Page 25 of Echos and Empires
Around the table, the other council members began to murmur their agreement. “Victor’s right,” one said, shooting Chris a pointed look. “We can’t afford to second-guess ourselves now. We don’t need a security leader who’s not on board.”
“But we can’t just blindly follow,” Chris argued, his voice rising. “We have a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone on this island.”
“And that’s exactly what I’m doing,” Victor countered smoothly. “Your reluctance to embrace progress is what’s putting us all at risk, Chris.”
The room erupted into a chorus of nods and murmured support for Victor. Chris felt the weight of their stares, the isolation of being the lone dissenter. His stomach churned as he realized the council was turning against him, questioning his motives and loyalty.
“I’m trying to protect us,” Chris insisted, but the growing hostility and chatter drowned out his words. He clenched his jaw tighter, his mind racing as he tried to find a way to make them see reason.
“Now, if this is all done, I applaud your character, but it’s time to move on to something of even greater importance.Saving humanity.” Victor’s eyes damn near glazed over with power. He took a large basket from behind his chair. Reaching into the large basket, his movements were deliberate and measured. He withdrew a sleek, silver bottle, holding it aloft for all to see. The label was crisp and clean, emblazoned with the words “Fertility Boost” in bold, clinical font.
“Gentlemen,” Victor began, his voice smooth as silk, “I present to you the solution to one of our greatest challenges. These vitamins, specially formulated by my team of scientists, will ensure that we can continue to grow and thrive as a community.”
He unscrewed the cap, shaking a few oblong pills into his palm. They gleamed under the fluorescent lights, a promise of hope in a world gone mad.
“By taking these daily, we can combat the rising infertility rates that plague our population. Every man in this room, every man on this island, must do his part to secure our future as the women of this island do every day.”
Chris watched, his eyes narrowed, as Victor began to distribute the bottles among the council members. They reached for them eagerly, their faces alight with a desperate sort of hope. He could see the way their fingers trembled as they unscrewed the caps, the way they tipped the pills into their mouths with a reverence that bordered on religious fervor.
But even as the room buzzed with excitement, Chris couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that coiled in his gut. He studied Victor’s face, searching for any hint of deceit, any flicker of malice behind those cool, calculating eyes.
The man was too smooth, too polished. Every word that fell from his lips seemed rehearsed, carefully crafted to elicit the desired response. And the way the others hung on his every syllable, the way they followed his lead without question...it set Chris’s teeth on edge.
He glanced at Liam beside him, who’d been oddly quiet despite all the betrayal he believed they’d dealt with. Liam’s brow was furrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line. He gave Chris a barely perceptible nod, a silent acknowledgment of their shared suspicion.
As the bottles made their way around the table and out to the main floor, Chris found himself face to face with Victor. The man held out a bottle, his smile sharp and expectant.
“Chris,” he said, his voice dripping with false sincerity, “I know we’ve had our differences, but surely you can see the importance of this. We’re all in this together, after all.”
Chris hesitated, his hand hovering over the bottle. He could feel the weight of every gaze in the room, the pressure to conform, to fall in line. But something held him back, a nagging instinct that told him to trust his gut.
“I appreciate the offer,” he said carefully, choosing his words like a soldier navigating a minefield, “but I think I’ll pass for now. I’d like to do some more research, make sure I fully understand the potential risks and benefits.”
Victor’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second, a flash of irritation in his eyes. But he recovered quickly, his mask back in place. “You may have three days.” He turned to speak to the larger group. “ Ensure these vitamins make their rounds. We’re going to save the world.We are adjourned.”
As the meeting dispersed, Chris found himself alone, the room emptying around him. He leaned heavily against the table, his head bowed as he tried to process the events that had just transpired.
“Chris.” A hushed voice broke through his thoughts. He looked up to see Hanna, a notoriously nervous woman and council member, glancing furtively over his shoulder before stepping closer.
“What is it?” Chris asked, his brow furrowed.
The council member licked his lips, his eyes darting around the room. “I... I don’t think Victor’s being entirely truthful about his plans. There’s more to this security system than he’s letting on.”
Chris’s heart quickened, a sense of vindication mingling with growing unease. “What do you mean?”
“I can’t say much here,” the council member whispered, his voice trembling. “But there are rumors... whispers of something darker at play. Victor’s intentions may not be as noble as he claims.”
The weight of the information settled heavily on Chris’s shoulders. He knew he couldn’t ignore this warning, couldn’t brush aside the gnawing suspicion that had been growing in his gut.
“Thank you for telling me,” Chris said quietly, his mind already racing with the implications. “I’ll handle this discreetly.”
Hanna nodded, relief evident in his eyes. “Be careful, Chris. You’re treading on dangerous ground.”
As the man hurried away, Chris stood alone in the empty room, the silence broken only by the pounding of his own heart. He knew he had to act, had to uncover the truth before it was too late. The safety of Emma, his team, and the entire community rested on his shoulders.
With renewed determination, Chris strode from the room, his mind already formulating a plan. He would not rest until he exposed Victor’s true intentions and ensured the safety of those he held dear.
“Home?” Liam asked.
