The Doomsday Conspiracy by Sidney Sheldon Page A
Authors: Sidney Sheldon
Tags: Drama, Fiction, General, Suspense, Fiction - General, Science-Fiction, Romance, Literature & Fiction, Fantasy, Thrillers, Espionage, History, Juvenile Fiction, Magic, Mystery, Military, Body, Mind & Spirit, Political Science, Unidentified flying objects, International Relations, Naval, UFOs & Extraterrestrials, Treaties, Balloons, Security classification (Government documents), Navies
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know them. There are two different kinds of agents: an 'agent of influence' and an 'agent provocateur." The agent of influence tries to change opinion in the country where he operates. An agent provocateur is sent to stir up trouble and create chaos.
'Biographic leverage' is CIA code for blackmail. There are also
'black-bag jobs,' which can range from bribes to burglary. Watergate was a black-bag job."
He looked around to make sure that the class was paying attention. They were spellbound.
"From time to time some of you may need a 'cobbler'-that's a man who forges passports."
Robert wondered whether he would ever use a cobbler.
"The phrase to demote maximally is a nasty one. It means to purge by killing. So does the word terminate. If you hear someone talking about the Firm, it's the nickname we use to refer to the British Secret Service. If you're asked to 'fumigate' an office, you won't be looking for termites, you'll be looking for listening devices." The arcane expressions fascinated Robert.
"'Ladies' is a euphemism for females sent to compromise the opposition. A 'legend' is a biography of a spy that is faked to provide him with a cover. 'Going private' means leaving the service." The instructor scanned the class.
"Any of you know what a 'lion tamer' is?" He waited for an answer. Silence.
"When an agent is sacked, he sometimes gets upset and may make threats to reveal what he knows. A muscleman, or lion tamer, is called in to soften him up. I'm sure none of you will ever have to deal with one." That drew nervous laughter.
"Then, there's the term measles. If a target dies of measles, it means he was murdered so efficiently that death appeared to be accidental or due to natural causes. One method of inducing measles is to use
'Tabun." That's a colorless or brownish liquid compound that causes Page 62
Sidney Sheldon - Doomsday Conspiracy
nerve paralysis when absorbed through the skin. If someone offers you a
'music box,' they're offering you a wireless transmitter. The transmitter operator is called a musician. In the future, some of you will be operating 'naked." Don't rush to take off your clothes; it simply means that you're alone and without any assistance.
"There's one more thing I want to discuss today. Coincidence. In our work, there is no such animal. It usually spells danger. If you keep running into the same person again ahd again, or you keep spotting the same automobile when you're on the move, cover your ass. You're probably in trouble.
"I think that's enough for today, gentlemen. We will take up where we left off' tomorrow."
From time to time, Colonel Johnson called Robert into his office "to have a chat," as he put it. The conversations were deceptively casual, but Robert was aware of an underlying probing being carried on.
"I understand you're happily married, Robert."
"That's right."
They spent the next half hour talking about marriage, fidelity, and trust.
Another time: "Admiral Whittaker thinks of you as a son, Robert. Did you know that?"
"Yes." The pain of Edward's death was something that would never go away.
They talked about loyalty and duty and death.
"You've faced death more than once, Robert. Are you afraid to die?"
"No." But to die for a good reason, Robert thought. Not senselessly. The meetings were frustrating to Robert because they were like looking into a trick mirror. Colonel Johnson could see him clearly, but the colonel remained invisible, an enigma cloaked in secrecy. The course lasted sixteen weeks, and during that time, none of the men was permitted to communicate with the outside world. Robert missed Susan desperately. It was the longest they had ever been apart. When the four months were up, Colonel Johnson called Robert into his office.
"This is goodbye. You've done an excellent job, Commander. I think you're going to find your future very interesting."
"Thank you, sir. I hope so-"
"Good luck."
Colonel Johnson watched Robert leave. He sat there for five
'Biographic leverage' is CIA code for blackmail. There are also
'black-bag jobs,' which can range from bribes to burglary. Watergate was a black-bag job."
He looked around to make sure that the class was paying attention. They were spellbound.
"From time to time some of you may need a 'cobbler'-that's a man who forges passports."
Robert wondered whether he would ever use a cobbler.
"The phrase to demote maximally is a nasty one. It means to purge by killing. So does the word terminate. If you hear someone talking about the Firm, it's the nickname we use to refer to the British Secret Service. If you're asked to 'fumigate' an office, you won't be looking for termites, you'll be looking for listening devices." The arcane expressions fascinated Robert.
"'Ladies' is a euphemism for females sent to compromise the opposition. A 'legend' is a biography of a spy that is faked to provide him with a cover. 'Going private' means leaving the service." The instructor scanned the class.
"Any of you know what a 'lion tamer' is?" He waited for an answer. Silence.
"When an agent is sacked, he sometimes gets upset and may make threats to reveal what he knows. A muscleman, or lion tamer, is called in to soften him up. I'm sure none of you will ever have to deal with one." That drew nervous laughter.
"Then, there's the term measles. If a target dies of measles, it means he was murdered so efficiently that death appeared to be accidental or due to natural causes. One method of inducing measles is to use
'Tabun." That's a colorless or brownish liquid compound that causes Page 62
Sidney Sheldon - Doomsday Conspiracy
nerve paralysis when absorbed through the skin. If someone offers you a
'music box,' they're offering you a wireless transmitter. The transmitter operator is called a musician. In the future, some of you will be operating 'naked." Don't rush to take off your clothes; it simply means that you're alone and without any assistance.
"There's one more thing I want to discuss today. Coincidence. In our work, there is no such animal. It usually spells danger. If you keep running into the same person again ahd again, or you keep spotting the same automobile when you're on the move, cover your ass. You're probably in trouble.
"I think that's enough for today, gentlemen. We will take up where we left off' tomorrow."
From time to time, Colonel Johnson called Robert into his office "to have a chat," as he put it. The conversations were deceptively casual, but Robert was aware of an underlying probing being carried on.
"I understand you're happily married, Robert."
"That's right."
They spent the next half hour talking about marriage, fidelity, and trust.
Another time: "Admiral Whittaker thinks of you as a son, Robert. Did you know that?"
"Yes." The pain of Edward's death was something that would never go away.
They talked about loyalty and duty and death.
"You've faced death more than once, Robert. Are you afraid to die?"
"No." But to die for a good reason, Robert thought. Not senselessly. The meetings were frustrating to Robert because they were like looking into a trick mirror. Colonel Johnson could see him clearly, but the colonel remained invisible, an enigma cloaked in secrecy. The course lasted sixteen weeks, and during that time, none of the men was permitted to communicate with the outside world. Robert missed Susan desperately. It was the longest they had ever been apart. When the four months were up, Colonel Johnson called Robert into his office.
"This is goodbye. You've done an excellent job, Commander. I think you're going to find your future very interesting."
"Thank you, sir. I hope so-"
"Good luck."
Colonel Johnson watched Robert leave. He sat there for five
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