This first chapter might be a little confusing…but I swear it gets a lot better.
Chapter 1: To Replace Tyrants
Oh Andy don't leave me…Ah don't worr-
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that's right, and this modern marvel can be yours for just-
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…the upcoming humanitarian awards mean more to the world this year than ever before. Shaken by the near apocalyptic events over a year ago, the free peoples of this earth have looked for heroes at every turn, in under a month the UN will give the annual award to the organ…
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Oh no, he'd heard quite enough of that over the past two weeks. A constant reminder of their worries…but all would hopefully be resolved by the end of tonight's court.
Leaning his head back on the massive sofa he once again changed the channel. There was always good news about…if one had the patience to find it.
…After a year of turbulent trials, the central tribunal will finally pass judgment on SEELE top man Keel Lorenz within this month.
The German was apprehended along with other SEELE members and was tried for crimes against humanity and mass genocide. It was the SEELE organization that triggered the third impact over a year ago…an act that nearly caused the death of all humanity…
The man smiled as he relaxed in his seat, his worries being eased, he turned the massive flat screen off and looked forward to a short nap.
But, as was common in life, his rest was short lived…as he began to submit to the dreariness within him, the sound of footsteps could be heard.
Looking up the man saw a nun enter the large living room. On having her presence acknowledged by the man the nun delivered the news she had received.
"The court has convened father, they await you're audience."
Nodding of the nun, the man slowly rose and entered his study. He wasn't perturbed in the least by the glass of champagne on his table. Sitting down, he pressed a small button near his telephone that activated the holographic telecommunication system.
Immediately the room fell dark. It took about fifteen seconds for the signal to connect. After the link had been established, he saw six others sitting in a perfect circle around him. Each person had a small holographic plaque before them with their name and region on it.
Looking at his own he felt rather dizzy. Then again he was reading it the wrong way…
His read
acirfA, kcolloP rehtaF
On hearing the opening prayer begin, he bowed his head.
"…and in God we trust, Amen"
"Amen!" the others all chanted in unison.
"A good prayer it was father, my thanks. And so the court of seven is convened."
The man speaking was Father Fiorenzo of Italy.
"Now may I raise my glass to all of you, god looks down upon us and he is proud, for it is we who will finally rid the world of the non believers that are SEELE."
There was a fair amount of murmuring and glass raising as the seven old men rejoiced in their victory.
"Yes and with the evidence we submitted to the tribunal, there is no chance that the old men will survive the sentence. A good fate for such sinners." Said the priest from Europe.
"True, over this year we have helped shut down SEELE, and the Marduk institute along with all its hundred and eight industrial fronts."
Said another.
There was a great amount of murmuring in agreement and more champagne sipping.
"We have successfully erased every trace of the blasphemous sinners save for one."
The court went silent. Father Pollock took his head in his hands. He had known that there would be no evading the subject. Father Fiorenzo looked grim.
"The NERVE organization has completely outshone us over he year, people look to them as saviors. This has been a source of outrage from the very beginning."
Everyone's gaze shifted towards father Pollock.
"My apologies father, but…if we were to make the people believe that instrumentality was genocidal in nature, well, we were forced to make NERVE out to be the people who stopped it…thus making them heroes to all."
"Do not use the word us in such instances father!!" a priest from Russia boomed.
"This folly was completely of your doing."
Father Pollock bowed his head as the others silently nodded.
"Enough, we must give each other strength. In the end we were able to defeat the greater evil. Father Pollock may be forgiven."
Father Pollock's head shot up, a knowing smile on his face.
"We may rejoice for the Mecha project is near completion."
Once again the surprised looks picked up, murmurings began.
"Father Fiorenzo, if what you say is true then-"
"Yes father, and there is more, we have joining us, the head director of Phoenix corp., our organization that-as you all know-is in charge of constructing the Mechas."
The eager priests looked around the dark surroundings waiting for their unexpected guest. Father Pollock watched as Father Fiorenzo reached to the intercom on his desk and whispered into it.
Immediately an eighth member joined their circle. Sitting without a desk in front of him, they could all see him for what he was. He wore black gloves on his hands, a custom tailored suit about his shoulders. His face was digitally shadowed hiding his true form.
The plaque hung ominously in the air before him. It read:
Mr. Smith, Phoenix Corp.
"Gentlemen, this is Mr. Smith."
There was fervent nodding and gesturing as the priests greeted the man with uncertainty, being unsure as to whether he was even looking at them or not.
Taking of from Father Fiorenzo's short introduction, the man spoke. His tone was formal and cold.
"Thank you father. As you all have probably guessed, my name is not Mr. Smith. Even though I technically work for you fine gentlemen I would still like to maintain total anonymity. My secretary has spoken to father Fiorenzo and father Pollock on various occasions. No doubt all of you know what the Mecha project is."
After ensuring that the nods were confident enough he went on.
"You all will be pleased to know that the project is progressing extremely well. At present we are a whole month ahead of schedule, in fact we plan to deliver the first ten Mechas to you within the month."
It seemed good news was the flavor of the month. Father Pollock smiled,
'Sweet vindication, the lord favors me.'
Father Fiorenzo was pleased as well.
"The time is at hand my brothers, soon we shall complete our grand plan to attain divine greatness."
"What are the specifications of the Mechas at present?" another priest asked.
"The final version of the Mechas run on altered S2 engines, we have enabled them to run at 0.1 higher efficiency than their NERVE counterparts. We are also using blank dummy plugs, their human personalities are at a minimum."
"What? How do the dummy plugs function without, at least the image of, human mental images?"
"The dummy plugs run on minimum mental functions. This allows us to replace artificial intelligence with developmental or programmed intelligence. In short, the Mechas are reduced to zombies, making them more receptive to ordersand less...independent."
Father Pollock found himself getting bored as he heard the court clear their doubts about the project. He had read the reports inside out; he knew all there was to know.
Finally, just as he felt sleep taking him again, Father Fiorenzo spoke in conclusion.
"In a few days, we shall submit our application to be handed into the UN, when they see our exemplary record they shall have no choice but to accept us for the rebirth program. And we shall be a step closer to defeating the final limb of the legacy of sin that was SELLE and its actions. In god we trust. Amen."
"Amen." Father Pollock chanted with the rest. Slowly each priest left the conference eventually leaving behind a chuckling Mr. Smith.
"Ha, that is amusing. Boy, we are a virtuous bunch…"
AN
Don't worry if there are any plot holes. Hopefully they'll all get filled up by the end…hopefully.
We'll start seeing some familiar faces next chapter, please R&R