"Is that a joke, young master?" The maid asked, her face stoic. "Or are you maybe a masochit. I must admit, watching you trying to go against your father in argument might be interesting... but it would be pretty one sided." Jacob was not sure if she was stating a fact or being sarcastic. "No, I will be accompanying you and reporting to your father. I am also to contact you with the agent that will help you in solving... this unpleasantness."
"I see. Having you as a chaperone kinda goes against me being on 'my own', but whatever, I always liked you, so you're welcome to join me." He smiles. "Also, you really don't have to call me 'young master'. Anyway, are you introducing me to them right now? If so, lead the way."
"I am to report. That's all." She paused. "As you wish young Master, follow me, young Master." Allessa brought Jacob to one of conference rooms. There, he saw a female, watching a live transmission from the events - the riots, She turned to face him. "Talia Levine." She introduced herself as she extended her hand. He was not sure if he should shake it, or kiss it.
Jacob just sighs at her words, before following along. Seeing the woman, Jacob gives her hand a firm shake. "Jacob Delisle. Nice to meet you."
As he shook her hand, Jacob could feel her calculating sight on him. "I sincerely doubt it, considering why you are meeting me in the first place." She waved in the direction of the TV. "Have you thought about how you would like to deal with this... situation?" She asked as she sat down. Alessa stayed by the door, not commenting, only watching.
"Well, I have a recording of what happened that night. I made it, so my pilot wouldn't get in trouble for leaving me down there - that's what I ordered her to do, though she disobeyed - but I didn't turn it off while things were transpiring. I was thinking of releasing the audio - giving the people the true story, and letting them decide how to think." He says, idealistically.
"Let's see it." Talia said. As she and Jacob watched it, she started making a few notes. When the video finished, she stayed silent - as she checked her notes, and continued making new ones. "Your idea, will not work." She stated bluntly. "Letting people decide how to think? Without control of narrative and media, you will be ripped apart. Your opponents will easily manipulate the scene and show what they desire to show." She stated.
"That's...cynical." Jacob frowns. "I don't think you're giving the people enough credit. But okay, what would you suggest?"
"It's politics. The one who controls the information - wins. Truth, doesn't matter if it's not told, told partially or misinterpreted. There are a couple of things we could do." She started. "First, we need to take control of narration, before anyone else. We will need to tell story our way. Second, we will need someone to blame. The organisers of marches, the rioters, your pilot - they all are possible scapegoats. Third, you need to lay low for some time - no other jumps that would bring public's attention to your person... ah, you were wounded in the event, and have to spend time healing. No interviews. We might present you as a victim of violent rioters." She paused. "That... will not be enough. The thing will probably end in front of a committee. We will need to distract the public..."
Jacob sighs. "Fine. Alright, with the first, I guess we could release the tape specifically to news outlets that are aligned with us, and will report the story our way? 'Rioters attack veteran', rather than 'senator starts riot', that kind of thing?" He thinks. "Secondly, I mean, the march organisers and rioters are to blame, so scapegoating them isn't even lying. The pilot is off limits, I won't allow any harm to come to her. As for the third, I can lay low. But, won't the public think I'm a coward if I hide?" He shrugs. "How do you suggest distracting the public?"
Talia shook her head. "No. We can't just release the information and allow commentary. We need to control how it's presented and what is presented. We will edit the recording, to make sure there was no doubt about who is to blame. And we will find someone to present that narrative." She bit her lip, but did not comment on the subject of Chloe. Talia looked at her pad. "How to dirsact the public?" She smiled. "Of course, by giving them a hot news that would take away their attention from the current mess. A scandal - one involving money, sex and powerful people." Her smile was almost shark like. "After all, people love when the powerful fall... they yearn for it."
Jacob bristles at the idea of tampering with the evidence, but sighs and nods. "Okay, but... I don't know how to make a scandal. Or, one that brings someone else down, at least. Who are we talking about?"
"Hm... someone famous enough to take away all attention from you. Preferable good looking and sexy." She paused. "A famous actor or senator... hmm..." she turned to look at Jacob. "Do you have someone in mind?" She asked curiously.
"Il like to avoid working in Sanctum Mesa where the situation is unstable at least in the beginning . If these deals work good we might work here as well "Says Blake
"Fell good? I highly doubt it." Challote said as she started skipping through the datapad. "Hmm... Daughters of Illium. Asari revolutionary group, trying to establish the independence of planet Illium, from Asari Republics." She started reading. "The Crimson Shift - remnants of dictatorial, still actively trying to rebuild their power base. Most active on former dictatorial worlds, but were not reported on Sanctum Mesa." "The Abolition Rebellion - rebels on planet Rvax. They try to take down the monarchy." Symania added. "The Ethereal Reformation - a group trying to abolish slavery on Ti'vok planet." "The Chained Coup." Charlotte continued. "A group trying to establish patriarchate and slavery... " She paused and looked at Blake. "There are tons of those groups. Stop us when something catches your attention."
Blake ponders over the options before responding"Lets see Daughters of Illium promising stuff ,The Crimson Shift a little dangerous but still has some promise ,The Ethereal Reformation very promising , now these 3 what have they done since they were founded "
"I do, just, isn't this really...dishonorable? Hurting someone else's career?" He sighs. "Senator Fairfax. He's famous and handsome, and I've met him more than once. Plus, he's involved in shady dealings with drugs and slaves, so I won't feel too bad. I, uh, know his wife, too. She doesn't like him at all - might be willing to help us." Lady Fairfax is the wife of Senator Fairfax, though they've been publically seperated for many years. Though she's not a politician herself, she's one of Sanctum Mesa's most famous socialites. Dragged along to society parties as a teenager, Jacob met Lady Fairfax several times, and every time she teased him relentlessly, flirting and touching him to drive him crazy. The last time they met, at a farewell party thrown for Jacob on the eve of his recruitment in Sanctum Mesa's military, she requested that Jacob 'show her the decor upstairs'. Jacob tries desperately not to blush and get a hard on at the thought of what he and the noblewoman would have gotten up to, if Alessa hadn't interrupted them before they go upstairs, telling Jacob that he had to go make a speech.
Symania nodded and started checking the information through the datapad. "Daughters of Illium - based and limited to planet Illium. Mostly identified as a group of young rebellious maidens. The organisation seems to be small and anarchistic in it's actions. Not really taken seriously by the government. Their actions mostly include protests and property damage... huh. Recently there must have been some change, because they are attributed a kidnaping." As Symania finished, Charlotte continued. "The Crimson Shift - those guys are more organised, bigger and more dangerous. Abductions, assassinations, torture, terrorists actions... they seem to be a dangerous group. They are also known for their actions against non-humans. The organisation seems to be large, but divided. There seem to be many groups trying to take leadership. The organisation spams over many planets." Chalotte checked something on the pad, then continued. "The Ethereal Reformation - based on planet Ti'vok, in one of the state on the planet - Naedour Dynasty. They have been active for a decade now and are quite good at keeping their heads down. They mostly free slaves, but became famous recently, when they managed to assassinate one of bigger slave owners - princess of the ruling dynasty - and raise most of her slave in the open revolt. That short uprising was bloodily suppressed."
Talia turned to the pad and started scrolling the information. "Senator Fairfax... already under investigation and his reputation is not that stellar. He is famous, true, but unpopular... his scanadal would not be of that much of a surprise..." She continued scrolling the section, frowning. "Truthfully, his wife would be a better target... any scandal involving her, would certainly garner more attention..." She said idly, as she continued scrolling through the information, studying it immensely.
"She's always been... Well, if not good to me, then civil. And she doesn't seem to be a bad person. I don't want to hurt her." Jacob shakes his head. "Maybe Lady Fairfax will know a better target?"
