Big Sky Chronicles

Chapter 6- Strings of Fate

June 26th 2045, 8:37 AM Central Time. Three inquisitor guards sat in a darkly lit room. At the table was a middle aged woman and her small child next to her. The woman had a vengeful look on her face, and her tone was condescending.

"We never asked for him to leave... he just did. And honestly, my little Charlotte and I are better off because of it. My husband would beat me every day after work, as if I were some outlet for his anger at the government." The woman said in a shaky voice. "But we need to eat. I will do double the work, if that means my baby can have her rations back."

One of the inquisitors busily jotted down the interrogation notes as she spoke. The guard next to him spoke up.

"Did your husband ever mention his intentions before he left ma'am?" Silence was met with the question. The buzz of an incandescent light created a tense setting as the lady and the guard locked eye contact.

June 27th 2045, 10:15 AM Eastern Time. In the heart of the Capital in the 2nd Atlantic District was the local precinct attorney's office. Above the entrance read a sign that said "Rennick Law." Within the confines of the office sat an older man with stringy, balding hair that he conveniently covered with a top hat. His eyes looked sunken in from the stress of work and his back was hunched over from sitting at a desk all of his life. Behind him was a TV that had constant coverage of the upcoming Helegian Summit. His least favorite person in the world, Friedrich Johanson, was chirping away as he always does.

"Only five more days till this year's Helegian Summit! Our team here at Capital Central is covering the glorious parade that is taking place in downtown Moscow Square. The State led marching band is headlining this parade as they perform our national anthem, and one can't help but get teary eyed at this beautiful performance." The attorney quickly grabbed the remote and muted the TV in disgust. Without a knock on the door or any warning, his second least favorite person entered the room. The military's second in command to the Premier himself, General Zachary Joseph.

"John, hope I wasn't interrupting work. Wanted to stop by and ask a favor." The General was completely dressed in his military outfit as he always was. He walked in and sat in front of the desk and lit a cigar as if it were his own office. John stiffened his back and put on his glasses to give the illusion that he cared in the slightest.

"General, of course!" John responded.

"What a lovely parade..." The General said as he watched the TV. "I always loved marching bands as a kid. Such attention to detail they have, and compliance for their leaders. It is as if they respect and listen to the hand that feeds them..." John hated the General's delusional obsession with the state, but nevertheless, he listened intently. "Unfortunately there is another parade that is happening two districts to the east, John. I'm sure you have no knowledge of this. If news broke there would be chaos in the capital, and that would be a disaster right before the summit." John did his best to act surprised, but little did the General know, John knew exactly what was happening in the 5th Midwestern District. The General continued. "A small band of terrorists who refer to themselves as The Patriots managed to hijack multiple Inquisitor Depot's across the area. As we speak they are marching towards the capital, armed and dangerous. I know you are busy, but I also know you have multiple clients in the area that can shed some light on the severity of this issue. I'm on the fence on whether or not we need to withdraw troops from the middle east and station them around the capital. We haven't had to do that in over 30 years. So do me a favor and investigate." John nodded his head and got up to shake the General's hand. And with a stiff salute, he left his office in haste. A small grin crept up John's face.

All of John's life he sentenced good people to lives full of slavery and hardship. He was a puppet for the state and enacted their evil will. Every day, rinse repeat. John eventually ended up hating himself, down to his core. On paper, John Rennick lived a good life. He had a nice apartment with a beautiful wife and three healthy children, but it came off the backs of innocent civilians. At first, John was simply carrying on his fathers legacy, inheriting the family business. He was naive, but it caught up to him.