“We should be out there.”
“No.”
Elkay remained firmly in his seat, flicking through an armour catalogue. He’d been wearing the same look for years now, and with current events the way they were, he was considering a change.
“Elkay, we should be using this!”
“No!”
Rethais on the other hand was restless. He’d sit down in his chair, then get up and wander around, then sit down again. He didn’t know what to do with himself.
“Why not?”
Elkay tutted, turning the page of his catalogue. “What do you think of black with red trimming? Or is it too edgy for an over-fifty like myself?”
“Elkay, stop fucking around with cosmetics and go out there and condemn Photeianos for his actions!” Rethais suddenly shouted. His outburst made the two Ksa present, Veekay and Emvee, jump with surprise. Elkay though just looked up at Rethais.
“No.”
“WHY NOT?”
“Because of multiple reasons. Firstly, everyone already knows how I feel about the mistreatment of Ksa. Secondly, none of this is proven yet, there are no charges up against him yet and the media is trying to work their way through this, as are the Astynom and the Arbiters. Thirdly, I have already given statements to the Astynom and the Arbiters. To speak further would compromise their investigation. Fourthly, it looks pretty bad, taking advantage of the suffering of others to promote oneself, do you not think?”
Rethais tried to think of a comeback, but came up empty. With a sigh, he sat back down, before noticing that the two Ksa were whispering about something.
“What are you two talking about?”
“Nothing, Ser…” Veekay muttered.
“Do not lie to me.”
Emvee glanced at Veekay, then spoke. “Veekay said that when he and General Elkay went to meet High General Photeianos, he mentioned that he regarded the Ksa as his kids. I thought… I mean… Being pushy… I could see that. But our High General… This can’t be a case of incest, can it?”
Emvee’s claim made Elkay look up. Rethais though didn’t seem too bothered.
“As long as I remember, he’s referred to Ksa as his ‘children’. Not kids. Different word. The weeks he would spend, picking out specific DNA traits to be added to his beloved N-Class…”
“So he was making the perfect partners?” Veekay interrupted. “That is freaky as heck. How in the name of the Light have we managed to let him get away with… so much?”
“Because Photeianos is normally much better at keeping secrets…” Elkay sighed. “Not many know this, but there is a tradition where the candidates for both High and Vice General will spend time telling one another their secrets. Rethais and I have done the same. But while I blurted out what few secrets I had to Photeianos, he lied to me. Over and over.”
“Then how can you have any trust that Photeianos did not commit an act of incest?” Rethais asked. “How can you trust anything he says? You know, better than I do, what he is like! You sho-”
Elkay stood up, clutching his catalogue. “Rethais, you are overstepping your boundaries.”
“Elkay, you…”
“I know what I am doing, Rethais…” Elkay growled as he sat back down. “Whatever happens, this scandal will blow over. Just like every other scandal. But when I get into power, he will face justice.”
“Will he?” Rethais sighed.
“Yes. Mark my words, I will make him pay…” Elkay’s growl turned into a smile. “Through legal channels, of course. Otherwise I would be as no better than him…”