Page 92 of The Pacifist
Chairman Isobel spoke up. “Since this meeting is being transmitted to the world and the next topic we will be discussing is classified, I ask that the transmission be turned off for a short period.”
I expected her to show a passage from the forbidden book, and to confront me with the accusations that I’d smuggled out a copy without permission. Instead, she said, “I’m told we’re off air now. Which gives us the opportunity to view a video that was sent to me in confidentiality. I would like to remind everyone that we are now looking at sensitive material that in no way can be shared or discussed outside this Council.”
Meeting in virtual reality felt a lot like real life. Everyone looked like themselves, but there were features that were only possible here. Hanging in free air in front of every seat, a video popped up showing Pearl in her office. “May peace surround you all, dear Council members. Today, you’re making a decision that will affect generations to come. I’m sending you this message to be sure you understand the important role Jonah Cervici has played in the integration between the Northlands and Motherlands so far, but also the potential he has in playing an even bigger role in the future.
“We are in the middle of a historic victory for the Motherlands council. With our influence over the last twelve years, the Northlands will soon have their first democratically elected leader. I can tell you that Jonah has been instrumental in that progress, but I’m afraid that your decision today could backfire and help the wrong candidate win. The outcome could be devastating to us all. What you’re about to see is a recording from a meeting between my husband Khan Aurelius and his brother Magni Aurelius captured on a security camera only Khan and I have access to.
“I’ve tossed and turned all night feeling torn about what to do, but I’ve decided to share it with you for the sake of world peace. I trust that it will be for your eyes only.”
The picture changed and showed Magni and Khan in Khan’s office. I’d been in there several times but never noticed a camera. From the angle the video was recorded in, the camera would have to be hidden in the bookshelf by the wall.
“Stop pacing, Khan, you’re making me fucking dizzy.”
Groans came from Khan, who had his hands in his dark hair. “Those imbecile women shouldn’t be allowed to rule. To punish a man for being a man is just the kind of extreme sabotage they would do. All they want is a world of mindless clones who act the same way as them.”
Magni was sitting in a chair in front of Khan’s desk and followed Khan with his head. “It’s crazy what they’re doing to Jonah. I mean he’s a Momsi and a pain in the butt, but the man had balls to stand his ground and not apologize to the Nanny Club. For a second, Jonah actually gave me hope that not every man in the Motherlands has been broken by women.”
Khan stopped for a second. “He seems like an outlier. The rest are like domesticated, docile lions who have been fucking castrated and declawed at birth. It makes me furious that women can be so cruel. Aren’t they supposed to be caring and loving by nature? The Momsies are more like fucking tyrants suppressing anyone different from them.”
Magni scoffed loudly. “At least we won’t have to listen to Jonah preach about his damn love for democracy. Now he’ll see that our way was always the best. Why the fuck did we let him talk us into having an election in the first place?”
Khan began pacing again and Magni continued, “If the Nanny Squad kick him out tomorrow, you have to cancel the election, Khan. Our men are going to be outraged if they see their one hope for equality in the world being crushed like that. That wave of fury is going to help one man only…”
Khan sneered the name, “Edward the Lowlife. I know, and it makes me sick. We can’t let someone like him win. Yesterday he had another of his rallies and do you know what he said?”
“No, I don’t listen to that hate-spewing ass. He gives me a headache. But my guess would be some strong rhetoric about breaking down the wall and taking back power and world domination.”
“Yes, and then some. If Edward wins, we’ll have another world war on our hands.”
Magni moved from the chair to sit on the edge of Khan’s desk. “He has a point, though. I’m tired of seeing men treated as second-class citizens. All ten million of us Nmen are.”
“I don’t want a fucking war!” Khan roared it out. “War is nothing but destruction and death.”
Magni got agitated too. “Are you just going to let the women run from their promise of equality on the Council? Remember when the wall crumbled during the earthquake and I wanted us to seize the moment and attack? You made me patrol our side of the border with my soldiers for weeks, like a good little puppet of the Motherlands. Do you have any idea how many of our own men we fought back when we could have let them cross the border? I told you the Council would screw us over with that deal you made, and now they’re proving me right. All their talk about integrity, ha! You should have never trusted them to keep their word in the first place. They don’t have honor like us.”
Khan came over and placed both his hands on Magni’s shoulders, speaking in a firm voice. “Maybe not, but they have integrity. Or at least they pride themselves that they do."
“If that was the case, they would keep their fucking promise to us, wouldn’t they?”
“There’s still time. Pearl was a Council member and she’s a good woman. We have to trust that there are still fair-minded and intelligent women like her on that Council who aren’t fucking ignorant about the significance Jonah holds to the rest of the world.”
Magni let out a long sigh. “You have too much trust in them. The only Council member I’ve ever respected was Jonah and only because he’s a man.”
The video ended and complete silence was heard. I was horrified that Pearl had chosen to share what was clearly meant as a private conversation between the brothers. If Khan and Magni knew about this… I shook my head with a deep sense of dread. What had the world come to, that good and honest people like Pearl would betray the man she loved?
Around me white noise rose from the Council members who were talking with unusually high-pitched voices. I was staring straight ahead, only picking up random bits and pieces.
“How can Pearl be with a man like Khan – did you hear his primitive language?”
“Who is that man they talked about? Edward Lovelife, was it?”
“I’m warning you: men and war go together.”
“That Magni is terrifying. His voice is so deep and scary.”
Isobel made an announcement, “I think we all need a few minutes to process what we just heard. There will be a ten-minute break before we continue with our votes.”
I sat shell-shocked on my chair, my mind twirling with a million thoughts at the same time. Magni respected me. He had said the words himself and even though it shouldn’t matter what others thought of me, I felt a deep satisfaction inside. From my first meeting with Magni, he had stood out as a traditional patriot, which explained why I’d come to think of him as the personification of the old Northlands. His traditional views combined with a deep distrust for the Motherlands had made him slow to warm up to me. Magni was rough around the edges and uncompromising by nature, but he was also loyal to the core, and protective of the ones he loved.
