Project SALLI

Chapter Four - Puppetry

A storm is brewing. The morning brings sounds of surf thrashing the shoreline, pounding it mercilessly with an unforgiving beat. Distant growls of thunder chase down lightning as the wind whips the sand up to a swirling frenzy.

T'kyra is already awake. Never one to be comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings, she only got a few hours sleep last night. The meeting went on longer than expected, and no one could decide straight away who would be right to assume the leadership of Finsternis. It was decided, however, that the people of Finsternis should have a say in the matter.

So T'kyra lies awake thinking about what the future holds for her. She looks around the room for answers, but the blank dark walls give her none. Questions race through her mind, yet the darkness seems to make time stand still. What does the future hold for me? I am not suited for politics. Everybody here knows that. I DON'T WANT TO BE A POLITICIAN. But then what is my destiny? Who does it involve? Have I even met them? Could it be Oso?  

"Argh!" T'kyra screams out in frustration. "I'm only 17, I don't need to have my life planned out for me. I just want to be free..." 

"Free for a morning walk, perhaps?" A deep voice surprises TK from just outside the door. Swiftly followed by an apology - "Sorry to disturb your morning routine of talking to yourself, but I thought you could do with a break from all the politics. It would I appear I did not arrive soon enough!" A hearty laugh reveals the owner of the voice behind the door. Eckhardt. What does he want? 

Not in the best of moods this morning, the surprise visit catches her off guard and which can only give one result... she shouts at the door. 

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!? Sneaking around in the early hours of the morning, snooping in on young ladies! How DARE you be so rude!" That will get rid of the creep. 

"Wow someone got up on the wrong side of the bed. Did you sleep okay?" The soft spoken Eckhardt ignores the brazen comments fired at him, but his genuine question makes TK feel a little awkward. That and they are still talking through a door. 

"Well that doesn't explain why your here!" T'kyra fires back. 

Eckhardt stays calm though, casually leaning on the side of the hut. "I already told you why I am here. I am here to take you for a walk, help you clear your head. But if you prefer talking to yourself, I can leave you be..." 

Realising she is actually wound up, a walk doesn't seem like a bad idea. Who knows, maybe he can give me some tips about Oso. "Give me five minutes." She manages to grumble out.

After last night's investigation proved fruitless, Diesé and Grant are in a corner of the barracks, quietly discussing their theories. They look up to see a man slowly wander over towards them, mainly keeping to the shadows. Both men ready themselves for trouble. The man steps out of the shadows. 

"Colonel, I would like to speak to you. In private." Diesé relaxes when he realises it is his second in command. 

"Take a seat. Major, meet Commander Grant of Tanika. Anything you want to say to me can also be said in front of the Commander. Grant, this is Major Vif." 

The Major slides into an empty chair uneasily, and looks at the Commander. Grant gives him a small nod of respect, and quickly looks over the young man. Vif is a slender soldier, obviously suited to a stealthier type of warfare. Not tall but not short, his sleight frame suits his light coloured hair and soft facial features. But this is not what Grant notices. Vif also has sharp, keen eyes, shining brightly and constantly on the move. Vif looks uneasily at Grant, but then he trusts his Colonel. 

"Sir, I think there is something suspicious going on, and I do not know who to trust." A knowing glance passes between the Colonel and the Commander. 

"What makes you say that, Major?" 

"To have our chieftain murdered just days after his son dies is highly coincidental. Not to mention the fact that his wife is also dead." 

"Is there some thing wrong with coincidences?" Grant asks the younger man. 

"No I don't. Especially when it gives others an advantage." What the young man lacks in experience he more than makes up for in confidence. 

"What are you suggesting?" Diesé keeps his voice low and calm, but his body is tense. 

"I am suggesting nothing, sir, other than it is coincidental. Look at the circumstances for yourself. No one saw any of the tragic events. The only evidence we have is the note left by the mother, and the damage done to the child. Even then, no one knows what the child was doing out on the dunes when he got attacked. There are too many unanswered questions for my liking, Sir." Major Vif looks like a weight has been lifted. This has obviously been bothering him for a while. 

Diesé and Grant share a knowing look, and without words agree that Vif can be trusted. 

"We agree Major. It is rather convenient that the entire leadership structure fell as it did. But as you pointed out, we have no evidence to prove any foul play." Grant speaks for both of them. 

"Maybe there is evidence, we just haven't found it yet." Vif's brain is just as quick and alert at his bright blue eyes. 

"And where do you suggest we find this evidence? We can't just start accusing people." Diesé sighs with exasperation, out of ideas. 

"Maybe we do not need to." Both Diesé and Grant look up from the table. "What if we get our suspect to incriminate himself?" The Major suggests. The two senior officers just smile.

While Eckhardt is walking T'kyra along the shoreline, Oso is inside the Vladislav hut. Only a few people know of his secret agenda, and it must stay this way for now. Too much is depending on his decision. As the thunder outside grows louder, Oso thinks about the effect his choice will have on the world. He doesn't know it, but a storm is brewing.