Nigel’s breath got knocked out when a pair of burly men shoved him into a room with no windows. Professor Paladin entered and pulled up a chair, using his cane to steady himself. An enormous hulk of a man squeezed Nigel’s shoulders. Lightning shot through his back, shoulders, and arms. He fell and collapsed on the floor.
“Hey, what the hell?” Nigel said.
“I’m going to level with you, boy. I’m making a hostile takeover of the Cabal. I need to find out everything you know.”
Nigel stared at the older man with astonishment.
“I’m sure you already know what I can tell you.”
“Indulge me.”
“How will I know you will not kill me anyway?”
“I’ll let you go after I get the information I want. That’s the best I can do,” the older man said as he snapped his fingers. A block-headed man brought two cold beverages and opened them. Nigel licked his lips reflexively.
“We’re all friends here, Nigel. Do you want something to drink?”
Nigel nodded, then one of his thugs set down an ice-cold bottle of Newport’s Finest: a homemade root beer that was one of Jet’s favorites. A memory of the two of them sitting on the Milford pier holding hands and drinking from a shared bottle overcame Nigel. The memory hit him like a sucker punch. Nigel picked up the bottle. Condensation dripped across it. He took a sip of the soda and a feeling of excitement overcame him. It felt like kissing Jet for the first time. He blinked, then forgot what he was about to say.
“What’s the matter? Are you sick, Nigel?”
“No, I’m all right,” he said, trying to regain his composure.
How long since he last slept? Twenty-four hours? He didn’t know. He shook his head, then recalled the unpleasant events of the past several months. Nigel explained that his father kidnapped him and took him to the Cabal. Mr. Chen had forced him to attack the windowless building and exploit its secrets. A group of elite commandos known as the Dark Angels provided the muscle as he hacked his way through the facility. He had barely gotten out with his life. Many of the soldiers who accompanied him weren’t so lucky.
“That’s an interesting story, but you left out one crucial piece of information.”
“What’s that?”
“Why did the Cabal want all of these secrets when they’re collapsing the world economy and causing havoc across the region?”
“I don’t know what goes through Mr. Chen’s mind, but I know he’s counting on the world’s economy to collapse so he can save it with crypto. The plan’s complicated and I don’t even think all his men know the full extent of everything,” Nigel said.
“Interesting, but you haven’t told me everything.”
“If you need details, then I suggest you ask more specific questions.”
“Forgive me; allow me to rephrase. Mr. Chen and several others in his Cabal have an island where they are planning to fortify. I need to know the location.”
Is he describing Jeremiah’s island?
“I can tell you the location of his compound. A hotel in Newport, just south of Milford.”
“I think you’re lying. I can see it in your face,” the old man said.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Nigel reasoned that it wouldn’t be harmful to him or his friends if he simply told Paladin the location of Jeremiah’s compound. He just hoped that he would never return. It was where the Delta-51 experiments had been conducted. The only good thing was that April was reborn into an instrument for good, not the evil that her grandfather wanted. Thinking about it infuriated Nigel.
“All right, the Cabal owns an island off the coast of Nigeria. It should not be difficult to find. It’s the one with the gigantic solar array.”
Professor Paladin consulted his notes for a long moment, seeming to deliberately take his time.
“That seems to be consistent with my reconnaissance,” the old man said.
“Can I go now?”
“You wouldn’t happen to know what Mr. Chen was looking for in the windowless building, would you, Nigel?”
“Personally identifiable information on millions of people. That’s all I know.”
“I need to see what Chen has. You and your team will go back to the building and retrieve that information for me.”
“Are you kidding me? No way I’ll be able to get close. Plus, I had a squad of commandos the last time I was there.”
“From where I’m sitting, it looks like you have all the backup you need. Your companions are very beautiful, Nigel. It would be a pity if they never left this place.”
“Are you threatening me?”
With the assistance of his cane, Professor Paladin rose then cracked Nigel over the head. A warm sensation oozed across his face. The professor threw a handkerchief at Nigel. He did his best to stop the bleeding. The professor leaned in. Nigel could feel the man’s breath on his ear as he spoke.
“I act, I wouldn’t waste your time or mine threatening you—boy!”
“You’re going to pay for that when I kick your knees out, old man,” Nigel said.
“You? I think not. I was in the game long before your father was getting his jollies, son.”
Nigel watched the older man closely. He noticed at least two physical weaknesses. If only he could get him alone in a room. He would teach the old fart a thing or two.
“I think I’ll start with Blanka. She is quite beautiful. I’ve always wanted a Slovakian woman in my bed. Do you think I have a chance?” Professor Paladin said, chuckling.
Nigel flushed. He wasn’t going to risk the lives or virtue of his friends to this sick old man.
“Fine, I’ll do it. But all of my companions are coming with me.”
“Of course; all except Mr. Henry. That poor chap needs more rest.”
Nigel nodded in agreement. Moments later, he was escorted back to his friends.
“Nigel—you’re hurt,” Blanka said, giving him a hug and a kiss.
“It’s good to see you, ladies. We need to prepare for a mission.”
“Yes, my boy, feel free to restock and resupply. You’ll find the armory over there,” Professor Paladin said.
“Thanks, Professor,” Nigel said as he walked in the direction of the armory.
He felt a presence and glanced back to see it was the man who’d assisted in his interrogation.
“I’m Karl. The professor has ordered me to assist in your mission prep.”
“No, we got this.”
The man slapped Nigel. For a moment, the room spun, but he steadied himself.
Moments later, a glint of steel surrounded the man. Blanka pointed a black gun at the man’s temple. Eva grasped the man by the throat with her cybernetic hand. He made a gurgling sound as she squeezed. Vedrana assumed a fighting stance.
“Don’t hurt him, it will only make things worse for us. We’ll take him on the mission. We could use the extra muscle anyway,” Nigel said.
“I don’t know,” Blanka said. She pulled the hammer back on her pistol.
The man made a rasping sound as Eva squeezed. “We don’t need this parasite.”
Many shouts and footsteps roared through the chamber. At least three dozen men surrounded them, weapons drawn.
“It’s not a request. Either take Karl or we’ll make paste out of all of you. It makes no difference to me—boy!” Paladin said.
“Drop the weapons,” Nigel said.
Blanka and Vedrana carefully placed their weapons on the floor, then raised their hands. One man handcuffed Blanka, then pushed her toward a door. Eva backhanded Karl. He punched her. Two men wrestled her to the floor.
“Nigel, you need to come with me,” Professor Paladin said.
“I’m not going anywhere without my friends.”
“I have someone close to you on the line. Don’t you want to say farewell to your dearest Josephine?”
Nigel froze. His heart sank as the old man spoke her name.
This guy has figured out everything.
“Wait… Give me your word that you won’t harm my friends, and I will go with you.”
The old man nodded, then the surrounding squad of men backed down.
“We’ll keep them safe.”
Nigel didn’t see a way out. He took the path of least resistance and followed the maniacal old geezer into a study where a radio awaited. He took a seat and stared at the radio. Karl sat across from him, his gun within easy reach.
“Say nothing of the professor.”
Nigel took a moment to collect himself and to slow his breathing. He wanted nothing more than to speak with Jet, but he was also worried about his new companions. They had shared much over these past months. Nigel picked up the handheld receiver, pressed the button, and spoke.