“What the two of you have built in the weeks since the bombing at the Minerva Protocol’s headquarters is among the best and most capable intelligence operations I’ve seen assembled outside a national service. And you’re just getting started.”
Gunner spoke next. “We’d like to make the partnership official. That means a structure, not a handshake.”
“K19 Genesis Consortium,” said Razor. “That’s the name we’re proposing.”
“The organizational structure would be subsidiary run autonomously,” Doc continued. “With the two of you serving as managing partners. K19 provides infrastructure, cyber capability, tactical support, and access to everything we have. Genesis Consortium runs their own missions.”
My eyes met Bishop’s, but neither of us spoke.
“Mercury,” Doc said. “You, Eleanor, and Edgar started Minerva Protocol. You’re part of this decision.”
She nodded and faced the two of us.
“Horatio and Mikhail gave their lives trying to expose what Vasiliev built. Minerva Protocol was founded to finish that work. Out of the ashes of what that organization once was, Beacon stood in a room full of people and said she wouldn’t give up. Even if it was on her own, she was prepared to go to war. Every person in this command center stood with you too but none more than Blackjack. The work had passed toboth of you, whether any of us named it or not. All you have to do now is say you accept the mantle.”
“I accept,” I said.
Bishop was half a second behind me. “I accept too.”
We all stood and shook hands across the table.
“One more thing,” said Doc. “You mentioned you’re heading to the Bahamas once the briefing is over. Is that right?”
“If—” Bishop started.
“No ifs,” Doc interrupted. “You’re in charge now.” He turned to Razor. “Are the arrangements made?”
“Affirmative. K19’s plane is at the Johnstown airfield on standby.”
“That’s generous, Doc,” I said.
He nodded once and winked. “Perks of the partnership.”
Doc and Lyrawent to the front of the room. We followed and stood beside them. Anna and Julian were seated next to Henry.
“Before we get started, there’s an announcement.” Doc stepped aside, and Lyra came forward.
“As of today, the Genesis Consortium and K19 are formally unified as K19 Genesis Consortium. The managing partners are Beacon and Blackjack.”
She didn’t elaborate. Everyone in the room had built it right along with us.
Doc spoke next. “This changes nothing about how the teams operate. It changes everything about what we can do together. Beacon and Blackjack have the floor.”
“Let’s get started,” I began. “As you all know, Nikolai Vasiliev arrived at Onteora by boat last night with enough military-grade explosives to do to this property what he did to the Minerva Protocol’s headquarters.”
I turned to Bishop. “Due to the efforts of MI6 officers Anna Hyde and Julian Loxley, he was intercepted and taken out.”
All those in the room clapped.
“FormerMI6 officers,” said Anna when the room quieted.
“What we need to address today are the things we learned prior to Vasiliev’s death. First, and I’m quoting what he said to Anna, ‘You think this is about you? You think I had a choice? Or thatit ends with me?’”
“Over the last few days, we’ve learned that while Vasiliev had FSB backing and Kremlin protection, he was running a private banking scheme Moscow knew nothing about. A man with that kind of cover doesn’t say he had no choice unless someone above him was making the decisions. If that’s the case, we need to find out who that is,” I added.
Bishop turned to Kingston and Gunner. “What happened in Dubai?”
Gunner nodded, and Kingston stood. “The man we believed was Vasiliev was a decoy. Before we had the chance to interrogate him, he was taken out by someone we believe is FSB affiliated.”
