The Blackfire Protocol by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 38

The following week, Frank walked into the dean’s office and, setting an envelope on his desk, announced that he was giving his notice. Of course, he was reminded that he was obligated by contract to finish the semester. After that, he would no longer be teaching but pursuing what was for him a higher cause.

“So, Frank,” the dean began. “What are your plans?” A moment of hesitation passed as he constructed his answer.

“Well,” he replied. “I know this might seem hard to believe, but I’m running for a senate seat.” The dean didn’t seem surprised. Frank had spent four years teaching at the university, and the dean knew him well enough that serving in a political office seemed like the perfect place for him.

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“So,” the dean said. “You’re running for a state seat? Good luck. I’ll keep an eye on your campaign, and if I like what I see, I’ll vote for you.” The dean didn’t quite understand the height of his ambition.

“No,” he replied. “Not the state. I’m running for a Republican seat in the federal congress.” The dean was stunned. Frank had no political experience, yet he expected to win a seat in Congress. The only thing he had going for him was a PhD in constitutional law and a few years of teaching. But in spite of this apparent shortcoming, the dean saw him as a viable candidate and a likely winner of the next senate election. There was just something about him that made him stand out as a confident, intelligent person capable of accomplishing whatever he set his mind to. What he didn’t know would shock him only a few years later. But for now, the dean stood up, shook his hand, and wished him luck with his political endeavor. “Thank you, sir,” he replied. “And maybe I’ll see you on the campaign trail.”

The dean nodded as Frank turned and walked out of his office. Walking down the hallway, he thought about why he had taken a teaching position in the first place. Maybe he simply needed the job, or perhaps it was something else. Whatever reason there was had escaped him, and this brought about a feeling of being somewhat lost. It was a feeling he was not accustomed to. It didn’t frighten him so much as threaten his tendency to be in control. In Frank’s mind, being in control was the only way to succeed. Developing one’s goals and applying the force of one’s will is the only path to success, and if

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someone gets in your way, you push them aside. He would not tolerate anything less than being in control, regardless of the situation. And in politics, it is especially critical to establish not simply control, but to dominate one’s opponent. Even after winning an election and becoming part of the Washington political machine, dominating one’s opponent, even if they were a foreign national, was crucial to accomplishing one’s goal—be it personal, political, or financial. From his education in law, Frank was also keenly aware that these three things are often intertwined and were the building blocks for a position where he might gain the power he wanted. But if the group fronting his campaign were right, this would be accomplished later.