33 Sins of Authority

POV - Rasima

[Day 2, March 2002, 4pm]

The news struck me like a physical blow, a punch to the gut that left me reeling in disbelief. Lady Sautereau's car, shot up by soldiers under the Minister's command at a routine checkpoint. It was a nightmare unfolding before my eyes, a catastrophic failure that threatened to unravel everything we had worked so tirelessly to build.

The weight of impending doom settled over me like a suffocating blanket, crushing and relentless. This incident, this unfathomable lapse in judgment, would undoubtedly spell the end of my Minister's job. The repercussions would be swift and merciless, a tidal wave of public outrage poised to drown me in its wake.

The Minister's face contorting with frustration after hearing what happened to Lady Sautereau's car. "Gather all available information and mobilize a team," she instructed firmly. "Do not notify the Governor and General, I will let them know later that Lady Sautereau is in custody and I will bring her to them personally." she continued, urgency lacing her words.

"Her safety is paramount. We need her alive and fix this fuck up Rasima. We cannot afford to waste a single moment." I nodded solemnly, my expression mirroring the gravity of the situation. There was no need for further explanation; we both understood the magnitude of the task at hand. We had to contain the fallout, to control the narrative before it spiraled out of control entirely.

I set about formulating a plan to cover up this catastrophic failure, to ensure that the truth never saw the light of day. I knew that every second counted, every misstep carrying the potential to unravel our carefully constructed facade.

Every step we took, every word we spoke, would be scrutinized with merciless precision. Especially by that fat minister. But there was no turning back now. We had to face the storm head-on, before it consumed me whole.

In the car, I instructed the Minister for her daily shot and after I injected, she asked "What should we do?", her voice sounds of desperation. 

"I'll try to formulate a plan," I replied with uncertainty, formulating this plan will hurt the government if it is found out. We would need to hide this from Jordan, he will definitely use this to put the Minister down.

As we made our way to the scene of the incident, my mind raced with a thousand different scenarios, each one more fraught with peril than the last. I knew that I had to act quickly, decisively, before the full extent of incompetence was laid bare for all to see.

We control the narrative, crafting a strategic spin on the events. After careful consideration, we decided to frame the incident as a terrorist ambush, orchestrated to coincide with the attempted kidnapping of Lady Sautereau.

While the narrative spin offered a strategic advantage, keeping Lady Sautereau clean and blaming the terrorist for a kidnapping that everyone will believe. it also carried the potential for unforeseen consequences, both for our mission and our relationships with those involved.

Before we exited the car, I leaned in to the Minister, explaining why I believed this plan was our best course of action. By framing the incident as a terrorist ambush, we could effectively disguise the soldiers' failures and maintain public confidence in our security forces.

Our personal team of security detail scanned the area with practiced precision, forming a tactical circle a few feet away, each member facing outward with unwavering focus. Armed and alert, they communicated silently through hand signals and earpieces, a well-oiled machine ready to defend at a moment's notice.

Approaching the soldiers gathered at the perimeter, I felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins, Sara must be calming herself against the mounting pressure. This is where I can shape the narrative, to spin a tale of heroism and valor in the face of adversity.

Sara requested the commanding officer, to join me for a discussion. He jogged over, offering a crisp salute. "Ahmed, reporting!". Sara took a sigh before addressing the problem, "Ahmed, what happened?" she asked

"Apologies, Minister," Ahmed replied, his tone respectful but tinged with concern. "I have reprimanded the men, one failed to adhere to trigger discipline. His finger slipped, discharging his rifle, Ma'am."

"One negligent discharge turns into automatic fire… and turns into this goddamn shit show!" Her voice echoed with frustration, each word laced with anger and disappointment.

Pulling out my phone, I dialed the number for our Ministry and was greeted with a crisp, professional voice. 'Hello, Defense Minister's office,' came the response.

"Rami, I need you to pull up everything we have on the checkpoint commander at Bravo Romeo involved in the incident," I commanded, tone urgent.

Right away, Ma'am," Rami replied, her voice brisk before setting down the phone turning her attention to the task at hand. She navigated the depths of the Ministry's database, retrieving Commander Ahmed's file and pulling up the details of his career and family.

Rami held back the phone and divulge the information to me, "Ahmed, 32, season military officer since the previous regime, some distinguished service spanning over a decade. Two children, wife, parents and Grandparents. No other income. Just him supporting his family."

Sara rubs her head in frustration thinking how to suppress this before this turns into a riot, "Minister Sara," Ahmed began, his voice measured but tinged with a hint of uncertainty, "I intend to compile a report that accurately depicts the events at the checkpoint."

"Commander," Minister Sara interjected with an authoritative voice that was not heard since her Athena years, "I trust you understand the gravity of the situation. And I trust we… understand each other?"

His eyes widened slightly at my words, a glimmer of fear flickering in their depths. He knew as well as I did the power the Minister held, the influence she wielded within the highest echelons of authority.

"Minister Sara," he stammered, his voice faltering, "I... I assure you, I'll do everything in my power to ensure the report aligns with your expectations."

But his assurances were not enough. Sara needed more than words; needed his unwavering compliance, his absolute allegiance. With that cue, I went up to the Minister and whispered the information provided from HQ for that one last push.

She nodded with the last information before turning back to the Commander.