She Bleeds for Us: The Galactic Consortium 3

Chapter 66

Devaki exchanged a worried look with Jake as they were ushered inside the presidential estate. Outside the party was starting up. President Burundi had announced that he would step down. A junta of army generals would take over securing the country, with a promise that they too would step aside as soon as new democratically elected government was in place. With Captain Ganaka and several other Consortium officials at their side, the people had faith that this time there would be a truly fair democracy.

Behind the scenes President Burundi would go into self imposed exile, long from the public eye. His best hope was that whatever corruption investigations that took place wouldn't get him labelled a violent criminal and he could avoid ending up in jail.

Princess Sarasvat herself had arrived shortly after the first announcement. She would make her own speech soon, welcoming the people of Sierra Leone into the shadow of the Consortium. But first there would be a meeting to get the story straight for all involved.

And as one of the little people involved, Devaki, Jake and the others would... well that was it, zie didn't know what would become of them. They had all broken numerous regulations and in the last bit probably laws as well. They would all be out of jobs at least, in prison at worst. Zie swallowed hir fear.

Sarasvat was already seated on a low stool when they entered the room. Captain Ganaka was on her left side and Commander Lakora on her left. She had Gabriel on her lap, talking to him like they had known each other for years. They looked completely calm and relaxed. No one else in the room did. Ganaka looked angry and Lakora was watching him cooly, like they had been arguing already.

"Let's have this matter dealt with," Sarasvat said as they came into the room, setting Gabriel down. He ran to Devaki's side, taking his hand. Zie felt comforted and then almost laughed, now it was the boy comforting hir rather than the other way around. Still everything zie had done was to make sure he and many other children like him would have a better chance for the future, whatever consequences there were, zie face them with that in mind.

"I don't care about the little fish," Captain Ganaka said, gesturing at the growing crowd of workers filling the room, Jake, Åse, Abioya and the others. "But I will know how deep this goes," he pointed straight at Devaki as he said it. "That diplomatic time stamp won't protect you forever. And soon as the time is up I will know who ordered and what they ordered you to do."

"My Kuragara," Lakora shot back. "Acted on hir conscious and in accordance to the vows zie took as a Kuragara. As have I. We will both will face your investigation in due time, knowing we did what was right."

Devaki smiled. Zie could face any tribunal knowing zie would have Lakora at hir side.

"But I swear, the diplomatic move was not mine."

That startled Devaki.

"I find that hard to believe," Ganaka sneered.

"It's true." It was Sarasvat that spoke. That alone startled Ganaka into silence. "Millenia in public service," she went on, "has taught me much. Some things can't be ordered, they must happen organically. We must watch, wait, protect those seeds that might bear fruit. In time the truth must come out. I'm sure the news and historians will want to make a documentary of it.

"For my part, I think you will find that no one acted with malicious intent. They wanted to help, perhaps they were a little too eager at times, but their hearts were in the right place. In the meantime," she turned towards Ganaka, "I suggest you think about what role you want to play in this story. Your part, especially any investigations, will also come to light. But for today, the plan went off perfectly and it's time to celebrate for the people of Sierra Leone."

With that she rose and swept out of the room, followed by her bodyguard and a long entourage of officials. Ganaka gave them all one last angry look and then he left by another door, followed by his own small entourage of officers.

"Did she plan for all this to happen?" Jake asked Devaki.

Devaki shrugged. "If I understood the mind of a Vatari... Their logic always escapes me."

"She knew it had to happen," Lakora said, coming over to them. "Once she realised that, she only had to figure who would do what. She's wise that way. That's what makes her such a great leader."

"But what does it mean for us?" Jake persisted. "The diplomatic..."

"Time stamp? It prevents any investigation for a time, around six months. Ganaka has six months to cool off before the real investigation can start.

"Doesn't really matter. Everyone knows the main points, that you broke the siege. You are heroes to many. The smuggling, many likely won't care since it was humanitarian stuff. And Ganaka is a political creature. He wants to throw the book at you now, but he also doesn't want to be painted as the one who tried to stop us from helping people. I doubt you'll get more than a mark in your record."

"And me?" Devaki nearly lost her voice at the end.

Lakora smiled. "You'll get two marks in your record. Ganaka will likely site you for disobedience or worse, but I've already made my note of recommendation. It was a difficult operation and you handled yourself well."