Ensemble [Book 1: SEKTOR V Trilogy]

Chapter 6: A Comedy of Errors

Chapter 6: A Comedy of Errors

Irritated, Gus Lebanchek left the CSI investigators to finish their job, and stepped into the hallway outside Room 333. He pulled out his videophone and connected with Rick Joliet who'd left the scene earlier with Dial in one of the Ministry vehicles.

"Rick, what the fuck just happened?"

"Sir, we entered as soon as we had visual confirmation of the direct hit on the target."

"Then who the hell initiated?" Gus demanded.

"I'm not sure, sir. I can tell you that it wasn't us."

Gus was truly perplexed. None of this made any sense. Sure, he figured the Underground would have been tipped off about the planned drop with the ICP handlers, but the last thing he expected was non-Ministry aggression against said handlers. "We wanted everyone alive, Rick."

"Sir, I understand, but we had nothing to do with the initial hit. We simply responded in order to save the remaining assets. Loss of the second target was unfortunate but unavoidable."

Gus knew he was right. They were fortunate to still have Dial under their control. They were also lucky that no Ministry agents were lost during the brief but intense firefight. But their primary objective hadn't been met. The two ICP handlers who'd worked directly with Dial and had knowledge of the Underground time machine were now dead. Worse still, the why, how, and who associated with the initial hit were still mysteries.

I'll get to the bottom of this. Right now, he had a more pressing need to address and that was securing the Dials. Gus knew that after this mess, Stanley's family would be at risk for some sort of retaliatory response. After losing the handlers, Dial was Gus' last remaining link and "saving" his family from all outside aggressors, whether Underground or ICP, would be the best way to secure his future cooperation.

"Just make sure you get Dial's family secured at the safe house. I don't want any more surprises."

"We are pulling up now. We should have the family with us shortly. I'll reach out once we're in transit. Joliet out."

Gus ended the transmission and stood motionless in the hallway, deep in thought. Why would the Underground assassinate one of their own, or at the very least, a known contact they probably trusted? Covering their tracks was the only thing that made any sense. If I'm right, then they also went out of their way to make it look like we were the aggressors. We just did their dirty work for them! Gus shook his head as it began to sink in. And the poor stooge handlers and their associates are being led to believe that we're the ones to blame!

The Underground was more than a collection of rogue scientists. So...essentially, they knowingly screwed their partners. Why? Because they knew, if the ICP had to pick a side, they'd always go with the Underground over the law-enforcing, ball-busting Ministry. But Gus couldn't prove any of this. He wasn't sure what the end game for this particular maneuver was, but he was fairly certain that with enough digging he would eventually be able to expose the truth and use it against them.

At that moment, his video communicator vibrated in his pocket.

Joliet appeared on the screen.

"Sir?" he said meekly.

"Yes, what is it, Rick?"

"We have a problem. Our surveillance team lost them. They were in place but somehow the Dials were removed."

Gus shook his head in disgust. "How is that even remotely—" He took a deep breath to short-circuit the anger that was building inside him. "Right under our noses..." he mumbled.

"Sir?" Joliet asked hesitantly.

"Nothing. Just make sure Dial is under lock and key. After that, head back here and help me with the forensics team. I want them poring over every single detail inside and outside of that room. I want to know exactly how this unfolded today, and I want every bit of it documented."

"Understood, sir."