Reboot
Chapter 69

“He was last seen in Veneta.”

“Fantastic! The broadcast worked?

“Yes, Sir. Someone told our man there.”

“Who’s our Marshall in that area?”

“Burt Colby, Sir.”

“Oh.” Mooney’s face went from excited to pained in a second.

“You know him sir? What’s wrong with him?”

“Yes, well, he’s undependable let’s put it that way. Tell him to keep his eyes open for Morgan, but not to ask too many questions, we don’t want to spook the kid.”

“Well he’s already been asking around quite a bit, sir. His last message said his initial investigation had yielded nothing.”

“No surprise there. He won’t move his butt unless he gets excited. Send a good team to Veneta and secure that place. Also send a good investigator. What’s that guy’s name, Millikan?”

“The man who worked with us last year?”

“Yes! Send him. He is to replace Morgan. If he’s there, grab ’im and hold him. If he’s not there, replace him. He can’t be far.”

“Sir, that may not be enough.

“What do you mean?”

“He’s certainly made friends there. We have to contain.”

“Mmm… What do you suggest?”

“I think we need to make a statement. Show these people we mean business.”

“I see what you mean.”

“We’ll try not to hurt anyone, nothing significant anyway, but we take over the town. They need a sign that the government is there and is powerful.”

“We need a reason.”

“Morgan is the reason. We have proof that they’ve been helping a known terrorist. That’s treason sir.”

“Perfect! Let’s make that town into our first prison.”

“Prison Sir?”

“Our own Guantanamo. We need one anyway, and it might scare people into giving up Morgan. We could then interview everyone, take our time, do it right. Someone’ll give him up.”

“Yes Sir. Ah sir?’

“Yes? There’s more?”

“They’re holding a car race over there. First of its kind.”

“Really? Where? They’ve got gas?”

“Yes sir, Eugene sir. Ah no, sir. They make methanol.”

“Of course. Let’s send something to the winner. This could be good PR.”

“Very good, sir.”

“But use the race. Take the town while the race is underway. It’ll be easier then. Most people will be gone. We take Veneta and hold everyone that comes back in.”

“As you say, sir.”

“So go ahead, blow something up over there. We need to have a reason to put this kid behind bars, but we need people to be happy about it. And we have to sell the tax plan. Protection, you know..”