Ensemble [Book 1: SEKTOR V Trilogy]

Chapter 16: The Seeds are Sown Underground

Chapter 16: The Seeds are Sown Underground

Gus shook his head as he sat in his makeshift office with Cranston directly across from him. Either victory had to be short-lived or tempered in some way with these jackasses. "Not this time," he mumbled to himself.

"Excuse me?" Cranston asked.

"Nothing. This is unfortunate but quite honestly not that big of a deal. We'll find Dial when we need to. The bigger issue is between us, Mr. Cranston."

"How so?"

"Well, I can't imagine you, or any of your colleagues, being overly happy with the fact that the Organization you've deeply aligned yourselves with is, in fact, traitorous."

Cranston had a look of irritation as he turned away and said nothing.

Good, very good, thought Gus. The loss of Dial was nothing if he could permanently peel off the mob from the Underground. He wasn't going to let this opportunity pass him by. He was even willing to share some very personal information in order to establish some trust.

"Jack, this is not simply a job for me. I have a lot personally invested in stopping these people. I realize that most sympathize with their so-called 'movement'. They say they're fighting for the freedom of choice and the Natural Order. Of course, this is propaganda bullshit and I think both of our Organizations realize as much. What they really are fighting for is what all groups fight for...power and control."

Gus paused and looked directly at Cranston who exhibited little emotion but seemed to be listening.

"Unfortunately," Gus continued, "their brand of 'hands-off' power and control inevitably leads to chaos and uncertainty. Their brand of 'leadership' would no doubt have us all still wallowing in the Depression of 2009. Whether they accept it or not, the Government saved us then and will continue to save us going forward. Does social order come at the cost of losing a few personal liberties along the way? Indeed it does. And to all but the most extreme, it's something the rest of us are willing to give up for the greater good since the alternative—their alternative—is simply unthinkable."

Gus could tell by the body language that Cranston was indeed listening.

Drawing a deep breath, Gus decided to go all in. "My father committed suicide on Christmas Day in 2008. He'd lost almost everything that fall and whatever wasn't taken from us, evaporated a few months later. At the time, I was only six years old but still, I felt the sadness and despair that surrounded me every day. Today, I understand a lot more. I now know that the pain and suffering my mother, brother and I endured for many years afterward would have needlessly been felt by billions of others, had our government not decided to take active control of that desperate situation. And now, after nearly four decades of serenity and order, this fringe group of academic idealists wants us to let go of the wheel and cede control to their naive ways. No, not while I am still alive and breathing."

Cranston remained quiet, so Gus pushed on.

"Look, Jack, I realize that our people have not exactly mixed well in the past, but our mutual interests are now aligned. Fiore...how long had he been with you, 10, 15 years?" Gus paused without expecting a reply. "As I said from the beginning, we weren't there to start any violence, especially with your Organization. It's obvious that the Underground doesn't trust you, nor do they value your partnership."

Cranston knew what Lebanchek was doing. But he also knew that he was right. You goddamn better believe I'm pissed. The loss of two men was bad enough, but the double-crossing is something he could never tolerate. Cranston knew he could permanently end things with the Underground if he wanted to. He also realized that this was no time to act rashly. How would ending a consistently profitable, multi-decadal alliance help their Organization unless this new opportunity allowed them to get something even greater in return, something the Underground could never provide.

Cranston finally spoke.

"Obviously, this is something that will not make my people happy. Still, the Ministry has never been our ally, never been a viable option for us, so I'm not sure how this moves the needle."

"Jack, I'm not going to dispute one word of what you just said. However, I will say that our interests are now aligned. We both want the same thing. And that is to bring those arrogant, naïve bastards to their knees. In fact... I almost forgot. As another expression of our goodwill, I want to give you something." Gus reached under the desk, pulled out a briefcase, and handed it to Cranston.

"What's this?"

"Just open it," Gus replied.

As Cranston proceeded to open both latches, Gus added, "It's all the money that Dial owes you. You can count it if you like."

Cranston casually thumbed through the bills but didn't say a word.

"Of course, Dial didn't win a dime of this at the casino, but as a show of good faith for what I hope will be years of fruitful collaborations, please take it."

Cranston finally spoke.

"It will take a lot more than 725 grand to get our cooperation, Lenbanchek. The way I see it, you need us a whole lot more than we need you."

"Jack, the Ministry has control over a wide array of resources that could potentially benefit your Organization. For us to explore such opportunities, we would require your full cooperation, including pertinent information that would lead to the permanent demise of the Underground. Do you think your people can help us?"

"Of course we can help you. However, is it in our best interest to do so?" Cranston paused. "Any successful business arrangement requires a level of mutual trust and respect. Over the years, we have established that with their Organization. Conversely, the Ministry has pursued a confrontational approach with our people which has only further galvanized our relationship with the Underground...current events notwithstanding."

Cranston took another deliberate pause.

"We are no one's fool, Mr. Minister," he said with a wry smile. "Our newfound complication with these academics still does not translate to trust for you and your people. I can assure you that a far-reaching, tectonic shift like the one you are suggesting will not be a decision that our Organization will take lightly. We also both realize that what we have is exactly what you need. Namely, intimate knowledge of their ongoing operation, as well as their inherent trust."

"Fair enough," Gus responded. "However, the confrontational issues you speak of are by no means insurmountable. A carefully-crafted synergistic arrangement designed to meet our respective institutional goals and objectives can be realistically achieved."

That was exactly the kind of accommodative talk Jack Cranston wanted to hear, even if his gut instincts were still residing somewhere in Missouri. Hesitancy aside, this was a message he knew he could deliver to his people. We finally have the upper hand....and they know it. We have exactly what they need. All of this was good news. The Ministry could get their cooperation for a price...a very steep price indeed.