The Devils Gambit

-Chapter III-

 "Morgan, open a new audio file. Title twenty-one twenty, eleven, thirteen."

"Yes Chancellor. Your new file is open as requested."

"Begin recording."

Computer dings to start recording.

"My name is Daniel Callaghan, Chancellor to Blackwolf Global Defense and seated member of the Guardians Spear. This file builds from the files and events predating it. Approximately two weeks have passed since my last audio file, and in that time this is what happened."

Daniel reached to the chair side table and poured himself a glass of Highland Scotch, spinning the dark drink in its cup hoping to take the edge off his nerves. The years hadn't been kind to the Chancellor. With each that passed, the breaths of air grew deeper and deeper. Soon, the once respected and formidable Daniel Callaghan would be counting his breaths getting out of bed.

The Chancellor took a sip of his scotch and gathered his bearings, "The Fallen, have corrupted our allies in Persia, Italy, Spain and Saudi Arabia. This brings their forces to span over Europe and South America. The Continental pinged it's location, this time exiting the Gulf of Aden to the Arabian sea. Twelve-thousand miles from its last pinged location and nothing in between. No eye witness accounts, no pings, no sightings from vessels in the area between; as if it doesn't exist."

He pondered his next topic of choice and sighed when it came to mind.

This time, he took a gulp of his drink.

"I'm afraid to say that my days are numbered now, as with each that passes I find it harder to perform my duties as Chancellor. My son...

Chancellor scratched under his eyepatch and took another sip of his drink, "My son, continues his tours with Cerberus to the Atlantic and Mediterranean campaigns. I've attempted to get a hold of him on a few occasions with no success. I take it he's still upset about our last talk."

"Hard not to be when you take your son's birthright away without offering explanation," said Lady Siv as she closed the office door behind her, "If you did that to me I wouldn't return your calls either."

"Morgan, pause recording."

"Recording paused."

Daniel turned around and smiled at his wife, "He left before I could explain."

"It wouldn't have mattered if he stayed or left. If he heard your reason it would be the same outcome. Denying him the seat of the company and the duty of Celestial Guard because you're afraid he's going to turn out like you."

"It's more than that Siv. Where he is now he has a chance to be better than I started out, if he inherited this position too early he wouldn't comprehend just how much will rest on his decisions. And no telling how long I have..."

"No," The light radiating from the windows darkened with the tone in her voice.

She rushed to wrap her arms around him and buried her head in his shoulder, "For the love of God, please don't talk like that."

The Chancellor placed a hand on his wife's back and the other on the back of her neck, comforting her despair.

"I'm sorry dear," He whispered in her ear, "I know you don't like to hear it, but at some point it has to be accepted."

"Well that day better come quick with a treatment for your condition because I'm not ready to accept it."

"Then let's worry about the present crisis, and we'll worry about my health later."