(Ye’leli, Listonia)
Leon Soleki had been Stapen Evesuni’s right-hand-man for nearly twenty years. He endured with him when he lost his wife and daughter. He had been with him back when Evesuni formed People for an Independent Listonia. He was present for dozens upon dozens of raids and attacks on the Sevropian and Dverian governments. And, now with Evesuni in power, he was his closest advisor.
Leon looked out to the tops of the large buildings of the central business district of the large capital as his limousine swept down the wide streets. He had come to grips with his age, but unlike Evesuni, he was in good health, and felt he had at least a good twenty years to go before his body was dragged to hell. But never mind that. For the time being, Listonia was theirs. They were a good team - Evesuni had unrivaled public approval, achieving near-cult status, while Leon worked behind the scenes, working on their plan to make Listonia into a power to be reckoned with across the realm. He liked how little Evesuni seemed to care about politics and running a nation - it made his dumb partner like a puppet, holding onto his every word, agreeing with almost all of his decisions.
“Have you heard the pipeline was approved today by Stromburg?”
Leon turned to the middle-aged vulpine sitting across from him in the limo. His name was Viktor Sevanle, an ex-Vekaiyun who had been drafted into the ranks of Yu Levolar, the large criminal organization that all three men belonged to. “Of course,” Leon replied. “Doesn’t mean anything though.”
“It means everything. This pipeline will bring in billions of veskonos into Listonia. We won’t have famines to deal with like we did this winter. If anything, it’ll save the country.”
“That’s impossible,” Leon replied. “Listonia is to become a full dependancy of Vekaiyu. Or do you not listen to your cohorts, congressman?”
He sighed as if they had argued this point dozens of times before. “Look, Listonia can’t support itself alone. It can’t win a war by itself. It can’t survive on its own. It was a good ride while it lasted, but let’s be sensible here: Listonia is already a part of Vekaiyu. It is totally reliant on the nation in almost everything it does.” He shrugged. “Nobody’s fault it happened that way. When we became a nation, Vekaiyu was the only one that extended a hand to us. Two years later and not much has changed.”
“Then why do you say this pipeline will save the nation?”
“Because. I doubt even Vekaiyu could settle the tides of the Listonian economy. We’re lucky that famine didn’t get publicized… that would be just more reason for Vekaiyu to occupy Listonia. Almightly help us if we become unstable again - if we lose those buyers for our agriculture, we’re toast.”
“Nice. You’ve got this all figured out, don’t you, congressman?”
“Better than you two do,” he replied, referring to Leon and Evesuni. “Evesuni’s at least seeing it from our perspective. You seem to be comfortable letting this state continue to go on like this.”
“Independence is important over everything else.”
“Right,” Viktor replied sarcastically. “Even more important than death.”
Leon leaned forward. “Let me paint a picture for you, punk. Until Vekaiyu is 100% certain Listonia will be theirs, they will never support a pipeline into Stromburg, because in their mind that gives Listonia a reason to live. And with Evesuni agreeing with them on practically everything they say, there will be no pipeline until Vekaiyu says there will be a pipeline. So I ask you, who’s really in control here?”
“So obsessed over control,” he scoffed. “Is that why your regime is among the most secretive in the realm, and why, if you could, you’d remove all the rights of the people in one fell swoop?”
“I would.” He watched as the congressman’s eyes widened. “The people are too uneducated to make decisions that would impact Listonia to such a degree. That’s why there are a few leaders for millions of followers.”
Viktor paused as the car came to a stop. He smirked. “Seems you and Evesuni don’t see eye-to-eye.”
Leon smiled. “You catch on quickly.” The car door opened and a silencer was jammed onto the back of his head. Two shots were fired, and the congressman fell forward into the seat in front of him.
“How was the trip?” the gunman asked as he opened the door closest to Leon. He held out a hand and Leon grabbed it, getting out of the vehicle.
“Too noisy for my liking,” Leon replied.
“Hope it wasn’t too long. They’ve been waiting for you inside.”
“Yeah, well learning a bit of patience surely wouldn’t hurt them, would it?”