CHAPTER 74: Loyalty
“Were you able to spend any time with the kids?” asked Colonel Davian. He was currently in a private drinking room of a rowdy bar on the other side of town from the base. This bar was known for certain services that were questionably legal. The room itself was sound resistant, blocking out most of the music and drunken noise from the main rooms but leaving just enough for the Colonel to know that he couldn’t be listened to from outside due to the noise.
The room had been thoroughly swept for bugs. Only paper was allowed inside. No phones, radios, or computers could be brought inside it, as per his orders. They knew that the Rift Base could watch from anywhere inside it, but the trick of Adam hacking the secure communication line with General Gervin told Davian that no form of remote communication could be safe. He was fine with certain things being emailed or called, via code, due to time sensitivity, but confidential meetings had to be done in person with no outside access.
He had ten of his soldiers guarding the inside of the bar. Davian knew that the soldiers and agents from other groups of the military and security were also watching the bar, both inside and out. Davian hadn’t been able to bring his highest-level people since those were the ones with the most respect for Adam. Involving them in this would have led to too many questions he wasn’t prepared to answer.
After coming out of that raid, their eyes had been more than respect. They were borderline loyal to Adam. Even having lost some of their own men, no one held animosity towards Adam. While they might still be patriots to their country, they had come to view Adam, so open about his mission, as a superior officer. Near the top, and just as patriotic as them.
“Yes. There is no subterfuge or hidden agenda with them. They’re sweet kids, very open about their methods and goals,” said Elouise, sitting across from Davian at the table. “They even allowed me to come to one of their evening hangouts. It was only slightly rowdier than a family dinner, discussing their days and helping each other with difficulties they had. They never questioned my presence or held themselves back. It was quite refreshing.”
“They weren’t intimidated or uncertain based on your age or status?”
Elouise smiled wryly, “No. They didn’t care that I’m old…or the wife of an actual general. The girls even talked to me as if they were in the same position, wanting to know how to deal with people from that position. Four wives. I can’t imagine that’ll be easy. At the same time, I can see how it would’ve been nice for me to have had peer support earlier in my life from people with the same experiences.”
“Don’t they know polygamy is illegal?” muttered Davian.
“You think that matters to them? The [System] seems to approve of it. Laws only matter if there’s a government to make them and a power to enforce them. Neither of those things they believe will exist once the invasions start. They act like it’s already fact that in two days the United States of America will cease to exist. Besides, legal marriage is just a contract from the state used for taxes, health care, and insurance purposes. They have access to an alien fortress to live in and healers. The legal issues aren’t really an incentive.”
“Doesn’t that scare them? I can barely consider the fall of our country a possibility, simply because it is too scary an idea,” he admitted.
“They don’t feel threatened by anything as long as Adam is in charge. Not just the girls either. It’s like they’ve all made peace with death. For them Adam will do the hard parts, and they’ll support him with whatever comes.”
“I can see all that loyalty. The people volunteering here and even the police view Adam as if through a religious faith. It makes me wonder about all those commentors watching their videos. Last I heard they were at about 18,000 people traveling to Jackson to weather the invasion. The Sentinel Army will protect. While I’ve met Adam and seen both the carefree and violent side of him, I still can’t find my own loyalty towards him.”
“That’s because you already have that loyalty towards the country and your army. Normal people don’t see that.”
Davian knew he was a loyal man. Loyal to the men under his command. Loyal to his family. Above all, loyal to God and country. However, for the first time he wondered if there was something even higher that he should be loyal to.
Adam had a loyalty greater than he had seen before. It wasn’t towards an organization, or to his desires. He was loyal to the entirety of humanity. Everything he did was to help humanity to survive. While he didn’t force people to follow his own ideals, he did separate himself from those who wouldn’t. He gave out both freedom and his own type of tyranny.
Davian’s problem was that Adam’s loyalty did not conflict with his own. Saving humanity and saving the United States overlapped. Adam didn’t demand his loyalty, like others in authority did when they wanted something questionable from him.
“I guess that makes sense. Did you find out anything unusual?” asked Davian, feeling a bit relieved.
“Two things have happened. Earlier this evening, while I was with them, the [System] sent a message that it viewed Adam as a sovereign.”
“What does that mean?”
Elouise thought about it for a minute. “Based on the messages, it means that people have recognized Adam as a ruler, with ample followers and territory under his control, I think. Even enemies recognize him as such.”
Davian sighed, unsure what to do with that information. He decided to put it off for now, but did wonder, “Do you think the president is considered a ruler?”
“It doesn’t matter. All the politicians are still at level 0 and will probably be targeted first by the invaders.”
“That sounds like you’re already buying into what the Sentinel Army is selling,” needled Davian.
“That’s an interesting thought. Spending time in the base, working with the volunteers, and especially with the Sentinels. They treat it as a foregone conclusion. If it doesn’t happen, then I think they’ll happily go about their lives. There is no rebellion here, just preparations for a natural disaster. At least for now, I will prepare for it just in case.”
“You mentioned two things. What was the second thing that happened?” he asked.
This time Elouise got a smile on her face. At that moment Davian realized that she actually liked the kids. He wondered if it was due to them treating her like a normal person, or that it was fun watching them playing army. Or possibly it was just all the refreshing new things that they had access to and watching it from the source.
“Because Adam has been viewed as a sovereign, he can give people appointments in his retinue. That gives them a title increasing their stats and allows them to locate each other regardless of their distance.”
Davian sat back in his chair looking stunned. “He just keeps getting more. More from the [System] and more from the people. Even more from his enemies. That’s going to make things difficult.”
“Oh?” Elouise asked casually. “From what I’ve seen, he’s just getting what he’s earned. We would have nothing without him. That much I can agree with.”
Colonel Davian reached down to a briefcase and pulled out five envelopes. Each had a big “confidential” stamp on it. He placed them on the table in front of Elouise.
“What are these?” asked Elouise as she stared at them while keeping her hands in her lap.
“Orders. From five different agencies. None of which are working together but each want the same thing. We are to subdue the Sentinels and recover the base. General Carmichael simply told us that the base belongs to the US army and to assume control of it. The Secretary of Defense sent an order to claim eminent domain on this space as it’s in the US territory, and to evict all civilians. Homeland Security wants us to bring Adam and his group to DC on charges of conspiring with the invaders, calling them domestic terrorists. We’re then to claim control of this base.
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“The FBI has sent us a long list of charges amounting to treason and fraud against Adam, covering all possibilities, hoping that at least some of them can stick. They say that either Adam committed treason by ‘stealing’ this base or he has committed mass fraud against the people by extorting their money and goodwill due to an unsubstantiated claim. They have agents waiting outside to arrest them, but only once we subdue them first. Just in case. They’ve even frozen all of Adam’s and the Sentinel’s bank accounts.”
“Wouldn’t that alert Adam?” Elouise grimaced.
“Only if Adam actually needed access to the money. In the beginning he was spending as fast as he could, with many people accessing his accounts. With the community so involved and loyal to either him or his goals, businesses are just donating everything, or they’re giving him invoices to be paid later. A lot of stuff people just buy themselves and leave here. I don’t think these agencies are aware of just how involved everyone locally is.”
“Who is the last folder from?”
Davian barked a laugh. “The CIA is claiming that since this is an extra-dimensional space, it’s not US territory, and they are allowed to operate in it. The Senate Committee on Armed Services has commissioned five black ops teams to capture him for interrogation at a black site. Guess whose cooperation they have demanded.”
“Since you are here at my husband’s orders, how does that fit with the others?” asked Elouise.
“General Gervin’s orders were to ‘beg, borrow, or steal’ if the base was legitimate. I’m not sure I’ve accomplished any of those, but I got more than I could have expected because of Adam’s generosity. In our first meeting Adam told me to be honest with him. Even if Adam claims to be the sovereign of this land and the [System], I do trust him and agree with his mission.”
“What are you going to do?” asked Elouise.
“I’m not sure what I can do. Orders are orders,” said Davian, wondering how far loyalty can be pushed before it becomes something else.
“Don’t give me that cop out answer. It didn’t work in the Nuremburg Trials, and it won’t work now. What are you going to do?”
“What can I do? According to these orders if I warn Adam then it’s treason for me, betraying myself and my whole life. If I obstruct the other agents, then it’s a court marshal. If my men continue to support the Sentinels, then it’s dishonorable discharges. On top of that, there are around 4,000 U.S. soldiers and agents in Jackson and the Rift now. Only about 800 of them are under my command due to General Gervin. While no one wanted to give the general weight for the intel Adam provided, they certainly were willing to send force to take anything they could.”
“None of that answers my question,” accused Elouise.
“What do I do when my orders or different than what is right?”
“See, you do have some loyalty to Adam.”
“Then should I warn him?” asked Davian with hesitation.
“Do you think he needs you to warn him?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“His man, Mr. Lane, has been working with techs and agents, right?”
“Yes…” answered Davian slowly, wondering why Adam had been so naive as to allow it.
“And what have they learned?” Elouise asked, clearly leading the distraught man.
“They’ve seen the menus, worked on the alien languages, and tried to uncover more information,” answered Davian, still unsure where she was going.
“And have they received access to the communications that Adam used? Maybe something for listening in on secure lines?”
“Not to my knowledge. Maybe only the base leader can do that.”
“Are they able to construct the things that Mr. Lane does?”
“No, Mr. Lane is very possessive and doesn’t want his ‘game’ messed up.”
Elouise signed. “What about access to the Rift Shop or other rifts in Adam’s network.”
“No, they haven’t.”
“Think, you stupid man,” said Elouise for emphasis. “You’re so stuck in the minutia that you aren’t seeing the big picture. Mr. Lane and Adam are playing with them. All the powerful features have been locked out. They’re just tempting the intellectuals with something exciting to keep them looking away from the power in the Rift Menu. There are so many interesting and undecipherable items that look important that they’re easily distracted from what is already under Adam’s control.”
Davian sat up a bit more and met Elouise’s eyes.
“Then should I follow the orders?” asked Davian skeptically.
“Oh heavens no. Do you want to die and have your 16 children and grandchildren removed from the Rift?”
“You think Adam would kill me?” Davian scowled. He knew that Adam’s loyalty to his purpose was stronger than his feelings to a single person.
“Yes. He would. His girls allowed me to watch the videos they never made public.” Elouise’s already white complexion went even more pale.
“There are more, huh?”
“Yes. I saw Adam have fingers ripped off from inside. His skin was completely burned off. He received a fatal GSW to the neck. In each case he kept fighting. He went berserk when Brandon was gutted and just kept killing.”
“That happened to the small boy?” Davian gasped.
“It isn’t just Adam either. They’ve all been gashed, smashed, mauled, organs ruptured, broken bones, yet fought until the end. Every one of them is stronger and faster than your soldiers. That appointment title is a 14% boost in their class stat, but they also received 5% to all stats from being the first to capture a Rift. These kids have done the impossible. Have some faith in Adam.”
“Then…?”
“Do your duty but put it off until just before the invasion. Agree to help the various forces at that time. But don’t do anything to threaten Adam or his people. Until then continue to work with Adam. He has turned around worse situations.”
Elouise picked up and tossed the folders back at the Colonel. Then she elegantly stood and walked out of the room. She didn’t want to miss tomorrow’s event and she still needed to get some sleep.
***
Adam woke early in the morning to a [System] message.
Enough of your population have recognized the appointment you made to your Sovereign Retinue. The Loyalty tab in your status shows those with Appointment Titles. Both the Sovereign and his Retinue have the ability to know the direction and distance of the other.
Quickly pulling up the Loyalty Tab, Adam rubbed his eyes.
“What the heck?! How did that bastard…” he said.
Throwing on sweatpants and a tank top, Adam rushed out of his suite and to the stairs. He ran down two flights to get to the condo. He jogged down the silent hall and arrived in front of the door.
As he raised his hand to knock, the door opened. An attractive woman in an opened robe, wearing nothing else stood there. Her hair was disheveled and her eyes bleary. She was yawning. It took her a few moments to realize Adam was blocking her way.
“Oh, excuse me, General,” said Angeline Victoria, the reporter that had interviewed Tom, snapping awake. She blushed in embarrassment and pulled her robe closed. “Um, I’ll just, uh, be going…to my own condo, you know, over there…”
Adam’s eyes followed her pointing finger to look at a unit across the hall, then back to her. “You live in the building?”
She blushed again. “Tom wanted to make sure I was safe, so he got me a unit as close as possible. To keep an eye on me.” She coughed to cover her explanation. “For safety.”
Her eyes looked down at her robe in embarrassment.
“I see,” Adam said dully, revealing no emotions.
“Excuse me,” she squirmed around Adam and then scurried to what was apparently her own living unit. In their building. A building specifically for the Sentinels and their family.
Adam released the increasing heat with a breath and headed into Tom’s open condo.
“Hey boss! Guess what! I knew you were coming. I got my appointment title and now I always know where you are. Always…from anywhere. Check this out,” bragged Tom as he pulled up a message.
A sovereign of power has appointed you to a position in their Retinue. Both allies and enemies have acknowledged this position, giving you a unique title. Being a part of a ruler’s retinue gives you the ability to always know their direction and distance, should you be needed to serve them.
You have received the new Appointment Title of Illusionary Loyalist.
Illusionary Loyalist
None can question your loyalty to your liege. All who hear your words of praise towards the sovereign will understand the depth of your belief and will have their minds befuddled while their own loyalty grows. This title boosts your Strength and Wisdom by 7% and will allow you to select a related class during your next evolution.
This appointment title can be removed by the sovereign you serve and will automatically be removed upon their death.
How did the bastard even get his title in half a night, Adam wondered. Sighing, Adam waved his hand and Tom dismissed the message window. Then Adam saw Tom. All of Tom. Without any covering.
“What’s my Loyalty stat at?” Tom asked while bouncing around excitedly, to Adam’s dismay.
“96. It’ll gain +1 if you put that underwear on,” Adam said as he looked around the room to avert his eyes.
Immediately he regretted looking around. There were four pictures in elaborate frames on the walls. The scroll work on the frames were all designed around the Sentinel Logo. The canvas printed pictures inside the frames all were of Adam in ridiculously heroic poses, usually barely clothed, wielding his hammer with enemies laying slain around him. Only one of the pictures included the rest of the group, though small and in the background.
Two body pillows on the sofa had cuddle covers of Adam. On one he was clothed though they were torn up, and on the other he was shirtless, wearing only boxer shorts.
“Ah, don’t worry boss. When Angie comes over, I make sure she cuddles the one with clothing. Don’t want her to think you’re the kind of guy who’d cheat on his own,” Tom said as he turned around and pulled up a pair of boxers. On one cheek of the boxers was the Sentinels’ logo and on the other was Adam’s face.
“Speaking of Angeline, isn’t she a little old for you?” Adam asked.
“Hot is hot,” Tom said directly, before having a realization. “Oh, I see. You’ve nothing to worry about, boss. I would never take more for my harem than you have. I’ll never compete with your greatness. Never! You can trust me on that. The loyalty tab says so.”
The pride on Tom’s face at his misunderstanding dizzied Adam’s mind. Adam turned and headed for the door.
“Before you go, do you want to see my The General plushies? I have the whole set. Or maybe The General action figures? I worked with the toy company to get early releases of those and setup the manufacturing machinery inside the base. Each one is a masterpiece, not some poorly designed crap. Everyone else only has The General printed sheets and comforter. I’m the envy of your fan club!”
Adam closed the condo door behind him while shaking his head.
“Maybe the loyalty tab has Tom’s rating too low.”