Gems Shine Better Free

Peridot City, Jewelica

The Jewelica Free State was the name of the semi-independent polity that ruled Jewelica. If had a leader called the President who was advised and assisted by a Council. Together they made decisions that affected the whole islands. The President and the Council were elected indirectly by the people of Jewelica through a biannual conference.

The current President was Onyx Crystal. He was 61 years of age and had often been known as a leader who was able to unite opposing factions. He was a compromise candidate that was acceptable to both the Diamond Authority and the Jewelica Free State. He was not a visionary, nor did the freedom of his people bother him at all.

He was far more concerned about being pragmatic. He was willing to concede that freedom or use it as leverage to gain an advantage for himself or his nation. He had no real reason to oppose the Diamond Authority, especially when it payed handsomely for his privileges.

The Oans had known that money spoke louder than ideology and sense of duties. Mr Crystal’s loyalties lay with whomever paid him the highest. A person like that could easily concede their aims and goals to anyone who paid enough. Although his presence had been tolerated, it was time to get rid of him.

There was a member of the Council who had been a prominent leader. He has been the biggest proponent of the independence of Jewelica and the liberation of the Gemican people in general. He was a vocal proponent of the Western democracy that the Diamond Authority hated. The people loved him for it and wanted him to be their President. His name was Alexandrite Mercury.

With pressure from the Diamond Authority, Crystal was elected instead of Mercury. But Mercury was too significant to remove from the picture altogether. He was made a part of the Council. Over the years ease had dulled the sword that fought for independence. Thankfully it could be resharpened.

With a single call, he was ready for battle. The Oans had taken a significant portion of the city. To take not only Peridot City, but Jewelica as a whole, they needed the Jewelica Free State on their side. The days of playing coy and making compromises were over. It was time to pick a side and fight for it.

He drew his breath, mustered his strength and courage, and replied: “I shall”.

A carefully orchestrated plan to kill Onyx Crystal was devised. Antimony was almost impossible to detect in the blood and urine, but it was deadly. With incredible expense, Alexandrite Mercury had acquired it and poured into Onyx Crystal’s meal at a Council dinner.

The Council, in spite of the war, was having a lavish dinner. Alexandrite Mercury watched as his poisoned plate was brought before President Onyx Crystal. As the plate landed before the man, the President looked at the food in bewilderment.

It was then that Mercury had realised his mistake. He had poured the poison into the incorrect dish. Crystal swapped his plate with another member. it was too late to do anything. Over the course of the dinner the member experienced severe back pains so much so that he collapsed on the floor.

He was rushed to hospital, and he was found to have suffered toxin-induced kidney failure. This diagnosis led the an inevitable conclusion. The member had been poisoned. With suspicions raised and the State more vigilant, it was too dangerous to talk with Captain Laona over the phone. Alexandrite had to meet with a spy in person at an unassuming pub.

As Alexandrite was seated opposite the spy, explaining the change in events, someone else was watching.

With his usual retinue of bodyguards nowhere to be seen and his sophisticated clothing missing, Alexandrite Mercury could be mistaken for any bum who came to the pub to unwind and get drunk. He was, however, neither of the above. He came to fulfil a mission, or rather impart that he had failed to.

The man with whom he met, stood and punched the table and loudlg said, “What?!”

Alexandrite coolly asked him to sit down and warned him, “Do not ever speak to me like that again!”

The man sat down and hung his head and folded his hands and apologised, “Sorry, sir. We have a problem. The Captain will not be pleased”.

Alexandrite laughed, the poor spy forgetting that he was not the Captain’s servant nor was he particularly afraid of him regardless of how statuesque he was. “I need more time, to think of something”.

“With all due respect, sir”, the spy hissed, “We not have the time for plans. This is a war. You have to think like a soldier”.

Alexandrite sat back in his chair and placed his folded hands on his lap and looked at the man. He then sighed and got up and got out. He walked to the rendezvous point where his chauffeur was waiting for him.

Another character walked behind him. At first Alexandrite thought he was another pedestrian, but he came to realise that he was being followed. He took a turn, misleading the pursuer. He hid in the frame of a doorway. As the man approached, he placed the end of his revolver on his head and warned him, “Don’t move”.

The pursuer stopped dead in his tracks and put his hands up, responding with silence to Alexandrite’s questions: “Who are you?”, “Why are you following me?”, “Who sent you?” and the like.

He moved the bullet from its chamber to the end of the barrel, warning his pursuer that he was willing to bust his head open if he failed to answer. The man said, “Look up, to your left”.

Alexandrite instinctively did so and saw a sniper pointing his weapon straight at him. Before he could duck, the bullet lodged itself in his thoracic cavity. He fell back from both shock and the force of the bullet. His vision blurred and darkness enshrouded him.

Peridot City, Jewelica

Opal was convalescing in the hospital that was captured by the Oans. Doctors tried to keep a brave face as supplies ran short. With the city having cut off supplies of food, water and power, they had to smuggle supplies through the disused under ground network of pipes and tunnels, much of which had up until that point been forgotten for years.

Opal’s eyes flickered and opened slightly. The murky colours gained basic form. They darkened again and she returned to the nothingness from whence she had come. This process repeated continuously. Moissanite and Topaz often looked at each other with expressions of guilt.

With her husband in jail and children in the Oan Isles, she did not really have anyone to wake up to. And the world that she would wake up to, would made difficult demands of her and offer suffering and loneliness in return. So they were relieved when she did not awake.

The National Liberation Movement, while grateful for the work that the Oans had done thus far, was becoming agitated. Their primary goal of liberating the people seemed to take secondary importance; imperialism seemed to guide the Oan agenda.

While being in the dependent position, they really could not complain. The agenda of freedom fighters often conflicted with the invaders who purportedly came to free them. When they requested a meeting with the Captain, he dismissed them like children and told them he was “much too busy, maybe later”.

Moissanite had been so fed up, he marched straight into a meeting that the Captain was having with the Commanders beneath him. The conversation stopped abruptly as the assembled people looked at this man. The Captain lifted his head from the papers he was studying and said, “We’re in a meeting”.

“Like it’s not fucking obvious?”, asked Moissanite sarcastically, “Listen here. I want to speak with you”.

“We’ll talk when I am done”.

“With all due respect, Captain, I do not remember asking you for your permission. I want to talk to you, now – please”.

The statuesque Captain stood up and walked to Moissanite. He stood close to him, so close that their breath exchanged. He opened the door and smiled a very unfriendly smile and said, “After you…”

Moissanite swallowed hard and stepped out with the Captain in tow.

“What’s your problem?”, the Captain asked.

“Take that conceit and swallow it. I will not have you speaking like that to me just because you as big as a bus”.

The Captain was startled, but his face remained hard and his expression, menacing. As no reply was forthcoming, Moissanite continued, “We really appreciate your help, Captain. The Oan Isles has proven to be loyal friend and…”

“You mean benevolent Master”, the Captain replied.

Moissanite wore an expression of confusion and worry as the Captain elaborated, “This is an invasion”.

La Rochelle, The Oan Isles

The National Council held meetings once a week. They discussed national issues and developed policies. The meetings were often long due to the breadth and scope of the issues they discussed. As a collective head of government, they needed to make decisions together - there had to be some consensus among members.

Usually Locklyn Le Roy presided over and called meetings, but he was running late, so Liam Palorealua chaired the meeting in his stead. Locklyn knocked on the door and gently pushed it open. He bowed in collective greeting, apologised for being late and for disturbing what was already underway. He went to seat and waited for Liam Palorealua to inform him of the portion of the agenda to which the meeting had progressed.

Liam Palorealua said, “As of 15H30, 18 September 2017, Locklyn Le Roy has been dismissed from the position of the Chief of National Council by a vote of 9 out of 10 of its members. Sylvia Anāutu has been elected to serve in that capacity effective immediately”.

Locklyn gasped, shocked by the message. He was so shocked, stepped out of protocol and attempted to address Palorealua directly, “Liam…”

“This had nothing to do with Liam”, Sylvia interjected, “You have overextended your reach and used your position to expand beyond the scope of your portfolio and outside of the collective processes of the National Council”.

“What are you…?” He asked.

“Evidence has been collected that you have engaged in secret and direct communication with the defence personnel, in contradiction with the Collective Responsibility Clause of the Constitution of the Oan Isles”, she said, “As such the National Council has felt that you must vacate your position as chair”.

“I think there is some confusion”.

“No there is not”, Sylvia declared, “The Xagrurgian News Network got hold of information that the Oan Isles is invading Jewelica”.

“What…?”

“I motion for the Head of Defence to institute a quarantine over Jewelica Island”, she said.

“I second”, Liam Palorealua concurred.

Sylvia called for a vote and asked the members of the council to say “aye”, " nay" or “abstain” when she called their names from the roster. They voted to extend the quarantine over the island.

A second motion was proposed, supported and agreed upon that the National Council Press Secretary will issue a statement explaining how the process will work, what Oan intentions are and clarify on the legal process in place.

The National Council is permitted to deploy a small contigent of military personnel overseas for a short period of time, after which it required the support of the National Assembly. In the next week, it would have to convince 113 Members of the Assembly that the quarantine required its support and was legally justified.

Locklyn Le Roy had overplayed his hand and undermined the democratic process. Rather than fight and further isolate himself, he asked for forgiveness and promised to cooperate fully with the National Council. This was a daring and surprising move that seemed to earn the respect, but not the trust, of the Council.

Port of Peridot City, Jewelica

The nature of the war was to change slightly. The Diamond Authority’s legal challenge to the Oan assertion that the Gemica-Oan Defence Pact allowed such action was defeated in the Malachite City High Court.

Legal authority was extended to the Oan Isles to declare special security protocols in case of exceptional disaster. In spite of the conflict, the most pressing issue was devastation that the hurricane had caused and coupled with the political upheaval, was a particularly dangerous situation, one that allowed Oan deployment into the country.

The clandestine invasion effort by Locklyn Le Roy was usurped. The Oan Isles regulated air and maritime traffic to and from the island, and deployed three vessels to guard the port from a Gemican naval attack. It was not able to deploy troops or affect situations on the ground, but it certainly could influence them.

The Captain was almost furious when he received instruction from Colonel Rako that the invasion was halted and they had to shift towards training militia. He was able to maintain control of a quarter of Peridot City and negotiate for an airdrop of critical supplies until the Portfolio for Diplomacy could negotiate a better agreement with the Gemicans (who were still in charge of trade and foreign affairs).

In the mean, the Jewelican people were forced to smuggle supplies and apportion them austerely. There was relative quiet for now and some business was being conducted. Agents of the Oan National Intelligence were struggling to get into Jewelica to begin negotiations with the Jewelica Free State government for a unilateral declaration of accession to Oan assimilation. Their contact in the government was missing.

And where there smoke there was fire. The Captain sent his team to investigate the situation and try to find him. The National Liberation Movement was starting to gain traction. After Moissanite’s altercation with the Captain, serious reforms were needed. The Captain was forced to change his tactics and approached the NLM to ask for help.

Something that kept bothering Moissanite was the message that The Captain had revealed: “This is an invasion”.

Peridot City, Jewelica

One Oan destroyer and two Oan frigates arrived outside of the waters of the Port of Peridot City. They bobbed on the surface, protecting the island from a Gemican invasion. The island was able to bring in limited supplies. The Oan Air Defence monitored the airspace and kept in contact with aircraft deployed on the ground to escort unauthorized planes out of Jewelican airspace, reroute them or blow them sky high.

The Jewelicans and the Oans struggled to maintain open channels of contact. The Captain was isolated and relied on air drops to sustain his troops and the population at large. He was permitted to maintain his control over the portion of the city he had taken control of and stretch no further.

He proceeded to take account of what they had to work with:

As he read the list, he realised that they would be easily overpowered if the Gemicans could realise how small they were and what little. Although the negotiations and the agreement reached therefrom explicitly protected them, in a war it was only a matter of time. He was forced to make the tough decision to train the National Liberation Movement.

Approximately 2,000 members of the National Liberation Movement were trapped in the area, adding to original population of 5,200 inhabitants. A quarter of them were women and the rest were men. They ranged in age between 18 and 30 years of age, generally fit for service.

They had to be trained to not only resist the predicted attack, but fight for the nation in general. The Captain was forced to concede to Moissanite, the political leader of the National Liberation Movement. Over the following two weeks, the members were trained to use a gun. The artillery and armour would be used by the Oans as there was not enough time to train them to use it.

Helicopters came in and brought weapons and uniforms for them. They were daunted but largely excited by the new energy of battle and their elevation from civilians to soldiers. Although the gruelling physical training left them with little sleep, they still squeezed time to hold a political lecture to keep their spirits up and maintain their focus.

The Captain was pleasantly surprised by their intelligence and political awareness. They sought to liberate their nation and seemed to hope that the Oans would help them achieve that. That vision or idea gradually shifted as Moissanite spoke of a Gemican centered freedom that strayed from the Oan path. The Captain took note of this but could do nothing about it.

Although the Oans were confined to this tiny area, the National Liberation Movement was not. They would be the engine that drove the war effort. But before they could engage in direct military combat they began small. They spread propaganda, attacked small depots of supplies and recruit more soldiers.

Luckily for them, the Oans controlled the air, so the Gemicans were unable to see where these people were coming from, but they may not have needed to.

In a dark room, in some unassuming building, Alexandrite Mercury was blindfolded, handcuffed and stuck to a chair as the Gemicans devised creative ways to make him reveal information about the Oans and how he was linked to them. Having been a soldier himself, once, he tolerated surprising amounts of pain.

As far as the Gemicans were concerned, it was only a matter of time before he spoke.

Rose Quartz Farm, Jewelica

The farm had become the epicentre of the resistance movement in ways that were not apparent to the people locked up in the city. Concealing the true nature of the farm was extraordinarily difficult. The lowing of cattle, bleeting of sheep and rustling of maize seemed inadequate to divert attention from the large wooden crates moving in and out of the buildings.

The Rose Quartz Farm was becoming such an invaluable centre of their operations that additional measures were used to protect. High walls were built around it. Guards walked around the inner perimeter, heavy rifles at their sides, along with dogs. The farm had been generally ignored by the police and the army, but the increased activity began attracting unwanted attention.

The “owner”, in actuality the acting leader of the National Liberation Front called Sapphire Chatoyance, invited public officials and community leaders to the farm to assuage their fears about the veracity of the claim that this remained a farm.

What happened in the farm? Preparations for war. Unbeknownst to Lapis Lazuli, Opal Lazuli, Topaz the Apothecary and Moissanite the current de jure leader of the NLM, Chatoyance was turning the NLM into a militant organisation willing and able to use military force to impose its agenda.

Barracks were built on the property which housed recruited militias before they were deployed to camps and sleeper cells in cities and towns. Oan soldiers trained these recruits, who driven by a zeal for democracy (and revenge) to endure the difficult training. Trucks, which were falsely marked as moving milk, meat and produce, in fact held soldiers who were preparing for an attack.

Sapphire was a short, sturdily built, shrewd and unappealing character. Together with the Oans, he exploited the image of Opal lying unconscious in a bed, Lazuli hunched in a dark cell, or even Moissanite yelling “Free Gemica!” at the top of his lungs to attract new recruits and keep its disapproving leaders in line.

They increasingly felt sidelined by Chatoyance, dominated by the extremists who filled their ranks and the Oans whose power was relied upon. They struggled to make their opinions known, but were constantly criticised as cowards, confused or weak.

As the power of Chatoyance over the organisation tightened, they decided to send a message to Moissanite.

Peridot City, Gemica

Moissanite, Topaz, Opal and Laona were reviewing the situation and it seemed bleak. Alexandrite was captured, negotiations with the Jewelica Free State broke down and the NLM was moving to militancy. Opal, Topaz and Moissanite were almost distraught by the situation. Captain Laona saw it as an opportunity, it would finally move the war in the direction of a war for independence.

Naturally they argued against him, but on an empty stomach, with an uncertain future, the situation looked more and more bleak, bringing the principles upon which they had founded the organisation into question. Reaching Lapis was hard.

The prison became more and more brutal and the wardens employed more cruel and humiliating methods to bend the soldiers. Moissanite tried to keep the stores from reaching Opal. In her fragile physical and emotional state, she needed some hope that her children and husband were okay.

Unfortunately he could not guard her all the time. Her nurses, believing she was sedated, began conversing about the rumours that they had heard coming out of Agate City Prison. They recounted broken stories and unchecked facts, but they had done enough to panic Opal, she lifted he hand and croaked, “Lap… lapi… lapi… la…”

They realised their mistake and in their fright, they gave her another dose of the sedative, putting her to rest. “Hopefully she’ll forget”, urged one.

Hopefully.

Sardonyx was the acting leader of the National Liberation Movement while its leaders (Lapis, Opal, Topaz and Moissanite) were preoccupied. He had changed the National Liberation Movement from a political organisation to a paramilitary force. To the chargrin of many members, it was supported by the Oans, leaving them with little power to change the direction in which he had set it.

Sardonyx had managed to assembled a force of 8,000 men that was dispersed throughout the Jewelican country side in small towns and quiet camps. It was a remarkably large force to put together, conceal and supply in such a small country. Thankfully the Oans supplied the financial and logistical muscle to make it possible. They were further helped by the fact that the Jewelican Free State and Diamond Authority struggled to exercise their authority over the island.

On Sunday, 1 October, Sardonyx issued the order to the forces to attack the five major towns on Jewelica thereby gaining control of critical infrastructure and transport routes and three quarters of the area of Jewelica.

The simultaneity of the attack was astounding, but emboldened Sardonyx’s leadership over the organisation. Although at the present they seemed to be gaining victory over the JFS and DA with relative ease, the future was unclear as numerous factions vied for leadership.

At the moment, they were fixed on their sole task: take over Jewelica.

Jewelica was a small place. It had one city, Peridot City, which was small by Oan standards, rolling hills and woodland. Five towns broke the calm of the land. They were small places, shadows of Peridot City.

The soldiers of the National Liberation Movement blocked roads, bridges and railways, took over a hospital here, a clinic there, maybe the one large shop in the middle of town, the unimpressive city hall on the one busy street in town.

There was little resistance from the police. No soldiers had been deployed by the JFS or the Diamonds to fight them. People did not seem afraid. Some seemed more inconvenience than upset, some were even curious. It was surprisingly easy to take over the country.

It was almost too good to be true. But Sardonyx did not care. He was euphoric. The successful take over of the Jewelite country side cemented his leadership of the NLM and vindicated the move to an “armed struggle” and for the first time in a while, gave the Oans a foreign policy victory.

It was clear to Opal and Moissanite that they had lost control of the National Liberation Movement to Sardonyx and they were under the control of the Oans. They were besieged in a small part of Peridot City. They had to escape. They hired someone to hide them in a delivery truck under piles of grass and take them to Amberite Town, south of Peridot City.

Opal was conscious and had recovered fully from her injuries. She was more determined than ever to rescue her husband and reunite with her family. Moissanite felt as though he was chasing after the wind. Having lost control of the National Liberation Movement to Sardonyx, he felt as though he had nothing to live or work for.

Amberite Town would provide them an opportunity to gather their bearings and plan their next move. They arrived in Amberite Town. The town was quiet, but people seemed to carry on with their lives as though nothing had happened. National Liberation Movement militia marched around carrying AK-47s and armoured cars patrolled the streets.

Opal peered through a small opening in the side of the carriage of the truck and saw the men walking around. It was incredible, that the war may just yet end quickly and Jewelica would be free. “But what of the rest of Gemica?” she asked herself.

They made it to a small house. Their driver opened the carriage and let them out. Their friendly hosts awaited them within. Moissanite and Opal wanted to keep their identities a secret until they knew exactly what was happening. They were given a small room in the basement. They stayed there for a few days, Moissanite helping the father fix the car or replace leaking pipes, Opal helping with the housework.

It was not an elegant or heroic way to spend the day, but it was a peaceful and productive one. Opal managed to find work sewing NLM militia uniforms and Moissanite found work fixing and making boots from old tires. No one seemed to recognise them. “How the mighty have fallen”, Moissanite mused.

[hr]

Topaz had refused to abandon the National Liberation Movement. On one hand he felt as though he had to be part of the revolution. And on the other he wanted to be as far as possible from Opal. His feelings were getting stronger and stronger. It made him melancholic and jovial when she was or was not around. He wanted to forge his own path.

Opal had not protested much. She tried to dissuade him, but knew that it was for the best. Topaz was moved to the Rose Quartz Farm, having been transported by a driver from the NLM deployed to get him. When he arrived, the farm startled him.

It was more of a military base. He stepped out of the vehicle and was warmly welcomed by Sardonyx. As far as Sardonyx was concerned and a he came to realise, he had chosen a side. With Sardonyx in power, he had not choice but to do what he said.

Sardonyx promised him a new and even bigger role in the new Jewelica. He constantly spoke of Jewelica, Jewelica, Jewelica. “What about the rest of Gemica”, he asked, “What about Lapis and everyone else in Agate City?”

A dark look came over Sardonyx for a moment. It was replaced with an encouraging smile soon after, so soon that Topaz believed he may have imagined it. Sardonyx simply replied, “All in due time”.

Jewelica was quiet at night. People went to bed and rested for another day ahead. Even Peridot City was quiet and dark in the evenings. It would only wake when the sun’s crown rose above the horizon and shattered the night.

Planes from the main Gemica Island that was still under the control of the Diamond Authority flew over the strait that divided the two islands from another. Their swooped silently above the clouds. They were like geese chained together by the light of the moon.

The silence of the night was shattered by the simultaneous dropping of bombs. The planes dropped relatively simple, but potent bombs onto houses, churches, schools, city halls, factories and ports.

The Diamond Authority wanted to cripple Jewelica and humiliate the Oans for stealing their country. Shouts of pain and shock joined the chorus of destruction. The worst-hit place was Peridot City.

A part of Peridot City had been taken over by the Oans. It was under Colonel Laona (he had promoted from Captain several days ago). Bombs fell on the tall buildings. Grass broke, concrete cracked and iron snapped. Fires were sparked and people were killed.

The attack had been carried out quickly and quietly. No one could have predicted that it would happen in the time, with the force and at the place that it did. People ran away with whatever they could carry, seeking shelter in the forests and woodlands.

Rose Quartz Farm had been particularly damaged. The structures that were built collapsed. Weapons were destroyed and armour was damaged. Records and maps were destroyed as well. People were slain, either killed by the explosion, or crushed under the weight of the buildings it brought down.

Opal and Moissanite had the good fortune of being underground. Although the sound of the airstrikes carried beneath the earth, its force did not. They climbed up the ladder and opened the trap door. Dust and smoke swirled around the house. The walls had collapsed, the roof had fallen down, but the family had survived… Barely.

Opal and Moissanite got up coughing from the dust and smoke. They head a woman yell from under some debris, “Help! Help!”

Opal and Moissanite jumped over fallen beams and bricks. They removed debris and kept reassuring her that they were there. When they saw her, she held a small limp object in her hands.

The woman did not seem distraught. She seemed almost optimistic. Opal wanted to tell her that the child had passed away, but the words stopped at the edge of her tongue. Moissanite tried to gently drop the news.

At the first mention of the supposition, she shut him down and demanded that he remain silent. Moissanite took the little one from her arms and rested her in a basket with blankets, as though she would wake up in a few hours.

But they all knew the unfortunate truth. They left the woman to believing that her child was still alive and that everything was fine. They watched her and left her to come to terms with what happened in her own way.

The rest of the family had survived, but their main focus was getting the injured and running for cover in the forests. Other houses in the area had been spared, some even standing spotless.

As Moissanite looked at the pile of rubble that had once been their lodging, he cried own in anger and sorrow. His scream was almost carnal. Opal calmed him down and wiped the tears on his face.

Her strength carried him now, just as he had carried her from the Square. They ran to the forests, but it seemed that the attack had stopped. But they wanted to be careful, so they went anyway. Other people were there too. They sat on branches or under the shade of the trees, hoping that the nightmare would end.

Captain Laona had been badly injured. Although his antiaircraft guns had knocked a bird or two from the sky, this operation was a hit and run. His leg was sore, perhaps it was broken. Adrenaline made him forget about his pain for the moment and focus and staying alive. His face lit up as his soldiers came to get him and carried him on their shoulders to safety.

He wondered, “Where is Opal? Where is Moissanite”. When the rush of power that the adrenaline brought over his body faded, he came to the full realisation of what had happened. He moaned with every bump on the path.

He looked around him and asked, “Where is God?”

Satellites were used by Oan Military Intelligence to assess the extent of the damage that the air strikes had caused. From the data that they collected they estimated that 140 people died, 50 houses were destroyed, 250 houses were damaged, 4 hospitals were destroyed, 1 train station was destroyed, 1 city hall was leveled and the Eastern Road Bridge had collapsed. The damaged hovered around 200 million SHD (or 1.4 billion Oan dollars).

Luckily power, water, sanitation and most roads were unaffected. The incident had traumatised many people and shocked the land. The attack was a reflection of the desperation and pride of the Diamond Authority. Within hours, National Liberation Movement freedom fighters were distributing blankets and food to the people and comforting those who survived.

It was clear to the people that the Diamond Authority and the Jewelica Free State it supported were not only dictatorial but willing to kill people. The National Liberation Movement cadres got into armoured assault vehicles and strapped on their AK-47s and attacked Peridot City.

They were driven by a new resolve to end the rule of the Diamond Authority. The Oans dropped in on their side, sending their planes to strike at the JFS Main Building. The edifice of the building collapsed, fire rose and people were slain. Whatever attempt the Diamond Authority made to scare them, had failed.

The NLM entered Peridot City, fighting with Gemican soldiers from street to street. Sounds of gunfire filled the air. People huddled in their homes as the soldiers duked it out. The NLM was surprisingly disciplined and coordinated. It was able to launch attacks and corner its enemies with more tact and power than the Diamonds had predicted.

They watched on satellite feed as the last bastion of their control over Jewelica disentangled. Soldiers looked through scopes, knocking down snipers from roof tops, bringing down soldiers falsely safe behind bags of sand.

In total 30 fell on the NLM side and 17 on the Gemican side, but the NLM prevailed. It managed to take the city within five hours of the first boot crossing the threshold of the Peridot City Municipal Authority. They captured enemy soldiers and government officials, took over critical infrastructure and established their authority over the city.

Although they were badly wounded, they managed to repel the Diamond Authority once and for all. The NLM officially liberated the Island of Jewelica. As the tension diffused and the veracity of this assertion was upheld, the soldiers celebrated. They drank, danced and shot into the air. For now, they were victorious. For now they were united.

Topaz felt as though he was making history. He held his AK-47 tightly. He looked at the simple, but capable weapon. He breathed in the cold air and sat with the other men in the armoured personel carrier. Small portholes gave a view to the world outside.

He was excited. For the first time in a while, they were getting somewhere. They were moving forward. After years of quiet discussion and peaceful protest, which had always been answered with repression, they were finally marching into Peridot City to take it for themselves.

They would take the whole island and complete their chain of power. It seemed as though years of oppression had been peeled back. With ever step he felt more free. With every word, he felt more free. He was dirty and tired, but healthy and well. He had decided to put down his loyalties and join the faction that seemed to have a plan and a will to take this country.

He may not have liked Sardonyx personally, but he admired him. He was intelligent, understood people’s emotions and knew how to exploit them for his own purposes. He had led them to achieving things they had never fathomed. He almost felt as though he had made the correct choice.

Yes, Sardonyx is a little bossy sometimes, but he’s our leader, Topaz thought to himself. He used all of his will to convince himself that Sardonyx would lead them well and restore to the people what they had thirsted for: freedom.

The APC stopped and he jumped out. He led a team of five men through the quiet streets. They looked up for any signs of snipers, looked back for any sign of a rear attack and turned foward to face the inevitable attack. Four o’ clock! yelled one of his comrades.

Topaz automatically turner right 70° and shot without looking. A soldier was struck in the shoulder. His comrades retaliated. Topaz jumped behind into the open porch of a cafe, and lifted a table. He intermittently sprang up to shoot.

The shooting quietened for a few moments. Another team had entered the area and was providing much needed support. Topaz jumped out from his ad hoc shield and ran to his comrades. He let out several bullets.

He was full of a desire to kill. It was an ancient and savage feeling. He wanted to see blood drip. He wanted to smell the metallic scent of the crimson fluid. He wanted to put his opponents through the pain he had felt. He wanted to pay them back for every injustice he had felt. He wanted to have power to hold another person’s life in his hands and end it anyway.

He swung the end of his rifle and struck one of the enemy soldiers in the head. The man fell down and dropped his weapon. He lifted his hands begging for mercy. Topaz lowered the barrel between his eyes and smiled an unfriendly smile.

A voice whispered from the back of his mind and asked him, “Would Opal have wanted this?”

The dust have barely settled and already the National Liberation Movement was already entering Peridot City.

Opal and Moissanite watched with amazement as armoured assault vehicles, trucks and other vehicles moved freedom fighters to the capital and largest city of the semi autonomous island state. They held their weapons high and made whooping sounds of joy and excitement, like a band of gorillas.

Opal and Moissanite, their faces covered with dust and skin etched with scrapes and cuts, looked on at these brave men and willed themselves to forget, for a moment, that they had once been the leaders of the National Liberation Movement. It fell on them to lead the people who were left behind: the old, women, children and the sick to safety.

One of the nearby schools, about a kilometre away had survived. Opal knew the Principal, his name was Dolomite. She went to his house and saw him enter his 4×4 pickup truck. She waved her arms as she approached. He stopped the vehicle and yelled out from an open window: “Get in!”

They drove to the school and already people had converged on the gates. The Principal and Opal made their way through the crowd and unlocked the gates. The Principal yelled instructions and Opal willingly executed them. She went to the security post and found keys. She ran around the complex and opened the school hall, asking people to fill inside.

She opened the toilets to let people relieve themseves. She unlocked the gymnasium and opened the locker rooms, enabling people to take showers. She went to the Sick Room and collected blankets and sheets and gave them to some young men to distribute to the people gathered at the hall. She went to kitchen, and the help of some ladies, prepared tea and soup for the people gathered there.

A child saw her running around and directing people. He felt as though he knew this brave woman, but could not remember from where. He tugged his mother’s garment and pointed to her and asked, “Who’s that, mama?”

The woman lifted her head to get a better few. She squinted her eyes and focused on her face. Her mouth suddenly gaped open and her eyes opened. She breathed out, “It’s Opal!”

She ran to Opal. Opal was startled by this woman. She was full of excitement and could barely speak. Opal was worried, wrinkles forming across her forehead, as she wondered in the woman was sick or hurt. She finally burst with an “You are Opal!”

Opal was surprised. It took her some time to register and realise that the woman was talking about her. Opal nodded. The woman jumped up and hugged her. She turned and yelled to the people, “It’s Opal! Opal Lazuli! It’s Opal Lazuli!”

At the mention of her name, people gathered around her, full of joy. She smiled and waved, awkwardly trying to figure out what to do. Suddenly two young men lifted her up on their shoulders. She looked over all the people who had gathered to see her. She looked over the people and was full of happiness. For a moment she forgot her heartache and grief.

The previous hours had passed slowly and quickly at the same time. By the time morning arrived, the events of the evening felt like a dream. People had to pinch them selves to believe that indeed every thing that had happened had indeed happened. They woke with a new sense of purpose and hope. People walked the streets wishing each other well and lifting their fists to symbolise that they had been liberated.

The radio networks and lone local television station went online. Regardless of the medium or channel to which one changed, the message was unanimous: Jewelica was free of the Diamond Authority. People were happy. They sang and danced. For Opal and Moissanite, it was bittersweet.

Moissanite had been helping people escape from fire. He had lent his strength to pulling fallen columns, to digging out people from rubble. He felt tired. It was a tiredness that was not only physical, but emotional. As the triumph of the Jewelican people was proclaimed, he felt happy and sad.

On one end he had achieved his goal (at least partially) and on the other he had not been part of everything. Just as Opal had been recognised by her people, so too had others taken their hats off at or bowed to Moissanite. Although he had been unseated from his role as the head of the National Liberation Movements, people still regarded him as a hero of the struggle.

But nothing could compensate for the feeling that he had been betrayed by someone he trusted, by an organisation he had worked for and by a destiny he was certain was his. He sat in a pickup truck and listened to the radio. He was alone. Although it was stuffy, he did not open the windows. He wanted to brood, to pick at the wound of his pride, finding a masochistic pleasure in the pain.

Sardonyx’s voice came through the recorder. Regardless of how eloquent andd mellifluous he sounded - with crisp pronunciation and perfect vocabulary and grammar - Moissanite hated the sound of his voice Sardonyx was the Machiavellian menace who had taken his position fom him, only to humiliate him by assuming the role, not only of Leader, but of Hero.

Sardonyx laid down his plans for Jewelica. Jewelica would be a protectorate of the Oan Isles. The Oan government would be responsible for monetary, defence and foreign policy. It would be responsible for keeping the island safe, making sure that they had a stable legal tender and managed their relations with other countries. It would be governed by the same democratic principles of the Oan Isles and would be a subject of the Rangitanga-ta-i-Moana (the Oan title for the Emperor of Polynesia: the Ruler of the Sea).

They would become citizens of the Oan Isles, they too would be Oan. Moissanite imagined people changing their names to ridiculous Oan names like “Rotorua”, “Moana” and “Ana”. It was bittersweet. I am now Oan, he thought to himself. He would be part of and a subject of their civilisation. He knew Oans. They always tried to impose their will on other people, to make other people dress, speak, look and think the way they did, with their money, pretty weapons and fancy education.

He did, however, feel a begrudging respect for them. Without their logistical expertise, financial capital, military hardware, combat training and political pressure, Jewelica would never have been liberated. Without Oan political thinkers, academics and phisophers, he would never have been inspired to found and lead an organisation that pursued democracy and freedom, equality and unity.

All he could do was sit quietly and close his eyes, and listen to the faint ululations and shouts of joy of people celebrating in the distance.

— Begin quote from ____

I AM A WOMAN
A talk by Aroha Pūtea at the Jewelica Free Women’s Conference

There are truths that cannot be measured, but do not need evidence. If I say I am a woman, then I am woman. My word is the only evidence or proof I need. What my feminity means to me is a choice that I make. I am not defined by anything other than what I choose.

I am strong. I am wise. I am beautiful. I am Oan. I am a woman. I am the talisman of the past and the light of the future. I am both the body and the spirit. I exist in the physical and the immortal, temporal and eternal. I need not justify myself. I simply am that which I am. I shall be what I choose.

Feminism has been consigned to misandry. I am a feminist. I am not a misandrist. I will expound on the difference. I feminist believes in the liberation of a group of people who were oppressed, the prosperity of a group of people who were pushed out of the economic process, and the participation of those who have been excluded: the woman.

I choose to focus on the needs, the aims, and the testimony of the women. I speak as a woman. I look at the world through the eyes of a woman and feel through the heart of a woman. A woman is unique, distinct and special as an individual, and as part of a community of people who are like her: women.

I am an Oan woman. Being Oan means I am part of and responsible for everything that has been done, is being done and shall be done in the name or by the people of the Oan Isles. I cannot ignore that I have a duty to my people and that my status as a woman makes me a part of that nation.

I am not a usurper. I affirm and celebrate my role and the role of other women in the kitchen, in the home and in their bedroom. Their work as mothers and wives, regardless of the domesticity of its appearance, have raised, fed and taken care of a nation, defined trends, created markets and moved the economy and shaped cultures.

I will not denegrade the significance of the contribution of a woman who marries, has kids, feeds and looks after her man, whose quiet wisdom and demure timidity have earned her the title of “good woman” from her in-laws.

I also cannot confine her to that box. What feminism aims to achieve is not to proliferate disdain for men or usurpation of the role of the man as a father or brother or husband. Feminism says that woman exist. That a woman is free to choose her own job, earn the same as a man, speak among men, have control over her own body, get an education, own property, vote in elections and elect her own path.

Feminism affirms that a woman is different from a man. Her experiences are unique, her needs are distinct and her abilities are different, from a man. Feminism does not claim one is superior or inferior, more or less important than the other. Through feminism we fight injustices, challenges conventions and speak against oppression specifically aimed against women.

Feminism does not try to impose a choice. It wants to give women a choice. And if a woman chooses her own path, goes against the current of the water or the grain of the grinding stone, then so be it! If it is her choice then so be it. She must have the right to choose, whether she chooses to go with or against the conventions or norms lf the society in which she has been born.

But women, make no mistake. If you were given a right to make a choice, then it is your duty to ensure that other women have that right. Whether you have chosen with or against the norms and expectations laid before, let and fight for other women to have that right.

Fighting for that right requires a certain degree of discomfort. It requests a painful change in how we look at ourselves and at the world. It requires that we step out of the box and make difficult choices even though they go against some of the things we feel or believe.

Western politics make a distinction between what I believe and what I think. Western politics make a distinction between liberal and conservative. To be one or the other you must hold a particular set of predetermined views. In western politics I cannot be a Christian and a Feminist.

Somehow it is wrong of me to call God He, to cover my hair and shoulders in church, to cook for my husband and to encourage girls to remain virgins if I am a feminist. Well is it really? Is Feminism and Spirituality and Religion mutually exclusive?

That brings us back to what a feminist is and what the struggle for the liberation of woman is meant to look like. One does not exclude the other. Any attempt to suppress the feminist choice, either through liberalist dogma that believes her traditionalist values are a chain or the conservative doctrine that believes that her free thinking and free expression are dangerous, is FALSE!

I will not justify myself. I will not prove myself. I simply am… a woman.

— End quote

[spoiler]Inspired by TEDEx talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Any similarities to RL persons is purely coincidental and unintentional[/spoiler]

Opal and other female members had assembled at the Amberite Conference Center for a Jewelica Free Women Conference. It had been organised by several outstanding Oan women. Although she had known herself to be vocal and free thinking, the eloquence, intelligence and radicality of the women who spoke and the authority with which they spoke startled the entire audience.

She had to pinch herself. It felt like a dream. Not so long ago, such conferences were outlawed by the government. Now, they were free to voice their opinions and receive powerful insights that were not only controversial under the former regime, but illegal.

The Oan Isles asserted that it would not leave its new member rudderless. It would dispatch officials and experts to help guide its transition into the Oan Isles and into democratic life. Numerous Oan woman came to encourage, support and equip the Jewelican women for the new world that would be opened up to them.

They were taught about a range of topics such as starting a business, operating within the financial system, becoming part of the political process, pursuing science and education. Although Oans were fairly patriarchal, their women seemed more like equals to men than subjects. They spoke with authority that was further magnified by their incredible almost inhuman height, full body tattoos and striking fashions.

Opal found herself whispering, “I am an Oan woman”. Even though her position of leadership over the National Liberation Movement had been relinquished, she felt empowered and bold and prepared to not only fight for freedom, but to rule in a free land.

Moissanite had attended the conference with her. He had held many ideas about Oans, some of which were true, but above all else he was impressed. He almost understood where their arrogance came from and partly forgave them for it. The Oan people had governed their country freely for 800 years. They had chosen their God and used him to become a major economic and political power. They had once ruled an empire that spanned half an ocean. And they had managed to build a democratic, egalitarian and sophisticated political and social system anyway.

Whatever he felt about them, he was certain that he respected them.

Lapis stared at the wall and scratched lines into the surface with an old piece of broken glass. The glass cut the palm of his hand. Drops of blood dripped on the floor. But it did not matter. He kept scratching.

When the conference had concluded, Opal ran outside to meet Aroha Pūtea. She was certain that she would not know her, but she was determined to meet her. When Aroha Pūtea turned around to greet her, a beaming smile formed on her face. She was excited that she gave Opal a big hug.

“I am sorry I did that hoa”, she said apologetically, “But I am so excited to meet you”.

Opal was flattered. Her pale skin turned a bright shade of red and she lifted her arms at her side and stood on the tips of her toes in the way that she had always done as a child when she was pleased.

She managed to stammer a, “Thank you”.

Aroha replied, “I should be thanking you! I am pleased that you have come to our little gathering. I thought you may be busy, so I did not wish to disturb you”.

Opal felt as though she was levitating off the ground. When she finally returned she replied It’s not a bother at all! I was so pleased you came and I am glad I did".

“Would you like to walk with me?”, Aroha asked with the face of a child who would b le disappointed if she refused. Opal agreed and they walked for some time and some distance. They exchanged views and ideas and praised each other. People who walked past were almost startled as this formidable pair walked through the plain streets. One woman covered her face as she walked past, feeling hopelessly inadequate.

As the conversation hopped through different topics, the women surprised each other. Although they admired each other, they questioned each others ideologies. They disagreed on the unification of the Polynesian Church, they disagreed on the role of Oan in Gemite schools, they disagreed on the rapid industrialisation and urbanisation of Gemica, the disagreed on the exploration and exploitation of oil. Rather than be offended by her contrary views, Aroha welcomed them and commended her intelligence and independence.

It was a strange feeling to be respected and seen as an equal. Even within the National Liberation Movement there was always an “otherly” way in which she was viewed and treated. She was doted on, but covertly dismissed or simply forgotten. She came to realise what Oans were like: they respected those stood their ground and graciously accepted defeat. The days of oppression were indeed over, but this democratic dispensation was a tricky path to navigate. It needed strong, gracious, disciplined and dedicated leaders. Opal was determined to he among them, whether it was at the helm of the National Liberation Movement or not.

Opal found herself making a startlingly personal request, “Aroha, I know I don’t know you well, but I have something to ask of you. My children were taken to the Oan Isles when all this mess began, for their own safety. We’ve maintained contact, but I want to be with them now. Please help me”.

Aroha nodded that she fully understood. She took out a phone and began dialing a number. She held the device to her ear. When the other person finally picked up she greeted with an, “Autenāutu!”

She continued, "Au me i awhina ta autu. Au riro u hoa – Opal ta Kemika. Ae! Autuna! Ki uri ta autuna ki rori ko Oatimotueni! Aha tikanga mau autuna me?.. Faahiahia! Au whakawhetai autu! Bye!

She looked at Opal said, “We’ll find them for you”.

Elections for the new Jewelica Territorial Assembly, a subnational representative law making body, were scheduled for 20 October. Sardonyx announced this new development on the Jewelica Territorial Television. The National Liberation Movement seemed to prepare its propaganda machine in seconds thereafter.

Billboards and posters lined streets and public spaces. Volunteers for the National Liberation Movement distributed pamphlets promoting their policy stance. They were campaigning vigorously for the National Liberation Movement to take all 20 seats in the Jewelica Territorial Assembly, with deputy leader of the party, Aotearoa Amethyst, was proposed as the Chief of the Territorial Assembly, while Sardonyx was put forward as the nominee for the NLM for the position of the Chief of the Territorial Council.

The National Liberation Movement registered to the Oan National Electorial Service to be legitimate Oan political party. The ONES approved, officially recognising the organisation as a political party. The National Liberation Movement would then be able to run in elections not only for the Jewelica Territorial elections in ten days, but for Oan National elections in a year’s time.

Opal and Moissanite decided to run as independents in the new elections. Aroha supported by getting them meetings with important Oan businessmen. Although they had been leaders in the National Liberation Movement, attracting donations from private citizens and sponsorships from businesses was more difficult than they had thought.

In order to rival the established reputation of the National Liberation Movement, they needed more exposure and clear policy platforms. They had to appear on radio and television, in posters and billboards, at events and on social media. Building up this kind of momentum was difficult. Aroha tried to assuage them by telling them how much more difficult it was to run in Oan provincial and national elections, were millions were required and the territory one needed to cover and the people one needed to convince were much larger.

Unfortunately she failed to assuage their nervousness. Their energy, vision and generally good reputation was enough to keep them going and attract people who did not think they were crazy. They travelled in a minibus tax, storing T-shirts, pamphlets and posters and other materials for their campaign.

Their first stop at Peridot City Square was laughable. Hardly anyone arrived and the people who did arrive, we fee and indifferent. Moissanite tried to crack some jokes, and got a cackle of two, but his real power was in his speech. He managed to deliver a sincere, but confident speech. He spoke about his experiences as a miner and in the war and presented a solid policy platform. He spoke to and interacted with the people, regardless of how few they were.

Enough people nodded their heads and shook his hand to give him some confidence that he would be elected to the Territorial Assembly. Opal, not wanting to be in the spotlight, stood by him and was the manager of his campaign. While Opal and Moissanite were trying to get up on their own feet, Sardonyx was in charge.

The Oan government was building a military base. A forest was cut down. Materials were brought in to build a proper runway, bunkers, barracks, offices, armouries, hangers, docks and marinas. This joint base would form the forward platform whereby the Polynesian Defence Pact would house its forces, project its power into the Packilvanian Ocean and launch an invasion into Gemica.

Already the Oan representative to the Command of the Polynesian Defence Pact, was presenting a proposal to invade Gemica to the other representatives, who would most likely acquiese. The National Council had already signed the notice of the declaration of war against Gemica and presented it to the National Assembly which would give its answer in the next few days.

Police and soldiers patrolled the streets of Gemica. They walked around carrying guns. They kept the fragile peace that served as a prelude to the storm that would come. Curfews were imposed. People had to be at home at a particular time, at work at a particular time. Rations were put in place. Food, water and fuel were carefully apportioned to each person - in small amounts.

The Oan had blocked trade. Their ships floated several miles from the Gemican coast. They prevented any ships from coming in or going out. The Gemicans could not access resources or trade what they had for foreign cash. The shelves at the shops were often sparse. Shop owners started closing their shops and hoarding food. They money they got did not mean anything.

Accounts were cut off. Oan banks had provided almost all Gemican financial services. The Oan Isles had ordered the banks to close their facilities and suspend services to the Gemite people. People could not be paid. They could not get credit or their savings.

People were suspicious of one another. They were careful to hide their stock of food or fuel. They were afraid of one another. Hunger and thirst had the power to turn people against each other. The Oans used starvation as a weapon of war. If the people were hungry, they could not fight. If the people were hungry, they could not resist. If the people were hungry, they would do anything for the Oans to have something to eat.

Unfortunately, the Diamond Authority was NOT hungry. They had hoarded all the resources of the nation in their heavily guarded compound. Although they lived frugally, they still lived. They were also very stubborn. They did not want to entertain any notion of giving up. They wanted to keep their island, even if it cost them the lives of their people. They were diamonds after all: hard and cold.

The Command of the PDP did not want to invade Gemica. The Oans wanted to beat the island into submission. The other Polynesians did not want to kill people and destroy the island. It would make them look bad. And it was just plain mean! They managed to convince the Oans to use a more measured approach.

The Oan Plenipotentiary to the Command, had scrunched his nose and begrudgingly said, “Fine”. So they simply sat on their weapons and waited for something to happen. Anything. They wanted something that would justify using force against the Gemites. They were, after all, to be seen as subjects of the Ruler of the Sea. It would be disgraceful to slaughter them. Whether or not it was ethical to starve them was questionable. But in war, regardless of the norms of the world, ethics were drawn in water and vanished with the blinks of an eye.

Hunger was hard to comprehend compared to violence. As Oans heard dribs and drabs about the situation eating whole hake and herring, buttered and garnished with parsely, lemon, pepper and salt, it was hard for them to imagine what it meant to be hungry.

So their criticism was half hearted and impersonal. They failed to gain traction or attract an audience. They were easy to ignore. It was the voices of the Gemite people that would spark an end to the crisis. It was the least free people of all who spoke: the political prisoners.