S i b lings, p.18
S.I.B.lings, page 18
Chapter 31
Pleased with the progress she was making, Genesis sat inside the office watching as the children actually played. She was amazed at the progress they had made over the last week. Who would have thought a simple item like a bouncing ball could bring children so much joy. She was so grateful to Dane and Drake who had been coming in regularly to spend time with the children as they got to know some of their siblings. It was hard to imagine what type of emotions the Tyson brothers were going through at this time. She wondered if they would ever get to know all of their siblings. Under the circumstances, the six degrees of separation theory did not apply to these folks. The bloodlines were so blurred it was as if all of them were related to everyone who was created in that laboratory.
“That’s a whole lot of relatives,” Genesis thought out loud as Karess, a member of her team, walked into her office.
“Genesis, do you remember the message that was sent to you a few days ago requesting the release of the S.I.B.s?"
“Yes, I remember. The one that I tore up and put in the trash.”
“Yes,” Karess nodded, “that's the one. Well, there is a gentleman, with backup, here to process that request.”
“What request?” Genesis frowned.
“The request to take the siblings.”
“Take them where?” Genesis asked as she stood.
“I have no idea. But I think you better come out here and talk with these folks. Bring your weapons because they are armed.”
“Send a message to Secretary Davenport.” Genesis grabbed her gun from the top drawer of her desk, then clicked her preferred weapon of choice on her waist. Walking out of her office she came face to face with a small squad of ten military personnel. They were going to need more than that to take the siblings from her custody.
“I'm Special Agent Genesis Morgan with the FBI. What can I do for you gentlemen?”
“You can turn over the seventy-five children and thirty-four women known as members of the Society of Intellectual Beings over to my men.”
“For what reason?” Genesis inquired.
“It is a direct order from Congress.” The man standing before her replied.
The small group were dressed in military battle gear, with rifles in their hands. She wasn’t sure if that was supposed to intimidate her or not. Either way, it wasn’t working.
“I’m sorry. I do not recognize or follow orders from Congress direct or otherwise. As I stated previously, I am with the Federal Bureau of Investigations. If you wish to commandeer anything, I suggest you go through the proper channels. Sending a military contingency here to take women and children is not the way we do things in this United States of America.”
By this time Roc, Parker, and Raven, another member of Genesis' team, had gotten wind of the men in the lobby. Before joining Genesis in the lobby, Roc sent a message to her husband to advise him of the situation. She was certain within the next fifteen minutes or less he would appear.
“Ma'am, I'm just here to follow orders. My orders are to load these people onto this bus outside and deliver them to another location.”
“On whose orders and what location?”
“I am not at liberty to share that information with anyone. I have been given an order and I intend to see that order carried out.” The soldier turned his head and nodded to the ten men standing behind him.
Genesis, Karess, Raven, Roc, and Parker immediately formed a line blocking the men from progressing.
“I command each of you to move. You are obstructing a direct order from Congress.”
“We do not take orders, recognize a direct order or not, from Congress,” Genesis stated firmly. “I am certain Deputy Secretary of Defense Nicholas, who is the superior of your direct commander, is not aware of this. And I do believe that it is an abuse of congressional powers for any House representative, delegate, or senator, to attempt a military action without his direct authority especially against American citizens. So, I need you to clarify which senator, congressman, or delegate sent you or gave you this command to come here to commandeer women and children.”
It was apparent to all in the room that the mention of Deputy Secretary of Defense Nicholas caused some of the soldiers to take a step back. However, the commander of this little troop was not having it.
“My order to commandeer these people is directly from Senator Rolfeman. He is the head of the intelligence committee. If I am not mistaken, he outranks your DSD Nicholas.”
“Your orders from Senator Rolfeman do not mean a thing to me,” Genesis stated. “My orders to care for these people is a directive from the attorney general's office in addition to Secretary of Homeland Security Davenport. I do not believe your Senator Rolfeman is outranked by him and the president of the United States. I do not have time for a pissing contest with you. So, you can take your order and shove it, and Senator Rolfeman up your ass.”
That sparked anger in the commander. He stepped into her personal space and hissed, “Do you realize I can have you stripped of everything. Every ranking, every accomplishment, hell I can even have any future Black babies you have stripped away from you with the snap of my finger.”
Not intimidated by the brute, Genesis took a step closer to him. “Do you realize I can take this whip from my waist and strip the white skin off your ass before you can raise that finger?” To prove her point Genesis pulled the whip from her holster and stripped the rifle he held from his hand without striking him.
Roc spoke as she stepped forward. “I am Colonel Rochelle Lassiter, of the United States Marine Corps, Captain. I am asking you to stand down until Secretary of Homeland Security Davenport arrives. If he deems your mission essential, then we will not stand in your way.”
The man did not move. Roc stepped closer then spoke low. “I realize from the red neck you are sporting, the idea of stepping back at the order of a Black woman will be damaging to your reputation. What will be worse is for your men to see this Black woman take your ass down. I’m going to say this one more time. Stand the fuck down!”
“You are not in uniform,” the man replied. “I don’t take orders from anyone not….”
Before the man could complete the sentence, Roc had knocked the man to his knees, stripped his weapon from his waist, kicked him in the chest then placed her booted foot there to hold him down.
“It would be a shame if I have to kill you with your own weapon.”
A few of the men behind him moved as if they were about to attack. Two of them received a high kick from Raven, knocking them to the ground. The other yelled as a knife, tossed by Karess drove through the boot and landed in his toe. Parker had taken the rifle from Genesis and had it pointing at the others.
“Who’s going down first?” Parker growled.
“I believe you received a direct command from a superior officer, Captain Pike.” Secretary of Homeland Security Royce Davenport spoke from the back of the lobby. “While I realize you men may not know the danger you are in at this moment, I do. You are all lucky to still be alive. Four of these women could have taken all ten of you all alone. I know because I had a hand in training them. Instead of you losing your lives today, you will only lose a few stripes.” He walked up to where the women stood, then looked down at the captain. “I’m afraid you are going to take the bulk of the hit for following an order you knew you should have checked up the ranks on before implementing. You are aware Senator Rolfeman is not an officer in this military. As Secretary of Homeland Security, your orders come from the Secretary of Defense. His orders come from me.” He then glanced at Roc. “Colonel Lassiter, release the captain.”
“I don’t think so, sir.” Roc put more pressure on the man’s throat. “You see I believe the captain knew what he was leading his men into was wrong. Yet he gave no thought to the consequences for his men when he entered this facility on a false mission.”
“While I agree,” Royce stated. “It is my duty to prevent you from taking the life of an officer of the military. I am ordering you to release Captain Pike to me.”
“Are you sure you want to give that order, sir?” She placed more pressure on the man. His face was now as red as a scarlet scarf.
“Yes, I am certain, because your husband is now here, and I do not want to fight you and him.” Royce reached down and took the weapon from her hand.
“Shit, I knew I shouldn’t have called him,” Roc exclaimed when she removed her foot.
Before Ross could have the man picked up, Roc’s husband Joshua grabbed the man by the collar, pushed him back, and threw him into the men who were standing behind him.
"I want all of you to take a good look at that woman." He pointed to his wife. "When you see her, walk the other way."
Roc cleared her throat, "Honey some of them cannot do that. They may have to report to me one day."
"Then they have a damn problem don't they."
"Can we clear them out of here. I'm going to need to make some moves," Genesis stated.
"Your wish is my command." Joshua said as he picked two of the soldiers up off of the ground.
"I don't think she meant in that way Joshua." Secretary Davenport stated. He motioned to Parker, “Can you give me a hand with them?” He looked at Joshua. "I will deal with them you deal with your wife."
Before Joshua joined them, Genesis turned to her team. “What in the hell could Rolfeman want with these women and children?”
“That's a good question” Parker asked. “I have another question, how did he know we are housing these folks?”
“I don’t know,” Roc replied, “But I know we have to move them out of here before nightfall.”
“I have you covered.” Tucker Donovan, Genesis’ significant other walked over to them. “When Joshua called, I made a few moves. Start packing them up they're leaving here.”
“What do you mean when Joshua called, he just got here.”
“I called about another situation. I was already on my way here when I got the message from Roc.”
“What other situation?” Genesis demanded.
“I will explain it all later. Right now, let's get the women and the children, gather their things, and move them out.” Tucker insisted.
Chapter 32
As the women and children made their way onto the bus, Joshua pulled Roc into his vehicle. “Genevieve place sound barriers around the vehicle.”
“Confirm. Barriers set.”
“Phire gathered some disturbing information.” Joshua began. "It seems there is a connection between the P.I.E. organization and the S.I.B.s. That connection is Senator Rolfeman. We don't have all the proof, but it seems he is the person who has been purchasing the deadly serum from Chambers. She believes he is the one supplying the P.I.E. organization with the serum.”
“The chairman of the intelligence committee is trying to take over Richmond?” Roc asked. “Why?”
“It’s not just about Richmond.” Joshua stated. “We only know about Richmond because LT went on national news and told people. TA has documented evidence that the same things have been happening in other major cities with large Black voting populations. But that is not the worst part, Rolfeman has partners.”
“Who?”
Joshua exhaled. “Ackerson, Cunningham and…wait for it…Vance.”
“The Director of the FBI? Genesis is going to have a fit.”
“Tucker is going to explain some of this to her on the trip to Richmond. But he was asked to let Haskell tell her and Anderson the rest.”
“Do we have eyes on Vance?”
“Yes, Phire has placed eyes on all of them,” Joshua stated. “We are going to have to get information from the siblings faster than we anticipated. Adam is going to meet us at the new location to help with that. What you and I have to do is get these women and children to Richmond safely.”
“Do they know we are moving the siblings?” Roc asked.
“No, but they will as soon as Davenport releases the soldiers Rolfeman sent.”
“Wait, is this information valid? Where did Phire get the intel?”
“From the Tysons.”
“Oh shit,” Roc shook her head. “Has anyone advised the president of all of this?”
“Phire is going to have a sit down with him. She is going to help the Tysons in any way she can with finding the serum, but the investigation into Rolfeman, Ackerson, Cunningham, and Vance is going to fall on us at TA.”
“Is she ready, Joshua?” Roc stared at him. “This has the potential to bring Congress down if it is not handled precisely right.”
Joshua hesitated for a moment. “I have not seen her make a misstep thus far. My only concern is if she is ready to speak truth to power. The president ordered her to stand down on Rolfeman when his name first came up. And she did. This time she cannot give him that leeway. She is going to have to stand up to him. He is depending on her to do that.”
“That is a big ask from someone so young.” Roc exhaled.
“When has Phire ever been young?” Joshua chuckled. “She has been telling us what to do since she was a kid.”
“You took the people's bus?” Genesis asked.
“I did not take it, Joshua did,” Tucker replied. “Besides, they were planning on using it to transport the siblings. It was already here and gassed up. So, why not?”
“Do you trust the person who's driving the bus?” Genesis asked suddenly.
“Implicitly,” Tucker replied. “Babe Joshua is driving the bus. Roc, Karess, and Raven are on the bus with them. Agent Anderson is escorting the bus just like we are. Your siblings are going to be fine.”
“I should be on the bus with them. They are my responsibility.” Genesis stated.
“Yes, they are. That is why you need to hear what I have to tell you without them around.”
“What do you have to tell me?”
“Joshua and I have come up with a plan for the siblings. You know the building that's been converted into condominiums in Richmond? That is where they're going to be living until they are ready to move on with their lives. They will not have to move again unless they want to. I've hired people to help with the children and a team of people to cook and clean. We are putting a team of professionals together from all areas to show the women how to live on their own. These people will be living in the complex with them so they will have 24-hour access to the siblings. After the news we got today, I'm going to need to add a security team as well. But for right now we're going to use shifts of Karess and Raven. And Naverone is going to come in to assist. If we're able to keep Parker, we will use him as well.”
“What do you mean if we're able to keep Parker. He’s been assigned to us.”
“Some information has come to our attention that may change Haskell's position on things. This is also going to have an impact on you.”
“An impact on me? How?”
“All I know is that it involves Director Vance.” Tucker replied. “That is the reason why you and Parker are being pulled aside when we reach the building. Assistant AG Haskell and Federal Prosecutor Skylar Burrell are going to meet us at the location. They will tell you what has been uncovered.”
“Why do I have to wait until then? Why can't you just tell me what's going on?”
“For one, I don't know all that is happening. And two, I have been selected to calm you down before we get to the building.”
“Calm me down. I don't need to calm down. I am fine. What I need is to be watching over my people that's on that bus and I can't because I'm in this car with you.”
“Babe,” Tucker said in a calm voice.
“Don't use that voice on me. You can use that voice on me when we're at home in bed. You don't use that voice on me right now. This is not the moment for that voice.”
“But you need this voice. You are hyper and ready to kill someone. And while I do understand why, I know you cannot help them if you are not thinking clearly. You have come to care about these people and that is why I am taking the steps that I'm taking to ensure their safety and yours.”
Genesis spoke in a calmer tone. “You know I hate it when you use that tone on me. All understanding, caring and stuff. It makes me weak.”
Tucker laughed. “I have known you for just about two years now. There is not a weak bone in your body. But I do like it when you go all soft on me. Now listen up. Joshua and I have decided we are going to cover all the expenses for the siblings. We're going to work on job training for the women and placement for the children. The women who are carrying are going to have a choice. If they wish to keep the child, they can; if they don't, we will find a place for them. Every child is going to have a home.” Tucker watched as a tear slowly slid down Genesis’ cheek. He reached over and wiped it away.
“I don't know if we can ask you to do that.”
“You didn't ask. We have the money from the takedown in Washington State. We're going to use some of that to take care of them. Now if the government wants to kick in and do something to help them out, fine. But I’m not holding my breath on that possibility.”
“They're going to need so much help. I mean the women are confused. They don't understand why they can't teach the children anymore.”
“They can still teach them. They just have to teach them something different.”
“But they don't know anything different. They know what little piece they were taught and nothing more.”
“Then you were right to take the responsibility of teaching the children away from them. What they were learning was dangerous to them and the country. You will find something else for the women to spend time on. Like attend classes themselves.”
“What do you want me to do teach them, how to shoot people, interrogate criminals, or how to use my whip?”
“No baby, the only person I want you using that whip on is me. You can’t whip me, but I will let you tie me up.”
