Chapter Ten

It was time.

At the Presidential palace on Mauanui, a television studio had been set up. Television cameras, digital cameras and lights were all pointed at a podium set up in front of wall-to-wall windows looking over the island. On the dais was set multiple microphones. Outside, the sun was blazing, the air was warm and there was not a cloud in the sky. This was the place where Scott Tranous would broadcast the message of Global Anarchy to the world.

On the mountain, it was also time. A week had passed since Lisa had received word from Ramius to turn her phone off. Now, she wandered to the cliff overlooking the island and turned the phone on. There, she waited. Waited for Ramius to contact her.

After three hours, she heard someone approach. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Bruce, his face sheened in sweat from the climb, staggering out the mountain. He slumped down beside her. "Don't remember this being so difficult," he panted. "Any word?"

"None," Lisa said. "He said to turn my phone on in a week. Now there's nothing." She was silent. "I'm going to call."

Bruce straightened his back, turned serious. "Do you think that's a good idea?"

Lisa thought it over. "Yes," she said as she dialled. Then she put the phone to her ear.

Down at the airfield, a G.A radio technician pressed his headset to his head. Then, he scribbled on a piece of paper, tore it off the pad and handed it to his superior, a young commander. "Outgoing call detected from the mountains sir." The Commander smiled, and then picked up a phone.

Up at the Presidential palace, Jenkirk answered the call. "This had better be worth my time," he growled.

The young officer gulped, knowing that his reputation, indeed his life, was on the line. "Sir, we have just located a out-going cell-phone call from the mountains. It appears that we have some stragglers still out there."

Jenkirk was silent. On the other end of the connection, the commander held his breath.

"Very good commander," Jenkirk said. "I'll speak to the master" he hung up, and then walked down a corridor. Reaching the Presidential master bedroom, he knocked on the door.

"Enter"

Jenkirk opened the door and walked in. Scott Tranous stood by the window, again staring out to sea. He was dressed in a magnificent black tuxedo, with a grey shirt and tie. In his coat pocket, he kept a pocket-watch. He turned to his second-in-command. "What is it my friend?"

"Sir, your radio technicians have detected a cell-phone in the mountains to the north. What do you wish to do?"

Tranous thought it over. "Send a force of commandos. Bring the person to me, plus anyone else." He paused. "Go with them."

"As you wish," Jenkirk said as he bowed deeply and moved for the door.

"Jenkirk?"

He stopped at the door. Tranous looked him directly in the eye. "Keep an eye on the troops. Remember, I want survivors."

On the cliff, Lisa was confused. Lowering her phone, she stared at it.

"What's the matter?" Bruce said.

"I don't understand it," Lisa whispered. "The number. It isn't connected. What could cause that?"

Suddenly, from down the mountain, there came a shout. From below, one of the refugees charged up towards Lisa and Bruce, babbling in the fast tongue of an excited native. "Radio! Radio!" he shouted. Bruce and Lisa raced down the mountainside, towards the cave.

Down below, Scott Tranous walked into the main Presidential office and took his place on the podium, He looked directly into the cameras. All around the world, on CNN, BBC, Sky News, every television, every radio, the planet would hear his voice. He calmly began.

"Many of you think I'm mad. A few think I am brilliant. I am only a man, seeking the way forward for my people, my species.

You all know who I am. Therefore we shall avoid the pleasantries. For years I have watched the antics of mankind, the inhumanity of it all. The people following a few who managed to somehow claw their way to the surface by lying, cheating and crushing those below. This I can not allow to continue."

On the mountain, Lisa, Bruce and the refugees gathered around the radio, listening as Tranous made his broadcast. Lisa looked up, and noticed Bruce doing the same.

"On the islands of Mauanui, I have brought along 20 ICBMs. Each and every one is armed with a Sansaxo plasma warhead. Now, as your leaders should have determined by now, I have the capability to target any city I want. Thus my demands are simple.

The governments of each country on the planet must step down. Turn your power to the people. Then, the next phase of humankind can begin. You have 48 hours. If not, I will remove a city from the surface of the earth every four hours until you do."

"Now, some nations may have been planning to attack me here, in my island paradise." Tranous smiled. "A fleet of ships were heading in this direction to try to eliminate me. These ships attacked my own vessels. As such, I dealt with the Dradle Industries Task Force. Turns out even they can not stop a Sansaxo."

At the cave, Lisa fell to the floor. "Ramius," she whispered. "No."

"Such is my message. You have 48 hours. Thank you, and farewell." The cameras cut out, and the technicians in the room started to applaud. As he gazed about the room, Scott Tranous' face was split in a beaming smile.