“Alex will be pleased,” Tabs said. She held out her hand. “Come, let the children rest then. They have a long journey ahead.”
Tao took her hand and together, they walked back to the corner behind the front counter, where for the rest of the night, they once again huddled to stay warm and to prepare for the long day ahead.
27 Voter Tampering
It was not until the Industrial Revolution that our many centuries of work on the humans began to pay off. Before then, humanity had evolved at a meandering pace. The wars we pushed, while driving innovation, had taxed the species heavily. We considered abandoning them several times, but, by then, we were already too committed.
The arrival of the Industrial Revolution changed everything. Humans finally began to fulfill the potential we saw in them.
Zoras
“The joint meeting between the State Duma and Federation Council is in session, Father,” Azumi said. “President Putyatin is on his way to the main floor as we speak.”
Wait until he is in position before securing the exits. The interior chambers should have eight security, and two at the central podium.
Enzo looked over at Natalya. “Are the Spetsnaz in place?”
She nodded. “On your order… um, Father.”
Most of the Spetsnaz Natalya and Akelatis had converted were pragmatic; only two had tried to reject their destiny and had had to be put down. The loyalty of these new vessels was still suspect, though, which was why, without their knowledge, Enzo had small explosive detonators attached to the rear interiors of their helmets. After all, they were blessed with a Holy One now. It was Enzo’s duty to see to their safety.
You are using the shade teams too freely. The rest of the Council will disapprove. Several already insist on banning this practice.
“The final battle is near, my Guardian. Sacrifices are needed.”
It is distasteful. However, as long as you produce results, some compromises are acceptable.
“Once again, the rest of the council has proven not to have the fortitude to do what needs to be done. The Genjix have fallen soft and play down to the level of the Prophus. Perhaps after Quasiform begins, it will be time to consider disbanding the Council in favor of more centralized leadership?”
Dangerous thoughts, vessel. Keep them to yourself. For now.
Enzo held position behind the ornate door leading to the Federal Building main hall. Behind him, thirty of his operatives and ten of the former Spetsnaz stood ready.
After taking control of Genjix headquarters in Moscow, all that was left was to show the rulers of this country which Genjix was in control, and who they should really be aligning with.
“They’re all in place, Father,” Azumi nodded.
Enzo kicked the door open and strolled into the main hall, where the bulk of the Federal Assembly was in session. To either side of him, his people spread out to cover all the doors. Several of the politicians stood up in their seats, either looking for their security or trying to flee the room. To his left, Palos incapacitated one of the guards with a punch to the gut. Further down the hall, Azumi stabbed another in the leg with one of her Emei piercers. Seconds later, his people had secured the chambers and had trapped everyone inside. Enzo, hands on the hilt of Hanjo Masamune, casually strolled to the center of the hall and nodded to Putyatin, whose glare followed him defiantly all the way to the podium. His facade broke and he cowered when Enzo got close.
“Mr President,” he bowed.
“You should have left Russia by now,” Putyatin hissed. “You risk war between our two countries. I will have you imprisoned for this.”
Enzo put a hand on the president’s shoulder and shoved him aside. “I don’t think so.” He turned to the full assembly. “A few days ago, you held a vote regarding the relationship Russia would have with the Genjix. It has come to my attention that some in this esteemed council were inappropriately influenced by Vinnick’s people. For that, you have the apologies of the Genjix. Those who committed the fraud have been brought to justice.” He nodded at Palos in the back, who opened the door. Matthew and Akelatis dragged Vinnick’s surviving intermediaries in single-file and forced them onto their knees in front of the entire chamber.
“Consider all of their promises void,” Enzo said. He pulled out his pistol and shot one. The rest of his people inside followed suit as a thousand rounds fired from everywhere in the chamber pierced the dozen bodies. The weak-willed politicians screamed as smoke and loud bangs filled the air. He waited a few seconds for the chaos to subside before continuing. “Vinnick has fled Moscow. My people are searching for him as we speak. I intend to bring him to justice. For now, the Genjix call for a new vote. An honest one without the corrupted influence of my predecessor. As a last gesture of the sincerity of our intentions to be one with Russia, I offer you one last gift.”
Enzo nodded toward Palos again. He opened the door once more and several agents carrying large black containers entered the room. They then locked the doors behind them and opened the lids. Dozens of sparkling lights drifted into the air and swirled around the ceiling of the chamber. Then, driven by instinct and survival, one of the lights moved into one of the Duma members. The man screamed. Another scream joined with his as another member was blessed with a shade. Then even more followed. Soon, the entire chamber of the Federation Council was filled with a chorus of terror and pain.
Enzo turned to a huddled Putyatin curled up and shaking on the floor next to him. He offered his hand. “Welcome to the family, brother.” Enzo smiled as the horrified Putyatin recoiled backward. No matter. This would be the last time Enzo ever offered him his hand. The next time, the president of Russia would bend a knee.
He stepped off the podium and watched as hundreds of Russia’s top officials reacted to being forcibly blessed by Quasing shades. Most were already on the ground retching, crying, or groaning in pain. It brought Enzo back to his own ascension, when Zoras had first blessed him. There were still a few Holy Ones in the air, searching for vessels. There must still be some members here who had escaped.
He continued to scan the room and saw a terrified older woman make a break for one of the doors. A Spetsnaz blocked her path. She screamed at him to let her pass. A moment later, the sparkling white light of a Holy One shot into her back, felling her.
“Father,” Amanda’s voice in his ear crackled. “We have an update on Councilman Vinnick.”
“Hang on. I can’t hear you over these blessings.” Enzo walked toward one of the exits, turning back at the door one last time to witness his political masterpiece. He stepped out and closed the door behind him. “Continue.”
“We extracted the travel records from one of his administrators during interrogation. The councilman took his entire entourage to North Korea.”
Sung controls North Korea. He has always been unpredictable, but has never catered to either faction.
Enzo frowned. Sung was one of those shadowy Holy Ones who never played on the world stage. His control of his small fiefdom was near-absolute, and he held one of the only familial Quasing dynasties. His only responsibilities at this moment were production and storage of the catalysts. North Korea was currently one of five catalyst production facilities. Their production was minuscule compared to the others. China itself produced seventy percent of the catalysts. However, China sent all their manufactured catalysts to North Korea for storage.
“Get Sung on the comm immediately,” he barked to Amanda. “Verify our catalyst stockpile levels.”