Skylock Read Online Free PDF Page B

arrest I've endured. With no election to remove me and no vice president to share in my predicament, I began seeing myself as the last curious zoo specimen of a dying species. But it doesn't have to be so. I realize that now."
    His own drink went forgotten as well as Royce listened uneasily to the man's strange and evangelic tone.
    "Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden because they chose knowledge over life," Warrington continued from across the room. "The exact thing mankind—our very own society—has blindly done time after time since. And maybe through the ages we have been punished deservedly with wars and pestilence.
    "But even as horrible as they've all been, has anyone really seen what those, or more importantly, these newest hard times might actually be? Just another pointless tragedy in a chain of events that happens along every so often? Or, a God-given chance to start over and make things right? As countries and men.
    "Amid all the current global destruction and chaos, I see that opportunity for America now, Royce. A time for us to come clean from everything done wrong in the past and make a new start.
    "I hope you might stand with me to see it, too."
    The director nodded hesitantly, perplexed and lost as to what he was actually witnessing.
    "I'd like to, Eugene. But I'm not sure I do see it."
    Warrington finally took a chair. He leaned forward as he sat, hands wrapped about each other, in the posture of someone giving deep council.
    "America used to claim that it set the standard for the world, though maybe 'dictated' is a better word. In the past, our nation forced changes on fellow countries that they didn't need or want. It justified its power-hungry greed with the simple-minded claim of eminent domain. Balanced the scales between acceptable losses and worst-case scenarios, instead of pursuing what was truly right. Or disarming what was truly wrong.
    "Then Skylock settled in. Shook America like it's never been shaken. And Royce, things are going to be forever different.
    "Just like the times, the power has shifted and to exist now we've got to adapt. We're not the big dog on the block anymore. From the food crisis, global destruction, and depression has come a new world order, like it or not. The consortiums. United Europe; the South American Federation. The African Order and the Asian Alliance. Any one of them alone dwarfs our place on this planet.
    "Our own state of Alaska and the slivers remaining of Hawaii have, for all intents and purposes, quit the union. And who can blame them? What's left of the West Coast states is nearly open frontier since the Quake. And we stand powerless to correct or help in any case."
    The president drew a slow breath.
    "Royce, I want to believe that it's all part of a long deserved wake-up call, which will only do us future good. Force us to concentrate more on our own problems and quit meddling in foreign matters. Make us do with less, instead of monopolizing and squandering world resources on some snobbish whim of manifest destiny."
    President Warrington nodded woefully.
    "For so long I was no better than the rest. I came into this position thinking that public office was just a sales pitch; no matter where you went or who you met. Try to do some good, sure. But more importantly, exploit whatever personally profitable avenues might materialize.
    "I was supposed to be the country's leader. And yet when hard times hit, I abdicated. I was disgusted to look at the nation's wounds and wouldn't tend to its injuries. When the offer came, I gladly took up residence here. Hiding out amid all these illegitimate trappings as if they were something my position automatically deserved.
    "But, through the grace of God, instead of languishing on in such a wretched condition, my eyes were gradually opened to what I can and must do."
    Warrington rose from his chair. Again, gazing beyond the compound walls, his voice rang in a vigorous oath.
    "No longer will I stay dormant, biding my time