Ruse the Descendant: Nothing Is Ever as It Seems.

By Brandon Eng

o Ten million dead within twenty-four hours. No one claimed responsibility. No one took credit. No one knew who did it. The terrorists were ghosts among the living, always watching, never sleeping.

Now, MI6 agents Alexis and Max discover clues that might put an end to all the suffering – only to find themselves in the middle of a secret war. Separated from each other, Alexis had to survive and outwit her enemies. With danger and hidden agendas at every turn, what she didn’t know might just kill her.

When everything is a RUSE…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Release date: Feb 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9781543741247

Book preview

Copyright © 2022 by Brandon Eng.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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www.partridgepublishing.com/singapore

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 I Miss You

Chapter 2 Flashback

Chapter 3 Corps

Chapter 4 Palace

Chapter 5 Strike

Chapter 6 Threat

Chapter 7 Shifting Earth

Chapter 8 MI6

Chapter 9 Hunter, Alexis

Chapter 10 Hunter, Max

Chapter 11 Hunters

Chapter 12 Game On

Chapter 13 Max

Chapter 14 Bad Vibes

Chapter 15 Surveillance

Chapter 16 Breaking & Entering

Chapter 17 Plan

Chapter 18 Abort

Chapter 19 Trapped

Chapter 20 Capture

Chapter 21 Smoking Max

Chapter 22 Injecting Robyn

Chapter 23 Goodnight

Chapter 24 Secrets

Chapter 25 Awakening

Chapter 26 Rush

Chapter 27 Failure

Chapter 28 Cell

Chapter 29 The Match

Chapter 30 Fight or Flight

Chapter 31 Cornered

Chapter 32 United

Chapter 33 Robyn

Chapter 34 Rendezvous

Chapter 35 Ordinary

Chapter 36 Abnormal Reactions

Chapter 37 Onslaught

Chapter 38 Sacrifice

Chapter 39 Death in the Family

Chapter 40 Hangar

Chapter 41 Zero Degrees

Chapter 42 Safe House

Chapter 43 2011 and 2014

Chapter 44 Alive

Chapter 45 Complication

Chapter 46 The Known Unknown

Chapter 47 Devil’s Lair

Chapter 48 Home

Chapter 49 Headquarters

Chapter 50 Underground

Chapter 51 Prison

Chapter 52 Run-down

Chapter 53 Embassy

Chapter 54 Palmer

Chapter 55 CIA’s ‘HEX’

Chapter 56 Report

Chapter 57 Curious

Chapter 58 Letter

Chapter 59 New York City

Chapter 60 Agents

Chapter 61 Fire

Chapter 62 Engulfed

Chapter 63 Philadelphia

Chapter 64 Guilt

Chapter 65 Distrust

Chapter 66 Hex

Chapter 67 Truth

Chapter 68 Files

Chapter 69 Reaction

Chapter 70 Yacht

Chapter 71 Breach

Chapter 72 Ambuscade

Chapter 73 Tony

Chapter 74 Erica

Chapter 75 Rapture

Chapter 76 Spoon

Chapter 77 A New Beginning

Chapter 78 Hybrid Tests

Chapter 79 Evidence

Chapter 80 One of them

Chapter 81 Double-Agents

Chapter 82 Hybrid Group

Chapter 83 Knowledge – Phase 2

Chapter 84 Lineage

Chapter 85 Friend

Chapter 86 Experimentation

Chapter 87 Hunter

Chapter 88 The Past

Chapter 89 The Corporation

Chapter 90 Decision

Chapter 91 Dominic Bru

Chapter 92 Anxiety

Chapter 93 Technical Literature

Chapter 94 Agreement

Chapter 95 Phase 2

Chapter 96 Prisoner

Chapter 97 The Council

Chapter 98 Taken

Chapter 99 Power

Chapter 100 Planned

Chapter 101 Day 6

Chapter 102 Day 8

Chapter 103 Awakening

Chapter 104 Flash

Chapter 105 Released

Chapter 106 Graduation Day

Chapter 107 Nightmare

Chapter 108 Chaos

Chapter 109 The Hotline

Chapter 110 Byzantine

Chapter 111 1999

Chapter 112 Eradication

Chapter 113 United Kingdom

Chapter 114 Cruiser

Chapter 115 End of the Road

Chapter 116 Survival

Chapter 117 The Cavern

Chapter 118 Eve

Chapter 119 Last Stand

Chapter 120 Victory

Chapter 121 Home

Epilogue 7 minutes

Acknowledgements

About the Author

To my

family and Liz,

your unwavering love and trust

made everything possible

In memory of Max

Prologue

T he years rolled by in a flash – the American and Eurozone financial crises had been resolved. Political situations stabilised. Societies improved. The world was finally at peace.

Or so they thought.

Unfortunately…

Nothing lasts forever.

All it took were strong leaders who dared to make hard and difficult choices to solve the crises. Leaders who were not afraid to make correct but unpopular decisions. Swallow the bitter pill if you want your country to survive!

Tough policies and measures were implemented. Many suffered initially, but they managed to survive.

Corruption levels dropped, global sentiments improved, political leaders actually made positive changes for once.

Happiness was around the corner.

Until the attack.

Iconic buildings were obliterated – never to be seen again.

Ten million people… Murdered… Killed.

That day is called: ‘10 Mill-Dec’.

The fundamentals of life and its very fabric had changed irreversibly, and nothing would ever be the same again.

And it could never, ever, go back.

Chapter 1

I MISS YOU

T he sun wasn’t up and here Max was, in the dark field, walking towards his father.

Hi dad, sorry to come by so early. I’ve been a little busy with work and all. I’ve been thinking a lot, and I’m finding it so difficult. I know what you and mum want, and I understand. But I just can’t do that yet. I mean… How can I let it go? I can’t do that. Shit… I know I’ve got a choice; we all have our choices. But right now, I don’t feel like I’ve got a choice. I want to be happy, to have a normal life, to live with Lexi. That’s what you wanted right? For me to be happy? I remember what you told me. I didn’t forget. But… I’m good at what I do.

Spying.

Plotting.

Killing.

The sun rose and Max turned around. Looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day. I wish you could see it. Max held back the tears and paused. He wanted to leave, yet, he wanted to continue talking to his dad, who couldn’t respond.

I wish you were here.

Max hung his head low as he squatted on the dew-covered grass. I miss all of you so much…

He raised his arm and touched the tombstones.

The best mother, daughter, friend and wife a person could have.

The best father, son, friend and husband a person could have.

The best sister and daughter a person could have.

They left us too soon; may they rest in peace.

1 January 2015.

His throat burned after reading the inscriptions on the three tombstones. Don’t, he told himself. Using every ounce of energy to stop himself from crying.

His entire family was dead, but their bodies hadn’t been buried.

There was nothing to bury.

He placed white roses on the ground and said, "I will find them, and when I do, I will kill them. You have my word. I love you all, we’ll talk again soon."

As he walked towards his car, he felt something in his eyes again. Tears, he thought. Not now. He pushed his feelings down and suppressed the guilt.

Survivor’s guilt.

Chapter 2

FLASHBACK

T houghts about the attack continued to fill his mind as Max drove back to Headquarters. He switched on the radio in a vain attempt to drown out the thoughts, but it only made them louder. STOP IT! he screamed and stopped the car. STOP IT! he yelled at himself again.

Damn it… He whispered, as the memories came flooding back.

Four years ago, New Year’s Day was a time where everyone, regardless of religion, gender and race, gathered to celebrate, rejoice and party. A time that could only be classified as pure fun, but now… no one wanted to celebrate it.

31 December 2014 and 1 January 2015 claimed ten million lives and robbed our spirits.

On New Year’s Eve, detonations took place globally. Bombs went off simultaneously at GMT Midnight.

In Europe, thousands gathered at public locations on New Years’ Eve, such as the Eiffel Tower, waiting for the countdown.

In America, it was evening, and people were at home getting ready for the night out.

It was already the morning of New Year’s Day in Russia and Asia and people were sleeping off their hangovers.

And then… bombs detonated globally. Blasts brought down everything.

At heavily populated locations, iconic places and residential apartments were brought down. Maximising causalities – placing fear in the hearts of survivors.

The deadly blast released shockwaves that turned buildings into rubble and humans into lifeless vessels. Some died from being crushed to death… others were burnt beyond recognition. But most died from multiple trauma injuries.

This was only the first attack.

Before anyone could recover from the first shock, the second detonation hit them. Exactly twelve hours after the first. GMT 1200 hours.

No one thought the terrorists would act so quickly.

In a blink of an eye, more iconic buildings and structures – such as the Colosseum in Rome – were destroyed. Monuments that defined us and made countries great – vapourised. Years of effort and billions of dollars down the drain.

Buildings reduced to a pile of useless grey rubble.

Every major city went up in flames. Bright flashes could be seen from the satellites, even in the day.

Launching a synchronised attack in one country was extremely difficult. Launching simultaneous synchronised attacks on a global scale was another matter altogether, and unprecedented.

Max opened his eyes and started the engine. I will find you, he threatened softly and sped off.

Chapter 3

CORPS

B eneath the cold barren surface, unknown agents were preparing for an assault.

Ada, are our guys in place? an unknown man asked.

Yes, sir, surrounding the vicinity of the Palace.

Nothing is going to get past us, sir, a field agent said over the communications channel.

Good. Remember, Chia, the Unknown Man said to the field agent, "if you have to, maim, do not kill."

Understood, sir.

The agent relayed a modified version of his commander’s message to his men and ended off with, Sacrifice one innocent to save ten innocents. Shoot to kill. Understood?

Chapter 4

PALACE

O ne second past midnight – it was already 31 December 2018. Another 11 hours and 59 minutes until the Anniversary. As usual, millions all around the world would tune in for this special occasion – this year it was the United Kingdom’s turn to host the Anniversary.

Years passed and no one understood why 10 Mill-Dec occurred…

Whoever planned this was sending a message that no one understood.

And the amazing thing was that since then, there had been no other attacks. The whole world was kept on tenterhooks, waiting for an attack that never came. It was enough to drive them insane.

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Max was twenty-two when his entire family was wiped out at the Colosseum during the 10 Mill-Dec disaster. He was the only one who survived – simply because he managed to run faster than the rest of his family. If only they had run faster, they would be alive today. If only…

Every year, at this time, he blamed himself. He was the one who suggested visiting Rome. If only he hadn’t, they would have lived. If only…

His fault…

Max returned to London and his relatives tried to take care of him – but they didn’t understand the pain that was killing him.

He distanced himself and ran away.

And he ran straight into the arms of the girl whom he had known since he was just a toddler. The girl who made Max smile and laugh; the girl who stood by him, fought with him, and eventually fell in love with him.

With time, their bond was forged so strongly that it simply couldn’t be severed. They were there for each other at all times, without question.

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Buckingham Palace had already reached its maximum capacity, yet, there were others who were still trying to squeeze in. There wasn’t even enough space for the cameramen.

Where is he? the crowd began to murmur, wondering where the British Prime Minister, Sir Bernard Barclay, was.

There he is! someone said. About time, another stranger muttered.

The Prime Minister waved at the crowd and walked towards the podium.

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I have eyes on target, a sniper said, watching Barclay through his telescopic sight.

Team A in position, the spotter said.

Team B in position, another spotter said, and kept repeating until Team F reported in. Six snipers, six spotters.

Mission control, we’re in position. All teams go, Chia said, as he programmed the unmanned aerial vehicle to start flying towards Buckingham Palace.

Copy that, Chia. Fire only when being fired upon, the Unknown Man said.

Affirmative, Chia said as his screen read: ‘TARGET LOCKED.’

Chapter 5

STRIKE

T he Prime Minister cleared his throat and started off with a gentle voice. "Good afternoon. I trust I find you all in good health. Though I know the past hurts, I want to talk about the future, your future . But first, let us remember the past." There wasn’t a script in front of him; he was speaking off the cuff. It was bold and brave, but a little reckless, for he was not known to be a good orator.

Four years ago, we were attacked. Most of you lost your families and loved ones. I know and understand. And do you know why I understand? Because I too, lost my entire family! All of them, wiped out just like that! his voice rose as he continued.

I was bitter, angry, sad… But despite all that, there is a subtle silver lining, and I remembered one of God’s teachings. The teaching said to—

SHUT UP! a voice suddenly screamed through the crowd, shocking everyone.

A girl stood on a chair and shouted again, YOU’RE AN IDIOT! JUST SHUT UP! her voice was strained and filled with rage. Angry enough to strangle the Prime Minister. HOW DARE YOU! God?

Hundreds of eyes focused on the girl and she stood her ground, refusing to back down.

Barclay’s expression changed to shock. The rest of the world had the same bewildered look on their faces.

She was a teenager – looked to be about seventeen years old. She shouted at the top of her lungs again. You’re full of shit! What silver lining is there? It was a terrorist attack! she stopped shouting and looked around, trying to gather supporters who would stand by her.

But there was no one.

No one at all.

No one said a thing. Perhaps they were stunned at her outburst. Barclay deserved it though. He and everyone else knew that nothing good had ever come from killing innocent people, yet he said it.

She continued, My parents died too! My entire family died! My cousins, aunts, uncles, everyone I loved. They died when the Golden Gate Bridge collapsed. The girl started crying. "I survived because I was lucky. I am all alone. I’m the last of my family! And you’re here telling me this is God’s plan? God’s plan is to take my entire family away and leave me alone?" She turned around and looked at the crowd, hoping for someone to feel her pain.

Her body was shaking. Trembling with rage and the knowledge that when she goes home… there was no one but herself.

Suddenly… a strange voice spoke.

"Fools." A one-syllable word echoed loudly throughout the Palace from the speakers. It was a deep-throated voice. Whoever was using the speaker was using a voice modulator device, disguising themselves, making him or her sound more intimidating.

It wasn’t Barclay – he was already off the podium.

No one was near the microphone.

71257.png

Below the icy ground, the Unknown Man said urgently, Chia, sitrep, now.

Sir, someone hacked into the Palace speakers. Unable to locate source or VIP target, the team-leader replied. Permission to engage?

Go.

The Unknown Man shouted across the room at his hacker, Who’s speaking?

Sir, I don’t know! It’s a closed system. Whoever is accessing the speakers is within the Palace itself, the hacker replied as she awaited instructions, unsure of the next step.

Chapter 6

THREAT

"A rguing among yourselves when there’s a bigger threat – I love it. The voice continued, It’s like watching a television programme. I love a good drama involving riots, killing – the works . The speaker sneered, I couldn’t have planned it any better."

The sinister voice was gritty and demonic, sending shivers down everyone’s spines.

"People like you. Sheep. All of you. You are meant to be ruled, that is the reason why the generals of the military have the ability to send soldiers to their death while they sit back and watch the war from miles away. The countdown to your death starts… Now."

The voice stopped. Everyone looked at each other, waiting for the other person to react.

A high-pitched sound screeched through the speakers and everyone was sent into a wild state of panic. They ran straight for the gates but it was too congested for everyone to leave at the same time.

The crowd elbowed and punched each other. Trampled on those who fell. It was every man for himself.

Weirdly enough, those who managed to escape from the Palace stopped, looked back and waited. A morbid reaction from the people, curious, wanting to know what was going to happen next, even when common sense dictated that they should just run as far as possible. The crowd outside but still within the Palace compound merely moved back to make space. Idiots.

Chapter 7

SHIFTING EARTH

S uddenly, the ground started vibrating and everyone lost their footing.

The ground split open as if there was an earthquake, exposing deep cracks, releasing hissing sounds. Slowly, hot vapour started rising from the crevices and scalded whoever came into direct contact with it.

Fear was plastered on everyone’s face. Their foreheads beaded with cold sweat.

The shaking stopped abruptly and relief appeared on everyone’s faces. They looked around when they should have carried on running.

All at once, a huge tremor began at the centre of the Palace. It rippled outwards through the crowd and beyond the Palace compound. The integrity of the structure was compromised.

As the cracks grew in size, the ground started shifting and rotating. The grey-bricked floor tiles pressed and twisted against each other until they shattered into pieces and fell deep into the widening chasms.

The shifting of the ground gained speed and with each passing second its effects spread like wildfire beyond the walls and gates.

GET OUT! GET OUT OF MY WAY! those stuck in the Palace screamed.

Unfortunately, their fates were already sealed.

Death was staring at them.

The fissures within the ground became larger and larger and the screams became louder and louder. People at home had their eyes glued to their television sets and couldn’t look away, watching with terrified fascination as they witnessed the destruction and mayhem.

The concrete structure of the Palace gave way. The columns and beams twisted and broke apart like toothpicks.

The moving sinkhole slowly swallowed up the entire Palace. People screamed in vain and their hands stretched towards the sky as they tried to grab imaginary ropes, but they grasped at empty intangible air instead, as they fell to their deaths.

The Palace compound could fit a maximum of 80,000 people. There were more today. Far more.

Everyone wanted to be there.

Now they were all gone.

The destruction did not stop there. The strange sinkhole spread like tendrils far beyond the Palace gates and onto the rest of the surrounding areas, but stopped before the massive greenery that covered the Palace compound.

What was left behind were debris and broken columns sticking up from the ground – and bodies of the dead and injured survivors. Grey dust covered the entire area, engulfing the whole vicinity with a thick murky fog. The tiny grey particles in the air choked their lungs and made their eyes tear.

Buckingham Palace became the Death Palace!

Where there was grass, now was soil. Where once a beautiful and majestic Palace stood, all that was left now was nothing but a huge empty space with broken columns and debris, marking what was once the perimeter of the Palace.

Millions of dollars spent building and maintaining the Palace – all gone in a matter of minutes. Thousands of lives lost in the blink of an eye.

Barclay was nowhere to be seen. Was he dead?

Assistance soon came, in the form of crowds flooding in to help those in need.

Today’s heroes.

Scotland Yard, firefighters and ambulance crew rushed to the area, but to no avail. They were there only to cart away the few dead bodies and survivors. There was hardly anything for Scotland Yard to work on.

Fear swept throughout the nation. Throughout the world.

Those who watched the horror on television were too numb to react. They had just watched thousands plunge to their deaths in the unforgiving heart of hell.

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Although the Unknown Man and his team were prepared for an attack, they didn’t expect this. And so, like everyone in the world, they stared.

Stunned…

His mind grappled with reality, the Unknown Man ordered, Scramble the recovery team! Get our men back!

Chapter 8

MI6

T he moment Bernard went missing, all of MI6 scrambled for answers. There had never been such a weapon or device that could do so much damage and yet leave no trace. Just like the 10 Mill-Dec attack.

The man’s voice was the only clue left.

From what the analysts had concluded, the technology used was decades ahead of its time.

MI6 tried to reverse the voice modulator but it didn’t work – the result was an alien-like voice.

Another team busily scanned through the security systems, trying to find out if there was a known terrorist somewhere in the crowd or vicinity.

If it was a terrorist attack, MI6 would have found out and prepared themselves.

But there was nothing.

Ever since 10 Mill-Dec, MI6 had upped their game. They organised more covert operations to remove threats within the United Kingdom, regardless of human rights laws. They had to. Millions had died under their watch.

But no matter how good MI6 was, they were outclassed and outmatched by a force that had remained hidden for years. No one could find the 10 Mill-Dec terrorists.

The only differences between today and 31 December 2014, were the fact that there were fewer casualties, the damage was localised in only one area and agencies had finally heard the leader’s voice.

What message were they trying to send? What were they trying to prove?

71274.png

Are our agents on site? the Chief of MI6 asked.

Yes, they are, sir! the Chief’s intelligence and operations officer answered.

Hugh, find the P.M. the Chief ordered and he spun around. Bell, find out everything about the bombs. Fells, find the hacker. Atkinson, block entrances in and out of London, every city and the country. And… get me the Chief of the Armed Forces. The Chief continued giving orders to all the department heads in the room.

The Chief of MI6 was Louie Walters. It was astounding that such a short man could project himself through such a loud, powerful and dominating voice and stature.

The news outlets reported the death count.

300 and climbing.

Not known for his patience and kindness, he shouted, I want those answers now! Find them! Walters stopped barking out his orders and they quickly said their yes sirs, and left the room in a hurry, not wanting to be the one Walters singled out.

Not surprisingly, he was obsessed with the 10 Mill-Dec event.

His green eyes stared at the television and he cursed under his breath. Like many others, Walters had a personal vendetta. His brother was killed in California – a city which was now nothing but a pile of debris and nightmares.

Walters’ frown deepened into a scowl as he turned away.

While everyone was leaving, one of the Department Heads, Deputy-Head of the MI6 Anti-Terrorism Division, Thomas Gately, took his time to exit. When he was sure that he was the only one left with Walters, the lanky man made his way to the Chief.

The fifty year-old man, Gately, said, Sir, I need this room to be completely private.

Walters pushed a white button on the wall and the lights dimmed. A thick sheet of metal slid down the walls, encasing the room completely.

The air-conditioning display read: ‘Isolation Mode Engaged’ – reminding whoever was inside the room, that they were completely shut off from the world.

Isolation Mode was a special electronic seal that prevented individuals from listening in from the outside. No one would be able to see what was inside without drilling a hole through the metal walls. All electronics, even old tape recorders, would be temporarily disabled by a magnetic field.

Louie, Gately addressed him informally, having known him for many years. "I have reason to believe that Zini and Slater Bank is a communications medium used by the 10