>>5360325Quickly, you call for a press conference. Soon, you are on the stately podium, cameras and microphones trained on your visage.
"To my fellow Paneirans, and to the international community, undoubtedly many of you are unsettled by the recent explosion on the city of Calypso. We have determined that the cause of the explosion was an illegal gas pipe which went wrong. I can assure you that currently we have the situation under control, and such irresponsible and unsupervised attempts at infrastructure will be curtailed in the future. This I swear!"
And just to make it stick as the 'official' narrative, you've issued a decree for infrastructure inspectors and urban engineers to root out any similar unsanctioned developments - those who doesn't pass the standard will be fined.
You knew that these inspectors will end up taking bribes, but this combined with Risonha buying the witnesses into silence pays off. The dent to Paneiran tourism isn't as severe as you thought, what with the Altosonora music festival starting their tour from the east to west.
Back in your bunker/catacomb complex, you motion for Julia to come closer.
"Julia, can I trust you for confidential matters?"
Julia promptly snaps to attention. "Your secrets are safe with me, your excellency. This is one of my sworn duties after all."
You have no doubts about her, either. "Good. What I'm about to ask you never leaves this room, understand?"
"Loud and clear."
"Julia, I want you to investigate into the eco-cult. Find a trusted helper, and keep it top secret."
"Yes, your excellency! I happen to know someone." She salutes, out of habit.
That matter set in motion, you then turn your attention to the latest reports. Apparently the Neges wage protest was dispersed by a group of men armed with truncheons and wearing balaclavas with a skull pattern on them. The protesters were beaten and driven out of the squares and plantations where they marched - Risonha thinks they smell of mercenaries. Did the plantation owners finally hired some muscle?
Your train of thought was broken by The Telephone's ring.
"Peace be, President Sam!" The voice on the other side is very familiar.
"Ah, if it isn't King Harqa Wahid. What is the occassion?" Ah yeah, the de facto leader of the Zayyine Theocratic Republic. Kind of an annoyingly meddlesome guy, charismatic despite his burn scars.
"Firstly, condolences about that 'gas explosion'. I would love to just talk about it, but so it happens that I heard that you have a smuggler of ours in custody. Would you kindly return him, for me? There will be... adequate reimbursement."
Ugh, the sheer nerve of this guy. He's basically admitting that Samar is definitely a Zayyine agent, but did it in a roundabout and easily deflected way. But then again, there might be a reimbursement.
(Contd.)
