07-27-2014, 09:53 AM
...CONTINUED
It's about a minute before anything happens. I'm completely happy with what I see. Behind me, flames begin to light up the night. Not just one house, but all seven homes that complete the cul-de-sac community. A few seconds later, a succession of seven explosions rock the community. One by one, each home is blown sky high.
ENIGMA: "What the fuck did you do!?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "I took care of any potential witnesses."
ENIGMA: "You cannot be serious right now. All those innocent lives. Men, women, children. Productive tax paying members of society, Sebastian. How can you even think this is right!?"
I begin to steer the Tahoe away from the scene.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "What do you know about Donald Renner?"
ENIGMA: "He was a serial killer."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Was he?"
ENIGMA: "He worked at Starbucks, that is where he found his victims."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Who'd you get your information from?"
Of course, I already know who. I'm the one that fed it to him.
ENIGMA: "Matthew."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Who does he work for?"
Easy answer: me.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Let me answer that for you, Eric. He works for me. I control the Illuminatus. Matthew only told you what I forced him to tell you.
"Donald Renner was no serial killer."
ENIGMA: "What are you talking about? She started to run from him."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "They were role playing."
ENIGMA: "What?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Those two maggots were engaged to be married. They were playing out some sexual fantasy. I had Jake do some recon work and he concluded that Kristy Prada likes to feel like she's being raped."
The look on his face is priceless. Of course, I have to tell you this, because he doesn't show his face to XWF cameras.
ENIGMA: "Why would you do this to me?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Because you need to know where the power lies. Matthew works for me first and foremost. It's my Illuminatus, Eric.
"The story you were fed of Donald Renner being some serial killer and rapist, was a fabrication from start to finish."
I feel like he's going to be sick.
ENIGMA: "Why would you set me up, Sebastian? You are supposed to be my older brother. My big protector."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Because I don't need you roaming around my Compound thinking you are anything different than I am. I don't need you thinking you have some kind of superior morality. In reality Eric...
"You and I are exactly the same."
ENIGMA: "No! We are not the same at all!"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Oh we're the same. The only difference is our rationalization for what we do. You've now killed the so called 'innocent,' just like your big brother.
"It's a great feeling, isn't it?"
Big brother always has the upper hand, even if it doesn't always look that way.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Look, what you need to realize, is that no one is innocent. Once you learn that and accept that as fact, you'll be better off. You'll realize that their lives are no more important than anyone else."
Part of me feels bad for pulling a fast one on Eric. It also could be that quesadilla I got from the Taco Bell drive through. He's not a bad man and he's dedicated his life to being some kind of villainous hero. It's a role he loves. For all intents and purposes, he's also very good at it. Sometimes though, I have to keep my boys in check. Whether Eric likes it or not, he's now associated with my Illuminatus. As such, I find it important that he knows who really is pulling the strings. Our father may be numero uno, but I am the rightful heir. As far as I know, Eric doesn't want to be the top dog, but at the same time, its important for him to remember that the line of succession ends with me.
The rest of the ride is quiet. About a half mile short of the airport, I pull out my phone and call Jake.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Lower the cargo door, we're almost there."
I end the call. As we proceed into the airport, I can see the massive cargo door at the rear of Air Darkness One lowering to the tarmac. As it reaches the ground, I steer the Tahoe onto the tarmac and up into the belly of the plane. I exit the vehicle and enter the passenger area. My little brother follows behind me. I take my usual seat and pick up the phone beside me that connects me with my pilot.
SCOTT, THE PILOT: "Yes?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Scott, we're on board and everything is secure. Get this bird in the air."
SCOTT, THE PILOT: "Destination?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Home."
SCOTT, THE PILOT: "You got it, sir."
I end the call and no sooner than I hang up the phone, the plane starts in motion. Jacob sits beside me. Eric, a few rows back, not talking. Not uttering a single word.
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: "How'd it go?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Flawlessly."
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: "What's he so jacked about?"
The plane picks up speed and the nose lifts into the air. Within a few seconds, we're airborne.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "I told him the truth about what he did."
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: "I guess he's not taking it well."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Yeah, that's kind of obvious."
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: "Are you going to be able to trust him now?"
I guess it was a good question. I turn back and look at Eric. He just stares out the window.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "We'll be fine. He knows I love him. It's just a little tough love."
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: "Did the fire bombs work out alright?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Yes and no. They worked, but there was a little too much delay. It was almost a full minute between flame ignition and detonation."
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: "Right. I'll look into it as soon as we get home."
The flight falls quiet. I decide to hit a few switches, lowering the television screen and tuning into the late news in St. Louis. On the screen is my handy work. It's obviously the top story. The broadcast states that a gas line shared by the homes of the cul-de-sac is believed to be the source of the explosions. They continue on, saying the blaze was under control and have recovered fifteen bodies. One family was not at home at the time of the explosions.
Lucky them.
14 to 1 is the score for this trip. In the same exact amount of time. You tell me who the more efficient killer is.
Once again, as the news plays, I turn back to look at Eric. He watches the news and his eye catches mine. I leave my seat and sit next to him.
ENIGMA: "What the hell do you want?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "I just want you to know, you're free to go about your business."
ENIGMA: "So what you did to me was a one time thing. Is that what you're saying?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Exactly."
ENIGMA: "Because God knows if I was a different kind of man, you would have a serious problem."
I don't take kindly to threats, even if they are vague like this one. He's my little brother, I'll let him win that round.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "I just needed you to know who the boss is around here, Eric. You need to remember that regardless of whether or not you take an active role within the Illuminatus, you're still part of it. As such, the fact that federal agents are on your scent is not a good thing. If they're on your trail, then they're on the trail of the Illuminatus. We can't have that."
ENIGMA: "So you are saying I brought this on myself?"
I don't respond. Instead, opting only to shrug.
ENIGMA: "What about you?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "What about me?"
ENIGMA: "I distinctly remember not that long ago, you found yourself within the crosshairs of the Connecticut Bureau of Investigation."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "I never said I was perfect. I did something I shouldn't have done."
ENIGMA: "Gee, how about killing fourteen, now 28 innocent people?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "29 actually. You forgot about the UPS courier on Madness.
"But, no. I left without my eyes."
ENIGMA: "Are you two lovers?"
The fuck?
ENIGMA: "I'm serious. You two are always together. Does he hold your dick while you take a leak?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Let me make something perfectly clear to you. Without Jacob, I should have been dead a hundred times over. Jacob is a smart, tactful, diligent man that neither takes shit, nor does he give it unjustly. Before you came around, he was my only brother.
"So yeah, we're close. You have to be if you're trusting someone with your life."
ENIGMA: "Why are you even talking to me right now? I should end you right here and now for what you've done."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "You could. But then you'd never make it off this plane alive."
ENIGMA: "That does not answer my question."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "I did what I did to teach you a god damn lesson. You can't go into these situations without covering your bases. You think working under the cover of a large city like New York is all you need. There's nearly 8 and a half million people in that city. Odds are, no matter what you do there, someone is going to see you."
ENIGMA: "I thought you said you did it because you needed to re-assert your authority."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "That's part of it.
"Look Nig, you need to be more careful. No matter who you're taking out, you need to make certain there are no witnesses. By any means necessary. That's the only way you can truly avoid detection.
"Understand?"
He returns the silent, shrug-only treatment.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “You'll get better at it. Of this, I am sure.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and look at the screen. It's my father.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Yes Dad?”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Sebastian, your wife continues to call here. May I ask why?”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “We're going to meet up. See if we can maybe work things out.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Normally, I'd stand in your way, Sebastian. This time, something's different.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Maybe its all the sex with Caroline.”
Eric looks at me and starts acting like he's vomiting.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “It's making you soft, old man.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “On the contrary. It makes me hard as a rock.”
Jake, Eric and I all start to laugh a little.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Did you just make a joke?”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Maybe.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “We'll see you at home.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Very well. Get some rest. Madness is coming. Victory shall be yours.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Indeed it will.”
The call ends. I stand up from my seat beside Eric.
ENIGMA: “Where are you going?”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I need to piss.”
ENIGMA: “Is Jake...”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Don't even!”
I start walking toward the rest room.
ENIGMA: “Sebastian.”
I turn around and see my little brother with his fist pointed toward me. I walk back and return the fist bump before heading to the rest room. Once inside...
THADDEUS: “We did well, father.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “That we did, Thaddeus.”
THADDEUS: “14 more statistics.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “And the authorities have no idea.”
THADDEUS: “That's the way it needs to stay this time, father.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I know, I messed up.”
I begin to wash my hands after relieving myself. I start for the door...
THADDEUS: “Still too much work to be done yet.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “But of course, my son.”
I exit the rest room and take my seat next to Jacob. Within just a few minutes, everyone on board, besides the pilot of course, drifts off to sleep.
Fade to Darkness.
It's about a minute before anything happens. I'm completely happy with what I see. Behind me, flames begin to light up the night. Not just one house, but all seven homes that complete the cul-de-sac community. A few seconds later, a succession of seven explosions rock the community. One by one, each home is blown sky high.
ENIGMA: "What the fuck did you do!?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "I took care of any potential witnesses."
ENIGMA: "You cannot be serious right now. All those innocent lives. Men, women, children. Productive tax paying members of society, Sebastian. How can you even think this is right!?"
I begin to steer the Tahoe away from the scene.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "What do you know about Donald Renner?"
ENIGMA: "He was a serial killer."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Was he?"
ENIGMA: "He worked at Starbucks, that is where he found his victims."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Who'd you get your information from?"
Of course, I already know who. I'm the one that fed it to him.
ENIGMA: "Matthew."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Who does he work for?"
Easy answer: me.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Let me answer that for you, Eric. He works for me. I control the Illuminatus. Matthew only told you what I forced him to tell you.
"Donald Renner was no serial killer."
ENIGMA: "What are you talking about? She started to run from him."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "They were role playing."
ENIGMA: "What?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Those two maggots were engaged to be married. They were playing out some sexual fantasy. I had Jake do some recon work and he concluded that Kristy Prada likes to feel like she's being raped."
The look on his face is priceless. Of course, I have to tell you this, because he doesn't show his face to XWF cameras.
ENIGMA: "Why would you do this to me?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Because you need to know where the power lies. Matthew works for me first and foremost. It's my Illuminatus, Eric.
"The story you were fed of Donald Renner being some serial killer and rapist, was a fabrication from start to finish."
I feel like he's going to be sick.
ENIGMA: "Why would you set me up, Sebastian? You are supposed to be my older brother. My big protector."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Because I don't need you roaming around my Compound thinking you are anything different than I am. I don't need you thinking you have some kind of superior morality. In reality Eric...
"You and I are exactly the same."
ENIGMA: "No! We are not the same at all!"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Oh we're the same. The only difference is our rationalization for what we do. You've now killed the so called 'innocent,' just like your big brother.
"It's a great feeling, isn't it?"
Big brother always has the upper hand, even if it doesn't always look that way.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Look, what you need to realize, is that no one is innocent. Once you learn that and accept that as fact, you'll be better off. You'll realize that their lives are no more important than anyone else."
Part of me feels bad for pulling a fast one on Eric. It also could be that quesadilla I got from the Taco Bell drive through. He's not a bad man and he's dedicated his life to being some kind of villainous hero. It's a role he loves. For all intents and purposes, he's also very good at it. Sometimes though, I have to keep my boys in check. Whether Eric likes it or not, he's now associated with my Illuminatus. As such, I find it important that he knows who really is pulling the strings. Our father may be numero uno, but I am the rightful heir. As far as I know, Eric doesn't want to be the top dog, but at the same time, its important for him to remember that the line of succession ends with me.
The rest of the ride is quiet. About a half mile short of the airport, I pull out my phone and call Jake.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Lower the cargo door, we're almost there."
I end the call. As we proceed into the airport, I can see the massive cargo door at the rear of Air Darkness One lowering to the tarmac. As it reaches the ground, I steer the Tahoe onto the tarmac and up into the belly of the plane. I exit the vehicle and enter the passenger area. My little brother follows behind me. I take my usual seat and pick up the phone beside me that connects me with my pilot.
SCOTT, THE PILOT: "Yes?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Scott, we're on board and everything is secure. Get this bird in the air."
SCOTT, THE PILOT: "Destination?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Home."
SCOTT, THE PILOT: "You got it, sir."
I end the call and no sooner than I hang up the phone, the plane starts in motion. Jacob sits beside me. Eric, a few rows back, not talking. Not uttering a single word.
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: "How'd it go?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Flawlessly."
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: "What's he so jacked about?"
The plane picks up speed and the nose lifts into the air. Within a few seconds, we're airborne.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "I told him the truth about what he did."
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: "I guess he's not taking it well."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Yeah, that's kind of obvious."
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: "Are you going to be able to trust him now?"
I guess it was a good question. I turn back and look at Eric. He just stares out the window.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "We'll be fine. He knows I love him. It's just a little tough love."
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: "Did the fire bombs work out alright?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Yes and no. They worked, but there was a little too much delay. It was almost a full minute between flame ignition and detonation."
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: "Right. I'll look into it as soon as we get home."
The flight falls quiet. I decide to hit a few switches, lowering the television screen and tuning into the late news in St. Louis. On the screen is my handy work. It's obviously the top story. The broadcast states that a gas line shared by the homes of the cul-de-sac is believed to be the source of the explosions. They continue on, saying the blaze was under control and have recovered fifteen bodies. One family was not at home at the time of the explosions.
Lucky them.
14 to 1 is the score for this trip. In the same exact amount of time. You tell me who the more efficient killer is.
Once again, as the news plays, I turn back to look at Eric. He watches the news and his eye catches mine. I leave my seat and sit next to him.
ENIGMA: "What the hell do you want?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "I just want you to know, you're free to go about your business."
ENIGMA: "So what you did to me was a one time thing. Is that what you're saying?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Exactly."
ENIGMA: "Because God knows if I was a different kind of man, you would have a serious problem."
I don't take kindly to threats, even if they are vague like this one. He's my little brother, I'll let him win that round.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "I just needed you to know who the boss is around here, Eric. You need to remember that regardless of whether or not you take an active role within the Illuminatus, you're still part of it. As such, the fact that federal agents are on your scent is not a good thing. If they're on your trail, then they're on the trail of the Illuminatus. We can't have that."
ENIGMA: "So you are saying I brought this on myself?"
I don't respond. Instead, opting only to shrug.
ENIGMA: "What about you?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "What about me?"
ENIGMA: "I distinctly remember not that long ago, you found yourself within the crosshairs of the Connecticut Bureau of Investigation."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "I never said I was perfect. I did something I shouldn't have done."
ENIGMA: "Gee, how about killing fourteen, now 28 innocent people?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "29 actually. You forgot about the UPS courier on Madness.
"But, no. I left without my eyes."
ENIGMA: "Are you two lovers?"
The fuck?
ENIGMA: "I'm serious. You two are always together. Does he hold your dick while you take a leak?"
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Let me make something perfectly clear to you. Without Jacob, I should have been dead a hundred times over. Jacob is a smart, tactful, diligent man that neither takes shit, nor does he give it unjustly. Before you came around, he was my only brother.
"So yeah, we're close. You have to be if you're trusting someone with your life."
ENIGMA: "Why are you even talking to me right now? I should end you right here and now for what you've done."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "You could. But then you'd never make it off this plane alive."
ENIGMA: "That does not answer my question."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "I did what I did to teach you a god damn lesson. You can't go into these situations without covering your bases. You think working under the cover of a large city like New York is all you need. There's nearly 8 and a half million people in that city. Odds are, no matter what you do there, someone is going to see you."
ENIGMA: "I thought you said you did it because you needed to re-assert your authority."
SEBASTIAN DUKE: "That's part of it.
"Look Nig, you need to be more careful. No matter who you're taking out, you need to make certain there are no witnesses. By any means necessary. That's the only way you can truly avoid detection.
"Understand?"
He returns the silent, shrug-only treatment.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “You'll get better at it. Of this, I am sure.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and look at the screen. It's my father.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Yes Dad?”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Sebastian, your wife continues to call here. May I ask why?”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “We're going to meet up. See if we can maybe work things out.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Normally, I'd stand in your way, Sebastian. This time, something's different.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Maybe its all the sex with Caroline.”
Eric looks at me and starts acting like he's vomiting.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “It's making you soft, old man.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “On the contrary. It makes me hard as a rock.”
Jake, Eric and I all start to laugh a little.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Did you just make a joke?”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Maybe.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “We'll see you at home.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Very well. Get some rest. Madness is coming. Victory shall be yours.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Indeed it will.”
The call ends. I stand up from my seat beside Eric.
ENIGMA: “Where are you going?”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I need to piss.”
ENIGMA: “Is Jake...”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Don't even!”
I start walking toward the rest room.
ENIGMA: “Sebastian.”
I turn around and see my little brother with his fist pointed toward me. I walk back and return the fist bump before heading to the rest room. Once inside...
THADDEUS: “We did well, father.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “That we did, Thaddeus.”
THADDEUS: “14 more statistics.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “And the authorities have no idea.”
THADDEUS: “That's the way it needs to stay this time, father.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I know, I messed up.”
I begin to wash my hands after relieving myself. I start for the door...
THADDEUS: “Still too much work to be done yet.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “But of course, my son.”
I exit the rest room and take my seat next to Jacob. Within just a few minutes, everyone on board, besides the pilot of course, drifts off to sleep.
Fade to Darkness.