Re: [IC] Prelude - James Choi
McGuire pauses in mid-turn toward her keyboard. "I don't think it's directly related," she says after a moment's thought. "But it could be a similar case of DoD wanting a Bureau liaison for a veneer of legality. Let me make some calls. I'll text you if I turn up anything."
1055 hrs
As you tuck away your phone turn the corner toward the conference room, you find yourself on an intercept course with two men in khaki uniforms. Your recent research fresh in your mind, you have no difficulty identifying the players despite your unfamiliarity with Navy uniforms.
Commander Stephen Vest would pass for a liberal arts professor out of uniform; you have to suppress a momentary flash of him in a tweed jacket with leather elbow patches. You found a few of his unclassified papers online and there's very little overlap between your work and his apparent expertise in aerospace defense strategy. He is, however, currently assigned to the Pentagon's delightfully ambiguous Global Logistics Liaison Office, a name which practically screams "bureaucratic obfuscation."
CWO Ted Bannon seems to be the main show, though he trails a deferential two steps behind Vest as the pair approaches. "Shooter emeritus," Ciaran Lynch had informed you in a hurried phone call between shower and search engine. "Started in sonar on subs but went to SEAL Team Three, then from there to DEVGRU. I worked with him once in the Gulf, '04 or '05. I think he's with JSOC now. Definitely not the kind of guy you waste in a hole in the Pentagon basement."
Bannon sees your recognition and you can watch him decide not to react until Vest looks up three steps later. "Special Agent Choi? Ah, good. Just the man we're here to see. I'm Commander Steve Vest with the Office of Naval Intelligence. This is Chief Warrant Officer Bannon."
The chief, in turn, lazily stretches out a strangler's hand to engulf yours. "Pleased to meet you, Mister Choi." He turns and opens the conference room door for you and his nominal superior.
Inside, Vest seats himself, clears his throat, and arranges a stack of manila folders on the table. "Special Agent, we're here to ask for the Bureau's assistance. The Pentagon is involved in a joint NATO intelligence effort to identify and interdict transfers of sensitive technology..."
You follow his preamble, waiting for Bannon to make the real pitch and thinking about the text McGuire sent you just before you walked around the corner: Confirm Manilla scenario.