Gl’nsiel Frehsan had ably served in the Arrhazon legislature for 3 full five year terms; she was scheduled to start campaigning for her 4th term within a month, after the legislature recessed for election season.
Well liked, it was a virtual certainty she would be re-elected.
One of only 10 women who served in the single legislative house, one of 500 elected representatives; she had achieved a level of power unmatched by any other woman in Arrhazonan history. And she was viewed as one of the most honourable politicians on the planet.
Chair of the finance committee, she effectively controlled the purse strings of government precisely because of her reputation.
Gl’nsiel was chair; was a representative. That would soon be a memory.
In her hands she held her communications tablet. On the sheet metal thin screen, an official government document from the chief of government set election ground rules: women were no longer allowed to seek government office. In other words, this notice was to mockingly tell her ‘thank you for your service, now stay home.’
Gl’nsiel was unsurprised by the edict. She was surprised by the timing. It had been her hope countermeasures would have checked the moves Brellian was planning; she had underestimated him, he was moving way too fast. And she knew the broader implications of the changes, of her underestimation.
Two days ago she had been informed of a concert being held in Nenseru Woods. The event was to benefit Equal Rights, Equal Genders Society, and would feature a musician that was briefly the talk of the town for her graduation performance. Post graduation, she was quickly placed on a no play list.
Gl’nsiel had played it safe for too long; now she had little to lose. She would go to this concert, she would join this group. She would offer her organisational skill to the endeavour, and do all she could to counter this growing menace. The question she could not answer: could EREGS grow sufficiently powerful and do so sufficiently quickly as to counterbalance the power of a ruthless leader?
The old guard of which she would be considered a part would join with the younger folks, and start to mobilise their resources. “Don’t count me out yet” she defiantly thought, while activating her communications terminal.
Gl’nsiel had no illusions over whether this was a secure transmission, yet she also presumed that Brellian would not think her a threat, merely a nuisance to move aside. She would risk it.
She paced her room awaiting a connection. Finally a voice floated through the air, and an image formed on the screen.
“Hello, E’sphara” she reached out in greeting.
“Hellos to you Representative Frehsan,” E’sphara acknowledged the status of her old friend. “You are calling me about the concert, right?”
Gl’nsiel’s face reshaped into a projection of surprise. “You were always quite perceptive, E’sphara.”
“Heh, it pays to be aware of the things which might impact our lives, as I am pretty sure you are well aware, Gl’nsiel. What brought you to this decision today?”
Gl’nsiel spent a half hour outlining and then discussing the notice from Brellian. E’sphara expressed dismay, and they both recognised time and effort was absolutely critical. The concert was a risk, but if they were to get anywhere, if they were to have a chance, they had to risk a large gathering, get as many as possible involved and motivated.
Gl’nsiel had called E’sphara to gain her co-operation. What had played out was E’sphara gaining Gl’nsiel’s co-operation. Gl’nsiel smiled at the turnabout.
For her part, E’sphara recognised her success – and the fact she just gained one of the most formidable and talented organisers in the world, one with strong political connections. A committed Gl’nsiel was a huge coup for EREGS.
