The wheels crush
Every week, the President, members of the cabinet and the Vice President assemble in various formats to take stock of the current situations in both an International and Domestic theatre.
For the past few months, the agenda has been internal domestic policies relating to the admittance and confirmation of the two new Kafrican States, Comer and Valeria. In combination of the admittance, another major event has been the integration of the former North and South Comer into the State of Kosta.
When the President found an unauthorised note under his door, the procedure relating to his own personal safety had been executed. The documents being transferred to the custody of CIKIS. Its custodian, CIKS Director General, Mr Chad Maxwell. Having now reviewed and authenticated the contained information. Director General Maxwell had been granted permission by Secretary of State, Bo Barr, to brief the President and his cabinet on the developments.
Secretary of State Bo Barr: “Mr President, the first item on the agenda following your general briefing, as stated in the pre-cabinet meeting email. Requires that Director General Chad Maxwell deliver an intelligence briefing. I hereby give my permission for the Director General to speak.”
The President nodded as Maxwell’s aides began preparing the slideshow, filling the table with feelings and thoughts of the boredom they endured as children.
CKIS Director General Chad Maxwell: “Mr President, the envelope you discovered this past weekend, contained no contaminants or harmful substances. However, it contains a letter which concerns you, personally.”
With the press of the space bar, the room went silent as the President and his Cabinet began to process the scanned letter they read on the screen.
“Dear Mr President
As you are aware, our friends have seen you do things that are not compatible with your public perception. As you are also aware, you have an obligation to support us. It is in your best interests to do so, Mr President.
We hope you follow the correct path. You know what happens if you do not. Best wishes, SLACK.”
The President had been caught flushed red. Redder than a can of Dr Grail that was in front of Bo Barr’s hand. The Dave Handley now found himself at a loss for thoughts, shocked, surprised and now seeing his political career before his eyes. A swift rise, and now he knelt before the SS’ chopping block. The executioner’s blindfold inches from his face.
President Dave Handley: “So they want to blackmail me into this?”
Secretary of State Barr: “Regardless Dave, it's your responsibility. The treaty is valid.”
Looking towards the President was the Secretary of the Treasury, Sarah Sexton, she began to speak in the same tone as a teacher would when reprimanding a student.
Secretary of the Treasury, Sarah Sexton: “Mr President, you are aware of how influential the SLACK lobby is within the Senate. Not to mention how influential they are within those who we benefit from.”
President Handley: “No. The President of Kafrica does not submit to blackmail.”
Secretary of State Barr: “He does submit to the treaties we signed.”
Secretary of the Treasury Sexton: “He also acts honourably and with financial responsibility.”
The President felt like he had been thrown overboard, he was bleeding in the waters, Sharks circling below him to the scent of his sweet, political blood. Finding himself gasping for air, the Vice President offered his hand;
Vice President Ben Hughes: “Mr President, if this gets out you are gone. Welcome to the Piranha club. Sometimes you have to take hurt to survive. Surviving is painful, thriving is agonising and drowning is the easy way out. Not out of whatever is going to happen, but out of the door.”
Secretary of State Barr: “The Vice President is right, Dave. We signed the treaty. We must deal with its consequences.”
President Handley: “What is legally correct is never the morally correct thing to do”
The President began to raise his voice, frustrated and annoyed that he had effectively been backed up into a corner.
President Handley: “Maxwell. I think they have truly overstepped their boundaries.”
Sarah Sexton began scribbling with her pen, the sound of ink to paper filling the silent room as the secretaries tried to contemplate how to tell the President the truth. There was no backing out of this. Passing the note to the President through Secretary of State Barr. The President laid his eyes upon Sexton’s note. His face filled with anguished petrification. Heart turned to stone.
President Handley: “I suppose we must deal with the consequences of the Drimp regime. It's been a decade and yet, THAT MAN. THAT SOULESS HUSK. STILL DEFINES US.” Handley bellowed in a tone that no statesman should ever spout.
It took a few minutes, however he began beckoning over diplomatic service staff. In hushed tones, the President requested that they send out quiet messages of support to the stahl sieg. Dark clouds loom over the continent as the gears churn in the factories of bullets.