Paul O’Connor walks through the deepest part of the base alone. He enters the room of his dark deeds and has seat at the head of the desk. Marcia enters with three other men behind her.
The Latin men were dark looking…even more vile looking than Marcia’s smile. Even Paul had to admit that he was a little taken aback by their appearances but he knew full well that he could slaughter them with the flick of his risk.
“You men come to me…by Marcia’s word?” he asks of them. “She says you got good money.” The leader said speaking up. “Oh, she said that I have money to offer you brutes? Oh, children…you are fools to think I would pay you in monetary value.” Paul said getting up.
He grabs the leader and holds his neck in his arm. The man was surprised by Paul’s immense power over his own. Paul could break his neck with a simple twist and this man knew it.
Paul looks at the other men with his mouth open and almost snarling. He frowns at them and causes them to back up.
“You all will be satisfied that I let you live! That is your payment!” Paul barked at them. He slams the leader into the floor. The leader dares not get up as Paul places his foot on his neck.
“You’re going to kill a man for me. No one else will do it here and I find that he is a nuisance by just being alive. No one gets away from the IOSTA that easily. So…will you do it, or will I have to kill you here and now?” Paul asked them his eyes raging in fury.
“We’ll do it man!” the leader said with a whimpering voice. “Good you bunch of girls. Now get out!” Paul yelled.
He lifts his foot up and the leader runs out with his men behind him. Marcia looks at Paul with a questioning look.
“You said you were going to pay them.” Marcia said. “I say things and then I don’t do them. I’m a random kind of guy Marcia. Those men wouldn’t last very long anyhow. I just need to keep Joseph busy while I think of a way to get to him. As long as he can’t see straight, then I’m good.”
“Paul…let him go. Let them all go.” Marcia told him. “I can’t let go of people who think they can leave so easily. I get word that Syntyke has legally moved from under the IOSTA…that bites at me.
Sooner or later…others will think that they can leave to, just because they don’t like the way I do things. Well, I can say this right now. There are going to be some changes. People who leave…or even think about it, die!” Paul says.
“You can’t kill them all or stop them all Paul. You’re smarter than that. Don’t let anger blind you.” Marcia says.
“You’re right about that aren’t you? It would seem I do have one thing up my sleeve. The Loyalty Serum or the IKN-9088. What do you think I could do with that?” Paul asked.
“Oh I think you can do a lot of things.” Marcia tells him with a smile just as vile as his own. Paul turns away from her and looks at a map. It had the woods of New Heights on it.
“He thinks he’s safe…but no one is safe from the IOSTA…no one…”
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Joseph sat in his room with Natalia with him. They were playing cards. Fluffy Bottoms was beside Natalia.
“Got any threes?” Joseph asked her. “Nope. Got any sevens?” she said to him. She is handed a card and they continue going back and forth in their game of go-fish. Joseph looks up and Natalia turns around. Syntyke was in his doorway looking at him. She gave the little girl a smile.
“Syn..sy…ke…uh…HI!” Natalia shouted. Joseph places his hand over her mouth. “WHAT WAS THAT NATALIA?!” Beverly asked. “She was talking to her bunny mom!” Joseph yells to her. “Okay, well tell her to stop, it’s disturbing!” Beverly shouted back.
“Princess…you mind keeping your mouth shut and giving us a minute?” Joseph asks with a smile on his face. She raises her eyebrow and holds out her hand. Joseph mutters under his breath and digs in his pocket. She is given a five and she skips out with the bunny with her.
“What a dummy Fluffy Bottoms. What should we do with the money?” she says. “Oh Fluffy Bottoms, you’re a genius!”
“Is she alright?” Syntyke asked twirling her hand at her head. “Oh, she’s…something. Doctors think she’s just odd. I think so too…most of the time. So you’re back! Impressive.”
“Yeah, I beat the monster. Paul hasn’t come after me at all. I just wanted to thank you for getting me out Joseph. I don’t think I could have stomached that place much longer. The things we are told to do…” she says.
“We need only trust that, there will always be power. Some people can’t handle the way it works though. I guess we’re the exceptional few huh?
So tell me, how was the dirty town this time of year?” He requests.
“Paris. It was alright I guess. The town doesn’t interest me that much. I like Africa a little more. I’m looking forward to going there and not getting shot at. And you? How have you been since the injection?”
“Decent I guess. It takes away some of your humanity and I’m constantly fighting the urge not to just beast out on people. I’ve been helped some.” “I’m glad to hear it. What are you going to do about your sister getting out? I know you’ve been thinking about it a bit haven’t you?”
“Natalia. I’m going to leave her in there until it’s time. She needs to believe and see for herself. Once she is ready, I will lead her to the way out. Plus, it’s better for her to be trained well so she can defend herself.
You seem different a little. I can’t put my finger on it though.”
She blushes a little bit. “I’ve met someone.” “In Paris? Dites-moi tout. (IN ENGLISH: Tell me about it!)” “No, not in Paris nosy, in Chicago. I met him in Chicago.” “What’s his name?” “Miqueas, Miqueas Trent.” “A CIA operative?” “How do you know that?” “You never knew? Well, in the IOSTA, I was part of the Task Force that kept their eye on non-members that are in powerful and well recognized organizations. That was one of my jobs. He’s a top agent. When do I get to meet him in person?” “Not now Joseph. That’s another reason I wanted to come to you. I wanted to tell you and to ask you stay away. You’re a walking time bomb. People want you dead. I don’t want him around that. He’ll be slaughtered.” She tells him.
“Oh. Well I understand Syntyke. I’m a dangerous man. I don’t want anyone to get hurt on account of me. I made the choice to defy the IOSTA, it’s mine alone to face. But, if you really want him to stay safe…stay far away from the IOSTA. Don’t talk about it, don’t dream about it, and don’t think about. Its best way to keep him safe.” “I will.” “You see this going somewhere?” “Maybe.” “Then I’m happy for you. Stay safe old friend.” “You to Arlington. Don’t get killed. I’m going to come back and I’d rather not find an empty room.” “I’ll try not to get killed.”
Syntyke waves goodbye to him and disappears back into the hall. Little Natalia enters the room and stares at Joseph.
“Fluffy Bottoms says that you smell funny.” Natalia reports. “Well, tell that already dirty rabbit that he’s looking a little brown for what is supposed to be white.” Joseph snaps back. Natalia stomps her foot and runs down the hall.
Joseph smiles to himself as he hears Natalia request her friend be bleached and washed. He lies back.
Man…things are settling on down in this world aren’t they. Only thing I have to keep my focus on is Paul. Knowing him, he’ll try to get me off my game. But it won’t work. I’m ready for anything he can throw at me.696Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzV53STw9yL
