Chapter 311: Control and Persuasion

Umbrella Headquarters.

Murphy glanced out the window. The crowd of protesters holding signs had nearly blocked the entrance to the Umbrella Corporation building.

The news on the television was also reporting on the anti-aging and anti-cancer viruses.

"The number of protesters has grown to two thousand. People have taken to the streets demanding that Umbrella Corporation disclose its technical data to alleviate public panic..."

"Disclose technical data..." Murphy turned off the TV and sneered coldly, "Not to mention the magical aspects, just the investment on the Muggle side amounts to several billion. Disclose? Do they think I'm running a charity?"

"I'm sorry, Murphy, I messed this up." Boris was also in the room, his face full of worry.

"This isn't your fault, nor something you could have handled," Murphy sighed. "What's coming will always come. I thought the action in the Soviet Union might quiet things down a bit, but I didn't expect them to start causing trouble here."

Murphy had already investigated. The R&D staff member who had breached the confidentiality agreement to leak information to the hearing committee, though not privy to secrets such as the magical research institute, was too determined to "tell the truth," risking angering Umbrella and facing millions in fines. Upon investigation, it was clear that the influence of the Virgin Mary was at play.

In the Soviet Union, under the campaign for reform, the methods of ideological guidance by the Virgin Mary had failed. It could not stop the steps of a nation that had awakened.

So, it turned to the United States.

The United States pressured the British Prime Minister, leading to the scenes at the hearing.

Umbrella had been a thorn in the side of the United States for not just a day or two, especially since the chip incident, the US had been looking to dismantle and swallow Umbrella.

And this time, they must have also received news from the Soviet Union.

A project on the scale and level of the "National Science City" could not be completely hidden; its discovery was only a matter of time.

However, the United States probably still doubted the reality of so-called "void particles."

After all, they themselves had concocted the "Star Wars" program; perhaps the "void particles" and "Science City" were just smoke bombs by the Soviet Union to make the United States waste its strength?

But Umbrella's settlement in the Soviet Union and the special relationship with it were enough to make them wary.

Umbrella Corporation's strong innovation capacity in chips, computers, the internet, and biology made it like a hen that laid golden eggs. If it truly joined the Soviet camp, how long could the United States maintain its technological hegemony?

Whether it was greed for the golden-egg-laying hen or fear of it joining the enemy, the United States had already harbored intentions to kill Umbrella. The appearance of the Virgin Mary was merely an opportunity to consolidate Umbrella's opponents.

The US's plan was loud and clear: pressure Britain, tarnish Umbrella, then investigate, convict, dismantle, and absorb it in one go. After swallowing Umbrella, they could even glean some truth about the Soviet Union. This series of moves would strengthen themselves while weakening the enemy and put their restless allies back in place.

A win-win, perfect strategy.

But, of course, Murphy would not just take it lying down.

Since the Prime Minister was just a puppet nodding along to the United States, it shouldn't be surprising to use extraordinary means.

Murphy contacted Rasim through the mental network, "Inform Dawson, execute the plan. Take control of the Prime Minister."

If the Prime Minister was already a puppet to the United States, why couldn't he be controlled by them? Blackmailing for interests and using magic for direct control were equally unrefined.

However, this was ultimately a temporary measure.

The British Prime Minister was not the President of the United States or the President of the Soviet Union. The political structure of Britain meant that Prime Ministers capable of dictatorship in Parliament were rare; most were merely spokespersons for their parties, facing impeachment once disobedient.

This was why Murphy had no interest in meddling in the mire of Britain and turned towards the Soviet Union.

In the Soviet Union, dealing with a limited number of people, a few dozen or a few hundred, was enough.

But in Britain, it was like fighting against a quagmire. Destroy one mud clump, and countless others awaited. 

It's no coincidence that it produced incrementalists like Dumbledore.

...

A few days later, at Grimmauld Place.

Sirius, wearing a cowboy hat and with an unlit cigarette in his mouth, was hoeing the garden like a Muggle farmer. 

Harry hadn't come home for the holidays yet, leaving Sirius somewhat bored at Grimmauld Place.

For a while, he traveled around the world to make up for the years wasted in Azkaban.

Traveling the world was a dream they had—The Marauders—during their school days.

Without the First Wizarding War, he, James, and Remus would have ridden that motorcycle everywhere. To France, Finland, the distant lands of Africa and Egypt, to turn the world over.

For this, he even got the flying motorcycle back from Hagrid.

But when he embarked on these journeys alone, a dreadful loneliness would haunt him, quickly sapping his enthusiasm.

He realized then that it wasn't travel he loved.

But rather, the time spent with his friends.

Yet, such times could never return.

His best friends were now reduced to just Remus.

But Remus had too much to bear, seeking a path for his fellow werewolves. Recently, he wrote that he had left Britain with his werewolf brethren—to avoid the foreseeable strife.

Both Dumbledore and Murphy Darkholme owed Remus favors. He chose not to take sides and left the land of conflict.

But Sirius couldn't leave; he had Harry to look after.

Perhaps, he thought, taking care of Harry was all that was left of importance in his life.

After giving up on travel, Sirius tried to return to his love for music. He attended a few Weird Sisters concerts and bought a lot of Muggle tapes.

Then he tried reading to pass the time or chatting with Arthur, but it wasn't very helpful. He still felt extremely empty and bored.

In the end, it was farming that saved him.

Not gardening, but tending to crops like pumpkins, potatoes, and beets. He found that in farming, he could empty his mind, focusing solely on the physical labor and the land under his feet.

In the muddy soil and the stench of manure, he found a sense of peace.

As if grounding him from the floating emptiness, giving him a sense of calm he had never known before.

However, his peace was once again disturbed.

A sturdy figure suddenly appeared at his garden gate.

Kingsley looked earnestly at his former comrade, "Sirius, we need you."

___________________

(Support with power stones, comments or reviews)

If you guys enjoy this story, In support me on Patreon and get access to +200 advance Chapters

Read Ahead

Patreon.com/INNIT