Guardian Program Ch 23

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Guardian Program Ch.23

A novel by R.C.PeterGabriel, all rights reserved.

Sam and I talked about the danger I would be in the very second word got out about my discoveries. I was hesitant to point out that because of 'Julie's' actions, Jessie and Toni would be in even more danger than I was. Not to mention, if our relationship got out, Sam would be in just as much danger but could face disciplinary actions as well. She kept apologizing repeatedly to the point that I ordered her to stop.

I spent the next couple of hours trying to explain the complexities of how the world shouldn't find out anything dangerous until all the other protocols were in place. Although, quite a few people would be angry enough when the 20-g phones hit the market. I was hoping to hide behind my aliases and not be known for being responsible for them.

I found it ironic that ensuring the world had my technology, was the only way I could be assured that no one would be able to use my technology in any way that I didn't approve of.

Any way you sliced it, the conversation was dark and depressing. I finally pointed out that we only had the remainder of the evening and night to spend together before we would be apart for a while.

We spent almost all of our remaining time in the playroom. I was very pleased that Sam dropped into a state of being known as 'sub-space', after only an hour. But meant I had to be extremely careful with her. She had lost all sense of self-preservation and I knew she would never use a safe word in that condition.

I had caused permanent damage to one of my subs in that state. Her name is Catherine Buchholz, and I'll never touch her again. Strangely enough we never even had intercourse. I broke the sacred trust between a Dom and his Sub. I broke her arm. A nasty spiral fracture because I had suspended her improperly. And in my panic, I failed her again by not providing the 'after-care' she should have received.

She didn't return completely to 'vanilla space' for several days. Occasionally she drops back into 'sub-space' without a known stimulus, and is why she's in a wheelchair now. She'd been driving and ran a red light.

Although she received the ticket, her insurance company tried to sue the other driver. I testified at the hearing and accepted all responsibility for her care. The insurance companies' lawyers didn't take more than a few minutes to come up with a contract exonerating them from all liability.

I still keep in contact and make sure she receives the best care possible. One day soon, I'll cure the nerve damage in her back, but I'm not sure I can cure her psyche. I gave her doctors one of my phones, and now through Hal, they have twenty-four-seven access to me, so I can help bring her back. Hearing my voice seems to be the only thing that works.

Fortunately, I didn't break Sam's arm. I gave her continuous rolling orgasms for an hour and almost twice that worth of 'after-care'. When I was sure she had returned to 'vanilla space', we made love in a vanilla way, as in we made love in bed, without toys, chains, whips, food, or hot wax, not even a light spanking, but it was very nice.

Afterward, we showered, dressed, and walked to the Poison Mushroom for a quick meal in the restaurant. Then we commandeered an electric car, and I drove her through the other two caverns, giving her a brief tour. After which I had security drive us around the mountains, to the airport.

We slept the whole flight back to New York. It took three minutes shy of eight hours, but due to time zone changes the clock only ticked away two of them. I left Sam with plenty of time to catch the early shuttle to Washington, but instead of one overnight bag, she had two suitcases, a garment bag, and a laptop to add to her luggage.

I made it to the apartment in just enough time to get a good start on making breakfast for Jessie and Cindy before Jessie shuffled into the kitchen. She squealed and almost knocked Cindy over to get to me. She threw her arms around my neck and kissed me.

"Dad! I didn't expect you until around lunch."

I chuckled. "Would you like me to come back?"

"Well ..." She started, with a mischievous expression. "That would make it easier for Cindy and me to get the guys out of our rooms and call Jenny to let her know she should hold the next group, until after you leave."

Cindy gasped and was trying to talk over Jessie. "Mr. Smith, you have to believe me! I would never allow such a thing on my watch, and I know Jenny wouldn't either. There isn't anyone else here! No one has been here except Miss Smith, Jenny, and myself the entire week!"

I managed to hold my angry expression the whole time Cindy tried to explain, but only until Jessie burst out laughing, making me smile, and causing Jenny to sigh and look at her feet. Realizing she had been the brunt of a joke, her mood lightened after that and we all enjoyed breakfast, overlooking the park.

Jessie seemed happy the week was over. She wanted to return to Poison, which I certainly didn't want to discourage, but I wanted a full rundown of her thoughts on Julliard.

She explained that the school was great, although many of the students were pretentious snobs. She did feel she could make a go of it there, but only if things didn't work out in Poison. She told me that things might be ripe for a change with her mystery man, but refused to elaborate.

We spent the rest of the morning getting her ready for the flight back to Montana. While packing, I noticed Jessie had updated her computer, to which she said she knew the one here hadn't been updated for several years, so before leaving home she had ordered the new one from Bridge Security and that it had come a few hours after I had left.

I asked why she needed an updated computer to explore Julliard. I received an eye roll and a 'Really?', that I didn't find informative enough. She added that I was supposed to be a computer genius and asked why I couldn't figure out that the five-year-old model constructed with store-bought components, was no match for a new one that I had designed.

I pointed out that she was avoiding the question, so she informed me that streaming porn was much more fun on a faster computer, because you didn't get your rhythm jacked up from buffering. I knew she was still avoiding the question, but I let it go after that.

While she finished packing I made numerous phone calls, including one to Bridge Security to arrange a tip for every member of Jessie's security team. But most of the calls went to firms assembling satellites. I wanted to move up the schedules of any launch possible, as long as it wouldn't affect quality.

By 13:10 we were airborne. I let Jessie fly, knowing Hal could take over if he needed to, while I continued to conduct business. Yes, it was Sunday, but not in Wellington, New Zealand.

********************

13:30 Sunday, Washington D.C., the offices of the Secretary of Defense. "Sir, Ms. Thornton, to see you," stated his aid's voice over the intercom.

"Show her in."

SECDEF Lieber and Jack Henderson stood as she entered and they all moved to the conference table.

As Sam entered the room, Henderson was unable to keep his mouth closed and blurted out. "Wow ... you look ... healthy. The change suits you."

"Um, thank you," she replied, while catching a not-so-subtle glance from Secretary Lieber, indicating he had thought the greeting was as unprofessional as she did.

"I'm not sure why I'm here, Mr. Secretary, Mr. Iverhouse. I can't possibly have any information, that couldn't have waited until tomorrow. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind coming in, it's just that there isn't any reason the two of you needed to cut your weekends short."

"Don't think so little of yourself, Ms. Thornton. Your insight will be invaluable, regardless of the details," replied the SECDEF, as he shook her hand. "Please, have a seat," he added, indicating a chair to his left. Once everyone was seated, he sealed the room and then continued.

"Ms. Thornton, you were given an assignment several years ago, that was rather broad-based, and at the time allowing a recruit to run solo, should have been considered a mistake. However, due to several oversights, and turns of fate, you seem to be the world's only expert regarding Mr. Robert Smith. Because of that, I need to know how well you think you know him."

"Well, Sir, I used to feel that as far as his businesses were concerned, I had a fairly good grasp on them, but I now believe I've barely scratched the surface.

"As far as his personal nature is concerned, I have interviewed his parents, all of his teachers, most of his classmates from eighth grade and up, including college, and every known friend, although there weren't many. Every girlfriend that anyone could point to, which numbered well over thirty.

"I managed to use my professional contacts to gain access to several psychological assessments. I've interviewed several dozen employees, business rivals, and banking associates. I'm assuming you both know that I've just spent the last week with him in France, so I believe I know him better than he knows himself."

Henderson and Lieber exchanged a pleased look before the SECDEF continued. "I'm very happy to hear that. You'll need to get me a detailed report ASAP, but for today, I want you to bring me up to speed on everything you can tell me about the man. To start with, tell me about his character."

"Well, he's a man who tries to pretend that he's happy, and in control, but isn't either of those things. He carries some burden that he won't discuss with me, but I get the feeling it concerns his secret business dealings.

"Psychologically he probably has more issues than Reader's Digest but seems to have an understanding of what most of them are. It would take me days to go over them all, but the one he seems to have the most difficulty controlling is his hatred for bullying. I believe he'll do anything and everything to stop a bully."

"Do you think he's stable?"

She ran her thumb over her ring, making sure she kept it under the table and briefly contemplated her response before answering.

"Outwardly ... I'd say yes. He presents himself well in social situations, and I never heard him raise his voice while talking on the phone, but I couldn't understand most of what he was saying, so for all I know he was threatening everyone he spoke to, but I highly doubt that. However, I am sure that he has a hair trigger. I just haven't seen it squeezed yet. Other than by the little boy that is."

"Do you think he'd kill, to further his agenda?" asked Lieber.

"I don't think he would unless he felt he had to, but yes. I think he believes he is on some kind of mission. A mission that borders somewhere near the same level as a holy quest."

"Do you think he'd kill an associate that he was working with?"

"Only if he had to, but I haven't found any indication of direct malice. Everyone respects him, and he gives the impression that his intentions are honorable. But, I don't know enough about his plans, to know what those intentions are."

Over the next two hours, Sam did her best, to be honest without giving any secrets away or letting on that her relationship had gone way past the point of being compromised. She'd discovered early in the debriefing, that if she wanted to keep her assignment, she'd have to lie and lie often.

*******************

14:51 Sunday, Poison, Montana. Jessie having just disengaged the thrust reversers moments before, began to turn off the runway and taxi to our hanger when Hal informed me that I had a message from the Secretary of Defense. I sighed.

I was hoping to make it home before they called. I knew it was coming because Sam had told me she'd been called in, but if I was already making love to Toni, I'd have an excuse not to call back.

I didn't have that excuse so I called back on Secretary Lieber's direct line, even though I knew it would color my mood. "I got your message, Mr. Secretary. What could you possibly have to ask me, that wouldn't be a violation of your contract, and still be worth five thousand dollars an hour, plus fuel, to ask me in person?"

"The majority of the program members, have some concerns. We'd like to discuss them in a manner that would keep you from needing to repeat yourself. That way, we don't have to pay you five thousand dollars an hour a dozen times over."

"I repeat, what could you ask me that would not violate your contracts? I ask that, to remind you that 'the majority of program members', are shall we say, not needed anymore. I would hate for a national crisis to ensue because one of you asked the wrong question."

The SECDEF paused for a moment before replying. "Mr. Smith, we're all well aware of our contracts with you, and the very threat you just made is one of the topics we need to discuss. Now, if you could please tell me what time I can tell the other program members you'll see us?"

I smiled to myself at the choice of words from a man who wasn't used to being put off. I could tell Sam's warning about my distaste for bullying had been received.

"Would tomorrow at three o'clock eastern be convenient, Mr. Secretary? I plan on being up late with my wife."

"Three o'clock will be fine. I'll send you instructions for getting to the conference room we'll be using.

"No need. I'm familiar with both the Pentagon in general and the room used the last time 'the majority of program members' got together."

I disconnected. Feeling somewhat satisfied that I'd left him with several questions, I gathered our bags and set them by the hatch, then stuck my head into the cockpit.

"Very nice flight Jessie. I'm impressed."

"We'll see how impressed you are soon enough. I have some business proposals that I'd like your opinion on. If you're willing to look at them, that is. I just need a few more days, maybe a week to finalize the details, then I'll show them to you."

"It would be my pleasure Beautiful," I replied, then waited for her to finish taxiing.

We left the plane in the capable hands of my ground crew and headed home. Toni sounded elated to hear from us before leaving the airport, and we arrived to a pair of crushing hugs. Moments later, I was dragged up the stairs by a very enthusiastic spouse.

We fucked like bunnies for several hours, until Jessie walked in on us again, announcing that she had prepared dinner.

During dinner, we all talked about our weeks. I of course left out a few details, but let them know that Sam would be a part of my life.

Both women accepted the news with mixed emotions written on their faces. Jealousy, mixed with love and understanding. I also announced that I had to leave for Washington in the morning.

This was met with a lot more negativity, especially from Toni, who complained that she had just gotten the two of us back and didn't want either of us to leave again.

After dinner, we took the boat out and skied until close to dark, then watched a movie. Jessie's turn to pick had us watching 'Hannah'. Afterward, Toni and I retired to our room for several more hours of wild animal sex. I got to sleep at about three am.

I took off just after nine am, and let Hal fly me to Washington so that I'd have time to finalize an acquisition of a cable manufacturing company in Argentina. It supplies almost all of the coax cable in the country. With a slight tweak, I'd be increasing my scanning waves in the region by two orders of magnitude over phone emissions alone.

I walked into the conference room with slightly less than three minutes to spare. My mood was extremely good, especially since Hal had already assured me that only Guardian Program members remained in the room. I had him seal it as I closed the door. The look on everyone's face was well worth the petty display of power.

"Gentleman," I began in way of greetings. "I'm glad none of you are late as you would've been left out."

I walked to the end of the table, opposite the SECDEF, set my briefcase next to my chair, and sat down without waiting for an invitation.

"Mr. Smith, we're all grateful that you were able to see us on such short notice. Thank you," stated Secretary Lieber, as most of the room nodded in agreement. "I know you usually dispense with social expectations, but would you care for anything before we begin?"

"No, thank you. I believe you have some questions for me that couldn't be asked over the phone. Ask away," I instructed while looking straight at General Cook, with a smirk on my face. I added a sweeping gesture, to indicate that everyone was welcome to join in.

"Well, to be honest, Mr. Smith, we have so many that I'm not sure where to start."

"Oh, Mr. Secretary, most of you are military men. I wouldn't think fear would grip you all so badly. Specifically, you General Cook. I didn't think Marines were afraid of anything."

The general looked me in the eye. "Mr. Smith, you seem to confuse the Marine's gung-ho, first into a fight, attitude as being either fearless or stupid. Yes, we try to present ourselves as fearing nothing, however, we wouldn't survive long if we were truly fearless, or if we were in fact stupid.

"We respect power and don't simply throw our lives on the bone pile without having a foreseeable outcome. I am quite willing to place my life on the line for this country, Mr. Smith. I am also willing to sacrifice myself for the benefit of the remainder of the Guardian Program members, as they will at least have a better understanding of who and what you are.

"I will however prove to you that I am not a stupid jarhead. Because you have singled me out, after threatening the Secretary of Defense with death for wording a question improperly indicates that either you have a spy within the group at this table, or you can see past your jammers.

"Which also means you don't need me to come out and ask the question that you're alluding to. You already know the reason for this meeting, and either way, you're toying with us. I for one would prefer a straight fight, so either kill me or answer the question."

I smiled at the General. "Very nice speech, you've earned immunity from targeting during any demonstrations. Because no one in this room would believe me one way or the other without a demonstration, I'll be forced to provide one. I will ease the concerns of everyone else by promising not to kill anyone for any question asked while I have the room sealed. I will still kill all of you if I feel threatened. So general, ask away."

"Why did you send the video of Sims' death?"

"I sent it for several reasons. First, to inform Mr. McKinney that one of his people had died.

"Secondly, to indicate that no breach of contract will be tolerated, although if I had been monitoring Mr. Sims, I wouldn't have allowed him to die for panicking. The assumption that an automated system had killed him was correct.

"Thirdly, I wanted to begin to enlighten all of you as to what I'm capable of."

"So, you admit, that you can target and manipulate specific things within the human body without contact of evidence?" asked General Cook.

"Yes."

"Is this ability due to specific equipment within the reading facilities, or are you able to achieve these results anywhere?"

"Yes," I replied again.

The General glanced around and then back to me. "Yes, to which Mr. Smith?"

"Yes, to both. There is equipment within the reading facilities that will kill intruders autonomously. I can also achieve the same result anywhere, even out beyond the heliopause," I replied while adding to myself, "But only if the scanning signal is strong enough."

"I see that the expected doubt is written on most of your faces, meaning that it is now demonstration time. Hal, target this room except for Dwayne Cook and Jack Henderson, protocol six-six-zero."