Meetings like this were becoming a regular occurrence, even with the number of Achkaerinese troops deployed abroad being at its lowest level for two years there were still things that ended up with the National Security Committee being called to the Marble Palace. So here they were sat around the oaken round table in the appropriately and some would say lazily named Round Table Room.
Peter, the Emperor, sat in his usual seat looking across at the largest monitor in the room, it was built into the wall.
"Ok everyone no standing on ceremony what have you got?" Peter asked
"The leaks are troublesome."
Mark Sharpe, the national security advisor said "It's turning into scandal central and it's going to have every intelligence service and nation looking at their own security."
"I buy Samuelson making that inquiry."
Adam Sheppard, the Minister of Defence, said "Simply because I would have made the same inquiry for the same reason. The good thing is that the email is dated April last year and not July last year so it's not as problematic it's just eyebrow raising for anyone who doesn't really understand that world."
"I agree." Peter said "It's a mountain out of a molehill in terms of the email because it predates David's announcement, that email being dated July last year would have caused a mess of huge proportions. The bigger concern is the specs and the code."
"Our best analysts have looked at it."
Sky Marshall Sophie Wall, the Director of the Military Defence Initiative, said "And it's for real."
"If that's real then that means someone somehow got hold of the specs of a piece of military equipment which is difficult enough without the proper clearance level." Mark said "And then went and published it."
"Tell me about the Zimalia and Lakhzovia elements." Peter said
"Ajax isn't happy about the Zimalia situation." Adam said "And I don't blame him." he was referring to Ajax Semantar, the leader of Achkaerin's Liberal Party and a man who was originally from Zimalia but was now an Achkaerinese citizen.
"We've long been aware that Elwes is discriminating against the Afoleyans."
Saki Ryoko, the deputy national security advisor said "But this is an advance in that respect. Now we've got names and MO."
"And Lakhzovia?" Peter asked
"Oh the list of things."
Rion Ayanami said "We all know what Kadassa is like and this is right up his street, even if his name isn't on the message we've had enough dealings with him, enough incidents to suspect. And after what went down in the recent civil war and what we have in our possession. Let's just say I'm not surprised that we wouldn't be getting contacted."
"When am I getting that briefing?" Peter asked
"Once Kara's been through it." Rion said
"Ok then." Peter said narrowing his eyes in thought "I want the Lakhzovia briefing as soon as practical. Meanwhile I want investigations into those affiliated with the ZUL, I want double and triple checking on every Utman refugee we've taken in, Rion you find this 'Trajan' and you catch him, help someone else catch him or put him in the ground. And if you can't kill him you tell the Air Force where to find him."
"Understood." Rion said
"Do you think we've seen the last of these leaks Mark?" Peter asked
"No." Mark said "Their aim is application of pressure to get what they want. You don't stop doing that."