S i b lings, p.7
S.I.B.lings, page 7
As Sapphire walked down the four steps that led to the well of the room, soft blue lights were activated, covering the sacred area used to address members of The Administration, just as one would do in a court of law before a judge. Once the lights were on, it triggered the activation of the wall monitors. There were times when several locations would need to be monitored simultaneously. The activation of the monitors alerted staff members that someone was present in the workroom.
Sapphire took her normal seat and placed the palm of her hand on the panel in front of her. Her computer turned on. The screen appeared with eight numbers inside of squares. Sapphire selected the square with the number one inside. She then looked up at the wall where the main monitor flickered on.
One of her staff members, a young man entering his first year of college, Lincoln McKenzie, who they called Mac stepped into the workroom from one of the private offices behind the wall. To say the man was brilliant was an understatement. Anyone who knew her family would truly understand the impact of that assessment.
“Hello Ms. Phire. What can I do for you today.”
Yes, Sapphire was her name. It is what her husband called her. However, to all the members of her family and those who met her before she married L.T. Palmer, the mayor of Richmond, she was known as Phire.
“Hello Mac. How are things going today?”
“It’s been okay. What’s up with you? You don’t look too happy today.”
“Things are about to get real—real fast Mac.” She replied. “I need you to run a program that would get me any and every bit of information you can find that links Congressman Edward Ackerson to Senator Jason Rolfeman. Once that information is compiled, I want you to see if there is any other name that is linked continuously with those two.”
“Easy breezy,” Mac shrugged as he turned to walk away.
“Mac.”
He stopped to turn back, facing her.
“I need that information found quickly, without detection by anyone. Then I need your findings sent to monitor one only. It's classified, for my eyes only…understood?”
“Understood. I'll get on it right away.” Mac said as he started to walk off again but turned back. “Phire, I ran a diagnostic on the information you scanned into the computer system earlier today. After uploading the data, I began sorting through the information. A number of charts with the identification numbers you specified have been created and sent to your tablet. Will there be anything else?”
“Have one of the techs display the surveillance tapes you retrieved earlier to monitor number two. Mark them confidential.”
“Not classified?”
“Do you feel they should be?”
There was a hesitation on his part. “I do. There are people who do not understand or accept what they cannot see in this world. I believe what we witnessed on those surveillance tapes is something that could be misinterpreted or worse, exploited. Until we have a better sense of all Mr. Tyson is capable of, we should secure it at the highest levels.”
Sapphire set back contemplating his words. She smiled. “You are going to be a good analyst for this country one day.”
“I know,” Mac said then walked away.
Never underestimate the intelligence of our youth, Sapphire thought as the third monitor on the wall indicated a transmission was coming through. Sapphire touched the number three on her screen then looked up. She was not surprised to see connections coming through from both brothers.
“Hello little big brother,” she spoke to her youngest brother Adam Lassiter who was the current director of the CIA.
“I’m in route to you. Your code indicates a critical situation. What’s happening?”
“Hold on, Samuel is also calling in.” She pushed another button and her oldest brother Samuel, who worked the personal protection detail on the president, appeared on the monitor.
“Phire, what’s the emergency?”
“We have a critical situation that involves both of your positions. I believe that we have an eminent threat to both the president and to this country. Samuel without me going through too much detail I need you to put your team on high alert, not just around the president but around the president’s family and especially his mother Mrs. Harrison. Have you all been following the events that've been happening in the Richmond, Virginia area?”
“To some extent,” Adam replied, “however, I do know that your team and Detective Nate Reigns are working on that situation. It is my understanding that since the mayor had his press conference, everyone in the area was put on high alert, and are monitoring the situation closer than what they had been.”
“That's all true,” Sapphire replied. “However, the situation has become a bit more complicated. Two names that have surfaced in our investigation are high-level in the government. Taking them down or even implicating them could have a ripple effect. I will tell both of you that I have had a conversation previously concerning one of these men with the president. At the time, we did not have the proof needed to move forward in any official manner. That was then. Now the man’s name has come up again from an entirely different direction and it seems he may have an ally that is in an equally high position in government. Both of their names are linked to the serum being used to kill people in high level positions to replace them with those supporting the P.I.E. organization's mission. Adam, I need you to tell me how to proceed.”
“Who are the men and what positions do they hold?” Adam inquired.
"The first man is Senator Jason Rolfeman, the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee. The second man is Congressman Edward Ackerson, who is the head of the House Judiciary Committee.”
The expression on her brothers’ faces at the mention of the names let her know she'd made the right call.
“You have two of the biggest powerhouses in politics and government in your crosshairs. You have to proceed cautiously.” Samuel stated. “Each is dangerous in their own right, if they are working together against the country, it could be detrimental.”
“In more ways than one,” Adam added. “They both have access to surveillance of everything that we do, but not your team Phire. You are in a unique position to do exactly what the president has tasked you to do. You will have to investigate every detail until you are certain that these two individuals are not a threat to the president or the country. I’m pulling in now. I will see you in five.”
“Phire why especially Mrs. Harrison?” Samuel asked.
"Because I know for a fact that P.I.E. has already attempted to take Chief Frank Williams’ life. With his attachment to Mrs. Harrison, I'm afraid they may try to go further.”
“Has anyone been able to develop an antidote to the serum that you mentioned before.”
"Not as of today, however I have pulled together a team to concentrate on nothing but that. I expect to meet with them within the next 24 hours.”
“I cannot impress upon you the importance of putting that in place.”
“Understood Samuel. But my list of priorities is growing exponentially,”
“This is why TA is needed Phire. You are in a unique position to operate outside of the government. You have the right counsel within your reach. Once you have gathered your information, call your team together. Make them aware of the severity of the situation from all angles. The unknown is dangerous, you need to know everything before a plan of action can be decided. I see Adam has arrived. Keep me informed. I will alert the security staff around the president. With the people that you named, I'm not sure if we can trust those from the Secret Service side. You do realize I will have to bring Brian Thompson in on this situation.”
“I understand, but no names are to be mentioned. Understood?”
“As you command. I’m out.” Samuel disconnected as the elevator to the left of Sapphire opened and Adam stepped out.
“I know about the P.I.E. organization,” Adam said as he took the seat next to her. “What is the other threat?”
He was not a voting member of TA only because he was still a part of the current Harrison administration. However, since this involved high level government officials, she felt he needed to be aware of the possible threat.
“I believe the threat is one and the same. Have you received details on the S.I.B.s?”
“The who?” Adam questioned.
“The people who were rescued in Roanoke, Virginia and turned over for governmental protection.”
“Fill me in.”
“About a month ago a couple, Star and Godwin Bond, were killed in prison within 24 hours of each other. They were the biological parents of Wade Tyson, one of the adopted sons of multi-billionaire Dan Tyson. Because of the suspicious nature of the deaths, Wade Tyson and his brothers decided to go to Bristol, Virginia to determine why his parents were incarcerated 30 years ago. The investigation led them to the laboratories of a man named Bradford Chambers. It seems Bradford Chambers was of the belief that he could create what he called intelligent beings using the IVF process. He went about the process in what some would deem an unconventional way of creating what he named the Society of Intellectual Beings. As most things that start with good intentions, something went awry. During their investigation someone attempted to kill investigative reporter Rachel Fontaine, who happens to be Wade’s fiancée. They turned the needle filled with the serum over to the FBI. Their labs connected that serum to a number of dead children. They all believe the serum was created by Bradford Chambers III. The serum has been identified as the cause of death in a number of murders within the city of Richmond with the most prominent being District Attorney, Alex Burnett. The man just happens to be the best friend to Detective Nate Reigns. Just as Nate would not give up on finding justice for his friend, Wade Tyson is just as adamant about finding justice for his parents. The Tyson brothers in conjunction with the FBI went in to arrest the Chambers’, what they found was that young Chambers had kidnapped Wade Tyson and his brother Ross and he was holding them at the facility. They witnessed him kill his father and later escape. Fortunately, Wade and his brothers were able to rescue several women and children from the facility. Those children have been placed under the authority of Special Agent Genesis Morgan. For the time being, the United States government is attempting to protect these S.I.B.s and get them acclimated to a normal way of life. We believe that the connection between the P.I.E. organization and the S.I.B.s is the serum. We believe Chambers is producing and distributing the serum to P.I.E. Adam, I cannot tell you what the outcome would be if it is determined that Rolfeman and Ackerson are involved with the P.I.E. organization and have access to that serum. What if they decide to use that serum on people in positions that they want to control, such as Attorney General Johnson? We already know that they are using this technique of kill and replace in the city of Richmond. What if Richmond is only the test site, for not only how it can be done in other cities, but at the federal government level as well?”
“You told Samuel you have a team working on an antidote for the serum.”
Sapphire nodded. “I have Tess Holiday and Tylar Burrell scheduled to meet with me. Tess has the most information on the make of the serum. It is my hope that the information will give Burrell a head start on developing a serum.”
“I think you should add Amber to the team. She is a specialist in foreign substances.”
“You have babies at home, twins…she is not going to want to leave them.”
“My wife has a mother-in-law and a mother who will fight over taking care of the children.” Adam smiled.
“I know, but is Amber ready to leave them?”
“Amber is a patriot just like me. Once she understands the gravity of what you are dealing with, she will be on board.” Adam stated. “You are already working with Reigns, so you know the bulk of his information. You need to meet with the Tysons. You may know the surface of things, but you cannot develop a plan of action until you know all the players.”
“Samuel said the unknown is the enemy.”
“He is right. Once you know all the pieces you will find a way to secure the serum, bring down Chambers, Ackerson, Rolfeman and anyone else involved. Let me handle the fallout in government. Make no mistake Phire, if you find Ackerson and Rolfeman are involved you will have to bring them down. This is one of those times you will have to override the president. You never had a problem biting your tongue with him before. Now is not the time to start. “
“When we wrap up, my first call will be to him.”
“No, your first call should be to those involved with developing an antidote to the serum. Then your next call should be to Wade Tyson and anyone involved with the S.I.B.s.”
“Understood.”
Adam smiled at his little sister. “You were raised to do this. It is ingrained in your DNA just as it is in mine, Samuel, Joshua, and Luke. This is your first real test in this position. It is natural to question your moves this first time out. Once you put a plan in motion, do not second guess yourself. Your team needs to know you are confident in all decisions you make. Trust your gut.”
“Hmm, funny you should say that.” Sapphire pressed a button. “Mac, seal the area then run the surveillance footage.”
“Done,” his voice filled the room.
With the area sealed, there was no way that they could be overheard, tracked, or penetrated by camera equipment.
“That serious?” Adam looked up at her.
“Yes, that serious.” Sapphire nodded. “I’m going to tell you something and it is going to seem farfetched. Before I do, I want you to see it for yourself.” She pointed to the monitor. “Watch this.”
Adam and Sapphire watched the happenings in the backyard of Wade Tyson’s home. Afterwards, Sapphire turned off the monitor and looked at her brother. “Your thoughts.”
Adam began laughing. “You want me to comment on that?”
“Is it feasible that he could have powers outside of anything that we have encountered?”
“Yes,” the single response spoke volumes. “I say yes because we just saw it with our own eyes. However, I will adjust my previous advice. Your first call should go to Wade Tyson.”
Chapter 12
Deputy Attorney General Haskell, Director Vance of the FBI, Deputy Secretary of Defense Nicolas, and Secretary of Homeland Security Davenport, all stared at the women and children.
“You believe these people are a threat to our government?” Director Vance shook his head. “You are going to have to give me something better than pregnant women and children if you want me to keep one of my top agents from the field. Why not pull someone from Family and Children Services?”
“Director Vance, it is our belief that these women and children are in danger on two fronts. There's a possibility the person that had these people may eventually come looking for them. It is also possible that these women and children may have information on a number of unexplainable deaths across the commonwealth. I do not know how long we can hold them; however, I can see they need our assistance in getting acclimated to a normal life.” AG Haskell stated.
“Special Agent Morgan is neither a psychologist nor a social worker. She is an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Her job is to serve and protect this country.” Director Vance stated.
“I am well aware of who she is, Director,” Secretary Davenport said firmly. She, like you, are under my authority. While I understand your frustration, it is important for us all to remember we’re striving for the same goal, the security of all our citizens. In this moment, these women and children need to be protected until I determine they are no longer in danger, a danger to themselves, nor are they a danger to anyone else.”
Director Vance turned. “Deputy Secretary Nicholas, this falls under your purview. What do you feel is the best use of Special Agent in Charge Morgan's abilities?”
All eyes turned to the Deputy Secretary of Defense Nicholas. He looked from Deputy Attorney General Haskell to Secretary of Homeland Security Davenport then he turned to Genesis. “Agent in Charge Morgan, how did these people end up in your custody?”
“I was called to Roanoke to assist on the case with Agent Parker Anderson that involved the death of several children in his region. During the investigation the women and children were rescued from the people we believed to be responsible for the death of those children. An explosive device had been planted in the building where they were housed. Agent Anderson, a local sheriff, and a few citizens carried these women and children out just as the building went up in flames. I was the person who took over their care from their trip from Roanoke to here in Northern Virginia. I assisted them during the transition from the different hotel facilities where they were placed initially to this facility. I am the person who has been their contact from the time they were rescued until now.”
“What do you perceive their threat level to be?” Director Vance asked.
“It is difficult to determine their threat level. I can say that we believe that the man who escaped was dealing with some type of mind control substance. If he has implanted thoughts of murder in any one of these women or children's minds, the threat level is high. I put it that way because we are dealing with the unknown, therefore we take nothing or anyone at face value. We know that their method of death has been difficult to trace. From what I was told, it was by a freak accident that we determined that all of these deaths were connected. If any one of these women or children’s minds are conditioned to carry out who knows what, they are a threat to society. On the other hand, if this person knows or thinks these women and children have information that could be used to identify his plans or his location, I am certain he would want them eliminated. Then we have to think of the children the women are carrying. There's a reason why they were using this process to create those children. We have no idea how many members there are of the Society of Intellectual Beings. There is no way of knowing what their plans were for these children. Those plans may include these children and the children that these women are carrying to be a part of said plan. As I stated in the beginning, our biggest threat right now is the unknown.”
