Our Time Bomb

Chapter Forty-eight ~ War Bound

Jefferson's pov ~ two days later

Time literally feels like a bomb running on timer. In the matter of a few days, it will release it's pressure and there will be a war in this peaceful district. Today, five troops arrived from the next district. They are camping the city, I've never seen so many Gyardicans in one place. Most of us stay in this small corner of the district, because for some reason, the Shadow Nation haven't been seen even once anywhere else.

Right now, I'm going alone to the King and Queen's Estate. I've been traveling since the brink of morning. Today I'll receive final permission to attack the Shadow Nation from the monarchy. They call themselves the King and Queen, but somehow I think they mostly only have power in this district. Across other boundaries, they lose their power for the most part.

I think they are good people, their laws seem fair, they are well favored among the majority.

Along the streets of Kytiy, a northern city, there are many strange sights that keep me from being bored. I rode the train for hours and now I'm walking on foot to the next station. People flock everywhere, it's busier than the marketplace back home. I notice a lot of prostitutes hanging out everywhere. One of them catches me looking at her for only a brief moment. I look away immediately and continue ahead. Suddenly an arm slips into mine, "Hey big guy, why don't you come hang with me hmm?"

I frown, when did they start getting so in your face?
I look down at her pretty face, she must be barely twenty. I stop and take her hand in both of mine, "Look at yourself child, you're better than this, I know you are."

Her luring smile disappears, "I'm no child."

"You're acting like one." I say, "do you really believe this is the best you can do?"

"Rich people like you don't understand, I can't get money any other way." she rolls her eyes and starts to turn away.

"Stop," I say, fishing some tokens from my pocket and placing them in her hand. She gasps at the crimson token I gave her, it is worth a lot. I make it a point to expose my Gyardican crest that is on my chest.

"Sir... Don't give me that, that's expensive."

I shake my head, "Don't sweat it, just promise me you'll find stay away from your filthy business."

She frowns, "Wait... I think I know who you are. You are the district Captain, right?"

I smile, "Correct."

Her eyes widen, "Oh... I'm sorry Sir."

"please, just do as I say."

She nods, "I don't know how to thank you."

I shake my head, "No need, I have to go though, going to see the King."

Her lips part with surprise, "Wow, well goodbye then."

Some time later

I'm now in the king's hall, I can't help but stare at the king and queen and at everything around them. Covering the walls and floors are strange tapestries. There is a very specific color scheme, white. I don't think I could spot a single grain of dirt on the creamy floor if I even tried. I do not like it. My eyes are drawn to the Queen. Everything about her causes my stomach to feel uneasy. Her glassy eyes stare a hole through me. I look away as I salute them. "Good afternoon." I say. 

"Welcome Captain." the king says. He isn't a short man, but he's shorter than me and it looks as though I could touch him and he'd crumple to the floor. His skin is the same color as the floor and the walls, flaky white. 

"So you're here on account of the Shadow Nation, correct?" he asks. 

I nod solemnly, "Indeed, well I need your permission and we will search them out once and for all. Previously, we could not take them out due to the fact that we didn't have the support of the maximum troops in the district. We will find their compound and end their terrorizing influence on the district now that we have got full troops and your support."

"You have it indeed, initiate the war in two days time."

I watch him sign the contract with a shaky hand. Why is he shaking? My eyes are drawn like a magnet once again to the queen who is staring at me eerily. She seems emotionless as she slowly blinks at me. I frown and look down again. 

After half an hour...

I'm making my way back to the train station. I think the meeting with the two most powerful people in the district went pretty well. I got my permission with proof in the contract I'm holding in my hand. I have permission to start a war against my wife. Honestly, I've been searching every possible solution to this issue. I do not want her on the front lines leading like I know she will be. I have got to get her safe. If I found out that she was killed in the fighting, I could not live with myself.

Meanwhile, back at the royal estate... No one's pov.
The King and Queen are in an important meeting that will mark down in history. It is about the upcoming war.

"It isn't a war..." the king says. He is sitting across a giant iron table from a few of his secret chief police and some generals.
"it is merely a means of disguising our population eradication in the district. As you know, we're much too overpopulated. Half of the population in the district will die from unknown causes and other districts won't suspect a thing, they will think it will be the results of the war."

A chief nods, "Yes Sir, but I don't understand, is a downsizing of population really necessary to supply all of those in need? You claim that is your purpose in this mass eradication... But I believe you may have other motives."

The King's white skin turns a little more of the color of a radish. He stands to his feet warningly. "Are you challenging your King?! You, a lowly general who knows nothing about the well being of the economy. Perhaps, since you seem to care about these people who will soon be dead, you can sacrifice yourself for one of them."

The King draws his sword and swings at him in an exasperating attempt to impale the poor man. He misses and the sword seems much too heavy for his frail form.

Embarrassed, he yells, "Kill him!"

A Guard steps forward and slits his throat in one swift movement of strength. The unfortunate general slumps to the floor, his last thought probably one of regret for speaking up against the king.

"Anyway," The King turns back to his audience. "I suppose the rest of you aren't going to make the same mistake that this defiant scoundrel did."

No one speaks of the topic any longer.

"So," an advisor begins rather hesitantly, "the plan is to basically destroy twelve villages and kill all involved in the war since they're as good as dead anyway."

"Exactly!" the King smiles as though his smooth lips are stretching more than they are accustomed to doing. "Yes, little do they know that in a few days, they'll all be dead, Gyardicans and Shadow Nation. It will be glorious, more air for me to breathe."

The ones observing seem a little disturbed at this statement, yet they would not dare do anything about it. They are some of the privileged as they serve the king so closely, they won't be one of the ones murdered.

"Yes Sir."