Politics of Blood (Gray Spear Society Book 8) (3 page)

Aaron winced. Asking the twins such an open-ended question was risky. They sometimes forgot their audience wasn't a tenth as smart as them.

"The current universal firewall simply reinforces the relationships underpinning our reality," Bethany said. "Its dynamic responses are limited. Our new firewall will be a much more active entity. It will analyze and aggressively repel attacks as they occur, and it will improve itself continuously. Each hostile encounter will make it stronger, not weaker. We were inspired by the immune system in the human body."

Ethel nodded cautiously. "That sounds good."

"The most difficult part will be performing the upgrade. The obvious approach would be to halt the universe, update the software, and reboot from the Big Bang state, but, of course, that would annihilate all life everywhere. We're still searching for another solution."

"Please, do."

"And there's also the problem of the Gray Spear Society," Bethany stated in her soft mechanical voice.

Ethel raised her eyebrows. "Problem?"

"The new firewall will have different characteristics, and therefore, it will require different secondary defensive mechanisms. The Society in its current form will not work. I'll be happy to show you the math if you're curious."

"I'm not that curious. Is there anything we can do to help you?"

"Yes, ma'am." Bethany turned to Aaron. "We're going to perform a series of physical experiments to verify our calculations. I just sent a list of needed materials to your phone."

He took out his phone and looked at a text message. "Twenty kilograms of platinum, a diamond press, an ultra-high temperature kiln. It goes on. This is a long list."

"We already ordered most of the supplies. We'll need Nancy and Kamal to assist us in the laboratory."

"That's no problem." Aaron shrugged. "They're at your disposal."

"Thank you, sir," Bethany said.

"Will these experiments be dangerous?"

"Only if our calculations are wrong."

"Ah." He licked his lips. "God checked the numbers, right?"

"He trusts us. The likelihood of a catastrophic energy release is relatively small."

Aaron wasn't satisfied with that answer, but he decided not to press the issue. He wasn't about to second-guess God's judgment.

Ethel's phone rang, and she answered it immediately. "Hello, Wesley. Let me get everybody into a conference room. I'll call you right back." She hung up.

"Who do you want in the meeting?" Aaron said.

"You and all your
legionnaires
."

He quickly found the members of his team and sent them to the conference room. Seven people found seats around the table: Aaron, Smythe, Tawni, Sheryl, Norbert, Ethel, and Boreas.

Ethel used a speaker phone in the center of the table to call Wesley.

The boy answered immediately, "Hi. Who's in the room?" His voice had a beautiful musical quality, as if he were singing every word.

"The whole team," Ethel said. "What's going on? Why am I in Chicago?"

"Because the Democratic National Convention starts in two days."

"I'm painfully aware of that fact," Aaron said. "The whole city has been buzzing for a month. Many of the delegates are staying in my hotel. Why do we care?"

"The President will be there," Wesley said. "He's flying in tomorrow morning on Air Force One."

"And?"

"He'll be assassinated unless you stop it from happening."

A shocked silence filled the room.

Wesley went on, "Roy Haley has an important role in God's plan. I'll rely on his help in the future. I need him alive."

"How do you know he'll be assassinated?" Aaron said.

"I'm still in Washington learning about government. I talk to all kinds of people every day. I noticed a change in the last few weeks, a shift in expectations. I can't put it in words, but I know I'm right. The President is in great danger."

Aaron frowned. "Haley already has plenty of protection. It's called the Secret Service. I'm told they're pretty darn good at their job."

"Not good enough. Aaron, I need you. Your unique abilities will make the difference. It's a shame Marina isn't with you. You're supposed to work together, and she could really help you this time."

"That won't happen." Aaron glanced at Ethel. "Do you have any more information?"

"No," Wesley said. "All I see now are ghosts of rumors and the tangled threads of destiny. Thanks for helping. You're a life-saver. Ethel, there is something important I have to tell you. It's a little bit personal."

"Go on," Ethel said. "I trust the people here."

"Love is the most essential emotion of all. God has no use for a legate who refuses to accept love. For once, allow yourself to be a woman instead of just a monster."

"What does that mean?"

"You'll understand soon," the boy said. "Bye."

The call ended.

Typical,
Aaron thought.
Wesley drops some bombs and walks away.

"Well." Ethel raised her eyebrows. "We have our marching orders: protect the President."

"At least we have a little time," Aaron said. "He won't be here until tomorrow." He noticed Sheryl had an odd expression. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes, sir," Sheryl said. "This is crazy! A kid tells us he has a bad feeling about the President, and we jump like it's a scientific statement of fact."

"That kid is a genuine prophet. I trust his bad feelings."

She frowned. "Honestly, what are we supposed to do? This convention will be huge. Haley will be in front of giant crowds every day. A million extra people are coming to Chicago just for this event. The security will be nuts. The streets will be mobbed with protestors. Police and federal agents everywhere. How can we operate in that environment? How can this tiny team accomplish what the Secret Service can't?"

"Because accomplishing the impossible is our job," Aaron said. "I already have some thoughts."

Ethel smiled. "That's why Wesley wanted you. Please, tell us your thoughts."

"First, we need to gather every bit of information about the security arrangements for this convention. I also want to see the President's entire itinerary, including the secret backroom meetings. That seems like a job for my hackers."

"I agree."

"Second," Aaron said, "my
legionnaires
need to sort out their false identities. Be prepared to dress as police, FBI, Secret Service, or civilians, depending on the situation. Spend a few hours rehearsing. This mission will require absolutely convincing performances. You have the rest of today to prepare. Tomorrow, I'm putting you to work."

"Yes, sir," Smythe, Norbert, Tawni, and Sheryl responded in unison.

Aaron looked at Ethel. "Third, I believe you and I should meet Haley face-to-face as soon as he arrives in Chicago."

"That will be tricky to arrange," she said. "You can't just walk up to the President of the United States and tell him he'll be assassinated."

"It's his life. He'll have good ideas about how best to protect it. At a minimum, he needs to be warned. If he knows he's in danger, he'll be safer."

She furrowed her brow. "I'm also concerned about exposure. Important people will see our faces."

"It's a gamble, but we don't have time to be cautious. The clock is already ticking."

"You're right." She nodded. "I'll call in some favors and setup the meeting. It should be interesting."

"Whatever it takes, ma'am," he said, "and when we're with the President, let's try to avoid a confrontation, please. A friendly alliance would work best."

"What are you saying?"

"Only that you have difficulty with situations that require restraint and diplomacy."

She glared at him. "I'll be on my best behavior."

"Thank you, ma'am," he said. "My overall plan is to identify, analyze, and investigate as many threats as possible. With a lot of hard work and a little luck, we should be able to find the bad guys before it's too late."

He saw dubious expressions around the table.

"Does anybody have a better suggestion?" he asked.

There was silence. Aaron looked at Ethel.

"You're dismissed," she said.

Everybody cleared out of the conference room.

Aaron searched for the twins first. They weren't in the computer room. After a few minutes, he found them in the science laboratory. Bethany and Leanna were engaged in a technical discussion with Kamal.

The scientist was American, but his parents had come from southern India. Brown skin and black hair showed his true heritage. He wore a crisply pressed, yellow shirt which was buttoned up to his bowtie. Black slacks and dress shoes were just as sharp. Kamal always dressed as if he were giving a presentation at a conference.

"Girls," Aaron said, "I need you."

Bethany looked at him. Her crystalline eyes gleamed in the bright lights. "We were just about to start our first experiment, sir."

"God told me I could have a half-hour a day of your time. That half-hour starts now. Come to my office."

"Yes, sir."

The twins followed Aaron across headquarters to his office. Perry was back at his workstation.

"Perry," Aaron said, "pay attention."

"Yes, sir." Perry looked up from his work.

"President Haley is coming to Chicago tomorrow. Somebody will try to assassinate him. Our assignment is to stop the assassination."

Perry's mouth fell open. Bethany and Leanna didn't react visibly, but they rarely reacted to anything.

"That's a joke," Perry said, "right?"

"Wrong," Aaron said. "Your first task is to hack into the computers of all the law enforcement agencies. Gather every bit of information about the security around the President. I'm particularly interested in what the Secret Service has in mind. And get the President's itinerary. We need to anticipate all his movements."

"That sounds easy, sir," Bethany said.

Perry stared at her.

"Good," Aaron said. "After that, identify potential threats. Make a list of everybody who wants to kill Haley."

"That's going to be a very long list," Perry said. "Presidents always have a lot of enemies, and Haley is also an African-American. I'm sure I can get a thousand names with an internet search."

"Just make a list. We'll worry about trimming it down afterwards."

"Why do you think the President is in danger?"

"Wesley told us," Aaron said.

Bethany nodded. "We'll get started right away, sir. We didn't know it was that important."

She and Leanna left the office.

Perry made a face. "Did I miss something? Who is Wesley?"

"The Voice of Truth, the Beacon of Light, and the Child of Destiny."

"What does that mean, sir?"

"He's a reliable source," Aaron said. "Do you understand your assignment, or do I have to explain it again?"

"Stop the assassin. Security, itinerary, threats."

"Get to work."

Aaron noticed Ethel was approaching the open doorway of his office. She had a very thoughtful expression, and her bodyguard wasn't with her. He stepped out to meet her.

"Can we talk?" she asked in a soft voice.

"You have to ask my permission, ma'am?" he said in surprise.

"It's a private matter."

He had no idea what she wanted to talk about. "Not in my office. Too many ears around. Let's go up to the roof."

They climbed the nearest stairway up to the roof. The air outside was refreshingly cool but not cold, just the way Aaron liked it. Only a few clouds dotted a pure blue sky. An easterly breeze was blowing the haze from the city into Lake Michigan. The sun made him squint uncomfortably. He wasn't a fan of bright light and open spaces.

He walked over to stand in the shadow of a blue helicopter. Ethel stayed with him step for step. She liked direct sunlight even less than he did.

"What's wrong?" Aaron said.

"Wesley talked about the importance of love."

"The twins told me several times that love is one of the fundamental principles of the universe."

"I believe it," Ethel said. "God sent me the same message in a rather sharp and painful manner. It happened when I was talking to Xavier at the end of his life." She paused and took a breath. "Are you still in love with Marina?"

"I thought you didn't want to know about that, ma'am. It's a problem you explicitly chose to ignore."

"I'm choosing to pay attention now. When was the last time you saw her?"

He looked away. This was a difficult topic to discuss with the legate. "I went to San Francisco a few weeks ago. She was here during the casino mission. Are you angry at us?"

"No, but maybe it's because I'm getting old and soft."

She stroked the smooth hull of the helicopter. She was a capable airplane pilot, but he didn't know if she could also fly a helicopter.

"There is nothing old or soft about you, ma'am," Aaron said. "You could still kick my ass."

Ethel smiled slightly. "What about Smythe and Odelia? Is the perfect love still intact?"

"They see each other once a month. I like it when Odelia visits Chicago. She's always very helpful. She's a good mentor for Tawni and Sheryl. Being a man, there are certain subjects I can't speak with authority about."

"Odelia is a great girl, a real asset."

She pressed her thin lips together. She clearly wanted to talk more, but he wasn't going to push her. She would get to the point in her own time.

"Did Wesley's message sound threatening to you?" Ethel said eventually. "God has no use for a legate who refuses to accept love."

"It certainly got my attention," Aaron said. "Normally, his comments are vague. This one wasn't."

She pulled a knife with a black blade from a hidden pocket in her jacket. She twirled the knife with her fingertips. It spun so fast it hummed like a fan, and the black was just a circular blur. He took a step back.

"I don't know if I can accept love. I've only felt anger and hatred for years. I carry so many terrible memories with me. Xavier called me a dried up witch fueled by the Lord's wrath. He was absolutely right."

"Don't be so hard on yourself," he said. "You're doing a fine job as legate."