As Joiner sat in his dimly lit office, musing on the situation, Agent Myers debriefed his team on the hacker’s latest attack.
A little later, Joiner looked up as the door opened and Myers entered the room.
‘Tell me some good news,’ he said, as Myers sat down opposite.
‘If I could, I would. Bic still seems to be able to penetrate our defences at will. The drone he used was ex-military, stolen from a private collection in Richmond.’
‘And there was no trace of him in our system?’
‘Our coders are working on it.’
‘Tell them to work harder and make it known whoever finds a concrete lead as to his whereabouts will be granted their choice of underground facility, and a residence of their choosing.’
‘I’ll tell them, but I don’t think it will help.’ Myers looked at his boss. ‘Do you think it’s wise to stay on the surface? You only just escaped with your life, the next time you might not be so lucky.’
Joiner thought about the question. That his safety was paramount was indisputable. However, in light of recent events he would need to take more precautions, especially with the hacker emboldened. ‘The Directorate needs me to keep the president and the hacker in check,’ he said, ‘but the greatest threat remains the professor. The confirmation of his involvement with the president’s abduction and his continued affiliation with Da Muss Ich is beyond troubling. His knowledge of the GMRC, its procedures, facilities and capabilities, is second to none; whatever he’s planning could plunge the world into chaos.’
Myers frowned. ‘You think he would risk everything he’s worked for? His whole life was dedicated to the GMRC and the preservation of life. He almost singlehandedly made the Subterranean Programme what it is today.’
‘He’s already proven extremely resourceful,’ Joiner said, ‘and while it’s said his IQ is impressive, the hacker’s is off the chart. The professor may think he’s in charge, but he will not be able to withstand Da Muss Ich’s relentless manipulation. The professor was always enthralled by his own reputation as a genius, and it’s that misguided arrogance that will see us all dead.’
Joiner reached out to pick up a glass of water and noticed his hand shook. He glanced at Myers, who’d noticed the movement.
‘You might be suffering from shock,’ Myers said. ‘You should get checked out.’
Joiner grasped the glass and the tremor stopped. He sipped at the water and peered at Myers over the rim in silence.
The CIA operative shifted in discomfort under his director’s scrutiny.
When Joiner felt he’d suitably punished Myers for daring to point out his perceived weakness, he placed his drink down on his high-tech desk, noticing as he did so that the shaking had passed. ‘Did you manage to locate Jessica Klein?’
Myers shook his head. ‘If it was her at the president’s press conference, she covered her tracks well.’
‘Or the hacker did.’ Joiner removed his spectacles and withdrew a soft cloth to polish the lenses. He thought about the former BBC newsreader, a woman who committed career suicide by conducting a live broadcast which accused the GMRC of suppressing the mass media by nefarious means. That she was right was beside the point, and Joiner had ensured her job was terminated in short order. That he’d managed to discredit her in the process was a bonus, albeit a necessary one. She’d since returned, but no longer operated alone; she was in league with the hacker and the professor himself. He’d already issued a shoot-to-kill order on all three of them, along with the two other reprobates who’d deemed it wise to join in with their ill-advised crusade against the Response Council.
‘The president recognised her,’ Myers said.
‘Klein remains by the professor’s side,’ Joiner said.
‘You think the hacker will use her to expose us?’
Joiner nodded and replaced his glasses. ‘Despite her fall from grace, people will still believe what she has to say. They’re nothing but gullible, and if Bic wants to tell the world what he knows, she will be the perfect conduit.’
‘What is the professor planning.’
Joiner glared at him. ‘If I knew, do you think I’d be sitting here?’
‘It was rhetorical.’
‘Whatever it is,’ Joiner said, giving Myers a withering look, ‘he’ll think he’s doing the right thing, he’s a boy scout. He knows nothing else.’
‘He might be trying to stop the hacker. He always loathed everything he stood for. Bic caused him as much grief as he did – does – us.’
‘Perhaps, or he might just be seeking revenge for his descent into ignominy. If so, then he’ll be coming after me.’
‘Maybe the hacker was trying to do him a favour.’
Joiner thought back to the attack, which had nearly cost him his life. Does Professor Steiner want me dead? he wondered. Of course he does, he told himself. I engineered his expulsion from the Directorate. He also knows I destroyed USSB Steadfast, which is something he’ll never forgive. Joiner hadn’t wanted to drop a nuke on the underground base, but the Committee wanted USSB Sanctuary free of outside interference, and so he’d done as they requested: he sacrificed Steadfast and the half a million souls within.
When Joiner failed to speak again, Myers said, ‘What shall we do about the media’s coverage of the missing pop singer? Her bodyguards are saying they can’t remember what happened on the night she vanished, and what with other disappearances, people are starting to talk.’
Joiner frowned. ‘What people?’
‘Conspiracy theorists.’
‘Let them talk, no one pays them any heed.’
‘Some are starting to.’
Joiner tapped his desk in irritation. ‘Create a cover story and have whoever this person is—’
‘Poppy Malone,’ Myers said.
‘—have her record a video from whatever underground base she’s in. In fact, this should have been done already. Why am I even hearing about it?’
‘She’s refusing to cooperate, her transition was,’ – Myers hesitated – ‘handled privately.’
‘Her relocation was not sanctioned by the GMRC?’
‘It was, but she was to be picked up in a fortnight. It seems her parents were eager to have her with them.’
‘Then who—’ Joiner stopped mid-question as he realised the answer. He knew only a Committee member would have the funds, contacts and arrogance to breach such stringent controls. ‘And, let me guess, her parents didn’t stick to standard procedure?’
‘No. She refused to believe what they told her about the coming asteroids,’ – Myers saw the look of consternation on his director’s face – ‘yes, they told her about all six, and when she realised they weren’t going to let her go, she went into an uncontrollable rage. The doctors say she’s experienced some kind of psychotic break. She’s on a mental ward, refusing to eat until she’s allowed back to the surface.’
Joiner shook his head. ‘She was obviously a late evacuee because of her profile and personality. Do these people think the GMRC doesn’t know what it’s doing?’
Myers gave a shrug of his shoulders.
‘Recreate her virtually using past interviews, you know the drill. Make it realistic, but don’t put too much effort into it; her vapid followers are more than likely to accept anything they think she says.’
Myers nodded, and was about to say something else when the darkened wallscreen glowed to life.
The avatar of Joiner’s artificial assistant appeared. ‘You have an incoming subterranean to surface encrypted call, Director, do you wish to accept?’
Joiner swivelled round in his chair to look at the glowing figure of the digitised woman. ‘Who is it?’
‘The Deputy Governor of USSB Sanctuary’s Central Bank, Selene Dubois.’
Joiner felt his chest tighten. ‘Transfer it to my desk.’
‘Certainly, Director; transferring ...’
Joiner turned back to his desk and the image of another woman appeared, but this time the pe
rson depicted was flesh and blood, her pale complexion framed by straight flaxen hair tied back with a single band of silver. If Joiner hadn’t known better he would have taken her for another avatar, such was the crisp austerity of her appearance. Instead he knew only too well how real this woman was, her position on the Committee giving her a power and insight beyond anyone else Joiner had ever met. That he was now a lower ranking member of the same Committee had failed to enlighten him on their inner workings and ultimate aims, although he knew they had ensured the destruction of the GMRC’s Space Programme, which condemned the planet’s surface to annihilation. Why they desired the surface to burn, he was still yet to determine, but he would learn their secrets if it took him the rest of his days.
‘Intelligence Director,’ Selene said, her voice as cold as ice. ‘I hear you have had another incident with the cyberterrorist.’
‘It’s nothing I can’t handle.’
Her right eyebrow raised. ‘Is that so?’
Joiner didn’t know what to say and he suddenly realised Myers was still in the room. He motioned for him to leave.
The CIA agent got up and silently left the office.
‘The hacker has already successfully abducted the president,’ Selene said, ‘and now he has made an attempt on your life. Yet despite your best efforts, you’ve still made no inroads into tracking him down.’
‘I seem to remember you having the same problem,’ Joiner said in annoyance.
‘We have been dealing with these Knights of the Apocalypse, who you allowed to compromise your position. We also assumed having the resources of the GMRC at your disposal would enable you to keep him under control, but it seems the opposite is true, doesn’t it?’
Joiner held his tongue. Selene was looking for a reaction. She wasn’t going to get one.
Selene’s expression hardened. ‘It’s also come to our attention that you’ve once again pried into affairs beyond your station.’
‘Which are?’ Joiner said, suddenly anxious.
‘Dagmar Sorenson’s experiment. You saw the results, did you not? The awakening.’
Joiner knew she must be talking about the Anakim giant he saw the R&D director release from the ancient monolith.
‘How did you—’
‘Find out?’ she said, completing his question. ‘You should know by now, Malcolm, the Committee is self-aware. As a member, you are no exception.’
Joiner pressed a button and transferred Selene’s image to the wall. ‘Then you also know I was given the recording, I did not seek it out.’
‘And yet you still watched it, knowing full well the Committee would not approve of you spying on its activities.’
Joiner opened his mouth and then closed it again.
‘Nothing to say?’ Selene said, her mismatched eyes boring into his.
Joiner paced along the wall and Selene’s gaze followed him, as she watched him on her own wallscreen, from her location in USSB Sanctuary.
‘I’m the GMRC Intelligence Director,’ Joiner said, ceasing his movement and turning to look at her. ‘What do you expect me to do; turn down information?’
‘I don’t care if it’s in your nature. If it goes against the interest of the Committee, you need to learn restraint or face the consequences.’
Joiner clenched a fist. ‘Haven’t we had this conversation before, Selene? If you’d have wanted me dead, I’d already be so. You also forget to whom you speak,’ – he stood up straighter – ‘I am GMRC Directorate, I am not some lackey you can intimidate with empty threats.’
Selene’s eyes narrowed and Joiner instantly regretted his words, but there was no taking them back now. What was said was said.
‘Is that so, Director?’ she said, her voice hardening.
‘It is.’
‘Very well.’ Selene turned away. ‘Then this conversation is over.’
‘Wait!’ Joiner said, panicking.
Selene paused and then slowly turned back round to face him.
Neither spoke and Joiner knew he had to make amends. He could not deal with another adversary, not now. ‘I spoke in haste,’ he said. ‘You must understand, my position does not allow me to accept ...’
‘Accept what, Director?’ Selene said, as he struggled to dig himself out the hole he’d created for himself.
‘I do not respond well to intimidation,’ he said, the words tasting like bile in his throat.
‘It’s a bitter pill to swallow when you’ve been the one administering it.’ Selene smiled. ‘From humility, a man is born.’
Joiner glared at Selene, his gaze seething with hate. Belittle me again, he thought, and I’ll see you pulled limb from limb, you conniving bitch.
‘Stay your anger, Director,’ Selene said, seeing his expression, ‘or you will see how far from empty my threats really are.’
Joiner shook his head. The woman didn’t know to quit when she was ahead. ‘Try it,’ he said. ‘When push comes to shove, the Committee needs me more than it needs you. And if you think your position in Sanctuary protects you, think again. My reach is long and my memory longer.’
Selene’s expression remained aloof. ‘And yet it is I that can kill in an instant.’
‘If you’re talking about the device you had Dagmar put in my head, go ahead, activate it. And I’ll know exactly where I stand when I have my agents pick you up.’
‘I know you’ve taken measures to block the signal, Director. However, you’re mistaken; the device isn’t what I was referring to.’
Joiner stood for a moment, confused by what she meant. Then he realised she was bluffing and a sneer spread across his face. ‘Desperation is the last line of defence.’
‘And the damned are always the last to know,’ said a deep voice.
Joiner froze, and then turned slowly round to search his darkened office.
Nothing stirred, but the voice had come from within, he knew it.
‘I thought after the president’s abduction you would need some more protection,’ Selene said, her tone conversational, as Joiner pressed a concealed button, tripping a silent alarm. ‘Although in the case of your recent miraculous escape,’ she continued, ‘it seems your new guardian arrived too late to make a difference. However ... assets can always be reassigned.’
A pair of glowing eyes appeared in the corner of Joiner’s office and an instant later a tall, ghostly figure emerged from the dark, like a nightmarish phantom.
A cascade of electricity shimmered over the newcomer’s massive frame to reveal chrome-clad armour, the state-of-the-art panels devoid of any distinguishing marks except for a single emblem etched onto the breastplate:
Joiner’s heart rate quickened and he pressed the alarm multiple times. Where are my agents, he thought in desperation, where are they?!
Chapter One Hundred Twenty-One
Ophion Nexus, the leader of the elite unit known only as S.I.L.V.E.R., removed his high-tech helmet to reveal pale skin and chiselled features. His long black hair, which had been tied back into a plait, unfurled to hang down his back, while his unwavering eagle-like eyes studied Joiner like a lion eyeing its next kill.
‘How did you breach security?’ Joiner said, trying to remain calm.
Ophion let his ferocious gaze linger, before he turned to face the screen.
Joiner tried to slow his racing heart and quell his fury at his sudden change in circumstance. He glared at the chrome-clad assassin, his animosity not without reason. The last time they’d crossed paths, Ophion had threatened his life. The man and his team were a law unto themselves; despite Selene thinking they obeyed her orders, Joiner knew of the legendary autonomy of these most deadly of hired killers. They were not to be trusted, Ophion least of all, and especially so when it came to safeguarding his life.
‘I don’t need a guardian,’ Joiner said to Selene.
‘Ophion is not just there to ensure you stay amongst the living, Malcolm,’ Selene said. ‘He will also be able to help you locate and terminate the cyberterrorist, or at
the very least, those with whom he associates.’
As much as Joiner hated to admit it, Selene was right. Professor Steiner and his ragtag band would not be able to melt into the digital ether like their notorious friend; he just needed to wait for them to make a mistake and reveal their whereabouts. He knew if they remained in the United States much longer they would be wiped out, along with everything else, which meant whatever they were planning had to be soon. He also assumed they’d already arranged to leave. Or have they left already? he wondered.
‘I think you overestimate his abilities,’ Joiner said, glaring at the assassin.
Ophion didn’t respond to the jibe, but Joiner saw the assassin’s jaw clench in anger.
‘You will soon see how effective he and his team can be,’ Selene replied. ‘You, of all people, should know his capabilities. He succeeds where others fail.’
The door to the office banged open and a team of CIA operatives stormed inside, rifles raised to shoot. ‘Lay down your weapons!’ Agent Myers said to Ophion. ‘NOW!’
Ophion looked at Selene, his unflustered expression questioning.
‘Put a leash on your dogs,’ Selene told Joiner, ‘we still have business to conclude.’
‘DROP YOUR WEAPONS!’ Myers shouted. ‘This is your last warning!’
Joiner glanced at Myers and then to Ophion, who put down his helmet and turned to face the armed men threatening him.
‘I would do as she says,’ Ophion said to Joiner, his voice tombstone deep, ‘unless you want these men to die.’
Joiner couldn’t believe the assassin could take out Myers and his men, especially as ten rifles were trained at his head while his weaponry remained attached to his armour.
He had the distinct impression, however, that it was Myers who was the one in danger, and not the other way round.
‘Stand down.’ Joiner said, raising a hand.
‘Sir?’ Myers looked at him like he was mad.
‘I said, stand down!’
Ancient Origins: Books 4 - 6 (Ancient Origins Boxset Book 2) Page 65
