Ensemble [Book 1: SEKTOR V Trilogy]

Chapter 19: ICP Terms and Conditions

Chapter 19: ICP Terms and Conditions

"Gentlemen, thank you for meeting with me on such short notice." Jack Cranston sat in a small office, remote-interfacing with twelve other regional and international leaders of the Organization. "I will keep this brief. As you may have heard, we lost two of our own here in Philly a few days ago. Both were long-standing members and very loyal brothers of ours who will be dearly missed. What you also may have heard was that their deaths were at the hands of the Ministry. Or so our Underground partners have assured us." After a brief pause, Cranston continued, "Unfortunately, none of that is true. These assurances were lies perpetrated by our so-called global ally."

"Jack, what exactly are you saying?" asked Philippe Hendrie, head of operations in Europe.

"What I am saying, Phil, is that we have a new enemy. The Underground has betrayed us."

"Wait a minute... How, and why?" asked Hikoti Sukashima who was in charge of Asian operations.

Cranston went on to describe, in detail, how the Underground had deceived them and faked the shooting to look like Ministry aggression. He continued with how Wilheim had added insult to injury by covering up the incident the very next day with more lies and misdirection. He made it clear how the Underground, not the Ministry, was to blame, describing the evidence that supported this conclusion. Finally, Cranston discussed the proposed truce and alliance Lebanchek had offered.

"Very convenient," quipped Terry O'Brien from Chicago.

"Yes, so now we jump directly in bed with the Ministry whore? No way," added New York kingpin, Tony Ruggiero.

Cranston knew he had to regain control before this unraveled.

"Gentlemen, I share your concerns. The Ministry has been a plague for us for quite some time. Seemingly confronting us at every turn. I think we all recognize this to be true. Trust is not something we dole out easily, and nor should we. However, please hear me out. The Ministry needs us. They want this Underground movement wiped out. And after what I saw yesterday, so do I. The reality is that they cannot do this without our help."

Cranston paused but no one interjected. He had regained control.

"I am not proposing any short-term alliance. No, I want us to forge a longer-term vision, one that helps our interests, no matter what that may be. The influence and grip of the Ministry are global. We can help them get what they want and in return, we will get more than we could have ever imagined. Gentlemen, I am offering you an opportunity to operate with impunity...the ability to run your business without having to look over your shoulder. A long-term cease-fire with the ones that hunt us is at hand. At what price you may ask? No price. The cost will be completely paid for by our traitorous ally. Fittingly, we'll also get the opportunity for retribution against those who are directly responsible for the senseless loss of our betrayed and fallen brethren. The Underground is completely unaware of our new-found disdain for their operation, or our pending alliance with the Organization that, until today, we mutually reviled. From the beginning, they will not see this coming. However, we will make sure they witness their end."