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After a few months, Waldemar makes a second declaration, now deciding to
call his new righthand man by his real name, instead of Audrey Husk. He only
initially called him that on accident as a Freudian slip. To save face, he
claimed that it was simply another way for him to exert his power. It
worked. It worked so well. It was trivial and meaningless, but it has
sparked passion in his followers’ hearts and minds. Because it means that
Waldemar is in total control of everything, no matter how small. If he says
something, it’s true. He could tell them he doesn’t have a butthole, and
they would believe it. That’s exactly what he needs, so changing the name
back was no big deal, because in many people’s eyes, he no longer needs a
reason to do anything.
So that solves the problem of his true loyalists, but not everyone else. The
secret is out. Now everyone has heard that he intends to be the first
captain to break the twenty-four year barrier. He ended up not being able to
trust everyone in his circles, and the rest of the ship found out. Of
course, many just don’t believe it, and that’s the story he’s spinning, but
this will make him a liar when he actually does follow through with the
plan. It won’t matter, though. If it starts a war, it starts a war. He’ll
survive either way. If he has to rebuild society from scratch, fine. He’ll
be immortal. He’ll have time.”
He’s now in a strategy meeting with Faramund Tensil, formerly known as
Audrey Husk, formerly known as Faramund Tensil. He needs a plan to assuage
any anxiety people have over the very true rumor that Waldemar will be a
two-term captain.
Faramund shrugs with his face. “You don’t need to do that. You can lean into
it.”
“What do you mean?” Waldemar has come to trust this man more than anyone
because he’s like the emotional version of Waldemar. He knows how people
think and feel, but he also doesn’t care about it, which makes him a
master manipulator.
“What we need to do now is confirm everyone’s fears. I know what you’re
thinking, they’ll start fighting you. And it’s true, if you stand up there
alone and make your claims, that’s exactly what they’ll do. But we can stop
them from standing up if they think someone is already standing up
for them.” He smirks, letting that sit for a moment. “We need to
build an opposition base for you. Make it loud, make it articulate, but keep
it small. If we don’t want the people rising up, we need to give them a
champion. We won’t be controlling this person, or their limited team. All
they need is a profound grasp of law, so they can continue to assure the
public that you can’t be captain for more than twenty-four years. This will
calm them. They’ll think they’re safe.”
“But then I’ll keep contradicting it?” That doesn’t make any sense to
Waldemar.
“Yes, because you’re kind of silly,” Faramund explains. “You’re getting old,
and you’re leaning on your advisors more. Have a couple of health
scares—nothing too serious; just enough for people to not take you too
literally. Make up some other lies that are more difficult to believe, or
which can be proven untrue. Say that this is already your second
term, and you’re going for the turkey. Tell ‘em we’re living on a planet;
whatever. Over time, your credibility will drop. They will grow desensitized
to your nonsense. Meanwhile, your loyalists will keep trusting you, because
they love you...because you reward them. When there is no voting, all you
need are the loyalists.”
Waldemar thinks about it. “Strangely, I think I get what you’re saying now.
People hate liars; that’s a known fact. If I make myself crazy, then I’m not
lying, I’m just mistaken. And when what I say turns out to be true, it won’t
be my fault.”
“Exactly,” Faramund agrees. “It’ll be a natural consequence; out of your
hands.”
Waldemar smiles. “Let’s do it. Write me a speech. Make me sound like an
idiot.”
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