Shifting Battlefield

Shadow stood at a podium with Tania Alverez beside him. He appeared before the steel and glass tower of SFYD Technologies, his Technology conglomerate, "Thank you all for being here today, and it's an honor Governor that you could be here as well." Shadow put on his most sincere and charming smile as he continued, "Today I'm pleased to announce the partnership with ICE, and the state of California, in the deployment of the SFYD Guardian Mark XII Sentry Towers along the California/Mexico border," The screen behind him displayed the sleek spire shape of the Guardian Mark.XII, it's smooth form animated open to reveal optical sensors, transceiver mast, and a tranquilizer dart gun. "The Guardian Mark XII has the latest military-grade sensor technologies available, it's Day/Night Camera blends both IR light amplification with the latest Thermal technologies that pierce smoke, mist, and dust up to half a mile. The multi-band transceiver can detect nearly all transmissions, including encrypted signals, and in conjunction with other Guardian sentries can triangulate, and GPS tag suspect signals for Law Enforcement and the Military to intercept, identify or divert the "boogie" if you don't mind my military slang." the crowd chuckled as Shadow broaden his smile before he continued.

"Now I turn it over to Governor Hill for your questions." Shadow gracelessly greeted Tania, pecking his lips on the back of her right hand, as she walked up to the podium, "Thank you James and again thank all of you for your presence here today. SFYD Technologies came to me several months ago, shortly after the infamous nuclear attack at San Luis Colorado, with an offer. To partner with the State of California to help with the security and integrity of our southern border, and today I'm pleased to announce the details of this partnership. SFYD Technologies will work closely with ICE and the Border Patrol to find solutions, like the automated Guardian Sentry System, that will economically ensure the safety and security of our border, without compromise.

"Within the next 4 months we will deploy the Guardian Sentry System along our border and will have 24hr monitoring of every inch of the blood-soaked desert, this system will maximize the deployment of Border Patrol agents and their assets to ensure an air-tight security net. Keeping the growing Cartel Civil War from spilling over to us, and keeping the families and businesses along our border safe and secure." The crowd boomed applause, "Now for your questions." The press shot up hands and shouted for attention, Tania pointed to a CNN reporter, "Governor, it this still-struggling economy, how can California afford this security net, as you put it?" Tania smiled at him, "Mr. Hall very graciously gave us a very substantial discount on the system, based on our exclusivity with SFYD Technologies."

The reporter continued, "How much will the system cost?" Tania kept smiling, "Just shy of $1.4 million, including the discount. This is nearly half of the $5 million originally offered and would allow us to keep the Border Patrol agents we currently have. The system is an important investment, without it, we would need to spend nearly $16 million for more agents and upgrades to conventional equipment. The Guardian sentries can stream data to the computers currently

installed in both our Headquarters and in every Police and Border Patrol vehicle we currently have. Maximizing our efficiency and decreasing deployment times." The hands and shouts began once more, Tania pointed to an MSNBC reporter as the Q&A continued. Shadow stood back, admiring his fans, and smiled broadly, I have them, he thought. He put on a sincere smile and answered the barrage of questions thoroughly enjoying the moment.

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I have effectively shut down the US/Mexico border from all illegal traffic, SFYD Technologies (aka. Shadow For Your Doom), my primary cover corporation, has installed Cork Screw's Guardian Mark XII Robotic Sentries along California's southern border, with the help of Tania Hill of course. With the gate locked and numerous reforms to immigration law and naturalization policies, and quiet enforcement by myself and War Eagle, employment and income tax revenue are up by 40% and Ms. Hill has reported that Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas are inquiring on the many details of the new programs, as well as endorsement and praise from the current administration at the White House. There are of course the radical progressives, who bark "Racist" and whatnot, but with the unprecedented successes, both publicly and with behind the scenes... persuasions. Their cries fall on deaf ears. My foothold in California is complete, and with Ms. Hill as my voice, we shall take more states, and with the majority in my grasp I shall emerge, and those beaten down by the corrupt shall cry my name. Shadow shall fall, and the world shall see a light and the corrupt shall tremble!

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The crime lords fell silent in California, and Apollo scours Los Angeles' underground to find out why. Wearing dark jeans and a black hoody Apollo enters a sleazy club, it's malfunctioning neon sign reads; "Devil's Lounge" and from the look of the patrons, was very aptly named. Devil's Lounge has been a Black Market hub for decades and is protected by millions in bribes to local and state

officials. Apollo has been here before, but tonight it's uncharacteristically quiet, at least as quiet a dance club can be. He scans the room, several dozen were dancing on the worn dance floor, more

chat and snort drugs in the darkened booths along three walls, and a large bar along the back guarded by two bouncers on either side. There he spots his longtime contact "Marci-G" tending the drunks googling her. He moved inconspicuously to the bar where Marci waited, "Big A, how's it hanging?" she asked in a soft yet strong tone, he just smiled, "Still can't sneak up on you can I

Marci?" She slid a shot of rum in front of him, "No you can't, you can't shake that good-guy demeanor even if you killed somebody. "

She rested an arm on the bar in a somewhat seductive manner, "So what brings to the ass-end of LA? Don't tell me you missed me?" Apollo couldn't help being a bit flustered, she was a very beautiful and confident brunette but he quickly shook it off, "As lovely as you are Marci, I'm here on business." She moved closer till her lips were millimeters away from his, "Pity," To Apollo's relief her lips retreated from his and she lends against the back counter of the bar, "I'm so bored with underworld types, so what do you want to know?" Apollo took the shot before continuing, "You tell me? Things have been quiet lately, and I doubt the drug lords are going to criminals anonymous." She smiled, "No they aren't, and it's not wrong either." Apollo lend forward, "What do you mean?" She lends forward as well, "I mean, Big A, they are being forcibly retired by Shadow." She gave a smirk and led him to a back room, "You really don't know anything about Shadow do you?" Apollo looked puzzled as he sat on the couch in the spartan break room, "What's his deal?"

Marci laughed as she slid in beside him, "They're deal is yours, to eliminate and pacify the criminal underworld, and if you won't go quietly into the night, you won't exist anymore." Apollo sat back, his mind racing as she continued, "The whole city is pacified, and the only reason my business is still around is that I'm useful. Among other things." A thought hit him, "Why are you telling me this

then?" She turned serious, "Because I don't know enough to stop them or even be a threat. The network is massive and with unlimited funding, it's insane, I'm the best hacker on the west coast, hell one of the elite worldwide, but I can't even touch him. The Boss is a ghost and appears to no one, yet he's everywhere. Knows everything. He might be bigger than you Apollo, then the whole alliance."

Her words echoed in his mind as he stared at her, he has known this woman for years and never has he seen defeat in her, until now. He turned away, "I believe you, and as soon four of the most infamous super villains disappear strange things happen." She turned to him, "Yea. Apollo?" He turned to her, she was still serious, but seemed more vulnerable, "I'm scared, for the first time in a very long while. No one organization should have that much power and control, and for Shadow

to have it as they do scares the shit out of me."

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Tania walked briskly through the hall toward the Governor's Office, Darcy keeping up beside her, "You have a meeting with Senator Wilkes at 2:30, he wants to talk about implementing his education proposal. Then..." Darcy's phone rang and she picked up without losing stride, "If that's the Senator remind him that he needs to wait his turn." Tania said with a slight venom, "No ma'am, that was the office secretary. Apollo from the Hero Alliance is waiting in your office." Tania stopped. "Did he say why?" Darcy shook her head, "No, just that he has important information to report." Tania thought for a moment, 'Does he know?' She continued at a quickened pace, "Don't interrupt us even for a meeting. Wilkes can wait, if Apollo came to me it must be important." Darcy hurried to catch up, "Yes ma'am!" Apollo waited on the plush leather couch tapping impatiently on the mahogany coffee table. The office had a fake electric fireplace across from him with a built-in

floor to ceiling bookshelves to one side. In front of the large window was the antique handcrafted large executive desk with a large California Seal in cast bronze. The double doors opened and he turned to the governess, "Ah, Apollo it's an honor." She greeted in a seemingly genuine tone, "The honor is mine governor," Apollo replied, shaking her hand, "So, what brings you to Sacramento?" She inquired as she invited him to sit back on the couch, as she sat in a high back chair directly across from him and the coffee table, "A matter has come to my attention where the alliance agreed that I deliver personally and..."

"You feel there might be an informant, or a question of security correct?" she interrupted, "Yes ma'am, There is a criminal organization or unknown super villain by the name Shadow." Tania tensed briefly, Apollo caught it immediately, "You've heard of them?" 'Damn', she thought and she thought quickly, "Yes, there had been rumors of such an organization." To her, relief Apollo continued, "They aren't rumors, my underworld contacts say Shadow has pacified most of the state, and do dealings in their monopoly in near secrecy, or..."

"Or they have agents working in local law enforcement," she gave a sigh, "I thought things were going too smoothly." Apollo nodded, "Yes ma'am, so the alliance hoped to avoid a leak through normal communication channels so that we might inform you without tipping them off." Tania looked inquisitively at Apollo, "So the alliance is planning a move?" He nodded, "Yes, and wished to

receive immunity, and to use whatever resources we need." she sat there studying him for a moment, her mind racing, "Hm, perhaps, but may I suggest a course of action?"

"Yes, of course." Apollo said, slightly surprised and followed her as she began to pace, "We watch them, and perhaps by forming this monopoly it may give us an advantage. Hear me out." she turned to him, "By eliminating any competition sooner or later there security might lax, giving us an opportunity to infiltrate or gather evidence. Since I can't just give you immunity without evidence, especially when the economy is turning into a booming one and crime is dropping like a

stone. With my passing of reformations to the tax laws and cannabis regulations, which destroyed the cartel's biggest market and drawing them away, at least that is what I assumed. This Shadow organization must be finding other sources of funding, and that is what we must find and find it very quietly." Apollo sat thinking for a moment, "We can't let anyone or any agency know, my sources say they have ears at every level."

"Then just myself and the alliance," she walked to her desk and pulled out a form and began writing, "I'll give you Governmental Authority to investigate, however, it's nothing more then a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free card I'm afraid, but it should be enough." She turned and handed him the executive order, "That's all I need ma'am, thank you." Apollo said as he inspected the order, with his name on it, "Your welcome." She said with a smile, 'Now to inform Shadow and prepare a diversion', she thought as Apollo left her office.