Orientation

“Which one of your questions do you want to be answered first?” LaKeith asks you, before taking an apple from the display of fruit prepared by Lisa on the conference table, and taking a bite of it.

“We can start with my original question, LaKeith. What’s this orientation about, and why couldn’t we do it over the video call earlier? Why come here?” You ask LaKeith.

“You should be honored we even came to this backwoods country, you ungrateful—” Lillian started saying, but LaKeith cut her off with his open hand, raised calmly at her direction. It does get Lillian to stop, but not because she respects LaKeith’s authority. The **** in her eyes that he had the audacity to command her in any way, shape, or form signals that she did not appreciate that at all.

The murderous intent radiating off of Lillian is not lost on LaKeith.

“You’ve been isolated from other toppers for too long, Lillian. You forget yourself.” LaKeith addresses her in a calm manner, but the underlying threat is palpable. “To quote our new friend, you don’t want this fight. Not yet. Dare I say, not ever.” LaKeith calmly continues. “Stand down.” He immediately ordered her right after, with an authority in his voice that Lillian immediately respects. Lillian visibly tries to calm herself down afterwards. The look of surprise in your face is not lost on LaKeith.

“I’m sure you would want that explained as well, but let’s address your initial question first, shall we?” LaKeith asks, and you nod that you have no problem waiting for an explanation as to what just happened with him and Lillian.

“Orientations are done so that the newest topper is up to speed on the politics that govern the World Topper Council. A Council you are now a part of.” LaKeith begins to explain.

“Orientations were originally about the scope of authority a topper has, but since that has become public information, it has evolved as an orientation to topper relations instead. It was also originally handled by the most senior of Toppers, the ones that have been toppers the longest, during the time when The Rankings were in flux, and new toppers were introduced on a yearly basis while former toppers were bumped off. Something you are well aware of, doesn’t occur as much anymore.” LaKeith explains.

“That’s why I’m here.” Lillian then chimes in. “The tradition of orientation has been shifted from the most senior, to the least. Since new toppers are so rare these days, the youngest topper usually has had enough time as a topper to have knowledge of the politics of the WTC; they can already do the orientation themselves.” Lillian explains.

“And she’s the reason why I’m here.” LaKeith then says right after Lillian. “I have noticed that Lillian can be…” LaKeith continues, but pauses. You can think of a myriad of words to continue LaKeith’s sentence as to why an orientation from Lillian may not be the most reliable. You realize then, that he’s here on your behalf if that is actually the case.

“Then I must thank you, LaKeith, for deciding to help Mistress Lillian in my orientation.” You add. You notice Lillian was about to react at your naivety, so you immediately continue before she could. “However, I assume you’re here for less than charitable reasons; and that it’s connected as to why you and Mistress Lillian seem to be friendly… or, maybe more accurately, allies in the same political faction in the WTC perhaps?” You add, and LaKeith bellows in laughter, while Lillian’s face sours once more.

“Let me guess, because we mentioned that there’s internal politics in the WTC, you immediately assumed that there are factions in it, right?” Lillian asks you with an annoyed tone, probably to stop LaKeith from making you explain how you already deduced that there are political factions within it… because of course there are. It’s politics. You just slightly bow your head towards Lillian, signaling that she is correct. The bow seemed to make her even more annoyed at you.

“So you’re aware that this orientation also counts as a recruitment then.” LaKeith states, and you nod to show that he is correct.

“That being said…” You started saying before LaKeith raised his hand towards you to signal you to not continue your thought, similar to what he did to Lillian earlier. LaKeith, despite saying that you and he are of equal Ranking, he really does command authority when he wants to.

“I understand that you won’t commit to our faction unless you meet with a representative of the other faction first and see what they have to offer. Perfectly acceptable and very much expected from someone of your intellect.” LaKeith tells you, and you bow to him this time, appreciating his compliment. You hear an audible ‘tss’ sound from Lillian because of LaKeith’s praise.

“Stop kissing his ass as if he’ll be an asset to us.” Lillian jabs at LaKeith.

“I assume I will be if you came all this way to this ‘backwoods’ country, as you called it Mistress.” You snidely remark to Lillian. “I have to ask, the way you phrased it, there are only two factions in the WTC?” you ask LaKeith.

“Yes. As there really is only one issue that separates the 499 toppers that form the voting members of the WTC, every vote counts.” LaKeith answers you. It doesn’t escape your attention that the number of voting members does not equal the number of total toppers.

“A topper’s stance on that issue dictates their faction. Those who are pro Full Ranking, and those against it; the latter being the ones who wish to maintain the status quo of a Free Ranking among toppers.” Lillian chimes in, not giving you an opportunity to ask LaKeith about the number of voting toppers.

“I have two questions then…” You started saying, but LaKeith cuts you off, knowing where you’re going with your question.

“Oh, did my explanation not suffice your über deductive brain? Do you need an explanation of what I said?” Lillian asks you condescendingly, seemingly wishing to provoke you into a negative reaction.

“Yes, Mistress. I have my assumptions, but I’d rather confirm them by asking than assume I’m always correct.” You answer her calmly, infuriating her further.

“Those who wish for the establishment of a Full Ranking, which is my faction, are the toppers who wish to know our actual Ranking among the 500.” LaKeith begins to explain.

“Once we know our actual numbers, we can establish order accordingly among us toppers.” Lillian continues for LaKeith.

“One of your questions about conflicting commands from two toppers on those beneath us? Gone. Ranking decides who should be followed. The request you made of Lillian to acquire the family of those gifts? No more need for negotiations. Ranking decides who should be followed.” LaKeith then continues for Lillian.

“Most importantly, no more pretending the 500 are equal... because we’re not. Some toppers are born, bred, and built differently than other toppers. It’s time those pretenders realize that fact.” Lillian then finishes for LaKeith, assured in her tone.

“As of right now, the unwritten rule is that the longer you stay a topper, the more deference the younger toppers should show you. Something that obviously does not sit well with Lillian.” LaKeith explains.

“I can see why the other faction would like to keep things the way they are then. You didn’t become a topper just to surrender authority to other toppers.” You point out.

“A sentiment of the weak.” Lillian condescendingly reacts.

“I do not disagree with you on that.” You tell her. “Don’t get me wrong, I understand your faction’s stance on this as well. If you are assured of your ability, why must you sacrifice your authority as a topper to accommodate those beneath you? Isn’t that exactly why toppers are given full authority over everyone? If we were given authority because we truly are the most capable as determined by The Ranking, then let the most capable have true authority.” You explain, showing your understanding of their stance as well.

“Having met you in person, you have nothing to worry about, kid.” LaKeith says in praise of you.

“You’re in good company. He said that to me too, more than twenty years ago.” Lillian proudly. “Annoyed as I might be by your know-it-all attitude, I have to admit that you’re more capable than most toppers I’ve met.” Lillian, seemingly out of nowhere, gives you some praise, making LaKeith hold his belly in laughter.

“Congratulations on a rare feat, kid. Lillian doesn’t give compliments often.” LaKeith tells you the obvious.

“I am humbled, Mistress Lillian.” you thank her, bowing in deference to her once more.

“As you should be.” Lillian tells you with confidence.

“Now, as to your other possible question, care to make a guess as to why there’s only 499 voting members in the WTC while there’s 500 toppers in total?” LaKeith asks you with a playful smile, almost reveling in the fact that he’s pretty sure you would have no clue as to the right answer. Lillian has a condescending smile on her face too, very certain you’ll get it wrong.

“I honestly have no idea, but if I had to make a guess, I assume the one non-voting member has another important role that isn’t part of the WTC.” You answer LaKeith with your guess.

“Not a bad guess. Pretty close actually.” LaKeith admits. “The One, capital O, is the first topper in history, the creator of The Ranking exam that sorts everyone into their Ranking by the time they come of age, and the inventor of the Immortality Pill, we all call a TOPPO. We refer to them as ‘The One’ because nobody actually knows who The One is. I’m from the second batch of toppers, and one of the four oldest toppers in the current iteration of the 500, and The One’s identity was never revealed to any of us. More importantly, The One is also the permanent Chief Council Member of the World Ranking Council. The only one who has access to whatever technology scores people’s exams to give one’s Rank. As such…” LaKeith starts explaining, and you interrupt him to say what you think he’s going to say.

“The One would be a very valuable asset for a faction to have.” You say, and Lillian belly laughs at your answer.

“Not as smart as I thought you were.” Lillian comments.

“He’s just working with the information he has.” LaKeith tells Lillian. “It’s true that having The One in your faction would be incredibly useful; but what I was about to say was, due to The One being all those things, The One also has the biggest target on their back.” LaKeith clarifies. You take note of the word LaKeith used — ‘target’. Immortal as toppers may be, you’re not disillusioned to the idea that there are fates worse than ****. Your attention is taken back by Lillian who continues LaKeith’s explanation.

“Being the sole person who has access to the technology that checks the official Ranking exams makes them the most powerful man on the planet. I’m sure you’ll cut me off anyway, why not take a guess as to why that is.” Lillian tells you.

“Having access to the technology potentially means The One can manipulate the results in some way. Make anyone a topper and subsequently remove a topper from their status.” You deduce, and LaKeith and Lillian are no longer surprised at the accuracy of your deductions.

“Not just potentially, kid. The One does manipulate it. The exam hasn’t changed for over a millenium, since the time it was implemented right after the World Government took control. I remember every single question, every single physical test, and I’ve spent centuries to recreate the test myself and figure out how the results would tabulate down to one singular number score. You want to know what I found out?” LaKeith asks you rhetorically, but you answer him anyway.

“It’s all bullshit.”

Author's Note: Apologies on big gaps in terms of upload days. I am working on a different story that takes most of my attention, and can only update this sporadically. If you wish to read something different from me that's updated a little more consistently, please check out my Affection Multiplier branch. Thank you!