Solomon's Private File #116
These stories about Stephen and Solomon take place starting in
1950's. Stephen wrote about his life in letters to a penpal, and then
in a secure blog, in case he lost his memory again, in the master
computer in his school for gifted students, which he started attending
in 2016 in a new incarnation, until his death. Now his son Solomon is
attending the same school, and is writing in his own secure blog for
his future incarnations.
All characters are fictitious, even if some of them might have names
that belong to some actual people, or act like people we know.
Solomon is 18 in this story, in the Spring of 2045.
Solomon's Private File #116 "Once a Pawn a Time in Russia"
START Page
I had just arrived in my office in the Bureau. I was told the
Director wanted to see me. I went. He was alone. He said, "Two
problems." I said, "I'll charge double?" He smiled and said, "Do that.
They aren't ours. Company has a problem with one of their best agents.
They sent him for refresher in personal combat. Won't play with our
Iron Lady. Won't see a shrink. File." I looked at it. I said,
"Deliberately incomplete. Checked the full file. Assassin. Had to put
down his girlfriend." He swore. I had tears. I said, "He won't believe
she betrayed him. Her handlers had her brother. Doubt he can be fixed
for them. I don't know if suicide is best for him, but I suspect that's
on his mind." Then I gave him a mysterious smile, and said, "Tell me
about the other one."
He suspected I had something in mind, but he said, "Russian
intelligence is asking for you as the spy you played before. They're
having problems they think are psionic related. Did you know?" I said,
"Not at all." He said, "Then why the funny look?" I said, "I'm going to
have er, company on that mission." He looked surprised, and said,
"Interesting. Very." I said, "I'm going to meet with him as the spy.
Then he's going to be sent to Moscow. I'll meet up with him then.
Company boss will play along, and let us use them there, too, if
needed. I'll go down to Personnel to get a new ID to use at the
Academy. All set?" He said, "Er, Wow!" I said, "Included." He laughed.
I explained some of the mission to head of Personnel. I said, "Name
to use is Ivan Smirnov. That's something like John Smith to them. Well,
I want them to know I'm a spy, when I use that." She said with a grin,
"Do you do this out there?" I said, "Worse." She laughed. She said,
"Tell me?" I said, "I shouldn't for the last one. I was injured. I know
the mission, I do what is needed. Duel. I had to end it so both
couldn't continue, but still be alive, without letting on who I was.
Worked. Mission was successful. People of both planets will get along
better now." She said, "Oh! Did they find out?" I said, "A little, at
the end on a different planet. And more embarrassment." She grinned.
I ported to training at Quantico unobserved. I walked into an office.
I knew the Iron Lady would be there at that time. I was in my Russian
spy disguise. She had been asked to expect me. Er, him. We did the
polite dance. She said, "Your English is perfect." I said, "It should
be. I was born in America. Navajo, actually. Oh, and I don't always
look like this." I let my Ki flow. She was surprised, and laughed. I
said, "Moscow had asked me to help with some atomic issues. I did it in
the open as a Russian officer on loan from intelligence. Made quite an
impression. They want er, him back for some other problem." She laughed
again. I said, "Well, there was some unusual planning and martial arts
involved." She said, "I don't doubt it." I said, "You have a company
man here, who isn't cooperating. I was asked to help with that, too.
I'll meet up with him in Russia. His boss approves." She said, "I see.
On the job therapy. Might work." I said, "I'm trying to save the man.
Him going back to work, is extra." She nodded in sympathy. She had him
rounded up and brought in.
She gave him the paperwork and said, "New orders. You are to assist
Colonel Smirnov of Russian Intelligence in a mission in Russia. This is
being coordinated with The Company, the Bureau, and obviously the
Russians, but only at the highest level." He said, "Yes sir. But my
Russian isn't proficient." She said, "There will be some unusual er,
occurrences for you in this mission. Put this to your forehead." He
did, and said, "Was something supposed to happen?" I said to him in
Russian, "Yes. Did you feel anything?" He answered in the same
language, "No. I felt nothing. What was expected?" I said, "Tell me,
what language are we speaking?" He said, "Ah!" She said, "A language
aid from a school in Tibet, for this specific mission." He said, "This
is going to be interesting." He did look interested. They discussed his
travel arrangements. We would go separately. Then she said, "The
Colonel, who isn't really in the military, is their best agent. We are
acquainted. His martial arts ability is VERY good." He tried not to
look surprised, because she was never heard to say that about anybody
before. I said to her, "You are too kind." She said, "Not really." We
smiled at each other.
Smith came up to the apartment over the store in Moscow. I said,
"Welcome Pyotr Popov. We are secure here. For your information, Popov
is the fifth most common name in Russia." He said."And yours?" I said,
"Like the American name you use. Most common." He said, "Why use such
common names?" I said, "We like chess in Russia." He grinned and said,
"Oh, that's twisted. They would know spies wouldn't use those names." I
said, "I am impressed. Oh, you are embarrassed. That causes me to hope
you will give me more opportunities to do that in the future." He
laughed. I said, "I know you investigated the store, not showing that."
He nodded. I said, "I would have. It is a trading place for used things
and making secured loans. It is operated by the police in secret. They
are aware of us, and will obey my commands if necessary. I have caused
them to have some small fear of me." He tried not to laugh. He said,
"Injuries?" I said, "Only slight. We will be joined by another man
soon. A Major in the army. He was my second in command on a previous
mission. And during that, my student. He is to be trusted fully, but is
not to know you are an American until I reveal it. He does not fight as
well as you do." He nodded. I said, "We will have the full briefing
after he arrives."
I had walked into the store and waited for the customers to leave. I
said who I was, and, "You have received your orders?" The sergeant
said, "We have, but we are opposed to anything that will interfere with
our operation. Will what you do cause that?" I said, "I cannot predict
that future, but I will do what is necessary to complete my mission."
One put his hand on his gun. I was over the counter in a flash, and
kicked him in the chest. He flew through the slightly open door to the
back room, severely startling a surveillance technician. I said to the
others, "Do any more of you wish to draw your gun on me?" One actually
tried. I pulled the arm with the gun, and stepped behind him. I bent
his arm and hand so the barrel of the gun was pressed into his stomach.
I said, "If you would like to fire your weapon, it will be of some
convenience to me. If you don't, and if your friends draw their guns, I
will assist you in the operation of your gun. It is reasonable. You can
be replaced more easily than I can. Although my associates would very
much like to assist me in this mission, which is critical to our
nation's survival. Do I have your attention?" My victim said, "Yes sir.
We will comply." I let him go. He looked at me in surprise and said,
"You will let me keep my weapon?" I said, "Do you want to try again to
discover again why?" He said, "No sir!" The others nodded.
After some time, the major came in. I introduced the two to each
other. I said, "First, I should say that the police who operate the
store will obey me." He grinned. He and Smith looked at each other.
Smith said, "I didn't see it, but I suspect." They nodded. I said, "Our
mission is to discover who is stealing items and government secrets.
Before this mission was created, nobody was able to discover this. Some
suspect some psychic powers were involved." Major said, "Wouldn't that
cause them not to come to this police operation?" I said, "That could.
Their powers may not work in that way. It is thought they haven't
noticed that situation, or that those with the ability are not the
people who are selling what they are helping to take. But we are not
taking any chances. You notice the coverings on the walls and floors.
It is special insulation that will prevent any psychic of less ability
than that required to teleport, perceive what is here. What we will use
to observe are cameras. And more cameras, I hope. They are about to
close the store. Let us go the back way to meet with them. Please take
those boxes."
In the closed store, my team noticed how much respect the police had
for me, and suppressed their smiles. They put the two large sealed
packing boxes on the counter. I stabbed one in the top with my spear
hand, shattering the plastic tape, and reached into the box, and pulled
one half of the top up, and then the other, breaking more tape. I
reached in again and pulled out a small sealed retail packaged box that
showed it contained a digital camera. I looked at the police and said,
"Do you have problems with your eyes?" I said to my men, "If they pop
out, please be careful where you step." They had to laugh. Then the
police did. I waited for them to finish. I said, "You will give each
person who sells you something extraordinarily good, one of these
cameras. A promotional gift. We suspect that those who sell to you may
not be the best of the thieves, who might want to examine the gift."
Sarge said, "I think I understand. Good idea." Major said, "Of course."
I gave him a slight bow. They could see Smith trying not to smile.
We went back upstairs. Major said, "GPS?" I said, "Yes. More. Sound
and vision too, when turned on. We will see and hear what they see and
hear." They nodded. I said, "Have either of you had experience in
operating small remote controlled aircraft?" Smith indicated he did.
Major said, "This is going to be more interesting than last time." I
said, "We hope. Boredom reduces preparedness." We went into the
kitchen. I said, "I see you recognize the cases." He really did. I
opened up one, and pulled out some controllers. I said, "There is a box
on the bedroom terrace which contains the drones. They should be kept
at operational temperature for best instant performance. Here are the
controllers." They were very fancy, with video screens. Smith said,
controls to them. Then Major asked, "What is this indicator for?" I
said, "That is secret. If it turns red, notify me immediately." They
guessed it was for a psychic detector in the drone. It was. Smith said,
"In the cameras, too?" I said, "No. Unfortunately, it works both ways."
Major said, "I know you. There is one in the store disguised as
something innocent." I said to him, "Who authorized you to be
intelligent?" He laughed very well. Smith joined him.
I said, "Tell me the time." He did. I said, "Correct. Have they all
left?" He said, "Yes, but the mouse hasn't." I said, "I wondered. No
longer. You have learned well." Smith said, "Psychic?" I said, "Let us
sit and share." We sat. I nodded to the Major, who said, "Not psychic.
I have learned to control my senses." He explained. I said to the
amazed Smith, "A spy's only reliable tool and weapon is himself. For
survival, that should be made the best possible. You can fight well.
But if you have to, you will already have lost much of your advantage
on a mission. Awareness is your life." I stood with my back to an open
window two meters away. I said, "Please stand behind me. Raise one arm,
and I will duplicate it." I did. Then he switched arms, and I followed.
He said, "How are you doing this?" I said, "Well." Chuckles. I motioned
the Major to replace me. They did the same test, and he followed the
arm movements, but with some indecision. I said, "Report." He said, "I
hear the difference in the sounds coming in from the window, when the
arms are in different positions in front of it." I said, "Very few of
the untrained would have. Well done." He was really not displeased. I
said, "Reverse positions. Practice." They did. Smith didn't do well.
Then we ate. We were almost finished that, when the major and I
alerted to something. I nodded to him. He said, "Somebody is trying to
break into the back of the store." I said, "The light will go on in a
few seconds." We listened. The intruder ran away. I said, "Tell me
about the person." He said, "Small. Light in weight. Afraid. Dropped
something and didn't come back for it. I think a child." I said to
Smith, "Age speculation?" He said, "Between 12 and 14. How?" I said,
"Have you read the stories of Sherlock Holmes?" He grinned and said,
"Yes. I see. Interpretation is required, not just hearing." I said,
"Will he come back, and if so, when?" He said, "Yes. He wasn't caught.
His reason still exists. Not tonight, but tomorrow if it doesn't rain."
I said, "Will he bring a friend?" He said, "Not the next time, but the
time after, I think so." I said, "Why?" He said, "He won't risk showing
fear in front of a friend, but he WILL want to show his courage when he
can." I looked at the major. He said, "That's amazing! I see it's not
enough to know the facts, one must understand the human element in the
situation." I said, "I will retire to my room for the night. Do not
enter without permission. You will share the other bedroom. Please tell
our associate of our past mission together. He will describe to you the
human element in it. I think you both will find it a very interesting
conversation. Oh, I see you agree."
I left an active image of me in my room, making normal human noises.
I ported to my office in the Bureau to do some work. Then I went to see
the Iron Lady. I said, "I have him very involved with life now.
Fascinated, actually." She grinned. I said, "Here is the mission so
far." I gave her a crystal. She was VERY interested. She said, "We can
use some of that here." I said, "And from him?" She said, "Possible.
Would you tell me of the other mission?" I said, "I should tell you
first, that no special powers were used in either missions so far, but
for the last one with fake phone calls." Another crystal. She had to
say wow. She said, "I see why they want you back. People underestimate
your physical and mental capabilities, assuming you do all work with
special abilities. You could have in these situations, but your real
mission is to teach people with who you are, to show them what they
themselves can do, and why they should." I said, "I knew you would
understand. I'm not so much a warrior, but a therapist." She said, "But
a VERY good warrior!" I said, "I try to do my best with everything I
do. How is your own improvement going?" She grinned and said, "One of
the practice areas should be empty."
On the way there, I said, "A moment. Please expend your Ki now. Trust
me." She did. I said, "There is energy in the air and in the ground.
Take some of that into you as Ki. Don't worry about how that works.
Imagine it flowing into you, and will it to be so." She did, and was
surprised. I said, "Now, move over here and do it." She did. I said,
"And now here." She did, and almost jumped out of her skin. I said,
"There are concentrations in some locations. With practice, you will be
able to detect them, for use when you might need extra Ki." She
couldn't even say wow. Then she said, "I didn't know anything about
this!" I said, "It's in the realm of psionics, but all of reality is
one thing, not separate which we try to maintain. Yes, there is
crossover between different fields of study. When you can see the big
er, picture as I can, the relationships are more clear. Ki is life
force, which Adepts manage to use their powers. They can SEE this
energy, and so can manipulate and change it. Those who can't see it
well, can still use it in some ways, learning by experimentation. A
qualified teacher can make that a little less er, inconvenient." She
grinned and bowed.
In the gym, I said, "You can strike with Ki. So can others. Can you
defend?" She nodded and set herself. I thrust some Ki at her. She fell
down. I said, "Do it to me. Don't worry about harming me." She did, and
observed no affect. I said, "There are three ways to defend against Ki.
Use more to block it and return the attack, use Ki to deflect it, or
absorb it. I did the last one, which is more difficult and dangerous.
Do you know why?" She said, "If you fail, would will be hurt, or you
could be overloaded and be hurt." I said, "Yes, and because for a non
Adept, you can't see what you're doing. It's all imagination and will.
Let us practice your defense with small amounts of Ki, so you can learn
the procedure with my feedback verification." We did that for little
more than an hour. I said, "This should be all for today. Your energy
centers should be allowed to settle. We can continue in a few days or
so. You should be noticing some changes in your being soon. No, I'm not
going to tell you anything which can cause the placebo effect." She
grinned. I said, "Other duties are calling for me." I offered to hug,
and she accepted. I left her dazed by my love. Galya said in my mind,
"I love it when you do that!" I said with love, "So do I." I ported to
her, for the real thing.
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Grant
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