Disclaimer: I don't own SeaQuest but it wasn't being used.
Okay, so, someone might be wondering exactly when the plot would introduce itself. Well, plot...readers. Readers...plot.
Williams looked out at the assembled men and women. Such a gathering was almost unprecedented. The greatest minds on the planet in one place and the security had been almost pathetically feeble.
Williams almost sneered in disgust as he thought of it. If this had been an assembly of politicians, blow hard airbags, the security would have been almost impenetrable. There would have been no possibility of his plan succeeding but with these men and women, almost assuredly more vital to the continued peace and prosperity of the world, or conversely the most likely to bring about its destruction, these men and women were not considered important enough to merit safeguarding.
It was a sad commentary on the state of affairs. But Williams had no qualm in taking advantage of his fellow human beings failings. This was for their own good. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Williams repeated the words again and again in his head; his own private mantra.
He wasn't looking forward to what he had to do. He didn't want to do it. But it had been made very clear to him that the UEO would not listen unless he made them listen. At least, he was starting with someone easy.
Williams caught himself about to grimace and re-ordered his features into an impassive stare. No, it wasn't going to be easy to kill anyone. However, presenting a live execution of Wolenczak wouldn't be as difficult for him as it would have been with some of the others here assembled.
After all, Wolenczak had almost single handedly destroyed an entire ecological system when his overly ambitious and arrogant attempt at power generation had failed. Williams almost smiled as he remembered who had prevented that disaster from escalating even further, Nathan Bridger; his old friend doing what he did best, saving the day.
Williams almost frowned again as he also remembered that Nathan had almost died stopping that mad man and now, here Wolenczak was, trying to present another power generation strategy. One that would, no doubt, be just as ill conceived.
Williams was almost certain he would have to show he was willing to execute at least one of the hostages in order to really get the UEO's attention. Showing those pompous bureaucrats Wolenczak's death would surely get it. Despite his colossal failure, Dr. Wolenczak was still the UEO's golden boy.
Williams glanced at his program again. Wolenczak was due to speak in less than five minutes but as he scanned the crowd he still could find no trace of the man. Williams noted, again, that the good doctor was listed only as Mr. L. Wolenczak. He wondered how the conceited man had reacted to being demoted.
He grinned as he imagined the self absorbed man's consternation but his grin quickly faded when he noted that one of the grizzled old academics was approaching the podium.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, if I could have your attention, please. It is my privilege today to introduce a young man who has been an inspiration to me, his old, emphasis on old," the man paused for the round of chuckles his joke has elicited, "teacher. When I first met Lucas…"
William's head shot up. Lucas?
"he was already quite accomplished but he lacked focus. I am extremely proud to say that in recent years, this incredible and brilliant young man has gained a great deal of maturity and with that maturity a drive and focus that have made this incredible breakthrough possible."
Williams looked over at his second in command, Lisa Davilla. She was shaking her head and shrugging, indicating she too had no idea what was going on.
"Here to present not only his data on the design but to debut the working prototype of his perpetual motion generator, Ladies and Gentlemen please join me in welcoming, Mr. Lucas Wolenczak."
The old man smiled brightly in the warm applause and gestured to the side of the stage. To Williams' horror and young, very young, man…a kid really, joined the old academic on the stage. He shook the old man's hand and faced the applause with a modest blush lingering in his cheeks. Then he nervously arranged note cards and began speaking.
"Good afternoon. We're here today to talk about energy. Energy is something that is a constant in our world. I am processing the information, the hundreds of complex commands necessary for me to stand her breathing, thinking and speaking to you, by means of the energy my body chemistry is able to produce and uses to create and transmit those commands throughout my body."
As he spoke, the boy relaxed visibly and his excitement about the subject matter was patent.
"Energy is something that we all have in common and something that we all need. However, the current means of creating energy for the many devices and machines we have created continue to be inadequate, in some cases unsafe and expensive."
The boy looked out at the audience with even greater confidence.
"The world through the UEO and other global organizations has taken great steps toward unity and peace. I believe that the availability of free and abundant energy to all the world's citizens is a step that we should and now can take toward even greater unity and peace."
Williams turned back toward Davilla who was looking a question at him.
Williams hesitated for a moment, but then made his decision. His swallowed a lump of regret but straightened his shoulders in resolve.
He gave Davilla the signal and all hell broke loose.