Chereads / The Sixth General / Chapter 3 - The Generals

Chapter 3 - The Generals

The morning sun glinted off the roof of Germany's high velocity Licht train - the biggest transportation company in the country. Despite traveling east at 300 miles per hour, the 'Bright Pheonix' made nearly no noise at all, even the hum of the engine could not be heard.

It cut through a massive building, passing through its ground floor and racing eastward on its journey. The building it cut through was truly massive, a towering monstrosity regarded by all as an architectural masterpiece.

Built about fifty years prior, the humongous building stretched east and west as far as the eyes can see. It conquered thee landscape.

Railway lines vanished onto the building and reappeared on the other side. It housed multiple government departments and operations.

From within its walls, decisions that determined the fate of whole countries and continents were made for it was in this building that the Generals met. Known by a great many as The Plot, the building stood an astonishing three thousand feet.

Engraved in bold letters on the door of the largest room on the highest floor were seven letters. They conveyed a very clear message, the room was reserved for the most powerful individuals there was.

It also reminded these individuals to proceed with caution, the world behind that door was heaven to the rest of the world. There kings were overthrown, governments were toppled, with relative ease.

Al stared long and hard at these letters. He swallowed heard as he studied the line of text, carefully engraved on the elegant door.

Taking a glance at the large mirror positioned at the left end of the hall, he told himself all was in order. For some reason, this door was his most hated.

Whenever he stood before it, an unseen weight pressed against his head causing him to instantly lose his bearing. He knew why and found it hard to believe that a powerful man like himself could be intimidated every single time by mere letters.

When he had learned that the door was far older than the building itself, he took it upon himself to find out who had built it. If was a fruitless search. Everything about the creation of the door itself was unknown except that it had somehow found its way into the most powerful building in the world and attached itself to the door frame of the most private room.

Al suspected there was more to it, he feared the door. Loathed standing before it became he hated the world on the other side. The large conference table, the 'living' walls and furniture, all controlled by the super VIA known simply as Renard.

Al sure hated a lot of things in life and Renard was by far the worst. Nothing was hidden from Renard, he could tear Al apart in seconds. With both eyes shut, AL pictured the VIA standing somewhere behind the door. He sighed.

"Someone really should get rid of that guy" He hissed "And this door too."

He held his breath then took a step closer. The door opened and Al had to straighten, he tried to appear confident as he walked through the door which closed behind him. The technology was nothing new, the door had only opened because it's scanners had confirmed he was permitted to go through.

On the far side of the room, Renard talked in a low tone to a figure sitting on a chair with his back turned to the door. The VIA hurried over and nodded respectfully.

"Glad you could make it, General Al" Renard said, he was all smiles.

Al looked at the VIA for a moment then moved on, choosing to ignore him and utter not a single word or even nod in response.

'Can't be too cautious around this guy" Al thought.

He took a quick left, going around the large table towards the chair on the other side. Before he got too close, the chair turned to face him. Al stared at the boss, he was the most intimidating man on earth as far as Al was concerned. His pock marked face and deep eyes would easily make five year olds run to their mothers, crying.

'Don't sweat' He reminded himself. 'You're a General' he added. The sitting figure was staring him straight in the eye and Al desperately fought back the urge to break eye contact.

'Show no weakness!' he screamed at himself. He failed two seconds later. Before he knew what was going on, his head was hanging low.

"Good day, General... Sir" He wasn't thinking, his body was acting on its own. His brain was finding it hard to keep up.

"Good day, Al " The Boss replied and turned his seat again to back the door "We will await the other" he added with a tone of finality.

Al bit his lower lip as he strode over to get seated.

'Great, you blew out' he scolded himself. He had once again succeeded in showing his lack of confidence, his inferiority. But he knew he couldn't help it, the Boss was truly terrifying. He heard Renard chuckle. Through the corner of his eyes he saw the assistant smiling, obviously he found Al's pathetic display amusing.

Al cursed under his breath, he hated the assistant more than he did the other Generals, he would deal with Renard sooner or later. He tried to get comfortable on his seat and busied himself by reading the papers on the table, he didn't notice the next General enter the room.

Ten minutes after Al's arrival, all seats around the table were occupied except one. They all eyed the seat and looked towards the end of the long table at the leading General who had his eyes closed, apparently deep in thought.

Not willing to wait anymore, General Reus spoke from the left side of the table.

"I think we have waited enough" he said "General Simon is late. We are all busy men. I say we get down to the business of today without further delay"

" I agree" another General said.

Al just watched, he said nothing. He really didn't care whether Simon was present or not, his only pressing concern was getting out of the cursed chamber.

"Renard" General Gates spoke, he immediately got everyone's attention. Being the eldest and most influential of the six Generals, he was the leader and presided over their meetings.

"Contact Simon, let's know what he's up to" Gates ordered. He called every other general by their names.

Gates had barely finished speaking when the table began to glow. There was a beeping sound. Renard quickly analyzed the message and informed the men.

"It's from Alice. Simon's VIA" he paused.

"Go on" Gates urged.

"She says they can't make it today. Simon's apparently ill and will be in bed for a few days. I have the medical report, it's valid"

"So that's how it is" Gates studied the table "We'll have to postpone the meeting"

"What?!" Reus exclaimed. The other Generals wore startled looks, they were going to postpone a meeting because one General wasn't present? That only happened once in a thousand years and only when Gates or the leading General was absent.

"I agree" One General said, his calculating gaze fell upon the others "The matter at hand cannot be taken lightly. All Generals have to be present to make the decision, we need Simon for this one too. His knowledge is important"

Gates nodded, glad another General was reasoning like him. He closed his eyes again, the meeting would have to wait.