Dario was dumbfounded. He couldn't believe that this man held one of the highest positions in the public communicator organization. Suddenly a lot of things made sense. Their conversation last night convinced him that Sabek was bluffing about the reaches of the Cabalists. He didn't expect that he would be that wrong.
He tried not to betray anything in his expression. But more doubts started sipping in; was Sabek really part of the cabalists? Was this some elaborate plan to flush him out; a plan to punish those unfaithful to the public eye?
Whatever was the case, Dario was at a loss. He was at the mercy of this man once again.
One of the councilmen pressed her projector with her fingers and a small file was projected in the middle of the table.
"Ok, it's time to start the meeting" one of the councilwomen got up and started presenting the case to the rest of the council.
"Firstly, one of the main concerns of Mr Asan- Mr. Alerin's public communicator- was primarily the deal that was offered to the Zeta reticuli. Would you like to extend on that Mr. Asan?"
"Absolutely" Kessen answered without hesitation with his clear voice. He got up from his chair and moved next to the table of the meeting. Dario and Kessen exchanged a brief look. Kessen seemed a little unsure. That gave Dario some courage, but he was still anxious as to what information Kessen could provide to the councilmen.
"Firstly I would like to make clear. My only intention for calling this meeting is to make sure that we clarify this important deal that took place. In my humble opinion the parameters of this deal seem unfair towards the Reticulie, who hardly make rash decisions, though it is not my responsibility to speak of politics, the reason I brought it up is to analyze the video of the meeting carefully so we can make sure that this deal was fairly established and within the lawful contact of every politician, including Dario, which participated. "
Dario cursed his luck. Kessen witnessed him switching of the protecting suit during the meeting. He couldn't think of a single other reason to bring up the footage of the meeting.
Kessen raised his forearm and touched his projector with his index finger. He was looking through the footage videos of yesterday's meeting. Cold sweat enveloped Dario's body. In a few moments Kessen, along with the rest of the councilmen would witness Dario, violate the most important code of conduct a politician could break and therefore bring forth an ominous result to not only to his career but also his own life. And there was nothing he could do about it other than watch his life brought to ruins… Or not.
Sabek looked extremely entertained. Undoubtedly he had a good night sleep after poisoning him just to mess with him. He turned his attention to the footage playing. The team of reviewers was passing through all the unimportant scenes, till he saw the moment that Dario stood up to speak. They slowed down the footage and Kessen brought on the projections from other recording of different angles. Maybe he did notice after all.
Sabek smirked once again, this time while looking at Dario´s eyes beneath his sweaty forehead. He ignored him and focused on the footage, was it too obvious? He wondered.
But his fears were shattered; there was actual footage missing. He looked around at the faces focused on the footage. Not one of them has noticed the change. It was so smoothly and professionally done, only Dario would know; him, turning off the protective suit was nowhere to be found.
He looked at Sabek, this time his expression was pure smugness. The cabalists had way more power than he anticipated. His source never revealed the extent in which they had grabbed the governance of Earth.
The council along with Kessen continued to frantically and extensively analyse the recordings. It took a long time till they finally decided that there was nothing to be found there. Kessen looked confused, he must have been certain that what he saw would be within the tapes. He was no fool; he knew that there was something fishy. Dario could still see the doubt that circled his mind.
Kessen for the first time turned his attention to Dario. "How did you convince the Reticuli to agree to this ridiculous contract?"
Dario pretended to be confused. "I don't know what you are referring to. It was their decision to make. My offer was established through my direct access to the funds that I was provided by the government."
A councilman interjected. "Mr. Asan if you wish to continue this hearing, you need to provide more specified questions. As you yourself pointed out earlier, the reasons and decision making in regards to how our politicians conduct their legislations and deals are not within the responsibility of this office. We only care of the way they are conducted."
Kessen was frustrated. He began to say something but decided against it. At that point Dario felt relief. He had won that battle. But would Kessen stop there?
The councilmen continued to converse with Kessen. "Mr Asan would you please leave us alone with your co-worker." Kessen did a slight nod and left the room.
One of the councilmen turned to Dario.
"Could you tell us as to why Mr. Asan was suspicious of your activities? " councilman Rant was baiting for information but Dario had no reason to say anything more.
"I did my job. I did not break any rules. Mr. Asan is simply doing his job as well. I am not in any place to comment on his decision to call this meeting." He said with meaning.
A few councilmen sighed. Dario heard some whispering on wasting time. And finally heard what he was waiting for all along; "ok Mr, Alerin, you are free to go. As you go please let Mr. Asan know that we are waiting for him inside". Dario nodded and immediately stepped back and turned to present his projector to the scanner next to the door. But before he did, Sabek was next to him observing him closely. He left his position without anyone noticing, Dario looked behind him at the councilmen still taking to each other.
"Mr. Alerin, I would be careful if I were you. No politician can overreach above the council and the people of Earth. " Dario furrowed his eyebrows. Whatever was the meaning behind that statement he couldn't understand Sabek's behaviour so far. He raised his projector and the sliding door leaves opened. Dario looked to his left were Kessen was standing looking anxiously around him.
"They asked for you inside". Kessen jumped up and looked at Dario for the first time this day.
He was angry. "You think you got away, you have some powerful friends but I know what I saw. " He came face to face with Dario. That was the first explosion that Dario ever seen from Kessen in the whole two years they were working together. His breathing was irregular; he stood there silent for a moment looking Dario straight to his eyes and slid away without saying anything else.
Dario gulped. No matter how lucky he was, he knew he made any enemy today. It was unavoidable.
A few moments later he got inside his car. The driver looked at him with his eyebrows raised. "Should we wait for mr Kessen? ".
"No, all my appointments are cancelled for today. Take me to my house"
"Right away mr.Alerin".
Dario's thoughts wondered away. His worries only slightly lessened. He escaped from being convicted of the worst possible crime but still he was engrossed with some dangerous individuals who were not afraid to end a life even when it slightly benefits them. Sabek was a man to be aware off, though he was not the only one. They had invited him to meet them and he had no idea what he would face. He was getting exactly what he asked for, but his fear was still present. He had taken the initiative, but were they really unaware of his intentions or his ambitions?
The car was speeding along through the city. Dario glanced at a complex of buildings. Some of them were never noticed before by his busy and wandering mind, which was always occupied with one project or the next. The projected images shone brightly atop their flat surfaces. One of them specifically drew his attention. It was one of the risen heroes, a quite common image across the capital of the sector. But again, across his bright yellow shirt, there symbol of the rise was missing again. Of course it could have been a glitch but Dario in all his years never seen the symbol of the rise obscured or ignored, it was always there no matter what, engraved in his mind. Its absence was a mystery. His mind started making connections. Maybe it meant something? Was it a message? A way to convey meaning?
Whatever it was Dario knew that it was not accidental but he still had no way of knowing. He swept it away from his mind; he had more important issues to address. A meeting with possibly the most dangerous individuals on earth and of course he had to quench a possible rebellion, all in the same week.
He sighed. There was one thing that was certain at this point; he would be tested again. They wanted to see how far he can go. Two months ago when he learnt of their existence he thought he could manipulate his way in. But now he was wondering if everything that he had planned can ever be achieved? The reality was much, much harsher than his expectations. He closed his eyes.
___________________________________________________________________________
He heard a whooshing sound. He got up right away. He pulled up his forearm and looked at the time in the projector; it was time to meet them. He heard the whooshing sound again. This time he tried to find the source and stepped to the edge of his room in front of the high-rise window that was overlooking the city. He looked for the source of the sound on the street below. A neon sign was switching off and on. Dario never noticed it before. The sign simply read 'up'. Dario quickly realized the message. He took off towards the elevator without any further delay. He didn't know what he would face.
As soon as he entered the elevator he pressed the button for the top floor. Only a few seconds had passed and he heard the whooshing sound again. He started having thoughts about all the possible scenarios in his head and begun to sweat. The elevator's slight pull up woke him up from his dream like state. The elevator's doors opened only to find himself in an empty terrace. He saw the two generators pumping on the edge of the terrace. The dim lighting was making the terrace area barely visible. Beyond the railings surrounding the terrace extended the city. Dario's building was one of the tallest around.
Why was it empty? Did he misunderstood? But then he heard it again. The sound, this time he saw a small reflection in the sky. A gravity aircraft with seamless, polished metal started descending on the terrace. The soundless descend impressed Dario, he took a few steps back to make way for the circular craft to land. He had only seen the Grays using this type of craft and yet two humans exited from the craft. It was not a sizable craft and yet it seemed like it could fit 4-5 people.
He immediately recognized one of two individuals. It was none other than Elsivia. She was known as a descendant of the risen heroes. The lines of the heroes were broken long ago, Elsivia was the last surviving descendant. Once upon a time she was the symbol of the government. Of course she was only used as a simple tool to inspire the masses and achieve unity. Her involvement undoubtedly led many to trust the actions of the government to follow. Her death a few years ago was huge news and yet here she stood, very much alive. Dario did not really require much of an explanation; it was pretty obvious what he was witnessing. Yet again the power of the cabalists was shining through the shadows. Despite knowing that, his shocked face was the most likely reason for Elsivia's smile.
"So are you ready?"
Dario inclined his head. Unsure of his ability to speak at that moment. The other man next to Elsivia gestured the entrance of the aircraft. Dario glanced at him.
"My name is Gustan, Mr Alarin. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance ". He said with his hand extended. Dario embraced it.
"Yes, pleased to meet you as well".
Dario made his way to the inside of the craft, but before he stepped on the extended rump, he was stopped by Elsivia's hand. She was wearing a golden projector, unlike any Dario have ever seen.
"Once we go inside Mr. Alarin, there would be no going back. Whatever you witness from now on will change everything you believed so far about the Earth's government. That means that you will be unable to separate yourself from our project. You can go back to where you came from. None will be wiser; of course you would be watched. As long as you forget our meeting today you would be able to continue your life normally. Does this sound fair?" She asked while raising her eyebrow.
"I have no intention of stopping now." Dario said with certainty. After all he risked, along with his life he would see it to the end. His goal was finally within reach.
For Yelen, he thought and stepped inside the small craft.