“I don't think anyone would believe me anyway.”
“Probably not, but Ren's still very cautious. Paul might be dead, but his company is still trading. We can't guarantee that the past won't catch up with us eventually.”
Romeo nodded. “I think you've answered all of my questions for now,” he admitted, satisfied with the session. “What should I do now?”
“Rest,” Skye answered without even pausing. The morning had been tiresome, and the mission was far from over. Athenia was only a small island in the world, but still large enough for Archibald to be hidden somewhere. He could only hope that Ren would uncover his whereabouts in time.
Romeo smiled and then retreated to his bedroom, leaving Skye alone at the table.
Skye looked down into his mug and watched the swirling coffee. Admitting the truth about how their group functions was often an awkward conversation, but Skye dared not admit to Romeo just how addictive the lifestyle was. As much as Skye wanted Nikolai dead, there was a small part of him that was thrilled by his never-ending pursuit of Black Dawn.
Twenty-nine
“Disgusting, vile creature,” Nikolai muttered, repulsed by the sight of the rotting corpse. He stood in his traditional position by the window, watching the sun set once again. Down below on the sand stood a lone cadaver, left behind by Night. He insisted that he leave it there in his absence as a primitive method of communication. It frustrated Nikolai to no end that Night refused to use a communicator and headset.
“Repugnant,” he spoke again. I do hope the tide comes in and washes that thing away, he thought. “I don't suppose I'll ever be able to comprehend Night's obsession with the deceased. Such a twisted individual.”
The six others in the room ignored him as usual, disinterested in anything he had to say. They sat idly by, the time passing at a laboriously slow pace.
The villa was quiet with the government personnel having left for the day. It had been an exhausting two days for them all, but the president's new seaside headquarters was now ready for his use. They had neither the bravado nor the authority to question the last-minute decision by their leader. They knew the time would have been better spent preparing for the inauguration and final government changeover, but they respected the hierarchy and expressed no opinions on the matter.
A loud pounding at the door interrupted the silence. Nikolai frowned and nodded to Tahlia, signalling for her to answer it. She rose from her spot and paced across the room. She opened the door quietly, and took a step back as over two dozen people marched into the room. Guard One led the way, followed by Adam Price and Karen Bowden, and a small battalion of heavily armed members of the Presidential Guard.
Nikolai watched carefully as they filed noisily into the room. He could already sense their intent, which was clearly no secret—the number of automatic weapons indicated to the rest of Black Dawn that they intended to stage a revolt. Nikolai gritted his teeth. He had been hoping the final hours before the inauguration would proceed a little more smoothly than this.
“And just what is the meaning of this?” he bellowed, not hiding his frustration.
Guard One took a confident step forward. “Mr Sweeney,” he called back, “as chief of security for the president of Athenia, it's my duty to inform you that you are hereby placed under arrest for crimes against the state.”
Nikolai raised an eyebrow, both surprised and amused by the display. “I beg your pardon?”
“You'll be detained in an undisclosed location until your trial. You are to remove any arms and surrender yourself immediately.” One took a step backward.
Tahlia looked across to her leader, dumbfounded. Sabina and Aurelius stood up after hearing the hostile order. Daye sat up from his recline, curious and fearful of what may ensue. Kai and Hana watched on too, equally as intrigued to watch the spectacle unfold.
“I think perhaps you are mistaken,” Nikolai proclaimed with a smile. He took a step forward, only to be met with raised weapons. He stopped walking and glared at the countless members of the Guard.
“There's no mistake, Sweeney,” Adam declared. “You are being removed from office.”
Nikolai scoffed at the remark. “Is that a fact? Under whose authority? I'm the chief counsel and answer only to the president.”
“Under the authority of the cabinet,” Karen said. “The ministers have unanimously motioned for your impeachment.”
Nikolai cocked his head. “I don't recall being invited to any cabinet meeting, and I'm quite certain the president was not present either. So, I ask again, under whose alleged authority are you executing such a brazen order?”
Adam took a quick breath, composing himself. “Under the authority of the cabinet,” he repeated. “You obviously have no idea how this government functions.” A wave of satisfaction flowed through him as he spat out his contempt for the eyeless man.
Nikolai's smile grew. He'd always known that it wouldn't be long before the office members unearthed the truth. The uprising had hardly come as a surprise. He was impressed by the rebellion in front of him, but he was also prepared for such a scenario if it were to eventuate. “I beg to differ,” he announced fearlessly. “The Athenian constitution stipulates that cabinet meetings must be presided over by the president. How did you hold this supposed cabinet meeting without President Denning?” His knowledge of internal politics was poor, but he ensured that he knew this particular law in the likely event of a coup.
“His predecessor stood in for him,” Adam smugly replied.
“Well, I find that hard to believe, especially since his office duties were assumed weeks ago by President Denning.”
“Yes,” Adam agreed, “but matters of national security still fall under the current president until the time of inauguration.”
Nikolai grinned. “Oh, I hardly believe that I'm a threat to national security!” he said, still trying to undermine their efforts. “I was appointed by Archibald himself, who, as I said, has already taken control of office duties, despite his inauguration not yet coming to pass.”
Karen stepped forward. “The minister of defence and national security has identified you as a threat to the state,” she defended.
Nikolai groaned. “Hardly. It's my contention that she is actually a threat to the state. She allowed for members of the military to infiltrate the business district in order to thwart an idle threat. If you recall the unrest in Athenia's past, then you too would agree that one can not simply send in the military at one's will.” He didn't quite believe his own words, but wasn't willing to feel threatened by those whom he saw as lower beings.
“Regardless of what you 'contend',” Adam continued, “the East Yue Union has the authority to deploy the military whenever necessary.”
The tall man scoffed again. “Fine. Then we shall agree to disagree. Now, please take your leave.”
Adam growled and began to shake with rage. “Sweeney, you are under arrest!” he screamed.
“Under whose authority?” Nikolai asked again, returning the conversation back to the beginning.
Guard One had heard enough. “Arrest him,” he commanded.
The air in the room began to grow tense. Daye watched on wide-eyed, as did Tahlia.
Nikolai had attempted to talk his way out of the encounter, but the president's personnel were well prepared for him. He took a deep breath and flared his nostrils. “Very well,” he accepted, “why don't we go and ask the president himself what he thinks of this mayhem,” he suggested.
“Mr Denning's authority has been circumvented by the cabinet and by the current president,” Adam called back, the resentful tone in his voice evident. “You're a threat to this nation and need to surrender yourself at once.”
“His authority has been circumvented? This is an autocratic government—the president answers to no one.”
“Except to the cabinet and the Union.” Adam's patience was wearing thin. “It's over, Sweeney.”
Nikolai clenched his fists. He took a step forward,
beginning to feel overwhelmed with rage.
Guard One raised his weapon high. “Don't take another step!”
Metal scraped on metal as Aurelius roughly removed a sword from its scabbard. Sabina joined him, ripping a throwing knife from her belt. Several guards turned their attention and weapons to them.
Nikolai looked at the Tianzu, knowing that the three of them would be able to subdue the rebels, but none of them made such a move, nor showed any interest in doing so.
“Nikolai,” Kai warned, seeing the look on the tall man's face. “Don't even think about it.”
Nikolai instead turned his attention to Tahlia, who was trapped in the corner of the suite. She raised her arm upwards, preparing herself for the order from her leader to attack. All of Black Dawn had weapons pointed in their direction.
“This is your final chance to surrender yourself,” Guard One warned. Adam's heart rate sped up dramatically.
“On the contrary,” Nikolai retorted, “this is your final chance. Lower your weapons and evacuate this room immediately.”
The tension reached fever pitch. The Guard became even more alert from the sudden threat. Karen and Adam exchanged terrified glances. Neither of them had expected the situation to become so perilous. Nikolai caught a glimpse of their anxious expressions and could sense their fear.
“You would do well to call them off,” Nikolai suggested.
Adam's lip began to tremble. He had been involved in combat before, but never a situation so delicate. “No,” he said, composing himself. “Surrender yourselves at once!” he commanded through a quivering voice.
“I won't say it again,” Nikolai muttered back. “Evacuate this room immediately. None of you have any idea what you're dealing with.”
Sabina and Aurelius stared back at their foes, waiting for the order from Nikolai. They would have to move quickly and attack first if they were to avoid being shredded by an onslaught of bullets. Tahlia felt the same, and impatiently waited for the signal to be given.
Hana rose from her spot. “Nikolai, you're not to harm innocent civilians. Doing so will end our arrangement, and you'll be an enemy of the Tianzu.”
Nikolai shot her a vicious glance. “This is hardly the time to preach your group's message. Can you not see that I'm a little busy tending to other matters? And I'm quite certain you already consider me an enemy.”
“Do as they say,” she said. “Go with them peacefully. Let the nation's legal system sort this matter out.”
“And give you people free reign of my villa? I think not.” He stared at the furious looks on Hana's and Kai's faces. He was confident that Black Dawn would be able to put a stop to the Guard, but Kai and Hana would surely intervene. And Daye would certainly not want to see any bloodshed either. Nikolai's mind raced as he tried to think of a strategy to take on both groups of enemies simultaneously.
“You're a disgrace to this country,” Adam announced with a dark voice as he glared at Nikolai. His fear was obvious, but his patriotism even more so. “How dare you try to harm Archibald or Athenia.”
Nikolai was astonished to hear the words. He was unable to grasp how anyone could possibly revere the old fool who was the president-to-be. “Archibald is a traitor to this country and deserves to be butchered!” he snapped back.
Adam removed a pistol from his holster, his arms shaking. He pointed the deadly weapon at Nikolai's face. “Final chance, Sweeney! Surrender yourselves, or we'll open fire!”
Tahlia looked to her leader, hoping he would give the order, but his gaze was fixed on Adam.
“Enough!” Nikolai screamed. “No more games, Mr Price,” he growled. “Call off the Guard this instant!”
“Get down on the ground!” One roared back, taking several strides closer and pressing the cold weapon against the eyeless man's face.
Nikolai began to shake with rage. He had taken every opportunity to resolve the standoff peacefully, but his adversaries were uncompromising in their national duties. His fury filled the room.
“Very well,” he finally relented. He took a step back and got down on his knees.
He glanced at the Tianzu, who seemed to relax a little more as soon as Nikolai was on the ground. Good, he thought. They've dropped their guard. He knew that the only way his plan would work was if he held Kai and Hana pinned while Black Dawn attacked the Guard. He would have to move quickly.
Adam exhaled with relief seeing Nikolai down on his knees. “Place him under arrest,” he ordered. Several members of the Guard began to make their move.
Nikolai turned left and right, looking at his three mercenaries. “Tahlia, Sabina, Aurelius,” he called out. They all looked to their leader, awaiting his final instructions. “Kill them.”
Thirty
“Skye!” Ren called. “I think I've found something.”
Skye ran over and joined her at the computer, excited that there may still be hope. He had checked in with her every hour or so, eager for information. Evening had now fallen, and the mission was reaching a critical point. “What is it?”
“I was sifting through the company's financials earlier and found an enormous transaction that was sent to an international account. It has taken me all afternoon, but I've discovered this mystery account is a subsidiary of Nikolai's. He did a good job of keeping it hidden.”
“Well done!” Skye praised, impressed with her detective work. “But it's not another ploy, is it?” He felt cautious after the previous evening's mishap, and was reluctant to endanger the team again unless there was sufficient evidence to verify the efficacy of the information.
“I doubt it—it would be an expensive ploy, and this transaction occurred months ago. The information was a lot harder to come by than the president's itinerary, and it's a little more suspicious too.”
“Okay,” he accepted, trusting of her opinion. “So what did you find?”
“The transfer was used to buy something very interesting—a bunker out in the forest, on the outskirts of the island.”
“A bunker?” Romeo asked, walking over to join the conversation. “Why would he want a bunker?”
A relieved smile spread across Skye's face. “Because it's safe,” he explained. “It's the perfect place to keep the president before the inauguration.”
“That's ridiculous,” Romeo said. “If I was the leader of this country, I wouldn't want to be hiding underground in a bunker.”
“Neither would I,” Ren agreed, “but Archie probably doesn't have much choice. Nikolai can be persuasive.”
Skye could hardly conceal his delighted smirk as his bloodshot eyes lit up. Optimism filled his mind. It was exactly the breakthrough he'd been hoping for. “We should get ready then.”
Ren smiled too. “I have a good feeling about this. It makes perfect sense for him to keep Archie hidden away.”
Skye nodded. “Romeo, tell the others that we're leaving.”
The young man walked off in silence to retrieve the others, hoping he wouldn't be required to accompany them.
“I've already looked over the construction company's final draft of the plans,” Ren said, showing a detailed map of the area on her screen. Skye looked up, trying to make sense of the intricately detailed schematic. “It looks as though it's approximately eight kilometres along the highway. I've checked old satellite images too, and there's a dirt road that the trucks probably would have used.” She was pointing to her monitor, tracing her finger along the small unmarked road.
“When was the bunker installed?”
Ren closed the schematic and opened an electronic document on her computer. Her eyes scanned the report. “Construction was completed only three weeks ago.”
“Excellent,” Skye remarked. “In that case, I don't imagine it would be too difficult to find it in the dark. There's sure to be upturned soil.”
“You'll only need to find a section of forest missing,” Ren laughed as she opened up another document. It was a deforestation permit from the government. “But instead of taking chance
s on you scavenging for it all night, I'll just send you the exact coordinates.”
“Yes, please,” Skye requested. “I'm surprised that he was able to even purchase the land. That forest is supposed to be protected.”
“Not from the rich and powerful,” she joked. “He certainly would've had help from Archie. Deforestation is supposedly illegal here.”
“That's interesting,” Skye said, pointing to an invoice on one of the other monitors. “It says the company charged Nikolai an additional rush fee—and a large one at that. He must have wanted it built before the inauguration.”
“That's understandable,” Ren said. “I've also found this,” she added.
Skye watched intently as she displayed another electronic document on the large monitor. His eyes scanned the words, but he was unsure what its relevance was. “What am I looking at?”
“This is another invoice that was charged to the same international account. Nikolai shipped something to Athenia from Reddingham earlier this year. It doesn't say what it is, but it weighed well over two hundred kilograms.”
Skye frowned, even more confused. “That's around the time he returned to Athenia with the others. What does this have to do with the inauguration though?”
“Probably nothing,” she admitted. “But I couldn't find any receipt from Athenian Customs. Whatever he shipped here was obviously illegal.”
Skye laughed softly. “No more illegal than these,” he said as he held his military sword handle up.
Tango and Echo casually strode up to Ren's desk. “Found a bunker, have we?”
“We have. Out in the forest. There's a strong chance Archie will be there.”
“They could all be there,” Tango pondered aloud. “It would be safest if we all went. Juliet will need to come too.”
Eternity's War (Books 1-3) (Eternity's War Boxsets) Page 31
