James Cameron's Avatar: Sins of the Father
Prologue
Resources Development Administration Corporate Offices Branch
Los Angeles, U.S.A., Earth, Sol System
0630 Hours, 16 March 2159
The man sat in the office, looking at the empty chair behind the desk in front of him. He'd been waiting here for over an hour, and it was starting to get on his nerves. He didn't like being summoned and then summarily ignored like a number on a timecard. He ran his hand over his stubble-covered face and up over his blue eyes, back through his thick dark brown hair. He had half a mind to get up and walk out if it weren't for his curiosity keeping him in that chair. The longer he waited, though, the more attractive the idea became. Finally, he heard the door behind him open and the footsteps of someone walking in. He looked over his shoulder, the look of disdain on his face only hardening. It was about time they sent someone to deal with him.
The corporate suit stopped next to the man's chair and smiled, "Mr. Bryan Steele. I've read a lot about you." He offered his hand, "It's a pleasure, sir."
The man, Bryan Steele, merely glanced at the outstretched hand before glaring up, "Spare me the bull, Selfridge. Why am I here? I don't get calls from the RDA in the middle of the night for no reason." His resonating voice carried a malevolent growl.
The official, one Administrator Parker Selfridge by name, retracted his hand and nodded as he walked around behind the desk, "Straight to business. I can respect that." He sat down in the chair, "You're here because we need your help, Mr. Steele."
Steele scoffed loudly, "You need a lot more help than what I can give. You're still staring down the barrel of a war crimes trial. I'd like to see your precious shareholders get you out of that."
Instead of getting defensive, Selfridge just nodded casually, "We have suffered some…setbacks, yes, but the RDA is confident that our plans for recovery will make all that just a fleeting memory. And I'm giving you an opportunity to be a part of that, Mr. Steele."
Steele sat back in his seat, "I've got a funny feeling that you don't need me as a construction contractor."
Selfridge nodded again, "You're instincts serve you well, Mr. Steele. We require an…alternative skill set that you possess."
Bryan shook his head slowly, "I left that life a long time ago. It's been fifteen years since I've even held a gun, much less killed anybody. Why me?"
"Because, even though your skills are fifteen years old, you're still the best there is at what you do, Mr. Steele."
Steele shook his head again, "What I do is something I'm not very proud of."
Parker opened his hands and shrugged, "You're one of the best soldiers who ever lived. What's not to be proud of?"
"Soldier?" Steele snickered, "I think you mean 'assassin'. And there's plenty to not be proud of there." He stood up, "You've got the wrong guy. Find someone else to do your dirty work."
Selfridge sat back in his seat, "The RDA can pay whatever you want, Mr. Steele. You can name your…"
"You don't get it, do you!" Steele angrily slapped his hands down on the desk, "No offer you can put on the table can convince me to go back to that life. I left it behind a long time ago, and with good reason. I'm just glad my son didn't follow in his old man's footsteps. He's going to make something of himself." He turned away to walk out the door, "Find yourself another lackey."
"Actually, Mr. Steele," Selfridge spoke up from behind him, "this pertains to your son."
Steele stopped in his tracks with his hand just shy of the door's handle. He hadn't heard from his son for over ten years since he left for college and Alpha Centauri. What did the RDA know of him?
He turned around, "What do you know about Davian?"
Selfridge motioned to the seat Steele had just vacated, "If you'll sit down and hear me out, I'll be happy to explain."
After weighing his options for a long moment, Steele sat back down in the chair, "I'm listening."