Operation Trojan

Afterword

Part I: Behind Bars

Prologue: Unusual Circumstances

Marilyn Winchester strolled into the darkened chamber where the PCU Council meets. Perhaps this will be the last time through this particular door, where her cybernetic eye is deactivated before she enters. The Council likes to protect its identity from as many people as possible, and her cybernetic eye would allow her to pierce the secrecy they shroud themselves in. But from what she has gathered, there is not much of a council left. The moment is ripe, but she still must be careful.

She stepped into her circle of light, not glancing to either side to see who had arrived yet. Instead, she took this opportunity to try out the new technique taught to her by her counterpart from another universe. The one whose existence is known only to a few who are in Science Operations or on the Council itself. Marilyn only found out about her while investigating a security breach at a Science Operations facility. John, the Science Operations head, introduced her to her counterpart known as Marilyn Winchester, Matron of the Mindweavers. Marilyn just thought of her as the Matron. It made it easier to think of her as a separate person, which she was in most ways. But they thought the same way, which made the Matron dangerous. Marilyn would keep a close eye on her. But for now, they had an agreement.

Without looking to either side, Marilyn used her mental abilities to try to sense any beings nearby. As the Matron had explained, while eye contact was needed to influence the mind, everybody broadcasts low-level mental energy that can be detected by any telepath. Most of the time, this mental energy is just emotions or surface thoughts which are weak, so usually not noticeable. Unless a telepath, or a Mindweaver as the Matron said, was listening for it. Then a telepath could determine where an individual was. A telepath could identify someone they know easily without looking at them if that person is nearby. Marilyn was fascinated by the lesson and was eager to try it out herself.

To her left, she sensed John, who was pacing around his circle of light. Like all the current operations heads, he has been in his position for a long time. Unlike her, he didn’t chafe being under the command of another, content at running his secret lab in West Texas. He had a hard time remaining still, and she could sense his thoughts were much the same way.

It was easy to sense John, since she had established a mental connection with him without his knowledge, turning him into an ally. It was something she wouldn’t be able to do if the control mechanism all PCU Paranormals had was active in her. But hers had been disabled, allowing her to do things once forbidden to her. To use her abilities on her colleagues and bend them to her will. But if she was discovered, she could end up in a cell like the one the Matron was in now.

Two circles of light to her right, she sensed Omega. She wasn’t able to read much from him except that he was there. She only knew him from these Council meetings, and even then, he rarely spoke up. He was a soldier, and he did what he was directed to do. He responded to direct questions with direct answers. And he rarely expressed an opinion. Lancaster thought of Omega as easily manipulated, but Marilyn wasn’t sure. But he didn’t play into Marilyn’s plans.

In the darkness in front of them, where there normally would be four unseen individuals, she could sense only one. Based on the information she could piece together, that would be the Military Operations Council member. She didn’t know anything about him, or whether he was a he. When he has spoken, he used a cold, mechanized voice. Yet, for her to sense him, there must be a living being involved. Perhaps he has cybernetics as she was, injuries from the war she was not permitted to speak about. Except, she could speak about it. The control mechanisms were gone from her. She kept silent to maintain the illusion that she was under the influence of the control mechanisms. It was necessary for now.

The door opened behind her, and she sensed the rage and fury suppressed under a calm demeanor. Now that she was listening, she wondered how she had never heard it before. He didn’t even attempt to hide it. She was familiar with Scott Lancaster, who had just walked in. He was her ally and her enemy at the same time. They worked together because they had similar goals. She had even shared his bed from time to time, and always deferred to him. She made him believe that she was his puppet. And he freed her from the control mechanisms, though he held the knowledge of that freedom as blackmail over her. It didn’t matter. For as much as he believed she was his puppet, she knew how to press his buttons to get him to do what she wanted him to. Without using her powers. And he painted a target on himself, allowing her to maneuver without being seen. And when the time was right, she would eliminate him. Or someone would do it for her. It didn’t matter to her.

Now that Mr. Lancaster has joined us, we can begin, said the mechanized voice from the darkness. When there had been a full council, the Military Operations Council member rarely spoke. Probably because he was self-conscious about his voice. Since he was the last of the Council, he had no choice but to speak now.

As all of you know, Te Dee was removed from this Council at the last meeting due to actions initiated by Mr. Lancaster, the voice continued.

I made my presentation as to my reasons why, Lancaster interrupted.

You will allow me to finish, the voice snapped back.

Lancaster bowed his head to the darkness.

Since then, the voice continued, the Covert Operations Council member has been murdered, and we have not heard from the Science Operations Council member in almost two weeks.

Marilyn remained stone-faced, as she had known both these pieces of information. She had been notified when Elizabeth, the Covert Operations Council member, had been murdered. Marilyn had been in Texas at the time, staring at the Matron, still trying to come to grips with her existence. As for the Science Operations Council member, she had also had been in Texas with John when he had informed her that contact was lost.

The other operations heads were looking around at each other in shock. Or, at least pretending to be in shock. She didn’t bother with pretending.

You seem to be taking this news well, the voice said.

I’m overseeing the investigation into my superior’s murder, having my telepaths scour the minds of any potential witnesses, Marilyn coolly replied.

The normals won’t care for that, Omega said. They’ll push back.

One of our own has been killed, Marilyn replied, allowing her cool to crack a little. I will do whatever is necessary to get some answers. And to keep all of them from finding out the truth behind the murder, she added to herself.

Some restraint should be shown, the mechanized voice said. We need to keep the normals complacent. They need to feel safe from us.

Of course, Marilyn replied. I’ve just been upset and puzzled by the whole thing. I had talked to her just a few minutes before by phone.

About? the voice inquired.

She authorized me to be briefed about the Mirror Initiative, to aid in the investigation of the security breach at the classified Science Operations facility, Marilyn explained. And before you ask, that is why I know about the break in communication with the Science Operations Council member. It appears to be connected with the security breach.

You’ve been briefed on the Mirror Initiative? the voice asked.

Yes, she has, John spoke.

Lancaster glared at Marilyn while asking, What is the Mirror Initiative?

Something you are not cleared for, the voice replied.

Am I correct in assuming that you are the only active Council member, sir? Omega asked.

Yes, the voice said. Which brings us to the point of this meeting. We must refill the Council.

And how are we to do that? Lancaster asked smugly.

Regulations state that in this rare circumstance, we start by replacing one Council member by unanimous vote by the sole remaining Council member and the operations heads, the voice stated. There was a moment of silence before he added, That means we all have to agree on someone to be elected to this Council.

Then I propose myself for the Political Operations position, Lancaster said, stepping forward and looking around at everyone. No one else is qualified.

Te had someone in mind for his position, and it wasn’t you, the voice said.

Lancaster turned toward the darkness, pointing toward it. He is not a member of this Council and was voted a traitor. Any choice he had should be considered tainted.

I must second that point, Marilyn interjected. Everyone here knew they were working together for political purposes, and she would be expected to support his actions.

As must I, Omega said.

Thank you, Lancaster said to Omega.

But I must also vote against Lancaster being placed in that position, Omega added.

What! Lancaster screamed, turning on Omega.

Omega coolly faced Lancaster. You are reckless and irrational. I have watched you for years, working harder on your personal agenda rather than the mutual agenda of the Paranormal Control Unit. Our job is to protect the normals from us. Not to exterminate and subjugate them.

I’ve never said… Lancaster started to argue.

I’ve quietly watched you for years, Omega continued. I’ve seen how you’ve thrown away the lives of my normal agents. Or worse. My men are everywhere, and they answer to me above you. I hear things. And I cannot in good conscience allow you to raise higher in the hierarchy. Not when I have a say in the matter.

Omega had never spoken so much in a meeting ever. Marilyn glanced at Lancaster, and she could feel him seething. One of the greatest pleasures she has had over the years was when Lancaster was knocked down a notch or two. It helped keep him in check.

I propose John take over as Science Operations Council member, Marilyn said, breaking the tense silence. He has been acting in that capacity anyway, and I believe he can be a consensus choice.

Lancaster turned from Omega to Marilyn. She nodded to him, trying to indicate to trust her. Marilyn knew there was no way for Lancaster to be a consensus choice, even if Omega hadn’t spoken up. She suspected the Military Operations Council member would’ve voted against him. But Lancaster was always focused on his own agenda and didn’t see the big picture. It made it easier for Marilyn to guide him to what she wanted, by aligning her goals to his while hiding her objectives. And he believed he would control the Council once he was on it, because his predecessor had. But Marilyn suspected that was only the case because of Te’s skill, and not because Political Operations is above the other branches.

I can support that, Omega said.

As can I, the voice added.

Marilyn glanced over at Lancaster and nodded.

I agree, Lancaster said after a few moments.

Well, John? the voice asked. Do you want the position? All you have to do is vote yes.

John tapped his foot very rapidly, until it was just a blur, as he stared into the darkness. Finally, he said, Do I want the position? Not really. But I will take it. So, yes.

A light appeared in the opposite wall, revealing a door opening.

Then step through the door and join me on the Council, the voice said.

Marilyn felt a burst of wind as John disappeared from his circle, using his incredible speed to get through the door. The door started to close, and the light went out on it. Lancaster stepped closer to Marilyn, while remaining in his circle.

What is this Mirror Initiative? he demanded.

I can’t speak of it, and you know that I can’t, she replied. He glared at Marilyn and she was afraid he would reveal that she was free. He was always so short-sighted and took everything personally. She only hoped that he could control himself and have some patience.

After a few minutes of silence, the voice said, Now that that is settled, the regulations state that with two members, the Council makes the determination with the Operation Heads collectively casting the deciding vote if needed.

Can I return the favor and nominate Marilyn for the Covert Operations Council position? John’s voice asked. She knows how that branch works, and she has worked harmoniously with the other branches in the past.

While touching that you return the favor, you don’t have to nominate… the voice started to say.

I formally nominate Marilyn for the Covert Operations Council position, John repeated. And she has my vote.

She doesn’t have mine, the voice replied.

Then, as you explained the rules, they get to decide, John said.

Lancaster looked over to Marilyn and mouthed, You got to John?

Omega looked toward Lancaster and Marilyn and said, I vote no.

Marilyn smiled, and Lancaster turned back to the darkness and said, I vote yes.

And I vote yes for myself as well, Marilyn added.

Silence fell over the room for a few moments, before the door lit up on the opposite side of the room and opened.

You may step through the door and take your place on the Council, the voice said.

Marilyn glanced over to Lancaster before strolling into the darkness toward the door. She stepped into the lit hallway, and the door closed behind her. Marilyn kept walking down the hallway, the door on the other end opening. She stepped into a large lounge, with comfortable chairs next to a bookshelf in one corner and a bar in another corner. A large television screen dominated the wall across from her, with a long couch before it. Standing next to the door was a large reptilian humanoid holding a cylindrical device in its claws.

Harold? Marilyn asked, looking at the creature. Harold was the reptilian guard to the Council chamber who had always deactivated Marilyn’s cybernetics for Council meetings. He would also reactivate them when she departed the Council chamber.

Gina, she hissed. Issss be hisssss mate.

Gina lightly pressed the cylindrical device against the black plate of metal that covered Marilyn’s right eye. A soft red glow appeared in the darkened eye socket of the plate, and Marilyn could see through her cybernetic eye again.

You’re a female? Marilyn asked. How can you tell?

Gina is the Council’s valet, the cold mechanical voice said to Marilyn’s right. Marilyn turned her head to see an armored humanoid, colored yellow and red, standing in the doorway leading to a hallway. He wore shoulder pads over his suit emblazoned with a golden sunburst. He turned to Gina and said, You may take a short break. I will show her to her new office. Gina gave a slight bow and walked to the other side of the room by the bar.

The armored figured turned back to Marilyn and said, I am Sunstorm, and I am the Military Operations Council member.

Marilyn scanned Sunstorm with her cybernetic eye and saw the armor contained a large interior heat source.

The heat source you see with your eye is me, Sunstorm said after a few moments. I can’t control my abilities and without this armor, I would turn this facility and everyone inside of it to slag.

Marilyn looked up at him and asked, A threat?

A warning, he replied.

You don’t like me, Marilyn observed.

I don’t trust you, Sunstorm corrected. Elizabeth spoke highly of you, but was concerned about your close relations with Lancaster.

A means to an end, Marilyn replied. You know how the game is played.

That game is not played in Military Operations, Sunstorm said.

Then you are not paying as close attention to your ranks as Omega says he does, Marilyn replied. Something you might want to correct.

You’re going to elevate Lancaster, Sunstorm stated flatly.

We have been allies, Marilyn said.

He’s unfit for the position, Sunstorm said. He doesn’t know what we know. And he’s using you.

Or I’m using him, Marilyn replied. Besides, the devil you know over the devil you don’t. I know him.

Do you? Sunstorm asked. Do you truly?

You were going to show me to my office, Marilyn reminded him. There is a meeting going on.

Sunstorm gestured to the hallway on Marilyn’s left. They walked a couple of feet down it to a door labeled Covert Operations.

The computer automatically keyed the lock to your biometrics on record when you were elevated to the Council, Sunstorm said. You are the only one who can open that door now. Just as Elizabeth was the only one who could open the door before you.

No one has been in here since she died? Marilyn asked.

Access was allowed to only Elizabeth until a few minutes ago, when you were officially elevated to her position, Sunstorm said. Once inside, you’ll find an elevator that will take you up to your Council chair. You can activate a voice disguiser, but considering everyone inside the room knows who you are, not important for this meeting. There are also controls that will allow you to converse privately with other Council members.

Thank you, Marilyn said, staring at Sunstorm.

He turned to head back to the lounge room and paused. I had hoped that with Elizabeth and Te gone, the power plays could be stopped, and we could focus on the mission.

What mission? Marilyn responded. I’ve noticed that we haven’t sent any Paranormals away in a long time. I figure we’ve been on our own.

Yes, Sunstorm said.

So, the mission is how we decide to go forward, Marilyn said.

And if we get orders otherwise? Sunstorm asked.

Marilyn knew this was a question that could be very telling as far as the control mechanisms are concerned. But she knew the answer she had to give in response.

We obey, Marilyn replied.

Sunstorm nodded and walked away, probably to his own office. Marilyn wondered what conversation Sunstorm and John had had that caused the pause in the meeting. She would have to ask John sometime later when they were alone.

Marilyn placed her hand on the security panel, and it glowed blue for a moment before shifting to green. The door opened, and the lights automatically turned on. She stepped inside and looked around at the lavishly furnished office. In one corner was a bar, and the opposite wall was dominated by a giant wooden desk with a computer on top.

What secrets did Elizabeth have hidden in here? Marilyn wondered. A question for another time she told herself, as she found the elevator Sunstorm had mentioned. Another Council member to be chosen now.

–+++–

Scott Lancaster, you may step through the door and take your place among the Council, Sunstorm’s voice echoed through the chamber below. Marilyn had nominated Lancaster, as expected. And John had voted with her, as she knew he would. She had to be careful not to pull his strings too much, but today was too important not to.

Marilyn stood up from her seat as Sunstorm said, Omega, you are instructed not to reveal the identities of the Council to anyone. Is that understood?

Yes, sir, Omega said.

Then you are dismissed, Sunstorm added.

Marilyn didn’t see Omega leave, already getting into her personal elevator heading down to her office. She quickly exited the office and arrived in the lounge to find Lancaster staring at Gina suspiciously. He didn’t care much for Harold, seeing him as a Paranormal dead-end. Finding another like Harold serving the Council probably did not sit well with Lancaster. In fact, she could sense the anger seeping from him. How did she ever miss that before?

John had beaten her to the lounge and was shaking Lancaster’s hand congratulating him. Marilyn stepped over to him, her hand extended.

Welcome, Scott, dear, she said.

He took her hand and smiled. Thank you, he said.

Lancaster was looking around the room, taking it all in. She could feel the smugness oozing off him now. He had succeeded in his plan to overthrow Te. And she was a valuable ally to him. The trick was to remain a valuable ally until she didn’t need him anymore.

Welcome, Lancaster, Sunstorm said, entering the lounge. Lancaster looked over at Sunstorm, and Lancaster’s eyes widened slightly. I am Sunstorm, the Military Operations Council member. He looked at each of the new Council members and added, We have much to discuss. Shall we take a seat? He gestured to the comfortable chairs in the lounge.

Not going to show Lancaster his new office? Marilyn asked, taking the closest chair to her.

There will be time for that later, Sunstorm said. We’ve never had this large of a turnover on the Council, and I feel I need to bring you up to speed.

Lancaster took a chair and said, You’re not going to tell us you are in charge here?

I have no desire to run the Council, Sunstorm replied. I carried out my duty refilling the Council, and once I have brought you up to speed, I will be happy to step back and focus on my own branch.

Lancaster stared at Sunstorm skeptically before saying, Well, I feel the first thing I want to address is what to do about New Los Angeles. They have been a blight on us for too long.

Plans are in motion concerning New Los Angeles, which I will be happy to inform you about now that you are on the Council, Sunstorm said.

Plans are in motion? Lancaster asked.

We have agents working on getting in position inside the city to be able to disable the shield protecting New Los Angeles, Sunstorm said. Once disabled, our forces should be able to take the city pretty easily.

You can’t rely on normals, Lancaster stated coldly.

Our undercover agents are Paranormals, Sunstorm said.

How? Lancaster said, shellshocked.

We’ve discovered that Paranormals from other universes don’t register on CrisTech scanners, John said. We’ve been raiding these other universes looking for Paranormals that are not known to be Paranormals here. We then replace the individual from here with our Paranormal, and they make their way to New Los Angeles. As these Paranormals from other universes are not in our database and they don’t register as Paranormals, they can infiltrate the city. That’s what the Mirror Initiative was all about.

Lancaster stared blankly at John before saying, That is hard to take in.

Any harder to take in than Paranormals even existing? Sunstorm retorted.

Lancaster glared at Sunstorm. If we have the means to take that shield down, why haven’t we done it?

Our agents are not sure they can secure Lydia Cristan, and they suspect she can thwart their efforts to disable the shield, Sunstorm stated simply.

If they are truly Paranormals, they are more than a match for a mere woman, Lancaster said.

A very resourceful woman, per our information, Sunstorm said. I feel caution and certainty are called for here.

And I feel you are being too cautious, Lancaster said. I vote we initiate…whatever this plan is called.

Operation Trojan, Sunstorm said. And I must vote against initiating at this time.

Sunstorm and Lancaster turned to Marilyn and John. John looked to Marilyn, and she knew he was waiting to follow her lead. She felt caution might be called for, but that would put her at odds with Lancaster. She needed him to feel safe and secure in their alliance. She didn’t need to make him an enemy this soon. Besides, if this goes badly, it would reflect badly on him. He was the one pushing so hard for it.

Some risks need to be taken, Marilyn finally said. I vote to initiate.

As do I, John said.

Sunstorm glanced at John and then Marilyn. Marilyn knew that Sunstorm was not stupid. He had been on this Council for years with the likes of Elizabeth and Te. He knew there was something funny going on with her and John. He just couldn’t prove it. She was going to have to keep an eye on him.

The ayes have it, Lancaster said smugly. Operation Trojan is a go.

Chapter 1: Promises

I roll over to find my bed empty. Where is he? Where has he run off to now without my knowing? I sit up in the bed quickly, scanning the room. I see him standing by the window, the moonlight streaming in and bouncing off his shaved black head. He turns to look at me, his somber expression telling me I’m not going to like what he is about to say.

Get away from the window, I hiss in a hushed whisper.

The moon is out tonight, and I wanted to see it, he states calmly, his eyes turning back outside.

And get shot in the head by a PCU sniper, and where would we be then? I snap back.

The Paranormal Control Unit. The organization that hounds us and wishes to enslave us. The organization we fight not only to remain free but also to free our fellow Paranormals who are enslaved by it. For those free Paranormals who call ourselves the Paranormal Resistance, it is not an easy life. We set up raids, hoping to lure a PCU capture squad, and then Jordan, our leader and savior, uses his abilities to free any Paranormals that are with them. It has been an effective tactic in the past, but the PCU has grown wise to it. And our freedom hinges on Jordan, who now stands exposed to any snipers that by chance are looking this way.

That is what is bothering me tonight, Jordan says.

Then get away from the window, I repeat urgently.

He steps back into the darkness that shrouds our bedroom. At least it is our bedroom tonight. For security purposes, we will sleep somewhere else tomorrow night.

Since it will put your mind at ease, Sherry, dear, he says soothingly. I release the breath I didn’t know I was holding.

Your guard secured the area, he continues as he walks toward the bed. I felt I was in no danger.

And I always feel you are in danger, I say insistently. You protect us from the PCU. We need you too much.

He gently places his hand on my face. And you protect me from them.

I grab his hand and press it tighter against my face. He is the reason I am free of the PCU control mechanisms. I don’t know what their plan was, but I could’ve betrayed my sister, Terry, at any time. I had been a walking time bomb. But then Jordan entered my life, and I knew