Unlimited Plan (*)

Not according to plan

22

Philadelphia, United States

Tucking his phone back into his breast pocket, Macmillan strides into the storeroom leading to his employer's lair.

He hesitates at the door threshold, not sliding his thumb over the reader. Fisher's news won't please his client, and Macmillan dreads how to present his report. The lock clicks open sharply.

"Come in!" calls out Phoenix, who has seen him approaching through the surveillance cameras.

The commander decides, straightens his posture, and enters.

Still in a white lab coat, the albino perches on a high stool, hunched over, consulting the laptop placed in front of him. He doesn't look up, continuing his task as if hypnotized by the screen.

Macmillan says nothing, waiting to be invited to speak, which soon comes in the form of a simple: "Well?"

The mercenary clears his throat and starts to deliver his report in a formal tone. "The compound has been successfully supplied to several manufacturing points. Distribution has already begun. According to our estimates, the products should spread to the general population by tomorrow. In just a few hours in Europe, considering the time difference."

"Perfect," comments Phoenix, without deigning to lift his gaze from his screen.

"As for communication, the major mobile providers have been compromised as per your specifications. Only Verizon is left for domestic coverage."

"What happened?"

"The man we had infiltrated was never able to gain access to the premises of interest. But we paid one of the technicians who has the necessary clearances, and he should act tomorrow, during an official maintenance request, a perfect cover."

"An outsider?" Phoenix's voice turns cold.

"We'll dispose of him right after his involvement."

"Discreetly this time, I hope?"

"It will be made to look like an accident, sir, not like the Las Vegas operation. And we will erase all traces of the payout to avoid suspicion."

"Excellent! We are nearing our goal. Everything is ready on my end, except for one thing..."

Macmillan and his team are only briefed with information relevant to their tasks, preventing him from forming a complete picture of his employer's plan. He understands, of course, that it's a large-scale operation, but only his contractor knows all the details. So, he refrains from commenting on the giant's statements, preferring to let him divulge more if he wishes.

"Any news from my friend Baltac?" Phoenix continues.

"No, sir. There has been no activity on his phone for several days. The last recorded GPS location places him in Toronto."

"Toronto? Hmm, interesting... Going to visit the grieving widow of the bee..."

"Sir?" Macmillan asks, not understanding the insect reference.

Phoenix finally looks up, and for the first time since the conversation began, seems to pay attention to his interlocutor.

"He probably turned off his mobile to be undisturbed while comforting Mrs. Wessler."

"That's our theory, too, sir."

"Hmm, I didn't know they were so close," Phoenix muses thoughtfully.

"Increase your surveillance on Baltac, send someone there, he's your next target."

"Yes, sir."

"Macmillan..."

"Sir?"

"No mistakes. I want Baltac alive. I need to make him talk, if you catch my drift."

"Absolutely, sir."

Phoenix stops there and Macmillan assumes he is going to end the discussion. But his boss continues, lost in his thoughts and in apparent need to be confiding some more.

"Baltac is the key. He's the one who will allow me to arrange a meeting with the Doctor..." A sinister smile forms on the giant's face, who, realizing his statements might seem incoherent to Macmillan, adds: "Don't worry about my health. It's not that kind of doctor."

Macmillan nods briefly. He's accustomed to his contractor's monologues. Though some comments are sometimes confusing, no doubt Phoenix understands his own words. For now, Macmillan's concern is how to dim the bright picture his employer has painted...

"And Spain?" Phoenix inquires.

Here we go, thinks Macmillan before responding. "We managed to recover the documents. Fisher has transferred them to our technical team; they're modifying the agreement so the advertising clause will be accepted."

"Perfect, now that dear Mosquito can no longer object, our samples will flood all the video game stores in Korea, Japan, Europe, and North America. Is everything ready?"

"All production is in storage. As soon as the contract is validated, distribution can begin."

"I want that contract ratified today, understood?"

"It will be done, sir."

"You may go, Macmillan."

The mercenary doesn't move.

"Something else?" Phoenix asks.

The commander clears his throat again. "It's about Spain, sir."

Phoenix raises his eyebrows. "You just told me everything was in order."

"Yes, sir, we've eliminated the target and recovered the contract. But Fisher is convinced he encountered government agents, sir... I fear we may have been spotted."

Macmillan braces for the worst. He plants his feet firmly on the ground and prepares for his employer's reaction. Phoenix leans back and ... bursts into laughter...