Let's Buy Some Cool Planes

Berlin Brandenburg Airport
9:00 AM

The shining, new international airport of Germany’s capital is naturally the country’s busiest as well, having recently and finally replaced its two airports. Over fifty million people pass through each year, and one of them is an important figure being awaited by several corporate representatives from Hamburg.

Ellie Wong arrived from her connecting flight in London, in business class, alone, as always. The agent’s personal fortunes had increased dramatically in the past few year following successful international operations and acquisition of businesses. With her department’s shrinking budget, it was time to put that money somewhere with more significant returns of investment. She strolled right past the baggage area; everything she needed was in her hand carried suitcase.

A man and woman in business suits welcome Ellie, the usually rough field agent having prettied up for the meeting, her hair waxed and in a tight bun, face made up (also to cover up her bruises) and wearing a gray business suit, aqua blue shirt, skirt and heels. She was never one for such appearances but was capable when necessary.

She smiled as she shook hands with them, as they greeted her in English, with an European accent. “Welcome to Berlin, Miss Wong. Hamburg Aerospace is thrilled to have you meet us in person. I trust your flight was well?”

“You are welcome. Yes, the flight went without incident. I’m also thrilled to become a major shareholder in the company.” She responded in German, no particular reason aside from sharing in their language. The man smiles and points out the obvious, impressed by Ellie’s linguistic skills.

“Yes, of course. We can take the bullet train and be at the office in the city, it will not even be more than thirty minutes. You can meet our CEO in person, as well as see the factory.” The woman said, offering to carry Ellie’s suitcase.

“Excellent.” She politely declined the offer with a gesture, the suitcase quite light.

Germany also had a fine reputation for its maglev trains, fast and energy efficient means of transport within the country. Ellie actually paused to take a good look around the station, the technology and the beauty of the trains themselves. Her companions ushered her into the train, clean and air-conditioned, with individualized seats. They take their seats by the window, having a commanding view of the landscape.

The train doors close, and the train itself begins its quiet acceleration to high speed, the landscape moving by quickly to be replaced by Berlin’s sunny, daytime skyline. Refreshments were quickly made available by train staff, and Ellie helped herself to some green tea and biscuits, her fellows preferring coffee.

Ellie conversed awhile to get to know her new co-workers, and possibly future employees. These two were company engineers, Karl and Mina, who showed competence in the field of aerospace engineering.  Then she shifted the conversation and retrieved a tablet device from her briefcase, and placed it on the folding table between them, and moved to the files containing schematics for a new aircraft.

“Can you tell me more about the new... Strato-craft designs?”

Mina turned the tablet around to access her own files from the company. “Well, the Strato-craft design is a new, experimental engine- by me- and hull design by Karl- for a craft that can rapidly enter low orbit and reach destinations in record time. We are having trouble with a working craft...”

Hopefully, the trip would be uneventful...

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((Words: 591 ))

9:12 AM

Ellie noted the message, and put it off for a few moments, wrapping up her discussion with the two engineers. She excuses herself and begins countermeasures, utilizing her back-up servers in the U.S. while triangulating the source location of the hack via satellites. She multi-tasks by responding to the message.

"I'm listening."

9:20 AM

Ellie quietly inhaled, a growing frustration that her cyber warfare defenses were bypassed. The group was definitely legitimately capable, having cyber-cryptology capabilities exceeding her own. She looks at her companions and speaks in a polite, apologetic tone. "...I think I may have to postpone the shareholder's meeting."

"Oh? something has come up?" Mina asked, concerned.

"Yes. I apologize, deeply."

"It is not a problem. The company is having several meetings today. We can postpone you to later."

"Thank you for your consideration."

Ellie gets off at the next station and doubles back to the airport on a train... strange, for someone capable of bypassing her cyber defenses, the person didn't seem sharp enough to realize that Berlin's national airport wasn't for sale. Still, If this OCEAN group really did have the financial capabilities, she'd need to rebuild a far more important airport air base- in New York.

Ellie gets off at the airport train station, following the GPS to the location of this meeting.

Ellie would eventually arrive again at the airport and meet up with this liason. "Yes well, good day to you. I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage as I'm not familiar with your organization." Ellie shook her hand, seeing as it was a public place and Ellie was in her 'face' mode.

"I am Ellie Wong, and I work for the United States Government... though in what capacity is classified. I am more than willing to collaborate with... private groups... if it serves to benefit mankind in general, and America in particular. So, might I have a name?" She said, wanting to get to the point of the meeting.