An Inconvenient Accident (Closed)

[Crystal Spires]

"Certainly Comrade, I'd be more than willing to help you." Maven said with a smile as he helped 472-474 change, but to have to change himself would be a painful act he was not looking forward to. He carefully pulled the jacket off as he dispelled the spell and with a muffled whimper he pulled the shirt from around his wings. The blood still had been caked on underneath. He sighed as he had become overwhelmed by thoughts that seemed to plague his mind.

Maddy and Yalij will be devastated if something happens to me.

He thinks fondly of the two beastlings. Maddy was a Fox-kin, Granddaughter of his best friend and War Buddy Eylis. Eylis was a leader in the New Idealist movement. A Knight of the Order who marched along with Maven side-by-side as they fought off the forces of the Inquisition by the Order of the Flame. They became close friends in the trenches, Eylis the pragmatist, and Maven the idealist. Eylis had a son who had taken a wife in the Protectorate to the North of Starfold, and they had a beautiful baby girl who they tended to with all their love and affection, but soon the mother took ill and the hellfire of war found their way into the protectorate. Maven rushed in to save the protectorate but it was too late. Maddy's parents were both murdered in the purge and Maven picked up the crying child and with the same love and regard that Eylis's son had for her he raised Madrine like his own blood. Eylis helped raising Maddy and she dotingly referred to the big tall Storkii as uncle Maven. When Eylis was assassinated Maven took Maddy in without question as his own daughter. It was no surprise to Maven that if he were to die horrifically in New Freedomstan, that Maddy would be devastated, and may even lose herself again to the feelings of corruption.

Yalij, of course was undoubtedly as faithful to Maven as Maddy was. Maven picked Yalij as his ward, because he was an orphan. He did not know that Yalij ran away from an abusive household, and so Maven just took care of him and did not bother to look up Yalij's history. He merely saw a boy who needed shelter and took Yalij directly to the Templar Order where Yalij trained hard to become an Uncorruptible. He selected Maven as a mentor and Maven's patience and gentleness was enough to have Yalij become fiercely devoted to the Knight Order of Fornt. Yalij became a fierce advocate for the New Idealists and is working hard to follow in Maven's footsteps to become a Judge in the High Council. However he knew for sure that the one who would be devastated the most would be the one he gave his heart to.

Ellesime... I hope that my thoughts can reach yours. Have faith and hope that I will be able to return. I will return to you my love, so that we can laugh and dream together.

Ellesime was a treefolk brought up in the dark forests of Metanih, the Lands to the West of the Beastling States. She first met Maven when he was shot down from the sky fighting a battle against a Falconian Squad of Assassins hired by the dread Archon Messandre. Once he was shot he crashed into the forest and was found by the gently singing treefolk. She nursed him to health and their tenderness grew to love, but it was a temporary bliss because the war went on, and Maven was called to serve, and he made a promise to return to her when the war was over. He kept his promise and their love continued on and on. However the Gathering of Glause and the Beastling High Council did not recognise one another, and Maven's election as High Chancellor made it impossible for the two to marry. Though, they did not seem to care as their feelings continued to defy all odds and expectations.

Maven sighed as he imagined the tearful faces and broken hearts that would outlive him if he made a mistake. Those who would suffer with pain until the end of their lives. He frowned slightly as he wrung his hands with worry.

"How long will it be until we are able to find our way to safety? I'm worried that every step of the way returning to my homeland will be much harder. We cannot know what sort of problems will come along, but we know for sure that the time is against us. We need to move fast."

[New Freedomstan]

"I fear it is a question of if, rather than when." 472-474 said as he retrieved one of the grey boxes from the bag, and assembled the antenna that went with it. Upon assembling, he hooked it onto the PC.
"Time is against us, yes. The Commissars who met us when we came here were Subhuman Containment Section. It is the State Security Section and Administrative Section that normally handles police duties. It may just be standard checks since Arnskog is by a lab, but the DNA tests? We must leave tomorrow, as I doubt you have human DNA."

The computer started, and the grey box buzzed. 472-474 pressed a seemingly random number of keys on the PC, and suddenly the screen changed entirely with the top screen reading "Folkets Sivile Kommissariat". He entered a password, and it accessed the PC as normally.
"It's true what they say," 472-474 said partially to himself "One never truly leaves the Commissariat, except in a bodybag. Now, pray to your gods that his works..." he pressed a key on the grey box, and the buzzing became louder before subsiding. 472-474 opened the window, and went back.
"Hah! Success!" he said "We are on the internet. Now hurry, so we can close it quickly. I don't want to risk more than is absolutely necessary. Send what you need, nothing more, then unplug the grey box immediately after you have sent what you need." he stepped away from the PC, which now had opened a browser to the internet. Connection was a bit slow, but not unbearably so.

[Crystal Spires]

"I have DNA that is close enough to a humans that it will take a talented Xenobiologist to pick up the genetic different. 'Tis why Storkii are classified as Demihuman within the Beastling Race, but this is not the point, we're still in very grave danger, and I would not like to have this all be for naught and for the both of us to die needlessly." Maven said with a lump in his throat growing and the rise in temperature making him sweat as he took a deep breath and hastily typed his message.

Code: Select all

To: Chancellor Eames Gromkin
From: High Chancellor Maven Auryn
Encryption Level: Ultra

Code 4 Whiterain.

/End transmission


Maven immediately unhooked the communication and turned off the web after the message was sent to make sure the trace wouldn't be long enough to get a location tracker and also he hoped that no one could decrypt the Spirean Code, but he had confidence in the advance of Spirean encryption. He could feel the anxiety getting stronger by the minute as he wiped his forehead with the handkerchief.

"It is done. So what now, Comrade? I need to do something lest I feel the anxiety crush me from within. I am not used to having this much stress in short doses and at this rate..."One of his white hairs unfurled and sprouted into a fluffy white feather. "I'm going to stress myself into an oblivion." as he reached for the feather and plucked it out.

"BAH! Elle says that two new ones will grow in their place, but if that were true my whole head would be feathers!" He said as he chuckled and one of the feathers re-furled up and became a white hair.

[New Freedomstan]

"I've already sent a message to my contacts," 472-474 replied "They are meeting us tomorrow, at three o'clock in Park #2. And believe me, the SCS will pick up the difference. We've had quite a few half-humans before. It will take them a while though, but we'd be better off if we are on the other side of the country when they do. We probably will be too, unless something unexpected happens. I've also contacted my friend who knows a thing or two about surgery, and he is the only one I'd trust entirely with, well, seeing you like this. If he talks, I know enough to have him executed twice. That, and he is significantly less specieist than most #14ites. He's heading here right now, and will probably be arriving with this half-hour. Still, don't tell him anything. I have told him you are a former inmate of Station #3, who was released and I'm escorting you to Region #1 for transfer with your homeland. However, you were shot by a gang of specieists back in Alfheim with hunting rifles. Got that?"

Remarkably, 472-474 didn't seem that affected by the events. Apart from when the commissars were questioning Maven earlier, he had taken everything with the same somewhat cold outlook. In fact, he seemed more alive than when Maven had first seen him, although the lack of a beard may be some of the reason for that.

"And stress?" 472-474 "A pub would fix that, I'd venture, if you can keep that magic of yours up for an hour or so more, after my friend fixes that wound of yours. This is a living city, comrade, and there's plenty to do. I'm headed down to that restaurant as soon as my friend fixes you up. Can't waste my food rations, after all."

[Crystal Spires]

Maven chuckled as another feather refurled up and he lie down on the bed from exhaustion and focused on maintaining the spell. The combination of the movement, stress, and injuries meant that spell fatigue would kick in if he wasn't careful. He was already eating away at the sugar candies quickly and he was certain that they wouldn't hold out forever. Maven relaxed as he prepared to keep his mind focused on the trip ahead trying instead of the sadness to focus on the happiness he would feel when he got home. He planned for a wonderful vacation in the Tabrillian coast for at least 3 days before returning straight to work in the High Council. Not even an experience that put him so close to death would stop Maven Auryn from working, much to Ellesime's great dismay. This passion for action in the name of the good no matter what the circumstances however was a quality of Maven's that Ellesime was attracted to in the first place. Maven was really and truly a shining White Knight right down to the last white feather.

"When your friend arrives try not to threaten him with death if we can prevent it. What is that saying...We catch more flies with honey? Or something... If we get him to want to help us, he will be more than willing to take the risks." Maven said as he stay keeping himself composed as he did every waking moment. His actions were like there was always someone or something watching him so his manner always seemed to be incredibly polished and even in the most extreme circumstances when he was at wit's end, he had the proud, happy, and dignified expression tempered by a kind and compassionate gentleness.

[New Freedomstan]

472-474 looked briefly at Maven, one eyebrow raised, before saying:
"There's also the old saying... you achieve more with a kind word and a gun, than just a kind word. Of course, I won't say that I can get him killed if he talks to the PCC. He knows that I know what he have done. And he really is an old friend of mine, or else he wouldn't be doing this. We served together in the Civil War. He was a medic at the time. Field surgeon. Saved a lot of lives, chopped off a lot of limbs. Don't worry though, he won't chop of your wing. Probably. Now he has proper equipment."

472-474 laid down on the bed, and closed his eyes. Then said:
"And don't judge New Freedomstan too harshly by what you've seen here. Region #14 is not representative of the country. Hell, none of the regions are in and of themselves. New Freedomstan is more than one area, and most of the people aren't as... zealous in their humanism as here. But... what is your country like, then? If I'm spending my last years there I'd like to know."

[Crystal Spires]

Maven laughed, "From what I have seen I actually think New Freedomstan is delightful if you're human! I, however, am not. Hmmm... It depends on where you go. The Coastline is Tropical on the side closer to Metanih the Treefolk Lands, and more mediterranean the closer you get to Altea, the Human Lands. The Caltralian sea however colors the whole coast with peach sand, or so the legends say. But the weather to the south is warm but the more Northward you go the closer you get to the Highlands. The Fornt's Crown Mountains are ridiculously high with Mephiste being the most beautiful view of them. The Fornt of Elyion is also in Mephiste which is an old Historical monument from the founding of the original orders of Knights. 'Tis why Altea craves to own the land there"

Maven smiled as he remembered his last trip with his family to Mephiste with a warm feeling as he had his arm wrapped tightly around Ellesime's waist as they watched the huge mountains emerge from the clouds like a shrouded ghost beckoning seductively into the mist. Maven would hear the Laughter of Maddy and Yalij's voices echo over as the Airship Invincible flew over the plateaus and valleys wild with lush wildlife and seeing the glittering Crystal Cities and Protectorates that gleamed with perpetual light. The shining crystal spires making their way across the horizon.

"Fitting..." he would say as he whispered in awe of the amazing majestic beauty of the beautiful world as hover crafts would speed past them, along with the laughing skyfish and the dancing phoenixes.

"'Tis like no other world you can ever imagine, believe me. When you get to Crystal Spires, you will never want to live anywhere else. It is home." Maven said with a smile as homesickness began to set in.

[New Freedomstan]

"New Freedomstan will always be my home," 472-474 said, a hint of mourning entering his voice "I just don't think New Freedomstan will be New Freedomstan much longer. And yes, New Freedomstan is a good place to live for a human. Luckily, that is the vast majority of the population. There is a single non-human district in the Central People's Collective, the Stations and... nothing more than that." 472-474 added the latter hurriedly, before saying "Those Human Lands seems to be the most like home for my part. No offense, but I think I'd prefer living among a human majority."

There was a knock on the door. 472-474 headed to it, peaked through the small slit then opened the door.
"Genosse!" a voice from the other side nearly shouted
"Comrade!" 472-474 replied, something lower "Long time no see!"
"Ja, genosse. Gut to see you again!" a man appeared as he walked in, and gave 472-474 quite a bear-hug. The man was nearly two metres tall, towering over 472-474's 1.8 metres, and had a long, thick, black beard but a completely skinned skalp. He carried a rather large suitcase, and wore a brown coat over the grey uniform that you had only seen a few dozen not wear (who weren't Commissars). The man spoke in a thick german accent, and his brown eyes spoke of someone having seen quite a lot and being intent on seeing quite a bit more. His age was impossible to tell, although some greying hair in his beard and the beginning of some rather deep furrows said that he was no youngling.
"I fear we have to catch up later, comrade." 472-474 said "You have a patient, and this one can't get a prosthetic."
"Ze subhuman, ja?" the german said, although there were no negative emphasis on the word 'subhuman', using the word quite like 472-474 used it, as a mere descriptor.
"Here he is," 472-474 said and pointed to Maven "He has been shot in the wing. I've tried treating the wound, but couldn't remove the fragments."
"Ja, let's see..." the german said and headed over to Maven and extended his hand "Guten tag, genosse. I am doktor Hermann Bauer."

[Crystal Spires]

"The pleasure is all mine honored sir, I am humbled to be graced by your presence." Maven said with a warm smile. He tried to curb his usual Spirean greetings and instead tried to act as casually as he could, which for Maven was not casual at all. It was still incredibly polite and polished.

I really need to try and learn how to talk more plainly. Damn that Deralius. I'm never going to get rid of all these ticks. That Bastard. he thought with a bit of irritation and a small bit of warmth as he looked at the doctor and kept his mind focused. he's here to heal me, but tell him nothing that he needs not know.

"It has pained me greatly, but at the moment it is mobile. I couldn't fly on it though, I'm afraid. Not very long before it gives way and I'll fall." Maven said with a slight sigh, "I need to be able to fly. 'Tis my livelihood at risk here. I do much flying where work is involved. I cannot lose the wing." Maven leaned back as he allowed the doctor to check his wings, and he knew this was going to hurt greatly he steeled himself and took a deep breath and calmed his mind as best as he could.

"Do what you can doctor, I'm counting on you."

[New Freedomstan]

"You was a polite one." Dr. Bauer said "Let us zee what ze problem is..." he said as he cautiously removed the bandage "Hmm.Gut. Keine Gangräne."
"That means no gangrene, comrade." 472-474 helpfully added "I would guess that is important to know."
"Kleine bullet fragments, ja..." Dr Bauer added "Und blot. When will this kids ever learn? Violence only zolves ze problems if you use enough of it. Zis is just barbaric. I got zome anasthetics, genosse, ze local numbing ja? Won't feel thing. Sorry for bad english, german and nefreedian is my languages. Might have bieffekt zince you subhuman. Agree, ja? Very painful if no anasthetic."

[Crystal Spires]

" You are very kind, honored Comrade, but I request that you do so without the use of anesthetics. I have felt worse pains before, and I need my head to be clear and focused for the rest of the day ahead. I can bear with this." Maven said as he felt nerves kick in.

Without mental concentration the spell will be undone. Egad, let's see how several months of torture in the Order of the Flame Prison will compare with this. Maven took a deep breath and began meditatively focusing on the power of courage and justice to keep his mind of what was likely to hurt like hell. He was expecting no less. It was a wing shot after all.

Maven balled his hands into fists as he did when he endured days of torture and like before he intended to stay completely silent through the whole ordeal. If it was one thing Maven had his pride to think of, and he was willing to face the pain and would try not to utter a sound. He was a Knight Templar, and was willing to endure every bit of pain if it meant he would experience more life to exercise more justice in it.

[New Freedomstan]

"Jawohl, genosse. Deine choice." Dr Bauer said, and opened his bag "Best be prepared. Zis will hurt." and set to work. He first cleansed the wound, after having checked if any of the flesh had died. He started removing the bullet fragments with a set of sterilized tweezers. Each fragment removal shot a burst of pain throughout Maven's body, but after five minutes of careful but efficient work Bauer was done removing the fragments. He applied another lotion on the wound, then got a needle started stitching together a suture to close the wound. When done, he applied another lotion over it. He then stood up again.

"Remof ze zuture in zen or elefen days," Dr Bauer said, and put a lotion on the nearby nightstand "If it ztarts scabbing, or ze zuture is zomehow loosened, apply zis lotion. Zis is actually not first time I made patient flyable. Once I was called to ze zirkus, und ze human cannonball was zick. He ztill managed to perform zat day, zanks to me."

[Crystal Spires]

Maven's eyes were red and bloodshot as it took much of his willpower to not cry out in pain. He panted and motioned to 472-474 and with a completely deadpan expression.

"Comrade..." He said in a completely tired quiet voice, "A drink... please. I need a drink." Maven took out the bottle of painkillers and prepared to take them with his hands shaking.

By the God's blood that hurt like hell. It's over now... but the healing's only beginning. I'll recover soon enough and be able to fly, but it will take some doing.

Maven knew that the feeling that he needed to escape New Freedomstan would continue until he felt his life was no longer in danger, but he did however wish to see the beauty of the place himself. Few chances and opportunities would ever come to a nonhuman ever. This was his chance to see it with his own eyes.

[New Freedomstan]

"Of course, comrade" 472-474 said, and got a glass of water to Maven before sitting back down on the bed.

Dr. Bauer had sat down in nearby chair, and were watching Maven. He had taken off the (now slightly blooded) white coat, and the grey uniform was clearly visible underneath. He had gathered the tools used back in his suitcase, and was overally looking quite pleased with himself.

"So, Comrade Bauer," 472-474 "What's new with you and PC-2?"
"Vell, genosse, I ztill work in ze Hospital #4," he said as he took up a small flask titled 'Vodka Brand #2' and took a small sip, then handed it over to 472-474 who also took a small sip "Mein zon has joined ze army. He's C-2 now."
"Kurt's in the army? Following in your footsteps, eh?"
"Not entirely," Bauer said a bit darkly "He's in ze Zpecial Divisions, not ze medic corps or regulars. His choice, I zuppos. Meine daughter went into ze Commissariat however. Ztate Zecurity Zection." this time was a bit of pride in his voice, rather than the hint of scorn with regards to his son.
"Oh, so Ang..." 472-474 began
"It's 372-475 112-382 now." Dr. Bauer finished "Zhe renounced name durink National Zervice. Und yes, zhe's a Commissar now. I hope she won't regret decision, but she zeems to like job."
"And what's news in PC-2?" 472-474 asked
"Oh, zame old zame old. Ze Distrikt Zoviet izn't HFP though. Ze PONS and CPNF won. Zere's been talk though..."
"Talk of what?"
"War, genosse." Dr Bauer said grimly "Ze milita has been mobilized. Zere is military build-up on ze borders to Region #13. I've heard ze zame is true in ze other border areas."
"Borders to the reformist areas, you mean?" 472-474 said
"Ja," Dr Bauer said "Zere have been ze building of ze trenches, ze artillery emplacements und we have all received message zat ze reservists may be called zometime zoon. But lets talk about ze cheerfuller zings, ja? Who is your genosse zere?" Dr Bauer said, and pointed at Maven
"Oh, just a test subject that is being extradited back to his homeland." 472-474 replied nonchalantly "His family seems to have found out that he's here, and their country have applied diplomatic pressure for his release."
"Ich know kleine about what ze ZCS is doing in zose places," Dr Bauer said "Will he zalk?"
"Nothing to talk about," 472-474 "Those baseless rumours about the Stations are far from the truth. There's nothing going on inside there."
"Is zat so?" Dr Bauer said, not sounding quite convinced "Oh vel, ze Kommissariat knows best. You want to head out for ze drinks, ja? Ich know of place where your genosse would... fit a bit better in."

[Crystal Spires]

"I would be honored to accept your invitation my good man. Please, I could use a good distraction from the pain my friend. The sooner the better." Maven said as he tried hard to compose himself as he swallowed the pain pills. "This will be a good experience, to meet others around who are also my kind. Lead me, if you will. "

Maven wasn't sure what he meant by his kind, but he figured perhaps he meant beastlings. If there was a beastling quarter he was certain that it would be very different from what he was used to in Crystal Spires which would make it a very telling experience, and one he wanted to be able to remember. He was also uncertain what to expect from this doctor. Hearing of his pride for his daughter entering the Commissariat made Maven uneasy. The Commissariat, after all, was the ones who desired his capture so deeply. He also was painfully aware that his allies wouldn't be able to contact him without his wrist transmitter nor the other way around. He was isolated and completely unable to contact anyone for help should anything go wrong.

This will not be long. It can't be too long. Though I want to take it all in I cannot allow myself to let my guard down.

[New Freedomstan]

"Not your kind, exactly," Dr Bauer said "Is Karneval. Pub where ze people dress up. Es is england speaking too. Is named Pub #86, but informal name is 'Ze Mask'. Good food, good drink und weird people. Es is not far away."
"I'd suggest keeping some amount of disguise," 472-474 said "But if anyone asks, you are headed there. Pub #86 there? Not really my choice of place, but oh well. It's useful for this purpose."
"Always with ze usefulness, ja?" Dr Bauer said and laughed a bit "Kommissariat through und through, you are. Just like meine daughter."

472-474 took the key, hid the grey box and the rest of the contents of the bag, and closed the door as they moved out. The young man in the reception smiled and waved as they left. It took only five minutes by the tram before 472-474 and Dr Bauer left, and stood in front of quite a large building. While the sign read 'Pub #86', graffitied underneath was 'The Mask'. People entering and leaving predominantly wore different kinds of costumes of varied quality, some of animals, soldiers or what seemed like famous individuals. You even saw one dressed as Lenin, laughing with a dog and a pirate.

"Such... behaviour," 472-474 said slowly "Is usually frowned upon here in West Nefreedia. But you'll always have some not wanting to conform entirely."
"Relax, genosse," Dr Bauer said and hit 472-474 lightly on the back "Es is harmless. Mostly ze youth having zome fun, ja? Es is not like zey are planning to join ze DWP just because zey don't always wear ze civilian's uniform, ja?"


_________________



People's Collective #2, Region #14: Train Station
"No, no, no, no!" Trym Tymsen shouted, while inspecting the small crowd of civilians the local SCS had picked up from the trains "None of these are Comrade-Citizen 472-474 or the subhuman!"
"No need to get angry, Comrade-Overseer Trymsen," the blonde woman who had questioned 472-474 and Maven said "That is not an effective way of hunting."
"You! ... You're right." Trym Trymsen replied, lighting a cigar. How he managed to do so, considering his left hand was nothing but three crude steel claws was a bit of conundrum to people who hadn't seen it before, but he managed "There were no other suspicious Comrade-Citizens on the train, Comrade-Overseer Sørensen?"
"Well," Sørensen replied "There were two, but they weren't able to stay. I got their pictures here, and they do not correspond to the images we received." she said as she handed the photographs of 472-474 and Maven over. Trymsen inspected them closely.
"Well," Trymsen said "They do not fit... but we know that the subhuman have paranormal abilities. We have seen that that includes shapeshifting, Comrade-Overseer."
"We were not informed of that," Sørensen replied coldly "If we had, we'd have stopped everyone. But we didn't find the renegade Commissar either."
"You know..." Trymsen said and pointed at the picture of 472-474 "This does look oddly like him... Beardless, hairless and his pigmentation and eye colour have changed... But I'd recognise that face anywhere."
"Are you certain?" Sørensen replied "Their stories checked out with our databases."
"I am certain, Comrade-Overseer." Trymsen replied "That is the renegeade 472-474, and that other must be the Subhuman spy. Do you know where they went?"
"No, Comrade-Overseer." Sørensen said "We'll contact the SSS. It may take a while, but they will find out where they went*. In the meantime, there's nothing we can do."
"Me and my men needs to find a place to stay for the night," Trymsen said "Do you know of any good Visitor Living Complexes?"
"Complex #2 is fairly good, and located not too far away." Sørensen replied "We'll contact you as soon as we have information. One of my commissars will take you there."
"Thank you, Comrade-Overseer." Trymsen said "I'll not let those scum slip away from me that easily."
"You're welcome, Comrade-Overseer." Sørensen replied "We'll contact you as soon as the SSS finds anything."


*OOC: Camera systems in all public areas and public transport. The PCC do not watch everywhere at all times, but they do have files to see where you went. It will take a while to skim through, however.

[Crystal Spires]

"Of course comrade it is not like I expect the people to all act the same. Moreover this seems rather... lively?" Maven said with a raised eyebrow.

Why do I still feel so uneasy? It's like the paranoia from the Wars of Attrition have all resurfaced. My disguise is sound, and I'm not unarmed. The spell fatigue has not set in and will not for a long time. The Doctor has declared that my wing will heal soon, but why am I still so nervous? Going to the Tavern usually loosens me up, but I'm hoping that they have decent tea.

"Where are we headed to? I would like some idea for my bearings. I tend to dislike being lost for obvious reasons. You never know when you might find yourself in the wrong side of town..." Maven said with the same calm tone that he speaks with, however 472-474 who had been around Maven for longer has begun to pick up on his cues due to his perceptive nature, he could discern that Maven was indeed concerned and uneasy, but his voice and facial expressions did not betray the unease. It was his demeanor. Maven is easily a very recognizably proud man and he stands tall and expresses every word with a confidence seen only in soldiers in a battlefield, yet he does so with the gentleness of a warm father. However Maven's unease made his stance more unbalanced. He seemed to be carrying himself less confidently as he tried to make himself less noticeable and smaller.

This was a very nervous Maven Auryn, and he was clearly in need of some sort of comfort.

[New Freedomstan]

"Yes," 472-474 said "It's one of only four pubs for primary english-speakers. They are a bit odd, but the other pubs they have are normal. Right now we're on the east end of the PC-2, although there really isn't no wrong side of town. The Commissariat watches, and protects. And we're just going to have a few drinks here, before getting back to the hotel. And don't worry, comrade. You're with a Commissar." 472-474 grinned, and showed the badge.
"Ja," Dr Bauer added "Even if ze people hate subhumans, zey follow ze Kommissariat. Und ze most humanist is also mostly very loyal. Not to mention, zis place attracts ze liberals, ja? Zose who don't really mind subhumans zat much."
"Do you come here often, Comrade Bauer?" 472-474 asked
"Nein," Bauer said "Of course not. But meine daughter does. She says it's to keep the eye on ze liberals, but she spends long on her costumes for that, ja? We celebrated her last birthday here."

The pub was rather large, and nearly filled with people. About two thirds of the people inside worse costumes of some sort, and nearly all the conversations you heard were in english, although there were some who spoke Nefreedian as well. There was a low, background music although what exactly it was was nearly impossible to hear over the chatter of people. The costumes varied greatly, some seemingly having gone to great lengths to get good costumes (persons, old professions, animals, etc). The people were overwhelmingly quite young, some looking like they were still in their mid teens and the majority looking like they were in their twenties. There were also some visibly older people, but few who looked like they were more than forty.

The pub extended over two floors, and the walls were filled with various paintings of landscapes, socialist iconography, animals, persons and quite a lot of other things. A reception desk was manned by five people, and you could smell various foods coming from a kitchen behind the reception desk. There seemed to be over a hundred people inside, and the second floor seemed to be full from the chatter and laughter that could be heard. Some were eating some prepared meals, both things that looked like what you had received in Arnskog as well as international dishes such as pizza. Quite a bit of beer and vodka was also consumed, but anytime someone got too rowdy they were quietly escorted out by heavyset men in black uniforms with a badge that said 'Pub #86'.

"Let's find somewhere to sit," 472-474 said "I think I see a table over there."
They headed over to a small table for five in one of the corners. It was round, next to a sofa mounted on the wall and three chairs.
"Food and drink, genossen?" Dr Bauer said "I'll go get."
"I'll just have the cheapest, and a pint. Type #2." 472-474 replied

[Crystal Spires]

"Aye, if you would be so kind, I'd like a spot of tea. Perhaps some sweets and desserts. I'm feeling my sweet tooth calling for satisfaction and it will not be appeased until I have something." Maven said as he looked over at the doctor as he went to go get the drinks.

"We can still trust this man, yes?" Maven asked 472-474 feeling more relief that he was out of sight and slightly dimmed the illusion allowing his bright aquamarine eyes to slightly shine through the brown illusion as he looked down and avoided all gaze. "It is my desire to do the best we can to get out alive and unharmed. If we cannot trust him it would be a fatal mistake."

Maven said as he took out his white gloves and put them on. I don't want to leave any trace that I am here. My fear is not only that they will discover that I am non-human, but rather that they'll also discover that I am the High Chancellor. That would mean that all of New Freedomstan will be on the lookout for me. I have to be completely cautious in every way. He scanned up ahead and saw the people in all sorts of costume and half smiled for a moment thinking that it was still rather strange how at ease and terrified a man could feel at the same time.

[New Freedomstan]

Bauer noticably raised his eyebrows on the mention of tea, but shrugged and headed to the desk.

"You can trust him with your life," 472-474 said, and seemed to relax "But not your secrets. Don't trust anyone with those. Knowledge is power, hide it well. It's one of the Commissariat's mottos."

Bauer returned with two pints of beer and a mug of of something black.
"No tea here," Bauer said "Got you some soda. Will pick up the rest now."
He brought a plate of potato fries and a piece of a brownish cake, which he gave to Maven. It tasted a bit like chocolate, although there was an aftertaste it was difficult to pinpoint.
"To our Martyrs and to Nefreedia!" Bauer said, and raised his pint. 472-474 raised his pint in kind, and replied:
"To our Future and to the Party!"
Bauer did give Maven a bit of an odd look, and 472-474 said:
"We don't teach Nefreedian customs to everyone in the Stations. You were supposed to say," 472-474 said to Maven "'to our future and to the party' after Comrade Bauer had initiated the toast."

While they had toasted, a young woman had come up behind Maven, and touched one of his wings. She were dressed in some odd clothing compared to what you had seen in the rest of Region #14. A dark-green tunic, brown pants made out of what looked like quite uncomfortable fabric. Her blonde hair went down to her shoulders, and dark-blue eyes inspected the wings intently. Her build and face were both quite pleasant, apart from a scar running across her left chin by the ear to the nose. She looked like she was in her early twenties, at most.

"Nice wings, comrade!" she said to Maven. She spoke much clearer than 472-474 and especially Bauer. While she did speak with some kind of accent, it seemed that english was her first language rather than second or third. "How'd you make them?"

[Crystal Spires]

" They're real falcon feathers held together using synthesized polymers. Working on a costume design for a play. It is a wonderful story. Have you ever heard of the play by Aristophanes called The Birds? The story is that two middle-aged men stumbled across a hillside wilderness, guided by a pet crow and a pet jackdaw. While the wax about how fed up with life in Athens they are, because people do nothing all day but argue over laws, they seek a king who will supposedly help them find a better life somewhere else. Just then a very large and fearsome bird emerges from a camouflaged bower, demanding to know what they are up to and accusing them of being bird-catchers. That's me, and I am the king's servant. I fetch my master. We the birds, decide that we should stop flying about like idiots and instead should build themselves a great city in the sky, since this would not only allow us to lord it over men, it would also enable us to blockade the Olympian gods starving them of prayer, and with our power we lord over Olympus and lead a revolution where we create the ideal city of Cloud Cuckooland where all the birds and idealists live free." Maven said with a charismatic smile that seemed to hide all sense of fear. "I don't suppose you have heard about it, but 'tis one of my favorites. I do love to play the act of the wayward sparrow. Finding my way to the ideal city. What about you? Have you ever done any acting? Singing?"

[New Freedomstan]

"Cool," she said as she sat down at the table. Neither 472-474 nor Bauer seemed to think there was anything strange about it. "Acting? Nah, but I did sing during national service. Was in the army's choir. Haven't heard of that play, doesn't really sound Nefreedian. What's an olympus?"

[Crystal Spires]

"'Tis a legendary mountain far, far, away where in legend it is said that the Gods were said to live. These Gods were sovereign over all men. This of course made them callous and selfish which is what put the two men against the whole farce of the Athenian Court. While it claimed to be a democracy, t'was all farce and so they lead a rage against the heavens itself. A story with a lesson to be learned, I say." Maven said with a nod of his head. "These wings are well made though. My pride and joy, it took a long time to make them, and of course it will be used in the play just as well. Let's see if I remember the song by now..."

"

Chase off drowsy sleep, dear companion.
Let the sacred hymn gush from thy divine throat in melodious strains;
roll forth in soft cadence your refreshing melodies to bewail the fate of Itys,
which has been the cause of so many tears to us both.
Your pure notes rise through the thick leaves of the yew-tree right up to the throne of Zeus,
where Phoebus listens to you, Phoebus with his golden hair.
And his ivory lyre responds to your plaintive accents;
he gathers the choir of the gods and from their immortal lips pours forth a sacred chant of blessed voices.

"

Maven sang the song he had learned in the cloisters during his time of burying himself in the Archives and while he was certainly no actor, it helped that he did know how to sing as any Storkii and Bird beastling could. He looked carefully at the woman, hoping that he had her convinced that he was merely a play actor with very cleverly crafted wings.

"Well I hope 'twas not too terrible, I may have forgotten a few of the words, but I do remember the gist." He lied, he loved that play, and so he knew the lines by heart. "I am sorry if I distracted you from what it is that you are doing. You must be busy..."

Sang

[New Freedomstan]

"Beautiful song, comrade," she said "And nah, I'm just here to have a good time. Get to know people, y'know? And I also got a song, we drilled it in quite a bit." she got up and started singing.


Men and women of our new republic,
march onwards with pride and vigor.
Our hated enemy has been crushed,
and will never rise against us no more.

We march in our regained new freedom,
our communism is on the horizon!
Justice and labour and wealth for all,
and death to all who oppose us!

Quite a few others in the pub had also started singing (including 472-474 and Bauer, the latter singing with less accent than he talked). It was evidently a common song, but some seemed to have seated themselves further away upon the start of the song.

"It's one of the first songs we learn during national service, comrade" she explained "You do talk a bit funny and act... weird. And not one of the normal weirds from the other Regions. Are you an immigrant? Are you from outside Nefreedia? Name's 623-369 by the way." she said, and extended her hand.

[Crystal Spires]

"Well met, 623-369. And much joy and salutations unto you, comrade. The pleasure for meeting you is all mine. 'Tis true that I'm not from these parts, and you can call me... "

Oh dear.... I don't know a common name here.. I just know numbers... they like numbers.

"Kylon. I am newly immigrated. I must say it seems things are rather different from a few days ago. What's with all the restrictions and the blocks forbidding people from travelling? This is all rather new for me, but I am not certain how this is all the time. It seems odd." Maven said trying to figure out what the normal people knew about the whole situation which could give him an advantage by creating a rumor mill which will mislead the Commissariat.

Maven watched as the people seemed to be cheerful except those who heard the song and were clearly visibly uncomfortable with the song. This gave the impression that perhaps they didn't support the message it was trying to deliver. Maven thought back at the lyrics,

death to those who oppose us he thought. I wonder if that includes someone like me. I'm not sure why... but it someone makes me uneasy.

He looked at the men's reactions and deduced...They must be rebellious elements.