>>5332428Jeraha crossed her arms as she considered her day to day activities and her ever-present mental laundry list.
"Well, I'm busy running this town, currently making arrangements with the incoming Disassociated to help expand the place."
"And with your current duties, wouldn't you agree that what you are doing is the exact opposite of that the Crucible intends for you to do?" asked Peng.
Jeraha could only grimly nod upon the realization of having the Sage connect the dots in comparison.
"So you're saying the recent assassination attempt was some form of retribution from the great beyond because I refused to follow the Crucible's directions?" asked Jeraha trying to extrapolate and preempt the sage's next line of thought.
"Not quite." answered Peng. "No, the assassination attempt was a tribulation for someone else other than you. You were merely collateral."
"Then who?" demanded Jeraha. "Why me? Who would they be targeting?"
"The answer is obvious, mayor." replied the sage. "You and your settlement survived a previous tribulation in the form of a hunger riot no? Then ask yourself this, who was the pivotal person that allowed your settlement to survive such a normally devastating tribulation?"
This time Jeraha managed to connect the dots by herself.
"The Defiant..." she breathed "But why would the whole thing be aimed at the Defiant?"
"Then let me ask you a question, relating to the recent attempt on your life. What would the assailant and their master stand to gain from your death in order to strike a blow on the Defiant? How do you think the Defiant would react if your head was presented to her on her doorstep as a message?"
Jeraha considered the question as the scenario played out in her mind before paling upon reaching the answer. Perspiring beads of water condensed themselves on the mayor's face and body like gooseflesh as cold realization settled in. She had heard news from the local skintalkers about Shu's near mental breakdown. The scene captured and circulating amongst dedicated circles of 'Shu-watchers' and spreading throughout the skinternet like a memetic virus.
"If I had kicked the bucket...then the Defiant would no doubt panic. She wouldn't be able to climb the Cord with a clear conscience. The Cord would break her for that." concluded the mayor, the terrible revelation clear in her eyes for the Sage to see.
cont.
