Apocalypse Drift by Joe Nobody Read Free Book Online Page A

victim was found facing straight ahead. Most people would have made eye contact with an attacker in that situation. Think about it; if you were parked at a gas station, wouldn’t you look up if you suddenly noticed someone beside your car? No sir, there were a million things wrong with that case, and I still find myself replaying the events, trying to make sense of it all. Come on down if you want; I can talk and fish at the same time. I’ll be happy to tell you everything I can remember.”
    It seemed everyone was helpful with the exception of his father’s employer. Several times, Reed attempted to speak with a representative at the Dallas regional headquarters who might provide even basic information. Who were his father’s colleagues at the office? What was he working on? To whom did he report? All of these were legitimate questions. When he couldn’t get any response the nice way, he got mean. He filed a motion in federal court for discovery. A federal judge, after consultation with the Attorney General’s litigator, denied the motion. Next was the Freedom of Information Act. For months, Reed plowed through a mountain of forms and regulations, only to have his request denied in less than an hour after its submission. He had begun work on a civil lawsuit when his partners at the firm called him in.
    “Reed,” the senior partner announced, “you have to stop this. We just received notice from the Texas Bar Association that our firm in under investigation. My wife’s brother works there. He whispered to me that someone here in our firm has angered the feds. He said he’s never seen anything like it, and they want to decorate their pikes with our heads. You have to stop, man – you can’t fight city hall on this.”
    Reed resigned from the firm that afternoon and initiated his campaign for Congress the next day. 

Chapter 2
    Beijing, China
    January 13, 2017
     
    Minister Hong arrived exactly three minutes before the meeting was scheduled to begin. The Zhongnanhai complex in central Beijing was synonymous with the Chinese communist government in the same way Moscow’s Red Square represented authority to the Soviet people, or the White House was an icon for the president of the United States. Once a resort destination for ancient emperors, the park-like setting was hundreds of years older than any of its current occupants. Bordering on the famous Forbidden City, the walled compound was noted for its system of lakes, which had been adorned with names such as the Southern Sea or the Central Sea. In reality, the lakes had been constructed as defensive moats to protect ancient royalty, their beauty an unintended benefit.
    Today’s meeting wasn’t on any public schedule or noted in any press release. The State Committee officially met once every six months to formally conduct the business of China. Those widely publicized events were actually carefully planned theatrics, designed to reassure the Chinese people that their leaders were working hard to move the country forward.
    The day-to-day business of China was most often conducted via email and closed circuit television, as required. Only the most important issues warranted a face-to-face meeting, and even then, the entire State Committee was never invited. Ministries that wielded little power, such as environmental and natural resources and interior were often excluded.
    The presentations housed in Minister Hong’s briefcase documented a bold plan that could result in a change to the world’s balance of power. Such an ambitious undertaking warranted the ministers’ meeting in person. The State Committee had been briefed on the operation years ago. Authority had been granted to proceed with the initial phases of the operation – within certain guidelines.
    Today’s summit was organized to rehash the downside or unintended consequences, should the operation go awry. Hong was more annoyed than nervous. The outcome of today’s conference was predetermined, Hong