Page 24 of Echos and Empires
Chris stormed down the path with Liam close on his heels. The implications of Victor’s actions weighed heavily on him, a sickening knot forming in his gut. Emma’s face flashed through his thoughts, her safety and well-being his top priority. He had to protect her, protect their entire group, from whatever twisted game Victor was playing.
“He won’t be able to weasel his way out of it with an audience,” Liam spoke as he caught up, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “We’ll make him answer for what he’s done.”
With a nod, Chris resumed his purposeful stride. “We’re getting you surgery if this all pans out.”
“ A simple, ‘Liam, thanks for this information,’ would have been my preferred response.”
The council roomwas buzzing with activity when Chris and Liam arrived. Community leaders milled about, engaged in hushed conversations. William was at his place off to the side of the stage, ready to take the meeting notes. Chris scanned theroom, his eyes landing on Victor, seated at the head of the table. He’d know the man anywhere. Prior to the bombs he face had been splashed on every fucking media type there was. None of it ever good. Yet, there he was, sitting on the fucking council like he belonged there.
So they knew. They all fucking knew.
His hands clenched so tightly the bite of his short nails stung his palms. That man had tried to murder hundreds of people and yet he sat there? Did he just offer the island something after learning of their ship months back?
The man looked as composed as ever, a polite smile on his face as he greeted the other council members.
Chris’s anger nearly stole his ability to breathe. How was he going to sit here and remain calm? This was the same group who welcomed him to the council because of his leadership skills, and now he had to sit there with him?
Could there be a shot he hadn’t known what the ship was and just thought he attacked a group who stole a military vehicle?
There were so many more questions than answers, but Chris knew he couldn’t sit up there. Not as fury threatened to destroy the very fiber of his being. Instead, he took a seat with the non-council members, his gaze never leaving Victor. The man’s calm demeanor only fueled his suspicion. How could he sit there so casually, knowing the chaos he had caused? The lives he had put at risk?
Beside him, Liam shifted in his chair, his own unease palpable. Chris glanced at his friend, grateful for his steadfast presence. Together, they would get to the bottom of this. They had to, for the sake of everyone they held dear.
“You think they’re going to let you sit here?”
“I didn’t ask them, did I?”
As the meeting began, Chris took a deep breath, steeling himself for the confrontation to come. Victor may have thoughthe had the upper hand, but he was about to learn the true meaning of loyalty and the lengths Chris would go to protect those he loved.
“Thank you all for coming,” Harvy, the island’s head farmer, began.
Chris stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. All eyes in the room turned to him, but he focused solely on Victor. “I demand an explanation for the attack on the ship carrying women and children to this very island,” he said, his voice stern and unwavering. “Why were our people put in danger? What are you doing here?”
Victor leaned back in his chair, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the tension in the room. “I don’t believe we’ve met, but I’ve of course, been briefed on the military hero who joined us. Chris, I understand your concern, but there are factors at play that you may not be aware of.” He paused, as if considering his next words carefully. “The government discovered rumors of the island. Thanks to the supplies my money brings in, there are a few ships that arrive and one was essentially caught. I overheard a discussion about a rumored ship that came to an island where women and children were abundant.”
Chris narrowed his eyes. “And sinking the ship was the solution? Risking the lives of our people? Killing women and children who are so damn vital to the world? Nevermind how you knew in the first place.” He itched to pull out his firearm and level it at the man, wanting to see if his answer changed.
“It was a horrible price, but one I had to pay to keep the government at bay.” Victor’s tone remained even, almost sympathetic. “I falsely reported back to them, claiming our men had succeeded, even though I knew they had failed when they did not return. I assume I have you blame for their loss of life?”
Chris clenched his jaw, trying to process the information. The room fell silent, the weight of Victor’s words hanging in theair. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the story, that Victor’s explanation was a carefully crafted half-truth.
Victor stood, smoothing his impeccable suit. “Now, I believe it’s time to discuss our plans for a new security system.” He walked to the front of the room, commanding everyone’s attention. “In light of recent events, it’s clear that we need to fortify our defenses.”
As Victor launched into his presentation, Chris watched him closely. The man’s words were polished, his arguments persuasive. He spoke of the need for unity, for putting the greater good above individual concerns. But beneath the veneer of sincerity, Chris detected subtle manipulation tactics.
Victor’s eyes swept the room, making eye contact with each council member. “We must be proactive in our approach to security. This new system will ensure the safety of our community, and it is our duty to implement it swiftly.”
Chris couldn’t help but notice the way Victor’s gaze lingered on certain individuals, as if gauging their reactions. He seemed to be tailoring his message to each person, playing on their fears and desires.
Every word out of his mouth sent Chris further down a path of skepticism. Victor’s plans sounded grandiose, almost too good to be true. There were gaps in the logic, questions left unanswered. But as he looked around the room, he saw the other council members nodding along, their faces a mix of awe and determination.
He knew he had to tread carefully. Victor had a way of swaying people to his side, of making them believe that his vision was the only path forward. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something sinister lurking beneath the surface.
And I’m going to test it again.
Chris stood for a second time, ready to make the man squirm as much as necessary because the only thing that had become clear, was Victor was not new to his home, which meant he had a lot of problems with a lot of people. “Victor, this new security system of yours... it’s not adding up. There are too many unanswered questions, too many potential risks. We need more time to consider the implications.”
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to Chris. Victor’s smile remained fixed, but his eyes hardened. “Chris, I understand your concerns, but we don’t have the luxury of time. The government is closing in, and we must act decisively to protect our community.”
