Revenge’s heart.

TWELVE YEARS AGO. “Hurry up, gather round.” Terrence Wilson sat as he instructed his children. “We are all here, now daddy, now.” They called in unison as they gathered at his feet. “Okay. The story of our family is one that has been passed down for generations, and it all begins the same way. It all started in 1820, our family lived in Africa and while annoyed by the fact that our brothers and sisters outside the county were still facing hardships, they couldn’t do anything about it. Then our ancestor, Andrew had an idea; he founded the family business ONYX, on the outside it was a small cocoa production business but on the inside, it was known as SOART: The Strategic Observation and Response Team one of the most advanced level of information and intelligence training the world has ever seen. He built he company from the ground up and after we immigrated to this country, we kept the family legacy, diversifying the face of the company into more products so as to mask the enormous revenue that the background of the business brought in. Over time, we have continued the act of preserving knowledge, intervening in global issues only when necessary and acting from the shadows. When I was chosen to head the organization I was beyond scared, it is a big job, and you must all be ready to work hand in hand with whoever is chosen among you.” Terrence cleared his throat and smiled at the rapt attention that was being paid by his children. He had grown up in a house that was far from pleasant, his father had been a rough and evil man. Cassian Wilson was the kind of person who valued only strength and thought of any kind of caring for other as weak. At the age of five, he had called his three sons and had told them of the family legacy, he had made a point of stating that the position of head of SOART was only for those who could be ruthless and laser focused. Before long Cassian had turned his last two boys into entitled self serving monsters who didn’t care for anything or anyone. Matt and Paul were twins and doted on their father, it was however a shame to their father that Terrence his first born son saw the world differently and looked to change what his father had turned the organization into. A couple of weeks after the death of their father, Terrence completed the Winter trials and took his place as the head of the organization. He rebuilt into the benevolent institution it was founded to be, to help as many people as possible and keep the people safe from the consequences of the actions being taken by the governments of the world, the world had no idea of the shadow works of the company ONYX and Terrence dedicated his life to making sure that they improved ahead of the world and remained secret. “Wow, many years of helping people, that is really wonderful.” Christian said, at the age of 15 he was already the pride of his father, he was the first son and showed all the signs of a true and honest man. “Yeah, I just don’t get why we don’t come out and reveal all the good we have done to the world, they would be grateful and we could do more with the platform we would gain.” Janet remarked. She was the eldest and her parents knew from the first time they saw her that she would run ONYX. “That’s a valid suggestion, but one thing you should know kids, the less people know wbout you, the more influence you have. With ignorance comes bliss for all sides.” Terrence smiled, he knew his daughter had a point but he knew what would happen and the cons outweighed the pros. “That’s enough for one day, who wants Ice cream?” Elizabeth called from the door way. She chuckled as the children raced to the kitchen to get their flavors of choice and walked to her husband as they were left alone. “Do you think it’s safe to tell them these things now?” she sat at the arm of his chair and gave him a kiss. “My dad told me and my brother when we were younger than their age, it’s never too early.” he sighed. She studied him and smiled, “Let me guess, you are thinking about what Janet said, she has a point you know. The world feels the effect of what we do but they might be inclined to make themselves better of they knew that what they get isn’t from nowhere but from people who want to fix the cracks already forming in this world.” He laid a land on the one she had put on his shoulder. “I know, I know. It’s just that with anonymity we can do anything, we can help people we would be banned from helping if we are recognized. That is also not regarding the fact that my brothers don’t help the situation.” Elizabeth waited until Terrence was relaxed to begin the discussion that they had planned on having for the past couple of weeks. “So I met with Hartley today.” She sat up on the bed and watched as he did the same. “What did she have to say?” The seriousness on his face was intense. “It’s all ready, she said that it has all been arranged and all we have to do is send the signal and it goes underway.” She looked unhappy. Terrence could see the sadness on her face and recited all he had been saying for the past two weeks. “It is necessary Liz, with the way things are going now, we have to make those arrangements or we lose everything.” “I know, I know, but normal people write a note or wrap a box to be delivered to their children in the event of their death, not plan a whole elaborate escape plan.” she threw her hands in the air. “Think about it Liz, If we die unexpectedly, we both know that the vultures will be lining up to tear our family apart. We can’t have that, they are our pride and legacy, we have to protect them from everything. This is the best we can do.” He stroked her back knowing that the talk of death would make her emotional. “Yeah, you’re right. Anyway, Andrea Hartley said that the bases and safe houses are all ready and they are completely untraceable.” “Good, very good. I hope the children never have to use them.” He looked at her reassuringly. “I Love you Terry.” She smiled at him “I Love you so much more Liz” He made love to her with passion letting her know that he would do his best to make sure that their family never gets torn apart. He sat up all night thinking about what would become of his children if he was ever killed by people he knew hated his family and all they stood for. Knowing that laying on the bed and doing nothing would make his head spiral, he moved his wife’s naked sleeping body and got up, he didn’t know if what he was planning to do would work or if it would backfire and destroy all their plans. He put on a t shirt and shorts and walked to his computer. “ANDY, secure the connection.” he said quietly, ANDY was a special state of the art virtual assistant, he had built it himself and it controlled more of the company than anyone besides himself and his family. “Connection secure.” It responded after a few seconds. “Get me Hartley.” He sat down. After the third ring the female face appeared on the screen, “Good evening sir.” Andrea Hartley had been his confidant and assistant since he had rescued her from the Russian bratva ten yeas before, they had targeted her for being a witness to a p**********n trial against their top boss, Alexei and she had no where to run till Terrence had taken an interest in the case and had arrived just in the nick of time and has offered her protection. She had immediately quit her job as a cashier for the convenient store she was working in and had dedicated her life to SOART immediately, she rose in the ranks and was one of the very few people Terrence trusted with everything and she had always been loyal. “I’m sorry to wake you up this late, its very important.” He apologized. “Oh it’s not a problem sir, I was going to call you in the morning but I’m glad you did now. Your suspicions are true, you and your family are in danger.” she looked dead serious. Elizabeth sighed exasperatedly, “What have they done now?” “They keep asking for SOART to be made public, I know that they just want to make profit from it, it isn’t right and further shows why I can’t make it public.” Terrence shook his head. “Yeah, I get that. Sometimes I wonder how you are related to the both of them.” Elizabeth Said and got up. “Sometimes I am puzzled by that too.” He laughed as he got up too, the noise from the dining hall was getting louder which meant that the children were already sugar high and he knew what damage the six of them could do. It took a long time for them to get the children down, even with the help of the nannies Kevin at the age of 13 still kept his night light on doing what they couldn’t understnd in his room, Rachel was 11 refused to sleep because she was convinced there was something that would get her in the dark, this was the effect of the horror movie Amanda had insisted they watch that evening, Amanda, aged 9 was jumping on the bed and was clearly sugar high, her twin brother Richard was the last born of the family coming out a long twenty minutes after his sister, he was more occupied with his play station than getting some sleep. It was always a herculean task getting them all down and after thirty minutes of begging, pleading, placating and promising to get the house doubled in guard all seemed peaceful at last.