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Despite Alden’s assurances that he had studied what would be expected of him, it seemed Kairos wanted to make sure and used the skimmer ride to the Council Halls to go over the basics with his pet. “I need to remain by your side at all times, maintaining a respectful and submissive posture.” Alden said, repeating what he’d memorised the night before. “I am not to speak with any Apex unless they speak to me first, and then must remain respectful in my response, no matter how I feel about what they’ve said…” Sat beside him in the skimmer, Kairos nodded along as he spoke. “Very good. And…?” “If told to wait somewhere, I must remain there until you return.” The badger continued. “Even if an Apex tells me to move. In that eventuality, I must tell them that I have been instructed by my owner to remain there and continue waiting. The only way I am permitted to move away would be a serious emergency of some kind.” “Very good…” Kairos said, as Alden continued. “I am not to sit down unless given permission by you, and must always stand if you stand up. I am not allowed to sit on any furniture in the Council Halls, only on the floor or a provided cushion…” Alden paused and frowned. “I’m not certain why that is a rule, Master, there wasn’t any reason in the information I found…” The tiger winced slightly and rolled his eyes. “It’s an old tradition, one I personally hate. It dates back many centuries, to when the conflicts between Apex and Runts were coming to an end. Runt leaders were invited to the Council Halls for negotiations, but were only allowed to sit on cushions while there, to reinforce how they were beneath us Apex…” Kairos let out a low growl. “It was a cruel and bigoted psychological tactic intended to intimidate the Runts and help the negotiations go our way. The Apex back then kept doing it, and so it became ‘tradition’. Pets are the only Runts to visit the Council Halls these days and so are expected to follow the tradition…” The tiger gave Alden a pained look. “I have tried many times to do away with it, but have always been unsuccessful. Unfortunately, many like to cling to their traditions no matter what, no matter how outdated they might be…” They carried on going over the basic etiquette for various situations Alden might encounter during the day ahead for a little while, ultimately leading to Kairos looking Alden in the eye, his expression dead serious and saying. “This should go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway… Anything you see or here today is strictly confidential and must not be repeated to anyone anywhere under any circumstances. If you were to leak something, even accidentally, I would be the one to suffer the consequences. By bringing you to the Council Halls, I am trusting you to be discreet.” Alden nodded gravely. He certainly didn’t want to cause the tiger any difficulties. “I understand, Master.” The big tiger sat back and took a deep breath. “I do trust you, my pet. However, I should warn you that some you may encounter today might intentionally try to trick or manipulate you into making a mistake. Not just in keeping confidence, but in breaking protocol.” “Why would they do that, Master?” Alden asked, a little confused. “Believe it or not, my pet,” Kairos said, wryly. “But not everyone likes me. I have political enemies. Some think my policies and goals and too progressive. Others have never forgiven me for ascending to the post of Head of the Council ahead of them. I am the youngest Apex ever to have the position after all and they believed they deserved it more for no other reason than they are older…” He shook his head. “But the point is, my enemies would enjoy embarrassing me and possibly even damaging my political credibility by getting my pet to slip up and make mistakes. They’d be able to imply I was unfit to guide our society if I can’t even train my pet properly.” Alden suddenly felt a lot more nervous than he did a moment before. Kairos noticed and patted him on the shoulder. “I know you can handle this, my pet. I have faith in you. I am just trying to prepare you. Remember the proper protocols at all times, keep any emotions under control, and always carefully consider your words before speaking.” The tiger looked at him for a few moments in silence, taking note of how the badger still seemed very anxious. He sighed. “Or, I could have the skimmer return you home after it has dropped me off at the Halls. If you are not ready for this yet, I will understand and not think any less of you…” “No.” Alden said, taking a deep breath and steeling himself, forcing down his anxiety. “I can do this, Master. I want to stay with you.” Kairos smiled warmly and put am arm around his shoulders, hugging him close. “Very well, my pet.” It wasn’t much longer before they were approaching the Council Halls. Alden found himself staring out the window, it being his first time seeing the place. It had been built atop a large hill the protruded up through the Upper City like a spike. The peak had been flattened to accommodate the structure, a large building of white stone, a collection of towers and squat buildings surrounding a massive dome in the centre, covered in elegant carved decorations with inlaid gold highlights. Alden had never seen anything like it. The skimmer zoomed in towards a landing area between two of the towers and silently set down on a landing pad. Kairos reached for the door, but paused, turning to first pat Alden reassuringly on the shoulder. “Here we go, pet.” He said. “Remember, you can do this.” Alden took a deep breath. “Yes, Master.” The big tiger nodded and opened the skimmer’s door, stepping out in the bright daylight. Alden scrambled to follow. There was someone waiting for them, a tall Apex panther, with highly groomed black fur, and wearing formal clothing of black and dark grey. He had his palm computer activated and was looking at the holo-display as he approached. He looked familiar to Alden and then it hit him. This had been the one who had contacted Kairos yesterday about the bombing. “Good morning, Varquis.” Kairos stopped in front of the panther. “Good morning, my Lord, I…” Whatever the panther had been about to say was cut off as he noticed Alden for the first time, standing to one side of Kairos. “Varquis, this is my new pet, Alden.” Kairos explained. “He’ll be joining me today.” Varquis recovered quickly. “Of course, my Lord.” He nodded to the badger. “Greetings, Alden.” The badger opened his mouth to speak. But he was supposed to address Apex with the full name and title, but he hadn’t been given a title for the panther, so he had to quickly change mental gears and remember the proper protocol for such a situation. “Greetings, Sir Varquis.” He said, giving a respectful nod. He was certain he needed to use ‘sir’ or ‘madam’ in place of a title if he didn’t know it. Kairos smiled warmly down at him and gave him a subtle nod to let him know he had got it right. “Alden, this is Assistant Varquis, my attendant here in the Council Halls.” Varquis spent a moment studying Alden intensely before proceeding to ignore him, focusing his attention on Kairos. “My Lord, the Council meeting has been delayed by an hour. Lord Councillor Harcourt’s return journey from his goodwill tour of the southern settlements ran into some technical difficulties.” “Understood.” Kairos nodded, heading inside, Alden on one side and Varquis on the other. “Anything else?” As they entered the building, Alden couldn’t help but notice the Apex guards standing to attention on either side of the doorway, a bear and a wolf, in heavy plated combat armour, with energy rifles slung across their backs. He vaguely wondered if they were usually there or if they had been posted there after the incident yesterday. The panther checked his computer as they walked and responded to Kairos. “Lord Councillor’s Marshall and Provost have lodged official opposition to your proposed changes to the Rights of Runts Charter. They say yesterday’s incident proves that the charter needs to be tightened, not relaxed.” “I was expecting that.” Kairos said, in a half growl. “Those two are not above using terrible events to further their political agendas…” Once inside, they proceeded down a tall wide hallway lined with elegantly carved pillars. To Alden, the interior of the building looked just as huge as the outside. He spotted more guards here and there. “Yes, my Lord.” Varquis was saying. “Lord Councillor Carson has already officially rebuked them for that reason in a public statement.” “Of course he has.” The big tiger chuckled. “Add my support to his rebuke along with a statement: We should not allow the actions of a band of renegade terrorists to dissuade us from improving the lives and prospects of law-abiding Runts everywhere.” “Yes, my Lord…” The panther assistant checked his computer. “The initial report from the investigators into yesterday’s bombing came in a few moments ago.” “I’ll read it in my office.” Said Kairos, with a nod. “Anything else? Have we heard…” A loud voice interrupted him. “Good morning, Lord Councillor Kairos!” Kairos stopped, Alden and Varquis stopping with him, and turned. A large and muscular Apex lion was approaching, wearing an outfit very similar to Kairos, his mane expertly trimmed and groomed. He was smiling, but Alden was certain their was a predatory gleam in his eyes, something sinister about his expression. “Good morning, Lord Councillor Theron.” Kairos nodded, without a single ounce of pleasantness to his voice. “And good morning, Hector.” It was then that Alden noticed that the lion had a Runt with him, standing just behind him to one side, who took a step forward. He was a white lion, heavily built, with such thick rippling muscles and well-defined physique that he could possibly have passed for an Apex if he were taller. His mane had been styled to resemble that of Lord Theron and he was wearing an open red silk vest, with tight black formal pants. A black leather collar with extensive silvery decoration was wrapped around his neck. The white lion formally bowed his head and replied. “Good morning, Lord Councillor Kairos.” “I couldn’t help but notice you have someone new with you, Kairos…” Theron said, eyeing Alden with what could almost be a predatory gleam in his eyes. “Yes.” Kairos said, and Alden thought he caught an edge of caution in his voice. “This is my new pet, Alden.” “Well, then, greetings and good morning to you, Alden.” Theron said, fixing the badger with an intense look and grinning slyly. Alden managed to hold his nerve under that gaze and replied. “Greetings and good morning, Lord Councillor Theron.” The lion let out a low chuckle and returned his attention to Kairos. “Well, good for you, my Lord, it is heartening to see you finally move on from that whole Julius debacle…” The big tiger ever so slightly twitched at the mention of that name, Alden noticed. Kairos said, simply. “Indeed.” Theron briefly returned his gaze to Alden, looking the badger up and down. “Although, I see the Pet Clinic must be short of good candidates at the moment, for you to have to settle for such a scrawny and unimpressive specimen…” “Need I remind you, Lord Theron…” Kairos interrupted, in an annoyed tone of voice. Beside him, Alden could sense tension radiating from his tiger owner. “That it is rather rude to insult another’s pet?” He ended the sentence with a slight growl, his tail lashing behind him. Lord Theron drew back, looking shocked, in what Alden was sure had to be one of the most obviously fake displays of mock innocence of all time. “Oh my!” He said. “Was I being insulting? I do sincerely apologise! I meant no offence!” His expression twisted into a small smile. “I thought I was just stating facts. After all, we both know what a truly impressive pet really looks like.” He patted Hector possessively on the shoulder, causing the white furred lion to purr slightly. Now it was Kairos’ turn to smile. “Certainly, if one is only interested in muscular aesthetics… but I find less obvious qualities far more valuable and difficult to spot, such as intelligence, compassion and creativity. Fortunately, I was able to find a handsome pet who possesses such qualities in abundance. It is a shame you could not do likewise.” The now frowning Theron was about to protest, but Kairos stopped him by raising a paw. “My apologies, Lord Theron, I meant no offence. I was merely… ‘stating facts’. Now, if you’ll excuse me…” The big tiger allowed himself a brief smug grin as he walked away, Alden and Varquis following him. As he turned, Alden caught Hector’s eye. The two pet Runts locked eyes for a moment and the white lion shot him a disgusted sneer. Alden couldn’t help but feel a spark of competitiveness pass between them in that moment before he turned away. Once they were a distance away, well out of earshot of Theron, Kairos leaned down slightly and whispered to Alden. “Theron is one of my biggest and most devious political rivals. Always be cautious when around him or anyone associated with him.” Alden silently nodded his understanding. Varquis waited only a second after that before resuming official business. “My Lord, several councillors have requested private meetings with you today. Provost, Garlon, Isaacson, and Ryford…” Kairos nodded. “See if you can fit them in throughout the day as my schedule allows. I can probably see one of them before the meeting. Ryford, I think. Best to get the worst of them out of the way first.” “Yes, my Lord.” Varquis tapped away at his computer. “I shall contact his office immediately… And the Office of Public Relations would like you to visit the Lower City at some point today, meet with families of the deceased, the rescue workers, address the Runts, that kind of thing.” “I see.” Kairos said, thoughtful. “I shall consider it and make a decision after the meeting.” Alden noticed both the tiger and his panther assistant glancing at him and it took him a moment to come to the realisation that such a visit would likely involve him accompanying Kairos. The badger wasn’t sure what he thought about that. Accompanying Kairos to his place of work was one thing, but this was something else entirely. Being out in public with the tiger in an official capacity, where all eyes would be on them. The idea of having that much attention on him filled him with a mild sense of dread. And there was the fact that this would be a visit to the Lower City. The majority of those eyes on him would be Runts. It occurred to Alden then that he had no idea how Runts in general viewed those who had become pets. That was a piece of information that seemed to be absent from his head, probably gone in the memory wipe. But he had a vague feeling that pets were not looked on kindly, but whether it was an echo of that lost information or merely a manifestation of his own fears, he couldn’t tell. They shortly arrived at a large set of double doors, being guarded by another pair of armed guards. They led through to a wide elegant antechamber. Kairos headed for the second set of doors on the far wall, while Varquis broke off and stepped behind the large desk in front of them. “Will there be anything else, my Lord?” The panther assistant asked. Kairos paused, one paw on the door handle, thinking about this. “Oh yes,” He answered. “Please fetch a cushion for my pet. And arrange for one to be set up for him in the Council chambers.” Varquis nodded. “Yes, my Lord, I shall see to it at once.” The big tiger opened the door and entered, gesturing for Alden to follow him. The badger did so, stepping through into the office beyond. As Kairos closed the door after him, Alden glanced around, taking it all in. It was a large wide room. The far wall had huge windows looking out over the city. To one side was a wall of bookshelves filled with actual books, in front of a comfortable seating area with luxury sofas. On the other side, the wall was covered in screens, displaying various data feeds, such as the latest news, economic figures, security reports, and so on. The fourth wall, the one with the door, was decorated with pleasantly abstract works of art. And in the middle of the room was a large elegant curved desk, with a computer terminal and holo-display built in, and a large comfortable looking leather chair behind it. Kairos headed for it and sat down, plugging his personal palm computer into a slot on the desk’s surface, presumably connecting it to the Council Halls’ systems. The tiger glanced up at Alden and smiled. “Welcome to my office, pet.” “It’s very nice, Master.” Alden smiled back. “Yes, I think so, too.” Kairos turned his attention to his desk, activating the glowing holo-display and calling up several files. “Now, excuse me, but I have official reports and messages to read…” Alden wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do while the tiger worked. He spent a few moments admiring the art on one wall before turning his attention to screens showing the data feeds. A lot of it was a little over his head, complex data about subjects he had almost no knowledge of, so he found himself focusing mainly on the news feed. It was currently displaying more coverage of the bombing, including reactions of local Runts. Many seemed to be cautiously blaming the terrorist RFA, and Alden couldn’t tell if they were being honest or just saying what the Apex wanted to hear. But a few were willing to suggest that maybe the RFA had a point, and that the inequality with the ruling Apex was too great. But those dissenting opinions were always presented in a derisory fashion. He wasn’t sure why he was surprised. Of course Apex news feeds would have a pro-Apex bias… The office door suddenly opened and Varquis entered, carrying a large comfortable looking cushion. He hurried to place it on the floor beside the desk as he said to Kairos. “My Lord, Lord Councillor Ryford is waiting outside to see you.” Kairos looked up from the holo-display and switched it off. “Very well, send him in.” He looked at Alden and nodded toward the newly arrived cushion. The badger got the hint and scurried over to it, sitting down, legs crossed. Varquis rushed out of the office and barely a few seconds later a tall and heavily built Apex grizzly bear in the standard councillor robes shoved open the door and stomped in, looking angry. Alden assumed this was Lord Councillor Ryford. The bear noticed the badger and glared at him for a moment in shock, before ignoring him completely and focusing all his attention on Kairos. He slammed his fists down on the surface of the desk, knuckles down, and loomed over the seated tiger menacingly. “What the hell are you doing, Kairos?” He demanded, his voice a deep growl. “Why haven’t you done more to tackle the threat of the RFA? You should have security swarming the Lower City! You should have declared martial law down there so we can remind all the damn Runts of their proper place!” Kairos glared up at him, not showing the least bit of fear. “Ryford. I am the Head of the Council, and you will talk to me with some DAMN RESPECT!” The bear councillor recoiled as if struck. “I… That is to say…” “And I would remind you that this is my office.” Kairos continued, keeping his unhappy glare fixed on the bear. “There are no cameras here for you to play to. None of your narrow-minded hardline supporters to rile up. So cut the fucking ridiculous posturing because that nonsense has no effect on me!” Ryford sneered and was about to snarl some manner of response, but managed to stop himself. When he spoke a few moments later, it was in a more respectful tone. “Apologies, my Lord Kairos. But as heated as my outburst might have been, the point is valid. Your response to the bombing has been…” “Oh, don’t try that with me!” Kairos cut him off. “We both know that if I had done what you had just demanded, you’d now be attacking me for overreacting to the situation. So… did you have anything actually constructive to talk to me about? Or was your usual posturing all you had?” The bear crossed his arms grumpily. “I wanted to talk to you about what security measures you plan to implement in the Lower City…” “Which is exactly the kind of thing the whole Council will be discussing in the meeting shortly.” Kairos continued to be completely unimpressed by Ryford. “Surely you can wait until then to find out?” Ryford obviously didn’t want to admit that. “I just hope you have something good to tell us, Kairos. I’m not the only one underwhelmed by your handling of the RFA situation. And the Runts in general. You have a tendency to go too easy on the inferior bastards…” The bear’s eyes flicked briefly to Alden, as if challenging him to respond to that. But Alden didn’t need to, as Kairos did a much better job of replying. “Inferior? Genetically, they certainly are. But morally? Well, certain nearby Apex make me question if they are inferior in that regard…” “What is that supposed to mean?” Ryford snarled, anger rising in him. “I know about some of the bribes you’ve been taking from certain groups, Lord Ryford.” Kairos stated. “So you don’t get to claim any degree of ethical superiority over anyone!” The bear councillor opened his mouth as if to offer an angry retort, but seemed to think the better of it at the last moment, simply glaring at Kairos for several tense moments, before finally speaking again. “Be that as it may… You still need to do more to keep the Runts in line…” Now, Kairos finally stood up, slamming a paw on his desk as he did so. Remembering that he wasn’t permitted to sit when his owner was standing, Alden quickly scrambled to his feet, but the two Apex were focused entirely on each other and didn’t seem to notice. “Keep them in line?” The tiger spat in disgust. “Perhaps you are unaware of the contents of the Founding Charter, which you swore in your oath of office to uphold? Allow me to remind you…” Ryford narrowed his eyes in annoyance. “I don’t need…” “Apparently you do!” Kairos snarled. “Because you seem to forget that the Charter clearly states that is the duty of the Apex to care for and protect our inferior Runt cousins. It does not say we get to degrade them, insult them, look on them as a burden, or as you say ‘keep them in line’!” The bear councillor seemed to snap, no longer able to keep his temper in check. “In that case,” He growled. “Perhaps you need to be reminded of YOUR oath of office! Of how you swore to protect Apex society and uphold its ideals! A duty in which you are failing by coddling the damn Runts and allowing them to get ideas about equality!” “That is a typical narrow-minded interpretation!” Kairos snarled back. “I will keep to my oath of office in whatever way I see fit, and will continue to do so as long as I am Head of the Council!” “Keep going like this and maybe you won’t be Head of the Council for much longer!” Ryford shot back. “More posturing…” Kairos said with a sneer and a roll of his eyes. “I have no time for meaningless threats, Ryford. If you have something you believe can remove me from my position, I invite you to make use of it!” Lord Ryford lapsed into angry silence, apparently having nothing to say to that. “I thought not…” Kairos was calmer now, reigning in his anger. He sat down again. “Now, kindly get out. I have a meeting to prepare for. I suggest you go do that same so you don’t embarrass yourself with your usual ignorance…” The large bear councillor was obviously insulted and displeased, but said nothing more as he turned and left, stomping his way out of the office. Once he was gone, Kairos leaned back in his chair. The tiger closed his eyes and took a deep breath. From where he still stood beside his cushion, Alden eyed him with concern. “Master… are you alright? That seemed very… tense.” “Dealing with Ryford always is…” Kairos took another deep breath before opening his eyes and looking at the badger. “I am fine, my pet. Rest assured, I can handle Ryford well enough, even if doing so is somewhat annoying and wearying.” The tiger shot him a smile. “But thank you for your concern, Alden. I do appreciate it. And you may sit again...” The smile dropped slightly as he reactivated his holo-display, turning his attention to it. “Now, I need to get back to work, there are several reports I need to go over before we head off for the Council meeting shortly…” Alden stayed quiet and sank back down to sit on the cushion again, allowing Kairos to work, retreating into his own thoughts. That was two other members of the Ruling Council he had now encountered and both and been less than pleasant. He idly wondered if maybe Kairos was the only kind and decent member of the Council. He hoped not, but supposed he’d likely see for himself very soon when they attended the approaching meeting... To Be Continued... |
Raging Tiger/Kuman the Barbarian/Mitchell and Michael/Going Under/Beware the Transformer/That Day/Working Bears/Heart of a Hero/Apex