The Night Gods III- X: Przybysz' Fortune

richq11 (72)in #fiction • 7 years ago

Fantastic artwork by @marty-art on Steemit... With many thanks!

Father Tony had just finished saying Mass when Alessandra entered holding a phone. Although it was illegal now, there were still devout resistance members and the dangers involved in their activities made Father Tony's dual role even more critical. Every Wedensday, if he wasn't on a mission, the priest heard confession and granted absolution to his parishoners- just as he had before the war. During each and every Mass, he gave communion.

"Father Tony," Alessandra excleimed excitedly, "I just heard from our friend in Geneva. We're to receive a very important call from America."

"What did they say?" Father Tony asked as he put away his things.

"Only to expect a call from a contact in America," she said, "and for you to take the call because of your English."

Yuri and Vanessa spent several days with Przybysz and the others in the Arkansas compound. Vanessa found the mountainside setting "quaint" as she put it. While Yuri and Przybysz explained the new developments to Dick, Vanessa regaled Ann with lurid tales of the hoi poloi. They immediately became fast friends... It was the happiest and most animated Dick had seen her since the untimely murder of her husband Jim. The new visitor was doing Ann a world of good.

The main topic of discussion between Przybysz, Yuri and Dick was the best way to utilize the property in Virginia.

"We could set it up as an East Coast headquarters," Przybysz suggested. "Sooner or later, the locus of power will shift away from Nevada back east."

"One thing we need to do," Yuri said, "is to put diplomatic plates on at least one vehicle. A limo would work best... not only is it virtually untouchable, but many people can travel in it at once."

"Good idea," Dick said. From what I'm getting out of what the Doctor expects from you, Prz, you're going to be doing a good bit of travelling."

"I hope not," Przybysz said looking up from the papers he was studying. "I'm getting kind of attached to this place... One thing for sure- we won't have to worry about money."

"What have you got there?" Dick asked.

"The financials Collins gave me," Przybysz said with an amazed look.

"Don't keep us in suspense," Dick said with a smile, "what have we got?"

"Well, I don't know about you, Kemo Sabe," Przybysz smiled back, "but it shows me just on the northside of $3 Billion, all totaled."

"Damn," Yuri exclaimed, "you're damned near respectable Prz. Don't let Vanessa hear that or she'll drop me in a second!"

It took a while to sink in... Przybysz knew the Doctor had been well off- but he had no idea it was anywhere near this. Nor did he have any idea that it would wing up with him. He always respected the Doctor, even admired him, but this was beyond anything he could have imagined. On the list Yuri had given him, Przybysz noticed a name, "Fawkes," beside which was written a phone number and a notation... 'call at once.'

Yuri," Przybysz turned to the Russian, "what do you know about this name? I didn't really notice it before."

"Fawkes, I can't tell you for certain who it is," Yuri said. "only that I've heard it before and it's someone very well connected to the government. I can also tell you she's on our side and coordinates things... and that you can trust her."

"Her?" Przybysz was surprised- he had expected it to be a man for some reason.

Yuri laughed at his friend's shocked look. "What," he said still laughing, "only men can do the job... You better not let Vanessa hear you talking like that- or Alessandra. I've met her... she's as beautiful as a super-model and as deadly as a cobra. The world's changed guys. We take help wherever we can find it."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Przybysz sighed. "It's not a man's world anymore."

"Better give her a call," Dick suggested, "it says to call at once."

Przybysz called the number and a woman answered. "Yes?" the voice on the other end of the line said.

"Fawkes?" Przybysz asked.

"Are you on an encrypted phone?" The voice asked.

"Yes," Przybysz responded, "Of course."

"Then this is Fawkes," the voice said. "With whom am I speaking?"

"Przybysz," he said.

"Ah, Mr. Przybysz, I've been expecting your call," Fawkes replied, "the Doctor spoke often of you." Her voice was refined, cultured with a slight accent Przybysz couldn't quite place.

"The note from the Doctor told me to contact you right away," Przybysz said. "Do you know what this is about?"

"Yes," Fawkes began, "it's time to coordinate our efforts worldwide. If we can't offer support directly, we can help one another in other ways- technogically and financially to name a couple."

"Ok," Przybysz said. "What do you need of me?"

"it's important that you contact our people in Italy... There's a woman there named Alessandra..."

"I've heard of her," Przybysz interjected. "What can I do for her?"

"They need money," Fawkes replied. "I've sent a considerable amount already, but can't keep doing so... I'm afraid they'll trace the transfers to my location- they need to come from elsewhere."

"So you need me to channel some funds," Przybysz replied. "That's no problem... Perhaps I can help you as well."

"How so?" She asked.

"We have technology you could probably use," Przybysz told her, "software that switches IP addresses every few seconds to avoid detection."

"How can you get it here?" She asked. "You can't very well send it in the mail."

"I'll send copies with Yuri and Vanessa when they leave," Przybysz said. "I assume you're where they can find you."

"I can be," she replied, "and thank you, it will be very well received. I've heard you've got splendid technical people there... the interception of Oliveira's addresses was a stroke of genius."

"We have the best Europe had to offer," Przybysz said wryly.

"There's a man in Italy," Fawkes said getting back to the business at hand. "He's with Alessandra and her brother- he's a former priest known as Father Tony. He lived most of his life in the States and served in the military there. His English is very good needless to say. It would be best to contact him- so there's no misunderstandings because of the language barrier... I've already sent word to expect your call."

"I'll call as soon as we hang up," Przybysz informed her.

"One other thing," she said, "use my name when you call- it's sort of a code word and will tell them who you are."

"What if the other side finds out your name?" Przybysz asked.

"I'll change it," she said.

"Ok then, Przybysz replied. "Is there anything else?"

"Yes," she said. "Collins gave you an envelope in with the Doctor's things- there's a key inside. It goes to a safe deposit box in a bank in Virginia that contains several sets of identification... One of them diplomatic- use it to travel outside the US. I assume you'll relocate to the home there."

"I haven't had much time to think about that yet," Przybysz said. "I'm needed here."

"You're needed in many places, Mr. Przybysz," she said, a serious edge to her voice. "You're a very important man now... The Doctor had great faith in you- I'm certain it wasn't misplaced."

There was something in the way she said it that made Przybysz realize it wasn't as much a request as an order. It was going to be a hard sell, Dick and the others were fond of their Arkansas retreat- but Przybysz was determined not to make the move alone.

"Very well," Przybysz said resignedly. "Is there any more good news?"

"Only that I look forward to meeting you when you come to Geneva," Fawkes replied.

"Geneva?" He exclaimed.

"I'm sure your duties will bring you here before long," she laughed. "Like I said, you're an important man now."

Przybysz began to wonder if his new found fortune would prove a blessing or a curse as he dialed the number he had been given in Italy.

"Hello?" The voice that answered said. There was no trace of an accent.

"Fawkes asked that I call," Przybysz said uncertainly.

"Mr. Przybysz," the voice said, "the line is secure so you don't have to worry. My name is Antonio- people call me Father Tony."

"Fawkes told me about you," Przybysz replied. "Said something about you needing funds."

"Badly," came the reply, "we've been putting everything we have into arms and supplies, but we also try to help the people out. Sicily has always been a poor place Mr. Przybysz... the presence of the cursed UN troops have made the people destitute. They steal everything from them."

"How much do you need?" Przybysz asked. "Whatever you can spare," the preist replied. "I'll give you a secure web address... there's a bank in Catania run by patriots. They've always operated in the interest of the people rather than the government. We have several accounts there under phony business names."

"Do they work with cryptocurriencies?" Przybysz asked.

"Yes, of course," Father Tony replied.

"I'll have my computer guys transfer Bitcoin to your accounts," Przybysz told him, "it may take a day or two to arrange."

"That's fine," Father Tony said gratefully. "We're deeply indebted to you, Mr. Przybysz. Thank you so much- from all of us."

"We're all in this together Father," Przybysz replied, "and it's just Przybysz, or Prz- no Mr. needed. When we take the world back, it will all be worth it."

"Good by Przybysz."

"Good bye Father," Przybysz said.

Przybysz had David begin a transfer of $1 million split up between the business accounts in Sicily... "Easy come, easy go," he said with a laugh. Then he set off to find Uwe about the software... they were giving away technology probably worth millions by itself.