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If I tried to retaliate in kind, I d either be dead or incarcerated, and then
released as a brain-damped imbecile.
Sitting behind the cherry wood desk from which my father had enjoyed
exercising power so much, I couldn t help but wonder if the average norms felt
the way I did at the moment except I had the feeling that some had felt that
way all their lives.
Chapter 71
Kewood
I moistened my lips and stepped into the large UniComm conference room the
one on the lower level just below the office that had been Gerrat s. I looked
at the nearly two dozen or so skeptical faces, and then at the three CAs
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standing just inside the door.
The CA truth team in their off-white and gray uniforms looked very
disconcerted and nervous. I probably did as well.
I looked at the presenters and researchers, then toward Feron Nasaki. I
offered a smile. I m sure all of you are wondering what on earth you re doing
with a CA truth team here, and what awful deeds the new director general
suspects you of. I shook my head. It s nothing like that. You re not
suspected of anything. All I ll be asking of you today is to use your brains
and your skepticism. As some of you know, there have been several attempts on
my life, and my older sister was killed in a mysterious tube train explosion.
These have been verified with hard evidence by the CAs.
Several people exchanged glances, ranging from so what? to straight
confusion.
I have evidence and a number of leads on what may be the biggest news story
of the century. I m going to assign you to look into this story and to develop
stories that flesh it out. I looked around the room once more. I don t want
anyone believing that this is a cynical, management-serving ploy. The issue is
too important. I nodded to Feron.
He began to pass out the handouts Majora and I had prepared.
As you will see, much of the information here rests at least in part on my
credibility. Because I m asking you to undertake a unique project, I believe
you have the right to ask any questions of me about this, and to be assured of
my knowledge and motivations. I nodded to the truth team. I am the one who
will be subject to truth verification, and you will do the questioning. The
reason why the CAs are doing this is that it is known that they are unbiased.
We had to get a legal opinion and an approval from the local advocate
general. I walked toward the chair at the end of the long table and seated
myself, nodding to the medtech.
You realize you don t have to do this, ser? asked the taller CA behind the
tech.
I did, even if not legally. I understand.
Oh, I added. I am making one stipulation, and I will fire anyone who
doesn t honor it.
The faces turned hostile.
Everything I say here is what I believe, and based on my personal experience.
You may not present or broadcast anything that you cannot back up with outside
research. That is all. I smiled, lopsidedly. I m sure you ll have no trouble
with that. Even though I believe that our entire society is under a threat &
UniComm cannot present that unless we can prove each element factually.
There were a few murmurs, and some of the faces relaxed & slightly.
I m also making general request of all of you, I said, emphasizing the word
request. I d hope that your questions will bear on the UniComm situation in
one way or another, and that your questions be devoted to bringing out the
truth. That s all.
& that one fair enough &
& what s the hook?
I waited for the inhaler mask, then took a deep breath, as the tech studied
the portable screen. After several minutes, the tech nodded. First came the
baseline questions from the CAs. Finally, one turned to Feron and nodded.
You may begin to offer your questions, Feron announced, pointing to a
gray-haired norm halfway down the table.
Director Alwyn, why are you doing this, effectively waiving privacy in a
public forum?
I had to think, not about the answer, but about making sure I was being
totally honest, because I couldn t afford to convey any doubts. First, the
truth is my best defense against a group of pre-selects who wish to remove me,
take over UniComm, and use its power to change the Federal Union. They have
already murdered my sister, and I believe that their efforts led to the plague
that killed my brother and father. Any other way than what I propose might
involve some form of illegality, and I don t wish to stoop to the tactics of
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my enemies. That s because I ve tried to spend my life not being like that or
that kind of person, and also, practically speaking, because they re far
better at it. Second, if I made a statement like that without your
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