Loenhynu Sufagnaum: Luna Vega City Police Department…
“The results are in!” proclaimed a young man as he burst into Entoryua’s office.
The inspector looked up from the screen on his desk. He could tell from the man’s expression, but had to ask anyway. “And?”
“At last, we’re free from Superintendent Aizan’s rule!”
Entoryua grinned. “He never should have cooperated with the occupation army.”
“His supporters are throwing a hissy fit. They say it’s a violation of election laws for a working Inspector to publicly decry the Superintendent.”
“I just relayed the facts of the report. What’s wrong with telling the truth?”
“Exactly!” the young man laughed. “At any rate, Inspector, I’m going to go spread the good news.”
“They haven’t heard already?”
“They probably have. But I’ll tell them again. It’s good news, no matter how many times you hear it.”
The man disappeared in a whirlwind of enthusiasm. Entoryua returned his gaze to the screen, on which there was a letter from Military Police Captain Kite, sent from Suituur POW camp (Loneugvi Suitur), in the faraway Fek Weskor.
✦ ✦ ✦
About three light seconds away from the Arosh, on the fixed star Abriel side, an antimatter fuel inspection vessel (Radeuia Vekekar) hurtled through space.
“That was really close,” Seelnay commented as she removed her Gono. “The magnetic flux density was very low, but the remote observation mechanism’s Datykirl was pretty much shot, so I swapped it out for…”
“Don’t lie to me,” interrupted Alusa.
Seelnay’s eyes widened. “What?”
“I just got a message from Greida — the authorities are suspicious that you’re repairing perfectly functioning Baikok.”
“What?” Seelnay’s face tightened.
“Yeah, they’re concerned about the number of unexpected abnormalities the Seelnay Company is finding with their Baikok. They want to know why, but I think they already have a pretty good guess.”
Seelnay gulped. “It’s okay,” she intoned boldly. “Lartei Kryb has our backs.”
“After they were generous enough to give us the funds to start this business, I think asking them to help us rip people off is going a bit too far, don’t you?”
Seelnay hung her head.
“The authorities are looking for an excuse to throw the book at you, so just charge them for the inspection this time.”
“But, that’s not fair — I repaired it. I replaced the flux density meter, and rewrote the Datykril!”
“Yes, we’ll just subtract those costs from your share.”
“You can’t do that!” she whined. “I’m the company president!” It was only an idle threat, however — she knew that without Greida and Alusa, the Seelnay Company would go downhill in a hurry. As Seelnay saw it, the biggest problem was that they both knew that, too.
✦ ✦ ✦
At the Imperial Capital Lakfakalle, in the reception hall of Baron Febdash’s Imperial mansion (Garish Arok Lyum Febdak).
“Wow, time sure flies … Has it really been three years already?” The old man held out his hand for Jinto. “You’re looking a lot more manly these days, Faneb!”
“Yes, and you haven’t changed a bit, Lonyu Lyum,” said Jinto, grasping the old man’s hand.
“Luckily, I’ve still got my health, too.” The Lyuf Raika sat and motioned for Jinto to do the same. “I hear you’ve succeeded to the Dreujhe.”
Nodding, Jinto took a seat.
Jinto heard of the execution of the former Dreu Haidar (his father) through a United Mankind broadcast. At that time, Jinto became a Count (Dreu), even though he hadn’t yet finished his military service. He was able to bypass a couple of the regulations because the Lartei Kryb took over as his legal guardian.
The news broadcast brought even more interesting information: the new Hyde Star System Prime Minister, a firm supporter of the United Mankind, vowed to resist the Frybar until his dying day. The man was none other than Teal Clint, once Jinto’s surrogate father.
“I’m not sure whether condolences or congratulations are in order, Lonyu Dreur, so I’ll offer the latter,” said the former baron.
“Thank you,” said Jinto appreciatively. Since he’d had so much time to prepare for the event of his father’s death, he came to terms with it before it actually happened. Thus, the old man’s mention of it did not really affect him. “But please, don’t call me Lonyu Dreur. I don’t even have a Ribeun.”
“Okay, Faneb.”
Jinto smiled wryly. “I’m not sure that’s any better. I’m not a boy anymore, you know.”
“Yes, you must be twenty years old now, right? A fully-fledged adult. This creates a dilemma. What to call you? Wansh? That doesn’t seem right…”
“Jinto works. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, I kind of like Fektodai Sazoirl Linn, because I worked pretty hard for it.” “That’s right! Even more congratulations are in order!”
Jinto thanked him again.
“Can I interest you in something to drink?” The old man started poking at his Kreuno. “I know it’s a little bit early, but are you hungry?”
Jinto refused politely, saying that he didn’t really have much time.
“It makes me feel even more honored that you’d come to visit me when you’re so busy!”
Seeing a tinge of profound loneliness cross the Lyuf Raika’s face, Jinto felt incredibly guilty for not coming sooner. “You know, I wanted to come after my training flight, when I had a holiday, but there was just so much to do …”
The old man chuckled. “I know, I know, Faneb. I was young and in the military once myself. I’m grateful you remembered this old dotard at all.”
“I thought I had to visit here. Isn’t that what you said?”
“Ha! Yes. Lakfakalle is full of my old friends, but I can’t relax around them, when I see how young they all are.”
“I know what you mean.”
An amused grin appeared on the man’s wrinkled face. “Remember I said the same thing three years ago?”
“Really?”
“It’s not a good sign, Faneb, for you to remember even less than an old man like me! Anyway, I won’t bore you with my ramblings for too much longer.”
“I’m not bored.”
“Well, at any rate, I won’t force you to stay; I know you don’t have any time.”
“I can stay a little while longer.”
Waving his hand, the Lyuf Raika dismissed him. “That’s great news, Faneb, because these old ears are really looking forward to hearing some of your exploits. At least tell me this — where’s your new post?”