Benjamin scrolled over to Amber's contact and dialled for a third time that morning. There was no beep, just a brief disconnect after a few seconds. "Switched off?" JMONEY asked. Benjamin nodded. "I'm sure she's fine" answered JMONEY."You have no way of knowing that" snapped Benjamin. JMONEY shrugged. "What else am I going to say?" he asked. "Let's just go" replied Benjamin. "Back To Classes, I hope?" asked JMONEY. "Sure" replied Benjamin, not really caring.They arrived on campus, just at the tail-end of ThermoDynamics. With a brief apology from JMONEY about how they had been in a fender bender, Professor Tolga allowed the star-studded student Jonathan and his friend, Benjamin into his class.Up ahead, above their usual seats, a familiar girl waved over to them. It was Samira, she also took this class. JMONEY was about to ignore her, but Benjamin already opted to sit next to her. JMONEY dragged his feet to sit at the aisle, next to Benjamin.There was a brief exchange of What the he
Amber Stone walked up the granite steps into MedHill Hospital after a relaxing night at the Continental Hotel. She had been successful in convincing the board about a sale and was awaiting a decision on their schedule to meet with Benjamin.She also hoped that Benjamin had kept his word about getting an office to set up for their meeting. It didn't have to be too fancy, somewhere neat would do. Maybe she would call him later to stress that fact. She strolled straight to her office, where Dr.Roberts was just setting up. "Hello Doctor" she greeted. "Miss Stone! Hello," he replied boyishly. Dr Roberts was just a resident a few months ago under NeuroSurgery. He was now 32, and a bona fide Neurosurgeon, courtesy of Amber. She felt he was a capable hand and more than enough to fill in her role here at MedHill.Maybe after 4 or 5 surgeries, she could leave him without supervision. "How are our patients today?" she asked. "We're prepping Mr DJjango for his afternoon surgery.""He was the one
By 06:00, Benjamin could recognize most of the faces from that fateful night. They chatted casually and helped themselves to the food Samira procured from the local Pizza Restaurants and diners. Some of it, she claimed, like the Shepherd's pie and Cinnamon rolls and the Guacamole, were privately contracted out to her mother."Here's the receipts" she said, when she was done setting up, "and the change." Benjamin looked at her curiously. In truth, he had already forgotten about the money. Nor was he expecting Samira to have such a clean slate of character to return change, if there was any. Still, he perused the list."$300 for drinks (Punch and Wine. No Spirits.) $200 for Pizza. $250 for Donuts, Cinnamon Rolls, Guacamole Sauce. $50 for Chips. And a $100 Tip?" read aloud Benjamin, eyeing the last item."That's for my mom. She runs her own place, you know? And getting all this together in such a sort time frame." Samira replied.Benjamin waved his hand, and returned to her the $100 she
"All right. That's pretty much the gist of it. Any questions?" asked Benjamin. "Notice: +100 Dominion points earned for Charisma. Total DP: 450 points"The members were a little more settled now. Instead of their previous stiff appearances, they made themselves comfortable in the apartment; resting on the sofas, the chairs and mingling quietly. When Benjamin raised the question, they paused to think rather than just stare at each other uncomfortably.One raised his hand. "Does all of this come before or after classes?Oh, so now, you suddenly care about classes, thought Benjamin. "Good question. You'll have to work that out with JMONEY." JMONEY felt a cold shiver. "He'll look through your schedule and organize a roster," said Benjamin."What? But most of us here are in the same year, and taking the same courses" complained one."Yes, well, because the project is so important, not everybody's going to be able to attend class leisurely. We have to work both day and night." "Huh? But
"When do we start?" asked one overzealous fellow."JMONEY's going to put everyone together on a private messaging platform. Now that, you are not allowed to share with anyone under any circumstances. I don't care if the FBI catches you, keep your phone locked. In the event that you are caught, just stay silent. We should have a daily update system, so we'll know if something's up, and most likely, I'll need to step up. However, if we understand that someone else has gained access to our group because of your actions, you're out." said Benjamin."And by out you mean?""Yep. Expelled." I answered The crowd was a little restless this time. Maybe it would be better if I don't tell them just yet that I'm still thinking about what to do about other possible violations, thought Benjamin."And as for when we'll begin" started Benjamin, who looked to JMONEY. JMONEY crossed both arms just beneath his neck. You're killing me."Sometime tomorrow afternoon, I expect," replied Benjamin. "That'll b
"Notice: Inheritance activated. Subhost: Michael Duboir" the system beeped.Michael shuddered a little and then looked around himself. "That's why they'll be reporting to you from now on," said Benjamin. "What?""Congratulations, you're the new field commander." started Benjamin. "Essentially, everybody is reporting to you when it comes to fighting.""I don't think you're hearing me. These guys have actual weapons-" started Michael."If it comes to that, and you think you can't win. Just call me up."Michael stared in astonishment."What in blazes are you going to do? Throw money at them?" he snarled."I would like to point out to you that that strategy hasn't failed yet. But, no. Let's just say, I'm not that scared of guns" Michael stroked his chin, dumbfounded. JMONEY coughed."So, Field Commander, that's new," he said. "Yes, I made it up on the spot," said Benjamin plainly. "And where is that, on the chain of command?" asked JMONEY, with a stare. "That's right. You said I was y
The man in the bandanna had crossed from the other side of the street to Benjamin's way. "Stop that man!" yelled one of the officers. The suspicious man barreled towards Benjamin. In his right hand, was a brown paper shopping bag."Out of my way!" grunted the suspicious character. Benjamin made to move, but this man was already moving too fast. There was a collision."Notice: Strengthened Body Activated" The man deflected off Benjamin's chest like he was made of iron, and tumbled onto the pavement.The bag split to reveal some new sneakers, boots, and a couple of neatly folded T-shirts. The officers soon caught up. "You did good, Sir," said one of them, praising Benjamin. The other stopped down to suppress the culprit and handcuff him. "You have the right to remain silent," he said, taking off the bandana. "You'll never take me alive!" The bandanna revealed not a man, but a young angry adolescent. He squirmed and shook and shuddered under the handcuffs. "Save it for the judge, and s
The tall lean officer folded like newspaper on the sidewalk. The gruff one sprang forward in alarm, reaching downwards for his firearm. "Don't move!"Benjamin activated Bow Down To Me, hoping he had made the right choice."Put down the Weapon," he instructed. The Officer's hands wavered a bit, and his eyes dilated in shock. Almost like Bow Down To Me had gotten to his hands first before his mind. But soon enough, he holstered back his pistol subserviently.Benjamin was satisfied. The tall officer was most likely a usual on the field, and this one in front of him was a recruit. He thought a bit for his next actions. Bow Down To Me usually only granted him two orders."Release the boy to me," he said. The Officer's arm was still around Johnny Zeppeli, and he slackened it slowly, throwing Zeppeli towards Benjamin. Johhny fell face flat on the floor, and looked up, still bewildered by the turn of events."When he wakes up," said Benjamin pointing to the tall officer, "you tell him that t