SWNOVELS Chapter 6: The Meeting
A WEEK LATER JACK WAS SITTING IN HIS BRAND NEW PLUSH APARTMENT. There were a signal and light flashed at the door. It was Darbe.
“Jack, I need to talk to you.”
She and Jack were now living in a UCOA building overlooking a section of the city. Darbe was holding a small bag.
“This isn’t a social visit. I blocked any wandering ears with that jammer ball over there. Sit down and listen to me.”
Jack sat across from her.
Darbe continued, “I can’t say too much because I’m not sure what the jammer will block.” She pulled a VID stick out of the bag. “Hold onto this, and we can relive some memories.”
He suddenly found himself at the bar in the Numar district. Siri and Darbe sat at a table with Siri’s brother, Yeris.
“Jack, over here.”
Jack looked around. He was immersed in the vid program, yet wasn’t high and very coherent. He walked over and sat down. Siri grabbed his hand.
“Hello, Jack, surprised?”
Jack felt her hand and missed her touch.
Jack spoke, “I’m a bit diff (clueless) right now, but I think this NTT thing is a cover for something bigger?”
Niri nodded his head.
“We stole the technology and are working secretly with primary neurological program specialists in one of the districts. We made it a drug, adding the NTT to the program all the while pulling the UCOA off the scent of Immersed synaptic communication, ISC.”
Jack hit the table.
“Siri, I had no idea ISC was what you were talking about at Sumar?”
“All these years, the very people I was chasing now I’m joining forces with.”
“This is all too real. I was trying to stop the one thing I’m a part of now?”
Siri held Jack’s hand.
Jack looked at Siri and spoke with an upset tone in his voice.
“Let, me guess, the alliance funds its operations from-?”
Siri put her hands in a calming down motion.
“Yes, what did you want me to say?”
Siri was tensing up and sat down. Her image flickered.
Jack walked towards Siri. Darbe was looking on.
“I have one man I’ve been chasing all my Career, and I just gave him up to the UCOA and its all my fault.”
He said his name and Siri had a shocked look on her face.
“Thomas Birch!”
Siri stood up. “What have you done. He is the largest supplier for the Alliance. Why?”
Jack turned away and looked to the ground.
“Birch killed my partner Sanjib Sanjay ten years ago. I’ve been hunting him down ever since.”
Darbe interjected in.
“Thomas Birch was the man you shot in the arm?”
Siri looked at Jack Narrowing her eyes.
“A twist of fate Jack. Birch just by chance has a synthoid arm now he’s smuggling NTT into Megacity.”
“But, Jack you still don’t have the whole story behind IRS. We can deal with this subject later. Right now, let’s get this operation in gear.”
Jack shot back.
“You want me to work hand and hand with that cop killer? NO WAY!”
Siri looked Jack and put her hands on his shoulders.
“We all want revenge against the UCOA. JACK, Good people, work with us every day whose families were slaughtered in front of their eyes. The Night soldiers killed thousands upon thousands all left them to rot in the ditches all over the world.
Siri was tearing up, and her brow indented.
“We hide our pain and want for blood to replace those things with freedom, justice and a new republic for the people.”
Jack thought of what Siri said and clench his jaw.
“Fine, Siri, I will do what you ask, but in the end, I will kill Thomas Birch, mark my words.”
Siri Nodded.
“Jack, listen to me. There isn’t much time. Inside resources tell us that your father will finally be contacting you personally and Darbe is going to reveal his master plan.
You must gain your father’s trust and become the son who will do his bidding. We will contact you when it’s time to strike.”
“Jack, you will be approached by some of our insiders. Delegates that I know and have their complete trust. These are men that are working for the same common goals as the Alliance. Whose goal is to oppose and overthrow the current Admin. Wait for instructions.”
Jack felt the program shutting down. He was pulled out of it and found himself looking at Darbe she rubbed her eyes and nodded at Jack.
After a few moments the doors opened, and the A.M. and guards entered the room.
Darbe came to and was shocked to see her father.
“Father, it’s been a long time and no contact. Why haven’t we heard from you?”
The grayed haired man looked at Darbe and Jack.
He breathed out a long sigh.
“I’m sorry my dear, give your father a hug.”
He stood there waiting. He was now in his late fifties and was well groomed. His beard was shaped with white sides connecting in the middle. He had a preacher’s collar, but it was beige. He wore shiny synth-leather boots and white robe that started on his shoulders and came down almost like a cape. Darbe ran into to her father’s arms, William had a loving look of fatherhood on his face as he embraced his daughter.
“That’s my princess, God I’ve missed you.”
Darbe backed away slightly. “Father, you had me stuck in my flat for a whole week and not a word.”
William Whinslet looked at the guards. They gave him a nod and left him alone with his adult children.
“Angel, my dear, we are under attack by rebel forces. We had to take care of many matters. I was in all twelve districts. Just a few rebellious skirmishes not to worry I’m truly sorry.”
He looked at Jack. He slowly walked over to him and sized him up.
“Jack, I’ve been watching you for a very long time. The UCOA has had its eye on you.”
He walked back and peered out the window.
“I take it you two are now getting to know each other.”
He looked at the both of them and then at the vid wand on the table.
“I hope to learn more about my son at dinner. At 6:30, I’ll have my personal guards escort you both.”
Darbe looked at Jack and then her father. He was walking towards the door.
He exited and left Jack and Darbe alone in the room.
Jack whispered, “we have to be extra careful about what we say. I’ll check the area for bugs as soon as it’s dark.”
Darbe left Jack alone in his room, “See you at dinner, brother.”
Jack found a quiet place in his closet. He looked at his new watch his father had left for him. It was 5:30 and time to hook into the ESC. He inserted the implant into his eye. He instantly found himself back at the club in Numar, and the two blue angles were there waiting in the same booth. Jack walked over and sat down. Siri was with Pasne, and they both had wicked smiles on their faces.
“Well, look, it’s the cop turned elitist, Jack Marlow,” Siri said. She leaned in and gave him a coy smile.
“Or should I call you Jack Whinslet?”
Siri put her hand on Jack. “I thought you would like this whole program. I made Tamar work on this for days before he got it all right.”
Jack spoke, “the only difference now is that this is agent Paulo.”
She nodded. Jack laughed, “I think I liked you better as lesbians.”
Siri smiled. “I miss you, Jack, that’s all I can say this moment.”
She broke eye contact and turned to agent Paulo.
“Agent Marlow we have reason to believe that your sister is a double agent.”
Jack gripped the table.
“Those are bold statements, can you prove this?”
Jack shook his head.
“Darbe? No way. She hates our father and see’s him as a dictator that he is.”
Siri tried to calm Jack with a soft voice.
“I know she is your sister, but look at the facts.
She has all the info on the rebels, and she has the location and whereabouts of massive intel.”
“We have to be sure.”
“Like we had to be certain about you, Jack. Take one of the sensors we implanted and slip it on her person. That way we can track her and the technology will allow us to bypass any micro jumper she has been using.”
Jack backed away from the table.
“What if you’re wrong?”
Siri looked at Paulo.
“Then we are closer to ending his tortuous reign and having peace once again.”
Jack looked at agent Paulo, “do you mind if I speak to Captain Reynolds alone?”
He sat up and took her to a private booth and shut the curtains around them.
“Jack, I know how this looks, but we’re out of time. We can’t block the signal anymore.”
She kissed him.
Siri looked at Jack, “in your shoes, you’ll find a few we item’s we were able to sneak into the UCOA via you Jack.”
“Don’t forget the tracking device.”
She touched his inner thigh, and he was in his closet once more.
“Dammit!” He hit the wall. He found his shoes.
Jack cut into his boot and felt the knife hit metal. He cut around it until he could work the piece out that was lodged in the center of his boot. He gently pried it loose, and a little metal encasement came to view. Inside the case were three small discs the size of a seed. Jack held one up and looked at it.
“Ok, Darbe its all on you, now.”
Jack was dressed in a tailored suit and tie he stood back and looked in the mirror. His father had filled his closets with clothes, and special unique items the average citizen couldn’t afford. He wasn’t used use to this kind of treatment. He felt as is if he was being groomed for something. He looked at his new phone and its solid platinum encasement. On the back was his inscribed name ‘Jack Arnold Whinslet’. He knew himself as Jack Marlow and wasn’t planning on playing the A.M.’s sentiment for long. He also knew if he got too close to his father, he wouldn’t want to kill him. The door chimed. Jack looked at himself one more time in the Mirror.
Darbe was in a beautiful silver dress. She was accompanied by her two men and guards for the evening.
“Evening Jack,” This is Delegate Haen, of Numar District and Delegate Soren of the Damask. Haen was a dark man with a silvered streak in his hair. Soren had a small scar on his chin and blue eyes, and hair with the sides entirely grayed.
Haen gave the UCOA salute and gestured in a bow to Jack.
“It is indeed a great honor to finally meet the hero of the hour, Mr. Marlow. Megacity owes you a debt of gratitude.”
Jack repeated the gesture, not speaking. Then Soren addressed Jack as well in a similar fashion.
“Excuse me, Mr. Marlow, It was a pleasure meeting you but, I have some matters to attend too. Perhaps we can talk more at the dinner and celebrations tonight.”
Soren turned towards Darbe. She lifted her hand, and he kissed the back of her hand and then departed.
The two men departed, and Jack was walking with Darbe and looked up at the ceiling.
“They called me Marlow? Not Whinslet?”
Darbe was looking straight ahead and spoke.
“Jack remember this is all so new and your identity has been hidden to protect the continuance of the of the UCOA. She flatly stared at Jack.
“You’re the heir.”
She turned to walk again, Jack gently grabbed her arm.
“We have a democracy here, I can’t be?”
Darbe put her hand on Jack’s arm.”
“Why do you think my father’s been AM for so many years Jack? Sometimes power has to appear Law abiding and subordinate to remain strong.”
Jack looked at her and ask the question Siri would have asked if she had had the chance to do so.
“Darbe, did your father have the Delegate Reynolds and the others killed.?”
Darbe looked at Jack and seem to have a look of recognition dawned on her face.
She signaled the guards to go ahead of them.
“Yes, I don’t know the exact details.” She walked over to the window overlooking the city. Her breath was calm and steady. Darbe turned towards Jack.
“I heard of the accident on the hub. What concern is it of yours Jack?”
Jack rubbed her arms.
“Just one of those theories I’ve always wanted to know. It was nothing, sorry I asked.”
Darbe looked long at hard at Jack then a big smile came over her face.
“My guards are loyal only to me, they will not disclose any information we speak between us.”
Darbe came closer to Jack. He could see the reflection of light in her eyes.
“Careful Jack others would mark you a trader to the
UCOA.”
Jack nodded and motion for her to lead the way.
They walked towards the celebration hall, and Darbe gave Jack advice along the way.
“Always wait until you are spoken too. When the AM does address you, give simple, short answers and smile at your guest.”
She continued and had a serious look on her face.
“Jack, this is all crucial. Remember to bow and shake as many hands as possible. The UCOA press is always, no comment.”
They reach the door.
“Are you ready?”
The guards opened the door, and there were about 50 people all standing around. Both Jack and Darbe walked in the room, and the place fell silent. One of the council members started to clap, and soon the rest followed suit. Jack noticed a trio of classical musicians started playing some ancient classical music in the background. Everyone was dressed in black suits and Silver metallic ties. Jack noticed that all the delegates were wearing black capes that fastened with a metal clip on their left side of the shoulder. It was all pomp and circumstance.
Darbe was groomed for this moment and was the center of the attention.
(She was now safe and back in the hands of the UCOA, the skirmishes were now considered a non-threat. It wouldn’t be long before he would have his orders. Jack Whinslet, the genetic heir to Megacity, would kill AM William Whinslet. Everything was going to plan.)
Jack stood and greeted many people shaking hands and soon was standing by the musicians by himself. Watching his little sister move like a sophisticated creature among the group.
Suddenly.
Delegate Soren and Haen approached and addressed Jack. A synthoid served Jack and the two other delegates drinks. Jack took a sip and gave a slight toast to the men.
“We can’t speak long but let the Alliance know that when they strike. Numar and Damask will provide you with our full support. For too long our districts have been abused and not listened too.”
Jack had a look of surprise and before he could speak.
“Delegate Reynolds was our friend. The AM didn’t realize that Siri’s father’s death wouldn’t go unnoticed.
Haen slipped something into Jacks pocket, and the two men bowed and departed.
Jack thought to himself. (Siri must have contacted these two, how else would they know her by her real name?)
Jack watched to men blend into the crowd of people. Everyone really looked the same to Jack. Although he was learning who many of these men and women were.
Darbe walked over to Jack and brought her closer to her breast.
“ Its, Time Jack follow me.”