The Wild Ba’Neesh Chapter Twenty-Five ©2019 Fay Thompson All Rights Reserved

Eric knew his place. In the world of diplomacy and politics he could sit at the table, but his position was more representative than substantive. One large nation/state and two smaller ones had joined together to address the issue of non-human terrorism focused specifically on the Directorate. Eric could guess there was another room somewhere with other nation/states lining up to stop this initiative. What was less clear was where were the top brass of the Directorate?

If he listened to these politicians he might be persuaded into believing the Directorate corporate leadership were running for cover, but his operatives had noted only the movements of one group of possible persons of interest out of Montana. They were all using the avatar technology that completely disguised their real identity. Eric knew this intel could be wrong. The Directorate Headquarters located in Great Falls, Montana hosted dignitaries from around the world. They essentially owned both the city and the military base located just outside city limits. One of their top products was their avatar security systems, the people leaving Montana could be anyone.

All intel really had was the use of one Directorate long-distance aircraft. It could carry around fifty people and travel anywhere in the world. Sneak footage showed thirty-two people boarding the craft and some were likely crew. None were identifiable. They appeared to be a group heading out on vacation, dressed casual and carrying typical luggage.

Eric knew the Directorate was watching, their intel was the best in the world. They sold the technology everyone else used, including Tule Soc, redesigned, of course, but stolen from Directorate designs. Still, their absence of response was shocking. They had to see the military build ups. They had to know about the ongoing terrorism analysis being broadcast on all of the major media networks and saturating the world shell. They had to know. Why were they saying and doing nothing?

“Mr. Felsen?” One of the foreign too-shiny military men asked Eric a question.

“Sorry Sir, my audio appears to be going in and out.” Eric fiddled with his external as if it were defective and then nodded at the man, “Could you repeat your question, please?”

“I was saying that evidence suggests they fled to the island facility named Citadel. Do you concur?”

It annoyed Eric that they continued to go over the same points, assuring themselves their plan was correct. He had sent every bit of intel Tule Soc had on where the Directorate had gone after the airborne incident. He didn’t like repeating himself.

“They used a submarine when leaving the International Port and our tracking devices followed them in that general direction.” Eric refused to be pinned down. Everyone in this room knew the Directorate Headquarters was in Montana, untouchable. That nation/state was showing some signs of concern but they hadn’t announced an alert or any kind of media statement. It appeared they were accepting the Tule Soc analysis of a rogue situation outside the national waters of their nation/state. The attack was focused toward Citadel, not their nation/state. Technically the Directorate was a corporation. Technically they didn’t have a military, just substantial security teams and operatives and technology. But, they were a type of military, a corporate military, and everyone knew it.

“You sound unconvinced Mr. Felsen.”

“I remain concerned with the Directorate’s lack of official response to all inquiries on the subject. It is illogical.” Eric said, He could feel his bosses shifting uneasily in their seats. This was a time for firm resolve, not uncertainty. “They are known to be intelligent and strategic adversaries. Illogical behavior indicates some intelligence we do not have privy to. As a security expert I am voicing my concern. I think we should go in hard and fast to take advantage of this opportunity. But, I am not an expert in such operations. I gather and analyze intel, that is my job.” He schooled his body movements trying to show no indication of his growing anxiety. Something was wrong. He wanted to hit the off switch on this mission only he didn’t know where it was.

“We are in agreement then?” The brassy military man whose name kept slipping away from Eric continued, his gaze when he looked at Eric hard, irritated. Eric felt himself adrift in a sea of sharks, alone. This was his initiative; he was having trouble retaining the idea.

“Yes, Sir.” Eric made a show of agreeing aloud. He could feel Arjan’s stiffness. His second hadn’t been right since the tunnel or maybe the graveyard. He tried to act as if nothing was different but Eric sensed Arjan’s withdrawal. Eric leaned back in his chair, toggling his external. Arjan, at his right, watched carefully, examining every move. Nothing new. He glanced over at Arjan and shook his head slightly. Of course, Arjan was checking too, his own data. Arjan offered a slight nod in return.

Another half hour and Eric was able to leave the room. He paused in the doorway as his contingent of Ministers gestured for him to wait.

“We are ready?” Minister Callen reached him first, concern on his face.

“Yes, of course.” Eric answered.

“You mentioned being concerned.” The other two ministers had joined the small group.

“I am, concerned.” Eric said, “I feel we have an information gap. I would rather know conclusively what is happening at the Directorate. We don’t have inside intel, that compromises certain information streams leaving us with speculation. I don’t like that.”

“It’s overdue.” Minister Callen continued. “We should have gone after them and finished them off immediately after the last incident. We had support then, not as much as today, but enough to follow up. Our predecessors lacked the necessary backbone to confront potential worldwide censure. We do not suffer with that weakness. The Directorate gave us excellent footage.”

His comment seemed to suggest Eric might also lack backbone. There was a direct threat in his word choices. Eric read that threat clearly enough. His thoughts shifted.

“We have no actual intel that the blue weapon is destroyed.” Eric said. “We should incorporate that potential in the final attack plans.”

“We witnessed the boy brain wiped and being carried out of that floater in a medical unit. We witnessed the destruction of a whole fleet of corporate floaters, no doubt to destroy evidence. There is no evidence this weapon was outside the boy. This is what happens when a higher-powered Soek exists. He acted alone. You need to accept that Eric, even if being beaten by a lone Soek is hard to stomach. No one has ever witnessed what we have seen in that footage. It isn’t a skill. The boy had zero training. We cannot worry about it being a representation of a new capability.”

“It isn’t unknown, Sir, with all due respect.” Eric shook his head, knowing he shouldn’t press the point but the man was wrong. “Prior to our attempt to clean out the Citadel there was an incident with a cruise ship.”

“I know my history, Mr. Felsen.” Minister Callen didn’t appreciate being challenged by a security person, particularly one who had fared poorly in the recent action. He was preferring Arjan in the man’s job and sooner rather than later.

“I merely suggest that the Directorate used electrical disruption both in San Francisco and immediately afterwards at the cruise ship. We should not tell ourselves these former experiments are completely detached from the blue weapon. We don’t know. We do know we don’t have protection against such a weapon.”

“All we need is one good hit on Citadel and we can do that from a safe distance.” Minister Callen’s face was tight, his tone unpleasant. “We’ll drown them. We have only to form a ring around the island to detonate charges against any submarines and they are trapped. Do you think they can swim away?”

Eric realized he had gone too far. For a moment a sense of panic washed through him at this massive shift in his circumstances and then, oddly, relief. “Of course not, Sir. However, I wish to suggest an immediate change. I believe Arjan is better suited to represent Tule Soc in this important mission. He has a strong military mindset and training in battle scenarios. My expertise is intelligence gathering and security. Would you approve his immediate advancement?” He could see that his words had surprised the Ministers, he had navigated around their plan to remove him and possibly expose him.

“You are stepping down?” Minister Callen expressed his surprise.

“I am Head of Security for Tule Soc, particularly at our Fels facility.” Eric answered. “With so many of our operatives mobilized for this mission, protecting the Fels will be all the more difficult. I am pleased to promote Arjan for this more military concern as I know his skillset. Is this a problem?”

“Fels. Yes, of course.” Minister Callen nodded to the other two Ministers. “We should have considered this. Excellent analysis Eric. We will discuss Arjan’s promotion to a newly created more military position representing Tule Soc.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Eric fought to control the powerful wave of relief flooding him. “If you don’t mind I will take a lesser needed floater and immediately return to Fels.”

“Brief Arjan. But, you already have, haven’t you?” Minister Callen was feeling slightly uneasy. A voluntary demotion didn’t match up with what he remembered of Felsen’s personality profile.

“He’s on top of things.” Eric smiled, the first real smile he’d felt in weeks, maybe years. “A few minutes.” He gestured for Arjan to follow him. They left the building and headed into the structured grounds, a flashy extravagance for a military building. It indicated a level of strong military support for the nation/state hosting this enclave.

“What was that?” Arjan stopped Eric. “What are you doing?”

“A transfer of power.” Eric said. “I haven’t felt right since before the tunnel. That graveyard weapon did more damage to me than first thought. The medic suggested rest and further tests. I was waiting for the right moment.” It was all a lie. Eric wondered at the ease of it escaping his mouth. “You’re ready.”

“Medical?” That word caught at Arjan. He was struggling to sort his feelings. He’d felt something wrong. He’d watched the graveyard footage almost obsessively, trying to comprehend why Eric was loosed earlier than the rest of the Tule Soc team. He’d fostered suspicions that now felt churlish.

“Rest will likely do the trick.” Eric answered. “Besides, we will be short manned and I know the Fels better than anyone, even you.”

“I hate the place and you know it.” Arjan nodded. He felt slightly guilty over Eric being forced to deal with the Ba’Neesh. Maybe he could convince the Ministers to rid the entire planet of the creatures. Why stop with Citadel? They had the Vrill. They had the bones. Those could generate for centuries according to Tule Soc scientists. They were this close to genetically mastering Vrill itself. He couldn’t wait.

“I do know it.” Eric said, nodding in response. “I will be on com if you need me. But, I expect you won’t. Be careful out there Arjan, there is something off about how the Directorate is responding. I’ll keep the few operatives we have in the field watching for any sign, of course. But, just be careful. They are very different from the Ba’Neesh and Soek at the Fels.”

“I think they screwed up and got caught on footage.” Arjan replied. “But, I saw the blue hand too.” He answered, controlling the icy fingers crawling down his spine at the memory. “Tule Soc’s part in this offensive is to provide intel about the creatures, as well as biologicals to eliminate them if the flooding fails to do so.”

Eric nodded. He needed this over. He patted Arjan on the shoulder and that was it. There would be files to shift, offices to vacate, routines to discover. His step was lighter as he headed toward his temporary rental room to gather his few belongings. He wanted to run. He couldn’t let Arjan see that and wonder about it. The man’s suspicions would return, particularly if things went badly. Why did he think things would go badly? When he was out of sight of Arjan he allowed himself to speed to a fast walk. Time was shortening. He needed to hurry. He didn’t focus on the illogical thought, allowing it to sweep together with the upcoming mission, even though he had just abandoned that mission. Hurry.

The last time Tule Soc had attacked the Citadel, Mael Strom had been eleven years old. The attack began with Tule Soc using its then brand new Vrill-detecting drones to identify Order-born Soek on their vacations. They were hunting the Directorate facilities but felt that taking out Order-born Soek along the way was worthwhile and easy. Attack defenseless children and those hosting them, that was the plan.

When they identified a target location they dispersed a biological weapon that infected Homo Soekenesis with a disease called the Early Death. This weapon attacked post-puberty age Soek and Ba’Neesh. Younger Soek and Ba’Neesh became ill but survived. The objective of Tule Soc was to control the Vrill by having the only living specimens in their own facilities.

The first three attacks were on vacation compounds, among them a place near Fisher Bay in Dailian, China was attacked. Mael Strom’s string, a collection of six boys ranging from five to seventeen, were present. Mael was not allowed out of the Citadel at that time because he was on detention. Jordy and Elias had already aged out of his string, that left Pedro Lopez at fourteen, Moritz Belken at eleven, Arjun Safar at eight, Zhigiang Chen at seven, Norris Fenright at six and Evgeny Stepanov at five.

Pedro and Morris died two days later from the disease. Moritz, Arjun, Zhigiang, Norris and Evgeny disappeared, taken by the attacking Tule Soc. They were brain wiped and retrained as Soek mules. That was the history from the Directorate side for that single string of Soek boys. On the Tule Soc side, only four boys in that string were officially recovered. The mystery of the fifth Soek boy remained hidden, he ceased to exist.

Eric leaned back in his seat. This floater had a dedicated pilot. High praise from his bosses, or were they just keeping an eye on him? He closed his eyes. There was a boy there lurking in what he now knew were recovered memories. They were good friends, string mates. His name was Norris and he had bright red hair that curled like a halo. He laughed a lot. Norris. His friend.

Norris was six and Evgeny was five and they were running in terror as drones sprayed them from overhead. Norris, crying and telling Evgeny to hide inside a barrel. Norris. His friend, telling him Tule Soc was trying to kill them all. Tule Soc. He had to hide from Tule Soc. “I am Evgeny Stepanov,” Eric whispered to himself, silent words forming on his lips, too dangerous to speak aloud. I am Evgeny Stepanov. I will find Norris. Tule Soc has Norris.

Eric checked in with Kommando Strategische Aufklärung. His position within the KSA had zero official connection with Tule Soc. Only two top brass knew he also worked for Tule Soc and what Tule Soc was. For everyone else, he had simply been away on personal business, a family emergency. Having dual jobs offered him a unique opportunity. He had paid particular attention when the nation/state military identified and then wiped the molcom of Mick Huxley.

It occurred to him that likely the special faction within Tule Soc who had rescued him into their project, were using the same technology. They could only use it on identified molcoms. That was what he learned from Mick Huxley. His molcom was known. It meant that the moment his handlers would use him it would likely be done through his molcom. His lifetime research on Mael Strom had revealed he was part of a String, whose list he now found himself included on.

Was he really one of those stolen Soek boys? Or, had the graveyard done something else to his brain? He could so vividly remember the Ba’Neesh smiling into his eyes. Had she done something to him? He wasn’t the same. He’d suffered massive headers and stomach problems for the last two days, coupled to memories of a life before Tule Soc. One of his new memory fragments included gossip that Mael wasn’t allowed on Quarters because he broke his molcom. Knowing what Mael Strom had done shortly after that gossip, Eric believed it to be true. What it meant for him was the thin possibility that he too could break his. Could he escape the trap?

His plan, once he understood what those few fragments meant, was to create a window of opportunity for himself. Likely, he had only a few days before whatever warfare commenced would send Arjan home and there simply wasn’t room for two Heads of Security within Tule Soc. He wanted to find Norris and try to solve Mael’s puzzle, how to break a molcom. For that, he needed to talk to the Ba’Neesh. It was a terrifying plan. He smiled.

(I have posted three drawings on earlier chapters so far. I hope to eventually make one for each chapter. I invite you to explore as I am likely to post some out of order when excited by a scene or image, they are like treasures for you to find. If you have joined me then you have seen them already. I can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Fay-Thompson-FAYT-Author-Artist-312158343071554/?modal=admin_todo_tour! Enjoy!)