Ciana Rose's Erotic Stories

The Gilded Cage

Dean Rogers

all rights reserved

...Continued

Tammy could hear Bastion thrilling as she unzipped Barbara's trousers as slowly as she could. Tammy herself had lost any pleasure in what was happening, knowing, as she now did, that she was helping to pleasure the sadistic bastard who had imprisoned her.

Bastion was clearly unhappy with the view he was receiving because he ordered Tammy to put her spectacles back on. Once she had done so, he told her to hang up the phone.

"Now, Miss Squires, let's see what kind of panties our matronly Mrs. Taylor wears for her husband. Remove her trousers and then stand back to allow me to gaze over her."

Tammy was as surprised as Bastion to see that Barbara was wearing a pair of very skimpy white satin briefs. Clearly, she was not as matronly as Bastion thought.

Tammy stood back and allowed the spectacle camera to take in the nearly naked form on the bed. She could hear Bastion's breathing becoming more labored and she hoped he would come before she needed to expose Barbara fully. Tammy almost pitied the immaturity of Bastion, for this so-called demon was now little more than a naughty boy, masturbating over the sleeping body of his mother.

Bastion gave himself a moment to rest before he implemented his pyrrhic victory over his enemy. Finally, he prepared himself for climax before speaking. "Tammy, remove her panties and focus on her pussy, spreading her legs so that I may get a good open view. Show me the vagina of Congressman Taylor's wife and let me record it so that I may show it to others in the future. Violate their union, expose this closely guarded secret and turn her into a whore for the eyes of the world."

Tammy really thought Bastion had lost it now. He was getting almost theatrical with his statements and had even hinted about the existence of his precious television show. She removed Barbara's panties as slowly as she could and spread her naked legs wide, allowing Bastion to see deep inside Barbara's vagina.

Tammy heard him in the throes of heavy masturbation as he spoke. "We've got a transcript of one of their counseling sessions from last month. Seems the good Congressman cannot get it up most nights and it's caused them concern because they are trying for a baby. Do you know, Tammy, that in twenty years of marriage neither one of them has given head to the other? He does not want to do it and she won't perform fellatio without reciprocation. How pathetic is that?"

Tammy thought it was nowhere as near as pathetic as masturbating in front of near strangers.

"Let's give her a thrill, eh, my girl? Do not go too deep or you may leave a sensation she will detect but lick Barbara's clitoris for me. Go where her old man fears and give me a view of his wife's pussy he's never seen."

Tammy heard Bastion climax as she began to lick Barbara's clitoris. It made her feel a bit better that the sleeping woman had instinctively reacted as if she had enjoyed the soft yet brief tongue between her legs.

Tammy sat on the bed whilst Bastion recovered.

Green remained silent whilst hoping that Bastion would now turn control back over to him. He was out of luck.

"Tammy, get some cotton wool and soak up some of her pussy juices for me. Then I want you to find an identical bra and pair of panties to the ones she is wearing and when you dress her, use the new ones. Finally find some nail scissors and cut off a small locket of her pubic hair, as close to her vaginal entrance as you can. You are to bring all those items back to Mr. Green who will forward them to me. I want to know I can swoop into their house, steal the underwear from off his wife's body and smell and taste her pussy. All without him having the slightest clue."

Green silently groaned as he saw Tammy scuttle around in order to please Bastion. Nonetheless, he hoped to get the main mission back on track.

"Tammy, this is Green. I think it's safe to say, from her underwear and her husband's problems, that Barbara is sexually hungry for most of the time. I reckon she will keep a dildo hidden in the bedroom for when he is out. Find it for me and hold it up to the camera so that I can get a good, solid look. Then replace it, please."

Barbara was almost stirring by the time Tammy had dressed her. Fortunately she was lucky and quickly found the dildo hidden in Barbara's underwear draw. Tammy moved it around to allow Green to see it from all sides before replacing it. She had to hurry to be downstairs before Barbara awoke and her heart was beating fast as she heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs.

Pushing her head around the door a somewhat half-asleep Barbara smiled at her. "Everything OK down here, dear? I'm feeling much better for that sleep. Are you nearly done?"

Tammy smiled sweetly in relief. She had gotten away with it. "Almost, Mrs. Taylor. I'll come find you when I am ready."

Barbara left and Tammy slipped down the chair with a huge relieved sigh.

Bastion recovered himself slowly as he watched Tammy working on the laptop. She was making a good pretence and he was impressed by her acting skill. He placed another call to Green.

"Hello, Bastion."

"Hello, Mr. Green. Just to advise you that Connor will be executed this afternoon. I need you to keep Miss Squires away from the house and yet fresh for tonight. I suggest a hotel room near the venue for the ball. Order an appropriate set of clothes for her and give her the afternoon to rest."

"OK, sir, but won't she get a little suspicious being paid to watch TV?"

"She's doing overtime for the company tonight so it's justifiable. Just make sure she stays in that room until I can confirm to you that Connor is dead. I think Miss Squires has a few more days left in her, so long as she keeps the Guild entertained, and it would be a shame to have to terminate such a resourceful lady prematurely."

"You can rely on me, sir."

Bastion thought back to his enjoyment of Barbara Taylor. It was the first time he'd ever thought it worthwhile becoming involved with his show directly and he acknowledged that he had Green to thank for that.

"I know I can, Mr. Green. You do good work. Goodbye."

Tammy remained in the Taylor residence for another hour before she handed Barbara the pre-prepared summary of her finances. It had been crafted with all the skill of the Guild and Barbara was suitably impressed with the presumed "final results" of Tammy's labors.

Once outside Tammy began to walk to her car. Green talked to her over his microphone. "Excellent work, Miss Squires. You are now to report to the Meridian Hotel and prepare yourself for the charity masquerade ball this evening. I think your cover as an all-star accountant suited you and we will recycle it again. However, you will need different clothing for such a high-powered social event. Of course, you will also need a mask.

"I will arrange for a series of garments to be delivered to your suite at the hotel and you are to choose freely from amongst them before bathing and generally relaxing for a few hours. The garments are being delivered from across the city and so it will take a while for them all to be seen by you. Do not leave the hotel until I call you on the telephone in the room."

As Tammy drove away in her car Bastion was watching Connor sitting on the sofa in the house again. For a man who was presenting such a threat to him, Bastion thought, Connor seemed almost insultingly inactive. Nonetheless, it would make the assassination all the easier and that thought made Bastion smile to himself. Today was indeed going to be a special day. Bastion's thoughts were interrupted by a call on his radio.

"Bastion, this is Aegis. Are you, shall we say, recovered from your little side-adventure this morning?"

If the mocking tone of the remark had originated from anyone else, Bastion would have lost his temper. Instead he chose his words carefully whilst his anger faded. "I am fine and on top of my game today, Aegis, thank you for asking. Green is about to bring down the Taylors, Tammy is performing better than any other subject of the show and Connor is about to be sent back to whichever layer of hell spawned him."

"I'm glad you've remembered Connor. I was wondering, given your decision to participate in the show today."

Even Aegis did not have the right to question him like that and Bastion's ego would not allow it to pass unchallenged.

"A little rest and relaxation, that's all. You are not telling me that turning Congressman Taylor's wife into a live porn-star did not appeal to even you?"

Aegis paused to allow his friend to calm down a little. "Taylor's power-base is in Lexington. He's always been more of a pain in your ass than he has in mine, Bastion. Despite the fact that the cutesy value of what you have done will go down like a storm with your viewers, I am more concerned that Connor is removed quickly. I tell you that he is more of a threat to us than he appears. I have a very bad gut-feeling about anyone who can challenge us so blatantly and yet who feels secure enough to sit on a sofa eating pretzels rather than organize himself."

Bastion looked at Connor on the viewer again and then snorted a derisive comment. "He's an arrogant prick, that's all."

"Just make sure your freelance does not miss, Bastion. I hate to imagine what resource of ours may blowup next time if that man lives. Aegis out."

Bastion looked at the clock. His man was due into Lexington in less than twenty minutes and that gave Connor less than two hours left to live. Bastion wondered how Aegis had ever risen to his role as a watcher when he was so prone to panic.

The private plane landed at Lexington airport exactly on schedule, having been granted the kind of priority landing clearance normally reserved for Air Force One. The single passenger disembarked and was greeted by two men in gray suits who escorted him to a waiting car without a word being exchanged.

Once inside he examined the sniper rifle closely whilst the two men sat in the front seat, waiting and watching him in the mirror. When they saw that the inspection was finished the driver turned around and asked, "What should I tell him?"

The voice from the rear-seat was dripping with Texan drawl. "Tell him it's good. Tell him I'll call him when the job is complete. Then drive me to the target but make sure you drop me at least three blocks away."

The car drove slowly; attracting no special attention as it entered the Lexington mid-day traffic.

Tammy drove to the Meridian without hurrying herself. She was worried about Connor and almost called the house before chastising herself for her stupidity. The Guild would have the call monitored and she would be implicated in Connor's plans. Instead she had to settle for worrying about him whilst she maintained her friendly facade, checking in and settling into her suite as if she had no care in the world.

The suite was the best in Lexington and soon Tammy almost forgot herself as she began to relax. Within half an hour a bewildering array of designer clothes began to arrive, matched only by the flurry of masks which covered the entire range from subtle to gross.

Although Tammy was worried over the ball this evening she hoped, for the first time since this all began that she would not be expected to perform sexually for the Guild this evening. Instead, for once, she could simply sit back and enjoy their money.

Bastion watched Tammy from the clandestine comfort of the hidden cameras within the suite, enjoying a momentary voyeuristic flash of flesh before turning his attention to the main matter in hand. The city CCTV easily tracked the car as it pulled up about three blocks from where Connor was sitting and despite himself, Bastion became nervous. He was remembering the warning that Aegis had given about Connor being missed yet he knew that the man behind the scope never missed. Nonetheless, he felt compelled to ring him as he saw the sniper leave the car.

"Hello?"

"Hello, my friend, this is Bastion."

"Bastion, I distinctly heard your people tell you in the car that I would contact you when it was done."

"I know but I am monitoring the target with hidden cameras. I thought I might be able to help."

"I work best without a back-seat driver. Have a little faith, go grab a coffee and let me do my job."

Bastion felt his anger rising. "Who do you think you are talking to? You are standing in the middle of Lexington with a concealed illegal firearm in your case, not to mention a string of outstanding warrants for murder from seven states. I have kept you safe on more than one occasion, do you really think I couldn't call the cops on you now?"

The ice in the reply cooled Bastion's fury immediately. "Threatening me just cost you double. If you do it again I promise it will cost your life."

"I didn't mean--"

"I don't care what you meant. Look, if it will help you I will let you stay on hands-free whilst I do the job. Just shut the fuck up when I am taking the shot! Deal?"

"Deal. I'm sorry."

"No, Bastion you aren't sorry, you're scared. That's not like you at all. Who the hell am I shooting today, the president?"

Bastion sighed. "We own the president. Let's just say it's someone who seems to have a personal grudge against me."

The sniper laughed as Bastion heard him walking from the silent alley and down the packed city-street.

"Hell, if that's the mission I may need some overtime. You've got quite a list of guys like that."

Bastion left the sniper alone with his own thoughts as he watched him walk towards the house on the city CCTV. Even though he was about to commit murder the man looked as anonymous as a street-beggar and Bastion knew that such professionalism was born, not crafted.

As the sniper approached the street corner where the house stood, he stopped. "OK, Mr. Eyes and Ears, I think that low-rise building across the street will do, assuming your target is anywhere in the front of the house. It's got good exits that lead into nice quiet side streets and what looks like low-grade security that I can bypass blindfolded. Any comments?"

Bastion looked at his monitor again just to double-check. "That's fine. The target is the man sitting on the sofa, eating junk-food."

"Works for me."

The sniper moved silently around to the rear of one of the buildings across the street from the house. It was an empty retail-unit and as such attracted no special attention from the passers-by, something it had in common with the sniper as he broke in and swiftly ascended to the roof. The sunlight warmed his back as he lay down and assembled his weapon before training it on the house. A few moments later he could see Connor through his scope and he began to fine-tune his movements in preparation for taking the shot.

His finger was just about to pull the trigger when his concentration was shattered by an exclamation from Bastion.

"Christ, Bastion! What the hell is up with you?"

"The cameras in and around the house have failed. Every last one of them! Can you still see the target?"

"Yes I can, he's still on the sofa but it appears that his TV has suddenly turned off. The neon signs over there are off too. I reckon we've got a localized power-failure. Don't sweat it, Bastion, my rifle doesn't need electricity. If you can just keep quiet for a moment we can get this completed. OK?"

Bastion steadied himself. "OK, take the shot, now!"

The sniper settled his thoughts again and his heart rate followed. Connor had moved from the sofa and was kneeling over his television, presumably trying to work out what was wrong. Taking the shot was slightly tougher in that position but nothing that the sniper could not handle. He placed his finger on the trigger and slowly squeezed the life out of his target.

Bastion heard the silenced shot over his headset and breathed easier. Expecting a comment from the sniper he sat back in his chair and waited patiently. He could still hear him breathing but the lack of response eventually drove Bastion's heart rate back up. "Is it done? Is he dead? What's happening?"

The breathing continued along with the lack of reply. As Bastion was about to repeat his question, the silence was broken. "The shot went off OK, Bastion, but the window has shattered like I've never seen one do before. What the hell was in that frame? Some kind of toughened safety glass? It looks for all the world like a shattered car wind-screen."

Now Bastion was worried. "Does that mean you cannot confirm the kill?"

The sniper paused for a moment. "I know he's dead but if you are asking me if I can see the body then the answer is no. You'll need to get someone in there to confirm that. I know my aim was good and that the bullet went into his head, even if I could not see the actual impact, it's just--"

"Just? Just what?"

"It's hard to say. The shot did not feel quite right. Maybe it's my age but I would have expected more kick-back from the round I used."

"Is that a problem?"

"The only thing I can possibly think of is that the round itself might have been faulty. Maybe it had too little charge in it when it was made. That could, theoretically, have turned a kill shot into a severe head-wound. Your man might be crawling around in there but I'd very much doubt it."

Bastion snapped into action. He contacted the camera unit that had been assigned to follow Connor when he left the house. "Unit 2, this is Bastion."

"Unit 2 here, sir."

"Change of role. I need you to enter the house and confirm that Connor is dead. Go armed and prepared in case he is only wounded. Report you see anything immediately. Go now, quickly."

"On our way, sir."

As Bastion waited for them to report, he contacted the sniper again. "OK, good job, my friend. Payment will be via the usual channel. Get out of there, I have people taking care of any loose ends."

"Thanks, Bastion. Have no worries. I never miss. Your target is dead."

Bastion poured himself vodka as he waited for the report from inside the house. He did not want to calm his nerves, for he had complete faith in his "friend's" aim, but he was preparing to toast his victory. With Connor out of the way, he could safely return to his favorite role of puppet-master over the stars of his show.

"Sir, this is unit 2. We are in the downstairs front room. We have positively identified the dead man in here as Connor, killed by a single shot to the head it seems. Do you want us to take care of the clean-up operation? I am concerned that unless we get him out of here and that window secured quickly, we are going to have the local police all over us."

Bastion smiled with a relief he could barely hide in his voice. "Yes, thank you, unit 2! I am giving you full authority to requisition anything you need from the network. Clean up well there and I promise you a bonus like you've never seen."

"Will do, sir, thank you indeed! Unit 2 out."

Bastion sat back and watched Tammy in her room for a while whilst he enjoyed his drinks. Vodka had never tasted so sweet. It was a full twenty minutes before he was interrupted by an urgent call. Still enjoying the heady mixture of alcohol and self-congratulations, Bastion took the call with a casual manner. "Bastion here, who've we got calling me now?"

"Bastion, this is Aegis. I am granting you the codes to scan channel 17."

Aegis had brought Bastion back to Earth with a shudder. "Channel 17? Why?"

"Do it now, please."

Bastion tuned his system into channel 17 and listened. "I don't hear anything?"

"Exactly. My network uses channel 17 as a secondary communications hub. I can promise you that your own channel 9 is also dead."

"We've had a localized power-failure in Lexington, Aegis. Maybe that's caused some of this?"

"Wake up, man! I am talking about the secondary hubs for both of our entire networks! Someone has taken it down and in a way I cannot trace. I lost the cameras in the house when your freelance was shooting. Are you certain that Connor is dead? This smells of the kind of retaliation he inflicted on you last time, although now it's on both of us."

Bastion's concern caused him to snap, "Of course he's dead! My people are scraping him off the floor as we speak!"

Aegis finally lost his cool with Bastion. It was a rare event indeed from a man famed for his self-control. He spoke slowly, with every word dripping in venom. "Then it's clear that you were wrong to assume that the friends of Connor would go away when their man was dead. They must have tried to contact him and having failed, assumed we'd terminated him. We have people out there who are willing and able to knock down two of our most secure systems. For the love of God, will you now call a breach and get C onto this?"

Bastion felt himself go cold. His voice became weak. "I can't do that, Aegis, C would crucify me. It's gone too far for me to admit that I did not bring him in when I should have."

Aegis spoke kindly as he sensed that shouting was going to achieve nothing. "They are now targeting me so that means they know my people have been helping you. This is spreading, Bastion, and disgrace or no disgrace, C needs to be warned before it gets out of hand. I'll back you up with him, tell him that you and I talked and that I agreed to all of your actions."

Bastion knew just what a sacrifice Aegis was offering to make on his behalf. It melted him. "No, Aegis, I cannot allow you to get blamed for this. I think it's over anyhow. It's been quid pro quo so far, we hit Connor and Connor's friends hit us. The deal offered was peace for us in exchange for the freedom of the girl and the ending of my show. I think this network attack is simply them equaling the score. It should end now that their man is dead."

Aegis sighed. "Are you trying to convince me of that or yourself? You are not going to tell C, are you? Are you?"

"Just give me time to tie up the ends. Connor is dead, as will the girl be in a few days. Whoever attacked us will then have nothing left to fight for. They needed Connor with the girl in order to operate, for whatever reason, and now that he's not there, they are neutered. C need not know something that would cause me to look bad, if the situation is now contained."

Bastion heard Aegis breathing heavily. Aegis was clearly fighting every natural instinct within him as he spoke. OK, Bastion, this is my final favor to you. I am telling you straight that you have exactly twenty-four hours from now to show me that the threat is gone. If you do not, I will personally not only report the breach to C but also tell him how you have failed in your duty. Don't make me play Judas. Sort this."

"You have my word, Aegis. In one day, I will either mail you the dicks of those responsible or I will terminate Miss Squires, even if the viewers want it otherwise. Either way we will not be bothered anymore."

"May God help us all, Bastion."

Bastion sat back in his chair. "Who was it who said that God backs the general with the biggest battalions? We're practically the entire military in a can. Nothing can touch us. One day more my friend, I promise. Bastion out."

It only took Bastion a few seconds to activate the controls that allowed him to talk to every agent, in every sector, under his direct command.

"This is a general message from Bastion to the network. Channel 9 has been compromised by unknown outside elements. There is reason to assume that these elements may also be targeting other assets although I do not expect any hostile action against them at present. As of this moment, all other priorities cease. Identify and terminate the elements. Liaise with your local commanders for information on how to target your own activities to this end."

Bastion then switched his channel to allow only the commanders to hear him. "This is not a breach but it's too close to one to allow comfort. I am giving you twenty hours to succeed. Begin by discovering how channel 9 was disrupted. Use your imagination, your funds are unlimited for this operation and there are no rules of engagement, but do whatever it takes to regain the initiative against these bastards. Bastion out."

Tammy looked at the clock in her hotel room and saw that she had five hours before the ball was due to start. She had selected her costume, which was the nearest thing to Cat-woman she'd seen outside of the movies, and now it was just a matter of filling in time without arousing suspicions. There are only so many showers a girl can take in an afternoon she thought, before settling down to watch TV.

Bastion did not take pills as a rule. He was a believer in his own inner-strength and quite often suffered unnecessarily with colds because he refused to medicate the symptoms away. Today was very much an exception to that rule and he was on his third set of tranquilizers when he was notified of an incoming transmission. It was from one of his field commanders.

"Bastion? This is the commander of Blue Section."

"It's been over four hours, commander. I had expected at least a summary of action report before now."

The commander was used to Bastion. He knew the best way to handle him was polite-belligerence. "I've been a little busy, sir, given the far-reaching remit you handed the network and the limited starting point we had to work with. Anyway I think the delay may have proved worthwhile."

Bastion became very focused, very suddenly. "Worthwhile? You've found them?"

"Channel 17 is now active again, sir, as is our own channel 9. It took our best efforts to locate the source of the invasion because it was routed all over the globe and, in the end, came from the very last place we expected."

"Where?"

"Ourselves. Sir, the communication network was compromised from our primary relays in London. Once we found the programs responsible we were able to erase them and do some secondary tracking. The computer programs fell into two categories, with one being signal-activated and the other being on a timer. The signal they were programmed to respond to was from one of our transponders here in Lexington which, in turn, was activated by a mobile-phone call."

"Let me guess, commander. That call was made by Connor?"

"Indeed. We recovered his mobile from the corpse and analyzed it. It piggy-backed off of one of the defense networks, by-passing our normal scans, and was pre-programmed to call the transponder after a code was entered into the handset."

"I presume, commander, it was one of the usual alphanumeric codes?"

"You would have expected that, sir, given the complexity of the operation behind it, but in fact the code was almost childish. It made us second-guess ourselves for a while."

Bastion was about to move on when he hesitated. Something inside him made him ask. "What was the code?"

"04-02-1968"

"A date? The second of April 1968?"

"Yes, maybe his date of birth? Anyway, the initial explosion at the Texan listening station used explosives that were radio-activated, from a signal that emanated from the London relay. The attack on our channels was timer-based and could only have been prevented if Connor had dialed the relay. It, and a series of others against our network, were programmed to re-set by twelve hours if contacted. The fact it went off indicates that no one was alive to prevent it. In short, sir, it's my conclusion that Connor was a highly sophisticated but ultimately solitary intruder. The threat has died with him and I recommend the network be stood-down."

Bastion was already placing a call to Aegis as he spoke. "Of course. You have performed excellent work, commander, and I will not be ungrateful! Bastion out."

"Aegis here."

"Aegis! I presume you have been copied into the data from Blue Commander?"

Aegis sounded, if anything, a little drunk. "Yes, Bastion, and I must admit it's a huge relief to me. I was beginning to become a little stressed over this whole Connor business. It seems he was a loose cannon after all and that means that we can relax a bit more now that he's dead. There only remains the one niggling thing."

Bastion was too excited to listen properly. "Of course he was! I told you, Aegis, my network can handle anything! And you wanted me to run to C, tail between my legs!" Then some part of Bastion's brain processed the end of what Aegis had said. "What niggling thing?"

"The code on his phone, Bastion. It's a date."

"Yes I know. Probably his date of birth, or something. So what?"

"He had a British accent and used our primary relay in London. It's not a massive leap of logic to assume he also used the British means of dating which has the day first. That makes the date the fourth of February 1968."

Bastion felt himself becoming annoyed at the way Aegis was always nit picking. "Fascinating, Aegis! Remind me to invite you to my next pedant-theme party."

Aegis spoke with thinly veiled malice. "Just be careful you do not exceed the tolerance limits of our friendship. If you had bothered to read the Sentinel file properly, you would have remembered that the Guild interrogation center, within which the man with Connor's DNA profile was first recorded, was ultimately defeated by that man. After that, the Guild closed it down. They did that on the fourth of February 1968."

Even the tranquilizers could not prevent Bastion from suddenly feeling a sharp pain in his chest. Recovering after a few moments, he tried to clear his mind. "Aegis, Connor is dead. That man from the interrogation center is dead. There must have been an error in the DNA analysis because one could not possibly have been the other anyhow. Even if they were, it's over. The threat is over."

"All I am saying, Bastion, is that the evidence suggests that this man was buried in London in 1984. It also suggests you just had him assassinated today. If your agents have any holy water on them, I would think a little sprinkle on Connor would not go amiss. Eh? Death seems to be a way of life for this guy."

"I don't believe in ghosts, Aegis. If Connor had enough access to our network to do what he did, then who is to say he did not alter the original record from the facility? Who cares anyhow? He's dead and I have a show to run. At least we can agree that C need never know about this?"

Aegis clearly needed more convincing. "Please, old friend. It's not exactly been my finest hour, has it? C would take a very dim view."

"I wish you would reconsider, Bastion. You know as well as I that it is your duty to report all this to C. Nonetheless, I will not be the one to do it if you decide not to. The immediate danger seems to be over."

"Thank you, my friend. Sorry to cut you short but I have to prepare for this evening's main event. Miss Squires is about to go partying. Bastion out."

Tammy received a phone call from Green in her hotel room. "Miss Squires, it's almost time. I just wanted to brief you a little before you attend the ball because we will only have the transmitter in the glasses once you are in there. Your targets tonight are Senator Taylor and his good wife. I have them under surveillance now. Once they leave their house I will have my people install hidden cameras inside their home, to capture the final act of our little drama."

"What should I do when I attend?"

"Just listen to my instructions and relax. I have people in there as well to assist you. Perform well tonight, Tammy, and there is nothing you cannot ask for in return."

Other than my freedom, Tammy thought.

Green sent a car to collect Tammy from the Meridian. It was, in his typical style, far too large and far too expensive for a lady of Tammy's age but nonetheless it made her feel special as she was driven to the masquerade ball. As she was arriving, she saw paparazzi and knew she had entered another world.

Once inside she was assailed by the opulence of her surroundings. Ostensibly for charity, the ball nonetheless had taken every possible chance to waste money. The only thing more exclusive than the fabrics and furnishings was the guest list.

Tammy was offered a welcoming drink of champagne that she accepted with a little too much eagerness. She felt more nervous than ever and not just because she had never mixed in such circles before. She was missing Connor and wondered if he would be able to get to her soon. Tammy needed his strong, soothing presence here and instead all she had was a sea of masked, swirling strangers that rose and fell in time to the orchestral accompaniment.

Her isolation did at least give Tammy a chance to examine the other guests. In a variety of costumes, they looked more like a travelling circus than the great and good of Lexington society, although the accents and mannerisms betrayed their social status even though they had been robbed of their usual attire.

From the voice, Tammy was able to identify that the woman near to her was Barbara Taylor. She was dressed conservatively yet somehow managed to be awash with artificial feathers, a combination that amused Tammy despite herself. From the bird-mask Barbara was wearing Tammy could only assume she was meant to be a bird of some kind, though she looked more parakeet than Hawk. Tammy presumed correctly that the man on Barbara's arm, dressed as the Phantom of the Opera, must be Senator Taylor. He was one of at least five "Phantoms" in the room, proving that money cannot buy imagination.

In due course, the guests were escorted to dinner. The center of the floor was dominated by one almost endless dining table adorned with every conceivable decoration imaginable. When the gold and silver plates were presented it finally achieved the heights of vulgarity or, at the very least, those heights could be seen from the tabletop.

Green watched Tammy from one of the many hidden cameras in the building. He placed a call to Bastion. "There's our girl, sir. In position."

Bastion could feel his heart speed up as he relaxed into his anticipation. "Is Barbara Taylor there?"

"Yes sir. If you would care to make your way down here, I will make good on my promise to you before the end of the night. I would suggest you come dressed as the Phantom of the Opera, to ensure maximum blending."

"On my way."

It took Bastion twenty minutes to get changed and leave the building. He entered a black stretch-limousine that was driven by one of his Praetorian Guard. Bastion entered the city with typical overstated secrecy and headed for the ball.

Green opened a channel to Tammy. "Miss Squires, as you see you are seated next to Senator Taylor however you would be wasting your time if you attempted to seduce him. He is a man devoted to his wife. Leave that element to my people for the moment and just enjoy the meal."

Green thought for a second. Knowing Bastion would be watching and equally knowing his taste for power-games, Green decided to make Tammy play. "Look for a chance to be sexual however. That guy next to you is Simon, he's only 24 and his girlfriend is next to him. Fall into conversation with him and see how seductive you can be. Arouse him without arousing suspicion."

For the next twenty minutes, Tammy flirted mercilessly with her neighbor. She found Simon to be charming and that made the chase all the more pleasant, despite the obviously jealous glares that she occasionally received from his girlfriend. During her conversation Tammy encouraged Simon to drink as much of the wine as possible and, in the manner of a young man trying to impress, he obliged. It was clear he was not a regular drinker by the time he had consumed his fourth glass. Simon was clearly merry as his body language began to betray his lust for Tammy.

Green opened a channel to Tammy again. "OK, Miss Squires, let's test Simon. Move on to suggest directly. If he is willing, we can arrange for something there at the table. I doubt his girlfriend would allow you to go upstairs with him alone."

Tammy was surprised at what Green had said but nonetheless, leaned over and whispered in Simon's ear. "Would you like a little sexy fun Simon?"

Simon's eyes nearly popped from their sockets. It was clear the decision was made but his fear of being caught was great, despite his drunken state. He whispered back, "She'd never let me be alone with you."

"That's not a problem. I can arrange something. Do you want me to?"

Simon flushed red before he whispered his consent.

Green talked to Tammy again. "OK, good. We are going to have a package and some silk gloves brought to the table. You are to tell Simon that you market erotic toys and that you have something new from Europe. Give him the package and tell him to go to the toilet. There, he is to follow the instructions and return to you. Tell him he has five minutes maximum or else his girlfriend may become worried. The gloves are for you, Miss Squires."

Tammy relayed the instructions once the package had arrived. Looking puzzled but aroused Simon went to the toilet to prepare. Tammy put the gloves quietly onto her hands before she made small talk with Simon's girlfriend. Once Simon was out of the way the other woman visibly relaxed and Tammy found her easy company.

As Simon returned, Green briefed Tammy on what was to happen. "Now, Miss Squires. If he's followed instructions, Simon will have changed his underwear. He's now wearing one of the toys I have had specially created. They are boxer shorts and contain a myriad of electrical conductors. Suffice to say that as you move your fingers in the gloves a series of signals will duplicate those movements around Simon. If you stroke, they will simulate the stroke, if you grip then they will grip. You need to program the gloves with spatial awareness. Take three wineglasses and make them into a small triangle in front of you. Two are to represent his buttocks and the third is his penis. Mark the buttocks with a sharp point from your left hand and the penis with one from your right. Try it when he sits down."

The idea appealed to Tammy and she winked at Simon as he sat down. Tammy placed three empty wineglasses and locked them into the program in the way Green had indicated. She began tentatively by stroking the left glass with her finger and was pleased when she heard Simon pause in his conversation for a moment, clearly feeling her invisible touch as he chatted. Tammy knew she had a new toy to play with and it had a pulse.

Green spoke again. "Miss Squires, they are about to offer after-dinner mints. You will be secretly handed a special sensor at this time. It will expand upon contact with any warm, moist environment and take the shape of that which surrounds it. The shape will be mimicked by the penis part of the boxer shorts, overriding the gloves as long as the temperature is maintained, and will also, take the shape of his penis. Place it in your mouth to stimulate him but be prepared to remove it, of course, as he becomes erect. The sensor is made to look like a candy stick and I am sure you do not need to be told why."

Tammy began to talk to Simon's girlfriend again, this time learning that her name was Sheila. As the sensor was passed to Tammy she quickly popped it into her mouth whilst she distracted Sheila. Simon felt the front of his boxer shorts mould and warm, simulating the pleasant warmth of Tammy's mouth. As Tammy talked to Sheila she licked all around the sensor, invisibly stimulating Sheila's boyfriend whilst he remained fully clothed. Simon went quiet and allowed the two women to talk, all the while becoming more and more aroused. Soon Tammy felt the sensor hardening and made an excuse to look in her handbag. When she returned she was holding a phallic-shaped candy-stick in her hand. It was the exact size and shape of the secret erection that Simon was hiding in his trousers.

When Sheila saw it, she giggled a little drunkenly. "What's that, Tammy?"

Tammy giggled back in order to bond. "As a franchisee, I market erotica over here from Europe. This is one of our latest and most popular, regular candy made up into a novelty shape."

Sheila blushed in the style of most women who have elected to go to an Ann Summers party.

"No need to blush, hon, it's only a bit of fun."

Tammy demonstrated by taking the candy into her mouth, sending Simon into silent joy with her tongue. Finally, she locked eyes with him for a split second as her head began to bob up and down. She stopped to ensure it did not look like anything other than a tease.

Sheila giggled again. "You'd better be careful, Tammy, Simon might get ideas!"

Tammy laughed and Simon laughed as well. The only difference was the mild-hysteria in Simons's voice.

Sensing that Sheila was also drunk by now, Tammy decided to push the female-bonding process a little. She leaned over to her. "Do you fancy a go? It's a little unhygienic I know but I've flossed today, honest."

Sheila laughed again as she took the candy. "It's always been a fantasy of mine, Tammy, to give head in a public place, but I've never had the courage. I guess this is the next best thing."

Tammy had an idea. "Go for it, girl. Close you eyes and imagine you are blowing Simon right here and now. It's only a sweet after all, they cannot arrest you for it."

Sheila hid the candy as best she could before closing her eyes and beginning. Clearly, from the look on her face, the fantasy mixed with the alcohol was arousing her and that pleased Tammy. She liked Sheila and was pleased she could share a small piece of liberation with her. As Sheila worked, Tammy whispered to Simon. "How does it feel?"

"It feels just like when she does it at home. This technology is wonderful. I just wish she did it as good as you just did."

That comment sparked another idea in Tammy's mind. Telling Simon to stall Sheila when she had finished, Tammy began to look around the room again. Most of the men had formed power-groups, leaving their wives and girlfriends to wander around drinking. With a little bit of intuition, Tammy began to identify those women she thought young and drunk enough to be of use. She then began to fall into conversation with them and, from the giggling, it was clear to even a casual observer that they had begun to talk about sexual matters.

Ten minutes later Tammy returned to Sheila and Simon with four other women. They pulled their chairs into a circle, alongside one of the darker corners of the room, before Tammy began. "OK, ladies. The gents have decided to be boring but as you know I sell erotica. Well, the candy stick held by Sheila is one of our newest and best-selling items. I fancy a challenge, anyone up for some Ann-Summer's type fun?"

More giggling.

"The gent here is Simon. He's the very charming boyfriend of Sheila and he's agreed to give us some focus and to be a judge. The game is about blowjob technique and we will take it in turns of a minute each to play. Simon will place the candy-stick between his legs at a distance, to ensure no one is embarrassed, but close enough to simulate the real thing. The player has to kneel in front of him and give the candy a blowjob whilst the rest of us shield them from everyone else. The winner is the one that Simon reckons did the best-simulated job, so really go for it. I use this at demonstrations all the time, as it's a real icebreaker.

"To help Simon remember you, tell him your name and who you are partnered too before beginning. Sheila and I have already played before we opened the game so who's next?"

Sheila cuddled Simon from behind his chair as he placed the candy-stick between his legs, feeling his own fingers on his erect cock as he did so. The first lady, with a figure to die for, knelt in front of him. She locked eyes and introduced herself. "Hello, Simon. My name is Mandy Bernard and I am the daughter of Senator Bernard. I am an abstainer outside of marriage but if I were to blow a guy, I guess I'd do it like this."

Simon knew of Mandy from the trash media. She was a famous member of the abstinence movement, of which her father was a major supporter, and there had been many lurid fantasies printed about what she would be like on her wedding night. Simon thrilled to know he was about to be the first man ever to find out.

Mandy went down on the candy-stick and Simon silently groaned as he felt her mouth sucking on his cock. Mandy had the technique of a clumsy virgin but that was more than compensated for by the media-images that flooded Simon's mind. Time and again, like so many men, he'd seen her on screen and fantasized about her. To have her head bobbing up and down in front of him now was wonderful.

Tammy could see that the drink was beginning to have a serious affect on Sheila and so she suggested that she support Sheila as Sheila cuddled Simon. Sheila was glad of the offer and both women nestled in tightly, allowing Tammy to feel the thinness of Sheila's dress against her "cat-woman" suit.

Tammy decided to see if she could push this a little further. She whispered into Sheila's ear as Mandy continued to blow Simon. "No one can see your crotch from here, Sheila, because it's shielded by Simon and the chair. The chair has openings in the back. If Simon leant forward a little, he could put his hand behind him, freeing his fingers to stimulate you. All you would need do is unzip your trousers."

"I don't know if I should," Sheila whispered back.

"Go on, no one will know. These women are simulating oral on Simon and you can bet he's enjoying the thrill. Knowing him, he'd be delighted to let you get a thrill as well. Ask him whilst they are all staring at Mandy and his crotch."

Sheila whispered to Simon and it was clear by the change in his position that he had agreed. Sheila wriggled into position but her state of drunkenness was making it hard. Tammy smiled. She had hoped it would. She whispered again to Sheila, "Look, honey, it's tricky I know. Do you trust me?"

"Yes."

"OK, let me alongside you and I will guide his fingers. I won't touch you of course but I can make it all work and look natural as well. Close your eyes and concentrate on staying still until it is over."

In one fluid movement Tammy had not only positioned herself next to Sheila but also had unzipped her fly in her own costume. With his back to them, Simon did not know exactly where Sheila was so he had no reason to worry when Tammy took his hand. Tammy guided Simons's hand inside her own trousers, thrilling as he began to work softly on her clitoris through her thin panties. To cover for herself Tammy moved her own hand inside Sheila's zip, carefully positioning it so that it would feel as if it had come from Simons's direction. Tammy began to half-heartily rub through Sheila's panties, knowing that the woman was probably too drunk to really care much about technique just as long as the situation itself thrilled her.

Bastion watched Tammy on his screen as he was driven to the ball. By the time his car had arrived, he had already signaled ahead to his agents at the hotel, letting them know that he would need them to keep themselves available for the evening. Bastion made doubly sure his mask was secured before he exited the car then also tested the built-in microphone that would allow him to talk to his forces.

The driver of the car leaned out of his window, "Would you like me to accompany you, sir?"

Bastion thought for a moment. Guild protocol insisted that watchers must have at least one bodyguard available at all times but, with Connor dead, Bastion did not feel in the slightest danger. He did not want a mere underling around him tonight unless they were going to actively aid his plans, for mere underlings bored Bastion almost as much as intellectual conversation.

"No. Park about a block away and wait for me. I will summon you when I need you again."

"As you wish, sir. Enjoy your evening."

Another pair of eyes watched Bastion as he entered the event. Bastion being dressed as the Phantom of the Opera, they thought, was very appropriate for he lived in the shadows far more than he did anywhere else. As Bastion disappeared through the door the eyes could not help musing to themselves, "Remember there are worse things than a shattered chandelier."

Simons's hand was just about to bring Tammy to climax when one of the women in front of him happened to look up. Suddenly she hissed, "Someone's coming!"

It was all Tammy could do to extract her hand from Sheila's crotch before Sheila opened her eyes. Simon had withdrawn his hand with equal shocked speed, a speed similar to that shown by Mandy as she quickly resumed her seat. Tammy grabbed the candy stick from between Simons's legs as, with a movement whose deftness surprised even her, she zipped herself up again. A quick check reassured her that no one had seen her do so.

Tammy felt robbed of her climax and angry that she'd been interrupted. She spun to see who was coming and saw a mime-clown approach, complete with a dark and somewhat grotesque mask. As the clown noticed that the group was looking at him he performed a theatrical bow and handed Tammy a single synthetic rose, much to the amusement of those around her. Tammy looked at the gift and saw that its core contained a small, white piece of paper. Smiling back at the clown, she thanked him before extracting and reading the words on the paper.

'Acknowledge me and tell me that your dance card is full. Tonight things will end, Tammy, one way or another, and you will not hear from me again unless you are free. Connor.'

Tammy was shocked but her resilience won through. She smiled at Connor as he stood, cupping his left ear whilst he stood with his head at an angle.

"Sorry to say, Mr. Clown, that I've already promised enough people that I will dance with them tonight."

Connor placed his hands on his heart as if he had been shot with an arrow before moving sadly away. He relaxed as he re-entered the party before he began to shadow a certain phantom subtly.

Tammy's moment with Simon had been shattered when Connor interrupted her but she was determined not to be robbed of her pleasure. The others had moved away when Connor had approached but Simon and Sheila were waiting for her. Suddenly the music began and a series of couples walked over to the dance-floor. Tammy had an idea that made her smile.

She leant over to Sheila and whispered. "Fancy a dance with Simon? I'm happy to sit out the first couple. I will meet you both by that table when you are done."

"OK. That sounds like fun. Come on, Simon, we're dancing."

Sheila led Simon to the dance floor whilst Tammy went towards the ladies lavatories again.

Green spoke to her in her ear. "You cannot need the toilet again, Miss Squires?"

"You are right Mr. Green but I need privacy for a moment. Just watch whilst I finish my business with Simon, assuming I have enough time before you need me to approach the Congressman?"

Green saw Congressman Taylor and his wife on the dance floor. They were going nowhere for the moment.

"You have time, Tammy. I'll let you know when you need approach the Taylors."

By the time Tammy had returned from the lavatories, she had made the candy-stick erect again, via a series of strokes and kisses, before she had inserted it inside her moist pussy. Simons's initial distraction at her foreplay was as nothing compared to his sensations when the candy was inserted. It felt to him exactly like Tammy had wrapped her nakedness around his waist. As Simon continued to make small talk with Sheila he saw Tammy sit down at the table, making his invisible penetration of her complete. He groaned silently in pleasure because his underwear had simulated Tammy's vagina down the last millimeter, including the temperature, making the sensations he was feeling as he danced incredibly erotic.

Tammy began to rock imperceptibly back and forth, combining her own movement with the movement from Simon as he waltzed around. Soon they had formed a very effective rhythm and Tammy looked at Sheila, thrilling in the knowledge that Simon was fucking her in front of not only his girlfriend's face but also the entire assembled crowd.

Green found himself once again impressed with Tammy's ingenuity. She really was the finest star of the show they had ever had, and part of him mourned the day she would be executed. He sat back and looked at the viewing figures as they began to soar again. Clearly, word was getting round and the Guild members were enjoying every moment of the evening's performance.

Tammy enjoyed a nice, long screw with Simon as the dancing progressed. She knew there was no hurry or fear of discovery. As the music changed Simon grabbed Sheila and held her tightly. Sheila took the gesture, along with the soft thrusting, to be an indication that he wanted her later that evening. It made Sheila beam at him. Only Simon and Tammy knew he had done so in order to use Sheila's body to thrust deeper inside Tammy's vagina. Tammy could see from his body language that he was on the verge of climax and so she slowed things down a little until she too was ready. In one triumphant thrust, she finally felt orgasm from Simon and she knew he had climaxed simultaneously. Simon held weakly onto Sheila as he recovered whilst Tammy sat and felt his erection slowly, deliciously, ebb away inside her.

Connor had been discreetly listening into Bastion's conversations as he sipped a glass of white wine. Bastion could have chosen any cover story at all but, true to form, he had chosen one about being a Hollywood screenwriter. Such a glamorous job had attracted much interest, if feigned a little in some cases because a few moments of conversation from Bastion was enough to tell anyone exactly the kind of man he was.

Despite their best efforts, base politeness had allowed Bastion to trap three women in a corner. His conversation was circular, with all attempts by the women to broaden the topics beyond Bastion being clumsily hijacked by bluster. Under his mask, Connor smiled. This must be the first time in years that Bastion had ever talked to someone who did not know the power he wielded. The women were talking to him without fear and with that stripped away, Bastion was unable to command their respect.

As Bastion launched into another wave of self-praise, he slowly became aware that the women were looking past him, trying hard not to show their amusement. Turning slowly he saw a mime standing behind him, mimicking every movement he was making whilst exaggerating them in a comedic fashion. When the mime saw that Bastion had spotted him he ceased immediately and began to whistle his innocence.

Bastion felt embarrassed in front of the women, mocked by a stranger and impotent. This trilogy of emotions did little to ease his mood. He looked hard at the mime and spoke with thinly veiled rage. "What do you think you are doing?"

The mime looked thoughtful for a second before giving a soft shrug.

"If you don't go away and do it somewhere else I will make you regret it."

With a deft movement, the mime turned his back and pulled out two long, thin balloons. In a couple of seconds, he had inflated them with a small canister of gas that was concealed within his costume. Bastion watched with almost masochistic wonderment as the mime began to twist them together before suddenly turning around. The mime pointed the balloon-sword at Bastion and went into a theatrical "en garde" stance, much to the amusement of the ladies. The laughter crushed the bully in Bastion and now he just wanted to get away from the situation.

He stormed past the mime and sought solace not only in another corner of the room, but also within his guild-granted powers. He hissed into his mask. "Green, it's Bastion. Do you hear me?"

"Yes, sir. You sound a little upset."

"Who the hell is that mime? That fool is showing us all up."

"It could be anyone, sir. We set the invite list but the costumes were the decision of the guests."

"I want him hurt."

It was all Green could do not to laugh. He had to wonder how C would react to a Guild-hit on a mime clown for the crime of waving a balloon-weapon with intent to mock. Nonetheless, he knew better than to contradict Bastion so he sought instead to deflect him long enough for it to blow over.

"We can find out after midnight, sir. He'll remove his mask along with everyone else. After that we can assess his importance and take appropriate retaliatory steps."

It seemed the inclusion of a mention of retribution was enough for Bastion however, being the man he was, he still felt the need to kick someone to make himself feel bigger again. His attention turned to the main event of the evening and he suddenly felt better.

"Move Miss Squires over to Congressman Taylor and his wife."

"It's a little early, sir. I was planning to keep things low until the dancing was well under way."

Bastion was not in the mood to wait. He needed his power-fix now and decided to start with a veiled threat to his subordinate. "Move her over, Mr. Green. Begin whatever you had planned and make it good. The Guild is watching your work closely."

Connor watched as Tammy moved towards the Taylors. She caught his gaze for the last time before two dancing-couples blocked her view of him. They were there for a matter of seconds but, in that time, she saw her mime clown had vanished. Only the softly closing door behind where he had been gave any clue as to what had happened. Green, speaking via her glasses interrupted Tammy's thoughts, and she no longer had time to worry about her protector.

"Miss Squires, as you approach I want you to fall into conversation with Barbara Taylor. Through her, you will be introduced to the Congressman. Just keep it nice and light for the moment and wait for my instructions."

Tammy approached Barbara nervously. This was the part she had been dreading the most.

"Hello, Barbara. My name is Tammy Squires, we met at the house today?"

Barbara looked a little surprised. "Hello, Miss Squires. It's nice to see you again, especially as we don't see many accountants at this type of function."

The response had been polite enough but the meaning was clear. Barbara was wondering how someone who was a mere accountant was able to gain an invite to such a high-caliber event. Tammy wished Green would advise what to say but he clearly was leaving this one up to her.

"I'm here with my partner who is a financier. I seem to have lost him at the moment and I thought I could maybe share a drink with you. It was nice to see a friendly face, though in these costumes it's hard to tell!"

Barbara laughed and Tammy knew she had broken the ice. That was the main thing although it annoyed her than she had used the "my partner is someone important" ruse. She felt it had somehow demeaned her although the thought of someone alone, in socially unfamiliar surroundings, clearly had melted Barbara's heart.

"Yes, it is, isn't it, my dear? Please let me introduce my husband, Joseph. He's a Congressman as you know."

Joseph smiled as he lifted Tammy's hand. He had the airs of a real southern gentleman, with the accent to match, even though he was dressed as the Phantom. Placing a kiss on her hand Joseph held her gaze for a moment before speaking. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Squires. My wife tells me you did a fine job on the accounts this afternoon. Thank you."

Tammy highly doubted if Barbara had actually thought the accounts worthy of conversation with her husband but she appreciated the attempt at warmth nonetheless. Soon the three of them had fallen in polite, if staid, conversation and it pleased Green. Stage one had been accomplished. Now all Green had to do was get his idiot boss out of the way before Bastion could interfere. Green contacted Bastion after a long think. He hoped he had phrased this correctly.

"Sir, it's Green. I think it might be better if you waited at the Taylor residence. You can watch the show whilst you wait for them to be delivered to you and it would make you more secure."

Green cursed himself as soon as he had finished. He had meant that Bastion, a watcher of the Guild, could be safer if not lost in a crowd of people that the Guild did not fully control. Given his emotional state, however, Green suddenly realized that Bastion might take his comments as meaning he was feeling emotionally insecure at the party. It would have been a fifty-fifty call with anyone else but with Bastion, it was a racing cert.

"I can handle myself here just fine, thank you."

"Sir, I didn't mean to imply..."

"Just get me a room upstairs and bring the Taylors to me when you are ready. I will watch the show from there."

Despite how his mind was racing, Green noted that Bastion did indeed feel uncomfortable enough to want to leave the main room. He smiled at just how inept his boss had been when forced to talk to people who did not have to fake an interest in his opinions.

"That would be dangerous, sir. We prepared the Taylors' residence because it would reduce the number of potential complications. With so many people around, one of them may see or hear something."

"Then just make sure you are careful. You promised me something special tonight, Mr. Green. Make it happen here and make it happen soon or else I may begin to think I misjudged your abilities."

Green knew better than to argue when Bastion was in this mood. "OK, sir. Go to room 108 and wait there. I will contact you when we are ready. Green out."

Green turned his attention to Tammy again. He saw that she was still talking to the Taylors but clearly now the conversation was waning. Seeing the Taylors had almost finished their drinks Green decided to grab his opportunity. He spoke into Tammy's earpiece. "Suggest that you find them some more drinks, Miss Squires, and then excuse yourself somewhere we can talk."

Tammy made her excuses and walked to a quieter corner where she could speak without being overheard. "What should I do now, Mr. Green?"

"Here's the deal, Miss Squires. That waiter at the bar will give you two drinks. You must hand the one on the left to Barbara and the one on the right to the Congressman. The one on the left contains a drug that will allow us to separate them."

Tammy was worried at the idea of having to drug Barbara again. "A drug?"

"Don't worry, it will simply cause her to feel faint for now. I have people who will guide her upstairs to a room for a lie-down. I am betting that this gathering is too important to the Congressman for him to leave as well, once he knows his wife is in good hands. Move quickly before they locate drinks from somewhere else."

Tammy went over to the bar as Bastion watched her via the feed from the show. He called down to Green. "Why do you want them separating?"

"The drug will knock Barbara Taylor out for about ten minutes. When she awakes, she will be in a state of incredible arousal. We need that for the next part almost as much as we need her husband to be elsewhere."

Bastion could feel himself becoming erect as he thought of what Green had promised him that evening. "OK, just don't tire her out."

"Have faith, sir. I will make good on my promise. Green out."

Tammy returned to the Taylors and handed out the drinks. It was only a matter of a few minutes before Barbara began to look pale.

Concern for his wife rushed over Joseph. "Are you OK, my love?"

"I feel a little odd."

A waiter came over to them immediately. "Is everything OK, sir?"

"My wife feels a little ill. Do you have a private place she could sit down for a moment?"

"I will get one of the rooms upstairs opened for her, sir. We have a doctor here and he will also be sent. If there is any cause for concern I will arrange for you to be contacted."

Congressman Taylor looked about to argue but Green had gambled correctly. Taylor had too many people he needed to meet tonight to be distracted by a minor fainting fit.

"OK, thank you. Keep me informed, please."

A few staff members helped Barbara Taylor upstairs whilst Tammy did her best to reassure Joseph. It was clear, however, that he wanted to circulate around the room quickly and he made his excuses. Soon Tammy was standing alone again with only her wine for company.

Green checked that Barbara was in position and then he contacted Tammy again. "Miss Squires, you are to go upstairs now. You will find room 110 open and Barbara Taylor will be inside, unconscious on the bed. Hurry, please, she will not be asleep long."

Tammy was nervous as she entered the hotel lobby. As she approached the lifts, she saw a man who was waiting for her there.

Green spoke again. "Say nothing to that man but take the package he will offer you. Ascend in the lift and enter Barbara's room before opening the package."

By the time Tammy had entered the room, she had already guessed what was in the package. The phallic shape and texture were all too obvious. It was therefore no surprise to her when she found it contained a dildo. Given Green's request from earlier on in the day, it was also no surprise to find it was an exact replica of the one she had shown him in Barbara's bedroom.

"What am I meant to do with this?" Tammy said, dreading the answer.

"We hope she has her own in her handbag. It was missing from her residence when we installed the cameras and, we think, she must keep it close to her for fear her husband might discover it. This was not our primary plan for tonight, although I had hoped it may be the case when I asked you to show me her own dildo, but we are using it as a long-term back-up.

"Impregnated inside the dildo we have provided is a mixture of a chemical compound and semen from one of our agents. When she awakes she will be in a state of arousal and we hope she will use the dildo, releasing the compound that will then mix seamlessly with her vaginal fluids. In a few months we will have a scandal that will bring down the Taylors, when we reveal that the baby she is carrying is not his. Exchange it for the one in her handbag, Tammy."

Tammy went cold. No matter the need for pretence and no matter the danger to herself, this was simply a violation she could not allow to happen. Whilst she was waiting for Connor to punish these bastards, she knew she was the only one who could prevent this.

Tammy did a very courageous thing. She pretended to exchange the dildoes but in fact, with clever slight of hand, she did not. She was gambling that Green would not have seen.

"Well done, Miss Squires. Now return to the party, please."

Tammy breathed heavily as she descended to the party again. She had gotten away with it and she silently thanked whichever force of decency had protected her. It had been different with men who, for one reason or another, had placed themselves in the line of Guild attention. Barbara was innocent, in her way, and Tammy simply could not allow her to be violated.

"Bastion, this is Aegis."

Bastion was shocked to hear from his friend tonight and the call grabbed his attention away from the show. "Yes, Aegis?"

"Get out of there now."

"Why? What's up?"

"I have heard a distinct rumor that C has been informed about your appearance on the show tonight. He is most displeased that a watcher is appearing, albeit masked, on a feed that is going out to lower Guild members. I have also heard that he has begun his own covert investigation into the explosion at your Texan listening station."

Bastion became weak. All he could say was, "Christ no!"

Aegis sought to comfort and reassure his friend. "Don't worry too much just yet. All you have done so far is appear at a fancy-dress ball. I was more concerned that you would have to explain why you got your dick out on live camera. As for the facility, tough it out. Let C prove it was anything other than an accident. Go back to your headquarters and prepare your arguments. You can expect his call in the morning."

Bastion mind was racing. "What about Connor? Does C know about Connor?"

"There is no reason to assume he does. Connor is dead and your network is loyal. No one is going to tell him anything about Connor unless you authorize them to."

Bastion called down to Green. "Green, I am leaving. Keep Miss Squires occupied for tonight and then have her return to the hotel."

Green sounded surprised at the sudden change of plan. "What should I tell her?"

"Anything you like, just keep her busy until I contact you in the morning."

"Sir, I thought you wanted Barbara Taylor?"

Bastion was ashamed at how his lust had endangered him with C. It was all he could do to say, "Not any more. Bastion out."

The channel closed to Green as Bastion reopened the channel to Aegis. "I cannot find the words to thank you, my old friend."

"Just keep calm, act professionally and you will be fine, Bastion. Aegis out."

Bastion hurried down the stairs and into the night air. He went to where his car should be waiting but found nothing but trash blowing in the breeze instead. Frustrated, he called to his radio. "Driver? Where the hell are you?"

The reply was the very last thing Bastion expected. Instead of a voice, he was now hearing music. 'I'm so high I can hear Heaven. Oh but Heaven, no Heaven don't hear me.'

Before Bastion could react, his attention was diverted by a single, silenced gunshot. It missed his head by an inch and ricocheted off the sidewalk, causing him to duck instinctively behind a nearby tree. As Bastion panted heavily with the exertion, he tried to clear the radio in his mask but all to no avail. The music was on every channel. 'And they say that a hero could save us, I'm not gonna stand here and wait.'

"Driver? Anyone? I am under attack. Respond!" Bastion screamed in terror. Nothing but the music replied to him.

"Bastion to anyone in the network! Can anyone hear me?"

The music dimmed as a familiar, British accent came over the radio. "I can hear you, Bastion."

"Connor?" The question was asked with incredulity mixed with terror.

"Of course, Bastion. I warned you that you would be punished if you did not listen to me." Another shot clipped the tree, forcing Bastion to cower in the dirt beneath.

"You're dead! We killed you!"

Connor paused for a moment as the dimmed music played in the background. "Well, I had a bit of a headache earlier today but it's cleared up nicely, thank you for asking."

'Someone told me love would all save us. But how can that be? Look what love gave us.'

Bastion found that his natural indignation, the ego that was his fatal weakness, now gave him strength.

"Switch off that damn music! You want to kill me, is that what this is all about?"

'A world full of killing and blood-spilling that won't ever change.'

"The music blocks your friends for the time it will take us to talk. If I wanted you dead, Bastion, I would have killed you with the first shot."

"Then what do you want?"

Connor paused and gave a small sigh. "I'm getting a little tired of repeating myself, Bastion. Safe passages for me and the lady, and the ending of your petty little show. I have arranged punishment for your humiliation of her tonight and I assure you that Hell will come with me if I have to punish you again. End this cleanly, now, or I will end it for us both."

Connor emphasized the threat with another shot. It was so accurate that it went through the arm of Bastion's shirt, even though he was prone.

Bastion knew he needed to play for time. "OK, agreed. Let me just return to my headquarters and I will grant all of that."

"See that you do."

Bastion saw Connor beginning to climb down from the rooftop opposite and took his chance. He began to search wildly for his car even as the music continued to render his radio useless. 'Now that the world isn't ending, it's love that I'm sending to you.'

As Connor climbed down, he began to wonder why he had chosen this particular song. Inside his heart, it was resonating too much. Only one final line got through before he switched it off. 'It isn't the love of a hero and that's why I fear it won't do.'

Connor reached ground level despite his eyes having filled with water. He became angry with himself and wiped them with his hands before sprinting for his vehicle.

As soon as the music ended, Bastion called on his radio. "Any Lexington unit--this is Bastion. Urgent assistance required! Respond, please."

Bastion's ears nearly surrendered under the weight of responses that flooded him. He located his car and knew that he simply needed a bodyguard to drive him. A short reply from him was all that was needed to summon one from the hotel.

As Bastion waited for his driver, he opened the back door of his limousine. Inside the rear seat was the body of the sniper, his head almost removed by what appeared to be a single clean shot from above. Bastion knew that his driver would also be dead at the front of the vehicle and so it did not shock him when he received visual confirmation. Bastion felt alone, scared and more afraid than at any time in his Guild career. His next radio call was filled with base emotions. "Aegis!"

Aegis had never heard Bastion like this. "What's up, Bastion?"

"Connor is alive!"

Bastion had expected a shout, a cry, a curse or something. He got nothing but stunned silence for five seconds. Then Aegis came back on again. "Excuse me?"

"What part of Connor being alive did you not hear? He's just nearly taken my head off with a sniper rifle!"

"Calm down! If he wanted you dead, I suspect you would be already. Did he say anything to you?"

Bastion was too worked up to listen properly. "What?"

Aegis spoke with cool, professional detachment. He hoped he could yet inspire Bastion to do the same. "Did Connor say anything to you? He must have or else you would not know it was him who was shooting. What was it?"

"Just the same threat, to do worse to us unless I ended the show."

The next thing Aegis said stunned Bastion. It was said with quiet steel. "Then end it."

Bastion could not believe that Aegis, of all people, was suggesting surrender. "No! Why should we give in to that prick?"

"Because that prick, as you call him, is running around our network despite having been confirmed dead twice in forty years. With C sniffing around as well, it is only a matter of time before this whole Connor issue gets out of hand. End your show and he will go away. It is the only way to ensure he does in time."

Bastion's fear had gone now, replaced by anger more intense than even he remembered feeling before. "No! It is my show and my finest achievement. No man will ever take it from me!"

Aegis tried to calm Bastion down. "Look, when Connor is no longer an active threat we can search for him again, locate him and this time make sure he's dead even if we have to feed his atoms through a sieve. When that happens, your show could re-start. It's not a surrender, it is a tactical withdrawal, that's all."

By now, Bastion could see his driver running towards him. His mind was clouded by his emotions and he crossed the Rubicon. "To hell with you, you coward! I am ending that Bastard, now!"

Before Aegis could say anything else, Bastion cut the transmission and blocked all but his own network from talking to him. He shouted to his driver, "Toss the bodies out of there and then drive me to headquarters!"

"Yes, sir."

As the driver removed the corpses, Bastion made a general announcement to his forces in Lexington. He gave them the description of Connor's vehicle and demanded that they tell him where it was.

In moments, an agent responded. "We have the vehicle, sir. It's heading at high speed towards the city limits. We are in pursuit at a distance. Should we intercept?"

"No, attach a tracking device and then withdraw. Confirm when done."

A few moments later the agent came back on the radio. "Device deployed, sir. We are withdrawing."

As Bastion entered the back of the limousine, he contacted his local network again. "Bastion to all Lexington units: withdraw. I repeat, do not attempt to engage or pursue the target." Bastion paused for a moment before allowing the full venom of his childish anger to present itself in his voice, "He's mine!"

Bastion's limousine drove at speed towards headquarters whilst he activated a certain unit that was opposite him. The unit spoke with the voice of a cultivated lady. "Good evening, commander. Please enter your activation code."

Bastion punched in an eleven-digit number and smiled with satisfaction as the computer acknowledged him again. "Activation code confirmed. Please state the nature of the military units required."

"Just the one. Deploy the nearest drone aircraft available immediately."

The computer worked silently for a moment. "The nearest unit to your signal has been deployed. Would you prefer automated or manual control?"

Bastion looked at his monitor and saw the tracker device beaming Connor's position to him. He knew he needed to feel this victory himself. "Manual. Project cockpit controls to this location."

"Very good, commander. Standby."

The back of the limousine was flooded with a holographic projection of the cockpit from the drone aircraft. Bastion took the controls and looked out of the cockpit window to see he was flying over the desert. He cursed when he realized it would take about fifteen minutes to reach Connor's location but then relaxed. Connor was, if anything, making things easier for him by driving into the middle of nowhere.

"Contact. Bearing 180 by 15. Single plane. Identifying now!" The well-trained voice of the airforce radar-operator echoed across the operation room. "Contact is a plane of some kind but it's a configuration I have not seen before. Alert the General, please. We need him in here."

General Hamilton was reading in his office when he heard a knock on the door. "Come in."

The airman had clearly been running because he was out of breath and that made Hamilton concerned. "What's up, son?"

"Sir, operation center reports an unidentified contact on their screens. They need you in there, sir."

"Unidentified? You mean it's not one of ours?"

"Not only that, sir, but it's not of a type we have in the database either."

Hamilton dropped his book and activated his wall unit. "Operation center, this is General Hamilton. Who have we got on standby?"

The voice that replied sounded garbled as if communications were suffering interference. Nonetheless, Hamilton was able to understand. "Three F-35's. Commanded by Captain Mathers, sir."

"Scramble them and tell them to intercept the target. Contact the Pentagon and advise them of the situation. Sound the alert in case we need anyone else airborne quickly. I'm on my way."

Bastion was too intent on piloting the plane to notice much of the other information that was being sent to him. Fortunately, his computer was programmed to bring vital information to his attention.

"Commander, AFB Laughlin has been placed on alert. Three F-35's are being scrambled to intercept your aircraft."

Bastion had anticipated interference. "Are you blocking their communications, computer?"

"All local military units are being disrupted, Commander, as per standard procedure. Unfortunately, Laughlin is equipped with a new communications system. Our attempts to block them will only result in partial success."

Bastion made a mental note to upgrade the Guild's jamming system.

"What will the jamming do?"

"It will prevent Laughlin from communicating at all but the most local level. They will be isolated from their command and control."

"That will be good enough. Plot me the course of those F-35's and display it on the main viewer."

Bastion noted where the F-35's would have to fly and he smiled. He knew his plane was safe.

Inside the operations room General Hamilton watched as his fighters appeared on the scope. He recognized the familiar voice of Captain Mathers despite the interference on the transmission.

"Command, this is Fox 2. We are on station. Proceeding to intercept the target."

Hamilton activated his radio. "I copy that, Fox 2. We need a visual description of the target and the usual challenge procedure, please."

Hamilton shouted across the operations room. "Can someone please clear up this signal? It's like talking through a snow-storm!"

Airmen worked quickly in a professional but ultimately futile attempt to break through the interference. The combined shrugging of his subordinates told Hamilton that he was out of luck. He turned to his staff sergeant. "Any word from central command?"

"We can't get through, sir. Nothing is getting in or out beyond a radius of around forty miles."

Hamilton knew he had to warn his pilots quickly or he would lose his chance. "Fox 2, this is command. Be advised that our communications are malfunctioning. We will lose you in about thirty seconds. You are authorized to proceed under your own judgement until communications are re-established. Good luck."

"Yippee ki yay, going cowboy. Fox 2 out."

Bastion watched as the F-35's continued to close on his plane. Connor was continuing to drive at speed and had now cleared Lexington altogether, entering open country that provided scant cover at best. As his limousine approached his headquarters Bastion knew he held all the cards and some of his usual swagger reappeared in his voice. "Computer, activate defense post 19."

"That is a breach of Guild protocol, commander. Defense posts are not to be activated until the Day of Atonement."

"Command override. Activate the defense post."

"As you wish, commander. Defense post 19 is now active."

The F-35's flew over the open desert. Even though they had no one else to talk to they continued to chat amongst themselves.

"Fox 2, this is Fox 1. I have the target on local scope. I have never seen anything like it though."

"Copy that, Fox 1. Initiate challenge procedure."

Mathers heard his colleague attempt to contact the intruder.

"To unidentified aircraft. This is Fox 1, operating out of AFB Laughlin. You are in violation of US airspace and are ordered to identify yourself immediately."

Bastion smiled as he heard the challenge. He began to operate secondary controls.

"Fox 2, this is Fox 1. No response from the target."

"Check the weapon status of the target, Fox 1."

There was a pause whilst the check was made. "Confirming hot, I repeat hot. Target has weapons activated. Weapons include air to air and air to ground."

Mathers wished he could have instructions from his command but all he had to guide him was his own instincts. "OK, Fox group. If that thing is hot then so are we. Once we have visual we will challenge it again."

"What if it remains silent sir?"

"The target is hot and heading for Lexington. If it still refuses to acknowledge us then we will use warning shots followed by the real deal."

Bastion was close to Connor now. It was time to remove any distractions. He activated the automated defense post and filled the air with lead.

The sky around Fox group suddenly lit up with intense activity.

"What the hell? Under fire! Fox 2 to command, we are under attack!"

Bastion left the computer to finish the task. He just concentrated on flying his plane whilst he heard the screams of the other pilots. Bastion did not care if they lived or died, merely that the dots representing his opponents no longer appeared on his screen. Once that was achieved, he focused again on Connor, seeing that his plane was now in visual range of the speeding car.

Bastion was about to initiate weapons-lock when the car entered a tunnel, forcing him to fly to the other end and circle. It was only a matter of seconds before he had re-acquired Connor, and of a few seconds more, before he had released a missile. Bastion watched the resulting explosion with intense satisfaction before he pressed another button, causing the drone plane to vaporize into a million pieces that would be impossible to analyze correctly.

Bastion stepped out of his limousine and ascended back into his office. The sudden realization of how he had treated Aegis hit him and he cursed himself for allowing his anger to rule his actions so completely. He hoped he could make amends with Aegis in the morning, along with handling C, but for now he was tired and in need of sleep.

It was nearly twenty minutes before Bastion was ready for bed and he was just about to lie down when he received a radio signal. Cursing, he went over to his console and shouted, "What?"

Bastion froze as he heard Connor speak.

"I warned you. Watch the monitors."

The feed from the show was replaced by the faces of the viewers. Underneath each face was their personal information.

"These men are about to be exposed to the world, Bastion. With a simple press of a button I will have not only their details but also what they represent broadcast across the world. I will cause a breach so wide that C will feel himself squeezed as never before and I am sure he will want to express his gratitude to you for being the cause."

Bastion did something he had never done in his life before. He pleaded. "No, please. Connor, please don't!"

Connor paused. "I will make you a trade, Bastion. I will not broadcast their details and I will show you how I discovered them. In return, I want your show ending immediately and safe passage for the lady and me. I will bring the data to you personally if you agree."

Bastion smiled for he knew he had a chance once more. "I am surprised you would trust me enough, Connor?"

"The Guild is very tradition-based. I know that you value your promise beyond anything else. If you promise my safety when I visit you, on your Guild honor, then you are duty-bound not to break that promise. Give me half and hour and I will be there. Deal?"

"I need to tell you where I am and I need to arrange another car for you, Connor."

"I've always known where you are, Bastion and as for the car, thanks but no thanks. I have one on the way now. It's an old friend from long ago but it drives like a dream. I warn you, if I so much as scent one of your agents anytime between now and when we meet I will transmit the data."

"You have my word as a watcher, Connor. No one will be close to you and you will come to no harm. Your deal is agreed. See you shortly."

Bastion closed the channel and then opened one to his network. "This is Bastion. The man called Connor will be entering the city on his way to visit me. Absolutely no one is to interfere or attempt to track him in any way. I will use CCTV to watch him from here."

Bastion switched his control and contacted his personal bodyguards. "When Connor arrives I want none of you to be visible. Clear all corridors and wait for my instructions. He must be allowed to enter this room without interference."

"What about when he leaves, sir?"

Bastion looked over to his desk and smiled to himself. "He won't be leaving, agent. Bastion out."

A few minutes later Bastion was watching Connor enter the city. The car was driving at speed and Bastion was glad that local law-enforcement was under his control or some unit might have caused Connor to become concerned.

Bastion watched as Connor entered the underground car park in his building, driving beneath the barrier even as he took a ticket, before parking. Connor strode purposefully towards the marked exit and stormed through into the darkened corridor beyond.

Bastion was behind his desk when Connor burst into the room. He smiled at the intruder despite the tension he felt inside. "Come in, Connor. Would you like a drink?"

Connor walked over to the desk. "I don't sup with the Devil. I see from the monitors that the show is still running."

"You have my word, Connor. Give me the information on how you gained the details of my audience and it will end. You and Miss Squires will be free to live in peace ever after."

Connor reached into his jacket and retrieved a compact disk. He tossed it contemptuously on the desk. "It's all on there, Bastion. With this, you can secure your network again. Now end the show."

Bastion inserted the disk into his computer. It was indeed a treasure-trove. He flicked a switch and the monitors now showed nothing but darkness.

"Quid pro quo, Connor. You are free to go."

Connor turned on his heel and was halfway across the office before he heard the safety-catch of a pistol being removed. Slowly turning round, he saw Bastion, brandishing the weapon and smiling in triumph.

"You did not think I would really allow you to live, did you?"

Connor showed no reaction. Instead, he walked slowly towards the desk. "You cannot kill me, for you gave me your word."

"I can do whatever I like. Adieu, Connor."

Bastion fired until the gun was empty. Each round sounded loudly but none left the weapon. The monitors came back alive, this time showing the two men standing in the office.

The unmistakable voice of C came over the channel. "Drop the weapon, Bastion, there's a good chap."

Bastion froze before meekly placing the gun on his desk. Seven of the monitors changed to show seven figures, silhouetted except for their eyes, all staring at Bastion.

Connor turned towards them and spoke softly. "This man is a pompous fool and you are fools for ever having entrusted your security to him."

C spoke harshly, "Steady on, my boy, remember who you are addressing."

"I know exactly who I am addressing, Caspian. These are, I presume, the other full Guild members?"

Bastion suddenly found his voice again. "Caspian? I had always presumed that C stood for--"

Connor interrupted him with a smile. "That would have been a little egotistical, wouldn't you say?"

Connor looked at the shadows again as he continued to address Bastion. "These are your lords and masters. Seven of them, each named after the sea that designates their area of global control. Caspian, appropriately, is in charge of internal affairs and I am a product of his imagination."

Bastion turned towards the monitors. "Who is this man? Why did you send him to torment me?"

Caspian spoke with fatherly tenderness. "He is my greatest gift to the Guild. I bred him from the DNA of our strongest adversary, schooled him with everything that individual knew and then turned him loose. I was concerned that the Guild had lost its way, that it had become decadent, and I was determined to test our internal security in the harshest manner. No better way than to turn our historically greatest enemy into our agent, eh?"

Bastion became angry. "Why against me though? I served you well!"

Connor turned to him and his words tore through Bastion's soul. "Your show was the very essence of the decadence Caspian is speaking about. He tolerated it whilst I was being schooled but it was clearly going to be the first thing to be tested when I was ready. That is why he made you leave the bathroom clear for, one day, I was going to need a place you could not observe."

Bastion slammed his fists down on his desk. "What kind of a test was this? It was impossible to defeat this man if every action I performed was going to be undermined! My agents lied to me, you sacrificed some of them in the process! Why did you have to kill the sniper?"

Caspian spoke softly. "The sniper was not anticipated. We thought you would only use Guild resources and I must admit you threw us when you recruited him. It was all we could do to sabotage his bullets without alerting you. That and the glass we had in the house, saved the experiment. He died because he could not be allowed to compromise us. The test was not about whether you could defeat this man, Bastion, but about whether you would perform your duty. Aegis was blinded by his friendship and went beyond his brief in actively trying to encourage you to report to me. Despite that, your ego caused you to fail. You even exposed some of our military capability to outsiders. The final test was not one of competency but one of honor. If you had not broken your word to that man we could simply have demoted you but now, I fear you have broken the very essence of your Guild membership. In respect to your past service I am giving you one chance to resign."

"If I choose not to?"

"If you do not resign we will be forced to expel you. You know the penalty for expulsion is death. If you resign, we guarantee that you will not be killed so long as you maintain discretion. You can keep your assets and have a future."

It was only his ego that caused Bastion to hesitate.

"I resign."

Caspian clapped his hands together. "Good for you, my boy, good for you! Well, don't let us keep you."

The door to the office opened electronically and Bastion took the hint and walked out. Connor watched him as he descended to the car park and drove away.

One of the other silhouettes spoke. "You cannot leave it at that, Caspian. We must maintain the status quo!"

"Don't concern yourself with that, Caribbean. I have the matter in hand. The man formally known as Bastion will be taken to our new coastal facility. There we will work out what went wrong with our screening, how he rose so high when he was so fundamentally flawed. Believe me, by the time we are through with him, he will wish we had killed him."

Connor watched as the hearse silently began to tail Bastion's car. His gaze was interrupted when Caspian addressed him again. "So, sir, are you ready to become the new Bastion before I assign you elsewhere?"

Connor looked at the seven. "First things are first. Tammy Squires has served us well by allowing me to expose that idiot. You will promise me that, so long as she maintains discretion, she will be given all the support that the Guild can provide. Her future must be as gilded as the cage we placed her in. Secondly, I intend to tell her everything she needs to know about me. I want her to make an informed decision about whether she would choose to become my companion, without pressure or sanction if she declines."

Caspian thought for a moment. "As long as you do not give away any operational secrets then you have my word on both matters."

Connor continued, knowing his primary aims had been achieved. "I also decline your offer to be the new Bastion. Go find some other patsy to play ball with."

There were cries of outrage from the shadows followed by silence.

Caspian sounded puzzled. "Why? It would give you more power than you can possibly dream of. It is why you were bred; it is your destiny. The Guild is your mother and father--"

Connor held out his hands, palms up. "You see? No handcuffs. I prefer it that way. You made me identical to that individual in the facility, why are you now shocked that I choose to decline to serve you?"

Connor began to walk away. Caspian called after him. "Wait! You cannot think you can just walk away from us. We will destroy you."

Connor turned around with a thin smile. "You are welcome to try. This building contains no one and your network in Lexington is currently un-contactable. My last gift to you as your lap dog. By the time you re-establish command and control I will be long gone. You will then only know where I am by the trail of destroyed Guild assets I leave in my wake."

Caspian let out a trademark laugh. "Wonderful! You see, gentlemen? He's exactly what I promised you. A freethinker, a blast of fresh air that will revitalize us! Oh, my sweet boy, is there any role I could offer you that would make you reconsider?"

Connor thought for a moment. "Make me above the watchers. Let me go anywhere and have access to anything. Allow me to root out the diseased parts of the Guild and advise on how to augment its control over the world. I will settle for nothing less."

Caspian paused. "I will need to consult with the others. You are asking for a great deal."

"Take your time. I need a few minutes anyway."

As the shadows conferred Connor sat at the desk and inserted another CD into the computer. He opened a file headed "Matthew, Chapter 4" and began to read.

Connor had created this file in secret over many years, knowing that this moment would come. No matter the illustrious individual who had inspired his creation, Connor was still human. He still lusted and he knew he could still be corrupted. Connor had placed into the file everything he knew about the history of the Guild, every assassination, dirty trick and war they had created. By the time he had finished, Connor had reminded himself of why this abomination needed to be brought down.

With anger burning in his stomach, Connor returned to the monitors. "Well?"

Caspian sounded subdued. "I am afraid I have been out-voted, my son. There was insufficient support for your new role. I guess we must have you as a nemesis after all."

Connor was about to leave when he saw a new image on one of the monitors. This image was only of a pair of red eyes and Connor wondered why this individual was not silhouetted like the others. Perhaps even darkness could not contain their secret. When the eyes spoke, the room listened.

"The Guild agrees. Caspian, make it so."

There was a note of distinct reverence in Caspian's voice as he spoke. "Yes, number one, thank you. I am sure your wisdom has guided us into a new and stronger future."

The eyes vanished. Caspian addressed Connor once more. "Congratulations, my boy!"

Connor had a small smile on his face. Only he knew that the Guild had been too perfect, too thorough in his preparation. Only Connor knew the way he would be going. Only he knew the true meaning behind his last remark.

Connor gestured to the shadows and said, "Be seeing you."

Feedback

citadel_prime@yahoo.com

Stories

Links     Banners     Misc     Home     Info