Tail of the Dragon

by Timothy Reihm

  Chapter 39

  It was an interesting contradiction. At their meetings, now held three times a week, Gadreel served an extension of the authority Helel maintained. However, during the hours spent working as a preceptor in the communication section of the Planetary Affairs Ministry, he was, technically, the least senior member of the team.

  This contradiction offered a great example of politics in action. Beginning as a low level staffer, Gadreel initially had no access to much of the information flowing in and out of the office. He could not communicate directly with emissaries on other planets and needed to have any requests approved. However, over time, Gadreel began operating with impunity inside the section.

  This fact came from the mutually beneficial relationship he developed with his superior. Penmel, the communications administrator for the ministry, was a devoted member of Helel’s group. During their meetings, Gadreel made it a point to give Penmel free reign. After being promoted to Helel’s chief adviser, he recommended Penmel take over the green squad. And despite his former team's consistently poor performances, Gadreel never reprimanded Penmel. Helel understood and allowed for it.

  As a result, Gadreel was virtually unsupervised and had a free hand to pursue whatever activities he wished within the section. Neither Gadreel nor Penmel ever spoke of the tacit understanding, but both adhered to the implied rules of engagement. So, Gadreel had access to information and privileges normally reserved for senior members of the section’s staff. None of his colleagues seemed to mind the special treatment. Many of them were now involved in the meetings and understood his position. Those not involved saw the deference their supervisor gave Gadreel and extended the same.

  Thus, it came to be that Gadreel became one of the best-informed arella in the Kingdom. He had no specific assignments and access to anything within the ministry.

  And there was a lot of data to access. The communications section had a large staff of around five hundred arella. Their job was to analyze and catalog the appeals, reports and complaints coming in from all reaches of the universe. They utilized a sophisticated array, which prioritized and categorized the information, but arella analyzed, forwarded and responded to all of this communication. They also handled requests from other departments for access to archived materials. Every piece of information that came in or went out was stored in the central core. The section approved or denied tens of thousands of requests for information every day.

  And yet Gadreel was never asked to be involved in any of these activities. He had a private office, an unrestricted array, and the freedom to pursue any subject that interested him. But it wasn’t as if Gadreel didn't stay busy. On the contrary, he worked tirelessly every day. He came early and stayed late. He poured himself into his work, although one else in the ministry could say what that entailed.

  Gadreel, however, did. His job was to collect information and catalog it. He knew who was performing well and who was not, of promotions and demotions, what planets functioned properly and which ones struggled.

  And lately, it seemed, more and more worlds had issues. The archive was full of reports of these problems. Since the first world there had been disagreements, complaints and direct interventions requested. The interaction of free thinking beings invariably caused conflict. But, tensions seemed to be on the rise.

  ‘I ran an analysis of the complaints coming in today versus this time last year. The numbers are up over 1000 percent. And last year saw an increase of 500 percent over the previous year. It has been trending this way for over a decade now,’ Gadreel explained to Helel as they sat at their usual table in the cafe.

  ‘Which proves my point. This is exactly why we have been working so hard at our gatherings. It is almost time to take this information to the Kings. They will have no choice but to act when they see what has been going on,’ Helel said and filled Gadreel’s glass with yayin.

  Gadreel sipped from his cup as aAcholins approached the table. Although they had ordered no food, he began placing dishes before them. Plates heaped with spiced vegetables, moist cakes, a sweet soup, and slices of breads with bowls of salted oil were spread across the polished wooden tabletop. It felt strangely satisfying to ever have to ask for anything. He grabbed a slice of bread, dipped it into the golden bowl and took a bite.

  He swallowed before saying, ‘It is becoming a logistical nightmare for the ministry. Their investigative teams are stretched so thin the backlog of cases is embarrassing. If they were smart about this, they would recall those under suspicion and question them here, instead of sending angels out across the universe to investigate. It isn’t logical the way they pursue these things.’

  Helel looked at him, deep in thought. Finally, he smiled and said, ‘Gadreel, you are a genius. I see how to make this work in our favor.’

   

  Gadreel studied the document. The numbers were quite staggering. It would require precise planning and some delicacy, but it might work. He needed a larger team than was  comfortable, and he understood loyalty only went so far. Azazel had taught him that.

  He pulled up the list he and Helel assembled. It was hard to believe their group now had one hundred and fifty members, just in the Planetary Affairs Ministry. He began going over the names, occasionally removing one from consideration. Penmel was going to have to approve this venture and he wanted to show he had done his homework and had a list that wouldn’t set off any alarms. It was important to remember there were those who wished to circumvent the will of the Kings and many of those individuals had power. This had to be handled delicately.

  Gadreel arranged to meet Penmel at the park adjacent to the ministry. That way anyone who saw them would assume they were just two colleagues taking a walk. A little gazebo stood at the center.  Gadreel walked purposefully up the broad, tree-lined avenue. The triangular leaves tinkled like cubes of ice tumbling about in a glass. Small, furry, winged rodents leapt between the branches above. Birds chirped and groups of arella strolled about. He spotted the slope-roofed building ahead. It was a large, six-cornered structure constructed of a pale, nearly white wood. The roof was pink slate that complemented the color and shape of the fronds topping the park's trees. Penmel stood waiting and started toward Gadreel.

  ‘I was glad that you asked to meet with me. I’ve been wanting to talk to you about the meetings. I have some suggestions for you and Helel,’ Penmel began.

  ‘And I would love to hear them. And I am here to do a favor for you, but you go first,’ Gadreel replied.

  Gadreel tried to listen to the ideas that Penmel spewed in a rapid torrent. Soon after the suggestion regarding uniforms, complete with possible designs, he stopped even trying. The angel was enthusiastic about the cause, but seemed misapprehend its purpose. As near as Gadreel could tell, Penmel viewed their group as some sort of special social club. Eventually, the running diatribe lost steam and he quieted.

  ‘I will certainly bring it up with Helel. I'm sure he will be glad to receive your input.’

  Penmel lit up at the comment.

  ‘I wanted to discuss a matter relevant to the ministry,’ Gadreel continued.

  ‘I hope you find your work conditions adequate. Is anyone bothering you?’ Penmel asked, a bit nervously.

  ‘No. No. I am very grateful for the way you run the section and the others treat me well. It is just that I have noticed an issue with the volume of complaints that we have been receiving from off world and would like to help.’

  Gadreel brought the list out of his pocket and unfolded it deliberately.

  ‘I ran a couple of reports and it seems the ministry is getting further and further behind handling follow-ups on planetary complaints involving ministry emissaries. Given the current volume we are seeing, this trend is going to worsen over time. I am here to offer assistance.’

  ‘I support your efforts to remove all of the ridiculous restrictions and realize you'll be receiving your wings within the next few weeks, but I don’t have the authority to send you off to
deal with these complaints. And I will be denied immediately if I request an exception be made,’ Penmel said apologetically.

  ‘You misunderstand me, my friend. The last thing I would want to do is create any problems for you. I am here with an idea for a new initiative, led by you. I propose you put together a team,’ he handed over the list, ‘that will be charged with cleaning up some of the backlog. I say we deal directly with the emissaries,’ Gadreel paused, gauging his superior’s reaction.

  ‘I don’t have the time to take on any extra duties right now,’ he began.

  ‘And that is where I can help. I will be your silent and invisible assistant. I will manage the day-to-day details of the operation and keep you posted on the progress. We don’t need to mention my involvement at all. This is something I wish to do, to assist the mission of the ministry,’ he finished and waited.

  Gadreel watched as Penmel deliberated. He understood what motivated the administrator. Penmel was not an overly diligent angel, but he liked to have authority and enjoyed being considered an innovator.

  ‘I’m really at a loss, Gadreel. That is an incredibly generous offer and by the looks of this list, I should be able to convince my superiors to free up these individuals. As far as I can tell they are all in redundant positions. How long would this take?’

  ‘Just a couple of weeks, if I’m able to get the entire group.’

  ‘That’s incredible. You really believe you can clear up that many cases in just a couple of weeks? Forgive me. You wouldn’t say it if you didn’t think it could be done. There is one thing. It doesn’t seem fair that you not get credit if this should prove successful. I wouldn’t feel right about hiding you in the background.’

  ‘I insist, Penmel. It is your wisdom in administering your section that has given me the flexibility to be able to serve this way. You deserve the credit. Besides, if this idea comes from you, it can move forward. If it comes from me, well, we know where it ends up.’

  It took several days before Gadreel heard the plan was approved. He used the time wisely and created detailed itineraries for each member of the task force, cross-referencing all the outstanding cases and organizing them. There were over a million contacts to be made. Of course, his group too small to handle this number. He believed he had a neat solution and was anxious to see how well it worked.

  Slender tubes were stacked all around the room he kept at Helel’s estate. Each held very specific instructions for the recipient. He opened one and read the note. It contained a list of names and directions on what to say to each one. Every message sent would begin a chain of instruction that should reach nearly all of the one million contacts he was targeting. Within weeks, he would open a network joining the representatives, almost a third of all angels, who were either feeling disenfranchised or under the pressure of an investigation.

  Although Helel created the basic concept, he had figured out how to make it work. This would provide the necessary leverage to bring their proposals to the Kings, which, without proof of dissension, would be a futile enterprise. But if this worked, they would be able to overcome the objections of the large and powerful group suppressing the will of the Kings.

  ‘Can I see?’ Helel’s asked.

  He turned, shocked to see Helel standing behind him, wings unfurled and nearly filling the room.

  ‘When did that happen?’ he asked, pointing.

  ‘Just now. I managed to get my time bumped up a bit. My archangel made the recommendation on my recommendation,’ Helel answered, smiling.

  ‘How was it?’ Gadreel asked.

  ‘A bit anticlimactic, actually. There wasn’t much of a ceremony. I’m not sure whose idea that was, but it was disappointing. I guess all that really matters is I am ready for the next step. I was getting bored with all the music.’

  Helel served his preceptorship under Kerubiel, chief Cherubim and leader of the celestial orchestra, the arella who provided music on Mount Kol itself. Helel was a standout musician and had convinced a large number of the orchestra’s members to join their meetings.

  ‘Don’t worry. You will be receiving yours very soon,’ he said. ‘So, can I see what you’ve been working on?’

  Gadreel handed one of the tubes to Helel and watched as he unfurled the small sheet. A smile lit his face as he read the note, understanding what Gadreel had done.

  ‘This is wonderful work, Gadreel. What happens if this gets in the wrong hands?’

  ‘This is Penmel’s initiative, not mine. Besides, it doesn’t say anything dangerous. We are perfectly safe,’ Gadreel answered.

  ‘You are a quick study. I had better watch you. This is great work!’ Helel embraced him fiercely. ‘You are my right hand, Gadreel.’