Team infiltrated into the territory of Mortal Enemy. Separately, of
course. One here, another there, another and another elsewhere. As
the number of members on Team increases the danger of being captured
increases exponentially. That is, an ideal Team consists of One
agent, but this mission required no less than Two since One cannot be
in two places at once and synchronicity of action in two sites was
imperative. The risk is quadrupled. But to facilitate coordination
and to insure accurate feedback Control thought it prudent to send
the third agent. And for a reason totally inexplicable Contol added
a fourth agent, thus increasing the likelihood of capture
sixteen-fold.
No member of team
was happy with the decision, yet all members acquiesced in silence.
One does not question Control. It is called “Control” for a reason.
And the team was captured. And incarcerated. Team members
languished in prison, plotting escape, of course. Telepathically.
Because no two members of Team were held together and not one of
them knew the fate of the others.
Until at sunrise one
cold February morning when they stood together, hands bound, facing the
firing squad. Mortal Enemy gleefully announced the execution, or
rather, that is, The Great Victory over the nefarious invader, the
hatred for whom is forever fixed in the hearts and minds of all
denizens of Mortal Enemy.
Control was
terrified and scuttled like cockroaches when the light is flipped on,
justifiably seeking cover, for the vengeful character of Charge! was
well-known. Charge! viewed all things, and particularly all people
through the lens of self-interest. To reject an appointment, or an
“offer of service to the people” is to earn the undying disdain
of Charge! He will forever castigate and berate the offender. To
accept the service is to insure that the will of Charge! is carried
out, that is until the servant questions him as a matter of
conscience or crosses him inadvertently due to a communications
glitch. Charge! in the words of David P. Torbet, “practices a
scorched worth policy-- burns his friends to find his enemies.” He
despises losers. And a loser is anyone who disagrees with him.
Though Charge! is
firmly supported by his base, he is not without opposition. The
Disloyal Opposition, Discharge! mans the ramparts with her cadre of
minions and consistently plays the role of Flea on the Behind of
Charge!’s administration. Charge! stands at the peak of the
pyramid of like-minded followers. Discharge continues the
never-ending assault to the unfortunate end that the very fabric of
society is snagged. Then ripped. Then torn to shreds and the
country descends, nay, plummets into Chaos.
And thus is no more. Mortal Enemy finally achieves its goal of complete domination,
and without firing a shot. Except for the shots of the aforementioned
firing squad.
