Synarchy Book 2: The Ascension Read online

  “Too soon, Enlil,” Enki said. He sat on one of the couches, disguised in a common, unassuming human form, watching his brother.

  Tony nodded. “I agree, sir. You’ve got your hands full right now. Let your inside men keep riding on Terenzio and verify whether or not they have the crystal.”

  Enlil frowned. “I do not want any surprises.”

  “Did your Seers tell you that Terenzio had the crystal?” Tony asked.

  “Of course not,” Enlil snapped. “If they had, Terenzio would be dead.”

  “Then leave it be for now, brother,” Enki reasoned. “They can’t stop you, no matter what they try and do. Their time is coming, but you have more important things to worry about.” Enlil studied his brother in silence, and then smiled. “I am glad to see that you are finally coming around.”

  “I have accepted, Enlil, that some things must be done.”

  “Good.” Enlil looked over at Tony. “I want their team of scientists in Guatemala arrested and kept out of the way. I want their SVT Think Tank building on twenty-four surveillance. And you inform me the moment Kayla has found out whether or not they have the crystal, do you understand?”

  “Of course, my God.” Tony clasped his hands together as if in prayer and bowed low.

  Enlil flicked his reptilian eyes over to Alex. “Do your job. I want those concentration camps full.”

  Alex mimicked his brother’s motions. “It will be done, great God.”

  Enlil slowly smiled. “I never tire of hearing that.”

  §

  October 21, 2012 - 11:12 AM

  Dion Corporation

  Alcyone Island

  Simone stared down at the papers announcing that her divorce was final. She realized after some silent introspection that she didn’t feel anything except a sense of relief. Victor hadn’t been seen or heard from in months, and that suited her just as well, too. One marriage down, she thought with wry amusement, and the husband had escaped unharmed.

  Simone slipped the papers back into their folder and filed them away in her desk drawer. Maybe she’d have more luck with her second husband. Not that she was looking, but if she were to pursue a relationship again, that man would have to run a close line to what she had previously had, what she knew was possible. She wanted a connection; a bone deep, soul-filling connection.

  What she wanted in a relationship, though, was a trivial matter compared to the intensity and importance of the game she was playing now. Rubbing her hands over her eyes, Simone decided that, before she submerged herself back into how they were to attack the concentration camps when the time came, she was going to take a break. Standing up from behind her desk, she stretched her arms and paused. A memory came running into her mind, from a lifetime not so long ago. As if she were reliving the past, she saw the door open, and Kyle walk in. She felt herself smiling, warming to his very presence, as a heady rush of anticipation filled her; she recognized the look in his eyes.

  The memory faded as smoothly as it had arrived, and Simone sighed softly. She could still feel it; his arms around her, the needy, loving weight of his kisses. When those memories assaulted her so vividly, she wasn’t certain whether or not remembering past lives was such a good thing.

  Giving a little shake of her head to clear it, Simone walked out of her office, heading down the busy carpeted hallways of the Dion Corporation building, to a set of double doors. She pushed through them and out into a small garden, a soothing place for employees to take a break. It was not uncommon to find a member of middle management or anywhere in between out there, meditating or cat napping. At the moment, though, Simone was alone.

  She moved leisurely out into the sunlight, tipping her face up into its warmth and closing her eyes, drawing in a calming breath. She needed to silence the furiously continuing thoughts; the plans, the moves they were making, and the knowledge of how much failure at each junction would cost them.

  She sensed another presence more than actually heard it. Opening her eyes, she glanced over her shoulder and saw Caleb walking towards her. He was another issue entirely. If things had been different, she could have seen herself— No, she thought. There was no reason to even touch upon that subject.

  Simone’s brows slowly furrowed as Caleb approached. Strangely, he looked more than familiar to her. She took in the sharp angles of his face, the slightly curling sweep of his light brown hair, and the intense set of his clear blue eyes. He had clear blue eyes. Just like— Oh, God. Just like Kyle. Simone swallowed hard.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you,” Caleb said with a warm smile.

  Simone pushed the thought away, blaming it on silent yearning and her recent memory. “You don’t have to apologize, Caleb, and you’re not disturbing me. Is something wrong?”

  “Your brother, Vasco, sent me to come find you.”

  Simone opened her mouth to answer him, but was forced into silence by another sudden rush of memory. It phased out her vision from the present to the past. She saw them—Lil and Kyle—after a job. Kyle had gotten shot, but not fatally. Liliana had been attracted to him, but didn’t plan on acting on it.

  “Have dinner with me.”

  “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

  “Why not?”

  Lil was just coming off of Jack’s murder, her divorce, and her husband’s lack of real reaction at her affair. She wasn’t ready to jump back into anything. “It’s just not.”

  Kyle hadn’t given up. Liliana had given in two weeks later. She wasn’t without him after that.

  “Simone? Are you all right?” Caleb took a few steps towards her, his brow creasing.

  No, Simone thought, she wasn’t. She was going to end up losing her mind if this continued. She wondered, fleetingly, if Vasco suffered from the same torture of remembering past loves. She covered her face with her hands. “I’m sorry. Long day. Is he in the con—” Her hands fell away as she looked up at Caleb, and she was struck mute again. The concern marking his features wasn’t familiar to Simone, but it was to Liliana. He couldn’t possibly? Could he? She had to know. She had to know right then, or she wasn’t going to be able to function, let alone play the game.

  “I have to do something.” It wasn’t much of an explanation as Simone closed the distance between them determinedly. Her hands lifted, framing Caleb’s face between the gentle strokes of her fingertips.

  Every muscle in Caleb’s form coiled into a tight knot. He wanted to reach out, but he was afraid that in doing so, he would break whatever spell had come over Simone and she would stop; before she kissed him. That was surely her intent, he thought, and he was proven correct when he felt her lips brush in the most featherweight touch against his own. She felt like silk. It was addicting. Instinctively, he licked his lower lip and barely restrained himself from crushing her in his arms when she covered his mouth with hers a second after, taking advantage of his slightly parted lips to slip her own tongue inside, catching the tip of his.

  He was suddenly so ridiculously familiar to Simone, she knew it with complete certainty; Kyle. That became the only thought that dominated her mind; that and the taste of him. She wanted more proof. As if Caleb was reading her mind, she felt his arms finally lift, and slide around her, lightly at first, and then tighter the harder she kissed him. Caleb licked intimately at the inside of her mouth, until she moaned with quiet longing. It was the sound she made, echoing in her own ears that pulled Simone back into sanity. He didn’t remember. To Caleb, Madame President had just started making out with him for no reason.

  Simone pulled back as unexpectedly as she had leaned in, putting two big steps between them. Her breath was coming fast. Her face was flushed. She looked into those blue eyes again and almost broke down. Shutting her own eyes, Simone turned her head away, searching for that family-bred control. “I’m sorry, Caleb. You… reminded me of someone just now. It won’t happen again.”

  Caleb watched her intently. “Understood. But for the record, you can kiss me anytim
e you want. And I promise not to get fresh.” He winked.

  Simone lifted the family held dark gray eyes to him, and couldn’t stop the almost sad upward curling of her mouth. “Thank you, Caleb.” She wasn’t just thanking him for his light humor at the situation, but he wouldn’t understand what that moment had meant to her. Composure regained, the veil slide neatly over her eyes. “Is my brother in the conference room?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Simone nodded and walked hurriedly past him and back inside the building. Caleb remained rooted in place. He didn’t turn around to watch her walk away. He bowed his head and drew in a few silent, calming breaths. “You’re welcome...” he whispered when he heard the doors slide shut. “Liliana.”

  §

  October 21, 2012 - 11:34 AM

  Alcyone Island

  Dion Corporation Board Room

  “What’s happened now?” Simone asked as she walked into the board room. Vasco and Lucien were sitting at the table, looking up at one of the projector screens that was airing a newscast from the states.

  Lucien waved her over. “Looks like DeMarco’s estimate was off by a few weeks. They just declared Martial Law.”

  Simone blinked in surprise. Pulling out a chair, she joined them.

  The President of the United States was addressing the nation, and Vasco used the remote to turn up the volume as he began to speak.

  “My fellow Americans, I come to you with a heavy heart. As your leader, you have tasked me with making the hard, impossible choices. Today, I must make one of those choices. As you all are well aware, our country is in dire financial straits. My attempts to jump start the economy have failed. Despite the increase in troops to Afghanistan, several immediate pending threats challenge the security and very freedom of our nation. You have demanded a solution, and I have found one. The only one.”

  “I don’t get how people can look at him and not realize how full of shit he is,” Lucien muttered. “The only threat to their security is you, asshole!” he yelled at the screen.

  “The financial bailouts of 2008 took on the debt of major U.S. corporations. It is a debt now owned by the Federal Reserve, and in order to keep our nation afloat we must call in that money owed. Today, all financial agreements must be paid in full. Those who cannot pay will be given limited options.”

  The triplets watched as a sudden panic seemed to escalate from the press in the room. The president had to pause until the noisy hum died down. “Additionally, so that we may preserve the safety of our nation and its people, Congress will vote today for America to merge with Canada and Mexico, forming a North American Union. This has been on the table for discussion for years, and I’m very pleased it will finally come to a resolution. The European Union has been a wonderful model of success, and we have no reason to believe it will be any different here. This move will push us one step closer to a world government of democracy, peace, and safety for all mankind.” The noise level in the room went up again, and the president raised his hand to quiet them. He spoke above them. “Martial law will be in effect while debts are collected. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be coordinating this juncture. Military police forces will take over the duties of local police. They will also be available to answer questions concerning our new policy in detail, so please don’t hesitate to speak to them. I know, the sight of the military in your hometown can be frightening, but do not be afraid. This is not, I repeat, this is not an act of aggression against American citizens. They are there for your protection so that this new transition can be made as smoothly as possible.”

  Simone slowly shook her head. “Did you ever think you’d see the day it came to this?”

  “I always thought we’d be the ones giving that speech.” Lucien’s lips twisted wryly.

  “They won’t be prisoners for long.” Vasco pressed a button, turning off the newscast. “I wonder if there’s ever been a U.S. president that was not under the Brotherhood’s control.”

  “Kennedy.” Lucien got up to help himself to a cup of coffee. “I—Julian—killed him, though.”

  Caleb burst into the room. “Your team in Guatemala has just been arrested.”

  Vasco released a quiet sigh. Lucien frowned.

  “Jesus. Was anyone hurt?” Simone asked.

  “The small military squad you sent to watch over them was killed. The scientists are all right, though.”

  “What charge are they holding them under?” Lucien asked.

  “We don’t know yet. How do you want to handle it?”

  Vasco clucked his tongue. “Send an SVT agent to keep their eye on the situation, and the scientists.”

  “You don’t want to get them out?” Simone glanced over at her brother.

  Vasco shook his head. “No. As much as being in jail probably sucks, we don’t need to stir that hornets’ nest, yet.”

  “What do you want to tell Derek’s team?” Simone asked.

  “Have Robert tell them they’ve gone offline for a while, for their safety. I don’t want their worry to distract them from their current task. They’ve got to get those weapons finished,” Vasco said.

  “Sounds just like Stefano when says shit like that, doesn’t he?” Lucien chuckled.

  “Yes, he does.” Simone half-smiled, then looked over at Caleb. She could still taste him. Pushing that knowledge aside, she asked, “Would you update Robert, please?”

  Caleb looked at Simone. Vasco better lift that gag order soon, because it was becoming real torture to not be able to act the way he wanted to around her. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Thanks.” Simone stood up.

  “We’re you going?” Lucien asked.

  “Down to the shooting range. Want to come?”

  “Nu uh. I’m going to take a nap. Nobody tell Uncle Christopher.” Lucien stifled a yawn.

  “I’ll come with you, Simone.” Vasco stood up. “If I’m going to kill six members of the Brotherhood, I should make sure my aim is on point.”

  §

  November 25th, 2012 - 12:22 PM

  Alexandria, VA

  SVT Think Tank

  “The only video cameras on their floor are in front of the elevators.”

  Olivia sat in the passenger seat of a van with heavily tinted windows, looking at the SVT Think Tank building across the street. “That’s very convenient for us. What time do they leave for lunch?”

  “Between twelve-thirty and one. They don’t always go out. Sometimes they use the cafeteria. I hear it’s pretty good,” a SVT agent said.

  Olivia looked down at her watch. She needed the scientists to leave. Their departure would provide her agents with the right opportunity to get inside their lab. Cleverly passing it off as a training exercise, she was able to utilize her SVT office to her own ends. Twenty minutes later, Olivia was smiling as she watched Robert leading two others out of the building.

  “One’s missing,” the agent said, looking down at his portfolio. “Derek Vaughn isn’t with them.”

  Olivia tapped her fingers against her mouth in thought. She’d have to risk it. Reaching up, she touched her ear communicating with the two agents she had waiting to follow the scientists when they left. “Operation Watchtower is a go. And remember, we’re on a time table. Your success in this assignment will heavily influence whether or not I determine I need you on this team.”

  “Roger that, Alpha. We’re following the targets now.”

  Perfect, Olivia thought. She climbed into the back of the van. In order to make Operation Watchtower a success, her agents need only swipe one of the team members’ access cards and bring it to her.

  Thirty minutes later, the back of the van opened, and one of her agents was standing there, dangling Dr. Shirley McDermott’s access card from his fingers. “Well done.” Olivia put a red wig on her head and slipped the colored contacts into her eyes. “Put me in the security system, Ray.”

  When one knew how a system was set up, it wasn’t difficult to hack into it. Five minutes later, O
livia’s retinal signature replaced Shirley’s. “You are good to go, Alpha,” the SVT agent said.

  “Good.” Letting herself out of the van, Olivia slipped her arms into a white lab coat, held the access card casually in her hand, and walked into the building. Lunch time saw a decent flow of traffic in and out of the building, and Olivia took full advantage, merging with a small group of employees as they walked past the security station as if she were a part of it. The group got off the elevator on level two. She slid the card into the slot and pressed the button for the fourth floor. The panel beeped and a computerized voice said, “Good afternoon Doctor. Please identify yourself.” Olivia leaned forward so the retinal scan panel could scan her eye. “Confirmed. Dr. Shirley McDermott. Welcome back,” the computerized voice said as the elevator began moving.

  “Alpha, this is Red.” A voice came through Olivia's earpiece. “I’m in their security system. There is no one in front of the elevators. You are clear.”

  Even better, Olivia thought. The doors slid open, and Olivia stepped out cautiously, pausing to listen. It was quiet. Derek was probably in his office. She walked quickly past the spiral staircase, toward the empty lab. She pressed Shirley’s ID card against the security panel and the door slide open.

  It was obvious from the setup inside the lab that Derek and his team were building something—some sort of device. Olivia walked to one of the cases, and lifted the unlocked lid. She didn’t recognize the device inside, but she guessed it was some sort of weapon. Pulling out her cell phone, she took a picture. Closing the lid on the case, she opened up three more. They contained the same strange weapon, but the fourth made her gasp in surprise. Inside was the mirror image of the crystal rod that Loki had been carrying, that Enlil had been so happy to discover.

  If she brought the rod to Enlil, then she could stop jumping through hoops to win his favor. Decision made, Olivia snapped the case shut and wrapped her fingers around the handle.