Divide and conquer, deceive to prosper

[Char Aznable]

Nika Haupt

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Politics is the art to direct the masses - not where it wants to go, but where it has to go.

A quote that she remembered from years of education, but until now hadn't really accepted as truth for herself. Now, she pretty much had to accept it. Was she certain that her plan would work? No, far from it actually. But it was her only chance to get out of this alive.
While Grunwald read out the accusations and began listing the actual cases in detail, Nika turned her head and mustered the people in the room.

There was Oberst Jana Achen, one of her accusers. The way she understood it, Oberst Achen had very recently switched alignments from the Eistochterist camp. A turncoat, a wildcard. Something to consider, should her plan succeed.
Professor Rorken. The Sparrow, the one that was responsible for all this mess. Nika shuddered thinking over all the hassle this man had caused, but after all, for him it had to look like he had to protect his people.
The deputy party leader, Grunwald. He had just finished his speech and given the word to the main accuser, seating himself and leaning back a bit. One of the few people that did not choose a side in the divide that was cutting clear through the united front of the Bundschuh, Grunwald had always appeared as a weasel to Nika. A politician, through and through.
And then, of course, the empty seat of Freya Eistochter, who for this trial sat behind her, on the witness bank. An enigma for her, driven by ambition and conviction. One of the few people in here who actually had Nika's respect. Even so... She was dangerous. Ambitious and ruthless, Freya would not hesitate to throw her under the bus. One more reason to go through with this.

She straightened her back, hid her fear and doubts and tried to look as calm as possible. The stage was set, the actors were in place. The play was about to begin, and her part was the one that would decide if it would become a tragedy or not.