The man sat quietly at the desk in thought. Outside the rain droned steadily against the windows.

His features had been chiseled noticeably deeper over the past five years and the weight of it all pushed down on his shoulders. He was tired but would never admit or show it.

As he glanced around the room his thoughts were moving back and forth like Newton’s Cradle.

First, to the history he was surrounded by, then to what the future would look like, then to the present, and back and forth. He placed his hands on the old wooden desk and pushed himself into the large leather chair.

Clasping his hands behind his head and closing his eyes never once thinking of placing his feet on the desk as his predecessor had. He respected the history of his work place.

Always aware of what was happening, he know the phone would ring before it did. Opening his eyes the clock chimed at 22:00. Right on time per the agreement.

He lifted the receiver and shared cordial greetings. The other party spoke perfect English but he knew this not to be the case. As the other party spoke, laying out how the the near future would play out, and the terms and conditions there after, his mind wandered. He listened and registered each word that was spoken while rapidly playing a mental film of the things that he had been privy to over the past five years. He smiled as he thought how well he had played the game on his end.

They exchanged some conversation and cordially hung up. He picked up a well worn book and placed it on his lap. The author was Sun Tzu.

Again , leaning back and closing his eyes, his thoughts were now highly focused on the present. He knew a lot about the enemy but some things just didn’t make sense.

After spending months with citizens all around the country and leaders from all around the world he knew how many of them felt. He also was exposed to the depths of evil you wouldn’t think existed.

How did they get so entrenched across the globe? How can a country that is so loved by millions be also hated by millions of it’s own citizens? How can billionaires, himself one, that made their money because of his countries excellence, be so willing to sell it out? Do they really expect to get what they think will be their long term prize? Do they not know the term useful idiot?

How can the exposed depravity and lawlessness and corruption of countless powerful families be just ignored and swept under the carpet?

Jesus, he ate two scoops of ice cream and you would have thought he was the one that crucified Christ!

He laughed out loud at that analogy.

How many of the people he trusted had turned into Judas?

How can states allow violent mobs to burn loot and murder with no consequences?

How did the people that are in entrusted to uphold the law and paid for by the citizen’s taxes become so corrupted and now so mistrusted?

He didn’t need to ask a question about the media. He knew they were gone when they did their best by spending months pushing the photo shopped toned firm arms theory.

Those questions and countless others weren’t answered, there wasn’t time to go down that rabbit hole.

They just passed though his thoughts and were gone.

The terms of the conversation were overall fairly basic. Concede the results and let’s move on, amicably. He knew that was a lie just like someone getting eighty million votes in his basement.

Then the other side of the coin. If you don’t choose that path you will not like how that move will play out.

Calculating each of those positions, he mentally scrolled and listed the pros and cons. Knowing full well either list would end the same.

He had given up a lavish life for the country he loved. The country that gave him the opportunity to be where he was. His old life was a thing of the past, gone in five years. Was it worth it to expose the citizens, those that were paying attention, to everything he knew?

He was fought tooth and nail from day one but millions and millions were aware.

Glancing at a stack of pardons on his desk and a collated list of things that could be declassified he knew the clock was running down. The game of cat and mouse was coming to an end.

There is no way he and his family would safely be allowed to enjoy “retirement”. The other party always needs a boogie man. Many of his properties would have to be let go. His name removed as they had done with statues of historical figures across the country. There would be no absolute protection. The enemy was powerful, very powerful, and sooner or later he and his family would pay for his “crimes”.

On the other hand, he also had loyalists to his cause. People who loved this country and had provided all the intelligence he had been privy to. Could it be enough? If everything was released and the traitors were exposed would the constitution be upheld? Would the rule of law, in the cesspool of all the corruption, be upheld? Would tens of thousands of loyal citizens hold true to their pledge to defend the constitution? Would it be enough?

What seemed like hours passed as his thoughts slowly gelled.

He leaned forward. There weren’t many pieces left on the chessboard.

The game was fierce.

He reached for the Queen.

Their will be suffering.

There will be bloodshed.

There will be things that are known.

There are things that are unknown.

Then there are the unknown unknowns.

With his back in the corner, where he knew it would be when he threw his hat in the ring, he made his decision…

Published by The Feral Irishman ~ January 16, 2021