Valerya was standing at the grand square hall, one of the most magnificent halls in the empire. From what Davys had told her previously, the last Meneer conference was held in the palace itself. She wore all black like all the other security personnel there. Trained warriors, they even walked like they could kill with just a flick of the wrist. Valerya felt unskilled in front of them, considering the fact that they were at the very least, third maestros. She raised her head high and stood dutifully behind Davys, as he and the president welcomed the divisions' leaders.
It started from level one. As each man entered the room, he walked to the president, got on his knees, and kissed his open palm as a sort of subservience. If the president touched the tips of his fingers on their chin, they would take it as their cue to stand up. As they stood up, they placed both hands on their chest, greeting the president, before turning to the first son and also greeting him verbally.
Valerya noted that as the levels increased, the clothes of the divisions' leaders became shabbier, and their greetings much longer. For the last person, the tenth leader from level three, the president kept him on his knees for a few minutes before signalling him to stand up. It was a way to let them know their place, Valerya believed.
After each man was welcomed, the president took his seat at the podium. The first son, prime minister and some other dignitaries were seated as well. Every other leader sat on the main floor, the seats positioned more backwards with decreasing importance. Valerya with a few other security personnel stayed well at the back of the podium, invincible, but on guard in case anything went wrong.
The president addressed the crowd, his voice raised clearly. "Siakes diadem osmore friyam requiem," he said, and everyone repeated the same. Holograms watched each person closely, ensuring everyone said the words clearly. Muttering or not saying the words correctly would be considered a sign of rebellion.
He began his speech and all the leaders listened attentively. Valerya noticed Sebastian standing a few paces from her and moved to join him. He nodded at her and she did the same. When preparations were ongoing they frequently came in contact with each other. Valerya noted that he was clean-shaven and very professionally dressed, but he had dark circles around his eyes which betrayed how tired he actually was. He looked tense as usual, and Valerya knew that he wouldn't be able to relax until the conference was well over. They both turned back to listen to the president.
President Marjan made an impassioned speech about values and the need to make the empire greater, as well as respect law and order. Valerya was almost moved to tears. When he was done, questions were thrown at him, which he charismatically answered.
"President Marjan, I have a request," a leader from level three said. The president gestured for him to go ahead and the leader got on his knees, as was the custom when anyone spoke to the president at the Meneer conference.
"Mr. President my people are starving. They are dying on the streets like dogs. You promised us at the conference last year that you would give us some proton beams and salt which we mine, at least to trade with to be able to feed. If my people keep dying as the starvation gets worse, they can't be of benefit to you. And also, they wouldn't be able to fulfil their potential in making the empire greater. Please hear me, Mr. President," the leader says.
"Your people?" the president asked coldly. The man knew he had made a fatal error and retracted instantly. "My sincerest apologies, Mr. President, I'm only a servant," he said as he prostrated on the floor. The president stared at him with contempt in his eyes but apparently forgave him because he told the man to stand up.
"I will review your request," he said. The man hurriedly sat back in his chair. Valerya knew the president would in fact not review anything the man had requested, and she felt a certain type of way about it. She felt a little bad for the level three citizens, but she knew the president must have his reasons. After all, the empire was always right.
The president reviewed a lot of issues, from trade and economics to war and politics. Valerya noticed that no matter what was discussed, level three was at the receiving end. They were the most in population, but the least resources were allocated to them. They were the most uneducated, but the budget allotted to them for education was almost nonexistent.
Hours later Valerya was tired of standing but didn't show it. Everyone else seemed perfectly right in their position. She stole a glance at Sebastian, and he returned the look. He seemed to feel the same way she was, and they shared a smile.
Valerya couldn't tell what happened from one moment to the next as a shot rang out. There was chaos as the president's security rushed to cover him. Her only priority was Davys. She made a move to him but was surprised by a strong body ramming into her and pushing her to the ground. It was Davys. In a minute part of her mind, she considered the irony of it all. She was to protect him, but here he was, protecting her.
After about a minute, everyone seemed to know that the danger was clear. He got off from her and the president's security surrounded him and moved to take him out of the hall. Another shot rang out, and Davys tackled her yet again. Valerya couldn't understand. She had thought the windows and doors were bulletproof, so the shooter would have to be in the building somehow.
As Davys got up, there was a terrified yell from one of the leaders as he pointed at the president. Valerya turned to look and felt dread settle in the pit of her stomach. The president lay face down on the floor, blood pooling around him. He had been shot at the back of his head.