(((NEW))) The Night Gods III- The Triumph of Evil: Chap. XXX The Darkness Begins

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Gwendolyn played the dutiful daughter at her father's funeral, even though nearly everyone knew they had little to do with one another in private life. She sat with her eyes cast downward and her hands folded on her lap, listening to sycophants drone on grandiloquently, singing the praises of one of the most evil men in recent history. The funeral itself, as could be expected, was a lavish affair befitting royalty. Gwendolyn declined to eulogize her father. Dr. Van Sloan, clearly Penrose's successor at the head of the Councils, oversaw the affair. There was one, however, who disputed this transferral of power- Baraq U'Bamah- who sat watching bemusedly as Van Sloan lavished his attention on Gwendolyn and his praise on her father. He would bide his time, using his short speech to endear himself to Gwen... at least so he thought. He repeated his condolences over and over sounding insincere at best.

Gwendolyn had no intention of staying in Geneva, or submitting to U'Bamah's attentions. She had already closed up the estate, leaving only the necessary staff to maintain it and made plans to visit her cousin Vanessa in America. Now that her father was gone she was freer to pursue her role in the Resistance, unencumbered by keeping up appearances. She went straight to the airport from the funeral.

Now that President Oliveira was gone, U'Bamah had taken over his offices at the Ministry building... there was no one to challenge him in the election so he decided that he would declare himself President. His speeches were resonating with the public and there was nobody foolish enough to interfere... except for one holdover- Reinhardt Behrmann, the Chancellor, who was at this moment demanding an audience with U'Bamah.

"You're not President yet," Behrmann insisted. "There's still the matter of the election."

"Who's going to run against me?" U'Bamah asked smugly. "You?"

"Yes," Behrmann said firmly. He had never liked Oliveira, but he liked U'Bamah even less.

"The Chancellor forgets he's one the most hated men on earth," U'Bamah replied, half to Hassan, but intending it for Behrmann's benefit.

"But you just can't declare yourself president," Behrmann said, "there are protocols."

"And who will stop me?" U'Bamah asked. "The people love me- they listen when I speak."

"But the broadcasts..." Behrmann began.

"The ones you have failed to stop?" More a statement than a question. "We will stop them. Without your help- we will find them and we will do the job you were unable to do."

Behrmann looked quizzically at U'Bamah, trying to read the other's thoughts. Hassan saw his confusion and chuckled.

"Mr. Behrmann," the latter said. "Where is former the former president's assistant Salazar?"

"Yes," said U'Bamah, "I'd like to have a word with him. Is he still in custody... You haven't done away with him have you?"

"No, of course not," Behrmann said. "He's in his cell at the Ministry of Justice."

"Please have him sent to me," U'Bamah replied firmly. "I'd like to speak with him."

"What..." Behrmann began.

"You may leave now," U'Bamah waved him away.

When he was gone, U'Bamah turned to his old friend Hassan... "I think the Chancellor has outlived his usefulness," he said with a sly smile.

"You'll need a new Chancellor," Hassan said hopefully.

"Not you Hassan," he said and sensing his friend's disappointment quickly added," you're too valuable, Hassan my old friend. I need someone disposable- someone we can blame for any failures. Beck, I think."

"But what do you want with Oliveira's assistant?" Hassan queired.

"I believe that he and the lovely Miss Penrose were involved in the escape of Oliveira's widow and daughter." U'Bamah smiled. "If she doesn't want to come back to me willingly, we can compel her to come back to testify."

"You need to forget that woman, we have bigger plans," Hassan interjected. "We have the world at our feet and you want to focus on that woman."

"You forget, my old friend," U'Bamah grinned. "I'm the Chosen One- I can do anything."

They were interrupted by a knock at the door- it was two guards leading a manacled and bedraggled looking Arturo Salazar.

"Mr. Salazar," U'Bamah waved him toward a chair. "I hope you haven't been badly treated."

Turning to the guards he said, "those aren't necessary," pointing to the manacles. "Mr. Salazar isn't a violent criminal."

"Why am I here?" Salazar inquired.

"All in good time," U'Bamah smiled. "Would you like something- something to eat or drink? I don't imagine the food is very good at the Ministry of Justice."

"I'd just like to know what I'm doing here," Salazar replied suspiciously.

"Very well," U'Bamah shrugged. "We have information that it was you, along with Gwendolyn Penrose that aided the escape of the Oliveiras."

"Escape?" Salazar looked genuinely surprised. "They went to visit relatives in Portugal."

"They went to America," U'Bamah snapped back, "and we're certain that you helped them along with the Penrose woman."

"Sir," Salazar said nervously, "all I know is that the President asked me to take them to the airport. I don't even know Miss Penrose."

"All the way to Montreux at the other end of the lake. You didn't find that a bit odd?" U'Bamah asked eyes narrowed.

"I only follow orders, Sir," Salazar said meekly.

"And you swear on your life that you don't know Gwendolyn Penrose?" U'Bamah asked looking directly into Salazar's eyes.

"No, of course not," Salazar returned nervously. "How would I know someone like that, I'm only a secretary."

"All right," U'Bamah said resignedly. "You can go."

"You mean home?" Salazar asked hopefully.

"Yes," U'Bamah shot back. "You're of no use to us here."

"Thank you Sir," Salazar said bowing.

"Go back to the Ministry and gather your things. These gentlemen will help you," U'Bamah told the surprised man.

When they were gone Hassan asked: "You believe his story?"

"No," he replied. "I want him watched 24 hours a day and his phones tapped. He'll try to get in touch with someone."

The news of Behrmann's death came a couple of days later... poisoning at a local seafood restaurant. Several other people in his party had also died. Foul play was suspected and the Resistance was implicated- arrests were imminent.