Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Government Tower- Cat’s Out of the Bag

Posted by Civilian Kenzo B’tren-Hyrushi (Governor) in Government Tower- Cat’s Out of the Bag

Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Government Tower- Cat’s Out of the Bag
Posted by… suppressed (20) by the Post Ghost! 👻
As soon as Pangolin and Mace left, she sent a quick message to Kenzo: ||Urgent situation- Coming upstairs to discuss.||

|| Come up. I’ll clear my schedule. || came the immediate reply.

Waiting the allotted reasonable time, Eela snuck up their secret staircase and knocked softly on the door.

“Come in.” Kenzo said. He stood up and looked in the direction of the concealed doorway.

Once she had the all-clear, she appeared, her expression matching her rather stormy mood. Eela sighed as she moved over to Kenzo’s desk and took up her usual seat. “So… we have a problem. Pangolin and Mace just left my office after we had a very interesting conversation that began with Pangolin asking me what I knew about PAD,” she said flatly, quirking a brow. “And yes, I did swear.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Kenzo sat down and listened to her statement. If he was shocked, it didn’t show. “PAD? Really?” A brief look of confusion crossed his face. “But that is just an idea. We haven’t even moved forward to concept yet… unless I am missing something?”

Hyrushi, Governor

She drew in a deep breath and though Eela was a pro at masking her expression when it was required, with him it never was. Her jaw tightened. “We mentioned it by that moniker when security intercepted that bug in my apartment. They wouldn’t tell me a great deal, which is fair, because though I’m certain they’ve ruled me out as a person of interest in the case, my relationship with Dash makes it all more complicated. But it came up in a conversation they had with someone involved in Dash’s death. As I was able to piece together, they were hired by someone. The investigators didn’t specifically say this is what they were blackmailing Dash to find out about, but it’s not too much of a stretch. And thus I felt it was only reasonable to explain to Pangolin and Mace exactly what PAD was, though I did make sure to say it was only an idea were were working on and our intention was to present a proposal to the cabinet.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Kenzo just looked at her for a long moment before saying “Someone was blackmailing Dash for an idea? By all the gods above, Eela… that’s absolutely one of the most absurd things I have ever heard. It’s not even classified… it’s not even anything yet. So why would someone-…” and he stopped and his eyes narrowed. “Eela… what are the odds someone was surveiling us and thought they had something important… but in reality they just heard something and made it out to be much more than it actually was; and then acted on that assumption?”

Hyrushi, Governor

She had to focus a moment on her breathing, to still that ball of anger that threatened to rise up and take over. It was something she had practiced over and over for years since her accident, and while she could agree that controlling it too much was not healthy for her, neither was giving it free reign. Concealed behind the desk, one hand tightened into a fist, giving her a tangible sensation to focus on. She breathed a couple moments until her fist relaxed.

“That was my conclusion. How probable it is remains to be seen, but… there’s more. In the meeting, they asked me what my thoughts were on thoughts on Devray Technologies and their CEO Thurston Kennick. I don’t think I had a chance to tell you about the irritating encounter I had at the gala, given that a day later Dash was killed. But in short, I had a man approach me casually after all our speeches and start a conversation about my efforts on Oed so far. But the whole thing was thinly veiled criticism and there was this underlying thread of distaste. It’s fine, I don’t need everyone to like me. But… it felt like there was more too it. His name felt familiar too, and it wasn’t until my conversation with Mace and Pangolin that I connected the dots. He runs a major tech company here on the colony, and they specialize in a lot of surveillance and security tech. Not only that, but he was up for the Lieutenant Governor role and made it to the short list along with myself and one other person. Then we need to factor in one very important detail: I might not be kept in the loop on all the details of the investigation into Dash’s death, but the bug in my apartment? That I know everything they’ve learned so far. And the bug was manufactured by Devray Technologies. To paraphrase Mace, while we need strong evidence linking them all, it’s too strong a coincidence, and as we all know, the most likely answer is the simplest one. If true, then it’s quite possible Kennick orchestrated all of this to either discredit myself or both of us, or he thought PAD would somehow be advantageous to him somehow, or he’s just petty and pissed I got the job and not him.” She shrugged, a casual gesture that shed a tiny bit more of the anger, even though it was still far too close to the surface for her liking. A man died and people had been devastated in the wake if that event. And for what? There were no words to describe the injustice of it all.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“Or all of the above.” Hyrushi said. “I know Mr. Kennick. He is a rich, pompous, well-connected piece of human flotsam. He was on the short list of candidates for Lt. Governor because he called in favors; not because he was qualified. He is self-centered, greedy, and well-founded… a potentially problematic combination for you and I. But if he is with indeed involved in Mr. Jones’ demise… well… Oed has a way of dealing with those who can slip past the more robust judiciary reviews.” He looked at Eela and then said “How do you wish to proceed?”

Hyrushi, Governor

She sucked in a breath and let it out in a steady and calming stream. “Well, Oed might take care of things, but you and I both know that if Kennick is found to be involved and then something untoward happens to him, that will put us in a terrible position, and me in an even more awkward one since I’ve had a personal interaction with him. No, I truly believe the best way forward is for both of us to forget about Kennick for now and let the investigation proceed as it will.”

“Keep the assassins on stand-by, then. Understood.” Kenzo said. There was not a being alive who could discern if it was humor or simple statement of fact.

“In the meantime, we have two other important thins to focus on. One, we need to finish the proposal on PAD and be ready to present it to the Cabinet at the next meeting, and two, we have the first formal negotiations meeting with the Vren. We’re also going to have to figure how the best time to present Kek’s request about a nursery here to the Cabinet and then Oed. I think all of that is plenty enough to focus on o top of our regular duties, don’t you?” For Eela they would be welcome distractions from the chaos of her personal life and her own grief.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“Agreed.” Kenzo said and then took a breath. “I have been considering the nursery request. And I think we should bring in our new Medical and Social Services Director and the Conservation Director as leaders for that discussion with the Cabinet. And, if it is agreed we host the Vren creches, we leave it to the two of them to announce it. Thoughts?”

Hyrushi, Governor

Eela nodded slowly as she worked through what that looked like in her head. “Makes sense to me. They can respond to the social and ecological considerations. We obviously have to have something to present to Oed as a whole and have their okay on the matter, but this is where I need to rely on your longer experience here. Do you think the people will want to put it to referendum? And if we do that, will that open up all our other decisions around the Vren too much to public opinion?

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Kenzo was silent a moment and then said “I believe this would be an instance, if the Cabinet agrees of course, where it would be better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.” He looked at Eela and then said “If we don’t assist, then the Vren will potentially go extinct in a matter of years. That to me is unacceptable. Additionally, the majority of objections would come from those who harbor great resentment towards the Vren. They will ignore the fact that we are discussing children and want to punish them for past transgressions. No, I do not believe that giving racists and speciesists a platform for debate is necessary. Agree or disagree?”

Hyrushi, Governor

“Agree,” she said simply. “Besides, we’re used to making difficult decisions. I don’t think people will be too surprised in this instance.” Eela sucked in a deep breath and leaned back in her chair. It felt like so many things were approaching a conclusion and yet it all felt out of reach still. She was trying to be patient, but it was not one of her strong suits these days. “In the meantime we can focus on the next steps for our projects and take it all as it comes.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

” Also agreed.” He exhaled slowly after a deep intake of breath. ” Now then. If Kennick is responsible for Mr. Jones’ demise, then I want to ask you a candid question: do we let the justice system attempt to bypass his influence and wealth; or do we ensure Mr. jones gets his justice ourselves?”

Hyrushi, Governor

It might seem on the surface that they were repeating the earlier part of their conversation, but Eela knew this was a deeper inquiry and one he could only ask because they had the relationship they did. She sucked in a breath. “I don’t know that I can answer that. I guess, for now, we let the justice system handle it. Because at the end of the day, it might make us feel better but I don’t think Dash would want someone taking things into their own hands. But I could be wrong about that. I just want to keep us focused on the fact that this is about Dash, so when we talk about justice, we must factor him into the equation, yes?”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Kenzo leaned back and looked at Eela. ” But he is no longer here. Anything we do we are doing for ourselves and those that are still here. We honor his memory, of course… but that is because of what we feel. I doubt any course of action we take will make a difference to him one way or another.” Kenzo want being harsh… far from it. But he was speaking to his friend; a friend that knew if she asked a question of him, she would get his honest answer… whether she wanted it or not.

Hyrushi, Governor

Her stomach clenched and the discomfort grew into something that swirled outward within her, easily tangible to her empathic friend. Eela pushed back her chair and rose, moving away from the desk as she wrapped her arms around herself. Coming to stand near the fireplace, so looked out the expansive windows, her shoulder ssagging. “Vengeance might make others feel better, but it won’t help me,” she all but whispered. “I need this to be over, Kenzo. And I need to be able to live with myself in the aftermath.” Some might consider now to be the aftermath, but in reality Eela was still in it and it was slowly crushing her. It wasn’t just Dash, though it was the more obvious trigger. It was the accumulation of weights building upon her and the murder of someone she had grown to deeply care for had tipped her into a precarious place that was frightening. She was strong and she could keep going, but Eela also knew that it wouldn’t take too much more to chop her down like a tree.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Bump

Kenzo did something wholly un-Kenzo-like. He rose slowly from his chair and walked to stand beside Eela. He then put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closely to his side. She of all people knew how much physical contact was a risk for the man; and she could feel the already normally staggeringly strong barriers he possessed become even more robust. “I am not speaking of vengeance, Eela. I am speaking of the future. Whatever course we decide upon, know that we are doing so for us. For you. And whatever course that is, know that you are not alone on it. Whatever is decided… I stand by you. And I will ensure that the whatever resolution you want is had.” He squeezed her tight one time and then let go, but remained standing near her looking out the window.

Hyrushi, Governor

For those moments as he held her in his strong grasp, Eela relaxed, no, sank, into the comfort he offered. She listened to his words, even as she had no idea how to respond.

Standing there with him, she was silent for several moments. Eela watched sliders move through above the streets where people went about their business. Went about living. “I know there will come a moment when I do need to know the answer to your question, and I guess I’ll have to be ready for that moment, but honestly? I don’t know the answer right now. It’s all too muddled, too hard. If i tried to force myself to figure it out right now, I’d being doing us, and myself, a disservice. Maybe after the Sua Soams ritual. Right now, there’s too much external drowning out my internal knowing. It’s too hard to find clarity.” she said, finally turning her gaze on him again. There was anguish there in those hazel eyes, but Eela radiated a undercurrent of steadiness that seemed contrary to the waves of emotion she was prone to right now.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“There is no time limit on finding the correct solution… the correct path forward.” Kenzo said while looking straight ahead. He then turned his face to hers and obsidian eyes seemed to draw the light on the room and outside into them, dimming the universe. “We will find the correct path, Eela. And even if I have to carry you down it, I promise you that you will make it through to the end.”

Hyrushi, Governor

She broke into a warm and sincere smile and she held his gaze for several moments, not the least bit uncomfortable. “I’m so glad I have you on my side, Kenzo. I can’t promise you certainty when it comes to dealing with the aftermath of Das’s death, and those responsible. I have always had such a strong sense of justice, but the thing about getting to my age and seeing all that I’ve seen is that I know it’s not a cut and dry thing. The middle ground can be ambiguous and and more often then not unsatisfying. This is one of those times that my instincts tell me I can’t let my emotions guide me. They won’t lead me anywhere productive. So, for now, thank you for holding space for us to figure out whatever the answer might be.

“You are my friend.” Kenzo said with no injection of emotion. Simply stating a fact. “And I have few of those, so I tend to keep the ones I do have close. Take all the time or space you need.”

She nodded.

Eela looked back over the colony. “For now, we have people depending on us to keep us moving along, and a dying people we can help. And I will pause and seek that internal clarity.” She drew in a deep breath that pushed her lungs against her ribs and let it out with a soft sigh before looking back at her friend and partner. “Are Caridee and I still okay to do the ritual at your place?”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

” Of course. I insist you do.” Kenzo said. “My home is open to you whenever you wish.”

Hyrushi, Governor

Eela nodded again as she sucked in a breath. “Okay, then she and I will finish the preparations.”

“Did you want to have a separate meeting with Doctors Fayth and McKenzie before the cabinet meeting or just talk with them briefly before the meeting itself?” In her mind she was working out the logistics and making sure they didn’t miss anything prior to meeting with the cabinet and not only laying out the nursery request but also their plan for the defensive shield. There were a lot of details to make sure they had ready but also they were going to just have to wing it at some point.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Bump