Videodrome: Days of O'Blivion Read Online Free PDF

going to be making more… Dangerous times for the world,
people… Dangerous times… This is a moment where we are on the
precipice of global war. A time when the balance of power can swing
from an unforced error on a battlefield.”
    Again, heads nodded
around the room.
    “So let me tell you,”
Leader continued. “When I woke up last Christmas morning… I don’t
think Santa Claus could have brought us a greater gift than what
Brezhnev delivered.”
    The room burst into
laughter and sudden applause leaving Brian and Barry dumbfounded.
They looked to one another both believing they had missed or
misunderstood the joke.
    “Now, we all know there
has been a persistent fear of the Soviets waging a land war across
the fields of Europe. But since we began seeing Russian military
advisors in Afghanistan we’ve always hoped that the Red Army would
roll on in. In Afghanistan the Soviets face endless conflict. We
know if they can be tied up in that worthless theatre, they would
lose their capacity to fight anywhere else; and that is exactly
what you as Consec partners are going to make happen.”
    Again, the room burst
into applause.
    Consec Leader made a
little giggle, speaking almost as though it was an aside, a
deliberate stage whisper caught by the microphone. “We’re going to
make so much money.” To this the room echoed with laughter and the
applause began again.
    “There are three
sources of revenue for Consec Partners. Firstly, the ruling family
of Saudi Arabia have emptied their prisons, offering convicts a one
way ticket to engage in holy war. The Saudi’s see this as a way to
deflect criticism of their own leadership… However,” Leader paused
for effect and smiled, “The Saudi’s don’t know a damn about running
a war.” The room laughed again. "King Khalid has approached America
asking for help managing this war and America has agreed to match
the Saudi investment; but, and here is where you as Consec Partners
take your share, America cannot be seen engaging in a proxy war
with the Soviets. No American troops can enter Afghanistan, so I
have arranged, with the help of some Partners here tonight, a
revenue chain to the Pakistani ISI intelligence services and to
Chinese weapons manufacturers. The Pakistani’s will run the
operations on the ground in Afghanistan. The Chinese will supply
the weapons. The religious mullahs will fight on the battlefield,
the Americans and Saudis will pay for it… and you, the Consec
Partners, can take any contract that suits your business.”
    The room erupted into
applause.
    “Better yet, the United
Nations have already earmarked billions of dollars to relief
operations and again, Consec Partners will have first choice on
every single UN contract.” The Leader made a gentle chuckle. “We’re
going to make more money on this than we did in Vietnam.” The room
joined in with the laughter. “In fact, this war could run and run.
We anticipate this conflict will not only cripple the Soviets, it
has the potential to usher in a new decade of warfare; and Consec
and Consec Partners will be there to reap the rewards.”
    The room stood and
clapped. A deafening round of applause for Consec Leader and his
geopolitical vision.
    “This could be the big
one,” he continued. “We have nuclear advantage, conventional
advantage, capital advantage and enterprise advantage. By the end
of this decade we could bring the Soviets to their knees. We are
aligned for perhaps the greatest moment of our existence. We will
destroy their will. We shall destroy their spirit. We shall destroy
their way of life. We shall destroy their ideologies and above all,
we, as Consec Partners, will change the world together.”
    As the thundering
applause reached a blood-thirsty crescendo of sycophantic
admiration, all Brian could do was mumble his thoughts to himself.
“Jesus Christ,” he whispered. “What the hell are we involved
in?”

----- Chapter Two -----
     
    The new laboratory was
on the