Remember, remember the Fifth of November

[Scofield]

Private

"Another privatization," A voice rang throughout the meeting room. The figure tossed the El Universal newspaper into the table in front of him in disgust. He was referring to the recent privatization of police forces in the state of Tamuilpas.

They were meeting in the basement of an unassuming two-story house located forty miles southwest of Mexico City, on the outskirts of the town of Tenancingo. They had arrived in twos at a time, in old unmarked vehicles, as to avoid arousing suspicion. It was past midnight, and the basement was thick with smoke.

It was not the first time they met up like this.

"This country is heading toward degeneration, and the damned government is allowing it to happen." Another voice spoke up. "And the military too. This is a great insult."

"We must do anything to correct this injustice." A third voice spoke up.

"We all want to, General Balboa," The first voice, a General Gutierrez, chided. "Otherwise, we wouldn't be here right now."

"So what do you propose we do?"

"Good question, Ramos. What do we do?" General Gutierrez mused as he leaned back on his chair and puffed on a cigar. "At this time, not much." He answered his own question. "The military's too small. Only 80,000 troops to defend a country with a population of over 60 million. Even if we were able to secure the loyalty of every single soldier, we'd be damn too overstretched to secure even two-thirds of the country."

"Pity we don't have enough troops under our command." Lieutenant-General Aaron remarked.

Gutierrez continued on as if Aaron didn't say anything. "That weasel Acosta is fiercely loyal to the President. Nothing will ever convince him to turn on against his master. The same goes for Zepeda." He was referring to Julio Acosta, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Defense Secretary Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda.

"And it doesn't help that the President is quite popular with the people." Lieutenant Natanael Gomez pointed out.

"This shows that the people doesn't know what they want." General Balboa interjected. "We will have to educate them on what they desire."

Gutierrez nodded. "Indeed. People are naturally shallow and fickle, and it is up to us to put them on the right state of mind. However, our options are extremely limited at this moment. Given the resources at our disposal, we cannot take direct action, at least, not yet."

"The military will crush us like a bug," General Ramos pressed his right thumb and index finger together as if crushing a bug. "Just like that!"

"That's the best scenario," Gomez spoke up after inhaling out cigarette smoke. "When worst comes to worst, the country will devolve into civil war."

"So we destabilize the government in some way." Lieutenant-General Aaron said. It was not a question.

Gutierrez's lips curled up into a twisted grin. "Destabilize. I like that word. Yes, we take steps to destabilize the government. Gradually render it impotent to such a point that it will crumble into nothing once we strike at the right time."

Silence descended upon the room and its inhabitants as they mulled over the traitorous words that lingered in the stuffy air.

"Good thing we have excellent relations with some people in high places." Balboa broke the momentary silence.

"It may not not be enough." Guiterrez reminded his associate. "This is why we must take the crucial step in recruiting certain individuals and organizations to our side. Discreetly, of course."

"In that case, we'll have to take precautionary steps to throw the government off our trail once we begin this plan."

"Use the drug cartels to do our dirty work." General Ruben de Obregon, who had been silent for the most time, voiced what were on everyone's mind.

Several heads nodded in agreement. "Yes, we use the goverment's foolish actions to our advantage," Gomez said, referring to the high levels of violence caused by the liberalizing Federal Drug Regulation Act. "And let's not forget MediaCorp."

"Ah, yes. MediaCorp," Aaron said with a smile. MediaCorp was a rapidly-growing corporation, having brought up many small media companies in several cities. "We can use it to turn public opinion in our advantage as well."

"Vilifying the government and its supporters while exalting us at the same time." Balboa remarked.

"This will be the beginning, though, to pave the way for the greater plan. We will 'probe' the government for any weaknesses that we can exploit before furthering on." Guiterrez said.

Obregon nodded. "Soften up the enemy for a series of devastating blows that are to come."

"Too bad we can't start out with a big bang, such as blowing up Congress." Gomez muttered.

"Remember, remember, the Fifth of November, Gunpowder Treason and Plot," Ramos quoted a failed plot that took place in England centuries earlier.

"Our plot will succeed, though." Gomez said.

"We should keep in mind that no plan ever goes exactly what it is intended to. We have to maintain backup plans, just in case," Gutierrez said.

"You worry too much," Ramos said with a smirk.

"You'll be worrying when they line us up against a wall and shoot us!" Gutierrez retorted.

"Fair enough," Ramos conceded with a shrug.

"So what'll the plan be called?" Obregon asked curiously.

Gutierrez smiled.

"Blacklist."

Edited August 31, 2013 by Scofield