Government Insecurity

Breaking News

"Massive government data breach by our Ministry of Arrivals and Departures has jeopardized the security of hundreds of refugees seeking asylum here who fear retaliation by the new government in—"

_____

"Minister, uh, I'm so sorry I hung up on you. You see, somehow the press got my phone number up here at the—"

"Don't let it happen again. At least I know that you haven't been talking to media. Don't. A com office has been set up to coordinate the government's public response. What you need to do is get your people—your best and most trusted—onto this. You've got five hours before I brief the—"

In the caller's background

"Thank God this isn't a strategic demographic. Election's still three years away, but people can have long memories."

"What? What did she say? Who was that?"

"Never mind. You weren't supposed to hear that. Forget it, I'll take care of it. All you need to know is that the PM is very sensitive to issues that resonate at home. Find out what happened and no leaks. The PM will survive this. Make sure you do, too."

"Understood, ma'am."

"Good. Now, I don't care if it is August, get yourself and your people back here to the capital before the evening news cycle. We're not going to be videoconferencing across cottage country. We're already a laughingstock in diplomatic circles, and we can't—make that, we won't—allow this one to blow up and make us look like a bunch of dumb lumberjacks."

"I'll have my people on it right away, ma'am, and you have my personal assurance that all communications will be via secure lines and that we have plugged all the leaks from last time."

"Good. Call me with what you have at precisely 11:30 a.m. We'll take it from there."