by Jaime Mera
Estabon ran outside, as Eduardo turned to Diego and the commanders. “We need all Soldiers to carry these, and I want the sabers to be able to penetrate twice as much. I also want a scientific team to study this machine” Eduardo said with mixed brows pointing at the Tantalized android.
Estabon raced through the hallway with his three guards by his side. He bolted up a story in an open stairway as if they were in a ship, but in fact was a building. The men made the corner, and came up on the deadly scene he had already seen thirty seconds ago. Two guards and Ramus lay motionless with no outward indications or markings of the weapon used. Anger filled his heart as the memories of the scene were familiar. Neutronium was killed in like fashion, and now the brothers connected the dots. The Australian androids were killing machines guided by a super artificial intelligence used to kill Neutronium making it look like a natural death. The android was supposed to kill the bulk of the South American leadership, but failed because it had a conscious thought pattern which they could see.
‘They’ve made sixty of these things, what should we do?’ Estabon asked as he knelt in front of Ramus and the two dead guards.
‘Ramus exposed this one early, so if there are other assassination attempts our guys can hopefully stop them. From now on we don’t assemble in person; we can do everything on teleconference. We’ll get the legions to concentrate on border defense and prevent the androids from blending into our land.’ Eduardo said as he waited for the telepaths to assemble in front of the conference room.
‘What do we do with Australia?’ Estabon asked as personnel cared for the dead and then walked back to the conference room with his guards, saber in hand.
‘The plan stays the same, except Australia will be last. We need to send in spies and disrupt their progress on these assassins. But there is more to it than that, they must have a strong military to be able to hold land if they plan to dominate the world. We need to find out how they plan on taking the planet if not by military force.’ Eduardo said using the current information they knew about Australia through Eve 39.
‘Who’s going to take Ramus’ position?’ Estabon thought of William.
‘No, we need him there, and we need to find superhumans willing to fight for justice.’ Eduardo replied as he instructed the telepaths on what they needed to do with training all the guards on the procedures for destroying the androids and new policies for protective details.
‘I say we take a company of telepaths and make Africa another haven for superhumans. Australia will spend more time trying to keep them from becoming another super power.’ Estabon’s idea was radical and dangerous since it could mean the death of many African people.
‘I’ll keep that in mind when we talk with all the Councilmembers and regional commanders.’ Eduardo stood in front of his brother giving him a hug as if they had not seen each other for a week.
“What do we tell James and Wilma?” Estabon sadly asked.
“Ramus will be avenged.” Eduardo calmly replied looking around at the faces of his beloved people.
Chapter 12
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African Sun
200 miles north of Longa, Angola, Africa
Hawlien-wa stood in the middle of the village on layered platforms creating a gradual slope. Trees and roots from thick vegetation kept the dwellings from sliding down hill in heavy rains. The village was enormous with several thousand tribes people. The chief’s long jaw, round head and smooth skin made him seem very young, but his was one of the elders, having his share of wildlife kills and feats of courage. The tunic covering his groin and back, were more for minimizing exposure to the elements than a position. Jewelry around his neck and arms denoted his rank among the tribe, as he looked across the huts.
A large crowd approached with mixed chatter. Five warriors led a group of foreigners while the villagers seemed to assemble behind the entourage. A tall and massive warrior stopped within meters of Chief Hawlien-wa. The warrior’s spear by his side was placed forward as if claiming the ground he stood on. “Honorable Chief, these men and woman come to speak to the Guaiah people.”
Estabon stepped up next to the warrior. “Honorable Chief, we have come to bring you knowledge and give your people the opportunity to raise your sons and daughters in peace and prosperity.” He spoke perfectly in their dialect and etiquette.
The chief looked at the metallic saber handle on Estabon’s side. “You come in peace, but you bring odd weapons.” The chief said, as the telepath showed him the reality of Estabon’s need to carry a saber everywhere he went. In a few seconds the chief knew their mission and why it was important he listen, or his people would be destroyed should Australia be victorious.
“How can we help?” Hawlien-wa asked knowing his villagers would need to be involved in their own future.
Estabon turned to his team and everyone in sight. “We need everyone to gather around and we will teach all of you everything you need to know. Whether you use the knowledge or not is up to you. We will leave two trucks full of resources for you to make great strides for everyone.” Estabon loudly spoke knowing they had support from outlining major towns and cities should they decide to improve their village and lifestyle.
A few days later, the team left the village through dry savanna coming from the escarpment and mountains to the northwest making it humid in the lowlands. The rainforest to the north and rolling hills they traveled from was beautifully alluring. But yet it was rough as the sun beat down on the team of six and their one truck. The five tribal leaders who controlled the eastern region of the country were now on their side as they traveled south, to the town of Longa. They entered the town with open arms having already planted a seed for the future of the inhabitants to improve their quality of life.
Hematite stones surrounded the two story dwelling they bed down in. Estabon sat on a window sill with a foot propped on the corner edge watching white metal roofing being installed in a building a block away. The high quality roof against the heat and other weather conditions, covered over half of the town’s framework. He wasn’t wearing his standard armor plated or cloth padded suit, but was dressed as a hunter who just got back from a safari. His wide hat was in the room on the table looking like new, but his baggy pants and cool brown shirt showed some wear and tear. He breathed in deeply and exhaled with a refreshing smile. “I love the warm clean air.”
“It’s more humid here.” Rick replied from across the room pass the opened door from the inner balcony.
“Than what, Nam?” Estabon asked knowing Rick meant Cali, Colombia.
“Yeah well there too.” Rick changed his thoughts to the old days of parties with hot women.
Estabon grinned. “I should have left you in Cali with my brother.”
Rick stood up with a half eaten guava in hand and entered the room. “I’m glad you didn’t, but I was hoping to go somewhere colder.”
“The controlled air in the ship wasn’t cool enough for you?”
Rick leaned by the window over Estabon’s boot. His grown out dirty blonde hair went well with his inch long beard. “You know I don’t like confined spaces, you’re lucky I agreed to go into space.”
“If you wish, you can always go live in the US and spend your time talking to a VA operator.” Estabon looked at his friend with a smile. “Hey, you got another one of those.”
“Thank you, Este.” Rick pulled out a fresh guava from his baggy pocket in his jacket.
“Anytime, my friend.” Estabon took the fruit, wiped it with his palm and bit it with satisfaction.
Rick looked out across the town of twenty thousand inhabitants. “So, they seem to be working very well together.”
“It’s amazing how people can be productive when no one is cheating one another and there is mutual understanding and sharing of prosperity.” Estabon said as he looked down at a street full of people working together to rebuild the town and provide for all.
“Well what you and Ed have done is amazing.” Rick fini
shed his fruit and put the core in his pocket, a habit learned in the jungle.
“Don’t thank me Rick, I did what was right, unfortunately I can’t save everyone, and there will always be some imbecile who wants to justify their own actions based on warped ideas of ignorance and carefree morality that has no borders.” Estabon moved to the center of the room by a table resting along the wall.
“Like I said, what you’re doing is amazing. I’ll see you downstairs.” Rick casually walked out of the room seeing it was about time for a report from William.
“Thanks.” Estabon grabbed his backpack and put on a digital watch. He entered the bathroom, a skylight keeping the small area bright as day. Within minutes the screen came alive as if activated by remote or at a programmed time.
“How’re you doing?” Estabon smiled looking at William’s face.
“Good as can be expected Sir. I’m still trying to get used to Gunter being gone.”
“Yes, it will take a while. But your new mission should help keep you occupied.” Estabon tried to give some encouragement.
“Yes, it has. I’ve found an organization called the Founders who are beginning to conduct experiments on normal humans and superhumans, but are using government resources and have government backing as far as I can tell. I’m sure SIA is not aware of their activities and for the moment I don’t think too many politicians will want SIA to be interfering with black operations. Other than that, I am slowly working into the organization, unless you need me to do something else?”
“No, we gave you latitude for a reason, so keep up the great work... Hmm, so how is Brenda doing?”
“She found a job.” William flatly and slowly replied.
Estabon eyed him with a raised eyebrow. “That’s what usually happens when you finish a doctorate and didn't have a job already.”
“She’s slotted to enter OCS next month.” William held his breath.
“What?” Estabon was rarely surprised, but this one time met the criteria.
“She’s almost thirty…what branch… why?” Estabon asked without letting William reply to the first question.
“Sir, you know the age limit is 37, and she’s going into military intelligence. As for why?” William paused knowing he wasn’t supposed to get close to her or mentally probe her. “I read two of the sisters from a distance. It seems she didn’t want to join SIA, which is still an option with Agent Nevis’ influence. She’s slotted to go airborne and I don’t know how she managed it; but she will go to the Q-course in three years if she fulfills her training and gets operational experience. Nevis probably had something to do with that too.” William waited for Estabon to show some reaction.
“Why would Nevis help her get into OCS or Special Forces training? Unless he’s helping her get into SIA.”
“Don’t worry Sir, I’m certain she doesn’t want to join the SIA, but she is determined to become an officer.”
“Well at least she won't make it to Iraq before her training is over.” Estabon said with relief, knowing their brigade of special operations Soldiers were about to detonate a nuclear bomb in Iraq, and also surgically kill over a hundred terrorist camps throughout northern Africa and the Middle East.
“It sounds like I’m missing some action.” Williams smiled.
“No, you’ll hear about it soon enough in the news and believe me, things can go wrong very quickly so don’t let your guard down. Which reminds me, have you come across any of those androids?”
“No, Sir, I have been all over, and haven't sensed one or heard of any other incident except for Neutronium and Gunter.”
“Eduardo and I have talked about this. They’re probably not going to attack the United States until they have enough assassins to do some major damage all at once. Neutronium was a test subject. The five failed attempts on us was probably a desperate attempt to make us leaderless and stop our development into becoming the strongest nation in the world.”
“How come you didn’t tell me this three months ago?”
“I wanted you to keep your guard up, and I might still be wrong; also because, I wanted to hear about Brenda.” Estabon seemed more relaxed.
“She’s a very smart and strong woman, she will do great in the Army. Which might be a good thing since I need a reason to spy on them so might as well follow her around and get two birds with one stone.” William confidently said.
“Has she met anyone?” Estabon softly asked.
William sunk his shoulder. “No, she hasn't dated, even though her sisters pester her. But she is happy.”
Estabon stared at him looking for facial language signs. Ramus did something to her, but it wouldn’t be able to make her happy all of the time, and it wasn’t like her to ignore men. He knew her interests and if there was anyone that came close to her liking, she wouldn’t pass it up for any practical reason. “William.” He stopped himself, thinking it was a risk to have him enter her mind and blow the mental wipe Ramus placed on her.
It was impossible to completely erase two weeks without if being known by other telepaths, so Ramus had to replace the two weeks with similar memories by her and him to take the spot of the weeks. If William went into her mind he might have to restructure the memories and if he missed something, it could potentially allow another telepath an opportunity to see the inconsistent errors and gaps. This would put Brenda and her family in extreme danger now that he and Eduardo were questionably the most powerful men in the world, barring the known elite superhumans of which only two existed, Quatris and Hellfire.
“Yes, Sir.” William seemed to be waiting for the order.
“Nothing, Will…, Just keep an eye on her.”
“She’s safe with me, Sir.”
“So how’s the family?” Estabon changed the subject.
“The family, being Mary, is great.”
“What? I thought you two would have five kids by now.”
“Sir, that would be impossible, we have only been married for a month.”
“Well, tell me that in about nine months when you have quintuplets.” Both men laughed and talked a little longer about William’s wife and partner in the spy business.
It wasn’t long before Estabon made it downstairs in a peaceful mindset knowing Brenda was well, but he constantly worried about her future. He met his team and made last minute preparations to go back home recruiting new people on the way to the west coast, to create a unified nation. Several hundred telepath teams in ten surrounding countries were doing the same, with most of the cities conforming to the vision of a Unified African State. It was something they were going to do by force in the future like they did with South America, but the conditions were right for a different way. There were many factions and nationalities but the people would change in a positive way with everyone working together under one cause and belief. The geographic seclusion was something many regimes in the past wanted to conquer, but their goal wasn’t conquest or absolute control. The Federation’s goal was to guide the countries to a unification of justice and honor, making evil people and undesirables a thing of the past.
By the time Estabon’s team made it to Lobito, a major coastal city, the nuclear explosion in Iraq was deemed a tragedy, with many accusations as to the culprits. But no one could determine the source of the megaton blast southwest of Baghdad. The disappearance of hundreds of terrorist camps made almost no news, but the intelligence agencies around the world were more active now than ever, looking for details about who was killed and who did the killing.
The team waited on the beach with their truck, a canvas covering the solar panels they used to travel eighty percent of the several thousand miles back and forth across Angola.
“Sir, it’s a beast we cannot control.” Captain Ferrer said, her long black hair blowing in the warm Atlantic wind.
“I know Sharon… I just hope there’s no more of those beasts being built.” Estabon spoke as the team knew all the details about the operation to take out an Australian advanced center where and
roid parts were being developed in Iraq.
“If only the terrorist groups knew they’re part of the problem.” Rick said as a beep on his watch alerted him of a naval ship’s arrival in the distance. “Well, they’re here.”
“We still have two hours, so is anyone ready for some fish?” Estabon said, knowing Sergeant Rey was going to announce dinner was ready. The aroma from the cooked snappers was inviting and tasty before they prepared the truck to cross the shallow water and link up with the landing craft.
The team acted like long time friends, with Rick always finding a good story about his adventures traveling the world and working as a mercenary for many years before Estabon found him again. Even though there were three telepaths in the team, a mutual sense of respect was there as they knew not to invade private memories and things which gave every person a uniqueness and amount of self identity. Estabon however, couldn’t do that, except by keeping everything to himself and throwing away the key on all the things that needed to stay private and forgotten in a well of mercy. The telepaths with him knew about the enormous universe in his mind, but only saw a minuscule fraction of what he wanted them to see. It was his way of keeping the sanity of good and bad knowledge he saw everywhere he went. It was a feat which would have made any telepath insane, but the bond with Eduardo and their ability to organize the information kept them in control of themselves and other people’s experiences.
The meal was well received and started loading up as Estabon stood on the sand, facing the Pacific.
Captain Sharon Ferrer walked up beside Estabon as his glaze counted the sunset. She couldn’t help but show him her love for him, but she knew he was in love with Brenda. “Estabon, what are you thinking?”
“I think it’s beautiful.” Estabon turned his head towards her. She was inches shorter than him, her body was very well defined and her face was always bright. “You will find the right man, I have a feeling about it.”
