New Canaan
Murakumo
1850 28July2184
A group of four men and a woman sat in the farthest corner of a coffee shop from other customers. To all appearances it was a group of friends sharing idle conversation over some coffee. Appearances are deceiving.
The woman, known by her companions to have a short temper, strained to keep her voice low. "Our situation is getting out of control."
"It is not out of control, Ruth," said Jacob, the one who led the group at the water treatment facility.
"You said there would be no mistakes."
Jacob turned to the one they called Saul, who had accompanied him on their mission. "Brother, did you see any mistakes made?"
"No, but Gideon…"
Jacob cut him off, "No, there were no mistakes. Brother Gideon pissed you off, excuse me, upset you but the mission went according to plan."
"Correct," Gideon chimed in. "If the damned cattle handlers followed their procedures, everything would have been fine."
"But they didn't Brother", Ruth snapped, "that was one of the problems in the plan, too many uncontrollable factors. Now we have a team of marines on the way."
"Which was allowed for, Sister, even expected."
"Not just marines, but Recon marines; their elite special forces. That is not in the plan." She hissed over her cup, taking a quick sip. "And as if that wasn't bad enough but they are bringing with some kind of special scientific team. This whole operation is about to blow up in our faces. Have you considered we could be brought up on war crimes before a tribunal?"
The last man, known as Abraham was the also eldest and most respected, making hin their unofficial leader. He cleared his throat, drawing attention of all. "Brothers, Sister." He addressed them, "The operation has not gone exactly to plan so far it is true," he began, "but it is not yet time to panic." He looked to be sure he had the attention of all. Jacob and Gideon looked pleased, Ruth still defiant but listening; Saul was breaking into a nervous sweat at the mention of a tribunal. Abraham chose to direct his focus at the young troubled man. "The marines may be well trained but they are mere soldiers. They are used to doing what they are told. We can direct them and control them, they will see only what we want them to see."
"We can be sure of that, Elder Brother?"
"Yes. If needed, we will sacrifice a pawn to appease them, but the important pieces," he paused and looked around the table letting each know they were counted as important, "will be protected."
Ruth dared to question him. "And what about their scientists? What if they identify the agent used?"
"It will not help them. The virus did not originate here so will have no connection to any location on this planet. More importantly it will have no connection to us. If anything it will direct them away from this world which will help us in the long run."
"That would not please our benefactors, Elder Brother."
"We owe then nothing." He looked at his stubborn follower sternly. "They are using us as much or more than we are using them. They will say nothing about us for the same reason we will say nothing about them, but if the marines track them down through their investigation so be it. There will still be no proof to link back here"
"What are we to do about the serpents they supplied us?" asked Gideon.
The Saul and Ruth looked with an expression of horror; even Jacob had an uneasy expression. "You can't possibly be thinking of using them now, can you?" Ruth asked.
Abraham stared at Gideon, "I am not comfortable with that gambit at this juncture, Brother."
"No, of course not." He quickly replied. "But we need to keep them safe from discovery."
"They are a powerful factor," Abraham mused, "and one should not sacrifice a queen without bettering his position on the board. The piece might be needed later."
Ruth began to speak but he held up his hand to order a refill, which effectively silenced her. Once the server left he spoke again. "I am not saying we will use the serpents; I think we were not given enough information about them. The implication was that they could be very difficult, once loosed. On the other hand, I do not wish to destroy them. They could be useful even without being used."
"So what then, hide them?"
"I think exactly that is what we should do. We need them to be secure from prying eyes but also accessible."
Jacob put out an opinion. "I think it would be best if we could put them in a place that if they are discovered, others will take the blame for having them."
"Very good idea, can you arrange it Brother Jacob?"
Jacob looked at Gideon questioningly. "Yes," Gideon said, "I can go to New Stanleyville. That is out of the way. With one other to help I can take our 'packages' there and keep them safe."
"Do so then," Abraham ordered, "before the marines arrive. It would be useful if the person you take with is someone expendable, understand?" Gideon nodded. "Good, blend in and wait for instructions."
"I do not like this Elder Brother." Ruth said. "I would rather destroy them and go to ground. Let the marines look and leave, then present our case to the courts again. If this gets out of control we could loose everything."
"We have control of the board, Sister. They will be reacting to our moves."
