by DC Bastien
"Saidhe," Biann supplied. "My sister."
"Saidhe," Eru repeated. "He likely is using her to pressure the Hale. He declares himself the next Za."
"How... how is he broadcasting?"
"Are you kidding? He likely just started to stream on a private channel, letting every entertainment and news agency jump onto the bandwagon. Who would turn down such inflammatory—?"
But even as they spoke, the footage ended. A Hleen presenter blinked owlishly at the camera.
"We apologise. We have unconfirmed information. Until the veracity of this broadcast can be confirmed, we will only discuss the information. We will not broadcast the source material."
"That's... Tuadan, right?" Biann glanced at the logo in the corner of the screen. "Is it the same on every big channel?"
Eru flicked through them, one at a time, nodding. "The actual feed is not being broadcast by the main companies. I suspect the original footage is still available, but it is not being duplicated on their airtime. Only discussions about it."
"How is he not dead?" Biann blurted out. "And where is my sister? And how do I get her – and Loap – back?"
"We need to contact Nessin," Kre said. "She has choked the broadcast, I am sure of it. It's her hand at play here. We need..."
"We need to save my sister!"
"Yes. We do. But we need to work out how."
***
"Are you somewhere you can talk?" Nessin's voice came over the pager.
"No, give me – give me a minute, uh..."
Avery had already gone to grab the Judge, and Vadim watched for the frantic hand-signals to indicate they had somewhere to talk.
"I assume you had the screens on."
"Yeah, we – oh. It stopped."
"You're welcome."
Hale Toan, the Judge and Avery started to make a bee-line for a side room, so he followed them. The door closed behind them, and he put the pager device down.
"I have some other people wanting to join the conference call," her voice said, strangely tinny from the small device. "As we're clearly not bothering with 'subtle' any more."
"Hey, we were trying for subtle!" Vadim complained.
"It failed."
"Cap'n?"
"Biann?"
"It's me. I'm here with Kre. And Eru."
"Twinkle, it is so good to hear from you. I have so many things to say, but later," the Captain replied.
"We are here – ah. Judge Peters, Hale Toan, Enforcer Avery and Captain Vadim," Ithon summarised. "As apparently we decided to revert to ancient technology somewhere along the line."
"Easier to stay incognito," Vadim mumbled. "Not really necessary now, though."
"Can we please get back onto the topic at hand?" came the angry Hleen voice. "I leave you to your own devices for half a day and there's a terrorist claiming the Za is dead. Not to mention the threat of all-out war between the Roq and Sianar."
"There is not going to be war between the Roq and the Sianar," Toan said. "Or not from the Roq side, anyway. I assume the two Za-le would agree?"
"Neither Kre nor myself wishes for that," Eru confirmed. "But our... supposed brother might have something to say about it. Not to mention the disruption his publicity stunt will cause."
"That's why I need one of you to take the mantle," Nessin pushed. "One of you needs to take the reins. You can't just brush this under the carpet, now. If you don't have a unified front, a strong figurehead..."
"This is what you wanted all along," Kre hissed. "You wanted one of us to take the position!"
"Yes. But I didn't want the threat of war to be the cause. Believe me, it might sell, but I'm not actually a warmonger. I just want good stories."
"Ladies, gentlemen," Peters cut in. "Regardless of previous motivations or circumstances, I would agree with Nessin that we need to respond. Quickly. The cancellation of rebroadcast will buy us only moments. We need to get ahead of this wave."
"If we do that... won't this Cil guy just kill Saidhe and Loap?" Biann's voice was tiny, and worried. "He won't need them alive any more, right? I mean... if Loap won't bend the knee like he says he needs to?"
"Oh, B—"
"Biann, we must hope that he has the sense to realise they are a bargaining chip if they are alive. We will also muster a force to rescue them," the Judge said. "We need someone to work out where they are..."
"I will get the Roq to work on that," Toan offered. "And may I suggest that – in the interests of future co-operation – that any task force to recover them consists in part of Roq and Sianar forces?"
"I could not agree more," Eru's voice came through the channel. "Equal parties in this. And perhaps it should be lead by a third party. Captain, Enforcer, you have experience in extractions. You are also considered impartial to the debate."
"Not entirely impartial," Ithon wavered. "Other than the whole 'crew mates being kidnapped', you should remember that I am—oh!"
"What?" Vadim asked, turning in alarm.
"I'm technically... Za."
"Wait, what?"
"I'm his Amanuensis."
"He's dead," Vadim pointed out, trying not to sound as insensitive as... well. Too late.
"That means little in this case," Ithon replied. "He died without announcing an heir. Which – technically – I could do."
"He's right. There's precedent, if you accept that the earlier roles are relevant in this situation." The Judge ran his fingers over his mouth, a hum of thought. "Yes. It would work. Of course, Cil may still attempt to challenge it..."
"Doesn't matter. I'll have a piece broadcast at once," Nessin said. "But you better be ready to announce the actual Za soon. We can only buy a small amount of time with that stall. If you want to keep the Roq and Sianar from ripping one another to shreds in public, you need to make up your minds fast." Pause. "And give me the exclusive, of course."
"After what you did cutting his broadcast, you have as much exclusivity as you want," Eru replied. "Although we may wish your competitors to repeat the message. To ensure coverage."
"Oh, I can spin that. If they all believe they owe me the biggest favour in news history... believe me, I can work that. Call me when you have a name. Preferably with a video feed. This is barbaric." Nessin cut out of the call, leaving the Messenger crew, plus Ithon and Toan.
"I will go and start the groundwork for tracing the call and the strike force," Toan said. "And update my people. This will require some... diplomacy."
Peters gripped Toan's arm. "Thank you, old friend."
"You do not need to thank me," she replied.
There was an uncomfortable break in the conversation as she left. It was harder to hold such a big conference when you couldn't make eye-contact or read body language for all participants. Vadim shuffled awkwardly. "B... I'm gonna get them back. I will. I promise."
"And you two must decide," Peters said.
"Eru."
One word. Just one word, and they could hear claws and fur rustling.
"Kre?"
"You want this. I never did. You... you took control when I could not. All I could think of was my friends, and how I couldn't do anything to help. You... you are what our people need. And I do not want the role. I will happily advise you – more than happily help you make decisions of policy – but..."
Vadim swallowed, and he felt a hand on his wrist. Just fingers, glancing. He turned his hand, letting Ithon lace their fingers together.
"I will make our people proud, Kre. I will make you proud. I only want what is best for the Sianar... and this is not it."
"I... know. Now. I do."
"I'll let Nessin know," Biann offered. "I guess everyone else is going to be too busy to."
"Thank you," Kre said.
"Alright. You work on that, we'll work on freeing our lost ducklings," Vadim said. "Ending the call in three..."
***
[Sianor: Okay, what?]
[Ashroe: Uhm.]
[Sianor: Everything was – and then – and all of
a sudden – ?]
[Ashroe: Sometimes they do that to you.]
[Sianor: Yeah, but. I kind of wasn't expecting that. And not that soon, either!]
[Ashroe: We could edit it, but I think it needed to... happen.]
[Sianor: WTAF.]
[Ashroe: I know, babe, I was there.]
[Sianor: Now I'm wondering if we should have just – you know – put this on the end of the last fic.]
[Ashroe: No, babe. No.]
[Ashroe: It's not over yet.]
[Sianor: Whimper.]
[Ashroe: Trust me on this, if nothing else. Trust Ash.]
[Sianor: ...okay.]
[Sianor: I still need a hug.]
[Ashroe: *hugs* ]
***
Chapter Seven – Mission: Delegation
Kre watched as Biann worked away at the terminal, feeling... strangely lost. She'd said it. She'd renounced her position. She'd... said it. And no one had forced her to change her mind. With Ail gone, there was no one left to force her to agree. Eru was all too happy to take the mantle of ruler and then her crew were probably relieved she wasn't leaving (but also would have supported her if she'd had designs on the Za's position).
She'd said no.
And it felt like the right thing to have said. She'd turned it down because it just... it was the right thing. Right? Yes. Yes...
While they'd all been brainstorming the situation, she'd just flinched deeper and deeper into herself. She couldn't help but feel responsible for most of it. If she hadn't crewed on the Messenger then Loap and Saidhe wouldn't be in danger right now. It was – whether she liked it or not – her responsibility. Her fault.
She had no idea how to balance out the global powers tilting this way and that. She'd not thought to add the Captain to the mix of rescuers. She'd not thought of anything useful. Eru might be less moderate than her, but she wasn't... evil. She wasn't. And Cil – or whoever was claiming to be Cil – clearly had no issue with attacking a Roq kolkoz, kidnapping, and who knew what else. Eru was definitely a better Za than him.
Eru was making calls and barking out hurried orders, getting everything ready for the broadcast she had to make. Nothing short of a public succession would counter the rogue transmissions, now. Thankfully they didn't need to change the throne room at all, they could do it simply with a few items from the Za's armoury. That was all.
At a lull in the orders, Kre went over to her sister. A paw on her arm, and when Eru turned she offered a lick to the cheek. "You will do fine, sister."
Eru blinked at her, suddenly... small again. Suddenly the little cub she'd grown up playing with through the long grass, not the mature woman she'd grown into. Kre licked at her own paw-pad and started to groom her fur back into place, wanting her to look the very best she could.
"You are certain of this, Kre?"
"I am."
"Even though... even though Ail wanted it for you?"
"Ail is – was – as stubborn as we are. It is where we got it from. If you told him he could not have a thing, he wanted it." Kre's whiskers flared in pained amusement. "I do not know why he was so determined to force me into something I really did not want. But I did not... I have not. Not... for as long as I can remember. You do."
"Wanting it does not mean I am necessarily the best choice."
"Right now, it is," Kre said, butting her head under the other's chin. "And the doubt will keep you right. That voice in your ear, making you wonder how to do this is what will make you a good Za. But my voice is too loud. You take pressure, I buckle. And father should have seen that."
Eru's tail curled around Kre's waist, hugging her close. "You were more like him than I was. He... wished to do more, but he felt curtailed. I believe he hoped you would push for the reform he was too afraid to pursue."
"Then I will push for it. But I will push for it as the voice in your ear."
"I promise I will listen. I cannot promise I will agree, but I will listen."
Kre stood back, and smiled with her eyes. "I see that now. I am sorry. For our differences."
"You shouldn't be, it's what makes us who we are, Kre. And for what it's worth, I think you would be a good Za, if only you wanted to be. That is where Ail failed. He did not account for your own... needs."
"If you will accept me as your counsellor, then we will make this work. Perhaps that's what the Sianar need: both of us."
"I am lucky to have you as a sister. Please..." she held out her paw. "Come with me on the broadcast. Show your support. And I will announce you as my Amanuensis."
"You... is that wise?"
"I do not care if it is wise or not, I am doing it, Kre. Then you will have my authority to act. I am confident you would not use the power to do something I would later revoke."
Kre grabbed her waist, squeezing her so hard that her sister yelped. "Kre! Kre... the vid."
"Yes... yes of course." She pulled back, then submitted to a similar grooming. They both had to look perfect.
***
[Ashroe: And again with the muses not consulting the authors.]
[Sianor: Sometimes I wonder if we're even writing the story.]
[Ashroe: We're not. They are.]
[Sianor: You know it's... it's eight weeks now. Eight weeks until your flight.]
[Ashroe: TELL ME ABOUT IT.]
[Sianor: I'm so so so so excited.]
[Ashroe: I have a To Do list a mile long it feels like.]
[Ashroe: And so many clothes to buy.]
[Sianor: Why? You're not here that long.]
[Ashroe: Uh... I like to be prepared? And... wear new things?]
[Sianor: Okay. I just – I mean it's not that much warmer here, is it?]
[Ashroe: You'd be surprised. I mean, I don't know how hot where you live is, but I have a widget up that shows me the temperature here compared to San Diego and hoo-boy.]
[Sianor: Oh. Is it going to be okay?]
[Ashroe: Yes. Just means I will need more... icecream.]
[Sianor: Eheheh.]
[Ashroe: I mean it.]
[Sianor: Sure you do.]
[Ashroe: You all ready for your first real hol – uh, vacation from work?]
[Sianor: Sure am. I mean, I know I'm just a home-worker, but it will be nice to have more than two days of not working in one go.]
[Sianor: What about you?]
[Ashroe: A lot of prepping people. I've been training Bob in most of my duties anyway, so he's been hammered with me showing him stuff when I do it. I think he's terrified of me.]
[Sianor: Bwahahaha. Why would he be?]
[Ashroe: I am sweet and innocent and charming, so I don't know why he would be intimidated by my darling personality.]
[Sianor: Stop... stop it!]
[Ashroe: Bitch.]
***
"They are here," Toan said, even as the broadcast in the background showed Eru and Kre announcing their position as head of state and Amanuensis for all to see.
"Here?" Vadim asked. "Like... Draqqi here?"
"In this solar system, yes. We've traced the signal and we are sure they are in orbit."
The Judge's brow creased in a deep frown. "It seems very odd that they would do so in Roq territory."
"Maybe they think they'd get found out in Sianar space?" Vadim wondered. "Or... maybe it's a deliberate message?"
"I'm beginning to think that Cil – or whoever uses his name – might not be entirely all there," Ithon said. "Are the Sianar forces on their way?"
"I have requested they send a contingent here. We will liaise in orbit above Draqqi," Toan replied. "They should arrive soon. I... expect it will be Ardeshir, under another name. We're under no illusions that the order continues in some form or another."
"And that won't cause a major diplomatic incident?" Kip asked. "Seeing... not-Ardeshir?"
"Not if they are working to save one of ours." Toan's voice was all-too-level. "We know they exist. It would be foolish of them to disband such a well-trained force. No matter what label they
put on them."
"And there's not going to be... a problem with there being just some of your elders here to make this decision?" Vadim pushed. "I mean, I know you got a quorum and all, but—"
Toan put a hand on his arm, clucking her tongue gently. "We spoke to the others before we called this small assembly. They were content for us to represent them as a whole. We work as a community. There may be some who would dislike some of our decisions, but they will uphold them. You do not need to worry about the Roq. If Eru and Kre do what they have promised, they will earn much favour amongst our kind."
"Oh... I had an idea, too. I want to run it past you before I suggest it to Nessin."
