galvarelli/anti-refugee-protests-3.txt

Calvin fumed as Adrienne gave him her briefing.
Three yaks dead, including a guard.
Dozens more injured.
Fortunately, no one from the Barns had been badly injured, but at least one family had had to flee their burning house.

―Old Imperial is slammed, they're saying, Vaughan said.
	They were in trouble with the malacusis stuff even before this.
	Grove has some capacity, but transport's going to be a problem.
	We should commandeer the tramways again.

Calvin nodded.

―Done.
	I'll have Adam make the call to get the Tramway Office running.
	And we can open up some emergency aid funds as needed.
	Captain, are there any Guards who weren't at the riot who can be allocated there?
	We're going to have trouble getting staff at the Tramway Office this late, so some extra hands to help clear streets will be helpful.

Captain Adrienne nodded.

―We can do that.
	Lieutenant Trebly will be on the next shift quite soon, so I will have him also at Grove to coordinate receiving patients as well.

―Good.
	Thank you Captain.
	Anything else?

―Well, yes, sir.
	Lieutenant Hermann says that once the Garrison officers realised we were from the Guard, they turned and incited the crowd.
	Accused us of being secret police, suppressing them.
	It, boiled over from there.
	It's a shambles, sir.

―Where's Hermann now? Nikki asked.

―Over at the Garrison, with a few Guards.
	We've commandeered some of their holding cells, and we're hoping they don't give us any trouble.
	Especially because I don't think they can be trusted to guard any of their own members who are under arrest.
	Sir, I think that their failure to maintain order led to one of my men getting killed.
	Charging them with misconduct is going to be a nightmare, and I'd really like to make sure we have your support on that.

Calvin nodded.

―Adrienne, you're dismissed for now.
	You have our full support in going after the Garrison officers who failed to uphold their duty.

Adrienne nodded, turned and left.
Calvin sent Adam notes on what orders needed to send out, got back and sat down with a massive sigh.

―If only we could take down the whole lot of them, Vaughan said.

―Actually, I may be able to help on that front, Nikki said.
	At the very least go after Darius.

All eyes landed on her.
Calvin leaned forward.

―You were certainly busy during all of this.

―I have a collection of memos and letters from Darius's office at Justice.
	Still going through them, but they include assurances to Hierarchy officials that the Garrison would respect any Flocks that wished to protest.
	Some memos too, ways to downplay any violence from Meadowlarkers to reduce arrests.

―Is that enough to charge Darius with anything? Vaughan asked.

―Not quite, Calvin said.
	Right, Nikki?

―Yep, Nikki nodded in agreement.
	Nothing directly from Darius, and we can't use it in court.

Calvin nodded.
Of course, Nikki finding a less than legal solution to a problem was nothing new.
It did still bother him.
Without her, he wouldn't have this to use, but with her he couldn't use it.
At least, he couldn't use it and feel good about himself.

―I'm not comfortable blackmailing him, Nikki, Calvin said.

―I figured, Cal.
	Just being prepared, in case we need it.

Calvin nodded, then sighed and rubbed his face.
No good decisions happened at this time of night.

―You have a statement ready? he asked Nikki.

―Yeah, want me to read it?

―Is it a good one?

―Not my best, not my worst, she said.
	Seven out of ten, I'd say.

―That's fine, I don't need to see it then.
	Any word on that group that showed up?
	Is that another headache we need to pay attention to.

―I don't think so, sir, Vaughan said.
	As Adrienne said, they were there to try to help the Guard out.
	The New Meadowlark, because they want to separate the Meadowlark from the Hierarchy.
	Basically a new Flock, separate from all the other Flocks.

Calvin didn't quite understand what that meant.
The Meadowlark was what the Hierarchy taught, not something on its own.

―Cal, I disagree.
	They showed up en masse, armed.
	How did they organise and respond so quickly?
	Especially since we've never heard of them.
	The Guard only barely beat them there.

―Like the Captain said, the ones that broke laws were arrested.
	We have bigger problems than a single Flock showing up and helping us.
	And why would they even be on our radar at all?
	We don't monitor every new Flock.
	We couldn't even if we wanted to.

Calvin felt a low simmer in his veins.
On the one hand, he knew this group was potentially trouble.
But on the other, he didn't entirely disagree with Vaughan.
Before he could respond either way, Adam knocked.

Vaughan opened the door for him, and Adam walked in.

―Sir, the Hierarch wants to talk to you.
	He says he wants to head over immediately.
	Is that okay?

Calvin felt a slight preemptive headache at the prospect of dealing with Auroklos now.

―Did he give you any more information?

―No, just that it's important.

―Adam, this is the goddamn President's office, Nikki said.
	Everything here is important.

―Nikki, I promise, I told him exactly that.

Calvin didn't want to deal with the two of them sniping at each other, and interjected immediately.

―Fine, Adam, tell him to come here.

Vaughan gave him a surprised look, so Calvin explained.

―Look, we have to talk to him about the riot anyway.
	Either we see a condemnation of everyone involved, directly from the Hierarchy, or we're tearing the whole thing down.

Nikki started to open her mouth to explain why that was impossible, so Calvin interrupted her.

―I know, I know.
	Voters will turn.
	But Auroklos is our guy, he knows the drill.
	This is worth threatening their budget over.
	The Council know they're on shaky ground already, right? # Council is made up of 9 Ennearchs, along with Councillors

Nikki shrugged.

―Again, Cal, everyone knows that Auroklos is willing to play ball with us.
	Not saying it's a bad thing for him to make a statement, just, it's not going to actually fix anything.
	Won't stop extremist Flocks at all.

―There were some Hierarchy folks at the protest, right? Vaughan asked.
	Are any of them in custody?
	Or were they at least IDed?

―I saw them, Calvin answered.
	Were wearing what looked like practicant robes.

―They might pay more attention to Auroklos, Nikki said, but they'll also have a better sense of what's being coerced out of him.
	And again, Cal, if we need extra leverage...

―Do the letters you have implicate Auroklos in the violence at all?

―No, not directly.
	But we can make the implication.

Calvin nodded, although he felt uneasy.

-------------

It wasn't long until Auroklos arrived, wearing the full regalia of the Hierarch.
He came alone, as he usually did.

―President Calvin, thank you for indulging me at this hour.
	I have a matter of grave concern I would discuss with you in private.

He indicated Nikki and Vaughan.

―Welcome, Hierarch.
	These are trusted members of my office, I can assure you.

Auroklos looked overly hesitant, as though to put on a show of accommodating the request.
Calvin's forehead started to feel stretched, the beginnings of a headache spreading down to his temples.

―Well, Calvin, if you insist, my hands are tied.
	I bring you bleak news, a rather unhappy development from the sorry events earlier today.

―Hierarch, if you mean the riots caused by the Flocks, stoked by Hierarchy Practicants, there are many unhappy developments.
	I think it would be best if the Hierarchy could punish those within the Order who are responsible, and denounce the vile garbage spewed to the farm animals they wronged.

Auroklos looked annoyed, and waved the statement away.

―That is unimportant.
	Calvin―

―It's President Calvin.
	Or Your Excellency.
	Hierarch Auroklos, I have respected your office, and while you stand here, you should respect mine.

Some glimmer of life and resistance came into the Hierarch's eyes.

―Respect my office by threatening to attack the Order, to replace me in my role?

―I am making no threats, Hierarch.
	Merely asking for courtesy.

―A veiled dagger is no less sharp for being hidden, your Excellency.
	Fine, I have no desire to support the attacks on the poor wretches trying to force the way into our city.
	In the end, we lost people as well, for nothing.
	If you identify those Practicants responsible, the Hierarchy will not stop you from pursuing justice against them.
	Another issue, one far more pressing, brings me here, however.
	You are familiar with the epidemic spreading through Northhaven, correct?

Calvin nodded, intrigued.

―Well, I think it is not unreasonable to say that it has had an unusually large effect on the Flocks in Northhaven.
	Those kept awake for days on end, or kept from working, or simply driven mad by the effects of it.
	They're the ones who are pushing the Flocks to violence.
	But, a message from Yakaterina has brought me even greater turmoil, your Excellency.
	You see, the source of the problem is not a simple parasite or worm, or indeed any other mundane medical malady.
	Instead, something more insidious is at play.
	I believe it to be the work of a Voiced being.
	One who has managed to attack the city.
	More than that, I believe it to be related to the New Meadowlark.

―You think the New Meadowlark, the group that showed up to fight your supporters, is secretly responsible for an epidemic?
	Isn't that a bit too convenient, Hierarch?

―Indeed, President Calvin, I would.
	I will merely add this.
	My predecessor Yakaterina bids me to pass on a message directly to you, in reply to your inquiries.

Calvin saw the look that Nikki flashed him.
One of slight disgust and surprise, welded together with disappointment.

―Go ahead, tell me the message.

―Simply put, I must discuss this malacusis problem.
	I trust you are aware of it?

―Of course we are.
	We're putting as many resources into it as we can.

―That is quite a shame, Your Excellency.
	The cases that have reached the hospitals are the worst of the worst.
	But even the mildly affected are in turmoil.
	And with so many Flocks in Northhaven, the Hierarchy has seen Flock after Flock seeking aid.
	What succour can we offer these poor souls, when the mighty Republic itself cannot offer them relief? he said drily.
	Young yaks, left unable to sleep because of these cursed whispers, a strange disease spread by these mongrel farm animals―

Vaughan began to chirp out a sound of alarm at the word, but Calvin jumped in before he could say anything that would offend Auroklos too badly.

―Hierarch, please!
	Mind your words.

―Yes, of course, but you see Calvin, this is how they speak, these Flocks.
	What will they know of the plight of the Barns when their friends and family are sick and dying, voices whispering evil thoughts to them?
	They see the sheer number of refugees coming to Galvarelli, and make the connection themselves.
	It is hardly the interest of the Hierarchy to spread this nonsense when it is patently untrue.
	Don't forget, I am no fool.
	The Barns are not falling as badly ill, nor is Mindemoya, nor the South Shore.
	Indeed, the Meadowlark is not only the province of yaks.
	The Elders of course are closest to it, and yet most of the Elders here are refugees as well.
	All of our cousins are welcome to the Hierarchy, even if poor Flocks cannot see it in the midst of their struggles.

―You should include this in your statement about the riots, Hierarch.

―I will, President Calvin.
	But in exchange, keep this in mind.
	The Flocks that attacked the Barns, yes, attacked.
	I can admit that much.
	The Flocks that attacked the Barns are sick, tormented by a horrible disease you have failed to truly address.
	Not merely one that they attribute to the refugees―mistakenly attribute, yes, he added upon seeing Calvin open his mouth―, but also one that prevents them from sleeping, causes them great terror and paranoia, attacks the faculty so fiercely as to render the most meagre coherent thought an impossibility.
	How can they be held entirely responsible for the violence committed in the throes of such an ailment?
	They cannot, you see.

―Is this the official position of the Hierarchy?
	That the riot, along with all preceding violent rhetoric, was merely the effect of the stress of the malacusis epidemic?

―President Calvin, you seem to regard the Hierarchy as a personal enemy.
	Yet you have worked so hard to put a puppet at its head.
	Let us be honest a moment.
	After all your efforts, the threats and offerings, you still do not wish to hear me out?
	I have agreed to your terms for today, and ask merely that you hear the Heresiarch's message out.

―Fine, Heresiarch.

―Thank you.
	And of course it is not our official position.
	For whatever it matters, if you wish there to be one, it is that some extremist Flocks have done violent things, which the Ennearchs will review and punish according to our principles.
	And if you wish my personal opinion, it is that the malacusis problem is hardly a problem at all.
	I only discuss it because Yakaterina thinks it of the highest importance, and is asking me to ask you this.
	President Calvin, will you visit her in person?

―Visit her?
	Hierarch Auroklos, she is an enemy of the Republic.
	By rights, she should have faced execution.
	I can't visit her.
	Nor would I want to.

―Your Excellency, I have just one more thing to add.
	She told me exactly this:
		― Tell the President that if I was right about the malacusis, then it cannot be cured without her advice.
			Galvarelli will be overrun and destroyed.

No one spoke for a moment.

―I have passed along my message, President Calvin, Auroklos said.
	I will preach what you wish me to preach.
	Your daggers can stay veiled, I trust.

He hesitated a moment.

―The Heresiarch is a dangerous woman.
	She is in prison for good reason.
	But she is also powerful, one of the most powerful Anendytes the Meadowlark has seen since the Suppression.
	The Telaugurs could touch parts of fate itself, and she was not far from them at the height of her power.
	I cannot say whether to trust her or not, merely that you should be careful.

On that ominous note, Auroklos turned and left.
Calvin's sense of impending headache seemed to have been correct.
Although with Auroklos, it was safe to assume every interaction would lead to a headache.

―Nikki, did we get a response from Old Imperial?

―Yes, they sent over a brief report.
	Let me find it.

She rummaged through her bag until she pulled out the folder with the message.

―They basically say that your idea worked.
	Trimming the hair around the ears reduced the severity of symptoms.
	Trying to record the sound directly from the hairs blocked the symptoms.
	What does that mean?
	The voices they're hearing are coming from their hair?

Calvin wore a grim expression on his face.

―Yes, it seems that way.

―What is it you were asking Yakaterina?

―She sent me a message shortly after our election.
	Saying that there would be trouble during this government.
	I didn't really think much of it until a couple months ago, when she sent me another one.
	Basically that I should investigate the hair.
	I didn't know what it meant until that meeting.

―Why didn't you tell us about it?
	Cal, secret messages to a terrorist?
	If it had gone public, I'd have had no idea how to fight for you.

―She'd asked me not to tell anyone, Nikki.
	Believe me, I have no love for her.
	She's vile scum, with yak blood on her horns.
	I will never forget it. 
	But Auroklos was right about one thing:
	When it comes to the Meadowlark, all the magical shit, she knows more than anyone else.

Nikki seemed contented with that explanation.

―So, will you meet her? Vaughan asked.

―I think I have to.

―I'll make the arrangements, Nikki said.
	I'm sure the prison will be excited to accommodate your security.

―Calvin, Vaughan started to say, a bit hesitantly.
	You know that Auroklos was full of shit, right?
	Even if the malacusis is affecting the Northsiders, it doesn't absolve them of anything.

―I know, Vaughan.
	Believe me, I do.
	And I don't know how honest Auroklos is really being about the farm animals.
	If he's telling the truth, then it's Yakaterina pushing that.
	I wish we knew how she could get messages out at all.
	She really shouldn't have access to the Meadowlark for communication, right?

Nikki shook her head.

―No, that's what June said.
	We really have no idea.
	How did her messages to you arrive?

―Letters from Auroklos's office.
	He wouldn't tell me how he got the message.

―You're sure they're actually from her at all?

―Yeah, I replied to her first one in a letter directly to her cell, and her second message responded to that.
	Auroklos wouldn't have been able to do that, I think.

―Unless he's far more competent than we thought, as unlikely as that seems.

―Right, unless he's actually competent.
	Anyway, Vaughan, you're right.
	I won't forget the Barns when I talk to her.
	Anyway, you two have had a long night.
	Get some sleep.
	God knows we're going to have a fun time tomorrow.