VoyForums

[ VoyUser Login optional ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, [7], 8, 9, 10 ]


[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 06:26:29 11/17/05 Thu
Author: KT
Author Host/IP: dialup-4.227.181.206.Dial1.Denver1.Level3.net / 4.227.181.206
Subject: The Road To Paris - Part 10
In reply to: KT 's message, "The Road To Paris - more" on 06:13:37 11/17/05 Thu

The Road To Paris - Part 10
By KT


A safehouse in Paris, six months after the end of the second World War...

The small gathering of Resistance fighters spoke to the great loss of life sustained in the effort to end the World War. George allowed himself personal sadness as he thought of Adrian. They had lost touch after the completion of their mission. They were not given a choice, she being sent as a military liaison to Great Britain, he remaining in Paris to aid in the organization of the efforts to begin the rebuilding of the city. He had written to her, but had no idea whether his letters had been received or not. He had received only one letter from her, sent immediately after her relocation.

There was great devastation to be dealt with, yet faith was beginning to grow out of the ashes, and everyone began to look to the future as a new and better world. Those who had served in the underground also had a new purpose: to prevent this kind of war from ever happening again.

The dropping of the atom bomb by American forces had put a sobering cap on the head of mankind. War would never be the same again. The possibility of total destruction of the planet with a singular weapon of such great force might be the best deterrent ever conceived - or, it could be the ultimate threat. Should it fall into the wrong hands, there was no telling what could happen. They were committed to the elimination of any kind of activity that would take advantage of this new weapon, this double-edged sword of the modern world.

Phillippe Martineau faced the gathering and began to speak. George heard a word he had never heard before.

"My fellow comrades, we are not great in numbers, but we are great in motivation. There has been talk among you and among the new heads of state. The world is facing a different kind of future, one that has been deeply affected by the birth of a new order of destruction. I believe we all share a common goal: the elimination of criminals who would take this new order and use it for the fostering of evil instead of good. They would become the self-proclaimed power mongers of a new age. I call them 'terrorists'."

The room was hushed as his words fell softly on the ears of those who had put their lives on the line for the safety of their fellow men and women. Phillippe's eyes swept over his audience. Most he knew personally, but it did not matter. They were the soldiers of the future, soldiers without armies.

"You are all here because you have expressed interest in participating in the next step - the formation of small groups, highly trained in combat and intelligence, who will communicate within an exclusive network to guard the world against this threat, and to fight these 'super-criminals', if you will, and prevent them from using power to harm the innocent. I think you will all agree that far too much innocent blood has already been spilled."

There was nodding about the room, and a low buzz among its occupants as they began to discuss the possibilities. Phillippe let them talk for a few minutes. Raising his hands, he called the group to order, his face bright with expectation.

"If for any reason any of you has had second thoughts about being involved in this endeavor, it is no shame for you to withdraw. None of us will hold it against you. Some of you who still have families will want to get back to a normal life. If that is the case, we can only thank you and wish you well."

Phillippe signaled that they would take a break to allow those who wished to leave to do so with dignity, and to say their farewells to friends and comrades. As the small crowd mingled, several men and women took leave with hugs and quiet tears. George's own emotions were running high as he bid them goodbye. He walked out of the room to find some water and gather his wits. Yes, he would stay on and be a part of this new organization.

Phillippe approached him.

"George, I have a proposal for you. Of course, you have the right to say no, but I believe that you are the right man for the job."

They talked quietly for the next hour, then returned the meeting to order. Phillippe addressed them directly, with reserved enthusiasm.

"My friends, we are agreed. Our work begins."

***

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]



Replies:



Forum timezone: GMT-5
VF Version: 2.94, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2008 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.