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"Good grief! You're winging it! Well be careful then. We will have to officially disavow any involvement that we may have with you. You are on your own and we can not politically support any negotiation terms that you may offer either side, since we have no knowledge of your intent."
"Which is the way I want it."
"Precisely, Jim! Go Kick Ass! I not only trust you, but I am cheering you, in spite of what my Miss Perfect boss thinks. I know the only reason I have this job is because of your support. I would have been fired months ago, if it weren't for you. My thanks again."
"It was on account of me that she fired you in the first place."
"Just remember she was willing to compromise our freedoms to the arbitrary rules of Isis. She is just as willing to compromise concerning the Arab-Israeli problem so as to keep our fragile economy stable."
"Well then, General, I suppose it is vital for you not to publicly acknowledge my presence here. Helen is going to Jerusalem as a representative of Antiope Industries. Antiope Industries plans to make a strategic investment in this region. I am acting as her mercenary bodyguard. I'll have Genie shoot you some relevant information concerning my cover."
"Jim, if you need any help on your impossible mission, just let me know. I'll give you as much help as I can muster."
"That's what I like about you, General. I can always count on your help."
"Not always, Jim; just as long as I believe you are doing the right thing."
"Well perhaps you can convince the Israeli government to show a little more latitude towards the Palestinian people and ease up on travel restrictions, suspicious detentions, and human rights violations."
"They insist they are doing nothing wrong and are only safeguarding their own safety."
"Government always justifies imposing upon individual freedom using the premise that they are safeguarding public safety. Government is always willing to sacrifice the rights of a few for the convenience of the many. Actually it is far too expensive to develop good systems, and we must compromise quality at the expense of a few innocent victims....... Yes! We must crucify Christ so that the world can live. Is that it?"
"Whoa, Jim! Don't start putting words in my mouth. It is quite apparent to me that you have a good handle on the situation over there. I'll explain to the Israeli government that you are not a threat to them, and they have my personal guarantee that you will not be involved in any terrorist activities. That seems to be their prime concern."
"Your definition of terrorist is vague at times, General. I can't promise you that I won't be considered a terrorist, but I will tell you that I will not physically harm a living soul. I can't promise that I'm not going to hurt some feelings here and there."
Qblh was finished with his discussion with General Armstrong. He sensed he would have to distance himself from the major US policy makers somewhat in order to appear fair and equitable to the rest of the world.
Genie alerted Jim to the time left before 100% charge. Helen would not have much time to evacuate back to the yacht to make the displacement. Qblh needed ground air support. "General, I need a secure helicopter ride from Jerusalem to my yacht. Can you secure me one, or do I need to use my own resources, which I don't want to do, in order to avoid excessive publicity."
Being fully aware of the excitement which Jim could create because of his extraterrestial technical expertise, General Armstrong decided to be more than cooperative. "Why don't you suggest to Antiope to buy a certain helicopter company. I can have our CIA operatives to negotiate the purchase while you make the drive. Do you need a pilot?"
"No, I'll be the pilot." Helen volunteered to fly the chopper. Abdul winced thinking about the remarkable talents of this blonde beauty. He fantasized making love to her.
"Patch me through to Antiope."
"What is the code?"
General Armstrong called up his link to the Flying Dutchman and entered the password, "Theseus".
Antiope joined the on-line party. "Hello, General. How did you get through on this channel? I was expecting Jim." Antiope could see on her console that General Armstrong was placing a call on Jim's communication channel.
"I'm on-line, Antiope. How are you doing?"
"I am having total fun with this market" she said. "We closed the day by protecting ourselves with purchase of puts and an equal amount of call sales. Any more games by the market, will increase my profits more. I only stand to gain nothing if the price of the stock remains stable, and Genie asures me that it can maintain price stability at this level indefinitely. I shall lose all our put purchases, unless another sellout is prompted."
"I'm sure a selloff will be prompted when the public learns of your plans to build a fusion power plant in Jerusalem."
Antiope responded. "A fusion power plant? I never made any plans for a fusion power plant."
General Armstrong caught on immediately. "Jim, you have got to be crazy! You can't build a nuclear power plant there. That has to be the most ludicrous idea, I have ever heard of!"
Ignoring the general's comments, Helen relayed to Antiope Jim's wishes. "Antiope we need for you to get some important local investors together at the Jerusalem Hilton immediately. We need you to buy a helicopter outfit and give us a ride back to the yacht. Jim has a plane to catch, and he can't be late. General Armstrong has promised any logistical support."
"I didn't say that."
Antiope acknowledged Helen's directive. "I was getting bored anyway. The market has long since closed, and after market activity has been somewhat boring. I'll get right on it. I know some good contacts, and I'm sure the general can give me a few more, can't you, darling?"
Smiling into her screen, the general clearly perceived that Antiope knew that she would get from the general whatever cooperation she asked for. Qblh had unquestionably endorsed the meeting and would be clearly in control of any proposed Antiope Industries future contracts and construction projects. Certainly, it would be imperative for the General to encourage the Israeli's to get some high powered individuals to the hotel to listen to what Helen would be proposing.
"I suppose I could," he meekly admitted.
Jim signalled for the call to end. "Goodbye, General, it seems that our Israeli captain needs his communicator back." Helen terminated the call and handed back the unit. Abdul then continued on the way making good time all the way to Jerusalem. Helen masqueraded each checkpoint passage with a publicly seen bribe, thereby keeping undercover the true purpose of their journey. Qblh took in the countryside with his acute perception. Helen was kept entertained as Genie would act as a tour guide keeping her well-informed by calling up graphical links relevant to each region as they passed through.