OOC: This continues the story of elections in Upper Virginia from this thread: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=436110&start=50
The Regent Hotel, Grosse Pointe
It was only as the elevator doors closed that Gwen Ubrecht realized that she was trapped. The security details assigned to protect her, as with all the other party leaders, had quietly and efficiently separated her from her own staff. Now it was just her and the security men in the elevator. She also realized at that moment that she did not recognize any of the detail; they were all new faces. Part of her admired the tradecraft. As a former urban guerrilla and mole, she appreciated how quietly and inconspicuously they had made their move.
Gwen fought the fight or flight urge she felt building along her spine. The men, whoever they were, seemed uninterested in taking any immediate action. This gave her time to plan and prepare. She was smoothing her jacket and surveying the situation when the elevator came to stop. She prepared herself and waited.
The doors of the elevator opened and, to her surprise, the Democratic Union’s new leader found herself not facing assassins or kidnappers, but the smiling face of the Dominion’s Commander of the Armed Forces. Although General Mildred Peterson was dressed in a casual civilian outfit, Gwen recognized her immediately. She also recognized the man standing behind Patterson - Richard Thorsen, the eminence grise behind Harrison’s coup against the Altman regime and now the long-serving head of Dominion intelligence.
“Good morning, Ms. Ubrecht,” Peterson said as she and Thorsen stepped onto the elevator. “I apologize for the dramatic entrance, but we wanted to speak with you privately and off-the-record.” The doors closed and elevator moved slightly, coming to a stop again between floors.
Ubrecht looked at Thorsen and nodded over her shoulder. “Your men, Richard?” Thorsen nodded his head once. “Good job.” She turned to Peterson. “This is a lot of effort for a chit-chat, General.” She gave a hollow, gallows smile. “What can I do for you?”
“Well,” Peterson began, “I’d first like to congratulate you on running a very efficient and successful campaign. You seem to the be the odds-on-favorite to be the next Prime Minister.” Gwen nodded her head slightly, but said nothing. “Unfortunately, your success is a source of anxiety to some.”
Gwen raised an eyebrow. “Really?” She asked in a mocking tone.
“The public may consider you the new face of the Democratic Union, Ms. Ubrecht, but some of us know that you were, in fact, a covert member of the FVLA and a mole in the Harrison administration.”
Ubrecht looked from Peterson to Thorsen. She should have expected he would have told the President and General Peterson. She turned back to Peterson with an expectant look.
“So,” Peterson continued, “I’ve come seeking assurances. And, perhaps, to offer assurances.”
“What assurance can I give you, General?” Ubrecht asked.
“Some of our people are concerned that you’re simply new branding for an old idea and that an electoral victory by the Democratic Union will be the end of democracy…,” the General began.
“I take it, then,” Ubrecht said smiling slightly, “that you’re looking for my assurance that we harbour no intentions of creating a ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’ or some such nonsense.” Ubrecht crossed her arms behind her back. “Alright then, here’s my assurance to you general: I may have been a revolutionary in my youth, but I’ve come of age in politics. I’m a wonk. I live and breathe policy and actually find polls interesting. I expect to win this election and the next and maybe the next one after that. Not because of any one party nonsense, but because my policies are right for the nation and the people see that. So, no, there will be suspension of elections, no moves against other parties, no dictatorship. Not from my side.”
“And the rest of the leadership?” Peterson asked, eyes narrowing.
“Chairman Marko is an old man, General. He wants to retire and enjoy a peaceful country. Perhaps live to see his statue raised in Courtland, next to Harrison’s as one of the ‘founding fathers’ of a new, peaceful Dominion. Most of the rest of the leadership is my generation. And will follow me.” Ubrecht gave a slight shrug and played at bashful smile. “Now, I will admit that some of the old guard, like Brian Ulman, who still dream of riding to power on a tank leading a phalanx of workers and farmers with their hammers, torches and pitchforks, but they are marginalised. We are pushing them out of power in the party and they’ll never even get a taste of power once we’re in government. You have my word on that.”
Peterson nodded and Gwen continued, “Now, General, what assurances to have for me?”
“Only this,” Peterson began, “the military will remain neutral. There will be no attempt to either prevent your election or remove you from power by any extra-constitutional means.”
Gwen smiled. “Given our country’s past history that’s no insignificant promise. I’ll hold you to it, General.” The socialist leader extended her hand.
Peterson took Ubrecht’s hand and gave it a firm shake. “And I will hold you to your pledge, Ms. Ubrecht.”
With a subtle look from Thorsen, the elevator lurched into motion and stopped on the next floor. The General and the Director of Intelligence stepped out and the elevator continued its journey to the lobby and its crowd of supporters.