Something about the footsteps caused the governor to look up and then, at the sight that met him, to rise to his feet.
“Sit down,” the lad said, in a calm voice.
It was maddening how non-descript these men were, and yet, how obvious. Or, perhaps, it was the fact that this lad simply could not be where he was, past all his guards, and deep in his mansion, unless he was who he evidently was.
“The party went well, I think?” the lad asked, helping himself to a seat.
“Yes,” the governor said, sitting back down.
There was a bit of a pause, and then the lad said, “The Dictator is pleased the way this sector is going. He’s thinking it might be a good location for our next push.”
The governor drew in his breath. This was news indeed! A push in his sector would mean increased power and prestige for him as governor. But there seemed to be nothing to answer, so he went silent.
“Oh, and I received news that your son is to be married.”
Married! That was indeed good news. Indeed any news of his son was good news.
“Do you know to whom?”
“To my daughter,” the lad admitted and the governor’s eyes widened. “I believe he’ll be working directly under the Dictator. In a different sector, I’m afraid.”
‘Standard practice,’ the governor thought to himself. ‘Having his hostage son operating in his father’s sector would be seen as too much of a temptation’.
“In what capacity?”
“I haven’t been officially informed, but it seems he has been being trained to do military liaison. He did well in his relationships with the various military that he has met on New Sparta.”
“Is that a requirement?”
“Not so much a requirement as a benefit. Contrary to public opinion our job, for the most part, is gentle persuasion, not,” he raised his hand with his fingers clenched, “iron fist.”
“Conversations like this one, for example?”
“Exactly.” There was another brief pause and then he continued, “You are clear on the new priority?”
“Concerning article 17? You wish… he wishes for more… military marriages? With the young men taking his choice of bride from,” he paused, “One of the favorites with money or power?”
“No, not such a dramatic change. Or, rather, not so many changes. Let it be known, quietly but firmly, that the father’s themselves should seek out, in cooperation with military authorities, aspiring and acceptable young men. There is no need for us to turn society on its head. The example of your daughter’s and the other’s on ship was not intended as an example of method, but of result. See to the result and there will be no need for any changes in the method. The Dictator wishes for fathers to have their full honor and respect. But the Dictator also wishes for the best of the young men to marry the best of the young lasses.
“For the foreseeable future the military is going to be a very honorable profession. This needs to be understood and acted upon.”
“I understand,” the Governor said, drily
“Hard on you, in one sense. But the dictator did send you one of his absolute best.”
“Not a glory hound?” the governor’s research concerning the young hero his daughter had married had left him very confused. The actions where he had won his medals were swathed not so much in mystery as in contradiction. For each medal there seemed to be four or five well attributed stories about how he had earned them.
“No. If anything, just the opposite. A young man with unique attributes whose fault, if anything, seems to be an utter hatred of the alien. And yet with the most profound understanding of that alien of anyone I have ever met. Your daughter may lack for sparkling conversation and social sense. The young man has neither. But if he lives she will not lack for purpose or power.”
“You know him?”
“Indeed. I could be said to be one of his best friends. If it could be said that he has ‘friends’ or, rather, if what we have could be said to fit under the mild definition that we usually use for ‘friendship’.
The governor sat back, his mind whirling, “What should I do?”
“You’re the politician,” the man said. “I’m just a well placed delivery lad. It was nice talking to you.”
The governor watched his departing back and then listened to the footsteps going down the hallway. He was just about to call for his aide when he heard a different set of footsteps coming rapidly toward him. “Is everything all right? I heard you had a visitor.”
The governor stared at his wife and changed his mind. “Everything is fine, but we need to talk. I have a message that needs to be delivered and I think perhaps that you’re the one to help me deliver it…”
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Von