Chapter 21: Bearing the Burden
POV - Governor CAL
[Day 2, March 2002, 9am]
As the scene unfolded before me, my heart clenched with concern at the sight of Shaav, one of my Ministers, doubled over in a fit of coughing. The mood in the room was grim as my advisors sprang into action, summoning medical assistance.
Shaav's deathly cough slowly became distant but as I stood before my Ministers and the General, the weight of the situation bearing down on me like a crushing burden, I found myself paralyzed by indecision.
As the discussion surged around me, my senses overwhelmed by the barrage of voices and plans being thrown about, I felt a sudden, suffocating pressure building in my chest. My ears rang with a deafening roar, drowning out the words of my advisors, while my vision blurred into a haze of indistinct shapes and colors.
"Manhunt," the word echoed through the cacophony, a sharp jolt to my senses that cut through the fog of my thoughts. Panic clawed at me, threatening to pull me under, as the enormity of the task ahead loomed before me.
Desperate for a moment of respite, a chance to gather my thoughts amidst the chaos, I raised my voice, holding my arms out, shouting. "WAIT!" dozens of times. I called out, my words echoing through the room with a force that silenced the commotion.
The Ministers and the General expressed a mix of concern and confusion, but I paid them little mind. All I could think of was the need to carve out a moment of solitude, a brief reprieve from the overwhelming weight of my responsibilities.
With trembling hands, I pressed my palms against my temples, willing the pounding in my head to subside. I closed my eyes tightly, blocking out the world around me as I fought to regain control over my racing thoughts.
For a fleeting moment, the chaos of the room faded into the background, replaced by a semblance of peace and quiet. And in that brief respite, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the challenges that lay ahead.
I regained some semblance of control back as the urgency of the situation pressed upon me, my vision tunneled in on the Interior Minister. With a sharp gesture, I pointed directly at him, my voice cutting through the din of the room. "You, go," I commanded, my tone firm and weary.
The Interior Minister, taken aback by the sudden directive, nodded in acknowledgment, his expression serious as he prepared to present his suggestion to the group. Without hesitation he addressed the assembled Ministers and the General.
"I still have some contact with retired policemen and we can coordinate closely with the police force in the region to bolster our number," Jordan suggested, his tone decisive. "They know the local terrain and communities better than anyone. With their assistance and the dozens of men under their expertise, we can cover more ground and increase our chances of locating Lady Sautereau."
With a weary nod, I acknowledged the Interior Minister's initiative. "Good," I managed to utter, my voice strained with exhaustion. It was all I could muster in that moment, the weight of my fatigue bearing down heavily upon me.
The Defense Minister weighed in, "I can deploy my men to key strategic locations," she offered. "With 5000 trainees at our disposal, we can establish checkpoints and secure the perimeter, ensuring that Lady Sautereau has nowhere to run."
With a heavy sigh, I acknowledged the Defense Minister's proposal. "Okay," I rasped, my voice tinged with weariness. The weight of my exhaustion hung heavy in the air, each word a struggle to articulate. Nevertheless, I nodded in agreement, my movements sluggish and labored. It was all I could do to convey my assent, the exhaustion threatening to overwhelm me entirely.
As the General proposed the addition of UAVs and satellite images to our operation, a glimmer of hope flickered within me. Despite the heavy weight of exhaustion that pressed down upon me, his suggestion offered a ray of optimism in the darkness of our situation.
"UAVs and satellite images," I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper, as I struggled to process his words. With a nod of agreement, I acknowledged the General's suggestion, grateful for his insight and foresight in proposing such a strategy. "Yes," I murmured, my voice barely audible, "that could be... beneficial."
The General outlined his plan that this will be a local operation, emphasizing the importance of morale and unity, I found myself nodding in agreement. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, I was heartened by the solidarity of our team, united in our determination to see this mission through to its conclusion.
As the weight of the day's decisions bore down upon me, I felt my strength waning with each passing moment. Waves of exhaustion washed over me, threatening to pull me under, as the toll of sleepless nights and relentless stress exacted its toll as I loosen my tie.
With a trembling hand pressed against my mouth, I felt a sudden surge of nausea welling up from deep within. The room spun around me, blurred shapes and colors swirling in a dizzying whirlwind as I struggled to maintain my composure.
But as the pressure in my chest reached a crescendo, I knew that I could hold on no longer. With a desperate gasp, I lurched forward, retching violently as my stomach rebelled against the overwhelming fatigue.
Bile rose in my throat, burning like acid as it spilled forth, a bitter reminder of the heavy burden I carried. Each heave was a painful reminder of the toll that leadership exacted, both physical and emotional, and I could do little more than cling to the edge of consciousness as the sickness wracked my body.
As the last of the vomit subsided, leaving me weak and trembling in its wake, I felt a sense of shame wash over me. To falter in such a way, to succumb to weakness in front of my Ministers and colleagues, was a bitter blow to my pride.
The road ahead would be dark and treacherous. This is not a game anymore.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
MrCAL
MrCAL His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy. There's vomit on his sweater already, mom's spaghetti
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone