Chapter 25
Olympus Heights - Mercury Suites
Edward was rolling the small block of ice that he'd conjured up with a short shot of Winter Blast from his index finger around the bottom of his glass, as he listened to Jack's description of what had transpired up on the surface since 1946, when Edward and thousands of others had abandoned the surface world for Rapture. He was intrigued certainly, but neither did he find himself regretting his decision. From the way Jack was talking, Edward was convinced that this was as much propaganda as it was truth. In fact, ever since he had made it clear to Jack that it was his intention to rebuild Rapture rather than abandon it, the poor chap seemed to have been more intent than ever to persuade him otherwise.
Edward studied Jack as he continued on, recounting the wondrous achievements of the USA, most of which still paled in comparison to the accomplishments of Rapture twenty years ago. He wondered how hard it was going to be to keep information from Jack Ryan - in theory it should be perfectly simple, as Edward had by some miracle been able to establish control over most of the city now via the 'Thinker', yet it was perhaps the most famous Rapture legend that told of Jack Ryan's uncovering of conspiracies and toppling of Andrew Ryan, Sander Cohen and even Frank Fontaine in the space of a few short days. How would Jack Ryan behave this time around - how would he react if he found out that Edward had lied about farming the sea floor for fresh Sea Slugs, and re-starting ADAM production?
Edward tried to calm his racing mind by reminding himself that Jack Ryan was but one man, and that already he had sacrificed considerably more than one man to get Rapture breathing again, so if push came to shove, one more life would be a small price to pay. Yet he was all too aware of the reputation Jack Ryan carried, despite all of Edwards hard work, many of the surviving citizens in the city would undoubtedly devote allegiance to the legend of Jack Ryan, than to him. Neither could he ignore the symbolism of Jack Ryan's two pets, his 'cured' Big Sisters, stood staring down his own bodyguards just outside the front door at that very moment. He feared that was a sign of things to come.
Looking into Jack's eyes, he was both aggravated and warmed by how much Jack still seemed to care about his late fathers city, and the people that lived there. Despite the awkwardness it was going to present for Edward, it made him even more of an attractive man to behold, mirroring a tenacity and drive that Edward had seen once before, in his beloved Sheridan Ambrose.
They were both torn from their line of thought by the ring of the telephone. Edward smiled politely at Jack and excused himself, walking across to the phone beside the large windows overlooking the city below.
"Alright Guv, it's Bear here... we've got an issue down at Dionysus Park. There's a bunch of Rapture Family squatters down here, they rolled a Big Daddy somehow and now they're off their tits on the ADAM he'd been carrying." Edward pictured Bear - an oily ex-fisherman that had been one of the very first to rally to his cause. He let out an irritated sigh aloud intended for Bear, but then quickly darted his eyes around to see just how much attention Jack was paying to what was said.
"I understand..." Edward began.
"If we don't clear this mob out in a few hours, that filly down in Minerva's Den has said we'll have to flood Fort Frolic instead. Just so's ya know" Bear coughed casually down the phone. Edward hesitated, he really didn't want to loose Fort Frolic. He'd been dreaming of the day soon when he could re-open it, and watch it come back to life with lavish shops and exciting stage shows. He'd even pictured the crowds cheering as he, the saviour of Rapture, sailed down the stairs in a crisp Tuxedo, before he addressed the begging audience on the stage of Fleet Hall.
He knew he could trust Bear to stay level headed - he'd been the one to arrange the eradication of the splicers up in Point Prometheus, so he wouldn't flinch whatever order Edward gave.
Edward was careful to use generic words that wouldn't give Jack any clues as to what was happening. If it happened whilst Jack was there with him, he was confident he could probably keep him from ever finding out.
"Ok Bear, you have my permission to carry on as originally planned." He tried to put on a cheerful, casual tone, to prevent any suspicion from Jack, sat quietly just a few feet away. "No need to resort to Dr Well's alternative".
"Right you are guv', these bastards put that queen bitch Lamb on the throne, I reckon' they deserve a little bit of a watering' down in recompense! I'll see that its done." Bear confirmed, and hung up the phone. Smiling, Edward gestured to the decanter on the sideboard. "Jack my friend, another glass of wine?"