HIGHER TECH (Complete Novel)

Chapter 14 -China

      "You found one?"

      "Yes," said Darren, "I could hear it ringing, until I got close to the PW-3."

      "Good. We'll wait for fifteen minutes while everyone evacuates and then we'll slag the place."

      It only took ten, for everyone to exit the place. They waited the full fifteen though. Right up until the fire trucks started to arrive.

      "I envy them and the sight they'll see."

      "Darren, don't enjoy this too much, we'll be putting a lot of people out of work tonight. Thousands of hardworking people with families to provide for."

      "Aw, you had to go and spoil it. Now, that's all I'll be thinking about for the rest of the night."

      "Think of the greater good. Now, I think we're at the right angle and we're far enough away. First, I'll destroy the southwestern corner, because there is no one gathered near there. It will give everyone the opportunity to run while I slowly destroy the rest of the place. It's a huge complex. It will probably take about ten minutes just to destroy it all. We'll have plenty of time to make our escape before the military arrives. By the time we get to the last place, they might be on to us though, but we'll worry about that, when or if it happens. Their military is no threat to us. Here we go..."

      Leaning forward out the side door, he activated his weapon. Darren smiled as he watched the whole corner of the complex disappear. In its place was a red molten mess. Arnold progressively and systematically destroyed the rest of the place, from one end, to the other. There were some explosions that erupted into a big mushroom cloud.

      "Well Darren, let's hurry on to the next."

      "Right. Four more to go."

***

      "Okay everyone, and that includes those tied in through the conference system. You may have seen some of these reports before, but not all of them together like this. The five targets in china were not anticipated by us. However, it now makes sense. He chose these companies because they were large, but mainly because they release a lot of pollution into the air. As we know, china has by far the worst quality air pollution than any other country. These companies were each required to reduce their emissions by sixty-five percent by January of this year. They failed at this. In fact, their emissions have increased by seven percent on average. Meanwhile the government stood by watching the fiasco with their hands in their pockets. No one was willing to stop it, until now. The remarkable part is that he caused all that destruction without, as far as we know, any casualties.

      "How," said Kyle, "is that possible?"

      "Just before the destruction took place for each video, if you listen closely, you can hear a bell continuously ringing. We believe they set off a fire alarm so the people would evacuate the complex before they started the destruction."

      "How conscientious of them."

      "True Dean, they are still trying to be viewed as the good guys. Your sarcasm emphasizes this point. Does anyone know what else these videos have in common?"

      "Explosions?"

      "Very funny Sink. Anyone else?"

      "They all came from the same media source."

      "Exactly, Miss Mahmoud. I'm glad you're paying attention. The same one as the so-called 'hero's robot supply to mars' report."

      "Yousource, is somehow cooperating with our perpetrators. They keep painting them in a positive light. By the large amount of views they keep getting, we can say that they have succeeded in grabbing the attention of most of the world."

      "We should at least question them to find out what they know."

      "My thoughts exactly Dean. I'm glad you brought it up. I think you and Kyle would handle that assignment nicely. Let us know what you find out."

***

      Wanda Mason, the founder and owner of Yousource was sipping her morning coffee in her office, when her phone rang. She looked at the display. It was her receptionist. Yousource was not large, but she absolutely needed a receptionist or she would go nuts. She tapped the display.

      "Yes Mary, what is it?"

      "Good morning Miss Mason. We have two of our cities finest here to ask you some questions. I know they don't have an appointment, but I thought you would want to know."

      "Thanks Mary. That's fine, you can send them in now."

      "Okay. Here they come."

      The door to her office opened and she immediately recognized Dean Roberts and Kyle Fenner.

      "Wow, you two are famous. I wish you would have given me some advance notice of your visit. We could have arranged an interv..."

      "More like infamous and we didn't have any advance notice either. Thanks for allowing us in right away."

      "You're welcome officer Roberts. I always cooperate fully with officers of the law. How can I help you today?"

      "We have questions concerning some of the reports that Yousource has been making recently. In particular, the ones with Arnold Hatcher in them. How did you manage to come by these videos?"

      "Normally, I don't divulge who our sources are. However, this time I will tell you all I know. They were sent to us anonymously via courier."

      "That's it? Have you received any communication from them at all?"

      "No. Of course not. That would be foolish on their part, wouldn't it?"

      "Yes, I suppose it would, but we still have to check to make sure. Do you have any of the package materials they sent you?"

      "No, they are opened by my receptionist. And the package materials are discarded."

      "Can we ask you a favor?"

      "Sure. You can ask."

      "For the next package you receive, instead of opening it right away, could you call us, so we can see it together?"

      "I don't see any reason why I would need to refuse that request. As long as we get to use it as we see fit."

      "All we want is to view whatever they send you and we would like to have the package materials."

      "Then you shall."

      "Thank you very much Miss Mason for your cooperation. Here is my number."

      "You are very welcome officer Roberts. You and your silent partner are welcome to have a coffee and a pastry in the lobby. Think of it as a parting gift of good will."

      As they walked over to the coffee maker in the lobby Kyle harrumphed.

      "That's the first time I've ever been called a silent partner."

      "I know. You're finally learning how to be my partner."

      "Right. Well, I promise it won't last long."

      "Good things never seem to."