Page 81 of No Time Off

“None of this is on your shoulders, Prime Minister,” Slash said. “We know exactly who’s responsible, and we’re about to bring them down.”

On that somber note, Slash and I squeezed into the empty chairs. Manny poured more coffee and made tea for the others before we began to discuss the final details of the plan.

Rangi spoke first. “Lexi and Slash have updated me on the latest developments. Maivia is a lying, conniving piece of rubbish. And the Chinese…don’t even get me started.”

“Liko Maivia will be tried for his part in this deception,” Petra said, her eyes steely. “We’re in full agreement on that.”

“The coup has to end first,” Slash said in a quiet tone that grabbed everyone’s attention. “We’ve assembled the mechanisms to reduce their advantage, but we can’t change people’s minds. Only you can do that, Petra.”

She nodded. “I’m ready. What do you want me to do?”

“The populace needs to hear from you,” Slash continued. “Directly from you. They need to know you have not resigned and you’re fighting back against this illegal seizure of power.”

“I agree,” Rangi said. “But how is she going to that? She can’t just show up in a parking lot or in front of a government building. She’ll be dragged away, arrested, or even shot, and there’s no guarantee anyone would even see her or hear what she has to say.”

Slash leaned forward on the table. “Lexi and I have created a plan to get the prime minister’s message out across the islands. Petra, you’ll be happy to know we now have control of your social media, the government website, and both your official and personal accounts. We intend to use them to blast out a video of you speaking the truth about what’s happening and who’s responsible for the coup. Lexi has also identified the internet feed that sends the television signal here to the other islands, and we can interrupt that and replace it with your video, too.”

“You hacked all that…already?” Petra asked, stunned.

“Us and some friends,” I said. “Close friends, who are really, really good at what they do.”

“Apparently, so,” she replied, clearly astonished. “I don’t know how to thank you for all you’ve done. But what video of me are you talking about?”

I held up my phone. “The video we’re about to record.”

Petra took a moment to take it all in. “Ah, okay. While I’m fully appreciative and ready to record that video, I’m still in shock about how quickly you managed to wrest control of my online accounts from the plotters. Do you think the video will be enough?”

“What do you mean?” Slash asked.

“My biggest concern is, not everyone will see my social media accounts or the government webpages. And even if you now control my official email, how many people will really see it or believe it’s actually from me?”

“All valid points,” Slash admitted. “We certainly can’t reach everyone, but if we reach a critical mass, hopefully the word will spread.”

Rangi rubbed his temples, clearly trying to think it through. “I have a question. What’s stopping Maivia and his team from taking down the internet altogether once they realize they can’t control her accounts anymore? If they shut down the internet, they could twist the narrative somehow. Say her video is fake or AI-generated or something like that.”

“That’s certainly a risk.” I noted, “But the word will have gotten out, and they’ll no longer have the sole narrative. If they take the internet down after that, it will only look worse for them.”

Petra stood. “I think we’re underestimating the Chinese and this Jiang Shi person. Slash’s escape and my video will push them to extremes. They’re not going to care what peoplemightthink. They’ll blame the internet outage on sabotage by the American terrorists and simply leave the internet down until they can find us and regain control. Plus, what would prevent them from importing hundreds of additional Chinese police at the request of the acting prime minister to help them restore order? We can’t give them that time or opportunity.”

“Then what do you suggest, Prime Minister?” Slash asked.

She began to pace the kitchen, thinking. “My initial video will set the stage and confirm, for some at least, I haven’t resigned and am still fighting. However, a video made in a secret location doesn’t present the image of a courageous leader who fully intends to rouse the people to oust Maivia and the Chinese. They need to see me live on television. That’s where I’ll have the greatest reach here and throughout the other islands.”

“Live television?” Rangi gasped, astonished. “That’s suicide, Petra. Not to mention, the television station is tightly guarded for exactly that reason. It’s the one place they’ll have guarded the most except for the airport. Even if we got in, the police and the Chinese will know exactly where you are. And, in case you forgot, the television station is on the opposite side of the island. Just getting there would be dangerous.”

“It’s all dangerous, Rangi,” I said. “But no more dangerous than continuing to stay on the run from Maivia and Shi’s goons. It’s not ideal, but at least it forces a public showdown—a showdown where we control the narrative.”

Petra patted his hand. “Rangi, I know and appreciate your concern. But Lexi is right. There is danger all around us. I need to speak directly to the people—live—so they know I’m here to defend them and our country. It shows them that if I’m willing to resist, they can, too.”

Henry considered and then rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t typically interfere with my wife’s work, but I stand by her on this. Live television is a risky move, but I agree the payoff could be high. To overturn this injustice, our citizens need clear, succinct communications and leadership.” He turned to his wife. “That leadership must come from you if you’re to succeed. You’re the glue that holds us together.”

Petra gave her husband a grateful look before her gaze fell on Manny. “Manny, what do you think?”

Manny set his coffee mug on the table with a thump and sighed. “Storming a guarded television station isn’t my idea of a good time whatsoever. It’s risky, dangerous, and bloody mental from an operational perspective, if I’m being honest. I’d offer a saner alternative, if only I had one.”

Rangi pointed at Manny. “Finally, the voice of reason.”

“However,” Manny continued, drawing out the word slowly, “I think the kids and Henry are right. You’re the best weapon we have, Petra, which is why Maivia is desperate to find you. He’s scared. But the longer you’re on the run, the harder it will be to unseat them.”

---