In the city Galvront...
Cold air rises from the dark water that rushes past in the canal below. Amber light from the streetlamps glances off the steps that lead back up the hill. But under the bridge the path is shrouded in black. The sound of the water holds all else in silence.
From the stairs: purple light shines. And then the swinging of a purple lantern comes into view, held by a figure in a dark robe, an outfit that looked like it was attempting not to draw attention to itself - but failed, with it's ostentatious sleeves of embroidered silk.
The figure waits impatiently, glancing every so often at the stairs.
Pshhsh! The rushing water parts, and a human man in his early thirties steps out of the water onto land, managing to stay completely dry. He's dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, with a single bronze amulet around his neck.
"It's about time you arrived Ambrosius." The cloaked figure says. "You don't want to cover your face?"
"It's good to see you Deranir. What is your report? Have you been able to acquire the ingredients?"
"My side of the plan is going swimmingly. We've kidnapped several goats for sacrifice. I was about to ask you if you had handled the rather important matter of stealing the document."
"It will happen soon." He promises. "We have to be...intentional."
In the Highest Office of the Land...
In the chambers of the Council of Minds is a maze of offices where the daily matters of official bureaucracy are handled by hundreds of government staff. Now, the office is mostly empty, with the exception of a few workaholics who still type away- the pools of light around their desks shine like distant islands in the vast sea of empty chairs.
Robin munches on an enchanted pizza roll as she makes her way through the maze. She notices that Gwendula's desk light is still on, which isn't the least bit surprising.
Gwendula looks up as Robin approaches.
"Mind-Councilor!" Gwen says. "You're still here?"
You sound so surprised. It's sad to think it's such a rare occurence. Robin thinks. Gwen was a veteran in this office. She had been involved in government for more than three decades. And for a human, that was a lot. Robin would only be there for a year, but Gwen had always been warm and welcoming- eager to show the young Councilor all the ins and outs of things. (Even though Robin was pretty sure she had voted for a technocrat.)
Robin shrugs. "We had a long deliberation today. I want to make sure I'm prepared for our debate tomorrow."
Gwendula smiles. "Well let me know if I can aid you in any research."
"Thanks Gwen. You know where I'll be."
Robin climbs the grand marble staircase that separates the lower office from the upper. Through doors that could fit a Goliath, sits the Chamber of Minds. The walls are adorned with the emblems of the seven political parties, the constitution in a glass case, a sword used in the revolution, and various other knickknacks of national importance. Above are the words "Many from One. One from Many."
Robin sits at one of thirteen desks. Hanging from the front of her desk is a white banner that depicts an emblem of two clasped hand above a red gear. The symbol of the Proletarian Party.
Her desk is completely sparse, except for a picture of a perfect day she shared in the Elf Woods. In it, Robin's wife Meyberin is holding back their son Artin as he tries to chase a goose. They both looked so happy that day...
Robin opens her holo-computer and tries to focus on work. The deliberation...Policy on changing elementary school starting hours... She fidgets absently with her wedding band, turning it around and around on her finger. Then when she realizes, Robin feels pressure well up behind her eyes. She checks to verify that she's alone before she breaks down, sobbing into her hands.
In the countryside...
Cows graze serenely under a quilt of stars as Garkilb waits impatiently to be abducted.
"One sec" Says a voice from the intercom of the Gurtian ship that hovers above. "There's something wrong with this thing." A sharp banging sound follows.
"Try it now." A distant voice says.
"No it's still not-Oh wait."
Pzzt! Blue light engulfs Garkilb and carries him upward.
Now safely inside the ship, Glarkilb and a blue skinned Gurtian sip from steaming mugs.
"So they call this tea?" The blue gurtian asks.
"Yes. It's one of many things we can have if this deal goes through." Glarkilb says.
"It's bitter." They reply. "I don't care for it."
"Well it's very popular down there. I think it's good."
"Look, it's clear the humanoids don't trust us. Why can't we just do this the easy way?"
"We're not invading Populite. This is my people's home now, not your planet. That's not how we do things here." Glarkilb says firmly.
"You've made that abundantly clear." They say.
"We don't need proton-lasers to take over a country. That's what they made democracy for. It's much cleaner. All you need are numbers."
