Page 15 of The Pacifist
“That’s right.”
“We want to hear it from Magni.”
I was proud of Khan for keeping calm and answering, “On the contrary, we’re being very transparent.” Khan pointed to another journalist. “Do you have a question that doesn’t involve Magni?”
“Yes. Who came up with the idea of democracy; was it one of the Council members that you socialize with? Jonah Cervici is here. Did he plant this idea in your head?” The question sounded like another accusation and I turned in my seat to see Jonah’s reaction, but he was gone.
“No, it wasn’t Jonah’s idea. It was mine! Next question.”
I didn’t stay to hear the next question. Instead I walked out of the room to call Jonah on my wristband. “Jonah, where did you go? Things are heating up in there.”
“I went to your dad. I’m trying to convince him to give his support via a remote link, but he won’t listen to me.”
Magni came into view in the hologram above my wrist. “I told Khan this would be a disaster. People don’t want a democracy. It makes us look weak.”
Jonah argued before I could, “Which is why they need to hear it from you, Magni. Didn’t you tell me that you’re the strongest warrior in the world? If you support Khan’s vision, others will follow.”
“Jonah is right.” I looked back over my shoulder toward the room I’d just left. “It’s bad in there. Khan needs your help. Some of them think Jonah is behind the idea of democracy and that you’re dead.”
Magni growled. “I know. I’ve been watching.”
“They need to see you, Dad.”
“You’re wrong. If they see me, we’re going to look even more weak.”
“It can be a close-up of your face only.”
“I look horrible.”
I was going to protest, but again Jonah spoke first, “Yes, you do. Scary even! It’s brilliant for putting them all in their place. You’re a living legend to these men and they need to see you.”
I saw the moment my dad made up his mind. Using his right hand, he pushed his unruly hair behind his ears and sat up straighter. “Okay, but neck up only. Don’t fucking show any of my body, do you hear me?”
“Got it!” Jonah’s face came into the picture. “Mila, go back in the room and tell Khan that Magni will speak.”
“Okay.” I hurried back to the room, where Khan was now red in the face from the aggressive push-back from the journalists.
“Magni is on the line. Do you want me to project him up so he can speak to everyone?”
Khan frowned, clearly not comfortable with this unplanned development. “Okay.” Turning to the audience again, he raised both hands. “In order to shut down all the ridiculous conspiracy theories you’ve been throwing at me, Commander Magni will speak now.”
I projected the hologram of my father beside Khan. With the right side of Magni’s face scarred and his eyes flashing with anger, he looked like a furious Norse god who had descended on earth to wreak damage.
“So, you think I’m dead, do you? I’m afraid you fuckers weren’t that lucky. I’m still here.”
Spontaneous cheers broke out in the back and one of his soldiers shouted. “Told you! It would take more than a drone crash to kill the Commander.”
Magni eased up a little bit. “As you can see, crashing in a drone did nothing good for my looks, but my mind still works and believe it or not, I support this crazy idea of Khan’s, and you know why?” Magni narrowed his eyes. “Because, if you assholes can’t see how good you have it with me and Khan in charge, then you don’t deserve us.”
Khan nodded. “Thank you, Commander. Anything else you want to add?”
“Yeah. Stop making up stories about me being dead. It’s fucking annoying.”
“When will you appear in public?” a brave journalist asked.
Magni gave a grimace of annoyance. “I just fucking did.”
“But when will you step out of the manor and meet the people?”
