Tarry Bennett
The aftermath of the Occaigh tunnel collapse hung over Tarry like a dark cloud. Even with Francine back by his side, he struggled to find joy in life. Ever since Alzira warned him about where he stood with the Grandmasters he had become increasingly paranoid, struggling to find sleep hours after he had crawled into bed.
And ever since Eli told him off, well… He certainly had been reflecting, which occupied his mind when sleep eluded him. At first, he thought that the growing divide between them might have started when he offered Eli a chance to work with him, but he knew there had to be something more. However, he did have to be honest with himself that he had been using Eli as needed, rather than as a trusted confidant, the farther he got into his political career. He had admittedly been selfish and he didn’t know how to make amends amidst the growing pressures he was facing.
He turned off the television in his office with a sigh, trying in vain to pretend that he was hardened to the comments that now accompanied his name. Until now he had always enjoyed positive press. He was a media darling, at least in Occaigh anyway. But now the crowds that used to cheer for him were calling for his resignation or worse.
It was now exceedingly bad timing that he had to hear the final inquest findings from the original tunnel collapse, present them, and find a way forward with the fatal collapse from his own backyard. Not to mention, the still unreleased collapse from Aspir hung over their heads.
He made his way into the conference room to start his first meeting of the day. He rubbed his hands over his bloodshot eyes and hoped she wouldn't let him down.
“Grandmaster Alzira for you,” his assistant called from the door.
“Let her in.”
She strode in only a minute later. “You look like shit,” she commented.
“I have no doubt about that,” he conceded and gestured to the seat beside him.
She accepted it and he swivelled his chair around to face her better. He could see that she too wore bags under her eyes.
“So, is there anything I need to know ahead of this?” he asked.
She didn’t respond immediately and had a faraway look on her face.
“Alzira?” He was concerned by her silence.
“They’re going to suggest environmental factors are behind the collapse.”
He peered down his nose at her. “The first one?”
“All of them,” she confirmed.
“That’s a non-answer,” he said, feeling his hands trembling with a rage that had been simmering under the surface for some time, “That’s not a response that anybody is going to accept, least of all the citizens I represent.”
“I know.”
“And it won’t lessen anybody’s concerns now that they’re been two collapses under entirely different circumstances. Technically three,” his voice began to rise.
“I know. It’s because they want you to react poorly. The less agreeable you are to what they say, the more ammo they have against you. They want you to give them a reason to pull away,” she explained grimly.
He forced himself to pause and took several deep breaths.
“So what’s your suggestion?” he asked.
“I think you should accept the inquest findings. You will take the fall in the eyes of the press but it will keep you safer, longer. And there’s still time to recover your reputation as we get to the bottom of this.”
He steepled his hands in front of his face. “Alzira, you’ve told me recently that you have reason to believe my life is in danger. Are they actively plotting something? You’ve been vague on the details and, forgive me for being suspicious of your motives, I’m not sure what you stand to gain by telling me things that they’ve discussed.”
“I don’t have much information directly from them. I have the inquest report we’re submitting and I’ve signed off on it to remain outside their suspicions. I am speculating on motives but while I don’t have a clear picture of who may or may not have taken action against you, I have cause to believe that they want you removed.”
He sighed. “Who is ‘they’? Is it Abigail and Franklin? All three? They scarcely stop fighting long enough to come up with a coherent plan of action under normal circumstances.” He felt exasperated. There were so few details available he was ready to chalk up his near miss to just a coincidence. A coincidence that killed innocent citizens but a coincidence nonetheless.
She looked away. “I don’t know to what extent Oleg is involved, but they might have made him heel. I’ve never seen them co-existing so peacefully before. I believe they suspect that I’m not fully on their side because they don’t include me in a lot of closed-door meetings, though I suspect they want me on their side due to my control over the existing tunnels.”
“So if they’re claiming environmental factors are behind the collapses, what do you think the real causes are?” He dreaded the answer but asked the question anyway.
“I’m investigating that avenue through my sources but I mainly don’t trust Franklin. His Guild possesses the most research capabilities and he’s the current Headmaster of the Academy. I don’t know what exactly he stands to gain but he seems to be angling to restrict tunnel access as a means of increasing the power of his Guild.”
He took this in, feeling deeply disturbed. “You’ve brought me more questions than answers,” he said gravely, “So your advice is for me to roll over and let them get away with this?”
“My advice is for you to appear to work with them while I collect more information,” she corrected, “I understand your misgivings, but if you’re putting your trust in me I need you to understand I’m telling you all I know.”
“Alright, I’ll hear what they have to say and I’ll make an assessment.” He felt like he was walking into a no-win scenario.
“That’s all I can ask for.”
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Later that day, the full complement of Grandmasters sat before him, staring at him in a way that suggested he was a sacrificial lamb for slaughter. His counsel sat flanked on either side of him.
Stolen novel; please report.
“Grandmasters, I thank you for your diligent work through this process. I have no doubt that this has been a distressing investigation. I trust that your findings will assist me in assuaging public fears of further collapses, particularly in the face of a new collapse on Occaigh soil,” he began, hating how grim he sounded.
Franklin was tasked with responding on behalf of the group. “Mayor Tarry, we thank you for the time you’ve allowed us to perform this investigation and respond to your inquest. Unfortunately, I wish we had more conclusive data. However, we performed a series of rigorous tests, both at the old site and then again at the two new sites to test a theory. Ultimately the sum of our findings is that the collapses were environmental. All three sites had abnormal readings where we detected high concentrations of a highly abnormal and previously unseen element at both sites.”
Tarry sighed heavily, taking this in. “Has the element been identified?”
“It has not, though we now can effectively measure for it and determine where any future incidences may occur. We have some measures in place that we’d like to suggest to you,” Franklin suggested cautiously.
Tarry leaned back in his chair and waved him on. It was a small pleasure to see Franklin looking confused by his lack of reaction. He watched as Franklin exchanged a look with Abigail and mentally thanked Alzira for her advance warning.
“I’m waiting for your suggestions Grandmaster. Is there a problem?” Tarry asked darkly.
“Ah, no Mayor Tarry, apologies. Our suggested measures are to implement a Controller at every major artery for round-the-clock monitoring. They would be present to measure for concerning levels of the identified element and initiate evacuation procedures if needed," Franklin suggested, all the while studying Tarry carefully, "They could also implement enhanced security measures to increase the safety of pedestrians using the tunnels."
Tarry crossed one leg over the other and leaned over to his counsel, exchanging a wordless look. The Grandmasters appeared to wait on him with bated breath.
“I’d be remiss to not follow the advice of the Grandmasters of the four major Guilds,” Tarry finally said, keeping his voice neutral.
“Mayor Tarry,” his newer counsel, James, spoke up, “I believe we may have concerns regarding the delivery of these findings to the population.”
Tarry nodded. “Grandmaster Franklin, what say you? How do you think the population would react to these findings?”
Franklin seemed taken off guard by the question. “Well, I daresay I’m not sure, I’m not a politician.”
“Grandmaster Abigail? How about you? You’ve been uncharacteristically quiet. In early meetings both you and Grandmaster Oleg were at each others’ throats, am I to take your silence as an endorsement of the findings? There’s no blame to be found on any individual?”
“Yes sir, that’s correct. I was wrong to imply the Labourers, or any Guild, had anything to do about the collapse,” she said stiffly.
“Whatever happened to the Conductor who was onsite at the first collapse? He was a new lad, was he not?” Tarry asked curiously.
“Yes Mayor Tarry, he was young. He’s been working in academia under my Guild’s research labs. He has rededicated his life to preventing such a tragedy from occurring ever again,” Abigail responded politely, "We have no reason to believe he had anything to do with the collapse either nor would we seek to discipline him for merely witnessing a tragic and disturbing event."
“Truly noble, wouldn’t you say counsel?” He turned to James. “I believe I can work something into my address that will ensure public satisfaction.”
“Do you have any questions for us?” Franklin asked, slightly suspiciously.
“How do your research goals plan to address the issue long term? Surely it isn’t the intention of the findings to suggest that a Controller is stationed at every major access point at all times indefinitely?” Tarry looked at Alzira as he asked his question.
“Certainly not Mayor Tarry,” she said quietly.
Almost imperceptibly he saw Abigail’s glance flicker towards her.
“The research will be ongoing, I assure you that our goal is to develop findings that will improve Guild-public relations and address overall long-term safety,” Abigail said simply.
Tarry shrugged in a friendly manner. “Then I would be amenable to holding an address that presents the findings and suggestions. Please present me with the final and signed copy and I will give a comprehensive review. Otherwise, if there are no further concerns I’d like to discuss the next steps with my counsel.”
They looked slightly incredulously at him as they were dismissed. He forced a small smile to his face and watched as they exited.
“Sir,” his seniormost counsel said after they were alone, “With all due respect, the public will flay you for these findings.”
“I know, which is why I don’t intend to present those findings. Push the press conference out by a week, I need time to prepare.”
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Sitting in his home office, Tarry stayed up well after Francine went to bed scanning through the inquest findings. It was thorough, he couldn’t fault them, but there were other suggestions that were not openly shared in his meeting. Items such as “increase research spending” and “expand Guild roles within society”. There was even a reference to potentially explore the option of handing over the decision-making process for punching new tunnels to be solely within the Guilds’ purview.
The enhanced security measure that Franklin mentioned was perhaps the most alarming and understated recommendation of all. The suggestion was to eventually look into a control measure to have all pedestrians identify themselves and their final destination to controllers stationed at the entrances. Pedestrians had never had to declare their comings and goings. While petty crime could be a problem in some regions, it wasn't restricted to tunnel use specifically.
Tarry rubbed his forehead. This was not what he had hoped for or expected. Alzira had been right to tip him off but even she had downplayed the findings. Perhaps the warning had bought him more time and an opportunity to strategize but now he was suspicious of her motives. Apart from research, which was squarely in Franklin and Abigail’s respective wheelhouses, she stood to gain the most if all recommendations were considered and implemented.
The warning against his life still soured his mood. However, if there was truly a political motivation behind the collapse he could potentially work this to his advantage, if he was careful.
The phone rang, drawing him out of his thoughts.
“Yes?” he answered plainly.
“It’s me. I’m sorry for my overreaction the other day. Do you mind if we talk? If your offer still stands I may have reconsidered,” Eli’s voice came through the earpiece, brightening the early hours of the morning more than he cared to admit.
“No, I’m the one who should be apologizing to you. It was a short-sighted offer and I didn’t think of the consequences. Though I am pleased to hear that you’ve reconsidered. May I ask what changed?” he asked warmly, setting the document off to the side of his desk.
“I feel like we work better together than we do separately, and while I am still worried about the state of the sixteenth borough I think I can help people here more if I’m working with you in an official capacity,” Eli responded smoothly.
Despite the differences between them, Tarry felt that Eli was one of the more reliable people in his life. It was reassuring to know that he hadn’t irreparably damaged the friendliness between them, even if Eli had declared that they were not friends.
“That’s excellent news because I do need your help. I’ve received the official inquest findings accompanied by some very concerning advice. I don’t think anyone in Occaigh or the rest of the world stands to gain much from what the Guilds are recommending.”
Eli fell silent for a moment and Tarry was worried he had offended him somehow.
“Listen. I know I haven’t been perfect and I know I haven’t been a good friend, but I need you,” he pleaded in a hushed voice, “Please. I have no one else I can trust.”
Eli sighed deeply on the other end. “I have helped you many times in the past. I have stood by you in the shadows and advised you wherever possible. Pulled strings for you. I still believe you are the best thing for Flexibilis. I will continue to do so, but only so far as Olly is not put at risk.”
“I am truly glad to hear from you and I’m flattered that you think so highly of me. I will actively ensure that he isn’t caught in the crossfire, I did endorse him after all,” Tarry responded.
“Perfect. So if you can set something official up, I’ll start making the trek up to the first borough without issue. We’ll come up with something to address those findings.”
“I look forward to it,” Tarry said. And he genuinely meant it.