08-12-2018, 10:16 PM
Two Days Ago
Somewhere in Kerlile
Leonie Bennett stretched her arms above her head. Her muscles complained, her arms were stiff after so many days of being kept in the same position.
After the execution of members of group "˜one', the nine in group three were bundled back into the van and driven elsewhere. The young girl had ended up next to Leonie, and was shaking quite violently. Evidently the events outside the van had terrified the girl.
"It'll be okay, I'm sure the war will end soon and then they'll let us go," Leonie tried to comfort the girl but she didn't believe a word she was saying, and the girl had only kept sobbing. "Hey, what's your name?"
"H... H... Helena," the girl said, shaking.
"I'm Leonie. Are you from Usera?"
"Sí," she nodded then switched back to the English Leonie had been using. "But before the war I was living in Melissa City. My parents moved there a few years back but my older brother still lives "“ lived in Usera. Was visiting him."
"What happened?" Leonie asked gently.
"We were at the protest, when it started," Helena began, then started sobbing again.
"It's okay, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I was there too."
"N... no I just... we were at the protest and a group of soldiers started charging towards us. My brother stepped in front of me and then behind us there were police and they grabbed me, so I screamed. My brother turned and tried to get them off me but the police yelled over to the soldiers and they..." she trailed off into sobs.
"I am so sorry," Leonie said.
"They killed him! And then someone else came behind the police and the one holding me dropped me and I just ran, I don't even remember it, but I woke up in the middle of the night in some alley with an armed Resistance guy asking me if I was okay."
"I am so sorry you went through that."
"And so, I said yes and asked if I could join the resistance, because I wanted to make sure that nobody else went through the same thing. He asked me how old I was and I told him I was sixteen, so they let me carry messages and stuff but they wouldn't let me fight."
"When's the last time you spoke to your parents?"
"Not... not since before I went to Usera. I didn't... I didn't want to contact them in case they were arrested or something, and also, I couldn't tell them that James was dead or that I'd lied about my age."
"You're not sixteen? How old are you?"
"Fifteen. When the Kerlians were arresting people, I tried to tell them but they just ignored me."
"The Kerlians execute children, I don't think they care."
"Comforting," commented Helena, who had finally stopped sobbing.
"If they were going to kill us they'd have done it with group one," Leonie said convincingly.
"Why'd they split us up from the older ones they didn't kill?" Helena asked.
It was only then that Leonie realised that group three was comprised of the youngest of the Kerlians' prisoners. The oldest looking person in the group was one of their computer people who Leonie had met once and knew was twenty-two.
"I... don't know," Leonie replied.
They'd spent the remainder of the journey in silence. After only a few hours, the van stopped again. Helena, who had fallen asleep, awoke with a jump. The Kerlians had ordered them all out of the van again, and then led the group inside a building within a built-up area. They lined them up...
... and then uncuffed them and forced them into a small square room that contained a few chairs dotted around and a high-up window with the kind of panes you couldn't really see out of.
So, Leonie stood now in the room, stretching her arms out. The computer expert, Jessica, had walked over to a chair and was standing on it, trying to see out the windows.
"Anything?" Leonie called, walking over to her. Helena trailed behind her like a puppy.
"Judging by the fast-moving shapes that keep passing we're near a busy road. Probably one of the Kerlian cities," Jessica said.
"Wait, we're in Kerlile?" Helena asked.
"Yeah, I mean we were driving way too long to be in northern Lauchenoiria, and we're definitely not south. It's actually cold out there."
"Oh god," Helena whimpered and sat down on a nearby chair. She put her hands over her face, as if she could hide from the world like that. Leonie sat next to her and gave the young girl a hug.
"This is not a good situation, but if they've brought us into a city then it's less likely they're going to do anything too terrible," Leonie said hopefully.
"Unless they want some kind of public execution," Jessica suggested.
"Not helping," Leonie hissed at her. Helena started crying again.
"Or maybe this is the waiting room for the torture chamber."
The door to the room opened and three armed Kerlians walked in.
All nine of the prisoners turned to look at them.
"Welcome to Kerlile," one of them began. "We must apologise for the conditions under which you were brought here. The men of the Lauchenoirian government insisted upon it."
"Did they also insist that you stopped halfway to shoot unarmed prisoners?" a woman who looked around Leonie's age called out.
"Those "˜unarmed prisoners' were known spies and terrorists, convicted of offences against the Kerlian state. We will be happy to provide evidence supporting this claim, if it will make you feel any better."
"You can fake pretty much anything these days," the woman said.
"Indeed, such as all the information on our country provided to citizens of other countries. Lauchenoiria is particularly bad for it, unfortunately. I feel dreadfully sorry for all of you, growing up in that misogynistic country."
"Lauchenoiria has some of the best gender equality protections in the IDU," Leonie said. The Kerlian shook her head and looked at Leonie with an expression of pity.
"I see their propaganda has worked well on you. Of course, it would have to be pretty effective to encourage a woman to take up arms against Kerlile, when her life would be so much better if she had been fortunate enough to be born here."
"What, so we could be happily enslaved if our father made eye contact with someone on the street?" Jessica asked sarcastically.
"I see even our anti-harassment protections are the subject of ridiculous stories abroad. Men are expected to avoid eye contact with strangers in order to protect our female citizens from the harassment they experience in every other country. It is not illegal to do so, however, and we do not "˜enslave' people."
"What exactly is the purpose of this little propaganda exercise?" the woman who had mentioned the executions said.
"We are merely attempting to correct the lies you were taught about our country. It pains us to have to detain our fellow women, and I would like to assure you that as soon as the war is won, you will be released. Now, we are going to call out names. When your name is called, you will line up at the door."
Yesterday
From: William Jones
To: Yousef Chaher
Subject: HOLY SHIT
I've attached the results of my research. You are not going to BELIEVE them. I can't even begin to imagine the consequences of this. It almost makes up for all the stuff your father did (no offence).
Oh, you should know the Resistance took a copy of the results. But if they hadn't, I'd have sent them one anyway. Not gonna apologise for that.
Will.
Unidentified Kerlian prison
Leonie was sharing a cell with Helena. Much to her surprise, the Kerlian prison looked no different from the fictional Lauchenoirian ones she'd seen in movies. She'd been expecting something a little more... terrifying.
Helena was still asleep, she had been for hours. Leonie thought it must be some kind of coping mechanism. Leonie had slept, of course. It had been several days since she'd had a proper sleep, and even a prison bed was better than trying to sleep while handcuffed in an overcrowded van.
"Wake her up, or she's not getting any breakfast," a Kerlian guard who had appeared outside the cell said. Leonie gently shook Helena, who groaned in the manner of a teenager being told to get ready for school. It occurred to Leonie that Helena ought to be returning to school in about a week.
They were led out of the cell into a communal canteen area. Leonie was handed something that looked like porridge. She tried some. She realised how long it had been since she had eaten and wolfed down the bowl. It didn't taste as awful as she'd expected. She grew increasingly suspicious of the Kerlians' motives. Somehow, torture would have made more sense.
"Hello," came a voice and a girl slid in across from Leonie and the half-asleep Helena.
"Hi?" Leonie said suspiciously.
"I am Myriam," said the girl. She looked about sixteen.
"Were you also in Usera?" Leonie asked.
"Oh, no, I haven't been to Lauchenoiria since I was seven."
"Um, forgive me but, why are you here then?"
"I am from Libertas Omnium Maximus."
"... do the Kerlians just kidnap random Maximusians?"
"No, I have been here since I was seven."
"The Kerlians have kept you in prison since you were seven? How did you even end up in Kerlile?"
"No, I was raised by a Kerlian family. But because my country is at war with Kerlile I am here. It is a sensible precaution."
"... you're okay with this?"
"Of course! My country is a terrible place. Kerlile must be kept safe. I am glad I had the fortune to be raised here."
"Um... okay?"
"My parents were on holiday in Lauchenoiria when they crossed the border. They said it was an accident but they were lying. They were Maximusian spies and they were sent to Kerlile to try and undermine their government. But the Kerlians took me from the bad people who would put me in danger and raised me."
"The Kerlians took you from your parents and raised you on a bunch of ridiculous propaganda and you're happy about it?" Leonie asked incredulously.
"You still believe what your government has told you. Once the war is over you will discover the truth about Kerlile."
"Uh huh."
Today
"Hello Lauchenoiria! Alex here, and I bring you good news! My sources tell me that they expect a ceasefire soon in this war! A little birdie told me that Charissa Clarke might be about to accept the invitation to peace talks after all.
I think everyone is starting to feel fed up of this fighting, and I hope that we can find a peaceful solution to restore democracy to this country. And now, this is going to be my last broadcast. Don't worry, all is well, and good luck for the future, Lauchenoiria!"
Council of Kerlile Chambers
Jennifer Hale stood facing the Council after the usual ridiculous formalities.
"I have decided to take the vows required to join this Council."
"That is excellent..." began Anita Patel.
"... if you meet my terms."
"Ah, you never do anything easily, do you?"
"I think you'll find them... relatively acceptable."
"Go on, get it over with," sighed Patel.
"You will release my wife," Jennifer began.
"Of course, that was never in doubt."
"... and you will agree to Sanctaria's peace talks."
There was silence in the room. Eventually Letitia Greenwood spoke.
"What makes you think Sanctaria has offered to host peace talks?"
"You think because you only let me watch your propaganda channels that I'm unaware of events? The only reason you'd be insulting them so much is if they were doing something that annoyed you. And since they are constitutionally neutral, they didn't get involved in the war on the other side. And your reaction just now gave it away, beyond any doubt."
"You were always clever," Rebecca Arnott said, "I remember you always received higher marks than me in school."
"And you will allow Josephine to remain here or leave as she sees fit."
"If you betray us, and go back on your word..." began Patel.
"I will not."
"If you do, we will hunt down Josephine Alvarez, we will hunt down every person you have ever cared for and we will destroy your precious Lauchenoiria."
"I will not break my word."
"Then we have a deal."
Two hours later
"... will be accepting Sanctaria's offer to mediate in the ongoing conflict in Lauchenoiria. We thank them for this generous offer."
Joanna Greenwood did an excellent job of trying to appear sincere on the TV. The propaganda channels had begun to praise Sanctaria instead of insulting them and Jennifer was ashamed at the slight happiness she felt at being able to influence such things.
She was no longer in the Council apartment, but instead in her family's mansion on the outskirts of the city. Her childhood room was still there, looking almost untouched even though Jennifer knew that it would have been thoroughly searched when she had run away and joined the DKS fighters in the civil war.
The doorbell rang and Jennifer, who had refused to allow the Council to assign her servants, wandered over to open it. Outside, stood a filthy Josephine, being held up by two Kerlian guards.
"Josie? My god, what did they do to you?"
"Nnngh," moaned Josephine.
"Get her upstairs to the bed!" Jennifer commanded. The Kerlians complied.
As soon as Josephine was placed upon the bed she fell asleep. She didn't wake up when Jennifer checked to make sure there was no visible marks of other forms of torture. Thankfully, there wasn't. Jennifer switched the TV in the bedroom on and turned the sound off. She watched with subtitles as Charissa Clarke also accepted the offer for peace talks.
The landline rang. Jennifer jumped. She answered.
"Hello?"
"Councillor Hale, you are invited to attend a ball in your honour tomorrow evening to celebrate the unity of the Council. You may attend with your wife, Josephine. Please instruct her on Kerlian customs before attendance."
The line clicked off and Jennifer sighed, glancing out of the window at the view of Grapevale. She never wanted to be here. She never wanted to be on the Council. But perhaps the war would end, and nobody else would die. That almost made it worth it.
Somewhere in Kerlile
Leonie Bennett stretched her arms above her head. Her muscles complained, her arms were stiff after so many days of being kept in the same position.
After the execution of members of group "˜one', the nine in group three were bundled back into the van and driven elsewhere. The young girl had ended up next to Leonie, and was shaking quite violently. Evidently the events outside the van had terrified the girl.
"It'll be okay, I'm sure the war will end soon and then they'll let us go," Leonie tried to comfort the girl but she didn't believe a word she was saying, and the girl had only kept sobbing. "Hey, what's your name?"
"H... H... Helena," the girl said, shaking.
"I'm Leonie. Are you from Usera?"
"Sí," she nodded then switched back to the English Leonie had been using. "But before the war I was living in Melissa City. My parents moved there a few years back but my older brother still lives "“ lived in Usera. Was visiting him."
"What happened?" Leonie asked gently.
"We were at the protest, when it started," Helena began, then started sobbing again.
"It's okay, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I was there too."
"N... no I just... we were at the protest and a group of soldiers started charging towards us. My brother stepped in front of me and then behind us there were police and they grabbed me, so I screamed. My brother turned and tried to get them off me but the police yelled over to the soldiers and they..." she trailed off into sobs.
"I am so sorry," Leonie said.
"They killed him! And then someone else came behind the police and the one holding me dropped me and I just ran, I don't even remember it, but I woke up in the middle of the night in some alley with an armed Resistance guy asking me if I was okay."
"I am so sorry you went through that."
"And so, I said yes and asked if I could join the resistance, because I wanted to make sure that nobody else went through the same thing. He asked me how old I was and I told him I was sixteen, so they let me carry messages and stuff but they wouldn't let me fight."
"When's the last time you spoke to your parents?"
"Not... not since before I went to Usera. I didn't... I didn't want to contact them in case they were arrested or something, and also, I couldn't tell them that James was dead or that I'd lied about my age."
"You're not sixteen? How old are you?"
"Fifteen. When the Kerlians were arresting people, I tried to tell them but they just ignored me."
"The Kerlians execute children, I don't think they care."
"Comforting," commented Helena, who had finally stopped sobbing.
"If they were going to kill us they'd have done it with group one," Leonie said convincingly.
"Why'd they split us up from the older ones they didn't kill?" Helena asked.
It was only then that Leonie realised that group three was comprised of the youngest of the Kerlians' prisoners. The oldest looking person in the group was one of their computer people who Leonie had met once and knew was twenty-two.
"I... don't know," Leonie replied.
They'd spent the remainder of the journey in silence. After only a few hours, the van stopped again. Helena, who had fallen asleep, awoke with a jump. The Kerlians had ordered them all out of the van again, and then led the group inside a building within a built-up area. They lined them up...
... and then uncuffed them and forced them into a small square room that contained a few chairs dotted around and a high-up window with the kind of panes you couldn't really see out of.
So, Leonie stood now in the room, stretching her arms out. The computer expert, Jessica, had walked over to a chair and was standing on it, trying to see out the windows.
"Anything?" Leonie called, walking over to her. Helena trailed behind her like a puppy.
"Judging by the fast-moving shapes that keep passing we're near a busy road. Probably one of the Kerlian cities," Jessica said.
"Wait, we're in Kerlile?" Helena asked.
"Yeah, I mean we were driving way too long to be in northern Lauchenoiria, and we're definitely not south. It's actually cold out there."
"Oh god," Helena whimpered and sat down on a nearby chair. She put her hands over her face, as if she could hide from the world like that. Leonie sat next to her and gave the young girl a hug.
"This is not a good situation, but if they've brought us into a city then it's less likely they're going to do anything too terrible," Leonie said hopefully.
"Unless they want some kind of public execution," Jessica suggested.
"Not helping," Leonie hissed at her. Helena started crying again.
"Or maybe this is the waiting room for the torture chamber."
The door to the room opened and three armed Kerlians walked in.
All nine of the prisoners turned to look at them.
"Welcome to Kerlile," one of them began. "We must apologise for the conditions under which you were brought here. The men of the Lauchenoirian government insisted upon it."
"Did they also insist that you stopped halfway to shoot unarmed prisoners?" a woman who looked around Leonie's age called out.
"Those "˜unarmed prisoners' were known spies and terrorists, convicted of offences against the Kerlian state. We will be happy to provide evidence supporting this claim, if it will make you feel any better."
"You can fake pretty much anything these days," the woman said.
"Indeed, such as all the information on our country provided to citizens of other countries. Lauchenoiria is particularly bad for it, unfortunately. I feel dreadfully sorry for all of you, growing up in that misogynistic country."
"Lauchenoiria has some of the best gender equality protections in the IDU," Leonie said. The Kerlian shook her head and looked at Leonie with an expression of pity.
"I see their propaganda has worked well on you. Of course, it would have to be pretty effective to encourage a woman to take up arms against Kerlile, when her life would be so much better if she had been fortunate enough to be born here."
"What, so we could be happily enslaved if our father made eye contact with someone on the street?" Jessica asked sarcastically.
"I see even our anti-harassment protections are the subject of ridiculous stories abroad. Men are expected to avoid eye contact with strangers in order to protect our female citizens from the harassment they experience in every other country. It is not illegal to do so, however, and we do not "˜enslave' people."
"What exactly is the purpose of this little propaganda exercise?" the woman who had mentioned the executions said.
"We are merely attempting to correct the lies you were taught about our country. It pains us to have to detain our fellow women, and I would like to assure you that as soon as the war is won, you will be released. Now, we are going to call out names. When your name is called, you will line up at the door."
Yesterday
From: William Jones
To: Yousef Chaher
Subject: HOLY SHIT
I've attached the results of my research. You are not going to BELIEVE them. I can't even begin to imagine the consequences of this. It almost makes up for all the stuff your father did (no offence).
Oh, you should know the Resistance took a copy of the results. But if they hadn't, I'd have sent them one anyway. Not gonna apologise for that.
Will.
Unidentified Kerlian prison
Leonie was sharing a cell with Helena. Much to her surprise, the Kerlian prison looked no different from the fictional Lauchenoirian ones she'd seen in movies. She'd been expecting something a little more... terrifying.
Helena was still asleep, she had been for hours. Leonie thought it must be some kind of coping mechanism. Leonie had slept, of course. It had been several days since she'd had a proper sleep, and even a prison bed was better than trying to sleep while handcuffed in an overcrowded van.
"Wake her up, or she's not getting any breakfast," a Kerlian guard who had appeared outside the cell said. Leonie gently shook Helena, who groaned in the manner of a teenager being told to get ready for school. It occurred to Leonie that Helena ought to be returning to school in about a week.
They were led out of the cell into a communal canteen area. Leonie was handed something that looked like porridge. She tried some. She realised how long it had been since she had eaten and wolfed down the bowl. It didn't taste as awful as she'd expected. She grew increasingly suspicious of the Kerlians' motives. Somehow, torture would have made more sense.
"Hello," came a voice and a girl slid in across from Leonie and the half-asleep Helena.
"Hi?" Leonie said suspiciously.
"I am Myriam," said the girl. She looked about sixteen.
"Were you also in Usera?" Leonie asked.
"Oh, no, I haven't been to Lauchenoiria since I was seven."
"Um, forgive me but, why are you here then?"
"I am from Libertas Omnium Maximus."
"... do the Kerlians just kidnap random Maximusians?"
"No, I have been here since I was seven."
"The Kerlians have kept you in prison since you were seven? How did you even end up in Kerlile?"
"No, I was raised by a Kerlian family. But because my country is at war with Kerlile I am here. It is a sensible precaution."
"... you're okay with this?"
"Of course! My country is a terrible place. Kerlile must be kept safe. I am glad I had the fortune to be raised here."
"Um... okay?"
"My parents were on holiday in Lauchenoiria when they crossed the border. They said it was an accident but they were lying. They were Maximusian spies and they were sent to Kerlile to try and undermine their government. But the Kerlians took me from the bad people who would put me in danger and raised me."
"The Kerlians took you from your parents and raised you on a bunch of ridiculous propaganda and you're happy about it?" Leonie asked incredulously.
"You still believe what your government has told you. Once the war is over you will discover the truth about Kerlile."
"Uh huh."
Today
"Hello Lauchenoiria! Alex here, and I bring you good news! My sources tell me that they expect a ceasefire soon in this war! A little birdie told me that Charissa Clarke might be about to accept the invitation to peace talks after all.
I think everyone is starting to feel fed up of this fighting, and I hope that we can find a peaceful solution to restore democracy to this country. And now, this is going to be my last broadcast. Don't worry, all is well, and good luck for the future, Lauchenoiria!"
Council of Kerlile Chambers
Jennifer Hale stood facing the Council after the usual ridiculous formalities.
"I have decided to take the vows required to join this Council."
"That is excellent..." began Anita Patel.
"... if you meet my terms."
"Ah, you never do anything easily, do you?"
"I think you'll find them... relatively acceptable."
"Go on, get it over with," sighed Patel.
"You will release my wife," Jennifer began.
"Of course, that was never in doubt."
"... and you will agree to Sanctaria's peace talks."
There was silence in the room. Eventually Letitia Greenwood spoke.
"What makes you think Sanctaria has offered to host peace talks?"
"You think because you only let me watch your propaganda channels that I'm unaware of events? The only reason you'd be insulting them so much is if they were doing something that annoyed you. And since they are constitutionally neutral, they didn't get involved in the war on the other side. And your reaction just now gave it away, beyond any doubt."
"You were always clever," Rebecca Arnott said, "I remember you always received higher marks than me in school."
"And you will allow Josephine to remain here or leave as she sees fit."
"If you betray us, and go back on your word..." began Patel.
"I will not."
"If you do, we will hunt down Josephine Alvarez, we will hunt down every person you have ever cared for and we will destroy your precious Lauchenoiria."
"I will not break my word."
"Then we have a deal."
Two hours later
"... will be accepting Sanctaria's offer to mediate in the ongoing conflict in Lauchenoiria. We thank them for this generous offer."
Joanna Greenwood did an excellent job of trying to appear sincere on the TV. The propaganda channels had begun to praise Sanctaria instead of insulting them and Jennifer was ashamed at the slight happiness she felt at being able to influence such things.
She was no longer in the Council apartment, but instead in her family's mansion on the outskirts of the city. Her childhood room was still there, looking almost untouched even though Jennifer knew that it would have been thoroughly searched when she had run away and joined the DKS fighters in the civil war.
The doorbell rang and Jennifer, who had refused to allow the Council to assign her servants, wandered over to open it. Outside, stood a filthy Josephine, being held up by two Kerlian guards.
"Josie? My god, what did they do to you?"
"Nnngh," moaned Josephine.
"Get her upstairs to the bed!" Jennifer commanded. The Kerlians complied.
As soon as Josephine was placed upon the bed she fell asleep. She didn't wake up when Jennifer checked to make sure there was no visible marks of other forms of torture. Thankfully, there wasn't. Jennifer switched the TV in the bedroom on and turned the sound off. She watched with subtitles as Charissa Clarke also accepted the offer for peace talks.
The landline rang. Jennifer jumped. She answered.
"Hello?"
"Councillor Hale, you are invited to attend a ball in your honour tomorrow evening to celebrate the unity of the Council. You may attend with your wife, Josephine. Please instruct her on Kerlian customs before attendance."
The line clicked off and Jennifer sighed, glancing out of the window at the view of Grapevale. She never wanted to be here. She never wanted to be on the Council. But perhaps the war would end, and nobody else would die. That almost made it worth it.
LIDUN President 2024 | she/her | Puppets: Kerlile, Glanainn, Yesteria, Zongongia, Zargothrax