The Tables Turned

POV - Jordan Nelson

[Day 2, March 2002, 7am]

With the Governor calling the kid as he day dream, I cleared my throat, breaking the tense silence that hung heavy in the room. All eyes turned to me, expectant and weary, as I addressed the Governor, a forkful of food halfway to my mouth.

"Governor," I began between bites, my voice steady, "do we have any updates from the blacksite? Has there been any new information regarding the situation?"

The Governor's gaze hardened, his expression guarded as he considered his response. "I'm afraid not, Interior Minister," he replied, his tone disappointed. "The General's intelligence operatives are working tirelessly, but as of yet, we have not received any significant developments."

I nodded, taking another bite before speaking again, the taste of the food mingling with the bitterness of the situation. "We cannot afford to wait idly by," I pressed, as I continued to chew my food, my mind raced with ideas. 

"Governor," I interjected, my tone eager, "while we await further developments from the blacksite, I propose we take proactive measures to address some of the underlying issues contributing to our current situation."

The Governor raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Go on, Interior Minister," he urged. 

With the Governor's interest piqued, my aim was to undermine that woman. Her lack of progress in developing the military had become a sore point in recent discussions. This is a good opportunity to highlight her shortcomings.

"I suggest we initiate a proposal to create a comprehensive census," I explained, my words quickening with excitement. "By gathering detailed demographic data, we can better understand the needs and concerns of our citizens, thereby improving our ability to address security threats and maintain stability."

The Governor nodded thoughtfully, considering my proposal. "That's an intriguing idea," he mused. "But how do you propose we implement such a census?"

"We can allocate resources to train and equip local authorities to conduct the census," I suggested.

"Additionally, I believe it's time we seriously consider establishing a dedicated police force to maintain law and order within our borders. With proper training and oversight, they can play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of our citizens."

The Governor stroked his chin thoughtfully, weighing the merits of my proposal. "It's certainly a bold initiative," he acknowledged. "But I'll need to review your proposal in more detail before making any decisions. In the meantime, continue refining your plan and gather support from your colleagues."

I nodded eagerly, already envisioning the impact such measures could have on our society. "Of course, Governor," I replied, "The proposal was already in the works before the situation was called."

"As we embark on these ambitious initiatives," I continued, my voice gaining momentum, "I must also stress the importance of securing additional funding. With a comprehensive census and the establishment of a dedicated police force, our financial needs will undoubtedly increase."

The Governor nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful. "Indeed, Interior Minister," he conceded. "I understand the necessity of adequate funding for these endeavors. I will instruct the Finance Ministry to review our budget allocations and make the necessary adjustments."

I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the Governor's receptiveness to my proposal. "Thank you, Governor," I replied, my tone sincere. "With your support, I am confident that we can make significant strides towards a safer and more prosperous future for our nation."

The Governor's nod was slow and deliberate, his eyes fixed on that woman. It was clear that my words were being used to spotlight her failures. Her discomfort was visible, her jaw clenched in frustration as I braced for the inevitable humiliation.

"As we allocate resources," the Governor continued, his gaze lingering pointedly on the Defense Minister, "we must ensure that every penny is spent wisely. We cannot afford to tolerate inefficiency or incompetence, especially in matters as crucial as national defense."

As the meeting progressed, I continued to subtly push my agenda forward, all the while casting a shadow of doubt over that woman's abilities. The subtle digs continued to fly, and it seems her patience is wearing thin. I smirked.

But as she rose to her feet, her voice ringing out with authority, I couldn't help but scoff inwardly. Who did she think she was, challenging us like this? It was clear to me that her gender had clouded her judgment, making her believe she could compete in a man's world.

"Enough," she declared, her tone commanding the attention of everyone in the room. "I will not stand idly by while my integrity and dedication to my role are called into question."

I rolled my eyes, barely able to conceal my contempt. It was typical of her to resort to such theatrics, using her femininity as a shield to deflect criticism. But I knew better than to let her get under my skin.

"I have overseen the setup and recruitment of 5000 men," she stated firmly, her gaze locking with mine. "These are at least 4 battalions worth of fighting men and these soldiers are undergoing rigorous training, and I have every confidence that they will be ready to defend our nation when called upon."

As she continued to defend herself with unwavering determination, I couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration. It was clear that she had no place in a position of authority, let alone in the male-dominated world of politics.

"What about you Minister, how many men have you recruited? Or are you still at the planning stage?" She said wittily

With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I realized that the tables had turned. In my quest to gain the upper hand, I had unwittingly humiliated myself in front of my colleagues.

And as the meeting drew to a close, I couldn't help but shake my head in disbelief. That woman may have won this round, but I knew that her victory was nothing more than a fluke. After all, in a world where strength and cunning were prized above all else, a woman's place was on the sidelines, not at the forefront of power.