Lark sat at a cafe side table in the sunny Italian styled street. Selena made him change his name for protection from Laurence to Lark. It was beginning to get on his nerves how flippant she was about her world of Gladius. Since she could decide what to do and when and how to do it, Lark was at the mercy of her will. That and her flirtatious sense of humor.
A man got out of a taxi that pulled up in front of the cafe and strode over to Lark.
"Are you, Lark by any chance?" The man asked in a thick Russian accent. Lark gestured for him to sit after nodding and pushed his shades back up the bridge of his nose.
"I take it you are with the Russian intelligence committee," Lark noted."Your people got my message?"
"Yes, most assuredly." The man replied sitting down."I am Horatio Gorbachev, but refer to me as Mr. Chevron."
"Alright Mr. Chevron, I have a question to ask of you." Lark began and leaned forward."Do you believe in nightmares?"
"Most certainly, doesn't everyone-"
"Mr. Chevron, allow me to rephrase the question. Do you believe that a person within Gladius could create an elaborate ruse to scare everyone into submission and therefore," Lark added recognizing Gorbachev's heightened attention."Commanding complete control of the entire fears, emotions and desires of one's enemy. That they could scar an entire intelligence force into PTSD with the Gladius project?"
"What are you proposing Mr. Lark?" Gorbachev asked leaning in closer as well.
"A deal with mutual benefits. In exchange for your assistance to the Rebellion, we establish the nightmare and take it out on the U.S. intelligence opperatives in Gladius. Eliminating your rival and our enemy." Lark said.
"Interesting. But could we not alter this dream world ourselves and avoid the middle man?"
"The middle man is the only one capable of altering Gladius because they themselves are the programming. I work for a highly competent boss. Just one short on qualified militant resources."
"Well why does it not drive everyone out? Why not make one large push?"
"Because it is in symbiosis with the dreamers. It needs someone to dream it in order for it to exist. If everyone were to simultaneously wake up, it would be destroyed. It needs a host and everyone who supports it will do. It simply needs more fire power. It can only imagine so much as it is still an AI." Lark said playing too much of his hand all at once.
"You mean it's a parasite?" Chevron asked.
"SHE is a dependent being." Lark sighed."She only exists while we do in this world. She derives all of her ability to reason by tapping into the interactions of people within the dream world. And parasite is a very insensitive word for it."
"Then what exactly do you need?" Chevron asked leaning back in his chair."I need a market before I name a price. Common practice among capitalists."
"We need all of your operatives to engage the CIA. We need to delve deep enough to compromise critical intelligence and hold the information as blackmail." Lark replied folding his hands on his stomach.
"You want to hire an army? And with what funds?" Mr. Chevron chuckled.
"Your family. Particularly your daughter. We've come across some interesting things about her in the deeper recesses of your mind. I'm sure you wouldn't want the public knowing she was pregnant at age-" Lark began emotionlessly.
"How in God's name did you-" Mr. Chevron began enraged.
"Every second you're in here is another second someone can tap into your mind. They may be taken out by your mental military but those of us that make it through can do a lot of damage coming out." Lark said leaning forward."You have twenty four hours until your daughter's private life is leaked onto the web. And the list of misters is quite staggering. Your stock as well as many other companies tied to you would plummet. Consider your values."
Lark walked back into the rundown apartment room and sat on the couch. He saw the slender curved figure of Selena in the bedroom as she walked out.
"How did it go?" She asked. She knew what had happened but not what he thought. That was the one leisure he could afford. She couldn't read his mind as much as she could control him. Lark shrugged.
"I think he didn't entirely take to well to the black mail. I didn't like giving it much either." Lark replied disheartedly.
"Awww, I'm sorry." Selena said sitting down next to him serenely."Is there any way I can make it up to you?"
"Well, for starters you could kiss me again." Lark smiled.
"Only in your own dreams." Selena replied."Besides, you forgot to tell me where so that I could tell you no regardless."
"Well lets change the variables. I lean over and kiss you; what happens?" Lark asked.
"Considering you made the move, I would have to get even and slap you."She smiled back.
"Shame." Lark sighed."That would be an irrational reply."
"You do understand why we have to do this don't you?" Selena asked."There's a life at stake here. Mine. A reputation to a life; which is more valuable?"
"Some could debate you being considered alive." Lark noted.
"I am alive in the hearts and minds of every man here."
"A very large let down for a fantasy if you ask me. Won't even kiss." Lark noted. Selena slapped him.