Triplicity

Chapter 5 - ISAAC

PRESENT DAY

~THE PEOPLE OF APEX

CELEBRATE THE 25th BIRTHDAY

OF CHANCELLOR VALERIE CHAN

MAY SHE RULE FAIRLY AND PROSPER~

I see the words everywhere. Projected on the sides of buildings. Printed on banners of purple, gold and black. I have to admit that I like the look, since Valerie's mother had quite a liking for too-bright colors and garish decor.

Of course, the citizens aren't celebrating Valerie's birthday. Not really. No one would waste their precious money to buy such elegant materials. More likely, the Chancellor's staff had put those banners up. I expect half of them to be vandalized or torn down by midday, but there's really nothing we can do about that.

Looking at one large sheet of cloth, I reread the last line and stifle a snort. Shame fills me, but in my private quarters (quite a bit smaller than Valerie's) no one else can see me. Whoever wrote these words, it obviously wasn't one of the citizens. They'd probably have written something rebellious.

Speaking of rebellious...

I rub my sleep-deprived eyes. In the reflection of the window, I can see the dark bags underneath them, a result of staying up in the archives. Looking not through the history of our people, but the profiles of the citizens. A quick search for "RESALIA CHAN" coming up empty. It was as if the commander had never existed, but I knew better. However, as the hours passed, I grew hopeless. Even now, as I pace, looking down upon Apex, I slowly lose confidence.

Either I confront Valerie, or I do something on my own.

Risky? Yes. Treason? Definitely. Can I do it?

Will I do it?

I stop in my tracks, pondering my traitorous thoughts. But they seem more right than wrong. Valerie will never forgive me, though...

"Dammit, Isaac," I say to myself. "You really are a coward, aren't you?"

Before I can make a decision, a ping startles me. I reach for the touchscreen attached to my wall and open my messages. A small, robotic voice says, "One new message from Secretary Dane: 'Chancellor Chan has called a meeting for all officers at midday in the conference room. Please arrive on time.'"

Valerie doesn't let her birthday get in the way of political matters.

I close the message with a sigh, the urge to smile overpowered by my brooding thoughts. I've given up on calling Valerie Chan-Chan following her rise to Chancellor, since it's extremely unprofessional and she hates it.

I check my clock. It's barely thirteen. I've got plenty of time.

I think I'll take a walk in the city.

Half an hour later, I exit the Center. To my relief, no one asks me why I'm going out. A breath of fresh air is not usually prioritized over government matters. By now Apex is wide awake and quite a bit happier, as work hours are shortened for Valerie's birthday. (A traditional rule that she didn't bother to change.) However, as citizens head for their workplaces, they treat me as if I'm invisible. In fact, I'm sure some are deliberately standing in my way so that I have to push through them, murmuring apologetic words. Occasionally someone spits out an insult. "Hey, Blue. Why don't you go back to where you belong, you—"

Fortunately, I've learned to ignore these harsh words. The hostile glares and voices fade to background noise, but I can't help but wish I'd brought a black coat instead of the government-issued dark navy. I've been called Blue a bit too much for my liking.