Perfect World Somewhere

Chapter 21

The legislators from Pruessia arrived on a cool, breezy day.

She slipped the wristcom into the inner pocket of her coveralls, having removed it from its hiding place the night before.

Fru Haeveka fetched her after the drill, with four drivers following in close formation.

"Lily Fairpoole. Come with me, please."

"Is it time for the trial?"

The caretaker nodded. "Much is at stake today. I'm coming along, to endorse you before the council."

A large transport van waited outside the dorm. They climbed in the back seat, and the robots sprinted alongside.

It was her first time visiting the administrative zone, with its lofty buildings and teeming squares.

The transport parked before an expansive terrace.

They scaled the wide concrete steps. A peculiar bronze sculpture of fused geometric columns decorated the middle of the circular pavilion. Crowds of officers, troopers, and robots went about their business. All of them wore the black uniform and red symbol of the Kaezer, with each unique style denoting their role and rank.

The bureaucratic hall was called Polneitenzal. It rose in an imposing edifice of concrete and reflective glass. At twenty stories, it occupied most of the plaza.

The few buildings which survived Black Sky Day had been redeveloped for the Kaezer. She wondered what Polneitenzal was previously. Perhaps it had been a city hall, a business headquarters, or a hotel. Regardless of its past, it was now the seat of all that controlled her life.

She felt small as she passed through the arched doors, and into the hectic foyer. The security guards scanned her at the chamber entrance, then led her inside.

The huge room seemed chilly, though warm sunlight poured through the elongated windows. All around, on banners and murals, the fist of the homeland upheld a brandished sword, and a bold-toothed gear wheel. Proud portraits of Hir Wilhauf Kaezer, and his father, Hir Anzelvik Kaezer, gloated from above.

A round dais was positioned at the center, with gleaming steps trimmed in brass surrounding it. Upon it stood a monolithic stone desk, formed of unadorned black marble slabs. Three uniformed men sat there, with dour expressions and stiff postures.

A panel of at least twenty screens towered over the room, with a stern, unfriendly face displayed in each. These men and women were all connected live via the great leader's satellite network, staring in a way that seemed to already condemn.

Lily sat next to Fru Haeveka on a hard, uncomfortable bench.

Daddy hunched nearby, the chrome and brass components of his visual aid agleam in the morning light. The detached man beside him was his warden.

The hearing began promptly with the tick of the hour, and the thud of the gavel.

There were many names to remember, and everyone spoke rapid Pruessian. She had to concentrate to understand.

The chairman called each attending officer and council member to recite their credentials, a process which lasted over an hour.

She felt restless, after sitting for so long.

They called Daddy to witness first.

He stood with his head and shoulders thrown back, undaunted.

The presiding chairman had several layers of chin, tufted silver brows, and an assertive waxed mustache. "Civilian, state your full name and age," he said.