Jackals

By Kurt Bartling

Book 2 of the Balance Series.
They’ve escaped the Bunker, their lives now their own. Experts in subterfuge and discovery unlikely, but knowing what they know, can they leave well enough alone? Rena’s disclosure changed everything. Why they were in the Bunker, how Michael can do what he can do … and most importantly, how to bring about the fall of the Elite. More secrets are yet to be revealed … What is the Nexus, and how its existence jeopardizes the SuperElite? Who are the Jackals? Most importantly, why is Michael the key to the collapse of the Elite World Order? Michael and Rena race around the globe, Saudi Arabia, Russia, France, England and the United States … acting against the Jackals; the most powerful people in the World. Doing what they’d been trained to do … infiltrate and assassinate. Michael embraces his mantle as the Harbinger of Death, taking his reputation to new levels. Rena proves to be the more dangerous than any realized, discovering ... The Theory of Jackals.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9781300681588

Book preview

Jackals

JACKALS

BALANCE Series – Book 2

by

Kurt Bartling

Disclaimer

This is a work of fiction.  All names, characters, places, entities and events are the work of the author’s imagination and are fictitious.  Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, entities, events or locations are purely and entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, by any means, including mechanical, electronic, photo-reproduction, recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the author.

Copyright. © 2013 Kurt Bartling.

All Rights Reserved

ISBN: 978-1-300-68158-8

Published 2014

This book written, edited and designed by Kurt Bartling

With loving thanks to: Jill, Ali, Addie and AJ.

With special thank you going out to Chip, Barb, Michelle, Jeff P., Matt, Kari and Jerry.  You guys helped me make this book what it is.

To everyone else … please enjoy.  This series truly is the story I’ve always wanted to read, and wished someone would write.

0.     Theory of Jackals

Working her way around the room, Rena explains the SuperElite structure…

"I have identified twelve critical SuperElite.  Others refer to themselves in this manner but they lack the presence, military or resources.  I’ll refer to those as ‘posers’.  The remaining twelve have all of these defining elements.  I must point out, no SuperElite has the military firepower once under the control of the US, England, Germany, China or Russia.  Even if they did, they wouldn’t be able to use it or even threaten with it.  Their military strength, for the most part, evenly matched among the Elite-twelve.

Unlike geographically defined countries, territorial borders do not confine or define the SuperElite.  This is why massive destructive arsenals are pointless.  There are no legitimate targets isolated enough to warrant a massive assault.  All other targets of legitimacy too closely related to other Elite holdings.  In other words, no SuperElite can commit massive damage without doing damage to them self.  Not to mention, they don’t want to destroy, what they one day, may want to acquire.  For the most part, the amassed military arsenals of the SuperElite are for defense, a deterrent to frontal assault.  It’s posturing, the stronger your military, the less likely an attack.

A direct assault on any SuperElite by another would result, as do all direct military confrontations, a weakening of both entities.

Although there are stronger and weaker SuperElite, the disparity is not significant enough to guarantee absolute supremacy.  There also exists the threat of partnerships and collusions.  The proliferation of covert intelligence, agents like you and I for example, make surprise offensives extremely difficult and risky.

For this reason, even if the strongest SuperElite, the ‘Alpha’, mounted a direct assault on any other SuperElite, the effort, regardless of success, would result in a weakened state.  In this weakened state, even short-lived, one or more SuperElite could attack the Alpha, bringing about its demise."  Pausing to make sure Michael fully comprehends this statement.  This piece of information is critical.  Feeling confident she has not lost him, Rena continues, now focusing on the Nexus …

"The SuperElite structure has evolved into a pack mentality, much like a pack of jackals.  Each SuperElite is always at risk of attack by one or more of the pack.  This is why the SuperElite prefer to use subterfuge and surgical operations to accomplish takeovers.  Field operatives like you and I.  These efforts minimize risk to operational integrity, regardless of outcome. As a result, the SuperElite have built a dependent relationship to each other.  If any single SuperElite were to gain too much power, the rest of the pack will focus efforts on that entity in order to weaken it and maintain stability.

Although the SuperElite are relatively equal, there is some stratification. An Alpha does currently exist.  The disparity is not enough to raise interest of the other SuperElite at this time.  This existence was the last piece of the Nexus. The Nexus being several conditions existing simultaneously that when acted upon will result in its destabilization, the collapse of the Elite social-economic structure."  Again, Rena halts, allowing Michael time to formulate his own strategy.  She turns, speaking directly to him, preferring to speak of the strategy in general terms, to work out the details with his help later…

"To destabilize the SuperElite structure, it must be treated as a pack of jackals.  One must understand, eliminating the most powerful, the Alpha, will only create a void that would be filled immediately, potentially establishing a new Alpha.

The key to destabilizing the SuperElite … get the pack betas, everyone but the Alpha, to engage each other, weakening the pack as a whole.  To accomplish this, the Alpha must remain outside the fray.  At some point, the entire pack, weakened, will discover the disparity in power. Fearing complete elimination at the hands of the Alpha, the pack will collectively turn on the Alpha in an act of desperation.  To trigger the pack to turn on the Alpha, two things must happen.  First, most of the pack must feel gravely threatened by the Alpha.  Second, the Alpha has to be momentarily weakened."

Michael gazes at Rena, than shifts his attention to the wealth of information present in the hall.  Looking off into space, he replies, So, we have to identify the Alpha, persuade the rest of the SuperElite to commit to full blown conflict with each other, all the while distracting the Alpha.  When the time’s right, we need to trick the Alpha to engage, or appear to engage the pack … At the same time, we need to weaken the Alpha.  When this occurs, the pack, in an act of desperation, will collectively attack the Alpha.  Ultimately destroying the twelve SuperElite you’ve identified.

Rena smiles, Pretty much.

And the Alpha? Michael asks.

You already know.

Chango.

She nods.

Which is why, you sent feelers specifically to Alexander’s finder network.

Rena smiles.

Michael returns the sentiment, You and I are the distraction.

Yes

Anything I’ve missed?

Only one thing. She explains, No one knows where Chango is or what he looks like.  He seems to have gone into seclusion about ten years ago, around the time his power and influence expanded.

Turning, his arms snake around her waist.  Pulling her tight to his body, Michael leans over and kisses her on the forehead.  You truly are … the most dangerous person in the world.

You realize Michael … the Harbinger of Death has to rise from the ashes.  You have to become, what you never wanted to be … the most feared assassin in the world.

I understand.

Excerpt from BALANCE

1.      The Calm before the Storm

It’s been two weeks since Rena showed Michael what she refers to as the ‘Hall of Jackals’.  Per her request, they’ve refrained from revisiting the subject.  She wished to enjoy the ‘calm’ with Michael without the distraction of conversation regarding the Nexus and the implications of that discussion.

Takada was not likely to have discovered their deception in Detroit, allowing them some freedom to explore Gary at their leisure.

Still cautious, Rena made sure they went out in public disguised, just in case.  The extensive amount of time she spent with the Immersion Teams made her extremely skilled in the art of subterfuge.  Even the most advanced facial recognition systems, those reliant on facial structure, would not work on the disguises she created.

They spend their days moving about the city, enjoying each other’s company, shopping for supplies, taking in the heartbeat of the Hustle.  Their evenings consumed in relaxation; on the deck, swimming together in the cavernous lake illuminated by the phosphorescent rocks, reading anything other than the current affairs of the world, Michael preferring to read Rena poetry from her extensive library.  Their late evenings spent in far more intimate physical activities.

The last two weeks have been the most happy either have ever felt.

Rena’s goal, give Michael time to thoroughly consider his decision.  She knows the course in front of them is long, complicated, dangerous and daunting.

…

Retiring to the main living room of the subterranean house, each with a glass of wine, both silently contemplate the pending discussion, fearful of influencing the other. The last two weeks have been bliss, a glimpse of what could be, if they just left well enough alone.

How long until Takada figures out, we staged our deaths?  Michael asks.

Interesting question.  I’ve been thinking about that and the hotel operation a lot lately.

Why? He inquires, apprehensive.

The entire sequence of events from the Whitemire operation to the hotel.  Something didn’t feel right.  Rena talking as if she’s far away, playing out a stage show in her mind.  The sequence of events connected together in her memory, each now having new relevance on the events following.

Again, I ask why? He repeats, trying not to be rude, but concerned with the potential implications her comment could carry.

Rena turns to Michael, making sure he feels he has her complete attention and her, his.  I’ve been playing out all the events that occurred after the Whitemire operation, your beating, my meltdown, the dinner in our suite before Detroit, the balcony, the fire, Takada and Ms. Smith. Pausing to take a breath, fearful of her next statement, I’m starting to think that our escape may have coincided with Takada’s attempt to have us … terminated.

What?  How did you come to that conclusion? He exclaims, shocked by this revelation.

I don’t think we were expected to leave the hotel … alive.  I believe there were redundancies present in the balcony, at least one more Infiltration Team, under Takada’s control.

Are you sure?  How do you know?

Think back to the tryout. Other than the Seer and the ‘roider tables, there was a third table you noticed paying attention to us.  I’m pretty sure I saw one of them in the balcony.

Michael thinks back to their first day in the Bunker, and their last day under Takada’s influence, trying to picture faces and events.

I also wondered why a sniper would fire on us.  They didn’t target Leonidas, who would have been in plain view, facing the sniper, easily identifiable.  They shot at me, or us.

Considering these revelations, he’s not sure what to think, the events of the alley, harder to remember.

Rena continues, It was also Ms. Smith’s demeanor leading up to our departure.  I understood the dinner after I defined the search strategy, but in the ready room, before we left, she acted different, more attached, as if she wasn’t expecting to see us again.  It’s hard to say, I mean, we anticipated adversarial agents.  She just never acted that way before.  I’m wondering if she didn’t suspect Takada would try to terminate us.  It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that he had lost control of you and I.

So you think Takada already knows we staged our escape?

I’m actually thinking, he might not even be looking, believing we were terminated, as intended.  Remember, the tracking chips registered our deaths at least ten minutes earlier.  It all comes down to whether the sniper was Takada’s, and if he had time to send a transmission before the building went up.  I wouldn’t have expected him to have been in the balcony and likely still had his communications.

Michael thinks back, recalling the operation in Detroit and their exit from the hotel into the alley.

The hotel exploded with his second shot. She points out, Could you have made both shots and communicated with Bunker control?

We weren’t in the open more than a few seconds before the gunman fired.  To identify us and shoot, twice … I don’t think it would’ve been possible to communicate with anyone in that time.  Speaking from experience, there’s just too much going on.  Relaying status is an additional distraction, me or any other sniper, would not want to deal with.  I couldn’t do it. he explains.

That’s what I thought. Rena concurs, There was another anomaly.  Even with Leonidas adding additional explosives to collapse the building, a focused strike by any single Elite, under short notice, shouldn’t have been as extensive as I witnessed.

So, you think Takada ordered his own strike, one that coincide with the attack you instigated and the detonation of Leonidas explosives? Michael suggests, knowing that is exactly what she’s implying.

Maybe? Rena answers hesitantly, But, now that I hear it out loud, it does sound kind of preposterous.

You’re trying to talk me out of moving against the Nexus.

Mindful of the deceptions she played in the Bunker, Rena defends her position delicately, I’m just trying to make sure we have all the cards on the table.  I’m sorry if I offended you.

He understands that she’s not having second thoughts, but since opening up about each of their talents she’s been completely forthright.  Rena, you didn’t offend.  In fact, I appreciate it.  I know it had to be hard in the Bunker keeping things from me, to protect me.  Now it’s my turn to step up and be less of a liability.

Michael, the last thing anyone would call you … is a liability.  Trust me on that one.  Pausing to give him time to think through all she’d been reflecting on.  If we really wanted … we could walk away. Rena wonders what the future would be for the two if they never had to worry about discovery.

Leaning forward, Michael takes her hands in his, capturing her gaze and holding it, I want so badly to spend the rest of my life with you … to have children with you, but this isn’t a world we can do that.  I don’t want to have to worry about being discovered or worse, invited.

Tears start to rise as she considers the enormity of his statement.

He’s been with Rena for two years, knows her unequivocally.  Studying her face, Michael sees fear, What’s really worrying you … there’s more to this.

Pulling her hands from his, Rena sits back, frustration etched on her face. What’s worrying me?  Takada is what’s worrying me.  He scares the shit out of me. Her fierce waking up, For this to be completely over Michael, you will have to kill Takada.

And? … Is that all?  He responds, unfazed by the statement.

You don’t understand. She cautions, Takada is not just a mark, a depersonalized entity to terminate.  He’s far more than what you and I have been exposed, far more dangerous.  I realized that, the day I went to his office, when I requested the evening out with Meg.  If he did launch his own strike at the hotel, then he’s a threat, to not only us, but a lot of innocent people.

Now you’ve got my attention.

Pulling herself up from the couch, Rena paces slowly around the living room, her thoughts split between Michael, and her fears of the man they will have to hunt, all the while, knowing  he will be hunting them.  She takes a deep breath, steeling her resolve, Takada exhibits a trait present in many people with vast power. Turning to face her confidant, You’ve seen how he rationalizes his actions, puts a logical, almost moral spin on everything.

Yes? Michael replies, his attention captured.

People like that, narcissists with vast power, will justify ‘Scorched Earth’ retaliation.  She expounds with dire seriousness in her voice.

What do you mean … Scorched Earth retaliation? He asks.  I’ve heard the term, but I don’t understand how it applies here?

It means … if Takada is cornered, feels imminent defeat, rather than concede … he’ll attempt to destroy everything, just to deprive the victor his spoils.  I think the hotel was an example.  My meltdown made it very clear he would never claim me as his own.  Since he couldn’t have me on his terms, he tried to have me terminated, rather than concede to you.

Although Michael understands Rena’s assessment of Takada, he’s not sure how it relates to the Nexus.

Recognizing his uncertainty, she clarifies, If we proceed with this plan, Takada will realize we’re alive, assuming he doesn’t already.  Once he knows, he’ll become obsessed with finding us.  Now, whether Chango will let him pursue us is a different matter.  Regardless, in the end, Takada will have to die.  Michael, you will likely have to confront him.  I have no doubt you could defeat him in head-to-head combat, but this is Takada, it won’t be head-to-head, or fair.  To make matters worse, if he feels he can’t beat you, then Scorched Earth retaliation comes into play.

Michael considers Rena’s statement, I understand and I agree, pausing to think through a strategy, We need to buy ourselves some time or at least muddy the waters some.  I’ve been thinking … the whole Harbinger of Death situation, the notoriety might be our ally here.  You and Black monitored the web, said the Harbinger was getting associated with a lot of unrelated activity.  What if we ramp it up even more, hide our tracks amongst everyone else?

That’s an interesting strategy.  Rena pauses, thinking about the implications of this plan, We should change your methods some too.  Ms. Smith said that your style is unique, identifiable by your use of knives, especially to the throat and precise gunshots.

We should research the details of the other kills associated with the Harbinger, mimic their methods … copy the copy-cats.

Michael … that’s a brilliant idea.  Hide the killer among the killers.  Maybe we widen the spectrum further as well.

How so?

I’ve been thinking about this a little, assessing your sniper skills and how your mind works.  I was thinking we consider alternate tactics.

Grinning, knowing Rena’s mind is formulating a plan as they speak, What’ve you got in mind?

Let’s go shopping. She suggests impishly.

Over the next two weeks, they make several short quick trips to purchase supplies, venturing into Gary, Chicago, and South Bend.  Rena surprises Michael with her resourcefulness, rather than going into any public establishments, she uses an extensive clandestine array of acquaintances to acquire what she needs.

Their back alley dealings prevent exposure to any cameras accessible by the Bunker.  Michael notes Rena’s surreptitious network appears long established and highly resourceful, many expressing their pleasure in seeing her, pointing out her extended absence.

On several occasions, Rena convenes with contacts by herself, preferring to keep Michael from exposure, a solitary female less memorable then a couple.  Some interactions require her to go in disguised or facilitate remotely, protecting herself, as well as her contacts from identification.

Using one of her more trusted connections, known to Michael as Marcus, Rena instructs him to keep his eyes open for anything unusual, creative, providing him a roll of money to use at his discretion.  His first purchase, left hidden for pick up, a belt-whip-garrote much like the one Meg used for the Whitemire operation.

Among the variety of supplies acquired through their endeavors, a custom collapsible compound bow, small very unusual looking throwing knives, several handguns, rifles, night vision goggles, field supplies and accessories including specialized military field jumpers in various color schemes.

The throwing knives are unique in that they more closely resemble quills, being long, thin and balanced for throwing, bladed on both ends, dangerous to use and lethal.

The bow, with no metal components, completely collapsible, fits inside a briefcase and action ready in seconds.  The quiver of almost fifty shafts with various function, quick-attach tips.  Initially practicing in the cavern, Michael learns to use the bow with night vision goggles, becoming proficient at three-hundred yards.  Due to the limited environmental effectors, with the exception of darkness, he ventures out into remote locations to learn to compensate for more variables, like wind, foliage, and other obstacles that may present themselves during an action.

Looking up at the ceiling of the bedroom, Michael? Rena inquires softly, continuing their routine of having in depth conversations while in bed.

What’s on your mind? Knowing that the loaded question could result in a far deeper discussion then he expected.

You know how much I love you, right?

This sounds ominous … what’s wrong.

Rolling over, propping herself on her elbow, she looks at his face, the strong jawline, wavy blond hair and steel blue eyes, Nothing’s wrong, it’s just that I’ve never been with anyone before.  I worry about how you perceive my feelings for you.

You’re worried about your motivations? He traces his thumb gently along her cheek, The night you told me everything, you said you didn’t know if your motivations were driving your gift or if your gift drove your motivations.

Biting her lower lip, she nods slowly.  You call it a ‘gift’, but for most of my life … it’s been a curse.

He thumb traces the edges of her lips, Let’s reserve judgment until this is all said and done.  Right now, as far as I’m concerned, regardless of the motivations, your gift is my gift, because without it … I wouldn’t be here with you.

Rena whispers Thank you … I so love you.  Sliding her naked body on top of him, she brings her lips down on his, trying to express to him how much he means to her.

2.     The Nexus Program

Michael, his morning coffee in hand, stands in the Hall of Jackals looking at all the information Rena compiled, feeling completely overwhelmed.  How do you know where to target our efforts?  There’s got to be an infinite number of variables to this relationship. He comments, glancing over his shoulder at the beautiful redhead standing in the kitchen in her undergarments.

You’re right Michael … there are. She replies.

Then how do you know that this Nexus actually exists.  The theory of how to attack the SuperElite makes sense, but this is huge.  You cannot have all of this in your head?

Rena looks down at the fruit she’s cutting up, considering how much to burden him with, wondering if the explanation could do more harm than good.  Ultimately, the decision made weeks ago, she owes it to Michael to show him what she has.  He deserves that.  I can only identify the relationships between the entities.  The real time and simultaneous interactions of those relationships is far more complex than I’m capable of predicting.  For that, I needed help.

And you found this help?

Yes, accidently. Rena moves in next to him in the doorway.

Michael turns toward her, I don’t understand.

She takes his hand and leads him into the living room, Let me start from the beginning.  When I was around thirteen, Leonidas recognized I had an affinity for computer programming.  I think he expected it, waiting until then to expose me to it.  It made sense that I would pick it up quickly.  Programs are highly logical, the code highly structured and relational.

Yes, makes sense. Michael agrees, looking puzzled.

Bear with me for a second, I’ll try to explain, and how it relates to the Nexus.  I comprehend relational systems, things like engines, hydraulics and computer programs.  For example, consider the old brake systems in cars.  I’m not an engineer, but my mind considers the effectors, the pedal and the calipers. Then as components in the system start presenting themselves, the brake lines and master cylinder, I start to recognize how they interact and relate to each other.  My mind starts developing parameters that define the missing parts of the system.  As I mentioned before, missing pieces within systems or relationships find me.  The parameters help me identify the pieces that define the balance of the system, like the brake fluid, wheel disc, manifold, and linkage components.  I’ve simplified the system significantly, but that’s the general idea.  I see the system as a whole and the individual pieces that comprise the system, sometimes in intricate detail.  I understand the mechanics of how the pieces move and relate to each other.

Okay, that I understand, but how does that relate to a computer program, and what does a computer program have to do with the Jackals?

I’ll address the computer programming first.  Computer programs, no matter what language, are systems.  Each line of code performs a function and the sum of the functions comprises the program.  Once you grasp what the program does, comprehending the underlying code is simple.  You just have to be familiar with the language of the code, like knowing how to say ‘hello’ in French … ‘salut’ or Italian … ‘caio’.

I get it, once you understood the code language, you can decipher the programs.

Let’s just say, I’m highly multi-lingual in computer dialect.

Got it.  You can program in several computer languages.

Yes … So when Leonidas felt I was ready, I was around fifteen, he gave me this celestial modeling program from MIT to play with.  The program modeled things like solar systems and galaxies.

So this program was created by MIT?

Yes, originally.  The program Leonidas gave me, I modified for my needs.  I really had no specific intent, just making it do different things, accounting for more variables, things like gravitational pull and stuff like that.  As an experiment, Leonidas asked me to use the world around me as the basis of creating planetary systems and relations.  I don’t know if he intended it or not, but eventually I started modeling the social-economic structure of the Elite.

With you so far. Sounds like a lot of work.

Being down here alone, I had a lot of time.  I started researching them, the Elite. The wealth of information that was available on the net was massive.  It wouldn’t be a stretch to say I became obsessed.  So, I built this model using the celestial program, adjusting it to account for more and more variables, allowing me to simulate different scenarios.

You created a model of the Elite using a 3D celestial modeling program?  I still don’t understand how you identified the Nexus, the circumstances that result in the destabilization of the economy.

This program helped me recognize the Nexus.  It was through repeated simulations, I started noticing a common sequence of events to various effectors.  The program showed me the existence of a relationship among the SuperElite, a relationship that when acted upon, would cause a collapse of the entire structure.

Apprehensive, Michael admits, I’m sorry, I’m not sure I understand all of this.

Rena regards him sympathetically.  She understands that explaining how her mind works can be extremely difficult and vexing.  She smiles, which surprises him.  I’m sorry. I know this can be complex.  Michael, I want to thank you for trying so hard.  I could not ask more of anyone.

Having expected a confrontation with her ‘fierce’ out of frustration, Michael explains, I think my interest is twofold. First, I want to understand the Nexus so I can help. Second, understanding how your mind works might help me understand my own.

Then I think the best approach is to show you the Nexus Program.

Taking his hand, Rena leads him downstairs, through a locked door into a small room.  Without windows, completely bare and sterile, with only a large monitor on the far wall and a single small table in the corner, no other furniture, embellishments, or pieces enrich the space.  This is a chamber for contemplation and focus.

This room is completely isolated.  There is no way the outside world can to get to this computer and vice versa.  That’s why the research is upstairs. Rena touches the face of the large monitor.  The display comes to life, a spacescape wallpaper materializing from the blackness.

She taps the screen twice.  The perspective zooms out revealing several solar systems suspended in a sea of vastness.  Each solar system comprised of several planets of varying size and color in orbit around a central sun.  A glowing white line denotes the orbit of each planet about its sun.  Every planet in a solar system depicted a different color pattern.  Several patterns represented in multiple solar systems.

Twelve solar systems, far larger than the others, with more planets and massive suns, appear central to the spacescape.  Michael immediately recognizes these as the true SuperElite, the Jackals Rena identified.

Lines of different color and thickness connect planets to suns, planets to planets, suns to suns and suns to planets in foreign systems.

Considering the impressive celestial model depicted before him, realization sets in. He’s never going to understand what she’s done here.

Recognizing his apprehension, Rena consoles, Michael, I know this looks overwhelming, but I can explain it fairly easily.  Please understand. I had many years to build the software and construct this model.

He regards her skeptically, I’m not sure you’ll be able to pull that off, but by all means, this is your party.

Stepping to the monitor, Rena touches the screen several times, turning off all but a single solar system, the largest depicted in the spacescape.  A quarter section of each planet and sun disappears, like cutting a slice from an apple, revealing a bright orange glowing orb at the core of the sun and each planet.  The glowing orbs differ in size and imply minimal dependence on the size of the planet.

Now, this should help. She reassures, This solar system depicts the entirety of Chango’s corporate empire.  Each planet represents a business sector, denoted by its color scheme.  The size of each planet reflects the volume of revenue that business sector generates for Chango.  The orange orb at the core, likewise, represents the volume of gross profit. The larger the planet, the greater the revenue generated, and likewise, the larger the core, the greater the profit.  As you can see, different sectors generate different profit margins.  Does this make sense, so far?

Absolutely, He replies enthusiastically.

The sun represents Chango’s annual product, and the size or volume of the sun is equal to the sum of all of Chango’s business sectors, total revenue.  So if one of his business sectors under performs, with respect to revenue, the planet will get smaller, as will the sun.

Rena pauses to let Michael mull, Still with me?

Yes. His eyes fixed on the monitor.

As I explained, the core denotes gross profits. So, as with the overall size of the sun, the size of the sun’s core is the sum of the gross profits for all Chango’s business sectors, the planets.  The sun’s core also represents power or influence, the larger a sun’s core, the more powerful the Elite.  For this program, power and influence constitutes gravity, or pull.

Rena taps a small icon in the lower section of the screen; white lines of varying thickness appear, connecting the sun to each of the planets.  Each planet’s distance from the sun represents Chango’s personal interest in that business sector.  The closer the planet to the sun, the more personally invested Chango feels toward that sector.  The white lines connecting the sun to each planet, represents gravitational pull between the sun and the planet, the thicker the line the greater the attraction.  The line thickness is a product of both personal interest and reinvestment in the business sector.  Directly related to profits, reinvestment influences revenue and profitability.  So, the length and thickness of all the white lines are dependent on Chango’s profit, his gross income.  As I mentioned, the core generates gravity, the greater the core, the closer the planets are to the sun and the thicker the tethers.  As Chango’s profits decline, so does his influence and pull.  Business sectors will start to drift away, straining his control over them, the white lines becoming longer and thinner.  Under continued strain, the influence can be completely lost, severing the tether, and Chango’s authority.  Let me demonstrate.

Double tapping the white line between the sun and the largest planet, a list, denoting variables, appears on the screen.  She taps the icon for ‘Reinvestment Distribution’.  A bar graph appears.  Rena moves the bar representing the largest planet down and increases the bar for the smallest.  Accepting the changes, the graph disappears, replaced by an icon identified as ‘Time Lapse’.

"Now Michael, watch what happens to the sun, the largest and