AllFreeNovel
Share Us
controlled and developed utopian atmosphere and the method to achieve that goal is not as farfetched as any of you might think. "It's sheet science fiction."
"In this day and age we all deal in science fiction, do we not'?" Kelly answered. "Consider this, gentlemen.
Of all the nations of the world, the nations of Latin America are the most vulnerable to outside penetration, primarily because they have not had to face foreign encroachment in well over a hundred years. They were protected by a wall, a wall built by the United States and called the Monroe Doctrine."
"The American government will take a very dim view of your grandiose scheme," said a tall man with white hair, white eyebrows and solemn eye.
"By the time their agents have penetrated Hermit Limited's organization we will have proven our intentions with solid accomplishments," Kelly said. "They will not bother us. in fact, I predict they Will discreetly give us a green light and provide whatever aid they consider possible without international repercussion."
"I take it you don't intend to go it alone," Pitt probed.
"No," Kelly tersely answered. "After I satisfied myself that the program was sound and had every chance to succeed, I approached Marks, Von Hummel, Boyle and the other gentlemen you see here who possessed the financial means to make it a reality. They thought as I did. Money is to be used for the, common good of all. Why die and leave nothing but a large bank account or a few corporations that soon forget who Planted their seed and nourished them to financial maturity? We then met and formed Hermit Limited. Each Of us owns equal shares of stock and has an equal voice on the board of directors."
"How do you know one or more Of Your partners in crime won't get greedy?" Pitt smiled faintly. "They may swindle a couple or two for themselves."
"The computer hose well," Kelly said, undaunted.
"Look at us. No one is under the age of sixty-five.
What do we have left? One, two, maybe with luck ten years. We are all childless. Therefore, no heirs. What does any one of us have to gain by excessive avarice?
The answer is simple. Nothing."
The Russian shook his head incredulously. "Your scheme is absurd.
Even my own government would never consider such drastic and reckless action."
"No government would," Kelly said in patient explanation. "But there lies the difference. You think only in political terms.
In the history of man, no nation or civilization has ever fallen except by internal revolution or by foreign invasion. I intend to write a new chapter by accomplishing the impossible by adhering to strict business principles."
"I can't say as I recall murder being taught as a required course in business administration school," Pitt said, easily, lighting a cigarette.
"An unfortunate but necessary part of the plan," returned Kelly. "Methodical assassination is perhaps a more fitting term."
He turned to the Russian. "You should have your KGB agents read the Ismailians, Comrade Tamareztov. It goes into great detail concerning the methods used by a Persian sect of fanatics that spread terror through the Mohammedan world in 1090
A.D. The word Assassin is their dark memorial to the ages."
"You're as mad as they were," the Frenchman said severely.
"If you believe that," Kelly said slowly, "you're very naive."
The Frenchman looked dazed. "I do not understand. How can you-"
"How can my associates here and I take over an entire continent?" Kelly finished. "Basically, it's elementary. Purely a problem of economics. We start with an impoverished country, gain control of its monetary resources, discreetly eliminate its key leaders and buy it out."
"You wax lyrical, James," said the old man.
"You'll have to do better."
"There is genius in simplicity, Sam. Take
, for example, Bolivia. A country whose people are close to starvation . . . in many cases the income per family barely exceeding twenty dollars a year. its whole economy is based on the Peroza copper mines.
Gain control of the mines and you gain control of the country."
"I should think Bolivia's army will have something to Say about a foreign-inspired takeover," Pitt said, Pouring a glass to the brim with brandy.
