December 2070. Bluemont, VA. United Nations of America.
Liam arrived at the Ward family home in an armored SUV that had become his standard form of transportation as of late. Part of him knew he was growing soft, but the other part appreciated his time in the quiet cabin to work through the endless tasks that managing Apex Industries had become. He dismissed the documents he reviewed in his HUD and pulled out the silver containing the cure for his mom’s cancer when the vehicle rolled to a stop.
“We’ve arrived, Mr. Ward,” his driver informed him. He wasn’t an Apex employee, merely the hired driver from the VIP transportation company. Apex had contracted the vehicle for the next few days, so had taken the effort to get to know the man driving him around.”
“Thanks for getting me here safely, Oskar,” Liam chirped. “Go ahead and come inside. My folks know I’m coming, and if I know my mom, she’s made something delicious for dinner.”
“Are you sure, Mr. Ward? I can grab something in town. I don’t want to be a burden.”
“It’s no trouble, Oskar,” Liam assured him. “And while eating with my family, you can call me Liam. Otherwise, my parents will think my head has grown bigger than my sense.”
“No problem, Mr—” Oskar cut himself short, “—Liam.”
“That’s the spirit,” Liam said with a chuckle before exiting the vehicle.
Oskar followed him, and Liam’s parents were already waiting on the stoop. The two men walked up the gravel path until they reached the steps. Liam wrapped his waiting parents in a hug.
“You’re back sooner than I expected, son.” His father greeted. “What happened to your face?”
Liam winced. “Kayla and I ran into some trouble. There was some industrial sabotage in one of our production facilities. We got burned by ammonia gas, and Kayla is still recovering in the hospital.”
“Oh my god, Liam!” His mother exclaimed. “Why didn’t you call us?”
“It just happened this morning, Mom,” Liam said apologetically. “I took the first available flight here.”
Liam’s dad raised an eyebrow. “Surely, you didn’t fly all this way to tell us about your sister. What’s going on, son?”
“Yes,” his mother was incensed. She was wagging a bony finger in his face. “You should’ve called us immediately. Not just about the accident, we also had to learn from Kayla that you had quit your job and started working with her.”
It was rare for Liam to piss off both his mom and dad. He decided contrition was the better part of valor.
“Sorry, Mom,” Liam winced. “I’ve been more busy than expected, but it’s no excuse. We can talk about it over dinner.”
He paused expectantly. “Besides, I have a surprise for you.”
“A surprise?” His mom’s anger transformed into curiosity.
Liam didn’t want to wait another second to cure his mom. He brandished the silver cylinder and gently held it toward his mom. “Apex has developed a cure for your cancer. This solution contains millions of nanomachines that will destroy the cancerous cells from the inside.”
Liam’s dad picked up the canister, hefting it in his palm. “Is it dangerous?”
The oldest son shook his head. “It’s experimental but proven science. There’s a small button on the side that will extend a needle. Inject the solution into the thigh, and it’ll work immediately. It should finish before you need to fly out.”
“Fly out?” His father’s tone was guarded.
“I’ll fill you in over dinner,” Liam promised.
His mom glanced at the cylinder before looking past his shoulder at her son’s companion. “Sure, Liam. Who have you brought with you?”
Liam stepped aside and introduced the driver. “Mom, dad, this is Oskar Grega. He’s hauling me around while I’m here. I invited him to dinner; I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” his mother assured him before stepping forward and wrapping Oskar in a hug. It was almost comical seeing his mom’s tiny frame trying to wrap around the mountain of a man. “You’re welcome anytime, young man,” she said before ushering them both through the door and into the kitchen.
Dinner was a peaceful affair. The family talked about mundane matters and learned more about Oskar. It turned out he was an Army Veteran as well. He had been a motor transport operator who had found himself in executive transportation and protection when he got out.
When dinner ended, Liam apologetically asked him to get the car started. He needed to have a confidential conversation with his parents, and then they’d hit the road to catch a late drink in McLean.
When the family heard the front door close and Apex confirmed the man had left the home, Liam turned to his parents. He quickly brought them up to speed about the events with Yucca Mountain, the synthesized cure, and the attacks in Edwards Air Force Base and Los Angeles. After that, he got down to the purpose of his visit.
“So,” Liam said slowly. “Now you see what Kayla and I are attempting to accomplish. I don’t have to tell you how huge a leap forward this is for the human species. That said, I find myself short a trusted logistician to run the company's logistics department, and you’re the best there ever was, Dad.”
“Liam,” his father said sadly. “I’m an old man well past retirement age. As sad as it is to admit, I don’t have the skills to run a logistics department.”
Mercy touched her husband’s arm, knowing how much it hurt him to admit that to his son.
Liam was about to reply, but Apex interrupted him.
Commander, age shouldn’t be a factor in this decision, Apex quickly informed him. The Priori have the technology to extend life almost indefinitely, and when a body gets too degraded, we can always swap the consciousness with a fresh one.
Liam’s thoughts stuttered to an abrupt halt. Apex had never mentioned this type of technology before. He had rightly assumed they could transfer their consciousness to new bodies, but he didn’t know they could extend their life. It didn’t fit with what he knew of their culture. For them, bodies were expendable.
Why haven’t you told me that before? Liam made sure his question didn’t sound accusatory.
Because you didn’t ask, and we’re far from developing the requisite technology, Apex explained. It isn’t an immediate priority, and it’s the type of technology I can’t allow to disseminate to the rest of your society. I’m telling you about it because you’re my Commander on this mission, and I don’t want you to come to a hasty judgment without all the available information.
Liam wasn’t offended that Apex hadn’t told him about the tech. Immortality was a distraction from their genuine and present dangers. He had fully expected the alien intelligence to hold back details of particular technology. He would’ve done the same in the AI’s position. However, he was touched by the fact that Apex was revealing the information to assist him in recruiting his father.
Thank you, Apex.
Anytime, Commander.
Liam returned his attention to his family. “Sorry, mental huddle with Apex,” he said by way of explanation. “I’ve been informed that your age won’t be a problem, Dad. We don’t have the technology to do anything about it right now, but that doesn’t mean we won't have it in the future. Hopefully, long before it becomes a concern.”
Liam laid his palms flat on the table, “However, talking about aging is missing the main point. If Kayla and I are in danger, then you’ll be next. If our enemies want to draw us out, they’ll go after our family. I already feel bad enough about Kayla—I couldn’t take it if you were harmed too.”
His father's eyes were wide with shock, and Liam could see the gears turning in his dad’s mind. Michael looked over at his wife, his expression cold. “What do you think, Mercy?”
“I think retirement never suited you anyway, my love.” Her voice was filled with warmth and pride in her husband.
The senior Ward’s mind quickly adapted to the changing circumstances. “What about the farm?” He said, already coming up with a plan.
“To be honest, Dad. I’m not sure,” Liam admitted. “We can purchase the property through the company, but if I’m being frank, we plan on moving our headquarters to Puerto Rico. I don’t know the next time we’ll be back.”
His mother looked stricken by the prospect. He saw her glancing around the kitchen, silently noting the cherished family heirlooms she wanted to keep.
Stolen novel; please report.
Liam cut her off. “You guys won’t be able to take much at first. Once Apex finishes this hiring spree, we will come under the government’s attention, and we want to be out from under their thumb. It would make Kayla and me feel better if you guys were with us.”
“You mean more than they already have?” Michael asked cooly, latching on to the potential threat to his family.
“What would you do?” Liam returned.
His father frowned as he worked through the scenario on his own. His wife observed him, trusting him to choose the best for their family.
“You’re right,” His dad finally said. “We need to leave as soon as possible.” He glanced at his wife, “Pack what you can into two carry-on suitcases. Don’t bother with clothes or anything like that, Mercy. We can always replace those things later.”
“I’ll start right now,” she promised, getting to her feet and quickly exiting the kitchen while the two men remained.
“I’m assuming you’ve already arranged for our transport?”
“Yeah, Dad. I’ve got a car coming to pick you up tomorrow morning. You’ll be on a plane to California by tomorrow afternoon. We’ll have time while the government determines what we’re up to. By the time they realize we need to be putting down roots in Puerto Rico. We’re not important enough to pursue unless it’s convenient for them, and by the time they realize the true threat, we’ll have insulated ourselves from their influence.”
“Alright, son. Your mom and I will be ready.” His dad gestured to the front of the house. “You left that young man waiting outside. You better get going.”
“Thanks, Dad. I love you, and tell Mom the same.”
“I will, son,” Michael said before standing to give his son a parting hug. “By the way,” he said as he released his son. “If you’re pulling me out of retirement, I better be getting a big damn paycheck.”
Liam laughed as he moved toward the door. “Better than that, Dad–you’ve got equity!”
The sun set, and night fell as Oskar drove Liam from his childhood home toward a small bar in McLean. Gradually, the countryside gave way to the city's outskirts, the town's twinkling lights growing brighter on the horizon. The contract between the quiet farms and the burgeoning urbanity added a sense of anticipation to the drive.
Liam was on his way to meet with an old friend from his time at the CIA. They had served in the Directorate of Operations together, but now Jun Mitsuharu ran a desk in Europe. Liam didn’t know what his friend was responsible for these days, and he’d never asked, but when he knew the fellow operator, he had been impressed with his methodical nature and encyclopedic grasp of tradecraft. Apex reached out to Jun earlier in the day via Laim’s phone and scheduled them to meet up for after-dinner drinks.
Soon, they arrived at a dive bar in a discreet corner of the bustling city. Tinker Tailor was a hidden gem known only to the locals and those in the know. The exterior bore the weathered signs of age, hinting at a rich history that spanned decades.
Liam exited the vehicle and instructed Oscar to find a quiet parking place. He would send him a message when they were ready to leave. The pair already had some rooms booked in a nearby hotel. This would be the last social call for the evening before they retired.
Inside, the bar exuded an atmosphere of nostalgia and camaraderie. Dim, warm lighting cast a soft glow, enveloping the space in an intimate and inviting ambiance. The air was tinged with the scent of aged wood and the familiar aroma of spirits, creating a comforting backdrop for conversations and connections.
The walls were adorned with vintage photographs and memorabilia, each telling a story of bygone days and long-forgotten tales. The wall decorations were intentionally unlabeled. Those in the know remembered the stories, and those that didn’t simply didn’t need to know.
Beyond the history-rich accouterments, a collection of neon signs festooned the bar, flickering softly in an array of vibrant colors, lending a touch of retro charm to the place.
The worn wooden bar top bore the scars of countless conversations and clinking glasses, a testament to the secrets swapped in its presence. Behind the bar, a skilled bartender who likely doubled as a counterintelligence agent deftly mixed cocktails and poured pints of beer.
The seating arrangements were an eclectic mix of mismatched chairs and cozy booths that matched the establishment’s clientele. Liam found Jun in a corner booth, already nursing a pint and casually taking in the other guests. His eyes locked on to Liam’s and he smiled invitingly.
Liam dropped by the bar, ordering himself a drink before heading to the booth.
“Good to see you, Liam,” Jun cheerfully greeted him as he sat down.
“You as well, Jun,” he replied before sipping whiskey on the rocks. “Work treating you well?”
“As well as it always has, old friend,” Jun answered with a smile. “How’s the civilian life working for you? I heard you’re running a tech company now.”
Liam noticed as the other man deftly changed the topic of the conversation away from his job with practiced ease.
“That’s kind of what I needed to talk to you about,” Liam admitted. “I want to offer you a job.”
“A job?” Jun frowned. “To be honest, I didn’t expect that. I thought you would try and pump me for information about a competitor or something boring like that.”
Liam chuckled, “Nah, we both know you’re too good to let me get away with something like that.”
“Still wouldn’t have stopped me from letting you buy me a few drinks in the attempt,” Jun said with a sly wink. “Still, I’m happy where I’m at. Another ten years and I can retire with a fat pension–plus, corporate espionage has never appealed to me.”
“It’s not that kind of job,” Liam assured him. “Apex has no need to dig up dirt on its rivals.”
“Then what do you…” Jun trailed off as he tried to figure out Liam’s angle. He switched to a different track. “What kind of work are you doing at Apex?”
“Changing the world,” Liam said simply before taking another drink.
“And people aren’t going to like it,” Jun added thoughtfully.
“Got it in one,” Liam nodded before laying his proverbial cards on the table. “Whatever you’re getting paid, I’ll triple it. If you want a pension, I can make that happen too, but I promise this is the type of job you won’t want to retire from.”
“You can’t tell me any more?” Jun asked with a lowered voice.
“Not until you’re inside,” Liam shrugged his bulky shoulders. “I don’t need to explain to you why.”
“No, you don’t,” Jun sighed and took a drink from his beer. “I’ve got a family, Liam. Can you promise me this job will be better for their future than what I currently have going on?”
Liam seriously considered the question. He wasn’t the type to promise something he couldn’t fulfill, and Jun would know if he was being flippant or bullshitting.
“Yes, I can,” he promised. “Apex will change the world, and you’ll be on the ground floor. The job won’t be easy, but you’re among the few people I can trust to handle it.”
“Okay, then.” Jun decided. “I will need to give the Agency my two weeks.”
“Can’t take that long,” Liam shook his head. “If you accept, I’ll have a car waiting to pick you up from your house tomorrow afternoon. You’ll be in California by dinnertime.”
“So, this is serious,” Jun said quietly.
“I know what I’m asking, especially when you have a family to consider. I wouldn’t be asking like this unless it were deadly serious.”
“What’ll I be doing?”
“You’ll be my Chief Intelligence Officer,” Liam said with a smile.
“What kind of company needs an intelligence officer on its executive team?” Jun asked, a tinge of wonder coloring his voice.
“The world-changing kind,” he answered pithily.
“Alright, I accept,” Jun nodded before holding his drink up.
“Cheers,” Liam answered, clinking his glass against his friends. The pair drained their drinks and then rose from their seats.
“Do I need to send you my address?” Jun asked, testing him.
“Nope, the car will be there,” Liam assured.
“Show off.”
“Just because I left the game doesn’t mean I forgot the craft,” Liam laughed. “I’ll see you a couple days from now.”
The pair shook hands, departed the bar, and went their separate ways. Liam only had one more person to see, but it could wait until the following morning. For now, he called Oskar and asked for a pickup. Within minutes, he was back in the SUV and bound for the hotel they booked for the evening.
Liam considered the meeting as they drove to the hotel. He was surprised the meeting had gone well with his friend. The CIA must not have been treating Jun as well as he advertised and Liam could empathize. He had initially joined expecting to make a difference on the world stage. Instead, his time had been filled with as much blood or more as it had in the Army.
The UNA wasn’t officially at war these days, but the Nationalist Party had turned its sights on their own citizens. It wasn’t publicly advertised, but those in Liam’s trade knew the score. There were missing people, crackdowns on speech, and unsolved murders.
Jun and people like them found themselves straddling two worlds. One, where they had signed up to support the United States and further their mission abroad, and the other, where they lived in the world ruled by the Nationalist Party and the UNA. It was an uncomfortable divide to bridge. There were the greybeards who remembered how things once were and the new faces who had never known anything different.
They arrived at the hotel, and the two men grabbed their bags. As they walked toward the lobby, Oskar stopped him. “Mr. Ward,” the young man began. “I’ve been thinking.”
Liam chuckled, “Don’t do that too much–it’s dangerous.”
“Ha, hah, jefe” the younger man rolled his eyes. “Listen, I get the impression you do a lot of traveling like this. Most of the people I drive for are insufferable assholes who think they’re more important than they are.”
“I hope you’re not counting me among them,” Liam looked uncomfortable.
“No, not at all, Mr. Ward,” Oskar assured him. “You invited me in to eat with your family, and put me up in this nice hotel instead of making me figure it out alone.”
“The bare minimum,” Liam interrupted.
“What I’m trying to ask,” the younger man pressed. “Is if you need of a driver on your staff? I’d be honored to work for Apex. I did some research while waiting in the car, and I think I could use a change of pace.”
Liam put on a thoughtful expression while he consulted Apex.
He’s clean, Commander. His history is precisely how he described it at dinner. He would be a valuable addition to your team with some training. He can accompany you on these trips and ensure everything is safe before you arrive.
Thanks, Apex.
“Alright, Oskar,” Liam smiled. “You’ll probably need some training and to always carry a weapon. You cool with that?”
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to travel with a firearm, Mr. Ward,” Oskar warned.
Liam opened his coat and flashed the concealed Glock he kept there. “I do it all the time; I promise you’ll be fine.”
“In that case, it works for me.”
“Cool,” Liam said as he fastened the button on his jacket. “ I don’t know how much we’re paying you or anything like that, but when we get back to HQ, talk to the Chief Personnel Officer, Kalonda–she’ll get you settled.”
“Thanks, Mr. Ward,” Oskar breathed a sigh of relief.
“Don’t go thanking me yet,” Liam warned. “Let’s get some sleep, and we’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
“What’s the plan for tomorrow?” Oskar quizzed as they entered the hotel.
“I’ve got to convince my friend Amal to let me buy his company,” Liam said with a wry chuckle.