CHACO OPERATION

James Louden paused, analyzing Quince's body language, searching for any signs of deception. Quince remained solemn, eagerly awaiting James Louden to continue his narrative.

"And then this morning, our agents, in an attempt to verify the professor's claim, conducted a routine search of his residence and office. What they discovered were seven of these devices. They appeared similar to our surveillance equipment but were evidently more sophisticated, according to our tech experts."

"And you believe the timing of the ACIO mission to New Mexico and the professor's statement are not merely coincidental?" Quince's expression betrayed a sense of concern.

James Louden nodded gravely. "Look, just level with me. You know you're obligated to report your activities, or I'll have to assume you've gone rogue. You're familiar with the protocol in such circumstances. So, cut to the chase. What's really going on?"

Fifteen shifted uncomfortably in his chair, rising with the aid of his cane. Rifling through his desk, he retrieved a lengthy folder, which he promptly placed before James Louden on the table. "Here's everything I've got."

James Louden opened the file and began to sift through its contents. "Any leads?"

"We're hitting dead ends. The damn thing is impenetrable. It's sealed tech, baffling our best minds. We've dispatched two teams of scientists to the area, hoping for a breakthrough."

"And...?"

"Thus far, nada," Fifteen replied bluntly.

James Louden's eyes darted back to the documents. "Why wasn't I briefed on this sooner?"

"There wasn't much to report. We're only four days into the investigation..."

"Four days can be an eternity in our line of work," James Louden interjected, tapping impatiently on the file labeled OPERATION CHACO.

"So you've got an alien artifact, a classified project, a panicked professor, intercepted phone lines, yet you deemed it unnecessary to loop me in?" James Louden's frustration was palpable.

Fifteen listened attentively, his expression turning serious once more as he settled back into his chair. "I understand your concerns. While we prefer more immediate communication, there was no need to alarm..."

"You have alien tech, for God's sake! I may not be an expert in these matters, but if you can't crack it, it's advanced. By all indications, it could be a weapon or some form of probe. Protocol dictates that any evidence of alien tech must be reported to SPL immediately. You know this as well as I do."

James Louden's voice rose in frustration. "I'll need to initiate an investigation. This sounds like a cover-up. I don't want to divert resources from NSA to probe into something that should've been disclosed upfront. It's a bloody waste. But I've got no choice."

"I completely understand," Fifteen replied, conciliatory. "We'll cooperate fully."

"Start by instructing Evans to contact Denise Shorter and arrange for a shadow agent assignment to the Chaco Project. Maintain open communication channels if we need to intervene."

"Understood. He'll reach out to her tomorrow."

"No, today. I won't tolerate any more delays in communication."

"Evans is out in the field until tomorrow, sir. He won't have secure comms..."

"Then have Jerkins handle it," James Louden retorted. "I don't care who contacts Shorter, just get it done promptly."

"Look, I'm well aware of the rumors swirling around this group. Let's put this matter to rest once and for all."

"I know you enjoy playing games, and I'm aware you have powerful allies. But don't toy with me. Communicate through official channels. If you're too occupied, Li Ching can handle it. I don't care who does the communication. I just want the assurance that when you label a project folder, a duplicate file will reach my office within minutes. Not hours. Minutes. Clear?"

"Understood."

"And one more thing..."

A knock on the door interrupted James Louden.

"Yes?" Fifteen acknowledged.

The door creaked open, revealing a man peering inside. "Sorry for the interruption, sir, but our next meeting is here. Which conference room should we wait in?"

"We're wrapping up," Quince replied. "Let's use the Hylo Room."

"Thank you, sir."

The door closed silently.

"You were saying...?" Fifteen prompted.

"What makes this artifact so special?"

"We're not certain if it's anything exceptional. It could turn out to be merely sealed tech, which would be disappointing. However, without the ability to conduct tests, all we can do is store it away and wait for the means to analyze it."

"I noticed there's nothing in the file about OR analysis. I assume you'll conduct one?"

"Of course."

"I'd like to review the Playback tapes once they're available."

"Of course."

James Louden glanced around the spacious office, avoiding eye contact. Fifteen sensed his agitation, knowing he had another appointment to attend to.

"I'll pull the plug on this if I catch even a hint of something suspicious," James Louden warned. "You might think you're beyond my reach, but remember, your budget requires my signature. Don't test me."

With that, James Louden rose, opened his briefcase, and grabbed the file Quince had provided.

"Take care of this," he said, gesturing to the file. "I'll call Shorter in thirty minutes. I expect Jerkins to have reached out by then."

After closing his briefcase, James Louden headed toward the door, with Quince escorting him. But before he could leave, James Louden turned back to Fifteen, locking eyes with him.

"Octavio, I have doubts about your motives and operations. And these doubts... they trouble me. And when I'm troubled, I become paranoid. And that paranoia... becomes relentless."

"What are you implying?" Fifteen asked innocently.

"If I can't trust you, I can make your life a living hell."

"Now you're as informed about the Chaco Project as I am," Fifteen responded calmly. "We'll ensure better communication moving forward. We didn't intend to distract you. Clearly, we misjudged. It won't happen again. I assure you."

"Let's hope not."

The two men shook hands, exchanged pleasantries, and bid each other farewell.

Once Quince had closed the door, he placed his cane on the table and sank into the chair previously occupied by James Louden. Closing his eyes, his facial tension eased, and he retrieved a small black object from beneath the table. Fifteen approached, inspecting the object with a slight smile. However, their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Yes?" Fifteen responded.

"Sorry to intrude, but I'm curious about your meeting with James Louden," Tao-Pi entered, clad in a red wool skirt and a sleeveless silk blouse, her black hair adorned with an exotic ponytail.

Fifteen revealed the black object, his smile widening.

She perched on the table's edge, her skirt parting slightly to reveal her perfectly sculpted ivory legs.

"Judging by your expression, it went well," she remarked.

"Yes," Fifteen replied, "though it's regrettable he doesn't trust us."

Quince wielded his cane, delivering a fatal blow to the electronic listening device left behind by James Louden.

"Only one this time?" Tao-Pi inquired.

"Just the one," Fifteen sighed. "You'd think I'd miss an opportunity to bug my own office."

"He's just reminding you that he's watching and listening," Tao-Pi observed. "You know the game. The more paranoid he is, the more mistakes he'll make."

"He's aiming to oust me."

"No, he's aiming to absorb ACIO and its autonomy. He's no puppet. He knows that integrating ACIO into his department is the key to controlling the agenda. That's his endgame. Everything he does is geared toward that."

"If he knew the truth about our operations, perhaps his interest would wane."

"What are you suggesting?"

"He's launched an investigation under the guise of probing the Chaco Project, but I'm certain his true motive is to dig into our tech. They found a Level Five Hearing Device in Stevens' home and office."

"Damn!" Tao-Pi exclaimed, rising to her feet.

"He suspects we're keeping the purest forms of our tech and sending toned-down versions. This investigation will focus on that. He wants evidence. With that in hand, he'll attempt to oust me."

"What a waste of time," Tao-Pi muttered.

"He doesn't know that."

"Well, then he's a fool after all."

"Let him conduct his investigation, assign his shadow agent, and gather whatever he requires. Evans will handle the SPL agent, and you'll oversee the communication protocols."

"Did you provide him with the Ancient Arrow file I prepared?"

"Of course," Fifteen replied. "He seemed satisfied, at least in part."

"Most of it is true anyway. There wasn't much I needed to tweak."

"He's requesting the Playback tapes from our OR department related to the artifact," Fifteen sighed.

"You'll need Branson to work on that immediately. I want to review the original before the tape is made."

"Understood," Tao-Pi's voice seemed distant, as if she was preoccupied with something else entirely. "You mentioned wanting me to understand what we truly do here. What did you mean?"

"I'm merely providing evidence to support what you already suspect. He's clueless about Labyrinth or Corteum. He may have heard rumors here and there, but nothing substantial. He believes we're holding back some of our best tech."

"Do you want Ortmann to release some of our tech in its purest form? Perhaps something more benign, like our hearing devices?"

"Yes, have him compile a list of technologies he believes we can afford to release."

"No problem."

"I want James Louden to feel triumphant. It'll help pacify him once he's out of our hair."

"Anything else?"

"Stevens is unstable," Quince remarked. "I think he needs a visit for a reminder and a Level Seven Hearing Device."

"And what about memory restructuring?"

"The damage is done. Suddenly wiping his memory would only escalate matters, alarming his colleagues who are already aware, not to mention James Louden. Let's have Morrison pay him a discreet visit. Jerkins can reinstall the auditory device."

"Agreed."

Tao-Pi settled back onto the edge of the table, her skirt parting as she crossed her legs. Fifteen ran his hand over it, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Damn James Louden!" Quince's fist struck the table. "I can't stay here with you right now... I just remembered I need to discuss an urgent matter with Jerkins..."

She stood up abruptly, and Tao-Pi realized their time together was over. She planted a kiss on his cheek and whispered in his ear. Fifteen's eyes narrowed as he listened intently, his face visibly reddening.

"Just in case James Louden planted more than one listening device," Tao-Pi said before vanishing, leaving Quince to protest in silence. As she closed the door, she fumbled momentarily to recall Jerkins' extension.