Foreign Agent: Kids Story Book Four - Young Adult Book

By Sidney Gelb

This is a humorous entertaining adventure story. You are there in the center of a government investigation of a terrorist group operating in London, England. Bill Bund, Foreign Service Agent, as the head of a Rapid Response Team, has to stop the sinister Adolpho Barco reign of terror on an embassy building somewhere in the world. Time is running short.
Watch Bund's team move into action.
A romantic interlude with a pretty woman adds spice to this thriller.
Will the citizens of London fall prey to an evil crooked man?
Can good detective work prevent an attack? Brace yourself for an inside view of a fight between good and evil.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 17, 2005
• ISBN: 9781462829118

Sidney Gelb

Sidney Gelb was educated in the United States. He worked his way through college doing odd jobs, and received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Business Administration diploma from the George Washington University. In high school, he helped edit a club newspaper. Upon graduation from college, he went to work for the United States Federal Government. He spent four years as a Cost Price Analyst with the Department of the Navy. Gelb then went to the Department of Health, Education and Welfare as a Grants Administrator, and is now retired. Mr. Gelb, at present, is a citizen of the State of Virginia, in the United States of America. He enjoys bicycle riding, visiting art galleries and walks in the park and on hiking trails.

Book preview

Copyright © 2005 by Sidney Gelb.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

27679

Contents

PREFACE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE

CHAPTER FORTY

CHAPTER FORTY ONE

CHAPTER FORTY TWO

CHAPTER FORTY THREE

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE

AUTHORS BACKGROUND

APPENDIX 1-1

APPENDIX 1-2

APPENDIX 1-3

APPENDIX 1-4

APPENDIX 1-5

APPENDIX 2-1

APPENDIX 2-2

APPENDIX 2-3

APPENDIX 2-4

APPENDIX 2-5

APPENDIX 2-6

APPENDIX 2-7

APPENDIX 2-8

APPENDIX 2-9

APPENDIX 3-1 RW 1

APPENDIX 3-2 RW 2

APPENDIX 3-3 RW 3

APPENDIX 3-4 RW 4

APPENDIX 3-5 RW 5

APPENDIX 3-6 RW 6

APPENDIX 3-7 RW 7

APPENDIX 3-8 RW 8

APPENDIX 3-9 RW 9

APPENDIX 3-10 RW 10

APPENDIX 3-11 RW 11

APPENDIX 3-12 RW 12

APPENDIX 4-1 N 1

APPENDIX 4-2 N 2

APPENDIX 6-1

PREFACE

This book is for the young adult reader who likes to read many different stories. This story is a work of fiction written for your entertainment. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental.

You should be an accomplished reader, older than nineteen years of age to fully understand this entertaining adventure story.

Everybody is allowed to read. It is cool to read. Reading for fun and information is important for your literacy and quality of life. Share a story, as a book can provide a bridge to conversation and discussion. Reading a good book is an adventure. You can read anytime.

Books are magic doors through which you can walk into very many wonderful worlds. You can lose yourself reading books.

The sight words used in this book are found in the appendix in the back of this story. Learning these words will make you a better reader.

Use a dictionary to look up a word you do not understand.

Special thanks to the Librarians of Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. for providing research.

To the democratic countries of the world and their security agencies.

It’s time to read.

CHAPTER ONE

BACKGROUND

Most of this story takes place in the city of London, the capital city of England. England is an island country found off the coast of France.

The country is known by many different names; such as, «United Kingdom,» because an early king united all the small tribal lands, towns, serfdom and counties into one country. It is also known as «Great Britain» and «England». England, means the land of the Angles tribe. Britain is the derived ancient Roman latin name of the country where the Celt tribes lived, «Britannia». Saxon bands of people also lived in England. These tribes constantly fought off invaders.

As an island, England had to build boats and large ships to travel to other countries on the open seas to trade for the raw materials it did not have on its small island. Cotton, spices, wood, chemicals, copper, tin, and tea were early imported, brought back to the island to be made into finished goods. England sold cotton cloth, clothes, furniture, machines, pots, pans and many other products made from imported materials.

As England’s tradesmen went to other countries to establish colonies for raw materials, the empire grew. Although the English settlers and trade people did settle in a distant land, they remained under the political control of their native country, England. As these settlements grew, England developed these colonies into countries. They became a part of the English Empire.

As a part of nation building and foreign relations, England had to establish legations or embassies. An embassy is the office building of an Ambassador. Each foreign country allowed England to have an Ambassador to deal with the trade and political issues of the host country. An Ambassador is the highest rank representative appointed by one country to represent it in an another country. They protect and promote the interests of their country. Diplomats have interpersonal skills for negotiations talk with their host country. They often discuss foreign policy and their support, seeking understanding of their countries point of view and position to help achieve an action. A British diplomat and the embassy is the most assessable and easy to deal with.

This story is about the men and women who provide security for an English Embassy building in London, England.

To assure its open routes of trade and commerce, England established diplomatic relations with every major country in the world. England allowed these trading countries to send their ambassador to England to assure continued favorable trade relations.

Security is necessary to protect the English Embassy building and staff from danger or fear, and to provide safety from national disasters such as floods, earthquakes and typhoons. England has a history where bad pirates stole her trading ships, bandits seized trading caravans and foreign countries tried to take the farms, factories and companies of its colonies. To protect the business commerce interests, the English Navy and Army provided protection.

The successful trade business work of buying and selling of finished goods, machines, commodities, and services made England a great country. Commercial and industrial establishments thrived in all these countries of English control or influence and trade.

Every nation or society has bad people who do not or will not follow laws, rules of behavior and civility. A definition of bad is a person who is not good; who wilfully violates a moral, religious, legal code or law; whose behavior could be harmful, injurious or dangerous.

This story is about the men and women of a British security agency responsible for the protection of an English Embassy building from bad people who want to harm an embassy building.

Located in London, the capital city of England, the Ministry of State is an office cabinet department of the British Government headed by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister along with the Assistant Prime Minister is responsible for diplomatic and political relations with other countries. The Minister of Commerce in the Ministry of Commerce is responsible for trade relations.

In the Ministry of State, the Division of Special Services provides world wide embassy security; and also in London, England, embassy security and collateral security for the other foreign government embassies in concert with that foreign government’s security service.

Since the year 500, security has been a safety issue for England. Eric the Red, and other Vikings raided England and Europe almost on a yearly basis until the Europeans learned to fight back. Security is that important.

Abraham Maslow, a psychologist, developed a theory of human needs. These are:

1. Biological/physiological needs. The need for oxygen, food, water, constant body temperature.

2. Security/safety needs.

Adults experience their security needs in times of emergency. Young children often display signs of insecurity and their need to be safe. Physical security is an important need.

3. Social. Love, affection and belongingness.

4. Ego/esteem needs.

People need a stable firmly based, high level of self respect, and respect from others in order to feel satisfied, self confident, and valuable. If these needs are not met, the person feels inferior, weak, helpless and worthless.

5. Self-actualization Fulfillment.

These people are involved in a cause outside of themselves. They work at a job something important to them, such as a doctor, priest, nurse, engineer. They are strong creative people who serve others, whose life work advances the greater good.

As shown by Maslow, if the security safety needs are not provided or met by a population, that group of people cannot grow and prosper. Trouble makers and bad people for whatever cause or reason they have, can harm a nation country. In every age of civilization, evil narrow thinking malovent men have tried to gain power for their own group. An evil movement always has been resisted and opposed by the need for security/safety. Countries establish armies. Government agencies create security services. Most embassy buildings must be protected for security and safety reasons. A politician commentator said, The responsibility of the national government is not only the economy and full employment. It is national security, stupid!

Three words need to be defined.

1. Terror—Dread, intense fear, to frighten.

2. Terrorism—Use of terror and violence to intimidate subjugate, as a

political weapon.

3. Terrorist—A person who practices terrorism.

Under International Law, terrorism is a crime.

A country nation has a right to protect itself under the Law of Self Defense.

The government agency responsible for the diplomatic relations of England is the Ministry of State under the Prime Minister. His organization has many divisions that support his efforts in maintaining a successful foreign relations capability with other nations.

The Division of Special Services is the security organization run by the Director, George Seagram. Seagram spent twenty (20) years in the Royal Navy and when he retired, joined the Office of Special Services. In ten (10) years, he became its Director. He supervises forty (40) employees in London; and coordinates embassy security with Regional Directors in Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Africa and the Middle East.

In the headquarter office over which he presides, the security branches: A,B,C,D, and E are responsible for various security functions necessary to protect an English Embassy anywhere in the world. The sun never sets on an English Embassy because there are so many of them around the world.

Branch A, Security Analysis Intelligence Branch is supervised by Bill Bund. Bund, is a career Foreign Service Agent. He plans on working for thirty (30) years in the Office of Special Services Division. He graduated from a London business college and then served three years in the British Army. He served one year as a Special Force Ranger and two years as an Intelligence officer. He joined the Ministry of State, Special Services Division after his military service.

At work, Bund shares a big office with his three co-workers: Jeff Kloss, Robert Kent and their secretary/typist, Rilya Cox. Rilya told Bund that her first name stands for (Remember I love you always). His office roommates, Kent and Kloss are also Special Foreign Service Agents with security training.

To be creative and problem solve, Bund needs a quiet place to concentrate and do his sometimes stressful work. Each agent has a small office within a big room. Bund is a supervisor of four other employees who work in the room next door to his office. His subordinate employees are always on training assignments or travel assignments. They assure that the security of each embassy is maintained and can respond to all situations. Bund has special police authority in and around an embassy.

Bill Bund is not an espionage agent or spy. He is a Security Agent. Bund is not interested in stealing other country’s secrets; such as number of soldiers, troop movements, number of airplanes, battle ships, tanks or guided missiles. As a security expert who helps protect British Embassies around the world, Bund has no time for spying. His job is to protect the English embassy system. Each year Bund and a group of Special Agents travel to every embassy to inspect their security procedures and make recommendations.

The Office of the Special Services Division is located in a four (4) story building known as International Trade Limited. No agent is supposed to tell anyone their true organization agency name, purpose or reveal the office address location. Each agent has a badge number and identification card that acts as universal drivers license. Bill Bund has badge number, 0006. Most employees do not use their real names in letters or phone calls. They use their badge number so as no one can determine who they are.

Branch A, the Security Intelligence and Analysis Branch, headed by Bill Bund performs most of the special projects and non routine security work of the Special Service Division. Bund meets three times a week with his Director, George Seagram.

Meetings are held at ten o’clock (10:00 a.m.) every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. Bund attends the monthly «National Security Task Force» meetings held at the Ministry of Defense. He is sometimes George

Seagram’s assistant in administration and security matters.

Bill Bund lives in a government provided rent subsidized town house with a room mate who also works for the Ministry of State. The town house community is about thirty (30) minutes driving distance from his office in the city of London. The ten (10) in a row town houses development is surrounded by a parking lot, trees and woods park; and is secluded from the nearby highway main road to London.

To travel to work, Bund can take a subway underground train, often called the metro tube, and be in his office in fifteen (15) minutes. On a nice day, Bund can catch an express bus and be at work in thirty five (35) minutes. He prefers to take the subway metro tube to work because, the train moves faster underground than a bus on the street surface fighting commuter traffic. He occasionally gets a ride to work in the Van Pool that goes from his town house development to the Ministry of State office building.

Bund does not own a personal automobile car, but sometime drives a government car on days he needs to visit embassies, or conduct an investigation or background check of a person.

Bund belongs to an antique automobile motor car club where he sometimes drives an old car on the weekend.

Bill Bund serves on several committees and has many job duties and functions. When required, he receives special training to do his job. He learned how to use a computer, special radio equipment, fly an airplane, pilot a speed racing boat and mountain climb. He also trains other employees to do their job.

CHAPTER TWO

NEW TOYS

The Office of Technology Development (OTD), had a training meeting the day the new automobile cars were made available to the Special Agents. Bund and his two partners, Kloss and Kent were told to report to the OTD garage to be briefed on the car’s features by the Director, Robert Caruthers.

Mr. Caruthers was a scientist engineer who had a staff of five (5) men who helped invent and develop safety devices, gadgets, computer programs, secret weapons and intelligence radio equipment. He had many English companies build his devices on contract to the government. Caruthers was a twenty five (25) year employee with the Ministry of State. Everyone knew of him as an inventor. Jeff Kloss always called him Mr. C. Bill Bund showed Mr. Caruthers the utmost respect by calling him by his formal name, Mr. Caruthers.

At the training meeting, Caruthers stood in front of the room full of Special Agents and spoke to the seated employees behind a speakers stand. He looked like an amiable scientist inventor engineer in a blue shop robe he wore to protect his clothes from dust, chemicals and oil.

Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen, said Mr. Caruthers. You have been invited to the preview of our new inventory of car transportation, three new automobiles for your daily use along with the other cars we have here in the garage.

Caruthers waved his left hand and said, Go ahead boys, show them what we have for them. Three mechanics wearing blue jump suits removed the gray cloth dust covers from the tops of three brand new identical looking light sky blue painted cars. They put the dust covers neatly folded in the corner of the room and stepped in front of the cars and unlocked the doors. The cars looked like an enlarged 1974 Datsun 210-Z two door sports car.

Ah what a classic beauty design, said Bund. Fine aerodynamic lines.

One car for each of us three agents, said Kloss.

Caruthers responded to the sudden interruption to his presentation. Not exactly, said Caruthers. You will be permitted to drive one car at a time between the hours of eight o’clock (8:00 a.m.) in the morning and six (6:00 p.m.) at night. You will jointly share and may use these cars only on official business during these working hours. These are our new government cars.

What a bummer deal, said Kloss. We cannot take these cars home to drive on the week end.

These are government cars, that you cannot use for your personal use, said Caruthers. He looked on in disapproval scorn at Kloss. Please, let me continue, Agent Kloss, said Caruthers. These are special purpose motor cars with new experimental engines provided to us by the good engineering offices of the Rolex Royse Engine Company of Cambridge, England. Caruthers was interrupted by a question.

When can we drive them? asked Kent. Caruthers looked at Kent and did not answer his question. Please let me continue my presentation uninterrupted, said Caruthers sternly. Caruthers smiled with pride and walked over to the first new car and put his right hand on the roof line above the right front door frame.

Caruthers continued to speak. You have in your possession a car manual booklet, an information memorandum describing the features of these three vehicles, said Caruthers. I suggest you thoroughly read and familiarize yourself with the technical details of these splendid automobiles. Though in outward appearance they look the same, they have different experimental engines. Car number one (1) has a three hundred fifty horsepower (350 h.p,) gasoline turbine engine.

Wow, the power of three hundred fifty horses under that small engine compartment body hood, said Kloss.

Caruthers cleared his throat loudly. Ahem, said Caruthers. Car number two (2) has a three hundred fifty horse power (350 h.p.) V-6 mechanical engine fueled by liquid natural gas. It is environmentally friendly giving off no carbon monoxide fumes. You can also use standard petrol gas.

Again Caruthers was interrupted by Kent.

Where do you get natural gas to run the thing? blurted out Kent.

Growing irritated by another interruption, Caruthers answered sharply. In this garage at the end of the day or at any camping supply store, mobile home park or a suburban gas station, said Caruthers, sarcastically. Read your packet materials before you ask questions. All the information has been provided to you. Please, let me continue, save all of your questions until the end of this presentation, after I am through speaking.

Caruthers continued his presentation.

Car number three (3) is a simple V-6 supercharged air blower fuel injection fed engine which operates on normal standard octane petrol gasoline. The compact engine is unique. It is only two (2) feet by three (3) feet in size. Another interruption, it was Kent speaking.

What’s (what is) the horse power? asked Kent excitedly.

Caruthers did not seem irritated when he responded to Kent’s question.

Just like the other two engines, Agent Kent, three hundred fifty horsepower (350 h.p.), said Caruthers.

I will go for number three (3), said Bund. I like a standard engine. Kent again asked a question.

When can we get in them and drive them? asked Kent. I can not wait to get behind the driving steering wheel and give them a spin around the block.

Caruthers responded.

Not so fast, you can not drive that car today, said Caruthers. The instructions in your information package folder instructs you to make an appointment with our driving instructor to learn how to drive these new cars. You will have one day of training. You will spend one hour looking at a movie of normal driving and one hour looking at a movie of defensive driving, and then have hands on lessons learning defensive driving, offensive aggressive driving and evasive driving before you will be permitted to drive any of these Experimental cars on official business, said Caruthers.

The three women female Special Agents in attendance showed no real interest as they were assigned to embassy party, social event and trade meeting security duties. They would never be allowed to chase bad people in a car. They never would be allowed to search for and arrest a bad suspect.

Caruthers continued his presentation.

All forty (40) special agents will be certified to drive these new cars, said Caruthers.

Oh great, we have to share the new cars, said Kloss.

Kent answered. You don’t have to drive every day to do your job as you know, said Kent. You go to meetings, parties and other embassy functions. Everyone will use these cars.

Somewhat irritated, Caruthers started speaking again. Are there any questions? asked Caruthers. No one dared ask a question. Caruthers continued to speak.

We here in this Technology Development Division, mechanically and humanly do everything we can to preserve the safety of our embassy employees and agents while driving these automobiles, said Caruthers. "Pay attention gentleman, these cars can save your life in a tight situation. These cars have special features and accessories as follows:

1. Item one, a series of sound speakers four hundred decibels (400 d.b.) in power that ward off, will drive away anyone who comes near the car. Normal traffic sound is about sixty five (65 d.b.).

That loud noise will make some one stand up, said Kloss.

You mean, run away from the car, said Kent. Both a human and animal cannot tolerate the shrill loud noise of 400 decibels.

Caruthers stared at the two talking men and continued on with his presentation.

The driver of course, sits in a sound proof enclosed interior cabin, said Caruthers. "As the four sound speakers are under the sound shielded floor of the car facing outward four sides to the street, no harm is done to the driver’s ears.

I will take ear plugs, if you have them, said Kent. Just to be safe.

Caruthers reluctantly responded to this intrusion.

We can provide you with a drivers helmet or ear sound proof muffs, if you so desire, said Caruthers. Pick them up when you sign up to drive the special motor car. Let me continue please, without further interruption. Caruthers looked out over his training class and continued to speak.

2. Item two is an anti-pursuit oil slick spray nozzle in the rear of the car body that lays down a smooth thick silicon oil spray that makes people fall down and a following car skid off the road, said Caruthers. What a slick idea," said Kloss.

3. Item three is a computer designed parabolic reflector twin beam blinding spot light on the drivers side door of the car, said Caruthers. It is a 3-million (3,000,000) Candlepower Spotlight, with ultra white halogen blue bulbs. It can see into the night sky to identify an airplane or down the street to identify an automobile or street sign."

4. Accessory four is a navigation display television screen map that tells your exact location anywhere you are on a street, said Caruthers. A satellite will guide you to your destination. It is a satellite positioning system that feeds to a headquarter computer so we know where the car

is at any time of the day. You must turn on the satellite navigation position system before you drive the car."

5. Accessory five is an ejection seat rocket engine in the front two bucket seats, said Caruthers. If you feel you are in danger, the seat will be propelled ninety feet (90 ft.) into the air, expand a parachute and lower you to a safe place. The rocket seat can go only straight up and not straight ahead."

6. Item six is the armor steel and ballistic bullet proof glass that can stop bullets from entering the inside of the car, said Caruthers. It will withstand a direct hit."

7. Item seven is in progress, said Caruthers. It is an anti-magnetic force field that shocks anyone who approaches the car after a five (5) second warning to stay away."

Caruthers paused and looked out at the class.

I sense you are getting restless, said Caruthers. Let me conclude by reminding you to read the car features in your information package. You will have experience in testing all the devises in your driver training course. We are working on a stealth force field for your future use. This will make the car almost invisible.

Caruthers stopped talking and waited for a question. Any questions? asked Caruthers. Kent spoke up.

Tell us more, said Kent. What else are we in store for? Caruthers smiled. He was pleased by the show of interest in his new equipment.

Oh by the way, you will be issued a new sidearm, a new nine millimeter (9 mm.) pistol which takes the same bullets as your issued assault rifle, said Caruthers. Training for use of your new weapon gun will be scheduled shortly as the new gun arrives here in headquarters. Only certain staff employees will be trained and issued this new pistol gun that can stop an automobile engine. Are there any questions?

What type of transmission is in the Experiment cars? asked Kloss. Dual purpose, said Caruthers. Automatic syncromesh transmission for city driving and modified manual transmission for cross country mountain terrain driving.

Good, said Kloss. I do not like a standard stick shift transmission. As you wish, you have a choice of transmission use, said Caruthers. "The new experimental motor cars will be available for official use in one

week. We have the other government cars available in the motor pool as authorized on an as needed basis. When you do drive an experimental car, you will be required to complete, fill out a performance page log every day that you drive the car. We need your car performance information to guide us in the development of better cars."

Caruthers stepped from the speakers stand and looked at the audience. Satisfied with the fact that no more questions were going to be asked, he ended the training session lecture.

This concludes my presentation, said Caruthers. You may look at the new cars, but not touch them. You cannot start up the engine.

Most of the class walked out of the room quietly. Kent, Kloss and Bund did not leave the room. The three men got up out of their seats and almost ran to the new cars that were twenty (20) feet away from their chairs. They showered the mechanics with questions about the new cars.

Even though he was just told he could not touch the new car, Bund got inside one of the Experimental cars and sounded the horn. The new car smell of plastic, glue, electric wire, cloth, rubber and paint energized him. Somewhat excited, he adjusted the seat to fit his long legs. Bund was a five foot-ten inch (5 ft. 10 in.) man who needed leg room when he drove a car.

These wrap around bucket seats are great, said Bund.

They should be 0006, they are similar to a fighter airplane ejection seat, said Caruthers. They are ejection escape seats that will throw you up ninety feet (90 ft.) in the air by explosive charge if need be, to avoid injury of an auto accident.

Yipe, I hope I never have to eject from this car, said Kent. Flying up in the air does not seem like much fun. I do like the interior smells of new car odor.

After ten (10) minutes of questions, Caruthers told the mechanics to cover the new Experimental cars with the dust covers.

Gentlemen, let us go retire to the lunch canteen room, where we can get a hot lunch and discuss all the aspects of these splendid machines, said Caruthers. It appears that you will not read the information training material that I provided you. The Kit should answer all of your questions. He smiled.

The three Special Agents and other employees joined Caruthers and his mechanics for lunch in the cafeteria. Caruthers told the men about his projects.

Many companies sent in ideas for weapons systems to the Office of Technology Development. Caruthers was working on computer program viruses to destroy enemy computer systems. His chemists and engineers developed bombs to destroy electrical grid networks and power systems, anti-bacterial drugs, and many biotech projects. His men worked on new cameras for embassy surveillance, radio communication systems, and any and all sundry of devices that can be developed by engineers to deter aggression. He had many private company laboratories helping Britain maintain technological superiority.

Caruthers always said, Evil succeeds, when enough good men do not do enough. We must preserve Western civilization, human kind, democracy, freedom and the British way.

After lunch, the agents made their schedule appointment for the automobile driver training class with Caruthers. They thanked him for the technical briefing and free lunch.

The Agents took their car information packet with them. They went back to their office at the Ministry of State office building enthusiastic, after a morning of looking at new cars.

CHAPTER THREE

HOW AM I DOING

Arriving in the office room, Bund asked his two office mates to join him in the basement gymnasium physical fitness room.

After a morning of sitting and listening to a presentation and looking at a movie, I have to work out in the gym, said Bund. You gentlemen care to join me to pump iron and lift weights? You know we have to keep physically fit to do our job.

Kloss answered.

Yes, I know that providing security is the country’s number one job, said Kloss. But, give me a break today. I never work out or exercise after lunch. I exercise and lift weights before lunch, before I eat my mid-day lunch meal.

Kent also declined the offer to join Bund in the gym to lift weights and exercise.

Thanks for the invitation to join you, said Kent. I will pass. I will pass up the opportunity to join you in the work out exercise today. I have a lot of papers to read in my desk in box.

Catch you guys later, said Bund.

I have to work out to keep up my muscle tone. I will be back in about an hour.

Helena Hulga, a Ministry of Commerce employee worked out and exercised in the headquarter gym every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. She needed to exercise to feel good. When she missed a week of exercise, she became restless.

Agent Bill Bund noticed the shapely five foot (5 ft.) six inch (6 in.) tall reddish blond hair woman as she ran around the indoor running track twice and then walked over to the weight lifting machine in the bar bell area. She began lifting weights. She was pressing fifty pounds (50 lbs.) with difficulty.

Helana had normal upper body mass of shoulders and muscle. She was an attractive woman. Bund had seen some real muscular women in the gym, as strong as a man, who could probably pick him up and throw him. But the average woman did not have any real upper body mass, he thought to himself.

The woman he was watching was in good physical shape; no fat, no flab, no awkwardness. She had a firm body. She appeared in good health. In her gray cotton gym suit, she was poised.

Bund was using the weight machine next to her and noticed she was having difficulty lifting. She was struggling. As the Gym Assistants were not available, he decided to help her with volunteer advice.

He smiled and spoke. Shouldn’t you start at a lower pound weight? asked Bund. You may be starting off too high.

Helena kind of half smiled as she replied. I walk and lift weights to keep in shape, said Helena. "I have been lifting forty pounds (40 lbs.) all last week.

I thought I would start out with fifty pounds (50 lbs.) this week. I do want to keep body tone, not build up body muscle.

Go to it, do it, said Bund. I guess you have worked up to your next level.

I thought so, said Helena smiling. My Gym Trainer suggested I should lift fifty pounds this week.

You work in trade, tourist social receptions and cultural exchanges, said Bund.

Ah Yes, I work in Trade and Tourism, said Helena. We try to promote and sell British products, goods and services. You know we want to keep jobs in England. Keep our factories open. I presume you have attended our functions. She smiled again.

Bund nodded his head.

Yes, we were invited to attend several meetings and trade shows, said Bund. In one meeting I heard you give a talk about British products. You want them built bigger, faster and cheaper.

Helena laughed. Bund continued talking.

I attended that meeting as part of Ministry of State, British security, said Bund. The Special Services Division has to attend several embassy and Ministry of Commerce functions a month to provide security.

Helena kept on smiling.

I do remember you now, said Helena. You were at the front door checking name tags.

Bund smiled.

Helena kept talking.

I do remember seeing you, said Helena. You are with Special Services. It is nice meeting you.

Bund introduced himself. My name is Bund; Bill Bund, said Bund.

I am Helena Hilda Hulga, Mr. Bund, I am pleased to meet you, said Helena. My friends call me Hilda. Oh dear, I must leave now. It has gotten late.

Helena excused herself as she left the gym. Oh yes, Bill Bund, said Helena. Well I think I am through with my work out today. I have to get back to work. Nice seeing you again.

Bund smiled as he watched Hilda leave the gym. Agent Bund lifted some weights and walked on the walk tread mill for fifteen (15) minutes and jogged to the locker room where he showered and changed clothes for the afternoon work he had to do in his office.

When he got back to his office, Bund looked her up in the staff directory phone book listing of employees on his computer. He located the name, Helena Hilda Hulga. She worked in the Trade and Tourist office.

Bund decided he would call her up for a social date in a few weeks. He had his heart and mind on Hilda, as he appeared smitten with her beauty. He wrote her phone number on the back last page of his office note book and went on with his work reading the stack of papers he found in his in box on the left corner of his desk.

He found a copy of the daily intelligence briefing report to see what was going on in the Special Services Division, the London British Embassy, and other national security offices.

At three o’clock (3:00 p.m.) his next door co-worker, Jeff Kloss, Agent 00012, asked Bund, Bill, hows about joining me and Kent for a tea break? Let us go down to the snack bar canteen. We need a break from reading.

Bund put down the report he was reviewing and said, Sure, I will meet you in the hall in a minute.

The Special Service employees went to the first floor canteen snack room and ordered hot tea and muffins. Yes, I will have a whole wheat oat apple muffin, said Bund.

I will have the blue berry muffin, said Kloss. They sat down with two other Foreign Service Agents and talked about the security report they were to read and how it would affect their jobs in the coming months. After fifteen (15) minutes of conversation talking, the Agents returned to their offices to complete their afternoon work.

When Bund got back to his desk, his personal secretary, Ms. Rilya Cox, told him that he had a personal meeting with his Director supervisor boss, George Seagram in Mr. Seagrams’s office at three thirty o’clock (3:30 p.m.). Since Bund was lead supervisor, he thought his Director, Mr. Seagram wanted a report on the new car training and briefing session held at the Division of Technology Development and learn about the latest defensive gadgets and the new cars. Seagram would be surprised to learn that his agents would now have Experimental cars to drive.

Bund picked up a pad of writing paper and put two ballpoint pens in his pocket. He then picked up the telephone receiver and dialed one number to the Director’s office. Mr. Seagram had a personal secretary named, Ms. Constance Nickel. Ms. Nickel answered the telephone with a pleasant greeting, The Director’s office, how may I direct your call?

Bill Bund here, said Bund. Is the Director free to see me at the appointment time?

Oh 0006 it is you, said Ms. Nickel softly. Did you sign out the log book to leave the office this morning? Did you sign out for leave time? You were gone all morning. We did not know where you were. You know you and your agents must let us know where you are off to and when you will return. You can not just wander off. We must know your where abouts, where you are going and for what reason, and when you will be back in the office.

Bund responded quickly.

Oh dear imagine that, I left the sign in slip with my personal secretary Ms. Cox, teased Bund. Did she not give you the itinerary page of the trip, the reason for my temporary absence and estimated time of return?

There was a short pause of silence, then Ms. Nickel replied.

Your secretary may have put the leave slip here in my in box or mail box, said Ms. Nickel. I am so so swamped with work. I will look for it later. You may come down and see the Director at your appointed time, 0006.

That should be in three (3) minutes, said Bund.

So it is, said Ms. Nickel. I will tell him you are on your way. Goodbye 0006.

Bund hung up the phone receiver. He straightened his tie, put on his navy sport dress coat and walked the thirty (30) feet down to the end of the corridor hall way to the Director’s office. Bund liked walking down the six (6) foot wide hall. The hall way in his town house was only four feet (4 ft.) wide and seemed narrow.

The door to Mr. Seagram’s office was wide open and Bund walked right into the room. Seagram was sitting in the middle chair of his sixteen (16) foot meeting table.

Do sit down 0006, said Seagram.

Bund sat down in the middle chair directly across from the Director. He put down his pad of paper on the table top in front of him and began speaking.

We had an excellent briefing on the new government cars today, said Bund. We have to take drivers training to qualify to drive them. I will be out of the office for the better part of a day for the training.

Oh yes, Caruthers does a good job for the Foreign Service, said Seagram. He comes up with good gadgets. What with motion detectors, embassy building surveillance video cameras, metal detectors, burglar alarms, secure telephone lines and other devices. We should feel safe.

That he does sir, said Bund. Caruthers keeps us in hi-tech items necessary for us to do our jobs.

Seagram reached for a yellow folder on the left side of his stack of papers and opened it. He looked at Bund and began reading from the information inside the folder.

I have called you in today to discuss and review your annual year Employee Performance Review form, said Seagram. I completed it this morning and might as well tell you, your overall performance evaluation rating on this job is excellent. No one has ever received an outstanding rating. Most employees have received a satisfactory rating.

Thank you, said Bund.

Seagram looked up at Bund and smiled.

You know how much I detest doing needless paper work, said Seagram. But the personnel branch insists we provide staff employees yearly feedback on their work effort, contribution to our organization objectives and goals and the employee’s need for further training to grow in their job.

I understand sir, said Bund.

Seagram sat back in his chair.

You know a simple form cannot portray an employee properly here in the Special Services Division, said Seagram. This personnel form is for the entire Ministry of State staff. One form cannot fit all situations.

I understand sir, said Bund.

Our employees extend themselves and risk, and yet there is no gradation for such contribution and sacrifice, said Seagram. I will try to be brief with your evaluation. I will first just enumerate my evaluation decision and get over with it. As you know, I give you quarterly verbal informal reviews. Or every four months we talk on how the staff is doing in our difficult mission.

You do, do that sir, said Bund.

Your dedication and hard work is recognized, said Seagram.

Thank you sir, said Bund.

Seagram looked at the form.

Now, let us see here, said Seagram. "Oh yes.

"Persistence, you stick with something until it gets done.

Attitude, you have a good attitude and you do your tasks without complaint. You never give up.

Risk, you take prudent risk without endangering equipment and image of the Ministry of State.

Effort, you make maximum effort to get the job done.

Accomplishment, you meet our Division duty job description. In difficult circumstance, you complete your tasks, working with difficult people. When need be, you do the job and if necessary, you may give an apology for not following regulations. You talk about it and move on to the next task."

Seagram put down the evaluation form and personally praised Bund.

I like your determination and appreciate the over time you put into our projects, said Seagram.

Thank you sir, said Bund.

You know work is like running and jumping over the high bar, said Seagram. You maintain the high bar. You never lower the bar. Never lower the bar of high standards, quality in completing a job.

Again thank you sir, said Bund.

Goals, you establish realistic goals and objectives, and you meet them, said Seagram. You meet them by doing them in increments. Meets mile stone segments. You determine the right way and you work independently on that task as you meet your goals timely. You do the work without my detail direction. You do the work required of you.

Thank you sir, said Bund.

Character, you have good character," said Seagram.

You are honest, fair, polite, tolerant, creative, imaginative. Your behavior reflects well on our organization. You solve problems. Your ideas provide new ways to do things. You have high achievement, good outcome of your tasks. You are polite under stress, keeps things running smoothly while under pressure. Minimizes organization conflict.

Thank you sir, said Bund.

Values, You have the values, culture and social knowledge to do your job. You are honest and are not afraid of failure, tells the true facts, said Seagram.

Thank you sir, said Bund.

Supervisory skills. You supervise well. You realize there cannot be all success and no failure or delay in any project. You let them be responsible. Let them come to you for help and you provide guidance. Let them face things and move through them. It is their issue, and you do not jump in. You let them grow on the job. Thank you sir, said Bund.

I have not completed this segment 0006, said Seagram. Let me complete my comment and then you can respond.

Oh yes, sure sir, said Bund.

You let them be somebody, said Seagram. Have a high bar of expectation. Have their effort contribute to agency mission goals. Bund asks for supporting organization help only when he needs it and deems it appropriate. He inspires others. Lets his staff struggle to grow by solving their own work objectives.

Thank you sir, said Bund.

Development. Lives and performs task work in real time. He takes classes and training every year to improve himself. He makes it fun as he gets the job done. He often brings a unique joy to work with new approaches. Makes sense of chaos. Treats others with respect, every body’s ideas are important. Resolves staff conflict in a fair calm manner.

Thank you sir, said Bund.

Seagram looked up from his folder.

That sums it up in a sort of rambling summary manner, said Seagram. Just sign this form that you have reviewed my evaluation of your performance and let us get on with the real business at hand.

Bund bent forward and signed the form that Seagram placed in front of him. He kept a copy of the evaluation form for his file record.

Seagram explained the procedure.

This signed five part form will go to my secretary, said Seagram. A copy will go the personnel office, a copy will go to payroll, you have your copy and I guess a copy goes to your master agency organization file in an underground vault somewhere in England. That gets another evaluation out the way. Now what do you think of these Experimental cars?

Bund was hesitant.

Can’t say sir, haven’t tried them yet, said Bund. Today is Friday. On Monday morning I go for my training spin and learn defensive driving skills. How to outrun a bad guy.

You have notified my secretary of your scheduled planned leave absence for training duty on Monday? asked Seagram.

Done sir, said Bund.

Seagram handed Bund a two page memo order.

Here is your new monthly work schedule of events, said Seagram. You will notice there is only one trade and tourist reception in the evening and one diplomatic luncheon for you to do your security duty.

Very good, said Bund.

You will have to get your good meals elsewhere, laughed Seagram. You only have two functions to attend this month.

Bund thought and then answered.

Banquet reception or stand up parties are not the best source or place for a good meal sir, said Bund. Those little party sandwiches and salads do not stick to you and you get hungry three (3) hours later. Besides, you are on the job looking out for the guests, assuring no bad guys crash the party or upset things.

Seagram smiled and sat back in his chair and closed his yellow file folder.

Attending those reception functions and eating free party food is hard, said Seagram laughing. Just do not eat too much. I forgot to mention that I want you to write, prepare a two page report of your driver training in the Experimental vehicle provided for our staff use. Have the report on my desk, oh by Thursday of next week. That gives you four days to prepare the report to my attention. Oh before you go, Ms. Nickel wants to review your recent travel expense report with you.

Bund picked up his copy of the Employee Performance Evaluation Form, his paper pad and got up to leave Seagram’s office. Good day sir, said Bund.

You may close the door on your way out 0006, said Seagram. Have a good day.

CHAPTER FOUR

POUNDS, PENCE, DOLLARS AND SENSE

Bund left the private office of his boss supervisor, George Seagram. He walked into the little office room next door occupied by his personal secretary, Ms. Nickel and sat down in front of her desk without saying a word. Ms. Nickel stopped typing on her computer and turned to talk to Bund.

Oh its you, said Ms. Nickel. What do I owe the honor of your presence and company?

Bund was bored.

Money matter, said Bund. Travel expense report.

Ms. Nickel looked at the papers on her desk.

One moment please, let me find that folder, said Ms. Nickel. She opened a file drawer on the left side of her desk and brought out a folder with the tab, Travel. She opened the folder and read the first page.

Oh here you are 0006, said Ms. Nickel. I have your expense report. Book keeping accounting branch questioned your hotel bill, your meal per day bill and your transportation costs on your overseas trip to inspect an embassy.

Bund was surprised and spoke up.

Which trip? asked Bund.

The one that you took to Budapest, Hungry seven (7) weeks ago, said Ms. Nickel. Were you a pest in Budapest?

Nice joke, said Bund. That trip, oh yes. Embassy security review. Required official business. I think Kloss was with me on that trip. Did they question his travel expenses?

Ms. Nickel smiled.

No, Just your expense report, said Ms. Nickel.

Bund got serious.

Let us have a go at it, let me see what they say, said Bund. Let me review the information.

Ms. Nickel blocked Bund from looking at the folder.

You can’t read my small notes and marginal remarks on their memo page, said Ms. Nickel. Let me read it for you. To save time, let us assume I know everything.

Not really, said Bund.

Do not start with me, you will not win, said Ms. Nickel.

Not really, said Bund.

You can either agree with me or be wrong, said Ms. Nickel.

Bund sat back in his chair and replied.

Those who know the truth, cannot disagree, said Bund.

Ha, said Ms. Nickel.

Please get on with my travel trip expense report questioned cost review, said Bund.

She picked up the page and began reading.

"Hotel room expense of Ninety Seven dollars, ($ 97 Pounds), Breakfast expense of Seven Dollars ($ 7 Pounds), lunch of six dollars ($ 6 pounds), supper ten dollars ($ 10 pounds) with tip are being questioned as excessive. A total of one hundred twenty dollars, ($ 120 pounds). Your limit was Ninety Five dollars a day ($95 pounds). You went over budget twenty five dollars ($25 pounds). She looked up at Bund and waited for his reply answer.

Bund laughed.

They got off cheap, I converted the English Pound money to Euro dollars for free at the Embassy, said Bund. You cannot spend English Pound money in Europe.

He smiled and looked at the written notes he made while Ms. Nickel read off the questioned expenses.

Oh my, I should have stayed at the youth bicycle hostel hotel for five dollars ($5 Euro) a night, eaten my meals at a fast food hamburger place for three dollars ($ 3 Euro) for breakfast, three dollars ($3 Euro) for lunch and four dollars ($ 4 Euro) for supper.

Bund added up all the numbers.

"A total of fourteen dollars ($14 Euro),» said Bund. «I would be ahead Eighty one dollars ($81 Euro). I could take a bicycle from the youth hostel hotel and save cab fare to the embassy. Oh what I could do for my country.»

«They are not questioning your inter city transportation costs,» said Ms. Nickel. «They are questioning hotel expenses and meals.»

Bund could not understand the need for this review of his trip expense report.

«Let us be specific, refresh my memory,» said Bund. «What are they talking about?»

Ms. Nickel read from the travel expense report.

«You stayed at a four star hotel,» said Ms. Nickel.

Bund responded.

«Oh yes, the hotel was close to the English Embassy, probably saved six dollar ($ 6 Euro) taxi cab fare,» said Bund. «So the real cost of the room was minus twelve dollars ($12 Euro) for round trip taxi cab fare or Eighty Five dollars ($85 Euro).»

«Ms. Nickel began writing.

«I will put down you saved cab fare of twelve dollars,» said Ms. Nickel. «But why a four star hotel?»

Bund laughed.

«I was tailing somebody,» said Bund. «She walked into the «Budapest Hotel Bar» and I followed her in.»

Ms. Nickel was not happy.

«I am sure you did,» said Ms. Nickel. «A likely story. Stay at the «Economy Hotel» for twenty Nine dollars ($29 Euro) a night. Save our government money.»

Bund quickly responded.

«And spend twenty dollars ($20 Euro) in taxi cab fare one way getting to the British Embassy,» said Bund. «I saved my government forty dollars ($40 Euro) in not staying at an economy hotel in the outside area of town. I stayed close in so I could walk to my security review job at the English Embassy nearby. As it was within walking distance, I got more work done.»

Ms. Nickel was furious with Bund.

«You want me to put that down as an explanation?» asked Ms. Nickel.

Bund smiled.

«Yes, every word of it,» said Bund nonchalantly.

«So what you are saying is the four star hotel bill rate is reduced by forty dollars ($40 Euro) because you did not have to spend that money on taxi cab fare to take a cab to the embassy from an economy hotel.»

Bund nodded his head.

«Yes,» said Bund.

Ms. Nickel continued talking.

«What about breakfast of seven dollars ($7 Euro) you had at the hotel?» asked Ms. Nickel.

Bund smiled.

«I missed the free staff breakfast reception at the English Embassy from seven o’clock (7:00 a.m.) to eight o’clock (8:00 a.m.),» said Bund.

She waved her hand.

«Eat at a fast food place for three dollars ($ 3 Euro),» said Ms. Nickel.

Bund again smiled and sat back.

«And spend six dollars ($ 6 Euro) one way in cab fare trying to find a fast food place nearby,» said Bund.

«I saved cab fare of twelve dollars ($ 12 Euro) round trip eating at the Budapest Hotel instead of taking a cab to a far away fast food place.»

Now somewhat disgusted Ms. Nickel answered him.

«I will put that down,» said Ms. Nickel

Bund replied.

«Lunch was at the Embassy employee dining room,» said Bund.

«The lunch bill is acceptable,» said Ms. Nickel.

Bund again spoke.

«Supper of ten dollars ($10 Euro) was in the hotel dining room,» said Bund. «Going to a fast food place would have cost cab fare of six dollars ($6 Euro) one way. I saved the agency twelve dollars ($12 Euro) by eating at the hotel.»

«Oh really,» said Ms. Nickel.

Bund sat back in his chair.

«All totaled, I saved sixty four ($64 Euro) in taxi cab fare by staying at the «Budapest Hotel» and eating breakfast and supper there in the hotel rather than going outside to another eating place by taxi cab,» said Bund.

«So the real cost of the trip is sixty four dollars ($64 Euro) subtracted from one hundred twenty ($120 Euro) and you get, the amount of fifty six dollars ($56 Euro). Fifty six dollars ($56 Euro) is under the eighty six dollar ($86 Euro) maximum allowance for daily travel in Europe. This was a hard ship duty post location.»

Ms. Nickel waved her hand.

«Hardship, what sarcasm, oh get out of here 0006,» said Ms. Nickel. «What did you recommend on your inspection trip?»

Bund smiled cordially.

«You have my report to maintenance in your inspection file,» said Bund. «The usual, locked metal gate with armed guard, new security cameras, no parking within twenty (20 feet) of the embassy building. All delivery trucks to have prior pre-clearance and inspection, all large packages X-rayed, and an annex for visa and passport application processing away from the main embassy.»

Ms. Nickel smiled.

«You did a good day’s work,» said Ms. Nickel.

Bund got up from his chair.

«Good bye scrooge,» said Bund. «You do pinch pense, you are a penny pincher.»

Ms. Nickel answered Bund.

«Ha, Ha, you cannot be a spend thrift person 0006,» said Ms. Nickel. «Think how you spend your pounds and Euro dollars money. You cannot waste money. Have a nice day. Feel good, be happy.»

Bund returned to his office. He read the Experimental Car training brochure and the contents of the training package that described the driver training course that was on the work schedule to be held on Monday. He spoke to Kloss for a few minutes and then prepared for the weekend. Bund left work at the usual time of four thirty o’clock (4:30 p.m.). Kloss told him, «I hope you have a nice weekend.»

«You too,» said Bund.

Bund was thinking as he walked to his nearby favorite public restaurant and bar. Next week he would have to meet with several builders and contractors to discuss embassy building changes, alterations and remodeling to meet new security requirements. He would have to monitor renovation or remodeling progress in several embassies with the Ministry of State, Contract

Procurement Branch. There was always an embassy that needed an upgrade of some kind.

Thank goodness it was Friday afternoon. The work pressure was off. He would have to spend the day on Saturday, tomorrow at an antique auto motor car show. Car restoration was one of his hobbies.

Bund decided to stop off at the «Shiny Boot» pub restaurant for supper. He ordered a big glass of alcohol free near beer. For his meal, he had a fried fish sandwich, strips of fried potatoes with carrot and cabbage coleslaw salad.

He sat at the bar and spoke with an employee of the Ministry of State staff that he knew for several years. When the man left the Pub, Bund also left the Pub and took the public bus to his town house.

CHAPTER FIVE

WEEK END RELAXATION

Saturday morning. It was the start of the weekend. It was a bright balmy day with Seventy (70) degree faranheit weather.

Bund showered, shaved and put on beige khaki pants and light blue shirt. He wore his brown hiking shoes, as he would have to stand on a concrete parking lot for seven (7) hours showing antique cars to visitors.

As his house mate, Seth Cooper was out of town, Bund had the whole house to himself. For breakfast, Bund made himself a bowl of instant oat meal, three beef sausage links, one slice of whole wheat toast and a hot cup of tea. He liked English Breakfast Tea for a breakfast and lunch drink, and an Earl Gray Tea for supper beverage.

Some days he would fix himself a second slice of whole wheat toast and put some English Orange Marmalade jelly and slowly enjoyed the tangy taste of the fruit spread.

On cold mornings, he had English muffins with real dairy butter and hot oatmeal. He was assured that instant oatmeal could be boiled for two minutes straight out of the cereal box and eaten as soon as it was cooked. In the olden days, it would take forty (40) minutes to cook a hot pot of oatmeal cereal. He had thought of using his microwave oven to make his instant oatmeal directly in the clay cereal bowl, but he preferred using an electric stove and three quart stainless steel soup pot to boil his hot oat cereal. He liked to hear it bubble and steam when it was fully cooked.

When in a real hurry, Bund would fix instant cold oat cereal flakes with skim milk. But it did not have the appetite staying power stick to the ribs feeling of real rolled oats hot cereal. He would forego having scrambled eggs today. Instead he would