“Someone will have to remind Mr. Nectar about the rules later on, and teach the moderators how to moderate. I’m sure I can arrange some training at Legion University if any of you are interested. Tuition is very affordable,” Felix said with a snicker.
The audience chuckled at that, joining Felix in his laughter.
“Now. I do support the guild. What I don’t support is the attitude, or current procedures. Had the jail been constructed outside the city, none of this would have happened with a jail break. I’d like to ask them why it was built in the city to begin with. Was it for the convenience of the heroes? I’m fairly certain they’re paid quite well by the guild to be heroes. I can’t imagine they’re not able to afford bus fare or a car?” Felix asked, looking around.
There were nods at that, people frowning in thought.
“For the rest of us, our taxes will be spent repairing a city that was damaged through the neglect of the current local government, and the guild. Thankfully, Legion security forces brought relief to the situation and were able to hand the reins off to the National Guard on their arrival. I applaud the Guard’s efforts in keeping the peace and giving my people the chance to get back home. So yes, I support the guild. I don’t support their recent choices, or procedures.”
“You support them so much, you steal their prison contracts,” said Dave.
“Goodness me, Dave. I think we’ll have to teach you some manners if you visit the college since your parents didn’t.
“To answer your point though. Yes, Legion is taking on the prison contracts that the guild was handling. We’re doing it as a non-profit, and re-investing every dollar we make back into the prison system. In fact, the contract will be made publicly available after this debate,” Felix paused to make sure everyone got that.
A number of people were hurriedly writing down notes.
“Legion will, of course, be hiring more guards, and possibly rebuilding some of the prisons. If you’re looking for work and have the qualifications, be sure to drop a resume off with Legion. Our goals with these contracts is to offer better accommodations and opportunities to inmates, while also offering more protection to the citizens. I would like to point out that we’re not taking on the super villains though. That is still the domain of the Heroes guild.”
Felix took a good look around. He saw numerous heads bobbing along as they considered his words.
Good. Reconfirm our promises to the voters, and pull them in with the sweet song of logic.
“Moderators, could you actually moderate please?” Felix asked, looking to the man and woman sitting at the desk. “I’d like to donate the rest of my time so you can review the rules with Mr. Nectar. I’d hate for him to break them another time and make you look like you’re not doing your job. Again. Though the offer to attend the university is open, of course.”
That actually got the room to laugh darkly. Felix didn’t think it was particularly funny, but he was pulling the audience into his domain.
Both of the moderators looked annoyed and caught at the same time. He could only imagine they were on Nectar’s payroll.
“I… that is,” said the male moderator.
“Our apologies, Mr. Campbell. I’m sure Mr. Nectar will respect the rules going forward,” said the female moderator pointedly.
“I look forward to the rules being upheld,” Felix said, leaning forward over his podium and resting his chin on his palm. “And you doing your job. Finally.”
The audience laughed again at that.
Swagger will do just dandy right now.
“Yes… moving on. Mr—”
Felix shook his head with a smile and stood back up, tuning the moderator out. There wasn’t much of a point to listening to the rest of the answers. They’d all be variations on a theme about supporting the guild, or so he expected.
Looking to his cards, he flipped through them. Each one really did have some good information for each person up here on stage with him. Most of it was repeating what he already knew. It did help to refresh his memory and reinforce what he thought he knew, which was helpful.
He was appreciative for the simple fact that Kit had done it for him without asking, despite his resistance.
Damn, her email. I need to read that after this. Read the email after the debate. Read the email. Read it.
Stacking the cards, he set them back down in front of himself, and did his best to pay attention to the answers being given.
As he’d predicted, everyone stood with the guild completely. Felix ended up being the only one speaking against them. It was odd to a degree, at least to Felix.
Maybe there’s something behind that.
When they finally pop open the data on their server, it’d be good to find out if they’re using some type of leverage in the political world.
The next several questions were all much softer. Taxes, environment preservation, public works proposals, and propositions on how to spend money.
None of these were controversial or even concerning. As a governor, the power of the position only stretched so far.
Then the debate portion opened up and everyone began talking back and forth about their points and positions they’d stated earlier.
Everyone, including Dave, avoided talking about the guild. They also avoided talking about the prison break. Even when Felix brought it up and reiterated his points, his plans, and what he wanted to do, no one questioned him.
If anything, Felix was thankful for that. It made him unique in his platform, and in giving tired, scared, and frightened citizens an answer.
“And now we’re going to ask some questions directed at individual candidates from the audience,” said the female moderator.
Felix blinked and looked up from the podium. He’d been wondering how they’d come at him next. This seemed tailor-made for that purpose.
“Mr. Campbell, I’m afraid that the vast majority of the questions were directed towards you,” said the male moderator. “We—”
“I’ll answer them all,” Felix said with a wide smile. “Please, let’s begin.”
Give me all your air time. I’ll take it all.
The moderators stared at Felix, stupefied. Either at his answer, or for interrupting them.
“I’m more than happy to answer all of them. Begin whenever you’re ready,” Felix said, making sure it was clear to everyone watching he would do it.
The moderators looked at each other and then back to Felix.
“I don’t think we could do that,” said the female moderator.
Felix shrugged and held up his hands.
“But we’ll definitely start with you,” she continued. “The first question we have is, what are your feelings regarding non-humans? Do you feel you can separate the issues humanity faces, given that you’re in a relationship with a Beastkin?”
Felix nodded his head. It was definitely a question he was expecting.
Though he’d half expected them to start with slavery, really.
“First, I’ll address the unasked question. Yes, I’m in a relationship with a Beastkin,” Felix said. He had no reason to hide it, and didn’t have a desire to either. If anything, the public admission would only cement his relationship with the backers he wanted.
“Now to the actual question. Our state itself is made up of many different racial profiles. In fact, we have one of the most diverse racial makeups of any city, here in Tilen. This is especially true for the more rural areas, where certain humanoids can excel at whatever profession they choose. That doesn’t mean we should be sending them all to live somewhere,” Felix said, emphasizing his point by hitting the podium with his palm.
“All citizens, regardless of race, are given the right to vote. They do, however, have different needs. What proposals would work for, say, a Troll, wouldn’t work for an Elf. Or a human,” Felix said, leaning over his podium again. “My feelings are pretty straightforward. Are you a citizen, or not? If you’re a citizen, you’re due all the rights anyone else gets. But can we make everything to accommodate everyone? That’s another problem entirely. I can’t exactly get an Ogre a motorcycle that’d fit him without it being custom made.”