by Bill Brewer
Diegert frowned. “I don’t know if most people could imagine themselves shooting the president for ten million dollars, but they can believe that a Russian assassin would.”
“Very well. I do have media people I can get to work on this story. We’ll broadcast it worldwide.”
“It also has to be leaked to the authorities for independent verification,” added Diegert.
Panzer asked, “What authorities do you have in mind?”
Diegert felt that Panzer was now testing him. “They should be American. They should already be working on the case, and they should have the international scope to verify the evidence we create.”
Diegert hesitated to see if he could get Panzer to suggest an agency that fit the criterion, instead, Panzer asked, “Why does it have to be American?”
“The Americans have to be seen as solving the assassination of their own president.”
“Very well. We’ll operate through the CIA.”
Diegert pumped his fist. “Thank you. This misdirection will buy us a lot of room in which to operate.”
“I’m glad to see you taking this kind of initiative. I’m beginning to see new potential in you, son.”
There it was again, the ambivalent feeling that shook him each time Panzer called him son. The feeling of hatred for the past, mixed with the hope for the future made his stomach turn.
Panzer broke the pause. “Look, I have another appointment coming, but I will instruct the media department to expedite this story. Is there anything else?”
“No,” replied Diegert. “Thanks for doing this.”
“You are most welcome.”
His own statement of gratitude caught Diegert off guard. He felt thankful for a father who could help him solve a problem. It was a truly unprecedented experience.
Panzer’s next appointment was a video conference with Abaya Patel. “Guten Morgen Abaya, how are you?”
“I’m fine, Klaus, thanks for asking and you?”
“If I was doing any better, I’m sure I would be arrested.” Panzer chuckled at his own joke.
Abaya smiled ruefully, while thinking, He should be arrested for a hundred crimes. “I believe I have a way for Digival to replace the dollar.”
“Well there’s no need for suspense, what is it?” asked Panzer.
“What is the one expense that everyone is subject to that no one wants to pay, but must?”
“Aw, you come with a riddle. Is the answer healthcare?”
“No, but that’s a good one.”
“Food?”
“People are happy to spend money on food. Come on, think like an economist… A government economist.”
“Oh, taxes.”
“Right, no one wants to pay them, everyone must, and people spend money figuring out ways to not pay them.”
“So how does this help us?”
“Taxes are vital government revenue. All government spending is through taxes, except in the US where they borrow more money than they collect.”
“OK, Econ 101. What’s your plan?” asked the curious German.
“I’m proposing that we encourage the US Government to tax Digival.” Patel fell silent, giving her last statement a moment to sink into Panzer’s diabolical brain. Over the video feed, she observed him lean back in his chair, gaze off to the left and bring his hand to his chin. The contemplation was absolutely palpable, and Abaya was so pleased for the video image.
“Would the taxes only be collected on purchases?”
“At first, yes.”
“What would the government do with the Digival it collected?”
“I hope they would spend it. Use it for entitlement payments. Give it to poor people, or soldiers in the military. They would be able to purchase whatever they want from Omnisphere vendors.”
“This would raise the validation of Digival by getting the government to use it as revenue.”
“Precisely. Once they are comfortable with this arrangement, we can allow regular people to pay their taxes with Digival.”
Panzer cast a suspicious eye across the screen at Patel.
She explained further, “When a purchase is made, we pay the taxes in Digival. We pay the government a higher rate than what it usually charges. Say instead of eight percent, we give ten. At the same time, we put ten percent into the customer’s Digival account. They are making money every time they spend money, and they’re doing it tax-free.”
The concern showed across Panzer’s face as the math became apparent to him. “That’s twenty percent of every purchase!”
“Yes,” said Patel, “but it’s twenty percent of nothing. We just put more numbers in an account. When they go to spend them, they give the numbers right back to us.”
“And they get products and services for those nothing numbers.”
“Well, that will be the result of this whole plan. If you are going to control the world’s money, you are going to control nothing but faith and belief in perceived value.”
Abaya looked at the screen to see Panzer, who was aware of all this, struggling with the reality of his plan.
In a softer voice, she spoke. “We are working to get people to believe in a digital currency. But we are also seeking to gain their trust that Omnisphere will always be there to finance their lives and share the wealth.”
Panzer slowly turned to look directly into the screen. “But with that faith comes the power.”
“Only if you are successful in getting people to believe in Digival.”
After a short pause, Panzer said, “We can do this. We can make this happen. We can get people to believe, and we will actually improve the economy.”
“You will sacrifice all of your wealth which is held in current money.”
Panzer nodded slowly. “When my grandfather lived through the hyperinflation of the Deutsch marc he came out of it realizing that assets were more important than money. He had his factory and all the parts necessary to make tractors. Even without money, he still made the tractors, and they tilled the fields so that food could be grown. People survived.”
Abaya looked at the screen, eager for Panzer to continue.
“We now possess so many more assets than he did. We can fuel the world’s economy by providing both the goods and the services necessary to make people’s lives better.”
“I detect a hint of altruism.”
With a wry smile, Panzer replied, “You know me better than that. What’s our next step?”
“Our finance people are meeting with officials from the IRS to review the process of approving Digival for taxation.”
Panzer nodded.
Abaya went on, “This step is crucial. The IRS has to see that Digival is a valid and reliable entity that will benefit the US Treasury. Our department of finance is preparing a presentation which will highlight the scope of Omnisphere and the assets upon which the value of Digival is based. We are lifting the veil on Omnisphere’s reach into the world’s economy. This is unprecedented for us, but it will be kept confidential.”
“Surely you won’t show them everything?”
“Only that which is legal.”
Panzer’s smile was slow and deliberate.
“By convincing the IRS that we can pull this off,” said Abaya. “We are taking on a huge tax burden, or so it seems. The truth of the matter is that we are establishing credibility with the US Treasury, which will expand the presence of Digival in the market. We will set up the tax payments; the market will do the rest.”
Panzer’s lips lifted farther, “Excellent, thank you. I look forward to your report on the meeting with the IRS. Who would have thought, taxes would be the way in which we replace the mighty dollar.”
It was Abaya Patel’s turn to smile as she and Panzer both exited the meeting.
Abaya reviewed the plan with her finance team. As a result of the agreement with Omnisphere, the IRS will implement a plan to tax transactions made with Digival. The tax rate will be eight percent. Omnisphere pays eight perce
nt to the US Government and also places ten percent in the Digival account of the customer. For US customers the impact of sales taxes is eliminated. Digival accounts grow with purchases, and Omnisphere pays an interest rate on the accounts of five percent annually. For many people, their Digival accounts will become large enough to pay their annual income tax bill. The government accepts the revenue and uses the resources to fund entitlements. Medicaid, SNAP food allocations, housing assistance, all will be provided to needy people through the corporate currency, Digival.
Once the US Government accepts Digival as revenue, Omnisphere will break the hold of the dollar on the price of oil. The Saudis will lead the way by pricing their oil in Digival and accepting it as payment. Agricultural commodities will also be traded in Digival. Most of these companies are owned by Omnisphere so the transition to Digival will be easy and smooth. Since Digival’s value is independent of the dollar, international businesses will be able to conduct transactions without having to determine exchange rates. Digival will eliminate the need for currency exchange.
Within a month, as the dollar’s value drops, China which is the largest foreign holder of US debt requests payment of twenty-five percent of the debt. China’s Ministry of Finance requires the payment in Digival, in order to hedge its losses against the dollar’s decline.
As the role of Digival becomes more evident, media broadcasts start reporting worst-case scenarios regarding the declining dollar. People begin freaking out. Omnisphere calms the masses promising to “see us through this storm,” by offering Digival exchange for dollars at their current value. People start switching, and the dollar’s fall accelerates.
****
Avery began, “David, look at this man.” Avery handed Diegert his phone with a picture of a handsome man with olive skin, dark hair, and a stubbly beard. Like himself, his ethnicity was difficult to identify. From a photo alone it was hard to tell if he was Arabic, Hispanic, Greek, or possibly Italian? He looked tough, he looked mean, but that was pretty much all Diegert could tell about him.
Handing the phone back he said, “So?”
“This man is a member of Cerberus.”
Even though Avery said the name like Diegert should know what it meant, he did not. “What’s Sir-ber-us?”
“Cerberus is a character in Greek Mythology. A ferocious three-headed dog that guards the gates of hell.”
“So what’s the meaning?”
“Omnisphere security operations are extensive. They coordinate with affiliate corporate security teams to maintain a secure environment for the worldwide functions of all of our businesses.”
Avery paused, and Diegert nodded.
“Separate from Omnisphere security, I maintain a paramilitary force of special service operators that can be deployed when threats require an immediate response.”
Diegert said, “You’ve got your own private army.”
Avery nodded as he peered at Diegert with a narrow glare, “The force is stationed in different facilities around the world, like the one you visited in Romania.”
Diegert snorted, “Yeah, I sure had a great time ‘visiting.’”
Ignoring the comment, Avery said, “In addition to Romania there are four other facilities strategically distributed around the globe. Each facility has between twenty to thirty soldiers. They can be deployed at a moment’s notice to protect the mission of Crepusculous.”
“And you call all this, Cerberus?”
“No, Cerberus is a specific set of operators that conduct extrajudicial covert missions under my direct supervision.”
“They are your assassins.”
“The mission profile of Cerberus does include assassinations, as well as sabotage and abductions. The operators are highly skilled, keenly motivated and absolutely discreet.”
“And how many of these guys do you have?”
“Three, of course, but they’re not all guys.”
Diegert remembered the three-headed dog, but he was intrigued by the inclusion of a female. “So now that I know all this secret stuff, am I to be part of this team?”
“Only if you earn your place.”
Diegert’s brow wrinkled as he realized he would always be tested by this organization and that no matter what he’d already done, each day was brand new. “What do you want me to do?”
“The picture I showed you, that man’s name is Jarod Masoni. He is very strong and exceptionally quick. He is smart and extremely cunning. He is also confused and following a wayward path.”
The last statement raised Diegert’s eyebrows. “Wayward?”
“Yes, he has overlooked the fact that membership in Cerberus is the highest calling for a lethal operator. It requires absolute loyalty and is a lifelong vocation.”
“He’s gone rogue on ya.”
“He has.”
“So now you want me to kill him.”
“No. I want you to abduct him and deliver him to me. He is an excellent operator, and I believe if I could speak with him, he would realize the true value of his place within Cerberus.”
“Catching this guy and bringing him in alive is going to be a lot harder than killing him. Why don’t you call him up?”
Avery grimaced at Diegert, “We’re beyond phone calls. This mission will not be easy, but you know we have chemical agents which can render him unconscious.”
“Yeah.”
“To your phone, I have sent a dossier with all the pertinent information you will need to know about the target. In the packet, you will find videos of Masoni’s recent movements and the locations he frequents. Plan your actions carefully and remember that absolute discretion is the expectation of a Cerberus mission.”
Turning to look at Avery, Diegert asked, “Does this mean I’m in?”
“The mission is being conducted under the authority of Cerberus, but you are not yet a member. Study the dossier, including the maps. Later today I will bring your kit. Good day, David.”
“Wait, you say this dossier has everything I need to know but does it tell me why he’s gone rogue?”
“You have everything you need to know. You don’t need to know what you’re asking about.”
Disappointed, Diegert slowly turned and held his eyes on Avery, “What if I don’t want to be part of Cerberus?”
“David, you are an assassin. It is your path, and there is no greater calling for you than to serve Crepusculous through this elite organization.”
Diegert remained ambivalent, but Avery did not acknowledge it. The mentor walked out of the room leaving the student with his conflicted thoughts.
Sitting on his bed, Diegert picked up his phone and looked at the picture of Jarod Masoni. Did he really want to earn his way into Cerberus? What could he learn from this guy when he found him? How would he transport him, especially if he was unconscious? He had to admit that being on a mission had a lot more appeal than being trapped in his little apartment. He kind of felt good about not having to kill the guy. Swiping the screen, he began reviewing the file.
CHAPTER 12
After leaving Diegert, Avery went to a section of the labyrinth controlled by, not only an access card but also, biometric eye and hand scanners. Solid steel doors swung forward after Avery completed the scans. He moved down the hall past several rooms fronted by closed doors. Taking a right-hand turn, he continued in an easterly direction. This hall ended at a set of double doors, which required him to scan his eye and hand again. Both doors slid into wall pockets as Avery entered and stood still, having arrived at the facility he built for the training of his soldiers of Cerberus.
Today was a critical step in the selection process for a new Cerberus operator.
Avery stepped to the glass and looked down into a tiled room. There was a single entrance on the opposite wall. LED lighting on the ceiling cast diffuse light against the white ceramic floor and walls. To the left and right, slots occupied positions on the wall at the height of ankles and wrists. As Avery surveyed the enclosure, he pressed a red button
on a control panel mounted at the windowsill.
The door to the room opened, and two men were escorted in by Omnisphere security agents. Each man had a black cloth bag over his head. They were both dressed in black combat pants and a gray Under Armour sleeveless shirt. On their feet, they wore black tactical boots.
Led to opposite sides of the room, they were positioned by the slots. Avery pushed another button and metal bands extended from the slots, encircling the wrists and ankles of each man, securely fastening them to the wall. The guards pulled off the cloth bags, and both men squinted in the blinding whiteness of the room. From where Avery stood, he could clearly see that both young men were fit and well-muscled. He observed the white man to his right, seeing his red beard and hair framing a determined, stoic-looking face. The black man to the left was cleanly shaven with closely cropped hair. His expression was intense, but his breathing was slow and steady. As the guards exited the room, the last one to leave drew from his belt scabbard a Gough knife, which he threw back into the room where it landed on the circular center drain.
Pressing a green button on the control panel, Avery’s voice cast into the room. “The man who survives will be a soldier of Cerberus.” Depressing another button retracted the metal binds, unleashing both men. The white guy leapt for the knife, sliding across the tile floor to snatch it from the grate covering the drain. The black guy rubbed his wrist as he strode away from his original position looking down upon his adversary. The bearded man quickly regained his feet with a wickedly triumphant smile. In his hand, he held the world’s best-constructed knife. The anodized black blade of hyper-hardened steel tapered into a deadly point. A diamond grinder was used to hone the edge so sharply that the knife must be stored in a carbon-reinforced scabbard. The red-bearded man extended his arm, holding the knife as a menacing threat. Both men moved in a slow clockwise circle. The white guy’s smile grew wider, yet a flicker of doubt shimmered in his eyes, because the black guy didn’t seem dismayed by the knife, in fact, he had made no attempt to acquire the weapon. The white guy lunged forward, swiping the air where the black guy had been. The six-inch blade made no contact, as the dark man’s deft movements made the attack look feeble.
