The Blackfire Protocol by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 5

With the beginning of senior year came a new person, as Frank walked the halls with a degree of confidence he had never known before. Those who saw—both teachers and fellow students—could hardly believe it was the same person. But there was something else, something no one could put a finger on. It was something subtle yet elusive. Frank continued to excel in all his classes, and as before, he was especially proficient in history. But his teachers noticed a change. His interest had gone from American history to World War II. When they inquired to him about this, he gave them the same answer he had given his father. And they believed him. The student who had assaulted him the previous year had graduated and largely disappeared into the lower-class working world. Yet those students who had harassed him during that year were still present, and seeing what could only be called a suspicious look in his eyes, he decided to stay clear. Frank didn’t know it yet, but he had established a certain degree of control over them, seemingly with only a look. But he was too caught up in the transformation taking place to consider the idea of control.

Senior year seemed to progress smoothly, and Frank graduated Summa Cum Laude. He didn’t care to be around people much and despised the idea of public

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speaking, but given the high honors bestowed upon him, he knew he would have to give a speech. This would be tricky. He would have to speak with dignity, giving meaning to the event of graduation and the individual’s purpose in life. Should he express his true thoughts, the microphone would be turned off, and he could very well be stripped of his honors. This would, no doubt, leave the town wondering what had happened to their star pupil, and his parents would be publicly humiliated. He was also told that whatever he wrote would have to be approved by the school and the school board. Once it was approved, he would not be allowed to deviate from it by even a single word.

Finally, the day arrived, and dressed in his cap and gown, Frank took the stage in the school’s auditorium. With the title of Summa Cum Laude came a bright gold sash placed around his neck by the principle upon receiving his diploma. He could barely contain the feeling of accomplishment as his face flushed with self-consciousness. He didn’t care to be the object of attention, but this day was special, and Frank decided he needed to make an exception. He could not shrink away from this day, and standing behind the lectern, he opened a folder containing the two pages that he hoped would leave an immortal mark on the school.

“My fellow students, faculty, and honored guests. Today we stand at the crossroads of time. On one side is the future, a thing of uncertainty, doubt, and trepidation. On the other is the chasm of failure, the thing many might refer to as a detachment from all

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that is possible, from the fulfillment of one’s potential. The poet Virgil wrote, ‘Fortune Favors the Bold.' But how is it that we become bold? The courage to succeed is certainly difficult to find, much less act upon. But I say find what it is you have a passion for and do it better than anyone else, and you find both courage and success. Unlock your potential, and you will discover your true self. For if Virgil’s words ring true, then your fortune lies within you, joined with your potential like the simplest of equations whose only goal is seeking balance—one element on either side of the equal sign. And like the outcome of any equation, success represents the balance of courage and the discovery of one’s potential, that thing that screams to be brought to the surface and explored. Be it the sciences, the arts, or whatever it is that stirs your heart, propel yourself towards it and bind it with your soul. Do this, and the world is yours to conquer, yours to possess.

As we all take our own direction, I wish you well in the exploration of your fortune. But I tell you this: never let yourself fall victim to the notion of fate. Should there be such a thing, it lies in your own hands to mold as you wish. Be the warrior of the battleground of your own life, the captain of your ship, and never let others tell you which way the wind blows. With these words having been spoken, I take my leave of you, wishing nothing but the best for all of you. I hope to someday see you at the pinnacle of your lives, not dreaming to live but living your dream. Should you do this, you will have become a success; you will have become bold and

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carry your fortune like a flame, seeing your way through the future.”

The audience rose to their feet with a cacophony of applause that was nearly deafening as Frank raised a hand and, turning away, walked from the stage and into the hallway. His speech was a thing of beauty, something no one had ever come close to writing. But to Frank, it was nothing less than an exercise in insincerity. In truth, he didn’t care about anyone’s potential or their future. His objective was the acquisition of power and control. For him, there was no concern for others—only himself and what he wanted.