Angels & Shadows

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Adolphius had called an emergency meeting of the remaining Senators. Three senior ranking Shadows had been killed in as many days and the Hydra had lost confidence in his cell. He was facing displacement. They were gathered in the usual drear room but the dynamics were entirely different, Adolphius was not bristling in his usual manner, he was on the back foot needing support. It was not at all like the courtroom scenario of the last meeting, they were sat around a circular table in a symbol of unity. Alexis was sat to Adolphius’ right, the perfect implacable enemy.

“The next one to watch,” Grese thought. She was going to enjoy this engagement.   

“I’m sure that you both know why I’ve called this meeting, but I will recap to make sure that we are on the same page.”

Adolphius was unusually ill at ease in his address and his top lip twitched giving away his feeling of vulnerability.

“Dada with all his experience was slashed to pieces and killed by the Robinson siblings. We must no longer fool ourselves by calling them ‘children’. They are far from that now, Maelströminha has clearly taught them well. Their brains will now be highly evolved and their physical development near complete. After they have discovered their full skill-set and learn how to combine their minds, they will be as dangerous to us as Maelströminha herself.”

Adolphius waited until Alexis and Grese acknowledged this before continuing.

“The Jackal has let us down and squandered a unique opportunity to take out Maelströminha and the siblings at a single stroke. Grese you are exonerated, you did the right thing in engaging the Jackal and that is endorsed by the Hydra. Maelströminha must have sensed the attack and neutralised it. We only know that the Jackal returned with his men and the explosives to your house Grese, probably under the mind control of Maelströminha. As you all know, he detonated those explosives killing himself, his men and regrettably Katya. For that you have my sympathy, she would have made a good Senator.”

Grese nodded at the sentiment.

“It will be avenged you can be sure of that.”

Adolphius continued his address.

“I’m sure that you will both have noted that this attack on the Grese household is unprecedented in history. It is the first time that the Angel pacifists have initiated a strike against the Senate on home soil and ironic that they have used our own kind to commit the deed. This act of aggression has changed how we must perceive our enemy. The war will be coming to us now. They are no longer prepared to be the victims. They appear to have adopted a more proactive approach and will become the aggressors, you can count on it.”

Alexis nodded his ancient head. Instinctively Adolphius paused and deferred to Alexis for his experience and direction.

“Our cell is much depleted, weakened by recent events and through in house rivalry. This has rendered us ineffective as an operating unit. Our numbers are no longer sufficient to withstand a coordinated attack by the Angels and be assured that one will come if we appear weak to them.”

Alexis could sense their agreement and continued.

“We have globally lost our best Shadows to reinforce the war effort between the capitalists and the fundamentalists, something that all other cells are experiencing in every State across the planet. It is time to either amalgamate with another cell or recruit some muscle to use as insurance, which is your choice?”

Alexis’ face was devoid of any expression but his eyes bored down into their psyche and he could see even their most private thoughts and they knew it.