Read Online Electronic Gags by Kudakwashe Muzira - Free Book Online Page B

supreme leader didn’t care about
race and looks, he cared about loyalty and efficiency. Next to the Air Marshal
was Police Commissioner Hunt, dressed in light green service uniform. On the
other side of the table was General Palmer, the army commander, wearing green service
uniform; Admiral Cox, the navy commander, wearing white service uniform; Director-General
Sullivan, the head of the CIB, wearing a suit that made him look like a
businessman; and Retired Colonel Carter, the head of the prison services, also
wearing a suit. The men sitting at this table had ordered the arrest, torture
and killing of thousands of people.
    The
security chiefs looked at Professor Reed as if he was a fly that had landed on
their food. The professor was the Minister of Education and as far as they were
concerned, the National Security Committee was out of bounce for him.
    “Good
morning dear patriots,” Professor Reed said.
    “Reed,
what a surprise,” General Robinson said with unconcealed disgust. “I didn’t
know you were now in the National Security Committee.”
    Reed
knew he had to play it safe with the security chiefs. He had to win these
powerful men to his side if he wanted to achieve his political ambitions.
“General Robinson, you flatter me,” he said with a self-deprecating laugh. “I
was only summoned here to brief you, esteemed members of the National Security
Committee, about NASP.”
    That
seemed to soften the general. “Take a seat, Patriot Reed,” he said.
    “Thank
you, general,” the professor said, sitting next to Retired Colonel Carter.
“Good morning to you all, esteemed security chiefs.”
    “Good
morning, Patriot Reed,” chorused the security chiefs.
    “You
have been very busy of late, Patriot Reed,” Sullivan, the CIB chief, said with
a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
    “Quite
busy, director-general.”
    The
director-general admired Professor Reed’s ingenuity. The electronic gags would
make intelligence work easier for the CIB. He knew he had to keep an eye on Professor
Reed. He had met Reed several times during the past three weeks as the
professor set up NASP. As he watched Reed enjoying his new role at the CIB headquarters,
the director-general began to suspect that the professor had ambitions to take
over the leadership of the CIB.
    “I
hope to finish my work with NASP as soon as possible,” Professor Reed added, aware
of the director-general’s jealousies. “It’s affecting my work in my ministry.”
    “You
are right, Patriot Reed,” said Admiral Cox. “Leave the guns to us. Go back to
your ministry and teach our children numbers and letters.”
    “I
will do that Patriot Cox.” Professor Reed smiled at the admiral. “You have my
word on that.”
    All
the security chiefs saluted when the Minister of Defense, Retired General
Sanders entered. The Defense Minister was the second in the chain of command. He
was commander of the TDA’s armed forces for fifteen years before President Ward
drafted him into the Cabinet after the death of the incumbent Minister of
Defense. “It seems we have a new man in the NSC,” he said, looking at Professor
Reed.
    “Are
you talking about me, general?” Professor Reed said, smiling at the Defense
Minister. “I’m only here to brief you, esteemed members of the NSC about NASP.”
    “Oh
NASP, that little project of yours,” the Defense Minister said as he took his
seat.
    The
ministers of Interior and State Security entered.
    “Reed,
what the hell are you doing here?” Campbell demanded.
    “We
won’t be discussing the alphabet or the number line,” mocked Collins.
    “Maybe
the professor wants to take us back to school,” General Palmer, the army
commander, said with a laugh.
    “You
didn’t answer me,” Campbell rasped. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
    Professor
Reed smiled at the Minister of Interior. “Patriot Campbell, I am here on the
orders of the supreme leader.”
    Collins
and Campbell angrily took their