Ensemble [Book 1: SEKTOR V Trilogy]

Chapter 36: Datek's (D) Day

Chapter 36: Datek's (D) Day

Gus Lebanchek knew deep down that there was no going back. Even if this raid were successful, there was no way to undo what had already been done by Underground forces. Even so, in a few hours, at 8 p.m. local time to be exact, he'd have the unprecedented opportunity to dramatically disrupt an Operation that had been a thorn in the Ministry's side for decades. And while he'd been unable to stop the world from going to hell in a handbasket in a matter of weeks, Gus certainly was not going to miss an opportunity to make the instigators pay a severe price for creating said handbasket.

The fact that there was such a tremendous concentration of talent and technology in one place at one time, had Gus scratching his head. An uncharacteristic modus operandi for an Organization that had always gone to great lengths to conceal its actions and its whereabouts. Then again, hubris had brought down more than a few great organizations and nations over the centuries. What's one more in the grand scheme of things?

Speaking of hubris... While Gus begrudgingly accepted the fact that his "thug partners" were key in setting things up, there was zero chance he was going to let these clowns be the ones who finished things off...

~~~

Jack Cranston had no trouble slipping away from Lebanchek and his team of operatives. They were all so busy falling all over themselves with last-minute operational logistics that it required almost no effort for him to melt into the background. Jack had filled his end of the bargain and led Lebanchek to water. Whatever his forces did from here on out was of little concern since there was no way the Ministry's execution plan, whatever it was, could ever come to fruition. No, he was the one who'd be calling the shots tonight.

Tonight, he would witness the downfall of the Organization that had betrayed his people. Tonight, Madeleine Wilheim would understand that no one crossed Jack Cranston without paying a price.

To do so, he had to remain below the radar. As planned, he was able to blend in with little effort as one of the faceless servants providing refreshments and light hors-d'oeuvres to the Underground masses. And masses they were. Even he was surprised to see how many people were on hand to watch and listen to their "fearless" leader.

Thirty thousand, Cranston estimated...maybe more.

Only one matters. Harris Datek.

Days earlier, his minion Stokovnik had delivered the Underground suicide pill to the inside contact who, like Cranston, also served as wait staff in support of the event. Cranston was there for one reason and one reason alone: to witness the Chancellor's death. For the past hour, opening speakers had occupied that space, but now the main event quickly approached. The timing was critical. A small window of opportunity had to be met.

The Chancellor began his walk towards the podium, and Cranston could see his operative in action from afar. As a matter of course, the podium carafe was refreshed with water before each new speaker arrived. With almost no time to spare, the deadly carafe was filled seconds before the Chancellor stepped up to the podium.

Finally! Now drink, you fool!

~~~

Nervous, Maddy looked around the enormous pavilion. She couldn't believe how many Underground operatives were in one place. Thirty thousand people. It had to be some sort of record. And the pavilion was a masterpiece. Converted years ago, the inside boasted a state-of-the-art, highly transformable meeting space that could be used to host science conferences or large one-time events, while on the outside it resembled a nondescript, albeit massive, surplus farm equipment and grain storage facility.