Blood on the Water

by Mark Hildebrandt

  “Are you sure we won’t have any Senate funded attorney, snooping around demanding proper treatment under the Citizen Protection Act?”

  Josephus shook his head, “No. That is not very likely, first. No one in the Senate or from the Senate Investigation Authority would dare admit to covertly spying on the Ministry of Health and Environment. With all the laws about open and honest investigations, the public opinion backlash that would arise from Senate spying, would damage the elected officials, and let’s face it. The ten most important items on a Senator’s action item list are all the same, get reelected. Anything that jeopardizes that must be done in secrete, out of public view. No one will have the courage to be associated with Quintus. Of course, our trump card is, that the Magistrate and Prosecuting Attorney are crafting charges involving sedition, and of course those charges revoke any protections afforded in the Citizen Protection Act. The prisoner must, by Imperial law, be held and tired in a secret Military tribunal.

  Marcus took a cleansing breath, “Thank you Josephus,” What would he do without Josephus. The man was the epitome of effective surveillance and counter espionage, and once again it seemed, he had everything under control. “Let’s find out how much damage Quintus did. I’ll leave the details of the interrogation up to you and your staff. After you are finished, then quietly crucify him. No news coverage at all, but I do want all Ministry employees to see and understand what happened. Does that present a problem?”

  “No sir. It may take a few days to learn all the details of his deceit, but generally, after about a week there isn’t much more to learn. As far as news coverage, I’m not sure we can do that.”

  “Oh Josephus of course you can. Just keep the story away from the main Imperial news net. It’s possible, one of the independent journalists, sympathetic to the Senate, could get wind of the story and write about it, but without any details or substantiation, it will soon fade. And as far as the integration, make sure there are no marks that cannot be hidden because when he is crucified, the only thing I want people to see on his face is fear.”

  The vehicle stopped at the Imperial Police station, and as he and Josephus entered the station, Marcus found some of the bounce returning to his step. The Police station foyer was the usual beehive of activity, full of citizens filing complaints about perceived injustices. Josephus led Marcus past the Desk Optio, giving him a slight nod as he opened the door leading the high security section. The door opened to a dimly lit stairway descending into the bowels of the building. At the bottom of the stairs was a large unoccupied reception area with doors on the three walls. Josephus stepped into the hall and without hesitation turned right and again opened the door using his data pad. The door opened into a large brightly lit room, teeming with activity. Men and women dressed in Imperial Counter Insurgency Police uniforms were everywhere. Some standing trading office gossip, others were rushing in and out of the numerous doors placed uniformly around the periphery of the hall.

  Josephus consulted his data pad and motioned for Marcus to follow, “This way Marcus. Our spy is just down this cell block.” They walked down the block and stopped half way down. Josephus activated the holding cell view screen, and the wall transformed into a large one-way window.

  Quintus was strapped to a chair with a light shining directly on him. From his expression there was no doubt, fear gripped him far tighter than the bindings.

  “Open the door Josephus,” Marcus said while studying the frightened man. The door opened, and Marcus stepped inside, and as difficult as it was to believe, the sight of Marcus seemed to frighten Quintus even more.

  “Quintus, what a fine mess you have gotten into.” Marcus said moving to the chair opposite Quintus. “You may have seriously damaged a delicate relationship that has served the Republic for two thousand years.” Marcus shook his head for effect, but he wasn’t sure how much Quintus could see through the bright light. “Josephus, can you dim this light just a bit? I think it best Quintus and I can see each other during this discussion.” The illumination dimmed sufficiently that Marcus was certain Quintus could clearly seem him.

  “Quintus, you have been with me for what two years now?” Quintus didn’t answer but nodded his head. “During that time, I came think of you as almost a family member. I gave you privileges and gifts far beyond what your position warranted. Didn’t I treat you well?” Again, Quintus nodded his head affirmatively. “Yes of course I did. Do you know why I treated you so well, so much better than I should have?” Before Quintus could react, Marcus continued, “I treated you well for two reasons, first I liked you. Under my guidance you would have had bright and prosperous career. But more important I trusted you.” Marcus paused for a few moments. “Quintus, trust is one of the most important human traits. It is much like love. We humans cannot live without either, and now you have clearly demonstrated you have no appreciation for trust. You my old friend, spit on me. Your actions clearly show me, that you are not fit to be called human.” Again, Marcus paused to let his words be understood. “I only have one question I would like to ask you. I believe some of Josephus associates will have a few others to ask later, but for now please just tell me, why?”

  Quintus squirmed for a moment, then his appearance seemed to change. He straightened up and almost took on an aura of pride, “I did it to save our people from the madness of the Emperor. I did it to save our way of life and insure the survival of the Republic.”

  Marcus couldn’t believe what he heard, “Are you serious? You thought you were going to save the Republic?” Quintus with a slight smile nodded agreement. “Well, there is a trait I never noticed in you before, stupidity. How could you possibly be so naive? Had you been part of some subversive organization bent on destroying and rebuilding the government, I might be able to understand, but you weren’t. You were merely working for a politician, Senator Kukulcan. Do you think that by replacing one politician with another you would affect a change? I am amazed you were so gullible. Well you will pay for your stupidity.”

  Marcus without saying anything else stood and left the cell.

  In the hall once again joined by Josephus, all Marcus could do was shake his head. “Close the door, Josephus, I have seen enough. You have your instructions.” Once again in the busy high security reception room, Josephus asked Marcus to wait for just a minute while he personally passed instructions to the watch Optio. Standing in the middle of the foyer with security police rushing to and fro, gave Marcus the sensation he was standing in the middle of an ant colony. In this facility, more than any other on Earth, people were leery about the privacy of electronic communications and most instructions were relayed through human-to-human contact. During the frenzied activity Marcus was jostled several times. Each time he would turn to look for the perpetrator but was at best rewarded with a view of the back of an officer’s head as he rushed into a closing doorway. After one such encounter he detected a slight tug on his jacket pocket. He reached for his pocket and turned at the same time only to see the back of three officers disappearing through three different doorways.

  When he reached inside his pocket, he was alarmed to feel a folded piece of paper. He was positive; the paper was not there, when he put the jacket on earlier this morning. Marcus casually removed his hand leaving the paper in place and made sure his expression did not change. He was soon joined by Josephus and the two departed.

  Once inside the waiting vehicle, Josephus programmed it to take them to the clinic and sat back in his seat. “Damn that kid, but don’t worry Dr. Vespus. We will find out how much he passed on.”

  Marcus didn’t respond but instead reached inside his pocked and removed the note. He unfolded it and gasped. Dr. Vespus, just because you have discovered one of my moles don’t be fooled into thinking you got them all. I wish to meet with you once again to discuss terms. Please meet me at the Seven Hills this afternoon at four o’clock. Kukulcan.

  Marcus was not convinced he should share the note with Josephus, but apparently his ashen ap
pearance was enough to inform him something was wrong.

  “Marcus, Dr. Vespus, what is it? You look ill.”

  Marcus tried to take a deep breath and regain his composure, “I’m afraid you are completely wrong about the security inside the high security section of the station.”

  “I’m not sure I take your meaning sir. That section is a bastion of Imperial loyalist.”

  Shaking his head for emphasis, “I believe you are misinformed, because one of your loyalists, slipped this note in my pocket while you were talking with the Watch Optio.” He said passing the note to Josephus.

  Marcus watched as the color drained from Josephus face. “This is not possible. Did you see the officer responsible? Tell me who he was, and he will be in a room next to Quintus before this car can turn around.”

  “No. I did not see him. I was bumped several times and each time all I could see was the back of the officer’s head. However, I did find it interesting in that, the one who planted the note actually tugged on my pocked as he passed. I believe the gesture was to insure, I found the note, and not the dry cleaners. Josephus the Senator’s reach extends much further than either of us can imagine. We must be cautious as we plot our course.”

  “I agree, but this note says, ‘meet with you again’. Have you already met with the Senator? Certainly, you are not planning to do so again.”

  “Yes, I have met with the Senator, and if you repeat that I have said so, you will wish you were Quintus.

  “I think it is absolutely imperative to know your enemy, for if you do not know him, you won’t be able to locate a soft spot for an attack. The Senator knows all about me, and my family, and it gives him the advantage. It wasn’t until just the other day that I began to understand Kukulcan was my enemy. I know little about him and that must change as of now. When we get back to the clinic, I want you to begin an extensive investigation on the Senator, his family, his friends, his enemies, hopefully even some dirt, but anything you can find. I expect a briefing at three this afternoon before I leave for our meeting.”

  “Sir, I advise against meeting with this man. But if you must, I will send a security detail with you.”

  “No Josephus. I will go alone. The Senator will not do anything out in the open. I do know an open attack is not his style.”

  Josephus did not hide his displeasure with Marcus’s decision very well, but nevertheless in a professional tone responded, “Yes sir. It will be as you say. I will brief you at three in your office.”

  ◆◆◆

  Marcus spent the rest of the day comparing research project reports to budget expenditures and projections. He found several that seemed to be mired and either had ceased to progress or were moving in his opinion at glacial speed. Since the project leaders has been previously warned, he had no problem canceling the projects and redirecting the funds and manpower to Dr. Singh’s work on the viral phage.

  He sat at his desk all day working feverishly. The work was somewhat cathartic, in that it freed his mind of thoughts about Kukulcan, Quintus, Cassandra and James. At exactly three, Josephus appeared in Marcus doorway. “Do you still wish to meet?” he asked tentatively.

  “Oh Josephus,” Marcus said looking up from his work, “Is it three already? It appears so, please come in, I absolutely want to meet. Sit and tell me what you have found.”

  Josephus sat down in one of the chairs next to Marcus’ desk, and projected the results of his investigation on one of the unused display screens. “Senator Kukulcan is from the town of Palenque. Palenque is one of several Mayan cities that have been continuously inhabited since the liberation of the Mayan peoples by Imperial troops. Kukulcan is descended from the Mayan Kings who ruled during the liberation. He is very popular with his people, because he has been able to rekindle a national pride that has been suppressed for eight hundred years. He has a wife two daughters and one son. His children still live in the Mayan provinces. All three are married and have young families of their own. Kukulcan’s wife lives with him here in Rome. He has been elected to the Senate five times, and it is doubtful anyone in the province will ever be able to unseat him. He is head of the Senate Intelligence committee, and last year he was easily elected Senate Majority Leader with a vote of one hundred eighty to twenty.”

  Marcus spoke when Josephus paused to take a breath, “Yes. I think I have heard or read most of that stuff through the regular news outlets. It is all very helpful, and I appreciate you refreshing my memory, but we need more detail.

  “I want you to get a team of your best intelligence analysis to search for every scrap of information about Kukulcan and his family, particularly things not in the news. Then we can use that data to develop several attack strategies.”

  Josephus looked quizzically at Marcus, “Attack strategies? I’m not sure I understand.”

  “What’s not to understand? We need to have several contingency plans targeting the Senator and each of his family members. Plans we can execute on in a moment’s notice. I want you to prepare plans to destroy his reputation, credibility and produce physical harm.

  “I expect he will tell me how this war is to be waged, and I also believe he will make the first move. Once he does, I want to counter with a force that is an order of magnitude greater.

  Marcus paused and noticed Josephus making notes on this data pad, “Now I must get ready for my meeting. You know what to do. Please let me know as soon as you get conformation my sister arrived safely.

  “Thank you, Josephus, I can’t imagine facing this without your help.”

  ◆◆◆

  The Maître-d at the Seven Hills Restaurant very discreetly checked to make certain Marcus was alone, bowed and then quickly escorted him to a private room. He was not surprised to see Senator Kukulcan was already seated at the oval table and drinking a glass of red wine.

  “Ah Dr. Vespus. I’m so glad you could make it. Please come sit down. Would you like a glass of wine?”

  This guy is cool, Marcus thought, and he realized he needed to be the same, “Yes, please.” He answered. “I’m surprised you felt it was necessary to talk again, after all, it has only been a couple of days since our last meeting.”

  “In light of recent events, I didn’t want you to think, I was without eyes in your ministry. You cannot do anything without me knowing about it.”

  Marcus swallowed and carefully monitored his breathing. He must not allow the Senator to see he could produce a reaction. “Look Senator, I think we can speak freely here. There is no reason to be duplicitous and as such, I want you to know, I hold you personally responsible for Quintus’ fate. He was a good kid, I liked him very much and will miss him.”

  The Senator allowed a large grin to form on his face, “Oh come now good doctor. There are always causalities in war, and your good kid was very easy to recruit. He has a very strong urge to plant his seed, so to speak, and it only took the proper receptacle to convince him to join our side.”

  “War” Marcus said as calmly as possible, “You have started a war, but why? You are already the Senate Majority Leader, what more can you possibly hope to gain. What can possibly justify sacrificing that good kid?”

  “My good doctor, I will address your sophomoric questions, but first, I want you to hear me out.

  “At our last meeting, I asked you to hold off on your viral phage research. I need to let the public suspicion of the Emperor and his handling of this problem fester just a little longer, but you have no intention of complying with my request, do you Marcus?”

  The sound of this arrogant man calling him Marcus was like nails on a chalkboard and sent an involuntary shiver down his back before he was able to regain his composure. “That is Dr. Vespus, Senator Kukulcan. And certainly, you know my sworn allegiance is to the Emperor and his family. That is the way it has been for two thousand years, and I fail to see why you think it should be any different.”

  Still grinning Kukulcan responded, “The reason, Doctor Vespus, is quite simple. I am going to win, and I
was prepared to offer you a place on the winning team.”

  Marcus started laughing and said while still chuckling, “I admire your aplomb, but as I evaluate the situation, the Emperor is without a doubt the odds-on favorite.”

  “You may find those odds change very drastically soon, but this will be the only chance you have to change your mind. Sit quietly on your work, and I will make sure you are taken care of.”

  Shaking his head Marcus said, “Senator I think you have my answer, but let me ask you a question. You are close to the age the virus strikes. What happens if I sit on the work and you fall ill before the Emperor?”

  Completely undaunted with the assurance of a clairvoyant Kukulcan said, “I won’t die from the virus, of that I’m convinced. Now since you won’t join me I guess we are done.”

  “You cannot stop my team. They have already gone too far. The treatment works.”

  “That may be Dr. Vespus, but what about your sister, her experiments and her new companion. I have been led to believe they did not return to London. I hope they are safe, because as I understand the situation you need them to finalize your plans.”

  Kukulcan’s words hit Marcus with the impact of a sledgehammer. “I agree we are finished Senator, but before you go, help me understand why? Why are you doing this? If you arrange a puppet Emperor through Flavious, and maintain the post of Senate Majority Leader what have you gained? Kill people, ruin people’s lives, for what? You are a smart man, since this may be the last time we speak, please tell me, why?”

  Kukulcan pondered Marcus’s request for a few minutes, finally he smiled, revealing a full set of bright white teeth that were a stark contrast to his dark complexion and black hair. “Very well Marcus. I will tell you a little story. How much do you know about my people?” Without giving Marcus time to answer the Senator continued, “My people are an ancient people, as old, or older than the people of Rome. Hundreds of years before this city was founded my people had developed sophisticated mathematics, astronomy and a calendar. A calendar even more accurate than the Julian calendar used today. The ancient calendar predicts the world will be reborn every five thousand years. The date of that rebirth is just a few years from now on the winter solstice. I’m surprised you have not heard about it. Several of the gloom and doom news programs have picked up on it. They claim the world will come to an end on that day. Some have said the dates align with similar doomsday prophecies tied to the ancient Hindu calendar. But, they are wrong; the world is not coming to an end. That is not the meaning of the ancient prophecies. They say at the end of the long count, the world will be reborn, and I am here to help with the birth Dr. Vespus. I will be like the obstetrician for the prophecies. I will usher in a new world, one without the evil yoke of Rome.