Breaking Barriers

Strength In Numbers... Not Quite

Jane Doxter:

When Min came over that evening, we were all in a relatively good mood. We had company for once, and Ranger Marsh was here, which put Tweak in an exceptionally good mood. The door began to crack open, and everyone stopped chatting instantly and practically held their breath. The seconds ticked by; was this the Purenkorps? If it was we should hav been taken away already. Time slowed down, and we didn't dare breathe until the door began rattling again, and was thrown wide open.

"Hello!" Paani called to us and waved. Everyone shakily let out the breath they hav been holding for so long and laughed. Pinto ran into Paani's arms, and Bianca and Min filed in behind him. Both of them greeted us enthusiastically, but there seemed to be a heavy worry behind Min's bright smiles and kindness. Later, when we all sat down to eat, Min finally began to tell us everything. 

"The Silverfox has just confirmed to me that the Puricians have made a list of all the government officials that have ever opposed them; I'm guessing it's by no coincidence that many of these poor, brave souls have disappeared over the past few months. May the angel rest their souls. Inky, Alex and Talia are on that list." Inkling immediately stopped eating and the pink color slowly drained out of his face

"Alex and Talia? Are- are they alright?"

"We contacted them around half an hour ago." Bianca tried to reassure Inkling "They seem to be fine for the time being. Then again, the Birmingham Massacre occurred within 15 minu-"

"Maybe we shouldn't discuss this now." Min placed a gentle paw on Bianca's shoulder and nodded in my direction, "Not with children present." Too late. We already heard everything. All of us ate in silence with only the sounds of forks and spoons scraping plates for the next 5 minutes until Pinto spoke.

"Who's Alex and Talia and what did they do to get themselves onto the Purician's list?"

"Dear boy, I really think this is none of your concern." Inkling put a gentle tentacle on Pinto's shoulder, but Min spoke up.

"Inky, if he's old enough to ask the question, then I think he deserves an answer." And before Inkling could stop her, she had begun to gently explain it all to Pinto.

According to her, Alex and Talia were really old friends of Inkling's and Min's who were married to each other and living in Russia, and had some of the highest positions in the DUMA, the cabinet of advisors to the dictator. Apparently, both of them had spoken out against the dictator allying Russia with the Puricians because it was a "violation of basic creatures' rights, the dictator wasn't happy, they got reported to the Puricians, and bam! Now they were likely
to be deported to a work camp at any time.

"Min?" Koshi asked hesitantly.

"Yes, dearest?"

"Who's the Silverfox?" My sister asked as innocently and inquisitively as she could. She always used that tone with adults to try and get them to tell her anything, and let's just say they trust her way more than they trust me. I looked down at my plate to try and hide my interest in Min's response.

"Sweetheart," Out of the corer of my eye, I could see Min put her paw on top of my sister's, " There are some things I want to tell you but I can't."

"Why?" I asked, unable to keep my mouth shut any longer.  

"Let's just say that it'll hurt the British and Germans in the long run." Paani cut in, "Someone needs to tell them what's going on around here."

"So Silverfox is a spy?!" Pinto leaned across the table, seemingly in awe. Paani said nothing, but he winked at Pinto. 

"Is it Natquik?" I asked, chuckling. That was too easy.

"We've got to fix that one." Paani joked, and gently elbowed Min in the ribs. She only smiled and rolled her eyes at him.

"It was your idea." Bianca was leaning back in her seat with her arms crossed and playfully giving Paani the stink-eye, and we all laughed, but our faces quickly fell. Laughter never lasted long in this place.

"I wish we could help Uncle Alex and Aunt Talia." Squirt murmured.

"Me too, dear boy." Inkling sighed, putting a comforting tentacle on his arm.

"In that case, I have some good news." Min beamed and wrapped her arms around them, "We've got a smuggler in Russia who are willing to bring Alex, Talia, and their 5 children to America, but they're still trying to make arrangements on where to stay."

"They can stay here!" Squirt exclaimed, practically leaping out of his seat in excitement.

Inkling smiled at his enthusiasm, but he shook his head, "My boy, I don't think we have room for seven more people." Squirt's whole expression slumped, and Koshi wrapped him in a hug out of pure sympathy and pity. 

"I think we have a bit more space than we think." The Captain decided. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, "and besides, it'll be nice to have a bit more company." Squirt gasped and hugged the Captain tightly.

"Thank you, sir! Thank you so much!" The Captain, a little shocked by the hug at first, soon returned it.

"It's my pleasure, sweetheart."

"So when can they come?" Koshi asked enthusiastically.

"Next week, I think." Paani responded, his mouth full to bursting with the vegetable stew the Captain and Min had made for all of us. 

"In that case, we better start preparing for our new guests." The Captain stood up and wiped his mouth, his eyes twinkling and smiling bigger than I've ever seen him smile since the Puricians came. Maybe more people coming would be better for everyone. 19 people would be a bit cramped, but a little less space would be a small sacrifice for the greater good.