Season 03 - Episode 18

‘know that how’

“...and finally...” says Syl, scanning through her notes. “Oh yes, The Order of The Future have all been executed. The Church has displayed their bodies throughout The Offside as a warning, saying that they were collaborating with us.”

“Not Offside,” says Ste, not looking up from the pile of reports in front of him.

“What?” asks Syl, looking up at her boss, confused.

“There is no 'Offside', Syl,” says Ste wearily. “You know that.”

“Oh,” says Syl, rolling her eyes. “Sure, sorry. They've displayed the bodies throughout the Temporarily Occupied Territories.”

“Thank you,” says Ste.

“Were they though?” asks Syl.

“Were who what?” asks Ste absently.

“The Order of the Future,” she says. “Were they working for us?”

“You know I can't tell you that,” Ste sighs.

A dusty silence settles between them while Syl stares at the top of Ste's head.

“Otherwise it's just more of the same,” she says. “The Church's accusations of EnFo's wallbusting are gaining ground with the public. They do kind of have a point there.”

“Syl!” snaps Ste, finally looking up at her. “The Church are nothing but religious zealots and terrorists. They don't have a point about anything!”

“No I know, I know,” says Syl quickly. “But surely, blowing up walls could cause a collapse right? Technically they're right about that so, I just mean, should we be doing it?”

“We must use any means necessary to end this war as quickly as possible,” says Ste, trotting our well practiced words. “The cost of allowing the war to drag on would be greater and besides, it's exactly the kind of thing they would do to us.”

“They haven't though,” says Syl. “Have they?”

“Well,” says Ste, uncomfortably. “No, not yet. But it's only a matter of time, I'm sure.”

“Alright,” says Syl, waving the point away. “There was something else actually.”

“Mm?” says Ste.

“All our production reports are in the green,” she says.

“Good,” says Ste, nodding.

“But all our front line services are struggling for resources,” she continues. “When I was down at The Collapse the other day, the EnFo sergeant I was talking to said...”

“These little walkabouts of yours have to stop, Syl!” says Ste, looking up again, now with a pained expression. “We're not supposed to leave the secure area, you know that.”

“How else do you think I get my information, Ste?” says Syl. “But anyway, something's not right. All this equipment and food is being manufactured but it's not reaching the people who need it. So where's it all going?”

“Syl!” Ste whines, looking almost as if he might cry. “I've told you about this before. These are not questions for us to ask. We are corporate servants and our role is to...”

“Oh you know what, Ste?” says Syl, standing as her blood flashes hot. “I've had just about enough of this! What are you going to do? Sack me for asking questions? Well maybe I'll just quit and take my chances. Good luck keeping track of the Orders without me.”

“Well, now, just hang on...” Ste gabbles desperately, suddenly wide eyed. “Let's not make any rash decisions here. I understand your concerns, I really do and your conscience does you credit Syl, it always has. I'll tell you what, leave this with me and I'll... I'll... see what I can find out for you, yes?”

Syl looks into the old man's wobbling eyes for a moment and is surprised to find deep, genuine fear there. He knows something, something that truly frightens him.

“Ok, Ste,” she says, slowly sitting back down without taking her eyes off him. “Sure, sure. You do that.”

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