Three Days Later — Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.

  The hearing room was packed to the walls. Elevated above the witness table, the members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence sat like a tribunal of disappointed gods. Below them, FBI Director Raymond Chen, DNI James Cartwright, and Secretary of Defense Harold Smith looked like three people who had not slept in seventy?two hours and wished they were anywhere else.

  It was a closed session—no cameras, no reporters—but that didn't make it any less brutal. If anything, the lack of an audience made the senators more honest.

  Committee Chair Senator Patricia Morrison, a thirty?year veteran with razor?sharp eyes and a legendary intolerance for bureaucratic stupidity, regarded the three officials with the expression of a grandmother about to scold her grandchildren for burning down the house.

  "Let me make sure I understand the situation correctly," she began, voice calm in the way a storm is calm right before it hits. "Three days ago, the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Perseus Jackson. Despite the fact that we have had the Echelon Protocol in place since 1947—seventy?eight years, for those counting—specifically to prevent exactly this from happening."

  "Yes, Senator," Chen said quietly.

  "And this is not the first time this has happened."

  "No, Senator."

  "In fact, this is the third time in six years that a U.S. intelligence agency has arrested Mr. Jackson, triggering military response teams and causing international incidents."

  "Yes, Senator."

  Senator Morrison leaned back. "Director Chen, I have a question. Are we stupid?"

  Chen blinked. "Excuse me?"

  "Are we, as a nation, as an intelligence community, fundamentally stupid? Because I'm trying to understand how this keeps happening. We created a protocol seventy?eight years ago. We have clearance levels, database systems, briefing procedures. And yet, every few years, some agent decides to arrest the one person on Earth we are specifically told not to arrest. So I ask again: are we stupid?"

  Cartwright cleared his throat. "Senator, if I may—"

  "No, James, you may not. I want Director Chen to answer. Are we stupid?"

  Chen inhaled slowly. "Senator, I don't believe we're stupid. I believe we have a systemic information?sharing problem that has persisted across multiple administrations and multiple directors."

  "That's a very diplomatic way of saying 'yes, we're stupid,'" Morrison replied. "Continue."

  "The Echelon Protocol is classified at Omega level. Only directors and select senior officials have access. Field agents—the people who actually conduct investigations—don't have that clearance. They rely on database flags and briefings."

  "And those systems failed."

  "Yes, Senator."

  "Multiple times."

  "Yes, Senator."

  Senator Richard Blake, a junior member from Texas, leaned forward. "Director, how many other countries have this problem?"

  Chen and Cartwright exchanged a look.

  Cartwright answered. "Senator, there have been international incidents. France in 2018, Russia in 2015, near?misses with Germany and Israel. But…"

  "But what?"

  "But the United States has had more incidents than all other countries combined."

  Blake sat back. "So we're not just stupid. We're the stupidest."

  "I wouldn't characterize it that way, Senator."

  "How would you characterize it?"

  Cartwright sighed. "The U.S. has the largest, most decentralized intelligence apparatus in the world. Seventeen agencies, hundreds of thousands of employees, constant turnover. Information that seems obvious to directors doesn't always reach field agents."

  "And yet," Senator Morrison cut in, "the British have never arrested Perseus Jackson. Not once. Why is that?"

  Secretary Smith finally spoke. "The British have institutional memory we lack. MI6 has been aware of Perseus Jackson since at least the 1500s. They have protocols predating Echelon by centuries. When Elizabeth I knighted him in 1583, it created a legal protection that's never been repealed."

  "So the British figured this out four hundred years ago, and we still can't get it right after seventy?eight?"

  "That's… accurate, Senator."

  Morrison rubbed her temples. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is embarrassing. We look incompetent. We look like we can't read our own databases. And worst of all, we keep having to deploy military teams to raid our own facilities because we arrested someone we specifically have a protocol not to arrest."

  "Yes, Senator," the three officials said together.

  "So what are you going to do about it?"

  Chen opened a folder. "Senator, we've developed a proposal. A complete overhaul of how we handle the Perseus Jackson situation."

  He handed copies to the committee.

  "First, we're implementing a universal database flag. Perseus Jackson's name—and all known aliases—will be flagged in every federal law enforcement and intelligence system. The flag will read: 'DO NOT DETAIN — CONTACT DIRECTOR IMMEDIATELY.'"

  Morrison scanned the document. "And if an agent ignores the flag?"

  "Then they can be prosecuted," Smith said. "Ignorance will no longer be a defense."

  "What about international coordination?" Blake asked.

  "We're extending the flag system to our Five Eyes partners," Cartwright said. "UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand."

  "And the others? France, Germany, Israel?"

  "Case?by?case. France has already requested a briefing. Germany and Israel have expressed interest."

  Morrison closed the folder. "This should have been done decades ago."

  "Yes, Senator."

  "The fact that it took three incidents in six years is pathetic."

  "Yes, Senator."

  "But better late than never." She leaned forward. "Let me be absolutely clear. This is the last time we're having this conversation. The next person who arrests Perseus Jackson—flag or no flag—will face full federal prosecution. The next director who allows it will be fired. The system has failed three times. That's three times too many. We're fixing it. Understood?"

  "Yes, Senator."

  "Good. Now get out of my hearing room and implement this system. And someone tell Mr. Jackson that the United States Senate apologizes for being collectively stupid for seventy?eight years."

  Two Hours Later — Office of the Director of National Intelligence

  DNI James Cartwright sat at his desk, staring at the secure phone like it was a guillotine. The hearing had been the most humiliating two hours of his career, and now came the international calls.

  The calls where he had to explain to other intelligence chiefs that yes, the United States had screwed up again, but this time they really meant it when they said they'd fix it.

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  He dialed London first.

  Two rings.

  "Sir Nigel Pierce, MI6."

  "Nigel, it's James Cartwright."

  A pause. Then: "Ah. James. I heard. My condolences."

  "We're implementing a flag system. Database alerts, mandatory director contact, prosecution for violations."

  "Mmm. That's what we said after the French incident in 2018. And yet, here we are."

  "We mean it this time."

  "I'm sure you do. That's what the French said too." Nigel's voice held unmistakable amusement. "You know, James, we've had a betting pool. How long until the Americans arrest him again. I had three years. Seems I was optimistic."

  "You're enjoying this."

  "Immensely. It's not often we get to feel superior to our American cousins."

  Cartwright pinched the bridge of his nose. "We're extending the flag system to Five Eyes. Full protocols. No more surprises."

  "That's sensible. Send it over." Nigel paused. "Though I should mention, we've never needed it. We have a standing order from 1583: don't arrest knights without Crown authorization. Perseus is a knight. Therefore, don't arrest Perseus. Simple."

  "Must be nice to have four hundred years of institutional memory."

  "It has its advantages. Best of luck, James. Try not to arrest him again before the system is active."

  "We're trying, Nigel."

  He hung up and dialed Ottawa.

  "Director Thompson, CSIS."

  "Rachel, it's James Cartwright."

  "Oh! James! We heard about the incident! Are you okay?"

  Cartwright appreciated that the Canadians led with empathy instead of mockery. "I'm surviving. We're implementing a flag system."

  "That's wonderful! We'd love to coordinate. Perseus vacations in Vancouver regularly. We've always just left him alone, but a formal system would help."

  "You just… leave him alone?"

  "Of course! He eats poutine, reads at coffee shops, minds his own business. Why would we bother him?"

  "That's remarkably sensible."

  "Thank you! Send the protocols. And James? Sorry this keeps happening. It must be stressful."

  "You have no idea, Rachel."

  Cartwright ended the call and immediately dialed the next number.

  Third call. Canberra.

  "Director Mitchell, ASIS."

  "Kevin, it's James Cartwright."

  "Mate!" Kevin Mitchell boomed, sounding far too cheerful for someone answering a secure intelligence line. "Heard you lot arrested Perseus again! How'd that go for you?"

  "About as well as you'd expect."

  "Bloody hell. Third time in six years? You might want to work on that."

  "We're implementing a flag system. Database alerts, mandatory procedures, the works."

  "Good on you! We've had a simple policy for years: anyone who can fight Big Dave the crocodile and live gets to visit Australia unmolested. Hasn't failed us yet."

  Cartwright blinked. "I'm sorry, what?"

  "Big Dave. Six?meter saltwater croc up in the Northern Territory. Absolute unit. Killed three people, injured a dozen more. Perseus wrestled him in 2019, won, then let him go because, quote, 'he was just being territorial.' Anyone with that level of respect for Australian wildlife and that level of combat skill is not someone we're going to bother."

  Cartwright stared at the wall. "He fought a crocodile."

  "And won! Beautiful thing to watch. Anyway, send over your documentation and we'll integrate it. Probably won't need it—like I said, we leave him alone—but better to have it."

  "Thank you, Kevin."

  "No worries, mate. And hey, maybe next time check the database before you arrest someone, yeah?"

  "We're working on it."

  Cartwright hung up.

  Fourth call. Moscow.

  This one was going to hurt.

  "Director Volkov, FSB."

  "Dmitri, it's James Cartwright."

  A long pause.

  Then Volkov started laughing. Not a polite chuckle. A full, unrestrained belly laugh that echoed through the secure line.

  "Oh, James. James, James, James. You did it again!"

  "Yes, Dmitri. We did it again."

  "Third time! Three times in six years! And you call us incompetent!"

  "We're implementing a flag system to prevent—"

  "We know! We did same thing after our incident in 2015! Does it help? A little! But stupid is stupid, James! You cannot fix stupid with database!"

  Cartwright pinched the bridge of his nose. "Nevertheless, we're trying."

  Volkov's laughter finally tapered off. "You know what the best part is? When we arrested him in 2015, you called us. You called to laugh. You remember?"

  Cartwright winced. He remembered. He had been Deputy DNI then, and yes, he had absolutely called to mock the Russians.

  "Karma," Volkov said cheerfully, "is very efficient."

  "Thank you, Dmitri."

  "We will coordinate with your flag system. Good idea. Should have done years ago. And James?"

  "Yes?"

  "Try not to arrest him again this year, yes? Give it twelve months. For dignity."

  "We'll do our best."

  Fifth call. Paris.

  Cartwright braced himself. The French had been insufferable since 2018.

  "Directeur Beaumont, DGSE."

  "Claude, it's James Cartwright."

  Silence.

  Then, in heavily accented English: "Non."

  "What?"

  "Non. I am not doing this. I am not being mocked by you after you mock us for three years about our incident. Non."

  "Claude, I'm not calling to—"

  "You called in 2018! You laugh! You send fruit basket with card that says 'better luck next time!' And now YOU do same thing and want sympathy? NON!"

  Cartwright closed his eyes. "Claude, I'm calling to coordinate on the flag system."

  "…You are implementing flag system?"

  "Yes. Extending it to Five Eyes and requesting coordination with France, Germany, and Israel."

  A long pause.

  When Beaumont spoke again, he sounded smug enough to power the Eiffel Tower.

  "Ah. So now you understand. Now you know what it is like. Welcome to the club, James. The club of directors who arrest Perseus Jackson and regret everything."

  "We're taking this seriously, Claude."

  "That is what we said! We brief everyone! We put flags everywhere! And it works! We have not arrested him again! So yes, your system will help. But James?"

  "Yes?"

  "You are still the country with the most arrests. Three times for you, one time for us, one time for Russia. You win! Congratulations! You are the most incompetent!"

  "Thank you for that, Claude."

  "You are welcome. Send documentation. And James?"

  "Yes?"

  "The fruit basket was very nice touch. Very thoughtful. Perhaps we send you one now, yes?"

  "That won't be necessary."

  "Oh, but I insist! We French appreciate irony. Expect delivery next week."

  Cartwright hung up and stared at the ceiling.

  Two more calls—Germany and Israel—but he needed a moment to recover.

  His phone buzzed.

  A text from the British director:

  "The French are sending you a fruit basket, aren't they?"

  Cartwright typed back: "How did you know?"

  "They sent us one in 2019 after we successfully didn't arrest him for a decade. The card said 'Merci for not being stupide like us.' They're very petty."

  "I'm learning that."

  "Welcome to the club, James. We're all very embarrassed here."

  Cartwright sighed, opened his laptop, and drafted the official email.

  SUBJECT: Echelon Protocol — Database Flag System Implementation

  PRIORITY: URGENT

  To all partner intelligence agencies,

  Effective immediately, the United States is implementing a comprehensive database flag system for Perseus Jackson (and all known aliases). The flag will read:

  "DO NOT DETAIN — CONTACT DIRECTOR IMMEDIATELY."

  Any agent who sees this flag and proceeds with detention will face federal prosecution.

  We request that all Five Eyes partners implement similar systems. Documentation attached.

  We also invite France, Germany, and Israel to coordinate on their own implementations.

  This is a critical national security matter. Please acknowledge receipt and provide estimated implementation timeline.

  Respectfully,

  James Cartwright

  Director of National Intelligence

  United States of America

  Replies came in almost instantly.

  UK: "Acknowledged. Implementation: 2 weeks. PS — Good luck."

  Canada: "Acknowledged! Implementation: 1 week. We're very efficient!"

  Australia: "No worries mate, we'll sort it. Cheers."

  Russia: "Acknowledged. Implementation: 1 month. Try not to arrest him before then."

  France: "Acknowledged. Implementation: 3 weeks. Your fruit basket has been dispatched."

  Cartwright put his head in his hands.

  This was his life now. Thirty years in intelligence, and he was being mocked by half the planet because the United States couldn't stop arresting one specific man.

  His phone rang again. U.S. number. Secretary of Defense.

  "Cartwright."

  "James, it's Harold. How'd the international calls go?"

  "The British were smug, the Canadians were sympathetic, the Australians were amused, the Russians laughed at us, and the French are sending me a fruit basket."

  A pause. Then Smith laughed. "A fruit basket?"

  "Apparently it's tradition."

  "How's the implementation timeline?"

  "Partners: one to four weeks. Ours: ten days if we prioritize."

  "Make it happen. I don't want to have this conversation again."

  "Neither do I, sir."

  Cartwright hung up and stared at his calendar.

  Two hours: video call with the President.

  Four hours: briefing with the Joint Chiefs.

  Tomorrow: House Intelligence Committee.

  And somewhere out there, Perseus Jackson was probably sitting in a coffee shop, reading a book, blissfully unaware of the international chaos swirling around him.

  Cartwright envied him.

  His computer pinged. An email from an unknown sender. He opened it cautiously.

  FROM:

  SUBJECT: Suggestion

  Director Cartwright,

  I heard about the flag system. Good idea. Should have done it decades ago, but better late than never.

  One suggestion: make the flag bright red and impossible to miss. I've seen too many agents who skim database results and miss important details.

  Also, consider adding a brief explanation: "Protected asset - Echelon Protocol - Contact director before ANY action." The more information, the better.

  And maybe add a popup that requires acknowledgment? So agents can't claim they didn't see it?

  Just thoughts from someone who's been arrested five times and would prefer not to make it six.

  Best,

  Definitely Not Perseus

  P.S. - Tell the French the fruit basket thing is funny. They need the win after 2018.

  Cartwright read the email three times, then forwarded it to his technical team with the subject line: "IMPLEMENT ALL OF THESE SUGGESTIONS IMMEDIATELY."

  Then he replied to the email:

  TO:

  SUBJECT: RE: Suggestion

  Mr. Definitely-Not-Perseus,

  All suggestions will be implemented. The flag will be red, prominent, and require manual acknowledgment.

  We're sorry this keeps happening. We're trying to do better.

  Also, if you happen to know the person who keeps getting arrested, please tell them we appreciate their patience and we're working to make sure it doesn't happen again.

  Respectfully,

  James Cartwright

  Director of National Intelligence

  The reply came back in two minutes:

  FROM:

  SUBJECT: RE: RE: Suggestion

  Director Cartwright,

  Message will be passed along to the relevant party.

  For what it's worth, they don't hold it against your people. They understand that this is a systemic failure, not individual malice.

  But maybe try to keep it to less than once per year going forward?

  That seems reasonable.

  Best,

  Still Definitely Not Perseus

  Cartwright smiled despite himself, then closed his laptop.

  Ten days to implement the flag system.

  Let's see if the United States intelligence community could manage to not arrest Perseus Jackson for at least a year.

  Given their track record, he wasn't taking any bets.

  Author's note :

  The Immortal Consultant!