7 INTERLUDE; the Cabalists

He felt his mouth move but his mind was not following the words spoken. Ηe was looking around making sure the attention of the attendees was steadily getting discouraged for following his boring, long and arduous speech. And true enough the speech he prepared was taking effect. Few heads were still turned towards him and even they seemed to not really listen to him, his chance was there and Dario was not going to waste it, he reached his finger to the rear of his helmet he found the small switch and turned it off, while at the same time rearranging his helmet followed by an uncomfortable gesture in an attempt to conceal what he just did. Few even noticed that action.

He almost sighed out loud, but his work was not done. A thought started repeating on his mind. The knowledge of his only leverage replayed again and again on his mind, till he finally felt it. The touch of minds, both of the representatives turned to him acknowledging what he just did. It felt weird but he fought the feeling of screaming out loud to make sure he was not dreaming.

He had the Reticuli's attention, their desire seemed to be exactly what he thought, and he felt a shiver down his spine when he noticed that they were also physically focused on him, their dark eyes piercing right through him. The message was as clear as he could make it, facility full of fresh DNA material. Make a deal. Almost instantly he felt the pressure on his mind peel off.

''And so I feel our offer should be considered, and possibly a future alliance, through our mutual commercial growth''. The Reticuli representatives bowed slightly towards his direction, few people gasped with genuine surprise on their faces. The reaction seemed more than any other got so far. Dario took his sit and tried to look calm despite the thrill he was experiencing. Some more sector leaders took a shot at forming a relationship with the Reticuli, Dario was content to sit back and ponder on his next move till the meeting was over, he looked at the cameras all around and hoped his family was watching, because he was about to make history.

His eyes turned to the night sky, projected by the ceilings indoor screen, stars tinkling. He didn't allow his focus to be disturbed so he rushed to leave from the public hearing building; small groups of people were near him, gathered around in the carpeted entrance. He passed through the waiting room full of its chandeliers and bright red outlined walls, but was stopped before reaching the main entrance where his driver was waiting patiently outside with his car ready to go. ''shall we speak for a minute?''. Dario turned to face the anxious Kessen. He could see it in his eyes that he was confused, by what transpired in the meeting.

''What do you want Kessen?'' Dario said surprisingly calm. He was scared of being discovered after the deception he pulled of moments earlier and Kessen was the most dangerous of them all, annoyingly perceptive and extremely cautious; Truly a textbook public communicator.

''I am not going to pretend that I have a full grasp on the situation, but you offered them a mutual vote, theirs from the council of twelve and ours from the federation, what you offered was hardly fair, or even enough '' His eyes were focused on Dario keeping his body still.

''I did not break any rules Kessen. So what are you trying to say kessen? Is my offer a problem for you?''

''I have no right to comment on your political stand, but I must have a full grasp of the situation, I am a public communicator, so what did I miss Dario?'' And there it was; the question Dario feared. He hesitated for a moment.

''You missed nothing Kessen, it is what it is, I studied the Reticuli thoroughly it wasn't a fluke'' He turned to move towards the car '' I am going to the office, have a good night'' he said without turning back.

He saw Kessen in the rearview mirror of his car, smacking his lips in frustration.

His driver had the car's door open for him remotely, closing it behind him, without even standing up from his seat. A big sigh of relief echoed in the back sit of the car. Dario's job was not over yet. He would either face the repercussions to come or he would be made into a hero.

The office complex was almost as big as the public hearing building. But it stood apart from the rest of skyscrapers that decorated the domed Capital of Sector 1. The bluish transparent windows made of glass and steel, and the staircase like oval offices that run around the building in a circling manner.

He stepped out from the elevator, moving alongside the hall leading to the southeast of the 21rst floor, were his office was located. The interior of the massive office complex was like a labyrinth. One can very easily get lost in there. Dario though, had walked these offices hundreds of time by now. His shoes hitting the marble, was the only sound in the floor, it was too late for anyone to be here at this hour, he saw forgotten lights from some old fashioned lamps hanging around the walled offices of the employees.

Public buildings like that were still using some remnants of old technology. He walked towards one of them to look at it closely, its small delicate wires, enveloped around to one another; no one was burning oil or coal these days so wired electric conducts were no longer used, when you could use remote ones.

Dario suddenly jumped up, looking behind him; his mind must have played a trick on him because he was almost certain that a sound came from his office. He slowly walked to his office's entrance; he used his thump to pass the first level of security, few seconds later a retina scanner popped from behind the print pad. The security measures were put in place to make sure no other than himself and his public communicator can enter his office uninvited.

The door opened revealing his small wooden desk, overflown with various papers, the back lights-dim as they were- revealed the old man sitting on his chair. White hair trimmed to perfection, his white beard elegant as it was added to his poise. Despite his years his frame was intimidating, his silver suit covering his muscled back and arms. He seemed absorbed in papers before him, Dario was never that messy, and that man was clearly going through his belongings. He reigned in his anger as the man looked up, finally acknowledging Dario's presence.

Dario's face lighted up as he recognized the man ''Ex-president Sabek''. He exclaimed

''Indeed'' he said smiling, putting the papers he was holding aside, ''I am assuming you know the purpose of my visit, you must have expected someone to come, well not me specifically I imagine''. He got up and started wandering around the office.

''So you already realized what I was trying to do'' Dario answered carefully whilst reclaiming his sit at his desk.

''Hah, what kind of an organization would that make us if we didn't, I do have a lot of questions to ask you, before we move our topic of conversation to a more delicate matter, but first, a celebration is in order'' Sabek opened Dario's cabinet pulling out an old La'cher a 80 year old wine he was keeping. Dario did not protest the fact that this wine cost more than his salary. Sabek used the bottle screw to open up the bottle in a swift motion and put two glasses in the middle of the desk pouring the wine carefully. ''To a successful negotiation above expectations'' The glasses clinked and Dario took a careful sip out of his own glass.

''mmm that's a good wine if I ever tasted one'' Sabek said a taking a sit on the guest chair. He intertwined his fingers staring at Dario.

''Now a good question would be, how did you know of our existence?''

Dario relaxed back into his reclined sit before answering ''it is simple logistics isn't it? Our world government right now seem to have not being able to adapt any serious foreign policy, the fact that we weren't attacked yet or taken advantage meant only two things, first we had some powerful allies and secondly there was someone interacting with those allies keeping the relationships kindled''. Dario wondered for a second, was his answer too political and vague? He didn't have the leisure to screw this up. If this man was testing him he had to keep lying. Surprisingly Sabek cracked up a smile.

''So political already Dario, you astonish me. I wonder what you would have done if there was no one to support the maddening deal you proposed to the reticuli. What you would have done if the deal fell of, the risk was immense, despite your apparent lack of knowledge, is it correct to assume you are a madman Dario?''

Dario finished appreciating his drink and took a good look at Sabek, unable to utter a word. And then Sabek got up and begun to walk around brazenly without even looking at him and began to speak again.

''You see Dario, we were watching you, a man like you giving up everything you have achieved academically only to come to this dead end job, and yet our interest in you did not flaunter through the past two years and that despite our best efforts we would be unable to predict your actions at the meeting. I must say bravo'' and started clapping. Dario's head started feeling weird, his neck was tightening, and with every clap small shooting pains started coming up his body. He got up surprised at what was happening '' You are so foolish, you think you pull of a stunt like that and suddenly you get an invite to the big table, is that right?'' He felt his throat with his fingers, scratching the back of it, it tightened, was he going into shock?

''What did you do?'' he managed to whisper grasping the table to stabilize himself, ''what did you use?''

Sabek looked at his watch '' you have about 5 to 10 minutes of qualitative life remaining, but don't let me take away the mystery of a discovery, you are a scientist so you tell me''.

Dario's face converted in a fearful mask ''you gave me Sarin? You...''.His sentence cut of as another episode of painful muscle contractions started hammering him.

''excellent guess, now we can have a serious talk, what did you say to them Dario? What could you have possibly promised to them to consider an alliance?''

Dario managed to put up a small sarcastic smile before another episode hit him; he managed to sit back behind his desk holding on barely.

''Ah, you must think that you hold a bargaining chip, you think it would be impossible for us to find out without you? You mean nothing to us; even your death won't affect the rest of the negotiations. Despite that I was just giving you a chance to be honest with me for a change. What could they possibly want?''

Dario looked back and Sabek, while his life was slipping away, what did he want? Could he really have done everything for nothing, to die like a dog? His mind was working as fast as possible. ''I… gave them not what they wanted. I gave them what they needed; DNA.''

''And where could you possibly… wait a minute'' Sabek stopped his pacing to look at the dying man across him. ''you mean fresh one don't you? You know about the facility in sector 2.5 of course'' He said reveling at his discovery. ''but how did you know about it? Who told you of its existence? I must presume whoever told you, was your source of information for our existence as well.'' He waited excitedly for Dario to speak but his mouth opened only for throwing up blood. He looked at Sabek steadily.

Sabek laughed once again loudly '' Now you undoubtedly hold a leverage, how unexpected, here'' He said placing a small bottle with a liquid inside, ''your salvation, speak and you shall be saved''. But Dario did not move, if I am going to die I don't want to take anyone else with me I dug my own grave alright. ''You wonder if I am lying to you?''

''Oh no, I believe you'' Dario said.

''Then are you a fool? Take it; it's yours all you have to do is speak a name to save your godamn life''. Sabek said with intensity, while placing his hands on the table, protectively around the bottle.

Suddenly on his last moments Dario realized it. If it wasn't for Sabek's outburst he would have missed it. All along he had two options; Fail and live or fail and die. But maybe there was a third option.

''Hey, maybe the next man that would utilize the source would have less gratifying wishes than me'' he whispered. Sabek looked at him almost disgusted. Had he won? He wasn't sure of the answer to that as he was fading; the last movement his consciousness marked was falling from his chair towards the floor.