The Foundation: Jack Emery 1 Read Online Free PDF Page A

black striped tie. Michelle raised her hand and gave him a small wave.
    “He’s here.”
    The Chinese man saw her, gave a small nod and moved to the counter to order. Michelle and Anton waited in silence. Michelle used the time to gather her thoughts and Anton wore a poker face. The meeting was mainly to reassure Anton about the man she’d selected to complete the operation. The next few minutes needed to go well.
    Michelle stood and held out her hand as the man joined them with a cup of tea in hand. “I appreciate you joining us, Chen. This is my colleague, Anton.”
    Chen shook her hand. “Good afternoon, Michelle and Anton. It’s a pleasure to finally meet the enablers of my vengeance.”
    Michelle smiled again, and after the two men shook hands she gestured Chen toward the vacant chair and sat in her own. She glanced at Anton, who now sat with his elbows resting on his knees and his chin cupped in his hand. She knew this look. She’d seen it dozens of times. He was going to pounce.
    “Are you prepared to die?” Anton’s tone was casual, as if he was asking how the tea tasted or what the weather was going to be like.
    Chen showed no expression. “I am trained to do the job, and I will live up to my commitments. That’s all you need to know.”
    “I beg to differ. Great piles of my organization’s money and effort have been poured into this mission, which is key to our broader agenda. I’ll ask whatever I please.”
    Michelle didn’t speak, but watched Chen lift his tea and sip it. A lot of her influence within the Foundation had been staked on the selection of Chen Shubian for the operation. She’d found him on the Darknet, carefully cultivated his fury, then connected him to the Foundation’s server. Since then, she’d worked painstakingly with Chen to plan the operation, including the selection of others to assist him.
    While her position as number two to Anton gave her a lot of power within the Foundation, he didn’t suffer fools or mistakes. Since she’d joined a decade prior, she’d seen how ruthless he could be to friends as well as foes. If, at the end of the meeting, Anton had any doubts about Chen’s commitment, a Foundation for a New America wet squad would make the Taiwanese man disappear. Better that than a messy operation.
    Anton continued. “You were chosen by my associate because you have the skills and commitment to achieve our objectives. I don’t care about your motivation and you shouldn’t care about ours. We’re a happy alliance of convenience that will result in thousands dead, vengeance done and a world changed. But I still insist on excellence.”
    Chen laughed softly, and the sound chilled Michelle. “I have planned wisely. My equipment is excellent, my companions sound and my preparations meticulous.”
    “I’m glad to hear it, but I still have some concerns about your willingness to see this through.”
    “Sitting here together is proof that we’ve already won.” Chen looked around. “If the secret police had any clue that I was a threat, we’d be rotting in prison.”
    Anton smiled. “Glad you’re on board. You have my blessings and the green light. I wish you well.”
    Michelle waited impassively as Anton stood, and had started to stand when he gestured for them to remain seated. “You two finish your drinks. I want to get some shopping in before we unleash your handiwork, Chen.”
    Chen smiled, but said nothing.
    Michelle waited until Anton was out of earshot. “Nicely done, he can be quite difficult. You handled it well.”
    He shrugged. “The last matter I need confirmed is that my identity will remain anonymous. I have a family that needs to be protected.”
    Michelle nodded. “The only way a soul will know is if you fuck it up, and that’s entirely up to you.”
    “That won’t happen.”
    “Well, here’s to you, then.” She raised her coffee in salute and took a long sip, then grimaced again, having forgotten how poor it was.
    Chen smiled