Quest for Dominance: The Sampson Project, #3

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter I – Masquerade

Chapter II – Affirmed Suspicions

Chapter III – Intimidation

Chapter IV – Illusive Faith

Chapter V – Past Alliances

Chapter VI – The Visit

Chapter VII – Stolen Prey

Chapter VIII – Chosen Liaisons

Chapter IX – Coerced Manipulation

Chapter X – Confessions from Abroad

Chapter XI – Adversarial Mark

Chapter XII – Tainted Arrival

Chapter XIII – Strategic Unions

Quest for Dominance

Introduction

Under the rule of a repressive whole, any man can be made obedient, no matter the insistence to control his own destiny. The essence, of which, becomes a powerful instrument of dominance.

All of physical nature lies at our feet shackled with a hundred chains. But what of human nature? Domination of human nature can only mean the control of every man through his own insecurities and ideals. The egoist has no ideals, thereby freeing him from self-imposed domination.

Men such as Jeremy Taylor and Colin Fiennes act for their own self-interest, not for the interest of idealistic archetypes. They need the world to succumb to their own prophecy, to their control of all that surrounds them. Governments shall fall and great men shall bow before them once success is achieved and victory granted within the walls of the great Institute. Ultimate destruction of normality and the manipulation of human existence is its only purpose. With power seduced collaborators in tow, Fiennes attempts to redefine humanity and the genetic chemistry that defines it.

Robert Carlton is once again thrust into the fray of Fiennes’ evil intent to control life and its innate meaning. The events that framed his life with Natalie Chapman has led him to the center of biological manipulation. Once confused and afraid, he is now equipped physically and emotionally to fight with greater force and accuracy. Robert comes to know his enemy and what moves a malevolent force to use his discoveries against the world. He has been charged to engage that enemy and position himself with suspect allies to put an end to Colin Fiennes and the unconscionable work of Dr. Peter Gates.

As a favor to Yure Chapman, the spiritual will and intrinsic force of the Vatican is employed to undue the actions of his once comrade in arms. Yure was now convinced that if Fiennes was allowed to achieve his objectives, the future of the world would become his own personal playground. But there was a new wild card in the mix unknown to all, an allegiance of one. Thrust into the middle of what she was told to ignore, Natalie charged herself with her own mission to disrupt plans that would create a One World Order.

The love Robert once knew, exploited and taken from him without recourse, was now an undefined force of will. Still, he must find a way to turn the tables and reclaim any semblance of a life before it all happened, with or without her. A life before the Sampson Project and its defiant quest for dominance.

The

Sampson Project

***************

Quest for Dominance

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism, leading to a more formal

and permanent tyrannical repression.

-  George Washington

The strongest and most effective force in guaranteeing the long-term maintenance of power is not violence in all the forms deployed by the dominant to control the dominated, but consent in all the forms in which the dominated acquiesce in their own domination.

-  Robert Frost

-—Chapter I—-

Masquerade

Secrets destroy the most passionate of men. Secrecy causes even the simplest of truths to seem almost mysterious in value. It has the power to fuel desire and seduce ones heart. But no matter how hard we try to guard our secrets, to keep them close, eventually they are exposed through non-virtuous intentions and self-seeking cause.

It was exactly that which gave way to the impression of love found. All at once, the dream-like quality of the night gave way. Refuge became his punishment, as he forced himself from her grasp. He had never wanted the night to end, not like that. The intensity of the moment burned through him. The commanding noise and pounding music had completely faded from the sensory driven injection as he tried to make sense of it all.

Her spoken words, that simple phrase, coursed through him like adrenaline pumped straight into his veins. His mind refused to believe the possibilities. This simply could not be her.

At first, she stood still, completely frozen, looking at him, waiting for his response while the song played on.

He could not stop his mind from spinning, his heart from pounding. He kept telling himself that he must have heard wrong... she must have misspoke. How would she know? How could she know? It was impossible, he thought.

His insistence to walk away as if it was only a dream, instead gave way to anger and an overwhelming insistence to know the truth.

That can’t be?  What did you say?

Never mind, I’m sorry, I.... I didn’t say anything... I really have to go.

No, you can’t leave now! Who are you? Who sent you?!

I don’t know what you’re talking about; you have to stop asking me questions!   I have to go, she insisted, pushing hard from his grasp.

No! You can’t! Not until I find out what you’re doing here and who sent you!

I told you, my name is Celeste and...

...I know what you told me, but this whole masquerade, this whole night was a set-up! Did Scottie put you up to this? How did you know what to say? How did you know to whisper that phrase, to use those three words... Toujours mon amour?

I don’t know what you’re talking about. Please, you’re hurting me, let go of me!

Not until you tell me why you’re here!

Celeste continued to pull away, only to have him clutch harder to keep her close. Her laced blouse began to tear as he pulled back, frantically trying to hold on. But there was little he could do, as she broke free of his grasp, sprinting out of the club. Darting dangerously into the street, the sound of oncoming cars slammed on their brakes, coming within inches of hitting her.

Robert tried desperately to stay close, but could only watch as she disappeared into the night, slipping through the maze of traffic that blocked his way.

He could not give up, not after all that he had been through. But as he continued to follow, he found only dark alleyways endlessly weaving, intersecting each other, bumping into the mass of people making their way through the confusing streets. The search became clouded and thoughts of finding her grew hopeless. His breath became thick, laboring heavily from the chase. He stared blankly at a homeless man that begged for his generosity as he stopped his pursuit. He acquiesced to another lost lead, another mocking reminder of his previous failures. It became obvious, no matter what he did or where he looked, she would not be found.

It was pointless to keep up the search. Scottie would be looking for him if he did not return soon. With a deliberate pace, he made his way back through traffic, quickly finding himself back in the confusing lights of the club, overcome by the same personal defeat he had convinced himself would never return.

Where the hell have you been man? You look out of breath.

Robert stood in defiance to all that surrounded him, sullen and without thought to what Scottie asked. She was just here. I tried to get answers, then she ran. She acted guilty Scottie, in total defiance. I pressed, but she claimed complete ignorance of her obvious masquerade to fool me.

Seriously dude, I have no idea what you’re talking about? You’re speaking in riddles all over again man. Really scaring the crap out of me for the hundredth time. What the hell’s going on?

Someone impersonated her... for whatever reason, I don’t know. But she was here, right in front of me, it was so real.

Again, I’m lost dude. Who impersonated whom? Shit Rob, make some sense will ya.

The girl I met here while you were dancing. She was Natalie. Everything about her. The way she looked, the way she spoke, the things she said.

Come on, not again. Seriously guy, you have to give up the thought of every girl looking and sounding like Natalie. This delusion is going to drive you insane.

Robert grabbed Scottie and drew him close, angry at his response. You don’t understand! She said things that only Natalie would know. She even spoke a certain phrase that....

You’re not going to tell me she whispered those French words you told me about are you?

She did man... I’m telling you! That’s when I confronted her. She argued, pulled away from me, then ran out.

"Gotta say, sounds pretty freaky; that is, if it really happened like you remember. But it has to be just a coincidence Rob, come on. Sit down for a minute and calm yourself. We’re starting to attract attention, and Ashley will be back from the powder room soon.

You have to get some clarity here dude. What the freak could anyone gain by impersonating Natalie? Seriously my man, there’s no gain. It must just be a weird fluke. Or maybe you thought you heard what you wanted to hear. Bottom line, you just chased one beautiful woman out of the club. Someone that could have been great for you.

Scottie’s words were worthless to Robert, angry that he let her slip through his hands without any answers. He started to question himself and what she had said, all the thoughts, the confusion that melted into the moment. Everything that could be. The more he tried to decipher what happened, the less he understood.

There was nothing left to do. The night had turned on him again. He had to get out of there and clear his head. Scottie made his apologies to Ashley, and they left the club in quiet thought, quickly making their way back to the garage. Cutting the evening short, they returned to Berkeley with further unfulfilled revelations and even more questions to consider.

Little was discussed during the drive back, excepting the normal off-humor remarks from his good friend.

Mostly, Robert stared straight ahead as was his manner, until he finally felt the need to speak.

She had all the same mannerisms, the same smile, same laugh, but I ignored it all until she whispered in my ear. Either Celeste was a ghost or someone put her up to this charade!

Dude, I know this sounds off the wall and you’re probably going to hate me for this, but you sure it wasn’t Natalie? I mean she seems to be a real chameleon these days. I think there’s more to our girl than you want to admit.

Seems like anything’s possible at this point. Feel like I’m being manipulated, purposely driven crazy. But there’s no way, absolutely no way. I’m sure that girl was an imposter.

How can you be so sure? It was pretty dark in that place. All the flashing lights, not sure if I would know my own mother in there.

There’s just something that told me. Too many inconsistencies. Celeste could not be her. The way she ran across the street; it’s as if she were running from the police. She seemed terrified when I followed her. None of it made sense. So bizarre.

Bizarre is an understatement dude. But if you’re right, that it wasn’t her... then at least it could mean that Natalie’s still alive.

And, how the hell do you come up with that?

Pull your head out of your ass for a second and think about it! If someone put this Celeste up to the charade, then obviously that person had to know a lot about Natalie.

Right, I know, it crossed my mind. But there’s not too many people that could put something like this together. Only a few knew her well enough.

Hold on. You’re not gonna tell me that our friendly secret agents Yure and Natasha had something to do with this are you?

I’m not saying that. There are others much more devious. Natalie was heavily involved with Gates and Johnson, to say nothing of Eichmann...

"...No, no. I don’t believe that woman could be involved. How could that be after what happened on the bridge in Paris?

Seriously, I know what you’re trying to say Rob, but Miss Gestapo herself never called you back, did she?

"Yeah, but that was just how she conducted herself man. She freaking killed Dobbs... the asshole that tried to kill me! The same piece of garbage that caused Natalie to fall over the railing and ..."

...and what? what are you doin man? You’re making yourself crazy again! I’ve seen that weird look of panic and terror on your face before. What the hell are you thinking? Let me into that brain of yours. I’m serious! Don’t be going off kilter again, can’t have that happen... I just got you back!

Scottie! What if that was just an act, what if that was staged for my benefit? I mean, I never did see Dobbs’ body taken away. I never saw what happened to him afterwards!

Alright, now you’ve done it. Definitely gone off the deep end... again. Nobody could stage something like that. Not so convincingly, and in public? Come on Rob, that’s a ludicrous thought, even for you. No offense.

I know, I know. You’re right. I’m just trying to find some sense in something that I will probably never understand. I was just starting to let her go. Then this stupid shit had to happen. It’s all so screwed up!

Absolutely dude. But you can’t let it consume you. Let’s just get back home and sleep it all off. Maybe Jerry can shed some light, or at least give us his objective take on your paranoia, for lack of a better word.

Paranoia... yeah, probably right again. Just get me back home. Feel like I’m losing my mind!

The two men arrived in Berkeley with the same haunting sense that continued to follow them. No matter the venue or setting, they could not escape it. Once again, their awareness was threatened. The night had engulfed their sense of reality and sent them back into darkness, questioning themselves, unsure of what to do next. They cautiously pulled next to Scottie’s apartment. Everything was done cautiously now. How could it not. The new events caused both of their minds to spin out of control, rethinking alliances, the recent events that re-shaped their lives. The streets appeared void of life considering the earlier festive atmosphere. Nothing seemed normal to either of them anymore, no matter the circumstance or surroundings; the unexpected almost became the expected.

Everything went silent as they took the rusted lift to the second floor. The loud clang from the opening of the lift’s metal gate was barely heard by either man as they dragged themselves forward. As they approached the apartment, both men noticed a small light emanating from inside. The front door was ajar but not forced open. Examining the scene carefully, they stayed quiet. Feeling as if history was about to repeat itself.

Shit Rob, what the hell man? This is like de ja vu all over again.

"Calm down Scottie, maybe you just forgot to lock