Chapter 7: Unofficial meeting
Andrant stood before the reporters in the front of the gray, recently renovated Senate building with a solemn look on his face.
"It is a tragedy," He said to the cameras "That my esteemed opponent, Klondem Estorm, died last night in a house fire." While he looked melancholy on the outside, inside he could barely conceal a grin. "I was looking forward to an election battle with him next week, but unfortunately that will never happen. He was an energetic, intelligent young man, and the pain that we all feel, the loss that Serinthia have sustained, will remain with us for years to come. But we must not dwell in the past" He said with increasing vigor "But instead look towards the future with hopeful thoughts. In time the hurt will alleviate, and together we will build a bright future for all of Serinthia. We must stand strong and elect someone who can guide us safely to our goal.
"According to the results of an ongoing investigation" He continued "the fire was set on purpose.' He paused for dramatic effect. Years of politics had made him an expert in public speaking. It was a powerful weapon, should he choose to wield it. "We have information to believe that a group of Anarchist called 'The Association' may be behind this assassination. They are also suspected to be behind the senate bombing last month, in which twelve people died. We must show them that we will not bend to the will of a group of terrorist. These acts of mass murder are intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they will fail. Our country is strong and we will not cower before these acts of violence and evil. And to those people who would try to provoke fear in us and tear down the government that watches over and protects its citizens, I have only this to say, "You will not win."
"And so I will leave you with this final thought. We must not focus on what we have lost, but try to find something even greater then what we do not have. I wish you all a good day, and remember to vote tomorrow."
Not that it matters anyway, he thought. With Klondem dead, he was the only one on that ballot. He was safe for another four years. And pinning the murder on the association was nothing short of brilliant, killing two birds with one stone. He really must learn to play chess one of these days, he thought smugly, he bet he would be unbeatable.
He walked away from the podium and through the small group of senators and bodyguards and up the marble steps of the senate and down the main hallway to his office. He pulled out his pocket watch. Seven fifty-three. He still had a few more minutes before the meeting. He strode across his office and sat down. He pulled out a cigar from his coat and lit it, brooding about how he had come from nothing to get at where he was today. He was lost in thought when he heard a knock at the door.
"Enter." He said tiredly
The door creaked open and Sentran walked in. His dirty cloths and messy hair seemed at odds with Andrants pristine office. He walked across the room and took the chair sitting across from Andrant. The chair was slightly lower than Andrants, and on his orders. When he talked to somebody, he wanted them to know who was superior. Sentran looked at Andrant as though he was expecting something.
"You did a good job" Andrant said while taking a puff of his cigar. "You've proven yourself useful to me. Here's your reward." He pulled out a plain black suitcase and set it on the desk between him and Sentran. Sentran merely stared at it.
"How many more jobs?" he asked bluntly. "I'm growing tired of this, I've been working for you for over a year now, and I want out. I want Zentrill."
"Don't worry about her, she's quite safe.' Andrant responded
"You're pissing me off." Sentran said in a louder voice as he stood up in anger. "I work and spy and kill for you, and for what? You think I do this for the money?" He picked up the briefcase and threw it at the wall behind Andrant, who sat there like a parent waiting for a child to stop his temper-tantrum. "I don't care about the money, I want Zentrill back, and I won't do another job until I know when I get her back."
"You'll get her back when we say you get her back." Andrant said simply
Sentran snapped.
"I WANT HER BACK RIGHT FUCKING NOW!" he screamed at Andrant while shaking his finger at him as a few sparks flew from his hands and fizzled away into nothingness. Andrant just sat there and chuckled, as though the whole thing were one big joke.
"Don't you dare threaten me" He said calmly. "If you kill me, your Precious Zentrill will rot in prison forever, if she lives at all, and let me tell you, Prison is a resort compared to other places I could send he, like the Klentop facility. I believe you're familiar with the Klentop facility, Sentran?"
Sentran stood in front of Andrant and though he didn't say anything, his eyes widened with fear.
"And also keep in mind" He continued "That the only reason you're alive is because I allow it. You have been exceptionally valuable to me, so I afford you my protection. If you attacked me, theentire state task force would hunt you down and kill you, along with Zentrill. You do what I say, and you don't complain. Those are the rules, take it or leave it , it's up to you."
Sentran stood still and did not utter a word, but his eyes still burned with pure rage.
"But I will set her free" Andrant said with a smile " I have one final job for you. Do this, you're free. Do this, and you'll have more money then you know what to do with. Do this, and you will see her again. See, I'm not such a bad guy after all, am I?"
Sentran remained silent for a few seconds longer, then spoke. "I don't trust you." His anger was not abated, but common sense had started to take over.
"I would go so far as to swear on my parents grave, but anytime that I actually do go to my parents grave, well, I just can't help but dance on them. " He said with a smile. "So I will give you my word of honor, which I never go back on and is worth its weight in gold."
Sentran wasn't sure if Andrant was telling the truth, but what other choice did he have?
"What's the job?" He asked in an irritated voice.
"There's this group of anarchist called "The Association"," Andrant explained. "They are becoming…Troublesome. I want you to find them and make sure they never trouble the state with their radical views ever again. When you are done you are to report back to me. Think you can handle it? "He asked with a wry smile.
"If I can kill the President of Latsiana without anyone noticing, this should be a walk in the park."
"Very well then. "Andrant said. "Here is a file with some information that you might find useful. He handed a manila folder to Sentran, who skimmed through it.
"Well," Andrant said "I believe that concludes our business. If you will excuse me, I have another meeting with someone from our science department, so you must be going. Like I said, report back to me when you are done."
Sentran stood up and left the room without saying another word. Andrant watched as he stepped through the door. He took another puff on his cigar and chuckled to himself. Using a pawn to checkmate, classic.