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Project 24
Prologue
Dev leaned forward, his hands flat against the beautifully made oak desk. His eyes – so unnaturally numb – glared back into Thaed’s. His left hand reached for an object below the table, and in a moment he pulled out a beige dossier, slapping it onto the table. Thaed merely shot a glimpse at the file, his blank look returning to his Dev.
“Your appointment to Kura has been set; you are due to leave in a matter of days … the Mayor insists.” Dev announced quietly, opening the file to reveal pictures of an annihilated city; black smoke belched from the ruins that were once skyscrapers; the has-been pristine sky was shrouded in a thick veil of grey clouds; glass shards and blood alike stained the concrete, and buildings lit alive, victimized by arsonists.
Thaed seemed to notice none of these horrifying details. His face remained blank, as Dev expected.
“He has been infected, I’m guessing?” Thaed murmured his gaze still locked on the portraits above him.
This question was rewarded with a bark of raspy laughter.
“Oh yes, of course. When I hinted that we could put him on the precedence list for the vaccine, he was so willing it was pathetic to watch.”
Thaed’s lips twitched at this comment. He relaxed his posture, letting the leather chair recline his figure.
“So I assume you are satisfied with my department’s efficiency?”
“Oh, of course,” Dev said boldly, flashing a rare grin in the direction of his comrade. “The Orpheus has worked in our favor well enough for me to be impressed by your leadership. You should be proud – crack a smile once in a while.”
Thaed’s face hardened. “I wouldn’t be happy just yet.” And then he pulled out a file of his own, which was slightly thicker than Dev’s. “I’ve received word on armed attacks on military shipments, and the rioting in Kura has intensified to such an extent where it may become uncontrollable.” And then he pushed the file coolly, sending the dossier sliding to the other side.
Dev stopped the sliding file but did not open it.
“Of course it has become almost uncontrollable; the fools can sense their death and the blood that spills onto those streets will serve as a warning to the rest of Verzatta.” He murmured quietly, his eyes suddenly cold. Thaed was surprised at the sudden change in his attitude.
“Mm. I hope your not just underestimating the situation; we have more things at hand than Kura. I’m more worried about Sumati; he’s been questioned countless times and still has not cracked, which makes you wonder who he’s covering for.”
“Sumati is being held within Kukama fortress on the Vhaos isles, he is no threat.” Dev shook away Thaed’s qualm with a careless hand motion, “You are missing the bigger picture here, friend; progression has been made. Operation Ghost Echo is now ready to be properly executed. The Kura project has been more success than we’ve had in over a few months now, am I right?”
Thaed considered. “I suppose so. Speaking of projects, Xerxes operative 425-994 is currently in installation.”
“Like father like son, I suppose. His Lochan has been chosen?”
“Yes. Echo 96 has promised him activated within a matter of hours.”
“Good work,” Dev said, pushing both files toward the middle of the desk. “Now come on, we have other things to discuss, and I’m hungry.”
Without another word, the two figures stood up and exited the office.
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