Without Sanctions Novels & Stories

The minister and Clovis were already in the room waiting for him when Ryker arrived. The minister and beta leaped to their feet when they saw him entering. Ryker didn't bother to greet him and plopped down on the chair across from him. He motioned for the minister to sit down. The old man obliged stiffly. Clovis followed suit, much relaxed. Ryker leaned back, his cold eyes fixed on his opponent. "I will give only one chance, Alcott. Just one chance to correct your mistake. If the sanctions are not revoked I will make sure Ghayna stops existing," Ryker declared indifferently.

Political capital spent supporting me. Partnership in action. "Dr. Chen," Sterling said, returning attention to me. "The Council recognizes your therapeutic expertise. But we cannot condone partnership with former enemy operatives. We're issuing ultimatum: cease Consilient rehabilitation immediately, or face sanctions." "What sanctions?" I asked carefully. "Restriction of your daughter's future Balance training access," the unnamed Council member said. "Your family's security clearances reduced. Your professional practice designated non-Balance-affiliated, limiting client referrals."

"Gone with the agreement dissolved. He cited disrespect, which to be fair wasn’t nice, he invited you like—" "I was in a dungeon." "—you were unreachable," Rixon said diplomatically, "during a commitment you had confirmed. He'd arranged the entire event around your attendance. His daughter was apparently quite upset." He slid a letter across the desk. "He's put it in writing. Three of our southern borders are now unprotected and if anyone tests us in the next two months we will have a problem that makes the treasury damage look like a minor inconvenience."

That was the sales department's card for entertaining clients, as long as they didn't go overboard. The charge failed. I called the bank, and they said the account was frozen. By policy, an account like that would not be frozen unless the department was dissolved or there was a major violation. This was clearly aimed at me. I forced down the urge to smash my phone and called Celia. "Ms. Johnson," I started, my voice icy. "Why is the sales department's card frozen?" Celia replied calmly. "The company is conducting a financial risk review. All non-essential spending accounts are temporarily frozen. This is a normal procedure."

"We have a situation. The White Mountain Council is demanding an emergency meeting. They say we need approval before launching any counterattack." I checked the time, and it was a few minutes after six. I cursed under my breath. The White Mountain council, the ones that have replaced the likes of my grandfather, were people with strong moral integrity. Of course, I didn't always want them to agree with me on every decision I made, but now, more than anything, they had to be sensible. "Tell them we'll discuss terms after we secure our borders." "They're threatening sanctions, Alpha. They say if we move against Ashbourne without getting proper permission from them…"