Introductions
“As of today, the President of the United States of America has been declared deceased. Reports confirm that Air Force One had an involuntary landing somewhere between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic, and this was the last update from the pilot on board. The Pentagon is scrambling to recover the remains of all on board but so far, all hope seems lost. The last statements were given from the Senate and Board of Clergy…“
Sol’s attention to the latest news report faded out as he directed his eyes to the calendar on the wall opposite the TV. It was April 8th, 2015 and he had it circled with a marker. He looked at his watch and counted down to five. On timing, his consigliere came into his office and shut the door behind him. The slim-built man smoothly walked over to him, his feet barely making a sound, and opted to stand at the edge of his desk rather than take a seat. In fact, in all the seven years that Sol employed him, he never once sat down in his office. He was always on the go and never wasted an inch.
“Sol,” the man greeted him with a straight face.
“Not one for smiling, huh, Oberon?” Sol teased him, using his codename. “It takes more muscles to frown, did you know that?”
“I didn’t sir but smiling isn’t in my job description,” Oberon answered simply.
Sol chuckled with a wave of his hand for him to continue.
“The last shipment of guns has been sent off to the Russians and payment should be in your account-” He looked at his watch, “-right about now.”
Sol’s laptop dinged and he eyed the quick bank confirmation email that popped up on the right corner of his screen.
“Also,” Oberon continued, unfazed, “the last of the stragglers have been taken care of.”
“The rebel group that tried to break in has been cleanly disposed of?” Sol asked. “I only asked you to take care of that this morning and it’s already done?”
“Time doesn’t wait for traitors,” Oberon answered quickly. A tiny smile graced his lips this time. “That is all sir.”
He turned to leave but Sol tapped his pen to stop him. He pointed to the news reporter on the TV screen and gestured to Oberon for his input. “I had zoned out somewhere in between. Give me the real details.”
“It’s said that the President had denied the last request from the National Security Agency to enable all cellular and mechanical systems again since Edward Snowden leaked the software in 2013. The Secretary of Defense also gave the final no and had all persons involved removed. It’s said that she hasn’t reported to the office since the news surfaced that the president could be dead.”
Sol eyed Oberon with interest. Somehow his consigliere always had forthcoming information no matter when and how something happened.
“And what’s your professional analysis?” Sol inquired.
Oberon put his clipboard to his side and reached for the door with his free hand. “Looks like the president and the secretary of defense made an enemy who wasn’t all too happy with their decision. One is dead so one is left to go.”
“And the Secretary is who?”
“Aurora Pensky. She’s the president’s right-hand gal since they went to college together and ran for state at the same time. I could guess that her house has already been searched and bombarded and her desk cleaned out but a body needs to show up to close this out.”
“So what’s next?” Sol switched off the TV and stood.
“What’s next is the question of where will she pop up?” Oberon finished. “Either dead in a ditch somewhere or making a deal with powerful allies.”
With that, he left Sol’s office. His words weighed heavily on the room as Sol thought about his involvement in all this. The Secretary of Defense had played a major role in messing up his shipments, enforcing the law around drugs and guns a bit harder than usual. If he found her, he could hand her over as leverage. On the other hand, he could always remain uninvolved and make money as usual. Both ideas seemed logical but he didn’t spend much more time thinking about it. He glanced at the calendar again and sighed. He checked his watch once more and noted the time was almost 8 o'clock. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number he knew by heart.
The person picked up on the third ring. Her laugh echoed through the device and he could tell she was coming down from a major high. He waited for her to register who she answered before speaking.
“It’s me, Mom,” His voice dropped an octave.
“Sol, my darling,” she responded, almost sounding level-headed. “This…this new medication is quite strong. My mood swings are rampant and I can’t stay on track. Anyway, Happy Birthday my boy.”
He smiled. He had dreaded calling her but she remembered this time. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll try to stop by in a month or so, okay?”
As he said this, he heard a familiar male voice in the background and knew it was his assigned doctor.
“Okay my boy, love you,” she chirped and hung up.
He loved her immensely but over the last three years, her Alzhimers had gotten worse along with her kidney failure. He had her put under private care and hastily set up a secluded location for her to reside. Well, the hard part is done, he thought wryly. Now he needed to brace his mind for the end of his day. His office door opened again and this time, the head of his security detail stood at the door. Zeus, an embodiment of his nickname, commanded a team of five others who watched his every step in and outside of their compound.
“Ready?” Zeus tilted his head at him.
“Right on time,” Sol agreed.
He stepped out into the hallway and the other five members gave him space. Coming up behind Zeus was the rest of the team with their code names being Apollo, Archer, Astro, Hera, and Rocket. Rocket and Hera worked as a team with Hera knowing the ins and outs of every building, warehouse, and business, and Rocket being the man to scope the areas first. Apollo, Archer, and Astro were identical triplets with Archer being a girl among her brothers. Regardless, the three were hard to tell apart but somehow Sol could track who was who no matter how they tried to trick him.
Zeus motioned to Rocket and pointed down the connecting hallway. “Get the driver and bring the car out front.”
The bulking man nodded and headed off as the others followed Sol to the foyer. His head maid met him by the archway with a fresh suit in hand. While she assisted him in changing, the team stopped by the armory to grab any guns and weapons they needed. Once he was done, they reappeared at his side and Rocket had the front door open with two cars idling by the steps.
“Okay, we’re breaking off,” Zeus instructed. “Rocket and Hera, you’re with me in the first car. Triplets, you’ll be in the second car behind us. Keep a steady distance and keep your phones on.”
Everyone nodded and filed out in order. Sol dipped his head as he took the spot behind the driver’s seat. Rocket got behind the wheel of the BMW while Zeus took the passenger seat and Hera sat in the back. Rocket checked his rearview mirror and got an ‘all good’ signal from Apollo driving the second car. Before they took off though, Rocket brought down Sol’s window and Oberon appeared out of nowhere to hand him a folder.
“Be careful. This man doesn’t play catch when it comes to things he’s lost. If you have it, give it to him but try to sweeten the deal,” Oberon warned him.
Sol nodded with a devious smile. “Anything you say, my smart shadow.”
Oberon stepped away from the car and signaled for them to depart. The security opened the gates and both cars drove out.
“That man will forever be a mystery to me,” Zeus murmured. “Knowing everything and everyone is just creepy.”
Hera shrugged her shoulders. “If he could tell me a thing or two about my enemies, I’d be glad. Better to be prepared than end up dead.”
Sol tuned them out as he read through the small stack of files.
