With less than a week to go before the referendum, Yensid Media had organised several parades across the largest cities in most districts. The biggest parade was to be held in the Capital City. The parades were to consist of floats exhibiting what the future could look like if the next generation of children were geniuses. Duffo and Marlon were to be featured on the first float. They were to be playing the music for Saliyah’s and Ginger’s new song.
Walking alongside the parade and closest to the crowd would be all of Yensid Media’s most popular actors, singers, entertainers, and comedians. All of them would be spreading the message about the wonders of intelligence. Some of the first batch of trained enforcers would also be marching in the parade. They would be showing off their new uniforms as well as their new weapons.
Two days before the parade, James invited Saliyah to his office. He did so on the premise of discussing the parade.
‘Saliyah, it’s absolutely wonderful to see you,’ said James as Saliyah walked into his office. ‘It’s been too long.’
‘It really has, hasn’t it,’ replied Saliyah. ‘Life as the governor’s wife has distanced me from our crazy world.’
‘Surely you don’t miss those long road trips!’ exclaimed James as he ushered Saliyah to a seat in front of his desk.
‘It offered a unique bonding experience,’ replied Saliyah as she sat down. ‘You can’t do that when the trip to the venue is less than twenty minutes.’
‘Are you talking about those card games we used to play?’ chuckled James as he took his seat on the other side of the desk.
‘You were scared of losing, so we bet with bottle caps,’ giggled Saliyah.
‘If I won, I’d look like the mean boss who essentially made you play for free,’ replied James. ‘If I lost, well, I just don’t like parting with coins. So really, bottle caps were the safe and sensible alternative.’
‘Safe and sensible,’ said Saliyah, shaking her head. ‘That doesn’t sound like you.’
‘Indeed,’ said James as he smiled and nodded. ‘So how are the rehearsals going for the parade?’
‘Oh, it’s something different,’ replied Saliyah. ‘The babies are so talented. Marlon can do this mad drum solo. Everyone is going to want babies like these.’
They continued to discuss the parade for another half hour. Saliyah excitedly explained every element she was involved with.
‘Sounds fantastic!’ exclaimed James. ‘It’s hard to imagine anyone voting against the serum. You are playing your role magnificently. I would be lost without your creative input.’
‘I wouldn’t be anything if you hadn’t found me in that horrible place in Agriah,’ replied Saliyah.
James sighed and nodded.
‘Was there another reason you invited me here?’ asked Saliyah.
‘You are as perceptive as always,’ replied James.
‘I’ve become familiar with your body language,’ said Saliyah as she leaned forward on his desk.
‘I’m a little bothered by the meeting with Sanguine,’ said James.
‘Just because you weren’t there doesn’t mean something went wrong,’ joked Saliyah. ‘You saw the video of him coming and going.’
‘I should have been there, or at least in Ryan’s ear,’ said James. ‘Sanguine’s known for his cunning.’
‘His conditions for the meeting were clear. Ryan was right to honour them,’ replied Saliyah firmly. ‘You have to trust…. You have to trust me.’
‘So, he was fine with the cottage?’ asked James. ‘No resistance at all.’
‘Not exactly, but I remedied the problem,’ replied Saliyah.
‘How exactly did you do that?’ asked James, sounding a little concerned.
‘I convinced Ryan to offer his son the job of Head Enforcer,’ replied Saliyah.
James initially cringed. Then he began drumming his fingers on his desk.
‘He had little interest in a cottage,’ said Saliyah firmly. ‘We needed to give him something he valued, or else… well, he has a thousand North Guards. Rather than have them turn against us, we might as well have them help us.’
‘Okay, I see,’ said James. ‘You did well. We don’t need conflict. When the time is right, we’ll dispose of the fool.’
‘That’s a bit nasty,’ replied Saliyah. ‘What if he’s loyal?’
‘I’m sure he is loyal, loyal to his father,’ chuckled James.
Saliyah sighed.
‘I’m glad you are able to positively influence Ryan,’ remarked James.
‘We’re a team,’ replied Saliyah. ‘We make decisions together.’
James smiled.
‘He’s an amazing and devoted husband,’ said Saliyah as she grinned. ‘I have him completely wrapped around my finger.’
‘Does that make you the unofficial governor?’ asked James as he continued to smile.
Saliyah got out of her seat and walked around to James. ‘No, it just allows you to be the unofficial governor,’ replied Saliyah as she placed her hands on his armrests.
‘In exchange, you will be immortalised as the greatest singer and entertainer this continent will ever see,’ replied James as he looked up at Saliyah.
She smiled broadly back at him.
Two days later, the parades went off without a hitch. The crowds in the Capital City chanted Duffo’s and Marlon’s names as the parade went in a giant loop around the city. There was a very positive atmosphere. It was almost as if the referendum had been decided.
In the West District, the philosophers and theologists gathered on a hill to watch the parade. They knew they could not match the speed Yensid Media could push a particular agenda, but they knew in the long run they could better position themselves to influence the masses.
Meanwhile, all the enforcer trainees had been relocated to the area near Waldo’s cottage. Thousands of tents had been erected to accommodate them. Waldo went out on his quad bike in an attempt to subtly observe what they were doing. Percival, the Deputy Captain of the North Guards, noticed him.
‘Chief Waldo!’ called out Percival. ‘Would you like to inspect some of our trainees?’
Waldo climbed off his quad bike and walked towards Percival.
‘Inspecting guards,’ said Waldo as he puffed his chest out. ‘That’s my thing.’
Percival turned towards a group who were training nearby. He screamed at them to fall in line. They dropped what they were doing and sprinted to stand at attention.
‘For your pleasure, sir,’ said Percival as he stood by Waldo’s side.
Waldo gave the guards double thumbs-up gestures as he walked past them.
‘Most of these enforcers will be operational by the time of the Pound Ball Grand Final,’ said Percival.
‘Pound Ball Grand Final, that is one heck of a spectacle,’ said Waldo enthusiastically. ‘James and his brother know how to put on a show.’
‘Almost as good as they are at committing treason,’ said Percival as they reached the end of the line.
‘Arrgghh!’ exclaimed Waldo as his hair stood up like porcupine spikes. ‘Stabeth da Waldo. There were eight on the field. Eight, I tell you.’
‘We’ll be keeping a close eye on him,’ said the Percival as he turned to face Waldo. ‘We, from the North, never let perpetrators go unpunished.’
‘You sound like my type of guy,’ said Waldo as calmness quickly returned to him. ‘I’ll organise a picnic for your crack troops.’
‘That’s most generous of you, chief,’ said Percival as he bowed his head slightly. He turned around and ordered the enforcers to return to training.
Waldo walked back to his quad bike. He hopped on it and thoughtfully looked across the lake. ‘The dastardliness of this conspiracy grows by the minute,’ grumbled Waldo to himself. ‘I will exact my revenge.’
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 
