The Operative by Jack Silkstone

Author:Jack Silkstone [Silkstone, Jack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Maraya21
Published: 2024-04-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

“The most powerful weapon that any operative has in their arsenal is the ability to convince someone else to assume all the risk,” their lecturer opened.

Jacquie, as she’d introduced herself, was unlike any of their previous instructors. Softly spoken and petite with a tear-drop face framed with perfectly groomed mouse-brown hair, Jenny thought she looked like a news reader.

According to the training schedule, Jacquie would lecture them all day on ‘soft skills.’ Jenny had assumed this was communications related. She hoped her experience in sales would allow her an edge over some of the other candidates.

“My job here,” continued the lecturer, “Is to arm you with the tools to do just that. I’ll show you how to select a target, evaluate them, develop a strategy and then execute it.”

“Sounds pretty complicated for something that women do naturally,” said Eric, shooting a grin toward Mark and Troy, sitting to his right.

Jacquie shrugged. “It’s true that many women and men can manipulate with ease, primarily using their sexuality to target the underlying insecurities that men tend to manifest. What makes it even easier is that men are terrible at hiding their insecurities. They tend to flag them with easily identifiable overcompensations. Like, for example, particularly flash and expensive cars, like a BMW X6, perhaps,” she said, with a smirk.

Eric’s eyes narrowed as the other candidates laughed.

“Over the next few hours, we’re going to explore a broader range of psychological tools, including emotional and cognitive empathy, to deception, insecurity, trust and fear. When I’m finished, you’ll all understand the mechanisms of manipulation and how to apply them. After that, the real fun can begin.”

***

Jenny sipped a green tea as she read her first target briefing. It was less detailed than she’d expected: only a photo, a short bio and the information she was expected to elicit. During their training, Jacquie had warned them about achieving the correct balance between being attentive and prying. According to her, nothing would shut down a first contact like pushing too hard.

The contestants were in the dining facility, waiting to be summoned and taken to their training scenarios where they would be required to establish contact with their target. Jenny had opted for peppermint tea over coffee. She tended to come on a little intense when she was caffeinated.

Glancing around the mess tent, she saw that others had opted for coffee as they read their briefings. The door swung open. Her anxiety peaked as four production assistants entered.

Each of them called a name. Hers was second. She followed the young woman out of the tent and across the vehicle park to the gym. Jenny noted the roller doors were all down, concealing what was within.

“Once you’re through that door, your scenario begins,” said the woman as she handed Jenny a shoulder bag. “These are your props.”

“OK, thanks.” She looked inside and found a laptop, phone, water bottle and a clutch. Taking a deep breath, she grasped the door handle. “Here we go.”

A camera crew was the first thing she spotted as she stepped inside.

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