Chapter 41
Titto’s Conscience
Nina sometimes brought useful information to Veron, such as reporting some doing the gangs selling cocaine behind Veron’s eyes, or reporting some assassination secretly done. Not all information was accurate, but it was very useful to Veron to manage the local communities from rising against the regime. But Veron felt like a lab rat under Nina. Also, as her power rose, Veron could not help himself from being afraid of losing everything he owns.
He was glad that Karl responded to his request and left the institution to search for Nina Polchinski. Although Veron refused to meet with Karl, Titto seemed to handle things well.
Karl Wolff was infamous even among the most notorious and sickly criminals inside Cassandra because he is known as the person who eats the babies. He became famous long time ago in the small provincial town inside Cassandra. At that time the town was upside down because the child was kidnapped. All the townspeople came out looking for the missing baby, with shotguns and other farming tools. Later in the night, they’ve found one man sitting in the barn. The farmers, who were mad, screamed to put his hand in the air. When he turned around, however, they were frozen at the spot. What they saw was the bloody man with the baby whose head was gone. The sight was so horrifying that they dropped their weapons and ran away.
The rumor spread. “There is horrifying fiend among us! Like that old count, who sucks the blood out of beautiful women, and leave her in a lifeless form. This monster does it to the children!” Because of this monstrous act, even Veron refused to do anything with him. He kept a distance until now, when he became desperate to protect the regime.
Veron was with the fortune teller now, who was telling Veron to get rid of Titto because he is a coward and will betray him eventually. But he didn’t quite want to get rid of Titto because he was too useful; instead he talked about getting rid of Nina Polchinski. The fortune teller made a disturbing giggle like a rat and said that Veron should sacrifice his wife at the altar at the time of next full moon. Veron swore to the fortune teller that he will do it. After this, the fortune teller talked about Nina, listening to this, Veron said,
“You mean Nina is seeking revenge?” Veron blinked his small eyes.
“Oh yes, definitely, look at that fragile figure! I mean look at all this stuff? She is overdoing it, definitely,” said the fortune teller, with her freaky giggle.
“So, are you suggesting that Nina is alive just to kill me?” said Veron, angrily, but afraid.
“Yes, so remove her now!” she exclaimed.
“So what you do suggest?” said Veron.
“Use a dummy, of course! Lure her in by promoting her to the better position!” screeched the fortune teller, her eyes bulging out with a red vein. “And we will make a complete fool out of Ms. Polchinski! If she takes bait, we kill her there.” she laughed with her high pitched voice.
After this, the fortune teller left, leaving Veron alone with the rock in his chamber, he muttered to himself that,
“Nina, that heartless bitch schemes very well. Every choice she makes chokes me as if I’m plugged in. I’m becoming paranoid. I want some merry drinks which makes me forget about these things. I fear her…” said he.
Veron wasn’t feeling well. He felt a discomfort in his chest recently, like something clogged inside, making him difficult to breathe. Melady and his wife are still in the cell; he heard that Melady stopped eating and she cries all day long.
“Maybe this is due to stress,” he thought to himself. And he drank his finest wine he got from the foreign land. But he felt a sharp chest pain and spat out the wine on the floor.
He suddenly got furious at Nina, yelling that this was all her fault. He threw the wine bottle on the floor and shouted with anger. And he coughed, he felt like he was slowly drowning. He kept saying “it’s just a stress, it’s just a stress. I’ve been too worried about this stuff,” he murmured. And Titto came in.
“I’ve heard a noise, are you all right?” said Titto, plainly, not quite the concerning tone. “You know your son is doing well in the institution. But I think it would be the best if you rest for a while.”
Veron looked at him, not hearing what he said.
“Right… where is Melady? I’ve got to see her! Does she ready to apologize to me yet?” said Veron, his eyes bulging out.
“No, I haven’t heard her for a long time. She is having a hard time, so please be merciful. Oh your wife asked that…”
Suddenly Veron threw the wine glass at Titto. The glass broke, shattered on his head and the drop of blood came down.
“You are useless, I’ll go myself,” said Veron, his bluish lips quivering with anger.
Titto silenced, wiping his face with his sleeves. Veron left the room, Titto regretted of dealing with Veron in the first place. Thought he would change someday, if he could persuade him to be better. He had a faintest hope that even if Cassandra cannot become the democratic nation he can at least lead to a right direction. But all was no use; he stepped into the wrong road. Titto glanced at the shattered glass. He groaned and sunk down on the chair.
He couldn’t concentrate for a while, thinking about fleeing the country. Not only because of Veron but as he was disturbed at the briefing he had in the morning. Something was not right about Polchinski’s move. Suddenly, Valentine walked in.
“My lady…” said Titto, surprised at her. “How did you...?”
“Well, my husband is raping a girl in a cell, I guess he needed a private time, so I slipped out of the cell,” said Valentine, trembling with sorrow and reproach.
“He’s losing it, my lady,” said Titto.
“We’ve got to do something Titto. People are fleeing this country after they saw the merciless killing on the square. Maybe it is best for me to contact Nina,” said Valentine.
Titto didn’t believe what he just heard; he was amazed but continued calmly.
“My lady, if Veron finds out, he will kill you,” said Titto.
“I don’t want my people to suffer no more, Titto,” she said.
Titto stared at Valentine. Her face was full of deep wrinkles due to constant stress and sorrow. She looked extremely weak; he wouldn’t be surprised even if she collapses on the floor right at this moment.
“… Very well my lady. I’ll promptly arrange the meeting with Polchinski that might satisfy her needs. I might find some way to convince Veron to sit at the negotiation table,” said Titto, standing up.
“I thought you said she does not care about politics,” said Valentine.
“No she doesn’t, but we might create a stalemate,” said Titto, but Valentine shook her head.
“We will play by her rules. I’m asking you to surrender the database,” said Valentine, Titto felt his heart sank.
“No my lady, that is foolish, it will do no good,” said Titto, waving his hand.
“Can’t you trust her consultant? That she will do what is good for this country?” questioned Valentine.
“It’s hard to say my lady. The fact is that Veron slaughtered her whole family. And ever since she entered this world, her act is more like playing a game. She might be too young and immature, although her skills far exceed mine. Most I can say is that, there are no real reasons for her not to slaughter every single one of us,” said Titto.
Valentine eyes got watered, full of tears. She was struggling not to cry in front of Titto. She sniffed and with a determined tone she said,
“Send every data concerning him. If I die, I’m going to die here responsible for the blood that I’ve spilled. And go, consultant. I now release you from all duties. I’ll prepare the escape squad for you. Meet outside of headquarter; say you are on the way to the second fleet to examine the logistics. The squad will get you on the way. You will get into the black van and get out of here,” said Valentine.
“My lady…” murmured Titto.
“It is all arranged, Titto,” said Valentine and turned around, staring at the rock in the room.
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Titto nodded and left the room.
Titto was walking toward his car. he was looking at the soldiers cautiously. Few soldiers passed by, saluting at him. He went to the parking lot hurriedly got in and started the engine. He was very nervous; he took out few of his cigarette and lighted it. His hands were trembling, the fire danced in his palm. He breathed in the smoke and let out slowly. He drove the car and head to the gates.
The guards, wearing a white military cap and the golden tassel, stopped him, checking for the identification. Titto acted normal as possible, although he couldn’t do much about his heart racing.
They were taking more time than usual; saying that Colonel Schwend already went to check the logistic in the morning. One of the guard said he need to check the schedule again and the other guard was taking a phone call. Titto closed his eyes, sweating intensely.
“What is it?” said Titto, gulping.
“My orders are to take you, sir,” said the guard, his eyes beaming dangerously.
“Why?” said Titto, angrily, try to look innocent as possible.
“Orders sir,” said the guard.
“You take this car back to the parking lot,” said the guard, looking at the other guard. Titto had to get out of the car, and started walking with the guard. It was a short distance toward headquarter but it felt like a mile.
“Veron is in the cell visiting the prisoner, whose orders are you referring to?” said Titto, with authority in his voice.
“Directly from him sir,” said the guard. Titto eyes got narrowed, thinking whether this was a set up; he walked up the stairs and entered the chamber.
But when he got to Veron, he was sweating and panicking as if he didn’t know what to do. ‘Where is his dear fortune teller?’ thought Titto, looking at Veron. The guard saluted and left the chamber. Veron was grabbing Titto’s arm.
When he explained what happened, Titto was relieved that he wasn’t suspecting Titto’s escape.
“That Nina has done it Titto! All the army of Nina has moved! They are gone!” said Veron, panicking.
“What do you mean, she is gone?” said Titto with a confused look.
“The… the today is where everyone pays the homage to me! But Nina was not here, I’ve tried to locate her but her place was vacant!” yelled Veron.
“Did you dream about turtles and dragons again?” said Titto, tried very hard not to sound like sarcasm, Veron leered at Titto dangerously. Titto sensing danger, added, “I mean, turtles mean you will live long, because turtles live long? I… I mean I want you to live long, Emperor”
Suddenly, the fortune teller came into the chamber. Titto glimpsed at the fortune teller and merely ignored her.
“No! The whole place! Every place Nina worked, there are no sign of anyone!” shouted Veron, trembling, and hand him the paper he received from the briefing room.
Titto frowned at Veron, still unsure, and took the report. A moment later, he realized he just lost his opportunity to escape.
Titto acted coldly and swiftly, immediately advised Veron to take the command on the artillery and to defend the base. The fortune teller tried to tell Titto about something but he pushed her on the side and ran into the base.
Titto ordered the officers to gather every soldier in the square. He informed every military division to execute the first protocol in the wartime situation. He has seen the list of military generals captured, and reexamined the weak spot for the information leak.
It was massive army, they lined up like a swarm of ants. Veron was on the high tower. When all of them were gathered, Veron grabbed the microphone and spoke to his army.
“Today, gods spoke in my dream, that there are inconsiderable rebels who deceived us in this day and threatening our royal blood! They have to be put to death! This unforgivable act of pagans we shall exterminate! It is such an infamy such a tragedy of foolish and dishonorable citizens! We will kill them and punish them with our iron fists!”
They shouted the Emperor!