MERIDIANA geopolitical thriller by Steve Raines Set in a world of shifting loyalties, digital shadows, and manufactured truths.
**Chapter One: Arrival** Rain blurred the lights over Vilnius International as Elias Ward stepped off the plane. The air tasted of jet fuel and wet pine, and for a moment he imagined he could smell the border — that invisible line dividing NATO order from Russian chaos just eighty kilometers east. He adjusted the strap of his worn leather bag and scanned the crowd. Diplomats, tourists, soldiers. They all looked the same when they were tired. Somewhere out there, a Lithuanian from the State Security Department was supposed to meet him. Or so Langley claimed. His phone vibrated. *“Welcome to Vilnius, Mister Ward. Blue Audi A4, short-term parking.”* No name. Typical. The driver waiting by the car was a woman with dark hair and the posture of a soldier. She didn’t bother with small talk. “Anja Petrescu,” she said, extending a hand. “EU Cyber Defense Unit.” Elias looked her over carefully. Romanian accent, good cover. Probably bette...