My deepest apologies for the late...scratch that - extremely late update. And it's so short too!

My excuse: I've been spending my time meng lian piano and reading LingxRanfan fluff. *innocent smile*

Hopefully chapter 3 will come sooner.

The road beneath was rocky and narrow. It led only in one direction, straight ahead, and Ender followed. He was aware of the spectators beyond the gate; they were there every day, different people of course. If any of them were wondering why an old man and a child were being allowed into the Whitehouse unescorted, they didn't say. None of the security in the vicinity even acknowledged their existence, neither troubling them nor giving them the respect they deserved. Mazer noted this; it probably reflected the President's own thoughts.

They were met inside by the First Lady. The Presidential wife obviously knew her position and offered politely to show them to the oval office. Mazer kindly declined and began to ascend the winding mahogany staircase with Ender trailing not far behind.

Suited guards stood to either side of the oval office doors. Three things about these bodyguards were pointless, Ender noted. For starters, they could just hold their pistols in hand. That way, they would be more easily accessible and anyways, it would take a vegetable not to know of their inconspicuous hiding place under tailored jacket flaps. Another thing was the jackets themselves. They so restricted mobility they might as well have been wearing strait jackets for the protection they gave the President. The last thing was that they let him and Mazer through without hesitation. The President was expecting him, but not Mazer, and not today.

Inside, more ill-clothes guards were situated in odd places around the room. One was lying on the couch, another searching through bookshelves, and yet another reading in an armchair. Despite appearance, the only two experienced soldiers in the room were fully aware of the eyes training on them.

"Mr. President," Rackham began, the admiration and respect usually accompanying the phrase was untraceable in his words.

"P-please, have a seat," The President beckoned quickly, almost frightfully, at the two chairs set across from his own. When the two didn't oblige, the fear that strangled his words flitted across his face. The three guards stiffened in response. Amateurs, Mazer scoffed.

"We have no intention to do you harm, Mr. President. Rather, we come with an offer," Mazer walked around the bureau and leaned down to speak directly into the man's ear. Far too scared to move, the President's gaze stayed trained in Ender's dark, jaded eyes. The sight only frightened him more, but he no longer held the resolve to move a single muscle in his body. "What we ask, is simply the position of President. In exchange, we'll grant you money. Enough that you can buy anything you want, start over anywhere you want."

Though he was indeed on the verge of tears, the President had too much pride to simply give in. Not to mention acceptance of such an offer would only write him off as greedy. "D-don't think this will t-turn out the same as w-what that kid did in China," was his last attempt at a threat. "We-we don't believe in the Mandate of Heaven. We're…we're a democracy for crying out loud!"

Mazer took a moment to absorb his words, and then burst out laughing. He closed in on the President again, instilling much more fear than the man in front of him could ever hope of. "I'm sure the people will approve."

The old man went back to stand next to Ender. Despite having stared at him for the duration of this conversation, the President had only then really registered his presence. "Th-the position is obviously for the boy, no? Then-then does he want it? He hasn't said a word!" Almost succumbed to full-out panic, he gave his last attempt at negotiation.

"There's nothing I've ever wanted more," Ender's words, soft, gentle, and…sad in the air, froze the three guards in their places. The President lost it.

"Get me out of here! I accept! Just get me out!"

Mazer smiled, "Of course, Mr. President."

Perhaps slight OOC-ness for Mazer?