Over a month had passed since Governor Ryan had announced the relocation offer to the residents of the North District. Almost all the residents responded to this call. The North District was almost completely abandoned. Governor Sanguine was both furious and devastated. For the first time in his life, he decided he needed to leave the North District.
A lone small car drove down the driveway to the Capital City Governor’s Palace. It stopped in front of the palace. The driver got out. He walked around to the back door. He opened it, and Sanguine got out. He did not look well. He was wearing his chief ceremonial outfit. He walked slowly up the steps. When he reached halfway up the steps, the front door opened. One of Ryan’s staff greeted him. He ushered him in. Then he led Sanguine to the official ceremonial room.
Two guards opened the doors to the ceremonial room. At the opposite end of the room, seated, were Ryan and his wife, Saliyah. A long red rug ran down the centre of the room. It led from the entrance to where Ryan and Saliyah were sitting. On either side of the room were Ryan’s personal guards. Sanguine walked down the carpet towards Ryan and Saliyah. He stopped about ten metres short of them.
‘I must thank you for honouring my wishes and the old way of the chiefs,’ said Sanguine as he pulled out his ceremonial sword and kneeled down before Ryan.
‘I appreciate and respect the old ways,’ replied Ryan. ‘It is the only dignified way for you to step down.’
Sanguine placed his sword in front of him. He then removed his headdress and placed it on top of the sword.
‘I have served the North for over half a century,’ said Sanguine as he bowed his head. ‘It has been my greatest honour. To see it abandoned causes me great pain.’
‘I understand how you feel,’ said Ryan. ‘With no private company taking over Alset’s operations, the North could not survive.’
‘I understand,’ replied Sanguine. ‘Your offer is a kindness. You are not to blame for what has happened.’
‘I can arrange for a cottage to be built in the countryside as a way of rewarding you for your many years of service,’ said Ryan.
‘I personally ask nothing from you,’ replied Sanguine. ‘It is my son that I am concerned for. He has been raised to be my successor. He has honourably led my guards for nearly twenty years. He has sacrificed much for no reward.’
‘Maybe he might like a cottage,’ replied Ryan as he pulled an awkward face.
‘My son does not desire material wealth,’ replied Sanguine. ‘He only desires to serve the good residents.’
Ryan frowned, and then he looked at Saliyah.
‘Oh, come on,’ said Saliyah. ‘You know we have something we can offer, and he sounds perfect for the role.’
‘Well, I don’t know,’ said Ryan. ‘I haven’t consulted James. He is very particular about being included in all decisions.’
‘When I was chief, I found my most loyal and greatest advisor was my wife,’ replied Sanguine as he began to shake slightly as a tear rolled down his face. ‘After I lost her, my judgement was never the same.’
‘I’m so sorry for your loss,’ replied Ryan as he turned to look at Saliyah, who was nodding.
‘I have recruited eight thousand enforcers,’ he said as he turned to face Sanguine. ‘I have another two thousand to recruit. They are currently in training. I have yet to name a Head Enforcer. Your son’s experience sounds like a perfect fit. It would also be my way of compensating him for lost opportunities in the North.’
‘That is indeed a generous offer,’ replied Sanguine as he looked up. ‘I have a thousand guards who can help train the new recruits.’
‘Brilliant,’ replied Ryan. ‘Your guards will become enforcers. That just leaves me with a thousand more to hire.’
‘You are most generous,’ said Sanguine as he slowly nodded his head.
Sanguine attempted to stand up but struggled. Ryan gestured to one of his guards to help him.
Sanguine removed his robe and handed it to the guard. The guard picked up Sanguine’s sword and headdress and handed them to Ryan.
‘I will not lie,’ said Ryan firmly. ‘I have heard terrible things about you. However, today you showed great humility. I will still grant you lands and will build you a cottage by Waldo’s lake. You deserve to retire in peace.’
Sanguine bowed his head and turned to leave. Ryan and Saliyah watched Sanguine leave the hall.
‘That was nothing like I expected,’ said Ryan as he turned to Saliyah. ‘He was nothing like James described.’
‘I’m happy there was no hostility,’ said Saliyah.
‘I’m happy to have you by my side,’ said Ryan as he held Saliyah’s hand.
‘Forever and always,’ replied Saliyah as she squeezed his hand.
Meanwhile, at the small lake next to Waldo’s cottage, the convoy of guards’ vehicles was arriving. Waldo stood by the window and watched the vehicles park in the large field in the lot next to his.
‘Those guards are from the North District,’ said Waldo as he turned to his wife, who was knitting him a jumper.
‘They’re probably here on holiday,’ replied his wife. ‘The North is unbearable this time of year. Those modern vehicles make travelling so much easier.’
‘I suspect something far more nefarious is occurring,’ said Waldo as he looked over at Twaldi, who was playing tennis with his son. ‘We must hold those who wish to usurp us close to our bosom.’
Waldo’s wife shrugged her shoulders and continued knitting.
The residents from the North District were settling into their new accommodation. Most of them were technicians from the Alset facility. They were delighted with the temporary accommodation. They were so happy. They decided they would perform a little dance in the neighbourhood square as a sign of gratitude to the residents. It was not long before a Yensid Media team arrived to film them.
James was sitting in his home office watching the technicians dance. He felt happy for them. Then his phone rang; it was Ryan. He was eagerly awaiting his call regarding the meeting. He was frustrated with Ryan because he insisted on honouring Sanguine’s request for a private abdication of power ceremony.
‘How did it go?’ asked James anxiously. ‘Did he make trouble?’
‘None at all,’ replied Ryan. ‘He relinquished his position of chief. He handed over his sword, hat, and robe.’
‘I bet he was furious,’ said James.
‘No,’ replied Ryan. ‘He seemed broken and old. I felt sorry for him.’
‘Don’t,’ responded James. ‘He’s garbage, and he’s gone.’
‘Yes, I suppose,’ said Ryan a little hesitantly. ‘I’ll send you the footage of him arriving and leaving. It’s obvious he’s no longer a threat.’
‘Well, he’s powerless now,’ said James.
‘You worry too much,’ replied Ryan. ‘Everything is going so well. I’m really getting the hang of the job. You don’t need to hold my hand.’
‘I’m only here to advise you,’ said James. ‘You are the governor.’
They ended the call. James was a little frustrated with how quickly Ryan’s confidence had grown. He was hoping that allowing him to handle Sanguine’s visit by himself would have humbled him, but it appeared to have had the opposite effect. He strongly believed he needed to reassess his approach to Ryan.
For now, James wanted to remain focused on promoting the serum for the upcoming referendum. The success of this campaign would demonstrate to Ryan that his advice was critical.
Locum had arrived back in Carrington after the debate. His condition had deteriorated further during the long road trip. He knew he had little time left to name his successor. Otherwise, it would default to his eldest son. The Hat Lady had also arrived in Carrington. She was concerned about Demadrian. The Alset family was unhappy about her presence, but Locum permitted it.
‘I know what you’re up to, and I don’t approve of this visit,’ said Hadrian angrily as he stood in front of the Hat Lady as she was about to enter the room Demadrian was being held in.
‘My relationship with your son is complicated,’ said the Hat Lady. ‘I care enough to risk coming here.’
‘When I’m in charge,’ said Hadrian firmly. ‘I’ll put an end to all this nonsense.’
‘Good for you,’ replied the Hat Lady as she became invisible.
A few seconds later, the door behind Hadrian opened and then quickly closed.
Hadrian quickly felt his pockets for the room key. It was not there. ‘Such disrespect. Utter disrespect,’ moaned Hadrian as he turned to look at the door.
Inside the room, Demadrian was huddled up in a corner, shaking.
‘Gosh, you’re really having a hard time,’ said the Hat Lady as she sat down next to him.
‘I deserve so much worse,’ said Demadrian as he looked at the Hat Lady.
‘It’s a little complicated, but when we consider all that has happened, I feel this is an appropriate level of suffering,’ replied the Hat Lady.
‘You drive me crazy,’ chuckled Demadrian.
Demadrian paused for a moment and took a deep breath. ‘Why did you betray me? Why are you working with James Yensid?’ he asked the Hat Lady.
‘I manipulated you because I needed inside information about your family,’ replied the Hat Lady. ‘I’m working with James because he is, well, was, the key to removing the chiefs from power.’
‘Giving power to James Yensid does not make things better,’ said Demadrian.
‘His power is conditional,’ replied the Hat Lady. ‘He’s only valuable to his selected governors in the face of opposition. For now, they stand uncontested. For as long as the residents remain happy, this will last. During this time, James will slowly lose his grip over them. This will frustrate him, and he will make mistakes.’
‘What do you... get out of all this?’ asked Demadrian.
‘I get to keep a promise,’ replied the Hat Lady. ‘I get to earn my name.’
‘That makes no sense,’ said Demadrian as he began banging his head. ‘I need the juice badly.’
The other members of the family had gathered in the lounge. Locum was about to announce his decision regarding who was to take over the family leadership and become head of their company.
‘I feel my time has come,’ said Locum, wheezing slightly. ‘I will not be here for much longer. Therefore, I have decided to make my intentions known while I still can.’
Hadrian sighed as he hung his head in shame.
‘We traditionally pass leadership down to the eldest child of the current head,’ said Locum as he looked at Hadrian. ‘I have decided to break from tradition. Leadership should not be determined by age. It should be determined by capability. But who should be the judge of that? I feel I have been removed from the daily operations of this family for too long to be able to make that decision. Therefore, I leave the decision with all of you.’
‘What are we to do? How do we make this decision?’ asked Phallia.
Locum shrugged his shoulders as a member of staff rolled him out of the lounge.
‘You heard what he said,’ said Hadrian. ‘He wants the most capable. Someone who can make good decisions, someone who has the respect of the family, and the courage to do what’s necessary when needed.’
The family began arguing about the criteria for who should be the leader. After almost an hour of debating, they decided they would determine the new leader based on a vote. They could vote for anyone other than themselves. They all scribbled a name on a piece of paper. They handed the pieces of paper to Hadrian, Hamish, and Phallia to count.
After they counted, the three looked at each other. Hadrian smiled a little. The other two looked a little perplexed.
‘Well, I didn’t expect this,’ whispered Hadrian to Hamish.
‘Well, I guess you better announce it,’ replied Hamish.
The others, except Hermon, who was clenching his fists and looking anxiously from side to side, appeared calm and relaxed.
Hadrian cleared his throat and said, ‘The new head of the family will be....’
Sapien Loop: Frozen in Time is the sequel to the book Sapien Loop: End of an Era. Sapien Loop: End of an Era is available on Amazon, in collection series on my 
