Imminent

  Fox's sight blurred. His head was dizzy, and he felt what he knew, very well, was a headache trying to form at his the back of his head. His vision worsened, and he felt weak. The only thing he could feel, besides his body falling backwards, held by sheer bone structure with his bum on the floor, was a pair of hands and mouth leaving his left wrist.

  His vision returned, but only for short times, while his hearing came and went with loud, sudden sonic noises along voices like air explosions, low and high. Fox breathed as much as he could, but he couldn’t tell if it was normal breathing or even whizzing anymore.

  “Alea… put her in a cryo bag. Silver, 12 injections… and prepare another transfusion… Tell Dr. Valle to distribute some of his blood reserves to her.” Nala’s voice sounded, with the blurry image of her crouching half a knee beside Alea, who had gone unconscious; into a coma.

  “That’s an important business the PSD has. The silver medicine-” Roam’s voice sounded, making Fox think, ‘Ah, Roam is finally here. He took his while.’

  “Not a request. It’s my order.” Nala responded to Roam’s interjection, seemingly staring up before standing up, facing Roam, who wasn’t quite as tall as her. A silence emerged between them, with Roam taking a couple and a half of steps back.

  Luis’s blurry figure stepped in, to their side and in between them. His hands pushed forth in the air. He looked at them before giving Roam a glare. Roam lowered his head, backing even further before Luis turned to Nala, “Everything you need.”

  Nala lowered her head, half-nodding, before turning around towards him. She knelt on his left. Fox felt his left cheek caressed by the back of her fingers, before feeling the same from another person’s hand on his right cheek.

  Turning to his right, Fox saw Esmeralda’s blurred figure and face. Their eyes and expressions became clear and blurry a few times as they seemed to exchange glances. Meanwhile, Luis and Roam faced each other. Luis took his gloves off, accommodating his wrist and suit’s sleeve.

  “Sir, I know he is important, and his relationship with miss Esmeralda is lovely. But giving miss P-… miss Nala this liberty is a bit…” Roam spoke, stopping at some point when he seemed to receive another glare from Luis, whose face was blurry at the time.

  “…” Luis placed his left hand on Roam’s shoulder and tapped it a couple of times more. “I’d do the same for you, my friend.”

  “Sir… that’s just bribery now,” Roam nodded a few times with light movements. Luis cracked up a bit, with Fox feeling comical about it as well. When they heard his negligible, thin sound akin to laughter, they turned to him. Just then, Fox’s arms were pulled, and he was moved backwards.

  Their image became blurrier, with Nala moving elsewhere, and Esmeralda walking by his feet, looking at him with her hands clasped together, her fingers intertwining. She looked hellishly worried, both helpless and… useless.

  Fox would’ve liked to grip her hand tight, reassuring her and erasing whatever funny, dumb ideas she might develop… but he lost consciousness. Like Alea, he practically fell into a coma.

  But even as Fox felt into a coma, he could hear the words from those around him quite distantly. He could feel, too. He was propped onto a stretcher, a high-quality one, and it seemed like things had calmed down, although he was being sent to a hospital room before it had become secure.

  “… There’s still no clearance, but we’ll send 2,000 to monitor Raging Blood.” - “That’s not enough. But it can suffice… Send another 2,000 first, and another 5,000 around the precinct.” - “Yes, Captain.” - “My father’s orders are to prepare our forces and… count every damage and casualty. We ought for a quick investigation-response. Understood?” - “Lye!”

  “Did you see the mess Blood left?” - “In the hallway? Yeah. Dying after that is surpassing the other Raging Bloods… too bad he can’t die yet. We need our hearts pumping now.” - “More than ever.” - “Are you… talking about your leader’s death?” - “Ordinary folk can’t understand.” - “…”

  “Oh my heaven… what is this report?” A new person spoke, in a room where Fox smelled intricate, decent medicine available, even if he didn’t have such sensorial capabilities.

  “Doctor, he has recuperated ? of this blood while we were re-testing him and preparing the machinery!” A distressed nurse said with despair and marvel. The doctor’s voice sounded again, “Well, prepare for surgery, and pump it out. We’re going to need him out!”

  “Doctor?” The nurse sounded again, whereas Fox felt things entering his wrist. After a bit, with everything ready, and the ‘smell’ of anxiety from the nurses, the doctor spoke again. “Put one below his left arm, into the nook of his elbow.”

  Fox could still smell Nala and Esme, so he figured the doctor was allowed to do this because his women said nothing about it. Otherwise, the nurses would’ve not followed with the procedures.

  Fox felt his body’s blood leaving him a bit before stopping, letting it recuperate before draining it again. At some point, while the sound of machines, and the sensation of his cut body being looked inside for, with the machinery to pump his blood out turning on and off, the doctor spoke yet again. “Never thought my architecture studies in the academy would’ve been worth anything.”

  “Doctor, this seems… Fever? Into shock? Air allergy? I don’t know…” A nurse spoke as the surgery proceeded. The bullets, venom, and bits of blades, metal, and even where Fox’s skin had been rotting from the inside, barely a spot, were removed.

  “Leave that out! It’s not relevant. Don’t worry, I will… pay next dinner. Focus on him…” The doctor said, reassuring the other nurses and doctors, who smelled of fear, too afraid to speak. Fox’s body was tilted and turned. His body was bare, as there were only a few zones of his body where an inch wasn’t at least scratched deep.

  The blood was left alone, and soon, only the sound of people rubbing the sweat off each other with cleaning tools sounded besides the tools operating on his body.

  ***

  A few hours later, in a strange meeting room, which wasn’t a ‘meeting’ room. After the presidential precinct had been secured, and people were escorted back out by the army.

  This was the room where the Ters-Ly War’s planning took place. It got some remodeling. There were now seats everywhere with their backrests against the walls. Several tables were placed, with a second floor, open to be seen from below, at least some parts of it, with physical and digital records. There were closets for large tools, such as the map they used before, and to write on the digital panels on every table, desk, and even above, in its poor holographic function.

  Luis was already inside when the cabinet members, the new in this term and brand-new, entered with their heads thrown back, hanging, and staring at the ceiling with heaviness. They felt heavy, wanting to laze for half a month, and some too hurt to easily move and even breathe.

  Seeing the President there already, they recomposed, straightening their backs and greeting him ‘good mornings’. Butler, Roam, Lian, Nauer, and Terka Senior Secretary were present. The Senior Minister remained in Terka, dealing with matters of the state, now with 2 raging wars.

  “Thank you for coming. I’d like to give as many of you, as you might want it, a permit to work from home. But there is no time— for this.” Luis waited several seconds after everyone stood around the central table, a little longer than the rest, with a blank blueprint map already on top of it.

  “We have to discuss this now. No time to take any breaks.” Luis added. The others remained silent, knowing what this meant. But a person spoke out after looking around, “President, wait a moment. Shouldn’t we wait for Fox to come in, too? He isn’t present.”

  “Fox is critically injured, and it is unknown if he remains conscious at the time. We will proceed with this meeting, and he is no longer a cabinet member, so there is no need for more procedures to be re-checked.” Luis spoke. This reminded everyone.

  The situation had been too similar to when the previous, ‘last’, administration of Terka declared war on Lymoca. This was not something that mattered to them, so they relaxed and became reassured, although Fox not being here did seem weird. After all, the things their predecessors told them…

  “For starters, we lost lives last night. Not only were several civilians killed during the mass-assassination, 3 members of our cabinet were assassinated, too. Their replacements are here. Welcome,” Luis expressionlessly gestured to the 3 standing together, darting their eyes side to side. “But we can only mourn them adequately after we’ve resolved this.”

  “Roam, present a proper, intimate funerals for their families— everyone’s.” Luis ordered. Roam nodded and stepped outside the room. Luis looked at everyone else after Roam’s back disappeared. “Give out your thoughts now. We’ll think fast.”

  “We’ve talked about this before coming here, President. Do we know who did this?” A cabinet member asked, gesturing with his arm extending forth, unfolding.

  “We already do, all of us do. Enough of this. It isn’t crucial to speak about it. What must we do?” Luis slightly frowned, appearing relentless and proactive. The cabinet members were a bit taken down, their hearts heavy for some moments before clearing up.

  “Enough ‘we’s’.” A cabinet member placed his hands on the edge of the table. “We’ll address the media and speak of an assault. If we mention assassination, there will be uncontrollable fear to anyone attending our following celebrations, including the civilians.”

  “Agreed.” Luis nodded, followed by the others. Another spoke out, heads turning to her. She looked down amidst her words, for a moment. “We can’t be conclusive… But we must ensure the preparation of our army, show everyone how ready and decisive we are. United as always.”

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  Luis nodded before everyone else agreed. He didn’t need to speak this time. Another person drew attention by lifting his arm, “There were many businesses that left when the Ters-Ly War broke and we didn’t stop it. I’m afraid these will influence the same in the entirety of the south.”

  “My thoughts are, to keep the vacuum these will leave in order, even if it’s less, and non-vital as we are not in war, we could search for opportunistic, nationalist partners. They fill the void those business leave, and the nation gets to grow and heal even more from the previous war.”

  “Like the former Chief Secretary of Security did?” - “Like the former Senior Minister did, yes.”

  “But the south…?” Someone asked. The same person from before replied, “We’ll aid them, too. We have better experience in this, and our knowledge has grown. Lymoca is no nation-conglomerate like ANS, Zyck, the EPA Commonwealth, or KAA. But we are dealing with it, and we are nation sisters with everyone in the south.”

  “That is doable. I second the notion, but that needs further discussion. We won’t lend money so easily, and we must procure business there, too… The 9th Order Restaurant chain is a good excuse. Maybe not an immediate good option for Lymoca, but it will work. Fox is a Ly who has worked with me, and with you in the future. Don’t forget that.” Luis spoke, drawing inspiration from his cabinet, before adding to try convincing them.

  “Of course, sir.” - “Understood, sir.” - “As you say, President.” - “We wouldn’t forget that, sir.” - “I think we all agree, President.” - “It is as it should be, although not just a person. We understand.”

  “…” Luis wore a dumbfounded expression. He expected them to agree, but not so easily. He wondered if it was even needed that he spoke in such good graces in Fox’s behalf. Luis crossed his arms and looked at them before nodding.

  “What are our forces in Terka? Torka and Cerka aren’t our friends, and our relations broke with them. Some of their politicians even claim this won’t be resolved until 3 terms after, at best.” A person moved the discussion towards something pressing.

  “Wouldn’t it be great if we annexed them, too? Less drama in almost 20 years.” Someone commented, with exclamations of agreement and joking, positive responses replying.

  “General, should there be a mobilization into Terka? I’m sure many would be scared. If they are to flee to Cors, Preato, or Collan, we would suffer a regression in Terka’s development. In 3 years, these very wars might be the reason they go independent.” Someone finally asked.

  Luis looked at General Edgar Plomo, along the others, who left the banter and became serious again. The General nodded and spoke, turning his head to face Luis, “We can, but not much, only a bit. The new Lys are tired of war themselves, even when it lasted too little and suffered no environmental hazards, unlike Preut.”

  “Mn,” Luis nodded. Another person spoke afterwards, her voice direct to the point, “There are 3 different, possible fronts we must cover, then. It’s no secret the President recruited even before the cleansing operation back then, not anymore. But do we have enough to send to Terka for a full-on defensive stance?”

  “Is it safe to do?” Someone asked. Edgar Plomo answered, his military cap held at his side. He seemed rather bothered by that questioning, “Of course it is! The only issue here is that it would seem we are planning to interfere! Not just defend ourselves.”

  “What are we going to do when we’ve had tension with countries that now border our territory? Whereas we went into war because of the drastic actions of one of them before? Now, the other 2 have declared war, started a war, are in a war!” Edgar Plomo reminded them well what has transpired since the ‘eternal peace’ was destroyed.

  “Sending 50,00 to each front, including Torka, is only reasonable! They didn’t even bother with a reason. Torka and Cerka are invading other territories, who have nothing to do with them, for no reason. Apparently so.” Edgar concluded.

  “What is the other front? Melenon? Won’t they have a reason to fear us? We are the ones who invaded first in hundreds of years, and there are now wars with those we have tension with, as the General said.” Another cabinet member questioned.

  “Melenon has had good relations with us, always. They are of those who refused having an ANS military base in their territory. It is to be expected they wouldn’t fear us, but further communication to clear things is necessary.” Another one said.

  “Communication is always quintessential, ladies and gentlemen,” said Luis. Everyone turned to him, casual and at ease, but his next words were bound to make them feel the exact opposite.

  “But there’s something you’re forgetting, or have forgotten already.” Luis poked the map with his index fingertip twice. The table soundlessly lighted up before the map describing Lymoca, part of south ANS, and the entirety of southern Moonblue supercontinent, was revealed on the blueprint.

  “Torka and Cerka aren’t moving onto the countries Argopolas and Melenon just because they can. Yes, they are warring because they can, but you’re missing the fact they are doing this with an objective in mind. Above all else.” Luis pointed at the warred-on countries, which were marked with a large enough, powerful, bright green dot.

  “Lypro trees?” The Secretary of Science and Technology Developing commented. Luis pointed at him with a flick, commenting back, “You’ve been thinking about it, too, eh? It’s like that. And you’re even worried what might happen, aren’t you?”

  “Who wants Lypro trees? Furthermore, who has no sign whatsoever of receiving the ‘mutation’ to their flora, further decreasing the chances they would obtain one in the next… what, 12 to 40 years? Much longer after everyone else got theirs— and is not in the south. Who?” Luis went on.

  “Torka and Cerka moved in the same night, the same hour’s four minutes, they declared war.” Luis pointed at the countries, which had a large enough pale light blue dot on their capitals, like with Argopolas and Melenon, but with that difference in the color.

  “Bright green… light blue?” A cabinet member frowned, pressed his hands on the edge, and bent over to take a more feeding view of the map. He looked up and uttered with a questioning tone and confused eyes, which stared at the President.

  “Mhm,” Luis didn’t offer an explanation, or excuse. He cocked his head before straightening his back. Everyone noticed, doing the same and looking up at his face, awaiting. “We all want to take revenge, righteous or not. Most lives lost last night were people who didn’t even touch the business we were all too engrossed to talk about with them, without urging them a contract with the state. I myself almost… lost Lesly, and my daughter… This wasn’t anyone unknown…”

  Luis’s look when speaking of whom he almost lost last night, his trembling voice, and his quivering fingers, made Lesly all too reminiscent of last night events. She was still sore from the sudden movements, flying through the air, and explosions of things she didn’t understand…

  “We were targeted, and we were put on a pedestal so that anyone, whoever did this, that party would feel better with it. With this, these wars would’ve been nothing, nobody would have made a fuss, much less confronted it— them.” Luis turned more serious, but also wise, as he spoke.

  “Even ‘better’,” Luis spread his index finger and thumb, zooming into the south, where not even Endesa was fully portrayed. “Annexation. We’ve put a precedent, and regardless if others would look at Torka and Cerka like they did to us back then, we showed pretty good results.”

  “Even if it isn’t confirmed, anyone can expect ‘the best’ out of their situation when using us as example. Torka and Cerka will use us, no doubt.” Luis tapped a few times with his index fingertip, with each tap revealing the deployment of pale light blue arrows to the bright green territories.

  On the other hand, the bright green territories seemed slow, while they were already invaded, struck, and losing terrain. They were attacked, too. Understanding this was easy, especially with the ‘War & Planning’ course Luis had the cabinet take. One person spoke their mind soon after.

  “Are we sure this is what is happening now? And that Torka and Cerka will win? I don’t quite understand the latter, President. Can we be sure of something like this?”

  It was obvious that the man would’ve just gone with ‘how can you know this is true?’, should he not feel utmost respect to such a man. Luis looked at the man and nodded gently, lifting his chin and eyelids to Butler, “Mr. Egoaiz Prein, you may report.”

  “These are images of the tanks, helicopters, and even submarines that moved around Melenon after Torka’s declaration of war. Melenon is able to see through these, too. But they can’t do something about them— only watch and hope they won’t be bombarded.” Butler took a device out as he spoke, placing it on the table, where Cors was.

  It revealed a hologram with highly defined pictures and footage, from direct angles of the top-notch vehicles, to differing interfaces showing such things on a greater scale.

  “Without mentioning Torka’s lack of sea,” said Butler, “Just their tanks and helicopters are enough to surprise half the world. What’s more, they have… ‘trained’.”

  Everyone was taken aback. Torka had… submarines now. It wasn’t even a question! However, when Terka responded, they had meager capabilities of the equipment that clearly didn’t belong to them. Torka, on the other hand, as they invaded by air, using descending tactics, were on a whole other level compared to the Ters-Ly War. These Ters had training.

  “Similarly,” Butler took another device out and placed it on the Ly Ocean, above the Half Moon Ocean, where Cerka had just been employing ‘exercises’ with their naval units. The images and some faraway footage from unknown sources at sea demonstrated the use of several missiles. There were even long tails of such, possibly launched to sweep with a Valad naval base.

  “Cerka shows technology they never owned. They even possess intelligence comparable to the top-notch forces around the world. This can’t be stolen, as no nation has reported their equipment’s theft. It, like the rest of the images I have just shown you, are the proof that this is no global revolutionary change period. This is orchestrated.”

  Everyone understood where this was going. The south had good military preparation, but it was nowhere to the top, where they could get all this armament and doctrines. Furthermore, they even showed signs of having more, not just using them at the front first things first for impact.

  They weren’t a measure to rapidly deal with the enemy at the beginning of the war, lowering their morale, and buying them time to further infest their territory. They had enough to use for a long, long while!

  “Wait a minute, please. President…” A person spoke at this moment, just as Luis zoomed out the blueprint map. Luis looked up at him, his head facing down. He appeared to silently ask ‘yes?’, to which the person carefully asked, “Are you suggesting intervening in wars?”

  “…” Luis looked at the man. The room became tremendously silent, awed and baffled by the possibilities. Luis smiled, as sudden as possible, and tapped Proteros in the map. A murky, dull light green dot, larger than the other 4, was smeared on Lymoca.

  “I’m talking of converting this place into Lymoca’s war room. And yes. I believe you have all gone astray from the matter at hands.” Luis commented before looking at everyone one by one. “We won’t be conclusive with the attempt on ourselves. We will proportionate stronger defenses to Terka. Navy, our land force, and the air force. We will appease our Ly people, here or in Terka— in our territory.”

  The President looked at everyone with a relentless expression, “While we discuss here and decide if we’ll let others manipulate the future of the south… of the Lys’ south.”

  …

  This is the beginning of Volume 7 — Advent of the Radical Wars.