“Time it was and what a time it was, it was
A time of innocence, a time of consequences
Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories, they’re all that’s left you”
“It is with this promotion to Ler Commodore that I believe our nation will see a rise in defenses. In such trying times, it’s important for all Vekaiyuns to adopt the added security of knowing there is a man quite capable of protecting our borders from a harsh world. I have no doubt in my mind he will serve the position… almost as good as I did.” She paused for echoing laughter in the large auditorium decorated with vintage artwork and marbled features.
Ikrisia listened to Selvala, her superior, bubble over yet another promotion in the Vekaiyun armed forces. It seemed like that was the only thing she knew what to do anymore in regards to the juggernaut of an army. Promotions. Moving people around. Meddling in their affairs. She wanted to say something, tell her to leave her reaching hands out of the military’s business, but each objection she gave inched her closer to a possible demotion. What a quandary. “I don’t even know who this man is… and he’s in charge of our defenses? What the heck is going on?”
“…Still, this was a necessary promotion. Ehjy has proved himself a capable soldier and a gifted tactician, gifted in the sense he appears to have very little military training, yet served the nation well in the days of Venavle and in dealing with his stresses on our nation. While he was deposed of his position as Arch-Ler Commodore due to health concerns, I am certain his recovery will be a blessing for the nation the Almighty has blessed as His own.”
“Health concerns?” Ikrisia thought as she shifted in her seat. “Since when does she speak of health concerns in a passing tone like that? She’s quick to call Evesuni a vulpine with a walking pair of cancer bags, but she’s so forgiving to this guy?”
“It is therefore my pleasure to present the new Ler Commodore of Vekaiyu, Ehjy Nimuos!”
Ikrisia watched as a relatively tall and lanky vulpine walked up to the stage amidst applause from the audience numbering in the thousands, no doubt. Luckily for her, due to her position of status in the nation, she had pretty good seats. He smiled as he saluted Kivia McEva and stood to attention when he addressed the crowd with a warm smile.
“Thank you, Kivia McEva, I’ll try not to trip over your shadow too much as I attempt to fill your big shoes.” He looked back at her as she laughed, along with a few members in the audience. “On a serious note, it’s an honor to be standing here…”
Ikrisia stared at the vulpine male behind the podium. “Where the heck have I seen this guy before? And… Selvala laugh? About something that’s kind of funny, almost poking fun at her? Did she recently visit the dentist? If so, I’ll have to thank them, they gave her way too much nitrous oxide…”
“I am thankful for the trust you have placed in me. While I am young, I come from a background where twenty one kits were forced to compete against each other, doing anything they could to prevent experimentations performed on themselves by rising above the others. Some attacked the designated leader of our clan, but he was far too powerful. So, some of us simply picked off the weaker ones, one by one. Project Uveshk was an important project that attempted to create a perfect race of vulpine men and women. It was hidden for so long, but now it’s all out in the open, Ikrisia. Yes, Ikrisia, I remember where you came from - you came from the same cloth I was cut from. And now that you’ve forgotten this, ignored your family and attempted to assimilate to a new one, it’s time to end your pathetic life, once and for all.” He slowly drew a gun from the podium and pointed it directly at her head. “I’ll see you in hell!”
“No!” Ikrisia shouted.
She blinked her eyes and realized it was all just a dream. What a dream it was. As she looked at the thousands of people staring back at her, she ducked her head and sat down, wanting to be as small as a fly so she could get out of the auditorium.
“Well, it appears our Kral Commodore doesn’t feel we need to strengthen our defenses against the chaotic nation of Bai Lung after all.” He laughed and smiled warmly at her as others joined in. “No need to sink into your seat, I’m well aware of the mind sometimes trying to make us listen to two conversations at once. But that’s what we all need to do - we have to be able to listen to all our neighbors and discern between ally and foe…”
Ikrisia rubbed her eyes. “Not another one… why can’t I be left alone? Do they all have connections? Why is it that I always seem to keep running into project members?” She paused as she watched Ehjy continue to woo the audience with his unusual charm and words. “Whatever happened to Leyuski? He would’ve known what to do.” Her body continued to shift anxiously in her seat.