Red faces, people barely breathing.

  "It went as a free market lets it go." Said a man of his trial budget.  "We can ask for another disbursement," said a woman sent into the field to help keep things on track. 

  "What we can't do now everyone, is be totally transparent." 

  "About the money?" 

  A sigh and breath out.  Shoulders slumping.  Rubbing a swollen ankle.  "You should cut down on the salt.  Just saying." Said a medical person.  "The money, yes.  And pretty much everything else too." 

  "Why? Anybody want this wine open?" Nobody did. 

  "Overseas, there had to be filtering put in place as survivors grouped up and in some cases moved on to another area.  So what started as (i)you're either with us, or against us(i) was honed into trust exercises and real vetting.  This had to happen in union with our strategy.  And it was fierce fighting so we couldn't be totally open about strategy." The soldier rubbed his temples. 

  "Things get more compartmentalized." Said a woman who also then told about "being in" since Vietnam.  (i)Whoa,(i) some of the people present commented. 

  "They'll also be some division of labor." An older commander eyed a younger commander.  The younger laser focused on the coffee table asked a question.  "Why did the photograph lady get rip shit mad?" 

  "That's not what we're talking about right now." 

  "Yeah, but she did.  Smashed the loop down and..."

  "Let's try to get an answer to that but not right now." 

  "I know why," said another communications person. 

  "It's getting off topic and we don't have extra time.  But keep it brief." 

  "Someone up on the hill had an unauthorized photo published as PR and it was compromising of the Navy and really everything." 

  "Really?" 

  "It was before more careful censorship." 

  "Ok.  Let's try to agree about these points on the Minutes.  And if someone can't we need to know why." 

  "Right." A recorder held up different sheets of paper.  "All anonymous 'voting' since opinions were messing with the minds of the upper ranks." 

  "So why even have this meeting?" 

  "There's so much in the pipeline that needs a going over, this will help the people bringing our stuff to more general meetings." 

  "Wine anyone?" 

  Still no takers.