Chapter 24 #2
“Uh, I mean, I am working to combat that fear. The department expects nothing less than the most cutting-edge technology from cybernetic companies.”
As he spoke, Hawks’s right hand unbuttoned his jacket and gently caressed his nipple. Hawk seemed not to notice. “This is why I ordered Everett Dean’s private jet to crash and burn so I could take over Preditech for my own personal gains.”
The members of the media were torn between more shocked gasps and embarrassed titters.
“Damn beer out my nose again.” David muttered among the chortles and knee-slaps in the room.
Hawks’s eyes bugged and he jerked his hand back down to his side, then looked around the podium area as if he would find the person pulling the levers behind his great and powerful Oz shtick. “There’s a problem with the microphone. Get me a new one.” He ordered, face red with anger.
“Yep, that’s the voice I know.” Gage nodded toward the screen.
“Does he know it’s you?” Audra whispered.
Gage shook his head. “So far, I’ve been able to control him with silent commands.”
Everett snorted with disdain and muttered. “Fucking inferior Chinese parts.”
Someone scrambled to bring Hawks a wireless handheld microphone, which he seized, scowled at the poor soul who’d handed it to him, and then walked to the side of the podium as if that was the source of his gaffs.
He straightened his tie and cricked his neck.
“Let’s try this again, without the funny business.
Ladies and gentlemen, cybernetics is the wave of the future, but in order to assure the public’s safety, I’ve made a strategic alliance with the Chinese government to share the most advanced cybernetic technology each country has to offer. ”
“Does he even have the authority to do that?” Luann asked.
Having secured everyone’s rapt attention, Hawks continued, swaggering across the podium stage like a circus master.
“This synergetic sharing of technology I’ve secured for our country will look something like this.
” The he opened his mouth and proceeded to mimic performing fellatio on the microphone.
Both rooms exploded. The media members shrieked and shouted questions and complaints as Hawks threw the mic to the ground and stormed out of the room.
Meanwhile, Doc’s War Room was filled with riotous laughter, applause, and cheers.
Even Audra laughed, tension evaporating from her muscles.
She had worried Operation THOT would backfire on them.
And it might still, but watching Hawks make a mockery of himself in front of the entire world was too priceless not to enjoy.
Doc shushed them, although it took several moments for the room to quiet. Everett carefully unplugged a wire from Gage’s head port and picked up a lavalier mic from the desk with a nod to all of them. When he spoke, his voice was heard on the television screen, firm and commanding.
“Members of the media, citizens of the United States, I am Everett Dean, formerly the CEO of Preditech and founding father of the cybernetics industry.” The media corps gasped in shock and settled immediately, looking frantically around for the source of the voice.
Everett continued. “I’m coming to you from an undisclosed location for my own safety, to let you know I am still very much alive in spite of Richard Hawks’s confessed attempt to kill me.
I want to open your eyes to the hardship a minority of our citizens suffer due to Hawks’s outright corruption and avarice.
Yes, I mean cybernetic individuals. These human beings—these American citizens—many of whom are former first responders and military who swore to uphold our country’s laws and defend our freedoms, yet through no fault of their own are forced to hide and live in fear of being discovered.
We claim our country welcomes diversity, but our treatment of cybernetic individuals who have done nothing wrong but sacrifice their bodies to corporate curiosity, says otherwise.
Shame on us for neglecting them. I urge our federal lawmakers to pass legislation that will fortify for cybernetic individuals the same rights every other American citizen enjoys.
If we could stop the mindless fearmongering, we would see these individuals are just as human as they’ve always been. Thank you.”
Everett unplugged the mic’s receiver and turned off the computers to kill the signal while Doc unplugged the rest of the wires from Gage’s port. The screens on the wall blinked dark, cutting off the media’s reaction.
Their rebel band was quiet and introspective after Everett’s impassioned words.
“You sure know how to make a scene, hon.” Luann tipped her beer to Everett and blew him kisses.
Everett shrugged, but his shoulders drooped. “It’s the least I could do for all of you, since it’s my fault you’ve suffered as you have.”
“Are you kidding?” Adam wrapped an arm around Eve. “I found a wonderful woman who loves me because of you. I can never pay you back for that.”
Others uttered their agreement, and Audra wrapped her arms around Gage’s torso and leaned her head against his shoulder, her heart burgeoning with love and gratitude. It was true. Without cyborgs—without Everett Dean—she would have never met this man she loved more than words could express.
Everett considered Adam’s words for a few moments. Then lifted his head and smiled. “Toss me a cold one and we’ll consider it even.”