Chapter 7
March 20, 0350 ATG (After The Gate)
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- Politicking is fundamentally the exercise of power, involving influence over the actions of others. The practice often involves the systematic organization of conflicts and interests, sometimes described as "a strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles.”
– Author George Deagis. “Battlefield Of Another Kind”
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Nia walked with purpose. She didn’t run, or walk deliberately slow. It would be undignified of her to run and unproductive to take her time. But Nia was starting to wounder if taking her time would have been the better choice, because what, or who Nia saw walking away left her pride in shambles. She’d never expected That fool of an archeologist to make good on their deal. There was always the possibility Jonas complied enough that when she ultimately had the fucker killed for her own ambitions, that Nia could capitalize off him, after all. Nia held all the power, but now, Nia was starting to see that she had been played.
The faint sound of teeth grinding was audible in the hall of justice. People looked her way to see what and where the sound was coming from, only to look away from the furious councilor. Nia’s fist was clenched so tight that her nails had dug deep into her palm. She was so furious that she cared little for how it might have looked. She had been played like a violin. That bastard, Erick was alive, and he no doubt knew it was her. What made it even worse, was the fact that Jonas was in on it. Nia didn’t know how they coordinated this, but she knew they were communicating somehow. There was also the fact that Jonas’ notebook and all his research was probably in that bastard’s hands and out of her reach.
Just how much had Jonas known, and how much had he figured out? Nia clenched her teeth. Jonas and Erick were probably laughing at her. That’s when she heard a polite cough. She looked at the direction to see Judge Decathis discreetly motioning Nia over to a side room. Nia took a calming breath and took a separate side entrance just in case Erick had anyone watching.
Nia took the long way around. She walked around the inside like she was just wandering, and when Nia was sure she wasn’t being fallowed, she ducked into the Judges private office. She greeted the man, but Decathis did not return the greeting in kind. He instead opted for a glare instead. Sensing the Judge was not in a good mood, Nia opted to take the initiative. “What happened, Corey? Why didn’t you rush a deliberation.” Nia knew the answer but chose to play dumb in hopes of finding a conversational hand hold. Corey was just too useful of a pawn to have killed. “I think you know the answer, Nia. Erick is alive, and executing an innocent man now will only pull support from your camp.” Nia hated to admit it, but Corey was right.
Word of Ericks return would spread, and Jonas would be propped up as a martyr to further tank Nia’s ambitions. The optics wouldn’t be good. Even if the others didn’t truly care for Erick, he’d only gain more support by holding public sentiment against them. She sighed in defeat. “We need to salvage this.” Then she cursed, “Fuck! That means I can’t even have him poisoned.” She began combing her memory for any other loose ends that could tie her to this failed power move. There was the maid, but she was dead. There was the judge, but she still had use for him. There was also Erick and his coconspirator, Jonas, but Erick couldn’t move against her with just Jonas’s words alone. That was just stupid.
The council woman considered some different options for capitalizing on her grave miscalculations, when she realized there was nothing she could do. Nia was just back at square one. The only people who knew of this were her trusted allies and no one else, and without any one group of influence being non the wiser, she would just have to bite her tongue and wait for another opportunity. One man would make no difference when the optics were on her side. “You’re right, Corey. Just rule the trial a mistrial. Hell, pronounce him innocent for all I care.” Judge Decathis looked at her with amusement. “What?” She retorted. “This is quite interesting. There is finally a loose end you can’t just cut.” She met his gaze with one of contempt. “Careful, Corey. I may not be able to cut that loose end, but I can cut the loose end before me.” Nia feeling a bit relieved after letting out her pent-up stress by threatening the jerryatrick judge, cracked a smile at the pale judge before her. “Relax, Corey. It was joke. You know I value you.” The judge let an uneasy laugh escape his lips. “So, what now?” The judge asked. Nia just got up and headed towards the door but stood in contemplation, but before she exited, she said, “An uncuttable loose end Jonas may be, but perhaps I can still use him.”
Erick was giddy with what he’d just done. No doubt Nia was livid. He could see her grinding her teeth and seething. There were also all the other schemes he’d foiled as well. Erick couldn’t possibly know all their schemes, but he did know Nia’s. Erick also knew from this experience, that he truly had no allies from the beginning. Truth be told, they were all vultures. He was good for optics and so they latched onto him as evident by there lame platitudes and dismissal of his supposed death, and they’d likely latch onto him again. Well, at least he had one person he could trust… maybe trust. Erick was just going to have to confirm, given all Jonas had been through.
Erick found his way to the jail where Jonas was being held. The outcome of his severely burnt arm led to some staring and the occasional “Are you ok?” questions from the locals. It didn’t bother Erick. If anything, it helped make him more popular. After all, who wouldn’t sympathies with him. He was a victim of an attempted assassination. Ericks home and all of his belongings were destroyed by arson. He was a man of the people, and once he vouched for Jonas as a surprise witness, Jonas would also be a hero, because Nia fucked up with her little dog and pony show. She got sloppy.
Erick approached the front desk, where a sleepy police officer sat playing receptionist. Erick coughed to get the officer’s attention. “No visitation past the hour.” The officer said, not bothering to open an eye. Erick rolled his eyes and pulled out his governors’ medallion. It signified him as a part of the governing body of Glory and its’ territories. He coughed again. This time, the officer abruptly stood up and grabbed for his side arm, only to stop dead in mid motion. His face paled at the site of the medallion.
“Sit.” Erick commanded. The officer complied. “There will be a lawyer arriving, as well as a gaggle of other important people. Just let them through… after a thorough search, of course.” He let a smile creep up his face at that. It really was the simple things, and totally not revenge. Defiantly not revenge. “Make sure to get nice and deep. We wouldn’t want anything to happen to an innocent man on your watch, would you?” How did Erick now this prophetic prediction. Well, it wasn’t due to any ability or anything, but more to do with how well he knew those sniveling cowards. There was also the fact that Erick had been parading himself around in high visibility areas.
True to prediction, he heard footsteps off at the edge of earshot. Erick still needed to talk with Jonas. So, he needed to get this show on the road. Erick made his way down the cell block, where Peter guided the councilor to Jonas’ jail cell. Sitting on the edge of a very unconfutable bed was a disgruntled Jonas. As soon as he spotted Erick, the man lunged at the bars. “YOU MOTHER FUCKER.” Jonas screamed, his grasping hand just falling short of Erick’s neck. “Come here so I can squeeze the life out of your fucking body.” This went on for a bit before sense returned to Jonas. When it did, he just took a seat on the edge of his unmotorable bed. “That’s fair.” Erick said, feeling genuinely sorry for his friends suffering.
Erick opened his mouth to speak, but closed it before he found the right words and the courage to speak once more. Jonas’ glare was a little intimidating. “I hadn’t planned on putting you through this. Someone tried to assassinate me.” Erick saw the death stare ease up. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re ok, but I’m still going to get my satisfaction.” “Jonas, did they treat you ok? Were you mistreated in any way?” Jonas sighed. “No, but Nia seems to have a hard on for you. So much so, that she was willing to sacrifice the find of the century for it.” Erick, seeing Jonas de-escalated to a degree, got closer to the bars. “No, her motivations aren’t based on hate. She’s… uniquely driven. You have to understand, the plan wasn’t supposed to go tits up from the very beginning, but this does put us in an advantageous position.”
Jonas gave Erick an incredulous look. “How is my suffering an opportunity?” There was some heat in that question. It was understandable, but Jonas wasn’t a stupid man, and wouldn’t let his emotions run wild under more suitable circumstances. So, he just laid it out, choosing to bypass any of Jonas’ protests. “You are established as being my killer. Well, I’m certainly not dead, and I’ll be praising you as my savior.” “Erick, I still fail to see how this is an opportunity? I’m a loose end.” Erick just smiled that infuriating smile. “It’s an opportunity, because you saving me” Erick made air quotes as he said that. “makes you a hero, and even if its obvious the whole thing is a sham, it doesn’t truly matter, because of optics. It means more of those feckless vultures will flock to my side and support your expedition. Ah, speaking of vultures, here they come now to suck on the teats of my growing influence and popularity.” Jonas could have choked on the smug. It was that thick.
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Jonas wasn’t stupid. He could read between the lines. They would use this to leverage what they were after, along with some cavoites. Jonas looked down the hall to see Ms. Feyrat along with Nia and a few of the before mentioned vultures quickly making their way to his cell. He saw Erick slide an Atlas into view before slipping it back into his traveling coat. Fallowed by a playful wink. Jonas then realized that in some small way, this was Erick’s way of getting some measure of his own satisfaction. Maybe for the both of them.
The useless Lawyer and her handler were the first to arrive, fallowed by the gaggle of councilors. Some of them were walking a little funny. Erick stifled a laugh, but beyond Erick’s amusement, Jonas noticed a simmering hostility. It seemed to prevent Erick and the other leaders from being the first to speak. It was an unusual setting full of potential traps, and it was clear to him that this group understood that they had sprung Ericks. If he wanted to, Erick could rip the power away from one of them guaranteed. It suddenly made sense why the lawyer was there.
Ms. Feyrat was there to get the ball rolling, and potentially sus out any traps surrounding Jonas. More then that, it would set the tone going forward. “Please step aside. I wish to speak with my client.” She looked at Erick and the others, and then said, “Alone.” Erick chuckled. It set the others on edge. It was when Erick met his eyes, that it was clear what Jonas needed to do. More specifically, what he wanted to do. The Archeologist had spent enough time with Erick to know what that look meant, and to be honest, Jonas was looking forward to this. Sure, he wouldn’t get to fry the bitch, but this? This was just as good. “That won’t be necessary.” Ms. Feyrat looked back at Nia, and then back at Jonas with what amounted to fear in her eyes.
Jonas would have felt bad, but when you make a deal with the devil, you don’t complain when the devil comes to collect her dues. Nia had a reputation, but his lawyer’s life was not his problem. Why should Jonas care. After all, his lawyer was happy letting an innocent man die. So, why should he care. “We need to prepare for tomorrow.” She said matter of factly. Jonas just got up and gently held the woman’s trembling hands within his. He looked deep into her brown eyes. “You Don’t get it do you?” Jonas almost let his mouth run away with him, but reigned it in. He had to leave some leeway for Erick. However, it made it so hard when one’s passion came from the heart.
Jonas fought to keep his eyes fixed on the lawyer’s. “No, we-” Jonas cut her off. He noticed the trembling in her hands increase. It wasn’t love or his contact with her hands that caused this. No, it was Nia Horn. While Jonas wasn’t looking at her directly, he could see displeasure growing and he knew the lawyer could sense it too. “It is with great reluctance that I relieve myself of your shitty council.” The lawyers face paled.
Erick really had to hand it to Jonas. The man really had a knack for this. This aptitude was demonstrated not only, by his cold and calculated response, but also by his audience’s response. The lawyer ripped her hands free and made a mad dash for any exit she could find. Nia’s anger flared, while the others began questioning their alliance with Nia. Unfortunately for the late Ms. Feyrat, She was shot by an officer while trying to open an emergency exit. The shooter soon made himself visible. It wasn’t Peter, it was an officer Erick had kept in his back pocket for such an occasion. “My apologies councilors.” The officer said, dropping a bag of drugs onto the lawyer’s dead body, and hauled her off. “I’ll see the thief is disposed of properly, and the evidence is returned to the evidence locker.”
This left the group speechless, but after an uncomfortable silence, Nia spoke first having decided there was no advantage to be gained. “What’s your angle, Erick.” Nia asked pointedly. The implications of his actions were not lost on them. Erick had just bailed her out of a situation, but by doing so, exposed an asset. This sent a message about Erick’s safety as well as theirs. “Is that a threat?” Corben huffed, but Nia placed a calming hand on his arm. “Let him speak. He clearly has the advantage here.” Nia ground out. “You make me sound so awful. The thing is, I’m not looking for revenge. It is true, I have you all in my metaphorical grasp.” Erick made a grasping motion like a villain. “No, that would get me very little. I act upon the law, and get Nia executed for regicide, and maybe I get a loyal supported by the end of January. NO. What I’m after, is something we all benefit from.” Erick panned his gaze across the group until it settled on Nia. “These are… all true things, and I will admit you did me a- No- You did me two favors. So, what is it you want?”
Jonas saw Erick’s face split into a smile. If Jonas had to compare it to anything, he’d have to compare the image to that of a character from an old Dr. Susse book. It had something to do with Christmas and an evil green man. Perhaps Erick was a devil, instead, because he spun his words in such manipulative way, that Erick had his opposition siding with him and hanging on his every word. However, at the end of the day, Jonas was going to live, but more importantly, Erick secured the resources for the expedition.
It was just Erick and Jonas now. They stood in silence as Erick allowed Jonas the time to process everything that had happened. New alliances had been unofficially established. The newly reshaped factions looked very similar to before, but since Erick’s power move, he got 2 of Nia’s allies to jump into his camp. However, Jonas couldn’t help but notice, that it was only because of his find. Nia was strong armed. So, there really wasn’t much she could say about the political raping of her position. All she could realistically do was go along with it. The 2 councilors that switched camps would likely turn on Erick once the Library of Congress was found. “Well, shit. That means they’ll turn on me as well. Me and Erick are indisputably connected now. Once either of us becomes disposable for any reason, or a liability, -”
Jonas didn’t even want to finish that thought. Politicking sucked. At least with archology, Jonas’ enemies were straight forward with their intentions. Hear, their actions were roundabout with knife in the back. It was a nest of vipers. Jonas was about to put Erick’s intentions to question, but shoveled those thoughts down. Erick had plenty of opportunities to stab Jonas in the back or end him as a loose end but hadn’t done so. How did he know this? Well, Jonas had become a liability more than once.
Jonas finally excepted his inevitable reality in all this and sighed in defeat. He looked up, only to find Peter standing in front of Jonas’ cell. “Where did Erick go?” Jonas asked, confused. Instead of answering, Peter just held out a slip of paper. “Your free to go. Read this when your somewhere private… or now. It doesn’t really matter.” Jonas took the paper and opted to read it immediately. He folded it back up and stuck it in his pocket. “Jonas?” The Archeologist turned around. “Yeah?” Peter looked Jonas square in the eye. “You need to train that pup of yours’.” Jonas looked down to see the same boot, but this time it was pretty chewed up.
Peter received a sheepish grin from Jonas as the Officer led Jonas to the front where he received all the personal effects that were taken from him upon processing. He strapped the artifact to his belt, along with his two revolvers. He heard the officer at the counter complain at Jonas, “That dam artifact of yours’ nearly killed me.” Jonas and peter raised an eyebrow at that. “How?” They both asked in unison. Peter’s question was out of honest ignorance, but Jonas already knew.
While his artifact hadn’t had a large enough charge to make any of the rune’s glow, it must have been enough to electrocute the bastard. Karma really was a bitch. Jonas was about to make up some on the spot excuse when Peter spoke up, “You really need to stay out of the evidence locker.” The officer looked as though they were going to dispute the allegation, but seemed to think better of it, choosing to opt for silence instead.
Things were starting to make a little sense. Things like, how the officer that killed his lawyer got their hands on the drugs that were tossed. This officer was clearly the weak link, if the dilatated pupils were any kind of indicator. Any kind of testimony from this man was very unreliable. He was the useful idiot these politicians loved.
The Archeologist collected the rest of his things, and vacated the prison, leaving the obviously high officer behind. Jonas heard a cough, and turned around to see where the sound had come from. Jonas’ locked eyes with Peter once more. A light breeze could be herd as it blew past them. “Erick has put a lot of faith in you. Please don’t fail us?” Jonas was about to ask Peter what he meant by that, but before he could ask, Jonas found Peter already closing the door behind him. Jonas stood there in a stupor. The comment had taken Jonas by surprise. “What is that even supposed to mean?”
