Lucas finally took a seat at the head of the table, across from Dominic. His reflection hovered ghost-like in the black tabletop. "Now, about this rally," he said. "Temple may be an obstinate fool, but he has a knack for turning situations to his advantage if given the chance. We must ensure he doesn't get that chance."
Eva cleared her throat softly. "Sir, I have drafted statements as mentioned. If violence breaks out, Helios will publicly urge calm and support the authorities. We'll simultaneously deploy our security drones on a 'trial basis' to assist CPD." CPD - Chicago Police Department - though at this point half the force was effectively on corporate payrolls.
Lucas nodded. "Good. Optics will be important. We need the public to feel the city is slipping, that only a firm hand with advanced resources can steer it back." He looked at Dominic. "I want Temple unsettled. After the rally fiasco, he'll be on the defensive. That's when I plan to present him with our proposal formally."
Dominic's expression remained neutral, though his heartbeat ticked up a notch. "The proposal for citywide surveillance integration?"
"Yes," Lucas confirmed, eyes gleaming at the prospect. "Project Aegis. We'll offer it as a solution to the 'increasing chaos.' Temple's fear and embarrassment will make him pliable. He'll have to consider it, if not outright accept. We'll dress it up as a temporary measure, of course, but once we're in, we don't leave."
Eva interjected carefully, "There's already pushback against the idea in City Council, even with current crime rates. Councilwoman Reyes, for instance, has been rallying the civil libertarians. Small voice now, but if Temple hesitates, voices like hers could gain traction."
Dominic caught the name. "Reyes... Miranda Reyes?"
"Yes," Eva said, a faint note of annoyance coloring her tone. "She used to be a journalist. Now she's on the City Council as a community candidate who got in last year. She's been breathing down Temple's neck over corporate influence. And she's rumored to have ties with this grassroots group planning the rally. Possibly even their intended speaker."
Dominic recalled the AR phoenix tag in the Underloop and talked of a fiery speaker calling out Helios. So, Miranda Reyes was not just an irritant on the news, but an active political adversary. Interesting.
Lucas's expression soured at the mention of her. "Reyes will be at the rally, likely. If things go according to plan, her credibility will be undermined along with the movement's. Still, Dominic, keep an eye on her. If she survives the chaos with influence intact, we'll need to address that."
Dominic nodded, already considering options. "I might have someone monitor her communications. Quietly."
Lucas allowed a thin smile. "Your netrunner contact... what was the handle... Zero? Use him if necessary. I want to know what Reyes is planning, and I want leverage on her if it exists. The last thing we need is a crusader inciting public resistance when Project Aegis is on the table."
"Understood. I'll handle it." Dominic exchanged a glance with Eva. She looked slightly troubled; perhaps the notion of spying on an elected official unsettled her, or maybe it was just the hour wearing on her composure.
Either way, Lucas moved on. "Now, regarding the mayor. Temple will lash out once the violence erupts. He'll blame gangs, perhaps implicitly blame Helios for not doing enough despite our philanthropy in the city. We need to ensure any such accusations die before they air."
Eva spoke up. "We've seeded the networks with experts – some on our payroll – to immediately frame the narrative as Temple losing control. The mayor will likely call it gang rivalry spilling into his rally. We'll emphasize how our city's leaders became targets because crime is out of hand. Turn it into sympathy for him but also a clear sign he's lost his grip."
Lucas steepled his fingers, a glint of pride in his eye as he regarded Eva. "Excellent. As always, Ms. Montrose, your foresight is appreciated."
She gave a polite tilt of her head in thanks.
Lucas's gaze shifted back to his son. "All of this is the prelude, Dominic. The real play comes after. When Temple is desperate enough, we offer solutions – not only surveillance, but perhaps a more direct partnership. A joint task force, Helios security advisors embedded with Chicago PD, perhaps oversight on critical infrastructure."
Dominic felt a flicker of excitement at the prospect. This was the grand strategy he thrived on: orchestrating events to leave the city no choice but the one he provided. It was the sort of Machiavellian art he'd spent years mastering under Lucas's tutelage and through his own ambition.
Lucas continued, lowering his voice slightly. "One more thing. If Temple, for some reason, refuses to budge even after our help at the rally... we might need to push harder."
The room seemed to quiet further. Only the distant thrum of climate control and the faint honk of a car far below broke the silence. Dominic studied his father's face. "Push how, exactly?"
Lucas's stare was cold. "There are always options. We could revisit exposing his backdoor deals with the unions. Perhaps leverage his weakness - that son of his in rehab again, wasn't it? But those are messy, and could draw sympathy for him. The other route... is to let the city suffer a tad more. A demonstration of what lack of control truly means."
"A larger incident," Dominic translated, keeping his voice neutral. A slight chill ran through him as he realized Lucas was contemplating worse than a rally riot. "Something more severe than a gang scuffle at a political event."
Lucas didn't respond directly, but the look in his eyes was enough to answer enough.
Eva shifted uneasily. "Sir, the rally disruption will already be a shock. A larger incident... we'd have to be extremely careful. If any thread linked back..."