Freedom TM

door.
    The first of these men had on an expensive-looking, large-faced chronometer and an impressive tan to go with it. He extended his hand to Andriessen. “Colonel Andriessen, I’m Nathan Sanborn, chief executive officer and chairman of Halperin Organix.” He offered his embossed business card and pointed to the other man, who carried a small black attaché case. “This is Sanjay Venkatachalapthy, our senior counsel.”
    The Colonel laughed. “Ag, you’re bloody joking, right? This kefir’s got more name than a German viscount.” He looked to his assistant. “Corporal, are we letting
anyone
into my office now? How did these men find me?”
    “Colonel, these gentlemen are well-connected in Washington.”
    Sanborn interjected himself. “Look, I’ve been speaking withGeneral Horvath and Admiral Collins—I think there’s a grave misunderstanding, gentlemen. I’ve been trying to get someone on the phone or to reply in e-mail for a week now, and I don’t appreciate having my calls dodged.” He gestured to the office. “Can we speak in private, please?”
    The Colonel looked to The Major. The Major didn’t budge or respond.
    The Colonel turned back to Sanborn. “We’ve got urgent business to attend to, Mr. Sanborn. Everyone here is cleared top secret. Everyone but
you
.”
    Sanborn looked like he considered getting angry, but decided against it. With one more glance around he threw up his hands. “All right then. I’ve been given to understand that the blatant patent infringement being perpetrated against my firm is being used as a pretext for what can only be described as a paramilitary police action.”
    “It’s not your concern, Mr. Sanborn.”
    “No. That’s where you’re wrong—and by the way, I’m not entirely comprehending why you’re South African. Why is a South African in charge of what’s going on here? This is Missouri, not Capetown, Colonel Andriessen.”
    “I wouldn’t have pegged you as a racist, Mr. Sanborn. We Africans have had a long struggle against such prejudice.” The Colonel chuckled and looked at The Major.
    Sanborn fumed.
    The Colonel continued. “The global economy provides for a efficient competition. You of all people should appreciate that.”
    “So what I’m not understanding is whether this is a government operation or—what is going on here?”
    “Get on your fancy jet and leave, Mr. Sanborn.”
    Sanborn got into the Colonel’s face—or at least his neck, given the Colonel’s height. “I’m not some pipsqueak you can push around,Colonel. I’ve got a thirty-billion-dollar company and a fiduciary responsibility to defend both its brand and its reputation.” He gestured to the nearby lawyer. “Both of which we fully intend to protect.”
    “So you’re going to sic your lawyers on us then, Nate? Is that it? Every syllable of Mr. Venk-kachanky-whatever here?”
    “I am deadly serious, Colonel. We have significant influence in Washington.”
    The Major looked at his watch. “We’ve got a timeline to meet, Colonel.”
    Sanborn pointed. “Who the hell is
this
guy?”
    The Colonel interposed himself. “Surely this conversation can wait, Nate.”
    “No. It cannot wait. Our investigators tell us that there are armored cars coming in by rail. There are military helicopters without markings being stationed at retired air bases like this across the Midwest. I’ve been watching the news—watching what’s been going on out here. This is insane. This is America, not some crackpot dictatorship. People in government have told us that a justification is being made for these operations in defense of intellectual property held by Halperin, and I’m here to tell you that yes, we do have claims, and we are mounting lawsuits, but legal action is the course to resolve this problem. This is not a police matter—or whatever the hell you’re making it into. I’m telling you that what you’re doing is not authorized by us in defense of our business interests.”
    The Major pushed the Colonel out of the way and got right back into Sanborn’s face. “
Not authorized?
Listen, you Ivy League prick, you don’t determine what is and isn’t authorized. Halperin isn’t
your company
, it’s the investors’ company. The last time I checked you didn’t found it. You’re not even a scientist. You’re just a trained business monkey that someone hired to crank an organ handle. Soget back on our company jet like a good little monkey before someone sells you off