” asked Sarge. “Although established in Europe as part of the post-World War reconstruction effort, it was quickly moved to New York City on land owned by the Rockefeller family. David Rockefeller wrote in his memoirs the Rockefeller family stands guilty of conspiring with others around the world to build a more integrated global political and economic structure—
one world, if you will
.”

Sarge walked through the classroom and looked intently at his students.
Who among you will lead?

He changed the slide.

WHO IS RUNNING THINGS?

NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM

“The reverse side of the Great Seal of the United States features the Eye of Providence and this Latin phrase—
novus ordo seclorum
,” said Sarge. “This is translated literally as
new order of the ages
. Some historians believe the phrase signifies the beginning of the new American era as of the date of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Others, through a mistranslation, read the phrase as
new world order
. When David Rockefeller proposed a one-world, integrated global structure, led by the UN, IMF and the World Bank, do you think he envisioned a new American era envisioned by our Founding Fathers or a
new world order
that controls the institutions dominating global governance today?

“One thing I believe we will all agree upon,” said Sarge. “The rich and powerful are big believers in the ends justify the means. The power brokers in the world have an agenda and will not hesitate to use their wealth to accomplish their purposes.”

Ahh, conspiracy. It’s good to be a tenured professor for life. They can’t fire me
.

Chapter 16

May 24, 2016

The Aegis Team

ICE High Speed Train

Between Zurich, Switzerland and Frankfurt, Germany

Steven was surprised Control would send the team into Switzerland so soon after their very public gunfight in Lausanne last February. Following the shooting, his team cautiously abandoned their Range Rover across from the Hotel Lausanne and found their high-speed ride waiting for them at the Ouchy Marina. Afterwards, the guys were quiet, as is often the case when a mission required the loss of life. Then again, it might have been their concern the mission would be disavowed by blowing his team out of the water with the Semtex provided in their backpacks.

A few days after the Lausanne debacle, he spoke with Drew Jackson, code name Slash, about the incident. Slash was pretty vocal about the mission’s intent, but like every good soldier, he accomplished his mission and came home alive—rules number one and two. His instincts were impeccable, and after the kills, he was the first to voice concern about the targets being spies rather than terrorists as represented by Control. Steven and Slash talked it through and agreed to put it behind them.

Slash had been a part of the Aegis Team as long as Steven. It was Slash who suggested Steven adopt the code name Nomad. Steven’s first inclination was the accepted definition, which included a person who doesn’t stay in the same place for long, such as a wanderer or traveler. While it was true Steven hadn’t been married and spent most of his time between Sarge’s place and the
Miss Behavin’
docked at Marblehead, he told Slash the tag name Nomad just didn’t seem to fit.

Slash had a different definition, which fit Steven perfectly. Slash explained NOMAD was an acronym—
None Of My Actions Detected
. During his years with SEAL Team Ten, Steven was described as catlike, silent and
moves like a ghost
. Despite his muscular frame, he was adept at moving through any structure without detection by his prey. He was a flawless assassin.

It was just before five local time when Steven settled into the plush leather seating of the first-class compartment. The Deutsche Bahn Intercity Express, or ICE, was a high-speed train connecting major cities across Germany with other major European destinations. The trip to Frankfurt would take about four hours, giving him time to spend some rare personal time with his team.

Slash was the first to find him. The men shook hands and sat down. Typically, these two longtime friends would chest bump in a hearty bro-mance sort of way, but it would be out of place for Europe.

“Hey, buddy,” said Steven. “Switzerland is our new home away from home.”

“It appears so, although the terrain isn’t that different from our place in Tennessee,” said Slash. “I see lots of fishin’ and huntin’ opportunities out there.” Slash grew up on his parents’ farm atop the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee about halfway between Nashville and Knoxville. His parents were retired and spent their days farming while raising ducks, rabbits and some livestock. While other kids spent their free time on PlayStation, Slash grew up in the woods, learning survival skills. During his time with the SEAL Teams, he earned a reputation as an expert in close-quarters combat, especially using a variety of knives—hence the nickname Slash.

“Beats the fuck out of the desert, doesn’t it?” asked Steven. After his service ended, Slash tried a few different security outfits like Blackwater, protecting the Saudi royal family or standing guard outside some safe house in Oman. “I’m not saying the desert won’t call us back someday, but I’ll take the Swiss cheese and German chocolate over shawarma and falafel every friggin’ day!”

“Hell yeah,” said Slash. “When are you comin’ down for some ham and beans, along with some butter-soaked cornbread? My folks really wanna meet you.”

“I need to, buddy,” replied Steven. “This summer will be nuts for me. Hey, when does deer hunting season open?”

“Late September for crossbow and around Thanksgiving otherwise,” replied Slash. Before the guys could set a date, their partners Paul Hittle and Raymond Bower approached their seats.

Hittle, code name Bugs, was a former medic with Army Special Forces who left the Green Berets for a well-paying job with DynCorp. DynCorp was a private military contractor headquartered in McLean, Virginia, which provided most of the security detail for former Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Aegis signed him to a lucrative contract, which included ownership of a remote farm in East Texas.

Bower did not fit the black ops mold. Dubbed Sharpie, he was a Harvard grad that hit it big with a private equity firm on Wall Street. He loved Europe and was always on Steven’s team when operations brought them to this part of the world. Steven admired Bower for keeping his skills honed despite the coat-and-tie lifestyle required in New York City.

“Hello, gentlemen,” said Bower. “Fancy meeting you fucks here!” The guys enjoyed a few laughs and back slaps.

Steven knew this four-hour ride through the Alps would pass quickly. Their mission would not be discussed on the train for fear of prying eyes and ears. Let the team relax. Only Steven would know the two high-value targets were handpicked by John Morgan, and their deaths would have to be staged prominently for maximum public exposure. The Aegis Team faced a tremendous risk of exposure in Frankfurt.

A message is being sent
.
My team won’t be happy
.

Chapter 17

May 25, 2016

Deutsche Bank Twin Towers

Debit Tower

Frankfurt, Germany

“I’m thinkin’ about gettin’ out.” Slash’s words broke the silence.