Journey Into the Flame Read Online Free Page A

information. An image of Catherine appeared on the display. “Oh, Catherine, I’m sorry to see that you have a thyroid condition.”
    “That is quite enough, Simon,” Dario said. “Shut that thing down.”
    Simon did as Dario requested, and the image disappeared.
    “Simon, please understand that I want to support you,” Catherine said, her tone noticeably more conciliatory now. “We all do. But my question still stands. What of those books there in front of you? Whatof the Chronicles? How do you plan to reverse the damage they and that Council have done?”
    “The original Council of Satraya disbanded years ago,” Simon answered, “and the current one has been castrated to nothing more than a quaint political organization.”
    “I also see that people are growing lazy again,” a German man wearing wire-rimmed glasses interjected. “Yet the books still have a following, however small. They have empowered individuals, encouraged people to resist control and not rely on others. There are still people today who follow those precepts. Remember the Financial Reset of 2025 that was caused by Crowd Twelve? Remember how people banded together and launched the boycotts that were adopted worldwide, shriveling the bottom lines of several multi-national corporations? Remember how people protested en masse against the financial institutions, refusing to repay their loans or pay their credit-card bills? Many of our colleagues lost everything. Even your father suffered losses, Simon. I dare say C12 would have succeeded in bringing down the world’s economy had the Great Disruption not done it for them. How can we be assured that something like that will not happen again? Those who still follow the philosophies of the Chronicles are as recalcitrant as the members of Crowd Twelve.”
    “I will answer your question, Klaus, but before I continue, I must be certain of everyone’s support.” Simon leaned forward and placed his right palm on the table. “If anyone here does not wish to be a part of this vision, please leave now. You will not be judged for your choice.” Simon’s tone was steady, the expression in his eyes serious. He exchanged a cool glance with the woman to his right, who was cloaked in a crimson hood. There was silence in the hall as a few people looked at one another and at the black rose in front of the empty twelfth chair. No one took up Simon’s offer to leave.
    “Very good,” Simon said. “We have found a way to rid the world of rebellion once and for all. The next Freedom Day celebration will mark the end times of the Chronicles and the beginning of a new era forhumanity. We will once again be able to provide the world with stability and a sound financial system that restores our wealth and influence.” Simon paused to look around the table. Catherine, his most vocal critic, now sat silent. “And yes, some will die. But unlike the plagues of the Dark Ages or the many wars that have engulfed the world or even the chaos caused by the Great Disruption, our method will be more merciful; those who perish will suffer no pain, and their passing will be instantaneous.”
    “The promise of having our rightful place in the world restored is attractive, indeed,” said Dario. “But you still speak vaguely, my friend. And who is we ?”
    Andrea Montavon, who was seated to Simon’s right, pulled back her crimson hood, revealing ash-blond hair and an exquisite face that showed few signs of her sixty-eight years of age. She turned her topaz-brown gaze from Simon to Dario. “I and my late husband have been assisting Simon in this quest,” she stated. “I know that Simon’s plans sound vague, but I assure you that the details have all been worked out meticulously. Over the last eight years, while some of you may have resigned yourselves to your fate, we have been proactive. Just as the Chronicles would advise us to do.” She said this with a sly smile. Derisive laughter could be heard around the