The entire Worthington Executive Complex was in shock... There were people crying profusely and others that simply stared into oblivion. I immediately met with the Director of Security who was aware of Mama Bear's directives if such a situation as now exists should occur.

 

Advised, the Corporate Attorney is on his way to explain the legalities of your new role. Programming a new master code for me into the Worthington Corporate System, I now owned the "keys to the electronic kingdom" of the Worthington world.

 

I was immediately advised I would go nowhere without an armed escort and that included the latrine. I negotiated with Worthington Security that half of my detail would consist of Alpha Zulu soldiers or I would be jumping ship. Reluctantly, he agreed.

 

Escorted to the Executive Office, Luke and John's secretaries were emotional wrecks. I advised them to go home and take time off. THEY REFUSED! They would remain and help me to run this mega conglomerate because that is what the Worthingtons would want them to do.

 

The Corporate Attorney was waiting for me when I entered Luke's office. (I hoped the day never arrived when I considered this MY OFFICE!) As my secretary regained her composure she served the finest coffee I would ever drink and asked how I wanted it served. STRONG AND BLACK, please and thank you.

 

Down to business... the attorney was controlling his emotions and trying to be professional but the events of the day were showing on even him.

 

"Mama Bear has made some changes recently to this document which I doubt you were advised being made. To sum it all up, simply stated... Until either Mama Bear, Luke or John can return to the day to day operation of Worthington Industries... Worthington Industries belongs to YOU!

 

My immediate comment was POTUS and SecDef are going to have coronaries when they hear about this. Handing me the signed document the Attorney pointed out both men signed as witnesses to Mama Bear signature on the document.

 

The Attorney continued, in the event, the three Worthington die or are unable to continue as the administrators of Worthington Industries, the entire block of 51% of the voting stock of the corporation will be inherited by Enos Worthington with you designated with the control of the voting stock until he turns 30 years of age.

 

(This just keeps getting better and better... NOT!)

 

The silence broke with the infamous words from Alpha Zulu OPS "POTUS on a secure.com for General Mendez". Thanking the attorney for his briefing, I was certain I'd be needing his assistance as I swam through the bureaucratic swamp of the Worthington bureaucracy.

 

SEND POTUS THROUGH! "From the look on your face I surmise you received the news of Mama Bear's decision of how to assure Worthington Industries will survive this disaster."

 

Sure would have been nice to known this upfront!

 

"We were all concerned if you knew you would inherit total control of the conglomerate you would jump ship and take Rod with you." (They sure figured that right!)

 

"I just signed an Executive Order making Worthington Industries vital to the security of the United States. Congress met in emergency session and exempted the military from Posse Comitatus so it can be used to protect our military suppliers, specifically Worthington Industries."

 

"And to add to the current confusion, the new protector provided by Mossad just arrived at the Israeli Embassy and is ready to be processed by Alpha Zulu."

 

Once you, SecDef and the Secretary of State have given him your "stamp of approval" just put him on a jet to Fort Connor and I'll warn Rod to expect his arrival.

 

"Whatever I can do, you know you only need ask and that goes for SecDef also."

 

Advising POTUS to have SecDef put some men in HazMat suits and glean the Penthouse for any sensitive military documents the Worthingtons may have been working on. Make certain he selects men with strong stomachs... The Penthouse looks like the scene from the worse blood, guts and gore movie ever made. "CONSIDER IT DONE!" DISCONNECT!

 

Requesting Luke and John's assistants to meet with me in my office... the two men entered not knowing what to expect. I chatted with them as a friend not wanting to traumatize them as these "six stars" have a tendency to do. "By now, the office gossip has made it known I'm at the helm of Worthington Industries until further notice." Public Relations will hold a press conference shortly with the goal to firm up the stock market so Worthington stock doesn't "tank". As far as you two are concerned, nothing changes and it is work as usual. If you need help let me know and I'll resolve the problem for you or remove it from existence. You two will be taking on an immense amount of responsibilities and authority till we are back to normal operations and you will be well compensated for your work and dedication.

 

1500 hours I'd like a briefing by you two as to any problems that need to be addressed and the status of any projects Luke or John had you addressing. DISMISSED. (Damn, I got to quit acting like a General!)

 

Requesting OPS to establish a video.com with Rod at Fort Connor... his smiling face appeared on my screen... Damn, he was smiling far too much. "I never thought I'd enjoy having a baby daughter but Mama Bear may have to fight me to get her back."

 

I asked Rod if he had faced diaper duty yet... "Nah, the Command Sergeant Major has a list of men who had infant siblings in their home who have volunteered for Nanny Duty for as long as baby Gloria is at Fort Connor." (Man, did Rod luck out!)

 

I take it you haven't heard the news... "You mean about you owning Worthington Industries... the imp mafia had the news to the men of Alpha Zulu before you knew of it." "Will you still love an old ground pounder like me now that you are rich and famous?"

 

"Keep talking like that and you'll be needing Doc's tender loving care!"

 

Advising Rod to expect our new Protector provided by Mossad as soon as he clears the approval process by POTUS. And please advise security not to shoot him if his credentials aren't in the system. Ted must be terrified reliving his kidnapping after hearing about the news of the Worthingtons. We need to get this man kitted out and orientated. Ask the Command Sergeant Major to make it a priority item. You my friend and lover get to tackle my mountain of paperwork in addition to your normal workload till further notice.

 

"Talk like that will get you fucked!" The smile on my face told Rod that was the desired results. Have a meeting of Senior Staff after lunch and advise them of what is happening officially. I don't want the men to think that updates will only be provided by the imp mafia.

 

Unexpectedly, my new secretary entered my office delivering a seafood salad and a huge mug of strong black coffee. As she sat it on my desk, I smiled and thanked her for the unnecessary service. "Whatever Luke was paying you it was inadequate."

 

The young lady smiled and commented Luke would starve at his desk if I didn't bring him something for lunch from the cafeteria. And then the tears started as she rushed back to her desk. Even wearing a wedding ring, the young lady truly loved working for Luke. I would need to fast track learning a new management style if I was to retain the love and loyalty of the Worthington team.

 

As I was enjoying a quick lunch, my secretary advised I was requested in our R&D center. (Now what are our mad scientists up to?) As an armed security detail escorted me across campus to the R&D building, I was refused entrance until and unless my security ID "turned green". As security allowed me to enter, they advised I was expected in Tokugawa's office.

 

I walked in to see three distressed nerds. Omoikane was in tears that he was the cause of the Worthingtons being injured. NONSENSE! There have been countless attempts upon the lives of the Worthington over the years including the Christmas bombing at Camp Phoenix. You were doing your job and bringing new technology to the attention of Mama Bear and Luke. Don't ever stop using your mind to benefit our military!

 

Mama Bear, Luke and John gave you carte blanche with the R&D operations. I have no intention of changing that policy. I would appreciate a briefing from each of you on current projects as soon as all the immediate "fires" have been extinguished.

 

Tokugawa asked for one more moment of my time. We three and Junior want you to consider our home yours for as long as you need. (I never considered where I would be living but considering the Penthouse would take months if not a year to repair... this sure was a better offer than flying to and from Fort Connor every day or living in POTUS's spare bedroom.) I thanked my three good friend and humbly accepted provided my son truly had no objection. Bowing respectfully, I exited to make my 1500 hour meeting on time.

 

I was aghast at the scope of projects Worthington Industries were involved with producing for our Military. And the primary responsibility for having these items produced on schedule and on or under budget now fell upon my two assistants. Advising the two men they had my complete confidence and if they faced any problems they couldn't resolve I was available to them 24/7.

 

OPS broke my thought announcing Rod was requesting a Video.com with me. As his smiling face appeared on my monitor I chided him asking who he had to replace me so soon. "Our Israeli guest arrived bearing gifts. He came with cases of the IWI Tavor X95. You have to shoot it to believe it. OPS will have it fitted to new attaché cases for us by tomorrow so you need to qualify with it... make it a priority. The men of Alpha Zulu and your paranoid partner will greatly appreciate it knowing you will be safer."

 

I asked Rod to have the men who rotated to my security detail qualified on the new weapon and to pack plenty of clips. I don't ever want to be outgunned in a firefight.

 

Finally, 1900 hours my body was failing and my mind couldn't concentrate on business anymore. Kicking my secretary out of her office and telling her I didn't expect her to work my hours... She only smiled saying her partner wasn't the jealous type. I definitely needed to do something nice for her and her partner when this fiasco finally blows over.

 

I'll never get used to riding around in this armored monstrosity of a limousine Luke had designed to protect his mother. But, I have to admit it rides better than anything the Army would provide for a General Staff Officer. Advising security, I would be living with Tokugawa and his family till further notice, we headed off with enough security to even impress the Secret Service.

 

Walking into the beautiful home of Tokugawa, I bowed respectfully to my hosts and again thanked them for allowing me into their home. Junior wrapped his arms around me and told me he should kick me in the ass for even considering he wouldn't want me living with them. (My son may be a full grown adult but to his fathers he'll always be my little boy.)

 

The silence of the moment was broken by OPS announcing: "POTUS on an emergency.com for General Mendez!"

 

"Ricardo, Mama Bear is conscious and asking for YOU!"