Taking Texas: Book One of a Two-Part Series

By Niki Chesy

Taking Texas is the first book in a two-part series. It is a novel about a motivated group of friends who are willing to take things to the extreme to save their country. The trials and tribulations of this group of three unfold over two decades, culminating in a series of events that hold the very existence of the country at stake. This suspenseful, politically charged thriller is both dramatic and technical.

The story unfolds with a scene in 1993, with three people together watching TV.

The three friendsMichael Bishop, Nikoli Borodin, and Samantha Sloanare struck by the unfolding drama of the World Trade Center parking garage bombing. They know that something has to change to keep the United States from continuing its downward slide. They all believe that it is the greatest country in the world, and they are prepared to take action to keep it that way and even improve upon it.

Taking Texas can almost be seen as a case study in civics, personal accountability, and optimism.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Sep 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496935540

Niki Chesy

Niki grew up in Arvada, Colorado, and attended the University of Colorado as an older student, obtaining degrees in both criminal justice and psychology. Returning to school sparked a love of learning that fuels her daily. She currently resides in Golden, Colorado, with her family. Taking Texas is her first novel.

Book preview

Taking

Texas

by Niki Chesy

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BOOK ONE OF A TWO-PART SERIES

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AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

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

© 2014 by Niki Chesy. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 04/08/2015

ISBN: 978-1-4969-3563-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-3564-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-3554-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014914921

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Cover Concept - Tim Rod

Cover Photo - Allison Shacklett

Cover Model - Matt Lederle

CONTENTS

Book 1 Taking Texas

Part 1 Dossiers & The Beginning

Chapter 1 Harvard, Wellesley & Russia (1993-1999)

Part 2 Numbers Talking (2009)

Chapter 2 Contact For 44

Chapter 3 Conversation With 43

Part 3 Texas, Colorado & A Plan (2011)

Chapter 4 The Location

Chapter 5 The Company

Chapter 6 The Introductions

Chapter 7 The Players

Chapter 8 The Plan

Part 4 Founders (1997-1998)

Chapter 9 Visionaries

Chapter 10 Evaluators

Chapter 11 Magnates

Chapter 12 Communication

Chapter 13 Yin-Yang

Part 5 Connections In The Communications (1999-2001)

Chapter 14 A Company In The Research

Chapter 15 Life’s Twists For The Three

Chapter 16 Intention At The Election Celebration

Chapter 17 Raw Materials In The Land

Part 6 Life After, Prepare (2001-2004)

Chapter 18 Acquisitions, Foundation

Chapter 19 Outrage, Security

Chapter 20 Associations, Evaluate

Chapter 21 The Economy, Analyze

Chapter 22 Latrunculus Academica Parasitariis, Target

Part 7 Deliberate, Plan, Act (2005-2011)

Chapter 23 Developments & To Wit A Life

Chapter 24 A Box Of Sand & A Brain

Chapter 25 Drama, Wine & Dogs

Chapter 26 Fuzzy, A Fight & A Piece Of Pizza

Chapter 27 Kai, Green Pastures & Chronic Disease

Chapter 28 One Versus Many, Anonymous Versus Confidential & The Downward Spiral

Chapter 29 Stated Recovery, Environmental Disaster & Recruitment

Chapter 30 The Leak, Serenity & The Philosopher King

Author’s Note

For my little pieces of Heaven

MY EVERLASTING GRATITUDE.

Mrs. Jackie Tancredo - my junior high and high school Russian teacher and friend. You have been a great example to thousands of kids.

Matt Lederle - a friend that came to me through an unconventional path. Thank you for being the cover model and showing support for my book. You have been there every time I’ve asked and I appreciate you so much.

Tim Rod - a title doesn’t fit him; my ex-husband, my best friend… he knows me better than anyone… he is, with my animals, my family. Thank you for giving me the time and support to write this book. You are a good man!

My Mom - for telling me I could do anything I put my mind to. As she put it, so figure it out and get to it!

Thank you to those of you who made me think and stretch my mind; my mentors and friends: GK, DR, DB, RS, ME and BV to name a few.

BOOK 1

TAKING TEXAS

PART 1

DOSSIERS & THE BEGINNING

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

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OPERATIONS DIRECTORATE

TOP SECRET – EYES ONLY

27 FEBRUARY 2013

INTERNAL MEMORANDUM

TO: Director, Operations Directorate

FROM: Marc Wilson, Information and Privacy Coordinator

RE: Individuals Under Surveillance

- - - - -

Please find four (4) profiles attached for surveillance on the individuals we discussed. This information has been collected over the last 15 months, in reference to the alleged underground movement known only as AmendX. Background information is available for a period in excess of 15 years on each individual.

Please be advised that, although these individuals have been determined NOT to be a threat to national security, further surveillance is highly recommended.

Please contact me directly for additional comments or concerns.

Marc Wilson

Information and Privacy Coordinator

Operations Directorate

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

INDIVIDUALS UNDER SURVEILLANCE (IUS) PROFILE

PROFILE ID: 3-EPWwWhac47ztcQ

Name: Michael Earnest Bishop

AKA: Mike, Bish

Age: 39

Date of Birth: April 11, 1973

Current Address:

100 Memorial Drive

Cambridge, MA 02142

Other Residences:

930 23rd Street

San Francisco, CA 94131

PHOTO CLASSIFIED

SEE ADDITIONAL FILE CONTENT FOR MORE INFORMATION

Brief Summary:

The subject, Michael Bishop, has come under surveillance per a multi-agency task force initiative. It has been determined that the subject, with the aid and assistance of multiple other individuals, may be involved in efforts that would lead to grave harm to the United States and its interests.

The subject has been under surveillance for a period of 14 months prior to this report, and has been observed by operators from CIA and DIA, with support from FBI. Continued efforts are ongoing under Counter Intelligence Program (COINTELPRO) program office.

The subject has been observed to be in primary contact with other IUS to include Nikoli Borodin and Samantha Sloan (see IUS Profiles 3-bdQh2CZxZywi4D and 3-fZtMPB9Ap9rric). Captured communications reference is NSA-1-f7p-QZFF-tcy7-DXNP-gg-PBvWD. Communications should continue to be monitored for these and other associations with known IUS.

No foreign contact noted

Completed by: Agent Steven Harrison

Date: 16AUG2012

PROFILE ID: 3-EPWwWhac47ztcQ

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Height: 6’4"

Weight: 200-210lbs

Eye Color: Blue

Hair Color: Dark brown

Hair Style: Very short, sometimes buzzed

Distinguishing Marks: Mighty Mouse tattoo left shoulder/ upper arm

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Father’s Name: William Bishop

Father’s Status: Living

Mother’s Name: Olivia Thompson Bishop

Mother’s Status: Living

Number of Siblings: 1

Ethnic Background: German and Russian/Irish American

Religion: Catholic

Degree of Religious Practice: Non-practicing

Place of Birth: Menlo Park, CA

Citizenship: United States

Brief Description of Home: White stone and red brick loft/condominium in Boston

Other Occupants of Home: None

Current Occupation: Researcher at MIT

Education: Harvard undergraduate, attended Stanford for under one year.

Marital Status: Never married

Spouse’s Name: n/a

Name by Which Subject Addresses Spouse: n/a

Spouse’s Occupation: n/a

Children’s Names and Ages: n/a

General Health: Excellent

Chronic Health Conditions: None

Current Health Conditions: Excellent

Dress (describe dress): Upscale casual

Grooming: Meticulous

Speech – Pace: Average pace

Speech – Voice: Soft spoken, casual, confident

Speech – Favorite Words or Phrases: None

Speech – Usual Cuss Words (if any): None used with any regularity

MANNERISMS

General: Projects a calm image

Gestures: Doesn’t gesture much

Favorite Gesture: n/a

Habits – Home: When in Boston, subject reads/studies

Where does subject live? Boston, MA but travels frequently

Décor of personal space controlled by subject: Modern, minimalist

Basic Overall Style/Impression: Modern

Habits – Pets

Number and Type of Pets: No pets

How well does subject treat the pets/animals? Very well

Habits – Waking up

Who else is sleeping in the same bed? Periodic girlfriends

What time does subject wake up? Between 5:30 and 6:30 am. Runs first thing.

Is subject cheerful in the morning? Seemingly so

Does subject eat breakfast? If so, what? Eggs, Protein shakes, yogurt and chicken breasts.

Habits – Dinner

Who prepares subject’s meal? When eating in, self.

Who does subject eat with? 30% with friends and girlfriends, the rest of the time alone.

What does meal typically consist of? Wine and food is quite varied.

Does subject enjoy the meal? Why/why not? Seems to enjoy wine, eating slowly as to experience the meal.

Who cleans up? Subject

Habits – evening

What does subject do on a typical evening? Reads and watches sports

Is bedtime consistent? If so, what time? Varies

With whom? Mostly alone.

How does the subject get along with:

Spouse: n/a

Parents: Well

Siblings: Well

The Opposite Sex: Well

Children in General: Well

Neighbors: Well

Friends: Well

Anyone that challenges subject: Calmly

Anyone who angers subject: Logically and calmly

Anyone who helps subject: Well and gratefully

Anyone who asks for help from subject: Well and gracious

END OF REPORT

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

INDIVIDUALS UNDER SURVEILLANCE (IUS) PROFILE

PROFILE ID: 3-bdQh2CZxZywi4D

Name: Nikoli Leonidovich Borodin

AKA: Niki

Age: 39

Date of Birth: October 30, 1973

Current Address:

Primary Residence

3 25th Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94121

Second Residence

1701 Sunset Drive

Pacific Grove, CA 93950

PHOTO CLASSIFIED

SEE ADDITIONAL FILE CONTENT FOR MORE INFORMATION

Brief Summary:

The subject, Nikoli Borodin, has come under surveillance per a multi-agency task force initiative. It has been determined that the subject, with the aid and assistance of multiple other individuals, may be involved in efforts that would lead to grave harm to the United States and its interests.

The subject has been under surveillance for a period of 10 months prior to this report, and has been observed by operators from CIA and DIA, with support from FBI. Continued efforts are ongoing under Counter Intelligence Program (COINTELPRO) program office.

The subject has been observed to be in primary contact with other IUS to include Michael Bishop and Samantha Sloan (see IUS Profiles 3-EPWwWhac47ztcQ and 3-fZtMPB9Ap9rric). No captured communications are available for this subject. Attempts at communications capture should continue subject. Note: Communications capture has been deemed by NSA to be obfuscated by technology in use by subject. Patterns are under investigation by COINTELPRO, as well as NSA branch office 8QR.

Subject is a founding partner of Sensedatum Technologies. This position provides for significant financial resources for subject (see related COINTELPRO financial files created by Office of Navel Intelligence (ONI), related to main file number). Subjects status formulates a very public persona, and subject is often found in very crowded venues. Personal security appears to be minimal and discreet, and is provided by a private contractor (origin unknown at this time). Personal and business air travel within CONUS and OCONUS is done via private aircraft only. Subject’s substantial resources allow for pre-arrangement of secure ground transportation when traveling outside continental United States (OCONUS).

Foreign contact noted. Subject continues to maintain communications with family members in Russia. Due to subject’s occupation, foreign contacts are numerous and frequent.

Completed by: Agent Steven Harrison

Date: 6NOV2012

PROFILE ID: 3-bdQh2CZxZywi4D

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Height: 61

Weight: 180lbs

Eye Color: Hazel

Hair Color: Dark Brown

Hair Style: Short

Distinguishing Marks: 3/4 inch scar above right eyebrow

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Father’s Name: Leonid Borodin

Father’s Status: Living

Mother’s Name: Tatyana Mironov Borodin

Mother’s Status: Living

Ethnic Background: Russian

Religion: Russian Orthodox

Degree of Religious Practice: Non-practicing

Place of Birth: Moscow, Russia

Citizenship: Green card 1984, Naturalized 1995

Brief Description of Home: Brick and glass condominium

Other Occupants of Home: Wife

Current Occupation: Entrepreneur

Education: Harvard undergraduate, attended Stanford 16 months, on leave from Ph.D. program.

Marital Status: 1st marriage – 6 years

Spouse’s Name: Haley Reynolds

Name By Which Subject Addresses Spouse: Haley

Spouse’s Occupation: Researcher, evolutionary development

Children’s Names And Ages: Leo Nicholas Borodin, 3 years old

General Health: Good - above average, but not excellent

Chronic Health Conditions: None

Current Health Conditions: Good

Dress: Unkempt

Grooming: Average grooming and cleanliness for group

Speech – Pace: Talks fast, faint Russian accent

Speech – Voice: Average

Speech – Favorite Words Or Phrases: Amazing

Speech – Usual Cuss Words: None

MANNERISMS

General: Moods change, and body language with it a bit fidgety

Gestures (doesn’t gesture much, gestures are deliberate and controlled, gestures mostly when excited/upset, gestures much of the time, gestures wildly, even weirdly): n/a

Favorite gesture:

When does subject use it?

Habits – Home

Where does subject live? San Francisco, California

Décor of personal space controlled by subject: Casual

Basic Overall Style/Impression: Contemporary, casual

Habits – Pets

Pets: One cat, one dog

How important are pets to subject? Moderate

How well does subject treat the pets? Well

Habits – Waking up

Who else is sleeping in the same bed? Wife

What time does subject wake up? Wide range: 4-6 am

Is subject cheerful in the morning? Does not seem so.

Does subject eat breakfast? If so, what? Wide range of breakfast foods

Habits – Dinner

Who prepares subject’s meal? Live-in housekeeper prepares meals for family, subject eats with them when home from work

Who does subject eat with? Family or at work

What does meal typically consist of? Balanced diet at home, full range at work.

Does subject enjoy the meal? Why/why not? Moderately, seems to be in a hurry.

Who cleans up? Housekeeper or staff at work

Habits – evening:

What does subject do on a typical evening? Spends time with family or at work

Is bedtime consistent? If so, what time? Not consistent

With whom? Wife

How does the subject get along with:

Spouse: Hard to tell - from outside seems fine

Parents: Does not see them often but keeps in regular touch

Siblings: None

The opposite sex: Good

Children in general: Well

Neighbors: Well

Friends: Well

Anyone that challenges subject: Challenging

Anyone who angers subject: Ceases to engage

Anyone who helps subject: Well

Anyone who asks for help from subject: Generously

END OF REPORT

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

INDIVIDUALS UNDER SURVEILLANCE (IUS) PROFILE

PROFILE ID: 3-fZtMPB9Ap9rric

Name: Samantha Chloe Sloan

AKA: Sam

Age: 38

Date of Birth: March 13, 1974

Current Address: Several (in order, most to least time spent)

Broadmoor Hotel Cottage 18

1 Lake Avenue

Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Rented from 2005-2006, purchased home 2006

1311 Hurst Creek Road

Austin, TX (Lake Travis)   78734

Parent’s Residence

1117 Crest Lane

Menlo Park, CA 94025

40 Steamboat Wharf, Unit 1

Mystic, CT 06355

PHOTO CLASSIFIED

SEE ADDITIONAL FILE CONTENT FOR MORE INFORMATION

Brief Summary:

Subject has been selected for inclusion as IUS based on associations with other known IUS. It has been determined that the subject, with the aid and assistance of multiple other individuals, may be involved in efforts that would lead to grave harm to the United States and its interests.

The subject has been under surveillance for a period of 11 months prior to this report, and has been observed by operators from CIA and DIA, with support from FBI. Continued efforts are ongoing under Counter Intelligence Program (COINTELPRO) program office.

The subject has been observed to be in primary contact with other IUS to include Michael Bishop and Nikoli Borodin (see IUS Profiles 3-EPWwWhac47ztcQ and 3-bdQh2CZxZywi4D). Captured communications reference is NSA-1-Pau-g4ch-cKLn-EB9X-oK-uUiXP. Communications should continue to be monitored for these and other associations with known IUS.

Subject travels frequently, and current location is unknown. Subject possesses exceptional capability to detect and deter surveillance efforts. All current residences are under observation. Ongoing efforts to overcome circumvention have been deemed appropriate, and electronic measures are being employed.

No foreign contact noted.

Completed by: Agent Mark Cole

Date: 14AUG2012

PROFILE ID: 3-fZtMPB9Ap9rric

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Height: 5’3"

Weight: 95-100lbs

Eye Color: Blue

Hair Color: Blonde

Hair Style: Medium length to shoulders

Distinguishing Marks: None

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Father’s Name: James Grey Sloan

Father’s Status: Living

Mother’s Name: Chloe Barnes Sloan

Mother’s Status: Living

Ethnic Background: German and Austrian American

Religion: Raised Catholic

Degree Of Religious Practice: Non-practicing

Place of Birth: Palo Alto, CA

Citizenship: US

Brief Description Of Home: Current living arrangements unknown. Owns house in Mystic, CT, and Austin, TX

Other Occupants Of Home: None

Current Occupation: Clinical Psychologist

Education: Ph.D. from Stanford

Marital Status: Never married

Spouse’s Name: None

Name By Which Subject Addresses Spouse: n/a

Spouse’s Occupation: n/a

Children’s Names And Ages: n/a

General Health: Excellent

Chronic Health Conditions: None

Current Health Conditions: Excellent

Dress: Professional or business casual dress - in black only

Grooming: Meticulous

Speech – Pace: Fast

Speech – Voice: Shrill to average

Speech – Favorite Words Or Phrases: None

Speech – Usual Cuss Words (if any): Fuck has been heard on multiple occasions

MANNERISMS

General: Projects calm posture but can get fidgety

Posture: Stands straight but not stiffly

Gestures: Gestures much of the time

Favorite Gesture: Hand movement for descriptions

When does subject use it? When speaking with others

Habits – Home

Note: Have not observed individual at all residences

Where does subject live? Multiple locations

Décor Of Personal Space Controlled By Subject: Stylish, but sparse

Basic Overall Style/Impression: Minimalist

Habits – Pets

Pets: Many; dogs (Saint Bernards), cats; (multiple breeds)

How important are pets to subject? Immensely

How well does subject treat the pets? As if people

Habits – Waking up

Who else is sleeping in the same bed? None. If she has male companion, she visits their residence. Rare.

What time does subject wake up? Between 7 and 8 AM when able to observe.

Is subject cheerful in the morning? Seems quiet

Does subject eat breakfast? If so, what? Yes, breakfast sandwiches mostly, or smoothie shakes

Habits – Dinner

Note: Eats out often

Who prepares subject’s meal? Self, when observed at home in Connecticut

Who does subject eat with? Friends or alone, rarely male companion.

What does meal typically consist of? Wide variety, but typical protein, vegetables, and starch.

Does subject enjoy the meal? Why/why not? Yes, but never eats all of it.

Who cleans up? If at home, self.

Habits – evening

General Note: Reads a lot, seems to have interest in research and watches television.

What does subject do on a typical evening? Reads or is on computer during dinner, plays with animals after dinner, watches television for an hour or so, then reads until retires.

Is bedtime consistent? If so, what time? Yes, between 11PM and 12 AM

With whom? Alone

How does the subject get along with:

Spouse: None

Parents: Well

Siblings: No relationship seems to exist

The opposite sex: Well

Children in general: Have not observed with children

Neighbors: Well

Friends: Well

Anyone that challenges subject: Can be quick tempered

Anyone who angers subject: Can be explosive

Anyone who helps subject: Very appreciative

Anyone who asks for help from subject: Very accommodating

END OF REPORT

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

INDIVIDUALS UNDER SURVEILLANCE (IUS) PROFILE

PROFILE ID: 3-M7bj4xghCqvKAL

SPECIAL FILE STATUS: This file must be maintained as a special file, per CIA 32 CFR 1909, and as such, is NOT subject to the Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, or Executive Order 12958. Subject to redaction.

Name: Jackson John Cooper

AKA: Jack

Age: 53

Date of Birth: February 12, 1960

Current Address:

Governor’s Mansion

1010 Colorado Street

Austin, TX 78701

Personal Residence

1770 Lakeshore Drive

Austin, TX 78734

PHOTO CLASSIFIED

SEE ADDITIONAL FILE CONTENT FOR MORE INFORMATION

Brief Summary:

Subject has been selected for inclusion as IUS based on circumstantial evidence of participation in extremist activities. It has been determined that the subject may have first-hand knowledge of individuals that may be involved in efforts that would lead to grave harm to the United States and its interests. Subject observation basis is intended to identify other individuals.

The subject has been under surveillance for a period of 25 months prior to this report. Subject maintains a Department of Defense (DoD) Top Secret - Secure Compartmented Information (TS-SCI) clearance based on Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) conducted in 2010. Subject currently occupies the Governorship of the State of Texas, and was confirmed as Governor without election, based on elevation from Lieutenant Governor. DoD clearance was deemed appropriate based on status as Commander-and-Chief, Texas National Guard. Subject has access to credible foreign intelligence data based on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) daily briefings. Note that file is granted special status based on subject’s access to intelligence data. Subject was re-elected as Governor in subsequent election.

Communications capture for subject is maintained by National Security Agency (NSA), in accordance with standard practices in counter-terrorism.

The subject has not been observed to be in primary contact with other IUS, although based on circumstantial evidence,

Subject travels frequently, and current location is unknown. Subject possesses exceptional capability to detect and deter surveillance efforts. All current residences are under observation. Ongoing efforts to overcome circumvention have been deemed appropriate, and electronic measures are being employed.

No foreign contact noted.

Completed by: Agent Mark Cole

Date: 17JAN013

PROFILE ID: 3-M7bj4xghCqvKAL

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Height: 6’2"

Weight: 210lbs

Eye Color: Brown

Hair Color: Brown

Hair Style: Short

Distinguishing Marks: None

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Father’s Name: John Cooper

Father’s Status: Living

Mother’s Name: Emily Shaw Cooper

Mother’s Status: Living

Ethnic Background: English American

Religion: Christian

Degree Of Religious Practice: Practicing

Place of Birth: Midland, Texas

Citizenship: US

Brief Description Of Home: Governor’s Mansion

Other Occupants Of Home: Family/Staff

Current Occupation: Governor, Texas

Education: Undergraduate of Texas A&M

Marital Status: 1st marriage – 27 years

Spouse’s Name: Lily Clarke Cooper

Name By Which Subject Addresses Spouse: Lil, Lily

Spouse’s Occupation: Medical Doctor

Children’s Names And Ages: Two boys, 23 & 21

General Health: Good

Chronic Health Conditions: Mild asthma

Current Health Conditions: Good

Dress: Professional casual

Grooming: Above average grooming and cleanliness for group

Speech – Pace: Average pace, but slows to make point

Speech – Voice: Deep, authoritative

Speech – Favorite Words Or Phrases: Repeats sentences or words twice when making a point.

Speech – Usual Cuss Words: (if any) None

MANNERISMS

General: Project a calm & confident image

Gestures: Gestures are deliberate and controlled

Favorite Gesture: Right hand first finger to lips

When does subject use it? During speeches or talking to five or more people

Habits – Home:

Where does subject live? Austin Texas

Décor Of Personal Space Controlled By Subject: Traditional

Basic Overall Style/Impression: Traditional, comfortable

Habits – Pets

Pets: Two dogs

How important are pets to subject? Moderate

How well does subject treat the pets? Well

Habits – Waking up

Who else is sleeping in the same bed? Wife

What time does subject wake up? Early 6 am or before

Is subject cheerful in the morning? Quiet, takes a while to wake up.

Does subject eat breakfast? If so, what? Eggs, meat, toast every morning

Habits – Dinner

Who prepares subject’s meal? Wife or housekeeper

Who does subject eat with? Family or business dinners

What does meal typically consist of? Meat, potatoes, with salads or vegetables with wine

Does subject enjoy the meal? Why/why not? Depending on who he is eating with, he can be quick or sit and relax and enjoy

Who cleans up? Staff or housekeeper

Habits – Evening:

What does subject do on a typical evening? Working or spending time with his family. Many political functions

Is bedtime consistent? If so, what time? Not consistent

With whom? Wife

How does the subject get along with:

Spouse: Well

Parents: Strained

Siblings: Not well

The opposite sex: Well

Children in general: Well

Neighbors: Well

Friends: Well

Anyone that challenges subject: Does not back down but is polite

Anyone who angers subject: Abrasive

Anyone who helps subject: Humble and respectful

Anyone who asks for help from subject: Gracious and giving

END OF REPORT

CHAPTER 1

HARVARD, WELLESLEY & RUSSIA (1993-1999)

Friday, February 26, 1993 – 1:00pm Eastern Standard Time (18:00 hours Zulu Time)

Man, something’s gotta change, or it’s only going to get worse. Michael Bishop stood in the doorway, as if he were physically unable to move.

What are you talking about? What’s going on? asked Nikoli Borodin.

You can see on TV exactly what I am talking about, said Bishop, pointing at the television. I’m talking about the fuckin’ insanity happening at the World Trade Center. Someone set off a bomb in the parking garage of one of the towers. He threw his book bag on the couch with a little too much force.

We know about the bombing, Mike. It’s on every channel. What do you mean when you say that it’s going to get worse? The ATF just said there were no more bombs in the building, said Samantha Sloan, not taking her eyes off the television. She had already been watching when Bishop had walked in.

Nikoli spoke, instead of Bishop, He meant this country, not this bombing incident, right Mike?

Yeah, was all Mike could muster. He finally stepped out of the doorway and threw himself on the couch next to his bag.

To Bishop, it was appropriate that they were together on a day as momentous as this. These three had been friends for as long as he could remember. They were even referred to as the three, by parents, professors, and other friends because they were inseparable. A year younger than the boys, Samantha Sloan had skipped sixth grade, so she had entered Junior High School with the boys. She was currently attending the all-girl college, Wellesley, but would graduate the same year the boys would graduate from Harvard, and then they were planning to head west to Stanford to pursue their graduate work together. This weekend, though, they were still on the east coast watching the horror. Samantha had hopped the senate bus, also known colloquially around campus as the Fuck Truck, to visit the boys at Harvard. She hated the nickname, and even more so, despised the girls that justified the name in the first place. It was simply a shuttle bus that ran from Wellesley, stopping once at Harvard University, then moving onto The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and finally dropping students off on Beacon Street in Boston. The real name, senate bus, was given for the Wellesley College Government Senate, which worked hard to establish such a circuit. She didn’t have classes on Fridays, so she had wanted to get a jump on the weekend and catch the early bus. Now they were all sitting in the living area of the boys’ room at Kirkland House, watching something the country wouldn’t understand until the days and weeks to come. No one fully grasped that this country had just experienced a terrorist attack on its own soil.

Mike you don’t know how bad things can get, Nikoli said softly. "After coming here from Russia, things look pretty good. I mean, I don’t remember too much because I was nine, but I do remember it was a hell of a lot harder there than anything I’ve seen here. I mean, kids here have it cushy, and in ways they don’t even think about, like supervision, and how their time is filled with activities instead of having to work to help the family out… those kinds of things. I also remember my parents, and the weight that had been lifted from them once we got here."

Oh, I agree Niki, totally. I’m not saying this country isn’t great… it is. I’m just seeing its greatness slip away a little at a time. It seems like the bar keeps getting a little bit lower while we get a little bit fatter, accepting less for a higher cost. Mediocrity over striving to do your best, Mike said almost sorrowfully. No one loves this country more than me. Really. I guess I am sitting here wondering how the hell this happened? Who was looking the other way, while lives of good people were being compromised? Plus, it happened in New York. That is a little close to home, right? We are literally just up the road.

Most people that knew Michael Bishop while he was younger called him Mike. His newer friends and college girls called him Michael, and his closer friends called him Bish, but Samantha called him Mike. She hated the name ‘Bish.’ Mike had grown up inside the Great American Dream, in a normal house, almost too normal – a house with two point four kids, a family dog they called Darwin and a cat named Sigmund. Mom worked part-time in real estate while dad was the major breadwinner, working as an engineer for a private contracting firm that did most of their work for the US Navy. Their neighbor, and Michael’s namesake, Michael Pearson, was a close friend of his father and a constant source of inspiration for those that knew him. Mr. Pearson and his father met on the job and he became known as ‘Uncle Mike.’ For only a junior officer in the Navy, Pearson had known where he wanted to end up; Mike really looked up to the male role models in his life and wanted to be just like them. So, he did well in school, joined the Cub Scouts, played sports, went to the prom and never had any of those teen-angst run-ins with his parents. At Harvard, he was the co-captain of the rugby team, varsity crew, and helped organize the activities at Kirkland House. He enjoyed playing sports but he wasn’t that jock that Kirkland house has been known for, and that was one of the reasons he chose not to be a Master of the House when his peers asked him to be. For all intents and purposes, he was the perfect child.

Handsome – beautiful actually – but he either ignored it, or was unaware of his good looks. With flawless, sun-kissed bronze skin that glowed, he turned heads. His eyes were his best feature by far, almond shaped, and large, icy, sky blue. People would comment that he could look coldly right through you, but once you got to know him, his looks softened. Plus, he had a Mighty Mouse tattoo on his left shoulder, which sure made the girls giggle. He was rather tall, about six feet, four inches, and weighed about two hundred pounds. Everyone that met Mike liked him, especially the girls. Girls went crazy for him. He certainly had a great time with women, but he found himself enjoying his friends and sitting back and watching them enjoy themselves more often than dating. His soft-spoken nature was more that of an observer than in-the-middle-of-the-action kind of guy, unlike his pal, Nikoli. Mike certainly wasn’t a player, but he didn’t stay interested in the same girl for any real length of time. What seemed even more amazing, especially for teenagers, was that Mike somehow remained friends with the girls he had dated. His solace and guilty pleasure, though, was the golf course. He didn’t really find his stride until his twenties but he always made time for the sport. He often tried to get Nikoli to play but was usually unsuccessful; Niki had no patience for the game.

Always curious about how things worked, Mike experimented with everything from reverse engineering video games to trying his hand at day trading. He was successful at both; the trading allowed him to make quite a large sum of money before he even had his undergraduate degree. During that time he also discovered that, although he didn’t need them, he had an eye for the finer things in life. After a particularly good month in the market, he rewarded himself with some German engineering and bought a sleek, black BMW M5. His dad said it was pretentious… and then Mike let him drive it, and his dad realized the guilty pleasure as well.

They all sat looking at the television not saying much. It was reported that a truck bomb had exploded in the parking structure below the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Not much was known at the time; except that electricity had been cut off due to the blast and over one thousand were reported injured and six killed. Almost immediately following the explosion, an Al-Qaeda group of conspirators took responsibility for the attack, spouting that the goal had been to bring down the tower. In the days to follow, a videotape was released by one of the masterminds who had escaped to Pakistan just hours following the attack. The message was clear: This group and other splinter groups were out to kill Americans at any cost.

The world is changing – I can’t say exactly how and I’m sure our parents, and their parents, have said the same thing, but I can just feel something ugly creeping in, said Bishop.

Nikoli and Samantha both nodded in agreement.

Mike Bishop’s best friend, Nikoli Borodin was also extremely bright; he naturally excelled at everything he tried, and did even better than Mike and Samantha scholastically. Having emigrated from Russia with his family when he was nine, it was very important to him to act like an American, sound like an American – be an American. Unlike Bishop, Nikoli was a risk-taker and had a wild side to him. He classically rebelled against his parents and was often smarter than his teachers and professors, which proved him to be too smart for his own good. While he earned a reputation as a ‘problem’ student, and taking Mike’s lead, he frequently forgot about school and spent the day hashing it out in the market. To say that his wins and his losses were substantially bigger than Mike’s was an understatement, but Nikoli must have been born under a good sign; he always managed to stay on top. A few inches shorter than Mike, and finding his hair thinning at an early age, he took it upon himself to take the proactive approach, and maintained a buzzed, almost bald look, which the girls seemed to like. With hazel eyes, leaning more to the green than the brown, he could produce a twinkle at will. His pale Russian skin made him look a bit frail, which he also used to lure the ladies, even though he was quite robust and healthy. Unlike Mike’s ambivalence, Nikoli considered the ladies a much higher priority. He liked watching sports more than playing them, even though he was quite athletic, but never turned down an opportunity for a good time throwing around the football. Almost the polar opposite from his best friend, he liked and believed he needed nice things, and stopped at nothing to acquire them, but he always worked for and earned what he wanted. He was taught a good work ethic and as he grew older, it just became stronger. That was one of his favorite things about America: if you worked hard and did well, you were compensated for it. His father would tell him stories about how the system worked in Russia, being a very different tale. He felt blessed to be in the United States and he wasn’t going to waste the opportunity.

When they were in high school, the three kids were always together, and a classic love triangle blossomed, although Mike was completely unaware of it. Samantha had been quietly in love with Mike since she was six, but through high school, observed Mike’s inability or lack of desire to connect with girls and realized he was a much better friend than a lover and put any thoughts of dating Mike out of her head. Nikoli, however, was obsessed with Samantha; she represented to him all the great and beautiful things about America and it strained their relationship for a short time. Samantha gave in to Nikoli’s charming and heartfelt courtship and they dated for a year. For Samantha’s eighteenth birthday, Nikoli took her skydiving, while Mike watched from below. It had been a wonderful and difficult year for both of them. They had wild adventures, romantic moments, and they matured together. They knew they weren’t it for each other, and, after a very awkward and rocky period, took a lesson from Mike and stayed great friends.

Nikoli would eventually continue his education at Stanford, and would stay very close to Samantha and Mike but would also meet someone that would become his business partner and together they would change the Internet forever. Langley Ford was a lot like Mike in that he was very levelheaded; Nikoli needed to be kept grounded, and Langley did that. Ford didn’t pierce the bond the three had, but nonetheless became an integral figure in Nikoli’s life. Also while at Stanford, Borodin met the woman who would become his wife. College provided good times, he met wonderful people, learned a great many things, some relating to education, some not, but most of all he became a good man.

Samantha walked over to the couch that Mike and Nikoli were sitting on in the Harvard dorm room. Wouldn’t it be great to have California secede from the Union? she laughed. Then we could just go home, start over and do things right.

California is going to crack off into the ocean someday… that isn’t the way to start off anything right. We don’t want those problems, trust me. Borodin said smirking.

You know, Sam, you’ve got something there. Mike said, his whole face changing and moving deep into thought.

Let’s go get something to eat, Niki said ignoring what Bishop had just said. I’m starving.

Me too, Samantha agreed.

Standing just under 5 feet 3 inches inches tall, and weighing maybe one hundred pounds, Samantha Sloan did not look intimidating. Her blonde hair and bluish eyes often went unnoticed at first, but once someone gave her a second look, they did not want to look away; she was very inquisitive, and had an intense stare. With an angular jaw, slightly turned up nose and porcelain skin, she could look grayish pale if she wasn’t careful. She looked more like she should be hanging out in the fashion industry. But she wasn’t a girly girl; she like to look good and appreciated nice things, but she gravitated toward stereotypically-male activities and that often alienated her from other girls. Throughout her life, she wanted to ride motorcycles, play poker, play football, and go shooting. Her parents both shot skeet and that was how the hobby started. After a close call in graduate school, when a cafe was held up where she was eating, she pursued obtaining a concealed weapons permit. Plus, her father always taught her the old adage of walk softly and carry a big stick. Her big stick was a Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm compact. She was not a girl that would be a victim. She studied martial arts, she learned how to safely shoot and defend her firearm and she believed in the responsibility that carrying a gun required. She was not a fragile flower, even if the boys didn’t let her play football with them anymore.

Another thing was that she wasn’t necessarily good at being a girl. She acted like a boy more than a girl most of the time, and while she was dating Nikoli, she sometimes joked with him that she was the man in the relationship. Even though she went to an all-girl college, she had her fair share of trysts with boys, never getting attached to any of them. Growing into adulthood, the romances continued the same way they always had, but the one thing she did take seriously was school and her education.

Her relationship with her brother was strained and not as close as she’d always wanted. Her brother, Stuart, was quite lazy and content living off of the family money. He was kind of a jerk, and she felt like he never liked her. He was much older than Samantha and deep down always saw her as being the cause of messing up his perfect