Chapter 26
A Terrible Surprise

SeanÂ’s face paled, and his hands started to shake. He fought to maintain composure. He had known that this call was going to come, he knew it! So why couldnÂ’t he take this? It was a simple phone call, no; it was the best thing that could happen to him. It was a chance to prove his point to the President of the United States.

“I don’t understand your question, President Ronald.”

He had hoped that would cause a chuckle or two, but nothing came, only seriousness. “But you do. You’re smarter than that, Agent White. Now, what are you playing at?”

Sean smiled. “Nothing. Only the betterment of the world.”

There was snort from the other end. “Betterment, my eye. I cannot seem to figure you out, Agent White.”

“How so?”

President Ronald sighed. “First you establish an office oversees, totally defeating the purpose of the F.B.I. Then, you kidnap Agent Grey.” Sean stiffened, but said nothing. “Now, you’re referring to yourself as ‘Emperor’ White, and are calling yourself the head of this new ‘Imperial Order’. What’s wrong with you?”

“Think of my job in the F.B.I. as a shell, President Ronald,” Sean said coldly. “I have grown out of that shell, and have moved on to better things.”

Another snort from the President. “Better things! What better things? You’re becoming a dictator!”

“From your point of view. There are multiple points of view, Mr. President. Mine, yours, and millions of others.”

“Don’t lecture me, Agent White,” President Ronald snapped.

Now it was Sean’s turn to be angry. “Use my proper title, Mr. President, or I’ll stop using yours.”

“That is your proper title!”

Sean stiffened. “My proper title is Emperor White of the Imperial Order. We are a legitimate organization, recognized by multiple countries. And I have an offer for you.”

“An offer?” President Ronald sounded surprised. “What could you have to offer me?”

“You will disband the United Nations, disband the United States military, and resign as President at once. You will turn all the land and powers of the United States government over to the Imperial Order within the week. And you will convince as many other nations as you can to do the same.”

“Impossible!” President Ronald snapped. “I’ll never do that! Ever!”

Sean shrugged. “You have no way of knowing how strong my army is. If you do not accept my terms, you will be utterly destroyed.”

“Why you-” President Ronald began.

Sean hung up on him. Then he pressed another button and spoke into the phone. “Ulrich? This is Emperor White. Ready my car. I’m going to visit the leader of China. It’s time to assess my military strength.”

“Yes, my lord.”

And Sean hung up again. Then he stood, crossed the room, and got into the elevator. He was still smiling as the doors closed on his office, and the elevator took him down to the earth.

* * *

Greg led the way into the dark entry hall, talking as he went. “Now, Mr. Moria is the head of this project, and his office is just through the doors at the end of the hall, if memory serves. They’re all probably asleep now, so we’ll just have to wait until the night security shows up. Now, Mr. Moria is a very kind man, but you must mind your manners. And that means you, Phil Taylor!”

George looked around. “Kind of dusty in here, isn’t it?”

“Can we have some light?” Sam asked. “I can’t see my hand in front of my face.”

Greg produced a flashlight and, after a moment of fumbling, turned it on. He leveled it to the ground, and then, seeing what it was pointing at, froze in horror. Liam gasped. Aaron and Bradley stared in horror. Sam started to shake. Fred took a few involuntary steps backwards, almost out the door.

There, in the flashlight beam, was one of the night security guards. His face was a mask of fear and horror. The front half of his throat had been ripped away, and the bone and shreds of his windpipe were still lodged in the muscle. Blood was still dripping from the wound, covering the manÂ’s shirt and pooling below his body.

Greg moved the beam around the hall. Spread all over were bodies in various states of dismemberment. Some had parts missing, others, just clawed all over.

Liam was the first to speak. “This isn’t a facility… this is a tomb.”

“What…” Martin tried to speak, but the words caught in this throat. “What happened?”

“This was a bad idea,” Bradley said, backing up. “We need to get out of here.”

Greg nodded. “I agree. We head south. This is too risky. Something must have happened… the experiments…”

Sam turned to ask FredÂ’s opinion, and stopped dead.

Fred was no longer standing there.

The next thing the fellowship heard was FredÂ’s piercing scream.

To Be ContinuedÂ…