would collapse. The
fakers and incompetents would be replaced. The true rulers of the world would
arise, flex their considerable muscle from afar and set all things right again.
This all would take place over the next two weeks. It would take that long to
answer the millions of cries for order and peace.
Peace. That was what this all was about. Zeke Galbraith understood
the value of peace. He had dedicated his life to maintaining the balance of
power in the world by eliminating resistance to balance. His Machiavellian
philosophy required that the ends justify the means.
The Mystery Man had been confident that Galbraith would be
an easy convert and a valued addition to the Viveri brotherhood. So far, he had
not been disappointed. They had the massive capabilities and global power of
the Galbraith Association at their disposal. The technology that he desired was
now at his fingertips.
He raised a controller and changed a channel on the set
directly in front of him. He pulled on the crease of his slacks and put his
feet on a marble and maple table. The scene changed to a feed from an
underground bunker in Colorado. Clarence stood at a terminal nearby, a young
woman at his side. The Mystery Man grinned wickedly.
“So Clarence. I see you have my prize with you.” He let the
gravel of his voice punctuate his statement.
Clarence appeared startled for a moment and turned,
composed.
“Yes. Sir, Mr. Monday has arrived in Washington. He passed
the cortex test. He is prepped and prepared for the press conference.”
“Press Secretary Trent has come through for us, then? Good. I
had not seen the update.”
“Capitol Hill is abuzz. It is only the second terrorist
attack since President Vine lifted the sanctions in the first year of his
term.”
“He gets what he deserves. The madman actually thought he
could go around us. Today he will be repaid. There will be no mistakes this
time?”
“None that I can foresee. Over a dozen of the agents on site
today have already been compromised. The Press Secretary assures me that Jake
will have the access he needs to get within range. He will be using his
signature weapon. An improvised knife.”
“Excellent work so far Clarence.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“When can I expect the delivery of my victory prize?”
Clarence looked uncomfortable for a moment. He could tell
Clarence wanted to wipe his forehead or pull on the sleeves of his shirt. Clarence
was full of these vain idiosyncrasies, but he had faithfully served his family
for almost a decade now. Even though Clarence was prone to pride and vanity, he
was an able and motivated facilitator.
“I am afraid the package may have been damaged.” Clarence’s
voice did not sound remorseful.
“That was bound to happen. We must remember that we are
playing with the human mind. Not all minds are as pliable as our Mr. Monday’s. His
resilience is quite amazing. It is a shame that a specimen as unique as his
should be wasted on such a meaningless gesture.”
“I thought that assassinating Vine was key to your plan.”
“Don’t be disappointed if I tell you it does not matter. Our
corruption runs so deep, I could have his cleaning lady kill Gabriel in his
sleep. Catherine has phoned me twice in the last month begging me to let her do
it.”
He knew that Clarence was surprised. He was proud of him for
concealing it so well.
“Then why?” Simple question. Complicated answer. Maybe it
would be wise to cut Clarence off at this juncture.
He shrugged.
“It will be amusing to give Eilif his revenge at the cost of
his daughter’s life.”
Clarence smiled at that. He glanced back at Giselle and his
beady, watery eyes returned to the monitor.
“We will prep her for the trip, sir. Once we discover the
trigger Dr. Forsythe used, we will be able to recover most of her functions.”
“That will be delicious. I am looking forward to it. Send
her on to Rasnov with an escort. I plan on being here for the next week
watching this
fakers and incompetents would be replaced. The true rulers of the world would
arise, flex their considerable muscle from afar and set all things right again.
This all would take place over the next two weeks. It would take that long to
answer the millions of cries for order and peace.
Peace. That was what this all was about. Zeke Galbraith understood
the value of peace. He had dedicated his life to maintaining the balance of
power in the world by eliminating resistance to balance. His Machiavellian
philosophy required that the ends justify the means.
The Mystery Man had been confident that Galbraith would be
an easy convert and a valued addition to the Viveri brotherhood. So far, he had
not been disappointed. They had the massive capabilities and global power of
the Galbraith Association at their disposal. The technology that he desired was
now at his fingertips.
He raised a controller and changed a channel on the set
directly in front of him. He pulled on the crease of his slacks and put his
feet on a marble and maple table. The scene changed to a feed from an
underground bunker in Colorado. Clarence stood at a terminal nearby, a young
woman at his side. The Mystery Man grinned wickedly.
“So Clarence. I see you have my prize with you.” He let the
gravel of his voice punctuate his statement.
Clarence appeared startled for a moment and turned,
composed.
“Yes. Sir, Mr. Monday has arrived in Washington. He passed
the cortex test. He is prepped and prepared for the press conference.”
“Press Secretary Trent has come through for us, then? Good. I
had not seen the update.”
“Capitol Hill is abuzz. It is only the second terrorist
attack since President Vine lifted the sanctions in the first year of his
term.”
“He gets what he deserves. The madman actually thought he
could go around us. Today he will be repaid. There will be no mistakes this
time?”
“None that I can foresee. Over a dozen of the agents on site
today have already been compromised. The Press Secretary assures me that Jake
will have the access he needs to get within range. He will be using his
signature weapon. An improvised knife.”
“Excellent work so far Clarence.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“When can I expect the delivery of my victory prize?”
Clarence looked uncomfortable for a moment. He could tell
Clarence wanted to wipe his forehead or pull on the sleeves of his shirt. Clarence
was full of these vain idiosyncrasies, but he had faithfully served his family
for almost a decade now. Even though Clarence was prone to pride and vanity, he
was an able and motivated facilitator.
“I am afraid the package may have been damaged.” Clarence’s
voice did not sound remorseful.
“That was bound to happen. We must remember that we are
playing with the human mind. Not all minds are as pliable as our Mr. Monday’s. His
resilience is quite amazing. It is a shame that a specimen as unique as his
should be wasted on such a meaningless gesture.”
“I thought that assassinating Vine was key to your plan.”
“Don’t be disappointed if I tell you it does not matter. Our
corruption runs so deep, I could have his cleaning lady kill Gabriel in his
sleep. Catherine has phoned me twice in the last month begging me to let her do
it.”
He knew that Clarence was surprised. He was proud of him for
concealing it so well.
“Then why?” Simple question. Complicated answer. Maybe it
would be wise to cut Clarence off at this juncture.
He shrugged.
“It will be amusing to give Eilif his revenge at the cost of
his daughter’s life.”
Clarence smiled at that. He glanced back at Giselle and his
beady, watery eyes returned to the monitor.
“We will prep her for the trip, sir. Once we discover the
trigger Dr. Forsythe used, we will be able to recover most of her functions.”
“That will be delicious. I am looking forward to it. Send
her on to Rasnov with an escort. I plan on being here for the next week
watching this
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