Keith nodded in agreement and said, “Well, I’m just relieved that they’re off the streets. You’ve done a great service to the Minister. Is there anyone else here that knows about the delivery of the woman and two boys?”
“Just my assistant.”
Keith told the officer to have his assistant come into the control room with them, and the officer asked, “Why, is something wrong?”
“No, nothing wrong. I just wanna make sure of something.”
The female assistant joined Keith and the officer in the control room. Keith shook her hand and asked, “You both have level three health status, correct?”
The two officers confirmed that level three was correct.
“We both moved up a couple of months ago.”
Keith instructed them to remove their security pendants and hand them to him. “I know this may seem strange, but just trust me.” The officer and his assistant looked at each other, each noting the concern in the other’s eyes. Keith snapped his fingers at them, and they immediately handed their pendants over. He then asked them to close their eyes.
The female assistant asked, “Close our eyes, sir? I don’t understand.”
Keith replied, “I know it sounds strange, but please, this will only take a moment.”
The heart rates of both officers increased as they obediently closed their eyes. Keith proceeded to toss a small amount of his own carrier stones onto their jackets. He concentrated for a moment and then entered their minds, pulling their memories and taking pleasure in doing so. Keith completed his review of the situation in a matter of seconds.
“Ok, go ahead and open your eyes.”
The two officers opened their eyes to see Keith pointing his sidearm at them. The execution officer pleaded, “Wait, sir, don’t shoot!”
Keith chuckled and said, “You should’ve kept your mouth shut, son.”
He pulled the trigger and dropped the officer at the feet of his assistant. Blood poured from the head wound, quickly pooling around the young woman’s boots. She turned to Keith and began to cry.
“What did we do? We did what we were told to do!”
Keith agreed and stepped closer to the assistant. “I know you have no idea why I just shot this man. I just don’t leave loose ends.”
Shrugging his shoulders, he continued, “Look at it this way. You’ve served the Minister well. I’m only doing what I was told to do.”
With that last comment, Keith put a bullet into the head of the female officer. She dropped to the floor, her lifeless body nothing more than a decorative shell for the tile. Keith walked back to the main door and opened it to see the four guards still waiting for his next orders.
Keith could see the concern in the lead guard’s face and took control of the situation. “Don’t just stand there. Take the bodies for disposal and clean this place up.”
The lead looked to Keith and asked, “What happened in there, sir?”
“It’s better you not know. Knowledge isn’t a healthy trait to have these days.”
Keith returned his weapon to its holster and said, “They were a security threat. They tried to attack me after the execution.”
The lead asked if he should write up the report of the incident, and Keith replied, “Yeah, sure I guess someone might care. Make sure my name is on the top.”
Keith Kellington made his way back up the stairs that led to the street level and thought to himself, “What the hell does Roger Timmons think he’s doin’? I would flatten his Aussie ass if it weren’t for the Minister.”
Once again, the Minister’s face flashed on the communication boards. He now wore a somber look to convey the hurt he wanted the crowd to feel.
“I have always promised swift action in the face of societal disobedience, and I have lived up to that promise. These three are just the start in what will be a global manhunt for anyone associated with groups that seek to harm our society. I hope this disturbing, but needed, reminder will act as a springboard for those others involved to turn themselves in.”
The Minster put his hands together in front of his chest and displayed his Hathmec to the crowd. “Long live the Supreme Leader, Minister Hathmec, and the CCWO. Where would you all be without us?”
The crowds became jubilant, jumping up and down and waving their hands. They chanted for the Minister and his son. They sang songs to them and celebrated the deaths of the young woman and the two boys. The crowds were ignorant to what was happening around them. They didn’t have to be brainwashed by an evil leader at this point. It was already ingrained in the society. They knew no other way and didn’t want another way.
The few free thinkers left in the world cringed at what they had seen but were too frightened to disagree with the crowds. The woman in the black coat heard various discussions as she exited the zone.
“I knew the Minister would take care of this.”
“I bet Thomas actually found those misfits.”
“I wonder how long it will be before the next execution.”
The woman in the black coat cleared the crowds and took a small box from her pocket. She raised it to her mouth and said, “I’m on my way. It’s just like we thought.”
She crossed over a couple of streets and made her way to a waiting public transport. Quickly taking a seat, she kept her mouth shut as the doors closed. The transport took off, and the communication zone disappeared into the background sky, still buzzing with excitement.
The Minister and Thomas walked out of the studio surrounded by several of the Minister’s personal agents. They wore strange gray suits that puffed out from their bodies. Thomas had been known for making fun of them because of the way they looked.
A transport had been set aside for them and was waiting only a block away. Once there, father and son entered the vehicle as the agents backed off, and Thomas took the opportunity of being alone with his father to ask a few questions.
“It would have been nice to know about the execution more than ten minutes before we went on camera. I can’t say I really understand what the point of all that was.”
Minister Hathmec pressed a button on the side of the transport door and said, “Get me Keith Kellington on the communicator back here. Make sure the sound buffers are on—I don’t want anyone hearing this conversation.”
Thomas shook his head in disgust. “Give me a break here, Minister. I did everything you asked me to do today. The least you can do is tell me what all of this is about.”
The Minister rubbed his head and replied, “Patience, son. You really need to learn some patience. You and Keith have done well. I know this can be a bit confusing, but in the end, you’ll see that your old man knows exactly what he’s doing.”
“Keith Kellington is on the com, sir,” came a voice over the speaker. “You have a clean channel.”
The Minister put his finger to his lips, motioning for Thomas to be quiet. “Keith, this is the Minister. Can you hear me?”
“I hear ya, boss. Boy, you got a strange way of doing things. I almost thought those three were the real kids and their caretaker. It took me a few minutes to figure out they were some Genesis rejects.”
The Minister chuckled and said, “Yeah, I hated to kill three innocent people, but it’s really the only thing that will calm the masses. It’s for the greater good.”
“It was actually five innocent people, sir,” Keith responded. “The executioner and his assistant knew a little too much. You can thank your Aussie moron for that one.”
The Minister smiled and replied, “That’s why I sent you, Keith. I knew you would make sure that everything was cleaned up properly before heading home.”
The Minister looked out the blackened transport window, looking at all the people as they passed them by, all of them excited about the possibility of seeing the Minister in person. Of course, the windows blocked them from seeing anything inside the vehicle.
“Look at them, Thomas. They’re so happy and at ease now. I did that for them.”
&n
bsp; Thomas looked on in confusion and asked, “You don’t normally worry about the people? You have control over the entire planet. Who cares if a few of them are worried about other attacks, or anything else for that matter?”
The Minister raised a hand in a symbolic gesture. “It takes only a little spark, a little wrinkle in our perfect society, to get the ball moving. Don’t you remember when we were constantly dealing with the resistance movement? You didn’t know who you could trust, and each day was a constant worry of what might come.”
“I know,” Thomas replied. “There were still a lot of people around who remembered what it was like before you took control. It was a mess. I’m just surprised that you went to all of this trouble. I’m impressed, but surprised.” Thomas looked out the window and saw some children holding up signs proclaiming We Love the Minister.
“I just don’t understand what the big deal is about this woman and her two sons. Did we really need all of this to convince the people that we have things under control?”
Keith piped in with an observation. “It’s strange, boss. I could swear I had met them before, but I just can’t place where.”
The Minister grinned and replied, “I don’t know, Keith. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
Keith replied, “I’m not sure who they are, but I know one thing. They have access to a Hathmec that was not government issued.”
The Minister stopped Keith after that comment, saying, “You’ve dealt with a lot of people over the years. It’s not surprising that you can’t remember all of them—”
Thomas interrupted before his father could continue. “How is that even possible, father? Every Hathmec on the planet was copied in some form from the one that hangs around your neck. It’s not possible to have one that isn’t linked to it.”
The Minister grinned again and stopped his son. “The one thing I have learned through my years is that nothing is impossible. We wouldn’t have a Hathmec at all if not for my father.”
He took another quick look out the window before continuing.
“I’m sure no one would think that was possible either.”
“Regardless of whether Keith knows these people from a past life or just met them two weeks ago, we still need to track the real ones down,” Thomas replied. “We can’t have another rise against the government like we had in 2050.”
The Minister responded in the dry and serious tone that dominated his speech. “Now you see why we had this little showing to the world. Back in 2050, we were just starting to take a real stranglehold of the world. There were still people around that remembered what it was like before the Minister. Not many, but they caused quite a problem. It’s always difficult to keep order when even a few wander into their own devices and wonder if they can do things better. We can’t let that thought even enter anyone’s mind.”
The Minister grabbed the pendant around his neck and finished his thought. “It is critical that we keep a tight grip on our people and follow this through to the end.”
Thomas took a quick drink of brandy that had been placed just to the side of his seat. He allowed the warm rush of alcohol to fill his senses before asking, “Follow what through to the end?”
“In due time, son. In due time.”
After a pause, Thomas asked, “So, how many men do you want me to deploy in Sector 37 to finish flushing out this woman and her boys?”
“I don’t mind staying down here until we find them,” Keith added. “I don’t like being outsmarted by some chick and her brats.”
The Minister took a swig from his own brandy snifter and responded, “I want you and your men to stand down. You’re both off the case.”
Thomas looked up in amazement.
“What are you talking about? This is what we do.”
The Minister went on to explain that Roger Timmons would be taking over the team that would search for April and the boys. He believed that a smaller team would have more luck in a search-and-questioning campaign.
“I trust him to do a good job, and I trust that the both of you will stay out of it until further notice.”
Thomas, incensed that his father would remove him from the project, said, “You do this to me every time. Keith and I have been working on this since it happened, and it’s pretty clear these people are part of some kind of plot against you and our way of life. Why in the world would you let that little pris handle something like this? Isn’t he busy managing your schedule?”
Now Keith chimed in. “I’ll always do what you want me to do, boss, but I think Thomas is right. These people are resistant to my Hathmec. That’s a very dangerous thing.”
The Minister raised his voice. “This is not a negotiable request. Roger is taking the lead on all activities that relate to this case. If you have an issue with it, I suggest you get over it quickly. My decision is final.”
The Minister pressed the button on the door panel again and asked the driver, “Have we arrived at my other transport yet?”
A muffled response came back. “About two more minutes, sir.”
“Take Thomas back to Sector 3 after you drop me off. He has some work to finish up there.”
Thomas sat his glass down and stared a hole through his father. “I’m pretty sure Sector 3 can handle whatever comes their way.”
The transport came to a stop, and the Minister opened the door to exit. Turning back to his son, he said, “I know they can, but I want you to stay busy for the next few months.”
Thomas also exited the transport and walked with his father. The Minister put his hand on his son’s shoulder and said, “I know you, Thomas. You’re just like your father, and you don’t like to take orders. This one is important, though. I don’t want you and Keith getting involved with this investigation going forward.”
The Minister entered the other transport, and the door closed. Cracking the window, he left Thomas with one more tidbit. “A lot of things come into focus when you stop staring at a wall. Remember, all of this will be yours one day.”
He rolled the window up and took off, leaving Thomas with the original transport and a lot of questions. “Yes,” he thought to himself, “it will all be mine one day. Yeah, right, about two thousand years from now.”
Thomas hopped back into the transport and reached for another bottle of brandy. The vehicle roared and shook around him as it got under way. He knew that he had a long ride to Sector 3, so the idea of emptying the second bottle seemed within reach.
“Keith, are you still on the com?”
Keith responded, “Yeah, I’m still here. I wasn’t sure if we were finished.”
Thomas took a swig of brandy and replied, “No, Keith, we’re not finished. We’re not finished by a long shot. I want you to grab the first transport that you can find and meet me in Sector 3.”
Keith chuckled and said, “I’m pretty sure the Minister wanted me back in Sector 1. He didn’t say anything about Sector 3.”
Thomas replied, “He never told you to go back to Sector 1, either. He just told you to stay out of Sector 37.”
“What are you thinkin’ about, Thomas? Why do you want me to come to Sector 3?”
Thomas cleared his throat. “We’re not gonna let that little pissant Roger screw this up. We’re staying on the case whether my father likes it or not.”
Keith replied, “I don’t know. He’s your father, so I’m sure if you get caught going against his wishes, he won’t do anything to you. But he’ll end me if we get caught. I’m not sure I want to take that risk.”
Thomas shook his head and said, “I understand, Keith. You don’t want to rock the boat with the Minister. I can understand that.”
Thomas stayed quiet for a minute, but he wasn’t letting Keith off the hook that easy.
“Of course, I’ve always looked the other way when reports of what you’ve done at the Genesis and Mercury Camps leaked out. I’ve never told my father about those late night torture sessions or even the advances you made toward my mother. I’m sure he
would be quite upset with that, too.”
Keith let out a deep breath. With little choice, he agreed to help Thomas. He knew those secrets being kept would be more damaging to him than anything that could happen if they got caught disobeying the Minister.
“What do you want to do first, Thomas? I’m sure Roger isn’t going to give us any information we can use.”
Thomas agreed and suggested to Keith that they needed to find out who would be on Roger’s team.
“Maybe we can get them to pass some information our way. See who Roger has with him. I’m sure one of them would be more than happy to screw him over. We’ll come up with something to make it worth their while.”
Keith hesitated for a moment and then asked, “Are you sure this is worth going against the Minister?”
Thomas flipped his Hathmec from side to side and replied, “He’s keeping something big from me, Keith. I don’t know what it is, but I’m not gonna sit back and watch it happen. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
As the transport continued its journey to Sector 3, Thomas pondered all of the possibilities of what his father could be keeping from him. Thomas had grown accustomed to his father keeping secrets from him, but this was different. He saw this as a test of his own abilities. To Thomas, the risk was worth the revelation, and nothing would stand in his way of getting the answers to his questions—not even the Minister.
Chapter 3
COPYCAT
April’s mouth gapped open as she turned her head away from the video monitor. The sight of three citizens being killed was too much for her to take. Not only were innocent lives being taken to the cheers of thousands watching around the world, but the heavy burden of knowing that she and her boys were the cause of their deaths brought April to her knees.
Agent Johnson helped April to a seat at the back of the room as Connor and Matthew came to her side. All of them could feel the piercing stares the others in attendance directed toward them. Clearly most in the room had no idea who they were, but they were observant enough to notice that they looked a lot like the three people who had just been gassed to death by the Minister.
Last Chance Volume 2 - The Legend of the Hathmec: Planting the Seed Page 3
