The Day Earth Died

19. Thanks, Killer

"Malory Keïta's second report on Sunday December 22 3095 at 6:49 PM. It's almost dinner service so the halls are empty right now... Yeah. Last Monday, after Vargas' match, I signed up for trials to become a member of the boxing club. I didn't get all the details, just the overall concept. Practice would replace the working hours and there would be public matches. I'm still not sure if Vargas' number was a one time thing or not, but I won't lose a potential opportunity of learning more about a governor. My theory is that he was being put up to test by the other governors, and if I'm right, I want to find out why. Maybe because his authority is lesser. Or because they wanted to prove his loyalty. I'll try to learn more. It's not easy to see them. They keep together most of the time and attend only a small part of the available entertainment sources. I've been noticing them eating together in the cafeteria these days. Thing is, they eat in a private area up on a platform, surrounded by bulletproof glass. In other words, off limits for me. I can only watch from afar. I'll update on the boxing club. End of the report."

"Malory Keïta's fourth report on Monday January 6 3096 at 6:56 PM. I'm in. I'm now officially part of the boxing club. I have practice daily from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM; 7 hours instead of 5. I don't mind it. We also get to eat lunch there. I only went twice so I haven't seen Vargas yet, if I ever see him at all that is. The matches are monthly. Hopefully I don't end up like Runer, that'd be a shame. Things are getting a little weird out here; lots of officers fight about the rules because some bend them too much. Every time, in a matter of minutes, a sergeant is sent to sort things out. It's odd how people haven't realized we're recorded yet, it's so obvious. Amell works most of his shifts in the machinery room, fuelling the engine. Cygne is a teacher for the officers' kids and as a private tutor for the governor's. Neith is a nurse. That's why they were demanded here actually, because they're young and occupy precise posts required in a society. At least that's my conclusion. Following that logic, every occupant must've been meticulously chosen. Maybe Runer was meant to be a casualty of Vargas' poor excuse of a fair match all along. I'm trying to apply that reasoning to the officers I encounter and it makes sense. Earl has seniority and authority. Guillebault is close enough with the Yin family to have been paired with Aspen in the Recruitment and talk to him casually. I can't afford to leave anything to chance. Everything here is calculated, I must be equally or more rigorous with my every move. End of the report."

"Malory Keïta's seventeenth report on Friday April 10 3096 at 2:03 AM. I learned the alphabet, Noel helps me correct my reports. It's good that they don't have to be verbally done anymore, I can write them anytime I want and it's easier. The governors made an important political decision yesterday. They gathered us in the auditorium, where I first came in with Amell, and asked our opinions on a matter. They've been wanting to make changes in the social structure and rules within IMOGEN. They said they will publicly vote—as in, in front of us—when a governor places a proposition. Then, they asked us to scatter into 2 parties, the people for the Public Votes and the people against it. Most people agreed to it. I'd guess it's because it seems to build stronger trust between the people and their leader; it seems to allow us more privileges. I just blended in and followed the significantly bigger crowd, the group in favour. The seventh governor were there too, but they wore a white, lace hood over their head. I could only see their long, slender body, engulfed in ivory fabric. Public Votes were instituted officially. I'm still waiting to see how they will go. Somehow, we're closer to democracy than even before. The governors seem, oddly enough, to wish to open up to the people. Maybe it's a whole lie. Maybe it's not. I'll make sure to update on the subject. End of the report."

"Malory Keïta's fifty-ninth report on Wednesday January 20 3097 at 11:13 PM. Today was the first Public Vote. Yin suggested tightening the reins over us to restore order by applying a curfew, as well as allowing night guards to check suspicious dorms if necessary. Instantly, the room filled with anxious mumbles, waiting for the consensus. Yin demanded a vote by a show of hands and request those against to raise their hands. Slowly, a pair rose up, Pagé and Vargas. Then, Singh added his own, encouraging Wester to follow too. Major voted in favour, as well as the seventh governor who were covering their face with a small, white, paper parasol they kept twirling around. Yin took it well, on the surface at least. Who knows what happened once back in his quarters. All I can say is that the next day, when Aspen and Haile came to get their food at the cafeteria, they had matching bruises on their wrists, likely up their arms, too dark to be concealed. I guess I kind of pity them. Last thing, lately, an issue that I thought had been destroyed along with Earth resurfaced. Officers started smoking weed again. I guess that as long as there will be meadows, officers will find a way to grow some weed and consume it. And as long as we'll need to eat to survive, there will be meadows. It can't be helped, I guess. End of the report."

"Malory Keïta's sixty-second report on Friday February 12 3097 at 9:45 PM. I saw Vargas today at practice. He was acting weird, on edge all the time, maybe straight up afraid even. Very out of character. I don't know why he was like this, it's not like I can just ask him. And he didn't train properly, his form was all over the place. He seemed to get frustrated and decided to just ask some guy for a practice match. It wasn't fair of course. Vargas beat the guy to a pulp, blowing off some steam I guess, and left. It was odd, too odd. I'll try to get a better look at him at the cafeteria tomorrow, or at the club. End of the report."

"Malory Keïta's sixty-third report on Saturday February 13 3097 at 1:21 PM. Practice was cancelled because of a funeral. Vargas was murdered last night. The officers that found him said the weapon used was a mere dagger. The governors had the only doctor on board examine the body. Whether it was on purpose or not, Vargas died painlessly. The assailant slashed him on the back of his neck, severing nerves or whatnot. Good for him. I kind of wish I'd die that way too. If I find the murderer, I might ask him to do the same to me after this is all over. I'm kidding. Mostly. There was a funeral, as I said, but I wasn't invited. Good. I didn't want to be. Cygne and Neith went, even though he killed their friend. They had met him through Wester's daughters and said they owed him their presence, not their respect. I can relate, I do owe people too. Or I did? Can one owe dead people? Anyway. I don't know if the governors are going to address the event. They just might. End of the report."

"Malory Keïta's sixty-fifth report on Thursday March 25 3097 at 3:02 AM. Today, no, yesterday, was a Public Vote again on the same matter. Yin said Vargas' death was the best proof of the necessity of better night security. When he asked for the people against, only Pagé raised her hand, ever so feebly. She looked terrible. Dark circles under her dead eyes, chapped lips, skin sickly pale. Wester and Singh seemed to have changed their minds. That made the proposal eligible. The governors announced that the details would be discussed privately and turned to leave, but not before I caught a glimpse of the seventh (now sixth) governor. They wore a white feathered top with elbow length sleeves, revealing their bony, tattooed forearms. Words—thin rings of words ran all around the circumference of their wrists and arms. I was too far to read them. And I saw their mouth too; thin lips, pressed into a straight line. The rest of their face was hidden by a wide, white, matching hat. Anyway, we'll be getting the official details soon. End of the report."

"Malory Keïta's sixty-seventh report on Sunday March 28 3097 at 7:39 PM. Another funeral. Pagé is dead. Same way Vargas was stabbed; her nerves were cut in a gash. It can't be a coincidence. The officers who surprised her killer are dead too. I attended their funeral even if I didn't know them. I respect them for trying to fight off someone who managed to kill a martial artist. At least they tried. The governors don't even dare to eat in the cafeteria anymore. People have been growing scared too. A murderer is running around after all. I'm not scared. That killer isn't after someone like me—someone like us. Attacking a governor must be a way better thrill. Yin's credibility is faltering. Though the murders might have helped him win the Public Vote, they won't be any helpful in the long run. He's losing members, voters. It's not like he can name some new governors because he wants to, he doesn't have enough authority for that and I'm sure violent protests would rise almost instantly. He's definitely aware too. And there are suspicions about his implications in those murders. It is true that the ones dying were all against him and that people are magically changing their minds, but I don't think he's enough of a fool to be that obvious, especially after Pagé was the only one against him. My opinion doesn't matter much, as long as people are drifting away from the governors, I'm satisfied. I'm somehow thankful for the killer actually. Whoever they are, they're making my job easier. End of the report."