Chris Pohlman
New Chapter
A Confluence of Influence
“Why do I doubt the effectiveness of that approach?” Chaos said, stroking his goatee. “Oh, that’s right. It already failed you once!”
“Chaos,” Matthew said, leaning forward across the desk toward him, “it didn’t work because the political climate then worked against us. We can learn from it, though. We can vary the approach. It can work.”
Chaos leaned forward, glaring out of the tops of his eyes at Matthew. The man would be useful in the days to come, certainly. But when he espoused using a plan that already failed… “How can it work? Convince me.”
“Quite easily. We vary the pressure. We grow independent extremists groups. That way there’s not just a single group to focus on like there was with the Dissidents. In the best case scenario we can use several of them to form a strong coalition. We then use one of those groups as a vehicle to seize power. Worst case, we keep a few groups centrist and use the extreme ones as scapegoats.” It made some sense.
“Like a name brand also making the generic product,” Chaos said, understanding. It was an appealing idea. “You could get such groups up and running?”
“Sure thing. Only take a few phone calls.”
‘Friends from the old days,’ Chaos thought, feeling it in Matthew’s mind. “What stopped you last time, Matt?”
“The political climate, I told you. Things had begun turning around. The Government’s plan was working. Our rhetoric of the time had run its course and been used up. The movement ran out of steam,” Matthew said with a shrug.
“What did Petin and you really discuss?” Chaos asked.
“I don’t see how that bears any relevance to our current discussion,” Matthew replied. But Chaos could see it clearly. Matthew had taken a deal. His movement had been running out of steam, though it was how he had handled their funds that ended the movement. He had taken…liberties with the party’s coffers.
“Oh, I would say that selling out your movement in order to avoid a slap on the wrist is relevant,” Chaos said. “Don’t ever try to hide things from me,” Chaos said to him, using what power of Voice he had borrowed from Jessica. “Just because I give you more latitude than ordinary troops does not mean I am willing to give you free rein. Give me any reason to doubt you and I will take those freedoms away. You know I can. You know what happened to Her.”
“Yes, sir,” Matthew said. He was enough of a seasoned politician to remain outwardly in control of himself. Chaos knew better, though. He could feel Matthew’s swirling emotions. Everyone knew what had happened to Jessica, why it had happened. And none were as precious to Chaos as she had been.
“Very well, then. Get on with it,” Chaos said dismissively. Matthew rose and left, never giving any outward impression of his inner fear.
‘Remember to always keep those around you at arm’s length,’ Chaos’s persistent inner voice said to him. ‘Trust no one. You know you can’t anymore. They all want to seize power from you. Don’t give them the chance. Rein them in, instill fear in them.’ The voice was right. Chaos was doing the right thing, keeping his commanders constantly guessing.