A male voice comes on the intercom. “USS Hawkeye, do you read?”
Abe talks into the speaker. “Yes, we read you, Centcom.”
“This is Gareth Allen, Deputy Director of the CIA.”
Abe covers the speaker and turns to Lionel. “CIA? Why are they calling us?”
Lionel shrugs.
“Mr. Allen, this is Colonel McNair aboard the Hawkeye. How can I help you?”
“Colonel, the CIA orders you to turn your ship towards Mars.”
“What was that, sir?”
“I repeat, do not come back to Earth. We need you to fly towards Mars and prepare to attack New China.”
Abe scratches his head. “But sir, Centcom told us to return home.”
“Forget their orders. The CIA holds rank above them. You must continue your mission.”
Lionel jumps and frantically cancels the reentry, programming the navigation just in time. The ship veers towards space. They grimace as the g-forces push them into their chairs.
Abe grows excited. “Mr. Allen, we are on our way to Mars now, sir! Can you provide more details of our mission?”
Seconds later, Gareth responds. “Not at this time. Head to Mars as fast as you can and prepare to launch your EMP missiles.”
Lionel’s eyes widen. “Yes, sir—”
“Hawkeye, be on high alert and await further instructions from us. The President may authorize a strike against New China. Wait for our green light.”
“We are on our way.”
20.
THOMAS ROSENBERG nervously checks the time. Sitting next to an empty chair on stage, he scans the hall and finds Manos Kharon speaking to a crowd as employees stream in. He turns to Ben Daley. “Where’s Beth? The All-Staff meeting starts in two minutes.”
Ben quivers. “I haven’t seen her in a week. Is she okay?”
“Yes. She’s working remotely.”
“On what? She hasn’t responded to my messages.”
“She’s busy with something confidential. I don’t know the details.”
Ben looks around. “Did she confirm her attendance today?”
“No.” Thomas checks the time. “It’s 10 a.m. We have to start the meeting.”
“Who will give the keynote address?”
“I don’t know.” Thomas heads for the podium as sweat gathers on his forehead. He presses a screen and loads a presentation, anxiously scanning the doors for Beth. “Good morning everyone, please take your seats.”
In the front row, a throng surrounds Manos. People shake his hand and wave papers for his autograph. He laughs boisterously and takes photos with them. No one pays attention to the Chief Financial Officer.
As Thomas waits for the audience to settle, someone taps his shoulder. He turns to find Camila Rodriguez waving. She whispers in his ear. “I have an update.”
Thomas covers the microphone. “What is it, Camila?”
“Beth messaged me.”
“Saying what?”
“She plans to attend the meeting.”
“But it starts in one minute! Where is she?”
“I don’t know. She said go ahead and start the conference without her.”
Thomas wipes the sweat from his face and reenters the spotlight. He places the mic on his suit jacket. “Good morning and welcome to our All-Staff meeting. Thank you for attending on this rainy day. I will make a few introductions.”
Manos stands and approaches the stage.
“First some company updates. We have implemented the Information Tariffs that were approved by our shareholders. We are rolling out software updates and changes to our ad platform—”
Thomas turns to find Manos next to him. “Mr. Kharon, what are you doing here?”
Manos digs his elbow into Thomas. “I want to deliver a few remarks. We need a senior official to open the meeting and seeing that Andrews isn’t here, that duty would fall to me.”
“Sir, I’m the Chief Financial Officer.”
Manos rolls his eyes. “Give me the microphone.”
Thomas looks down and hesitates. “…yes, Mr. Kharon. Here you go.” He hands over the mic and walks back to his seat.
Manos seizes the podium. “Colleagues, it’s an honor for me to deliver today’s keynote address. It is a remarkable time in the history of our company. We are making Google great again!”
Applause rings out. Manos’s enlarged face appears on the screen.
“For decades, we have been generous and granted free access to the internet, distributing information across the world. We believed that humanity was a good force and that all races and countries would contribute to our growing knowledge. These liberal policies were supposed to uplift our citizens. Instead, America’s enemies have used our know-how to advance their evil agenda. We find ourselves at the mercy of traitors who manipulated our good will for their gain.”
Someone yells, “USA!” and the crowd erupts in jubilation.
Manos smiles and cocks his head. “Let me be clear. China and Russia steal our intellectual property. They hack into our companies and universities and extract our knowledge, then turn around and create their own companies with our data. They use Google’s software and artificial intelligence to design those same viruses and missiles that strike our homeland every day. It is time to put an end to this theft and collusion!”
“Make Google great again,” someone shouts.
“Last month, we approved the Information Tariffs, bold measures intended to block China and Russia from accessing our technology. The tariffs are working—the enemy cannot access our data without a heavy price. This exploitation has come to an end. My friends, we are now winning the War!”
A heckler waves her hands in the air. “GoldRock is evil! End the War!!”
Manos frowns and points at her. “Get her out of here.”
A group of men carries her away kicking and screaming. The audience applauds when she leaves the room.
Manos sneers. “Look at these shameful liberals. They open our borders and allow criminals into our precious land. They hand away our gold and complain when we stop the crime. What kind of fools are they? We right their wrongs and they never learn from their mistakes. We must put an end to their reign. It’s time for us to take over.”
Ben leans over to Thomas. “What’s going on? What is he talking about?”
Thomas fidgets. “I’m not sure.”
“Beth needs to hear this. Where is she?”
“I don’t know.”
Manos raises an arm. “It’s time for leadership that will guide our company to a brighter future. Imagine a Google that’s aligned on the side of America. For once, we will help our country fight the enemy. How much stronger will our soldiers be if we arm them with Google products? Imagine what we can do to China and Russia if we collaborate with our armed forces. You better believe that Google is stronger than any army outside of our borders!”
The crowd explodes and several people stand and chant, “USA! USA! USA!”
Manos pounds the podium. “Your management failed you. They wronged you as employees and consumers. They have commandeered a failing business model and worse, they abetted the enemy. Just listen to the present CEO as she speaks her mind about the Chinese.”
Employees shoosh for silence. A broken recording broadcasts through the speakers and Beth’s voice comes on. “…I don’t believe the Chinese pose a threat to Google.” It repeats in loops.
The hall erupts in commotion. People holler and jeer at the senior management. Someone throws a chair at the stage and screams, “Bethany’s a traitor!”
Ben turns to Thomas. “I’m shocked. When did Beth say that?”
“Manos is lying,” Thomas replies. “She’s being framed.”