September 10, 2003. . .

Buenos Aires is burning. A bloody revolt has erupted in Argentina as the "neo-liberal" economic policy of the old government has brought the economy crashing down.

10:12 PM - A light streaks across the sky form the northeast, but few notice as Keogh-23, an American "observation platform" descends from its highly elliptical orbit. No one was watching as it suddenly turned toward the south.

The Next Morning. . .

President Bush authorizes a small force to enter Argentina and locate the down satellite for recovery. There is no government to ask permission to enter Argentina, so Special Forces will be accompanied by a technical consultant from the Coherent Light Corporation. Their objective is to locate the satellite crash site and call in the experts waiting across the Andes in Chile. Avoid any local contact, the orders read. After all, they aren't supposed to be there. The code name is Rabbit Hill.

September 12, 2003. . .

The Chilean government has detected radio traffic in the vicinity of the crash. A Brazilian paramilitary group has crossed the border, and they will arrive in the vicinity shortly before the Americans. They are following the satellite's descent along the original flight path, stopping occasionally to, according to intelligence, collect small metal fragments. Not much information about the Brazilian group is available, but the Chileans laugh. "Brazil's army is a joke!" they say. "Anyone can take them.". But still they wonder - who is leading this raid, and how did they organize so quickly. Why so much ruckus over a smashed up spy satellite? Surely there is nothing left of any use to anyone.

In the morning, the Americans will be at the site.

In the morning, there will be answers.