Famous (The Soul of the World Book 1) by David Skato (best book reader .txt) 📗

It wasn’t some generic building. She knew exactly what she was doing, and she knew where she had to do it. He makes a few blocks being careful to make sure that he is not followed. He figures they got what they needed, so most likely, he’s no longer a threat. He hops into the car and heads towards Quest. He realized that he had to kill Roland, or Rochelle, or both, to prevent what was about to happen. To do that, he would need help because there was no way Roland would be alone.  He picks up the phone and dials Jessi.

She answers. “Hello?”

“I need you to meet me at Quest and bring all the officers you can find.”

Now whispering. “If they see you, they will arrest you.”

“If this shit goes down like I think it will, they will have bigger problems. They have Rochelle, and the thing I was telling you about is going to happen tonight.”

“Ok. Ok. I got it.” She hangs up.

Dontae’ makes it a few blocks before something strange happens. The streetlights go dark. He slowed to a crawl before realizing that it was not only the streetlights but every light in the city. He checked his phone, no signal. People were walking out of buildings using phone flashlights to navigate. Even though he could hear people chattering, this was a type of silence that Dontae’ had never heard in the city. Traffic had come to a standstill, and he could see the Quest building in the distance. It was more than a few blocks but, he was confident that he could run there. He headed in that direction at a steady pace keeping the building in front of him. He stops for a short breath and looks up at Quest Inc. just in time to see dark clouds start to form at the spire, swirling in a pattern that was unnatural and couldn’t be good.

The Quest Inc. building was primarily empty except for the last of the late workers exiting. A place can have a spirit, and Quest has always had the type of quietness that felt eerie. Roland had solely taken over the company some time ago after his partner drowned in a boating accident in the Galapagos. Quest grew enormously fast and created an empire using the most sought after and powerful resource of all, Data. From simple personal pages where people post daily eating habits, to face recognition and A.I. in millions of homes, Quest, undeniably, had become the most profitable company in history. This was proven with one move, buying Amazon & Google. This sent the world into a frenzy, with many governments trying to intervene, calling it a Monopoly. Quest was too big at this point, and it had most politicians in its pockets. The vote to dissolve Quest failed, leaving a trail of dead politicians in its wake. It was clear that Quest owned the NSA, FBI, IRS, and any other letters that were government-affiliated. They were unstoppable - Until one pissed off man took a stand. Marcel Pierre Baudelaire broke an incredible story about Roland Walsh, Quest, and the death of Marcel’s wife, Adele Baudelaire, a local reporter that got too close to something. She was found in pieces scattered through the world, with all parts being left on the doorsteps of heavy hitters associated with Quest. The queen chess piece of this sick game, her head, was found in New York City on the doorstep of non-other than Roland Walsh. Even though this was most likely not done by anyone associated with Quest, Marcel led a massive 68 country investigation with more joining during a ten-year fight that brought the entire establishment to its knees. Quest eventually settled in Atlanta, and the companies under its wing were government regulated and sold to separated worldwide entities. Quest remained the primary social media platform, but it would never regain the power of its glory days.  Marcel disappeared shortly after, never to be heard from again.

Ω

Salvita stands by a computer terminal in a futuristic room filled with glass computer screens and holographic images. In the center of the room, Rochelle lies tied to an ancient-looking table that clearly doesn’t fit the surroundings. Roland Walsh dons a hooded robe as he paces at the head of Rochelle. Harrison and Ford stand guard by the entrance. The sound of a heavy door opening then shutting preceded footsteps approaching the room. Out of the dark steps, the old woman from the church clutching the large spellbook close to her chest. Her veiny legs stick from under a much too short nightgown as she walks to the head of Rochelle. She leans in inches from her face.

“You look just like that bitch.” Her creaky voice rasps.

Rochelle cringes at the woman’s breath, which smells like a mix of dust and garbage. The woman then stands straight up and sends a quick hand slapping Rochelle across the face. She then turns and walks towards Roland.

“The one true king,” Roland said as he bows.

“The one true king.” The woman responds with her own bow. She hands him the book and proceeds to the side of the room where she stands against the wall.

“I was so proud of your sister for volunteering to bring our Savior into this world. Then she went and did something foolish.” Roland states as he slowly steps to the side of Rochelle.

“I won’t do it. I’m not going to accept this.” Rochelle snarls.

“But my dear, you already have. The stage is set, and peace will reign forever after tonight.”

He looks at Salvita.

“Shut it down,” he orders.

Salvita clicks on the computer. The computer connected to one router, then another, then another, until every router to every power grid around the world, was connected. Quest had done it. It had used its massive reach to infect every internet-connected device it had ever touched: routers, Servers, Phones, computers, even electric cars. With a click of the button, the world went dark.

Roland, now under pure