I zipped back to the Mayfair building, searching for the person in charge. On the third floor I found a broad corridor with a few small offices on either side. At the end was a large formal door with equally formal lettering reading “Michael Saxon-Waite”, and underneath, “DIRECTOR”.
I paused. If this was indeed Archangel, was I here to kill him? He certainly deserved it. But was I ready to become an executioner? I was still not sure. It didn’t feel right.
Either way, it was time to find out. I astralled through the door.
It was a posh, medium-sized office, very upper-class and sophisticated. The only occupant was seated at the large mahogany desk, going over paperwork. He was a slender and distinguished looking man in his early fifties, with short dark hair, greying at his temples. He looked like he would not be out-of-place in a Bond movie – either as hero or villain.
I took my body before him.
His head snapped up, clear, focused, alert. He slapped something underneath his desk. I sighed and waited for something or someone to attack me.
Instead I heard some heavy sounds as things unseen “thunked” into place, and the large screen behind him which had been dark was now lit by an image of the two of us from a camera somewhere in the room.
“Archangel, I presume?” I asked.
He stood and gave a small bow. “And you must be the Arbiter,” he replied. “We’ve been expecting you.”
“Then you know why I’m here.”
“You’re here to take revenge and kill me; could you not simply do it from remote like your other murders?”
“Not sure, didn’t try. And I haven’t made up my mind about what I’m going to do with you yet. What did you just activate?”
Archangel – for that is how I named him – smiled. “Several things. The room has now been locked down on a twenty-minute timer, including both an energy barrier and a Faraday cage. You may not be able to leave as easily as you think. Also, a summons has gone out to the local authorities to be ready to enter the room when it unlocks to take you into custody, if possible. Finally, a broadcast of our conversation” he gestured to the screen behind him, “has started streaming live to the internet, and it cannot be disabled or shut down. Everything you do and say now is being witnessed live by the world. Today, the world will find out whether the Arbiter is a murderer – or if he is all bark and no bite. Welcome to the end of your career, one way or the other.”
I nodded. “An interesting gambit. I am curious about whether your technology can hold me in, but I’m not yet ready to leave, so let’s forget about that for now. If the world really is watching, then you will probably not admit to murdering innocent Quantums, I’m guessing.”
He smiled again, standing completely at ease. “Quite the opposite, dear chap, I’m proud to have freed humanity from as many of your kind as possible, and if I cannot continue my work after today, I trust that others will.”
“So you admit to having the Quantum Jack Boynton assassinated?”
“Certainly, him and twenty-one others. We would have gotten you as well, but for your particular ability. But mark my words, Quantums are no longer human beings, they are – you are perversions of the natural order. You make a mockery of it, and if we don’t stop you and your kind, you will destroy or enslave us all.”
I was coldly furious, but maintained my outward composure. “Jack Boynton would never hurt anyone.” I said flatly. “He used his powers to help people vacation, you moron!”
Still unperturbed, still smiling, Archangel replied, “Names? I had hoped for a more… cultured adversary, but we deal with what we get. His powers had applications far beyond mere vacations. With Mr. Boynton’s abilities he could seize control of anyone’s reality and have them experience anything for as long as he liked, all in an instant. He could subject them to god-knows-what, and break anyone – or bring them back stark raving mad. No one should have such abilities! And now, no one does.”
Archangel looked me over. “So, what will it be, dear chap? Will you lift me up as a martyr to the cause, murdering me in front of the world? Or will you flee, tail between your legs, demonstrating to all that despite having the powers of life and death, you are not willing to use them in your cause? Either will serve my cause well. You have at most fourteen minutes to decide.”
“Will you answer some questions honestly?” I asked, trying not to let myself be goaded by him.
“I have nothing left to hide.” Archangel replied as he moved from behind his desk to a drink cabinet and began to pour. “Can I offer you a sherry?”
“Actually, I don’t drink alcohol, I generally don’t enjoy the taste.” I said.
“Really? How strange! Mind if I take my seat?” he asked.
“Actually, sit there.” I said, pointing to one of the chairs in front of the desk, as I walked around and took the large commanding chair behind it.
It only made Archangel even more pleased with himself. “Very well!” he assented, and sat.