Politics of Blood (Gray Spear Society, #8)

by Alex Siegel

General Joseph was sitting at his plain, wooden desk in his office. He was trying to work through a stack of reports, but he was having a very hard time focusing. He kept thinking about what would happen tonight. The future of the United States of America depended on the success of this operation. The pressure to succeed was almost unbearable. Frustrated, he stood up and went to the window. His office was on the third floor of the Pentagon, and the window faced the south parking lot. Beyond the lot, traffic flowed in both directions on Interstate 395. Hotels and a shopping mall were on the other side of the highway. The view failed to inspire him, but it was better than staring at reports. The phone on his desk began to ring. He grabbed the handset. "Hello?" he said. "General Joseph? This is General Blanc at Air Force Space Command. I'm calling to give you a heads-up. We just had a major security incident." "What happened?" "Put simply," Blanc said, "something steamrolled our entire data infrastructure. We were completely offline for five full seconds." "What was offline?" "Every screen in every control center." "A loss of power?" Joseph said. "No, it was a massive cyber-attack, but I've never seen anything like it. Simultaneous, world-wide

remote controlled stealth airplane." She was quiet for a moment. "I assume you already have a plan." "I want to let the enemy kill the President, or at least, they'll think they did." "One of those plans. I'm already giddy in anticipation." "I'm coming out there as soon as the preparations are complete, ma'am," he said. "I'll give you a full briefing then." "Good," she said. "If the Air Force is behind this, the Washington team needs to be fully engaged. Call the commander, Neal. Tell him everything." He was silent. "Aaron, I'm not accusing you of being incompetent or inadequate. You're crossing territorial boundaries. It makes sense to bring in a commander who already has dozens of high-level contacts inside the Pentagon." "Yes, ma'am," he said. "I'll do that right now. I think I have his number in my office." "Bye, and well done, as always."

"Hello?" Neal said in a deep, rumbling voice. "This is Aaron in Chicago. We met at the convention last winter. Do you remember?" "Of course, I do. The famous slayer of Xavier. Commander of the legendary twins. The legate's most trusted man. I'm honored." Aaron's face grew warm. "You're embarrassing me." "I assume you're calling because of the recent activity around the President," Neal said. "Do you know who set off that bomb? We've been speculating."

"Quietly," Aaron said. "We don't know how deep this goes. I don't want to catch a small fish and let the big ones go." "My thoughts exactly. Speaking of the Air Force, there was an incident about twenty minutes ago. It spooked my computer experts badly. Somebody crushed the entire satellite control network for a short time. Every system was offline including all the secret command bunkers. It was an attack on a scale that we didn't think was possible. If you could ask the twins to look into it, I'd appreciate it." Aaron smiled. "Actually, I think the twins are the ones responsible. That's how they found out about General Joseph."

"I see. It's a good thing they're on our side." "Please, keep a close eye on Joseph. Tell me where he goes and who he talks to. I'm expecting the rats to come out of the walls tonight after the attack." "I won't disappoint you," Neal said. "The President will be safe though? I'm a fan of his work." "That's my intention. Oh, I need to talk to Wesley. I know he's wandering around your territory these days. Do you know how to reach him?" "Conveniently, he's in my headquarters right now. He comes and goes as he pleases, and he always seems to be around when I really need him. I'll get him." Aaron heard voices in the background. He

"It's a very good thing. What's happening with the twins' project?" "It's moving along. They were... transformed since the last time you saw them." "I know," Wesley said enthusiastically. "I can't wait to see them again. I'm sure they're beautiful." "I suppose that's true, if you like exotic robot girls. Are you planning on coming back to Chicago anytime soon?" Please say no, Aaron thought. "Yes! I have to be there when the twins finish the project. The whole thing will be amazing." "Oh," Aaron said nervously. "In what way?" "I can't tell you. Destiny gets mad when I talk too much. I wish I didn't have to wait! The final days will be messy, but everything will be so much better afterwards. You won't have to live behind a wall of secrets. You and Marina will be together until the end of time. Oops! Forget I told you that." Aaron raised his eyebrows. "That's hard to forget." "I have to go," Wesley said. "Oh, I'm sorry about Kamal. He's a nice guy, but sometimes nice isn't enough. You'll do the right thing. Bye." The call abruptly ended. Aaron sighed. Every time he talked to Wesley, he was frightened and confused afterwards. This time was no different. Final days of what? How the hell did he know about Kamal?

"Yes, sir," Doug said sheepishly. George Seferis walked into the study without bothering to knock. The Secret Service Director looked like he had seen a ghost. He was shuffling his feet, and his gaze wandered. "Looks like I have another meeting," Haley said. "I'll call you on the phone later." Doug and Sandra left the room. "What's wrong?" Haley said with genuine concern. Seferis sat down on a couch. "Something happened." "Tell me." "You remember my sister?"

"The one with AIDS?" Haley joined Seferis on the couch. "As I recall, Miss Pickenpaugh wanted her to fly to Los Angeles, but you were reluctant." Seferis nodded. "I sent my sister to Los Angeles after all. I figured it couldn't hurt. She was dying anyway. This morning, a strange woman came to her hotel room. White hair, pink skin, red eyes. Probably an albino. She told my sister she was a very special kind of doctor." "Then what happened?" Seferis cleared his throat. "According to my sister, the doctor's skin began to glow with a blinding white light. It looked like her hair was on fire. It sounds crazy, doesn't it? Then the doctor gave my sister a hug." He looked down. "Do you believe in miracles?" "Lately, I've started to," Haley said. "My sister had a very hard time describing the experience. She claimed she could hear the heartbeat of the universe. A billion watts of healing energy blasted through her body. She was babbling and crying like a little girl. This woman is a criminal defense lawyer. She never breaks down." "What about the AIDS?" "The doctor claimed the disease is gone," Seferis said. "My sister believes it. She'll get tested, of course. We'll see if it's true. The doctor left without giving her name or asking to be paid." Haley furrowed his brow and sat back. He didn't doubt the sister was healed. His repaired heart was proof enough of Ethel's miraculous capabilities. "Next time you see Miss Pickenpaugh, you'll have to thank her." "I don't know if I can, si...

"All still missing. A body was found in a field south of Chicago. The victim was burned after suffering many crippling injuries. His wrists were bound with barbed wire. Evidence suggests it might be Olaf Wagner, but identification has been difficult." Haley sighed. This was the dark side of Ethel's work. She gave life with one hand and took it with the other. "You're correct," a new voice said. "That was Olaf. I broke his bones, flayed his skin, and roasted him alive. And I enjoyed it." Haley spun around. Ethel walked in from the balcony. She was wearing black and gray tights with a striped camouflage pattern. Body armor, a combat helmet, and a military-style utility belt gave her a rugged appearance. In addition to an assortment of ordinary weapons, her machetes were strapped across her back, and the handles were in easy reach. "Freeze!" Seferis said. He was holding a gun aimed at her chest. "Lower the weapon," Ethel said calmly, "or I swear to God, you will lose that hand. I have no more patience with your foolishness." Haley looked into her enlarged, impossibly dark pupils. "George, put the g...

location. There is a traitor in your midst." Aaron looked at Seferis. "Perhaps one of your Secret Service agents." "Hey!" Seferis said. "Every one of my men is completely loyal." "I don't think so. Until we find the traitor and neutralize the enemy, we're going to play by my rules." Haley noticed the young woman was carrying a sword in her right hand. The blade was jet black and smoking, but that effect was probably just a result of the poor light. "Roy," Ethel said, "this is one of my best men. His accomplishments are extraordinary. You can put your life in his hands with complete confidence, as I would." He frowned. She was asking him to take an enormous leap of faith. The smoking sword was distracting him. "What's going on?" He pointed. "Is your sword burning?" The young woman looked at her weapon. "Ma'am, may I show him?" "Go ahead," Ethel said in a tone of resignation. "We've bent enough rules already. Bending one more won't make a difference." The woman slashed a rocky outcropping. Astonishingly, the blade cut the stone like it was cotton candy. She held up her sword, and the darkness melted away, revealing ordinary steel. "It's not the sword that's burning," she explained. "It's me." Haley shook his head in dismay. These people were made of magic. "Enough show and tell," Aaron said impatiently. "Time is running short. I need you to gather up your entire staff and move them to the largest room in the house. I mean everybody.

"Then we'll kidnap you and kill anybody who tries to stop us. I was told your life is the only one I must protect." Haley looked at the deep, fresh cut in the rocky outcropping. "Who told you? Miss Pickenpaugh?" "No," Aaron said. "All of us are operating under the orders of a higher authority." "Even her?" "Her most of all." Haley had a hard time imagining anybody giving orders to Ethel. She seemed to do exactly as she pleased. "Go," Aaron said. "It's getting dark. We're almost out of time." "Why?" "Go!" Aaron gave Haley an abrupt shove.

going?" "Back to Washington," Aaron said, "same as you." "But the Democratic Convention is here. I have to stay and lead. I never run from a fight." "You're in my protective custody until I say otherwise. You're going home, unless you want to fight me." Aaron popped his knuckles for emphasis. "The plan is to maintain your status as a dead man while we round up your enemies. When it's safe to do so, you'll come back to life and resume your duties as President. There will be some chaos in the meantime, but it can't be helped. Tawni, get the van." "Yes, sir." Tawni ran off. "But..." Haley said. Aaron's glare silenced him. Even in darkness, that gaze was intimidating. Ethel put a hand on Haley's shoulder. "Are you still mad at me?" She had taken off her goggles. He could hardly see her. She was just a black figure against a black background. "I suppose not. After what you've done for me, it's hard not to be grateful. You were right about everything." She smiled a little. He could see her white teeth at least. "The next question is transportation," Aaron said. "We have to get this man back to Washington safely." "I was planning on giving him a ride in my jet," Ethel said. "The leader of the Free World should travel in style." He stared at her. "Are you serious, ma'am? I hate to tell you your business, but that's not just bending the rules. That's pretty much breaking them in half." "Why?" Haley said. "What's wrong with her jet?"

"It's a flying stronghold," Aaron said, "one of our secret places." Ethel nodded. "And it's a very quick and safe form of transport. He'll sit in the cockpit. He won't see anything interesting." Aaron frowned. "Yes, ma'am," he said with a lack of conviction. "I also want you and Tawni to come along. Your work in Chicago is done. The mission is moving to Washington, and you should go with it." "Tawni, too?" "I'm growing fond of the young lady," she said. "Her aggressive enthusiasm is intoxicating. I want to enjoy her company for a little longer." "My team...," Aaron said. "Will be fine without you for a few days. You don't seem to have a problem with flying to San Francisco to have sex with your girlfriend. At least this is legitimate business." "Touché, ma'am." Ethel grinned. A black van pulled up with the headlights off. Tawni was driving with her night vision goggles. "Tawni," Aaron said, "I have interesting news." She raised her eyebrows. "What is it, sir?" "You and I are travelling to Washington to continue the mission. We'll be riding on Ethel's jet." "Really?" She squealed. "Thank you, sir! Thank you, ma'am!"

cockpit. "That's not a private jet," President Haley exclaimed. "That's a damned B-1B bomber!" "The Air Force had a few spares," Ethel said sweetly, "so I took one. It's nice and roomy inside, and fast." "I presume it's armed." "Standard stuff. Flares, chaff, radar jammers, heat seekers, and a few Crackerjack missiles." He stared at her. "Those are top secret prototypes." "Correct." She nodded. "Four of them are in my plane. I promised you safe transport." The group consisted of Aaron, Tawni, Ethel, Boreas, and Haley. Their footsteps echoed as they walked across the concrete floor of the hangar. Two men were standing at attention beside the plane. They wore civilian clothes but their bearing was military. Ethel introduced them. "This is my pilot, Tom. Will is the copilot and flight engineer. Tom, we have some extra passengers tonight. All of us are going to Washington, DC." Tom was short and thin, but all the meat on him was muscle. He had a full head of light brown hair. "Yes, ma'am," he said. "Which airport?" "We want to make a very discreet entrance." "Then I suggest Montgomery County." Tom turned to Haley. "I'm sure you've heard this before, but you look exactly like President Haley. It's amazing. You even have the right suit." Haley smiled. "That's because I am President Haley." "Huh?" Tom's eyes widened. "I had no idea you were a member of the Society."

received confidential information in the past." After a long pause, Tom nodded. "I can tell you a little bit about myself, stuff that happened before I got this job." Will gave him a sharp look but kept quiet. "I was an Air Force pilot," Tom said. "I flew everything from F-16's to A-10's. Eventually, I became an instructor at Randolph Air Force Base. I usually flew the enemy aircraft that the students tried to shoot down. I had a standing offer to buy a bottle of wine for any student who beat me in a dogfight. It didn't happen often. Will was the only one who ever got two bottles." Will glanced back. "I cheated. Tom was the best." "You're not in the Air Force now," Haley said. "Did you retire?" Tom shook his head. "I wish. Will and I were drinking some of that wine together when we caught a colonel raping one of the female students. He was a real tough guy. It took both of us to drag him off her. Then the fight got ugly. In the end, we were injured and he was dead. We were convicted on murder charges." "What about the victim? Didn't she testify on your behalf?" "She was too ashamed and pretended the rape never happened. Everybody knew the truth though. When we were in jail, a man came to us, Ethel's predecessor. He gave us this job. He was an interesting guy to work for. Very inconspicuous." Tom smiled as if he had told a joke. "Are you bitter?" Haley said.

explosion. Emergency crews are searching for survivors." "I just got word that the Joint Chiefs of Staff called an unplanned, mandatory meeting," the Second Corner said. "It's going to be a long night for a lot of people. I expect we'll have to go back to the office tonight and attend a few meetings too." A hood covered most of his bald head. He wore a brown sweat suit which was two sizes too big. Joseph nodded. This was all great news. Nobody spoke for a minute. He was curious about these people, but he knew better than to ask questions. Just sitting with them was dangerous enough. Finally, the drinks arrived, but they were delivered by a different waitress than before. This one was quite tall and in her early thirties. She was shockingly muscular for a woman. Joseph wondered if she were a professional athlete or even a female bodybuilder. Her long, brown hair was tied back in a ponytail with a gray ribbon. "What happened to the other waitress?" Joseph said. "Her shift ended," the new waitress said with a bright smile. There was no joy in her intense, brown eyes. She handed out the drinks and then placed a large, red candle on the table. With a cigarette lighter, she began to light it. "What are you doing?" the Second Corner exclaimed. "It's dark," the waitress said. "I'm giving you a little light." "Don't!" The waitress shrugged and walked away. The unlit candle remained on the table.

silk. He seemed about ten years-old but was tall enough to be a teenager. The boy's eyes were his most astonishing feature. The irises sparkled like small, blue jewels. Haley had never seen anything like it. "Hello," the boy said in a voice as pure as a harp. "I'm very happy to see you're still alive." Haley raised his eyebrows in surprise. It was a strange thing for a kid to say. Ethel, Aaron, and Tawni climbed down the ladder. They watched the boy with wary expressions, as if he were a dangerous predator. Boreas tossed a couple of suitcases to Aaron before coming down last. "Everybody is finally here!" The boy wiggled with eagerness. "This is great. I've foreseen this night for so long. Oh, I need to make introductions. I'm Wesley. This is Neal, the commander of Washington. His friends call him Bear." Wesley pointed at one of the big men. With his long, black hair, shaggy beard, and huge torso, Neal certainly had the appearance of a grizzly bear. Haley had never seen a man with beefier arms. Wesley continued, "My bodyguards are Charles, Atalanta, Yvonne, and Guthrum." All four of them were freakish in some way, but perhaps the strangest was Yvonne. She was a short woman with muscles so big they looked like balloons stuffed under her skin. Haley could see the arteries pulsing with blood on her red face. Even her eyes were bloodshot. "Everybody knows the legatus legionis." Wesley pointed at Ethel. "Wesley!" she barked. "Don't use my title. The President isn't one of us."

Without hesitation, he turned to Haley and said, "Ethel is the supreme commander of the North American division of the Gray Spear Society. There are seven divisions in the world, each commanded by a legate. They report directly to God." Shocked silence followed. The adults stared at the boy with horrified expressions. "What is the Gray Spear Society?" Haley said softly. "It protects the Earth from God's enemies," Wesley said cheerfully. "They're holy warriors, sort of. I'm not really one of them, but they help me a lot. They keep me safe and do the things I need done like saving your life." "Wesley...," Ethel said in a warning tone. Haley shook his head. "God's enemies? What are you babbling about?" Wesley raised his perfect, little hand. "Hold on. Most of you know Aaron, the commander of Chicago. He's amazing. I'm really proud to be his friend. Tawni is one of the new legionnaires in Chicago. You got a gift." Tawni nodded. She waved her hand through the air and left a trail of black smoke behind. Haley was flabbergasted. Then he remembered her ability to cut rocks with her sword and made the connection. "Cool!" Wesley's eyes lit up. He turned to Boreas. "You must be Ethel's new bodyguard, the freezing cold guy." Boreas bowed his head slightly. "It's a great honor to finally meet you. They told me you're an enormous pain in the ass, and now I see it's true." Haley was getting the impression this kid was very special. Even though there was no apparent threat, his bodyguards...