by D. D. Chant
“Not to worry, Jayn.” For a moment Philip’s gaze shifted and he smiled at her. “I take milk in my tea.”
She gulped and turned back to the tray. Philip was angry that she’d been brought into the argument in the first place. Now at least he knew just how low Sendel would stoop in a fight. Sendel obviously had no qualms about involving innocents in his schemes. He would do whatever it took to win.
Jayn handed out the tea carefully, obviously in a hurry to get out of the oppressive atmosphere. Philip smiled reassuringly at her as he accepted the beverage, and for a moment his warm hand touched hers.
“You can leave, Jayn.”
She inclined her head, placing her hand over her heart, and scurried away closing the port behind her. The room was quiet for a long time after she had left.
“What exactly did Jayn tell you, Senator?” asked Sendel pleasantly.
“That Astra would never have abducted Ben.”
“She’s right: Ladron had far too sure a hold over her. Astra would never have rebelled against him.”
“Then just how do you explain my son’s disappearance?”
Sendel smiled and shook his head.
“Not so fast, Senator. If you want my cooperation you'll have to agree to my terms.”
“And what are your terms, exactly?”
Councillor Sendel paused, drumming his fingers on the arm of his chair.
“When you remove Ladron, I wish to take his place as Councillor over the security forces.”
“And by that, you mean you want me to give you control over the whole Council.”
“A small price to pay for the return of your son, surely?” asked Councillor Sendel, raising an eyebrow. “It is only due to my intervention that Ben is still relatively safe.”
Philip watched the languid craftiness in Sendel’s attitude disdainfully. He reminded him of a cat, toying with a mouse. Philip had no choice, they both knew that. He needed to find Ben, and he needed to know what had happened the day that Ben had disappeared. He would agree to Sendel’s terms, but he would never honour them.
“Very well, Councillor: when Ladron is gone you will take his place.”
Sendel smiled and settled himself more comfortably in his seat. Both men knew that they were lying to each other, that they would use each other in an attempt to gain the upper hand. Neither had any intention of staying true to the agreement, further than the meeting of their own personal goals.
“Where would you like me to start, Senator?”
“At the beginning. What happened to my son?”
“Ah, yes. Poor Ben got a little too close to the truth and so, with admirable expedience, Ladron removed him.”
“And what truth did Ben uncover?”
Sendel smiled lazily.
“Why, the truth about Astra being Una of course. You know how much Corbani hates them.”
“He is not alone in his hate, I have noticed,” observed Senator Burton softly. “I don’t see why Astra being Una was such a terrible secret.”
“Because he used Astra to inflame the already delicate tensions between the Una and the Tula. She was treated as a second class citizen. You can have no doubt as to the poor girl’s mistreatment; the lives of her foster-family relied on her complete obedience.”
“Obedience in what?”
“In everything. What ever she was asked to do, no matter how much she didn’t want to do it, she was forced to obey.”
“Are you telling me that she abducted Ben in an act of rebellion?”
“No, Astra would never rebel. Haven’t I told you that already? You really must learn to listen, Senator Burton. The only time that Astra ever rebelled against Ladron, he killed her foster-mother and attempted to kill her youngest foster-sister too.”
“Then what exactly did happen?”
Councillor Sendel paused momentarily in thought.
“I wonder, Senator, if you have had the pleasure of meeting Leda Uel Ne Toban?”
Philip attempted to curb his impatience.
“I have not.”
“Ben did.”
Councillor Sendel stood and strolled to the long window that overlooked the perfectly kept green park.
“Leda, unlike Astra, is incurably rebellious. Her mother’s death, and the threat to her sister’s life, had quite a stunning effect on her character. Ladron’s action had the unexpected result of emboldening her rather than subduing her spirit. She became determined to flout convention and cause as much trouble as possible.”
“You’re telling me that it was Leda Uel Ne Toban who abducted my son?”
“Not at all. No one planned to abduct your son, Senator. Leda wished to expose Councillor Ladron’s true colours to Ben. I have no doubt that Astra tried very hard to keep them apart, but she proved unsuccessful. Leda introduced herself to Ben at one of the parties at Government Building and gave him her contact number.”
“If Leda was such a threat, why did Ladron invite her?”
Sendel paused, weighing his words carefully.
“The Va Dic Tobans are an old family and have important connections, not only politically but secularly also. To have left them out would have been unthinkable. It would have been a political statement that would have caused trouble. Although Corbani knew that he could subdue any trouble caused, the last thing he wanted was for you to witness unrest against him. He had no wish for such a disturbance when he was hosting the peacekeeping envoy from the Free Nation.”
“Then why not dispose of them before we arrived?”
“Because Astra is too useful a tool. She is Ladron’s poster girl for how the Una would be so much happier if they were forced to take up our way of life. Every time he uses her it infuriates the Una, and that is not something he wanted to lose. In some things Corbani is incurably childish. Astra is his plaything, and he did not see why he should be forced to give her up. He thought that he would be able to keep her on and retain the peace.”
“But he couldn’t keep Leda quiet?”
“Exactly, when he discovered that Leda had spoken to your son, and had given him her contact strip, he told Astra to fix things or he would kill Leda.” Sendel paused. “I understand that you had a little visit from an Una Phantom?”
“That was Astra?”
Sendel nodded and Senator Burton remembered vaguely that Ben had said something about fighting with a girl at the time.
Had Ben known?
Why hadn’t he told him?
“Astra recovered the contact strip but it was too late: Ben had called Leda and made arrangements to visit her the next morning.”
“And Ladron knew?”
“Yes. Everything you did was monitored and reported to Ladron. He would have known not only that Ben had called, but also what had been said. It would have been recorded and saved to The Heart. The search systems on Ladron’s computer would have picked up on it immediately. He decided that the danger surrounding Astra had outweighed the advantages of keeping her around, and so he ordered that they be dealt with.”
“And by that, of course, you mean killed.”
“Of course. He needed them out of the way before the morning, and so he planned to have Ben incapacitated for a while, but he needed it to look like a mistake.”
“So he used Ben’s allergies.”
Councillor Sendel smiled.
“I’m impressed Senator. It seems that great minds do indeed think alike. Ben was provided with biscuits containing nuts along with his morning coffee. Unfortunately his reaction was not as quick as Ladron had hoped it would be. We found a used vial of Veriton, a comprehensive anti-serum, at the Va Dic Toban residence, indicating that Ben was sick when he arrived.”
“I don’t understand why the Va Dic Tobans were still alive. I thought you said that Ladron had ordered them dealt with the night before?”
Sendel smiled again.
“The order was given, but somehow it was… delayed.”
“And how did you manage that.”
“With discretion.”
“No doubt the Va Dic Tobans received a warning as well?”
“But of course. A casual word dropped into the ear of someone I knew would be sympathetic to their plight.”
“Ladron must know that you are the one behind everything though.”
“He is suspicious, I don’t doubt, but he doesn’t know for sure. No one but him is supposed to have access to information from the security sector.”
“Yet you do.”
“Shall we just say that I am by no means the only person in the Strongholds to have tired of Ladron’s rule. Corbani has stepped on far too many people to get where he is, and they have not forgotten it. Although the indignation of one can do little against the power Corbani wealds, those wronged are a formidable opponent when united.”
Philip fought the urge to shiver.
Jayn was right: Sendel might be different to Ladron, but he was just as evil. Ladron ruled with fear and strength, his power as relentless and suffocating as a tidal wave. He had an awesome disregard for public opinion and didn’t see the need to hide his nefarious deeds. He flaunted his ability to do whatever he chose as a means of subduing the people.
Sendel was far more insidious. He chose to be subtle and played upon the needs and weaknesses of others, manipulating them until they danced to his tune. He presented himself as a saviour, ready to bring peace, but in reality he was a harbinger of evil. Somehow he had managed to unite those who hated Ladron and organise them into a subversive rebel army.
“Do you know why Jayn is sympathetic to those who wish to remove Ladron, Senator? It’s because Corbani had her husband executed.”
Philip tried to stem the tide of nausea that flooded through him as Sendel continued on in a light tone that made his words even more horrific.
“Drak used to smuggle food into the work camps.”
“Work camps?” repeated Philip hoarsely.
“Oh, how remiss of me. You don’t know about the work camps, do you, Senator? I don’t believe they were included on your tour. The work camps are state run penitentiaries for captured prisoners of war and political prisoners. The people taken there are forced to work until they drop dead. I believe the average life expectancy after entering a camp is three months. Drak only managed three weeks; apparently his heart wasn’t up to the strain.”
Philip felt bile rise in his throat, choking him in disgust. Sendel showed no horror, no distaste, but a complacence that bordered on psychotic. He was not recounting the atrocity because it sickened him, but because he knew that Philip would be appalled. Sendel leaned forwards in his chair to place his cup on the table between them, and got to his feet.
“You must forgive me, Senator, but I must leave now. I'm due at Government Building soon, and it really wouldn’t do for me to be late.” He smiled, but the gesture lacked warmth. “Jayn will see to your breakfast, Senator. She is the best cook in the Strongholds; I’ll send her up as I leave.”
Senator Burton got to his feet, extending a hand.
“Thank you for your time, Councillor. Our discussion has been very enlightening.”
“I thought you would think so. If you need to speak with me again, you will always find me here at this time of morning.”
“I'll be sure to remember.”
The port sighed closed behind Councillor Sendel, and Philip sank back into his chair. He felt numb, empty, cold; stuck between a rock and a hard place, with only his wits to keep him alive. At least he knew that Ben was safe and that the Va Dic Tobans had no intention of hurting him. Philip rested his head in his hands. At least, that was if Sendel was telling the truth. Unfortunately, he had no doubt that Sendel would lie through his teeth if it meant the furtherance of his plans.
Sendel couldn’t be trusted any more than Ladron could. They were both obsessed with power, and in the end they were as bad as each other.
“Senator Burton?”
The voice was hesitant, and Philip jumped in surprise as he realised he was not alone. Jayn stood by the open port, a large tray in her hands.
“I’ve brought your breakfast, Senator.”
Philip smiled, trying to camouflage the despair that hung over him. He was not in a position where he could show weakness.
“Thank you, Jayn. I have it on good authority that you’re the best cook in the whole of the Tula Strongholds.”
Jayn shook her head with required modesty, but Philip could see that her thoughts were elsewhere.
“Did you get in trouble with Sendel?” he asked quickly. “I'm sorry if I made things unpleasant for you.”
“Sendel is no fool; he wouldn’t jeopardize everything that he plans with you by punishing me for something so small. He just wanted me to know that he knew what I’d done, that he knows every move I make, so that I remain afraid of him.”
“Are you scared of him?” asked Philip softly.
Jayn placed the tray on the table, and carefully set a place before him.
“I used to be, but now I’m only scared of what he might do to Annis.”
“Annis?”
“My daughter,” answered Jayn, pride infusing her voice with warmth. “She’s sixteen.”
“I see.” Philip looked down at the food before him.
Jayn had been busy, it seemed. A small rack of buttered toast and a pot of marmalade flanked a large plate filled with egg, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms, and sausages. A side of hash browns and a large stack of pancakes were set out like moons in orbit of a large planet, along with a pot of tea with a twist of lemon.
“It seems your talents weren’t exaggerated.”
Jayn smiled, and two dimples appeared in her rosy cheeks.
“You haven’t tried it yet.”
“Easily remedied,” answered Philip, spearing a hash brown. “Delicious!”
Jayn chuckled giving the Tula salute.
“I'm pleased it meets with your approval, Senator. I'll leave you in peace to enjoy your breakfast.”
“I’d prefer it if you stayed.”
She hesitated, and Philip raised his hand.
“I’d like to ask you some questions. It is of course entirely up to you if you answer them.”
Jayn looked uncertainly toward the door, as though she expected to see security forces ready to drag her away if she agreed.
“Please, Jayn? I need to know the truth, and I feel like you're the only person I can ask.”
Jayn shook her head wretchedly.
“It isn’t that I don’t want to help you, Senator. It’s just that Annis…” She gulped. “I can’t lose Annis, I just… I can’t.”
Philip nodded understandingly.
“Of course, I’m sorry I asked. Please don’t be upset.” He smiled, gesturing to the food laid out before him. “I’ll feel bad, when you’ve made me such a feast.”
“I’m sorry.”
Jayn bit her lip and left the room, leaving Philip frowning at his breakfast. Despite the appetizing aroma that filled the air, he had no stomach for eating. His mind was filled with all that Sendel had told him, and with all that he had only hinted at. Philip shook his head wearily, and leant back against the cushioned seat, closing his eyes.
The Tula were so tightly regimented and controlled. They lived in such fear, and those who attempted to free themselves from Ladron's oppression only fell into Sendel’s clutches.
How was he supposed to fight that?
How would he ever find out the truth about Ben if the only people not too scared to talk to him were completely untrustworthy?
The port slid open. Philip opened his eyes, and raised his head slightly to see that Jayn stood on the threshold. Her hand was still raised, one finger pressed against the touch pad that opened the port. She said nothing, but stared across the room at him, eyes filled with desperation and fear. Philip wasn’t sure how long they remained like that, but finally Jayn stepped into the room. As she settled herself in the seat opposite him, Philip slowly pulled himself upright.
“What would you like to know?”
Her voice was soft, and as she spoke her hands twisted anxiously in her lap.
“Are you sure about this?”
Jayn gulped.
“Yes. I don’t want Annis to get hurt, but I can’t just do nothing.” For a second she met his eyes frankly, and he could see pain etched into their depths. “If our places were reversed I would want you to help me as much as you could. So what do you need to know?”
A lump formed in Philip's throat.
“Thank you, Jayn.”
“You’re welcome, Senator.”
For a moment he paused thoughtfully. Perhaps he should start by finding out just how much of what Sendel had told him was true.
“Councillor Sendel said that Ladron had your husband killed.”
Jayn reached out and began to straighten the table between them carefully.
“Drak didn’t agree with the work camps. He said that there was nothing wrong with putting the Una soldiers to work, but that keeping them in squalor was inhuman.”
“Where are the work camps?”
“Further north. Ladron likes to keep them out of general sight, although everyone knows that they exist.” As she spoke, she used a napkin to sweep a few scattered grains of salt from the glass surface of the table. “I doubt that most people know how bad they are though. Drak says that the soldiers are herded in to dormitories little better than sheds. There’s little attempt to make living conditions sanitary, and prisoners are fed just enough to ensure they die slowly, with as much suffering as possible.”
“How did your husband know so much about the camps?”
“Drak lived in a town near one of the camps as a boy. It was the camp that Ladron was in charge of when he was a captain in the security forces, before he became a politician. I don’t know what Drak saw there, but it must have been terrible.” She paused, twisting the silver wedding band on her right hand. “He used to have such horrible dreams. For years he wouldn’t tell me anything about them. He would wake up screaming like a madman, sick with fear, and he would reach out for me, and hold me so tight I could feel him shaking.
“He started smuggling food up to the camps a few years ago, using the chain of restaurants that he had opened up throughout the Strongholds as a network for supply. When Ladron found out, he confiscated the business, everything except this café, and said that as Drak felt such an affinity with those in the camps, he could join them. He was dead within three weeks.”
