sure she's not harmed. You know how that country feels about their women if they think they've been dishonored; especially the Sheik. He'd stop at nothing to avenge his daughter's honor," Lawrence warned.
"True, but sometimes we must sacrifice a lamb for the good of the cause. At the moment, though, I have no intention of harming the girl. In fact, since you seem so concerned about her well-being, I'm authorizing you to assign our best special ops agents to guard her. It'll be a perfect test opportunity. How does that sound?"
Lawrence knew Stalling wasn't really asking for his approval. If, however, it provided the girl a greater degree of protection, he was satisfied. The last thing the Company needed was an angry Sheik making waves. Stalling was powerful but the Arab ruler had a lot of clout.
"I think that will do."
"I'm glad you approve. I'm beginning to have a few reservations about you, though, Lawrence. Surely, you aren't having doubts now."
"No, of course not, but there are some things I just don't like."
"I understand perfectly. God's work isn't easy. Unfortunately, sacrifices are necessary."
Lawrence stared at his boss for several seconds, wishing again that he had the man's strength of faith.
"I know. I'll get in touch with our contacts and have them make the arrangements. It should be fairly easy since she's attending a university in Massachusetts. Sheik Kahbrahn believes in our western education systems."
"Good. Now, I think we're done here. Get me the update on the Hubot as soon as it comes in, and let me know when the Kahbrahn situation is taken care of."
Nodding, Lawrence left.
Leaning back in his chair, Stalling stared into nothingness of his wood paneled walls. He was bothered by the conversation that had just taken place. Lawrence had been with the CEO for more than twenty years and rarely challenged Stalling. On those few occasions that he did, it was usually for a good reason and proved to be valuable advice. Still, Stalling knew better than to put his complete faith in the man. Occasionally, although it was rare, Lawrence revealed a few undesirable traits, such as a reluctance to perform certain duties essential to Stalling's plans. As his designated successor, Lawrence needed to be strong if he were going to take over Stalling's empire in the event something happened to the CEO. Future Dynamicon was the largest IT network in the world, he would be required to make quick, hard decisions, leaving no room for doubt.
Stalling was well suited for the job. His position also provided him with the necessary funds and power to achieve his real goal. As God's Chosen, he was destined to save humanity, even if it meant sacrificing millions to accomplish his goal.
* * *
Stalling was the only child of a televangelist minister and his wife, an overworked social worker who had suffered severe ‘burn-out syndrome' from her case load. The only way she could keep her sanity was to turn to her religion, hoping God would grant her some relief from her guilty conscience.
Focusing their attentions on their son, they made sure he practiced his religion faithfully. As the Reverend Jerry Stalling's ministry grew so did his wealth, his influence, and his ego. God had obviously chosen him to spread the word of his Savior. Unfortunately, diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, Reverend Stalling realized that he had been mistaken. God had chosen him to father the next Messiah. In the little time he had left, he made sure Winston's future was assured. Arrangements were made to send him to the best religious universities in the country. Against the wishes of his wife, he transferred custody to one of his most loyal followers who would carry out the Reverend's plans for his son. From that moment on Winston Stalling was shaped and molded to fulfill the ambitions of a small group of fundamentalists who believed in promoting their religion at all costs. When he
"True, but sometimes we must sacrifice a lamb for the good of the cause. At the moment, though, I have no intention of harming the girl. In fact, since you seem so concerned about her well-being, I'm authorizing you to assign our best special ops agents to guard her. It'll be a perfect test opportunity. How does that sound?"
Lawrence knew Stalling wasn't really asking for his approval. If, however, it provided the girl a greater degree of protection, he was satisfied. The last thing the Company needed was an angry Sheik making waves. Stalling was powerful but the Arab ruler had a lot of clout.
"I think that will do."
"I'm glad you approve. I'm beginning to have a few reservations about you, though, Lawrence. Surely, you aren't having doubts now."
"No, of course not, but there are some things I just don't like."
"I understand perfectly. God's work isn't easy. Unfortunately, sacrifices are necessary."
Lawrence stared at his boss for several seconds, wishing again that he had the man's strength of faith.
"I know. I'll get in touch with our contacts and have them make the arrangements. It should be fairly easy since she's attending a university in Massachusetts. Sheik Kahbrahn believes in our western education systems."
"Good. Now, I think we're done here. Get me the update on the Hubot as soon as it comes in, and let me know when the Kahbrahn situation is taken care of."
Nodding, Lawrence left.
Leaning back in his chair, Stalling stared into nothingness of his wood paneled walls. He was bothered by the conversation that had just taken place. Lawrence had been with the CEO for more than twenty years and rarely challenged Stalling. On those few occasions that he did, it was usually for a good reason and proved to be valuable advice. Still, Stalling knew better than to put his complete faith in the man. Occasionally, although it was rare, Lawrence revealed a few undesirable traits, such as a reluctance to perform certain duties essential to Stalling's plans. As his designated successor, Lawrence needed to be strong if he were going to take over Stalling's empire in the event something happened to the CEO. Future Dynamicon was the largest IT network in the world, he would be required to make quick, hard decisions, leaving no room for doubt.
Stalling was well suited for the job. His position also provided him with the necessary funds and power to achieve his real goal. As God's Chosen, he was destined to save humanity, even if it meant sacrificing millions to accomplish his goal.
* * *
Stalling was the only child of a televangelist minister and his wife, an overworked social worker who had suffered severe ‘burn-out syndrome' from her case load. The only way she could keep her sanity was to turn to her religion, hoping God would grant her some relief from her guilty conscience.
Focusing their attentions on their son, they made sure he practiced his religion faithfully. As the Reverend Jerry Stalling's ministry grew so did his wealth, his influence, and his ego. God had obviously chosen him to spread the word of his Savior. Unfortunately, diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, Reverend Stalling realized that he had been mistaken. God had chosen him to father the next Messiah. In the little time he had left, he made sure Winston's future was assured. Arrangements were made to send him to the best religious universities in the country. Against the wishes of his wife, he transferred custody to one of his most loyal followers who would carry out the Reverend's plans for his son. From that moment on Winston Stalling was shaped and molded to fulfill the ambitions of a small group of fundamentalists who believed in promoting their religion at all costs. When he
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