“You did the best you could with the info provided,” Bri said.
If only that was true. Will continued on his course.
“Once we get back to Hosbon, I think I’ll help you finish that project of yours. You’re damn good, but I think I can be of some use in finishing it.”
Alex and Bri stared at the cyborg. Bri had no clue what “project” Will was referring to, but Alex stared for a different reason. Will knows I know cyborg anatomy inside and out by now. What the hell he is up to? Alex didn’t bring up his concerns. He only smiled.
“Much appreciated,” he said.
***
Vanzetti gazed out at the sea of people. He’d given thousands of speeches in his lifetime. Each one served a singular purpose. The only difference between them was contingent on the audience. This particular one is perhaps the grandest I’ve ever stood before.
“Good evening,” he began, “as many have said before me tonight, this event is truly miraculous in its scope. Diplomatically it is an achievement of stunning magnitude. For me, it holds much significance personally. You see, long before I was secretary general of the AEF, I was a soldier who wanted to attend school in what I saw as the greatest country in the world. I accomplished that dream. At the age of twenty, I arrived here and had the privilege of schooling at Cornell. For almost twenty years after I graduated, I lived right here in New York City as one of the world’s most renowned scientists.
“As we know, in 2044 that dream died. A sick nation fell under the influence of false hope. The United States we all loved so dearly became the UNR. I returned to Italy to pursue politics, like my father, under the assumption that through debate I could save what once was. We had no idea that we had failed to stop what would become a flood.”
Damien looked over at Venloran, who he was seated next to. His Chancellor had no visible reaction to this slander. None of The Cabinet members were looking at Venloran, but most of them looked rattled. Except for his wife and Kearney, he noticed.
“Why did we allow this to happen? I suppose awe had something to do with it at first. The new government rebuilt the economy and even disarmed a large number of their nuclear stockpile in the midst of a war. Some countries even followed suit. After the awe, though, the true intent of the United Nation Republic was revealed as was its most powerful weapon: fear. The S.S.C. Units marched into battle after battle. Because of that fear, for two decades we all sat back and did largely nothing. Earlier this year, the UNR yet again violated international borders when Stanley Rollins was killed in Midi-Pyrénées, France. Still, that is not to say I have lost hope for the United States.
“The Berlin Wall fell and before that the Third Reich faded away. With the new government’s help, we can bring back the U.S. This does not have to be accomplished by violence, as tonight shows. It is still only the first step. The next step is the leveling of the playing field. We are going to bring back the world without fear!”
The giant telescreens to his left and right switched views. What it now showed was some sort of station in a cold landscape. Colossal dark brown towers of metal that resembled drills were embedded in the ice, at each of their bases a red glow. Each of these towers were producing enormous amounts of steam.
“What you all see is a project started only months ago, fully funded by the AEF. For some time, the UNR was believed to be the only land with deposits of neoartium. Some even say that the acquisition of Mexico and Cuba were only initiated to secure the neoartium in those lands, but we are not here to speculate. We began to look in the one place where no one else had: Antarctica. Miles beneath that ice we found our own supply of neoartium, ladies and gentlemen. These deposits are estimated to be several times larger than any in the UNR and, unlike Venloran, the AEF will sell neoartium to all willing buyers! Shipments will be available within the month!”
Vanzetti held up both arms and applause came as he did. Everyone clapped, even the UNR Chancellor and his Cabinet. If one eyed the crowd closely, they could see a few leaders already chatting with one another. As Vanzetti lowered his arms, the applause rested as well.
“History isn’t always pretty, but it can always teach us something. Perhaps the most vital lesson is that peace cannot be maintained by fear and domination. Peace is maintained by equality!”
Vanzetti stepped back from the podium, ending his speech. All over the world, the news spread like wildfire. Aboard the Peregrine, the news had left everyone just as stunned.
Alex had saved an image from the footage Vanzetti had shared and studied it. His assessment came quickly.
“No way they were up and running in a few months. I highly doubt that’s their only site, too.”
“What does it matter?” said Will. “He’s given the world what they want: a foothold against the UNR on the ground.”
“It matters a lot, Will,” said Gabby over her intercom. “Alex is right. The secretary general has been hoarding the neoartium despite claiming to have been loyal to our cause since the beginning. If he was so dedicated, why not act sooner?”
“Waiting for the right spark for the powder keg,” Will realized. Me. I was the perfect opportunity.
There was much left to consider, but before they could talk about this development more, the moment came:
“Guys, Venloran is about to take the stage!” Bri reminded them.
All argument ceased. In fact, all debate around the Earth stopped. On every telescreen, computer and phone throughout the billions of people on Earth, all were watching as Venloran finally rose from his seat.
***
Venloran now approached the podium. Unlike all the other speakers, Vanzetti waited for his follow-up to reach the podium before departing. As the Chancellor ascended the steps, the secretary general reached out with his hand. The smile on Vanzetti’s face said it all.
Cristiano was surprised to see Venloran smile right back at him. He even shook his hand, something every reporter took note of. Venloran did not begin until the secretary general had reseated himself. The exhaustion of many sleepless nights ached within him, but he didn’t show it.
“Tonight, there has been a lot of talk about the future of the world and the nature of peace. In trying to save my country, I did all I thought necessary to not only ensure our state’s survival but expand beyond what it had been. When this country was crippled by debt, not one among you moved to save it. Maybe the task was too daunting for you. Perhaps you’d been waiting for a collapse, but we are a resilient people. We rose and became stronger than ever. So to those who would point to the genesis of the UNR and call it a sin, I regret to inform you that such decrees fall on deaf ears. Through strength, we reestablished our position in this world.
“All that being said, we are open to reform. It was through negotiation, not by force, that this great building was finally reopened. I chose this path because, as has been said before, there is a ‘new face of war.’ Whether the UNR is viewed as the leader of this new era or even the strongest, is not our concern. What I value most is not spreading the UNR flag across the world. What I value most, as every leader in this room surely does, is the future of my people. There are still many problems in this world, including in my own country, and they will not be solved in a day. Maybe not even in my lifetime. No, the future generations will take our place and continue to fight the likes of poverty and crisis caused by those who do not value life. The next generation will not ascend to that role if they are thrust into total war.
“Many of you the world over probably view me as a hypocrite. It was I who commanded my soldiers to kill without hesitation and ingrain fear wherever they were sent. My cyborgs were created for one purpose: I wanted them to be the guardians of what I’d built. They were to represent an age of warfare where battles could be won without leveling cities. In my own arrogance, I believed they alone could enforce my own twisted version of peace. Instead, I see now that clemency is a better way, and so I stand here before you all now to shed light on the reality of our current pat
h.”
The telescreens showed footage that sent all reeling. Declan and Ominic began to sweat as the soldiers high above also gawked. What everyone now saw on the left screen was the office area of the Rock City Salvage Station. Amongst all the rubble were dried splotches of blood. All around that room were corpses covered by simple white sheets.
On the right side was a collection of ID photos. Will and the others recognized faces in that slideshow. Gabby saw the face of the cyborg she’d killed in the Humvee. Bri saw the face of Kurt. Will saw the face of Harry Thorton.
“I apologize for the graphic nature of these images,” Venloran said, “but a firefight is always costly. What you are seeing is the end result of an attack on one of our research sites. Over fifty UNR soldiers dead. Eight civilians slaughtered and millions in damages. Each of these men and women had a family at home waiting for them. Sons, daughters, mothers and fathers, all lost. In April, we had an incident like this, but this one proved substantially more frightening. You see, amongst the terrorists responsible were not just the likes of UNR dissidents. We also identified soldiers of the Canadian Armed Forces. The list of collaborators goes on. How does a terrorist group infiltrate a secure facility in the heartland of the UNR? With this.”
The left screen switched to the front yard of the White House. The aerial view allowed everyone to see a Peregrine as bright spotlights were turned toward it. Venloran let the image sink in. The people were chattering ecstatically, but he didn’t wait too long before speaking.
“What we have here are multinational terrorists,” the Chancellor said. He now allowed anger to enter his voice. “All those who doubt what you see here tonight can rest at ease: a copy of all reports is being sent to your staff as we speak. After the International Summit is over, you are welcome to even stop by the White House to see for yourself. This act, in truth, justifies nothing short of war.”
Venloran looked over the audience as if to stare down each and every last world leader. The only one who remained calm was Vanzetti. He was trying to hide his excitement.
This is turning out better than I’d hoped!
No one could see the floor behind Venloran open, but they could see five metal poles begin to emerge behind him.
“As a symbol of this new era, the UNR will not declare war for these vicious acts. We will mourn our dead. We will bury them, but we will never forget them. All governments involved with the terrorists will be fully pardoned for the wanton destruction dealt to my people.”
“Jacob,” muttered Gabby to herself in the cockpit. By now, the elevator had lifted a platform up to the stage behind Venloran and the podium. Jacob, Adar and Nusaybah were chained to three of the five poles, helpless. The telescreens both zoomed in close to the face of the prisoners.
Stepping up onto the stage were three UNR soldiers, each one standing in front of a prisoner. Gabby’s palms began to sweat, but she waited for Alex’s command.
And I thought for sure they’d be taken to HQ. Once again, I’ve been wrong when there is no room for error. Will saw the events unfold in his mind again and again. He tried to convince himself that there was a way to scratch off the kill list and simultaneously save the others. There’s only way I can end this knowing I made a difference.
“These murderers were apprehended at the site. I ask now, what would each of you do for such a heinous act? Jacob Neeson alone has been the culprit behind the death of many UNR men and women. If it was up to them, there would be no peace, only carnage. Only by cleansing this filth can we begin anew and close this chapter of depravity. Does anyone wish to speak in their defense?”
The politicians and humanitarians gathered before him said absolutely nothing. Those leaders who had been involved with last night found the terms agreeable, and any who objected did not have the stomach to do so in front of Chancellor Venloran. Under Vanzetti’s faux tension, he was using all his might to keep a smile from creeping onto his face.
The stage is set. The kindling is in place. Now, William, pull the trigger!
“Then it is done,” Venloran said with finality. Right there his heart stopped. The audience peered at him in confusion as he stood there motionless.
Jacob had shut his eyes, expecting nothing more than a gunshot. He opened them and saw even the UNR soldiers were mystified.
“Sir?”
Venloran began to sweat. This had to be a nightmare. The report he’d just received in his earpiece had said that the Con Edison Plant on East Sixteenth was under attack. That was only four miles from the International Summit.
Chapter 12 - Nitimur in Vetitum
October 23, 2065 – New York City
The Wren was not just a bar. It was the hub of the Bowery neighborhood. It had stood the test of time not only because of the excellent service, but also due to how close it was to Washington Square Park and The Public Theater. The wooden shelves and countertops gave the place a vintage feel. Compounded by the complete lack of telescreens. Up on the wall was next to the shelves of liquor was the same chalkboard the owner shad held onto since they’d opened. It still listed the night’s specials. In here tonight. Let’s try somewhere else.
“Huey, it’s too packed in here tonight. Let’s try someplace else,” urged Ivan. He’d finished his second beer and pushed the empty bottle away from him.
“Patience is key, dude. I don’t know why you always rush it,” replied Huey, a blond with a high fade and a well-kept beard. He was facing away from the bar, drink in hand.
“It’s going to be a big night, dude. No reason to spend all our money here,” his friend argued.
“Tell you what, Ivan,” Huey proposed, his eyes set on a woman across the room, “if she curbs me, we’ll head out. How ‘bout that?”
Ivan sighed. “Which one?”
Huey looked toward the corner of the bar, close to the door. At a table, all by her lonesome, was a woman in a short-sleeve blouse that subtly displayed her cleavage. Her arms are toned, so she definitely works out, Ivan analyzed. She also had soft-toned skin and hair as red as her voluptuous lips.
“Oh, wow,” Ivan said, “It’d be obscene to let her slip by. Go ahead, bro, but if she disses you—”
“I know, I only said it a minute ago,” Huey coaxed.
He rose from his seat, checking for any sparse lint on his button-up shirt. She’s not wearing a dress, so I think I can get away with not having a tie. He didn’t think she would hear his footsteps on the wooden floor with so many people talking and laughing, but she looked up from her phone as he neared.
“Hi, I’m Huey,” he introduced. “Mind if I sit?”
Her smile revealed the whitest teeth. “You may. My name is Meredith.”
Huey sat, the small table bringing them fairly close together. Under those dim lights, he saw she had a thin form, surprising himself since he normally preferred women who were curvier. No reason I shouldn’t try something new.
“Thank you. What ya having tonight?” he asked.
“Pimm’s Tonic. I get it every time. And you?”
“A Wren Old Fashioned.” He held up the drink like a jewel. “I would argue the best in Manhattan.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
He scooted in his chair, resting his elbows on the smooth wood.
“So is this your go-to place? I end up coming here every weekend myself since I work right down the street.”
Meredith’s focus drifted to her phone and then back to Huey.
“No, I only visit New York in the winter really. I vacation here every year because it’s so lovely around this time.”
“That’s why my grandparents moved out here when I was little. I thought I’d hate leaving the suburbs, but actually—”
It wasn’t a loud noise that interrupted the conversation. It was darkness. Every light in the bar went out, and the window behind Meredith gave a view out into the pitch-black street. Gone was the illumination both inside and out and just as quickly came the chattering. The only light came from the
countless phones in everyone’s hands.
“Turn out the lights and everyone gets spooked,” Huey chuckled.
He felt their table vibrating and a glow appear in front of him. Meredith picked up her phone and read her text message. He saw something peculiar about the way her eyes lit up. Her breath quickened as well.
“Everything okay?”
The woman put her phone down and smiled again. All her beautiful features counted for nothing now. Huey could barely make out her face.
“Yeah, I think so. My mom just texted me and wants to know if I’m okay. Could you do me a favor and watch my purse while I call her? I’ll only be a minute,” Meredith said as she stood from her chair.
“Sure, I don’t mind at all. Go ahead.”
“Okay, thank you! It’s right there by my chair.”
Huey heard the door open the second he started feeling around for the purse. Already in that short time without power, the bar was getting louder and louder. Some asked their friends what was going on while others made their own calls. No wonder she went outside.
Huey used his own phone to shine a light around and found her purse. He picked it up and set it down on the table where he could partially see it. Kinda heavy. She probably has half the room in there along with a granola bar. He forgot that quickly when he smelled something: a hint of cherry coming from her bag. What is that? Lipstick? Perfume?
He took a gander at the window, now able to make out people walking by on the sidewalk. Huey’s eyes were doing their best to adjust. Wait, where is she? Huey didn’t see her out in front of The Wren, gone like a ghost. The cherry smell begged to differ. To cement this for him was Ivan patting him on the back.
“Dude, power’s out and she just left. We good to go?”
“No, she said just had to make a call. Left her purse with me and everything. Any luck while I was busy, though?”
Ivan never got the chance to answer. The residents of Bowery Street witnessed The Wren explode from the inside. The blast was a bringer of light and of terror. A couple walking by was struck by blazing shards of glass from the blown-out window. The old aged wooden door was gone in the ensuing blaze and the flames consuming the old building cackled as they fed. The citizens of Bowery street fled into the night.
Ballad of Demise Page 10