Thirty-Four #2
Anand nodded. “If we were to have that much space and that much water, I wonder if we’d waste it on stuff like that, bringing back ancient games. Or if we’d stick with what we know because it’s what we’re used to.”
SoCon GasPro won the game.
“What a bunch of fucking amateurs,” Anand exclaimed in disgust. “My guys, not yours. We handed that game to you. Makes me wonder whether they’re any good in their regular jobs, if they make that many mistakes on the court.
I tell you what: We’re going to meet in the All-Division Cup finals, believe it. ”
Martim did not envy the losing players, having to suffer defeat and then go back to work the next day to face angry and disappointed colleagues in their divisions.
“Oh, I believe it,” Martim assured Anand.
“You have some young guys who’re going to make the difference if they can open a path for the wingers. You’ll get us back, I’m sure.”
Anand cracked another beer. “I’d like to say your client’s got the Board nomination in the bag, but unfortunately, it’s not so simple. The confirmation hearings are going to be contentious.”
Now that it suited Anand, the shift in conversation was instantaneous.
Choosing to meet at the arena, making Martim sit through an entire futsal game, plying him with beer and small talk and wasting his time—perhaps it had all been a way to establish an unequal relationship, to subtly put Martim in his place and to remind him that even if Director Uchi was a Company darling on a vertical career trajectory, he still had a ways to go to be among the true elite. We can make you wait.
“Where are we at, in terms of support?” Martim asked.
“Here’s the thing.” Anand tipped the last of the kettle corn into his mouth.
“Sandbar Uchi has the Executive’s confidence and all the terraformists backing him.
But we need the vote of at least twelve others from among the independents and moderate reunionists.
And that’s where it gets tough, because the big-Es will do everything they can to prevent another little-E from being confirmed, and Uchi has some very public, very controversial knocks against him. ”
“The investigation cleared him of any wrongdoing,” Martim reminded the other atier.
Anand raised his beer in Martim’s direction.
“Congratulations again, by the way. Very nice work handling that whole situation. It would’ve been suspicious if no damaging evidence was found, but there were just enough ambiguous recordings and meeting transcripts that a weak case could be made.
You’ve got a good head for this work, for someone so young. ”
Martim wasn’t sure if the compliment was meant to be backhanded or not. “Thanks.”
“But let’s not kid ourselves,” Anand said soberly.
“No matter the result of the official hearing, our enemies are going to capitalize on any perceived weaknesses in your client’s record.
There’s also the fact that Sandbar Uchi’s awfully young to be nominated to the Board, let alone confirmed.
Hell, he’s not even in second stage yet. ”
“He’d consider going through the Process sooner, if he felt he had enough support from the Board for it to mean something. Lately, though…” Martim gave the other atier a questioning look. “My client’s getting the sense that there might be some hesitancy from his allies.”
“I’m not getting that sense at all,” Anand said innocently. “We’re with you all the way. The gas production divisions need to stick together.”
“Director Sullivan hasn’t been returning my client’s calls.”
“It’s been a busy time,” Anand said. “For you guys, especially. We didn’t want to get in the way or be seen as meddling in your division during the Company investigation.”
Bullshit. More like you didn’t want to be associating with us, in case we went down in flames.
“Just be honest with me, Anand. You know how much I value your advice. I’m still new to this job and don’t really know what I’m doing yet, so I’m grateful to be able to count on you as an ally.
You’re practically a second mentor to me. ”
That was laying it on a bit thick, but the Puppetmaster accepted the flattery with an indulgent smile.
Martim pressed, “Tell me, what do we need to do here? My client’s in as strong a position as any nominee in the last century. No one’s grown a division as fast as he has or made as many contributions to scientific and political advancements in the terraforming field.”
“Sure, sure, but here’s the thing.” Anand sucked his teeth thoughtfully, his eyes resting somewhere just to the right of Martim’s face. “This might not be the right time to force a confirmation vote.”
“Why not?”
“The fifth centennial year is coming up. That’s a big Company milestone and people are doing a lot of soul-searching, strategic visioning, agenda setting, whatever you want to call it in Companyspeak.
The Executive is going to have to think about naming a successor soon.
There are going to be some consequential issues to be voted on in the 500th Annual General Meeting, which means that any new members to the Board will shift the balance of power. ”
“In our favor,” Martim pointed out.
“In the long run, sure,” Anand said, “but your client’s a polarizing figure, now more than ever.
If he’s nominated, it could galvanize the reunionists.
There are already extremists trying to kill him—absolutely despicable, by the way, what happened.
Are you sure you and your client want to be exposed to more risk?
You’re his atier, you’ve got to think about his safety first.”
The Puppetmaster’s eyes were boring through him, judging, assessing, trying to manipulate him. Martim adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves, considering.
“My advice? Wait a bit,” Anand went on. “Not long, maybe two or three years. Your client’s barely seventy, he’s got plenty of time.
Let the kerfuffle over Field 93 die down.
The spacehead divisions are busy fighting each other in a civil war right now; why distract them from it by giving them a common enemy?
Let them go after each other and we’ll see how it shakes out and who we’re going to have to deal with when the dust settles.
As much as we could use another strong terraformist voice on the Board, maybe now’s not the right time to rock the boat.
After the centennial, things will be a lot clearer. ”
Martim hesitated, then nodded. “I see your point.”
“Good, good, I knew you would, you’re a bright kid with a promising future.
” Anand gave him a close-lipped smile. “You let your client know that he has NorCon’s full support.
That hasn’t changed one bit. Like I said, gas production—we might duke it out on the futsal pitch, but at the end of the day, we’re on the same team.
If we play this right, we can make sure he sails through the confirmation. When the time’s right.”
“And what if he thinks the right time is now?” Martim made sure to sound uncertain. “You know my client. When he gets his mind set on something, he goes after it. I can talk to him, but I don’t have the same kind of influence that you do.”
Anand spread his hands. “I get that. You asked for my advice, so I’m giving it to you. Just consider it, is all I’m saying. If he’s still determined to get onto the Board this year, I can’t be sure we’ll have all the votes we need, but of course, we’ll back him.”
You’re very good, Anand , Martim thought, at talking out of both sides of your mouth.
An incoming message chimed in his pocket—only urgent ones from Uchi’s office were set to that particular tone.
He pulled out his screen and glanced at it.
The message had come from Thea, asking him to call her back as soon as possible.
Martim’s heart lurched with apprehension. Director Uchi was supposed to be undergoing a follow-up medical examination this afternoon, on account of the concussion symptoms he’d experienced in the weeks after the attack on his field car. Had something gone wrong?
“Looks like I’ve got to go, unfortunately,” he said, standing.
Anand remained seated, eyeing him curiously. “Everything all right?”
“Yeah, just need to get back to work. You know how clients are. This was very helpful, though—having this chat in person. I appreciate you making the time, and inviting me up to the suite. It was great to watch the game together, especially with this view.”
Anand stood up unhurriedly and extended his hand with an expression that suggested he could read the younger atier’s anxiety clear as day.
Martim had always suspected the Puppetmaster of being dangerous and cunning; now he made it a point to look the older man in the eye confidently and return his handshake firmly. Don’t show weakness to a predator.
“Let’s stay in touch,” Anand said. “I’m always here to help.”