Stygian: Survival of the Fittest (Prologue)

Prologue

  There were six of them in total.

  All were the world’s most powerful criminals running the top criminal organizations. They were known worldwide as August-6. 

  4 of the 6 were 50 years and above. The remaining 2 were in their thirties, but their fathers were former members so their loyalty was ensured. Although membership was not strictly hereditary, it was most often the case as the older generation got replaced by the next.

  Or else, membership invitations were given out, but very rarely. As expected of a powerful group of criminals, they all held high positions of authority in society, as well as in the criminal underworld. No one dared to push charges against them or arrest them due to the enormous power they wielded.

   The CEO of the world’s largest shipping firm and head of the world’s largest smuggling organization.

  Co-founder of a huge French banking company and powerful gang boss.

  Most successful businessman and 2nd-in-command of a world-renowned notorious terrorist group.

  Head of China’s top manufacturing company and the commander of the world’s most formidable pirating fleet.

  CEO of the world’s largest software company and chief of a powerful computer hacking group. 

  Since the council’s founding in 1945 after World War II, they had met once a year. However this year, they had assembled fifteen times. After all, this was a special year. 

  This year, they met at the Shangri-La hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. They voted and the decision was concordant. 

  “So we have decided. There is no turning back now.” The Chairman nodded. “The bounty list will be sent out to every bounty hunter and bounty hunting organization in the world. As proof of the elimination of targets, contractors must present the accustomed form of proof to Andrew Sullivan. Bounties will be paid once target has been confirmed eliminated.”

  “There are 12 targets in total and the bounty for each is US $19 million.” 

  Half an hour later, the meeting ended and the members went off to do their respective businesses. 

  On the table behind them lay their stack of meeting notes. Of the notes, one page was facing up. On it was a list. A list of names. 

  Names of the top agents from the International Intelligence Bureau (IIB), United Security Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), MI6, etc. 

  It was a list of the most deadly agents on the planet, and they had to dead by 12 noon, 18 September, US Eastern Standard Time.