Chapter 47: Benn

Benn stood before the long windows of his office which was aptly stationed on the top floor of the capital building. He stared at the glass field encompassing the capital estate in translucent energy, protecting the council from external dangers. Beyond that, a larger glass field domed the city to protect them from the barbarian clans.

He stood in the safest place in the world. His main residence was within the capital building so as long as he never left no one could touch him.

The sight of the energy shield usually put him at ease, made him feel safe, feel untouchable. Today though, it did little to ease how threatened he felt.

‘Shenko, Shenko, Shenko,’ he repeated the name as if trying to burn it to memory.

He would nip this problem before it grew beyond his control. He had to.

‘Before it becomes a problem worthy of Elders’ attention.’

If he let Elder Council get involved. It would be signalling his inability to control his own territory and failure would doom his political career.

The previous governor lost his position because of his inability to control the union, failure to control Safaree.

‘I have to employ the same tactics I previously did to neutralize Safare—’

Benn paused.

Previously, to control Safaree he’d neutralized those around her so she never had support to implement her ideas. Despite how noble the late chairperson was. Fortunately those around her weren’t as unwavering.

He couldn’t help but feel uneasy at the thought of reusing the same strategy.

‘Will he expect that?’

The boy must’ve studied his mentor’s career at length. He would surely be prepared such a counter.

‘Will he try to lay another trap for me?’

Benn closed his eyes.

The recent blow was fuelling his paranoia. He’d grown too accustomed to the self-righteous revolutionaries. Most of union reps who spoke up against federation law were noble. He’d assumed it was born from how oppressed they must feel.

However Shenko was willing to employ the darker arts of deception and cunning. The same dark arts he prided himself in were being employed against him and the experience was far from pleasant.

He had to move cautiously in this game of shadows, where missteps were fatal in that they can be used to strengthen his opponent.

“Sir.”

Gallas – one of his bodyguards – stuck his head through the half opened door.

“What is it?”

“Your secretary requests an audience.”

“Let her in.”

He swirled, motioned to his chair and eased himself down. He slumped back and rested his hands atop his round belly.

The secretary strode in. Benn eyed the girl whose name he still hadn’t bothered to memorize nor would he for as long as he could.

“Denise,” he randomly threw out a name.

The girl’s face twitched annoyance.

“Sir,” she said evenly trying to sound as non-confrontational as she could manage. “That’s—”

“What is it?” He cut her off impatiently. She was probably going to say something along the lines of that’s not my name. When would she learn he didn’t care to know her real name?

‘But she’s persistent. I’ll give her that.’

She frowned but continued with her report anyways. “Sir, the Lord Protector is on the secure line.”

‘Murakami,’ he thought with great anticipation.

The relic thief was another source of his worries. How he’d lost an astra wasn’t a conversation he wanted to have with the elder council because such a talk had no happy ending for him.

And at 61, he was far too young to watch his political career spoil.

With the aid of modern medicine he still had some five to six decades of service in him. It was too early to relinquish his power or worse have it taken from him.

He extended a hand. Denise strode forward passed him the communicator.

“Out!”

Denise didn’t linger, leaving him alone. He tapped on the communicator accepting the call on hold.

Murakami’s virtual projection beamed from the communicator. He looked exactly like a lord protector should. Almost two meters tall, broad shoulders and muscular. He had golden blonde hair with a military cut and deep blue eyes that made him look unfathomable.

Murakami’s projection looked around.

“Were alone,” Benn said. “Well did you find him?”

Murakami bowed respectfully. “Yes, thanks to some eyewitnesses. I’ve narrowed down his position to kilometre radius.”

“The astra, does he still have it?”

“I can’t say for sure but he was sighted with a backpack. So he should still have it.”

“Retrieve it, now!” Benn said unable to hide the relief in his voice.

“It shall be done,” Murakami said.