Getting Serious

Nathan Caldwell sat at the head of the long conference table as NSA Director Greg Mathis and CIA Director Linda Harrington entered the room. Both officials wore expressions of controlled urgency, their movements brisk and purposeful. Behind them, a team of aides and security personnel quietly took their places.

"Thank you for meeting with us," Mathis said, offering a firm handshake.

"Of course," Caldwell replied. "We understand the situation. Let's get straight to it. You're concerned about the new cybersecurity protocols we've implemented."

"Concerned is putting it lightly," Harrington said, settling into her chair. "Your new system has effectively cut off vital intelligence streams that we've relied on for years. We need to understand how it works and—more importantly—how we can access it."