Page 33 of Red Zone Awakened

CHAPTER14

CommTECH headquarters

New York City, Northern Territory

“I amunable to give a definitive answer regarding your demands.”Miriam Shepherd sat behind her desk, her hands clasped in front of her, talking to the leader of the Freedom group who’d attacked her building, taken her people hostage, and threatened her profits.Oh, what she’d have given to be able to reach over the desk and wring Susan Neal’s scrawny neck.

The terrorist toyed with the detonator in her hand.“You’ve had your hour.”

Miriam gave her what she hoped was a placating smile.“As you know, the decision to hold an election can only be made by the full board.Our board members are scattered throughout the world.Some are out of contact.I need more time to reach everyone and set up a meeting in order to hold a vote.There hasn’t been a general election in this territory in over sixty years.You can’t expect decisions such as this to happen within your timeframe.”

It was clear that Susan didn’t buy a word Miriam said.And from the information her people had dug up on the Freedom leader, she never expected she would.Until a year earlier, Susan Neal had headed a group of mercenaries that worked throughout the coalition countries.She was known for her hard attitude and cold heart.In any other situation, Miriam would have admired the woman.Right now, all she wanted was the Freedom leader gone.She was causing CommTECH all sorts of public-relations nightmares.

Which was why Miriam had her PR team working up a plan to deal with the fallout from Susan’s siege.If the Freedom leader decided to murder one of CommTECH’s scientists live on the news, they’d need to respond as soon as it happened.An employee’s death, especially one live streamed for everyone to watch, wouldn’t be good for the company’s image.

“Miriam, Miriam, Miriam.You’re known as a dealmaker.I’m sure you can get this done in the time I’ve given you.You just have to want to do it.Perhaps you need stronger motivation, hmm?”Susan turned away from the camera before glancing back over her shoulder.“You might want to turn on your newsfeed.”

The holograph blinked out, leaving Miriam’s pristine office delightfully empty.

With a mere thought, CommTECH’s CEO connected to the screens facing her, and they were at once filled with the newsfeed.At the same time, she sent a message to her team that things were about to get worse.One second, the talking heads of the news opinion show filled the screen facing Miriam; the next, the feed cut to the terrace on the sixty-sixth floor of the research facility.

“Miriam Shepherd has declined to meet the deadline set for her,” Susan said into the camera.She held up the detonator, and the scientists behind her paled.Two wept openly.

Pathetic.

“We have generously agreed to extend her deadline by another hour.Be aware—all consequences of missing the deadline to establish a fair and open election lie squarely with the CEO of CommTECH.Her reluctance to disturb board members concerning our demands proves once and for all that the leaders of the territories do not care about their people.Any of their people.Even their world-class scientists who ensure CommTECH’s profits keep increasing.Miriam Shepherd, tonight you’ll have yet more blood on your hands.When will it be enough?”Her thumb pressed on the box.

Behind her, the band around the head of one of the scientists glowed.There was a gut-wrenching scream as bloodred tears poured down the woman’s cheeks.A second later, she slumped in a heap on the stage not far from Rueben Granger.The lead scientist promptly turned gray and vomited.

Perfect.

“Clean up the mess,” Susan ordered her team.It was unclear whether she meant the vomit or the dead woman.

Wild, terrified sobbing came from the captive crowd as the camera refocused on Susan’s face.“This is war.And war has casualties.Freedom is fighting for our children.For our future.We will no longer allow big business to enslave our people.No matter the cost.”She took a step closer to the camera.“You have one hour, and then someone else dies.You’re known for moving mountains, Miriam.Surely you can manage to get twelve board members together in that time.”The image blinked out.

This time, Miriam did throw her glass paperweight at the screen.