The Unonian Curtain

[Fortuna]

Destiny City, Old Royal Palace

“And here is a photo from our satellite of Leni Atoll after the Vekaiyu Union’s testing,” Ferdinand Romano said as he handed the photo to Tristan Lytle. “As you can see there is a major difference between the two. What caused such destruction is still unclear to us.” Tristan held up the photo with another photo of Leni Atoll a few years back. After a few seconds he placed the photos down and sighed deeply. The fuzzy pictures didn’t look that much different to him, but he had other things to worry about over better satellites.

“Has anyone reacted yet?” Tristan asked as he gave back the photos to Romano.

“A couple nations seem to be tightening up their borders, but nothing too major. There also was that telegram from the Veridian Empire about that committee on WMD testings.”

“We’ll worry about those talks later, Reason already told me he would be willing to serve as delegate if needed.” Tristan took a sip of his cup of tea before continuing. “For now we need to speculate on how this testing would effect us. Is this weapon going to be a problem?”

“Well basically any weapon of mass destruction would be a problem to us. It’s just going to be another thing to worry about, right under being assimilated.” The two shivered just from hearing the word, the stuff of nightmares. “Speaking of which, this new weapon is most likely meant for the ongoing standoff between the VU and the Pax. I’m sure we’re not the ones on their minds when they decided to blow up an island. The weapon is probably meant to help even the playing field between the two.”

“And a way to even us in the process…” Tristan said under his breath. He looked up at Romano who was trying to understand what Tristan just said. “I was just talking to myself. You’re right though, none of this has anything to do with us, we’re all a bit spooked. Although… Would this hinder our nuclear testings?”

“Probably. Since the VU’s test, everyone has been keeping a close eye out for anything suspicious. I recommend that we stop our testings for now, at least until this whole fiasco has calmed down.”

“Agreed, but I still feel uneasy and I don’t want to be caught off guard. Have our navy from here to Eridani Theta on, hmm, medium alert for now, I’m not going to lose those waters.”

“I don’t think the VU cares about those waters though.”

“True, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. You have your orders Commander Romano, you’re dismissed.”

“Yes sir, and glory to the High Commander.” Romano smirked as he saluted Tristan.

“Yep, glory to me. Now take your job seriously and get out of here.” A few minutes after Romano left his office, Tristan got up and walked out to his balcony. From here he could see the full of Destiny City, baking in the sun. After awhile he too was feeling the heat and walked back inside. “Ehhh, too hot to worry about big weapons.”

[Todd_McCloud]

Provinsk Metropolitan Natatorium, Caluri District Area

For a Wednesday evening, the laneswimming pool was fairly deserted. It was unusual for such sparse crowds, but a downtown baseball game and an underwater hockey preseason game could have been responsible. Coupled with another beautiful Provinsk night, people would rather be outdoors than indoors.

“Do you come here often?” Ikrisia asked as the two faced each other in the water. In an effort to keep her identity hidden, she had given extra consideration to her attire, wearing a shiny black one piece that zipped in the back, coupled with a black swim cap and mirrored goggles to further hide her appearance. She wore black fins to give the appearance that she was there for endurance swimming. For all intents and purposes, no one could recognize her even if they had seen her just before she changed.

“Not as often as I’d like,” Yensey Nekuslovi replied. He was wearing simple blue trunks. “Usually I come after a long day, you know, to sort of clear my head, get out some energy, and relax before thinking about my projects and any new innovations. I think folks are generally more creative when they’re relaxed anyway. I take it you don’t come here that often?”

“Well, my residence has a pool, so there is that.” She smiled a bit. “The tint in these goggles make it hard to see anything, so I could be anywhere for that matter.”

Yensey laughed. “Well, you’re currently in lane two, leaning on one of the lane dividers, facing south. Good enough?”

“For the time being.”

“You’ve swam pretty well up to this point, though.”

“Well I’m not blind by any means. But I typically do not swim outdoors so I do not normally require these.” She looked around. “I have a proposition for you, if you are willing to listen.”

“Proposition?”

“It is only an option. I am required back in Eldura the day after tomorrow, as my presence is needed for a variety of affairs. In lieu of that, I can… make arrangements for you to work in Eldura. I have researched an opening that may be of interest to you. It will involve work similar to your own in Provinsk, and will require innovative individuals like yourself to work in our area of defense.” She paused. “I… can’t really read your face.”

“That… that’s quite a lot to ask of someone. To pick up their life and move to a different town, start new work, find a new place.”

“A new place can be arranged as well,” Ikrisia quickly responded.

“But I don’t think I’ve spent more than seven days in Eldura.”

“It is a beautiful city, really. A prominent center of Vekaiyun culture.”

“I know, but… it’s… different. I’m not sure what to say.”

“I see,” Ikrisia said with a nod. She the sighed. “This is probably too sudden. I apologize for being too forthright… this is not something I’m completely gifted in. It is asking a lot, and I understand. I only figured it would be a way for us to be… well…”

“Closer.”

“Yes, closer. And it would be a little easier for one of us to move than the other, considering our current positions. I just figured… well… what I am trying to say is if you honestly would like to get to know me, moving to Eldura would be an excellent way to accelerate that process. I can only venture to this city so many times. I’ve… already overstayed as it is.”

“Well, I’m not saying no to the idea… but I think-”

“Excuse me.” Both swimmers looked up at the lifeguard. “Are you two okay? You’ve been leaning on these dividers for quite some time.”

“Oh, yeah we’re fine,” Yensey responded. “Just taking a break. You know, catching our breaths.”

She pointed to several chairs off to the side. “If you need to take an extended break, please find seats over there in case there are others wanting to swim. We wish to keep these lanes open for active swimmers only.”

He looked around. “Active swimmers? You mean us two and the other four at the far end of the pool? I mean, lanes 3 and 4 are open, right?”

She grimaced, then looked over at Ikrisia, who was looking close to her general direction. “And kivia, if you’d like some new goggles that are more adequate for swimming at our facilities, I can lend you a pair.”

“Ah,” Yensey began, “Well, normally she would, but not today. See, we were out partying like we normally do, and, well, she had a bit too much to drink. She needs those for the lights.”

“Yes… I am so… hung over!” Ikrisia exclaimed, perhaps overdoing it a bit. “My eyes… are so red!”

“She’s a real drunk. Drinks almost anyone under the table.” He tried to shield himself from a splash from one of Ikrisia’s fins. “So if you could give us a little more time, we’ll go back to swimming laps.”

The lifeguard sighed. “Alright then. Don’t… overdo it or anything.”

As she walked around to check on the other swimmers, Ikrisia smiled. “I’ve never done that before.”

“What? Spoke to a lifeguard?”

“No… faked a hangover.”

“Ever had a real one?”

She shook her head. “Not that I can remember, I believe.”

“Heh. Must’ve been one heck of a bender then.”

“Not quite. I drink to socialize and nothing more.” She dunked her head in the water, then came up.

“So, how long do I have to make a decision on this?”

She shrugged. “That is entirely up to you, of course. But I would say sooner than later. A month’s time, perhaps? I wouldn’t expect someone to suddenly change their life in the middle of a night, but if you are willing… it is available.”

“And you’re sure you can arrange all of this?”

Ikrisia nodded. “As I have trusted you, I ask you to trust me. This is all very real - I would not put you in a position of jeopardy.”

---

Yensey helped pull Ikrisia out of the water after they had swam their final lap. She wobbled a bit in her fins, but he put his hands on her shoulders to maintain her balance.

“Thanks.”

“No problem. You gonna walk in those or should I carry you to the door to the dressing room?”

“Well… we might get in trouble.”

He shrugged. “I’d just get yelled at.” He waited for the lifeguard to turn her back, then he lifted Ikrisia up, carrying her in such a manner where he supported her back and calves, straddling her with both arms. Ikrisia was a bit tense and not quite sure what to expect, but after the first few steps she began to relax. She put an arm around his back, careful not to use too much force, and smiled slightly to herself.

“We may need to swim more often,” Ikrisia remarked, waving her fins slightly. “This was nice, you know, to get away from the stress of life.” She rested her head on his collar bone.

“Anytime, of course. Will I be able to see you before you leave?”

“I wouldn’t see why not. We will… determine the time and place tomorrow.”

“Same outfits?”

“Hardly.”

He laughed. “Yeah that might draw more attention to you. But we do have several pool bars in Provinsk.”

“Just an out-of-the-way restaurant would be best.”

“No problem.” He arrived at the doors to the dressing room and set her down on her fins. She bent down to take them off. “If you can wait outside, I can drive you to your hotel.”

“I appreciate that, thank you.” She smiled a bit awkwardly, unsure exactly what to do as the two stood there. After a short moment, she waved and walked through the dressing room door.

[Respublika_Bielarus]

Somewhere outside of Baranovichi

“Glad you could join us Madam President”, says Stanislav Koralov, President of Brest Region. “We have been long awaiting your arrival.”

“It is my honor to be here today”, responds President Slava Matinova, “Is everything prepared for the presentation? I am, as always, on a deadline.”

“Of course Madam President. We will be ready momentarily. Until then let me ask, how have you enjoyed Baranovichi?”

“It was wonderful Mr. Koralov. It was truly a sight to see. No wonder I declared it a hero city,” responded the President.

“Yes it is definitely something”, says Koralov looking out the window, “Ah, it seems everything is ready now. Let’s begin our presentation.”

“Madam President, I present to you the Bielarus-100, the Bielarusian Anniversary tank. We have the glorious honor of making it here in Baranovichi. You of course know all the information about it so why don’t we just cut to the chase and show it to you in action?”

“I agree Mr. Koralov.”

The tank pulls up to the firing position and the gunner pulls the trigger. All the sudden a shot rings out.

“Very impressive Mr. Koralov. It seems to have a very strong accuracy, but does it’s armor actually work?”

“Well, let us test it and find out for certain.”

A T-90 tank pulls up to the other firing position and fires a shell at the B-100. It bounces off the front plate.

“That is some fine armor we have there then. If a T-90 cannot go through it then I don’t know what will be able to.”

"Right. So, how many of these would you like to order Madam President?

“Well, taking into account all of our military forces, I would say we need to order 5,000.”

“5,000! That is a mighty high order…But nothing that cannot be accomplished, though it will take some major work.”

“I have full trust in the people and workers of Baranovichi to complete the order. I will of course travel to the city every now and again to oversee that the order is completed.”

“And your trust is well placed. Thank you for your time Madam President. It was an honor to meet you once again.”

“Thank you Mr. Koralov. It was my pleasure to see you once more. I look forward to our future encounters.”

---

A few Hours later. Southern Brest Region

“Is everything in order?”, asked Tatiana Bulyanova, Second in command of the Brest Territorial Defense Force, second only to President Matinova. “We must make sure the border is secure”

“Yes Commader Bulyanova everything is in order and has been double checked. All the weapons are ready.” responded Lt. Stukarov. “Every weapon will be fully operational in less than 2 hours.”

“Good good. It is our duty to make sure that our region is defended. We must ensure the protection of our people of course, I mean, we are only one of two provinces that borders water, so its only logical we set these defenses up here.”

“Yes it is madam.”

“The President will be very proud of our weapon system. We will deploy units to many cities here by morning. Tomorrow the new weapons will arrive to us, we will make preparations for the military parade, and will make the defense of the region fully possible. I want you to do me a favor and deploy 500 units near the navy yard along with 50 artillery batteries and 22 tanks.”

“Yes Commander. It will be done.”

“Good. I must go speak with President Matinova now. We will talk more on this later.”

The two salute each other and Tatiana walks away. She then reaches the strategic center of the Army base camp.

“Get President Matinova on the line for me.”

“Yes Commander Tatiana”, responds computer scientist and Lt. Jesse Soval.

President Matinova appears on the screen

“Commander, it is good to be talking to you once again”, says President Matinova. “I hope everything is going okay in the preparations for the defense of the region during the Annual Military parade in Brest. It is all going well yes?”

“Of course Madam President everything is going fine for us. We have 25,220 soldiers deployed in all and another 5,000 in reserve. Our tanks and other defenses are in position. We will have everything prepared for the protection of Brest during our parade and we can ensure that no one will be able to attack us.”

“Good job Tatiana. But I have a new mission for you. In a few hours my son will be arriving in the City of Brest. He will be giving a speech before the people during the parade. I am trusting you to protect him during his visit there. Can you do as such?”

“Of course Madam President. It would be my honor to watch over Alexei while he is here in the region. When will he be arriving exactly so that I can get him an escort?”

“Thank you so much Tatiana. You are the only one in the region I trust to do such a job. He will arrive in an hour and a half. And trust me Tatiana, I know you are happy to watch over Alexei for me. Good luck and God speed.”

“Well that was interesting”, says Lt. Soval. “I guess the President really wants to make sure everything is secure.”

“Yes she does Lt. Soval. She just wants to make sure the people and her son are protected during this time. We must ensure of it.”

“Of course Commander, but if I may, what did she mean by that you are happy to see Alexei?”

“Alexei and I went school together and practically were best friends. After I went off to the Military college, we didn’t speak much and this will be the first time I’ve seen him in 17 years.”

“Well, I am sure he will remember your friendship.”

“Hopefully. Well, thank you for your help Lt. Soval. Have a good night.”

[Todd_McCloud]

Eventually, the summer sun and the heat gave way to autumn, the various trees dotting the Vekaiyun landscape would don colors of brown, yellow, red, and orange as the seasons would change yet again, colors chosen years and years ago when the Almighty selected them in times of old. The gentle breezes were cooler now, the easterly winds waking once more as farmers worked to harvest their crops in rural Vekaiyu, while the more urbanized folk simply went about their daily lives. Fore all things come to pass, and life presents its hills and valleys, but through the scope of time, the variation in elevation appears smooth as the years press on.

Of course, in a cemetery, time appears to stand still.

Ikrisia gazed out at the endless rows upon rows of cremated remains of the open air mausoleum, an enormous structure dotted with carefully-planted Vekaiyun fauna and trees providing shade to those who entered the rather sobering arena. The structure was essentially four very large walls which formed a silhouette of a cross - believed to be the largest in the world - formed by the four walls. Inserted in each wall was a 3x3x3 inch cube shelf which housed a single urn - a box, with the name of the individual engraved on the box accompanied by a relevant picture from family members. If no family member was selected, the photograph on file from an identification card was used. Care was given to place family members together, and in many cases whole families occupy a small section of one of the walls.

In total, nearly four million urns were present within the four walls, casualties from The Great Tragedy of Iruk where an Alleghenian misfire during the 2010 Civil War resulted in the release of a particularly deadly chemical. At the time, historians mused, no one could have seen it coming.

Ikrisia was standing near the center of the memorial, where a statue of St. Aiya resided. Though there were places to sit, she couldn’t bring herself to do so, and instead just stood there, letting her rather unassuming outfit conceal her identity yet again. The hand of Yensey Nekuslovi holding hers was a welcomed gesture, but in the thick air around them, it was tough to find comfort.

“Thank you for coming,” she whispered.

[Todd_McCloud]

Toriplesk, in Lekinapi Province

“Welcome to my domain, Premier Levinile,” Yuso Kilastayey, a middle aged vulpine and CEO of Toriplesk, replied. He wore an all-black three piece suit complete with black gloves - a look he had become well known for in Lekinapi - and across the globe. His company, Toriplesk, was the largest miner of thorium in the world. Thorium was, of course, a clean element which unlike uranium could not be weaponized.

“Your scans have completed?” Ikrisia asked. Ikrisia on the other hand wore her typical uniform, which was black but perhaps not as black as the suit Kilastayey had on. She walked over after the CEO stood to properly welcome his nation’s leader into his conference room - monochromatic with abstract art and a large metallic table.

“Yes, yes we have,” he answered quickly. “Our assessment is complete. I won’t bore you with the details, milady, but we should be able to set up a large operation on the southern point of the atoll. That way we can start working immediately on land operations and then move into marine mining. It’s a much less daunting prospect than what we were initially facing, but we still needed to invest quite a bit of capital to start. You may be surprised based on the splendor around you, but we had to take a loan out in order to pay the upfront cost.”

“Ah,” Ikrisia said, a nod soon following.

“It would seem as though we both got what we wanted in this endeavor,” he added. “I have access to that massive thorium deposit, and you were able to test that weapon of yours with success.”

“Did we now?” Ikrisia questioned. “You believe this is over, Kilastayey?”

“What do you mean?”

“I had asked you to sell thorium at a sharp discount to the Vekaiyun Union, yet I have not seen any sort of posturing to that side of our agreement yet.”

He smiled. “Premier Levinile, we’ve not accessed that thorium to turn a profit just yet. Once we do, and I assure you that we will, your nation will indeed get the rightful cut.”

“I have been informed that surveyors have been dispatched to Leni Atoll in order to establish a base of operations and several mining areas which have been scoped out already. You have indeed broke ground, Kilastayey, and it is time for you to live up to your word.”

Yuso Kilastayey’s face darked. “With all due respect, Premier Levinile, I cannot do that just yet. We need to actually officially open operations there first. Once we do, you’ll get your discount.”

Ikrisia grimaced. “You are altering the deal, Kilastayey. This does not bode well for my trust in you. But, if you wish to change the deal, it will need to be agreed upon by both parties. Vekaiyu and the Vekaiyun Union will get a discount of seven percent margins. The rest of the world will need to settle on your predetermined overheads… except for any nations in league with Lazlowia. They will not be allowed to benefit from this find which will revolutionize energy across the globe.”

“Seven percent?” Kilastayey remarked.

“Trust me, Kilastayey. This is a generous offer and will do well for the union.”

“You suggested ten percent last time and we agreed on fifteen!”

“The deal has changed,” Ikrisia replied. “Be mindful of your choices… unless you wish for me reclaim the atoll for the Vekaiyun government and do business elsewhere.”

“Let’s discuss this after we have our first shipment.”

“No. I will send you an official agreement upon returning to Eldura. Word of mouth no longer seems to work in this industry.”

[Todd_McCloud]

Ikleskio sen Bioria Kamitoristri (Cathedral of Seven Sacraments) Eldura

Perhaps the largest of the many cathedrals scattered across Eldura, the Cathedral of the Seven Sacraments, sometimes erroneously referred to as the Cathedral of Seven Saints in recognition of the first seven canonized saints of the Vekaiyun Catholic Church, seemed to stretch to the heavens as the chanting of monks and nuns filled the cavernous interior within. The vaulted ceilings depicted various colorful frescoes of early Vekaiyun Christendom, from images of St. Aiya - the First Sister - to that of St. Kabuu, St. Ives the educator, and St. Ignes of Provinsk. Of course, images of Christ were most central. Evenly dispersed between each scene were stained glass windows, beautifully adorned in a celebratory array of colors as light poured in and doused the row upon row of pews within the confines of the church.

The Cathedral of the Seven Sacraments was the worship center of choice for the immediate Vekaiyun government and its families. Their service, which began before the service for Elduran citizens, was roughly two hours early - eight in the morning, to be exact. But it was earlier than that, still, and governmental officers were filing in.

As Premier Levinile entered the building, she quickly attracted attention. But, it was not because of the simple black dress with a white lace vest she had on; rather, it was the person who was with her. It looked like just an ordinary citizen wearing a black suit. Was he a long lost brother? It couldn’t be, they looked nothing alike, and by now most figured she had no relatives. A friend? Vayan Catholics don’t hold hands with friends as they walk toward their seat in a cathedral. Who exactly was it? Surely she couldn’t have an actual date. She repelled kings from other vulpine nations and lords of the former royal family - what could this nobody have to offer her?

Murmurs began to stir around the building, but the serenity of the chanting monks kept the air peaceful.

“They keep staring at us,” Yensey Nekuslovi whispered to Ikrisia.

“Unfortunately for us, we sit in the front,” Ikrisia replied, appearing more confident than he did, at least on the outside. “Though we should make our way to the front quickly. It’s sinful to distract from the Almighty, especially here.”

Eventually, the two sat in the pew reserved for Levinile and her closest officers. She paid little attention to the craned necks attempting to figure out who the new person was, and why their Premier, who was known to be rather reclusive with her social life, decided to share a particular important moment with this man.

“Ma’am?” the human Kral Commodore Yamano Nevikalu questioned. “And… well, who’s this?”

“Yensey,” he said, taking his right fist and covering it with his left hand abruptly in the sign of a respectful greeting in Vekaiyu. “Yensey Nekuslovi. The… person from Provinsk who was at the First Vilines Charity Auction very early last year.”

Nevikalu nodded with a tongue tucked neatly in his left cheek. “Ah, alright. Yeah.”

The Vekaiyun Minister of the Interior, Vanse Iliskalu, nodded. “I remember you. The one who raised money for people in Vilines, right?” He waited until his guess was confirmed. “Very good. So what brings you to Eldura? Business? Premier Levinile does not grant business proposals during a service.”

“Face forward, Ikiskalu,” Ikrisia remarked. “We’re in the House of the Almighty not a conference.”

“Well I don’t remember you,” Ehjy Yslevestri, the current Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke. “Perhaps it would have been better to introduce yourself earlier?”

“He’s not here for you, Yslevestri,” Ikrisia deflected. “Nor any of you. He is here for mass and to take communion.” She smiled and bowed her head slightly as the bishop passed by.

He smiled back. “Ikrisia,” he said with a warm smile (only certain people would call her by her first name. The bishop was one of those people). “Back from your travel to Provinsk, I see. How did that go?”

“Excellent, your excellency.”

“Ah, very good to hear. And who might the individual next to you be?”

“This is Yensey Nekuslovi. The two of us will be taking communion together, your excellency.”

The bishop paused, then nodded and moved on to greet others in the first row, as was customary for the particular cathedral. It was practically the only thing customary right now, as someone asking to take communion with someone else in the Vayan Catholic Church meant they had entered a serious relationship and wanted to ensure it is blessed for future endeavors. It was something perhaps all of her closest officers never expected her to say, for even some of them had tried and failed miserably, while others already knew they couldn’t possibly jeopardize their career with such a move. And, yet, here was someone else completely different, not a king from afar, nor a lord of the old defunct royal family, no officeholder or anyone associated with the inner workings of the Vekaiyun government. Just a scientist who happened to have a bout of philanthropy, a typical citizen who was about to do something certainly rather Urth-shattering. It was both inconceivable and exciting, and would certainly make for hundreds of questions to be answered later.

Of course, now everyone wanted to meet Yensey Nekuslovi.

[Todd_McCloud]

Prior to visiting Tano

“Are you listening?”

Vanse Iliskalu finished washing his hands and turned to notice the individual who had stepped into the restroom was Ehjy Yslevestri. “It doesn’t seem like I have much of a choice, do I?” He noticed the Minister of Foreign Affairs was blocking the door.

“I’ll be quick. What are you thoughts on this individual, Nekuslovi?”

Iliskalu dried his hands on a soft towel. Luckily for him, the restrooms were fairly large for higher officers in the Vekaiyun government, and clean - even the tiled floor had a particular shimmer to it. “So long as he stays away from the government, and so long as he isn’t a distraction, let the Premier go through the motions. Relationships are never truly solid, and when the two part, the officers of The Vekaiyun Government will be there for her, pen in hand, days filled with meetings, anything to take her mind off this unfortunate chapter.”

“I don’t think it will be that easy.”

“Oh?”

“I’ve learned that the two have been seeing each other for quite some time…” he looked in the mirror and pulled out a comb to keep his hair perfectly slicked back. “Over a year or so. Plus, you know her better than, well, any of us. She is an extremely reclusive individual when it comes to her social life.”

Iliskalu sighed. “What is your point?”

“My point is the sheer longevity has convinced me this has moved past basic frivolities and surface-only discussions. Surely, if they have been together this long, she should have opened up to the man, right?”

“And?”

“And, if he has received this well, that would seem to me that he could be in-line for a promotion. Think about it. Levinile is slow to trust anyone. You yourself understand that, after all, you had to follow Vinsent Miloskari, the ‘native son’, if you will. If the man has gained her trust, what’s keeping him from meddling in our affairs? Given enough time, why, perhaps his opinions could outweigh yours.”

He shook his head. “Unlikely. The Premier trusts me quite well. And I do not believe she would ever do something as rash as take a clueless scientist into the top government circles.”

Yslevestri wagged a finger at the Minister of the Interior. “Yet one year ago, would you ever expect her to be in a serious relationship? Spending time, traveling here and there, perhaps for business, perhaps for social activities, all while keeping this completely hidden from you?”

“Well…”

He held up his hands. “I know, I know, you want to say that we have no right to know every facet of her private life. And that is true. But if she did trust you, why was something as big as this kept secret? Perhaps we really don’t know her exactly. Perhaps she doesn’t trust you as much as you’d like to think she does.”

Iliskalu looked away. “Yeah, well…”

“You’re going with them to Tano, right? Well, then for the sake of all the top officers in Vekaiyu, follow them closely, for us. Just… see for yourself. See who she spends time with. Heck, try to drive a wedge between the two of them just to see how they react.”

“I can’t do that. I won’t do that.”

“Then do everything to show this guy is completely unqualified to even, well,” he folded the towel Iliskalu dried his hands on, “hold our washcloths. And if the Premier seems distracted, pull her back to her work, because the nation is more important that an individual. You know what I mean?”

“Right.”

“Very good.” He smiled as he pushed his glasses back up. “All the best on your travels.”

[Todd_McCloud]

Yensey Nekuslovi may have been detached from the doldrums of politics and prejudices, but he wasn’t a fool. He had figured out Ikrisia and Stapen Eveusni had some kind of special relationship, but he wasn’t precisely sure what. He knew there were various governmental dealings going on, but he wasn’t one to pry when it came to that. It wasn’t his place. After all, Ikrisia didn’t do the same when it came to his job. That wasn’t to say he couldn’t figure things out from time to time. He could connect the dots. He was a PhD and he was one to rely on the scientific method. Test the hypothesis, observe any changes, and draw conclusions. But that was easy. That didn’t factor in time. And time governed the entire experiment, and forced him to make a decision that lacked the comfort of data and repeatable outcomes. It was an educated guess, something that he wanted more than the anticipated outcome, which drove him further. And, when it came to a scientist, well, the more he ventured from the creature comforts of a well-thought-out design of experiments, the more he became a bit uncertain. It had a chance, but it wasn’t a guarantee.

It was a best-guess. It was the most plausible direction. Yet everything told him what he was about to do was a mistake.

The fluorescent lights above him hummed as the ceiling tiles contained their warm if not sterile lighting in the office of his superior. The older scientist peered at him through spectacles somewhat dulled by years of an unchanging prescription somewhat scuffed by years of working around acetone and other polar solvents that did their best to change his eyeglasses to a detriment. And even though he too was a chemist, apart from the eyewear, his clothes were impeccable, prim and tied properly to his thin frame as if he were to be ready for a quick meeting or sudden sales shindig. Even though his face was worn and displayed the fissures of old age, his tie was youthful and crisp, ready to tackle even the most arduous of difficult tasks ahead of them.

“You wanted a moment of my time?”

“Sir,” Yensey began. “I am tendering my resignation. Effective immediately.” He watched as his superior grimaced. He knew a day like this would come eventually, that his loss would affect the company in some negative way. It wasn’t anything personal. But that didn’t quite matter when it came to the big picture. “You’ll understand that under the current capacity I can no longer do my work for this company.”

A grimace turned to a slight glare. “And what capacity would that be?”

“I am moving, to Eldura.”

“And do what?” He pushed his glasses up a bit.

Yensey remained defiant. “That is my business, sir. I thank you for the years of progress and direction.”

The older gentleman scoffed. “I know it’s none of my business, but I just want to say I know what’s going on. It’s in the papers. Your name is in the papers - do you understand that? And not for your work, but because you happened to involve yourself in the uppermost echelons of our government. You’re supposed to benefit this nation and our industry with your skill and innovation, not commit career suicide! You’re not a scientist! You’re a pariah. And you’ve disappointed me.”

“And look at you, badgering on like someone who’s some kind of life coach. You no nothing of my goals or my vision!”

“Oh I don’t? You think you’ll have time to do work you sacrificed everything in order to do? You won’t. You’re chasing something that provides no benefit, acting a fool, and for what? You should be seeking a lateral move at best, but with your education and results you can ascend in this industry! Don’t you get it? There are many, many who would trade places with you for this chance. Look around you! Look at all the laboratory equipment. That wasn’t purchased without our good results! We make money, we innovate, we produce, and we are given more equipment to innovate. It’s that simple!”

“Yeah well a job is not a life! Or a dream!”

“Then you’ve only fooled yourself - working as hard and wasting a greater part of your life fooling yourself and those who invested in you too, those who took the time to train and foster your imagination, those who honestly felt you would take us to better things with each passing year.”

“But you don’t own me. This industry doesn’t own me.”

“Yet it is an investment! You should be constructing theories and devising new technology to help not just our industry but our nation. Instead you are wasting your time. And yes, it is a waste of time. Working late in the night on an experiment is more important!”

“Like you do,” Yensey affirmed. “You work late in the night because you have no family. I want a family.”

“You could have had both!”

He shook his head. “No, I couldn’t have. I thought I wanted the accolades, the money, and the publications in the best peer-reviewed journals. I studied and lived out of my car to make it all happen. But time is currency, and that has a lot of purchasing power. I gave much of my paycheck away to help those in Listonia, much of my time to help them, cause I learned to live frugally. I didn’t need it, and I found other people who were willing to donate too. No one seemed to mind my popularity back then, no one told me to focus on labwork back then. It was a good thing and the company loved it. But, my life changed that night. I spoke with her. Got to know her. And I found out she cared just as much about them as I did. Maybe more. It’s… different, but a good kind of different. A refreshing kind of different. And she didn’t make it easy for me. But, that’s my choice. She means a lot to me.”

“Enough to ruin your career over? Think hard about this Yensey, because-”

“Yes. Yes sir. She means that much. Because I know if the roles were switched, she’d do the same for me.”

He chuckled. “The Premier would give up something for you? Like what. Name one thing.”

“Well, she’s given up her time, money, and…”

“And?”

“And her feelings.”

“Feelings!” he laughed as his chair nearly spun from his desk. “She’s the Premier - the most powerful person in our region. What makes you think she’d ever give up something for you?”

“Because she loves me too, sir. You don’t have to give things away to love someone. There’s no laws when it comes to love, unlike science. The only thing about love I’ve known is that it doesn’t make sense. It’s just there.” He looked down at his former superior. “And this conversation has given me more confidence that I have made the right choice.”

“Right or wrong, it’s a choice you must live with.”

“Trust me, I’m not concerned.”

[Todd_McCloud]

Yuko Uyastromistre sighed as he took another sip of his islovium. His vein-riddled hands set his glass down carefully as he used his other hand to prop up his head, which was slightly turned to face his longtime friend, Stapen Evesuni. No one really knew him like he did. While, yes, Stapen was uneducated and oftentimes displayed his lack of intelligence, he never saw a drive quite like his before. And so he followed him, through prisons and tense moments, getting shot and getting drunk, the usual stuff old friends in Listonia did back in the day. Of course, back then, his pompador was a bit more black and his striped suit fit him a bit better.

He was a lawyer, the man who became instantly famous for tearing up his law license during a speech, years before Listonia was its own state. He, like his friend, was instantly branded a man of the people. And a man of the people had certain responsibilities. But, sitting at the bar, alone and away from the public, they could revel in the fact that while they were relics from a slowly-fading time, they did what they set out to do. They freed Listonia.

But that did not bring happiness. His old eyes looked his friend up and down as he blearily set his glass down and stared at it, almost as if it was talking to him, revealing secrets and memories of his past long buried by the past. Yet he knew he wasn’t drinking to remember. He was drinking to forget.

Yuko quietly patted Evesuni on the back when the bartender moved to the back. The sounds of the clinking glasses and kitchen noises settled like dust on the shoulders of the old men as the two of them met eyes, eyes that had seen the same memories for years, but had produced different fears as a result.

“I know,” Yuko finally said. “I know, you know, about her.”

Stapen proffered a single nod. He opened his mouth as if he was going to say something, but quickly decided against it.

“And it eats you up inside. This isn’t the first time we’ve been drinking, you know? I can see it when you drink, because you can’t hide your emotions like you usually do. Like me with my parents, you know?” He smiled. “You should be proud. Look at what she’s become. She’s succeeded more than you or I could have possibly imagine.”

He watched as Stapen reached for another sip. “And if she knew you the way I did, she would be proud of you, too. But she doesn’t. She’s living her own life now, right? Like we did all those years ago. She’s got her whole life in front of her, and she wants you to be a part of it. But she wants your approval, man. I can see it - I know these things.”

“I would give anything for her happiness.”

“Then you need to show her you approve of her and her choices. No one was there telling us to stop or not do something a certain way - if they did they were our enemies or the news, right?”

“I don’t want to see her hurt.”

“But in restricting her, you’re hurting her. You mean to tell me you can just sit here on a barstool and mope and drink like you do and you still think that’s better for her? She lived without a father for years. You need to be at her side, giving her everything she’s missed out on. Everything. You need to give her that confidence she never had, and that figure in her life she desperately needs.”

Evesuni set his glass down rather loudly. “I have nothing to offer her.”

“Aw, come on. Now you’re just feeling sorry for yourself. We liberated a nation. You have a wealth of experiences. But more than that, more than any of that, you’re her own flesh and blood. The way she blew up at you, she wouldn’t do that if she didn’t care. You just need to be there - that’s all you need to be. Show her that you’re her father. Act like a father and be there for her in thick and thin. You’re in her corner and she needs to know that you’re there no matter what.”

After Yuko’s diatribe, Stapen tightened his lips. He wasn’t one to cry, naturally, of course, and especially in front of anyone but no one. He put a hand over his eyes as he bowed his head, doing his best to hide. “Oh God. I’m a horrible father.”

“Nah, nah come on, you’re just… outta practice is all. You know, you gotta get worked on it. Obviously you’re good if that’s what she is now.”

“She doesn’t even know me… she doesn’t know anything about me, and I don’t know anything about her!”

“There’s still time! Come on, pull yourself together - tomorrow’s a new day and there’s still time to right this. All you need to do is put yourself out there, call her, and ask to really meet this guy - that’s all.”

The Listonian Premier grabbed the ledge of the bar as he tried to heave in breaths. Lost years of worrying, of begging sat on his chest like a five hundred pound elephant. Emotions buried beneath his own grave surfaced, briefly, to squeeze at his soul and fondle his feelings, feelings that had been suppressed for quite some time. It was a bit different this time, as in times past he was able to shrug it off as a sort of ‘this is how it will be’ and ‘there’ll be another day’ - any kind of creature comforts to keep the bad emotions at bay. But, as he stared at his wiry, vein-riddled hands, he realized that those excuses were quickly drying up. He was dying. And he couldn’t waste another moment. He needed to speak to her, and speak to her right now. But what would he say? “There’s nothing… I can do!”

“Settle down, man!”

“No, dammit!”

“Stap, calm down!”

Years of living without another lung and navigating through the clustered brambled forest of perils that was emphysema placed a strain on him, and not just his withered and weathered body. Sure, he quit smoking when Ikrisia demanded him to, but the damage was already done by the time he quit. He gripped his chest as he sputtered for air. “Can’t… anything!” The once well-known orator was suddenly without words, his tone choked by the growing thorns which pieced his one lung and windpipe, growing and thickening from years of careless abuse.

Yuko snapped his fingers as the bartending staff behind the wall set into action, preparing for the worst. “Stap! Settle down! You’re going to do exactly what I tell you to do and you’re going to listen good, you h-” He motioned with his hand. “Get over here, dammit - he can’t breathe!”

His chest felt like concrete as he struggled for breath, but before he knew it he was flung on his back, his shirt felt looser as those around him moved at him. Something was different. This was all different. A look of fear ran across his face as he tried to heave in breaths, but he simply couldn’t. This was it. A mask with a bag was placed over his mouth almost instantly. A few puffs didn’t really help, and he couldn’t pass enough air over his windpipe to speak. A glance at Yuko caused him to move a hand at him, begging him to hear his words just one more time as his eyes became heavy. His body jerked. His arm tugged. A groggy glance at his longtime friend was all he could provide.

[Todd_McCloud]

“Ikrisia!”

After traveling to Eldura, Yensey had to admit that the words of his superior were getting to him. This wasn’t something easy, nor was it a guarantee, especially with how he had ventured into the uneasy realm of media attention. But even so, even with all of those changes, just what was he to the Premier? Someone to tag along? Perhaps a fling? His conscience knew better, but his mind pressed on. Clearly there was more at play. Clearly there was something he couldn’t put his finger on. “Ikrisia! Are you ready for Provinsk? I know it’s still a bit chilly this time of year, but heck, it can’t be any worse than Eldura, right?” He continued toward the premier but stopped abruptly when he realized she wasn’t really responding to his words. “Well? Are you ready or not? Or do you need time to work on stuff?” He signed. “I get it. More meetings, right? I mean, I know being a leader is more important than being a premier and all, but I guess… well, that is to say, what I am trying to say I that I thought maybe for once you’d be willing to put that aside for a bit. I’m doing the best I can here.”

Ikrisia turned toward him after staring outside of a frosted window. Her cheeks were a bit wet, at least as far as one could tell with how the fur looked. “No… we can go. I am sorry I have not totally been as open as you have in all of this. We can go.”

Yensey paused. It was the first time he had truly seen the premier emotional. “What? No, wait. Something’s wrong. What’s wrong?”

Ikrisia looked at him with eyes in a forever stare, locked in a forlorn sense of abandon. “Nothing. Nothing’s wrong.”

“Ikrisia, I can read you like a book written by a first-grader. Tell me.”

“You don’t want to know, trust me.” His stern gaze was unwavering, no matter how hard she tried to dodge the issue. “Yensey… I can’t.”

“Sure you can. You can tell me anything, just as I can tell you anything. That’s how these things work. No secrets, because we understand each other and know what’s wrong, without the rest of the world knowing.”

Ikrisia huffed a sigh. “I… you really want to know?”

“Sure.”

“Even if what I am about to say is highly sensitive and is grounds for killing someone off?”

“You want to kill me for telling me something?”

“Well, no.”

“Then go ahead. I can probably take it.”

Ikrisia nodded. “Very well. I was born from a peasant family in Dveria, now current-day Listonia. I’m not Vekaiyun, just some figurehead to keep the peace and keep the nation safe. I was taken by the state to become a sort of supersoldier, but in the process of Max and Selvala, then myself, I gained a sense of morality, and a sense of purpose. I am… not someone to be looked up at. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time is all, nothing more. And in the end, someone will replace me, and my duty to this world will be complete. In the meantime, my… father is ill, and I know you meant this to be important, I ask… I would like to visit Listonia.”

Yensey blinked. “I don’t know what you’re trying to tell me.”

“I’m a supersoldier with fake arms who was given up at an early age by an unintelligent farmer from Dveria. Please. Try to understand.” She wiped a tear from her cheek. “I know he’s so rough around the edges, but he means a lot to me, even if he’s too dense to understand.”

“Wait.” Yensey put a hand on Ikrisia shoulder. “You think Stapen Evesuni’s your father? Oh, Ikri-”

“He is my father, Yensey.” She watched as his eyes widened. “I know you don’t believe me, and I don’t blame you. But afford me one week to show you, and I promise you, all will be revealed.”

“Whoa… holy shit, you’re for real?”

“Have I ever lied to you?”

“No… but we truly need to see him? I don’t understand. If what you say is true, didn’t he abandon you?”

“Please. If there’s one thing I want to ask of you, it is this. Please try to understand. I… didn’t want you to know this way.l”

“Oh? And how did you want me to know?”

Ikrisia paused. “I do not know. I am sorry. I did the best I could given the circumstances. I really wanted you and him to really become close friends, but I was wrong in that, and in doing so I may have made things worse. But what I say to you is true. Stapen Evesuni is my father. And I miss him dearly, even if I have been a terrible daughter in the process.”

“Ah, come on, now,” Yensey replied as his grip turned more into a hug. “You go to him. But I can’t come.”

“Why not?”

“Well, he doesn’t really care for me, you know? I’m pretty sure he’d rather kill me than get to know my name.”

“Yensay…”

“I’m serious! What do I do? Tell him I brought some expensive brand of liquor? That I’m some kind of rich person who can give him all sorts of money? The guy hates me! What I ask, what would he want from me? What do I tell him?”

Ikrisia sniveled. “Tell him you brought me to him. Tell him that and all will be forgiven.”

Yensey processed Ikrisia’s words, thinking them through, and attempting to make sense of them. Just what sort of dynamic did she have with this weird family? Were there any other sort of revelations waiting for him once they traveled, if they even did travel? And why did she feel the need to hide things from him? He was fairly open with her - why couldn’t she do the same with him? Did she trust him the same as he did her, or was he just naive to assume the Premier of Vekaiyu wouldn’t have any skeletons in her closet?

“Ikrisia… we will go to Listonia. We’ll do it because it’s important to you. And that’s how a couple should behave.”

[Todd_McCloud]

Although he was old, Yuko Uyastromistre was no fool, nor was he one to gloss over even the simplest of details. He knew the game - he had played this game for some thirty years with the likes of Leon, Stapen, Frankyo, Dazso, and all sorts of individuals. While he kept his distance from crime, the older he became the more he realized there was much he could get away with. It didn’t hurt that Evesuni, who was very much involved with crime, also ran a nation. It was… nice to have a strong sense of the legal system while twisting it at the same time.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m about to hop a plane to Eldura and…” the individual at the Ye’leli International Airport paused as a group of individuals approached him, their scowls and wrinkled visages distracting him from the conversation on his phone. “As I said, I’ll…”

“Do you respect your patients, Doctor Yuleveru?” The individual held his phone to his face as Yuko grabbed the device. He pressed a button to disconnect the conversation. “Because I don’t think you do. Now, maybe I’m just old and my hair is whitening just a bit on the sides. Maybe that means I’m prone to being scatterbrained or just, what do you people say, past it?” He slicked his hair back with his right hand, but it refused to bend, and instead bounced back to the pompadour that had been trained over the years. “I don’t think I’m past it. Do you?”

“N-no, not at all…”

“Good.” Yuko gripped him by the lapels of his suit and brushed off any residual lint. “You know, I’m a lawyer. I learned the laws of Dveria and Sevropia, and helped to guide the laws of Listonia. So I guess you could say I’m an intellect like yourself here. But there’s a problem. Do you know what the problem is, Doctor Yuleveru?”

“Not really,” the doctor responded, appearing more apprehensive.

“I guess that’s better than not, then. This is my problem, I guess you could call it a dilemma. I have my friend, you may have heard of him. Stapen Evesuni. He’s under your care after having some kind of difficulty breathing. I don’t know what it is. But I would appreciate it if you afforded him the same kind of respect you were giving your friend on the other line there.”

“What are you talking about?” he watched as the phone he was toting was removed from his grasp and snapped in half by one of Yuko’s henchmen.

“I mean, here you are, in the middle of Ye’leli International Airport, the building my friend Evesuni built, standing around like you own the place, like you’re some kind of important gentleman while my friend is dying in the capital here. How do you think that makes him feel.” He paused as one of his men drew a gun and pointed it at the doctor. “How do you think it makes me feel?”

Dr. Yuleveru sputtered when the weapon was drawn on him. “I mean, Stapen Evesuni, he’s a chain smoker who did much damage to his lungs. We had to remove a large portion of his left lung five years ago - he will have difficulty breathing, it’s only normal someone of his deteriorated state would develop these anomalies.”

“Which is why you’re going to afford the most amount of respect to him and sit by his side, knowing that whatever fate he endures is your fate as well. Which is why you’re going to get off this airport, accept a prepaid taxi to Mercy of St. Kabuu General, and sit by his side and ensure that he lives. Becuase if he loses his lung, you will lose your lung. If he stops breathing, you will stop breathing. Do you understand, doctor?”

The middle aged vulpine held up his hands. “Look, you all have it wrong. I have family in Vekaiyu, a child and another on the way. I-”

“You wouldn’t want to make your wife a widow, would you, doctor?” Yuko asked. “I didn’t think so. Looks like you’re in the country until Evesuni’s out of the hospital. Does that make sense? Do I need to spell it out for you? You are under our jurisdiction. Ikrisia and the Vekaiyuns can’t help you here. You are ours, and your fate will be the same as Evesuni’s.”

The doctor cleared his throat. “With Evesuni’s fate, that would be difficult to do. So much… so much damage has been done.”

“Are you Vayan Catholic?”

“Me? Why, yes I am. Why?”

“If you fail, we will bury you upside-down and in a coffin of piss. Fix him or we’ll fix you good. Now,” he continued as he looked down at the ticket the doctor held, “if you board that plane, we will find you. What’s your move?”

The doctor paused. “Well… that is to say, I’ll find another flight.”

Yuko plucked his ticket from his grasp. “Of course you will. Once you’re allowed to leave the hospital, you will. Would you like a taxi back to the hospital?”

“N-no, I can manage.”

“I hope you can, for your sake, doctor.”

[Todd_McCloud]

He never learned how to swim. Though he knew his daughter was good at such things, his whole life he spent away from the pools and lakes, keeping a firm footing on ground - something permanent, something that would be useful and familiar in times to come. He didn’t enjoy the water. He was a farm child from somewhere in Dveria, long ago, someone who spent their entire life in Ye’leli and surrounding communities to do the best he could, deliver orations, smuggle cash, and sometimes lead once and a while.

He avoided the water because he couldn’t breathe in the water. Yet now, as he opened his eyes, he realized his pathetic lungs, what was left of the right one and the remainder of the left, needed an aqualung to fill his body with oxygen. And so with the heaving of machines next to his bedside, he continued to live with deep-sea diving sounds. His rib cage burned and ached as emphysema continued its terrible dirge across his body, rendering the once small yet powerful Evesuni into some shadow of his former self, shadowed by the heavy curtain that was beginning to fall from above.

Why did he have to smoke? Why did he spend all his life abusing his body when times were bad, and when things were good, why did his body deteriorate? God was cruel like that, cruel when he had a strong body with hardship, yet just as much cruel when he was clean with a body damaged and ravaged from years of abuse. Now he was alone with the droning of the machine, lost in his thoughts, begging, yearning for the opportunity to free himself from this new prison he was doomed to serve, a prison of immobility yet an active mind, a mind that continued to remind him of every single terrible thing he did, the opportunities he missed, and the loved ones he wanted more than anything in the world to know he loved them in return.

He wanted Ikrisia to know all the times he lay awake wondering where she was, what she had become, if she was even alive. Everything he did was for her. Liberating Listonia. Fighting despite the static from his own people and the aching scars from bullets of times past. All of it was for her. But how? She wouldn’t appreciate it. She wasn’t there for him when he was squirming on a table as his kin removed a bullet without sedation. She wasn’t there for him when he was in a prison colony and was nearly hanged to death for his lack of strength. But she was. Maybe not physically, but she was there, if only in memory. To him, she was worth living for. To him, he’d walk nude in a river of glass for miles on end to ensure she was safe.

But she wasn’t safe, not then at least. She was corrupted by the very government he trusted. How was he to know? He was just a vagabond then - why did choices have to be so hard? She’d be dead if she journeyed with him - the fact that she was alive was a testament to her strength, not as a Levinile, but as an Evesuni. She was his. And he was so proud of her, of everything she did, the way she carried herself, the way she divorced herself from the likes of Venavle and McEva, the two individuals who has caused great harm to him and his people. And with these pains came other instances. The cigarette smoke said it would be okay. The alcohol numbed the feeling. The ash from the tar-laden sticks took the edge off and waylaid him into a false sense of security. It was all a temporary fix, but in the process of living, he forgot the one thing he wanted to do above everything else. He wanted to feel.

Now, in his hospital bed with disposable sheets and breathing machine to keep him company, he had a book to say, but could only be comforted by the soft rise and fall of his own chest. He remembered a wound he sustained several decades ago, a would carefully hidden behind the polka-dot gown that was now covering his frail body. It was a wound that resulted in the extraction of a particularly perilous bullet, one that caused him to reel in pain at the slightest metal touch from the forceps of Seri, the doctor of his group. He winced as he recalled the pain, but his hands, zip-tied to the bed rails, couldn’t reach the source of the faded pain. And, as he remembered the searing heat of the metal tongs, the itching pain of the probe reaching into his crimson-colored wound, he remembered that which kept him alive, the notion that somewhere, somewhere eastward, was the daughter he had to give up in the name of safety, the daughter whom he thought the world for, the daughter whom he would run to the world and back to ensure she was safe, clean, and fed. Farmers like himself never had those three things in tandem. But he wanted nothing less for her. If only she understood that. Maybe if she could overlook his brash personality, his hard shell of a personality, and the bitter experiences that hardened his heart like worn wineskins that held vinegar well past their prime, perhaps then she’d understand.

But it wasn’t that easy. She was dating. She had no idea how painful it could be to give your love away like that. He did that with her mother, he would be foolish to let her go through that herself.

Suddenly, the door opened.

“Oh… oh… dad.”

Ikrisia went to his side, with Yensey in tow. As she knelt at his side and gripped his tied hand to caress it with her warm cheek, he tried to grip and feel her, but soon gave up, realizing this was enough.

“Are you okay? Blink if you’re okay?”

He blinked, then tried to nod, but was really weak, and could only offer a soft slunk of his shoulders. Perhaps he was dying. Perhaps it was the pain medications. He couldn’t tell, but he felt strangely safe.

“Oh, Yensey,” Ikrisia began, “This isn’t like my father. He looks so frail. So weak. I can’t even tell if he knows what I’m saying.”

Yensey nodded. “Premier Evesuni…” Yensey began as he placed a hand on Ikrisia. “I’m here for you. I’m here for your daughter. I know I’ll never measure up to your standards, but I want you to know this. I love your daughter, sir. And because I love her, I love you, too. You can make fun of me over it, sick your people to beat me up over it again, but I love her. And no titles or anything will keep me from loving her. She means the world to me. She means everything to me. You… have my word in all of this.”

Evesuni tried to nod again, but the medications in his system were rather powerful. He instead decided to blink, listening to a command from Ikrisia a while back.

“I’m here for you,” Ikrisia said as she patted his hand. “We both are. You’re going to get through this, you hear? You’re too good to go like this now. Just hold on, okay? Say you’ll hold on.”

She watched as he blinked.

[Todd_McCloud]

“Eh, it doesn’t look very good,” the doctor lamented as he scratched the back of his neck. He should have been looking at Ikrisia when he said this, but his main focus was on Yuko. Ikrisia couldn’t tell, but it was as if he and the doctor had some kind of past relationship. “Look, he has emphysema in both lungs.”

“I don’t get it,” Yuko said. His back was turned to Evesuni - he couldn’t see him like this, and hated even hearing the machines in his room. “He was fine for a while, then he just kind of, I don’t know, got excited, and, you know, this.”

Ikrisia, on the other hand, stood closest to his bed. Though he was asleep, his arm was warm, and the various indicators displayed signs of life outputted as displays for anyone to see. She wasn’t immune to procedures, of course. Her arm consisted of synthetic skeletal frames of a steel composite, floating in between bone and cartilage that took hold when she was young to grow with her own body, keeping her proportions consistent and her secret hidden. “What can we do? Do we not have some sort of synthetic lungs that could be transplanted into him?”

“Well… I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“You mean like an iron lung?” Yuko asked. “Oh hell no, he’d sooner die than go through that.”

Ikrisia shook her head. “No, no, like something that’s internal, something that won’t go bad.”

The doctor grimaced. “I don’t think we have such capabilities. If we do, I’m not familiar with it.”

“Then what are our options?” Ikrisia asked as her ears moved down slightly.

He walked over to his chart. “I mean, it’s not that simple. He has emphysema in both lungs. As it stands right now, he can’t breathe on his own, and is under heavy sedation to cope with the medications we are administering to him.”

“Some wouldn’t call that living,” Yensey commented.

“It depends on how long he needs to wait. He just needs one lung, really. You can live with one lung so long as you aren’t trying to train for a marathon or something. But again, it isn’t easy. You need a donor, you need a match, and you need healthy tissue. Above all else, you need time, too.”

“It can’t be that hard to find a donor,” Yensey said, keeping the doctor in front of him to hide the body of his friend. “I mean, you just grab someone from the street, offer to pay them some kind of money for their lung, and then you have it, right? Just some common street thug who wants the easy life.”

Ikrisia glared at him. “You know he would never want that. He was a street thug once, right?”

“I mean, yeah, but…” he tugged the collar to his shirt as he looked impatiently up at the ceiling. “Look he can’t die like this. I’ve been around your father since I was twenty-five. I’m fifty-one now. He’s been shot, gassed, beat, almost hung, I mean, he’s really a lucky son of a bitch with nine lives, but he can’t die like this. Not, you know, looking like some kind of skeleton. I mean, dress him in his suit for Christ’s sake - he looks like some bum again. Do you know how much he hates that?”

“I… really do not.”

Yensey looked back at the doctor after being curious at the equipment. “Couldn’t any of us be a donor?”

“Yeah, she’s his daughter.”

“Yes, we should be a match.”

“And if not, I’d be willing to lend him one.”

“Me too. I’m old, but hell, I’m not like that.”

The doctor held up his hands to try and calm the group down. “I can screen you all, but beware: he needs the same blood type, same general size, VLA rating, that sort. It’s just not easy. In general, I have reservations on taking a lung from a healthy person anyway. Generally we get this from a deceased individual who has a lung readily available for harvesting.”

“Gruesome,” Yuko said as he made a face.

“What, harvesting? That’s the correct term for it.”

“Well how long would that take?” Ikrisia asked. “Does he have that time?”

He nodded. “So far. We’re keeping him sedated and he’s under my watchful care. We’re currently going through the lists to see what’s out there. Luckily his blood type is fairly common, but we’re doing the best we can. The list’s rather long.”

“Can’t you give him a bit of a pass?” Yensey asked. “I mean, he’s the Premier of Listonia.”

“Would he want that?” the doctor asked. “He’s my Premier just as he is yours. I had to learn about him when I was in school, you know, and maybe this isn’t the case, but he loved his people and would never want to hurt them. If he’s leap-frogged up to the top, that means someone who has been waiting for some time will likely die. Would he be okay knowing that?”

Yuko looked down. “No… no, not really, no.”

“Trust in the system. Like I said, his blood type is rather common, so it shouldn’t be that long of a wait. And against my druthers I can screen you all. But be advised, all three of you are unlikely to be cleared for such a thing, let alone be a match. Just… we don’t like doing this for a living person, because complications can arise.”

Ikrisia looked over at her father as the doctor continued to speak. She remembered the http://forum.theeastpacific.com/single/?p=10025538&t=5210364 back at regalia a while back, how her anger and emotions got the best of her and she said things she didn’t mean, but just wanted to have him listen, for once. She knew he wasn’t good with emotions, but neither was she. Perhaps that’s why they fought so much. But she knew that couldn’t be the end of the book. She couldn’t let him die with that being the last words she spoke to him.

“I will do whatever it takes to keep him alive.”

[Todd_McCloud]

Several Days Later

Initially it was tense to watch the Premier of Listonia, the illiterate vagabond from Ye’leli, but as the days continued the more this sudden jolt in routine became just that. Evesuni was sick, and could barely stay away for two hours in a day. It was difficult if he could actually understand what was happening, and each time he seemed to wake in a stupor, like he didn’t expect himself to be in such a predicament. He couldn’t remember when he was awake versus when he was sleeping, it seemed. And the more the days dragged on, the more those who were privy to his information struggled to make this routine. Yuko would wait until no one else was in the room to sob. He knew Evesuni for more than half his life, and he was a friend, a cut-up of a friend, but a friend nevertheless, a friend he could share countless stories with, like two old men on a park bench, lost in their overcoats, sitting together as the sun began to set and their once supple skin was replaced by wrinkles and liver spots. Ikrisia, on the other hand, just wanted to sit by him in the scant chance that he would remember, remember her harsh words and discard them, because she was there, ready for him, waiting for him. She didn’t understand all he went through, and he couldn’t understand her predicament either. But that didn’t matter - all smiles before the curtain finally fell.

As for Yensey, he was more or less their for support, strong when he needed to be, but above all else, observing and formulating. How fragile life was, the fact that a man who freed an entire people could look so skeletal, so fragile and weak, was unique if not off-putting. This isn’t the patriot he read about. This was something else. A vulpine with an actual soul, one that would age and then die. Such was life.

“Premier Levinile, thank you for attending,” Dr. Yuleveru continued as they sat in his calm, almost silent office, a variety of forms splayed across his desk and a computer with various post-it-notes and prescriptions lining the monitor. “I’m going to cut to the quick. The three of you are no match.”

“But how?” Ikrisia interrupted. “I’m his daughter. I have the same lungs he does. Right?”

“You are his daughter, yes. Yuko isn’t his blood type. And Yensey, his VLA number isn’t quite right, and the lung would more than likely be rejected. But you, the lung is different. You’ve developed a sort of immunity. Surely you know what I’m talking about, right?”

Ikrisia shook her head. “Not at all.”

He sighed. “I shouldn’t be the one to tell you this. You are certain you don’t know?”

“Know what?”

The doctor nodded. “There is a toxin that has lingered in your system for quite some time. During this time, you developed a sort of immunity? It’s hard to say. Normally I see this in extrusion formulators, but you’re no formulator, and nor was Evesuni. Tell me, did you have procedures done when you were a child?”

Ikrisia nodded, remembering her time at Project Uveshk. “Yes. I did.”

“Ah, that has to be it. See, you’re a unique case in that such things normally do not occur anymore, especially with someone your age, but it is known that high amounts of phthalate derivatives can cause defects.”

“Defects?”

“You’re safe, trust me. But these defects tend to occur, well… listen, I don’t want to bring you down with bad news, but the most important thing is we are still searching for a donor for Kivo Evesuni. We are willing and have begun pooling outside of this nation to find a match.”

Ikrisia nodded. “I see. But precisely what do you mean by ‘defect’?”

Dr. Yuleveru closed his eyes as he drew in a sigh. “Premier Levinile, you are unable to be with child. You… can ovulate, as I’m sure you know, but your uterus is like teflon - nothing will stick. That’s what phthalates do to a vulpine female. This is something that has been known for quite some time, which is why I thought you knew. Anyway, the phthalate poisoning makes you unable to donate a lung. I’m sorry.”

“What?” Ikrisia asked. “How could you…”

“This usually happens at a young age, this type of poisoning. It’s a known issue - did someone try to sterilize you at a young age?”

It was all coming clear to Ikrisia. These experimenters, the individuals responsible for robbing her of a childhood, robbing her of a life with her father, all in the interest of making her into some Maxist supersoldier, robbed her of one of the greatest things she was looking forward to. What good was she if she couldn’t reproduce? It wasn’t an issue five years ago, but then again, why would she when she was younger and dating no one? “There’s… no chance?”

“There is no chance,” Yensey confirmed.

How could they rob her of her ability to reproduce? It wasn’t enough that she didn’t have a relationship with her father, it wasn’t enough that she was forced to kill at a young age, they had to take that too? The most precious thing, the ultimate expression of love? That too was gone? Ikrisia felt sick to her stomach. “No… there has to be something else, like insemination or some other procedure. I…can’t be barren. It is not fair.”

“I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do.”

“You mean… you mean to say I’ll never hold me own child, love it, teach it, and… all of that?”

“Premier Levinile, forgive me when I say you are unable to have child. You’re barren. There’s no possible way you can have a child.”

“Why would you tell me this?” Her voice cracked.

“I needed to provide you a reason, because I cannot lie to you.”

“Well lie, then! I will never give birth? Have a child to love and-”

“Premier Levinile, there’s nothing I can do. I’m sorry.”

How dare they do this. How dare they take her father and all the life he had in him from her. How dare they make him force a rash decision between the survival of his child versus the love he could give her. How dare they. How dare they force her from him, take those interactions but, worse yet, take the very thing that made her woman, the ability to reproduce, the ability to show her love in ways only her species could show love, to produce a child, a living thing that required a steady diet of love and patience, something she was never afforded, but at least it was her chance to make up for her own shortcomings.

How dare they rob her of the life she was supposed to have.

“Excuse me,” she responded. “Excuse me, I need to be alone. You will understand? Thank you.”

[Todd_McCloud]

Yuko stood over the body of Evesuni as the darkness of night and the glow of city lights gave way to a sort of clandestine, glistening morning of a frosted Ye’leli. Stapen, of course, wasn’t really there to enjoy it, but he was still alive, still requiring a lung or two. Ikrisia wasn’t able to, and her companion Yensey wasn’t even a match. Yuko, on the other hand, just wouldn’t have a lung healthy enough for his condition - it seemed old body parts weren’t any good anymore.

Nothing was any good anymore, as far as he was concerned. His youthful body was traded away for an older one, a slower one, one that had gray hairs showing in the roots of his pompadour that he continued to dye in the hopes of clinging onto a more exciting time. There was nothing exciting about getting old, truthfully. His licenses that hung in his office were all dusty and in need of a good cleaning. The chair he sat in to mull over litigation and legalities had a groove in it and worn leather at the armrests, which he routinely picked at when he was nervous. And he was nervous often. Nervous over the Listonian state. He didn’t want what he and Stapen and all those past to go to waste. He figured of the whole bunch, he was the most loyal to the state. Evesuni, he knew him well, could be easily swayed by his daughter. And while she meant well, she had other motives, Vekaiyun motives, and though he was old, his memory was sharp, and he remembered well their treatment under Max and Selvala.

The more Evesuni clung to life in a hospital, the more the Listonian state would begin to fade. Suppose he did die. Who would take the nation over? Lso Yiskevi? That punk had no backbone. Ikrisia? Well, then so long Listonia. Someone else? What about him? He wasn’t in practice, but then again, the same could’ve been said for Stapen, a man who could barely read and got sick over the rich food people in the upper crust ate. This was a guy who got into prison fights, ate out of dumpsters, and would grab someone by the ears, pull them aside, and give them a damn good tanning. It couldn’t be that hard, more stressful than anything else.

“We all knew,” Yuko said with a smile. “We all knew it’d be you that would kill yourself. You had nine lives, you were the untouchable. But, dammit, it kills me to see you like this. It killed me when they sent you away to that prison colony and you came back a bag of skin and bones, you know? This isn’t living. And I know you wouldn’t want this. I know more than anyone else out there you wouldn’t want to be hooked up to a machine and out cold. This isn’t fair to you, man.”

He pulled out a knife and, after pausing, held the tool to his throat.

“Take care, old friend. Who knows if we will meet again. But wherever you’re going, well, it’ll be better than this.”

The door opening nearly startled Yuko, who was quick to re-sheath his knife.

“What’s going on here?” Yensey asked. He looked at Yuko, then Evesuni, then back at the conscious man, who stood facing the younger vulpine. “Is there something I need to know here?” He made a back and forth motion with his hand to further drive home his point.

“What are you doing here - it’s barely morning. Shouldn’t you be next to that Premier?”

“She’s sleeping, finally.” He walked up to Evesuni’s body as the machines continued to work. “I wanted to see the Listonian Premier before we left.”

“You’re leaving?”

Yensey nodded, then turned his gaze to Stapen Evesuni. “You know, we learned about this man in class. This common farmer who lived like a beggar, in and out of prison, fighting to stay alive, for recognition, for the betterment of others. I mean, it was based on accounts and stories and such. But the person we learned about was a fighter. He’d sooner rip your tongue out before you could tell him no.” He looked up at Yuko. “Does that sound about right?”

Yuko scoffed. “Yeah. That’s him.”

“I mean, he’s even fighting now. Look at him. Any other person would’ve given up by now. Both his lungs are blown out. He looks like death. Yet his vitals are still sufficient.” Yensey smirked. “A fighter to the very end. Kind of like his daughter, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, I guess you could say that.”

“And it would be the last thing he’d want, for someone to cut him down when he was struggling, right? I mean, again, I didn’t know him like you know him, but to me, he seems like the type that’d want the help, but wouldn’t ask for it. He’s a solitary fighter, but needs the help of others to press on. That’s why he couldn’t do it alone. That’s why you couldn’t either. You and your group had every single person participating, their strengths and weaknesses balanced everyone out. You were a team.”

“Heh. Yeah.”

He held out his hand. “A team… to the bitter end.” A simple movement of the fingers beckoned for the object hidden on Yuko’s body.

Yuko sighed. “You tell your Premier about this-”

“She has enough to worry about. Just promise him you’ll do everything you can to make sure he keeps fighting. He’s a fighter, but even fighters get discouraged, right?”

Yuko nodded. “So do old men.”

[Todd_McCloud]

Light. Unparralled light doused the confines of the room as the line between the temporal and permanent kissed, leaving a sort of unnatural residue and allowing those who witnessed such an event to take note and observe. Observe. For that was all they could do. Spirits confined to a motionless, unmoving body were trapped in their own sort of purgatory, but this wasn’t a long lasting purgatory by any means. No. Once they were awake, they would of course forget every single instance of interaction with the spirits they came into contact with. Perhaps it was a means of the brain healing itself in times of dire situations. Maybe it was hallucinations from the heavy medications a whispy old body like Evesuni’s endured over this time. But anyone who has ever seen someone in a state such as this would often wonder just what that individual was going through, rocking on the narrow path of death, occasionally looking over the edge of eternity with ignorant confidence, glibly certain that those agonizing and tortured would never have himself in their ranks.

“Ah, why the hell don’t I wake up?” a younger Evesuni asked. He was in his street clothes of old, a suit that was in dire need of a tailor and a cleaning. A suspender clung to his shoulder casually, ready to give up on the day just as its master had given up on submitting to defeat. This was a younger Evesuni, one who had not been hardened by defeat, but believed himself to be reserved for a higher purpose. “I’m not that old. That looks more like my father than me. And my father hated me, you know? He’d beat me when he was drunk and, well, I don’t remember when he was drunk. But drunk people move slow, so it was kind of easy to escape.”

“It’s you,” a voice called out.

“No, that’s impossible. There a war going on right now - there’s no way I’d survive that. I’m just here for others, you know? There’s nothing for me here now. It’s not for me as much as it is for them, and I’d hate for it to be the other way around.”

“You’ve lived far into your fifties.”

“Fifties?” He scoffed. “Hell no. All my bullet wounds, all the fights and everything, no way. I didn’t give a rat’s ass about living long because there’s nothing I would’ve lived for. My wife was killed. I never did see my daughter. And while every day I thought about her, well, in the end, she didn’t come from me. She wasn’t of me, you know? Not some dumb, illiterate farmer who was beat raw from dusk til dawn, you know? Look, don’t tell anyone this, but I don’t like to feel stupid. I drink when I feel stupid, but I don’t let anyone else know about that, alright? It’s catharsis. Catharsis. What a big word. I didn’t know that word til someone taught it to me. And it’s kind of annoying when people are surprised when I know about it, but at least they don’t know what makes me upset, because that’s a weapon. Anyone who knows someone else’s weakness will always use it against them in the end. That’s why it’s important to shoot between the eyes.”

“And when you can’t fight?”

The spirit of Evesuni stepped up to the old, dying body of the individual on a ventilator. “Well, then go out in a blaze of glory. Look at me - I’m ready to take on the world! I can beat the ass of any dipshit who fucks with me!”

“That doesn’t last forever.”

Evesuni looked around, searching for a source to the voice. “Maybe it should, then. Because this thing’s not me. I mean, look at how old he is. Look at all the veins and the wrinkles. Fuck that. Who’d want that?”

“Someone who was loved would want that.”

“Ah that’s not for me.”

“Let me paint you a picture. Would you rather be youthful as you are now, or have a relationship with your daughter and forced to live in that body, confined to that rickety prison and unable to move with steadfastness, hindered by ancient looks, and always out of breath?”

Stapen walked up to the body. “You mean I can know her?”

“Yes. You have the chance to know her, and she know everything about you.”

He bit his lip. “Would she want to know about me?”

“She is in wonder at your story, how your resolve was undimmed despite your shortcomings.”

“Ah I’m nothing compared to some scientist or smart person.”

“Maybe. But to her, you are everything she wanted. You are her role model. And while she will never say it, she looks up to you and draws on your words for support and approval.”

He smiled despite trying to ignore those words. “You’re lying. She’s smart right? She’s articulate and pretty, right?”

“Indeed.”

“Then what the hell would she want with me? I’m a thug. I have nothing to offer. It’s better if she never knew me.”

“You have your beliefs and your values. Those transcend looks - for even when the supple tissue of youth gives way to the stiff wineskins that are old age, looks will change. But the mind, the mind is that which is permanent. Values are what shape us, and no amount of learnings or youth will ever change that. The soul is our imprint on this world. Do you understand?”

“Not really.” Evesuni sighed. “This thing’s me? She’d never love something as silly as this person.”

“You don’t understand.”

“No, I understand enough. I get people get old. I get people die. But she’d never understand me. She’d never know what it’s like to fight for her beliefs, to go through hell and back just because you have this thought that won’t go away. It keeps you up at night, you know? Like, some people can sleep easily. I just don’t. Never have. I could never sleep in a bed - it was too comfy. Maybe I’d sleep too hard.”

“Perhaps. But I think you sell her short because you sell yourself short. Understand that she doesn’t care about your looks, that she doesn’t care about what happened in the past or the instances and incidents that occurred. She wants to know you, and love you. Not you as you say, but you as you are. You have to age, Stapen. You need to be old.”

“Old… like this?”

“Yes.”

“Wby?”

“Everyone takes their turn. But in doing so, they enrich the next generation.”

His gaze followed up the hoses to the ventilator. “And how can I do this now, if that’s me?”

“Teach her to be strong. Teach her that no matter what, you’ll never give up. At the end of the day, everyone is tired and everyone wants rest. But you’re different. And you want her to be different, do you not?”

“I want her to be happy,” Evesuni responded. “She means the world to me. I want nothing bad to happen to her, ever. Can you do that?”

“I cannot.”

“Then kill me already!”

“You’re not done just yet. She can learn from you, and your people can learn from you. You just need to accept that and help the next generation to grow.”

“So you want me to be like this?”

“Yes.”

“Old and gross and half-dead.”

“Does it really matter what you look like if you can’t reach the people you want to touch?”

Evesuni thought for a moment. “So long as it is positive. I love her. I want everything for her and then some. Is that too much for me to ask for?” He wiped his cheek. “Look I know I’m not smart, that I’ve done some terrible things and will pay for that in the end. But please, whatever happens, please let it be for her. I don’t care about me. I want her to have anything better than I had.”

“Then give yourself a little while longer.”

Stapen nodded. “I’m a little scared.”

“Love knows no fear.”

“Yes… yeah. Alright. If you say so. No tricks, right? And I have a chance to make things better, right?”

“You do.”

“Okay then. Alright. I think I’m ready. But if I don’t remember this, promise me one thing.”

“What is that?”

“Whatever I do, let her be happy. I want her to be happy. I’ve lived long enough for myself. Let me live for her.”

---*-

Despite being heavily medicated, Stapen K. Evesuni came to, if only for a moment, to view the blurry apparitions around him. Blurred vision sharpened to crystal clarity as he realized Ikrisia was next to him. While he was unable to speak, he moved his hand next to her as a form of comfort, stroking her arm and knowing full well the sacrifice she had to make for that unnatural arm. He wanted her to look up, but just touching her was enough for the time being. As long as she was there, he felt like he could make a difference, somehow.