Read The Call of Destiny (The Return of Arthur Book 1) for Free Online Page B

satisfaction.’
    ‘I have something more
important to do,’ said Merlin vaguely.
    ‘What could be more important
than serving your country?’
    Merlin hesitated; there were
things he could not discuss, even with James. ‘Let’s just say I have another
master to serve.’
    That was hard to credit. ‘Does
that mean you are going to work for the competition?’
    Merlin smiled. ‘In a way.’
    ‘I must say you surprise me,
Merlin. You are always saying the world is in grave danger, and here you are
walking out on us. What has changed?’
    It was a good question, and
again, hard to answer truthfully. ‘Nothing. The terrorists have the weapons and
the technology to destroy us. Every year that passes brings mankind closer to
annihilation.’
    In spite of himself, James
Armstrong shivered. ‘Twilight of the gods? Ragnarok? Götterdämmerung ?’
    ‘Something like that.’
    There were times when Merlin
scared him, and this was one of them. ‘My God, you sound like an Old Testament
prophet.’
    ‘I fear you don’t take me seriously.’
    ‘Indeed I do,’ said James Armstrong earnestly.
‘So does the PM.’
    A sceptical smile. ‘Only
because I’m good for the country’s arms trade. Believe me, James, there are
greater priorities than exporting weapons. The time is fast approaching when we
shall no longer have the capacity to take on the terrorists and the terror
states. Our armed forces are weak and unprepared. The same is true of the rest
of Europe, and even of the United States. Their soldiers don’t want to fight,
and as for their technology, it may be expensive, but it doesn’t do the job.’
    Merlin looked and sounded as
sombre as Armstrong had ever known him. ‘We need to strengthen our defences, no
doubt about it,’ he admitted.
    ‘Being able to defend yourself
is not enough,’ said Merlin. ‘If you wait for your enemies to strike, it is
always too late. We have to hunt them down wherever they are – seek them out,
and destroy them.’
    If Merlin felt so strongly,
then why in heaven’s name was he resigning? ‘This is no time to walk away, man.
Stay and give us the means to destroy our enemies before they destroy us.’
    ‘I can give you the means.
What I can’t give you is the will,’ said Merlin sadly. ‘We are in the hands of
politicians who are not interested in the future of mankind. All they care
about is getting elected, lining their pockets and promoting their image.’
    So that was it. That was why
he had resigned. Merlin had finally given up on the politicians. And who could
blame him? James Armstrong tried one last desperate throw of the dice. ‘I shall
probably have to resign myself.’
    ‘Why on earth would you do that?’
    ‘The PM is furious with me. He
thinks I’m responsible for your resignation.’
    Merlin chuckled. ‘You never
were a very good liar, James.’ Armstrong raised his hands in surrender.
‘Alright, I confess.
    It was a crude attempt at emotional blackmail.
But do me one favour. The PM’s PPS is desperate to see you. Go and talk to him.
At least it would get them off my back. That much you owe me.’
    Alec Pettifer, Parliamentary Private Secretary
to the Prime Minister, crossed the room with a welcoming smile and an
outstretched hand. ‘A privilege to meet you, Mr Thomas. You have quite a reputation
here. Do sit down.’
    The two men faced each other
across the PPS’s imposing desk. The PPS prided himself on being a cool,
twenty-first century man. He had seen most things, though never anything quite
as bizarre as Merlin Thomas, quite the most oddly dressed individual ever to
enter Number 10, even in these egalitarian days. What was he wearing? A
knee-length sheet, and what looked like a hessian sack with pockets. As for
that scraggy, shoulder-length blond hair . . . he looked more like a pop star than
a major brain. Still, genius often came in strange packages. Twenty-five, and
the greatest mind since Leonardo da Vinci, so it was said.
    ‘I’ll come