Free The Secret War (Jack Blank Adventure) by Matt Myklusch Page A

we don’t?” Jack gulped. He felt like he was sinking in quicksand. Up in the Cognito seat at the Inner Circle’s table, Stendeval made a subtle, almost imperceptible motion for Jack to keep quiet. Smart opened his mouth to speak, but shut it once again without saying anything. Noteworthy seized the opportunity to keep going. “Of course the Rüstov
think
their plan is unstoppable,” he continued. “If they didn’t, they’d form a different plan.” The socialite Circleman shook his head. “No, until we’re presented with concrete evidence to back up these claims, it’s nothing more than hearsay. And it’s dangerous.”
    “I find myself agreeing with Circleman Noteworthy,” Stendeval announced.
    “You can’t be serious!” Smart said. “The only danger lies in ignoring these warnings.”
    “We will ignore nothing,” Stendeval said. “We have a responsibility to maintain order and peace in the Imagine Nation, and we will do so.” Stendeval turned to his fellowCirclemen. “We must investigate this Agent Glave and his plans, each of us through our own channels. We must bring all possible resources to bear, but treat the matter with the utmost discretion. If word of this were to get out …”
    “It would be hysteria,” Noteworthy said. “I second Stendeval’s motion. Anything less would be irresponsible.”
    “Agreed,” Virtua said. “I’ve seen what fear of the Rüstov does to people in this city. I’ve no desire to see it again.”
    Chi pressed his fingers to his lips in silent deliberation. “We must be swift,” he said, raising his head after a moment. “Five days is hardly any time at all.”
    “And who is swifter than the ZenClan ninjas?” Stendeval asked. Chi nodded in agreement. He was on board with Stendeval’s plan. “Hovarth?” Stendeval asked, turning to the Inner Circle’s last member. “What say you?”
    The giant king of Varagog rubbed his beard. “I am unsure about this,” he said. “But until I am sure, I will stand with the Circle.” Hovarth rapped his knuckles on the table and nodded toward Stendeval. “Aye.”
    Smart shook his head and stuffed his pocket holo-computer back inside his jacket. “Fools,” he spat. “Blind fools, all of you! Lucky for the people of this city, I’m notwithout my own resources. I have my own work … my own ‘channels,’ as you say. Know this: I intend to conduct my own investigation. The truth will come out,” he said, turning to look down at Jack with a hard stare. “I won’t rest until it does.”
    Jack swallowed hard.
You and me both
, he thought. These days the truth was what kept Jack up at night.

CHAPTER
5
In Cognito
    When Jack’s business with the Inner Circle was concluded, he left the sphere and started walking home across Hero Square. Huge crowds of people recognized his famous face along the way. After the meeting he’d just had, Jack wasn’t in the mood to shake hands and take pictures, but then, he never was. Jack dealt with the horde of people as best he could and pressed on toward the border of Cognito, where he was able to break away from the crowd.
    Jack’s fame was part of the reason his home was in anew place these days. After the incident with Revile last year, the owners of the Ivory Tower had offered to let him stay there rent free for as long as he wanted. The Ivory Tower loft was a fantastic place to live, located in the wealthiest district of an already rich borough, but it wasn’t for Jack. Not anymore. Everything in the apartment made Jack think of Jazen and how maybe if he’d done things differently a year ago, his friend would still be alive today.
    Shortly after entering the School of Thought, Jack had asked Stendeval if he could help him find a new place to live. The wise Circleman had been glad to help, and had set Jack up among the hideouts and secret lairs of Cognito, where he could have a fresh start and all the privacy he wanted.
    Jack got back to Cognito a few hours before the daily