Sirius Zero: Building A Corporate Kingdom After Being Expelled

Monica stood in her apartment looking balefully at the massive black obelisk that was the Sirius Software headquarters.

It dominated the Boston skyline, with the other office towers and skyscrapers appearing to shrink away from it, as if terrified of its presence.

Daniel's voice broke her stare and she turned to listen to him.

"The election was pretty close. That weasel DuPont has managed to still stay in power, and on the NRC, DoE and EPA boards thanks to Zakhrov's support. However, we have control over the IRS and the Federal Reserve, as well as the executive and the Senate," said Daniel to Elijah.

"Yeah well, that operation he set up in Libya is pretty much ironclad. No way we can get in without pissing off NATO," grumbled Elijah.

"I told you bozos that Zakhrov was more of a threat, but you didn't listen," said Monica sourly, as she joined them at the table that displayed the US election results map.

"Well, any suggestions about next steps Monica?" asked Daniel, his lips compressed in irritation.

Monica gave an evil smirk. "First, let's get his fixer DuPont out of the equation. That little weasel has pushed a lot of people into my camp, so I'll handle that. Meanwhile, Daddy dearest, you get the IRS to start looking into Sirius Software's finances. And you, Elijah, can get Mossad to dispose off that idiot Saladin," she said.

"Getting Saladin disposed is out of the question now that he's got those damn nuclear power-plants," growled Elijah.

Monica turned to Jamal Mozambique, a hulking Nigerian man who was standing quietly.

"Jamal, how is the migrant situation?" she asked him.

Jamal smirked. "We can flood Libya with them at any time. If Saladin thinks he can interfere with my operations, he's dead," he rumbled.

"Good, then do it. We'll make Libya our new staging ground for our Europe operations," said Monica.

"Yes ma'am," rumbled Jamal, as Elijah paled a bit.

"All right, let's get to work. Monica, you're up first," said Daniel.

----

"Is that the last of them Natasha?" asked Aaron as he watched the camera feed of Michael's convoy of SUVs and cars rolling past the Sirius Software security checkpoint.

"Yes, Master Zakhrov, all of Michael's staff are accounted for," replied Natasha over the intercom.

"Good. Engage lockdown protocols. The torches and pitchforks crowd is not getting in under any circumstances," ordered Aaron.

"With pleasure, sir," said Natasha, and within seconds, the Sirius Software compound gates shut with a boom, and the spike strips deployed.

Michael staggered out of one of the SUVs, looking up at the Sirius Software HQ skyscraper with a mixture of awe and relief.

The main door hissed open, revealing Olga and Jennifer.

"Welcome to the Sirius Software HQ, Congressman DuPont. Please proceed to the conference room on floor number 100," said Olga, gesturing for Michael to enter.

Michael took a deep breath, nodded, and stepped inside.

Jennifer led him to the elevator alcove at the far end of the massive lobby, her heels clicking on the polished granite floor.

Michael's nerves started to settle as he listened to the hypnotic click-clack of Jennifer's heels echoing in the spacious lobby.

"Aaron sure likes that sound," he chuckled wryly to himself.

----

"Master Zakhrov, Congressman DuPont," announced Jennifer, as Michael nervously walked into the conference room.

Aaron was seated at the head of a long black table, flanked by James, Harry, Andre, and Margaret.

"This is well above my pay-grade Aaron. I don't know who Monica Goldberg is anymore," said Michael, sitting down at the table.

"I know that she used to be Emily Clarke. She's had some cosmetic surgery, but I still recognize her voice and attitude," said Aaron.

Color drained from Michael's face.

"Is Emily Clarke related to Sarah Clarke?" he asked, his voice trembling.

"Sarah Clarke was her mother. She's the one who got me expelled from St. Ignatius," said Aaron.

Michael held his head in his hands.

"Do you know what happened after she was busted for human trafficking?" he asked.

"No, what?" asked Aaron.

"She took poison in her cell before the trial could start, and the whole case was quietly buried, but not before there was a massive shake-up inside Interpol, NATO and even some of our own agencies. It went under the radar because of a messy election, and a bunch of instability in Europe, but it was basically a massive push to cover up the whole affair," said Michael.

"In other words, that network that Sarah Clarke was part of, is still there, and they're the ones pulling the strings now," said Aaron.

"Yup, which is why this election was such a damn mess, and why the Unions, IRS and the drug cartels are out for my blood," said Michael grimly.

"All right, let's get our counter strategy underway," said Aaron, activating the screen behind him.

The screen sprang to life and showed a map of the Boston area around both Sirius Software and St. Ignatius Academy.

"Here's what we're going to do. Sirius Software and St. Ignatius will act as the two nuclei for a coordinated development strategy of this entire area," said Aaron, gesturing to a massive 384 sq km zone on the map, that encompassed the 16 km corridor that connected the two locations, and the surrounding neighborhoods.

"If you're thinking of walling off a whole section of Boston, that's not going to work. The Soviets already tried it with Berlin, and that failed spectacularly," said Michael.

"Nothing so crude, what I'm proposing is that we turn this area into our own sphere of influence. Our own police departments, local administration, and your own loyal and dependent constituents," said Aaron.

"And how do we do that? We've got a whole section of Goldberg's turf over there. Smack-dab in the middle," said Michael, pointing to a section of the map. Aaron tapped a key on his keyboard, and the map changed, showing a sprawling network of color-coded lines.

"Simple carrot and stick tactics, Michael. I'm done playing nice. Those lines show Sirius Energy's power lines, along with our subsidiary enterprises' telecom, water and gas lines. We can send any section of this zone back to the middle-ages. Can't we James?" asked Aaron.

"Yup. Goldberg allied neighborhoods have already been sent back to the dark ages. Those filthy peasants don't deserve civilization," said James.

"And I've routed all the logistics and other supply chains to go around those sections. They're not getting a shred of revenue or services from Sirius Software or any of its subsidiaries," said Aaron.

"Meanwhile, everyone else loyal to you, and supportive of us are getting subsidies and discounts, not to mention a free ride to St. Ignatius," chuckled Harry.

"Remind me to never piss you off," said Michael, shuddering at the map.