The Few (The Abductions of Langley Garret Book 2) (10 page)

'You know why I'm here though, don't you? Or maybe you already knew that on our flight to the island.'

'What I know doesn't matter.'

'When you stopped me from being welcomed home by three thugs with guns, I think it does.'

'Perhaps.'

'You report directly to Kratos, don't you?'

'As I said, it's easier to do as you're told.'

'You didn't answer my question.'

'Do you need one?'

I sipped my beer, as did Marcus. The silence marking our understanding.

'Where's Chara?'

'Lausanne.'

'I bet you'd be really upset with yourself if you answered a question using more than two words,' I said, but half smiling.

'Three's my maximum,' he replied, with a sniff. But this one I read as a sniff that probably replaced anyone else's half sarcastic grin.

'Another beer?'

'Yes. If you're having one.'

'That was five, nearly six words, Marcus.'

He rubbed his chin. 'Yes, it was.'

We finished our second beer, and Marcus had been just a little more conversational for the thirty minutes or so, but had never threatened his status as a man of few words. What he lacked in detailed explanations, he made up for with bluntness, which I took as something close to honesty. Closer than most people I had been associating with anyway. When I'd asked him, yet again, what he thought I should do, he had just sniffed, and said, 'It's your decision.' I read it as him telling me to take the line of least resistance and just do as I was told.

Once he'd left, I had a shower and felt better in a change of clothes, then relaxed and watched television, propped up on the bed. The day rolled around in my head, as did Sting with, 'Every step you take, I'll be watching you.' It had been the story of my life for the last six months or more now. I had the feeling though that Nelson was going to make it clear to me during evening that I had no choices now. It would be time, as Marcus had said, to do as I was told. I supposed that living under Nelson's wing for a year or two, or perhaps more, and learning about what I was expected to do, while living in abject luxury wasn't such a bad deal. Maybe if Chara joined me as well, I should just accept, and do whatever it was that I had been destined to do. Be this odd Soter myth, and just enjoy the trappings that came with it.

I glanced at my watch when I heard the knock at my door. It was just after five-thirty. Marcus was standing, stony faced, when I opened the door.

'Hi.'

'You'd better come with me.'

'Why?'

'The old man's had a heart attack. He passed away about fifteen minutes ago.'

Incumbent

The quiet house I had entered earlier that morning was buzzing with people, crying, calling out orders and whispering to each other, as Marcus and I descended downstairs. The suits I had such an allergy towards were in abundance, as were eyes of varying colours and instant impressions, examining my appearance in detail.

'Where did they all come from?' I asked Marcus.

'There are a couple of staff houses close by.'

'Barracks?'

He sniffed and ignored my observation. 'This way, there are some people waiting for you.'

'Who? I asked, as he guided me through the crowded entrance hall and then off to a corridor on the left.

'This way,' he said, ignoring my question yet again, and strode forward. A few men lining the corridor, in bad suits and with coiled wires running from their collars to their ears. I walked a little quicker to keep up with him.

'Where are we going?' I asked, when I caught up with him. I knew it was a stupid question, but I was feeling rather stupid, so it was apt in my mind. He didn't answer, just strode forward at a brisker pace and had me almost running to keep up. The corridor ended at a T-junction and he turned left. I followed.

'Just up here,' he said. I nodded; still one pace behind him.

We stopped at a pair of silver elevator doors. There were no call buttons. He slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a bunch of keys and flicked through them until he found the one he was looking for. He inserted it into the lock on the right of the doors and they opened immediately. Once in the elevator, he again used his key. The doors closed and I felt us descending.

'Down huh?'

He nodded.

When the doors opened, he gestured for me to get out. I did. The elevator doors quietly closing behind, before I noticed that Marcus hadn't exited with me. I waited, hesitating for a moment, wondering what to do next, as I stood in a bare anteroom. Apart from the bare, grey concrete walls and industrial styled fluorescent lights, the only outstanding feature was a heavy looking pair of dark blue doors directly in front of me. Although I'd never seen any to compare, they reminded me of what the doors to a War Room might look like. They had that very secure, blast resistant and fully sealed against possible poisonous gas attack type of appearance. While I mulled over the doors, I simultaneously ruminated on what to do next. Wait, or try to open the door? I decided to do both, with a polite amount of time between one and the other.

With my concentration locked on the dark blue doors in front of me, the sound of the elevator doors opening behind me gave me a start; as did the voice that accompanied the smooth gliding sound of the elevator doors closing.

'Good. I see you're here already,' the voice said, as it passed by me.

I spun my head to the sound of a female voice; then turned it slowly to follow her body as she walked towards the blue doors. I had an eerie feeling from my view of her back, and then a terrifying reality when she turned to face me.

'It's you,' I blurted.

'I'm Clytemnestra.'

'I'd say, nice to meet you, but it wasn't so damn nice the last time we met,' I spat, at the vision of Hazel Eyes now standing in front of me.

'I had a job to do, that was all.'

'You did it very well too,' I added, with unmistakable spite and anger in my tone.

'And I intend to do my job today just as well,' she said, with her arms defiantly crossed, accompanied by a look in her eyes that I had experienced before. Staring at me with eyes that could cut slices into bare flesh.

'And your job …… hold on. Clytemnestra? Sister of Helen and daughter of Leda?'

'Oh very good! You are learning and adapting then.'

'Or getting used to convenient coincidences.'

'They're not. The epithets given to us at birth define our destiny and guide us through life with clarity. However, it wasn't until recently that I clearly understood mine. I think in that we have something in common.'

'With more clarity than when you abducted me?'

'I keep learning.'

I stepped towards her, confidently for some odd reason, keeping her gaze until I was within arm's reach of her. She leant her weight a little to one side as she stood in front of the dark blue doors. I hadn't realized, but I was half a head taller than her. 'So what's your job today Hazel Eyes?' I asked her, with my eyes locked firmly on hers. Today, I was prepared to wait a year for her to look away first.

I won. After a few long seconds, she looked down ever so quickly at her feet, before returning to my stare. 'I have replaced Leda.'

'And Helen as well?'

'I am now charged with being the Protocol Advisor to Soter, the new Strategos of the Sons of Cleito,' she said, with firmness in her voice, ignoring my reference to Helen.

'Protocol? What does that mean in plain English?' I asked, still holding my stare and sensing that she was having difficulty in holding mine. She looked away quickly again and I knew I had beaten her. Whatever was waiting behind the blue doors, which I was now almost sure would be to do with my ascension to Strategos, I was feeling that it was going to be much easier if I could bring Hazel Eyes to heel before we entered.

'It means I'm responsible for your understanding and interpretation of the statutes and directives of our system of governance and of the hierarchy and status of members of the governing council.'

'What no lethal injections, abductions or threats of bodily harm?'

Her eyes left my stare yet again, but this time for a little longer as she looked for a long moment at nothing on the wall to her left. 'I know, well, I understand you're annoyed about all that,' she said, and then returned to looking at me directly. 'But you must know that it was my duty; firstly to make sure you were Soter, and then to deliver you safely to Decem Filios. What happened after that wasn't my fault.'

The difference between the dangerous and cutting Hazel Eyes, which had appeared in my apartment on one Sunday morning months before, to those in front of me now was noticeable. The eyes in front of me now didn't appear to cut or threaten; although they were still determined, and they were still demanding something. Respect was my guess.

'What's your name when you're not Clytemnestra?'

'Ellen Reed.'

'So what's waiting for me behind the doors Ellen?'

'The Grand Council. There are ten…..'

'Ah, then let me guess. With each one carrying an epithet of every one of the Ten Sons of Cleito.'

'You're learning,' she said, with the first hint of a crack in her steely persona, as a minute smile almost manifested itself.

'And I guess they're waiting for Soter to guide them to safety and preservation and deliver them from harm.'

'Now you're really learning fast. I think you're ready for this,' she said, and her small smile was noticeable this time.

'Just one thing before we go in.'

'Yes?'

'My name is Lang, Ellen. If we're going to work together, I'd rather have that very clear from the beginning.'

'Deal. Now, are you ready?'

'Yes, but give me a quick Protocol Advisor rundown on what's going to happen when we go in.

*****

As Ellen opened the doors, I saw the ten, sitting in their places at a large circular meeting table, with one seat unoccupied at the head of the circle. Sitting alongside the vacant chair was, as Ellen had explained to me, the Secretary of the Grand Council, who would assist me during the meeting. Between them, and where we were standing at the door, there were three rows of seats, arranged in a similar fashion to cinema stalls, extending to the right and left. Most seats were taken with hushed whispering. Ellen gave me a half smile of confidence, and moved quietly to a seat in the stalls to my right. Looking at the blue-carpeted aisle ahead of me, it struck me that I should have been better dressed, although I was wearing a shirt, trousers and a jacket, but a tie may have been more appropriate given the situation. 'Too late now', I thought, as I took my first step. Slow swivelling heads replaced the hushed whispering, as I made my way down the aisle. Although not far, only a matter of thirty paces, my way to my assigned seat felt like miles. I tried to stop myself from rushing by intentionally slowing my paces. I measured them even more as I recognised two faces sitting at the table of Grand Councillors. Although Ellen had given me a quick yet quite detailed briefing before we entered, she had clearly missed telling me about the fact that the British Deputy Prime Minister and the French Finance Minister would be two of the ten councillors. Other faces were strangely familiar as well, but I couldn't immediately put names to them. I took the final few silent steps from the aisle and around to the head of the table, careful to make sure I was taking my time. When I arrived at the vacant chair, I sat, pulled the chair a little closer to the table, smiled at the Secretary briefly, then looked around slowly at the ten gathered in a circle to my right and left. I took a sip of water from a crystal glass on my right, tried to settle myself, and hoped I could remember the few words that Ellen had told me I would have to say. If all went well, all Ten Sons of Cleito, which I couldn't help but notice were actually eight sons and two daughters, would raise their hands and pass the unanimous vote that was necessary for my confirmation as the Strategos of the Sons of Cleito. I took a deep breath.

'I come to you from Chaos, from Evenor and Leucippe, and descend from the womb of Cleito. I am Soter, son of Kratos.'

Relieved that I had remembered what I had to say, I nearly forgot to stand due to my relief. A nod from the Secretary helped me recall. I stood and looked around the table, waiting for hands to rise. As if trying to add drama to the proceedings, it was a few long seconds before the first hand rose, then even more for the second. It was probably less than thirty seconds in all, but it felt like hours as I waited for their hands to rise. One by one, seemingly with aforethought, and perhaps with a small sense of drama, all ten hands eventually rose.

I sat down relieved, yet my stomach wasn't. It was tied in a painfully contorted knot of trepidation. 'What the hell have I got into here?' I asked myself. I didn't have an answer. The Secretary passed me an official looking piece of paper. I glanced at it and he nodded, and I gathered immediately that I had to read it to the meeting.

'Just as Cleito's son Atlas and his brother Menoetius sided with the Titans in their war against the Titanomachy, I sit before you today, sworn to continue their struggle. When the Titans were defeated, many of them; including Menoetius, were confined to Tartarus, but Zeus condemned Atlas to stand at the western edge of Gaia, the Earth, and hold up Uranus, the Sky, on his shoulders, to prevent the two from resuming their primordial embrace. Thus, he was Atlas Telamon, or enduring Atlas, and became a doublet of Koios, the embodiment of the celestial axis around which the heavens revolve. I swear before you today that I will honour our ancient history and heritage, and preserve their honour, rectitude and morality that were delivered to us all from the womb of Cleito, and then epitomised through all of her Ten Sons.

I accept my destiny, written long ago in stone by the Moirai, that I, Soter, son of Kratos, will work assiduously to keep us in safety, preservation and deliverance from harm. It was my fate – and now my duty.'

I paused for a moment and looked around at the ten pairs of eyes that were locked upon me. My stomach and small intestines told me clearly that they felt apprehensive – bordering on anxious and uneasy. I had to agree, as I was feeling completely out of place, and out of my depth. But somehow, by whatever miracle, my voice remained strong, even if the rest of my body was full of doubt and fear. I returned my eyes to the last paragraph on the sheet of paper in front of me and girded myself for my one last attempt at fortitude. Fake I knew. I just hoped that I pretended well enough for the ten pair of eyes.

'It is the moment now to grant the time to mourn the passing of Kratos, and to commemorate all that he has achieved. I understand there are pressing issues that the Grand Council has today convened to consider, but given the events and sadness of the day, I ask your permission to adjourn this session for twenty-four hours to allow us all time to reflect on the past, and to consider our path into the future. With your consent, I would like to advance the motion that we reconvene this meeting of the Grand Council at seven pm tomorrow.'

I was relieved to see a hand rise instantly from one of the ten in front of me. Even more that it was the hand of the French Finance Minister who said, 'I second the motion.'

When the Council Secretary next to me rose to his feet and started shuffling his papers, I knew my performance was complete. He looked at me and gave me a warm smile when I involuntarily, but obviously, audibly sighed in relief. My relief being for having delivered my speech without making a fool of myself, and not in any way relief about the situation that confronted me. Symbolic or not, I was now the confirmed figure-head of the Sons of Cleito – a terrorist organisation, oligarch or freedom movement. It didn't matter by what label it went, it still meant I was in very deep, and my chances or climbing out were extremely remote; probably non-existent. The polite hand shakes and brief offers of congratulations from the ten councillors, including the two high-ranking politicians, only confirmed my belief. There was no way out of this now.

Ellen arrived at my side at an opportune time, as after receiving the greetings from the last councillor, I had reached the point where I didn't quite know what I should do next. 'We need to meet with the Secretary to make some arrangements. Oh, and well done,' she said, quietly.

'Thank you. But I have a feeling that was the easy part.'

'Yes, perhaps. So, are you ready?'

'Eh, yes.'

'Dinner's been arranged for after the meeting,' she said, as we moved off.

'Not a formal dinner with the ten councillors I hope.'

'No. With the Secretary and Leucippe.'

'Giovanna?'

'Yes,' she said, as we left the meeting room by a side door, as everyone else headed towards the anteroom and elevator by which I had entered. We walked a short distance down a bare concrete walled corridor. Ellen opened a door without knocking, which opened into a waiting room, then knocked on the next door.

'Please, come in,' the Secretary said, and gestured us both towards a meeting table in one corner of his office, which was modestly furnished, but quite large. It reminded me immediately of the underground offices and rooms on Decem Filios. A brightly lit, yet windowless bunker. In the harsh light of his office, his age was much more apparent, with the deep wrinkles in his face and brow and his wisps of white hair swept back over his balding head giving me the impression he must have been well over eighty. His voice was frail.

'I know it's been a hectic today, but I just need to clarify some pressing issues,' he started, after we had sat down. 'Firstly, regarding the arrangements for your father.'

'The funeral?' I asked.

'No, they are not our custom I'm afraid,' he said, looking at Ellen in a manner that suggested she perhaps should have briefed me on the matter already. 'I will make the arrangements for his ashes to be dispersed, but I only wished to know if you would like to present.'

'Um, well, where will his ashes be, err, dispersed, as you say?'

'The traditional place for such events is into the sea surrounding Decem Filios. This is usually carried out by one of the staff there. However, if you did wish to be present, we would have to make special arrangements for you for such a journey.'

'Which I gather by special, you mean complicated.'

'We don't place importance on ceremony in these matters. Our only duty is the ensure that the ashes of our incarnations are safely returned to the waters of Gaia.'

I glanced at Ellen, looking perhaps for her input, but she didn't seem to have anything to say.

'Well, I'm happy to leave the arrangements to you. As you know, I had only just met my father so I don't think there is any pressing need for me to be there. Especially if it is not the accepted thing to do,' I said, but had in my mind that it seemed quite a sterile and emotionless way to handle someone's passing.

'Thank you, I'll keep you advised though.'

'Very well.'

'Now the other matter we need to discuss is your domicile.'

'Go on,' I said, but immediately thought I was about to be imprisoned, albeit in better conditions than my last experience.

'It's impossible to protect you at your current…..'

'So you would like to keep me under lock and key here.'

'It's not like that. It's just much safer for you here,' Ellen said, telling me immediately that she had been briefed on what had happened to my apartment in Neuchâtel.

'For the time being it would be easier if you stayed here. However, in the near future, it will be your decision as to where you decide to live permanently. There are of course considerations such as the security that is necessary for you, your guests and business associates. There is also the matter of Leucippe to take into consideration.'

'Yes, I understand. I would imagine she would like to stay here,' I said, deciding it was time I stopped my pointless protesting and just accept some of the new realties that were facing me. I believe we're having dinner with her later, so let's see what she has to say.'

'Yes we are, so we can ask her. Now, to other matters,' the secretary said, as he licked his finger and turned a page in his notepad. 'You will be meeting with your senior staff in the morning. It's important that we waste as little time as possible. At eleven o'clock, if that's agreeable. Most are here already, but a few need to travel overnight. I nodded my agreement. 'I have also received confirmation that your consort will arrive tomorrow afternoon.'

'Chara?'

'Yes.'

'Very well,' I said, trying to hide my surprise at his use of the word consort.

'I have also taken the liberty of arranging more appropriate accommodation for you here at the house. I'll have someone show you there after our meeting and allow you to prepare for dinner.'

'Thank you.'

'There is of course the Grand Council meeting tomorrow evening. But if you will allow me, I can work with Clytemnestra to finalise a revised agenda. Given the circumstances, I think it may be prudent to keep to only the most pressing items and adjourn most until the next meeting. I'm sure most of the councillors will be in agreement.'

'Yes, I'm happy with that.'

'Perhaps I can brief you on the most important matters tomorrow afternoon. Say about three?' Ellen asked. I nodded my agreement.

'I know it's been a dramatic afternoon, so I won't keep you unnecessarily. Unless you have any questions?' the Secretary asked me.

I thought for a moment, wondering how stupid my one question was going to sound. But I had to ask it, given the opportunity. 'Just one I suppose. I don't want to sound trite, but what exactly does the Strategos of the Sons of Cleito actually do? I only had a very short time with Nelson, so I can honestly say I have practically no idea whatsoever what's expected of me.'

'You'll be fine,' Ellen said, and I sensed her platitude.

'In brief, you have the casting vote on the Grand Council and can propose motions. At an executive level though, there are certain powers you have that can be executed from your office. I'm sure that your staff and advisors will clarify these with you in the coming weeks.'

'Right,' I said, but my stomach tightened at the mention of – certain powers that can be executed. They didn't sound at all like anything I would enjoy.

'Well, I won't keep you any longer. I'll have someone show you to your new quarters and meet you for dinner with Leucippe in an hour.'

Chieftain

My annoyance and reluctance at being railroaded into my new position waned a little after I woke, showered and wandered around my quarters – as the Secretary had called them. Located in the left wing, my quarters were called
The
Atlantis Suite
, and consisted of more bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms and meeting rooms than I could count. It was also pleasing to have been informed by Ellen, while she shared a quick nightcap with me after dinner the evening before, that Nelson had lived in
The Troy Suite
, in the right wing, so I wasn't being accommodated in
Dead Men's Shoes
. Recalling that dialling nine on my telephone would get me anything I needed, I rang and ordered breakfast, deciding to spend the morning alone before my eleven o'clock meeting with my senior staff. While I was waiting for my breakfast to arrive, I wandered around until I noticed a bookcase with elaborate lead light doors, tucked into a corner of what I presumed was my informal living room. Full of hard cover editions of modern classics, I scanned the titles for something to read and take my mind off everything for a little while. Hesitating at
The Grapes of Wrath
, passing over
Tai-Pan
and ignoring
Atlas Shrugged
, I settled on
A Brave New World
.
1984
was a very tempting second choice however.

With a hearty breakfast, a good read and some time to myself, the morning passed quickly until Ellen's ringing at my door ended my enjoyment.

'Ready for your first day on the job?' she said, when I answered the door.

'Probably not, but I suppose I'll get some on the job training,' I said, as I closed the door and left with her for the meeting. I'd dressed in a suit, thinking it was appropriate – for whatever the hell my new job was.

'So what's on the agenda?' I asked, trying as best I could to slip into the mould.

'You're a bit nervous, aren’t you?'

'Wouldn't you be?'

Ellen stopped mid-step and turned to face me. 'Look, I just want to say I'm sorry for what happened at our, well, our first meeting.'

'In my apartment, you mean?'

'Yes.'

'You were just doing your job.'

'Well, I could have handled it better.'

'Let's just get on with this meeting. What happened, happened, so there's no point looking back,' I said, and felt a touch of authority in my voice, which surprised me more than it probably did her.

'All right,' she said, as she strode off again. 'It'll only be an introductory meeting. So you can meet your senior staff, and they can brief you on the situation with their particular files. I can't see it lasting more than an hour and a half.'

'And then a meeting with the secretary at three.'

'Yes. You'll have a couple of hours free.'