Post by mawa on Mar 11, 2006 8:25:57 GMT -5
Author's Note: the idea of the story came while I was working on the latest chapter of "The Sun" and it elaborates a bit more on the Aquarius subplot. Still, it is also meant as a stand-alone story - so you don't have to read "The Sun" to enjoy the story.
I hope you enjoy it
"We have to act quickly,” one of the two men said. „The situation is getting really serious.”
"Yes, I know, Mr. President,” his interlocutor answered.
Two men have been discussing relentlessly for three hours. The man called the President was Olaf Gustavsson, the president of the Scandinavian Federation. It was a man in his early sixties, who already started experience difficulties with walking due to coxarthrosis, but his intent expression and penetrating look suggested that his mind was still very efficient. He needed it now more than ever in his ten years’ of service.
Olaf’s interlocutor was Sven Mortensen, the Prime Minister. He was about ten years younger and rather quiet. He still looked rather boyish but those who were fooled by this innocent look regretted their carelessness really badly – not excluding some of the government members.
No-one disturbed them in president’s soundproof office, previously double-checked for the presence of bugging devices.
“So, we both agree that actions of MJ12 pose a great threat to the Federation,” the president stated. “But we still differ in terms of a way the threat should be dealt with.”
“We have to single out and arrest the MJ12 members that operate on the Federation’s territory. The intelligence reports are quite clear in this matter.”
“No. There must be a much more quiet solution to the problem. If we start arresting their people, they will know that we’re up to something.”
“A quiet solution, you mean?” Sven smiled nastily, which contrasted eerily with his innocent look. “Well, I considered that option as well. There are so many traffic accidents… We have already singled out some more… important targets.”
“This is a temporary solution, Mr. Prime Minister. There are long-range actions to be taken. So far, they have an edge. They are controlling the majority of this planet. They have at their disposal such technology that most people never dreamed of. And the worst thing is that they have the Grey Death virus – and the cure for it.”
“This damn disease… For this thing alone I would gladly kill them with my bare hands,” Mortensen gnashed his teeth.
“You will have the opportunity,” Olaf Gustavsson grinned. “Yes, I think the most dangerous targets should be eliminated.”
The Prime Minister made a mental note to give appropriate orders to the FSS – Federal Security Services as soon as possible.
“But, coming back to the long-range plans… we have to tip the balance. We don’t have the technology, but we have many gifted scientists…”
“… who might end up working for MJ12,” Sven finished the sentence.
“Exactly!” the president agreed. “We need their research and we need to direct them. We need to build a solid technological backup in order to be able to resist. Otherwise,“ Olaf made a brief interruption, “the Federation might end in the same way as France, where our enemy operates openly.”
“We need funds,” the prime minister stated. “And I speak about enormous funds. The Federation alone won’t be able to handle the task.”
“We surely aren’t the only ones that don’t like the current situation,” the older man replied. “At least I hope so.”
“Yes, there are some… people who might want to help,” Sven got the hint.
“Be careful,” the president said, “The less people know about our plans the better.”
“You have a detailed vision of it, don’t you?” the prime minister stated rather than asked.
“Oh, yes…” Olaf Gustavsson smiled. “I even have the name and location.”
“May I know them?”
“Our… backup shall be known as Aquarius. And it will be located on Gotland. As for the official version… we’re both good at lies,” the president grinned. “Maybe that’s why we both managed to stay in office so long.”
Sven Mortensen chuckled. He had to admit that this theory, at least in his case, was quite accurate.
“So, let’s get down to work, shall we?” the president said in a casual tone.
I hope you enjoy it
THE HUMAN FACTOR
PROLOGUE
Stockholm, 21st of June, 2049
"We have to act quickly,” one of the two men said. „The situation is getting really serious.”
"Yes, I know, Mr. President,” his interlocutor answered.
Two men have been discussing relentlessly for three hours. The man called the President was Olaf Gustavsson, the president of the Scandinavian Federation. It was a man in his early sixties, who already started experience difficulties with walking due to coxarthrosis, but his intent expression and penetrating look suggested that his mind was still very efficient. He needed it now more than ever in his ten years’ of service.
Olaf’s interlocutor was Sven Mortensen, the Prime Minister. He was about ten years younger and rather quiet. He still looked rather boyish but those who were fooled by this innocent look regretted their carelessness really badly – not excluding some of the government members.
No-one disturbed them in president’s soundproof office, previously double-checked for the presence of bugging devices.
“So, we both agree that actions of MJ12 pose a great threat to the Federation,” the president stated. “But we still differ in terms of a way the threat should be dealt with.”
“We have to single out and arrest the MJ12 members that operate on the Federation’s territory. The intelligence reports are quite clear in this matter.”
“No. There must be a much more quiet solution to the problem. If we start arresting their people, they will know that we’re up to something.”
“A quiet solution, you mean?” Sven smiled nastily, which contrasted eerily with his innocent look. “Well, I considered that option as well. There are so many traffic accidents… We have already singled out some more… important targets.”
“This is a temporary solution, Mr. Prime Minister. There are long-range actions to be taken. So far, they have an edge. They are controlling the majority of this planet. They have at their disposal such technology that most people never dreamed of. And the worst thing is that they have the Grey Death virus – and the cure for it.”
“This damn disease… For this thing alone I would gladly kill them with my bare hands,” Mortensen gnashed his teeth.
“You will have the opportunity,” Olaf Gustavsson grinned. “Yes, I think the most dangerous targets should be eliminated.”
The Prime Minister made a mental note to give appropriate orders to the FSS – Federal Security Services as soon as possible.
“But, coming back to the long-range plans… we have to tip the balance. We don’t have the technology, but we have many gifted scientists…”
“… who might end up working for MJ12,” Sven finished the sentence.
“Exactly!” the president agreed. “We need their research and we need to direct them. We need to build a solid technological backup in order to be able to resist. Otherwise,“ Olaf made a brief interruption, “the Federation might end in the same way as France, where our enemy operates openly.”
“We need funds,” the prime minister stated. “And I speak about enormous funds. The Federation alone won’t be able to handle the task.”
“We surely aren’t the only ones that don’t like the current situation,” the older man replied. “At least I hope so.”
“Yes, there are some… people who might want to help,” Sven got the hint.
“Be careful,” the president said, “The less people know about our plans the better.”
“You have a detailed vision of it, don’t you?” the prime minister stated rather than asked.
“Oh, yes…” Olaf Gustavsson smiled. “I even have the name and location.”
“May I know them?”
“Our… backup shall be known as Aquarius. And it will be located on Gotland. As for the official version… we’re both good at lies,” the president grinned. “Maybe that’s why we both managed to stay in office so long.”
Sven Mortensen chuckled. He had to admit that this theory, at least in his case, was quite accurate.
“So, let’s get down to work, shall we?” the president said in a casual tone.
