For the fallen

[abugslife]

[Hetepheres is standing on the outskirts of Birmingham, looking at the ruined parts of the city. Her staff in her hand, she's singing a song - it's hard to say what is this about, because it's in Gebian and sounds very strange, but it's slow and solemn. And long... But eventually it ends. And she addresses whoever was listening, without turning to them.]

I do not suppose it is a good time to mention Minister Pentu was very happy and agreed to support the PEP, is it?

Comments

[break_the_nine]

I don't really care if he's happy or not. I don't care general. I just don't.

[Leos keeps his head lowered, kneeling down to brush his fingers along a wrecked wall.]

All that matters is keeping a bunch of maniacs from doing something like this again... but I don't think it'll happen... would it.

[abugslife]

Getting the ministry of science will help us avoid an all-out war between our species. I would think this counts for something.

But as long as Earth is in conflict, days like today will happen.

[break_the_nine]

That's true.

[There's a bitter sigh from the Raven.]

What do you think is going to happen with Loni and his idiot friends?

[abugslife]

That depends on how much pull can his uncle muster.

[break_the_nine]

... Probably a lot. He has a lot of pull.

[Leos shakes his head.]

[abugslife]

It is possible that Gavin and Mlakar will suffer no consequences. Despite their fight against the Unity Group forces, their misdemeanors are relatively minor.

In comparison, Venczel caused all of this. No amount of pull will save her from a court martial.

[break_the_nine]

For now...

[He ponders something, wondering if he should voice the thought or let it remain silent.]

...Do you think we're doing enough?

[abugslife]

We are doing as much as we can. Unity Group is an armed force; its purpose is to respond to all kinds of threats to the planet, not to fix every single on of its problems.

[Hetepheres looks towards the ruined city.]
Try to do too much without thinking things through, and this is what happens.

[63rd_shockwave]

Well, it's not a great time, but I don't think it's a bad time either.

[Sarah grinds out a cigarette butt on the ground.]

'Least we've got that looking up for us...

[abugslife]

A total war between our races seems unlikely at this point, unless the AEP manages to pull off something completely unexpected before the Grand Vote.

Unfortunately, that does not make things any more peaceful on Earth proper.

[caressthedarkness]

[The distinct sound of a sword being returned to its scabbard is heard. This is followed by footsteps, and a voice that Heph should recognize.]

General...

[Seta stops several feet behind the Gebian, using the longer of the two swords that was once Kazan like a cane - both her hands rest on the weapon's pommel, while the sheathed tip of the blade is against the ground.

She quietly observes the wrecked section of Birmingham for a while, before...]

What...happened here?

[abugslife]

I did not expect to see you here, Seta.

It turned out that Lady's Good Men had a base in this city. Ilinka Venczel went out to attack it on her own, causing a currently unknown number of civilian casualties. She is in the brig right now, awaiting her punishment, and the other members of her team are under house arrest.

[caressthedarkness]

...I was the only one from the Foundation able to reach Birmingham in a reasonable time after an alarm was raised...and I was too late even then...

Do you mean...the same Ilnika in the team with Desta...?

[abugslife]

Yes. It turned out he is not the only psychopath on their team.

[caressthedarkness]

...Even their leader...?

[abugslife]

No. He has a different problem; complete lack of perspective.

[caressthedarkness]

...I see.

I...did not expect things to turn out this way.

[abugslife]

Gavin and his squad had the freedom to do whatever they want, and not enough wisdom or restraint to stop them from doing something like this. It was only a matter of time.

The consequences of their actions will fall upon them now. Or at least on Ilinka Venczel.