"I want my teams on-site by 2300 hours. That will give us approximately 10 hours for analysis before the projected continuous event occurs."
Gabe finished his discussion with the other 4 council members about the plans for tonight's operation. With that, everyone slumped in their chairs and took a deep breath.
"It's now 1323 hours. Everyone, this meeting is adjourned. Since Gabe has not selected or had his assistant assigned, I will have Martha send a summary to everyone's Holo shortly."
Speaker Diane grabbed her gravel and slammed it once against her stand. Everyone grabbed their belongings and made their way to the exit to begin preparing for the operation.
"Gabe, a moment if you will," Speaker Diane called out.
Gabe froze in place for a moment before turning and walking towards Diane.
"What can I help you with Speaker?" Gabe asked politely. He didn't know what Diane could possibly want with him now. He had a lot of work to do to get this operation to run smoothly and did not have time for pointless conversations.
"I just wanted to give you some advice, that's all," she said with a kindness in her eyes. "Being a member of this council is no easy feat, especially with seemingly everything working against you. Until you earn the respect of the other 11 members, you are going to have to work harder and fight prejudice at the same time, a task I am most certainly not envious of."
"Surely you didn't pull me aside to discuss how difficult my life is Lady Diane," Gabe said defiantly to Diane's probe.
"Yes, continue acting confidently, Gabe. It will serve you well."
She said while looking around the room while Gabe stood there confused at her reply.
"Would you care to join me for a walk?"
Gabe wanted to refuse quickly and return to his office to work. Seeing the refusal in his eye she spoke first. "Don't worry, it will only be for a minute or two."
"Very well, ma'am. Please lead the way," Gabe responded knowing he couldn't refuse while motioning with his hand.
Lady Diane lead the trio out of the meeting room and into the halls. Gabe followed by about half a step while Martha followed a few paces behind. They walked in silence for a few paces before Diane spoke up again.
"I believe you are a strong and smart man Gabe," she started before pausing a moment. "After seeing the others actions, I believe I am the only one in that room that read your profile past your age. I read about all your strengths and all your weaknesses. I know you have the ability to be the Chief this city needs," she said, referencing what he declared in the meeting earlier.
Gabe nodded in acknowledgment. He didn't doubt for a moment that all his information was recorded and easily viewed by those with access and authorization.
"But do you know why I would have agreed with the other councilors and have you replaced?" She questioned as she stopped and stared into his eyes.
Gabe shrunk as her eyes drilled into his. Gabe was easily 4-5 inches taller than her, but now it looked like she towered over him.
"Uh, I don't know, ma'am. Because I'm t-too young and will make t-too many mistake that'll hurt people," he stuttered his response.
"NO YOU IDIOT!" She exclaimed as she smacked him upside the head. She sighed heavily before pinching the bridge of her nose.
Gabe stood there in shock while rubbing the side of his head. He had no idea the old lady could hit that heavy. He wondered if she was of Latino descent.
"Did you not just hear me say that I am confident in you being able to do your job well? And do you seriously think that we never make mistakes?" She questioned Gabe seriously. He nodded up and down slightly.
"Then you might be dumber than I thought. Look at the world around you, Gabe. We live like this now because the corrupted, idiotic politicians of the past made way too many mistakes."
Speaker Diane sighed again as she remembered a particularly dark paragraph in Gabe's profile.
"You are not responsible for the mistakes you make for which you were uninformed," she said vaguely.
"You are not responsible for your mothers death, Gabriel. The blame and guilt your father puts on your shoulders is not yours. Your mother chose to protect you. She would be proud of you now, whether you maintain your position as chief or not." She ended when she saw Gabe was crying.
She saw how his shoulders trembled and tears and snot flowed down his face. She took a deep breath before moving in front of him.
Gabe watched her move through tear filled eyes, wondering what she was doing. When she reached his front, she raised her arms and brought Gabe into a comforting hug. "I cannot even imagine the pain that put you through, but I understand."
She rubbed his back in that comforting way only mothers know how to do. Gabe broke out into even more tears, crying relentlessly in the hallway. Diane calmly waited while Gabe cried all his sorrow out in her arms. When he finally started to calm down, Diane spoke once more.
"You cannot give up. You cannot falter under heavy pressure. You must use that pain to strengthen yourself. Use the power you now hold as Commander to help prevent the children from experiencing the same. You understand me?"
Gabe could only nod into Diane's shoulder as he cried some more. Time passed quickly and before Gabe knew it, 10 minutes had passed. He pushed himself away from Diane and turned away, embarrassed for breaking down in front of the Speaker of all people.
"T-Thank you, ma'am. I'm ok now."
Diane only chuckled to herself. She remembered doing the same for her children and grandchildren years ago. It brought back good memories she hadn't reminisced on in years.
"It is quite ok, Gabe. It must have been hard growing up with no support. I am impressed you made it this far with such a horrible home situation," she said to comfort Gabe.
When Gabe finally turned back to looking at her, she spoke again. "You are a strong and skilled person. You just need to believe in yourself. Come, let us continue our walk."
Gabe rejoined her in their walk. He was surprised no one had come through that hall while he was crying.
"If you're wondering why no one saw what happened, I had Martha block so no one would see. It wouldn't have been good for either of us if rumors about that had gotten out."
"Thank you, ma'am," Gabe spoke with gratitude.
"Speaking of, you need to get your own assistant. You should have received your new Holo, yes? With your new privileges as councilor, you should have access to pretty much everything. You should have Algo search for your assistant as soon as possible. You could probably find it before I could explain it to you."
"Thank you for your help ma'am," Gabe replied. "I will start the search as soon as I reach my office."
"Very good, Gabe," Diane spoke while walking. She looked around for a moment before speaking again.
"Do you notice something wrong here, Gabe?" She asked cryptically.
"No, ma'am. What is wrong?"
"Do you see how you are following half a pace behind me?" She questioned.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Do you see how that does not portray us as equals? If you were not here, that is where Martha would walk."
"But we are not equals. You are the Speaker." Gabe replied.
"Ugggh, Gabe. The 13 councilors are all equal. Only the public puts the Speaker ahead. They need a single body to idolize and follow. In reality, I have the easiest job."
Gabe thought about what she said and realized its truth. During the 2 meetings he's been apart of, all the other council members treated each other as equals. Speaker Diane was only there to keep the meeting on track and ensure that no one overpowered the rest.
"I see," Gabe mumbled.
"I understand that Rome wasn't built in a day and that it will take time for you to become more confident, but there is an old saying 'fake it until you make it.' Pretend to be confident. Pretend you own every room you walk into, and never put yourself below anyone else. You are the Commander in Chief, the leader of the military. If you order your men to death, they will follow without hesitation, but only if they believe in you and what you are trying to achieve."
Diane paused while she let her little motivational speech sink in. Coincidentally, they rounded the corner to Gabe's office at that moment.
Gabe only realized when Diane stopped walking beside him.
"Thank you so much, ma'am. I will try my best, if not for myself, then for others."
"An admirable though, Gabe. One last piece of advice: the Chief is not a role in a movie. You cannot act your way through it forever."
After that comment, Diane and Martha turned around and left Gabe standing there in wonder.
"Now that's how a real councilor should act," he thought to himself before entering his office.