12. Final Act

"He's close," Ariella's coded message flashed on Samuel's screen. "He's starting to doubt."

"This is risky," Samuel replied,

worry in his voice. "If he finds out"

"He won't," Ariella cut him off. "Years of planning. He trusts me."

"But what if he doesn't?" Samuel pressed.

"Then we change the game," she said, a dangerous smile. "A target.

A meeting with his generals."

"Why now?" Samuel asked, confusion in his voice.

Ariella's eyes gleamed. "Because it's time he knew who's really in control."

Sharp electronic beep. Silence.

"What was that?" Samuel asked, dread tightening his voice.

"He's almost there," she told Samuel, "He's seeing shadows everywhere."

"Be careful," Samuel replied. "He's dangerous."

"I know," she sent back. "But he's also predictable."

"How?" Samuel asked.

"He thinks he's in control," she sent. "He thinks he knows everything."

"And he doesn't?" Kan asked, looking over Samuel's shoulder.

"No," Ariella sent. "He doesn't know what I know."

"And what is that?" Samuel asked.

"He trusts me," she sent. "That's his mistake."

"What's the next step?" Kan asked.

"We give him a target," Ariella sent. "A target he can't ignore."

"What kind of target?" Samuel asked.

"A meeting," Ariella sent.

"A secret meeting. With his generals."

"Why?" Kan asked.

"To show him who's really in charge," Ariella sent. "To make him choose."

"Choose what?" Samuel asked.

"Choose between loyalty and fear," Ariella sent. "And to show him that fear is winning."

"And then?" Kan asked.

"Then," Ariella sent. "We watch him fall."

The stage was set. Ariella's plan worked. Mark was paranoid.

Alone. The whispers were loud.

His power was breaking.

Time to act.

Ariella walked into Mark's office. Calm. Confident. Loyal.

"President," she said, her voice soft. "They're meeting."

"Who?" Mark asked, his eyes hard.

"Your generals," Ariella said. "A secret meeting. Without you."

Mark's face turned red. "Where?"

"The old armory," Ariella said. "They think they're safe there."

"They're wrong," Mark said.

"I'll show them."

"Careful," Ariella said. "They're armed. And they're desperate."

"Desperate men make mistakes," Mark said. "I'll use that against them."

"And what about me?" Ariella asked.

"You stay here," Mark said. "You're safe here."

"Safe?" Ariella asked. "Or useful?"

Mark looked at her. "You've been loyal. I won't forget that."

"Loyalty is a fragile thing," Ariella said. "It can break easily."

"What are you saying?" Mark asked.

"I'm saying," Ariella said, "that you need to end this. Now."

"And how do I do that?" Mark asked.

"You go to the armory," Ariella said. "You show them who's in charge."

"And you?" Mark asked.

"I'll be here," Ariella said. "Waiting."

"Waiting for what?" Mark asked.

Ariella smiled. "For the end."

Just then, his phone rang. An urgent tone cut through the air. He hesitated, then answered, his voice curt. "Yes?"

He turned slightly away from Ariella, his expression hardening. "What? Plots? Against me? Who?" He listened intently, his jaw tightening. "The old armory? They're there now?" A pause. "I see. I'm on my way."

He ended the call, his eyes flashing. "They think they can play me. They are wrong. Traitors. Inside my own ranks." He turned to Ariella. "I must deal with this personally. We will speak tomorrow." He walked quickly out of the office, his footsteps echoing down the corridor.

The next day, Ariella entered Mark's office. Bloodshot eyes. Nervous energy. A forced smile.

"Ariella," he said, voice tight.

"I'm glad you're here. I need your advice."

"Of course," she said, soft. "What's wrong?"

"They plot," he said, pacing. "My people. They betray me."

Ariella nodded. "I'm loyal. Trust me."

Mark stopped. "You're the only one."

"Thank you," she said. "I won't fail you."

"I must act," he said. "Make an example."

"Careful," she said. "No mistakes. Sure targets."

"Generals," he said. "I suspect them."

"Proof," she said. "We need proof."

"But I can't wait," he said.

"I'll get proof," she said. "Fast."

"Thank you," he said, relieved.

"One thing," she said, turning. "General Kael. He wants to meet. Urgent. Military exercises."

Mark frowned. "Kael? Loyal."

"Maybe," she said. "But just to be sure?"

"Fine," he said. "Meet him. Tell me everything."

"Of course," she said, leaving. Her heart raced.

"General Kael," Ariella said. "Thanks for coming."

"Ms. Ariella," he replied. "This is sensitive."

"Speak freely," she said.

"The President," Kael said, voice low. "He's lost it. Paranoia. Sees enemies everywhere."

"I've noticed," Ariella said.

"He's erratic. Dangerous orders. He'll ruin us all."

"What do you suggest?" Ariella asked.

"He must be stopped," Kael said. "For the nation."

"How?" Ariella asked.

"We remove him," Kael said. "For the good of everyone."

"That's treason," Ariella said.

"It's survival," Kael said. "He leaves us no choice."

"And you trust me?" Ariella asked.

"You're the only one he trusts," Kael said. "You can get close."

"And then?" Ariella asked.

"Then we end this," Kael said. "Together."

"And what about Samuel?" Ariella asked.

"Samuel?" Kael asked. "What does he have to do with this?"

"He has everything to do with this, General." Ariella replied. "He is the future."

"He must be stopped," Kael said. "He's dangerous."

"I agree," Ariella said. "But how?"

"Others agree," Kael said. "We need a plan."

"You trust me?" Ariella asked.

"He trusts you," Kael said. "Guide him. Or stop him."

Ariella paused. "Treason. Support?"

"Yes," Kael said. "Army and government. They want change."

"Then," Ariella said. "Smart moves. No mistakes."

She told her plan. Use his fear. Isolate him. Force him out. Keep it secret.

"Good plan," Kael said.

"Start," Ariella said. "Careful. Trust."

"We will," Kael said.

"Good," Ariella said. "The nation waits."

"He's seeing enemies," Ariella said. "We make him see more."

"How?" Kael asked.

"We plant doubt," Ariella said. "Make him trust no one."

"And then?" Kael asked.

"Then we make him act," Ariella said. "A mistake he can't fix."

"What kind of mistake?" Kael asked.

"That," Ariella said, "is the final piece."

The final act. A dance of power. Ariella, moved with skill. A dangerous game, played well.

Back in Mark's office, she looked worried. "President," she said, voice low. "Kael. He's one of them."

Mark's eyes widened. "Traitor?"

"Yes," Ariella said. "Meetings. Plans. Against you."

Mark hit the desk. "I knew it! Traitors!"

"We must act," Ariella said. "Fast."

"How?" Mark asked, his voice tight.

"We give them what they want," Ariella said. "A target."

"What target?" Mark asked.

"A meeting," Ariella said. "A final meeting. To plan their move."

"And then?" Mark asked.

"Then," Ariella said, "we show them who's in control."