Page 23 of France Face-Off
“Just watch for me when I leave the banquet hall.” She nodded, glanced at the clock on the nightstand and set her tea on the tray. “I’d better go.”
Taking the stairs, she hurried down to the large conference room where the summit would take place and took her seat beside the German Minister of Energy. He understood a little Russian and was fairly fluent in English, but he’d requested an interpreter just in case. That had been Alex’s means for gaining entry into the conference. With a little help from a computer hacker, she’d made the top of the list for potential interpreters for the Energy Summit.
The summit meeting got underway with an introduction of all foreign leaders, scientists and decision makers. The representative from the European Union gave a brief history of the different types and origins of energy sources used throughout Europe.
He named the countries represented that provided those resources. He also talked about the continuing influx of migrants from Africa and the Middle East, and how the growing population in the EU had increased the demand for energy. The early forecast for the coming winter indicated it would be even colder than the previous one, and they were concerned about meeting their energy needs.
He then turned the meeting over to Anatoly Petrov, who segued into the need to resume the second phase of the Nord Stream pipeline to meet the increased demand for natural gas in Europe.
Even if Hans Sutter, the German delegate, didn’t need it, Alex provided a soft-spoken translation of everything said.
After Anatoly had explained how the pipeline would be laid at the bottom of the Baltic Sea alongside the original Nord Stream pipeline, he took a seat, looking pale, the injury obviously causing him pain.
As soon as Anatoly sat, Richard Wedington, the representative from the UK, stood. “Adding another pipeline only emphasizes our dependence on nonrenewable energy. What are we doing to reduce our need for nonrenewable fuel?”
Anatoly struggled to his feet again. “Part of our plan for introducing the new pipeline is to also allow sufficient funds to continue research into alternative fuel sources.”
“Assuming you put this pipeline in place,” the German spoke in Russian, “are you prepared for the possibility of someone employing ransomware that could shut down the original pipeline as well as the phase two pipeline?”
Anatoly pressed a hand to his chest and winced. “Our team has developed antivirus software to block the deployment of ransomware into our system.”
Wedington frowned. “You have software that can effectively combat ransomware? Has it been tested? Is it proven?”
Anatoly nodded.
“You have antivirus software, and you haven’t shared it with everybody else?” Richard Wedington continued, his voice rising.
“It works with our upgraded computer system. We can retrofit the existing controls to work with the phase one pipeline. The point is, if this pipeline is approved, it will be foolproof and provide the millions of additional cubic feet of natural gas needed to keep Europe warm this winter and for many winters to come.”
“How do we know you’re not working with the hackers that produce the ransomware? Everyone knows the hackers are Russian.”
Sutter pounded his fist on the table in front of him, making Alex jump. “Share the antivirus software so that we know it is viable,” he said. “Otherwise, you’re no better than the people who produce the ransomware.”
Anatoly’s face turned red, and he swayed on his feet. “How dare you accuse me of producing ransomware and blackmailing nations. We export energy. We don’t need to hold nations hostage.”
“No?” Wedington continued his attack. “How can we trust your word when your former president ravaged the Ukraine, got in bed with China and Iran and caused the EU to struggle for an entire winter?”
“We are under a new regime—” Anatoly said, his words breathy as if he couldn’t get enough air into his lungs. As quickly as his face turned red, it blanched white, and he fell back into his seat.
A security guard rushed forward and helped Anatoly to lie on the ground. He used his radio to call for help and, within seconds, the door opened and a stretcher was wheeled in. The medics lifted Anatoly onto it and wheeled him out. Some of the attendees stood, others remained seated.
Sergei Baranovsky held up his hand. “There’s no need to disband this meeting. I’m here as backup to Anatoly Petrov. We can continue this discussion.”
The moderator took control and stated that since it was near lunchtime they should adjourn until after the meal when they could continue the discussion.
The German rose from his seat so fast that his chair fell backward, slamming against the floor. His face was a ruddy red, his jaw set in a tight line. He muttered a curse in German and stormed out of the room. Others left, frowning furiously.
Alex could hear them talking angrily amongst themselves. They were furious with Anatoly and the Russians for holding back necessary antivirus software that would keep hackers from employing their ransom software and effectively shutting down the delivery of natural gas and other energy resources to the nations that needed it to keep warm.
The other Russian interpreter stopped beside her as Alex gathered her things. “Quite the drama, don’t you think?” she asked.
Alex kept a straight face. As an interpreter she refused to show emotion or take sides. “It is an interesting discussion,” she said, trying to keep her comment neutral.
The older woman held out her hand. “I’m Natalya Zotin, the interpreter for the Russian delegates.”
“Alexa Sokolov.” Alex shook the woman’s cool, slender hand.
“Are you interpreting during lunch?” Natalya asked.
