(eng) Nathaniel Danes - The Last Hero 02 by The Last Revenge

Author:The Last Revenge [Revenge, The Last]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Total War

Chairman Robert Dalton confidently strolled down the halls of the UES building in Manhattan with his entourage of aides and various ‘yes-men’ in tow. A group of agitated reporters walked backwards as they threw questions at him.

“Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman,” a young and eager woman reporter said, forcing her way in, “do you have a comment on the Council’s vote of no confidence in your leadership following the budget irregularities exposed by the Inspector General’s Independent Investigator?”

“Kate,” Dalton said smugly, as if the question weren’t serious, “my administration takes the Independent Investigator’s findings very seriously. I would remind you that I made getting to the bottom of corruption and waste a priority long before the Council’s vote today. I understand and share their frustration at the situation.”

“With all due respect, Mr. Chairman,” a male reporter said, “shouldn’t your frustration be with yourself? These accounting … phenomena, I’ll call them, seem to begin with the start of your administration. The timing of these revelations couldn’t be worse, as they’ve shaken the public’s confidence in the government. Including in its ability to protect Earth following the Bearcat attack at Alpha Gate.”

Dalton absorbed the insolent reporter’s comments with a carefully maintained smile that projected a positive attitude without appearing cocky. This took a great deal of self-control, because he desperately wanted to punch the bastard.

“Bill,” he said, slightly picking up the pace as he worked on making his escape from the vultures. “I take no duty more seriously than that of protecting the public. All the citizens of the UES can rest assured that everything possible that can be done to keep them safe, is being done.”

Dalton’s grin grew a bit more sinister, like he had something up his sleeve. This, too, was strategic. “Certain plans are underway which I’m not at liberty to speak of right now, and shortly my administration expects to announce a new phase in this war that will bring it to a swift and righteous end. Now, I’m sorry, but I must be going.”

The press corps buzzed with new energy. The sly politician smiled to himself once the reporters were firmly behind him.

Let those pigeons peck away at those crumbs. They’ll focus on this new war story, bumping the budget scandal to page two. Once I announce the shift in the war they won’t be able to talk about anything else.

He almost felt guilty for taking pleasure in manipulating the press. It was just that it was so easy, there wasn’t any real sport in it. Dalton viewed the media like monkeys fixated on a shiny rock. If you didn’t want them to keep looking at said rock, simply toss them a shinier one.

He’d built much of his political career on this principle of nature. It had required him to sacrifice an ally from time to time, but that was acceptable collateral damage. From time to time it had also proved an effective way to rid himself of rivals.

Dalton was a man on a mission, and nothing would get in the way of that.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.