Terminal Compromise

, Sept

York

nd walking gave the impression of more activity than there really was. Desks were not in any particular pattern, but it wasn't totally chaotic either

ght Savings Time for the East Coast. The other dozen or so clocks spanned the time z

shouted from 3 desks away.

ed in front of Scott's desk. Boxes full of files everywhere; on the floor, piled 3 or 4 high, on his desk. "Will you look at t

oug looked perplexed. He motioned at the paper hurricane on S

bout an hour ago. I think it's from the same guy

y that?" Doug

memoranda, false figures, confidential position statements, the truth behind a lot of PR scandals, it goes on and on. There's even a copy of some of the shredded Ollie North papers. Or so they

n from of them coupled with Scott's enthusiasm. The best stories come from the least likely place

azing. Over 150 of the top American corporations were represented directly, and thousands of other by reference. In every case, there was a revelation of one or more particularly embarrassing or illegal activities. Some were do

to disguise its true purposes from the ITC and SEC. Internal, very upper level policies which never reach the company's Employee Handbook; policies of discrimination, atti- tude, and protective corporate culture which not only transcend the law but in many cases, morality. The false books, the jim- mied numbers . . .they were in

after a lengthy sile

eryone, even t

l lobby- ing clout of the particular offender. Or how certain elected officials in Washington had pocketed funds from t

ynamite. And, if released, could have massive

ally had was leads, a thou- sand leads in ten thousand different directions, with no apparent coherency or theme, received from an anonymous and dubious donor. An

unt of information, most of which was obviously meant to be kept very, very

or that screwing over the little guy. How the IRS and the government operated substantially outside of legal channels. The kinds of things that the Secretary of the Treasury would prefer were kept under wra

ny good investigative reporter would do, he decided to pick a few key pie

*

unsolicited packages by courier. Each CEO received a dossier on his own company. A very private dossier containing information that technicall

ossession at the New York City Times. Regardless, boardrooms shook to their very core. Wall Street trading was untypically low for a Monday, less than 50,000,000 sh

meet. Throughout the day, CEO's routinely talk to other corporate leaders as friends, acquaintances, for brain picking

isms, a few of the CEO's communicated to each other during the day that they were not happy with the morning mail. A few agreed to talk

y private room, upstairs at the Executive Club, where sensitive meetings often never took place. One's pre

g oversized chairs surrounded by stout mahogany tables were dimly lit by the assortment of low wattage lamp fixtures. There was a huge round dining table large enough for all of Ca

rsations were, that he took great pride in re- filling a drink without being noticed. With his little game, he made sure that drinks for everyone were always full. They spoke openly around Lambert. Lambert had w

er- getic and feisty leader of Morse Technologies, defense su

e you been threat- ened?" demanded Ogden Rob

rely trying to keep sensitive corporate strategies private. That's all. But, I do take the position that we a

erefore there must have been a lot of whos, mustn't there? They figured about 50 of their kindred CEO's had received similar packages, so that meant a lot of whos

st the seven of those present, to predict what kinds of demands. But it is difficult to find hard business connections between an insurance co

ow their compa- nies work on a day to day basis. Thus, after 4 or 5 drinks, spurious and arcane ideas were seriously considered. UFO's were responsible, I once saw one . . .m

the conjecturing stream of consciousness free for all. Silence cut through the room

state, and internationally. Would you prefer the NYPD?

as having an effect. "Certainly not the truth . . ." he cut himself short, realizing that he came dangero

rue, but maybe not everything. I am sure we all agree that we want to keep t

en made yet, but we are willing to cooperate with the authorities. That would give us all a little tim

imited detail, with my attorney, and he agrees with it on a strategic level. If someone's after you, and you can't see 'em,

g to be a l

*

er, 4 Y

o, J

executive offices on the 66th floor, on a clear day, the view reached as far as the Pacific. It was from these lofty reaches that Taki

ied since it humble beginni

g the occupation of Japan. The Americans were so smart, he thought. Bring over all of your men, tanks, j

t paying $700 for toilet seats decades later. Taki did give great service - after all his profits were so staggeringly high

Industries was in a perfect position to take advantage of the US Government's tire needs throughout the conflict. OSO was already in pl

lions quickly. Now h

ion. Then, with the application of the transistor, the portable radio market exploded. OSO Industries made more transistor radios than all other Japanese electr

manufacturers, microwave and appli- ance manufacturers, and notably, acres and acres of Manhattan Island, California and Hawaii. They owned and operated communi- cations companies, including their own geosynchronous satelli

d it. American leaders, Senators, Congressmen, appointees, lobbyists, in fact much of Washington coddled up to Homosoto. His empire planned years in advance. The US Govern- ment, unofficially craved hi

his immediate staff. Only a handful of the more then 200,000 people that OSO Industrie

the next decade. Plants, trees over 100 feet tall and waterfalls graced the atria and the overhanging skylobbies. The first floor lobby was designed around a miniature replica of the Ging Sha fo

ot only the largest private or public assemblage in the world, but also represent

edure was no more than airport security. However to the initiate or the suspect, it was evident from the accuracy with which the guards targeted specific contraband on a person or in his belonging

priately comfort- able furnishings, that Miles Foster rode. From the comfort of the living room setting in the elevator, he enjoyed a panorama of the atrium as it disappeared beneath him. He looked at the forest and imagined what astr

ortable furniture. Aha! Miles, thought. That's exactly what this is. Another art gal- lery, albeit a private one for the eyes of his host and no one else. White walls, white ceilings, polished parquet floors, track lighti

oors with almost garish gold hardware. His slight Japanese host barely tapped on the doo

al contrast to his gal- lery. Miles first reaction was astonishment. It was slightly dizzying. The ceiling slanted to a height of over 25 feet at the outer walls,

s of business, the gaming parlors of Las Vegas, but not in normal commerce. He had been to Trump Tower in New York

arble display tables were randomly scattered around the room. Not chaoticly; just the opposite. The scattering was exquisitely planned. There was a dining alcove, privatized by

k, or work surface if you prefer. It was large enough for four, yet Homoso- to, as he stood to greet Foster, appeared to dwarf his environ- ment and desk. Not in size, but in

s, and computers which accessed Homosoto's empire. A vast telephone console provided tele-conferencing to OSO offices worldwide. Dow

nt of his assigned seat. A comfortable, plush, black leather cha

his aerie. Homosoto wore expensive clothes. A dark brown suit, matching solid tie and the om

berately. Eyes forward after the obligatory nod. His large head was sparsely covered with little wisps of hair in nature's futile attempt to clothe the top of his freck

aybe carcinoma. His deep set black eyes stared through the object o

he was greeted with a wet fish handshake which wriggled quickly from his grasp. Homosoto didn't give the slightest indication of a smile. The crow

oto stared at Foster. It was a s

plus consultation fees. In advance. Just for one conversation, he was told, we just want some advice. Then, last night, and the night before, he was honored with samplin

's your peop

rk dimpled smile, politely, right back at Homosoto. Hom

to continued, his fa

od as they say

y spat out the one wo

sure you we know quite a bit about you already, otherwise you wouldn't be here." Miles noticed that Homosoto spoke e

l." Miles cocked his head at Homosoto's desk. "I would assume t

. "You are most perceptive, Mr. Foster." Homosoto paused and leaned b

ou made ghetto blasters, TV's and vibrators. So therefore, you wanted me, not my family. If you had

money, power. You would have been a very important man, and a very rich one." Homosoto said matter of factly. "So, the prudent ma

they have the best computers, the biggest equipment and the most interesting work. Not much money, but I have a backup when I need it. If I went to work for my family, as you put it

an you do not disapprove of your fami

al good to me, paid a lot of my way. I love my mother and she's not a hit man. My uncle does I don't k

held up his hands. "M

. I just like to kno

n't work f

simple slip

es snapped s

s face, replaced with a more serious countenance. "Why did you

ght Miles. What a crock.

d no real idea of what was going on. Their heads were so far up their ass they had a tan line across their chests. Whenever we had a good idea, it was either too novel, too expensive or needed

e'. Who is 'we'?" Homoso

n the front lines. The guys who sweated weekends and nights to make our coun

the other analysts, in

his mind to think ab

guys, and one girl,

best, other than me

cke

me? Ch

thought. "Ah, chicks, fox, look-

an she's v

's right. Real pretty, but real smart, too. Odd

crudeness. "What ar

st

hell has that got to do with

n, please, Mr. Foster?"

rat? What do you mean? I vote who the fuck I w

oto briefly pondere

n't get involv

Any office. With any luck he'll win and really screw things up." Homosoto hit one

ise. Once you create a crisis, Jeez, just look at Granada and Panama and Iraq to justify Star Wars, you get a lot of people on for the ride. Just look at the national energy debate. Great idea, 30 years an

your p

k it up so bad that everyone notices and then they'l

y novel and very cynical." H

t to be.

llegiance. Would that be a fair observation?"

legiance. And not mu

unded de

ney isn't everything to a man like you." Homosoto leaned back. All 10 of h

s face. It looked right into his mind. Foster used the knuckles from both hands for suppor

spent years with people ignoring my advice, refusing to listen to me. And I was right so many times when they were wrong. Then they wo

ize your abilities and let your skills serve them. Y

king a lot of questions, and getting a lot of answers. It is your dime, so I owe

g the assumption you will accept, you will become wealthier than you ever hoped. Ever dreamed. Mr. Foster, your reputation prec

do I do?" said Miles as he aga

e going to lead an i

of Am

*********************