Free Brainrush 03 - Beyond Judgment by Richard Bard Page A

filled the screen—every freckle and wrinkle was revealed.
    “Carla,” he said. “Is everything ready on your end?”
    “On schedule,” she replied.
    An eye twitch. A narrowed pupil. A tightening of the muscles around the lips. Victor caught the lie immediately. His external reaction was nonexistent, though he had little doubt that those watching him searched for one. He wondered how many of them had software analyzing his image even now. No matter. Even a computer could not find what didn’t exist. He returned his focus to the group. He considered them one by one. Those who remained trustworthy would be rewarded. The others would not.He tapped a key, and the rest of the attendees were once again on the screen.
    “Are we ready?” he asked.
    A man in a Russian military uniform responded first. “All the teams are in place. Codes are secured. Awaiting your orders.”
    The Russian’s US counterpart was a navy admiral. “We had a slight hiccup on our end, sir,” he said. Heads turned his way. “The sub commander died of a heart attack this morning. However, we’ve ensured that his replacement is one of ours. He’s en route to the South China Sea as we speak. The executive officer and three of the crew are also with us.”
    Victor wasn’t surprised that the admiral’s resolution to the “hiccup” slid so easily into place. Each of the members of this council had been seasoned for his or her role since childhood. They were masters in the art of logistics.
    Every plan has a backup, he thought.
    All of the others gave their respective reports. Except for the inconvenience of Carla’s lie, Victor was satisfied.
    “Then we are ready,” he announced. “The next time we gather, it shall be to mourn”—he paused for a beat and added—“and celebrate.”
    His eyes panned the group a final time, lingering for a moment on the attractive Brazilian. Their families had been allies for generations. They’d vacationed together on her sprawling ranch. He’d always enjoyed her company, especially after their relationship had grown intimate. But their time together had allowed him to learn more about her than she ever intended to reveal, and he had long ago sensed her lack of total conviction to the cause. It was a shame.
    He returned his attention to the group.
    “
Cæli Regere
,” he said.
    “
Cæli Regere
!” they responded in unison.
    Victor nodded. Hans tapped the tablet, and the digital conference room morphed into an aerial video of a tropical island.Victor relaxed into his chair and took in the scene. The familiar panorama was breathtaking. The island was at once foreboding and lush. White-water arcs skipped over treacherous volcanic reefs offshore. Two immense mountains centered the landmass. Their peaks disappeared into an umbrella of clouds. Tropical fauna sprawled above barren cliffs. Waves crashed below. The few beaches that sprang from gaps in the ragged terrain had little sand—dense foliage ran to the water’s edge. Sunlight reflected off the mist that swirled in the upper reaches, and a rainbow formed.
    Victor appreciated the island’s beauty, but its hidden secrets were what he contemplated.
    Hans stiffened suddenly beside him. Victor sensed his tension. “What is it?” he asked.
    Hans lowered his finger from the comm implant. “The American has escaped.”
    Victor turned his gaze on Hans with slow precision. “How. Is. That. Possible?”
    “He had help. It was well executed.”
    Victor’s mind boiled and his stomach churned, but the muscles of his face remained relaxed. Every plan has a backup, he reminded himself.
    “Gather his friends,” he said calmly.
    “Which ones?”
    “All of them.”
    “The children as well?”
    Victor didn’t reply. It was a stupid question.
    A click of the heels. “Immediately.”
    As Hans turned to go, Victor added, “And eliminate the Brazilian.”
    “
Jawohl, Mein Herr!
”

Chapter 13

    Isola di San Michele
    H E WAS A MERICAN . His name was Jake