Within the Brass Web.
Page 24
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Dinner was a pleasant affair but the mood was tense. As they settled into a desert of apple pie, Helena set her fork down and looked at the two men.
“All right out with it. I haven’t known you all my life,” she said looking to her great uncle, “and you for the last six years” she looked at Lukas, “ to not know when you’re keeping something from me. Now I know there are things I shouldn’t know, but do and there are things I should know, but don’t. By the way you two are acting I’d say this is the latter. So out with it.” Her blue eyes flashed so much like her great uncle’s it was scary. When no one spoke right away she touched her napkin to her lips and set it on the table beside her plate. “All right then, let me start this. I have always known that Southern United isn’t as forthright as everyone seems to believe. I have seen more gunfire than some soldiers have and it was never a random act. I also know that some of your inventions are far more advanced than anything I have ever seen. I marvel whenever I catch a glimpse at the items you create from nothing. If I had to guess, I’d say you haven’t been sharing your toys with anyone else. As for you my dear husband. Your men slip up more than you notice. I happen to know you were a corporal in the war, so when one of them calls you general, I know its not a war reference. Now don’t give me those surprised looks my good men. You seem to forget whom I am related to. Now I don’t have all the details, but I know something is happening. So out with it.”
Lord Nemesis looked at her for a moment and then started to chuckle. “And that my good General is why she is truly the one in charge of our lives. Yes my dear, Southern United is more than a thriving business. Yes at first we needed to use criminal tactics to achieve our goals but it has been a long time since we actually had to do anything despicable. Although we are not beneath helping those with political ambition to get what they want for favors at some later date. It is these Heroes of the City that are creating a problem we can no longer ignore. We did our best just to ignore them, but they didn’t go away like I had hoped. I know now we will have to face them and prove to everyone once and for all time just who is the real hero, the real savior of this great city.”
“This is about that news paper article from yesterday isn’t it?”
“Yes my dear. These heroes seem to believe we are to blame for the criminal state our city is in.”
“That’s preposterous!”
“We all know that, but none the less our past has come to haunt us and we are backed against the wall.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“We have several options depending on how open minded these heroes wish to be.” Lord Nemesis said calmly. He met Helena’s gaze directly and was very impressed with her control. She was indeed very much like him and he wondered why he had not seen it before. Perhaps he needed to rethink his views on women.
“So why do they call you General?” Helena said letting her uncle’s vagueness go for the time being and concentrating on her husband.
“Every organization needs a chain of command, and being military men it just seemed natural”
“That makes sense, but from now on don’t make me pull the information out of you.” She warned sternly. The evening ended and Lukas and Helena drove home in silence for awhile. Helena turned to Lukas and asked. “So tell me General, just why do they call you Eisenberg?”
Lukas’s head hit the back of the cab as he jerked it upward with a start. He looked at his wife, she looked at him intently but had a half smile on her lips, her eyebrows raised in question. He knew he would have to explain more, but that this might be a good time to come clean on several items.