Part 72 (1/2)
Situated by the Danube of Strauss fame, Vienna, Austria is an odd h tech
Don Vienna is small, a semi-circle of cobblestone streets and brash illuminated billboards at every juncture
Teh interreed upon location was the third bench from St
Stephen's Cathedral on the Stephansplatz, where Vienna's es names No traffic is allowed on the square, on Kartnerstrasse or on Graben- strasse, so it is always packed with shoppers, tourists and street
”Have you ever seen Vienna from Old Steffel?” A deep voice came from behind where Martin was seated He looked around and saas Alex
”Many years ago But I prefer the Prater” He spoke of the fairgrounds 2 kilometers from tohere the world's oldest Ferris Wheel offered an unparalleled view of the Viennese sur- rounds Templer smiled at his old ally froh, Alex was an asset to the Agency, as he had been since he had gone freelance soo An expensive asset, but alith quality inforestured at the pollu- tion stained church, ”is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Europe? And Vienna's paradox?”
Templer had never been a history buff He shook his head
”Most of Vienna is Baroque, in fine fashi+on, but there are iso- lated examples of Gothic Yet, they seem to coexist In peace”
Alex's poetic words rolled off of his well educated tongue The allegory was not lost on Teence services used Vienna as a no-ularly exchanged
”It is a neorld,” commented Templer ”The threats are differ- ent”
Alex took the hint ”Let us walk,” he urged
They slowly strolled up the Kartnerstrasse as the Austrian night- life took on its own distinct flavor
”How long has it been,into business, the way the Americans favored
”daood times”
”'85, '86 was it? So much travel blurs the senses” Alex wrin- kled his forehead in thought ”Wasn't it the Pelton affair?
Yes, that would be summer of '85” He referred to Ron Pelton, the ex-NSA analyst who sold Araphic secrets to the Soviets
”Yeah,” Teotten all about that Never would have caught on to the scam if it weren't for Slovnov The KGB should tell their own to stay out of the Moulin Rouge Not good for business Ivan had to trade Slovnov for Pelton We didn't find out for a year that they wanted Pelton out anyway He was too fucked up for them”
”And now? Who do you spy on since Sa obliquely
”Spy? Ha!” Teency cooperation, political bullshi+t I do h, and the friendson both sides”
”Don't you mean on all sides?” cocktail se
”No, I mean both At least we had class; we knew the rules and how to play Now every third rate country tries to stick their nose in and they screw it up One big mess” Templer had been a staunch anti-Coments' highly professional attitude, and yes, ethics
”Touch ! I have ree you did not believe in, could I?”
Alex slapped Tehtly on his back Templer didn't answer
”Ah, you look so serious You came for business, not old memo- ries?”