Vice
Athick cloud of smoke envelops the dark windowless room while myunfaltering eyes sweep across the radiating computer screens. Shakingnervously, a malnourished young man cautiously approaches me with amanila envelope. The frail man reports carefully,
"We can'tlocate them sir. Their real names aren't used, they lie about theirlocation. No family connections are detected. We know nothing of whatthey look like or where to even begin looking. Their servers are wellprotected and they clean up thoroughly. Our men can break through itbut it takes time. Their security is managed by someone who knowswhat hes doing, "
Sensibly diving out of the way, the owner ofa computer avoids my thoroughly polished shoe that bluntly causes hisscreen to combust.
"I want them found. NOW," I roar.
Thefeeble man scrambles quickly away as I ruffle my thick glossy hairback into its rightful place. A slender woman with a face displayingan exorbitant amount make-up waits patiently behind me. Withoutturning to face her I growl,
"What is it Valencia?"
"Youhave a meeting that begins in a five minutes, sir. We must go now ifyou don't want to be late," she answers with resolutedevotion.
Her overly exposed breasts became more prominent whenshe hugs her clipboard tighter to her chest. Wearily gesturing herout of the somber room I mumble,
"After you."
Valenciaflicks her maroon stilted hair off one shoulder and leads the way. Ipace several rapid steps behind her, leaving my thick cigar smokeabaft. Once out in the hallway, Valencia turns to look at me.
"Theothers have arrived only moments ago. So we will be ready to startonce you arrive. Is there anything I can get you before you go in,"she purrs as she unsnarls my upscale suit.
I pull at the collarof my fixed polo shirt that is suddenly too tight.
"Have youoffered them drinks," I mummer.
She assures me,
" Ihave."
"Good, thank you Val. I'd like a double shot of mysingle barrel whiskey on the rocks," I comand.
Leaving withoutanother word she swiftly disappears. After smoothing down my haironce more I charge through the large carbon doors and into mysignificant meeting.
The brightness of the room disorientsme. Squeezing my eyes tight, I struggle to quiet the headache thatinfinitely clatters in my temples. Valbetter hurry up.
Standing at the head of my massive glass table, I addresses themen and women that are seated before me.
"First of all I wouldlike to thanks you all for coming, welcome. I know how valuable yourtime is, so lets get to work."
Valencia's steep heels quietlyclick over to me before she places my drink before me and swiftlyleaves. I settle into my usual black leather chair andannounce,
"Project Mave. Lets recap."
A standard manstood up from the middle of the table to my right. His thin goldenglasses twinkled in the sunlight. My desire to hear the delectablecrunching of them against my fist arises. The recognition of blood inmy mind eye rebounded me to his nervous disposition. Aftermomentarily stroking his thin tie with both his hands, he finally begins to speak.
"Statistics state that nearly 63% of Americansreceived their flu shots last year, which is a large increase fromthe previous year, which was only 52%. So according to our data,media coverage increases awareness of the importance of prevention.The promise of using a safer formula has brought us promise. As aresult, pharmaceuticals are more readily available to a wider rangeof people. With our current increase we can afford to renew allcurrent doctors on the importance of prevention via immunization. Wecan update our hospitals and the devices there in," he discharges anervous cough.
"And we are able to provide them all with thebest medical care the world has ever seen. We will save thousands,perhaps millions of lives."
He nods to me before returning hisseat.
Savoring the burning path as it blazed down my throat, Iswallow a large gulp of my frosty whiskey.
"Mediacorporation?"
A lofty woman stood confidently beforeboasting,
"That would be me, Kimberly Stonesend."
Hersmile was wide and polite, but I recognize bitter unconcern in hereyes.
"Our research reflects Mr. Gumms's claims. Ratings spikewhen preventative information is given to our viewers rapidly. Thepeople deserve to know acquired facts immediately. I'm confident inour ability to provide valuable details to the public. With the helpof our ever present updates, most are protected and aware of what isgoing on around us. We want them all to be the first to know whenthere is new and potentially life saving information to beprovided."
"Excellent, thank you..."
"Kim " sheinterrupts.
"Ms. Stonesend," I snap.
After gesturing toher chair, I brush off the annoyance I'm sure she provokes fromeveryone.
"Mr. Barge, care to update us?"
The pudgy manstands erect quickly.
"Its the same as its always been. Nothingnew to report. Students heads are in books, committing societiesexpectations to memory. No act of rebellion is tolerated, we correctanyone questioning our jurisdiction. They are tested regularly to becertain they are absorbing the information effectively. The schoolsthat do well are granted currency, which in turn goes back into theschool system to further advance their education. We've noticed adecline though, particularly in the extra curricular projects. A lotof money is being spent for things that could be learned on their owntime, after hours. A removal of them all together is beingconsidered. Resources are being wasted on incompetent subjects whenthey could effectively be exalted elsewhere. That goes for thestudents education as well. Recess is limited, and so is the notionof self expression, individuality. The parents are becoming moredifficult, housewives have plenty of time to browse the internet andfill their head with silly concepts . Getting them more involved willhelp with that, make them a part of the team to see things our way.We need to connect with these families, really dig deep into thefamily unit."
His chair groans loudly when he plopps back intoit.
I take another large swig, emptying my crystal glass.
"Allgreat news," I forcefully exclaim.
Don'tpull at the collar.
"Rodger, what say you?"
An unabashed solid patriarchsmoothly rises out of his seat.
"We have the governmentscomplete assistance from state to national level, We will nothesitate to protect our nation, even if its from our own people. I'mspeaking of those who choose to contest against our country, that isin an act of terrorism. Our men are blended within our commoncitizens in all major cities. We will be ready for them, once theirrebellion ensues. The camps are completely functional. They areestablished."
He returns to his seat and I crack a smile, mykind of man.
"Indeed, thank you Rodger."
Exhaling Iask,
"Reverend Paul, anything else you would like to add?"
A well polished male stands humbly and warmed the room with hissmile.
"It is time to unite as one. For too long, Gods creationhas suffered at the hands of man. Promote peace worldwide because thereturn of God is at hand. He has spoken to me. He says that D.A.R.Twill be successful, and he will cross over to our dimension soon toconverge us all. God bless you all in this journey, truly we aredoing Gods work. Many rewards will be reaped. "
With a smallbow, the reverend returns to his place at the table.
"Thank youReverend Paul. I'm sure you all are curious as to the progress ofDimensional Access to Regain Territory project. It will be running atfull dynamism in a few weeks. I'm not getting into the technicalaspects of it. In short – a black hole, a tiny rip in the veil, apeek into the next dimension. The 23rdof this month, that's when we will attempt to split it open. Meetingadjourned."
