The Blue Ribbon

Chapter Two

Hayden

"Good evening," Hamish began. "Welcome to the Regency Central."

"The what?" Janeyah snickered.

"The authority centre. You'll get punished if you even try to break any of the rules," I explained.

"And the rules are?"

I pointed at the telecast.

"Most of you will only be here for two days, and when I say here, specifically in this building. Let me explain what will happen in the next two days.

"Each of you will be sent into the preparation centre. You will be trained to fight. You'll be trained for twelve hours, from six in the morning until six in the evening."

"What exactly are we being trained for?" Janeyah asked.

"Just listen," I told her.

"For the second day, you'll be able to spend the entire day with your laborer. It is up to your laborer what you will do for your last day. But, there are rules, so listen up.

"You try to escape in any way, you die.
You try to physically injure or try to kill another being, you die."

"What the hell?" I gasped.

"That's our punishment? Death?" Janeyah asked.

"You disobey any of my laws, you die," Hamish continued.

"These were never any of the rules. He's made some new rules, rules that never existed."

"Is he even allowed the change the rules?"

"Of course he is. He's the commander."

Hamish continued. "What exactly are you being trained for? To fight. After your two days here are over, each being will be sent into the coliseum, where each of you must pick one side. There will be two sides; the commendable side or the unpleasant side. The choice is up to you, but remember, the commendable isn't always good, just like the unpleasant isn't always bad.

"You will fight the side you stand against. Every two deaths, each team is to be evened to fight at a fair game," he said slyly. "This battle is a reminder of the wars in the history. Many wars have been fought for many different reasons, and we're here to send them a reminder of those lives lost.

"Commander Lachian had made the law for only two conquerors to win in this contention. But changes have been made, and it is to be said that for this year's contention, there may only be one conqueror, who, just like the past eight years, will receive a blue ribbon" he continues, "If any other changes in the laws vary, it will be announced as soon as possible by your laborer or proletariats. Good luck."

Then, the telecast went dark.

Janeyah sat there in shock for the next ten minutes.

"You okay?" I asked.

"No!" She screamed. "I'm not okay! None of this is okay!"

Then, she turned to me. "And all this time you've been here, there was nothing you could do to stop any of it?"

"You don't know how long I've been here."

"Well, I have a pretty good guess."

"Jay, I tried everything. And what did I get? Punishment and endless pain you can't even imagine!"

She shut her mouth.

"He's your brother, isn't he?" I assumed.

"My only brother."