Killing the Giants

by Jeff Bennington

  Once an American ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Joseph had strong ties to the oil and banking industries. With intentions of retiring, he had planned on recruiting the next generation of leaders for Caesar. Senator McCutchen, however, could not match Joseph’s regality. He too carried himself well, but Joseph was much nobler in his presentation.

  As they sat down, whimsical Mozartian rhythms danced in the white noise, while the sounds of dishes clanging and glasses knocking filled the dimly lit setting. Every word spoken seemed to reverberate in hushed tones, deflected by the oversize booth encasement where the three men gathered. Of course, the smell of bread and oil, wine, duck and other fine French cuisine drifted in the air, making Jonathan hungry.

  The men shook hands.

  “Hello, Jonathan!” said Joseph. “So nice to see you. We were never formally introduced at your inauguration.”

  Jonathan smiled. “Hello, Mr. Heinrich. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” Jonathan turned toward the senator and shook his hand as well. “Senator McCutchen. Thank you so much for the invitation.”

  “Please, call me Joseph.” Joseph smiled at Jonathan exposing his many wrinkles that paved the road map of his long life.

  Senator McCutchen unfolded his napkin and placed it on his lap. “I’m so very sorry to hear about your employees.” The senator’s eyes saddened. “That must have been very difficult for you.”

  “It’s been difficult, but as they say, we’re trying to move forward.” The men chuckled. Their waiter arrived.

  “The usual for me,” requested Joseph. “What are you drinking, Jonathan? Wine? Scotch? Brandy?”

  “I’ll have water for now.” Best to be sober, thought Jonathan. “Thank you.”

  “Very wise,” said Joseph. “It’s no wonder you were selected to be a part of Caesar,” exclaimed Senator McCutchen as he waved off the waiter. “You do realize that this is an extremely elite organization? We only consider men who are superior not only in intellect but in temperament as well. And you seem to fit the bill on all counts! Overall, we’re very impressed, which is why you’re here.”

  Joseph coughed into a handkerchief. “We…want to give you a little more information about why you’ve been selected and what’s expected of you. We want to educate you on our history and our purpose. As you can imagine, this type of sensitive information only comes in phases. As it is written: ‘If a man can be trusted with little, he can be trusted with much.’ And we think we can trust you.”

  Jonathan nodded in agreement. Although he feared their motives, he remained curious about what they were really about.

  Joseph sipped from a glass of water and then said, “All of us are held accountable to a very strict code of ethics. It’s a code that bars us from ever reporting or discussing anything about Caesar with anyone outside of the order. You can rest assured that no one will ever leak your name.” Shaking his finger from side to side. “Your family must never know of your involvement. The only way they will find out is if you tell them. And I would not suggest that you do that.”

  “I understand,” said Jonathan. “But I would like to know more.”

  Joseph laughed, “That’s what they all say.” He paused and glanced at the senator and then looked back at Jonathan. “What would you like to know?”

  “For starters, how did you two come into the order? Is that what we call it? The Order?”

  “How I came into the Order of Caesar, as it’s also referred to, is a very chilling story. It’s not for the meek or faint of heart. But if you have a strong stomach, I will tell you the tale. Just promise me that you’ll hold your food down.”

  The men laughed.

  “I promise,” said Jonathan with a warm smile.

  Joseph relaxed in his chair. “To begin with, I’m a third-generation Caesar. My grandfather, Joseph Heinrich the first, joined Caesar because it was a safe alternative to several German secret societies. In 1902, there were only two options: own or be owned. And of course, as a German Jew, he was a minority. As such, he had to excel and find a place of protection or he and his descendants would have been condemned to obscurity. He did everything in his power to assure that never happened. He attended the University of Munich and studied law. While there, he sought out membership in any secret society or fraternity that would accept him.

  “He was intelligent and came from a wealthy family. But his race was a problem. Nonetheless, he pressed on. Throughout the hazing process, many of the fraternities would test his resolve through humiliation, torture or simply dismiss him. They beat, scourged, lacerated, burned and made my grandfather stand in the university commons naked in the middle of winter. For three years he advanced in his studies, but lived a separate life of mistreatment and abuse in his quest for belonging, security and respect. Day after day he tended to his studies, but at night he experienced a living hell.

  “The fraternities performed their rituals at night, in the dark, behind the veil of secrecy. One secret society, or fraternity as they were often referred to, threatened to gang-rape him, but he escaped. Another group beat him, hung him from a tree by his ankles and covered him in sheep’s blood. The humiliation was nearly more than he could bear. He threatened suicide on several occasions.

  “Finally, in 1905, his last year at the university, a young man by the name of Vernon Liptner had pity on him. He brought him to a recruiter of a very old secret society that was focused on ability rather than race. That society, as it turns out, was the Order of Caesar. They took him in, knowing that he had not only persevered unspeakable acts, but that his mind and character were much stronger than any of his abusers could ever have aspired to. He was exactly what Caesar was looking for. And to this day, that’s the type of leadership and strength Caesar requires. My grandfather and Vernon became lifelong friends. Together they built an empire of societal organizations intent on gaining political and financial power.

  “After my grandfather’s inauguration, he vowed to cement his position and that of his children’s children by growing Caesar into what it is today. It’s one of the world’s most powerful secret societies. We control economies, corporations and bureaucracies. Through Caesar, he was able to escape Germany, get revenge on his abusers and change the world through a worldwide network of secret societies and political organizations.

  “You see, my grandfather’s experiences made a huge impact on his worldview, both professionally and spiritually. At the time, many of his colleagues were intrigued by Charles Darwin’s evolutionary theory of natural selection. Likewise, my grandfather’s life experience taught him that only the strong survive. He abandoned his religious heritage in exchange for a life of evolutionary power and evolved intellectual strength. He believed that humans had evolved, and that he was one of the elite…one of the perfected ones. Consequently, he sought out others like himself: wealthy, influential and powerful. They worked until their influence made a global impact.”

  Joseph leaned forward and put his elbows on the table. “We are the missing link, Jonathan. We are the latest species to advance on the Homo sapiens…and we have conquered them.” Joseph lifted his eyebrows and opened his hands as he cracked an evil smile.

  “Now, I know you didn’t sign up for this, Jonathan, but we need you, and you need to know the truth. Besides, the reality is, you too are one of the evolved…the elite. You’ve risen to the top and proven yourself worthy to be counted as one of us. Are you ready for that, Jonathan?”

  Jonathan gulped down the lump in his throat and said, “Yes.”

  Joseph relaxed and sat back in his seat. “Fine then, I’ll continue. After World War I, Caesar became one of the most influential secret societies, along with Freemasonry, the Scottish Rite, the Illuminati and Skull and Bones. The wealth that they accumulated through their respective industries, such as oil, natural gas, weapons, automobiles, steel and of course precious metals, created a virtual empire for a very select few. These men experienced individual wealth far beyond anything kings and monarchs could ever
imagine. For the first time in history, these individuals saw the potential for a true world economy. They were the first men to actually visualize what we commonly know today as ‘The Global Economy.’

  “These men, along with other fraternal orders including Caesar, helped to organize the Trilateral Commission, the United Nations, NATO, the World Trade Organization and the World Bank. They helped finance and structure these organizations, secretly injecting their worldview into each organization’s bylaws and principles under the pretense of world peace and political unity. In truth, they formed these organizations as a means to greater wealth and global influence.

  “As the world began to shrink through advancements in technology, they were able to integrate business, war, infrastructure, education and politics in such a way that their motives for profit were easily concealed. They’ve passed international laws and treaties, which include trade deals and arms sales as if the United Nations were a diplomatic superstore!

  “These men with whom you are now associated are the most powerful men in the world. We are all highly intelligent, wealthy, influential and evolved.” Joseph stared at Jonathan. “You’re in very good company, Jonathan. And we are likewise honored to have you among us. Soon, you’ll be collecting your share of the revenue and shadowing your fraternal brothers in our global pursuits.” Joseph smiled again. “So, do you have any questions?”

  Jonathan said nothing, shocked that a conspiracy of such magnitude could actually be real. It seemed too vast to comprehend. He couldn’t understand how he fit into the puzzle. He closed his eyes briefly in an effort to regain his focus and pull his thoughts together. He rested both of his hands in his lap and opened his eyes.

  “I do have some questions,” said Jonathan. “Before I continue with any of this, I need to know exactly what you want from me. Everything you’ve told me has been a vague suggestion of globalism . And I guess I’m having trouble wrapping my head around the idea of being involved in something I know nothing about.”

  “Okay,” responded Joseph. “I’ll get straight to the point then. We want you because PPI is one of North America’s largest oil producers. We need your influence in the oil industry. We need you to help us manipulate the supply of oil. It’s not just you, Jonathan. There are others, many others in fact. We work with governments, bankers and leaders just like you. Rest assured, this is not about oil. It’s actually about the extinction of oil.

  “You see, as hopeful as you may be about the future prospects of oil as a viable resource, the truth is, like the dinosaurs, oil will become extinct. Soon, nuclear, magnetic and hydrogen power will be our primary sources of energy. And that’s just the beginning. Renewable energy is no longer a pipe dream. It’s real. Fossil fuels will be a thing of the past. Like Skull and Bones and the other secret societies, Caesar has its part to play in this choreography as well, and we have chosen you to be a part of our team.”

  “I’m flattered by the trust you’ve put in me. But our studies show that the demand for oil will drop off at a steady rate over the next twenty or more years, and we’re planning accordingly.”

  “No, Jonathan,” Senator McCutchen interrupted. “You’re not planning. The plan is already in place. The technology is already here. We have the patents and we’re providing the funding. As always, we’re not waiting on the future, we’re making it.”

  Jonathan looked at the senator with a confused look on his face and asked, “All right, what am I missing here? I’ve been in this business for nearly thirty years and I know where we stand. PPI has invested billions into extraction research and technologies that’ll give us access and abundant supplies for decades.”

  “Jonathan! Stop!” Joseph’s eyes tensed, his thick eyebrows bunching. “It’s over. Oil is finished! Our technologies have been developed through our private laboratories that are far beyond your research could imagine. You’re not prepared for what’s coming.”

  Senator McCutchen added, “Together with our global partners and dozens of members that we call the ‘inner circle,’ we have access to advanced energy sources. And these technologies will not only revolutionize the way we live but the way we see ourselves as human beings. You have to understand; we’re on the forefront of a universal revolution and we will be the only ones to capitalize our products.”

  Intrigued, Jonathan asked, “Universal? Like what? What are you talking about?”

  “It’s complicated,” said James. “But I will tell you this: history has been modified to keep you and the barbarians on earth from knowing the truth about our ecology, history and our place in the solar system. With an endless amount of resources at our disposal, don’t you think we’d be interested in discovering the truth in historical, archaeological and astrological research? Who do you think funds Hubble research? Who do you think funds archaeological digs and spacecraft reengineering?” Jonathan shrugged his shoulders. Senator McCutchen pointed at himself. “We do. So when it comes to reality, technology and discoveries, we are way ahead of the barbarians.”

  The senator grinned and Joseph’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Jonathan. “Welcome to the real world, Jonathan. The myths and rumors of men in black and secret governmental agencies are real after all. We’re ten or more years ahead of private-sector technology. And we’re only a few years away from our ultimate goal.”

  Joseph sipped his wine and added, “As you know, we intend on uniting the world on a global scale, as one people. We will have one currency, a fluid economy, a global tax system and a centralized world government. Our plan is to create a new global system that can efficiently meet the needs of the populace: food, shelter, employment, banking and of course-established global system. And that’s where you come in. You will assist us in not only transitioning to the new energy technologies, but also assist in masking our intentions until the appropriate time. Unfortunately, you have already experienced the unfortunate consequence of the beginning of these events.”

  For a moment, the three men sat quietly, while Jonathan considered what the most appropriate response should be.

  How does one respond to this madness? he wondered. Then it came to him. Jonathan asked, “What should I expect in return?”

  Joseph smiled once again and replied, “Whatever you want, Jonathan. Whatever you want.”

  Chapter 28

  Flight 340

  Dennis followed the white van for several miles through the city as daylight faded. Night was approaching and an orange blanket of clouds from the west began to cover the cityscape. Reflections of the sunset created a glare that ricocheted off of the skyscraper windowpanes, making it difficult for Dennis to track the van’s progress. Yet somehow Dennis managed to stay close.

  When he stopped at the red lights, he jotted down the van’s license-plate number and the small number on the van’s back door. While the two vehicles drove through the city, he wrote down the roads that the van traveled. They took 495 North out of Queens to the tunnel. They passed through the tunnel into Manhattan and turned right on Roosevelt Drive and then left onto 42nd Street. The van headed several miles north on the Henry Hudson Parkway until it came to a side road that went directly into what was labeled “Roosevelt Private Forestry Reserve.” Keeping his distance, Dennis pulled over and watched as the white van pulled onto a paved road that was blocked by a chain. An expansive grassy area surrounded the entrance, but was stopped abruptly by a vast forest that swallowed the pavement ahead.

  With his little head crouched down, Dennis watched one of Jack’s men step out of the driver’s-side door, unlatch the chain and return to the van. They slowly continued about an eighth of a mile, and turned down what looked like a gravel road. Before they were out of sight, they stopped near a long black vehicle parked on the side of the road and turned off the lights.

  Dennis shuffled nervously through the empty fast-food bags, coffee cups and wrappers that were thrown on the front seat of Blake’s truck, looking for Sarah’s cell phone.

  He found the phone amidst the tras
h and said, “There you are, you sweet little thing!”

  Dennis tried to remember the name of the person he was supposed to call. He thought to himself, Dr. Diggin? No. That’s not it. Dr. Laden Livin? No. Something simple. Dr. David, Dr. David Liggin. That’s it! He tapped on the cell phone buttons until he came across the name Dave Liggin in Sarah’s contact list. Proud that he had done exactly what he was told, Dennis lifted his right hand into the air and made a long dramatic dive from the ceiling of the truck to the cell phone near his lap, until his index finger hit the first button. He excitedly dialed Dr. Liggin’s number.

  While he waited for an answer, he sang a little tune. “Dr. Daaavid Liiiggin, Dr. Dave, Dr. Dave. Dr. Daaavid Liiiggin, Dr. Dave, Dr. Da—”

  “Hello?” Dr. Liggin interrupted Dennis’s musical interlude. Dennis cleared his throat.

  “Uh…yeah…uh, is this Dr. Liggin?” Dennis held his breath out of embarrassment.

  “Speaking.”

  “Oh, good!” Dennis exhaled. “My name’s Dennis and I’m calling you about your friend—” Dennis hiccupped. “Excuse me, your friend Sarah.”

  “Sarah Perkins?”

  “Yeah, she’s in trouble. Whe—” He hiccupped again. “Where are you?”

  “I’m on my way to New York as we speak. I’m hirty minutes.”

  “Good, because she said that you’d know what to do. They have my friend Blake too!”

  Dave grunted. “Who? Who are they?”

  “The FBI, I think. At least that’s what he said.”

  “Where is she now?”

  “Just outside of the city—north of the Bronx. They don’t seem to be going anywhere.”

  “Okay, Dennis. Listen to me. Did they go into a park of some kind?”