Dominant Predator

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that you are the son I never had, but I’m not in the mood to be laughed at. I have faith in you and your abilities. The Revolution is stronger because you are a part of it. And I have no doubt that every one of those Committee members’ death dates is imminent. Ahriman’s as well. I expect them all to suffer horribly, in recompense for every life taken tonight. You’ve always been effective. Detached but thorough. Armise brings a fire to you. I like the change.”
    At least one of us does , I thought.
    “He complicates my work,” I clarified for him.
    “And clouds your head. I sympathise. Sarai did the same for me. At the same time, she was the only person in the world who could cut right through it all. To know what I needed when I didn’t. Sarai’s protection of me was metaphorical, emotional more than physical, but real nonetheless. Armise will do for you as Sarai did for me and he will aid you in remaining breathing. Don’t discount the value of that type of partnership. Now, we need to talk about your parents.”
    My gut twisted at the abrupt change in conversation. “I’d rather talk about Armise.”
    “They don’t deserve this callous dismissal.”
    “Yet they don’t deserve my loyalty or life either.”
    The corner of the President’s lip tipped into a smile. “But I do.”
    I chuckled. “When do you want me to move on them?”
    “Do you even know what day today is?”
    “Again I ask, does it matter?”
    “Just an observation.” The President swooped his hand in an upwards motion, making his screen active again. “You move when I move. Exley is going to take you and Armise into the camps to scout the area in the morning—which, by the way, is in six hours. Impossible to tell time in this blackened hellhole. Have I told you how much I detest this bunker? Regardless, you and Armise will gather intel about the area where your parents are being held. But you don’t move on any rescue until I’ve relocated. We have the jacquerie’s support for now, so let’s use that advantage. Chen has tracked the signature of your parents’ chips to an Opposition encampment on the outskirts of the capital, at the edges of the jacquerie camp. But I’m dubious to the reason why they remain in our territory at all. And there is a reason for it. Of that I have no doubt.”
    “Any intel on who’s holding them?”
    “Besides that they’re Opposition? No.”
    “Where are you headed?” I prodded, knowing this would be my best opportunity to get information from him.
    “The front lines in the DCR. Fighting is heaviest there, so I need to be on the ground.”
    “You need to not be killed,” I insisted.
    “We all die someday,” he replied flippantly.
    “By all means, sir. Your death will serve the Revolution well,” I replied sarcastically. “Why am I even waiting for you to leave then?”
    “Because I have a strong suspicion that Ahriman is using your parents as live bait.”
    “Tracking them to your location.”
    “Exactly. I won’t remain hidden, but I won’t allow my enemies to knock on my front door either. Despite what you think, and what I say in jest, I have no intention of dying. I have responsibilities to fulfil. A Revolution to oversee, and perhaps see to its end.”
    “God willing,” I sneered, showing just how much faith I had in any higher power being the one to save our asses.
    “God willing, indeed,” the President replied with sincerity. “Neveed will remain in the bunker until you’ve brought them in. Then they’re to travel with him to my residence in the capital.”
    “They won’t be expected to fight?”
    “It’s time we brought them back as faces for the Revolution. We will be exploiting your father’s familial connection to the inventor of the sonicbullet. Their value is in front of the camera. Your career in broadcast ends here. As soon as you deliver them back here you and Armise are to start hunting the Committee members.”
    That was the mission I was prepared

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