28.2

They were all at Shard’s funeral, from humble bare-foot sadhus to glorious gurus riding huge elephants, all relishing the opportunity to excite the intrepid journalists with the intriguing prospect that Shard’s death was not an ending at all, but a beginning.

Into this swarming mass, a beleaguered P.M. of India led a ravenous wedge of World Press to the small pyre at the foot of Haji Malang.

Everyone stood in silence as Pierre went through the rituals of the eldest son.

Finally he spoke to the press.

“Shard was a barrister, a judge, and a sadhu. To those who knew him he was a man with complete mastery over his own life who saw his death as the necessary trigger for the events to follow.”

Pierre then thanked them for their interest, wished them all good luck and, keen to retreat to his private meditation, headed back up the mountain. To the World Press who continued to bark questions at him for several minutes, it was as if they had ceased to exist.

Infuriated by this, with only one victim left to persecute, their eyes turned ravenously to the P.M. of India.

Calmly, as if he’d prepared for this moment all his life, the P.M. invited them around him.

“I have an announcement I wish to place in your good hands,” he said as they jostled for position. “There are now three films freely available on the internet. I urge everyone to search Shard77 and watch him announce the Regeneration.”

The swarm surged uneasily, bristling with questions.

“What is the Regeneration?

“Who is going to lead it now that Shard is dead?

“Tell us, Prime Minister, where is Max?”

The P.M. turned away –

“I recommend these films to you,” the P.M. said quietly. “They may well change your life.”