Madness (21 page)

“I hate bloody speeches,” Pendleton grumped.  He grinned as Lovey brushed specks off his shirt and straightened his collar. He never asked about the bruises or the cuts she showed up with some nights ago, after working all day under Van Meer’s rigorous routine. Lovey gave three hundred percent to her job and to being a wife and mother.

Two hours minimum each day, she and Arthur bonded with George while Anne sat off reading. Anne was, however, available when neither of them knew what George was trying to tell them. Lovey had become more affectionate, talking with Arthur at night before making love to him. Asking him questions and offering advice with a soft touch and a sweet voice. She even told him she was falling in love with him again.

She and Kolb were set to meet later in the week for a joint session with Levi. That concerned him, but now Pendleton had to concentrate on his blasted speech. Standing before a crowd of supporters energized him, but speaking to a green light and a camera disturbed him. He grabbed his notes, refusing to use a teleprompter. Lovey kissed him gently, and Pendleton took his seat in front of the cameras with Van Meer and Lovey’s crew of six trained agents guarding the room.

“Ode to the Common Man” played over both broadcasting networks. Then Pendleton greeted the world. “I want to thank all of you who have complied with the first three requests made by your Global government. You will find great rewards will come through obedience, both for the world and you individually. For those of you who are defying the law, the consequences will be dire.”

He paused while a film of rioting in New York and Mexico City from a few weeks earlier ran. The film concentrated on the complete destruction of protesters.

“Some may ask, ‘Why such a harsh response?’ The answer is simple. The government wishes to protect the rest of the population
from harm.” Pendleton managed a smile. “Let’s review our first mission. We asked three things be done. First, we asked all citizens to assist in cleaning up the mess we’ve made of our earth. I’m happy to say no arrests or rioting occurred over this. You will see in the near future the benefits of your cooperation.”

Films of drug deals, gunfights, auto thefts, and armed robberies ran for two minutes.

“Our second request was that all arms and drugs be turned over to law enforcement. Here is where we have run into the most opposition.” Lovey had told him to moisten his lips and relax when delivering a difficult message, so at this point he did as she instructed. “Why should ninety-nine percent of the population hide in fear of the one percent who harbor firearms and commit crimes? Why should someone refuse to turn over his or her firearms, since money is meaningless? We are serious. If we find you with a firearm after tomorrow, we will arrest you and sentence you to one year at hard labor. If you resist, you will be shot.”

He wiped the sweat off his face and sighed. “Mankind has tried republican forms of government, dictatorships, socialism
, and democracy. None of those ideologies works because of greed. I wouldn’t be in power except for greed. I was able to amass most of the world’s wealth, because your leaders thought more about themselves than they did about your future. You might ask, ‘What is the Global Realm going to do with the gold, silver, and precious stones of the world?’ We'll use those materials as art on our new public buildings. Everyone will enjoy seeing them. Their value is in their beauty—a beauty everyone should have access to.”

He could see the crowds in the street outside the
Widder and gained strength and encouragement.

“Let me paint a vision of the future for you.
We must turn around the damage done to the earth by mankind or face extinction. In the next five years, the ocean levels will overrun much of the coastlines along the continents. The temperature of the world will rise two more degrees on average before the results of our efforts take effect. But steps taken now will turn things around in another fifty years.”

The crowds outside stood aghast, as though they’d never expected things were this bad.

“You have no need for three cars in a family. You will not be allowed to waste half the food you’re given. Every time mankind clears vegetation to build for profit, we drive another stake into the heart of our planet.” He inhaled and pointed at the camera. “Will those in dire poverty have their lives improved by what we do? Yes. Will those who live in massive estates lose much of what they have? Yes. But they will not be poor, nor will they starve.”

#

Peacock’s mind ran wild as her husband laid his agenda out in front of the world. She’d been on the wrong side working for Hercules, but neither she nor her partners had realized that. Her father touted democracy as the ideal way of life. He raised her to believe America and the free world were the answer to the world’s dilemmas.

Her attention to Pendleton’s safety gave her a view of him she never had when she worked for Hercules. The difference in leadership style between her husband and Monroe was dramatic. Pendleton actually desired the best for humanity, despite humanity’s flaws and foibles.

The world’s opinion seemed to be gradually turning in Pendleton’s direction. For the first time in her life, she had a real family. Her husband, her son, and his mother made for a stable support system. Times like now caused her to think she was undeserving of his love. Her brain suffered injuries beyond any doctor’s ability to repair. God was the only answer, and she still believed God didn’t like her.

Her husband’s voice changed pitch, and her attention switched back to him.

#

“I’m not anti-Muslim. Like everyone else, if they obey the laws the Global Realm rolls out, they may practice their religion
.” He had to be careful with his phrasing here, so he didn’t sound like a religious zealot or a moral policeman. “I’m a Christian, a follower of Christ, and a believer in the Son of God. But I will not force anyone to believe what I believe.”

He folded his hands and tried some humor. “I understand we’ve had complaints that the changes we’re making have taken the fun out of life. Personally, I don’t miss commercials one wit. I don’t miss reality shows
either, or rock bands, or vulgarity. If you want those things, next month our entertainment career planner will devote an hour a day explaining the coming entertainment centers, their purpose, and their activities.”

He inhaled a deep breath. “In closing,
educational programs are a lifelong endeavor. Our goal is to grow each human being to his maximum potential, if that person puts in the effort. Pursuing courses and career possibilities is mandatory for all citizens. Your test results in the career modules you selected to pursue are the basis for placement within those modules, both for work assignments and continued education. Retesting will be done yearly.”

Pendleton wiped the sweat off his face
. “Everyone will be tested for the basic core skills, language arts, math and science, history and geography, etcetera. For now, if a person doesn’t speak either English or Mandarin Chinese, he may take these modules in his native tongue. However,
all
citizens of the Global Realm must learn conversational English and/or Mandarin Chinese to advance to positions beyond the region where they live. Courses have already started in our new universal, online schools and are available at all adult education centers.”

H
e shot a final smile and said, “Thank you and good day.”

#

Beatrice Kolb’s mind shriveled at the sight of the monster with the glistening blade. “Peacock,” she screamed and made a cross with her fingers. “Leave me alone.”

Pederson
opened the door to her room and entered. Kolb leaped from her wheelchair and head-butted him. Luckily, for Pederson, she turned her attention to the eerie shade of Peacock who was cackling at Kolb and slicing at her with a well-honed sabre.

“Leave me alone,” Kolb screamed again and then a prick between her shoulder blades calmed her into dreamland.

#

“Are you sure sessions with both Kolb and Peacock present will accomplish anything?” Pederson asked
Levi. “Kolb has catatonic delirium mania, and Peacock is unrepentant.”

“No one can be absolutely sure,” Levi said. “If they can somehow talk out their issues, they may both benefit in the long run.”

“Yes, Peacock will kill Kolb, or vice versa.”

“There will be strict supervision.”

“Really? Are you going to tie each of them down?”

“Well, no.”

“Then one will kill the other.”

Levi’s eyebrows furrowed. “There will be strict supervision.”

The hills northeast of Mashhad just across the border into Turkmenistan gave a certain comfort. Abounding with wildlife and friendly tribal peoples, al-Sistani lived quite comfortably out of the view of the Global Realm’s Chinese forces. A group of fourteen family members accompanied him, including one of his wives and his seventeen-year old son, Ammad.

The Chinese forces burned opium fields in Afghanistan, and tracked down drug and alcohol traffic along the borders between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran. al-Sistani believed he was safe
, out of the view of his enemy, with few, if anyone, searching for him.

He
wasn’t a fool. With all of his new lines of communication intact, the count of those coming to the meeting near Mashhad exceeded seventy devotees and well-trained leaders of terrorist cells from Turkey to Gaza to the Red Sea. Each man represented five hundred. A traitor could hide in those numbers, so his loyalists would use extreme care and extreme force to meet, plan, and escape with their lives and their mission still viable.

The Global Command awarded
Teheran’s steel industry the privilege of melting down scrap steel and iron from old constructions and automobiles. They milled new steel. The huge outpouring of volunteers to clean-up from the bombings showed Pendleton’s message won support among the weak. The efficiency of the food distribution system won the hearts and stomachs of the unfaithful. However, al-Sistani knew who the loyalists were.

He pushed aside the cloth covering over the entrance to his tent
. He breathed in Allah’s fresh sweet air, as his son, Ammad, came running up to him. “Khalid has heard the Colombian Revolutionary Guard seeks attendance.”

“I have also heard. They are not Muslim. They are not
Shiite. I don’t trust them to be anything but thugs.”

“But father . . .”

al-Sistani raised a finger. “But
father
nothing. Our fight is against the infidel. We do not ally with infidels.”

“They are the enemy of our enemy, and they can do damage in the
Global Realm.”

“We have our own people, remnants of Al Qaida and others. We shall align with them as we find them.”

Ammad shrugged and shuffled off. Such was the impetuousness of youth.

The place selected for the meeting—the famous Malekabad Gardens—
in a servant’s residence near the home of the former Grandayatollah Khamenei. Hiding in plain sight was an art used by the wise. October weather would be cool with gentle winds and a twenty-five percent chance of rain. The courageous would defend the Garden. They were far enough away from the Shrine, if the Global Realm blew them up, the Shrine would stand intact.

Allah will protect, al Sistani thought and knelt to pray.

#

“First Citizen, Pop
e John the 24
th
is on the phone.”

Pendleton cocked his head. So the Pope was backing out of his commitment to meet face-to-face.

“Thank you,” Pendleton answered. He picked up his phone. “Your Excellency, good to hear from you.”

“I’m not willing to
waste my time and yours going through formalities. Simply put, I’ll agree that the Vatican is a residence. You’ll agree that Catholics may have a one-time pilgrimage to visit me and our rituals continue undisturbed.”

“Understood and agreed to.”

The Holy Father’s breathing sounded wheezy and he coughed before speaking. “How long will Christians, specifically Catholics, benefit from your generosity?”

Pendleton considered this man’s background. Italian, a Roman, highly intelligent and reasonable, he had tremendous loyalty within
his Church. “Obey the laws of the Global Realm, and you’ll receive the rewards of your faithfulness. I’m a Christian. I believe in Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. However, I cannot make an exception. I’ll offer the same to any faith.”

“I hear your words. I’ve had conversation with your Archbishop. He believes you’re suffering from delusions of grandeur.”

Pendleton bristled. “I’ll tell you what I told him. If my Lord returns in my lifetime, I’ll gladly turn this world over to Him. He’s much more capable of running it than I am.”

“But the means by which you took control aren’t approved by God.”

“Did you love this world when greed ruled?”

“No.”

“Did you approve of the guns and drugs and poverty?”

“Of course not, but. . .”

“Jesus said, ‘Feed the hungry. Give to the poor. Clothe the naked.’ I’m doing what He commanded. When He comes, He’ll deal with my sins.”

“I can take your confession now. Sin is Sin, Arthur.”

The Pope’s tone pierced him. “If I could have accomplished my purpose any other way, I would have. In fact, leaders talked about freedom, but greed allowed humans to abuse other humans in the name of freedom. Politicians talked about giving
the people
what they wanted. Which people? Individuals want things their own way. No one agrees.”

“I can’t say I disagree, but that’s not my point.”

Pendleton’s throat clogged and he gulped. “In dictatorial nations, the
haves
ruled over the
have-nots
using terror, committing genocide and torture. In capitalistic countries, the
haves
used misrepresentation—Ponzi schemes, market manipulation, and insider misinformation to horde money. I used their greed against them.”

“Again, two wrongs don’t make a right.
Two hundred eighty-million people so far have died as a result of your actions.”

“Half of those died rebelling against the Global Realm, not in the conflict preceding. In the former United States alone, five million people died committing acts of rebellion.” He sighed.
“I had a choice, save the planet at the cost of millions of lives, or let mankind destroy itself.”

“But are you repentant?”

“Yes, of course. I dislike the methods, but now the Earth has a chance.”

“
I empathize with you and the decisions you were forced to make,” the Pope said. “Call me if you need to talk. I think you’ll find me a good listener.”

#

Security here is a joke.

Beatrice Kolb shut the door of her room and quickly mixed a Dixie cup of bleach with her nail polish cleaner. She’d obtained a small syringe from the medicine supply cabinet when an attendant wasn’t around. She’d won the National Medal of Science Award for Genetic Chemistry for God-sake. She could make chloroform.

She filled the syringe with 33cc’s of the mixture and capped it. If she had the chance to use it, she would. She placed a folded white handkerchief into her pocket next to the syringe and took a deep breath. She taped a shiv to the inside of her left calf just above the pant leg opening of her new Global Realm outfit. The razor whip she slid into an empty toilet paper roll and slipped the roll into her pocket.

Pederson’s voice called her from halfway down the hall. “Laverna Smythe is here, Beatrice. Time for your
visit. Are you ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

The question is are you ready?

#

The lights seemed to dim every few minutes. Peacock faced Kolb across a six-foot rectangular metal table. Elaborate electronics connected both women to a brain monitor. At first, the conversation seemed predictably artificial. However, as anger rose and ebbed within her, Peacock convinced herself the lights dimmed and strengthened accordingly.

“Why did you have to be such a rebel?” Kolb asked, in a high snippy tone. “You knew what you signed-up for in Hercules, and you accepted the first implant readily.”

“But you never told me about the second one. I had just begun to feel like a human.”

“A human being—good God, you decided against humanity before coming to us. You agreed to become the ultimate weapon. You betrayed me and you betrayed your duty.”

Peacock focused in on Kolb’s eyes. In an instant, she could finish the job she’d started back at Kolb’s laboratory. “No, you stole me away from Arthur and my baby. You forced this implant change on me. You destroyed my memory. I couldn’t remember much of anything before Hercules.”

“And you d
idn’t want to, particularly the accident.” Kolb squeezed her arms together across her lap. “You erased the reason for that accident on purpose the moment it happened.”

“I did what!”
Peacock edged forward.

“You told me so during your mental adaptation testing your second day in Hercules.” Kolb reddened
but didn’t lean back. “Do you want me to tell you why?”

Peacock tried to gulp. She didn’t remember meeting
Kolb until a month after she started training. How could this be? Her throat ached from parching. Her tongue dried at the sound of Kolb’s words. She nodded.

“On the road that day, you and your father were arguing about a boy.”

“No. All he said was that I was too bright to waste my time with my boyfriend. He said my talent would take me beyond his dreams and expectations. At least that’s all I remember.”

Kolb sneered. “You don’t remember my testing you. Do you?”

Peacock wanted to strangle her. “No.”

“You screamed at your father, telling him to mind his own business. Then you took off your seatbelt and asked him to pull over and let you out.”

A rush of memories flooded back. Peacock pushed back her chair. “I’m going to be sick.” She grabbed a wastebasket and threw up. “I need to take a break.”

Doctor Levi appeared at the door. “Shall we stop for the day?”

Kolb cackled, “But I was having so much fun.”

Peacock wiped her mouth. “I need a few minutes to gather myself back together.”

Two orderlies rushed in as Peacock ran down to the women’s room. She headed into a stall and leaned against the side. Her father had turned back toward her shouting, “Put that seat belt back on.” That’s when the first impact occurred throwing her free of the car and she blacked out.

My fault, all my fault.

The nausea subsided after a few minutes, and she pulled herself up to a standing position. Hercules knew what she’d done. They played on her ability to isolate herself from her feelings. They did it with her approval. She inhaled deep breaths and washed her face and hands, then slumped down next to a stall door.

I’m the problem. I always was.

#

“You’re enjoying this too much, Beatrice,” Levi said.

Not as much as what I’m going to do.

Pederson
headed out the door. “I’m calling third floor security for additional help.”

“I’m sorry
,” Kolb told Levi. “Let me go and comfort her. Maybe we can work things out between us if we’re alone.”

“No, I’m not a fool.”

Into her pocket she reached, squirting the chloroform onto the white cloth. She leapt upon Levi knocking him down and covered his nose with the cloth.

Easier than I thought this would be.

Kolb dashed out of the room and down the hall in an instant. She’d prayed for an opportunity to kill her enemy, and it fell right out of the sky. Her feet felt lighter than air as she held back from skipping down the hallway. She might not come out of this alive, but what the hell!

She saw the two orderlies guarding the ladies room and grabbed the shiv out of its hiding place. Nonchalantly, she reached for the door handle.

“You can’t go. . . .” the man nearest her said.

Kolb plunged the shiv into his chest, opened the door and locked it from the inside before the other man could react. Her emotions ran wild
. Peacock sat curled up against a stall door in the far corner of the bathroom rocking. “Discovered I’m right, didn’t you, Bitch.”

“Yes
,” Peacock sobbed. “You made your point. Still you never should have taken my son from me.”

“You never should have had a son.”

“I wanted to give Arthur a son. I married him with Ursa’s approval.”

“True,” Kolb interrupted, “But that doesn’t matter now.”

Kolb fingered the top of the vial in her pocket. Popping the top off, she poured the remaining contents out on the handkerchief. “Here let me help you up.”

She pulled the chloroform-filled cloth out of her pocket and lunged at Peacock, attempting to cover her nose and mouth with the cloth. Peacock’s eyes shot open. To Kolb’s surprise, she made a direct hit
blocking Peacock’s airways. Then she found herself flying backwards.

#

Kolb’s bold attack ignited Peacock’s instincts. She raised one leg and launched her opponent away. The chloroform’s fumes burned Peacock’s nostrils and disoriented her. She stumbled into battle position. Kolb screamed when her back hit the sink-top.

A male voice yelled
at the door. “Get me a crowbar or something to pry this open.”

Kolb leaped
up, thrusting a shiv into Peacock’s thigh. But Peacock hurled Kolb across the floor, slamming her into the door.