The Chief of Defence Force’s office was located at the end of the corridor on the 3^rd floor of the west-wing. Despite tight security around the whole installation, a regimental police booth was erected just outside the CDF’s office. The RP on duty was usually a corporal or senior corporal, his job was to check the security passes of all visitors. The west-wing was classified under "Area D", thus, one needed level-D clearance to access this area.

"Good morning, sir," the RP politely greeted DSI Sim as he walked passed the booth with his security pass clipped to his jacket, the RP didn’t have to salute DSI Sim because he was a civilian.

DSI Sim knocked twice on the CDF’s door, then pushed the heavy door and walked into the latter’s office. The doors were fire-proof and double bolted. Like the walls, the doors and windows were embedded with Electronic Signal Jamming Devices to prevent any eavesdropping. The big glass window behind the huge swivel chair behind the huge oak table was reflective on the outside to prevent any attempt to photograph any documents laid on the table.

"For once, I’m earlier than Bern," DSI Sim said as he closed the half-million-dollar door behind him.

"Bern’s got something from CARDINAL coming in," the CDF replied. "P1, should be interesting to find out what’s in the mind of our friend up north."

The Joint Intelligence Directorate maintained several moles in several different countries, of which the CARDINAL was the most unheard of, most secretive, most valuable. Only the three people in this room knew about the existence of an agent code-named CARDINAL. Not much data was available on CARDINAL except that he was a high-ranking officer in the Royal Malaysian Armed Forces. The CARDINAL had been feeding the JID with highly classified information on the RMAF—military procurement, specifications of military hardware and, most important of all, the RMAF’s intelligence ability. Therefore, any intel from CARDINAL was treated with utmost importance—rated Priority 1. Two knocks on the door and the door opened…

The Director of Joint Intelligence Maj-Gen Bernie Foo walked in with a solemn face holding a black plastic folder with the SAF crest printed on the cover.

"The MSD screwed up on us again," General Foo said as he settled into his seat next to DSI Sim and handed out the EYES-ONLY report from CARDINAL. "CARDINAL has reported a possible infiltration in our side."

"Holy shit! Identities of my agents in jeopardy?" DSI Sim said as he stared at the un-Xeroxable paper. "How reliable is this shit?"

"Considering that CARDINAL’s been feeding us with top-level intel for the past decade, I’ll say it’s ninety percent true," Gen Foo replied. "Immediate action is required because the transaction is tonight in JB."

"I’ll call Team-Delta on standby," the CDF said as he lifted up the handset of the SAT-II secure telephone.

"But this is impossible, any agent who double cross us will be able to affect only a few assets, not all," DSI Sim reasoned. "Unless it’s a high level infiltration in the SID or the work of our own ELINT."

"Sim, I want you to go and find out who has been tapping into your SID database. Bern, you’ll give me all the contingency plans made for this situation and, while you’re at it, I want you to also give me the simulated reports for the plans. Get all infor on CARDINAL to see if a rescue mission is required. I’ll call the minister myself. We’ll meet in the Board at 10. Gentlemen, we have a crisis." The CDF said as he lifted the phone again, this time to the Istana.

[In the Board]