by Jaz Primo
As the first order of business, Sanders and I were sworn in. Then the proceedings were under way, though not without some protracted political posturing and bloviating preambles on the part of several senators and congressmen.
Finally, attentions turned to us.
“Mr. Bringer, I hope that you realize how unusual it is—some might say, historic—for a mixed congressional and senatorial group to come together like this,” said Senator Conway. “These are equally historic times that require unprecedented actions on the part of our nation, including its governmental and political systems. The very course of the human race appears to be changing right before our very eyes, as your presence here today attests.”
I was suddenly wondering if I shouldn’t indeed have attempted to secure the last-minute services of an attorney. As things stood, it was just Sanders and me opposite some of the most powerful politicians in the country.
Hindsight was a harsh mistress.
In the absence of better options, we just had to deal with matters as they unfolded.
React creatively to whatever I encounter.
In combat, that was a dangerous enough prospect, perhaps more so in the politically charged arena we were thrust into.
“Given the highly classified and sensitive nature of topics discussed in this hearing, and as chairman of this joint senatorial and congressional panel of inquiry, I invoke the rule of closed session for this hearing on the basis of matters of national security,” said Conway.
“Second,” said a congressman on the panel.
“All in favor?” Conway asked.
All panel members voted for the proposed closed session.
“As voted, we will now enter a closed session,” proclaimed Conway. “Will the Sergeant at Arms please clear the chamber of unauthorized members and secure the room at this time?”
A murmur went up through the crowd as the vast majority of audience attendees left the room. Unfortunately, both Tevin and Wainright were dismissed, as well.
I stared directly at Paul seated among his peers and discreetly pointed to Tevin and Wainright.
Paul nodded.
“Motion for Directors Wainright and Tevin to remain,” said Paul.
“Seconded,” said a congresswoman.
Senator Conway paused and then finally nodded. “Agreed. Mr. Wainright and Mr. Tevin are requested to remain while in closed session, including previously sanctioned attendees.”
I gazed around the room at high-ranking uniformed military members, as well as some individuals wearing business attire, none of whom I personally recognized.
Then my eyes fell upon Special Agent Yasmine Prichard from the CIA.
“Guess who?” I whispered to Sanders.
She glanced back over her shoulder. “I should’ve expected as much,” she said. “Prichard’s boss, CIA Director Burt Dulles, is seated beside her. And I’m fairly sure that the two fellows sitting behind them are the Director of Homeland Security and Hal Wilkes, the President’s National Security Advisor.”
“All the popular kids,” I said.
I tried to open my mind to listen in on interesting thoughts, but the sheer volume of mental chatter from people in the room nearly caused me to reel where I sat.
I quickly shut off my mind.
A gavel sounded before us, and Senator Conway said, “This joint committee is now in session.
“Mr. Bringer, while I’m sure that everyone in this room is well aware of your special abilities, would you please state for the record precisely what those are, including a brief recount of how you came to have them?” Conway asked.
I cleared my throat and recounted at cursory levels what had transpired during my brain cancer treatments at the Nuclegene facility, including my experiences following the manifestation of my telekinetic abilities.
However, I pointedly left out any description of my ability to read minds. Being under oath meant I faced criminal penalties, if this were discovered.
Nevertheless, despite being a serious omission, it felt safer for me to withhold that information. I wagered that the success of our continued investigation, and perhaps even my life, might depend upon it.
A series of clarifying questions arose from various committee members, though I thought I did a competent job answering them.
Sanders was asked to explain her background with the Wallace Building bombing case, as well as the unorthodox manner in which she and I began collaborating together on it.
We were both asked to recount our experiences tracking various members of the terrorist group associated with the Continuance Corporation, as well as those with telekinetic abilities who we had encountered to date. We finished by covering our recent experiences in Europe and Wales.
“Mr. Bringer, would you please enlighten us regarding your recent exploits in eastern Europe?” Conway asked.
I paused to consider how best to proceed. The last thing I wanted to do was risk a contempt charge.
“Sanders and I followed up on some leads related to the investigations into possible terrorist activities related to the Nuclegene bombing,” I replied.
“Agent Sanders, am I to understand correctly that the nature of your journey was officially declared to be a vacation?” he asked.
“Yes, for the purposes of Customs declarations, it was,” she replied.
Muted sounds of amusement came from some of those on the panel. However, the expression on Paul’s face was quite serious looking.
“But, Customs aside, wasn’t your declaration of a vacation merely a ruse to avoid requesting official approval through your proper chain of command. In essence, isn’t it true that you conducted a fact-finding mission on behalf of the Bureau?” he asked.
My temper began to rise.
“Well, the inspiration for our journey began as a vacation,” she replied.
I admired her clever wording.
“And is it correct that, in fact, you were conveyed overseas via a corporate aircraft that is owned and operated by the Nuclegene Corporation?” he asked.
“Yes, that’s correct, Senator,” she replied.
“Do you have any personal or professional ties to the Nuclegene Corporation, Ms. Sanders?” he asked.
Sanders paused.
“That would be me, Senator,” I replied. “You see, I was just hired by the Nuclegene Corporation, and it was my first official employee vacation.”
Laughter erupted from a number of the politicians on the panel.
Senator Conway hammered his gavel. “You’re out of order, Mr. Bringer.”
“My apologies, Senator,” I said. “However, I thought you’d be far more interested to know what we discovered while vacationing in Belarus.”
Sanders nudged my ankle.
“Thank you, but we’ll ask the questions here, Mr. Bringer,” Conway cautioned.
I held up my hands, palms outward. “Of course, Senator. My mistake. Please excuse me. It’s my first time before Congress.”
There were a couple of muted chuckles, even as Paul pressed his palm to his forehead.
“Vacation aside, Agent Sanders, what were your findings in Europe?” Conway asked.
Sanders described what had occurred in Belarus in remarkable detail.
“How was it that you ended up in Cardiff, Wales?” Conway asked.
“We were following a lead provided to us while in Belarus,” Sanders replied.
“And what did circumstances did you confront upon your arrival in Cardiff?” Conway pressed.
During the next hour, Sanders and I alternated explaining the events that occurred while we were in Wales. In the process, we repeated some of our earlier testimony.
I described what I had encountered in the field, including the woman with mind-control abilities who I had been able to incapacitate.
That led to a rapid series of clarifying questions that challenged my abilities to keep up. On a number of occasions, I wasn’t able to complete my sentences before another politician pressed us with
additional questions.
I grew curious about what some of the politicians before us were thinking, and I dared to open myself to surrounding thoughts again. Like before, a barrage of mental dialogue assailed my brain. Only, this time, a wave of nausea threatened to overcome me.
I quickly closed off my mind again. My entire body felt drained and my mind fatigued.
I looked down at the tabletop, focusing my attention on a blue ink pen lying before me. At that moment, I doubted that I even had the strength to levitate it, even if I tried.
My electrolytes had bottomed out. I couldn’t recall the last time that I had eaten, much less drank anything other than coffee or water.
In my anticipation of the proceedings, I had made a young soldier’s potentially deadly rookie mistake: I hadn’t monitored my ammunition as it was getting low.
“Mr. Bringer, are you quite all right?” Conway asked.
Sanders placed a supportive hand on my shoulder as I reached out to fill a glass with water from a nearby pitcher.
A fat load of good water was going to do me under the circumstances. At least it might clear the growing dryness in my throat.
I took a long swallow of the almost lukewarm water.
“I’m fine, thank you,” I said.
I felt Sanders’ breath at my ear. “Need something fizzier?”
I gave a slight nod.
Sanders requested a brief break, to which Conway approved.
“These proceedings will pause for a ten-minute recess,” Conway said. “However, the chamber will remain closed to the public. All those present are reminded that their oaths remain in order and the material discussed here remains confidential.”
“Bringer, are you all right?” Tevin asked, leaning forward.
“He needs to replenish his electrolytes,” Sanders said.
“I’ll see what I can do,” he replied.
I swept the audience and saw that a number of those in attendance were closely observing us, including Yasmine Prichard.
I sat up and steeled my resolve to appear unfazed. I focused my attention on Paul, who stared back at me with a concerned expression.
He quickly made his way down to our table. “You’re doing relatively well so far, Bringer,” he said. “Be more diplomatic, but don’t let them bully you too much.”
“Sort of a fine line you drew there,” I said.
He shrugged. “It’s a nuanced process, not a contact sport.”
That was hardly reassuring.
Paul returned to his seat while I drank both of the bottled colas that Tevin had acquired for me. Another cola was placed before Sanders, but she moved it between us.
“It’s yours if you need it,” she said. “I’m fine with water.”
I smiled sidelong at her. “Thanks.”
“Welcome, partner,” she replied.
The proceedings soon reconvened.
“These proceedings are once again officially in session,” Conway said. “We’ll continue with questions from the panel. Senator Jubilee Pennyroot, your time begins now.”
“Thank you, Senator Conway,” he said. “Mr. Bringer, as you would seem to be the only resident superhero present, would you mind explaining to us mere mortals precisely how you subdued your nemesis in Wales? But before you do, I’d like to point out that I’ve read as much speculation as facts from the so-called special government team that’s been assigned to lead the investigation…”
Someone handed a slip of paper to me from behind. The note indicated that Senator Pennyroot was a Republican who hailed from the state of Louisiana, and was a key member of the Freedom Party.
The senator had an accent that was a strong Southern one mixed with just a slight amount of authentic Creole that, in all honesty, was quite entertaining compared to the stately, almost bored, sounding voices of his colleagues. Nevertheless, his highly-charged political preamble almost put me to sleep as I struggled to remember his opening question.
Fortunately, Sanders scribbled a hasty note for me on her notepad before the senator finished his loquacious opening remarks.
Basic facts only, she wrote.
That’s about the time that the colas I had consumed offered the promise of rejuvenation. A feeling of near-electricity surged through my body.
“Mr. Bringer?” demanded Senator Pennyroot. “Are we boring you, sir?”
Sanders nudged my shoe.
“Sorry?” I asked, reveling in the energy that coursed through my body. “Could you please repeat your initial question, Senator?”
There was a muted wave of snickering that quickly subsided as Pennyroot turned to give his peers a cold stare.
“Mr. Bringer, are you touched in the head? How did you subdue your attackers in Wales?” he asked.
Pennyroot’s sarcasm pissed me off.
I took a deep breath as a renewed wave of reassuring clarity washed through my brain. My nerves felt almost tingly.
Staring directly into the senator’s eyes, I opened my mind and sharply focused my attention upon him.
…sort of idiot does he take me for? …don’t care what voodoo magic he claims, I won’t’ stand for impertinence from some dumbass former army grunt.
Pennyroot stared at me as if completely vexed.
“Well, first off, there were numerous attackers in Wales, Senator,” I said. “First, there were the citizens whose minds had been controlled that I helped subdue with the help of local authorities. Then there were the various tactical team members firing high-powered assault rifles at me, though they were friendlies whose minds had also been corrupted. Fortunately, I managed to curtail casualties while countering their attacks.”
The room fell completely silent. I couldn’t even hear people breathing.
“Then there was a suspect, a woman whose abilities had corrupted all those innocent minds,” I continued. “I propelled her against a warehouse wall, rendering her unconscious. The last I heard, she was placed in a medically-induced coma, and I’m not sure when, or even if, she’ll regain consciousness. Honestly, at this time, I’m not sure if there’s anyone in the UK who could stop her if she did.”
Then I folded my arms before me and waited.
Nicely done, Sanders scribbled on her notepad.
It felt as if nobody was going to say anything until Senator Conway finally spoke.
“Well, Senator Pennyroot, it appears that your time has expired,” he said. “Shall we continue?”
I focused again on Pennyroot’s thoughts and nearly drew a blank before one thought surfaced.
…is this damned devil sitting before me?
What could I say? Yep, that’s me.
“Senator Savage from Oklahoma,” Conway said. “You have the floor, Senator.”
I felt a chill form in the air surrounding me.
“Mr. Bringer,” she began. “The recounting of your adventure in Wales sounds like something out of a Hollywood-worthy film. While very energizing, I’d like to move beyond the spectacle. It’s time to ask some hard questions.”
Chapter 19
I focused on Senator Savage’s thoughts, which were even more inflamed than Pennyroot’s.
…won’t mince words with me. I’ll have you dancing circles before you know what hit you. The time of obstructionism will end…
“Today, Mr. Bringer has informed this panel about his recent adventures in both Europe and Wales,” Senator Savage began. “However, I’d like to remind my peers that we’re also here to learn how well prepared our nation is for what may lie ahead. Some of my colleagues in both the House and Senate seek to thwart important legislation intended to protect our country from threats, both telekinetic and conventional.”
Oh, I couldn’t wait to hear where she was going with a preamble like that.
“Our nation has a proud heritage of adapting to changing world circumstances and facing enemies who fashion improved weapons of war to use against us. Swords of yesterday were replaced by firearms and finally strategic nuclear weapons. But wha
t of tomorrow? There will simply be guns of another form,” Savage said. “We must never forget that both our latest ‘guns’ and the Bible made America the great nation that it is today. And we shouldn’t forsake either in this age of global threats. Instead, we must devoutly pray for success and stick to our new-and-improved guns, no matter their form, as we move forward with bold initiatives to protect our great bastion of democracy.”
I tried not to wince over her analogy.
“In recent days, the Freedom Party and its loyal patriots have encouraged support for an initiative coined PEP, or the Patriots Enhancement Program,” Savage continued. “As part of this program, and with competent oversight and nurturing, the United States will finally develop its own effective cadre of elite forces with telekinetic abilities, assuring our continued leadership in advocating security and freedom around the world.”
I half-expected chanting to erupt, or at the very least some shouts of Hallelujah. Instead, there was an enthusiastic, yet stately, issuance of applause from over half of the gathered body of politicians, including an audible “hear, hear” or two.
However, there was also some uncomfortable shifting of people in their seats and the pronounced clearing of a few others’ throats.
I, for one, struggled not to roll my eyes and shake my head. I turned to look behind me at Tevin and Wainright, whose faces remained carefully impassive.
No doubt years of practice preceded their mastery.
I awaited a question from her.
“Mr. Bringer, in the interim, as both funding and infrastructure are secured for this historic PEP initiative, we need to preserve the nation and its security as best we can,” she said. “How do you propose that we accomplish that?”
“I’d recommend mobilizing any of the existing telekinetics in our inventory and prepare for what’s coming next,” I replied. “And the sooner, the better.”
“Existing telekinetics?” Savage asked. “Are there actually any other than you?”
I scanned the faces of the politicians before me. “Well, now, you’re asking the wrong person. You see, high-level intelligence isn’t something that’s being actively shared with me or my team. It must be beyond our pay grade or something.”
