Read Agent M: Testament (The Agent M Series Book 2) Online
Authors: L.M. Vila
Agent M: Testament (The Agent M Series Book 2)
By
L. M. Vila
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Agent M: Testament
Copyright © 2016 by L. M. Vila
All Rights Reserved
Cover image by David Sondered,
http://studiocolrouphobia.net/
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
For Lisha, my love, inspiration, and best friend.
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All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
Ecclesiastes 9:2
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Agent M: Testament
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September 25th, 2012 9:39PM
Seoul, South Korea
Ubiquitous roars ripped into the night’s sky throughout the luminescent street. The extremely dense mass of uproarious citizens crowded the Gangnam district up and down every visible block. Their boisterous cheers were filled with heartfelt joy and pride. Dozens of gigantic LCD screens flashed against the endless lot of skyscrapers constantly informing the local residents of the end of an era.
A news camera sweeps across the blissful mob. Countless news stations from all across the globe have gathered here to bear witness to this extraordinary and once in a lifetime event. As the panning comes to a slow halt, a young man wearing a pressed and tight blue suit fills the majority of the screen. Though his appearance and demeanor was completely professional, the sheer content of his speech could hardly be masked. Empathy has been spread far and wide. Words try to force their way through but seem to fail against the sheer audacity and volume of this spirited population.
“It is sheer pandemonium here! Crowds of people have gathered and filled Teherrano Street from edge to edge with hardly enough room to breathe.”
Pulling back from the reporter, the camera bears witness to a seemingly inaudible chant bubbling along the masses. He tries his best to decipher the meaning but can only come up with a faint educated guess.
“I can hear something starting amongst the crowd. These people are absolutely ecstatic over the news.”
Their voices easily overcome the reporter's. The young man falls to one knee, trying desperately to stay below the rising noise level and presses against the earpiece as new information and instructions are being transmitted. Apparently the producers wanted to remind new viewers about the spectacle taking place on televisions all over the world.
“If you're just joining us now you are privileged to view history in the making. After a nearly seven decades of fighting, the totalitarian regime of North Korea has finally come to an end. Thanks to a fierce blockade set up by U.S. and Japanese forces, individual combat squads were able to infiltrate into the heart of North Korea and execute precision attacks against key military and government compounds. In fact, the swiftness and effectiveness of this campaign was deemed 'almost too easy' by some.”
The reporter quickly paused as the crowd shouts in unison. Images of the former North Korean Supreme Leader in a massacred shamble of his former self pass through the screen. Blood coated nearly every inch of his visible skin. Gaping holes protruded throughout his body. His throat nearly ripped out entirely, as if every lie he has uttered had exploded their furious vengeance through his neck. As he tried to regain his composure against the backdrop of that delightfully sickening sight, the reporter continued relaying the information.
“Nothing has been confirmed but it appears many rebellious individuals of the Workers' Party of Korea aided foreign troops in the eventual overtaking of the North Korean government and elimination of Kim Jong-un, Kim Yong-nam, and Choe Yong-rim. After the Supreme Leader's death was reported mere hours ago, many Korean forces and military leaders have surprisingly issued a complete surrender. U.S. troops are continuing to round up any and all signs of resistance but it appears that the last major battle is finally over.”
Movement continues to shuffle through the crowd. South Korean citizens blissfully shouted their hopes and prayers into the night's air. The thoughts of finally unifying with their Northern brothers and sisters were once thought to be a dream. Now people of this former divided nation can speak proudly that dreams do come true.
More information from the producers funnels into the reporter's earpiece. As much as he'd like to join in the celebration, his duty as a public informant and media icon demands his complete and devoted attention.
“This month-long campaign came under high criticism amongst some of the United Nations' delegates. Many of them have already applauded South Korea's non-violent resistance as a model to begin peaceful negotiations. Others thought that is intrusion into Korean territory would only escalate the antagonism between these two nations. Some called it invasion while others referred to it as liberation and unification. Although there were many differing opinions regarding the decision to enter North Korea, in the end, everyone's goal remained the same.”
New instructions fed into his earpiece. Although this reporter may not agree with it, his job description did not include opinioned analysis. He must do exactly what he's told.
“With Kim Jong-un's regime toppled, it may take months or even years for the dust to settle. Citizens of North Korea have been fed constant and continuous propaganda by their leaders for over sixty five years. Supplies and natural resources have dwindled since this northern nation annexed itself from the rest of the world. A near decade long famine killed over three million of North Korea's population and even that wasn't enough to dissuade them from keeping faith in Kim Jong-il's and later his son, Kim Jong-un’s leadership abilities.”
The sheer delightfulness sweeping through the crowd cuts into the reporter's speech and silences him from continuing on. Not a moment too soon as far as he was concerned. Even though he may not agree with his employer's methods, he couldn't argue with the results. News brings viewers; controversy brings ratings.
A new message from his superiors warned the reporter to end his segment. Apparently they are going to cut back to the studio for a political discussion with a known North Korean sympathizer in Taiwan. It was time to finish this live broadcast. This reporter had been practicing his final line for nearly an hour before he went on the air. Everything had to be perfect in order to do this moment justice.
“We're going to go back live to the studio in just a moment but still, I urge everyone to take one last look at this crowd. These united citizens have been clamoring for peace longer than most of us have been alive. Many have not lived to see this day and those that have are moved beyond tears. We can only hope that this event will be the end Korea's civil conflict and begin negotiations towards everlasting peace in our world and not the catalyst to ultimate disaster.”
March 23rd, 2013 10:03PM
Las Vegas, NV
Exuberant chants of men and women screaming for mayhem permeated throughout the coliseum. The horrid stench of copper mixed with sweat filled the walls of the back room. Not even the constant chatter of medical staff or even the blood curdling roars of their latest patient could pull Meryl Lewis away from the scene before her. Stage freight is not uncommon for most people in her current condition. However, even the tiniest little slip out of character could cost them their lives.
Meryl ran her finger tips through the long, purple strands of her wig. This was supposed to remind her to stay focused. If the quarter inch layer of makeup and mascara didn’t do the trick, surely an ambiguous trip through a hair style riddled with prepubescent creativity would seal the deal.
A sea of black leather and metal covered nearly every inch of skin leaving little to no room for the imagination to conjure up any other fashionable ideas. Rings and chains hung from nose to toes, particularly too close to the nose part. The identity she had assumed had a terribly uncomfortable style to say the least. The low cut top and high rise shorts complimented Meryl’s athletic figure but certainly not her modesty. These tights would be fitting for a lady of the night to put it discreetly, not a Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Pulling herself away from the sounds of the crowd, Meryl turned her gaze towards her seemingly more comfortable partner. Even though his attire was no worse for wear, it didn’t appear to bother him. Actually, it complimented him in all of the right areas. The black leather pants and vest adorned with flames had been seemingly pulled straight out of the 80’s but his muscular figure and cool demeanor took most of the focus away from that horrible costume. All in all, Michael Madison looked very intimidating. The only exception to that statement was the frosted blonde tips shining out of his raven black hair. That adjustment was still taking time getting used to.
