Five Hundred And Thirty-Eight

    As Viola handed us our mugs of coffee, Christina tittering nervously as she took hers, Adelheid blowing on it childishly, Adam fixed me with a steely glare. “It’s rather flattering you accepted my invitation to come here. Don’t worry, as a show of respect, only Titan here is around.”

    I raised an eyebrow mockingly at that. “I don’t even need to check to know that’s a fiction. There’s no way you’d let an outsider, much less one such as me, to waltz into the heart of the NSA. After all, we do have some history, don’t we? And some new, unfinished business. But don’t think I’m complaining. You’d be a fool not to have other Chosen hidden here, or security with very heavy weapons. It’s almost cute. You know they can’t stop me if I chose to make a scene.”

    Miss Viola bristled at that as she sat back down, her gaze flinty, but Adam merely chuckled, seemingly in good humour. “True or not, I have a position to uphold, and that entails a certain measure of preparation. But whether you might be able to survive a volley of AP rounds at close range, or a controlled explosion, what of Miss Richter here? And I’m certain your... girlfriend...” His tome was simultaneously amused and contemptuous. “...would not survive. A situation nobody wants to see. And there’s no reason for a conflict yet, is there?”

    “You think?” I didn’t like the way he was threatening Christina, even if I understood it.

    “No, I know.” Adam disagreed mildly. His eyes were still full of fire, but his posture was relaxed, as he leaned back in his chair. “After all, as part of the agreement with Japan and Britain, we’d make concessions, and it would be as if we had never extracted your citizens. Surely you wouldn’t be so uncouth to hold us accountable over something that never happened.” His words were loaded. “I had heard you Japanese were rather polite.”

    “And we are.” I swallowed down my anger. “And yes, while I don’t entirely agree, I’m bound to abide by my government’s decisions.” I took a draught of my coffee, and it was excellent, rich and mellow. “But that certainly doesn’t mean everything is good between us.”

    “No, I should say not.” He agreed.

    “I’ll... just step out, ya?” Titan said wisely, sweating in the tense atmosphere. “I be outside if ya need me, boss.” He nodded at Adam, before looking at me and Christina. “Good luck. I think ya might need it.”

    As Titan shut the door behind him, Adam spoke. “Viola, please present the findings from our internal security department, if you would.” Adam leaned forwards now, trying to appear friendly and threatening all at once. “I never considered it. I knew Christina was insane, certainly.”

    “That’s so rude, Adam! I’m... just socially awkward.” Christina tittered nervously. “But I’m treating being human like science. I’m going to experiment until I get it right!” She beamed at me, though her smile was tinged with bitter sadness and regrets. I remember she said that if a fake is indistinguishable from reality, then it’s effectively real. Perhaps if she tries hard enough, she can actually force herself to be human. Maybe with Haru’s help...

    “You’re certainly incapable of remorse.” Adam agreed, as Viola passed him a tablet. He touched the screen a few times, nodding in satisfaction, before addressing me again. “I’ve thought about it. I’m well aware you are a man who has an interest and appetite for beautiful women...”

    “I don’t think that’s necessarily true...” I broke in. “...each of my girlfriends is someone I cherish. I’m not indiscriminate.”

    “...is that so? But in any case, you certainly have spread yourself thin. And objectively, Christina here is certainly... attractive. Still wearing a lab coat, I see? Though you’ve scrubbed up well, and that suit would make me think you were a charming career woman, if I didn’t know better.”

    “Why thank you for the compliment, Adam. But I’m only interested in Akio, I’m afraid. Besides, you’re married.” Christina giggled, her mood changing suddenly.

    “So is he, to all intents.” Adam scoffed. “I would think you know me well enough to know I’d rather embrace a venomous snake than you, Christina. I was just a little surprised. In fact...” Adam, still holding his tablet, looked at me conspiratorially. “...I was thrown off. It didn’t seem plausible, you and Christina. Viola didn’t buy it. She’s a woman. Your body language was off, a little... irritated, hesitant, perhaps. Of course...” He was the one chuckling now. “...being irritated when Christina is around is only natural, that didn’t mean anything, and you have a reputation for honesty.”

    I winced at that, and he noticed, his smile broadening, fingers idly drumming on the tablet, Christina’s eyes glued to it, face pale. At least Adelheid is relaxing, drinking her coffee. Oh, is that a marshmallow floating in hers? Cute. But no, she may not understand much we’re saying, but she’s ready to act at any time. Our little Tanya would never misread the atmosphere, I’m sure. It’s how she’s survived so long...

    “I’m a pragmatist. Nobody reaches high office, least of all in such a vital security service, without being able to see the bigger picture, make the necessary sacrifices. It would be foolish to provoke you for no reason, and it’s well known that you cherish your loved ones to the point of irrationality. We received your message from the surviving agents Japan returned to us loud and clear.”

    I nodded at that. “But...?”

    “But, if we have a reason? That changes matters. I didn’t think anything of it. The laptop isn’t connected to any network, and the locking mechanisms are airtight. Passwords, fingerprints, retinal scans, a randomly generated key... and I seldom left the laptop anywhere it could be accessed, and never for more than a few minutes. But... even you leave traces, Christina. So I had it analysed by our white-hat crackers. We’re the NSA, for God’s sake, they are as good as you can imagine. And it didn’t take them too long to discover the Vermillion List had been accessed, and downloaded.”

    Christina was terrible at hiding her semblance of emotions, so she was white as a sheet, looking down. Miss Viola was clearly furious, but Adam was calm, too calm. “There was no one else it could feasibly be but you, Christina. I wasn’t aware you were a hacker, your expertise lies in other fields. And your motive is clear... I admit, it’s the perfect deal. Classified, important data, and you even get to sleep with a beauty too. A reverse honey-trap. Hilarious.” His expression didn’t match his cheerful words though. “I always knew there was a possibility of this. You’re shrewder than I gave you credit for.” Adam now had all his attention on me.

    “I had expected Christina to get herself into trouble in Britain. It would have been good leverage. But instead, you gave her what she wanted most. I knew at that point she was compromised, but... sadly, we can’t pick our tools. And no matter her personality, Christina Bakker is one of the most talented researchers in the entirety of the United States. Biology, chemistry, physics... computers now, I guess. I could tolerate her little games, feeding you a piece of intelligence here, perhaps warning you of a problem there. But this...” He slammed the tablet down coldly, making Christina jump, spilling her coffee, her white shirt staining brown. Adelheid merely glanced up, but I could see she was ready to respond, so I gestured covertly for patience, and she snorted, taking another sip of her cooling drink.

    “...this is something beyond what I can tolerate.” Adam growled. “Tell me, Christina. Has he turned your head with the promise of greater ability to research? You’re American, woman. Patriotic! How can you turn on your country?”

    “At first it was that.” Christina agreed mildly, surprising Adam. She was pale, and her face was twitching, a nervous tic, but her words were crisp, clipped. “Oh, as to how I accessed your laptop, it’s actually easy. You don’t even need to be a genius, really. Your passwords are laughable, I lifted fingerprints from your desk, and retinal scans are oddly easy to fool, if you can take a suitable picture, magnify and sharpen it. As for the encryption key... that was a little more complicated, but... the numbers aren’t actually random.”

    “I see. I asked why, not how.” He replied quietly.

    “Ah. My bad. Little Miss Christina can’t read the room. But... I’ll learn.” She glanced at me, took a deep breath and explained. “Sorry Adam. It’s really nothing personal. And... I do think of America, you know. I’m a woman of cold rationality, able to make decisions others wouldn’t. So I thought. But now I realise... logic alone is never complete. I’m a monster, no question. But I was born this way, perhaps. With missing pieces that make up a person. Instead, I was filled with the thirst for knowledge.”

    “Making excuses?” Adam asked, tapping the tablet, and she shrugged.

    “Excuses? Those won’t wash out blood, will they? No matter what I say, you won’t forget this either. But... with both logic and my newfound emotions, which sear through me like molten metal, making my heart race, and my...” she flushed, glancing at me. “I learn. I’m not going to say what oozes.”

    You just did! Still, while we’d talked about this in the hotel, she felt especially raw, exposed here. But I’m not going to overlook what she’s done. Nor... would she want that, I think. Christina’s someone who only knows how to do something until the end, go the whole way, even if that distance is too far, too insane for ordinary people to contemplate. Huh, Ixitt’s a bit like that too, I think, judging by his injuries when we first met. Are all scientists wrong in the head?

    “...honestly, Adam, assume you’re right. That they are somehow the vanguard of destruction, or can’t be trusted. If so, what good is it if we protect America alone? A crumbling sandcastle, swept by the sea, that’s all we’d be. And besides... power has no sin. Just like a gun, in the wrong hands, it can be used for crime, the right hands, it can protect.”

    “That’s a dangerous line of thinking. There clearly are powers that never should be allowed.” He disagreed, but was listening, at least.

    “No, my head was turned at first by Akio’s abilities. As you knew they would be. But... he’s honestly a lot like me!”

    I choked at that, and she giggled. “Not that he’s amoral, but that he seeks to know, to innovate, to grow. I suggested something that few would countenance, and he had already tried it! Now I know... what my role is.” Her smile was actually stunning, though her eyes... yeah, she’s still crazy. “...let me make amends with my body. Experiments too cruel for you to perform on others, too risky to do on yourself... subject me to them all! If I am to die, let me die in pursuit of the truth, and... in feeling the same suffering those under my care did. Oh, you can use my body in other ways too.” Her grin turned sloppy again, her pale, serious face now a blushing, panting mess. “I’m sure there are things you’re too nervous, ashamed or kind to ask of your other girlfriends. You’re a little shy, but I’m up for anything! It’s all new to me, and I’m eager to learn, together! And I’ll never judge. How can I?”

    Ugh. Just what does she think of me? I wasn’t alone in that, as Adam and Viola looked disgusted, but our disdain merely hastened her breathing, and it took her a while to get it back under control. While she did, Adam looked at me askance.

    “My image of you is rather shattered. Is she really your type?”

    “As you suspected, she was lying. She’s not my girlfriend.” I came clean. “Honestly, I like my women more... demure? I am Japanese. I mean, I don’t hate it when they get frisky, or are keen on trying something new, but... yeah, not that.” I gestured to the panting Christina. “But... that aside... I believe I owe her my protection. Because, no matter the cruel things she’s done... if you interrogate, torture and kill her just because of the information she stole for me... it would haunt me, honestly. And... she’s messed up, broken... but she’s earnestly, as much as she can, anyway, trying to think of ways to atone.”

    “I see. How little you think of us. I suppose it’s understandable.” Adam rose to his feet, arms folded behind his back, as he regarded Christina. “After all, here we do whatever is needed. We don’t enjoy it, we’re not monsters, but... whatever is needed. Really, will you be foolish enough to protect her, even against our full might? She’s clever, is Christina, but Japan has intelligent scientists too. She’s offering you her body, but... if you accepted an offer to come to the US as an immigrant, you could bring your women, and we’d shower you with more. Ten, twenty, it wouldn’t matter. There are even some famous movie stars, the pride of Hollywood, who would be yours.”

    “Maybe so... but, like I said, I’m not with them because I’m greedy, not truly, but... because I love them. Maybe I love too easily, but... that’s just the way it is.” I denied him. “You’re right. There’s little profit in it, but... I wouldn’t be who I am if I backed down. Eri, the others... they hate her, but... they’d be so disappointed in me if I returned her kindness, no matter how unwelcome, with ingratitude. So, think of another way.”

    Christina listened to my words, and her smile seemed more genuine now, though with her it was hard to tell. “Be still my heart. So I do have a chance! Don’t worry, I’m not greedy, even if you just treat me as a fling, I’m more than happy...”

    “Oh, be quiet.” I waved a hand, and her words were snatched by wind, and watching her giggle and blush silently made me a little irritated, so I fixed my gaze on Adam, letting my League leak a little. Viola blanched, feeling a sudden pressure, but Adam stood, unmoved, though I noticed his posture change a little. “She does want America to prosper. She’s still American, after all.” I admitted. “In fact, she hoped that she could bring us together, make up for the rift between us. Now I’ll be clear. I’ll never work with you while you conduct such heinous crimes. I know I can’t question your British and Japanese hostages... the government deal...” I grimaced. “But there are surely still others, I’m no fool.”

    “No fool, yet you’d go against us for her?” Adam scoffed.

    “There’s no point arguing with her, Viola. We all know what she’s like. It should have been expected. So... is Scryer well?” Adam asked.

    I nodded. “Of course. The Ministry is keeping tabs on her, but all she’s doing is looking, that’s not a crime, though not disclosing her Chosen status on entry technically was, but it’s not worth making an issue of. So, you do know. If these powers were a gun, it’s the difference between being given one, or making one yourself from first principles.”

    “True, but the gun is still dangerous in the wrong hands.” Adam conceded. As he watched me charge my strongest Daemon towards the tank he called a Land Raider, he cautioned me. “Your chances of breaching the armour are slim, and if you don’t, I’ll shoot it down...”

    “Like I said, I’m rather lucky.” I shrugged, and as I threw the dice, Adam agreed.

    “It seems so. But can you survive the explosion?” As he removed the tank and put down a circular blast marker, we threw dice, and yes, it survived, but was still rather injured. As my other units charged and massacred Adam’s figurines, the battle swung in my favour. Seeing that, Adam shrugged. “Can’t even enjoy a game that involves chance. I pity you, a little.”

    “There are plenty of ways to pass the time that don’t involve luck.” I retorted, and Christina snorted, giggling. Adelheid rolled her eyes at her irritating mannerisms, but she then went back to watching Adam and I, curious.

    “Speaking of luck...” Adam interjected. “...South Africa, I hear you had some troubles. But it seems that you survived.”

    “Yes. Much to your disappointment, I’m sure. If Christina and I perished there, that’d be a problem solved for you. Speaking of... you can cross a number of names off your Vermillion List. Midas included.” As my turn ended and it was Adam’s, he grinned, before suddenly putting several squads of silver-armoured Space Marines onto the board, including one squad of five, who were massively bulky and well-armed with heavy halberds. Terminators, right?

    “You know, I thought that armies were supposed to be balanced in terms of points?” I quipped, and Adam shrugged.

    “Battles aren’t always fair, are they? Besides, I have to counter your obscene luck somehow. I can see how you got your start ripping off Las Vegas casinos now. That cat we brought in really hated you.”

    This time, combat wasn’t going my way, my Fortune not enough to overturn the massive advantage these units had against the Daemons I had been given to field. They put up quite a fight though, and even two of the Terminators fell, despite the odds in their favour. “Besides...” Adam continued, satisfaction on his face as my forces shrank by almost half. “...you bemoan our actions, but when it comes to killing off the cats, you’re second to none. Though I applaud you for removing Midas. He was dangerous.”

    “I think it’s rather different.” I tossed a handful of dice, all but one coming up sixes. “I’ve just been defending myself and others. Besides... Midas... he couldn’t do what you feared. Even if he could, if you had the capacity to create nuclear bombs at will, would you commit suicide to protect the world?”

    “It’s not the same...” He shook his head as I began my next turn, rallying my depleted troops and striking back. Finally my only unit of ranged models came out of cover, and their fireballs and blasts engulfed the black armoured Space Marines, and more half of them were wiped out by my lucky rolls. In close combat, Grey Knights fell, and the ordinary troops were shredded, despite my falling numbers. The battle seemed in the balance, as did the conversation.

    “...we know ourselves. I can be trusted not to misuse such an ability, although...” He looked at me, and there was some emotion I could see in his eyes, dark and indecipherable. “...power such as this clearly can’t be trusted. Even if I could be. After all...” He pointed at the remaining Terminators, as his next turn began. “...not everyone has the strength of spirit to resist corruption. And the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Can you honestly tell me...” Most of my remaining forces were cut down, though Adam’s own figures were reduced to a mere handful. He frowned, glancing down at the dice in front of him, full of ones and twos, sparing my remaining most powerful commander. “...that you’ll not bring misfortune the world can’t afford?”

    “Yes, I can. Because I have things I have to protect.” I insisted. “And have you considered, if the Gods aren’t as you fear, and these powers are needed... then removing them...” I sacrificed my remaining troops to allow my commander to engage the Inquisitor that led Adam’s forces. With some ludicrously fortunate rolls I removed him from the board, but my own commander was now exposed, and the next turn, though luck was on my side, it was impossible to weather the number of high rolls I needed to make, and my final figures were removed, leaving Adam the victor, though with barely a dozen of his own models remaining.

    “...is going to lead us to ruin. Anyway, seems you win. But... is it really a victory? Considering how many more you lost than I did?”

    Adam glanced at the board. “I told you, there’s truth in games. A pyrrhic victory is still a victory. I refuse to believe that humanity can’t rise to the challenge. With all our weapons and advanced technology and brilliant minds... yes, even you, Christina...” As she nodded, pleased, Adam made his point. “...and our numbers, we’ll win. If knives don’t work, guns will. If guns won’t, bombs will. If bombs don’t pack a punch, missiles. If that’s insufficient, then we have nukes.”

    “And if that’s a failure?” I asked, and he shrugged.

    “I can’t see much withstanding a nuclear bombardment. But our researchers are already working on better weapons. I’m not a fool. You’re right. I don’t trust you cats, and neither should you trust these so-called Gods. But just as you say, some powers can be used safely.” He picked up the remaining Grey Knight Terminators, the two that survived the battle. “I respect the Imperium. Originally, it was supposed to be a bastion of progress, enlightenment and purity. But it was ruined, flawed from the start, as it relied on the very powers it should have stamped out, and of course, they betrayed, because that’s what unclean, unscientific, irrational powers do. Then the modern Imperium... beset by enemies, backward and religious... but ruthless, willing to sacrifice anything to remain alive, to press onwards. No price is too great to pay for the continuation of the species, or the state.”

    “You know... I only skimmed the rulebooks, but from the flavour text, I don’t think you’re supposed to idolise the Imperium. It’s horrific and grim, unfair and treats lives like they’re disposable.” As Christina guffawed, Adam gathered up his figures, carefully putting them back in the cabinet. For several minutes he was silent, before he shut the glass door and turned back to me.

    “Aren’t they? Yes, I admit, everyone wants to live, and most deserve to. But... every decision a government makes is a hard one. The cost of healthcare... people die every day because they can’t afford treatment and the state can’t subsidise it without too deep a cut elsewhere. Wars too... to protect ourselves, our interests, soldiers die, and our enemies too. There is always collateral damage. You can’t have a bloodless war. Just look at Kyoto. Blinding your eyes to the truth won’t save anyone, Akio.”

    “We’re never going to see eye-to-eye on this.” I shook my head, but from our dealings, what Adam had ordered done, I had expected that. “Thanks for the game though, it was fun, and it did open my eyes. Lives are cheap, aren’t they? Especially going against me.”

    “Is that a threat?” Adam asked, one eyebrow raised in surprise.

    “Isn’t that the point you were trying to make? That even with my good fortune, your side has the numbers, the firepower and the willingness to die to overcome me if necessary?”

    “I like you, you know.” Adam grinned. “You grasp the truth quickly. It’s a shame. If only you were American... though, there’s still time to accept citizenship. My offer stands. Money, women, power... it could all be yours. And if Christina finds you a kindred spirit, your research turned her head... just think of what you could achieve with our backing, the backing of the most powerful country in the world behind you?”

    “Sorry, but it’s not about a country, it’s about who I want to protect.” I denied him again. “I can see we will never agree. I believe in striving to win without sacrifice. Your way is opposed to everything I believe in.”

    “It sounds wonderful.” Adam agreed, surprising me. “But life unfortunately isn’t a game. Your luck amazed me. Your Daemons performed miracles. If the world worked on the crisp, clearly understood and balanced rules of a game, then yes, you could hope for a clean victory, bloodless, except perhaps for your enemies. But it isn’t, is it? Sacrifices... it’s a case of choosing what to lose, in order to win. Just as in the end, your Daemon cut down my Inquisitor, even knowing after that it would fall in turn. You’re strong, and lucky, but also nai?ve, a fool. Too easily swayed by sentiment. You’ll crack, break, the day one of your precious women dies, or the day Japan burns. And if it is by the hands of those using the powers of these so-called Gods... you’ll remember my words then. But it’ll be far, far to late.”

    You think I don’t know that? That there’s certainty down my path? No. There’s not. Tsukiko died, I’m lucky Kin Bonding saved her spirit. Even now, I’m away from Japan. If something happens in my absence... “You’re right.” He seemed surprised I agreed. “But... I still won’t choose your path. Because believing the worst and selling hope for your so-called pragmatism offends me. And it’s not what any of them would want. If I’m wrong, if I break, if we die... then we do it together. But I honestly don’t think I am wrong. Better a new friend and ally, than an assumed enemy. I’ve proven it many times.”

    “That only works until it doesn’t. Nai?ve. But then, you were an ordinary salaryman before, yes? I suppose I should expect you don’t have the stomach for hard choices. Oh well... to business then.” He sat down again, while Viola refreshed our coffees. “Christina Bakker committed treason against the United States of America. She’s not your lover, not your friend. She’s simply an annoyance. You think we can simply let that go? Why should we?”

    “I thought you believed in pragmatism.” I snorted. “Killing her now doesn’t make the information we obtained magically go away. All it does is make you feel better. And having me owe you a favour... which I hasten to add won’t be something that goes against my morals... is clearly the most rational choice.”

    “You make a compelling point, but... allow treachery once, and the floodgates open.” He disagreed, only for Christina to speak up.

    “Enough games, Adam. Who even knows about it, other than you, Viola here and a couple of white-hat crackers? I doubt you’ve told Gina or Chris, as it makes you look an idiot.”

    There was a long pause, before he laughed, which caught us off guard. “True. You’re cunning in all the wrong ways, Christina. Honestly... your insights made our early breakthroughs possible, but... now we’ve got to move past that, you’re a liability. I’d be happy to see you be someone else’s problem. But...” He stared at me, contemplating. “Quid pro quo, as they say. Quid pro quo.”

    “That goes both ways.” I agreed. “Speaking for Japan, and Britain, we have things we insist on as well.”

    “You might think differently if you knew what we did. It’s harder now, a lot of our satellite interceptions, wiretaps and listening posts are obsolete now you are aware of our actions, but... we’re the NSA, Akio. We know more than you do, far more. But...” he glanced at his watch. “...time marches on. I’ve enjoyed this meeting, and when you play a game against someone, especially a wargame... it gives you an insight you otherwise wouldn’t have. But... I’m not the only one who wants to meet you, and I can’t make decisions alone anymore. Not after the mess you created last time.”

    His smile was now rather bitter. “Honestly, you baffle me. Or has the power gone to your head? If so, I can see why. Going from a nobody to a hero, wealthy, women throwing themselves at you, men envying you... I’m American. I get it. Captain America, who wouldn’t want to be him? But this isn’t a comic, where the good guys win and everyone goes home happy. And you’ll see that. Trust me, you’ll see that. I just hope, for your sake, it’s not too late. But if it is... don’t say I didn’t warn you. It’ll be too late for regrets when your foolish insistence on playing with fire leaves everything in ashes.”

    He turned to Viola. “Are they here?”

    She checked her phone. “Yes, everyone’s arrived.”

    “Well then? Shall we get to the point?” Adam asked, and I rose, nodding. Adelheid quickly gulped down her coffee, snacking on the remaining marshmallows, and Christina nervously rose and huddled behind me.

    “In that case... Viola, lead the way.” he ordered, and as the door opened, I could see Titan standing there, guarding the door. As we exchanged nods, I expanded my vision, watching, as Adam was smiling, wry and sly. Yes, we’re never going to see things the same way. But... he’s not wrong. Play a wargame with a man and you understand how he thinks. And Adam... he thinks winning is the only thing that matters, no matter the cost...