The Olympus Device: Book Three (4 page)

A young female worker with a ponytail, dressed in a nearly identical outfit as the clerk, rushed to the check-in counter.

“Sally, please take Mr. Church to meeting room B15,” instructed the clerk.

“Yes, sir,” Sally replied. And then turning towards Leonard she directed, “Follow me, please.”

The doctor followed Sally down a long, lushly appointed hallway, still too keyed up to notice the expensive artwork and exotic island décor. They continued for several minutes, twisting and turning through the massive facility’s corridors. Finally, they reached a door presenting the appropriate bronze label.

Sally used her key card on the lock, twisting open the handle to reveal a medium size room with an extensive table surrounded by leather executive chairs. In front of each seat rested a notepad, two pencils, and a water glass.
Oh, thank heavens, a pitcher of ice water! I thought I might pass out any second,
Leonard noted, nodding with satisfaction at the answer to his growing thirst while simultaneously mopping the sweat from his neck and slightly loosening his tie.

“If you need anything else, just give us a call,” Sally finished after observing the guest guzzle a full glass of the cool drink in a matter of seconds.

“Thank you,” replied Leonard, refilling the tumbler for the second time.

After Sally had left, Leonard opened his briefcase and took a seat. He began to remove a stack of file folders, organizing them in a methodical fashion on the table. He thought of himself as a man of order and logic, a person who believed the world would be a better place if humanity’s existence were conducted with a more systematic approach.

The doctor’s personal philosophy concerning his species went further than a mere distaste for mankind’s seemingly haphazard approach to propagation. Over the years, he’d developed a strongly held position that in order for humans to survive they must integrate more closely with the environmental systems that surrounded them. As his ideology morphed and transformed, scientific facts began to mutate into what one colleague had described as a “zealous, religious fervor opposing the footprint man is leaving on the planet.”

After only a few years at the Department of Energy, Leonard found himself at odds with fossil fuels, nuclear power, individual consumption, and the tons of carbon emissions his species was dumping into the atmosphere every day.     

And that’s why he’d become fascinated with the Texas gunsmith’s invention.

Frustrated by his fellow earthlings’ shortsighted, unquenchable desire to consume energy, the doctor had all but given up on his fellow man. The planet was dying right before their eyes, and none of them seemed to be able to turn the tide.

But the rail gun, or more importantly the potential it held to produce clean energy, could change all of that. Out of nowhere, Leonard saw an opportunity to reverse mankind’s suicide charge. He had made a vow to do everything he could to bring the new technology to fruition before it was too late. Instinctively, he knew that the only way to accomplish this task was to take immediate action and harness a new weapon that had grabbed the headlines.

His logic had fallen on deaf ears at the DOE.

Despite numerous pleas, papers, requests, and meetings with the agency’s administrators, he’d watched in frustration as the government made mistake after mistake concerning the Olympus Device.

The doctor’s protests became so adamant and vocal that he’d received a verbal warning, straight from the secretary’s office. “Tone it down,” the under-secretary had stated. “De-radicalize your position immediately, or disciplinary action will be taken. We are a nonpolitical entity, and the secretary wants to remain on the sidelines of this issue.”

Angry, embarrassed, and now worried about his career, Leonard had fallen into a state of quiet depression.

Two days ago, all of that had changed.

A message appeared in his inbox, informing the doctor that his presence was required for an off-site study and briefing with Senator Hughes and his staff. Leonard was so thrilled by the assignment, he never stopped to question the unusual delivery method, or the fact that none of his co-workers had mentioned the upcoming conference. A round trip airline ticket was delivered the next day, along with an authorization for his absence from the office.

After the files had been tidied up, Leonard leaned back in his chair, patiently waiting on the other attendees’ arrival.
Perhaps there is a chance we can save the planet earth after all
, he mused.

The second person to arrive in the tropical paradise was a man that most of the staff at the Reef recognized immediately. Richard Hughes was a senator from Pennsylvania. He had long used the island’s finest resort to conduct business far and away from the prying eyes and often malicious press that occupied Washington, DC.

In his early sixties, the senator was still considered an attractive man, or so he hoped. He preferred the term “steel” instead of “gray” when referring to his hair, often claiming his eyes were cerulean instead of blue.

Richard was more than just another distinguished gentleman from the Keystone State. During most of his 28 years in the Senate, he’d earned a reputation as a fierce debater as well as a fair negotiator… and was credited with numerous important pieces of legislation.

All of that had drastically changed in the last few years, however. After a failed attempt to win his party’s nomination for the presidency, Hughes had become bitter, his rejection by the American people seeming to drive the politician toward the fringe elements of his caucus.

Recently, he’d been informed that the national party wouldn’t be supporting his candidacy in the next election.

“It’s time to retire with honor, move on, and enjoy life and your family, Richard,” the party bosses had stated. “You’ve served your country well for a quarter of a century, but the demographics of Pennsylvania are changing rapidly. We want to bring in some new faces and build momentum to retake the White House.”

The message had been both clear and insulting.

Years of serving in the world’s most exclusive organization had engrained Hughes with sage wisdom and plenty of partisan savvy. He’d merely smiled at the messengers, nodding his agreement while mumbling something like, “I was thinking of hanging up my hat anyway. I’m actually happy the boys down at headquarters see it the same way.”

But deep down inside, Richard was a man on fire. Livid, offended, and feeling like he was being cast aside due to his strong views, the senator was intent on finding a way… any way to remain one of the most important, influential people in the world.

To men like Hughes, power was everything. He wasn’t ready to retire, be relegated to the political sidelines or fade away to become a footnote in the most obscure of history books. Quite the opposite was true.

The senator was stalwartly convicted that there was so much wrong with America - so much left for him to do.  He saw a country in peril, sliding down a slope of despair, and needing her best and brightest to right the country’s course and steer her back to prosperity.

Unlike the other recent arrival from the states, Richard was dressed in a manner more closely associated with the typical tourist. Donning a Caribbean sun hat to compliment his Hawaiian T-shirt, slacks, and Sperry Top-Side loafers, it was almost as if the senator had swapped roles with the man he was meeting.

There were, however, similarities between the politician and Mr. Church. Like the Department of Energy physicist, Hughes strolled through the resort’s grand foyer without paying the slightest attention to his surroundings. He was clearly a man of leisure, appearing to any onlooker as though he was merely checking in for a little rest and relation.

In reality, it was familiarity that prompted the senator’s casual demeanor.

“Good afternoon, Senator,” greeted the concierge as Richard entered the expansive lobby. “I hope your travels today haven’t been too stressful, sir.”

“Good day to you as well, William. I assume my office requested the usual accommodations?”

“Yes, sir, your regular suite is ready. I had a bellman unpack your personal items, and your first guest has already arrived. He’s waiting in the conference room.”

“Good, William. Impeccable service as usual. Have a fruit tray delivered to our meeting if you would? Something light. We may be dining there as well.”

“Of course, sir.”

A young lady appeared, her cinnamon colored hair and bright green eyes reminding the senator of a local lass who had endeared herself to him during a recent trip to Ireland.

“This is Libby, sir. She will escort you to the meeting room,” William informed the senator.

Displaying rows of perfectly white teeth, Libby smiled at the older man with the charm of a woman who was comfortable in the knowledge that she was desirable. “Right this way, please.”

Libby led Richard down a long, dreary hall. The senator couldn’t help but notice the way her curves were accented by the sway of her gait. It was obvious she possessed a marvelous body underneath that dull uniform. The politician started to fantasize about potentially bedding the young woman later, but quickly pushed the thought from his head.

He’d learned from the experience of other politicians that nothing ruined a political career faster than a sex scandal. The American public didn't care what party you belonged to… or whether you were up for reelection or not. “Taking such liberties” was considered an abuse of power and influence, and now wasn’t the time.

Once a politician had been caught partaking in such carnal leisure, his credibility evaporated instantly.  The common sentiment was that if a man couldn’t be trusted to control his lustful urges, how could he be entrusted with the duties and responsibilities of a powerful office?

Even if he weren't going to run for office during the next cycle, the media would have a field day with such a story. The national press would spin the facts, making the issue seem more about the senator’s party and associates, and less about the fact that an older man was tempted by a lovely smile, fresh skin, and an ass that just wouldn’t quit.

Richard had learned to stay away from anything that would potentially ruin his career. This included disproportionate amounts of booze, gratuitous money, and excessive favoritism. And it had paid off – until the party bigwigs had yanked his leash. He’d made several allies in the Senate, along with a select number of high-ranking military officers. Now those relationships were about to pay off.

As he followed young Libby and her cute little bottom toward the conference room, the scope of the opportunity was at the forefront of his mind. The Texan and his invention offered a once in a lifetime opening. The undertaking would be difficult, but if it all worked out, the game in Washington would be changed forever.

They finally arrived at the meeting room. Libby opened the door for Richard, the senator greeting his grandson-in-law with a flashy smile. “If you need
anything
just give us a call,” Libby flirted.

Richard nodded, “Thank you, young lady,” and enjoyed one last peek as Libby sashayed out the door.

If we succeed
,
I’ll be able to partake of opportunities such as Libby’s charms without worry or guilt
, the senator considered.
I won’t give a shit what anybody thinks.