United Nations Headquarters – New York – January 5th – 2038
The United Nations is an institution founded after the Second World War by fifty-one countries, who had the noble aim of developing friendly relations around the globe as a steppingstone to achieving international peace and security.
Their goal was to focus society on working together to improve the quality of life, regardless of where they were from, the color of their skin, or what their beliefs might be. Respect for each other’s rights and freedoms were key factors behind its formation.
Peace; security; respect.
Honorable aspirations indeed, but as history went on to show, they were principles that proved to be most elusive.
Elusive or not, the world always had high expectations of a new beginning, and today would see such a hope give birth to something special. The venue chosen for such an auspicious occasion was the World Headquarters of the UN itself, situated by East River in New York City, along a huge stretch of 1st Avenue, from 45th to 48th Street.
In all, the site covered eighteen acres and belonged to the organization’s one hundred and ninety-nine member states, affording plenty of room for the visiting leaders, dignitaries, honored guests, and gaggle of media, who would help to commemorate the investiture of this date as “Guardians Day.”
The program was scheduled to include a number of brief oratories and presentations by a panel of specially selected speakers from the worlds of industry, science and medicine. President Vivian Becknell herself was listed as the final spokeswoman and was due to announce the main address, to be given by none other than the Lord Marshal of the Guardians himself. Though not yet confirmed, it was rumored he would disclose the steps world leaders had been waiting to hear regarding the implementation of the new Psychic Law and Order bill, as well as other groundbreaking issues.
If all went to plan, the day would culminate with the unveiling of a new commemorative statue in the North Gardens, close to one of the world’s most recognized monuments by Yevgeny Vuchetich, “Let Us Beat Swords into Plowshares”.
The bronze sculpture was symbolic of mankind’s desire to end war, and convert the means of destruction into creative tools for the benefit of all.
At long last, it seemed those desires were about to be realized.
*
This was the second occasion inside a month that Lei Yeung had found himself sharing a hotel suite with his extraordinary new friends and he sincerely hoped it would be the last. While they had proven useful in advancing his agendum to gain an edge against the Guardians, he was beginning to find it most irritating how often they took gratuitous risks in the belief they were invincible. While there is a distinct possibility that might be the case, there’s no denying I’m not indestructible. Nor are those making up my beloved Council. If such a lackadaisical attitude exposes what we’re up to this close to the off, it won’t be their transcended necks on the block.
Yeung’s recommendations that they implement a more prudent course of action were constantly scorned. His hankering for added security precautions, ridiculed. Since the Valhalla exercise, it had been an uphill struggle to get them to adopt any of his suggestions at all, especially Esther and Harry, who continued to view him as an irritation.
Thank goodness Simon has been more reasonable. That being said, he knew the leader of the inhuman rebels considered him a necessary burden, and one that would no doubt be discarded as soon as he’d served his purpose.
We shall see about that, Yeung thought, I haven’t lasted this long by chance. He sniffed in amusement; At least the views are better from here.
All four hundred and eighty-eight rooms of the New Millennium Consort had been booked well in advance of the occasion. It was only due to the fact that Yeung Technologies held a block of permanent suites here that their chance to stay at a suitable location had been vouchsafed. Situated on 46th Street, New York, the huge glass and steel construct of refined quality and elegance provided sweeping views of the Empire State and Chrysler buildings, the five legendary bridges spanning the East River itself and of course, their venue later that day, the United Nations.
Yeung grew tired of reading through his speech, due to be given in the hall of the General Assembly later that morning. Extending his astral vision, he began idling away the time by watching a combined taskforce of the city’s amenities workers and UN employees adding the finishing touches to the exterior seating area recently constructed along the Plaza. Changing focus, he zoomed in on the brand new monument itself, still under wraps in the gardens and surrounded by a halo of foldout chairs. Perfect!
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A gentle ping alerted him to the fact that his private elevator had just been activated. Drawing back his farsight, he confirmed his fellow collaborators were on the way up. Closing the computer, he ambled over to the kitchen to await their arrival.
Not thirty seconds passed before the door chimed and the terrible trio stalked into the suite, pokerfaced and stiff gaited. Once inside the protective bubble of the portable mitigator shield, however, they allowed their barriers to drop slightly, revealing their emotions were anything but cold and aloof.
Waving the blender, jauntily, Yeung asked, “Anyone for coffee?”
Three mental affirmations bounced back almost immediately, so he set about preparing the drinks while they divested themselves of their disguises.
At his nagging insistence, they had muted their auras and, posing as casual staff, had intermingled with those workers preparing the investiture site.
Despite their initial misgivings at not being able to flit about at whim, Yeung had advocated that following his advice would dramatically increase the chances of success. The event would have undoubtedly attracted all sorts of additional security measures, mechanical, mundane and otherwise. So, by acting like they belonged there and fussing over the exact positioning of the new awnings—thoughtfully provided in case of inclement weather—they were far less likely to draw attention than trying to do the same thing whilst fluttering about like ethereal phantoms. Additionally, strolling around on foot would also afford them the opportunity to check the target area for bugs and other devices they might have missed on their initial sweeps.
He was itching to discover what harvest his forethought had yielded.
Esther was the first to return to the kitchen area. Snatching up her mug, she took a seat at the table and regarded Yeung with obvious interest. Hello, someone looks happy?
As Simon and Harry sauntered in behind her, Yeung enquired, “Something on your mind, Esther?”
Inhaling the aroma of the freshly ground beans, she replied, “I was just thinking; what a waste it is that your mind is trapped within such a fragile body.”
“Thank you . . . I think?”
“Oh yes, it was meant as a compliment, human. Mark the date; it won’t happen very often, believe me.”
Coming in on the conversation, Harry patted her on the back and grinned. “What my sentimental companion is trying to say is, yet again, your guidance proved invaluable.”
There’s a shock. Nevertheless, Yeung was intrigued by the unexpected accolade. Addressing Harry directly, he murmured, “How so?”
“Dressed as mundanes, we were able to walk about undetected, clouding the minds of any fool who got too close or those few who became inquisitive. As a warrior, I can relate to the value of gathering intelligence before you strike. Thus forewarned, we witnessed firsthand how your caution produced unexpected fruit.”
“It did? In what way?”
“Furtive scans around the speakers’ platform picked out two automated sentries of Guardian design, ingeniously crafted and shielded by a chameleon net to prevent tampering. Knowing they are there has helped us to adjust our tactics accordingly.”
“Sneaky bastards are using brand new technology as well, so we left them well alone,” Esther added.
Yeung nodded. “I see. So you’re going back to my original proposal to hit them at the unveiling of the monument then?”
“Indeed we are,” Simon affirmed without the slightest hint of embarrassment. “As you so wisely pointed out, the Guardian VIP is bringing only a small retinue of high-ranking staff with him. The organizers are obviously relying on their formidable reputation to deter troublemakers because they’ve only bothered to place a handful of bio-readers and explosive detectors on the approaches to the venue itself. That will be perfect for our needs. The Guardians will feel a false sense of security in numbers; security staff will be relaxed and have their minds on other things as the circus winds down; and people will be tired after a long day. Better still, nobody will be expecting a mass public execution . . . ?”
In response to Yeung’s look of surprise, Simon explained, “We were able to place the mitigator stanchions exactly as we want them. When they blow, they won’t only destroy our objective, they’ll vaporize everyone else in a fifty-foot radius as well.”
“That’s going to smart!” Yeung was elated. “I’d better make sure I’m in the thick of it then, so no suspicion falls my way.”
“Indeed, human,” Esther giggled, “the closer the better.”
She sighed, wistfully. “You are wasted within that fragile shell. It’s such a pity you are not powerful enough to adopt something more robust. Your strategy and cunning would make a welcome addition to our triumvirate.”
Yeung chuckled, basking in the first sign of genuine warmth to escape the frigid confines of this terrifying woman’s aura. “Then you’ll be glad to learn I’m working on that very agenda, Esther. If we survive, I intend to address such a dilemma head on.”
“Oh, we’ll survive,” Simon assured him. “Especially if these new mitigator and mirror units, what phrase did you use for them . . .? MEMUs are up to the task?”
“You know they are. You’ve seen the prototypes in action, having destroyed them yourselves. The energy threshold you had to employ proves they will negate any Guardian who is constrained to a fleshly form. That means you can concentrate solely on anyone who is transcended without having to worry about their minions. So far as I am aware, only one such creature is due to be in attendance today. Are you positive you’ll be able to manage?”
Esther and Harry gazed Simon’s way and the ambient room temperature dropped.
Simon narrowed his eyes. “You leave that imbecile to us. Remember, we were there when his potential was discovered. And while we don’t doubt he is now very powerful, he will be no match for us combined, especially since he will be unable to manifest.”
“And how will you elude those who come after you?”
“You need have no concerns for us, human. As we discussed, Esther, Harry and I will depart and lie low, as you call it. In the meantime, your new implants should shield you from the dramatic effects of your arcane gadgets and the interrogation that’s bound to follow your miraculous survival. Then, once the dust settles, we’ll all meet at an open venue to see if the coast is clear before implementing the next stages of our master plan. Agreed?”
“Oh, I agree wholeheartedly, my friend. But if you excuse me, I have to go and prepare myself for the ordeal ahead. It’s not often I get to speak in front of such celebrated company and if I’m going to look like a hero by the end of today, I want to be a stylish and distinguished one.”
And with that, Yeung left three, extremely intimidating beings feeling quite bemused over the vanities of those restricted to a purely fleshly form.