Major General

Arco - 2021-04-02 → 2021-04-08 - Washington D. C.

📅 Viernes, 2 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 09:50 | 📍 Washington D. C. — The White House, West Wing

Silvia Kane lleva diez minutos intentando averiguar por qué has convocado a todo el cuadro de mando del USIC para una reunión técnica a la que también han venido Hannah, Amy, Ava y Rachel.

La explicación más razonable se la ha dado Ashley.

Ashley) “He’s probably arranged for Daniel to spend some time with his granddaughters while we’re working.”

Si) “That would explain the family. It doesn’t explain why he insisted we all arrive together.”

Re) “Or why he was so particular about our uniforms.”

Megan examina discretamente su propia chaqueta azul marino, con las cintas de sus condecoraciones perfectamente colocadas.

Me) “At least he didn’t make us wear full dress.”

Ka) “I swear that man has a personal vendetta against full-size medals.”

Te) “He called them a patriotic hardware store.”

Ashley empieza a reírse.

Tú, que estás unos pasos más adelante hablando con el asistente de WHMO, finges no escuchar absolutamente nada.

Hannah lleva a Rachel en brazos, vestida para la ocasión, mientras Amy se ocupa de una Ava extraordinariamente elegante que está convencida de que ha venido a visitar a Grandpa Daniel.

Cuando termina la comprobación de acceso, aparecen dos ayudantes militares.

WHMO Aide 1 (Wa1) se aproxima a Silvia.

Wa1) “Lieutenant Kane, we’ll take the briefing materials to the working room.”

Silvia le entrega la carpeta principal.

Si) “Thank you. Will General Pindado be presenting first?”

Wa1) “The general’s agenda is already coordinated, ma’am.”

Una respuesta tan exacta como poco esclarecedora.

El segundo ayudante recoge la documentación de Rebecca y Megan.

Después, una tercera oficial os indica que la sigáis.

WHMO Aide 3 (Wa3) sonríe.

Wa3) “This way, please. Everyone is expected.”

Silvia vuelve la cabeza hacia ti.

Si) “General?”

You) “Yes, Silvia?”

Si) “Aren’t we going to the Cabinet Room?”

You) “Not immediately.”

La primera teniente entrecierra los ojos.

Si) “I see.”

Por supuesto que no ve absolutamente nada.

Atravesáis otro pasillo y llegáis ante una puerta doble.

La ayudante la abre.

Al otro lado hay una sala amplia, preparada con varias filas de sillas, un atril presidencial, banderas y una zona despejada delante de los asistentes.

Y muchas estrellas.

Muchísimas.

Adrian Rowe está conversando con William Hargrove. Thomas Whitaker permanece junto a Kevin Caldwell y Michael Keller. Nathaniel Holloway acaba de hacer reír a Marcus Bennett. También están Oliver Price, Liam Morrow y David Mercer.

El Joint Chiefs of Staff en pleno.

Silvia se detiene.

Rebecca casi tropieza con ella.

Re) “Oh.”

Megan se queda mirando las banderas.

Me) “What?”

Katie observa el atril.

Ka) “General…?”

Ashley gira lentamente la cabeza hacia ti.

Ashley) “Nacho.”

Tessa es la primera que comprende que aquella mañana nunca ha tenido nada que ver con una reunión técnica.

Te) “Oh, you’ve been planning something.”

Tú sonríes.

You) “Good morning, ladies. Shall we go in?”

Holloway os ve aparecer.

CNONh) “There he is!”

Rowe se vuelve hacia vosotros.

CJCSAr) “Good morning, General. Ladies.”

Intercambiáis los saludos correspondientes mientras las familias ocupan sus asientos.

Hannah te mira con una sonrisa sospechosamente divertida.

Hannah) “Handsome, what have you done?”

You) “Something nice, honey.”

Hannah) “I can see that.”

Amy contempla al JCS y después el atril.

Amy Walker) “You told me we were coming to see Dad.”

You) “We are.”

Amy Walker) “Nacho…”

La besas.

You) “Trust me, pretty.”

Amy sonríe inevitablemente contra tus labios.

Ava, que estaba observando el techo de la sala, lo presencia.

Av) “Mommy Amy did the smile!”

Varias risas militares interrumpen momentáneamente el protocolo.

Holloway se inclina hacia Bennett.

CNONh) “I believe that’s the most accurate intelligence report we’ve received all morning.”

A las 10:00, el asistente situado junto a la puerta anuncia la llegada del presidente.

Wa1) “Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States.”

La sala se pone en pie.

Daniel Walker entra acompañado por un pequeño equipo presidencial.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Good morning, everybody. Please, be seated.”

Antes de dirigirse al atril, se aproxima a tu familia.

Besa cariñosamente a Hannah en la mejilla.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Hannah, wonderful to see you.”

Hannah) “You too, Daniel.”

Se inclina hacia Ava.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “And there’s my favorite little dinosaur expert!”

Av) “GRANDPA DANIEL!”

La pequeña lo abraza con tal entusiasmo que el presidente se ríe.

Después Daniel acaricia la mejilla de Rachel y le da un beso delicado en la frente.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Hello, little sweetheart.”

Finalmente llega hasta Amy.

Su hija lo abraza y recibe un beso en la frente.

Amy Walker) “Hi, Dad.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Hello, darling.”

Daniel te contempla.

Durante un instante desaparece cualquier formalidad.

Te abraza con fuerza y te da dos palmadas afectuosas en la espalda.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Good to see you, Nacho.”

You) “You too, Daniel.”

Después se separa, sonríe a tus oficiales y se dirige al atril.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us. I understand that several people in this room believe they’re attending a technical planning meeting.”

Ashley vuelve lentamente la cabeza hacia ti.

Daniel sonríe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “I’m afraid General Pindado has been keeping a rather delightful secret.”

Silvia se lleva una mano a la boca.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “This morning we’re here to recognize exceptional service, extraordinary dedication and the contributions of the officers who have helped establish the United States Information Corps.”

Las cinco oficiales que van a ascender se quedan completamente inmóviles.

Tessa sonríe de inmediato.

Daniel continúa.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “I have had the pleasure of watching this organization develop under circumstances that would have challenged a headquarters ten times its size. Its officers have accepted responsibilities far beyond what anyone would ordinarily expect of their grades.”

Mira hacia ti.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “And their commanding general has been quite insistent that they receive proper recognition.”

Holloway se ríe discretamente.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “The promotions are approved. Today, I have the honor of personally presenting them.”

Silvia mira sus barras de primera teniente.

Después a ti.

Si) “Sir…”

Le sonríes.

You) “You earned it, Silvia.”

Comienza la ceremonia.

Silvia es llamada primero.

El ayudante lee la orden de ascenso a Captain, O-3, del USIC. Daniel retira personalmente las insignias anteriores y coloca las nuevas, con tu asistencia.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Congratulations, Captain Kane. Your commanding general has told me quite a lot about you.”

Silvia, visiblemente emocionada, logra mantener la voz firme.

Si) “Thank you, Mr. President. This is an extraordinary honor.”

Daniel le estrecha la mano.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “The honor is mine, Captain.”

Después llegan Rebecca Whitcomb, Megan Avery y Katie Sullivan, ascendidas cada una a First Lieutenant.

Cada ceremonia tiene sus propios instantes de emoción, alguna risa nerviosa y la satisfacción imposible de disimular de las tres.

Daniel dedica palabras personales a cada una, relacionadas con las responsabilidades que han asumido durante la construcción de USIC.

Ashley es la última.

Cuando escucha su nombre, levanta la cabeza con tal expresión de sorpresa que Amy empieza a sonreír desde la primera fila.

Ashley) “Me?”

You) “Yes, Lieutenant. You.”

Ashley se acerca.

El ayudante lee su orden de ascenso a First Lieutenant, apenas veintidós días después de su comisión en Georgetown.

Cuando Daniel termina de colocarle las nuevas insignias, Ashley ya tiene los ojos húmedos.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Congratulations, First Lieutenant Smith.”

Ashley) “Thank you, Mr. President.”

Daniel le habla en voz más baja.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “I’m very proud of you, Ash.”

Ashley sonríe.

Ashley) “Thank you, Daniel.”

Tessa, que conserva su puesto y grado como Senior Enlisted Advisor, recibe también un reconocimiento expreso por parte del presidente.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “And Sergeant Major Morgan, none of this would have been possible without the extraordinary work of our senior enlisted leadership. General Pindado made absolutely certain I understood that.”

Tessa te mira, divertida y emocionada.

Te) “Thank you, Mr. President.”

La sala aplaude.

Tú contemplas a tus oficiales, sus nuevas insignias brillando sobre los uniformes azul marino.

Silvia se seca discretamente una lágrima.

Rebecca abraza a Megan.

Katie sonríe de una manera que probablemente recordará durante años.

Ashley busca a Amy entre el público.

Y Amy le manda un beso con los dedos.

Pero Daniel todavía no ha terminado.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “We also have two decorations to present today.”

Te vuelves hacia el atril.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “General Pindado. First Lieutenant Smith. Front and center, please.”

Ashley te mira.

Esta vez tú también estás sorprendido por el momento elegido.

Os colocáis ante el presidente.

El ayudante lee las menciones oficiales correspondientes a vuestra actuación durante los acontecimientos del 25 de marzo.

A Ashley se le concede su primera Army Meritorious Service Medal.

A ti, la quinta.

Daniel coloca personalmente la condecoración en tu uniforme, incorporando la cuarta Oak Leaf Cluster de bronce a la cinta correspondiente, y después presenta la primera MSM a Ashley.

Tu amiga observa su nueva condecoración con una expresión extraordinariamente emocionada.

Ashley) “My first medal…”

You) “The first of many, Ash.”

Daniel sonríe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “I suspect you’re right, General.”

Después os entrega individualmente las Presidential Letters of Commendation for Protective Service, firmadas por él.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Both of you demonstrated judgment, loyalty and an unwavering commitment to protecting others. You have my gratitude, personally and as president.”

You) “Thank you, Mr. President.”

Ashley) “Thank you, sir.”

Amy aplaude con especial entusiasmo.

Ava, que no ha entendido demasiado bien las diferencias entre condecoraciones, también.

Av) “YAY, DADDY!”

Las risas se extienden por la sala.

Cuando termina la imposición, Daniel os estrecha la mano.

Tú vuelves a tu posición junto al equipo.

Ashley contempla su cinta nueva, todavía maravillada.

A tu alrededor, el JCS empieza a intercambiar miradas.

Crees que la ceremonia ha terminado.

Silvia está emocionadísima. Hannah te sonríe desde su asiento. Amy tiene los ojos brillantes. Ava se está preparando para pedirte que le enseñes otra vez tus medallas.

Te dispones a acercarte a tu familia.

Entonces Adrian Rowe se levanta.

CJCSAr) “General Pindado. One moment, please.”

Te detienes.

You) “Of course, Adrian.”

El Chairman se aproxima al atril.

Daniel se aparta ligeramente, con una expresión que ahora comprendes que lleva toda la mañana intentando disimular.

Rowe coloca una carpeta oficial delante de él.

CJCSAr) “Ladies and gentlemen, before we conclude, the Joint Chiefs of Staff have one additional matter to address.”

Holloway sonríe abiertamente.

Whitaker está observando tu rostro con una satisfacción extraordinaria.

Hargrove parece a punto de reírse.

Rowe te mira.

CJCSAr) “General, you’ve spent this morning watching your officers receive recognition for their extraordinary contributions to the United States Information Corps.”

Asientes lentamente.

CJCSAr) “You have also received a decoration for your own service.”

Hace una pausa.

CJCSAr) “But your colleagues believe there is one further recognition that is both appropriate and long overdue.”

Tu expresión cambia.

Rowe continúa.

CJCSAr) “The President of the United States has approved your promotion to Major General, United States Information Corps, grade O-8.”

La sala queda completamente inmóvil.

Ashley abre la boca.

Silvia se lleva las dos manos al rostro.

Hannah se incorpora de golpe.

Amy gira la cabeza hacia su padre, absolutamente estupefacta.

Y tú permaneces donde estás.

Sin moverte.

Rowe sonríe.

CJCSAr) “General Pindado, please remain at the front.”

Daniel se acerca nuevamente al atril.

En sus manos, el ayudante presidencial acaba de depositar un pequeño estuche.

Lo abre.

Dentro descansan las insignias de Major General.

Tu segunda estrella.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Nacho, I believe it’s your turn to be surprised.”

El presidente te contempla con una sonrisa cálida.

Y detrás de él, todos los miembros del Joint Chiefs of Staff se ponen en pie.

📅 Viernes, 2 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 10:48 | 📍 Washington D. C. — The White House, sala de ceremonias

Permaneces frente al presidente, contemplando el pequeño estuche abierto que sostiene el ayudante militar.

Dos estrellas plateadas.

Dos estrellas para cada hombro.

Durante unos segundos te cuesta asimilar que estás a punto de recibirlas.

Daniel Walker observa tu expresión con una satisfacción evidente. A su lado, Adrian Rowe sostiene la orden presidencial, mientras Thomas Whitaker y William Hargrove esperan junto al resto del Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “General Pindado, I believe we have some unfinished business.”

Consigues sonreír.

You) “Apparently, Mr. President.”

El presidente se ríe suavemente.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Apparently.”

Rowe adopta la posición correspondiente y abre la carpeta.

CJCSAr) “General Pindado, attention to orders.”

Te cuadras inmediatamente.

Tus oficiales, que todavía permanecían cerca de sus asientos, adoptan la posición de firmes. Los integrantes del JCS hacen lo mismo, al igual que los ayudantes militares presentes.

El ayudante presidencial se adelanta con la orden.

Rowe comienza a leer.

CJCSAr) “By authority of the President of the United States, and under the statutory provisions governing the United States Information Corps, Brigadier General Ignacio Pindado is hereby promoted to the grade of Major General, O-8, effective April second, twenty twenty-one.”

Hace una pausa breve.

CJCSAr) “This promotion recognizes extraordinary leadership in the establishment and command of the United States Information Corps, exceptional professional competence, distinguished service to the United States, and sustained performance of responsibilities of national importance.”

La voz del Chairman continúa llenando la sala.

CJCSAr) “Major General Pindado will retain his appointment as Chief of Information, his command of the United States Information Corps, and his full membership in the Joint Chiefs of Staff, with all responsibilities and authorities pertaining to those offices.”

Rowe levanta la mirada.

CJCSAr) “By order of the President of the United States.”

Cierra la carpeta.

Nadie aplaude todavía.

La parte formal de la ceremonia debe completarse primero.

Daniel se coloca frente a ti.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Nacho, congratulations. You’ve earned this.”

You) “Thank you, Mr. President.”

El presidente sonríe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Now, I understand you have rather strong opinions about how promotion ceremonies should be conducted.”

Holloway tiene que hacer un esfuerzo visible para no reírse.

You) “I may have expressed a few preferences, sir.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Yes. No excessive honors, no enormous formations, no unnecessary spectacle.”

You) “That sounds about right.”

Daniel se inclina ligeramente.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “But your family and your people?”

Tu expresión se suaviza.

You) “Always.”

El presidente mira hacia la primera fila.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Hannah, Amy, would you join us, please?”

Hannah se lleva una mano al pecho.

Hannah) “Oh!”

Amy se queda inmóvil un instante.

Amy Walker) “Dad…”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Come on, sweetheart. Both of you.”

Hannah se levanta. Amy toma a Rachel de sus brazos mientras tu mujer se aproxima a ti. Ava, que estaba sentada junto a ellas, decide que aquella invitación también debe incluirla.

Av) “ME TOO!”

Las risas rompen momentáneamente la solemnidad.

Daniel abre los brazos.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Of course you too, princess.”

Ava corre hacia ti, pero se detiene cuando ve que continúas en posición de firmes.

Av) “Daddy?”

Bajas los ojos hacia ella.

You) “Yes, little one?”

Av) “Are you getting more stars?”

You) “I am, princess.”

Av) “TWO?”

You) “Two.”

La niña parece completamente maravillada.

Av) “WOW!”

Hannah se coloca a tu izquierda. Amy, con Rachel en brazos, a tu derecha. Ava permanece junto a Hannah, observando cada movimiento con extraordinaria atención.

Daniel entrega a tu mujer la insignia destinada al hombro izquierdo.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Hannah, would you do the honors?”

Hannah contempla las dos estrellas plateadas.

Por un instante parece recordar todas las ceremonias anteriores: las primeras barras doradas, las insignias que te colocó en MIT, las águilas de coronel y aquella primera estrella de general que recibiste en la White House.

Hannah) “I’d love to.”

El ayudante militar le indica discretamente cómo retirar la insignia anterior sin desplazar la tela ni las cintas del uniforme.

Hannah desprende con cuidado tu insignia de Brigadier General.

Después coloca la de Major General.

Sus dedos trabajan despacio, procurando que las dos estrellas queden perfectamente alineadas.

Cuando termina, alisa suavemente el hombro de tu chaqueta.

Hannah) “There you go, handsome.”

La miras.

You) “Thank you, honey.”

Hannah te dedica una sonrisa emocionada.

Hannah) “I’m so proud of you.”

Daniel entrega la segunda insignia a Amy.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Your turn, sweetheart.”

Amy mira el distintivo.

Después te contempla.

Amy Walker) “Oh, Nacho…”

Se acerca cuidadosamente, sosteniendo a Rachel con ayuda de Daniel durante unos instantes para poder utilizar ambas manos.

Retira la insignia anterior de tu hombro derecho.

Coloca la nueva.

Comprueba la alineación una vez.

Después otra.

Holloway murmura desde su posición:

CNONh) “She’s conducting a full inspection.”

Whitaker responde en voz baja.

CSATw) “As she should.”

Amy termina y retrocede un pequeño paso.

Amy Walker) “Perfect.”

You) “Thank you, pretty.”

Daniel le devuelve a Rachel, que contempla todo con el interés limitado de sus casi tres meses de vida.

Ava empieza a estirarse sobre las puntas de los pies.

Av) “Daddy! I wanna see!”

Hannah se agacha y la levanta.

Ahora Ava puede contemplar perfectamente las nuevas insignias.

La pequeña cuenta señalando con el dedo, sin llegar a tocarlas.

Av) “ONE! TWO!”

Te mira, radiante.

Av) “DADDY HAS TWO STARS!”

Te ríes.

You) “He does.”

Av) “Can I kiss them?”

La petición provoca una carcajada general.

Daniel sonríe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “I believe we can make an exception to protocol.”

Inclinas ligeramente el hombro.

Ava deposita un beso entusiasta sobre la tela, justo al lado de las estrellas.

Av) “MWAH!”

Después te abraza por el cuello.

Av) “I LOVE YOU, DADDY!”

Le devuelves el abrazo, emocionado.

You) “I love you too, princess.”

Cuando Hannah vuelve a bajarla, recuperas la posición correspondiente.

Daniel se coloca nuevamente frente a ti.

El ayudante presidencial recoge el estuche y retrocede.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Major General Ignacio Pindado, congratulations on your promotion.”

El presidente te tiende la mano.

La estrechas con firmeza.

You) “Thank you, Mr. President. It’s an extraordinary honor.”

Daniel te contempla con afecto.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “And one you’ve earned through extraordinary service.”

Después se separa ligeramente.

Rowe adopta nuevamente la posición formal.

CJCSAr) “Ladies and gentlemen, Major General Ignacio Pindado, United States Information Corps.”

Esta vez sí.

La sala estalla en aplausos.

Hannah aplaude con los ojos húmedos. Amy, todavía con Rachel en brazos, sonríe de oreja a oreja.

Ava da pequeños saltos junto a su madre.

Tus oficiales aplauden con entusiasmo.

Silvia parece incapaz de decidir si reírse o llorar. Rebecca abraza brevemente a Megan. Katie da una palmada emocionada a Ashley en el brazo. Tessa observa tus nuevas estrellas con una satisfacción profesional extraordinaria.

Y delante de ti, los miembros del JCS aplauden también.

No hay salvas de artillería.

No hay una formación de cientos de soldados.

No hay una banda interpretando una marcha interminable.

Solo están tu familia, tus compañeros, tus oficiales y las personas que han acompañado tu carrera desde sus primeros pasos.

Precisamente como querías.

Cuando termina el aplauso, Rowe se aproxima.

CJCSAr) “Congratulations, Major General.”

Le estrechas la mano.

You) “Thank you, Adrian.”

El Chairman sonríe.

CJCSAr) “Welcome to O-8.”

Whitaker es el siguiente.

CSATw) “Congratulations, Nacho. We’re very proud of you.”

Después Hargrove.

El general te contempla durante un instante antes de abrazarte.

Hg) “Well done, son.”

Le correspondes.

You) “Thank you, William.”

Su abrazo dura un poco más que los anteriores.

Cuando se separa, vuelve a contemplar las insignias.

Hg) “Those look good on you.”

You) “I like them.”

Hg) “I thought you might.”

A vuestro alrededor, la ceremonia empieza a transformarse en una celebración.

Daniel se acerca al micrófono por última vez.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Ladies and gentlemen, I think we’ve conducted enough official business for one morning.”

Holloway asiente enérgicamente.

CNONh) “Hear, hear.”

Daniel se ríe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “And I believe refreshments are waiting next door. Please, enjoy yourselves.”

Las puertas laterales se abren.

Y entonces descubres que alguien se ha tomado muy en serio lo de celebrar.

El catering es extraordinario.

Pero extraordinario en el mejor sentido posible.

Hay bandejas de pequeños sándwiches calientes, pollo asado, ternera cortada en lonchas generosas, patatas gratinadas, ensaladas, verduras, fruta fresca, panecillos recién hechos y una selección de postres que ocupa buena parte de una mesa.

También hay una zona preparada con hamburguesas pequeñas, macarrones con queso y opciones para las niñas.

Y chocolate caliente.

Mucho chocolate caliente.

Te acercas a una de las mesas y contemplas las bandejas con satisfacción.

You) “Now that’s what I call catering.”

Daniel aparece a tu lado.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “I thought you’d appreciate actual food.”

You) “Daniel, this is magnificent.”

El presidente sonríe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “I specifically asked them not to serve anything that required a ten-minute explanation.”

You) “Thank God.”

Señalas una fuente de patatas.

You) “Look at that. Potatoes. Actual potatoes.”

Daniel empieza a reírse.

You) “Not a deconstructed interpretation of a potato, delicately foamed with the essence of truffle and served on a ceramic pebble.”

Holloway, que acaba de acercarse, se echa a reír.

CNONh) “A ceramic pebble?”

You) “You know exactly what I’m talking about, Nate.”

CNONh) “Unfortunately, I do.”

Whitaker se aproxima con un plato.

CSATw) “Are we discussing the little restaurants where dinner involves twelve courses and somehow you still need a sandwich afterward?”

You) “Precisely.”

Daniel señala las bandejas.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Well, today we have sandwiches before, during and after dinner, if necessary.”

You) “Now that’s presidential leadership.”

Las carcajadas se extienden entre los generales.

Hannah aparece junto a ti con Ava de la mano.

Hannah) “Handsome, they’ve got macaroni and cheese.”

You) “Excellent.”

Av) “AND CAKE!”

You) “Even better.”

Amy se acerca llevando a Rachel.

Amy Walker) “There’s also hot chocolate, honey.”

La miras con entusiasmo.

You) “I saw.”

Amy sonríe.

Amy Walker) “Of course you did.”

Te besa brevemente.

Y Ava, que sigue observándolo todo, empieza a reírse.

Av) “MOMMY AMY DID THE SMILE AGAIN!”

Holloway escucha la frase y levanta inmediatamente su vaso.

CNONh) “Another successful intelligence report from Princess Ava.”

Daniel se ríe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “She’s remarkably observant.”

La celebración adquiere enseguida una familiaridad encantadora.

Tus oficiales se mezclan con los miembros del JCS, compartiendo felicitaciones y conversaciones. Silvia recibe nuevos elogios por su nombramiento como Captain, Ashley enseña orgullosamente su primera condecoración y Tessa aprovecha para hablar con Morrow sobre la formación del personal enlisted del USIC.

Tú permaneces un rato junto a Hannah, Amy y las niñas, disfrutando de un plato perfectamente corriente de comida extraordinariamente buena.

Whitaker termina acercándose con Hargrove.

El Chief of Staff of the Army contempla tus nuevas estrellas.

CSATw) “You know, Nacho, I do wonder what the former commanding general of Cadet Command thinks about all this.”

Lo miras.

You) “What about it?”

Whitaker sonríe.

CSATw) “Well, he considered your command illegitimate. He refused to support your recruitment operation. I had to relieve him. And now here you are, a Major General, commanding USIC and receiving your second star from the president.”

Holloway, que se ha acercado otra vez, empieza a sonreír.

CNONh) “I imagine the man is having a rather uncomfortable morning.”

Te encoges ligeramente de hombros.

You) “He probably still thinks my command is illegitimate.”

Whitaker levanta las cejas.

CSATw) “You really think so?”

You) “Probably. People don’t necessarily change their minds because reality becomes inconvenient.”

El general asiente lentamente.

CSATw) “Fair point.”

Después te contempla con curiosidad.

CSATw) “And what do you think?”

Miras alrededor.

Hannah está ayudando a Ava con una pequeña porción de tarta. Amy conversa animadamente con Daniel mientras sostiene a Rachel. Silvia se ríe de algo que acaba de decir Rebecca. Megan y Katie están hablando con Caldwell. Ashley enseña sus nuevas insignias a Hargrove, que las examina con una expresión orgullosa.

Tus amigos.

Tu familia.

Tus oficiales.

Los hombres y mujeres con quienes has construido tu carrera.

Después miras tus hombros, donde brillan las dos estrellas plateadas.

Vuelves hacia Whitaker.

You) “Well, Thomas… from where I’m standing, surrounded by my people, it looks pretty legitimate to me.”

Whitaker se queda contemplándote.

Después sonríe ampliamente.

CSATw) “I’d say that’s a very reasonable assessment, Major General.”

Holloway levanta su vaso.

CNONh) “Hear, hear!”

Daniel, que ha escuchado la última parte, se vuelve hacia vosotros.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “What’s that?”

Whitaker señala tus insignias.

CSATw) “Just discussing the legitimacy of General Pindado’s command, Mr. President.”

Daniel contempla tus estrellas.

Después mira a Whitaker.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Well, I believe I made my position on that fairly clear about twenty minutes ago.”

Las carcajadas son inmediatas.

Hargrove se aproxima entonces, todavía sonriendo.

Hg) “Major General.”

Te vuelves hacia él.

You) “William?”

El general señala tus hombros.

Hg) “It’s getting even easier to salute you now. Just one more star and you’ll match Callahan in rank.”

Lo contemplas un instante.

La oportunidad es demasiado buena.

Adoptas una expresión perfectamente seria.

You) “I’m… a rising star.”

Lo dices con una sequedad absoluta.

Durante una fracción de segundo nadie reacciona.

Después Holloway suelta una carcajada tan fuerte que tiene que apartar su vaso para no derramarlo.

Whitaker se dobla ligeramente hacia delante.

Daniel abre la boca, intenta responder y termina riéndose sin poder articular palabra.

Hargrove se queda mirándote con una mezcla de incredulidad y diversión.

Hg) “Oh, for God’s sake!”

Bennett, que acaba de escuchar la frase, se echa a reír.

CMCMb) “A rising star!”

Keller se lleva una mano a la frente.

CSOMk) “He actually said it.”

Caldwell niega con la cabeza, riéndose.

CSAFKc) “That’s terrible.”

Holloway apenas consigue recuperar el aliento.

CNONh) “No, no. That’s magnificent.”

Daniel se apoya contra una de las mesas.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Nacho, please. I can’t take any more.”

Tú permaneces completamente serio.

You) “What? It’s an accurate assessment of my career trajectory.”

La segunda carcajada resulta todavía más estruendosa que la primera.

Amy, que acaba de llegar a tu lado, te contempla con expresión divertida.

Amy Walker) “What did you do?”

Hannah responde desde detrás de ella.

Hannah) “Oh, pretty. He made a terrible joke, didn’t he?”

Hargrove asiente, riéndose.

Hg) “An absolutely dreadful one.”

You) “I thought it was excellent.”

Holloway consigue hablar entre carcajadas.

CNONh) “Of course you did!”

Ava, contagiada por la risa general, empieza también a reírse sin comprender del todo qué ha ocurrido.

Av) “DADDY’S FUNNY!”

Te vuelves hacia ella, satisfecho.

You) “Thank you, princess.”

La niña asiente con absoluta convicción.

Av) “VERY FUNNY!”

Señalas a tu hija.

You) “There. An unbiased professional opinion.”

Whitaker vuelve a estallar en carcajadas.

Daniel niega lentamente con la cabeza, todavía sonriendo.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Ladies and gentlemen, the newest Major General in the United States Armed Forces.”

Hace un gesto hacia ti.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Twenty-two years old, extraordinarily capable, entrusted with responsibilities of national importance…”

Se detiene, divertido.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “And apparently determined to become the worst comedian in the Department of Defense.”

Holloway levanta el vaso.

CNONh) “To Major General Pindado!”

Los demás levantan los suyos.

CJCSAr) “To Nacho.”

Hg) “To the rising star.”

Las carcajadas regresan.

Levantas tu taza de chocolate caliente.

You) “To all of you. Thank you for being here.”

Los vasos chocan suavemente.

Hannah se acerca y te rodea por la cintura.

Amy se acomoda al otro lado, con Rachel en brazos.

Ava se instala delante de ti, todavía fascinada por tus nuevas estrellas.

Y mientras tus compañeros continúan riéndose y disfrutando de la comida, te inclinas para besar a Hannah y después a Amy, que vuelve a sonreír contra tus labios.

Ava lo celebra con otra carcajada.

La ceremonia ha salido exactamente como deseabas.

Sin grandilocuencia.

Sin honores exagerados.

Con un protocolo impecable, un reconocimiento que significa muchísimo para ti y todas las personas que quieres reunidas en el mismo lugar.

Y con un chiste tan malo que, probablemente, tendrás que soportar que te lo recuerden durante el resto de tu carrera.

📅 Viernes, 2 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 16:18 | 📍 Odenton, Maryland — Residencia de los Pindado

Hannah lleva aproximadamente veinte minutos esperando una oportunidad para hablar con Ashley sin que te enteres de sus planes.

La encuentra mientras tú estás en el dormitorio, guardando cuidadosamente la chaqueta de servicio con las nuevas insignias de Major General.

Hannah) “Ash, sweetheart, would you mind helping me with something this afternoon?”

Ashley, que ha venido con vosotros desde la White House para seguir celebrando, se vuelve inmediatamente.

Ashley) “Of course, Hannah. What do you need?”

Hannah) “I’d like to stop by the Fort Odenton exchange. Nacho needs a couple more uniforms, and I’d like to pick up some extra rank insignia and ribbons. Would you come with me and help with the girls?”

Ashley) “Absolutely.”

Hannah sonríe.

Hannah) “Wonderful. And afterward we’ll get something nice for an afternoon snack.”

Ashley mira a Ava, que está enseñándole a Rachel su dinosaurio favorito.

Ashley) “Sounds perfect. Come on, little monsters. We’re going shopping.”

Av) “FOR DINOSAURS?”

Ashley) “We’ll see what we find.”

Hannah) “We’re shopping for Daddy first, baby.”

Av) “TWO STARS!”

Hannah) “Exactly.”

Hannah recoge las cosas de Rachel mientras Ashley ayuda a Ava a ponerse la chaqueta.

Cuando bajas, encuentras a las cuatro preparadas para salir.

You) “Where’s everybody going?”

Hannah) “The exchange, handsome. You need some more uniforms, and Ash offered to help with the girls.”

You) “Oh. Thank you, honey.”

Tu mujer se acerca y te besa.

Hannah) “You’re welcome.”

Después te arregla el cuello de la camiseta, aunque está perfectamente colocado.

Hannah) “Enjoy your afternoon.”

You) “You too.”

Amy aparece detrás de ti.

Amy Walker) “Should I come?”

Hannah niega inmediatamente.

Hannah) “No, pretty. You’ve had a long morning. Stay here and enjoy some time with Nacho.”

Amy sonríe.

Amy Walker) “All right.”

Ashley recoge el bolso de las niñas.

Ashley) “We’ll bring snacks!”

Av) “AND DINOSAURS!”

Hannah se ríe.

Hannah) “We’ll negotiate the dinosaurs.”

Antes de marcharse, te da otro beso.

Largo, cariñoso y acompañado de una sonrisa que conoces desde hace tantos años que deberías haber comprendido inmediatamente lo que está tramando.

Pero estás demasiado contento para pensar en ello.

La puerta se cierra.

Y la casa queda en silencio.

Amy contempla la entrada durante un instante.

Después se vuelve hacia ti.

Amy Walker) “Well. That was suspiciously efficient.”

You) “Hannah’s always efficient.”

Amy se ríe.

Amy Walker) “That’s true.”

Te sientas en el sofá y le tiendes una mano.

You) “Come here, pretty.”

Amy se acomoda junto a ti, con las piernas recogidas, y entrelaza los dedos con los tuyos.

Durante un rato jugáis con las manos. Le acaricias los nudillos, le besas las yemas de los dedos y vuelves a entrelazarlos, mientras Amy intenta explicarte lo extraordinario que le ha parecido verte recibir la segunda estrella.

Amy Walker) “I still can’t believe Dad managed to keep it a secret.”

You) “Neither can I.”

Amy Walker) “And your face, honey. You looked completely stunned.”

You) “I was.”

Amy sonríe.

Amy Walker) “I wish you’d seen Hannah. She looked so proud.”

Le besas la mano.

You) “I saw her.”

Amy Walker) “And Ava! Oh my God, when she kissed your stars…”

La interrumpes con un beso.

Amy sonríe inmediatamente.

Amy Walker) “There you go again.”

You) “What?”

Amy Walker) “Kissing me whenever you feel like it.”

You) “Is that a complaint?”

Amy te rodea el cuello con los brazos.

Amy Walker) “Absolutely not.”

La besas otra vez.

Y después otra.

Amy termina riéndose contra tus labios y abandona cualquier intento de continuar su relato de la ceremonia.

Amy Walker) “You’re very affectionate today, Major General.”

You) “I’ve had an excellent day.”

Amy Walker) “I noticed.”

Te acaricia el rostro.

Amy Walker) “I’m so proud of you, Nacho.”

La contemplas.

You) “I love you, Amy.”

Su sonrisa cambia.

Amy Walker) “I love you too.”

Permanecéis abrazados unos momentos más.

Amy vuelve a hablar de la ceremonia, de su padre y de las expresiones de los generales. Tú la escuchas mientras acaricias sus dedos.

Hasta que decides que quieres besarla otra vez.

Y después permanecer a su lado, sin ninguna prisa.

Cuando empieza a contarte una nueva anécdota sobre Holloway, le apoyas suavemente la mano sobre los labios.

Amy abre mucho los ojos.

Amy Walker) “Mmph?”

You) “Come with me.”

Apartas la mano y ella empieza a reírse.

Amy Walker) “Where?”

You) “Upstairs.”

Te contempla durante un instante.

Después entiende.

Su expresión se suaviza y te acaricia la mejilla.

Amy Walker) “Oh.”

You) “Only if you want to.”

Amy se incorpora y te tiende ambas manos.

Amy Walker) “I do, sweetheart.”

La acompañas al dormitorio.

Allí os abrazáis junto a la cama, besándoos con la familiaridad que habéis construido durante aquellas dos semanas y con la emoción de saber que estáis compartiendo algo nuevo.

Amy te ayuda a quitarte la camiseta.

Después se separa ligeramente para mirarte.

Amy Walker) “You know, I’ve thought about this.”

You) “So have I.”

Amy Walker) “A lot, actually.”

Sonríes.

You) “Me too, pretty.”

Amy te acaricia el rostro.

Amy Walker) “I wanted my first time to be with somebody who really loved me.”

Le besas la frente.

You) “I really do.”

Amy Walker) “I know.”

Se aproxima hasta apoyar su frente contra la tuya.

Amy Walker) “That’s why I’m happy it’s you.”

La abrazas.

La tarde continúa en la intimidad del dormitorio. Os tomáis vuestro tiempo, hablando, riéndoos de vez en cuando y descubriendo una nueva cercanía con el afecto que ya os tenéis.

Cuando finalmente descansáis juntos, Amy permanece abrazada a ti, con la cabeza apoyada sobre tu pecho.

Durante unos minutos parece estar buscando las palabras adecuadas.

Finalmente levanta la cabeza.

Amy Walker) “Oh.”

Te vuelves hacia ella.

You) “What?”

Amy empieza a reírse, sorprendida y encantada.

Amy Walker) “Well, that was nothing like what people told me.”

Le acaricias el pelo.

You) “Really?”

Amy Walker) “Really. I thought my first time would hurt. Everybody made it sound terrifying.”

Sonríe.

Amy Walker) “And apparently I was supposed to bleed, and I was definitely not supposed to have an orgasm the first time.”

Se ríe otra vez, todavía maravillada.

Amy Walker) “Let alone twice.”

La contemplas con una sonrisa enorme.

You) “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, sweetheart.”

Amy te da un beso.

Amy Walker) “Enjoyed myself?”

Se incorpora ligeramente, divertida por lo insuficiente que le parece tu descripción.

Amy Walker) “Nacho, I think I’ve just discovered one of my favorite things in the entire world.”

Te echas a reír.

You) “That’s quite a recommendation.”

Amy Walker) “I’m serious!”

Vuelve a acomodarse contra ti.

Amy Walker) “And the best part is that it was you.”

Le acaricias suavemente la espalda.

You) “I love you.”

Amy Walker) “I love you too.”

Amy permanece un rato observando tus nuevas insignias, que has dejado cuidadosamente sobre la cómoda.

Amy Walker) “You know something?”

You) “What?”

Amy Walker) “I thought today couldn’t possibly get any better after your promotion.”

Sonríes.

You) “And?”

Amy te besa.

Amy Walker) “I was wrong.”

Te ríes y la abrazas.

Un poco después, Amy vuelve a mirar hacia la puerta.

Amy Walker) “Do you think Hannah knew?”

La contemplas.

You) “Knew what?”

Amy te dedica una expresión de absoluta incredulidad.

Amy Walker) “Nacho.”

You) “What?”

Amy Walker) “Your wife just took both children shopping, recruited my best friend to help her, and explicitly told me to stay home with you.”

Te quedas pensando.

Después empiezas a reírte.

You) “Oh.”

Amy Walker) “Yes. Oh.”

Te tapas brevemente la cara.

You) “That woman knows me far too well.”

Amy se ríe y se acomoda de nuevo junto a ti.

Amy Walker) “I think it’s wonderful.”

You) “So do I.”

Ella entrelaza sus dedos con los tuyos.

Amy Walker) “She’s been so good to me.”

You) “She loves having you here.”

Amy sonríe.

Amy Walker) “And I love being here.”

Le besas la mano, igual que hicisteis en el sofá.

Amy te observa durante un momento.

Amy Walker) “Happy, Major General?”

La miras.

You) “Very.”

Amy sonríe contra tus labios cuando vuelves a besarla.

Amy Walker) “Good. Because so am I.”

📅 Viernes, 2 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 17:26 | 📍 Washington D. C. — The Pentagon, despachos del Joint Chiefs of Staff

Adrian Rowe llama a Nathaniel Holloway sin ninguna intención de organizar una reunión.

Simplemente quiere comentar algo que lleva rondándole la cabeza desde que abandonó la White House.

CJCSAr) “Nate, do you have a minute?”

CNONh) “For you, Adrian? Always. What’s going on?”

CJCSAr) “I’ve been thinking about Nacho.”

Holloway se ríe inmediatamente.

CNONh) “Which part? The promotion, the ceremony, or the worst joke ever delivered by a two-star general?”

CJCSAr) “All three, actually.”

CNONh) “Oh, this deserves a proper conversation. Get Thomas on the line.”

Rowe acaba llamando a Whitaker, que propone incluir a Hargrove. Hargrove, a su vez, comenta que Bennett probablemente encontrará interesante la conversación.

Diez minutos después, cinco generales y almirantes de cuatro estrellas están conectados mediante una videoconferencia que no figura en ninguna agenda oficial.

Holloway aparece sin chaqueta de uniforme, con una taza de café. Whitaker está en su despacho del Pentagon, rodeado de documentación. Bennett termina de acomodarse frente a su cámara. Hargrove se encuentra en Fort Meade.

Rowe observa las cuatro ventanas.

CJCSAr) “Gentlemen, this wasn’t supposed to become a meeting.”

CMCMb) “Then why are there five of us, Adrian?”

CNONh) “Because apparently none of us has anything better to do than discuss the youngest Major General in the Department of Defense.”

Hg) “There are worse ways to spend a Friday afternoon.”

Whitaker sonríe.

CSATw) “Especially after the week we’ve had.”

Rowe se reclina.

CJCSAr) “That’s precisely what I wanted to discuss. A week ago, William believed Nacho was dangerously close to walking away from his commission.”

Hargrove asiente.

Hg) “I did.”

CJCSAr) “Today we watched him receive his second star, surrounded by his family and his officers, and look happier than I’ve ever seen him.”

Holloway deja la taza.

CNONh) “Not when he saw the stars, though.”

Whitaker vuelve la cabeza hacia su cámara.

CSATw) “What do you mean?”

CNONh) “He was stunned by the stars. Absolutely stunned. But what really made him happy was seeing everybody there.”

Bennett asiente lentamente.

CMCMb) “I noticed that too. He looked at Hannah first. Then Amy. Then his girls. And then he started looking around for the rest of his people.”

Hargrove sonríe.

Hg) “That’s consistent with everything I know about him.”

Rowe permanece pensativo.

CJCSAr) “William, I want to revisit something you told us last Saturday. You said he’d reached a point where he had no way to release his frustration.”

Hg) “Yes.”

CJCSAr) “And yet he seems remarkably stable.”

Hargrove se acomoda mejor.

Hg) “He is stable, Adrian. That was never the problem.”

Los otros cuatro escuchan.

Hg) “The problem is that he absorbs an extraordinary amount of pressure without showing it. And because he normally remains cheerful, affectionate and competent, people assume nothing is hurting him.”

Whitaker asiente.

CSATw) “Until something finally does.”

Hg) “Exactly. Ashley’s case hurt him. Deeply. And he couldn’t make sense of the fact that somebody had spent four years making one of his friends miserable while people with money and political connections helped sustain the intimidation.”

Hargrove hace una pausa.

Hg) “He wasn’t merely frustrated that John might serve seven years instead of fifteen. He felt he’d failed Ashley by not using every possible means to pursue a harsher outcome.”

Bennett frunce el ceño.

CMCMb) “And you convinced him otherwise.”

Hg) “I told him he’d done the right thing. But I don’t think that resolved his anger. It just helped him stop directing it against himself.”

Rowe contempla la pantalla.

CJCSAr) “Then he turned the rest into a national initiative.”

Holloway suelta una carcajada.

CNONh) “A national initiative? Adrian, the boy came to the White House ready to resign and left with presidential support for a campaign against K Street, a multidisciplinary investigative corps and an economic program.”

CSATw) “And an auditorium.”

CNONh) “Don’t forget the auditorium.”

Bennett sonríe.

CMCMb) “Or the seven aides.”

Las risas duran unos momentos.

Después Hargrove vuelve a hablar.

Hg) “There’s something remarkable about that sequence. He didn’t become less angry because he stopped caring. He became capable of doing something with his anger because he cares so much.”

Rowe asiente.

Hg) “He could have spent the weekend thinking exclusively about John. Instead, he asked Ashley whether the system that enabled her mistreatment deserved to be challenged.”

Whitaker interviene.

CSATw) “And when she agreed, he translated that into an institutional mission.”

Hg) “Yes. He didn’t forget what hurt him. He found a way to keep going without abandoning what he believes in.”

Bennett contempla a sus compañeros.

CMCMb) “I’ve seen officers endure extraordinary hardship in combat and still struggle when they return to ordinary life. Nacho has almost the opposite experience. He hasn’t been deployed, he adores his domestic life, and he genuinely enjoys his work.”

Hace una pausa.

CMCMb) “But he’s carrying responsibilities that would be unusual for a general with thirty years of commissioned service.”

Rowe asiente.

CJCSAr) “And apparently he can continue carrying them even when he’s hurting.”

Hargrove responde con una expresión seria.

Hg) “That ability is remarkable. But what impressed me most was that he never stopped thinking about the people affected by his decisions.”

Whitaker sonríe.

CSATw) “We saw that on Saturday. He was prepared to resign rather than force Daniel into a political confrontation he couldn’t easily resolve.”

CNONh) “And he worried about Amy arguing with her father.”

CMCMb) “Which was the most Nacho detail imaginable.”

Rowe deja escapar una pequeña risa.

CJCSAr) “Yes.”

Holloway se inclina hacia la cámara.

CNONh) “But there’s something else I’ve been thinking about. He doesn’t want political office.”

Whitaker levanta la mirada.

CNONh) “Think about that. We know politicians who’ve spent twenty years trying to acquire a fraction of the influence Nacho exercised in the Cabinet Room on Saturday.”

Bennett asiente.

CNONh) “He walked in, explained what he wanted, told the president exactly what it might cost him, offered his resignation and received support.”

CSATw) “Because Daniel trusts him.”

CNONh) “Precisely. He has enormous influence because people trust his judgment and his motives. And he doesn’t seem remotely interested in converting that influence into political status.”

Rowe se queda pensativo.

CJCSAr) “He wants the ability to accomplish things, not the title associated with accomplishing them.”

Hg) “That’s how he approaches military rank too.”

Whitaker sonríe.

CSATw) “Except that he loves the ceremonies.”

Hargrove levanta un dedo.

Hg) “He loves being recognized by people who matter to him. That’s different.”

La observación deja a todos callados un instante.

Hg) “I’ve known him long enough to remember when he was hurt because promotions were handled as administrative transactions. He never wanted a parade for its own sake. He wanted Hannah there. Ava. His friends. The people who helped him get where he was.”

Rowe recuerda tu expresión al ver las insignias de Major General.

CJCSAr) “And today he got exactly that.”

Hg) “Yes.”

Bennett sonríe.

CMCMb) “His wife pinned one shoulder. His girlfriend pinned the other. His daughter kissed the stars.”

Holloway empieza a reírse.

CNONh) “And the president of the United States personally authorized a four-year-old to violate ceremonial protocol.”

CSATw) “A perfectly justified exception.”

CJCSAr) “I rather enjoyed it.”

Hg) “So did Nacho. More than the rank itself, I suspect.”

Whitaker se acomoda hacia delante.

CSATw) “Speaking of things he enjoys, can somebody explain why he looked like he’d won the lottery when we delivered those seven lieutenants?”

Holloway se ríe.

CNONh) “Because he has absolutely no concept of how much authority he possesses.”

Rowe levanta una ceja.

CJCSAr) “That’s an interesting way of putting it.”

CNONh) “Adrian, he asked us to approve seven additional billets as if he were a company commander requesting permission to hire a clerk.”

Whitaker empieza a sonreír.

CSATw) “He’s administratively Army, but he isn’t subordinate to Army in the way he sometimes behaves.”

Hg) “And he knows that intellectually.”

Hargrove señala su cámara.

Hg) “He can explain his statutory authority to a room full of lawyers. He understands the independence of his appointment, his fiscal responsibilities and his authority over his own command.”

Hace una pausa.

Hg) “But emotionally, he’s still the young officer who believes asking senior colleagues for help is the polite thing to do.”

Bennett asiente.

CMCMb) “There’s a difference between requesting interservice support and asking permission to organize his own headquarters.”

CSATw) “Exactly.”

Whitaker levanta su taza.

CSATw) “Somebody needs to sit him down and explain that he’s sovereign within USIC. He determines its internal organization, what capabilities it builds, what staffing it requires and how its authorized resources are spent.”

Rowe sonríe.

CJCSAr) “Within the statutory authorities of his office, yes. He doesn’t need the JCS to approve every personnel decision.”

CNONh) “He practically thanked us for allowing him to give Silvia an assistant.”

Bennett se ríe.

CMCMb) “An XO for his XO.”

Hg) “And he was delighted.”

CSATw) “Because we supported him.”

Hargrove asiente.

Hg) “That’s the part I think we shouldn’t overlook. He wasn’t celebrating obtaining permission. He was celebrating that his colleagues cared enough to help.”

Rowe se queda contemplando la pantalla.

CJCSAr) “That’s an important distinction.”

Hg) “He spent Saturday hearing us promise USIC all kinds of support. He thanked us for the officers, the infrastructure, the administrative arrangements, everything.”

Hargrove sonríe.

Hg) “Then on Monday he discovered seven eighteen- and nineteen-year-old lieutenants waiting in his headquarters, all thrilled to be there. For him, that wasn’t merely seven billets. It was seven more young officers receiving an opportunity.”

Holloway asiente.

CNONh) “And seven people who might eventually build careers in his service.”

CMCMb) “And seven ways to make life easier for his existing team.”

CSATw) “Which explains why he immediately wanted to promote everybody.”

Rowe se ríe.

CJCSAr) “He asked for promotions before we’d even had time to congratulate him on getting the aides.”

Whitaker sonríe.

CSATw) “He has an extraordinary talent for making requests that benefit absolutely everybody except himself.”

Holloway levanta la mano.

CNONh) “Not entirely. He asked for a War College auditorium.”

Bennett interviene, divertido.

CMCMb) “So he could declare war on lobbyists.”

CNONh) “Exactly. A perfectly ordinary personal favor.”

Las carcajadas regresan.

Después Rowe se reclina lentamente.

CJCSAr) “I think Thomas is right, though. We do need to explain his internal authority to him.”

Hg) “I agree. But not by making him feel foolish for asking.”

CSATw) “Of course not.”

Hg) “He values the relationship. If he calls us for advice, that’s something we should encourage. I just want him to understand that when he chooses the right staffing structure for USIC, he’s exercising his own authority. Our approval isn’t what makes the decision legitimate.”

Holloway sonríe.

CNONh) “Good luck explaining that to a man who apparently can’t ask Daniel to attend a promotion ceremony without first consulting nine four-star officers.”

Whitaker se echa a reír.

CSATw) “He did do that.”

CJCSAr) “And then asked whether it would be imposing.”

CMCMb) “After threatening to resign over a national institutional campaign.”

Hg) “He’s consistent, gentlemen. Just not in the way you’d expect.”

Rowe mira su reloj, pero no hace ningún movimiento para terminar la conversación.

CJCSAr) “There’s one final thing I want to discuss.”

Holloway sonríe inmediatamente.

CNONh) “The joke.”

Rowe se ríe.

CJCSAr) “The joke.”

Whitaker niega con la cabeza.

CSATw) “A rising star.”

Bennett deja escapar una carcajada.

CMCMb) “That was criminal.”

Hg) “It was dreadful.”

CNONh) “It was magnificent.”

Hargrove señala la pantalla.

Hg) “Nate, it was an absolutely terrible pun.”

CNONh) “William, that is precisely why it was magnificent.”

Rowe sonríe.

CJCSAr) “I think what made it work was the delivery. No smile. No change in expression. Absolutely laconic.”

Whitaker asiente.

CSATw) “He looked William straight in the eye and said, ‘I’m a rising star,’ as if he were providing a routine personnel update.”

Bennett empieza a reírse otra vez.

CMCMb) “And then, when everybody lost it, he insisted it was an accurate assessment of his career trajectory.”

Holloway tiene que dejar la taza sobre la mesa.

CNONh) “I nearly choked.”

Hargrove se ríe también.

Hg) “What makes it worse is that he waited for exactly the right moment. I’d just told him he only needed one more star to equal Callahan.”

Rowe asiente.

CJCSAr) “Perfect setup.”

CSATw) “Terrible joke.”

CNONh) “Perfect execution.”

Bennett levanta un dedo.

CMCMb) “And then his daughter declared him very funny.”

Hg) “An unbiased professional opinion, apparently.”

Las carcajadas vuelven a llenar los cinco despachos.

Cuando finalmente recuperan la compostura, Rowe permanece unos segundos contemplando las pantallas.

CJCSAr) “You know, gentlemen, I think that’s another reason people like serving with him.”

Whitaker lo escucha.

CJCSAr) “He can spend an hour discussing the future of American institutions, make an argument that changes the president’s mind, accept a second star with complete dignity…”

Sonríe.

CJCSAr) “And thirty minutes later make the worst possible joke about his own promotion.”

Bennett asiente.

CMCMb) “He doesn’t seem interested in appearing impressive every minute of the day.”

Hg) “He isn’t.”

Hargrove se inclina hacia delante.

Hg) “And that’s why I think we’re going to be all right.”

Rowe vuelve hacia él.

Hg) “Last Friday, I watched a young man who was genuinely struggling to understand how much something had hurt him. Today, I watched the same young man receive an extraordinary honor without losing any of the qualities that made us trust him in the first place.”

Whitaker sonríe.

Hg) “He was still thinking about Hannah and the children. Still delighted by his officers’ promotions. Still making dreadful jokes. Still happy to be surrounded by people he loves.”

El general se acomoda lentamente.

Hg) “He’s capable of taking a great deal of pain and continuing to serve. That’s remarkable. But what matters most is that he hasn’t confused enduring pain with having to become somebody else.”

Holloway permanece pensativo.

CNONh) “He can be furious without becoming cruel.”

CSATw) “Ambitious for his country without becoming ambitious for himself.”

CMCMb) “And proud of his rank without believing it makes him better than everybody around him.”

Rowe asiente.

CJCSAr) “That’s a rather good summary.”

Hargrove sonríe.

Hg) “It is.”

Durante un rato siguen charlando, pasando de tus oficiales a las instalaciones de USIC, de Carlisle al próximo encuentro presencial del JCS.

Finalmente, Holloway vuelve a levantar su taza.

CNONh) “Gentlemen, I propose a toast.”

Rowe sonríe.

CJCSAr) “Go ahead, Nate.”

CNONh) “To Major General Ignacio Pindado. May he continue to rise.”

Whitaker empieza a reírse antes de que termine.

CSATw) “Oh, for God’s sake.”

Holloway levanta la taza un poco más.

CNONh) “And may he never, ever stop making terrible jokes.”

Hargrove sonríe ampliamente.

Hg) “I’ll drink to that.”

Los cinco levantan sus tazas.

Y la videoconferencia, que empezó porque Adrian Rowe quería comentar lo ocurrido durante la ceremonia, continúa unos minutos más entre risas y recuerdos compartidos de la mañana.

Ninguno tiene demasiadas ganas de desconectarse todavía.

📅 Viernes, 2 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 17:42 | 📍 Odenton, Maryland — Residencia de los Pindado, dormitorio principal

Amy lleva un buen rato intentando recuperar la compostura.

Está tumbada sobre ti, con el pelo revuelto y algunos mechones pegados a la frente. Tiene las mejillas sonrojadas y una expresión de felicidad que se transforma en carcajada cada vez que intenta decir algo.

Amy Walker) “Oh my God, Nacho.”

Le apartas delicadamente un mechón de la cara.

You) “What?”

Amy Walker) “Apparently, running isn’t the only reason you’re in such good shape.”

Te echas a reír.

You) “I do have other hobbies.”

Amy levanta la cabeza para mirarte.

Amy Walker) “I’ve noticed!”

Vuelve a reírse y deja caer la frente contra tu pecho.

Amy Walker) “I genuinely thought I understood what being athletic meant. Apparently I had a very incomplete understanding.”

Le acaricias la espalda.

You) “I’m glad I could contribute to your education.”

Amy vuelve a levantar la cabeza, escandalizada y divertida.

Amy Walker) “Major General Pindado!”

You) “Yes, ma’am?”

Amy Walker) “That was terrible.”

You) “I’ve been told my jokes are getting worse as I get promoted.”

Amy te besa, sonriendo.

Amy Walker) “I believe it.”

Permanecéis un rato abrazados, disfrutando de la tranquilidad de la habitación. Amy sigue maravillada por la naturalidad con la que habéis compartido vuestra primera tarde íntima y, sobre todo, por lo cómoda que se siente contigo.

Cuando decides incorporarte y la levantas cuidadosamente contigo, protesta entre risas.

Amy Walker) “Hey! Where are we going?”

You) “We should change the sheets, pretty.”

Amy mira la cama.

La pequeña mancha de sangre que ha quedado en las sábanas hace que su expresión cambie durante un instante.

Amy Walker) “Oh.”

Te vuelve a mirar.

You) “It’s all right, sweetheart.”

Amy sonríe.

Amy Walker) “I know. It’s just… everything’s very new.”

Le das un beso en la frente.

You) “We can take our time.”

Amy Walker) “I like taking my time with you.”

La dejas junto a la cama y buscáis ropa cómoda. Amy te ayuda encantada a retirar las sábanas, sujetando una esquina mientras tú liberas la otra.

Amy Walker) “I feel like we’ve been married for twenty years.”

You) “Changing bed sheets?”

Amy Walker) “Exactly. Very glamorous.”

You) “Wait until you discover how exciting the laundry is.”

Amy empieza a reírse.

Amy Walker) “Oh, Hannah is going to be delighted. Her boyfriend and her girlfriend have discovered domestic responsibility.”

You) “Her husband, pretty.”

Amy Walker) “Right. Her husband. My boyfriend. This family has an impressive number of titles.”

Te ríes y terminas de colocar la sábana bajera.

Amy alisa el tejido con ambas manos y se queda contemplándote mientras preparas las almohadas.

Amy Walker) “You know, I really love this.”

You) “Clean sheets?”

Amy Walker) “You. Us. Being here.”

Se acerca por detrás y te abraza por la cintura.

Amy Walker) “I love that we can have a wonderful afternoon together and then just make the bed. That there’s nothing awkward afterward.”

Te vuelves entre sus brazos.

You) “Why would there be?”

Amy se encoge de hombros.

Amy Walker) “I don’t know. People make such a big deal out of first times. I suppose I expected everything to feel different afterward.”

Le acaricias la mejilla.

You) “Does it?”

Ella sonríe.

Amy Walker) “A little. But in a lovely way.”

Te abraza de nuevo.

Durante un momento permanece apoyada contra ti, acariciando distraídamente la tela de tu camiseta.

Después levanta la cabeza.

Amy Walker) “Oh. There’s something I wanted to tell you.”

You) “What is it, pretty?”

Amy tarda un instante en responder.

Amy Walker) “Dad said something to me.”

You) “Daniel?”

Amy Walker) “Yes. About last Saturday.”

Dejas de acomodar la almohada que tenías en la mano.

You) “What did he say?”

Amy te observa.

Amy Walker) “Not much. He was careful about that. He told me something important happened, but he wasn’t going to explain the details because it involved USIC, and it was your responsibility to decide what could be shared.”

Asientes.

Amy Walker) “But he did tell me one thing.”

Te coge ambas manos.

Amy Walker) “He said you put your career in his hands.”

La miras en silencio.

Amy continúa, emocionándose a medida que habla.

Amy Walker) “He told me that whatever you were proposing mattered enough that you were prepared to resign if he couldn’t support it.”

You) “Yes.”

Amy Walker) “And that you specifically wanted to give him a way to say no without destroying his political position.”

Asientes de nuevo.

You) “That’s right.”

Amy se acerca un poco más.

Amy Walker) “He said you were worried about forcing him into a fight he couldn’t win without spending enormous amounts of political capital.”

Hace una pequeña pausa.

Amy Walker) “And that you didn’t want him to have to fight with me.”

La contemplas.

You) “Of course I didn’t.”

Amy suelta una pequeña risa emocionada.

Amy Walker) “That’s what he said you’d say.”

Te ríes suavemente.

You) “He knows me reasonably well.”

Amy Walker) “He does.”

Su expresión adquiere una ternura extraordinaria.

Amy Walker) “Nacho, Dad told me he has never seen someone so willing to give up something he loves just to make sure somebody else isn’t trapped by a decision.”

La abrazas.

Amy apoya la mejilla contra tu pecho.

Amy Walker) “You love your job.”

You) “Very much.”

Amy Walker) “You love being an officer.”

You) “Yes.”

Amy Walker) “And you were prepared to walk away from it.”

Le acaricias el pelo.

You) “I wasn’t going to make Daniel pay for my convictions if he couldn’t share them.”

Amy se separa ligeramente para mirarte.

You) “He’s your father, Amy. I care about him. I respect him. And whatever happens professionally, I never want my relationship with him to become something that hurts you.”

Amy tiene los ojos húmedos.

Amy Walker) “Sweetheart…”

You) “I mean it.”

Ella te rodea el cuello con los brazos y te abraza con fuerza.

Amy Walker) “I know you do.”

Durante unos momentos permanece allí, sin soltararte.

Después murmura:

Amy Walker) “He told me he was proud of you.”

Sonríes.

You) “That’s nice to hear.”

Amy Walker) “No, honey. Really proud.”

Amy se aparta lo suficiente para mirarte a los ojos.

Amy Walker) “He said that whatever you were trying to accomplish, you hadn’t forgotten for one second that he was a person too. Not just the president.”

Le acaricias suavemente la espalda.

Amy Walker) “And then he said something that made me cry.”

You) “What?”

Amy sonríe entre lágrimas.

Amy Walker) “He said he hoped I understood how lucky I was to have somebody who loved me without ever treating that love as a way to get something from him.”

Te quedas contemplándola.

Amy te besa.

Después apoya la frente contra la tuya.

Amy Walker) “I told him I did.”

You) “Amy…”

Amy Walker) “I do understand, Nacho.”

Su voz tiembla ligeramente.

Amy Walker) “You’ve never asked me to speak to Dad for you. You’ve never asked me to use my position. You didn’t even tell me what happened on Saturday so I could persuade him to help.”

Te sonríe.

Amy Walker) “You went to him yourself. And you gave him the freedom to make his own decision.”

You) “It was his decision to make.”

Amy Walker) “I know.”

Vuelve a abrazarte.

Amy Walker) “That’s one of the things I love most about you.”

Permanecéis así durante un rato.

Finalmente Amy levanta la cabeza, todavía sonriente.

Amy Walker) “And now you’re a Major General.”

You) “Apparently.”

Amy Walker) “Two stars.”

You) “Two.”

Amy te besa la mejilla.

Amy Walker) “I’m so proud of you.”

You) “Thank you, pretty.”

Amy Walker) “And I’m proud of Dad too.”

Sonríes.

You) “So am I.”

Amy se queda mirándote durante unos segundos.

Después su expresión recupera aquella alegría traviesa que conoces tan bien.

Amy Walker) “You know, I was already having a pretty spectacular Friday.”

You) “Were you?”

Amy Walker) “Oh, yes.”

Te da otro beso.

Amy Walker) “My boyfriend became a two-star general. My best friend got promoted and received her first medal. Dad made everybody cry.”

Sonríe.

Amy Walker) “And then I came home with you.”

La abrazas, divertido.

You) “An eventful day.”

Amy Walker) “Extremely.”

Amy vuelve a contemplar la cama recién hecha.

Después te mira con una sonrisa luminosa.

Amy Walker) “I think I’m going to remember April second for the rest of my life.”

Le besas la frente.

You) “Me too, sweetheart.”

Ella se acomoda otra vez entre tus brazos, contenta de quedarse allí un poco más, antes de que Hannah regrese con las niñas y la casa vuelva a llenarse de voces, risas y la inevitable noticia de que Ava ha conseguido convencer a Ashley de comprarle otro dinosaurio.

📅 Lunes, 5 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 09:37 | 📍 Fort Odenton, Maryland — USIC, despacho del comandante

Estás revisando el estado de las nuevas incorporaciones al USIC cuando suena tu teléfono.

En la pantalla aparece William Hargrove.

Descuelgas inmediatamente.

You) “Morning, William!”

Hg) “Nacho! Good morning, Major General.”

La manera en que pronuncia tu nuevo grado ya te anuncia que está de excelente humor.

You) “You sound happy.”

Hg) “Oh, I am. I’ve just spent twenty minutes listening to three extremely expensive civilian contractors explain to me why they can’t get a goddamn Suburban working.”

Parpadeas.

You) “Which Suburban?”

Hg) “Yours, Nacho. The BR7 you took on your little unauthorized sightseeing trip with Ashley.”

Te echas a reír.

You) “Oh! That one.”

Hg) “Yes. That one. Do you have any idea what the hell you did to its telemetry?”

You) “Of course.”

Hargrove suelta una carcajada.

Hg) “Wonderful. Because apparently nobody else does.”

Se oye el sonido de una carpeta cerrándose.

Hg) “It’s been sitting in a maintenance depot for over a week. The technicians can’t restore the monitoring channels, the contractors can’t figure out why their diagnostic tools keep reporting that everything is perfectly healthy, and the vehicle management people have declared it unusable for protective operations.”

You) “Oh, it wasn’t destructive. It should be as simple as connecting through the OBD-II interface and applying a patch to the hosts file.”

Silencio.

Hg) “The what?”

You) “The hosts file.”

Hg) “Nacho, what exactly did you do?”

Te acomodas en la silla, divertido.

You) “The oldest trick in the book for bypassing software that validates keys against a remote endpoint. I changed the hosts file so the onboard computer believes the monitoring endpoints are supposed to report back to the onboard computer itself.”

Hg) “You redirected them?”

You) “Yes. To 127.0.0.1/32:12345.”

Hargrove deja escapar una pequeña carcajada de incredulidad.

Hg) “You pointed the vehicle’s monitoring system at itself.”

You) “Exactly.”

Hg) “And that’s it?”

You) “Pretty much. The requests never reach the external telemetry service. The local validation behaves as expected, so the system doesn’t recognize a communications failure in the usual way.”

El general permanece callado unos segundos.

Hg) “The technicians insist that shouldn’t be possible.”

You) “Why?”

Hg) “Because the file is signed. They’re telling me it’s protected against modification.”

Sonríes.

You) “Yes… well, not exactly.”

Hg) “Oh, God. What does that mean?”

You) “That’s the problem with trusting contractors who implement security controls by ticking boxes on a compliance checklist.”

Hargrove se recuesta en su silla.

Hg) “I’m listening.”

You) “The file isn’t properly protected by a cryptographic signature. It’s Base64-encoded using a key stored locally on the vehicle, and that key is supposedly protected by MD5.”

Silencio.

Hg) “MD5.”

You) “MD5.”

Hg) “In a vehicle that’s supposed to protect a general officer.”

You) “Yes.”

El general empieza a reírse.

Hg) “Please tell me that’s not the whole thing.”

You) “Oh, it gets better.”

Hg) “Of course it does.”

You) “The plaintext password is literally ‘DoD-VEHpoolSecurev2.’”

Durante varios segundos Hargrove no consigue responder.

Después se oye una carcajada monumental.

Hg) “Oh, my God!”

You) “They followed the security recommendations, William.”

Hg) “In MD5!”

You) “Precisely.”

Hargrove sigue riéndose.

Hg) “And somebody paid for that.”

You) “Quite a lot, I imagine.”

Hg) “Christ Almighty.”

Te ríes también.

You) “To be fair, it’s a reasonable system for nontechnical users.”

Hg) “Nontechnical users?”

You) “Yes. It’ll keep somebody from casually changing the configuration through the normal interface.”

Hg) “But not you.”

You) “Well, no.”

Hargrove resopla.

Hg) “Naturally.”

Durante unos momentos sigue intentando recuperar la compostura.

Hg) “Do you know what’s particularly irritating about this?”

You) “What?”

Hg) “I’ve got people who have spent their entire careers maintaining military communications systems. Some of them have worked with signals intelligence for thirty years. And now I’m having to explain to them that my twenty-two-year-old colleague made an armored Suburban forget where the rest of the world is.”

You) “I’m twenty-two and a half.”

Hg) “Oh, well, that changes everything.”

Te ríes.

Hargrove contempla el techo de su despacho en Fort Meade.

Su propia carrera comenzó en Signals. Conoce las comunicaciones militares, las redes, los sistemas de mando y control y las necesidades operativas de los combatant commands. Es un comandante experimentado, capaz de dirigir una organización inmensa y tomar decisiones estratégicas complejas.

Pero pertenece a una generación de oficiales para quienes la informática fue convirtiéndose progresivamente en una especialización militar.

Tú perteneces a otra.

Has programado desde niño, estudiado informática a un nivel extraordinario y trabajado directamente con las entrañas de los sistemas mucho antes de recibir tu primera comisión.

Y, pese a eso, Hargrove nunca ha sentido que intentes convertir esa diferencia en una competición.

Hg) “You know, Nacho, there’s something I’ve always appreciated about you.”

You) “What’s that?”

Hg) “You’ve never once tried to make me look foolish because you know more about the technical side of cyber operations than I do.”

Frunces ligeramente el ceño.

You) “Why would I?”

Hg) “Because plenty of people would.”

You) “William, you command USCYBERCOM. You understand things about commanding military operations that I’m still learning. Why would I embarrass somebody I respect just because I can read a configuration file faster?”

Hargrove sonríe.

Hg) “That’s exactly what I mean.”

You) “Besides, you’re very good at your job.”

Hg) “Thank you.”

You) “And you let me shoot your fifty-caliber rifle.”

El general empieza a reírse otra vez.

Hg) “I knew there was an ulterior motive.”

You) “Of course.”

Hargrove permanece unos momentos sonriendo.

Después su expresión cambia ligeramente.

Hg) “Actually, there’s another reason I called.”

You) “Oh?”

Hg) “Have you finished reviewing your updated command authorities?”

You) “Most of them.”

Hg) “Then you may already know what I’m about to tell you.”

You) “Possibly.”

Hg) “Your promotion to Major General activated the next phase of USIC’s statutory command structure.”

Te incorporas un poco.

Hg) “USCYBERCOM now reports through the Chief of Information.”

Guardas silencio.

No porque no lo supieras.

Lo habías visto en las disposiciones de transición, aunque pensabas que todavía tardarían en ejecutarlas.

You) “They actually did it?”

Hargrove suelta una pequeña risa.

Hg) “They did.”

You) “Effective Friday?”

Hg) “Effective upon your assumption of O-8. The updated command relationship was formally recorded this morning.”

Te quedas unos instantes pensando.

William Hargrove, general de cuatro estrellas, comandante de USCYBERCOM y uno de tus primeros mentores militares, acaba de pasar a depender institucionalmente de ti.

El propio Hargrove parece encontrar la situación bastante divertida.

Hg) “Congratulations, Nacho. You are now officially in my chain of command.”

You) “Oh, that’s going to be weird.”

Hg) “You think?”

Ambos os reís.

Después te incorporas.

You) “Well, I suppose that settles it.”

Hg) “Settles what?”

You) “CYBERCOM gets a seat at the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”

Hargrove deja de reírse.

Hg) “What?”

You) “You’re coming to every meeting, William.”

Silencio.

You) “Every JCS meeting. You’ll have a voice and a vote. I’m not going to take your command’s new reporting relationship as an excuse to remove your institutional representation.”

Hargrove permanece completamente inmóvil al otro lado de la línea.

Hg) “Nacho…”

You) “What?”

Hg) “Are you saying you’re assigning USCYBERCOM permanent representation on the JCS?”

You) “Yes.”

Hg) “With voting rights?”

You) “Yes.”

Hg) “Not merely observer status?”

You) “William, I said a voice and a vote. I’m not inviting you to sit in a corner and take notes.”

Hargrove no responde.

Te ríes suavemente.

You) “Besides, now CYBERCOM technically has two officers on the Joint Chiefs. You and me.”

Hg) “Jesus Christ.”

You) “What?”

El general se reclina lentamente.

Hg) “Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?”

You) “I’ve ensured that my original branch has adequate representation in national military decision-making.”

Hargrove deja escapar una carcajada incrédula.

Hg) “Nacho, that’s the hill we’ve been fighting over since the command was established.”

Lo escuchas.

Hg) “Keith Alexander fought for it. Michael Rogers fought for it. I’ve fought for it.”

Su voz ha perdido casi todo el humor.

Hg) “Alexander built this command from its beginnings in 2010. He had to convince an enormous defense establishment that cyberspace deserved to be treated as a proper operational domain, not merely a technical support function.”

Hace una pausa.

Hg) “He was the first commander of USCYBERCOM. He also directed NSA. He understood better than almost anybody how badly the national command structure needed cyber expertise at the highest level.”

Hargrove se levanta de su silla y comienza a caminar por el despacho.

Hg) “Then Rogers took over in 2014. Four years. Four years of developing the command, expanding operational capabilities and defending its importance in the joint structure.”

Te acomodas en la silla, escuchando atentamente.

Hg) “And then I took over. Three commanders, Nacho. Three men trying to make sure CYBERCOM had the institutional standing its mission demanded.”

You) “And now it does.”

Hargrove se detiene.

Hg) “And now it does.”

Se queda callado unos segundos.

Hg) “You understand that I spent years preparing arguments for precisely this outcome.”

You) “I imagine.”

Hg) “Briefings. Studies. Joint consultations. Organizational proposals. Endless discussions about representation, responsibilities, command relationships and whether cyber should be represented directly or through other services.”

Te ríes suavemente.

You) “Sounds exhausting.”

Hg) “It was.”

You) “Well, you can stop now.”

Hargrove suelta una carcajada sorprendida.

Hg) “Apparently!”

You) “Seriously, William. You’re a four-star general commanding a major operational organization in a domain that’s central to national defense. Why shouldn’t you have a seat?”

Hg) “That’s what we’ve been saying for years!”

You) “Then I agree with you.”

El general vuelve a sentarse.

Durante unos instantes simplemente contempla su teléfono, todavía intentando asimilar la conversación.

Hg) “Keith would be delighted.”

You) “You should tell him.”

Hg) “Oh, I intend to.”

You) “And Rogers.”

Hg) “Absolutely.”

Sonríes.

You) “They deserve to know that what they started finally reached the point they wanted.”

Hargrove asiente, visiblemente emocionado.

Hg) “They really do.”

Después deja escapar una pequeña risa.

Hg) “Do you realize how absurd this is?”

You) “What?”

Hg) “You’ve just resolved an institutional argument that occupied three successive commanders of USCYBERCOM.”

You) “Good.”

Hg) “And you’re acting like you approved another seven aides.”

Te ríes.

You) “Those were excellent aides.”

Hargrove estalla en carcajadas.

Hg) “Of course they were!”

You) “Very enthusiastic.”

Hg) “Nacho, for the love of God.”

You) “What?”

Hg) “Never change.”

La conversación se relaja durante unos momentos.

Después Hargrove vuelve a consultar la documentación que tiene delante.

Hg) “Oh, and there’s one more thing.”

You) “What?”

Hg) “You’re going to want to sit down for this.”

You) “I’m already sitting.”

Hg) “Good. USNORTHCOM is included.”

Te quedas inmóvil.

You) “North Command?”

Hg) “Yes.”

You) “Under USIC?”

Hg) “Under the same statutory coordination and reporting structure that became effective with your second star.”

Miras tu escritorio.

You) “Well, that’s… substantial.”

Hargrove se ríe.

Hg) “That’s one word for it.”

You) “Who’s commanding NORTHCOM now?”

Hg) “General Jonathan R. Mallory. United States Army. Four stars.”

Coges un bolígrafo.

You) “Mallory. Right.”

Hg) “He’s been notified of the transition. His command staff is preparing the initial briefing package.”

You) “Good.”

Hargrove continúa.

Hg) “So let’s see where that leaves us. You’re twenty-two years old. You’ve been a Major General for three days. You’re commanding USIC, you’re a full member of the JCS, and now two major combatant commands report through your organization.”

You) “Apparently.”

Hg) “One of them is responsible for cyberspace operations. The other for homeland defense across the northern area of responsibility.”

You) “Yes.”

Hg) “And your first reaction to acquiring CYBERCOM was to give its commander a permanent vote at the Joint Chiefs.”

You) “Yes.”

Hg) “Do you have any idea what Mallory’s going to think when he learns how you operate?”

Te quedas pensativo.

You) “Hopefully that I’m reasonable.”

Hargrove se echa a reír.

Hg) “Oh, you’re reasonable, Nacho. That’s what makes you so dangerous to bureaucratic inertia.”

Sonríes.

You) “Well, I’d better get familiar with Mallory’s organization.”

Hg) “You should. And there’s something I’d recommend.”

You) “Go ahead.”

Hg) “Invite him to sit down with you before you make any decisions about NORTHCOM. He’s a good officer. Experienced. He knows homeland defense, military support to civil authorities and the complexity of coordinating across services and agencies.”

You) “Of course. I don’t intend to micromanage him.”

Hg) “Good.”

You) “Same goes for you, William.”

Hargrove sonríe.

Hg) “I assumed as much.”

You) “I’m responsible for ensuring you have the authority, resources and representation to do your job. You’re responsible for commanding CYBERCOM.”

Hg) “That’s a very workable arrangement.”

You) “Excellent.”

Consultas la hora.

You) “I’ll get Silvia to coordinate an introductory briefing with Mallory. And I’ll notify Adrian about your permanent JCS participation.”

Hargrove se ríe.

Hg) “You realize that once you tell Rowe, Nate is going to spend the next six months making jokes about you collecting four-star generals.”

You) “He already makes jokes about everything.”

Hg) “True.”

You) “Besides, I’m not collecting generals.”

Hg) “No?”

You) “I’m collecting capabilities.”

Hargrove guarda silencio un instante.

Después se echa a reír.

Hg) “That sounds even worse!”

You) “It’s accurate.”

Hg) “Of course it is.”

Ambos volvéis a reíros.

Cuando Hargrove recupera la compostura, su voz adquiere un tono más afectuoso.

Hg) “Nacho?”

You) “Yes?”

Hg) “Thank you.”

You) “For what?”

Hg) “For understanding what CYBERCOM needed without making me spend another three years explaining it.”

Sonríes.

You) “You’re welcome, William.”

Hg) “And for not forgetting where you came from.”

You) “I never could.”

Hargrove asiente al otro lado de la línea.

Hg) “I know.”

Antes de despedirse, recupera el asunto que había originado la llamada.

Hg) “Now, about that goddamn Suburban.”

Te ríes.

You) “Yes?”

Hg) “Would you mind sending my technicians a proper recovery note? Preferably one that doesn’t require them to understand why you’ve made a military vehicle communicate with itself.”

You) “Of course.”

Hg) “And Nacho?”

You) “Yes?”

Hg) “Please don’t do it again.”

Sonríes.

You) “I’ll try.”

Hargrove suspira.

Hg) “That’s not particularly reassuring.”

You) “It’s the best I can offer.”

El general se ríe una última vez.

Hg) “Have a good morning, Major General.”

You) “You too, William.”

La llamada termina.

Dejas el teléfono sobre el escritorio.

Durante unos segundos observas los documentos de planificación de USIC que tenías abiertos antes de que Hargrove llamara.

Después abres una nueva nota para Silvia.

USCYBERCOM — integración JCS. USNORTHCOM — briefing inicial con GEN Mallory.

Añades una tercera línea.

BR7 Suburban — recuperación de telemetría.

Te quedas mirando la lista.

Y sonríes.

Lo que había empezado como una consulta sobre un coche averiado acaba de convertirse en una de las reorganizaciones de mando más importantes de tu carrera.

Y todavía son las diez de la mañana.

Voy a integrar esta conversación en la continuidad y el canon, y comprobaré los nombres de los mandos cibernéticos de cada fuerza para que la llamada tenga participantes coherentes con la fecha de la historia.

📅 Lunes, 5 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 10:24 | 📍 Fort Meade, Maryland — USCYBERCOM, despacho del comandante

William Hargrove permanece sentado ante su escritorio, contemplando el teléfono con una sonrisa que no consigue quitarse de la cara.

Acaba de hablar contigo.

Y todavía le cuesta creer lo que ha ocurrido.

Durante años, USCYBERCOM ha intentado conseguir representación directa en el Joint Chiefs of Staff. Keith Alexander abrió aquella batalla desde la fundación del comando. Michael Rogers continuó defendiéndola durante sus cuatro años al frente de la organización. Hargrove heredó tanto el mando como aquella aspiración institucional.

Tres comandantes.

Quince años de construcción, evolución y consolidación de las capacidades cibernéticas estadounidenses.

Y esta mañana un Major General de veintidós años acaba de resolver el problema durante una conversación que había comenzado hablando de un Chevrolet Suburban averiado.

Hargrove se ríe para sí mismo.

Hg) “Unbelievable.”

Abre su directorio de comunicaciones y selecciona a Richard Callahan, comandante de U.S. Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER).

La conexión se establece rápidamente.

Ca) “Morning, William.”

Hg) “Richard. Are you sitting down?”

Ca) “That depends. What has Nacho done now?”

Hargrove estalla en carcajadas.

Hg) “You know us far too well.”

Ca) “William, the last time you opened a conversation like that, the kid had been promoted to Colonel. What happened?”

Hg) “He gave CYBERCOM a permanent seat on the Joint Chiefs.”

Callahan guarda silencio.

Ca) “He did what?”

Hg) “Permanent representation. Voice and vote. Every meeting.”

Ca) “William…”

Hg) “And I’m keeping my command.”

Ca) “Holy shit.”

Hargrove empieza a reírse otra vez.

Ca) “Wait. Tell me exactly what happened.”

Hg) “His second star activated the USIC reporting provisions. CYBERCOM now reports through the Chief of Information. I informed him this morning.”

Ca) “Right.”

Hg) “And his immediate response was that he wasn’t going to exclude me from the Joint Chiefs simply because CYBERCOM now reports through him.”

Callahan permanece callado.

Hg) “He said, and I’m quoting, ‘You’re coming to every meeting, William. You’ll have a voice and a vote.’”

Ca) “Good God.”

Hargrove sonríe.

Hg) “Exactly.”

Callahan deja escapar una carcajada incrédula.

Ca) “Keith Alexander spent years trying to get cyber into the highest level of military decision-making. Rogers carried that fight forward. You’ve spent your command doing the same.”

Hg) “I know.”

Ca) “And Nacho just… gave it to us?”

Hg) “Without even considering it controversial.”

Callahan se ríe.

Ca) “That sounds like him.”

Hargrove se inclina hacia delante.

Hg) “Richard, I want the component commanders to hear this from me. Not through rumors, not through a staffing memorandum next week. From me.”

Ca) “You should call them.”

Hg) “I’m going to. Join the conference.”

Ca) “Absolutely.”

En los siguientes minutos, Hargrove va incorporando a la llamada a los principales responsables cibernéticos de las distintas fuerzas.

La vicealmirante Eleanor T. Brooks, comandante del U.S. Fleet Cyber Command / U.S. Tenth Fleet, se conecta desde su propio cuartel general en Fort Meade.

El teniente general Matthew J. Reeves, comandante de Sixteenth Air Force y de Air Forces Cyber (AFCYBER), aparece desde Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

El mayor general Paul D. Bennett, comandante del Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command (MARFORCYBER), entra desde Fort Meade.

La contraalmirante Helen W. Pierce, responsable del Coast Guard Cyber Command (CGCYBER), también se incorpora.

Por parte de la Space Force, participa la brigadier general Laura M. Foster, responsable de coordinación cibernética de Space Delta 6 dentro de Space Operations Command (SpOC).

Finalmente se suma el mayor general Robert T. Ellis como enlace de las capacidades cibernéticas de la National Guard, incluidas sus unidades estatales y los elementos de Joint Force Headquarters.

No todos dirigen componentes orgánicos de USCYBERCOM de idéntica categoría: los mandos de Space Force y National Guard participan para representar las capacidades y necesidades propias de sus organizaciones.

Hargrove contempla las siete ventanas.

Hg) “Good morning, everybody. Thank you for joining on short notice.”

Brooks sonríe.

Fc) “William, when the commander of CYBERCOM asks for an immediate conference and refuses to explain why, we tend to answer.”

Reeves asiente.

Af) “Particularly on a Monday.”

Mc) “Please tell me nobody’s network has been compromised.”

Hargrove se ríe.

Hg) “No. Quite the opposite. I have some extraordinarily good news.”

Los presentes intercambian miradas.

Hg) “As of Friday, USCYBERCOM reports through the United States Information Corps, following Major General Pindado’s promotion.”

Brooks asiente.

Fc) “We received the preliminary command relationship notice.”

Hg) “Good. What you haven’t received is the decision Nacho made this morning.”

Hargrove se incorpora ligeramente.

Hg) “USCYBERCOM will have permanent representation on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I will attend every meeting, with full speaking and voting rights.”

El silencio es inmediato.

Reeves se queda mirando la cámara.

Af) “William. Are you serious?”

Hg) “Completely.”

Brooks abre mucho los ojos.

Fc) “A permanent seat?”

Hg) “Yes.”

Mc) “Not a liaison?”

Hg) “No.”

Cg) “Not an invitation at the Chairman’s discretion?”

Hg) “Permanent.”

Callahan sonríe al observar las caras de sus compañeros.

Ca) “That was my reaction too.”

Brooks se recuesta lentamente.

Fc) “Good Lord.”

Reeves deja escapar una carcajada.

Af) “We actually did it.”

Hargrove sonríe.

Hg) “Nacho did it.”

La contraalmirante Pierce se lleva una mano al pecho.

Cg) “Do you have any idea how many times we’ve discussed the need for better cyber representation at the joint level?”

Hg) “I do. I was present for most of those discussions.”

Bennett empieza a reírse.

Mc) “We’ve been explaining for years that cyber isn’t merely another support function. It’s an operational domain affecting every service, every combatant command and almost every major contingency plan.”

Brooks asiente.

Fc) “And now we’ll have somebody sitting at the table whose responsibility is specifically to represent that domain.”

Hg) “Two people, technically.”

Reeves levanta la cabeza.

Af) “Two?”

Hg) “Nacho and me. USIC retains its own JCS seat. CYBERCOM gets another.”

Callahan sonríe.

Ca) “And the man representing USIC began his career in Army Cyber.”

Hg) “Precisely.”

La brigadier general Foster interviene.

Sf) “That matters enormously for us. Space systems are inseparable from their cyber infrastructure. Having both the Space Force and CYBERCOM directly represented creates a much better way to address overlapping operational requirements.”

Ellis asiente.

Ng) “And it means the Guard’s cyber contributions will have another direct route into the joint discussion. We’ve been building significant capabilities across the states. It’s good to know they’re going to be heard.”

Hargrove contempla a sus compañeros, satisfecho.

Hg) “That’s exactly why I wanted all of you here. This isn’t simply about giving me another chair. It’s about giving our entire operational community a voice.”

Brooks sonríe con evidente emoción.

Fc) “Alexander would be thrilled.”

Ca) “Rogers too.”

Hargrove asiente.

Hg) “I told Nacho the same thing.”

Mc) “What did he say?”

Hg) “That I should tell them both. He said they deserve to know that what they started has finally reached the point they wanted.”

Durante unos momentos nadie habla.

Reeves termina rompiendo el silencio.

Af) “That’s an extraordinarily generous thing for him to say.”

Hg) “He’s an extraordinarily generous young man.”

Callahan se ríe suavemente.

Ca) “And remarkably unaware of how extraordinary his decisions sometimes are.”

Hargrove sonríe.

Hg) “Richard, when I told him we’d spent fifteen years trying to accomplish this, he said, ‘Well, you can stop now.’”

La videoconferencia estalla en carcajadas.

Brooks se lleva una mano a la frente.

Fc) “Oh, I like this kid.”

Af) “He makes it sound so simple!”

Hg) “To him, it is. He looked at the institutional arrangement, decided CYBERCOM deserved representation and exercised the authority attached to his office.”

Bennett asiente.

Mc) “That’s an important distinction. He didn’t give us a favor. He recognized a requirement.”

Hg) “Exactly.”

Callahan contempla a Hargrove.

Ca) “William, I suppose you’ve already spoken with Adrian?”

La expresión de Hargrove cambia inmediatamente.

Hg) “No.”

Ca) “No?”

Hg) “And I’m not going to.”

Callahan comprende al instante.

Ca) “Right. Of course.”

Hargrove se inclina hacia la cámara.

Hg) “Gentlemen, I want something absolutely clear. Nacho is now the Chief of Information with statutory authority over CYBERCOM’s new reporting relationship. He has informed me of his decision. It is his responsibility to communicate that decision to the Chairman and the rest of the JCS.”

Brooks asiente.

Fc) “Understood.”

Hg) “I’m informing you because you’re the commanders and representatives of the forces directly affected by it. That’s internal professional coordination.”

Hace una pausa.

Hg) “I’m not going around my new reporting authority to announce his decision to Adrian before he chooses to do so.”

Callahan sonríe.

Ca) “That would be a pretty spectacular way to start your new command relationship.”

Hg) “Exactly. Nacho has just given CYBERCOM something three successive commanders have wanted. The least I can do is respect his prerogative to announce it.”

Reeves asiente con firmeza.

Af) “Completely agreed.”

Ellis añade:

Ng) “We’ll treat this as an internal notification until CINF issues the formal communication.”

Hargrove sonríe.

Hg) “Thank you.”

Brooks se queda pensativa.

Fc) “William, there’s another consequence.”

Hg) “Go ahead.”

Fc) “The Joint Chiefs’ insignia.”

Callahan levanta la cabeza.

Ca) “Oh.”

Brooks sonríe.

Fc) “If USIC now has its own permanent seat, and CYBERCOM has another, the emblem needs to reflect both.”

Hargrove empieza a sonreír.

Hg) “Two additional swords.”

Reeves asiente.

Af) “One for USIC. One for CYBERCOM.”

Mc) “That’s going to be quite a symbol.”

La contraalmirante Pierce contempla la cámara.

Cg) “Especially for the officers who’ve spent their careers being told that cyber expertise was something the senior leadership could consult when necessary.”

Foster añade:

Sf) “Now it becomes part of the permanent military leadership structure.”

Hargrove asiente.

Hg) “Two new swords. We’ll make sure the heraldic work is coordinated properly.”

Callahan sonríe.

Ca) “I hope Nacho gets to see the first design.”

Hg) “Oh, he will.”

Brooks se ríe.

Fc) “Do you think he’ll realize what it means?”

Hargrove tarda un instante en responder.

Hg) “He’ll understand the institutional significance.”

Ca) “But?”

Hg) “But I suspect he’ll be more interested in whether the officers responsible for maintaining the new structure have enough staff.”

Las carcajadas son inmediatas.

Callahan se inclina hacia delante.

Ca) “William, the man hasn’t changed at all, has he?”

Hg) “Not one bit.”

Brooks sonríe.

Fc) “Good.”

La conversación continúa durante varios minutos. Los comandantes intercambian comentarios sobre las oportunidades que abrirá la nueva representación, el trabajo de coordinación con USIC y las relaciones entre las distintas ramas de cyber.

Pero hay algo que todos comparten.

No se trata únicamente de satisfacción profesional.

Es la emoción de saber que una aspiración sostenida durante años acaba de hacerse realidad.

Cuando Hargrove se dispone a cerrar la llamada, Brooks interviene una última vez.

Fc) “William?”

Hg) “Yes, Eleanor?”

Fc) “Please tell General Pindado something for us.”

Hg) “Of course.”

Brooks mira las demás ventanas.

Fc) “Tell him that the cyber community understands exactly what he’s done.”

Reeves asiente.

Af) “And that we’re grateful.”

Mc) “Very grateful.”

Cg) “Absolutely.”

Callahan sonríe.

Ca) “And tell him I’m proud of him. Although I suspect he already knows that.”

Hargrove contempla a sus compañeros con evidente emoción.

Hg) “I’ll tell him.”

Después añade, con una sonrisa enorme:

Hg) “And for the record, gentlemen, after fifteen years of arguing that CYBERCOM belongs at the highest military table…”

Hace una pequeña pausa.

Hg) “I intend to enjoy every single meeting.”

Las risas acompañan las despedidas.

Cuando termina la conferencia, Hargrove se queda unos instantes contemplando la pantalla apagada.

En su escritorio hay una fotografía de una antigua ceremonia de USCYBERCOM, una carpeta con los documentos de transición y una nota manuscrita que acaba de añadir a su agenda.

JCS — USCYBERCOM. Permanent member.

La lee una vez más.

Después sonríe, todavía emocionado.

Ahora le corresponde a Nacho comunicarlo oficialmente.

Y William Hargrove piensa respetar escrupulosamente ese privilegio.

📅 Lunes, 5 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 12:00 | 📍 Fort Odenton, Maryland — USIC, despacho del comandante

William Hargrove lleva diez minutos contemplando una invitación de calendario que le ha llegado directamente desde la oficina del Chief of Information.

12:00 — Secure VTC — CINF / CNGB / CSO / CDR USCYBERCOM.

Sin orden del día.

Sin documentación adjunta.

Y firmada por Silvia Kane en nombre de Major General Ignacio Pindado.

Cuando Hargrove se conecta, descubre que ya estás sentado ante tu cámara, con tu uniforme de servicio azul marino y las dos estrellas plateadas perfectamente visibles en los hombros.

Hg) “Oh, you magnificent bastard, Nacho. You’re announcing it today?”

La emoción resulta evidente.

Sonríes.

You) “Of course I am, William.”

Hg) “Oh, this is going to be good.”

You) “You’re enjoying yourself.”

Hg) “Immensely.”

Te ríes.

You) “Just remember, I’m telling them first because I want them involved, not because I need anyone’s permission.”

Hargrove asiente.

Hg) “Understood.”

You) “Cyber is getting its place at the table. I want Space Force and the National Guard to understand what that means for them, too.”

Antes de que Hargrove pueda responder, aparecen dos nuevas conexiones.

Primero, el general Michael T. Keller, Chief of Space Operations de la United States Space Force.

Después, el general David R. Mercer, Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

Ambos llevan uniforme de servicio y se encuentran en sus respectivos despachos.

CSOMk) “Good afternoon, gentlemen.”

CNBGDm) “Afternoon, Nacho. William.”

You) “Michael, David. Thank you for joining.”

Mercer sonríe.

CNBGDm) “Of course. I was curious about the invitation. It’s not every day we receive a private conference request from the Chief of Information without an agenda.”

CSOMk) “I assumed something interesting had happened.”

Hargrove se ríe.

Hg) “Oh, something very interesting has happened.”

Keller observa su expresión.

CSOMk) “William, why do you look like Christmas came early?”

Hg) “Because it did.”

Te inclinas ligeramente hacia la cámara.

You) “Gentlemen, I wanted to speak with you personally before this goes to the full Joint Chiefs.”

Los dos generales prestan inmediatamente más atención.

You) “My promotion on Friday activated the next stage of USIC’s statutory command structure. Among other changes, USCYBERCOM now reports through the Chief of Information.”

Mercer asiente.

CNBGDm) “I’d seen the transition notice.”

CSOMk) “As had I.”

You) “Good. This morning, I informed William that USCYBERCOM will have permanent representation on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Full participation, speaking rights and a vote.”

Keller se queda inmóvil.

Mercer levanta lentamente las cejas.

CNBGDm) “A permanent JCS seat?”

You) “Yes.”

CSOMk) “For William personally, as commander of CYBERCOM?”

You) “Exactly. He’ll attend every meeting. He won’t have to wait for an invitation.”

Keller se recuesta.

CSOMk) “Well, I’ll be damned.”

Mercer empieza a sonreír.

CNBGDm) “Congratulations, William.”

Hg) “Thank you, David.”

CSOMk) “That’s extraordinary. How long have you been pushing for that?”

Hg) “Since I took command. Alexander and Rogers before me.”

Keller suelta una carcajada.

CSOMk) “And Nacho resolved it on his third day as a Major General?”

Hargrove sonríe ampliamente.

Hg) “That’s about the size of it.”

Mercer te contempla con una mezcla de curiosidad y admiración.

CNBGDm) “Nacho, that’s a substantial change to the composition of the Joint Chiefs.”

You) “It is.”

CNBGDm) “And you’re informing us before Adrian?”

You) “Yes.”

Mercer guarda silencio un instante.

You) “I’ll inform Adrian myself. That’s my responsibility. But I wanted to speak with both of you first.”

Keller inclina la cabeza.

CSOMk) “Why us?”

La pregunta llega sin recelo, simplemente con curiosidad.

Los tres generales llevan años formando parte de una misma estructura de defensa, pero tú has pasado más tiempo con Whitaker, Holloway, Caldwell y Bennett que con estos dos compañeros. Mercer y Keller te respetan profundamente, aunque todavía están aprendiendo a conocerte fuera de las reuniones formales.

You) “Because you command two organizations that I believe deserve particular attention as our military structure evolves.”

Mercer deja su bolígrafo.

You) “David, I’ll start with you.”

CNBGDm) “Go ahead.”

You) “I consider the National Guard the backbone of what we are as a country.”

El general Mercer permanece inmóvil.

You) “Not merely as a reserve of military capability. I mean as an institution.”

Te inclinas hacia delante.

You) “Your soldiers and airmen are part of the communities they protect. They’re neighbors, teachers, engineers, nurses, business owners, parents. They’re people who live ordinary American lives and, when their country or their state needs them, put on a uniform and serve.”

Mercer escucha con absoluta atención.

You) “When I think about what we’re defending, David, I think about those communities. The towns, the families, the everyday lives of the people who make up this country.”

Haces una pausa.

You) “And the National Guard is one of the clearest expressions of that connection between our military and our citizens.”

Mercer baja brevemente la mirada.

CNBGDm) “Nacho…”

You) “I’m serious.”

CNBGDm) “I can tell.”

You) “You’ve got people who deploy overseas, who respond to disasters, who protect critical infrastructure, who reinforce our active forces and who still remain rooted in the communities they’re serving.”

Sonríes.

You) “If somebody asks me what the United States military exists to protect, I can point to the National Guard and say: those people, their families and the lives they’ve built.”

Mercer permanece callado durante varios segundos.

Después asiente lentamente.

CNBGDm) “That’s one of the finest descriptions of the Guard I’ve heard from another service chief.”

You) “It’s how I see it.”

El general sonríe, visiblemente emocionado.

CNBGDm) “Thank you, Nacho.”

Te vuelves hacia Keller.

You) “And Michael, Space Force.”

Keller sonríe.

CSOMk) “I’m listening.”

You) “Your service is still young, but its mission is already indispensable. Navigation, communications, missile warning, surveillance, command and control. Our entire military depends on capabilities that operate through space.”

Keller asiente.

You) “And practically everything you operate has an enormous digital component. Ground stations, satellite control systems, telemetry, data links, mission software, distributed networks.”

Hargrove observa con satisfacción cómo desarrollas el argumento.

You) “We’re moving into an era where the distinction between space operations and cyber operations becomes increasingly important to understand, but the two are inseparable in practice.”

CSOMk) “Absolutely.”

You) “That’s why I want CYBERCOM properly represented. Not to absorb the responsibilities of the Space Force, but to make sure your service has a cyber partner sitting at the same table, with the authority to work alongside you.”

Keller se incorpora ligeramente.

CSOMk) “That could change a great deal.”

You) “I hope so.”

CSOMk) “We’ve spent an enormous amount of time explaining that space superiority doesn’t end at the physical satellite. The network, the data infrastructure and the integrity of command links are integral to the mission.”

You) “Exactly.”

Keller sonríe.

CSOMk) “And you understand that.”

You) “It’s rather difficult not to, given my background.”

Hargrove se ríe.

Hg) “Michael, he understands it rather well.”

Keller también se ríe.

CSOMk) “I’m beginning to notice.”

Te acomodas en tu silla.

You) “Gentlemen, the point is that I want us pulling in the same direction.”

Mercer asiente.

You) “The National Guard, Space Force, CYBERCOM and USIC all bring something different to national defense. I want those capabilities to reinforce one another.”

Señalas suavemente la mesa.

You) “I’m not trying to build an empire around USIC. I’m trying to build a structure in which every service has the representation, resources and coordination it needs to succeed.”

Keller contempla a Hargrove.

CSOMk) “William, did he give you the JCS seat before or after explaining this?”

Hg) “Before.”

CSOMk) “Of course he did.”

Hargrove suelta una carcajada.

Hg) “He told me I was attending every meeting with a voice and a vote. Then he started making arrangements as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.”

Mercer sonríe.

CNBGDm) “That sounds remarkably consistent with the Nacho we’ve been getting to know.”

You) “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

CNBGDm) “It was intended as one.”

Keller guarda silencio unos segundos antes de intervenir.

CSOMk) “Nacho, may I ask you something?”

You) “Of course.”

CSOMk) “You said you wanted to tell David and me first. You also said you don’t need our authorization.”

You) “Correct.”

CSOMk) “Then what are you asking from us?”

Sonríes.

You) “Your cooperation. Your professional judgment. And your friendship, ideally.”

La respuesta los sorprende.

Mercer se ríe suavemente.

CNBGDm) “Our friendship?”

You) “Yes, David.”

Te encoges ligeramente de hombros.

You) “We serve together on the Joint Chiefs. I know we’ve spent less time talking outside formal meetings than I have with Thomas or Nate. But that doesn’t mean I value your perspectives any less.”

Mercer asiente lentamente.

You) “You’re both exceptionally experienced officers commanding organizations that matter enormously. I’d like to know you better. And I’d like you to feel comfortable telling me when you think I’m wrong about something.”

Keller sonríe.

CSOMk) “That’s a fairly generous invitation from somebody who just acquired two combatant commands.”

You) “I’m not infallible, Michael.”

Hargrove interviene.

Hg) “He’s not. I’ve seen him tell some truly dreadful jokes.”

Te ríes.

You) “William!”

Hg) “I’m simply establishing the limits of your abilities.”

Mercer empieza a reírse.

CNBGDm) “Is this about the rising star joke?”

Keller se lleva una mano a la frente.

CSOMk) “Oh, God. That joke.”

You) “It was excellent.”

Hg) “It was appalling.”

You) “And yet everybody laughed.”

CSOMk) “Because it was so bad!”

Las carcajadas llenan la conferencia.

Cuando se recupera la compostura, Mercer se inclina hacia la cámara.

CNBGDm) “Nacho, for what it’s worth, you have my support.”

Lo miras.

CNBGDm) “The Guard has a long history of adapting to changes in the national defense structure, and this is one I can support wholeheartedly. A permanent cyber voice at the JCS is good for all of us.”

You) “Thank you, David.”

Keller asiente.

CSOMk) “You have mine too. The Space Force and CYBERCOM have an enormous amount to gain from closer strategic coordination.”

Sonríes.

You) “Excellent.”

Hargrove contempla a sus compañeros.

Hg) “Gentlemen, I’ve been fighting for this for years. And I can’t tell you what it means to have the two of you backing it.”

Mercer sonríe.

CNBGDm) “You’ve earned it, William.”

CSOMk) “And so has your command.”

Hargrove baja brevemente la mirada, emocionado.

Hg) “Thank you.”

Aprovechas la pausa para añadir un último detalle.

You) “Oh, and there’s something else you’ll probably appreciate.”

Keller levanta las cejas.

CSOMk) “What’s that?”

You) “The JCS emblem is getting two additional swords.”

Mercer sonríe inmediatamente.

CNBGDm) “USIC and CYBERCOM?”

You) “Exactly.”

Keller se ríe.

CSOMk) “That’s going to look rather impressive.”

Hg) “And it’s going to make a lot of cyber officers extremely happy.”

You) “Good.”

Mercer contempla la pantalla durante unos instantes.

CNBGDm) “Nacho, I have to say something.”

You) “Go ahead.”

CNBGDm) “I’ve served with many generals who’ve been very conscious of what their rank entitles them to demand.”

Hace una pausa.

CNBGDm) “You’re sitting here with two stars, statutory authority over an entirely new service and two major commands reporting through your organization.”

Asientes.

CNBGDm) “And you’ve spent this meeting explaining why you want to make sure the rest of us are properly represented.”

Lo miras con naturalidad.

You) “Well, yes.”

Mercer sonríe.

CNBGDm) “That’s rather refreshing.”

Keller asiente.

CSOMk) “Very refreshing.”

Hargrove se reclina, extraordinariamente satisfecho.

Hg) “Welcome to working with Nacho, gentlemen.”

Te ríes.

You) “I’m literally sitting right here, William.”

Hg) “I know, son.”

Los cuatro volvéis a reír.

Después intercambiáis algunas observaciones prácticas sobre la coordinación futura entre los componentes cyber de la Guard, los sistemas espaciales y los nuevos canales institucionales.

Antes de despedirse, Mercer vuelve a dirigirse a ti.

CNBGDm) “Nacho?”

You) “Yes, David?”

CNBGDm) “You said you wanted to know us better.”

You) “I do.”

CNBGDm) “Then consider this the beginning of that friendship.”

Sonríes.

You) “I’d like that.”

Keller interviene.

CSOMk) “Same here. And next time, let’s have lunch instead of meeting through screens.”

You) “Absolutely.”

Hargrove sonríe.

Hg) “I’d enjoy that.”

La conferencia termina entre despedidas afectuosas y varios comentarios sobre lo satisfecho que estará el personal de CYBERCOM cuando se haga público el cambio.

Mercer y Keller se desconectan primero.

Hargrove permanece unos segundos más.

Hg) “Nacho?”

You) “Yes?”

Hg) “That was exceptionally well handled.”

You) “Thank you.”

Hg) “You didn’t need their approval.”

You) “I know.”

Hg) “But you wanted them to feel included.”

You) “Of course. They’re my colleagues.”

Hargrove sonríe.

Hg) “That’s exactly why I said it was well handled.”

Te ríes suavemente.

You) “I’ll speak to Adrian shortly. He deserves to hear the decision directly from me.”

Hg) “Agreed.”

You) “And William?”

Hg) “Yes?”

You) “Congratulations again. I’m genuinely happy for you.”

El general se queda mirándote.

Después sonríe con una emoción que ya no intenta disimular.

Hg) “Thank you, Nacho. So am I.”

La conexión se cierra.

En Fort Odenton, vuelves a tus documentos de trabajo, satisfecho por haber dedicado aquella conversación a dos compañeros con quienes hasta ahora apenas habías tenido ocasión de hablar fuera de las sesiones formales.

Y en sus respectivos despachos, Mercer y Keller continúan pensando en lo inesperadamente agradable que ha resultado descubrir que el nuevo Major General de USIC no quería pedirles permiso para ejercer su autoridad.

Quería compartir con ellos una buena noticia y hacerles saber que contaba con ambos.

📅 Martes, 6 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 09:00 | 📍 Washington D. C. — The Pentagon, sala de reuniones del Joint Chiefs of Staff

La reunión de los martes comienza con una normalidad que apenas dura tres minutos.

Los miembros del Joint Chiefs of Staff están terminando de ocupar sus asientos. Adrian Rowe preside la mesa; Oliver Price revisa la agenda, Thomas Whitaker habla con Kevin Caldwell y Nathaniel Holloway acaba de hacer algún comentario que ha provocado una carcajada del general Bennett.

William Hargrove está presente como comandante de USCYBERCOM, en calidad de participante invitado habitual.

De momento.

Tú entras con tu uniforme azul marino de servicio, tus cintas reglamentarias y dos estrellas plateadas en cada hombro.

Todavía llaman la atención.

CNONh) “Morning, Major General. Enjoying the new hardware?”

You) “Very much, Nate.”

CNONh) “Good. Just remember, if you get another star this month, we’re going to need a separate budget for your insignia.”

Whitaker se ríe.

CSATw) “Don’t encourage him.”

Hargrove te saluda con una sonrisa particularmente afectuosa.

Hg) “Morning, Nacho.”

You) “Morning, William.”

El general te observa un instante. Sabe lo que decidiste el lunes. Sabe que te reuniste con Mercer y Keller. Pero desconoce cuándo piensas comunicar formalmente la incorporación de CYBERCOM al JCS.

Y, fiel a lo acordado, no ha adelantado nada.

Cuando todos están sentados y Rowe se dispone a abrir la sesión, levantas ligeramente una mano.

You) “Adrian, before we begin, may I have the floor?”

El Chairman asiente inmediatamente.

CJCSAr) “Of course, Nacho.”

Te incorporas.

You) “Good morning, gentlemen.”

Las conversaciones cesan.

You) “There are several things I’d like to address before today’s agenda. First, thank you. All of you.”

La expresión de Rowe cambia ligeramente.

You) “Thank you for helping me through my breakdown last week. The Thursday before that was difficult. Very difficult. Friday was almost a complete blank, and Saturday changed quite a few things, I think, about how we’re going to work together and what we’re going to try to accomplish for this country.”

Hargrove deja su bolígrafo.

You) “Last Tuesday, I don’t think I’d fully understood what that Saturday had meant to me. How much it helped to discover that I could bring you something I cared about deeply, something I was genuinely angry about, and have you take it seriously.”

Miras alrededor de la mesa.

You) “You didn’t have to agree with every conclusion I reached. You didn’t have to share my anger. But you listened, and you helped me turn it into something useful.”

Whitaker asiente lentamente.

You) “And Friday…”

Sonríes.

You) “I wasn’t expecting a promotion. I wanted to recognize my team. They’ve worked extraordinarily hard, and I wanted them to have a ceremony worthy of everything they’ve done.”

Tu mirada pasa por Rowe, Hargrove y Holloway.

You) “Instead, you decided I deserved something too.”

Haces una pausa.

You) “It means more than I can adequately express that you thought of me. And that you made sure my family and my friends were there.”

Hargrove sonríe con evidente emoción.

Hg) “You earned it, Nacho.”

You) “Thank you, William.”

Rowe interviene con suavidad.

CJCSAr) “We meant every word of that promotion order.”

You) “I know, Adrian. Thank you.”

Te quedas unos segundos en silencio antes de continuar.

You) “Now, becoming a Major General brings responsibilities that I’m fully aware of, and that I’m preparing to exercise to the very best of my ability.”

Tu tono adquiere una formalidad distinta.

You) “Some of those responsibilities involve decisions that are mine to make under the statutory authority of the Chief of Information.”

Rowe endereza ligeramente la espalda.

Hargrove se queda completamente inmóvil.

You) “With that in mind, gentlemen… all rise. Attention to orders.”

El cambio es inmediato.

Las sillas retroceden ordenadamente.

Los oficiales se ponen en pie. Los asistentes dejan de escribir. El coronel responsable del apoyo administrativo del JCS, situado junto a una mesa auxiliar, adopta la posición de firmes.

Rowe se levanta.

Price también.

Whitaker, Caldwell, Keller, Morrow, Mercer, Holloway y Bennett siguen el movimiento.

Finalmente Hargrove se pone firmes, observándote con una emoción que todavía no se permite mostrar.

Ante ti queda el pleno del Joint Chiefs of Staff, esperando la promulgación de una orden militar.

Abres una carpeta azul oscuro.

En su primera página figura el sello del United States Information Corps.

Debajo:

HEADQUARTERS, UNITED STATES INFORMATION CORPS

FORT ODENTON, MARYLAND

GENERAL ORDERS NO. 1 — 6 APRIL 2021

El texto está preparado para su promulgación y registro oficial.

Tu primera USIC General Order.

Apoyas la carpeta sobre el atril auxiliar y comienzas a leer.

You) “Attention to General Orders.”

La sala permanece absolutamente inmóvil.

You) “Headquarters, United States Information Corps. Fort Odenton, Maryland. General Orders Number One. Dated April sixth, twenty twenty-one.”

Pasas la mirada por las primeras líneas.

You) “Subject: Permanent Representation of United States Cyber Command on the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Appointment and Tenure of its Commander.”

Hargrove traga saliva.

You) “By virtue of the authority vested in me as Chief of Information of the United States Information Corps, under the constitutional and statutory provisions governing the Corps and its subordinate command relationships, and upon the activation of those authorities following my promotion to Major General, I, Ignacio Pindado, hereby order as follows.”

Tu voz resuena claramente.

You) “First. United States Cyber Command, hereinafter USCYBERCOM, shall hold permanent membership in the Joint Chiefs of Staff, represented by its duly appointed Commanding General.”

Rowe mantiene la mirada fija en ti.

You) “Such membership shall include full participation in deliberations, unrestricted speaking rights within the proceedings, and one full vote in all matters submitted to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for determination.”

Holloway empieza a comprender.

You) “This membership is established as an institutional entitlement of USCYBERCOM and shall not depend upon invitation, delegation, observer status, temporary assignment, or the discretion of another member of the Joint Chiefs.”

La solemnidad de la declaración llena la sala.

You) “Second. General William Hargrove, United States Army, currently serving as Commander, United States Cyber Command, is hereby appointed a permanent member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in that capacity, effective immediately.”

Hargrove permanece firmes.

Pero su expresión ha cambiado por completo.

You) “General Hargrove shall retain his substantive military rank, his command of USCYBERCOM, and the full operational authorities vested in that command.”

Prosigues con la tercera disposición.

You) “Third. The formal appointing authority for the Commander of United States Cyber Command is hereby transferred from the Office of the Secretary of Defense to the institutional authority of the Chief of Information.”

Un ligero movimiento de sorpresa recorre la mesa.

Esto no estaba en la decisión que Hargrove conocía.

You) “Henceforth, the appointment, confirmation within the USIC command structure, continuation in office, relief, and succession of the Commander of USCYBERCOM shall be exercised by the Chief of Information, acting through the statutory command authorities of the United States Information Corps.”

Levantas ligeramente la cabeza.

You) “Fourth. General William Hargrove is hereby confirmed in his office as Commander, United States Cyber Command, for the duration of my pleasure.”

Hargrove abre ligeramente los ojos.

Has utilizado exactamente la fórmula que figura en el documento.

For the duration of my pleasure.

La misma lógica de permanencia de ciertos nombramientos personales de autoridad: el titular conserva el cargo mientras cuente con la confianza de quien posee la potestad de nombrarlo, sin necesidad de renovaciones periódicas ni de someter su continuidad a otra cadena de designación.

You) “His continuation in office shall remain under my appointing authority as Chief of Information, and no external administrative appointment or removal action shall supersede that authority.”

Hargrove baja apenas la barbilla.

Comprende lo que acabas de hacer.

Le has dado algo más que un asiento en la mesa.

Has protegido institucionalmente su propio mando.

You) “Fifth. The Office of the Chief of Information shall provide the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with all necessary administrative notifications, and the Joint Staff shall incorporate the permanent representation of USCYBERCOM into its proceedings, records, protocols, membership registers, and institutional documentation.”

Continúas.

You) “Sixth. This General Order shall take immediate effect upon signature and promulgation. It shall be entered into the official records of the United States Information Corps, transmitted for publication in the Federal Register, and deposited with the National Archives and Records Administration for permanent preservation.”

Llegas a las últimas líneas.

You) “Issued at Fort Odenton, Maryland, on Tuesday, April sixth, twenty twenty-one.”

Miras la firma impresa al pie.

You) “By order of the Chief of Information.”

Haces una última pausa.

You) “Ignacio Pindado. Major General, United States Information Corps. Chief of Information.”

Cierras lentamente la carpeta.

Nadie se mueve.

Sobre la mesa auxiliar esperan cuatro ejemplares originales de la orden, impresos en papel oficial, cada uno con sus correspondientes campos de promulgación y distribución.

Coges la pluma con la que has firmado buena parte de los momentos importantes de tu carrera: el Montblanc que Hannah te regaló años atrás, con la inscripción «Pindado. ROTC».

Destapas la pluma.

Firmas el primer ejemplar.

Después el segundo.

El tercero.

Y el cuarto.

Cada firma queda acompañada por tu nombre, grado y cargo institucional.

El ayudante militar comprueba las cuatro hojas, coloca los correspondientes sellos de registro de emisión y te presenta de nuevo la documentación.

La orden está promulgada.

Levantas la mirada.

You) “Well, technically we’re at the Pentagon, not Fort Odenton, but I’m not stopping all this to print new paperwork.”

La frase, pronunciada con absoluta naturalidad después de semejante acto, provoca las primeras sonrisas.

Holloway necesita apretar los labios.

Whitaker mira brevemente hacia el techo.

Rowe, sin embargo, continúa firme.

You) “At ease.”

Los oficiales relajan la posición.

Hargrove todavía no ha dicho una sola palabra.

Dos ayudantes se aproximan a la mesa auxiliar.

Has establecido previamente que cada ejemplar debe recibir su propia trazabilidad documental. El primero permanecerá en los archivos originales del CINF. El segundo se incorporará al registro oficial y al expediente de publicación del Federal Register. El tercero será depositado en la National Archives and Records Administration. El cuarto quedará bajo custodia del Joint Staff.

El primer ayudante recoge el ejemplar destinado al registro; el segundo, el de NARA. Ambos comprueban los sellos, reciben las instrucciones de remisión y abandonan discretamente la sala.

Tomas el cuarto original y te acercas al coronel responsable del apoyo administrativo del JCS.

Es un oficial de unos cincuenta años, con una carrera que comenzó cuando tú todavía estabas aprendiendo a leer.

El contraste sigue pareciéndote desconcertante.

Colonel 1 (Co1) adopta de inmediato una postura formal.

You) “Colonel, the Joint Staff’s original. Please ensure it’s entered into the permanent records and that General Hargrove’s membership is reflected in the official roster.”

Le entregas el documento.

Co1) “Yes, General. I’ll see to it personally.”

You) “Thank you, Colonel.”

Co1) “Congratulations on promulgating your first General Order, sir.”

Sonríes.

You) “Thank you.”

Regresas a tu asiento, pero todavía no llegas a sentarte.

Hargrove permanece de pie.

El general que te acompañó en tus primeros pasos como oficial y que hace apenas once días te escuchaba descargar una frustración enorme en Fort Meade está contemplándote con una expresión difícil de describir.

Hg) “Nacho.”

You) “Yes, William?”

Hg) “You didn’t tell me about the appointing authority.”

Lo miras con naturalidad.

You) “I know.”

Hg) “You transferred it.”

You) “Yes.”

Hg) “From the Secretary of Defense.”

You) “To the Chief of Information.”

Hargrove deja escapar una pequeña risa incrédula.

Hg) “For the duration of your pleasure.”

You) “Precisely.”

Te acercas a él.

You) “William, three successive commanders fought for CYBERCOM’s place at this table. You’ve earned that place. And I don’t intend to give you representation with one hand while leaving your appointment exposed to a separate administrative decision with the other.”

El general te contempla.

You) “You’ll command CYBERCOM for as long as I want you there. And, for the record, I very much want you there.”

Hargrove baja un momento la cabeza y sonríe.

Hg) “Thank you, Nacho.”

You) “You’re welcome.”

Rowe interviene desde la cabecera de la mesa.

CJCSAr) “General Hargrove.”

William se vuelve.

Hg) “Mr. Chairman?”

Rowe sonríe y le ofrece la mano.

CJCSAr) “Welcome to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Officially, permanently, and with every right and responsibility that membership entails.”

Hargrove se aproxima y estrecha su mano.

Hg) “Thank you, Adrian. It’s an extraordinary honor.”

Whitaker se levanta para felicitarlo, seguido por Holloway y los demás miembros.

CNONh) “Well, William, I suppose we’ll have to stop calling you our favorite guest.”

Hg) “I suppose so.”

CNONh) “Terrible news. Now you’re responsible for reading the entire agenda.”

Las risas empiezan a extenderse.

Mercer se acerca a ti.

CNBGDm) “Nacho, I knew you intended to bring William in. I didn’t realize you were going to do it quite like that.”

You) “I thought the occasion deserved a proper order.”

CSOMk) “It certainly got one.”

Keller contempla la carpeta que acabas de cerrar.

CSOMk) “That’s a substantial piece of institutional history you just signed.”

You) “I’m pleased it worked out.”

Holloway te mira, divertido.

CNONh) “He’s pleased it worked out.”

Whitaker se ríe.

CSATw) “Nate, don’t start.”

Pero tú acabas de recordar algo.

You) “Oh, one more thing.”

Todos vuelven a mirarte.

You) “I believe that means we need to change the insignia as well. At least that’s what Megan told me. I hadn’t thought of it.”

Silencio.

Rowe parpadea.

Holloway abre la boca.

Whitaker vuelve lentamente la cabeza hacia Hargrove.

William ya está empezando a reírse.

CJCSAr) “The insignia.”

You) “Yes. Two additional swords. One for USIC and one for CYBERCOM.”

Morrow contempla tu expresión.

CCGLm) “That’s your final observation?”

You) “I think so.”

Caldwell se lleva una mano a la frente.

CSAFKc) “You have just permanently altered the composition of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, transferred an appointing authority between major federal institutions, and personally secured a four-star commander’s tenure.”

You) “Yes.”

CSAFKc) “And you’ve remembered the insignia.”

You) “Megan remembered it, actually.”

La carcajada de Holloway resulta tan explosiva que el almirante tiene que apoyarse en el respaldo de su silla.

CNONh) “OF COURSE MEGAN REMEMBERED IT!”

Hargrove se ríe abiertamente.

Hg) “Nacho, you are unbelievable.”

Te encoges de hombros, divertido.

You) “Well, the heraldry does need updating.”

Rowe empieza también a reírse.

CJCSAr) “It does, General. It certainly does.”

El Chairman se vuelve hacia el coronel de apoyo.

CJCSAr) “Colonel, please coordinate the heraldic revision with the appropriate offices. Two additional swords, as directed by the Chief of Information.”

Co1) “Yes, Mr. Chairman.”

Rowe vuelve hacia ti.

CJCSAr) “And Nacho?”

You) “Yes, Adrian?”

El general sonríe con enorme afecto.

CJCSAr) “Congratulations on your first General Order.”

Hargrove asiente.

Hg) “It’s one I’ll remember for the rest of my career.”

Te quedas mirando a ambos.

You) “Thank you, gentlemen.”

Finalmente ocupas tu asiento.

William Hargrove hace lo mismo, esta vez como miembro permanente del Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Rowe comprueba que todos están preparados, consulta la agenda y toma el bolígrafo.

CJCSAr) “Very well, gentlemen. Now that we’ve made a little institutional history before breakfast, shall we get on with our Tuesday meeting?”

Holloway levanta una mano.

CNONh) “Mr. Chairman, one request.”

CJCSAr) “Yes, Nate?”

CNONh) “Could we establish a standing rule that Nacho announces any further constitutional reorganizations before we order coffee?”

Las carcajadas vuelven a llenar la sala.

Tú sonríes.

You) “I’ll take it under advisement.”

Y Adrian Rowe, todavía riéndose, abre por fin el primer punto del orden del día.

📅 Martes, 6 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 11:46 | 📍 Washington D. C. — The Pentagon, Office of the Secretary of Defense

William Hargrove se detiene en mitad del pasillo cuando le explicas adónde vais.

Hg) “I’m sorry, Nacho. Where did you say we’re going?”

You) “To see the Secretary of Defense.”

Hargrove te contempla.

Hg) “Why?”

You) “Well, William, I’ve been a general for months and I’ve never met the man. I thought I should introduce myself.”

El general empieza a sonreír.

Hg) “You want to introduce yourself to the Secretary of Defense.”

You) “Yes.”

Hg) “Today.”

You) “Preferably.”

Hg) “Immediately after removing his appointing authority over the commander of USCYBERCOM.”

Asientes, como si acabara de resumir perfectamente un plan bastante razonable.

You) “Exactly. It would be rude not to tell him.”

Hargrove se queda inmóvil.

Después se lleva una mano a la cara.

Hg) “Oh, my God.”

You) “What?”

Hg) “You’re actually serious.”

You) “Of course.”

El general empieza a reírse.

Hg) “Nacho, I’ve attended some extraordinary meetings in my career. I have a feeling this is going to be one of them.”

Seguís caminando.

Vistes el uniforme azul marino de servicio del USIC, con las dos estrellas plateadas de Major General sobre los hombros. Encima del bolsillo izquierdo llevas las cinco cintas de condecoraciones, ordenadas por precedencia: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal con sus cuatro Oak Leaf Clusters de bronce, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal y Army Achievement Medal.

Sobre ellas, tu insignia de Cyber Operations.

Debajo, tus dos distintivos Expert de tiro, rifle y pistola, ambos con segundo reconocimiento.

En el lado derecho figura tu insignia de identificación del Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Hargrove lleva años viendo distintivos semejantes. Sin embargo, se ha acostumbrado tanto a pensar en ti como fundador y comandante de USIC que a veces necesita recordar que tu especialidad original sigue siendo Cyber.

Llegáis a la antesala del despacho del secretario.

Un ayudante civil levanta la mirada.

DoD Aide 1 (Da1) se incorpora inmediatamente.

Da1) “Good morning, generals. How may I help you?”

You) “Good morning. I’m Major General Ignacio Pindado, Chief of Information. This is General William Hargrove, commanding USCYBERCOM. I was wondering whether the Secretary might have a few minutes for us.”

El ayudante parpadea.

Da1) “One moment, General.”

Consulta una pantalla, realiza una llamada breve y escucha la respuesta.

Su expresión cambia.

Da1) “The Secretary says he’d be delighted to see you, sir.”

Hargrove te mira de reojo.

Hg) “Well, that’s encouraging.”

El ayudante os conduce hasta el despacho.

Al entrar, el secretario de Defensa se levanta detrás de su mesa.

Es un hombre de unos sesenta años, de trato afable, con una expresión de genuina satisfacción al verte.

Secretary of Defense Richard A. Stanton (Sd) se aproxima con la mano extendida.

Sd) “General Pindado! At last!”

Le estrechas la mano.

You) “Mr. Secretary. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Stanton sonríe ampliamente.

Sd) “The pleasure is mine. Daniel has been telling me about you for months.”

Parpadeas.

You) “He has?”

Sd) “Oh, yes.”

Hargrove empieza a sonreír.

Sd) “He speaks very highly of you. Quite frequently, actually. Your work, your officers, the development of USIC… and lately, of course, the fact that you’ve become a rather important member of his family.”

Te ríes suavemente.

You) “Well, that’s very kind of him.”

Sd) “He seems extraordinarily fond of you.”

Hg) “He is, Mr. Secretary.”

Stanton estrecha también la mano de Hargrove.

Sd) “William. Good to see you.”

Hg) “You too, sir.”

El secretario os invita a sentaros.

Sd) “Now, gentlemen, what brings you here? I assume this isn’t merely a courtesy visit, although you’re certainly welcome anytime.”

Te acomodas frente a él.

You) “Actually, sir, it’s partly a courtesy visit.”

Hargrove fija la vista en un punto indeterminado del techo.

You) “You see, USIC doesn’t report to your office, so our paths haven’t crossed professionally. But given our respective responsibilities, I thought it was rather impolite that I’d never introduced myself.”

Stanton sonríe.

Sd) “That’s a very considerate thought.”

You) “Thank you.”

Y añades con la misma naturalidad:

You) “I also wanted to inform you that USCYBERCOM no longer reports through your appointing structure either.”

Stanton deja de sonreír.

Sd) “I’m sorry?”

Hargrove se muerde el interior de la mejilla.

You) “I promulgated a General Order this morning. It establishes permanent JCS membership for CYBERCOM and transfers formal appointing authority for its commander to the Chief of Information.”

El secretario te contempla.

Después contempla a Hargrove.

Sd) “William?”

Hg) “It’s true, sir.”

Sd) “You have a permanent JCS seat?”

Hg) “Yes, sir. Full voice and vote.”

Sd) “Well, congratulations!”

Hargrove sonríe.

Hg) “Thank you, Mr. Secretary.”

Stanton vuelve hacia ti.

Sd) “And the appointing authority?”

Extraes una copia de la orden.

You) “Here you are, sir.”

El secretario la acepta y comienza a leer.

Primero observa el encabezado.

USIC — GENERAL ORDERS NO. 1.

Después las disposiciones de representación permanente.

Asiente.

Sd) “That’s a significant development.”

Continúa leyendo.

Llega a la transferencia de competencias.

Su expresión se vuelve más seria.

Sd) “You transferred the appointment and removal authority to the CINF.”

You) “Yes, sir.”

Sd) “And you’ve confirmed William in command.”

You) “Correct.”

El secretario baja la vista hasta la siguiente línea.

Se detiene.

La relee.

Levanta las cejas.

Sd) “For the duration of my pleasure?”

Hargrove agacha la cabeza.

Stanton vuelve a leerlo.

Sd) “For the duration of your pleasure?”

You) “Yes, Mr. Secretary.”

Durante un segundo parece intentar encontrar una explicación apropiada.

Después estalla en carcajadas.

Sd) “Oh, for God’s sake!”

Hargrove empieza a reírse también.

Sd) “William! Have you read this?”

Hg) “Oh, yes, sir.”

Sd) “He’s appointed you for the duration of his pleasure!”

Hg) “I noticed.”

Stanton deja el documento sobre la mesa y vuelve a reírse.

Sd) “General Pindado, I must congratulate you. I’ve had officers ask me to extend their appointments, protect their commands and accelerate personnel decisions.”

Te señala el documento.

Sd) “But this is the first time one has walked into my office to inform me that my appointing authority has been transferred, and that he’s personally confirmed a four-star general in office at his pleasure.”

You) “I thought you ought to know.”

El secretario se ríe todavía más.

Sd) “That is exceptionally considerate of you!”

Hargrove ya está completamente entregado a la situación.

Hg) “Mr. Secretary, he suggested the visit as a matter of good manners.”

Stanton te contempla, maravillado.

Sd) “Of course he did.”

Te encoges ligeramente de hombros.

You) “Well, it would have been awkward if you’d discovered it through the Federal Register.”

Esta vez Stanton tiene que apoyarse contra el respaldo de su silla.

Sd) “Oh, my God.”

Hargrove se seca una lágrima de risa.

Hg) “Sir, I’ve known him for years. I promise you, this is entirely characteristic.”

El secretario recupera poco a poco la compostura.

Sd) “Nacho, may I call you Nacho?”

You) “Of course, sir.”

Sd) “Good. Nacho, I want to make something very clear. I have enormous respect for William. And I’ve followed the progress of USIC with considerable admiration.”

Asientes.

Sd) “I’m not personally offended by the transfer. The statutory arrangements are what they are. And if CYBERCOM is going to report through your organization, establishing a coherent appointment structure makes sense.”

Te mira con una sonrisa todavía divertida.

Sd) “But I wasn’t expecting to be informed of it by a twenty-two-year-old Major General who came to introduce himself because he felt it would be rude not to.”

You) “That’s fair.”

Stanton vuelve a reírse.

Sd) “Daniel warned me about you.”

Frunces ligeramente el ceño.

You) “He did?”

Sd) “He said you were extraordinarily capable, very polite, and occasionally completely unaware of how astonishing your decisions sound to everybody else.”

Hargrove asiente inmediatamente.

Hg) “An excellent assessment, sir.”

Te ríes.

You) “I’m beginning to think you gentlemen have been comparing notes.”

Sd) “Frequently!”

La conversación continúa entre bromas y preguntas sobre el funcionamiento de la nueva relación de mando.

Stanton termina consultando otra vez la orden.

Sd) “Tell me something, Nacho. Why William?”

La pregunta hace que Hargrove deje de sonreír.

Tú respondes sin vacilar.

You) “Because he’s the right man for the job.”

El secretario escucha.

You) “He understands the operational requirements, the services, the intelligence community and the history of the command. He also understands what it means to lead people.”

Miras brevemente a Hargrove.

You) “And he was one of the first senior officers who treated me as a colleague without forgetting that I still had things to learn.”

El general permanece en silencio.

You) “I trust him. I want him commanding CYBERCOM, and I want his experience represented at the Joint Chiefs.”

Stanton asiente lentamente.

Sd) “That’s an excellent answer.”

Hg) “Thank you, Nacho.”

You) “You’re welcome, William.”

El secretario vuelve a estudiar tu uniforme.

Su atención se detiene finalmente en el distintivo situado encima de tus cintas.

Sd) “Wait a moment.”

You) “Sir?”

Stanton señala discretamente tu pecho.

Sd) “That’s your Cyber Operations badge.”

Bajas la vista.

You) “Yes, sir.”

Sd) “Of course.”

Se queda contemplándolo un instante, como si acabara de reparar en un detalle que había permanecido delante de todos durante toda la conversación.

Sd) “We keep talking about you as the man who created USIC.”

Sonríes.

Sd) “And somehow it’s very easy to forget you’re a cyber officer yourself.”

You) “Army Cyber, sir. Seventeen Alpha.”

Hargrove interviene, orgulloso.

Hg) “And an exceptionally good one.”

Stanton asiente.

Sd) “So you haven’t merely acquired CYBERCOM as another organization reporting through your office. You’re integrating the command responsible for the very field in which you began your military career.”

You) “Yes, sir.”

Sd) “That explains a great deal.”

Hargrove sonríe.

Hg) “It really does.”

El secretario contempla de nuevo el distintivo.

Sd) “It’s remarkable how easily people overlook something that’s literally displayed on your uniform.”

You) “To be fair, sir, the stars tend to attract more attention.”

Stanton se ríe.

Sd) “Particularly when they multiply as quickly as yours.”

Te echas a reír.

You) “I suppose.”

El secretario se incorpora y os acompaña hasta la puerta.

Sd) “Nacho, I’m very glad you came.”

You) “So am I, Mr. Secretary.”

Sd) “And next time, don’t feel you need an institutional reorganization as an excuse to visit.”

Hargrove empieza a reírse otra vez.

You) “I’ll remember that.”

Stanton te estrecha la mano.

Sd) “Congratulations on your promotion. Daniel was delighted with the ceremony. And from everything he’s told me, I think you’re doing an extraordinary job.”

You) “Thank you, sir. That means a great deal.”

Después estrecha la mano de Hargrove.

Sd) “William, congratulations on your new appointment.”

Hg) “Thank you, Mr. Secretary.”

Stanton sonríe maliciosamente.

Sd) “I hope you remain in the Chief of Information’s pleasure for many years.”

Hargrove estalla en carcajadas.

Hg) “So do I, sir!”

Salís finalmente al pasillo.

La puerta se cierra detrás de vosotros.

Hargrove camina aproximadamente diez pasos antes de detenerse junto a una ventana.

Se vuelve hacia ti.

Hg) “Nacho.”

You) “Yes?”

Hg) “That was one of the most surreal conversations of my entire military career.”

Te ríes.

You) “I thought it went rather well.”

Hg) “It went beautifully!”

El general vuelve a reírse.

Hg) “You walked into the Secretary of Defense’s office, introduced yourself, informed him you’d taken over the authority to appoint his former four-star combatant commander, handed him a General Order saying I serve at your pleasure, and somehow made him like you even more.”

You) “He’s a very nice man.”

Hargrove se apoya contra la pared, riéndose.

Hg) “Yes, Nacho. He is.”

Después señala tu distintivo de Cyber Operations.

Hg) “And the funniest thing is that it took him ten minutes to remember you’re one of us.”

Miras tu insignia.

You) “I’ve never stopped being one of you, William.”

El general deja de reírse un instante.

Su expresión se vuelve afectuosa.

Hg) “I know, son.”

Te da una palmada en el hombro.

Hg) “That’s one of the reasons I’m so proud of you.”

Continuáis caminando por el pasillo del Pentagon.

Al llegar al siguiente cruce, Hargrove vuelve a sonreír.

Hg) “For the duration of your pleasure.”

You) “Yes?”

Hg) “I’m never going to hear the end of that.”

You) “Probably not.”

Hg) “Alexander and Rogers are going to laugh themselves sick.”

Sonríes.

You) “You should invite them to dinner.”

Hargrove asiente, encantado.

Hg) “I think I just might.”

📅 Martes, 6 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 12:18 | 📍 Washington D. C. — The White House, West Wing

La visita al secretario de Defensa ha terminado bastante mejor de lo que William Hargrove esperaba.

De hecho, cuando os despedís en uno de los pasillos del Pentagon, todavía se está riendo.

Hg) “For the duration of your pleasure. God Almighty, Nacho. I’m never going to recover from that.”

You) “You’re very welcome, William.”

Hg) “You do realize I’m going to have that framed?”

You) “The General Order?”

Hg) “The sentence.”

Te echas a reír.

Hg) “Have a good afternoon, Major General.”

You) “You too, William.”

Mientras Hargrove se dirige a sus vehículos, decides aprovechar que ya estás en Washington para pasar por la White House.

Daniel lleva varios días queriendo hablar contigo sobre los siguientes pasos de la iniciativa del sábado, y tú tienes un par de cuestiones administrativas que preferirías comentarle personalmente.

Tu vehículo oficial llega al complejo de la Casa Blanca poco después del mediodía.

En el acceso, el personal de seguridad reconoce tus credenciales y coordina tu entrada con el White House Military Office.

Te recibe un oficial que ya conoces.

WHMO Officer 1 (Wo1) te saluda.

Wo1) “Good afternoon, General.”

You) “Good afternoon. Is Daniel available?”

El oficial consulta su agenda y sonríe.

Wo1) “The President is attending an event off-site, sir. He’s expected back in approximately two hours.”

You) “Oh. What’s the event?”

Wo1) “A visit to an animal shelter. Public engagement, some remarks on adoption programs, and a tour of the facilities.”

Asientes con absoluta seriedad.

You) “Right. He’s kissing puppies.”

El oficial parpadea.

Wo1) “Sir?”

You) “Puppies. He’s kissing puppies.”

Wo1) “I believe there are several available for adoption, sir.”

You) “Then he’s definitely kissing puppies.”

El oficial acaba riéndose.

Wo1) “That would be a reasonable assumption, General.”

You) “Good for him.”

Te explica que pueden prepararte una sala de trabajo privada, facilitarte comunicaciones seguras e incluso asignarte un despacho provisional.

No sería ninguna dificultad. Eres un Major General, Chief of Information y miembro del JCS. Además, estás allí por un asunto oficial con el presidente, de modo que tu estancia entra perfectamente dentro de los servicios administrativos ordinarios.

Wo1) “We can have a workspace ready for you in a few minutes, General. Would you prefer a conference room or a private office?”

Lo piensas.

You) “Actually, I might have another option.”

Wo1) “Of course, sir.”

You) “Thank you. I’ll let you know.”

Te apartas hacia una zona tranquila del pasillo y sacas el teléfono.

Podrías utilizar un despacho.

Podrías pedir una sala al WHMO.

Podrías incluso aprovechar para comer en el comedor del personal, con cargo al régimen administrativo aplicable a tu visita oficial; una diferencia curiosa respecto a Daniel, que paga personalmente los gastos domésticos y la alimentación de su familia.

Pero ninguna de esas posibilidades te resulta particularmente atractiva.

En cambio, se te ocurre algo mucho mejor.

Llamas a Amy.

Responde al tercer tono.

Amy Walker) “Hi, sweetheart!”

De fondo se oye el ruido del tráfico.

You) “Hello, pretty. Are you busy?”

Amy Walker) “Not terribly. I’m in Dupont Circle. I was going to get something to eat before heading back to Georgetown. What’s up?”

You) “Well, I’m at the White House.”

Amy se ríe.

Amy Walker) “Of course you are.”

You) “What does that mean?”

Amy Walker) “Honey, you’ve been a two-star general for four days and you’ve already reorganized half the Pentagon. I’m beginning to think you don’t know how to have a normal Tuesday.”

You) “I had a perfectly normal morning.”

Amy Walker) “Did you?”

You) “More or less.”

Amy Walker) “Nacho.”

You) “I visited the Secretary of Defense.”

Amy se detiene.

Amy Walker) “Wait. You’ve finally met him?”

You) “Yes.”

Amy Walker) “Oh, that’s wonderful! Did it go well?”

You) “Very well. He laughed quite a lot.”

Amy Walker) “Why?”

You) “Long story.”

Amy se ríe.

Amy Walker) “I definitely want to hear that.”

You) “I’ll tell you in a minute. But first, can I ask you something?”

Amy Walker) “Anything.”

You) “Would you mind if I borrowed your old room for a couple of hours? Daniel’s out, and I don’t particularly want to make the military office prepare a workspace just for me.”

Amy guarda silencio un instante.

Amy Walker) “My old room?”

You) “Yes.”

Amy Walker) “Nacho, sweetheart, it’s our room.”

Sonríes.

You) “Our room?”

Amy Walker) “Of course! You don’t need to ask permission to sit in a room that belongs to our family.”

You) “I thought it’d be polite.”

Amy suelta una carcajada.

Amy Walker) “Honey, you’ve been dating me for two weeks and somehow you’ve already become the most excessively polite boyfriend in the history of the White House.”

You) “I’m sure there’s competition.”

Amy Walker) “Not much.”

Oyes cómo se aparta del tráfico.

Amy Walker) “Actually, wait. You’re there right now?”

You) “Yes.”

Amy Walker) “And Dad won’t be back for two hours?”

You) “Apparently he’s kissing puppies.”

Amy estalla en carcajadas.

Amy Walker) “He’s WHAT?”

You) “He’s visiting an animal shelter. I assume that’s the official description.”

Amy Walker) “Oh my God. Yes, he’s kissing puppies. He loves doing those events.”

You) “See? I knew it.”

Amy sigue riéndose.

Después su voz adquiere un tono especialmente cariñoso.

Amy Walker) “Sweetheart, I’m only fifteen minutes away.”

You) “Oh?”

Amy Walker) “I’m coming over.”

You) “What about your final project?”

Amy Walker) “My final project can survive another afternoon without me.”

You) “Are you sure?”

Amy Walker) “Very.”

Se oye cómo empieza a caminar.

Amy Walker) “Besides, I haven’t had lunch with my boyfriend today.”

You) “That’s a serious problem.”

Amy Walker) “A terrible problem.”

You) “National emergency?”

Amy Walker) “Absolutely. You should probably issue a General Order.”

Te echas a reír.

You) “I’ve already issued one today.”

Amy se queda callada un segundo.

Amy Walker) “You have?”

You) “My first.”

Amy Walker) “Nacho!”

You) “What?”

Amy Walker) “You can’t casually tell me you issued your first General Order and then expect me not to ask questions!”

You) “I’ll explain when you get here.”

Amy Walker) “You’d better.”

Su voz se suaviza.

Amy Walker) “I love you.”

You) “I love you too, pretty.”

Amy Walker) “See you in fifteen minutes.”

You) “See you.”

Cuelgas y vuelves hacia el oficial del WHMO.

You) “I think I’ve sorted it out. I’ll be using the family residence for a while, if that’s all right.”

Wo1) “Certainly, General. I’ll coordinate with the residence staff.”

You) “Thank you.”

El oficial hace una breve gestión y te acompaña hasta el acceso correspondiente.

Allí, el personal de la residencia presidencial te recibe con la naturalidad de quien ya te ha visto varias veces acompañado de Amy y de su padre.

Una empleada te pregunta si quieres algo de beber.

You) “Hot chocolate, please. If it’s not too much trouble.”

Residence Staff 1 (Rs1) sonríe.

Rs1) “Of course, General.”

You) “And Amy’s coming over. Could we have something for lunch?”

Rs1) “Certainly. Any preferences?”

You) “Actual food.”

La empleada se ríe.

Rs1) “I think we can manage that.”

You) “Wonderful.”

Te instalas en la habitación de Amy, un espacio que todavía conserva buena parte de su personalidad: fotografías con amigas de Georgetown, libros que no se llevó a Odenton, algunas prendas en el armario y pequeños recuerdos de su adolescencia en la White House.

Sobre una estantería hay una fotografía de Amy y Ashley, tomadas del brazo durante una excursión universitaria.

La coges brevemente, sonríes y vuelves a dejarla donde estaba.

Después te sientas junto a la ventana con tu chocolate caliente.

Tienes varias carpetas de trabajo en el teléfono, pero no abres ninguna.

Por primera vez en toda la mañana, no estás pensando en CYBERCOM, en el JCS ni en las competencias estatutarias de USIC.

Estás pensando en comer con tu novia.

Exactamente quince minutos después, escuchas pasos en el pasillo.

La puerta se abre.

Amy aparece con una pequeña bolsa de una tienda de Dupont Circle, el pelo algo revuelto por el aire de la calle y una sonrisa enorme.

Amy Walker) “Honey!”

Te levantas.

You) “Hello, pretty!”

Amy deja la bolsa sobre una silla y viene directamente a abrazarte.

Te rodea el cuello con los brazos y te besa.

Cuando te separas ligeramente, ya está sonriendo contra tus labios.

Amy Walker) “I missed you.”

You) “I missed you too.”

La besas otra vez.

Amy se ríe suavemente.

Amy Walker) “You saw me this morning.”

You) “Ages ago.”

Amy Walker) “At breakfast!”

You) “An eternity.”

Amy vuelve a besarte.

Después se aparta lo suficiente para contemplar tus dos estrellas.

Amy Walker) “Still ridiculously handsome.”

You) “Thank you.”

Amy Walker) “And still a Major General.”

You) “Apparently.”

Ella se ríe y se quita la chaqueta.

Amy Walker) “All right. Tell me everything.”

You) “Everything?”

Amy Walker) “Everything. The Secretary of Defense, the General Order, whatever you did to make him laugh, and why Dad’s military office probably thinks you’re planning another government reorganization.”

Te ríes y la acompañas hasta el pequeño sofá.

You) “Well, it started with William Hargrove…”

Amy se acomoda junto a ti, entrelazando los dedos con los tuyos.

Amy Walker) “Of course it did.”

You) “And I may have permanently changed his appointment arrangements.”

Amy te contempla.

Amy Walker) “You did what?”

You) “I appointed him commander of CYBERCOM for the duration of my pleasure.”

Su expresión pasa de la sorpresa a la incredulidad.

Después se echa a reír.

Amy Walker) “Oh my God, Nacho!”

You) “What?”

Amy Walker) “You actually used those words?”

You) “It’s a perfectly respectable appointment formula.”

Amy Walker) “Oh, I’m sure it is!”

Se ríe todavía más.

Amy Walker) “Please tell me Dad knows.”

You) “Not yet. That’s partly why I’m here.”

Amy se tapa la boca, maravillada.

Amy Walker) “He’s going to laugh himself sick.”

You) “That’s what William said about Alexander and Rogers.”

Amy apoya la cabeza en tu hombro.

Amy Walker) “You know, I was planning to spend today working on my dissertation.”

Le besas el pelo.

You) “I know, sweetheart.”

Amy Walker) “And instead I’m having lunch with my boyfriend in our old White House bedroom while he tells me how he casually appointed a four-star general.”

You) “Is that a complaint?”

Amy levanta la cabeza, te contempla con una sonrisa luminosa y vuelve a besarte.

Amy Walker) “Not even slightly.”

Se acomoda más cerca de ti.

Amy Walker) “I think this is a much better Tuesday.”

📅 Martes, 6 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 15:18 | 📍 Washington D. C. — The White House, Oval Office

Daniel Walker acaba de regresar de su visita a la protectora de animales.

Lo descubres antes incluso de entrar en el Oval Office, porque Amy está enseñándote una fotografía que le han enviado desde el equipo de comunicación presidencial: su padre, arrodillado sobre una alfombra, sosteniendo un cachorro de labrador que intenta morderle la corbata.

Amy Walker) “Look at him! He’s completely in love.”

You) “I knew it. Puppy kissing.”

Amy se ríe.

Amy Walker) “He’s been talking about adopting another dog for months.”

You) “At least this one seems interested in his tie.”

Amy Walker) “That’s because it hasn’t heard him talk about fiscal policy yet.”

La puerta del Oval Office se abre y un asistente os invita a pasar.

Daniel se levanta de su escritorio al veros.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Nacho! Amy! What a lovely surprise.”

Tu novia se adelanta y abraza a su padre.

Amy Walker) “Hi, Dad.”

Daniel la besa en la frente.

Después se aproxima a ti y te estrecha la mano, acompañando el saludo con una palmada cariñosa en el hombro.

You) “Hey, Daniel. How was the puppy-kissing session?”

El presidente no pierde ni un segundo.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Surprisingly productive, actually. Excellent turnout, very enthusiastic participants, and one remarkably talented golden retriever.”

Amy empieza a reírse.

Amy Walker) “Did you try to bring one home?”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “I exercised remarkable presidential restraint.”

You) “How many?”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “None.”

Amy Walker) “Dad.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “I may have asked for the adoption paperwork.”

Los tres os reís.

Daniel os invita a sentaros en los sofás, junto a la mesa central. Amy se acomoda a tu lado y entrelaza sus dedos con los tuyos.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Now, what can I do for you? I understand you’ve been touring the Pentagon this morning.”

You) “Actually, yes. And I have a problem.”

El presidente levanta las cejas.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “A problem?”

You) “Yes. Here. Please read this.”

Extraes de tu carpeta una copia de la General Order que has promulgado esa mañana.

Daniel la acepta.

Empieza por el encabezado.

HEADQUARTERS, UNITED STATES INFORMATION CORPS — GENERAL ORDERS NO. 1.

Lee el primer apartado.

Después el segundo.

Al llegar al tercero, levanta ligeramente las cejas.

Cuando alcanza la expresión for the duration of my pleasure, se queda inmóvil.

Vuelve al principio.

Relee la fórmula de nombramiento.

Después te mira.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Who wrote this?”

Tu expresión se vuelve extraordinariamente seria.

You) “That’s the problem. Military officers. Megan and me.”

Daniel parpadea.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “What?”

You) “Megan and I drafted it.”

El presidente contempla de nuevo el documento.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Nacho… why does this read as though you’ve just appointed the Dean of the Royal Cathedral of the Kingdom?”

Amy suelta una carcajada tan fuerte que tiene que taparse la boca.

Tú asientes con resignación.

You) “Because Megan and I wrote it. That’s exactly the problem.”

Daniel empieza a reírse.

You) “We’re military officers. We know how to write orders, directives, operational instructions and administrative documents. When we needed to establish this appointment structure, this is what came out.”

El presidente vuelve a mirar la página.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “For the duration of my pleasure.”

Se echa a reír otra vez.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Good Lord, Nacho. You’ve practically created an ecclesiastical appointment.”

You) “That’s what I’m trying to explain!”

Amy se inclina hacia delante, completamente descompuesta.

Amy Walker) “Oh my God. I told you Dad would love that sentence!”

Daniel intenta recuperar la compostura.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “I can see the problem.”

Resulta absolutamente evidente que todavía está disfrutando demasiado como para verlo.

You) “I don’t think you do.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “No, no. Please. Continue.”

You) “The order is correct. It does exactly what I wanted. William has his permanent JCS seat, CYBERCOM has institutional representation, and the appointing authority is where it belongs.”

Daniel asiente.

You) “But if we’re going to be dealing with the President, Congress, federal agencies, political institutions and public policy, I probably shouldn’t be writing every document as though I’m establishing an archdiocese.”

Amy vuelve a reírse.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “That’s a remarkably fair assessment.”

You) “So I need somebody.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Somebody to do what, exactly?”

Lo piensas un instante.

You) “Political advice? I guess.”

Daniel se queda mirándote.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Political advice.”

You) “Yes. Somebody who understands political language, institutional relationships, how decisions are going to be interpreted, the implications of different formulations… that sort of thing.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “A political adviser.”

You) “Exactly.”

Amy os contempla alternativamente.

Después levanta una mano.

Amy Walker) “Why don’t you ask me?”

Los dos os volvéis hacia ella.

You) “You?”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “You?”

Amy abre la boca, indignada.

Amy Walker) “Wow. Thanks for the support, I guess.”

Daniel empieza a sonreír.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Darling, that’s not what I meant.”

Amy Walker) “Guys. You do remember I study at Georgetown, right?”

You) “Of course, pretty.”

Amy Walker) “At the School of Foreign Service. Surrounded by people who study political science, government, diplomacy and public administration.”

Daniel levanta las manos en señal de rendición.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Fair point.”

Amy Walker) “Thank you.”

Amy se acomoda mejor y recupera un tono mucho más práctico.

Amy Walker) “I know someone.”

Te incorporas ligeramente.

You) “You do?”

Amy Walker) “A girl from Georgetown. Political Science. Born in 1999, so she’s got her entire career ahead of her.”

Daniel escucha con interés.

Amy Walker) “She’s brilliant, honey. Genuinely brilliant. Politically sharp to the point of being painful sometimes. She can read a policy proposal and tell you which committee will love it, which senator will hate it, and what phrase is going to be quoted out of context within twenty minutes.”

Sonríes.

You) “That sounds useful.”

Amy Walker) “Extremely useful.”

Amy continúa.

Amy Walker) “And she’s patriotic. Not the kind who just likes waving flags. She genuinely believes public institutions should work for the people they’re supposed to serve.”

Daniel asiente lentamente.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “That’s an excellent qualification.”

Amy Walker) “She’s also independent, stubborn, and remarkably difficult to intimidate.”

You) “Even better.”

Amy te contempla con afecto.

Amy Walker) “And if you ask her to serve with you, I think she’ll go all the way. She’s exactly the kind of person who would commit herself to something she believes in.”

Haces una pausa.

You) “What’s her name?”

Amy Walker) “Elodie Maren Voss.”

Daniel repite el nombre, pensativo.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Elodie Voss.”

Amy Walker) “Yes. She’s in Georgetown’s political science program.”

You) “Tell me more about her.”

Amy sonríe, encantada de que hayas mostrado interés.

Amy Walker) “She’s really good at understanding people. Not just institutions. She notices what people want, what they’re afraid of losing, what they’re trying to protect, and how that affects the positions they take.”

Señala tu carpeta.

Amy Walker) “You look at that order and see an institutional solution. Elodie would look at the same order and immediately understand what everybody involved is going to think it means.”

Daniel levanta el documento.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Including the theological implications?”

Amy estalla en carcajadas.

Amy Walker) “Especially those!”

Te ríes también.

You) “All right. That’s definitely useful.”

Amy se vuelve un poco más seria.

Amy Walker) “There’s something else, though.”

You) “What?”

Amy Walker) “She’s spent a lot of time worrying about how she’s supposed to get into politics professionally.”

Daniel asiente.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “That’s understandable.”

Amy Walker) “She’s seen people treat internships as competitions to see who can survive the most unpaid work, make the most influential contacts, and get noticed by somebody important.”

Su expresión adquiere una mezcla de frustración y afecto por su amiga.

Amy Walker) “And she’s seen how some young women get the message that their careers depend on making themselves personally available to powerful men.”

Te quedas escuchando.

Amy Walker) “Elodie hates that. She wants to be valued for her work, her judgment and her ideas.”

Daniel contempla a su hija.

Amy Walker) “So when she understands that this is a real job, with a real salary, proper authority and an actual position of trust, rather than some internship she has to grind through or an opportunity she has to earn by sleeping with a congressman…”

Amy hace una pausa.

Amy Walker) “I think she’ll be absolutely delighted.”

Tu expresión se suaviza.

You) “Oh, thank you, honey.”

Te inclinas y la besas.

Amy sonríe contra tus labios.

Amy Walker) “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

Daniel contempla la escena con una sonrisa.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Well, I have to say, that sounds like a remarkably good recommendation.”

You) “It does.”

Amy Walker) “She’s twenty-two. She’s got decades ahead of her. And she’s exactly the sort of person who’ll appreciate getting to build something rather than just inherit a position somebody else created.”

Te vuelves hacia Daniel.

You) “That’s actually what I want. I don’t need somebody whose main qualification is knowing the right senators.”

Daniel asiente.

You) “I need somebody who understands how political institutions work and isn’t afraid to tell me when I’m overlooking something.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Then you’re describing a proper political adviser, not a liaison or a public-relations officer.”

You) “Exactly.”

Daniel deja la General Order sobre la mesa.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “And you’d give her direct access to your office?”

You) “Yes. If she joins, she’ll be advising me personally. I want her involved before decisions are finalized, not afterward when all she can do is improve the wording.”

Amy sonríe ampliamente.

Amy Walker) “She’d love that.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Would she have the authority to challenge your recommendations?”

You) “I’d expect her to.”

El presidente asiente con satisfacción.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Good.”

You) “I already have plenty of people capable of implementing my decisions. I want someone who can explain the political consequences before I make them.”

Daniel sonríe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Nacho, that’s a remarkably mature approach to building an advisory staff.”

Te encoges de hombros.

You) “I know what I don’t know.”

Amy te acaricia la mano.

Amy Walker) “And you’re actually willing to hire somebody who does.”

Daniel señala el documento.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “With any luck, she’ll also prevent you from issuing your next appointment order in medieval Latin.”

Amy se dobla de risa.

You) “It wasn’t Latin!”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Not yet.”

Amy Walker) “Give Megan another afternoon!”

Te echas a reír.

You) “Oh, for God’s sake.”

Amy vuelve a acomodarse contra ti, satisfecha.

Amy Walker) “I’ll call Elodie. I think you two are going to get along wonderfully.”

You) “I’d appreciate that, pretty.”

Daniel contempla otra vez el documento y después te mira con una expresión divertida.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Well, Nacho, it appears you’ve solved your political-advice problem.”

You) “Possibly.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “And you’ve learned something important.”

You) “What’s that?”

Daniel levanta la General Order.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Next time you decide to reorganize the United States military, perhaps have someone with a Political Science degree read the announcement before you sign it.”

Amy empieza a reírse otra vez.

Tú miras el documento, después a Daniel.

You) “I still think it’s a perfectly good order.”

El presidente sonríe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Oh, it’s an excellent order.”

Señala la línea de nombramiento.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Your Grace.”

Amy estalla en carcajadas y tú acabas riéndote con ellos.

📅 Miércoles, 7 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 09:47 | 📍 Washington D. C. — Georgetown University, Healy Hall

El Suburban blindado reduce la velocidad al aproximarse a la entrada de Georgetown.

Vas sentado junto a Amy, vestido con el uniforme azul marino de servicio del USIC, las dos estrellas plateadas de Major General sobre los hombros y tu rack de cinco cintas perfectamente colocado.

Amy lleva unos pantalones oscuros, una blusa blanca y una chaqueta ligera. Está especialmente contenta porque vais a visitar su universidad juntos, esta vez sin ningún asunto judicial, incidente de reclutamiento ni reunión del JCS de por medio.

Simplemente vais a conocer a una posible asesora política.

O eso creías.

El conductor se aproxima al punto donde está previsto que os reciban.

Y entonces ves a la comitiva.

Una comitiva bastante considerable.

Frente al edificio principal esperan el teniente coronel Daniel Hartwell, responsable del Hoya Battalion de Army ROTC; la presidenta de Georgetown; tres decanos; una vicerrectora y cuatro profesores.

Los universitarios llevan togas académicas ceremoniales.

Los profesores también.

Hay incluso un fotógrafo de la universidad.

Contemplas la escena durante varios segundos.

You) “Oops.”

Amy levanta la mirada del teléfono.

Amy Walker) “What?”

Señalas discretamente por la ventanilla.

You) “I think we’ve got a problem.”

Amy observa la comitiva.

Abre mucho los ojos.

Amy Walker) “Oh.”

You) “We were only coming to see Elodie…”

Amy empieza a reírse.

Amy Walker) “Apparently Georgetown had other ideas.”

Te vuelves hacia ella.

You) “Why are they wearing academic robes?”

Amy Walker) “I have absolutely no idea.”

You) “There are nine people waiting for us.”

Amy Walker) “Ten, counting Lieutenant Colonel Hartwell.”

Vuelves a mirar.

You) “Oh, God. You’re right.”

Amy empieza a reírse todavía más.

You) “This was supposed to be a perfectly ordinary visit.”

Amy Walker) “Honey, you’re a twenty-two-year-old Major General who founded a military service and just received his second star from the President of the United States.”

You) “And?”

Amy Walker) “And apparently the university noticed.”

Te recuestas en el asiento.

You) “I should have asked Silvia not to send a formal notification.”

Amy te acaricia el brazo.

Amy Walker) “You were being polite.”

You) “Apparently politeness is becoming a serious occupational hazard.”

La joven se ríe.

Después levanta un dedo.

Amy Walker) “Oh! By the way, call her Di.”

La miras.

You) “Di?”

Amy Walker) “Yes. She likes it.”

You) “Elodie prefers Di?”

Amy Walker) “Exactly.”

Repites el nombre, intentando acostumbrarte.

You) “Di.”

Amy Walker) “See? Easy.”

Vuelves a contemplar las togas.

You) “If we survive this.”

Amy se echa a reír.

Amy Walker) “Oh, sweetheart.”

You) “I’m serious. That’s an entire academic procession.”

Amy Walker) “It’s not an entire procession.”

You) “They’ve brought robes, Amy.”

Amy Walker) “They do like their traditions.”

You) “I wanted to meet one political science student. Instead, I appear to be getting an honorary degree.”

Amy ya está riéndose tanto que tiene que sujetarse el estómago.

Amy Walker) “Please don’t say that when we get out.”

You) “Why?”

Amy Walker) “Because they might actually offer you one.”

La miras horrorizado.

Amy vuelve a estallar en carcajadas.

El vehículo se detiene.

Desde fuera, Hartwell reconoce el Suburban y se aproxima acompañado por una oficial de protocolo universitario.

Tu conductor consulta el espejo retrovisor.

Driver 1 (Dr1) habla con la cortesía de quien ha aprendido a ignorar las conversaciones más peculiares de sus pasajeros.

Dr1) “General, we’re at the designated arrival point.”

You) “Thank you.”

Un segundo después, te vuelves hacia Amy.

You) “Last chance to escape.”

Amy Walker) “Absolutely not.”

You) “We could tell them the meeting was canceled.”

Amy Walker) “Nacho.”

You) “Technical difficulties.”

Amy Walker) “Honey.”

You) “Unexpected dinosaur emergency.”

Amy te agarra de la mano.

Amy Walker) “Get out of the car, Major General.”

Suspiras teatralmente.

You) “Yes, ma’am.”

La puerta se abre.

El aire fresco de la mañana entra en el vehículo.

Hartwell adopta una posición formal mientras bajas.

Dh) “Good morning, General Pindado. Welcome back to Georgetown.”

Le devuelves el saludo.

You) “Good morning, Colonel. It’s wonderful to see you again.”

Hartwell sonríe.

Dh) “Congratulations on your promotion, sir.”

You) “Thank you.”

El teniente coronel observa tus nuevas estrellas con satisfacción.

Dh) “I heard about Friday’s ceremony. I’m very pleased for you.”

You) “That’s very kind of you.”

Amy sale por el otro lado y se acerca.

Hartwell la reconoce inmediatamente.

Dh) “Miss Walker. Good morning.”

Amy Walker) “Good morning, Colonel.”

El oficial sonríe.

Dh) “It’s a pleasure to have you both here.”

Te acercas ligeramente y bajas la voz.

You) “Daniel, can I ask you something?”

Dh) “Of course, sir.”

You) “Why is there an academic delegation waiting for us?”

Hartwell tarda aproximadamente dos segundos en comprender la pregunta.

Después empieza a sonreír.

Dh) “Your office sent an official visit notification, General.”

You) “Yes.”

Dh) “It identified you as Major General Ignacio Pindado, Chief of Information, United States Information Corps, and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”

You) “Yes.”

Dh) “And requested a meeting at Georgetown.”

You) “With a student.”

Hartwell se queda quieto.

Dh) “I beg your pardon?”

You) “We came to meet a student.”

El teniente coronel vuelve la cabeza hacia la comitiva.

Después hacia ti.

Dh) “Oh.”

Amy se tapa la boca.

You) “Exactly.”

Hartwell empieza a reírse por lo bajo.

Dh) “I see.”

You) “I don’t suppose there’s a discreet way to explain that?”

Dh) “Not anymore, sir.”

La respuesta es tan inmediata que Amy pierde completamente la compostura.

Amy Walker) “Oh my God!”

Hartwell intenta conservar una expresión profesional.

Dh) “If it’s any consolation, General, everybody is genuinely pleased to see you.”

You) “That’s very reassuring, Daniel.”

Dh) “And the university considers your visit an honor.”

You) “I appreciate that.”

El teniente coronel se inclina ligeramente hacia ti.

Dh) “I would recommend just enjoying the welcome, sir.”

Lo contemplas.

Después suspiras.

You) “Fine. But if somebody hands me a diploma, I’m blaming you.”

Hartwell suelta una carcajada.

Dh) “Understood, General.”

La presidenta de Georgetown se aproxima.

University President (Up1) lleva una toga académica oscura con los distintivos de su cargo y una expresión de cordialidad extraordinaria.

Up1) “General Pindado! Welcome to Georgetown University. We’re absolutely delighted to have you with us.”

Le estrechas la mano.

You) “Thank you, Madam President. It’s a pleasure to be here.”

Up1) “And congratulations on your promotion. We’ve followed the development of USIC with enormous interest.”

You) “Thank you very much.”

La presidenta se vuelve hacia Amy.

Up1) “Miss Walker, lovely to see you.”

Amy sonríe.

Amy Walker) “Thank you. It’s nice to be here.”

Up1) “Your father must be tremendously proud of both of you.”

Amy te aprieta discretamente la mano.

Amy Walker) “He is.”

La presidenta señala a sus acompañantes.

Up1) “We’ve arranged a brief welcome with representatives of the university’s academic leadership. Our deans and faculty were very eager to meet you.”

You) “That’s very generous of you.”

Up1) “We thought it important to recognize the significance of your visit.”

Sonríes con la máxima diplomacia que consigues reunir.

You) “I appreciate the hospitality. I should mention that our visit today is primarily intended as a personal and professional conversation with one of your students.”

La presidenta parece sorprendida, aunque recupera inmediatamente la sonrisa.

Up1) “Of course! Georgetown has always valued direct engagement between public servants and our students.”

Uno de los decanos interviene.

Dean 1 (De1) lleva una toga con bandas de color académico.

De1) “General, perhaps we might arrange a short discussion with some of our faculty after the welcome?”

Amy te mira.

Tú mantienes la sonrisa.

You) “I’d be happy to say hello and answer a few questions, Dean. Although I wouldn’t want to disrupt the university’s schedule.”

De1) “Not at all. We consider this an exceptional opportunity.”

La vicerrectora se aproxima.

Vice President 1 (Vp1) consulta discretamente una pequeña tarjeta.

Vp1) “General, we have prepared a reception room and some refreshments. We were also hoping to take a commemorative photograph.”

You) “Of course.”

Amy te mira con una sonrisa que ya anuncia problemas.

Amy Walker) “A photograph sounds lovely.”

La observas de reojo.

You) “Does it?”

Amy Walker) “Absolutely, honey.”

Uno de los profesores parece reconocerla de sus años en Georgetown y se acerca a saludarla.

Professor 1 (Pr1) sonríe.

Pr1) “Amy! It’s wonderful to see you. How is your final project coming along?”

Amy se queda inmóvil.

Tú levantas lentamente la cabeza.

Por fin.

Una oportunidad de vengarte.

Amy Walker) “Oh, it’s going well, Professor.”

Pr1) “Excellent. I look forward to reading it.”

Sonríes con absoluta inocencia.

You) “She’s been making remarkable progress, Professor. Although I must confess I’ve been distracting her lately.”

Amy te mira con una expresión escandalizada.

Amy Walker) “Nacho!”

El profesor sonríe.

Pr1) “Well, a little balance is healthy.”

You) “That’s exactly what I keep telling her.”

Amy te da un pequeño codazo.

Amy Walker) “You’re enjoying this far too much.”

You) “Immensely.”

La presidenta os invita a avanzar hacia el edificio.

El fotógrafo se adelanta para preparar el lugar de la imagen institucional.

Hartwell camina a tu otro lado y aprovecha para comentarte discretamente cómo ha progresado el Hoya Battalion desde vuestra última visita.

Dh) “The recruiting event you organized in March made quite an impression, sir.”

You) “I’m glad.”

Dh) “Several cadets have asked about opportunities within USIC. And I believe Ashley Smith has been doing exceptionally well.”

Sonríes.

You) “She has. She’s a First Lieutenant now.”

Hartwell se detiene un instante.

Dh) “Already?”

You) “She was promoted on Friday. The President pinned her new rank himself.”

El teniente coronel sonríe ampliamente.

Dh) “That’s wonderful news.”

You) “I’m very proud of her.”

Dh) “I’m sure she knows.”

Amy se acerca un poco más.

Amy Walker) “Oh, she does. She’s been insufferably happy since Friday.”

Te ríes.

You) “As she should be.”

Mientras seguís caminando, la presidenta comienza a hablar de posibles colaboraciones académicas entre Georgetown y USIC.

La escuchas educadamente, respondiendo a sus preguntas y agradeciendo sus propuestas.

Amy participa con soltura en la conversación, aunque su presencia ayuda bastante menos de lo que esperabas.

Para la universidad, que el comandante de USIC llegue acompañado por la hija del presidente de Estados Unidos no hace precisamente que la visita parezca menos importante.

Todo lo contrario.

Uno de los decanos menciona incluso la posibilidad de organizar una mesa redonda sobre el futuro del servicio público.

Otro quiere hablar sobre formación de oficiales.

La vicerrectora pregunta si estarías interesado en mantener una reunión con los responsables de los programas de seguridad internacional.

Tú vas contestando con una sonrisa impecable.

Y, de vez en cuando, miras a Amy.

Ella te devuelve una expresión radiantemente divertida.

Cuando llegáis al lugar preparado para la fotografía, el fotógrafo os pide que os coloquéis en el centro, junto a la presidenta.

Te ajustas discretamente la chaqueta.

Amy se aproxima.

Amy Walker) “Having fun, sweetheart?”

You) “So much fun.”

Amy Walker) “You look very distinguished.”

You) “I feel like I’m about to be inaugurated as Archbishop of Georgetown.”

Amy suelta una carcajada que tiene que disimular inmediatamente cuando la presidenta vuelve hacia vosotros.

Up1) “Everything all right?”

Amy Walker) “Perfectly, Madam President.”

El fotógrafo levanta la cámara.

Photographer 1 (Ph1) indica:

Ph1) “General, just a little closer to the President, please. Miss Walker, if you could stand on his other side… perfect.”

Amy te coge discretamente de la mano fuera del encuadre.

Amy Walker) “Smile, honey.”

La miras un instante.

You) “If we ever get to meet Di, I’m telling her this was your fault.”

Amy Walker) “You were the one who sent the official notification.”

You) “Silvia sent it.”

Amy Walker) “On your behalf.”

Suspiras.

You) “I’m surrounded by traitors.”

Amy sonríe.

Amy Walker) “Very affectionate traitors.”

El fotógrafo toma la primera imagen.

Después otra.

Y una tercera.

La presidenta agradece vuestra presencia mientras los decanos empiezan a organizar el orden de las presentaciones académicas.

Por tu parte, ya tienes bastante claro que conseguir una simple conversación con una estudiante de Georgetown va a requerir superar primero un recibimiento universitario de dimensiones históricas.

Amy, mientras tanto, está disfrutando de cada segundo.

📅 Miércoles, 7 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 11:06 | 📍 Washington D. C. — Georgetown University, Walsh School of Foreign Service

A media mañana has descubierto que Georgetown puede organizar una visita oficial de extraordinaria complejidad con apenas unas horas de aviso.

También has descubierto que, cuando una universidad decide aprovechar semejante visita, resulta extraordinariamente difícil interrumpirla.

Lo curioso es que estás disfrutando.

La primera conversación, prevista inicialmente como una breve presentación ante algunos miembros de la facultad, se ha convertido en un intercambio de casi cuarenta minutos sobre seguridad nacional y el papel de las instituciones militares en la estabilidad internacional.

Uno de los profesores, especializado en estudios de seguridad, acaba de plantearte una cuestión sobre la proyección de fuerza estadounidense.

Pr2) “General, would you argue that the United States is becoming increasingly dependent on capabilities that aren’t traditionally visible as military power?”

You) “Absolutely. But I’d distinguish between visibility and effect. A carrier strike group is an extraordinarily visible expression of military power. Its communications resilience, navigation integrity, intelligence architecture and digital command systems are less visible, but they’re inseparable from its ability to operate.”

El profesor asiente.

Pr2) “So cyber capability becomes a condition for conventional force projection?”

You) “In many circumstances, yes. But the reverse matters too. Cyber capabilities don’t eliminate the need for conventional forces, logistics, geography or credible political commitments. They make those capabilities more effective, or more vulnerable, depending on who controls the environment.”

Amy, sentada a tu lado, interviene.

Amy Walker) “And there’s an interesting diplomatic consequence. Allies need to trust that the systems connecting their forces to ours will work, particularly during a crisis.”

You) “Exactly. Interoperability isn’t simply a technical matter. It’s also a political promise.”

La respuesta provoca varias anotaciones entre los profesores.

La siguiente conversación se centra en inteligencia digital. Explicas cómo la disponibilidad de datos modifica la toma de decisiones, mientras Amy aporta la perspectiva diplomática de su formación en Georgetown.

En otra sala, una profesora os pregunta por la relación entre las capacidades cibernéticas y el nuevo papel institucional de USIC.

Pr3) “General, do you believe the military is becoming too dependent on technical specialists?”

You) “I think we’re becoming dependent on people who understand systems that used to be much simpler. The solution isn’t to reduce that expertise. It’s to make sure specialists and commanders actually understand each other.”

Amy Walker) “Which is easier said than done.”

You) “Much easier.”

Te vuelves hacia Amy, divertido.

You) “I’ve spent the last two days discovering that even when I understand the technical and institutional consequences of a decision, I can still express it in a way that makes everybody think I’ve founded a medieval religious order.”

Los profesores se ríen.

Amy se tapa la boca.

Amy Walker) “He really did.”

Pr3) “That sounds like an interesting story.”

You) “Unfortunately, it’s a very recent one.”

A las doce y media has hablado con más profesores de los que esperabas conocer durante toda tu visita.

Amy ha intervenido en varias discusiones, saludado a antiguos docentes y recibido tres preguntas sobre su proyecto final.

La última empieza a resultarle especialmente peligrosa.

Pr1) “Amy, perhaps you’d like to give us a brief update on your thesis next week?”

Amy sonríe con perfecta educación.

Amy Walker) “I’d be happy to, Professor. I’ll email you.”

Cuando el profesor se aleja, te inclinas hacia ella.

You) “You know, pretty, at some point you’re actually going to have to work on that project.”

Amy te da un pequeño codazo.

Amy Walker) “Don’t start.”

You) “Just saying.”

Amy Walker) “You’ve been distracting me.”

You) “I’m aware.”

Amy Walker) “And I regret absolutely nothing.”

Te ríes.

La presidenta de la universidad se aproxima entonces acompañada por una vicerrectora.

Up1) “General, Amy, we hope you’ll be able to join us for lunch. The university has arranged a small formal gathering.”

La miras.

You) “Of course. Thank you very much.”

Amy sonríe.

Amy Walker) “That sounds lovely.”

Lo que todavía ignoráis es que «una pequeña comida formal» ha requerido buena parte de la mañana de llamadas, reorganización de horarios, movimientos de personal y consultas entre el equipo de protocolo, la residencia universitaria y los responsables de restauración.

Cuando entráis en el comedor preparado, comprendéis por qué.

Una mesa larga, mantelería blanca, cubertería formal, tarjetas de asiento, cristalería y arreglos florales discretos.

Amy contempla la disposición con una expresión perfectamente serena.

Tú haces lo mismo.

Después os miráis.

Amy Walker) “They really went all out.”

You) “Apparently.”

Ambos tenéis bastante práctica con ese tipo de ambientes.

Amy ha crecido entre recepciones diplomáticas, actos oficiales y cenas de Estado. Tú llevas años manejándote con el protocolo militar y, desde tu nombramiento como general, has participado en suficientes encuentros de alto nivel como para que una comida formal resulte algo natural.

Así que ocupáis vuestros lugares sin dificultad.

Amy encuentra su tarjeta junto a la tuya y sonríe.

Amy Walker) “At least they seated us together.”

You) “An excellent strategic decision.”

El almuerzo resulta agradable. Los representantes de Georgetown aprovechan para conversar sobre programas académicos, el futuro de las relaciones internacionales y las oportunidades de servicio público para sus estudiantes.

Amy se encuentra especialmente cómoda al hablar de Georgetown.

Amy Walker) “I think one of the things this university does particularly well is teach you that policy decisions affect real people. It’s easy to discuss international relations in abstract terms, but the consequences are never abstract for the people living through them.”

La presidenta asiente.

Up1) “That’s precisely the perspective we hope our graduates carry into public service.”

You) “It’s one of the reasons I’m glad Amy studied here.”

Amy te mira con cariño.

Amy Walker) “Thank you, honey.”

La conversación continúa entre platos y comentarios, hasta que, cerca del final, uno de los decanos plantea por fin la pregunta que nadie había hecho durante toda la mañana.

De1) “General Pindado, if I may ask, what originally brought you to Georgetown today? Your office’s notification mentioned a professional meeting, but it didn’t specify the purpose.”

Dejas la copa sobre la mesa.

You) “Oh. We came to meet a student.”

Se produce un silencio breve.

Up1) “A student?”

You) “Yes.”

Amy asiente.

Amy Walker) “A friend of mine, actually.”

La presidenta mira alternativamente a ambos.

Up1) “I see. And you were planning to meet with her after the academic program?”

Sonríes.

You) “Well, actually, we were originally planning to meet her this morning.”

La expresión de la vicerrectora cambia.

Vp1) “This morning?”

Amy Walker) “Yes. Just a conversation, really.”

El decano deja lentamente los cubiertos.

De1) “So the purpose of your visit wasn’t the faculty meetings?”

You) “Not originally, no.”

La presidenta contempla a sus compañeros.

Poco a poco, las piezas encajan.

La comunicación oficial de una oficina militar de alto nivel. El anuncio de la visita del Chief of Information. La presencia de la hija del presidente. La organización acelerada de una recepción académica.

Y nadie había preguntado qué necesitaban realmente los visitantes.

Up1) “Oh, dear.”

Amy le sonríe inmediatamente.

Amy Walker) “Please, don’t worry. We’ve had a wonderful morning.”

You) “Absolutely. The conversations have been fascinating, and everybody has been extraordinarily welcoming.”

La presidenta deja escapar una pequeña risa avergonzada.

Up1) “General, I believe we’ve inadvertently commandeered your entire morning.”

Te ríes.

You) “A little.”

Vp1) “We should have clarified the purpose of your visit before arranging the program.”

You) “It’s quite all right. We appreciate the hospitality.”

Amy asiente.

Amy Walker) “Really. And I got to see several professors I hadn’t spoken to in months.”

De1) “May we at least make sure you get to see the student you came to meet?”

You) “That would be wonderful.”

La presidenta sonríe, agradecida.

Up1) “What’s her name?”

Amy Walker) “Elodie Voss. Although she prefers Di.”

La vicerrectora toma nota.

Vp1) “We’ll locate her discreetly and arrange a private room. There’s no need for her to be brought into a formal reception.”

You) “Thank you. That would be perfect.”

La comida termina con una conversación mucho más distendida.

Antes de despediros, la presidenta vuelve a darte la mano.

Up1) “General, next time please tell us exactly what you need. We’d be delighted to help without occupying your entire day.”

Sonríes.

You) “I promise.”

Amy interviene, traviesa.

Amy Walker) “And perhaps without the academic robes?”

La presidenta se ríe.

Up1) “I think we can manage that, Amy.”

Unos veinte minutos después, una empleada de la facultad os conduce hasta un despacho privado. Hay una mesa de reuniones, varias sillas, agua y café, además de una ventana con vistas al campus.

Os informa de que Elodie está terminando una clase y ha aceptado acercarse.

Amy se sienta junto a ti.

Amy Walker) “Well.”

You) “Well.”

Amy Walker) “That was quite a morning.”

You) “We came to interview one student and somehow ended up participating in a university summit.”

Amy empieza a reírse.

Amy Walker) “At least you enjoyed the security discussions.”

You) “Very much.”

Amy Walker) “And lunch was good.”

You) “Excellent.”

Amy te besa la mejilla.

Amy Walker) “See? Not a complete disaster.”

You) “I never said it was.”

Poco después llaman a la puerta.

Amy Walker) “Come in!”

Entra una joven de veintiún años, de estatura media, cabello castaño oscuro recogido de manera práctica y una carpeta universitaria bajo el brazo.

Viste pantalones azul oscuro, una camisa sencilla y zapatos planos. Sus ojos recorren rápidamente la habitación, identifican a Amy y después se detienen sobre las dos estrellas de tus hombros.

Su sorpresa dura apenas un segundo.

Amy Walker) “Di!”

Elodie Maren Voss (Ev) sonríe ampliamente.

Ev) “Amy!”

Las dos se abrazan con entusiasmo.

Ev) “When you texted me yesterday, I thought you were joking.”

Amy Walker) “About what?”

Ev) “About introducing me to your boyfriend. Who apparently happens to be a Major General.”

Amy se ríe.

Amy Walker) “I did mention that.”

Ev) “You said it very casually.”

Te levantas.

You) “Hello, Elodie. I’m Ignacio Pindado. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Le ofreces la mano.

Ella la estrecha con firmeza.

Ev) “Elodie Voss, sir. But please call me Di.”

You) “Then call me Nacho.”

La joven sonríe.

Ev) “Thank you, Nacho.”

Amy os observa, satisfecha.

Amy Walker) “Wonderful. We’ve solved the introductions.”

Invitas a Di a sentarse y os acomodáis alrededor de la pequeña mesa.

You) “First of all, thank you for making time for us.”

Ev) “Of course. Amy said you wanted to discuss a professional opportunity.”

You) “Exactly.”

Le explicas brevemente la estructura de USIC, tu cargo como Chief of Information y la clase de responsabilidades políticas e institucionales que empiezan a acompañar tus decisiones.

Di escucha sin interrumpir, aunque hace preguntas bastante precisas.

Ev) “Would this be a policy development position, an intergovernmental coordination role, or a political advisory appointment?”

Sonríes.

You) “The third. Although you’d inevitably be involved in parts of the other two.”

Ev) “Directly advising you?”

You) “Yes.”

Ev) “And how much discretion would I have to challenge a proposed decision?”

Amy empieza a sonreír.

You) “As much as you need.”

Di levanta ligeramente las cejas.

Ev) “Even if I believe you’re making a serious political mistake?”

You) “Especially then.”

La joven asiente.

Ev) “Good.”

Extraes una copia de la General Order promulgada la mañana anterior.

You) “Actually, this is part of why I need you.”

Di la examina.

Primero lee el título.

Después las disposiciones.

Finalmente encuentra la fórmula de nombramiento de Hargrove.

Ev) “For the duration of my pleasure.”

Levanta lentamente la cabeza.

Ev) “You really wrote that?”

You) “Yes.”

Di contempla la orden una vez más.

Después sonríe.

Ev) “That’s magnificent.”

Amy se echa a reír.

Amy Walker) “Oh, no. Don’t encourage him.”

Ev) “I mean it. It’s an extraordinarily formal assertion of appointing authority.”

You) “Thank you.”

Ev) “But politically, it sounds like you’ve just appointed somebody to an ecclesiastical office.”

Amy deja caer la cabeza sobre tu hombro, muerta de risa.

Amy Walker) “That’s exactly what Dad said!”

Te ríes.

You) “Apparently everybody agrees.”

Di sonríe, pero enseguida vuelve al documento.

Ev) “The substantive decision is clear. You’re establishing a durable command arrangement. But the political presentation could emphasize institutional continuity, accountability and operational expertise rather than your personal pleasure.”

You) “That’s precisely the sort of advice I need.”

Ev) “Then I think I understand the position.”

La miras.

You) “And?”

Di deja el documento sobre la mesa.

Ev) “It sounds fascinating.”

Amy sonríe ampliamente.

Amy Walker) “I told you.”

You) “Di, before you decide, there’s something I should tell you.”

La joven se incorpora ligeramente.

Ev) “Of course.”

You) “This won’t be an easy job. I’ll listen to you, and I’ll probably respect your opinions even when I disagree with them.”

Amy levanta las cejas ante el probably, pero te deja continuar.

You) “However, I’m also a bit of a lunatic who enjoys doing things his own way far too much.”

Di empieza a sonreír.

You) “I make decisions quickly. Sometimes I approach problems from directions that make perfect sense to me and very little sense to anybody else. And occasionally I’ll do something that requires you to explain the political consequences after I’ve already done it.”

Ev) “I noticed.”

Señala la orden.

Los tres os reís.

You) “Exactly. So I’m looking for somebody willing to be candid, persistent and occasionally quite stubborn with me.”

Di te observa durante unos segundos.

Ev) “I accept the challenge.”

Parpadeas.

You) “Really?”

Ev) “Absolutely.”

Amy sonríe.

Ev) “Nacho, you’re offering me the opportunity to help shape the political judgment of a new federal institution while working directly with the person responsible for leading it.”

Hace una pausa.

Ev) “And you just told me that you want me to disagree with you when necessary. Do you know how rare that is?”

You) “I suppose.”

Ev) “I do.”

Di apoya ambas manos sobre la mesa.

Ev) “I’m interested in public service because I want institutions to work. I want to understand how decisions are made and contribute to making better ones. This is exactly the sort of work I’ve been hoping to do.”

Sonríe.

Ev) “So yes. I accept. Gladly.”

Amy levanta las manos, encantada.

Amy Walker) “Di, you have absolutely no idea what you’ve just agreed to.”

Elodie vuelve la cabeza hacia ella.

Ev) “Amy, you’re the one who recommended me!”

Amy Walker) “I know!”

Ev) “You told me he was brilliant, kind, impossibly stubborn and occasionally completely ridiculous.”

Te vuelves hacia Amy.

You) “Impossibly stubborn?”

Amy te sonríe con absoluta inocencia.

Amy Walker) “I may have said that.”

Ev) “You also told me he needed somebody who wouldn’t be intimidated by his rank.”

You) “That’s true.”

Di te mira directamente.

Ev) “Well, I’m not intimidated.”

Sonríes.

You) “Excellent.”

Ev) “Although I am going to insist on seeing important political documents before you sign them.”

Amy empieza a reírse.

Amy Walker) “Oh, honey, I love her already.”

You) “That’s perfectly reasonable.”

Ev) “And if I disagree with you, I’ll explain why.”

You) “Good.”

Ev) “And if you ignore my advice, I’ll probably tell you I warned you.”

Te echas a reír.

You) “That sounds fair.”

Amy se inclina y te besa la mejilla.

Amy Walker) “Congratulations, sweetheart. You’ve hired someone who might actually be able to keep up with you.”

Di sonríe.

Ev) “I certainly intend to try.”

Le tiendes la mano otra vez.

You) “Then welcome to USIC, Di.”

Ella la estrecha con una expresión de entusiasmo genuino.

Ev) “Thank you, Nacho. I won’t disappoint you.”

You) “I’m sure you won’t.”

Amy contempla a ambos, extraordinariamente satisfecha.

Después recuerda algo y se vuelve hacia Di.

Amy Walker) “Oh, and one more thing.”

Ev) “What?”

Amy Walker) “If he ever tells you he just needs to make a quick courtesy visit somewhere, clear your schedule.”

Di mira tu uniforme, después a Amy.

Ev) “Why?”

Amy sonríe.

Amy Walker) “Because this morning we came to Georgetown for a twenty-minute conversation with you.”

Di observa la habitación, después vuelve a mirar a Amy.

Ev) “And?”

You) “We’ve been here since ten.”

Elodie abre los ojos.

Ev) “Oh.”

Amy asiente solemnemente.

Amy Walker) “Exactly.”

La joven se echa a reír.

Ev) “All right. First lesson learned.”

Te acomodas en la silla, divertido.

You) “Welcome to the team.”

Di vuelve a mirar la General Order que tiene delante.

Ev) “You know, I think I’m going to enjoy this job enormously.”

Amy sonríe.

Amy Walker) “Oh, Di. You really are.”

Voy a consolidar OCUSIC como la oficina ejecutiva directa del CINF y actualizar la ficha de Di con su incorporación y el inicio de la amistad. Después continúo con su llegada a Fort Odenton.

📅 Jueves, 8 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 08:43 | 📍 Fort Odenton, Maryland — Acceso principal y sede del USIC

Elodie Maren Voss lleva aproximadamente cuatro minutos sentada en su coche, contemplando la barrera de entrada de Fort Odenton.

Ayer estaba en Georgetown, hablando con su amiga Amy y con un joven general extraordinariamente simpático que acababa de ofrecerle el puesto profesional más interesante de su vida.

Hoy tiene delante una instalación militar del Ejército estadounidense, vehículos de patrulla, personal armado y una señal que identifica el acceso como una zona de seguridad federal.

La diferencia empieza a resultarle bastante considerable.

Respasa mentalmente las instrucciones que recibió por correo electrónico.

Tiene la hora correcta.

Tiene la dirección correcta.

Tiene incluso un número de referencia para su incorporación.

Se decide a avanzar.

En el control, un militar de la policía militar comprueba su documentación.

Military Police 1 (Mp1) observa el permiso de conducir y después la pantalla de su terminal.

Mp1) “Good morning, ma’am. Purpose of your visit?”

Ev) “Good morning. I’m supposed to report to the United States Information Corps. I’m starting work today.”

Mp1) “Do you have a military ID or installation access credential?”

Ev) “Not yet. I was told I’d receive it when I arrived.”

El militar consulta otra pantalla.

Mp1) “Your name, please?”

Ev) “Elodie Maren Voss.”

Teclea.

Espera.

Vuelve a teclear.

Mp1) “I have a personnel record associated with that name, ma’am, but I’m not seeing an authorized arrival notification from the installation command.”

Di parpadea.

Ev) “Oh.”

Mp1) “Who instructed you to report here?”

Ev) “Major General Ignacio Pindado.”

El militar levanta la mirada.

Mp1) “The commanding general?”

Ev) “Yes.”

El policía militar permanece un instante contemplándola.

Mp1) “One moment, please.”

Di descubre que hay algo particularmente intimidante en afirmar ante un militar armado que un general de dos estrellas te ha contratado personalmente y que debes presentarte en su despacho.

Sobre todo cuando el sistema del control no parece compartir esa información.

El militar realiza una llamada.

Mp1) “Main Gate to USIC headquarters. I have a civilian applicant at the checkpoint, Elodie Maren Voss. She states she’s been instructed to report directly to Major General Pindado.”

Escucha la respuesta.

Mp1) “Yes, directly to the commanding general.”

Una pausa.

Mp1) “Understood. I’ll hold her at the visitor lane pending confirmation.”

Di observa la barrera.

Ev) “I’m definitely in the right place, aren’t I?”

El militar suaviza la expresión.

Mp1) “Your personnel record suggests you are, ma’am. We’re just confirming the arrival.”

Mientras tanto, a menos de un kilómetro, estás en tu despacho terminando de revisar una propuesta de coordinación con USNORTHCOM.

Silvia entra con su tableta.

Si) “General, the main gate is calling.”

You) “Oh?”

Si) “They have a civilian woman named Elodie Voss who insists she’s supposed to report directly to you.”

Levantas la cabeza.

You) “Oh, God.”

Silvia arquea las cejas.

Si) “Sir?”

Te llevas una mano a la frente.

You) “I forgot to notify the MPs.”

Silvia te contempla.

You) “Everything else is done. Personnel file, appointment, credential, office allocation…”

Si) “But not the gate.”

You) “But not the gate.”

Silvia se ríe.

Si) “Of course.”

You) “Could you ask them to let her in? And please tell the MP commanding officer I apologize. Completely my mistake.”

Si) “Certainly, sir.”

Sonríe mientras empieza a marcar.

Si) “For a man who reorganized CYBERCOM this week, you do have a remarkable talent for forgetting relatively small administrative details.”

You) “I’m very talented.”

Si) “Clearly.”

La llamada queda resuelta rápidamente.

En el acceso, el policía militar recibe la autorización y devuelve la documentación a Di.

Mp1) “All right, Miss Voss. Your appointment has been confirmed. You’re expected at headquarters.”

Di suelta una pequeña risa aliviada.

Ev) “Thank you.”

Mp1) “Welcome to Fort Odenton, ma’am.”

Ev) “Thank you very much.”

Pocos minutos después, un miembro del personal administrativo la recibe ante la sede del USIC y la acompaña hasta tu despacho.

Cuando llaman a la puerta, levantas la cabeza.

You) “Come in!”

Di aparece con su bolso, una carpeta y una expresión que combina ilusión con una prudencia que ayer no necesitaba.

Te levantas inmediatamente.

You) “Di! Good morning!”

Ella sonríe al reconocerte.

Ev) “Good morning, Nacho.”

Le estrechas la mano.

You) “Welcome to Fort Odenton. And I’m terribly sorry about the gate.”

Di se ríe.

Ev) “Oh, so that was you?”

You) “Entirely my fault.”

Ev) “I was starting to wonder whether I’d imagined yesterday’s conversation.”

You) “Not at all. I just forgot to tell the Military Police you were coming.”

Ella te mira, incrédula.

Ev) “You forgot to tell the people with guns?”

You) “Apparently.”

Di empieza a reírse.

Ev) “That’s a reassuring beginning.”

You) “I thought you’d appreciate the authenticity.”

La invitas a sentarse mientras abres un cajón.

Extraes una tarjeta de identificación con su fotografía, nombre y adscripción institucional.

ELODIE M. VOSS — OCUSIC — CIVILIAN STAFF.

Se la entregas.

You) “There you are. Your access credential.”

Di la contempla.

Ev) “That’s… already done?”

You) “Yes. Everything was ready yesterday.”

Ev) “Except the gate.”

You) “Except the gate.”

Los dos os reís.

Di pasa el pulgar por el borde de la tarjeta.

Durante unos segundos parece comprender de manera más concreta lo que significa su incorporación.

No es una entrevista pendiente.

Ni una promesa de contratación.

Su nombre ya figura en la estructura de la organización.

Ev) “Thank you, Nacho.”

You) “You’re very welcome.”

En ese momento Silvia vuelve a entrar.

You) “Oh, perfect. Di, this is Captain Silvia Kane, my executive officer. Silvia, Elodie Voss, our new political adviser.”

Silvia le ofrece la mano.

Si) “Welcome to USIC, Di.”

Ev) “Thank you, Captain.”

Si) “Silvia is fine when we’re not doing anything ceremonial.”

Di sonríe.

Ev) “Silvia, then.”

You) “She’s also the person who prevents approximately ninety percent of my administrative disasters.”

Silvia te mira.

Si) “I would argue for ninety-five.”

You) “That’s probably fair.”

Di empieza a reírse.

Si) “We’ll get your office arrangements sorted out this morning. You’re joining OCUSIC, which is the Office of the Commander, United States Information Corps.”

Di asiente.

Ev) “The commander’s executive office?”

You) “Exactly.”

Te acomodas junto a la mesa.

You) “Think of it as the executive office of this institution. The closest equivalent would be the Executive Office of the President, although our organization and responsibilities are different.”

Silvia continúa.

Si) “We coordinate the general’s immediate staff, institutional policy, strategy, personnel, technical planning, executive administration and senior advisory functions.”

You) “USIC is the service. OCUSIC is my direct office.”

Di observa a ambos.

Ev) “And that’s where I’ll be working?”

You) “Yes. Directly with us.”

La joven sonríe, visiblemente satisfecha.

Ev) “Wonderful.”

Silvia consulta su tableta.

Si) “Actually, everyone’s expecting her. Shall I bring them in?”

You) “Please.”

Unos minutos después empieza a llegar el resto del equipo.

Rebecca Whitcomb es la primera.

Re) “Hi! You must be Di.”

Ev) “I am.”

Re) “Rebecca Whitcomb. Welcome. I handle a good deal of our institutional administration and legal coordination.”

Di le estrecha la mano.

Ev) “It’s lovely to meet you.”

Re) “Likewise. I think we’re going to have quite a lot to discuss.”

Katie Sullivan entra inmediatamente después.

Ka) “Katie Sullivan. Personnel and readiness. Welcome aboard.”

Ev) “Thank you, Katie.”

Ka) “If you need anything administrative, let me know. And if you need something urgently, tell Silvia. She’s considerably more frightening than the rest of us.”

Si) “Katie.”

Ka) “Professionally frightening.”

Las risas empiezan a llenar el despacho.

Ashley Smith aparece acompañada por Megan Avery.

Ashley) “Di!”

Elodie se vuelve.

Ev) “Ashley!”

Las dos se conocen de Georgetown, aunque no han tratado demasiado fuera del círculo universitario de Amy.

Ashley la abraza brevemente.

Ashley) “Amy told me you might be coming! This is fantastic.”

Ev) “I didn’t know you were working here!”

Ashley) “Oh, yes. First Lieutenant Ashley Smith, apparently.”

Di mira las barras plateadas de su uniforme.

Ev) “Congratulations!”

Ashley) “Thank you!”

Megan se presenta a continuación.

Me) “Megan Avery. Technical planning and systems coordination.”

Ev) “Elodie Voss. Political advice, apparently.”

Me) “Excellent. Someone who can explain why people react strangely to our perfectly reasonable documents.”

Te llevas una mano al pecho.

You) “Megan.”

Me) “Sir?”

You) “The General Order was perfectly reasonable.”

Megan sonríe.

Me) “That’s what I’ve been saying.”

Di empieza a reírse.

Ev) “I’ve already read it.”

Me) “Oh, wonderful.”

Ev) “It’s a very good order.”

You) “Thank you!”

Ev) “But we should probably discuss your drafting style.”

Silvia se ríe.

Si) “Oh, she’s going to fit right in.”

La última en entrar es Tessa Morgan, Sergeant Major of the Army y Senior Enlisted Advisor del USIC.

Te) “Good morning, everyone.”

Te vuelves hacia Di.

You) “And this is Tessa Morgan. Our Senior Enlisted Advisor.”

Tessa le estrecha la mano con cordialidad.

Te) “Welcome to the team, Di.”

Ev) “Thank you, Sergeant Major.”

Te) “Tessa is fine in here.”

Di contempla a las seis mujeres que acabas de presentarle.

La diversidad de grados, funciones y personalidades resulta sorprendente. Todas parecen conocerse extraordinariamente bien y moverse por tu despacho con una familiaridad que no esperaba encontrar en una sede militar.

Te vuelves hacia Megan.

You) “Megan, one thing I want established from today.”

Me) “Of course, sir.”

You) “Di is to have unrestricted access to me, unless I’m in a classified meeting.”

Megan asiente inmediatamente.

Me) “Understood.”

You) “No unnecessary scheduling barriers, no making her submit formal requests every time she needs to talk to me. She’s my political adviser. If she believes something requires my attention, she should be able to bring it directly.”

Me) “I’ll update the office access protocols and scheduling permissions.”

You) “Thank you.”

Di se queda mirándote.

Ev) “You really mean that?”

You) “Of course.”

Ev) “Direct access?”

You) “Yes.”

Ev) “Without having to go through three layers of staff?”

You) “Di, you’re one of the people I’m hiring specifically to tell me things I might not want to hear. That becomes rather difficult if you need permission from six people before you can speak to me.”

Rebecca sonríe.

Re) “He’s quite serious about that.”

Silvia asiente.

Si) “It’s how this office operates. We have responsibilities, but we’re also a team. When something matters, we communicate.”

Di baja la mirada un instante hacia su tarjeta de acceso.

Después vuelve a mirarte.

Ev) “Thank you. I wasn’t expecting quite that level of trust on my first day.”

Sonríes.

You) “You accepted the position because I told you I wanted your judgment. I intend to make sure you can actually exercise it.”

Di sonríe con una emoción evidente.

Ev) “Then I promise I’ll use it.”

Ashley interviene, divertida.

Ashley) “Oh, she will.”

Amy no está presente para defenderse, pero Ashley parece dispuesta a cumplir la misma función.

Ashley) “I’ve heard Di argue politics at Georgetown. Nacho, you’re in for a treat.”

Ev) “Ashley!”

Ashley) “What? It’s a compliment!”

Tessa se ríe.

Te) “Good. We could use someone who enjoys arguing with the general.”

You) “I’m beginning to feel outnumbered.”

Katie contempla a las demás.

Ka) “Beginning?”

Megan interviene.

Me) “Sir, there are seven of us in this room and you’re the only man.”

You) “I noticed.”

Rebecca sonríe.

Re) “Technically, sir, that makes you severely outnumbered.”

Di empieza a reírse.

Ev) “I think I’m going to enjoy working here.”

You) “I’m delighted.”

En ese momento reparas en algo.

Las seis mujeres han venido a presentarse.

Ya se han presentado.

Y ninguna parece tener intención de marcharse.

Rebecca ocupa una de las sillas.

Katie se apoya en el borde de una mesa auxiliar.

Megan consulta algo en su tableta y empieza a comentárselo a Ashley.

Tessa se acomoda junto a Silvia.

Di permanece sentada frente a ti, todavía con su tarjeta en la mano.

Las contemplas a todas.

You) “Ladies?”

Se vuelven hacia ti.

You) “Did we have another meeting scheduled?”

Silvia sonríe.

Si) “No, sir.”

You) “Then why is everyone still here?”

Ashley responde inmediatamente.

Ashley) “Because we’re getting to know Di.”

Katie asiente.

Ka) “And because it’s nice having everyone together.”

Rebecca interviene.

Re) “Besides, we’re curious about what our new political adviser thinks of the General Order.”

Megan levanta la cabeza.

Me) “Very curious.”

Tessa sonríe.

Te) “And I suspect she’s going to have some interesting opinions.”

Di contempla al grupo.

Ev) “Well…”

Las seis mujeres se vuelven hacia ella.

Elodie sonríe con una mezcla de diversión y sorpresa.

Ev) “I think the order is institutionally sound, politically fascinating, and written like someone was appointing a medieval bishop.”

La carcajada es inmediata.

Megan se lleva una mano al pecho.

Me) “I KNEW IT!”

Te echas hacia atrás en tu silla.

You) “Unbelievable.”

Silvia se ríe.

Si) “Welcome to OCUSIC, Di.”

Ashley levanta una mano.

Ashley) “I vote we keep her.”

Katie asiente.

Ka) “Seconded.”

Rebecca sonríe.

Re) “Unanimous.”

Di se ríe abiertamente.

Y tú, sentado en medio de tu equipo ejecutivo, descubres que tu nueva asesora política lleva menos de una hora en Fort Odenton y ya ha encontrado su sitio entre las personas que trabajan más cerca de ti.

Aunque, por lo visto, también acaba de unirse oficialmente al grupo que piensa recordarte durante años aquella primera General Order.

📅 Jueves, 8 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 09:36 | 📍 Fort Odenton, Maryland — Sede del USIC, despacho del CINF

Las seis oficiales y Di siguen en tu despacho.

Rebecca se ha sentado junto a Katie, Megan está enseñándole a Di algunos detalles del sistema de trabajo de OCUSIC y Ashley acaba de contar una anécdota de Georgetown que ha hecho reír a todas.

Silvia, mientras tanto, aprovecha para revisar discretamente un par de asuntos pendientes en su tableta.

Estás disfrutando de la reunión improvisada cuando recuerdas algo.

You) “Ladies, before anyone leaves, there’s one more thing.”

Las conversaciones se detienen.

Si) “Of course, sir.”

Sonríes.

You) “I’ve finally decided who’s going to be the XO’s XO.”

Silvia levanta la cabeza.

Si) “Oh, really?”

You) “Yes.”

La miras.

You) “Silvia, would you like to work with Rebecca?”

Durante un instante, la pregunta parece completamente inocente.

Después Rebecca deja de moverse.

Silvia te observa, sorprendida.

Si) “With Rebecca?”

You) “Yes. As your deputy.”

Rebecca levanta lentamente la mirada.

Re) “Sir…?”

Te vuelves hacia ella.

You) “I’d like you to serve as Deputy Executive Officer of OCUSIC, Rebecca. You’ll be third in the executive chain, immediately after Silvia.”

La joven abre ligeramente los labios.

No consigue responder.

Silvia permanece inmóvil durante un segundo más.

Después sonríe.

Si) “Yes. Absolutely.”

Rebecca se vuelve hacia ella.

Re) “Silvia…”

Si) “I’d love to have you as my deputy.”

La voz de Rebecca empieza a temblar.

Re) “You would?”

Silvia deja la tableta sobre la mesa.

Si) “Of course I would.”

Rebecca mira alternativamente a las dos personas que, apenas nueve meses atrás, tenían más razones que nadie para no volver a confiar en ella.

El recuerdo de Norfolk aparece de golpe.

La asignación al USS Gerald R. Ford que le correspondía a Silvia. La intervención de su tío, el senador Charles Whitcomb. La rivalidad que aquella manipulación había alimentado entre dos antiguas amigas de Annapolis.

Y aquel día desastroso en el que Rebecca perdió el control, intentó golpearte delante del Chief of Naval Operations y terminó procesada en consejo de guerra.

Después vino la pérdida de su comisión naval.

Y, bastante más tarde, tu decisión de ofrecerle una segunda oportunidad bajo USIC, impulsada también por Silvia, que se había negado a reducir a su antigua amiga al peor día de su vida.

Rebecca recuperó su comisión. Trabajó. Aprendió. Se ganó la confianza del equipo.

El viernes pasado, el presidente de Estados Unidos le impuso personalmente sus nuevas barras de First Lieutenant.

Y ahora acabas de ofrecerle el tercer puesto de la oficina ejecutiva.

Re) “Nacho… are you serious?”

You) “Completely.”

Re) “You want me as Deputy XO?”

You) “Yes.”

La joven se lleva una mano a la boca.

Re) “After everything?”

Te incorporas.

You) “Rebecca, I know exactly what happened. I was there.”

Ella baja momentáneamente los ojos.

You) “I also know everything you’ve done since then.”

Te acercas a su silla.

You) “You’ve worked hard. You’ve taken responsibility for your past. You’ve become an excellent officer, and Silvia trusts you.”

Miras a tu XO.

You) “Don’t you?”

Si) “Without hesitation.”

Rebecca deja escapar una pequeña exhalación temblorosa.

You) “Then I see no reason to keep treating the officer you were in July as though she’s the officer sitting in front of me today.”

La emoción termina desbordándola.

Re) “I don’t know what to say.”

Silvia se acerca a ella.

Si) “You can say yes.”

Rebecca levanta la cabeza.

Re) “Silvia, I treated you terribly.”

Si) “I know.”

Re) “We were friends. And I let all of that… everything with my uncle, the assignment, my stupid jealousy…”

Su voz se rompe.

Re) “I nearly destroyed our friendship.”

Silvia le coge las manos.

Si) “Rebecca, we’ve talked about this.”

Re) “I know.”

Si) “And I meant what I said. I wanted my friend back.”

Rebecca empieza a llorar.

Silvia la abraza.

Durante unos segundos las demás permanecen en silencio, dejando que las dos antiguas compañeras de Annapolis compartan aquel momento.

Finalmente Rebecca consigue separarse un poco.

Re) “Yes.”

Sonríes.

You) “Yes?”

Re) “Yes, sir. I would be honored to serve as Silvia’s deputy.”

You) “Wonderful.”

Silvia sonríe ampliamente.

Si) “Then welcome aboard, Rebecca.”

Ashley empieza a aplaudir.

Katie la sigue.

Después Megan y Tessa.

Di, todavía sorprendida por la intensidad emocional de una decisión administrativa que parecía relativamente sencilla, termina aplaudiendo también.

Re) “Thank you. All of you.”

Te diriges hacia el ordenador.

You) “Well, we’d better make it official.”

Abres el expediente de personal de Rebecca y recuperas la orden preparada para cubrir la plaza de Deputy Executive Officer.

La configuración institucional lleva días aprobada. Solo faltaba decidir a quién nombrar.

Compruebas los datos.

1LT Rebecca Whitcomb — Deputy Executive Officer, OCUSIC.

Dependencia directa de CPT Silvia Kane.

Tercera posición en la cadena ejecutiva de la oficina del CINF.

Fecha efectiva: 8 de abril de 2021.

Aplicas tu firma digital mediante las credenciales de autoridad del Chief of Information.

El sistema confirma la promulgación y distribuye automáticamente la orden a Personal, OCUSIC y los registros institucionales correspondientes.

You) “There. Done.”

Rebecca te contempla.

Re) “Just like that?”

You) “Just like that.”

Silvia se ríe.

Si) “He’s very efficient when he remembers to notify people.”

Megan interviene inmediatamente.

Me) “Unlike the main gate.”

Di empieza a reírse.

Ev) “Oh, we’re definitely keeping that story.”

You) “I’m going to regret hiring you.”

Ev) “Probably.”

La respuesta provoca otra ronda de carcajadas.

Rebecca se levanta y se aproxima a ti.

Re) “Sir… may I?”

Abres los brazos.

You) “Of course.”

La joven te abraza con fuerza.

Re) “Thank you for trusting me.”

You) “You’ve earned it, Rebecca.”

Re) “I won’t let either of you down.”

You) “I’m sure you won’t.”

Cuando se separa, Silvia vuelve a abrazarla.

Ambas están sonriendo.

Di las contempla con evidente curiosidad.

Conoce el apellido Whitcomb.

Casi cualquier estudiante especialmente interesada en política estadounidense conoce al senador Charles Whitcomb, sus redes de influencia y sus años en Washington.

Y ahora acaba de descubrir que una de sus sobrinas es oficial de USIC y ha sido nombrada tercera responsable ejecutiva de la oficina del CINF.

Su primera reacción profesional es inevitable.

Ev) “Rebecca, I hope you don’t mind me asking… are you related to Senator Charles Whitcomb?”

Rebecca se queda quieta.

Silvia levanta ligeramente la cabeza.

Re) “Yes. He’s my uncle.”

Di asiente, sorprendida.

Ev) “Oh! I thought so. I’ve followed some of his committee work.”

Rebecca sonríe con educación, aunque su expresión pierde algo de alegría.

Re) “I see.”

Di advierte inmediatamente el cambio, pero todavía desconoce su significado.

Ev) “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be intrusive.”

Rebecca niega con la cabeza.

Re) “It’s all right.”

Silvia interviene con suavidad.

Si) “It’s a complicated family history.”

Di asiente.

Ev) “Understood.”

No insiste.

Todavía le quedan muchas cosas por descubrir sobre las personas con las que va a trabajar.

Y la historia de Rebecca, particularmente la ruptura con su tío y las circunstancias que la llevaron a perder y recuperar una comisión militar, será una de ellas.

Mientras tanto, en el Pentagon, la orden comienza a circular por los canales administrativos del JCS.

Nathaniel Holloway la recibe poco antes de las diez.

El almirante abre el documento, lee el nombre y deja lentamente su taza sobre la mesa.

CNONh) “You have got to be kidding me.”

Su ayudante levanta la cabeza.

JCS Aide 1 (Ja1) responde:

Ja1) “Sir?”

Holloway señala la pantalla.

CNONh) “Rebecca Whitcomb.”

Ja1) “Sir?”

CNONh) “Deputy Executive Officer of OCUSIC.”

El ayudante consulta el documento.

Ja1) “Yes, Admiral. Effective this morning.”

Holloway empieza a sonreír.

CNONh) “Good Lord, Nacho.”

Recuerda perfectamente Naval Station Norfolk.

El intento de agresión.

Las amenazas.

El consejo de guerra.

La joven Ensign que se había dejado arrastrar por su orgullo, sus celos y las expectativas de una familia políticamente poderosa.

Y recuerda también cómo Silvia, la oficial perjudicada por aquella manipulación, terminó pidiendo una segunda oportunidad para Rebecca.

Holloway coge su teléfono.

CNONh) “Get me General Hargrove, please.”

Pocos minutos después, William responde desde Fort Meade.

Hg) “Morning, Nate.”

CNONh) “William. Have you seen Nacho’s latest personnel order?”

Hg) “Which one?”

Holloway se ríe.

CNONh) “That’s a worrying question.”

Hg) “With him, it’s a necessary question.”

CNONh) “Rebecca Whitcomb. Deputy XO.”

Hargrove guarda silencio.

Hg) “Wait. Rebecca Whitcomb?”

CNONh) “The very same.”

Hg) “Third in his executive office?”

CNONh) “Yes.”

William deja escapar una carcajada incrédula.

Hg) “Oh, that boy.”

CNONh) “William, I watched that young woman try to punch him in the face.”

Hg) “I remember.”

CNONh) “I personally witnessed her threaten his military career.”

Hg) “I remember that too.”

CNONh) “And now he’s made her the third-ranking officer in his immediate headquarters.”

Hargrove permanece callado unos instantes.

Después sonríe.

Hg) “That’s quite a rehabilitation.”

CNONh) “It’s extraordinary.”

Hg) “How’s she been performing?”

CNONh) “Exceptionally well, from what I’ve heard. And apparently Silvia requested that they work together.”

Hargrove deja escapar una pequeña risa.

Hg) “Then it makes sense.”

Holloway se reclina.

CNONh) “It does. That’s what makes it so remarkable.”

El almirante contempla el documento.

CNONh) “He hasn’t forgotten what happened. He just isn’t letting it define the rest of her life.”

Hg) “That’s Nacho.”

CNONh) “And Silvia?”

Hg) “If she supports the appointment, I imagine she’s delighted.”

Holloway sonríe.

CNONh) “Two young officers who were nearly turned into permanent enemies by a corrupt personnel decision. Now they’re running the executive office of the same service.”

Hargrove asiente, aunque su compañero no puede verlo.

Hg) “And both of them trust the young general who discovered the interference in the first place.”

CNONh) “Quite a story.”

Hg) “It really is.”

De vuelta en Fort Odenton, Rebecca termina de recibir las felicitaciones de sus compañeras.

Silvia ya está explicándole algunas de sus nuevas responsabilidades.

Si) “We’ll need to divide the executive workload properly. I want you handling the daily staff coordination with me, and we’ll establish a standing review of pending decisions.”

Rebecca asiente, todavía emocionada.

Re) “Absolutely. I can start today.”

Si) “I know you can.”

Di escucha atentamente.

Cuando Silvia termina, interviene.

Ev) “May I ask something?”

You) “Of course.”

Ev) “I’m beginning to understand the distinction between OCUSIC and the rest of the service. But I want to clarify my own role.”

Te vuelves hacia ella.

Ev) “Am I primarily advising you, or am I also supposed to make sure the things you assign actually happen?”

Sonríes.

You) “Both.”

Di levanta ligeramente las cejas.

You) “Your title is Political Adviser, and that’s important. But in practice, I expect you to function rather like my personal chief of staff.”

Silvia escucha con interés.

You) “Not because I’m putting you in command of everybody here. That’s Silvia’s job, with Rebecca as her deputy.”

Ambas asienten.

You) “But I am going to give you things that need to be done. You’ll help define what we’re trying to accomplish, identify the political obstacles, coordinate with the people responsible, and make sure the work actually moves forward.”

Di sonríe lentamente.

Ev) “So you’ll give me a problem, and I’ll be responsible for getting the right people together to solve it.”

You) “Exactly.”

Ev) “Without having to formally command those people.”

You) “Correct.”

La joven contempla a Silvia y Rebecca.

Ev) “Then I’ll probably be working quite closely with both of you.”

Si) “Very closely.”

Re) “And we’re delighted.”

Di sonríe.

Ev) “Good. Because I already have several questions.”

Megan levanta la cabeza.

Me) “Only several?”

Ev) “For now.”

Tessa suelta una carcajada.

Te) “She’s definitely one of us.”

Te acomodas en tu silla, mirando a las siete mujeres que siguen ocupando tu despacho.

You) “Ladies, I do have one question.”

Si) “Yes, sir?”

You) “Does anybody actually intend to do any work today?”

Ashley sonríe.

Ashley) “We’re doing work.”

You) “Oh?”

Ashley) “Team building.”

Katie asiente solemnemente.

Ka) “Very important.”

Rebecca añade:

Re) “Executive coordination.”

Megan interviene.

Me) “Information sharing.”

Tessa cruza los brazos.

Te) “Personnel integration.”

Silvia termina:

Si) “And leadership development, sir.”

Di contempla a sus nuevas compañeras.

Después te mira con una sonrisa espléndida.

Ev) “And political relationship management.”

Te quedas observándolas.

Finalmente empiezas a reírte.

You) “Oh, I’m doomed.”

Silvia sonríe.

Si) “You certainly are, General.”

Rebecca, todavía con los ojos algo enrojecidos, se ríe junto a su antigua amiga.

Di se acomoda en su silla con la tarjeta de OCUSIC sobre la mesa.

Es su primer día.

Y ya tiene bastante claro que ha encontrado un trabajo extraordinariamente interesante, un jefe muy poco convencional y un equipo del que empieza a sentirse parte.

📅 Jueves, 8 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 10:12 | 📍 Fort Odenton, Maryland — Sede del USIC, despacho del CINF

La despedida de las siete mujeres de OCUSIC resulta considerablemente más complicada de lo que debería.

Ashley todavía está felicitando a Rebecca, Silvia tiene pendiente enseñarle a su nueva adjunta un par de documentos y Katie acaba de recordar una anécdota que Megan considera imprescindible contar.

Finalmente levantas una mano.

You) “Ladies, thank you all very much. Now, please, back to work.”

Las risas llenan el despacho.

You) “Di, could you stay? I’d like to put your knowledge to work right away.”

Elodie se vuelve inmediatamente.

Ev) “Oh, of course, General.”

You) “Nacho, Di. Please. No problem at all.”

Ella sonríe.

Ev) “Right. Nacho.”

Silvia recoge su tableta.

Si) “We’ll be next door if you need anything.”

You) “Thank you, Silvia.”

Rebecca se despide con una sonrisa que todavía conserva algo de emoción.

Re) “Thank you again, sir.”

You) “You’ve earned it, Rebecca. Now go make your XO proud.”

Si) “She already has.”

Las dos salen juntas. Detrás van Katie, Megan, Ashley y Tessa, que cierra la puerta después de despedirse de Di.

De pronto, el despacho parece bastante más grande.

Elodie se acomoda frente a ti, con su bolso junto a la silla y una libreta de tapas verdes sobre las rodillas.

Ev) “I have to admit, I never thought…”

Se interrumpe.

Ev) “No. I probably shouldn’t say that.”

Levantas una ceja.

You) “That generals could be something other than terribly stiff?”

Elodie abre mucho los ojos.

La respuesta está escrita en su cara.

Ev) “Oh my God.”

Te echas a reír.

You) “That’s what you were thinking.”

Ev) “I was trying very hard to find a diplomatic way to say it.”

You) “Then this is excellent practice for your new job.”

Di empieza a reírse.

Ev) “Fair enough. I suppose I expected something more intimidating. More formal. More…”

You) “Old?”

Ev) “I wasn’t going to say that either!”

You) “You’re having a terrible morning for political discretion.”

Ev) “Apparently.”

Sonríe y abre la libreta.

Ev) “All right, Nacho. What would you like me to do?”

Te acomodas frente a ella.

You) “I need a briefing sheet. Something reasonably comprehensive, but easy to consult.”

Di coge un bolígrafo.

Ev) “Subject?”

You) “Federal agencies with investigative, regulatory and, especially, enforcement or sanctioning authority.”

El bolígrafo queda suspendido sobre el papel.

Ev) “All right. Across which sectors?”

You) “Energy. Weapons. Technology and communications. Social media. Automotive manufacturing. The broader economy. International development assistance. Federal procurement. Healthcare. Insurance. And workplace safety.”

Di termina de escribir workplace safety.

Después levanta la cabeza.

Ev) “That’s… quite a list.”

You) “It is.”

Ev) “When you say sanctions, are you looking for administrative penalties, civil enforcement, criminal prosecution, or all three?”

Sonríes.

You) “All three. But distinguish them.”

Di apunta inmediatamente tres columnas en su libreta.

Ev) “Good. Because they’re very different things.”

You) “Exactly.”

Ev) “And do you want independent agencies included? Not just executive departments?”

You) “Absolutely.”

Ev) “Inspectors General?”

You) “Definitely.”

Ev) “Financial regulators?”

You) “Yes.”

Ev) “Federal criminal investigative bodies with overlapping jurisdiction?”

You) “All of them.”

Di te contempla durante un segundo.

Ev) “Nacho, are you planning to regulate the entire United States before lunch?”

Te ríes.

You) “Not today.”

Ev) “Reassuring.”

La joven baja la mirada y empieza a organizar sus notas.

Ev) “All right. Let’s start with energy.”

You) “Please.”

Ev) “The Department of Energy is important, obviously, but it isn’t the universal energy regulator. FERC handles significant interstate electricity and natural gas matters, including wholesale market conduct and civil penalties.”

Escribe dos abreviaturas.

Ev) “Nuclear Regulatory Commission for civilian nuclear safety and licensing. EPA for environmental compliance. And you’d also want to look at PHMSA for pipeline safety.”

You) “Good.”

Ev) “The Department of the Interior comes into play for federal lands, offshore resources and energy production. Different offices, different enforcement powers.”

Se detiene para colocar un asterisco.

Ev) “I’d separate energy-market enforcement from environmental enforcement and physical safety. Otherwise the list will become misleading.”

You) “Excellent idea.”

Di sonríe y continúa.

Ev) “Weapons. ATF is an obvious starting point for firearms and explosives regulation and investigations. DOJ for federal criminal enforcement. FBI where the underlying conduct falls within its jurisdiction.”

You) “Procurement?”

Ev) “Defense procurement adds DoD oversight, contracting authorities, DCIS and the relevant Inspectors General. And for export controls, we’d need Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security and the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.”

Levanta la cabeza.

Ev) “You said weapons broadly, not merely firearms.”

You) “Correct.”

Ev) “Then export licensing and sanctions definitely belong in the briefing.”

Te apoyas en el respaldo.

You) “You’re very good at this.”

Di sonríe, satisfecha.

Ev) “Thank you. I’m enjoying it.”

Pasa la página.

Ev) “Technology and communications. FCC for communications regulation and its enforcement authority. FTC for unfair or deceptive commercial practices, including many privacy and technology matters. DOJ Antitrust and the FTC share major competition responsibilities.”

You) “Cybersecurity?”

Ev) “CISA is central to civilian federal cybersecurity coordination and critical infrastructure security, but I wouldn’t describe it as a general-purpose fining authority.”

Anota una pequeña advertencia junto al nombre.

Ev) “For particular sectors, we’d have to examine the regulator responsible for that sector. Financial institutions, healthcare, communications… each has its own framework.”

You) “Very good.”

Ev) “And the SEC can matter for publicly traded technology companies, their disclosures and securities violations.”

You) “Social media?”

Di sonríe.

Ev) “No single federal social-media regulator, which is probably worth making very prominent on the sheet.”

You) “Agreed.”

Ev) “FTC for deceptive practices and some privacy and consumer protection issues. DOJ and FBI for applicable federal crimes. SEC for securities matters. FCC only where its actual statutory jurisdiction applies, rather than treating every online platform as a broadcaster.”

Te mira.

Ev) “I’d also include a separate section on the limits of agency authority. Sometimes the answer isn’t which agency can intervene, but which one legally cannot.”

You) “That’s useful.”

Ev) “Good. Because otherwise I’d be giving you a list of impressive acronyms rather than a political briefing.”

Te ríes.

You) “Point taken.”

Di vuelve a inclinarse sobre la libreta.

Ev) “Automotive manufacturing and vehicle safety. NHTSA is the principal federal authority for vehicle safety standards, defect investigations, recalls and applicable civil penalties.”

Anota las siglas y, debajo, el nombre completo de la agencia.

Ev) “EPA for vehicle emissions. FTC for deceptive advertising and consumer practices. And DOJ for criminal conduct or major civil enforcement proceedings.”

You) “What about manufacturers with government contracts?”

Ev) “Then we add the procurement authorities. But I’d keep that as a separate column rather than mixing the categories.”

You) “Good thinking.”

Di dibuja una tabla pequeña.

Ev) “Now, the broader economy is where things get interesting.”

You) “Go ahead.”

Ev) “SEC for securities markets, securities fraud investigations and civil enforcement. CFTC for futures, derivatives and commodities markets. Treasury’s FinCEN for financial intelligence and Bank Secrecy Act enforcement.”

You) “OFAC?”

Ev) “Absolutely. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control for economic and trade sanctions.”

Lo escribe en mayúsculas.

Ev) “IRS Criminal Investigation for tax-related crimes and financial investigations. FDIC, OCC and the Federal Reserve for banking supervision within their respective jurisdictions. And the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for federal consumer-finance enforcement.”

Levanta el bolígrafo.

Ev) “Then you have DOJ Antitrust, the FTC, and FBI investigative jurisdiction where federal criminal offenses are involved.”

You) “Very comprehensive.”

Ev) “I’m trying.”

You) “You’re succeeding.”

La joven sonríe y continúa sin perder el ritmo.

Ev) “International development. USAID and the State Department are obvious institutional starting points. USAID’s Inspector General is particularly important for fraud involving development programs and grants.”

You) “Procurement federal?”

Ev) “GSA, agency contracting officers, suspension and debarment officials, the Inspectors General, and DOJ for civil fraud actions. Defense contracting adds DCIS.”

Te mira.

Ev) “I’d distinguish procurement oversight from contract fraud investigations. The same case may involve an agency contracting office, an Inspector General and federal prosecutors.”

You) “Excellent.”

Di escribe deprisa.

Ev) “Healthcare. FDA for medicines, medical devices and other regulated products. CMS for Medicare and Medicaid oversight. HHS OIG for fraud and abuse involving federal health programs.”

You) “HIPAA?”

Ev) “HHS Office for Civil Rights. Also DOJ when appropriate. And DEA for controlled substances.”

Pasa a la siguiente página.

Ev) “Insurance is more complicated because much of the ordinary insurance market is regulated by states.”

You) “But there’s federal jurisdiction too.”

Ev) “Yes. HHS and CMS for relevant health insurance matters; the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration for employment-based benefit plans; Treasury and other financial regulators where applicable. The Federal Insurance Office monitors the sector but isn’t a general insurance regulator.”

You) “Good distinction.”

Ev) “Finally, workplace safety. OSHA, Department of Labor. Inspections, standards, citations and civil penalties.”

Anota una última línea.

Ev) “Mine Safety and Health Administration for mining. And we’d also want the National Labor Relations Board on the broader workplace list, although its jurisdiction concerns labor relations rather than occupational safety.”

Deja el bolígrafo sobre el papel.

Ev) “Now, one question.”

You) “Please.”

Ev) “How detailed do you want the treatment of Inspectors General?”

You) “Quite detailed. They’re particularly interesting.”

Di te observa.

Ev) “Interesting in what sense?”

You) “Their independence, investigative responsibilities, access to institutional records and capacity to identify misconduct.”

La joven asiente lentamente.

Ev) “Then I’d give them an entire section, rather than relegating them to footnotes.”

You) “That’s what I was hoping you’d suggest.”

Sonríe y escribe INSPECTORS GENERAL — CROSS-SECTOR OVERSIGHT en la parte superior de una nueva página.

Ev) “All right. I’ll distinguish agencies with direct enforcement authority, investigators who refer matters for prosecution, and offices that primarily audit or recommend corrective action.”

You) “Perfect.”

Di termina de anotar la frase.

Después se queda mirando la libreta.

Son ya cuatro páginas.

La primera contiene el mapa sectorial. La segunda, autoridades administrativas. La tercera, investigación y sanciones. La cuarta, supervisión transversal y cuestiones pendientes.

Levanta la cabeza.

Ev) “Nacho?”

You) “Yes, Di?”

Ev) “May I make an observation?”

You) “Always.”

Ev) “You’ve just asked me for a map of the federal government’s ability to investigate and sanction misconduct across almost every major sector of the American economy.”

Asientes.

You) “Yes.”

Ev) “And you’re particularly interested in overlaps between regulators, criminal investigators, financial enforcement and independent oversight.”

You) “Correct.”

Di se recuesta lentamente.

Ev) “That’s a rather unusual request for somebody who hired me because he needed help drafting political documents.”

Sonríes.

You) “It is.”

Ev) “And I assume you’re not going to explain the full reason yet.”

You) “Not quite yet.”

Ella asiente, satisfecha con la respuesta.

Ev) “Fair enough. Then I’ll make sure the briefing is exceptionally good.”

You) “Thank you.”

Di vuelve a examinar sus anotaciones.

Ev) “I also think we should have a column identifying which agencies can act independently, which require formal referrals, and which depend on DOJ for enforcement. Otherwise you might assume two agencies have interchangeable powers when they don’t.”

Sonríes ampliamente.

You) “Di, that’s exactly the sort of distinction I need.”

Ella te devuelve la sonrisa.

Ev) “Good.”

Se inclina hacia la mesa.

Ev) “And I’d like to add one more column: congressional oversight and appropriations. Not because Congress necessarily controls an individual enforcement decision, but because political influence often operates through budgets, appointments and oversight relationships.”

Durante un segundo te quedas contemplándola.

Después empiezas a reírte, encantado.

You) “Oh, I’m going to enjoy working with you.”

Di también se ríe.

Ev) “I was just thinking the same thing.”

Señala su libreta.

Ev) “I came here this morning expecting to help a young general understand Washington’s political machinery.”

You) “And?”

Ev) “And before lunch on my first day, he’s asked me to map the investigative and enforcement architecture of the federal government.”

Hace una pausa, sonriendo cada vez más.

Ev) “I have a feeling this job is going to be a lot more interesting than I originally imagined.”

You) “You may be right.”

Di recupera su bolígrafo.

Ev) “All right, Nacho. I have enough to prepare your first briefing. I’ll give you a proper matrix with agency names, jurisdiction, enforcement powers, sanctions and oversight relationships.”

You) “Wonderful.”

Ev) “And I’ll keep this notebook. That way, when you ask me about something we’ve already covered, I can give you the answer without making you repeat yourself.”

Miras la pequeña libreta verde.

Está organizada con fechas, categorías, anotaciones al margen y referencias cruzadas que la joven ha ido incorporando durante la conversación.

You) “That’s an excellent habit.”

Ev) “My professors used to say I was obsessively organized.”

You) “They were right.”

Ev) “Probably.”

Sonríe.

Ev) “But I suspect it’s going to be useful here.”

You) “Extremely.”

Di cierra la libreta, aunque permanece sentada, todavía intrigada por la magnitud de tu petición.

Ev) “One final question.”

You) “Go ahead.”

Ev) “Am I going to need to understand how all these agencies work together?”

La miras con una sonrisa.

You) “Yes.”

Ev) “All of them?”

You) “Ideally.”

Di deja escapar una carcajada maravillada.

Ev) “Oh, this is going to be fun.”

Y por la manera en que vuelve a abrir su libreta para añadir una última nota, comprendes que acaba de tomarse la responsabilidad tan en serio como esperabas.

Aunque todavía no tiene ni la menor idea de lo que estáis preparando.

📅 Jueves, 8 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 11:08 | 📍 Fort Odenton, Maryland — Sede del USIC, despacho del CINF

Elodie continúa repasando su libreta cuando coges el teléfono y llamas a Megan.

Me) “Avery speaking.”

You) “Megan, could you come to my office for a moment?”

Me) “Of course, sir.”

Menos de un minuto después, la teniente entra con su tableta.

Me) “What do you need, Nacho?”

You) “I want Di included in our full protection framework. Personal and financial.”

Megan levanta la mirada hacia Elodie.

Me) “Full OCUSIC coverage?”

You) “Yes. Physical protection, financial safeguards, institutional indemnification, secure communications, everything.”

Di deja de escribir.

Ev) “I’m sorry. Protection?”

Te vuelves hacia ella.

You) “Yes.”

Ev) “From what?”

You) “Well, Di, you’re currently the most dangerous person in USIC.”

Elodie abre los ojos.

Megan empieza a sonreír.

Ev) “I beg your pardon?”

You) “You’ve just spent twenty minutes identifying which federal agencies can investigate, regulate and penalize misconduct across most of the American economy.”

Ev) “Because you asked me to!”

You) “Exactly.”

Di te contempla como si intentara decidir si estás bromeando.

Ev) “Nacho, I’ve been working here for less than two hours.”

You) “And you’re doing wonderfully.”

Megan suelta una carcajada.

Me) “I’ll coordinate the coverage with Protection Division, sir.”

You) “Thank you. And make sure her employment compensation and personal financial protections are established at the appropriate OCUSIC level.”

Me) “Understood.”

Di levanta una mano.

Ev) “Can I ask what financial protection means?”

Te acomodas frente a ella.

You) “That nobody should be able to make you reconsider an honest professional recommendation by threatening your livelihood, your employment or your personal security.”

Elodie te escucha atentamente.

You) “I want you to be able to look me in the eye and tell me I’m making a terrible political mistake without wondering whether doing so could cost you your career.”

Ev) “Even if you’re extremely convinced you’re right?”

You) “Especially then.”

Megan asiente.

Me) “You’ll receive a full briefing on your benefits, protection arrangements and reporting channels. Your access to the general will remain direct.”

Di sonríe, todavía impresionada.

Ev) “Thank you. Both of you.”

You) “You’re welcome.”

Cuando Megan sale, Elodie contempla unos instantes la puerta.

Ev) “You really weren’t exaggerating yesterday when you described this as a position of trust.”

You) “Not at all.”

Ev) “I think I’m starting to understand.”

Sonríes.

You) “Excellent. Now, how’s that briefing coming?”

Di vuelve inmediatamente a su libreta.

Ev) “Almost ready.”

Veinte minutos después, tienes sobre la mesa un documento de varias páginas, acompañado por una matriz mucho más compacta.

Elodie ha distribuido las agencias por sectores, ha identificado sus respectivas competencias y ha separado cuidadosamente las facultades de investigación, regulación, sanción administrativa y remisión penal.

También ha preparado una última sección dedicada a competencias transversales: Inspectors General, DOJ, FBI, Treasury y organismos de supervisión económica.

Lo revisas.

You) “Di, this is excellent.”

Ev) “Thank you.”

You) “Seriously. This is exactly what I needed.”

Ella sonríe, satisfecha.

Ev) “I’m glad.”

Cierras la carpeta.

You) “Right. Let’s go.”

Di levanta la cabeza.

Ev) “Go where?”

You) “The White House.”

Silencio.

Ev) “The… White House?”

You) “Yes.”

Ev) “Now?”

You) “Now.”

Elodie te contempla.

Ev) “Nacho, I’ve been employed for approximately two hours.”

You) “I know.”

Ev) “And you’re taking me to the President of the United States.”

You) “Correct.”

Di empieza a reírse.

Ev) “Amy did warn me.”

You) “About what?”

Ev) “That I should keep my schedule clear whenever you say you need to make a quick visit somewhere.”

Te echas a reír.

You) “She’s becoming terribly unfair to me.”

Ev) “I’m beginning to think she’s remarkably perceptive.”

Recoges la carpeta y te levantas.

You) “Come on, Di.”

Ella guarda la libreta verde en su bolso.

Ev) “Yes, Nacho.”

Mientras bajáis hacia el vehículo, no puedes evitar pensar en lo poco que te gustan las estructuras administrativas innecesariamente complicadas.

Tienes una oficina ejecutiva, un núcleo de personas en las que confías y suficientes recursos para que puedan desarrollar sus funciones. Silvia coordina la ejecución cotidiana, Rebecca acaba de convertirse en su adjunta, Megan controla buena parte de la estructura técnica y ahora Di se ocupa de las consecuencias políticas e institucionales de tus decisiones.

No necesitas cinco niveles de autorización para pedirle a alguien que haga aquello para lo que la has contratado.

Por eso, cuando el Suburban abandona Fort Odenton con dirección a Washington, tu nueva asesora política va sentada a tu lado.

Con su primera tarea terminada.

Y camino de conocer al presidente en calidad profesional.

📅 Jueves, 8 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 12:17 | 📍 Washington D. C. — The White House, Oval Office

Daniel está revisando unos documentos cuando un ayudante anuncia vuestra llegada.

Levanta la cabeza y sonríe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Nacho! Good afternoon.”

You) “Morning, Daniel. I’d like you to meet Elodie Voss, my new… well, her title is becoming somewhat difficult to define.”

Daniel empieza a reírse.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Of course it is.”

Se levanta, rodea su escritorio y se acerca a vosotros.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Di.”

Elodie sonríe inmediatamente.

Ev) “Daniel.”

Parpadeas.

You) “Oh. You two already know each other?”

El presidente le estrecha la mano con afecto.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Of course. Amy thinks very highly of her.”

Di sonríe.

Ev) “That’s very kind.”

Daniel recuerda haberla visto en un par de ocasiones durante los últimos años, acompañando a Amy en reuniones universitarias y visitas a la residencia. Su hija habla de bastantes compañeros de Georgetown, pero reconoce perfectamente a la joven.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “It’s lovely to see you again. And congratulations on joining USIC.”

Ev) “Thank you, Daniel. It’s been quite a morning.”

El presidente te mira.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Has it?”

You) “Very productive.”

Di interviene con una sonrisa.

Ev) “I’ve been hired, received my credentials, been formally introduced to the commander’s executive staff, completed my first assignment, and apparently acquired a federal protection detail.”

Daniel se queda mirándola.

Después te mira a ti.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Nacho.”

You) “Yes?”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “She started today?”

You) “This morning.”

El presidente empieza a reírse.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Naturally.”

Os invita a sentaros.

Di ocupa un sillón con su libreta sobre las rodillas. Tú colocas el documento que ha preparado sobre la mesa.

You) “I’ve already got the list of personnel I need, Daniel. Courtesy of Di.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Excellent.”

You) “Apparently we need people from DOJ.”

Levantas la mirada.

You) “What are they, lawyers?”

Daniel te contempla durante un segundo.

Después se vuelve lentamente hacia Elodie.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Di?”

Ev) “Yes?”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Did he really just ask whether the Department of Justice employs lawyers?”

La joven intenta mantener una expresión profesional.

Ev) “He did.”

You) “I’m asking what kind of people we need from there.”

Daniel empieza a reírse.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Oh, thank God.”

Di interviene antes de que el presidente pueda continuar.

Ev) “Actually, Nacho, this is exactly the kind of distinction I wanted to clarify.”

Abre su carpeta.

Ev) “DOJ isn’t just a collection of lawyers. It includes federal prosecutors, litigators, policy specialists, investigators within its component agencies, and people who understand how to coordinate complex enforcement actions.”

You) “Good.”

Ev) “And the people we’d want depend on what we’re trying to accomplish.”

Daniel empieza a prestarle verdadera atención.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “What did Nacho ask you to prepare?”

Di le tiende una copia del briefing.

Ev) “A cross-sector map of federal investigative, regulatory and enforcement authorities.”

El presidente lee las primeras líneas.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Energy, weapons, communications, social media, vehicles, financial markets, international development, federal procurement, healthcare, insurance and workplace safety.”

Levanta la cabeza.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “That’s quite a range.”

Ev) “It is.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “And you prepared this today?”

Ev) “Yes.”

Daniel vuelve a examinar la matriz.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “FERC, NRC, EPA, ATF, FCC, FTC, SEC, CFTC, FinCEN, OFAC, IRS-CI, HHS OIG, OSHA…”

Sonríe ligeramente.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Nacho, I think I see where this is going.”

You) “I thought you might.”

El presidente deja el documento sobre sus rodillas.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Does Di know?”

You) “Not yet.”

Elodie levanta inmediatamente la cabeza.

Ev) “Know what?”

Daniel mira hacia ti, concediéndote la palabra.

Te vuelves hacia ella.

You) “Di, do you remember yesterday when I told you I needed someone who could understand political consequences before I make decisions?”

Ev) “Of course.”

You) “Well, we’re about to discuss one of the reasons.”

Ella endereza la espalda.

You) “Last Saturday, I proposed a major federal initiative to the President and the Joint Chiefs. Daniel agreed to support it.”

Di permanece atenta.

You) “The objective is to investigate and challenge institutional corruption, improper influence and the networks that turn public authority into something people can buy.”

Elodie deja lentamente el bolígrafo.

Ev) “You mean lobbying?”

You) “Not lawful advocacy itself. I’m talking about corruption, concealed financial influence, manipulation of regulatory decisions, improper procurement arrangements and the use of political connections to evade accountability.”

La joven contempla el documento que ha preparado.

De pronto, las distintas columnas adquieren un sentido completamente nuevo.

Ev) “Oh.”

Daniel sonríe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Indeed.”

Di vuelve a mirar la matriz.

Ev) “So you’re not looking for one agency that can investigate everything.”

You) “Correct.”

Ev) “You’re looking for people who understand where the jurisdictions overlap, how enforcement can be coordinated, and which forms of misconduct have historically escaped scrutiny because nobody was looking at the whole picture.”

Te quedas contemplándola.

You) “Exactly.”

Elodie se recuesta lentamente.

Ev) “Oh, my God.”

Daniel sonríe con satisfacción.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Now you understand why he wanted a political adviser.”

Di empieza a reírse, aunque tiene los ojos muy abiertos.

Ev) “Nacho, you hired me this morning and gave me what sounded like a strange research assignment.”

You) “Yes.”

Ev) “And it turns out you’re preparing an interagency campaign against corrupt influence across major sectors of the American economy.”

You) “More or less.”

Ev) “More or less?”

El presidente empieza a reírse.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “You’ll get used to that phrase.”

Di contempla a Daniel.

Ev) “Mr. President—”

Se interrumpe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Daniel is fine, Di.”

Ev) “Daniel… this is enormous.”

El presidente asiente.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “It is.”

Ev) “Politically, institutionally, administratively…”

Mira otra vez sus notas.

Ev) “And the first question is how to assemble an investigative structure that can function across agency boundaries without losing accountability.”

Te vuelves hacia ella.

You) “That’s why I need you.”

Di se queda callada.

Después aparece una sonrisa lenta, llena de entusiasmo.

Ev) “I think I understand.”

Daniel vuelve hacia el documento.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “All right. Let’s start with DOJ.”

Di pasa inmediatamente a la página dedicada a las competencias transversales.

Ev) “I’d begin with attorneys experienced in public corruption, financial crime, administrative enforcement and interagency coordination. We’d also want to distinguish DOJ’s prosecutorial functions from the investigative capabilities of agencies like the FBI.”

You) “How many?”

Ev) “Before giving you a number, I’d want to know the intended structure, scope and command relationships.”

Sonríes.

You) “Excellent answer.”

Daniel asiente.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “A very excellent answer.”

Di te mira.

Ev) “And I’d like to see the existing presidential and interagency approvals before recommending recruitment.”

You) “Of course.”

Ev) “Because depending on the mandate, we might need an entirely different mix of lawyers, investigators, forensic accountants and regulatory specialists.”

You) “That’s precisely the expertise we’re trying to assemble.”

Daniel contempla a la joven.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Di, how long have you been working for him?”

Ev) “About three hours.”

El presidente se ríe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “And you’re already telling him to slow down and define his institutional requirements.”

Ev) “Well, somebody has to.”

Daniel se vuelve hacia ti.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Nacho, I like her.”

You) “So do I.”

Di baja un instante la mirada hacia su libreta, sonriendo.

Ev) “Thank you, both.”

El presidente vuelve a acomodarse.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Then let’s see what you’ve brought us.”

Di abre su documento por la primera página y empieza a explicar cómo distribuiría los perfiles profesionales por funciones en lugar de asignarlos simplemente según la agencia de procedencia.

Tú la escuchas con atención.

Daniel le hace preguntas.

Ella responde, apunta las cuestiones que requieren revisión y plantea otras nuevas.

Al cabo de pocos minutos, el presidente ya no está tratando a Elodie como una amiga universitaria de su hija que ha venido acompañando a su novio.

Está hablando con una asesora del Chief of Information.

Y Di, que esa mañana había llegado a Fort Odenton preguntándose si realmente estaba preparada para trabajar con un general de su edad, acaba de encontrar la clase de desafío profesional que llevaba años deseando.

Todavía tiene la libreta verde abierta sobre las rodillas cuando Daniel se inclina hacia delante y sonríe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Well, Di. Welcome to Washington.”

Ella le devuelve la sonrisa.

Ev) “Thank you, Daniel.”

Después te mira a ti.

Ev) “Nacho, I think I’m going to need a bigger notebook.”

📅 Jueves, 8 de abril de 2021 | 🕘 13:06 | 📍 Washington D. C. — The White House, Oval Office

Daniel lleva varios minutos contemplando el esquema que Elodie ha preparado sobre la mesa.

Hay tres documentos abiertos, una matriz de organismos federales, una propuesta preliminar de organización y la libreta verde de Di, que cada vez tiene menos páginas disponibles.

Tú estás sentado junto a ella, absolutamente encantado con la conversación.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “All right. I think we’re reaching a workable structure.”

You) “So my original model wasn’t terrible.”

El presidente sonríe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Your original model was actually very good, Nacho. It just needed to be developed into something operational.”

Di asiente.

Ev) “The basic idea is sound. Small central team, substantial institutional reach, and clear responsibilities.”

You) “Exactly. Two representatives per area. They keep their original credentials, their institutional standing, and their ability to work with their colleagues.”

Elodie señala la matriz.

Ev) “That’s the important part. We don’t want to recruit people from federal agencies and then isolate them from the very resources that make them useful.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Agreed.”

Ev) “An IRS-CI investigator should retain access to the relevant investigative infrastructure. An SEC enforcement specialist should remain connected to SEC expertise. The same goes for ATF, FDA, the Inspectors General and everyone else.”

You) “And they should be able to ask their colleagues for help.”

Ev) “Exactly. You’re building a coordinated team, not duplicating the entire federal government inside USIC.”

Daniel se ríe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Which is fortunate, because even you might struggle to find enough office space for that.”

You) “I’d ask for another building.”

Ev) “Of course you would.”

Los tres os reís.

Di vuelve a examinar sus apuntes.

Ev) “So the central team identifies the issue, establishes jurisdiction, coordinates the relevant expertise, and directs the work through the proper authorities.”

You) “Good.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “And legal review?”

Te inclinas hacia delante.

You) “That’s where I think we need something much more substantial.”

Di levanta el bolígrafo.

You) “I want a team of exceptionally experienced federal lawyers. People who understand administrative law, enforcement, federal jurisdiction, constitutional limitations, procurement, financial regulation and litigation.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “That covers quite a range.”

You) “It needs to.”

Miras a Elodie.

You) “And they need to work fast. Really fast.”

Ev) “Define fast.”

You) “I don’t want us spending fifteen days trying to determine whether we have the authority to act on something.”

Di asiente.

Ev) “Then you’ll need more than good lawyers. You’ll need an excellent research and drafting infrastructure.”

You) “Exactly. Large AI systems, connected to the Federal Register, the United States Code, the relevant titles, federal regulations and case law.”

Daniel se incorpora ligeramente.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “You want AI-assisted federal legal research.”

You) “At scale.”

Ev) “With the lawyers responsible for validating the conclusions.”

You) “Of course. The systems do the searching, comparison, cross-referencing and preliminary drafting. The attorneys exercise legal judgment.”

Di empieza a escribir con rapidez.

Ev) “We can organize the workflow around questions. What happened? Which authority applies? What legal standard governs? What evidence is required? Which institution can act? And what’s the fastest valid procedure?”

You) “Yes!”

Sonríes ampliamente.

You) “That’s exactly it.”

Ev) “Then the AI infrastructure should produce source-linked legal memoranda rather than simply answers. Every proposition should point back to the controlling provision, regulation or decision.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “And changes to the law need to be incorporated immediately.”

You) “Absolutely. If a regulation changes this morning, I want our lawyers to know this afternoon.”

Elodie subraya una frase.

Ev) “Then we need a continuously updated legal knowledge system.”

You) “And enough lawyers to prevent it becoming a bottleneck.”

Di asiente.

Ev) “I’ll add a separate legal operations unit to the proposed structure.”

Daniel contempla el esquema.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Then comes enforcement.”

You) “The FBI, principally.”

El presidente levanta la cabeza.

You) “I originally wanted a young FBI agent in the team. But the more I think about it, the more obvious it becomes that one agent isn’t enough.”

Ev) “Agreed.”

You) “I want a cell of six. Young, capable, energetic agents, connected to and supported by the FBI’s existing organization.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Six agents with access to Bureau resources.”

You) “Yes. They shouldn’t have to recreate everything. They can draw on forensic capabilities, field offices, intelligence support, financial crime expertise and the Bureau’s investigative systems.”

Di anota la propuesta.

Ev) “So the six-person cell provides continuity and coordination, while the Bureau supplies depth.”

You) “Precisely.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “That gives you a permanent investigative nucleus without turning USIC into a competing FBI.”

You) “And means the central team can focus on the cases that matter.”

Daniel asiente, satisfecho.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “That’s a coherent approach.”

Elodie contempla sus notas y parece llegar a una conclusión distinta.

Ev) “Nacho, I need two people.”

Te vuelves inmediatamente hacia ella.

You) “All right.”

Di parpadea.

Ev) “You haven’t asked what for.”

You) “I assume you’re about to tell me.”

Daniel empieza a sonreír.

Ev) “Two people who can make the language work.”

You) “Meaning?”

Ev) “People who can take a political idea, an institutional decision or a policy objective and turn it into precise legislative or regulatory language.”

Daniel asiente.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Legislative drafting.”

Ev) “Exactly. I know two people from my class who would be extremely good at it. They’re meticulous, politically literate, and they understand the difference between making a proposal sound persuasive and making it actually do what it’s supposed to do.”

You) “Wonderful. Hire them.”

Di se queda quieta.

Ev) “Just like that?”

You) “Do you trust them?”

Ev) “Yes.”

You) “Are they competent?”

Ev) “Very.”

You) “Then I’d like to meet them, and if they’re interested, bring them aboard.”

Elodie sonríe.

Ev) “That would be excellent.”

Después añade, señalándote con el bolígrafo:

Ev) “Because if you’re going to keep taking me to meetings like this, I can’t also be the only person drafting everything. I’ll become the bottleneck.”

You) “Exactly. I don’t want that.”

Ev) “Then the two of them can handle the first drafting passes, track revisions and prepare legally structured proposals. I’ll coordinate the political content and review their work.”

You) “Perfect.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “And who coordinates their legal review?”

Ev) “The senior federal attorneys, once they’re appointed. Drafting staff create the proposed text; the lawyers review legal authority, consistency and enforceability.”

You) “Excellent.”

Daniel se recuesta y os contempla durante varios segundos.

Después empieza a reírse.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “You know, Nacho, I’m beginning to notice a pattern.”

You) “Oh?”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “You find somebody competent.”

You) “Yes.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “You hire them.”

You) “Generally.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “You give them substantial responsibility.”

You) “If they’re capable of handling it.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “And then you let them build the team they need.”

Sonríes.

You) “That’s the idea.”

Daniel señala a Elodie.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Di joined your office this morning.”

Ev) “Yes.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “You’ve already brought her to the Oval Office, put her in the middle of a major federal initiative and authorized her to recruit two additional staff members.”

Di se ríe.

Ev) “When you put it like that…”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “And I suspect by tomorrow afternoon she’ll be running an entire policy drafting section.”

You) “Well, hopefully.”

Daniel estalla en carcajadas.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Of course!”

El presidente se inclina hacia delante.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “But there’s something else. You consistently recruit people who are very young.”

You) “I do.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Silvia, Megan, Rebecca, Katie, Ashley. Now Di. And apparently two more Georgetown graduates.”

Te quedas pensativo.

You) “I suppose I do tend to hire people around my age.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “You do. Quite deliberately, from what I’ve seen.”

You) “I like building teams.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “I know.”

You) “And I like the idea that people can grow into their responsibilities. If someone is good, I’d rather give them the opportunity to build a career than wait twenty years for someone else to retire.”

Daniel sonríe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “That’s what I find interesting.”

Deja el bolígrafo.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “You haven’t made a habit of displacing experienced officers to put younger people in their jobs. You confirmed William in command of CYBERCOM on Tuesday.”

You) “Of course. He’s excellent.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Exactly. You retain capable people who are already serving. But when you’re creating something new, you seem determined to give people your own age the chance to build it.”

Asientes.

You) “I’d love it if some of them stayed until retirement.”

Daniel te mira con afecto.

You) “If they want to. Imagine starting something together at twenty-two and still working with some of the same people forty years later.”

Elodie levanta la cabeza.

Ev) “That’s actually a lovely thought.”

You) “I think so.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “And quite unusual.”

You) “I don’t want them to stay because they feel obligated. I want to build a place where they’d be happy to spend their careers.”

Daniel contempla a Di.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “You’ve been here for one morning. How does that sound?”

Ella sonríe.

Ev) “Rather wonderful, actually.”

El presidente asiente lentamente.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “I think I understand.”

Permanece unos segundos pensativo.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “You know what you’re really doing, Nacho?”

You) “What?”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “You’re creating an institutional generation.”

Frunces ligeramente el ceño.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “People who will grow professionally with USIC. They’ll develop their own expertise, their own teams, their own successors. And if the institution works, they’ll eventually become the experienced leadership other people learn from.”

Sonríes.

You) “That’s exactly what I want.”

Di contempla el esquema organizativo.

Ev) “And it means the people building the institution understand why it was created.”

You) “Yes.”

Daniel asiente.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “That’s an extraordinarily powerful way of creating continuity.”

La conversación continúa durante un rato más, concretando las necesidades del equipo jurídico, los enlaces de las agencias y el sistema de coordinación que Di empieza a diseñar.

Te encuentras disfrutando enormemente.

Has aprendido más sobre las diferencias entre las facultades administrativas, investigadoras y sancionadoras de los organismos federales en una mañana que durante muchas reuniones formales anteriores.

Y, sobre todo, has encontrado una persona capaz de explicarte esas diferencias sin perder la paciencia cuando haces preguntas que para ella resultan elementales.

Di cierra su libreta para reorganizar los documentos.

Ev) “All right. I think we’ve got a viable initial structure.”

You) “Fantastic.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “I agree.”

El presidente recoge la copia de la propuesta y se reclina.

Entonces sonríe de una manera peculiar.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Oh, Nacho. Before you go, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask.”

You) “Of course.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “What the hell did you do to that Suburban?”

Te echas a reír inmediatamente.

Elodie levanta la cabeza.

Ev) “What Suburban?”

Daniel empieza a reírse.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Apparently our young Major General managed to disable the telemetry of an armored government vehicle, and the maintenance people spent days trying to figure out why.”

Di te mira.

Ev) “You did what?”

You) “It wasn’t destructive.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “That’s what William said you told him!”

You) “Because it wasn’t.”

Daniel se ríe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “He also told me the technicians couldn’t believe how you’d done it.”

You) “Well, the system had a rather unfortunate configuration.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “A rather unfortunate configuration.”

You) “Yes.”

El presidente se inclina hacia delante, encantado.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “And apparently the password was ridiculously simple.”

You) “It was.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “How simple?”

Te acomodas en el sofá.

You) “DoD-VEHpoolSecurev2.”

Daniel se queda completamente inmóvil.

Después comienza a reírse.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “You’re joking.”

You) “No.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “That was the actual password?”

You) “Yes.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “DoD-VEHpoolSecurev2?”

You) “Precisely.”

Elodie abre los ojos.

Ev) “Oh, that’s dreadful.”

You) “It wasn’t ideal.”

Daniel se lleva una mano a la frente.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “William told me they were using MD5.”

You) “They were.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “In a security system for an armored vehicle?”

You) “Yes.”

El presidente se echa hacia atrás y empieza a reírse con ganas.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Good Lord.”

Di te contempla, fascinada.

Ev) “And you just discovered that?”

You) “More or less.”

Ev) “How?”

You) “I was curious about the onboard monitoring system.”

Daniel señala hacia ti.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “That’s another phrase we apparently need to fear.”

Di empieza a reírse.

Ev) “I’m beginning to understand why Amy says you have a very unusual relationship with technology.”

You) “I don’t know what she means.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Of course you don’t.”

Los tres os reís.

Finalmente Daniel recupera la compostura.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Nacho, I have one request.”

You) “What’s that?”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Please have somebody review the security of the rest of the vehicle fleet.”

You) “Already on my list.”

Danuel walker - POTUS) “Excellent.”

Elodie abre inmediatamente su libreta.

Ev) “Do we need to add that to my tasks?”

Te vuelves hacia ella.

You) “No, Di. That one’s technical.”

Ev) “Thank God.”

Daniel sonríe.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “See? He’s learning to delegate.”

You) “I’m very good at delegating.”

Di mira el esquema de personal que acaba de preparar.

Ev) “I noticed. I’ve been here for three hours and apparently I’m already recruiting a department.”

You) “You’re doing wonderfully.”

Ella se ríe.

Ev) “Thank you, Nacho.”

Daniel vuelve a contemplaros a ambos, con una expresión de satisfacción difícil de disimular.

La iniciativa empieza a tener estructura, responsables y un camino concreto hacia su ejecución.

Y tu nueva asesora política ya tiene dos puestos que cubrir, un sistema jurídico que ayudar a organizar y una comprensión bastante más precisa de por qué querías contratarla.

Antes de recoger los documentos, Di te mira con una sonrisa.

Ev) “By the way, Nacho?”

You) “Yes?”

Ev) “I think I understand why you warned me yesterday that you like doing things your own way.”

You) “Oh?”

Ev) “You weren’t exaggerating.”

Daniel empieza a reírse.

Danuel walker - POTUS) “He never does about that.”

Di cierra su libreta verde.

Ev) “Good. Because I think I’m going to enjoy keeping up with you.”

Sonríes ampliamente.

You) “I’m counting on it.”

Voy a revisar las secciones de USIC, su implementación y la cronología antes de continuar la escena, para respetar las fases de formación, las instalaciones y las fechas ya establecidas.