The room quieted and the reporters returned to their seats, “Thank you,” McCormick held on to the sides of the podium, and leaned into the camera, “In light of our current situation, I have decided that our country deserves, our country needs, our country must have more effective leadership. We need someone who can usher this great United Territories into a new era. Someone with proven leadership skills. I have been seeking advice on this matter. All of my advisors are in complete agreement with our solutions to the current problems. This has led me to conclude that what is needed is for a great leader to rise above all that is threatening our world today. What is needed is a great leader who can face these threats head on. I am here to tell you that I am that great leader we need, that I am the only one able to meet our challenges head on and overcome them! As of this moment, right now, I am officially announcing my candidacy for President of the United Territories of Land and Space.”
The clamor increased as frustrated reporters begged McCormick to answer questions, but the Governor disappointed them by promptly leaving the room.
His aide stepped up to the podium. “The Governor has asked me to tell you that he is very sorry that he couldn’t take your questions today as he had planned. He will be more than happy to hold another press conference to answer all your questions just as soon as this crisis allows. He asks you to be patient as he deals with our current challenges...thank you again.”
“Schmuck!” Bennie protested. “What are we going to do now?”
“Beefing up security,” Jen said, “that means they’re going to make it even harder to come and go.”
“We should also prepare for a cold winter.”
“Can’t we just turn up the heat when it does get colder?” Ben asked.
“Well, we could,” Cal answered, “But we have to keep our heat signature to a minimum. Even though we’re underground, they could spot our added heat if we do use it much.”
“I hope we have a lot of blankets,” Jen nodded.
“I’ve got several in storage,” Cal said, turning his head from the monitor, “and we have a ton of food supplies.”
“How long can we hold out down here?” Jen asked.
“We’ve got enough provisions for everyone to last six months, maybe longer if we ration.”
“Big fun,” Jen said, rolling her eyes.
“Well, it may come to that. Our movements to and from this base will have to be kept at a minimum.”
“Unless, Ben and I are AMP’d. We can fool any tracker and go out and get what we need.”
“Well, that should work once I finish the accelerator I’m attempting to build. Until I can provide you with a few hours of charge, we can’t risk it.”
“I understand, Cal,” Jen said, taking the freshly poured cup of coffee from Bennie. “Thank you, sweetie.”
“Awww, isn’t that cute?”
“Uncle, never you mind.”
“Yeah, Unc,” Jen added with a wink.
“So, when’s the date?”
“Umm, we thought it would be best if we planned on it after this conflict is over,” Bennie said, sipping his fresh cup of Joe.
“I wouldn’t wait if I were you,” Cal cautioned, “We don’t know how long we’re going to be in for it. Might as well do it sooner than later. None of us know what’s going to happen next.”
“Bennie, Calvin’s right.”
“Jen, I’m just happy to be with you again, that’s all. It doesn’t matter to me. We can, you know, do it now if you really want.”
Jenny placed her cup on the bench and threw her arms around Bennie’s neck and kissed him, “Thank you, Bennie. My knight in shining armor.”
Calvin’s secure radio channel buzzed to life, “Calvin, Calvin...this is J...do you read me?”
Calvin switched on the overhead speakers, “Loud and clear, my ol’ friend.”
“Good, who’s all there with you?”
“Jenny and Benjamin, myself. Beverly and Colonel Griffin are still sleeping in their quarters.”
“Okay, that’s fine. I wanted to give you an update on our situation.”
“Okay, J. Go ahead.”
“Just finished listening to the Governors’ announcement.”
“Disturbing, huh.”
“Disturbing to say the least.”
“Did they actually find Doctor Rhodes?”
“As far as we know, this is a ruse to calm the people in the city. There’s no evidence that they found the doctor’s remains.”
“Are you in contact with Trudy?”
“No, we haven’t seen either of them since the escape...no signs of them anywhere.”
“I consider that to be good news, which means there’s hope that they’re still alive.”
“Right,” J acknowledged, “I’m heading up the resistance movement. I’ve secured a base of operations in the Seattle Underground.”
“Good, sounds like you’ve got a few followers.”
“Yes, there are several. Many don’t know me, and I don’t know them.”
“It’s best that you keep it that way.”
“Yes. We all feel the same way. I know they are planning some counter strikes at some of the recruitment centers...they don’t tell me when, or which ones. Just stay away from them all.”
“That’s something you don’t have to tell us twice about. We’re more than happy to see some of the people take up arms against this illegal martial law.”
“As soon as we hear anything from Trudy or Doctor Rhodes, I’ll get word to you.”
“We’ll need to keep our communications limited. They’ll have a harder time to isolate our frequency if it’s not used much.”
“I agree,” J said. “I’ll be in touch. Give me a couple of days to get my digs set up in the underground.”
“Alright, J. Stay safe...Calvin out.”
Calvin turned the radio channel down, and turned to Ben and Jenny, “At least we have some hope that Rhodes and Trudy may still be alive.”
“I didn’t need to be AMP’d to read that Governor McCormick is lying about Rhodes,” Ben said.
“But it’s nice to know your truth detector works.”
“Yeah,” Ben nodded, “Say, when Griffin wakes up, I think it’s time that I probe his mind. Find out what he knows about all of this.”
“I couldn’t agree more, Bennie,” Calvin said, “I couldn’t agree more.”
Beverly opened the door to their quarters, and stepped into the dim light of Calvin’s central control room. Griffin came out with Bev, rubbing his eyes.
“Speak of the devil,” Ben said, looking over to Griffin.
“Huh, what?” a groggy Griffin asked, half yawning.
Bennie stared at Griffin, and set his coffee on the bench. He walked over to the Colonel and rested his hand on the man’s shoulder, “I can’t wait to read your mind.”
“Whattya talking about?”
“Oh, I think you do, Griffin,” Bennie replied, not taking his eyes off the man. He tried to read his mind, but nothing happened.
“What are you doing?” Beverly asked. “Why all the fuss over Tom’s memories. He’s done nothing but help us.”
“He only helped once Cal here held an AK-47 at his head. If it wasn’t for that, he would’ve let us rot in that hellish military complex.”
“Bennie, it wasn’t that way,” Griffin answered, attempting to convince them he did nothing wrong.
“Be careful, Colonel,” Bennie said, waving a finger in his face, “I may not have enough AMP power to read you right now, but I can still tell if you are untruthful...whattya all say we do a little truth or consequences game, shall we?”
“Yes,” Jenny said, coming to Bennies side, “I think it’s about time we do get some answers about what he knew about all of this.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about...”
“He’s lying,” Bennie and Jen said in unison.
“Now,” Bennie said, rubbing Griffin’s shoulder, “how about you start
from the beginning and tell us the truth this time?”
* * *
OTHER BOOKS
By Brian K. Larson
Secret of the Crystal I, II, & III
Secret of the Crystal
The Forge
Destiny
Secret of the Crystal IV & V
Forgotten Legacy
The Rune
Salvage-5
The Next Mission
Another Mission
A.M.P
Amplified Mental Projection
Phase 1
Phase 2
New Releases
Time Squared
Warlords of Antares
Empress of Antares
Blood Scroll of Antares
Coming Soon
A.M.P
Amplified Mental Projection
Phase 3
Time Fractured
Thank you so much for your support and being a fan of the AMP franchise. I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek of ‘Phase 2.’
Before you go, please remember to leave your favorite author an honest review for their hard work.
Thank you.
Brian K. Larson
You can follow me on Facebook and Twitter:
www.facebook.com/secretofthecrystal
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