Short Story Thread for minor stories that don’t require a full thread.
Credit and inspiration from @killermantiss
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A New Beggining
George Vandyre poured whisky into three glasses, sliding two across his desk to his two guests. An older man, nearing his sixties, his rare hair pure white and his face full of wrinkles. Yet his focused brown eyes revealed his mind was spared the weakness his body experienced. He wore a simple black suit. And a younger woman, around her thirties. She had long, dark hair with a streak of red and green eyes. She wore a red dress matching the red in her hair and was visibly impatient.
Vandyre himself was around his forties, his well trimmed dark blonde beard streaked with occasional white hairs. His hair was a lighter shade of blonde and short. His eyes were somewhere between blue and grey, tired but without any sign of giving in to that tiredness. He wore a grey military uniform, characteristic to Asphodelian garrisons. He took a sip and begun to speak.
“It’s been almost a year since the Crisis and everything that followed.” He remembered it well. It was supposed to be a calm, two week getaway for him and his family. But then that test happened. He knew he should have been more vocal about these safety concerns. 24 hour live coverage by terrified reporters, chaos all across social media, a few pro independence rallies. Explaining to the kids why they won’t be going home. Then the declaration of independence and him rushing with his family to the first train going near the garrisons. He already got to know most of the officers before, so he knew who turn to. Soon, his troops were marching down to the parliament hall and any news stations that he could spare forces for. Then months of hunting down partisans and a costly campaign across the moons. “I believe it is time for people to regain some sense of normalcy.”
“And what do you need us for? You can bring that about with a single decree.” Said the older man with a challenging tone.
“That wouldn’t exactly be normalcy, would it? I want the government to return to mostly civilian rule. You, Mr. Burns and Ms. Audry, are the only two whom I can trust with leading this new government.” Stephen Burns and Aludra Audry, the leaders of the only two significant pro-Fedration parties. They polled roughly 15% in local elections combined, but it would be enough to give the new government legitimacy.
“You very well know you can’t just turn us into puppets because we aren’t calling out for independence in our slogans. If you want my backing you will need to soften your grip on Asphodel.” Audry said, defiance radiating from her words. Burns simply nodded in agreement.
Vandyre sighted. “Maintaining this authoritarian model was never in my plans. If you agree, tomorrow I will end martial law and loosen the censorship. You will get a 50/50 split in parliament, which from now on has to ratify my decrees. Of course there will be a proper conference announcing it.” He slid a slim file of documents across the desk together with two pens, each to one side. There were three spaces for signatures under it, one already filled out.
After a few seconds of hesitation both party leaders signed it. They already knew what it was. The future of Asphodel lied with the Federation, for better or for worse. They could only hope the Grand Marshall could do more than put down revolts.
Vandyre was similarly satisfied. He could get some off the work and targets off his back. Now make sure Asphodel was safe for his loved ones, well armed and ready to carry the Unification beyond Elysium.
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