Chapter 69: There Is a Price and It Must Be Paid
In the Capital City, to break the silence regarding the Grand Final disaster, the Head Enforcer had called a press conference from the palace. Yensid Media was to broadcast the press conference live on both television and radio.
The Head Enforcer walked into the large hallway of the palace. He was fully clad in his protective gear, and he was wearing a helmet with a face visor. A small podium had been set up in the middle of the hallway, several metres in front of the large staircase. A few dozen enforcers followed the Head Enforcer in. They quickly lined the hallway. The Head Enforcer stood behind the small podium. The press conference went live.
‘The Capital City is going through unprecedented times,’ said the Head Enforcer in a slow, deep voice. ‘Your governor has taken an urgent leave of absence. His advisor is under arrest and facing very serious charges.’
The Head Enforcer paused. He clutched the sides of the podium. He briefly lowered his head before looking back at the camera.
‘We have an interim leadership team to keep the ship steady while we make the necessary changes,’ continued the Head Enforcer. ‘To minimise the disruption, we will keep the changes as minimal as possible. The interim governor will be the former North Chief, Sanguine. I fully understand that many of you will not delight in hearing this. However, he has the most experience in handling crises. This is the most serious crisis the Capital City has faced in living memory.’
Most at home grumbled angrily about the news of Sanguine’s appointment.
‘I will gladly split my time advising him as well as remaining as Head Enforcer,’ added the Head Enforcer. ‘All other positions will remain unchanged until Governor Ryan is able to resume his duties.’
The Head Enforcer removed his helmet and placed it on top of the podium.
‘Many of you saw on your televisions some of what happened during the Grand Final before the broadcast was stopped,’ said the Head Enforcer. ‘I imagine you all must feel very anxious about it. It didn’t make for easy viewing. Hence, the reason this lot claimed they cut it. The Pound Ball Grand Final, the biggest spectacle of the year, turned into a horrendous bloodbath.’
For those watching at home, anger had now turned to a stunned silence as the Head Enforcer began to explain what had happened.
‘It was a combination of abject irresponsibility from Yensid Media and something far more sinister,’ continued the Head Enforcer. ‘Yensid Media executives have always felt obliged to cover for the excessive greed of their owner, James Yensid. This, though, is the most egregious attempt to cover for him.’
Off camera, the enforcers raised their guns to the film crew, who appeared to be growing agitated with the Head Enforcer’s remarks.
‘A deadly accident could have easily occurred, but none of this was an accident,’ said the Head Enforcer as he squinted his eyes a little. ‘It was a deliberate act of barbarism. Sprinklers sprayed acid on those high up in the stands. This forced them forward, which started the deadly stampede towards the field. Pillars and other structural supports were rigged with explosives, which were timed to detonate at the most opportune time. Plexiglass around the field prevented escape, as did the malfunctioning automated doors.’
The Head Enforcer paused again. Those at home gasped in shock.
‘My enforcers were responsible for the safety of all those at the Grand Final,’ continued the Head Enforcer. ‘However, this changed a week prior to the event. James Yensid informed my deputy that we would not be allowed in the stadium. Instead, he was told we would only be responsible for outside the stadium. Of course, he objected, but James Yensid, also head advisor to the governor, overruled those objections.’
The Head Enforcer looked down at his helmet. He gripped it hard. Then he looked back up at the camera.
‘This is the part that is very difficult for all of us,’ said the Head Enforcer. ‘I speak for the enforcers, medical staff on site, and rescue workers. They heroically managed to save fourteen thousand five hundred and twenty-two Linap. Over a thousand saved were in critical condition. Sadly, two hundred and twelve of them did not make it. Even more sadly...'
The Head Enforcer walked to the side of the podium and got down on one knee. ‘So far, we have confirmed the loss of over fifty thousand lives, and there are another ten thousand plus still not accounted for,’ he said with a heavy sigh. ‘Of the dead, there are several dozen celebrities. Four of them were governors, and we also lost Saliyah.’
The Head Enforcer got back up to his feet. He returned to a more formal position behind the podium. Those at home were brought to tears over the loss of so many as well as their beloved star.
‘I promise you, the perpetrators will face the fullest extent of the law and the wrath of Sapey,’ said the Head Enforcer with intense anger in his voice. ‘Any questions?’
‘Do you have any suspects?’ asked a Yensid journalist.
‘The Alset family,’ said the Head Enforcer. ‘It might have been one of them, some of them, or even all of them.’
‘When will Governor Ryan return to office?’ asked the same journalist.
‘I would appreciate it if you would respect his privacy at this time,’ replied the Head Enforcer.
‘What will happen about the leadership in the districts with the deceased governors?’ asked the same journalist again.
‘They will have interim leaders until new elections can be held,’ replied the Head Enforcer as he walked away from the podium. ‘Enough questions for now. I’ll provide further updates soon.’
In Carrington City, the Alset family was sitting together in their media room watching the broadcast.
Hadrian leaned forward, placing his head in his hands. Hamish sat back, gazing at the ceiling. Jenna rested her head on Demadrian’s shoulder and began to weep. The others looked devastated, but the most affected were the children of Locum.
‘We need to stay composed,’ said Demadrian. ‘It’s terrible what happened in the stadium, but we are innocent of any wrongdoing. We need to defend ourselves from the Head Enforcers’ accusations.’
‘Son,’ said Hadrian in a solemn voice. ‘The Head Enforcer is Tiberius, son of Chief Sanguine. He is not reasonable in any way. If he has decided our guilt, there is no persuading him otherwise.’
‘What are you suggesting we do?’ asked Demadrian.
‘We need to make a deal through Governor Ebirb,’ replied Hadrian.
‘Ebirb is not on our side,’ said Demadrian firmly. ‘We need to conduct our own investigation regarding what happened.’
‘Our staff can’t get near the stadium,’ said Hadrian. ‘The enforcers have full control over the investigation.’
‘We could request access to whatever evidence they have,’ suggested Hamish.
‘Tiberius… cooperating…,’ replied Hadrian. ‘There is no chance of that.’
‘We can still verify all of our whereabouts and communication,’ replied Demadrian.
‘Well… you certainly can’t,’ rebuked Hadrian angrily. ‘I’ll speak to Ebirb. I can arrange something.’
‘That’s ridiculous,’ said Demadrian. ‘We’ll be playing….’
‘For once, will you just listen to me!’ shouted Hadrian as he got up and left the room.
Demadrian was about to get up to pursue him, but Jenna grabbed his arm.
‘He seems to know Tiberius well,’ she said to him. ‘Maybe you should just let him handle this.’
‘He is weak,’ said Demadrian firmly. ‘Now is the time for strength.’
‘No,’ said Jenna angrily. ‘Now is the time for wisdom! Your father knows who he’s dealing with, and you don’t.’
Demadrian looked at Jenna, who was frowning angrily at him. He nodded in agreement and remained seated. The other family members remained silent.
That night in the palace, Tiberius and Sanguine were celebrating what they considered a victory for them.
‘Son, you delivered a magnificent speech,’ said Sanguine proudly as he leaned back in his chair.
‘These past few years I have learnt so much from you,’ said Tiberius with a half grin on his face. ‘I made the right move, keeping you around.’
‘You have immense wisdom, well beyond your years,’ said Sanguine as he nodded gently.
‘How would you like to become the permanent governor of the Capital District?’ asked Tiberius.
‘I fear that is not possible,’ replied Sanguine. ‘If Ryan does not return as governor, the residents of the Capital City will want fresh elections. I will only be tolerated now because they are preoccupied with their grief and anger.’
Tiberius frowned as he rubbed his chin.
‘Neither of us needs to be governor for us to hold the power,’ said Sanguine. ‘We just need to control whoever the masses decide to represent them. In this case, it is Ryan. Avenge the murder of his wife, and he’ll be ours.’
‘Now, that’s something I think I’ll enjoy doing,’ replied Tiberius as he leaned back in his chair.
Sapien Loop: End of an Era
Sapien Loop: Frozen in Time is the sequel to the book Sapien Loop: End of an Era. Sapien Loop: End of an Era is available on Amazon, in collection series on my @spectrumecons account, and in individual chapters in my @captainhive account.
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