Post by Ofton on Jan 27, 2024 1:01:34 GMT
Evening - Day 1 - Kon Galon Planetary Spaceport, Katharian Protectorate
The camera is pointed at a departure sign. After two foreign languages scroll by, the galactic common announcement shows that Oftrans International Service TLMF0490255 towards Sallag OSP has been cancelled, reason being a loss of communications. The camera is pointed at another departure sign, showing that all international departures have the same cancellation.
“Elguja, I doubt we’ll make it to Sallag tonight.” a voice is heard in the background, with the camera turning around to show a human with a Noviy travel-pass in his hand. The man is Zivadi Vachtine, a reporter known for his article on Kolleronics.
-“I know we shouldn’t have gone via Kon Galon, only brings bad fortune going this way.” the other man, Elguja Okropiridze, says. “Might’ve been a few quid cheaper than a ship straight to Sallag, but you do have to cross the former Dominion.”
“Yeah, this shit isn’t worth it.” Zivadi mumbles as the pair walks towards a helpdesk. The video recording cuts, continuing at an immigration booth. Zivadi’s pass is on the booth, getting stamped. The officer, a young Katharian woman, politely smiles as she welcomes Zivadi into the Katharian Protectorate, before repeating the same story with Elguja. The recording cuts again, this time continuing once the Noviy duo are in a car, driving into the inner parts of ‘Chief City Kon Galon’. The Gaussian name of the city has been long forgotten. Elguja is holding the camera, pointing it out of the window as the car speeds past endless propaganda posters in Kimbeau and Sylentic. He slowly turns the camera towards the driver, a Katharian Immigration officer with a stern face. Not wanting to risk the officer finding out he’s being recorded, Elguja turns the camera to Zivadi.
“So, what did we arrange?” Elguja asks Zivadi, recording the conversation like it's a kind of vlog.
-”We have emergency visas for the both of us, officers over at the immigration service were actually pretty understanding and gave us emergency visas, valid for a week. They said that there’s been a temporary loss in communications to anywhere outside of the Protectorate, so we’ll be stuck here until that’s recovered.” Zivadi responds. In the background, the Katharian officer groans a sentence.
“Hotel provided by us. Yes. At Liberation Square, very nice one. We sorry for this, you will know when your ship leaves. We pick up at hotel.” the man says, a very thick Kimbeau accent overshadowing his limited galactic common knowledge.
-”Seems like we’re being spoiled for a few days.” Elguja says. The video cuts again.
A few hours pass before a new entry into the log is made. This time, it is from the hotel room. The camera is pointed down into Liberation Square, with the room’s balcony looking straight over it and into the building of the Council of Officers, the Katharian legislature. In the middle of the square stands a massive statue, with a silhouette of a Katharian soldier holding a gun upwards depicted on it. At the end of the barrel, a Katharian flag flies. Elguja zooms into the Council building. A small detachment of guards stands in front of the formerly Gaussian building.
“Weird to see that the multicultural society that existed here collapsed this… quickly.” Elguja mumbles.
Morning - Day 1 - Tichina Hotel, Liberation Square
The video starts in the dead of night. Orange flashing lights can be seen moving on Liberation Square as a detachment of trucks, belonging to Katharian Military Police, moves towards the building of the Council of Officers. A hour passes before another update to the log is made, this time consisting of a short video of the Military Police installing barricades around the building, with a single Furrelian truck driving into the square. Zivadi is heard in the background, mumbling “What the hell is happening…” while half-asleep. A few more hours pass until the next addition to the log is made. This time its at dusk. The two Noviy men sit on their beds, with the holographic screen showing that a state of national emergency has been declared across the entire Katharian Protectorate. Elguja is once more the one recording, and as he turns the camera towards Liberation Square, it is clear that a large crowd is forming. He once again turns the camera to Zivadi, who clearly slept badly.
“The bed is stiff,” Zivadi says. “I’ll desperately need a caffeine boost if this continues like a week.”
-”I think that’s the least of our concerns right now.” Elguja responds in a monotone manner. Outside, some chanting and whistling can be heard.
The next video is shot at breakfast. A large hall on the top floor of the hotel building has been turned into a meal hall. The breakfast buffet has a large assortment of foods, both local and foreign. The two have been assigned a table in a far corner, overlooking Liberation Square from a window. The crowd keeps on growing.
“We need to investigate that after breakfast.” Zivadi proposes in the background, some food in his mouth.
-”I’ll eat first if you don’t mind.” Elguja says. He turns the camera towards Zivadi, who poses with his food: A traditional Furrelian pastry and some poultry.
“It doesn’t taste too bad, I’ll tell you that. The foxes have some good food.” Zivadi responds, shoving a fork into his face-hole like a pig. ”Do you think there’ll be a good Tourmaline restaurant somewhere in the city?”
-“That’s assuming they’ll be open this evening.” Elguja says, turning the camera again towards the square. A clear line can be seen between the crowd and police.
“Do you think it’s a protest?” Zivadi asks.
-“Honestly, I doubt it. You know how it goes in these countries: You protest, you disappear.”
Noon - Day 1 - Liberation Square, Chief City Kon Galon
The next recording starts down at the street feeding into Liberation Square. The Noviy duo has only set a few steps outside before they’re overwhelmed by the huge crowd of people moving towards the square. Zivadi has picked up a booklet with things to do in the Chief City of Kon Galon in the lobby of the hotel.
“So, what do they say there is to do?” Elguja asks, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
-“Well, we have… Liberation Square and the Monument of Katharian Liberation, National Museum of the Katharians, Furrelian-Katharian friendship monument, the Katharian Liberation War Museum… Pick your flavour of propaganda.” Zivadi responds. “Oooh, this is interesting. A traditional Furrelian restaurant is located on Vigilance Square, and the booklet says that it has ‘remnants of the Gaussian occupier’s army displayed across the square’. Could be fun to check out tonight?”
“You can only really think about food, can’t you?” Elguja says. In the background, a large crowd moves to Liberation Square, banners and drums ready. Surprisingly, only very few Katharians are in the crowd, with most of those in the group being either Go’Shii or Cauldarian, ex-Gaussian species which weren’t as fortunate under the new Furrelian-Katharian government. One of the banners they carry shows the former Symbol of the Gauss Dominion.
“Yeah. I don’t know, this feels like a protest.” Elguja says as a truck belonging to the Katharian military police rushes across the street and towards the square.
-“You’re right, you’re right. Let's check out Liberation Square first, then?” Zivadi points towards the square, which is increasingly becoming more crowded. Elguja makes nothing but an approving sound.
The next part of the video is a timelapse of the two Laniakeans walking towards the square. As they come closer, even more protesters can be seen, as well as a police convoy making its way through the crowd. The video cuts out once again, this time only taking half an hour before the next entry is made. The two are now in a corner of the square, standing packed like sardines between the protesters. They look out of place. Among all the former Gaussian species, the two humans stick out like a sore thumb. A young Go’Shii noticed them, and approached them. Elguja films as he comes closer, afraid he might attack the two. Zivadi, on the other hand, starts talking with him.
“Why are you all here? What is happening?”
-”We’re protesting, we want an end to Furrelian occupation and the re-establishment of, at the very least, a multicultural state!” the Go’Shii responds, his mackerel fur shining in the light of the sun.
“Why are you specifically here, though?” Zivadi asks the Go’Shii.
-”It is my duty. I’ve been under Furrelian occupation since day one. Luasu was the first to fall, I was on there when these beasts descended upon our words and tore our Dominion apart! Even as the Galactic Admiral, the bitch, defected and left our worlds in ruin, it wouldn’t have happened if it were not for the fucking filth the Furrelians brought in!” the Go’Shii says, clearly very emotional. “They, the Katharian traitors, fucking KILLED all of my family in camps dedicated to ‘stopping the spread of the Budding Disease’, while they and their Furrelian overlords all lined up across the fence in order to get their beautiful little vaccines, as all other species died!”
Elguja turns the camera to Zivadi, who’s also clearly distressed by the outburst. Zivadi waits for the Go’Shii to slightly calm down before speaking to him again.
“How did you survive, mister err-….”
-“Sien, Certo Sien. Having some skills in radio-technology and broadcasting apparently gives some advantages in the ‘protectorate’, so because I wanted to act like I was the main radio man on Luasu during the invasion I was deported to the Furrelian Union, was forced to undergo retraining, and then sent back to Kon Galon in order to work for the propaganda broadcast.”
Zivadi nods. He’s still unsure what to think about the Go’Shii. Elguja turns the camera to show more of the crowd which has formed. The monument in the middle, which at night had been proudly flying the Katharian emblem, had seen the flag being replaced by the old Gaussian symbol. A protester can be seen making their way down the monument.
“But, why are you two here?” Certo asks the two Noviy, Elguja drastically turns the camera back to the Go’Shii, who’se four arms are crossed in a disapproving manner.
-“Err, well..” Zivadi starts. Behind the camera, Elguja can be heard groaning disapprovingly.
“Our transfer to the Furrelian Union got cancelled, so the Katharian authorities politely gave us an emergency visa. Really, we didn’t want to be here at all.” Elguja interrupts Zivadi. The Go’Shii looks surprised.
“Ah.” is his simple answer. “That explains.”
Once again the recording cuts out, this time a short video of the two Laniakeans posing together is shown. They’re seen smiling, while the person recording, presumably Certo, is heard slurring out Kimbeau swears in the background. The next video is closer to the middle of the square, near the monument. A small podium had been assembled out of pallets and scaffolding, with on top an old Farrian man. He was clearly a veteran of the Gauss-Furrelian war, holding a walking cane and wearing former Gaussian admiral robes. Yet, it seemingly did not impact his ability to speak. Amplified by a microphone, he was making an address to the entire square, but more specifically to the Council of Officers.
“We must not forget that we were all equals in Kragleosha’s Dominion! The Furrelian occupier has installed one of us as more than equal to the rest!” the man starts. Elguja is heard mumbling something along the lines of ‘he looks human’ to Zivadi, who giggles. Certo is still with them, listening closely to what the man has to say. He speaks in fluent galactic common, with only a slight smidge of an accent.
“Yet, even as two of our species have been exterminated and mine is on the brink of extinction, the ideals of the Dominion have not died!” the crowd cheers loudly. “And trust me, the entire galaxy is witnessing our fight against xenophobia-fuelled genocide! Our fight against Authoritarianism! Our fight against those who tear us apart and try to make us nothing! Let the so-called ‘Council of Officers’ hear us; Kragleosha’s Dominion is not dead yet!” Every time the man proclaims something, the crowd cheers louder and louder.
As the man is about to start the second part of his speech, shouts are heard in the background. Elguja turns the camera to where the sound is coming from, which is just next to them as police open up the crowd. The Farrian does not notice them coming closer, and by the time he does, it’s too late. Two Katharian officers sneak up behind him, with one kicking his cane away and the other overpowering him. As the man tries to resist, cuffs are placed on him and he’s forced towards the path which had been opened up. While he and the officers pass the crowd, people try breaking the line of officers standing guard. One person, a young Katharian lady, does manage to break through right next to the two Laniakeans. She dashes towards the Farrian, trying to help him break free, but is caught off-guard by an officer just behind her. Elguja records how she’s brutally hit by a riot control shield in the face. The distinguishable noise of bones breaking occurred shortly before she fell to the ground. A part of her skull has protruded out of her skin. Dead, just like that.
The recording cuts out. A few hours pass before the next recording is made. The two humans and Certo are being escorted back to the hotel by the police. Certo looks distraught.
“So…” Zivadi turns to Elguja.
-“Don’t fucking ask me, I have no clue.”
Evening - Day 1 - Vigilance Square, Chief City Kon Galon
The sun has gone under by the time the next recording starts. The trio has made their way to a subway station underground. Despite the transit being free, the station feels empty. There’s no sound besides a propaganda song playing faintly in the background, and the few people who are waiting for a train keep to themselves.
“Isn’t it rush hour right now?” Elguja turns to Certo.
-”That’s what you get with a state of national emergency, people prefer to stay at home.” Certo sighs. “Or, in this case, everyone who wanted to go to Liberation Square is already there.”
An announcement rings out in Kimbeau, followed by galactic common. A robotic voice quickly blurts out that the next blue line train, with destination Central Stadium, will be pulling into the station shortly, reminding those on the station to keep clear of the yellow line. The video cuts again.
Just a half hour later, the trio has settled into a restaurant. The small establishment is playing soft Sylentic jazz on the stereo, within the centre a small kitchen where a few Furrelians are cooking. Outside of the window, the remnants of a Gaussian mech stand defeated.
“You guys seriously took me to a Furrelian restaurant?” Certo asks.
-”Zivadi’s idea. I swear I had squat to do with it. He said it looked interesting?”
“You’re both assholes, I swear to Kragleosha.”
-“Certo, you’re not obliged to stay with us?” Zivadi interrupts Certo. “I mean, to be fair, I have no clue why you’re still with us?”
Certo avoids eye contact with the duo. After a short while, he finally responds.
“So, you both saw how that Katharian lady was beaten, right?”
-”Uhu. We did.”
“See, there’s not a lot of foreigners in this direction, so if there’s protests you can put a solid bet on who’ll be blamed.” He took a swig of his drink. “So while you tried to leave the square, I had police on my, correction, our heels. They wanted to know what I was doing with you.”
-”And you said?”
“That I was your translator, appointed by I don’t fucking know, the hotel?”
-“So, that’s why they escorted us?”
“They warned me, telling me that I had to supervise you both during your entire stay in the Protectorate, or else they’d arrest me and deport the both of you.”
Zivadi sniggers. “What I would not pay for a deportation at the moment.”
Morning - Day 2 - Tichina Hotel, Liberation Square
It is around five in the morning when the duo are woken up rudely by a bang on the door. As usual, Elguja is the one recording, while Zivadi’s taking word. The Noviy looks tired in his underwear as he opens the door, ready to engage in a shouting match.
On the other side of the door stood two riot officers and Certo, who looked just as tired as Zivadi. The Go’Shii was actually pulled out of his bed, unlike the humans. One of the officers, apparently higher in rank, barked a sentence in Kimbeau against Certo. He said something back, to which the officer shrugged.
“This is Selapi, officer in the Force of Katharian Will. He told me that you need to remain in the hotel at all times today. I’ll be here too.”
-”But.. why?” Zivadi responds. Certo translates the question and gets a short response.
“He said that they don’t want you to get hurt. Martial law was declared at night, so everyone is actually obliged to remain at home.”
-“Which the protesters don’t want?”
“Exactly.”
Officer Selapi inserts himself into the conversation too, with a thick Kimbeau accent combined with limited knowledge of Galactic Common promising not too much.
“They traitor. They pay today. You here, you okay. Tomorrow you leave, yes?”
-“...Yes, thank you mister Selapi.” Zivadi responds. The door is slammed shut in his face. He turns to Elguja, shrugging. “At least we know we’ll be going to Sallag tomorrow?”
-”You’re an idiot.”
Elguja turns the camera to the balcony, opening some of the blinds. Outside, despite the sun not having risen above the city, Liberation Square is already bustling with activity. By zooming, the camera could roughly make out where the Katharian lady had been killed the day prior. It likewise seemed that most of the protesters simply hadn’t gone home during the night.
“Don’t know about you Zivadi, but I’m hitting the hay for a few hours.” the recording suddenly cuts out.
A couple of hours pass before the next recording comes in, this time in the same breakfast hall as the previous day. The assortment of foods is still varied, and this time Certo is joining the duo for breakfast. He’s keeping it with a bowl of cornflakes. In the background of the hall, a news bulletin blandly states that, until further notice, a state of martial law has been declared. Certo looks uneasy, constantly checking the view out of the window.
“Do you think that they will be here soon?” Zivadi asks between gobbling his pastries.
-”The Furrelians? Absolutely. And, of course, Kon Galon will be where they’ll strike first. The Council of Officers is here after all.”
“What will happen with the protesters?”
-”I have an idea, but I hope it’ll be a false alarm…” Certo takes a sip of his fruit juice.
Afternoon - Day 2 - Tichina Hotel, Liberation Square
Zivadi sighs. It was hour who knows without anything happening. Certo had made his way into the hotel room too, with all three just observing the protests. There had been limited rumours of Furrelians striking Luasu. The crowd of protesters down on the square has grown more uneasy too, a feeling which the police presence certainly did not help with. The Council of Officers building still had a solid line of police protecting it, with barely any movement within it.
“Is there legitimately nothing interesting on the holovision? Like not even one channel which has fun things?” Zivadi sighs again out of boredom.
-“I know channel eight has a cooking show?” Certo responds. Zivadi murmurs out a slight ‘thank you’ as he switches the channel. Yet, rather than the sound of cooking utensils and broiling recipes, a simple two-tuned alarm rings out.
“ATTENTION: This channel is under Furrelian Naval Command until further notice.” a simple robotic voice says.
-“They’re here!” Zivadi shouts. Certo, overhearing this, seems to start falling into a panicked state.
“We’re lost, we’re absolutely lost. This has all been for nothing.”
The recording cuts, with the time of recording only moving fifteen minutes as the next fragment starts. This time, the police has come forward for an announcement. As the officers down on the square start shouting whatever they need to shout, Certo roughly translates it to Galactic Common.
“This is your last chance to leave, after this you will be considered a traitor.” the Go’Shii blurts out. The crowd’s response is, likewise, not a mass exodus departing from the square. Instead, it seemed like the will of those who want to re-establish democracy is stronger than a single warning from the police.
“No one’s leaving?” Elguja says, surprised.
“Do you really think the Furrelians will kill every single protester on this square? Of course not! It’s all intimidation.” Zivadi responds. Certo only groans. The trio observes as the situation evolves, with the police around the Council’s building starting to push back protesters. Yet, it didn’t seem like there was a large development in police deployment or, really, any vehicles rolling up to the square.
Yet, this turned around 180 degrees fairly quickly. In the distance, a faint buzzing sound can be heard coming closer. As Elguja zooms into the direction it's coming from, he shouts in surprise.
“Furrelians, ornithopters!”
And, sadly for the crowd, Elguja’s projection was correct. Looming in the distance, the detachment of Furrelian-marked ornithopters came ever closer, before eventually coming to a halt above the square.
“They’re not actually going t-!” Zivadi tries to say something, but a loud bang disrupts him. Elguja drops the camera. The recording cuts. A few minutes later a short shaky recording starts, showing Certo vomiting on the balcony as explosions still ring out in the background, together with screams. Then, the recording goes black until the evening. Secretly recording from behind the window blinds, one of the two Noviy catches a glimpse of a truck equipped with a plough. The recording cuts out before it can be seen what is being cleared from the square. On the monument in the middle of it, however, the Katharian emblem can be seen flying again. Yet, while it had been a pure marble-white the day prior, this time the base of the statue was coated in a dark red liquid.
Noon - Day 3 - Kon Galon Planetary Spaceport, Katharian Protectorate
The final part of the video took place back where it began, the departures hall of Kon Galon’s spaceport. This time, however, it is filled with Furrelian soldiers coming in from across the Union. Announcements ring out faintly, informing about departure times towards destinations in both the Protectorate and Union, as well as how most emergency measures have been lifted. A holographic projection of the Katharian Head-Officer, Kidona Hidori, was shown in the middle of a plaza.
“The anti-national movement has been stopped dead in its tracks. Those responsible for organising the civil disobedience have all been arrested, and the protests they caused have been peacefully dispersed. Only very minimal casualties have been reported so far. Once again, we can not thank our Furrelian liberators enough for helping us in these difficult situations…” the hologram continued, but neither of the Noviy was in the mood to listen to it.
-”Peacefully dispersed… absolutely.” Elguja groans. He turns to Zivadi again. He looks tired. “Say, Zivadi, once we’re back in Noviy, do you think I should send this to, I don’t fucking know, the ARK or something?”
“Why? What can they change to what happened?”
The camera is pointed at a departure sign. After two foreign languages scroll by, the galactic common announcement shows that Oftrans International Service TLMF0490255 towards Sallag OSP has been cancelled, reason being a loss of communications. The camera is pointed at another departure sign, showing that all international departures have the same cancellation.
“Elguja, I doubt we’ll make it to Sallag tonight.” a voice is heard in the background, with the camera turning around to show a human with a Noviy travel-pass in his hand. The man is Zivadi Vachtine, a reporter known for his article on Kolleronics.
-“I know we shouldn’t have gone via Kon Galon, only brings bad fortune going this way.” the other man, Elguja Okropiridze, says. “Might’ve been a few quid cheaper than a ship straight to Sallag, but you do have to cross the former Dominion.”
“Yeah, this shit isn’t worth it.” Zivadi mumbles as the pair walks towards a helpdesk. The video recording cuts, continuing at an immigration booth. Zivadi’s pass is on the booth, getting stamped. The officer, a young Katharian woman, politely smiles as she welcomes Zivadi into the Katharian Protectorate, before repeating the same story with Elguja. The recording cuts again, this time continuing once the Noviy duo are in a car, driving into the inner parts of ‘Chief City Kon Galon’. The Gaussian name of the city has been long forgotten. Elguja is holding the camera, pointing it out of the window as the car speeds past endless propaganda posters in Kimbeau and Sylentic. He slowly turns the camera towards the driver, a Katharian Immigration officer with a stern face. Not wanting to risk the officer finding out he’s being recorded, Elguja turns the camera to Zivadi.
“So, what did we arrange?” Elguja asks Zivadi, recording the conversation like it's a kind of vlog.
-”We have emergency visas for the both of us, officers over at the immigration service were actually pretty understanding and gave us emergency visas, valid for a week. They said that there’s been a temporary loss in communications to anywhere outside of the Protectorate, so we’ll be stuck here until that’s recovered.” Zivadi responds. In the background, the Katharian officer groans a sentence.
“Hotel provided by us. Yes. At Liberation Square, very nice one. We sorry for this, you will know when your ship leaves. We pick up at hotel.” the man says, a very thick Kimbeau accent overshadowing his limited galactic common knowledge.
-”Seems like we’re being spoiled for a few days.” Elguja says. The video cuts again.
A few hours pass before a new entry into the log is made. This time, it is from the hotel room. The camera is pointed down into Liberation Square, with the room’s balcony looking straight over it and into the building of the Council of Officers, the Katharian legislature. In the middle of the square stands a massive statue, with a silhouette of a Katharian soldier holding a gun upwards depicted on it. At the end of the barrel, a Katharian flag flies. Elguja zooms into the Council building. A small detachment of guards stands in front of the formerly Gaussian building.
“Weird to see that the multicultural society that existed here collapsed this… quickly.” Elguja mumbles.
Morning - Day 1 - Tichina Hotel, Liberation Square
The video starts in the dead of night. Orange flashing lights can be seen moving on Liberation Square as a detachment of trucks, belonging to Katharian Military Police, moves towards the building of the Council of Officers. A hour passes before another update to the log is made, this time consisting of a short video of the Military Police installing barricades around the building, with a single Furrelian truck driving into the square. Zivadi is heard in the background, mumbling “What the hell is happening…” while half-asleep. A few more hours pass until the next addition to the log is made. This time its at dusk. The two Noviy men sit on their beds, with the holographic screen showing that a state of national emergency has been declared across the entire Katharian Protectorate. Elguja is once more the one recording, and as he turns the camera towards Liberation Square, it is clear that a large crowd is forming. He once again turns the camera to Zivadi, who clearly slept badly.
“The bed is stiff,” Zivadi says. “I’ll desperately need a caffeine boost if this continues like a week.”
-”I think that’s the least of our concerns right now.” Elguja responds in a monotone manner. Outside, some chanting and whistling can be heard.
The next video is shot at breakfast. A large hall on the top floor of the hotel building has been turned into a meal hall. The breakfast buffet has a large assortment of foods, both local and foreign. The two have been assigned a table in a far corner, overlooking Liberation Square from a window. The crowd keeps on growing.
“We need to investigate that after breakfast.” Zivadi proposes in the background, some food in his mouth.
-”I’ll eat first if you don’t mind.” Elguja says. He turns the camera towards Zivadi, who poses with his food: A traditional Furrelian pastry and some poultry.
“It doesn’t taste too bad, I’ll tell you that. The foxes have some good food.” Zivadi responds, shoving a fork into his face-hole like a pig. ”Do you think there’ll be a good Tourmaline restaurant somewhere in the city?”
-“That’s assuming they’ll be open this evening.” Elguja says, turning the camera again towards the square. A clear line can be seen between the crowd and police.
“Do you think it’s a protest?” Zivadi asks.
-“Honestly, I doubt it. You know how it goes in these countries: You protest, you disappear.”
Noon - Day 1 - Liberation Square, Chief City Kon Galon
The next recording starts down at the street feeding into Liberation Square. The Noviy duo has only set a few steps outside before they’re overwhelmed by the huge crowd of people moving towards the square. Zivadi has picked up a booklet with things to do in the Chief City of Kon Galon in the lobby of the hotel.
“So, what do they say there is to do?” Elguja asks, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
-“Well, we have… Liberation Square and the Monument of Katharian Liberation, National Museum of the Katharians, Furrelian-Katharian friendship monument, the Katharian Liberation War Museum… Pick your flavour of propaganda.” Zivadi responds. “Oooh, this is interesting. A traditional Furrelian restaurant is located on Vigilance Square, and the booklet says that it has ‘remnants of the Gaussian occupier’s army displayed across the square’. Could be fun to check out tonight?”
“You can only really think about food, can’t you?” Elguja says. In the background, a large crowd moves to Liberation Square, banners and drums ready. Surprisingly, only very few Katharians are in the crowd, with most of those in the group being either Go’Shii or Cauldarian, ex-Gaussian species which weren’t as fortunate under the new Furrelian-Katharian government. One of the banners they carry shows the former Symbol of the Gauss Dominion.
“Yeah. I don’t know, this feels like a protest.” Elguja says as a truck belonging to the Katharian military police rushes across the street and towards the square.
-“You’re right, you’re right. Let's check out Liberation Square first, then?” Zivadi points towards the square, which is increasingly becoming more crowded. Elguja makes nothing but an approving sound.
The next part of the video is a timelapse of the two Laniakeans walking towards the square. As they come closer, even more protesters can be seen, as well as a police convoy making its way through the crowd. The video cuts out once again, this time only taking half an hour before the next entry is made. The two are now in a corner of the square, standing packed like sardines between the protesters. They look out of place. Among all the former Gaussian species, the two humans stick out like a sore thumb. A young Go’Shii noticed them, and approached them. Elguja films as he comes closer, afraid he might attack the two. Zivadi, on the other hand, starts talking with him.
“Why are you all here? What is happening?”
-”We’re protesting, we want an end to Furrelian occupation and the re-establishment of, at the very least, a multicultural state!” the Go’Shii responds, his mackerel fur shining in the light of the sun.
“Why are you specifically here, though?” Zivadi asks the Go’Shii.
-”It is my duty. I’ve been under Furrelian occupation since day one. Luasu was the first to fall, I was on there when these beasts descended upon our words and tore our Dominion apart! Even as the Galactic Admiral, the bitch, defected and left our worlds in ruin, it wouldn’t have happened if it were not for the fucking filth the Furrelians brought in!” the Go’Shii says, clearly very emotional. “They, the Katharian traitors, fucking KILLED all of my family in camps dedicated to ‘stopping the spread of the Budding Disease’, while they and their Furrelian overlords all lined up across the fence in order to get their beautiful little vaccines, as all other species died!”
Elguja turns the camera to Zivadi, who’s also clearly distressed by the outburst. Zivadi waits for the Go’Shii to slightly calm down before speaking to him again.
“How did you survive, mister err-….”
-“Sien, Certo Sien. Having some skills in radio-technology and broadcasting apparently gives some advantages in the ‘protectorate’, so because I wanted to act like I was the main radio man on Luasu during the invasion I was deported to the Furrelian Union, was forced to undergo retraining, and then sent back to Kon Galon in order to work for the propaganda broadcast.”
Zivadi nods. He’s still unsure what to think about the Go’Shii. Elguja turns the camera to show more of the crowd which has formed. The monument in the middle, which at night had been proudly flying the Katharian emblem, had seen the flag being replaced by the old Gaussian symbol. A protester can be seen making their way down the monument.
“But, why are you two here?” Certo asks the two Noviy, Elguja drastically turns the camera back to the Go’Shii, who’se four arms are crossed in a disapproving manner.
-“Err, well..” Zivadi starts. Behind the camera, Elguja can be heard groaning disapprovingly.
“Our transfer to the Furrelian Union got cancelled, so the Katharian authorities politely gave us an emergency visa. Really, we didn’t want to be here at all.” Elguja interrupts Zivadi. The Go’Shii looks surprised.
“Ah.” is his simple answer. “That explains.”
Once again the recording cuts out, this time a short video of the two Laniakeans posing together is shown. They’re seen smiling, while the person recording, presumably Certo, is heard slurring out Kimbeau swears in the background. The next video is closer to the middle of the square, near the monument. A small podium had been assembled out of pallets and scaffolding, with on top an old Farrian man. He was clearly a veteran of the Gauss-Furrelian war, holding a walking cane and wearing former Gaussian admiral robes. Yet, it seemingly did not impact his ability to speak. Amplified by a microphone, he was making an address to the entire square, but more specifically to the Council of Officers.
“We must not forget that we were all equals in Kragleosha’s Dominion! The Furrelian occupier has installed one of us as more than equal to the rest!” the man starts. Elguja is heard mumbling something along the lines of ‘he looks human’ to Zivadi, who giggles. Certo is still with them, listening closely to what the man has to say. He speaks in fluent galactic common, with only a slight smidge of an accent.
“Yet, even as two of our species have been exterminated and mine is on the brink of extinction, the ideals of the Dominion have not died!” the crowd cheers loudly. “And trust me, the entire galaxy is witnessing our fight against xenophobia-fuelled genocide! Our fight against Authoritarianism! Our fight against those who tear us apart and try to make us nothing! Let the so-called ‘Council of Officers’ hear us; Kragleosha’s Dominion is not dead yet!” Every time the man proclaims something, the crowd cheers louder and louder.
As the man is about to start the second part of his speech, shouts are heard in the background. Elguja turns the camera to where the sound is coming from, which is just next to them as police open up the crowd. The Farrian does not notice them coming closer, and by the time he does, it’s too late. Two Katharian officers sneak up behind him, with one kicking his cane away and the other overpowering him. As the man tries to resist, cuffs are placed on him and he’s forced towards the path which had been opened up. While he and the officers pass the crowd, people try breaking the line of officers standing guard. One person, a young Katharian lady, does manage to break through right next to the two Laniakeans. She dashes towards the Farrian, trying to help him break free, but is caught off-guard by an officer just behind her. Elguja records how she’s brutally hit by a riot control shield in the face. The distinguishable noise of bones breaking occurred shortly before she fell to the ground. A part of her skull has protruded out of her skin. Dead, just like that.
The recording cuts out. A few hours pass before the next recording is made. The two humans and Certo are being escorted back to the hotel by the police. Certo looks distraught.
“So…” Zivadi turns to Elguja.
-“Don’t fucking ask me, I have no clue.”
Evening - Day 1 - Vigilance Square, Chief City Kon Galon
The sun has gone under by the time the next recording starts. The trio has made their way to a subway station underground. Despite the transit being free, the station feels empty. There’s no sound besides a propaganda song playing faintly in the background, and the few people who are waiting for a train keep to themselves.
“Isn’t it rush hour right now?” Elguja turns to Certo.
-”That’s what you get with a state of national emergency, people prefer to stay at home.” Certo sighs. “Or, in this case, everyone who wanted to go to Liberation Square is already there.”
An announcement rings out in Kimbeau, followed by galactic common. A robotic voice quickly blurts out that the next blue line train, with destination Central Stadium, will be pulling into the station shortly, reminding those on the station to keep clear of the yellow line. The video cuts again.
Just a half hour later, the trio has settled into a restaurant. The small establishment is playing soft Sylentic jazz on the stereo, within the centre a small kitchen where a few Furrelians are cooking. Outside of the window, the remnants of a Gaussian mech stand defeated.
“You guys seriously took me to a Furrelian restaurant?” Certo asks.
-”Zivadi’s idea. I swear I had squat to do with it. He said it looked interesting?”
“You’re both assholes, I swear to Kragleosha.”
-“Certo, you’re not obliged to stay with us?” Zivadi interrupts Certo. “I mean, to be fair, I have no clue why you’re still with us?”
Certo avoids eye contact with the duo. After a short while, he finally responds.
“So, you both saw how that Katharian lady was beaten, right?”
-”Uhu. We did.”
“See, there’s not a lot of foreigners in this direction, so if there’s protests you can put a solid bet on who’ll be blamed.” He took a swig of his drink. “So while you tried to leave the square, I had police on my, correction, our heels. They wanted to know what I was doing with you.”
-”And you said?”
“That I was your translator, appointed by I don’t fucking know, the hotel?”
-“So, that’s why they escorted us?”
“They warned me, telling me that I had to supervise you both during your entire stay in the Protectorate, or else they’d arrest me and deport the both of you.”
Zivadi sniggers. “What I would not pay for a deportation at the moment.”
Morning - Day 2 - Tichina Hotel, Liberation Square
It is around five in the morning when the duo are woken up rudely by a bang on the door. As usual, Elguja is the one recording, while Zivadi’s taking word. The Noviy looks tired in his underwear as he opens the door, ready to engage in a shouting match.
On the other side of the door stood two riot officers and Certo, who looked just as tired as Zivadi. The Go’Shii was actually pulled out of his bed, unlike the humans. One of the officers, apparently higher in rank, barked a sentence in Kimbeau against Certo. He said something back, to which the officer shrugged.
“This is Selapi, officer in the Force of Katharian Will. He told me that you need to remain in the hotel at all times today. I’ll be here too.”
-”But.. why?” Zivadi responds. Certo translates the question and gets a short response.
“He said that they don’t want you to get hurt. Martial law was declared at night, so everyone is actually obliged to remain at home.”
-“Which the protesters don’t want?”
“Exactly.”
Officer Selapi inserts himself into the conversation too, with a thick Kimbeau accent combined with limited knowledge of Galactic Common promising not too much.
“They traitor. They pay today. You here, you okay. Tomorrow you leave, yes?”
-“...Yes, thank you mister Selapi.” Zivadi responds. The door is slammed shut in his face. He turns to Elguja, shrugging. “At least we know we’ll be going to Sallag tomorrow?”
-”You’re an idiot.”
Elguja turns the camera to the balcony, opening some of the blinds. Outside, despite the sun not having risen above the city, Liberation Square is already bustling with activity. By zooming, the camera could roughly make out where the Katharian lady had been killed the day prior. It likewise seemed that most of the protesters simply hadn’t gone home during the night.
“Don’t know about you Zivadi, but I’m hitting the hay for a few hours.” the recording suddenly cuts out.
A couple of hours pass before the next recording comes in, this time in the same breakfast hall as the previous day. The assortment of foods is still varied, and this time Certo is joining the duo for breakfast. He’s keeping it with a bowl of cornflakes. In the background of the hall, a news bulletin blandly states that, until further notice, a state of martial law has been declared. Certo looks uneasy, constantly checking the view out of the window.
“Do you think that they will be here soon?” Zivadi asks between gobbling his pastries.
-”The Furrelians? Absolutely. And, of course, Kon Galon will be where they’ll strike first. The Council of Officers is here after all.”
“What will happen with the protesters?”
-”I have an idea, but I hope it’ll be a false alarm…” Certo takes a sip of his fruit juice.
Afternoon - Day 2 - Tichina Hotel, Liberation Square
Zivadi sighs. It was hour who knows without anything happening. Certo had made his way into the hotel room too, with all three just observing the protests. There had been limited rumours of Furrelians striking Luasu. The crowd of protesters down on the square has grown more uneasy too, a feeling which the police presence certainly did not help with. The Council of Officers building still had a solid line of police protecting it, with barely any movement within it.
“Is there legitimately nothing interesting on the holovision? Like not even one channel which has fun things?” Zivadi sighs again out of boredom.
-“I know channel eight has a cooking show?” Certo responds. Zivadi murmurs out a slight ‘thank you’ as he switches the channel. Yet, rather than the sound of cooking utensils and broiling recipes, a simple two-tuned alarm rings out.
“ATTENTION: This channel is under Furrelian Naval Command until further notice.” a simple robotic voice says.
-“They’re here!” Zivadi shouts. Certo, overhearing this, seems to start falling into a panicked state.
“We’re lost, we’re absolutely lost. This has all been for nothing.”
The recording cuts, with the time of recording only moving fifteen minutes as the next fragment starts. This time, the police has come forward for an announcement. As the officers down on the square start shouting whatever they need to shout, Certo roughly translates it to Galactic Common.
“This is your last chance to leave, after this you will be considered a traitor.” the Go’Shii blurts out. The crowd’s response is, likewise, not a mass exodus departing from the square. Instead, it seemed like the will of those who want to re-establish democracy is stronger than a single warning from the police.
“No one’s leaving?” Elguja says, surprised.
“Do you really think the Furrelians will kill every single protester on this square? Of course not! It’s all intimidation.” Zivadi responds. Certo only groans. The trio observes as the situation evolves, with the police around the Council’s building starting to push back protesters. Yet, it didn’t seem like there was a large development in police deployment or, really, any vehicles rolling up to the square.
Yet, this turned around 180 degrees fairly quickly. In the distance, a faint buzzing sound can be heard coming closer. As Elguja zooms into the direction it's coming from, he shouts in surprise.
“Furrelians, ornithopters!”
And, sadly for the crowd, Elguja’s projection was correct. Looming in the distance, the detachment of Furrelian-marked ornithopters came ever closer, before eventually coming to a halt above the square.
“They’re not actually going t-!” Zivadi tries to say something, but a loud bang disrupts him. Elguja drops the camera. The recording cuts. A few minutes later a short shaky recording starts, showing Certo vomiting on the balcony as explosions still ring out in the background, together with screams. Then, the recording goes black until the evening. Secretly recording from behind the window blinds, one of the two Noviy catches a glimpse of a truck equipped with a plough. The recording cuts out before it can be seen what is being cleared from the square. On the monument in the middle of it, however, the Katharian emblem can be seen flying again. Yet, while it had been a pure marble-white the day prior, this time the base of the statue was coated in a dark red liquid.
Noon - Day 3 - Kon Galon Planetary Spaceport, Katharian Protectorate
The final part of the video took place back where it began, the departures hall of Kon Galon’s spaceport. This time, however, it is filled with Furrelian soldiers coming in from across the Union. Announcements ring out faintly, informing about departure times towards destinations in both the Protectorate and Union, as well as how most emergency measures have been lifted. A holographic projection of the Katharian Head-Officer, Kidona Hidori, was shown in the middle of a plaza.
“The anti-national movement has been stopped dead in its tracks. Those responsible for organising the civil disobedience have all been arrested, and the protests they caused have been peacefully dispersed. Only very minimal casualties have been reported so far. Once again, we can not thank our Furrelian liberators enough for helping us in these difficult situations…” the hologram continued, but neither of the Noviy was in the mood to listen to it.
-”Peacefully dispersed… absolutely.” Elguja groans. He turns to Zivadi again. He looks tired. “Say, Zivadi, once we’re back in Noviy, do you think I should send this to, I don’t fucking know, the ARK or something?”
“Why? What can they change to what happened?”