by Amanda Rose
“I woke up some time later. I remember my body aching from head to toe. The sting of white light in my eyes... and then… and then… they took her out of me… they said she died in the blast…” Mei broke down, hyperventilating, her sorrow eating at her. Suako wrapped her arms around Mei and tried to console her. “Hush now, it’s all over now… I’m so sorry,” Suako stroked Mei’s head; laying her back down once she pulled herself together.
A glaze seemed to have settled across Mei’s eyes, “I got away… I wouldn’t let them keep me there, not when I found out the truth. I discovered that the explosion wasn’t accidental.” Everyone’s ears perked up. “What do you mean ‘wasn’t accidental’?” Kato wondered. “I learned from one of the employees that the mayor of my old town learned what the reactors had been doing to the Ozone, and was ordering C.D.F.P. to close down their location there. Rather then do so, the company wanted to kill the mayor, rebuild and continue production… It was cheaper then closing down…”
Vince stood there paralyzed, unable to move, react, or think. Mack had heard this story one time before, though it tugged on his heart to hear her brutal tale once again, he choked back his feelings. Suako shook her head in disgust, squeezing Mei’s shoulder reassuringly, she looked her in the eyes, opening her soul to Mei, “We are going to get them. They’ve brought us all to ruin. They aren’t going to be able to do any more to us, because there’s nothing left we have that they can take away. I promise you they will get their just deserves.” Suako’s voice was both bitter and empowering.
Mack subtly cleared the others out of the room. Kato stayed behind to care for Mei. He finished washing her scratches of dirt and patted her tummy gently dry. Mei’s eyes stayed numb and distant for the remainder of the night. Finally, after drinking some camomile tea, her nerves finally gave way to allow her to sleep. The villager woman let Kato stay by Mei’s side the whole nightlong. No one could budge him from her side. When Mei’s dreaming burdened her with bad thoughts causing her to call out in the night, he gently stroked her face and eased her suffering within. Not once did he fall asleep.
“I never knew,” Vince finally said coming out of his temporary mute status. He looked to the floor, “I’ve always known that they’ve been killing the planet, and slowly bringing us all to an early grave… I also knew that they have killed a few people standing in their way but… an entire village to get rid of one person…” he was astonished.
“They needed it to look like an accident. The mayor wouldn’t have left without a fuss, I doubt, and the people would have caught on sooner or later. Why not just make it simple in one easy swipe? Bastards…” Jenko explained.
An eerie quiet loomed over the room, one of thought provoked dwelling. “I really don’t feel up for talking. Let’s just get some shut eye,” sadness clung to every word that came out of Suako’s mouth. The others nodded in agreement. Suako waltzed over to the candle by the window of their cabin room and pinched out the flame. Staring up out the window, Suako could see the blue of the city’s dome tinting the cloudy night sky above. Lightly, crickets could be heard around them.
The sound of trickling rain brought them back to life the next morning. While the others slept, Mack sat looking out the window. After some time, he got up to put a kettle over the fireplace, and then walked back to look out the window, as he waited for it to boil. Suako and Vince slept soundly; scarcely would anyone have dreamt the content of the discussion prior to their dreams, for their expressions were not of grief. Jenko opened his eyes and squinted at the light coming in the window hit his eyes. Jenko said nothing and just watched as his old friend look out the window. He wondered what thoughts must have been soaring through Mack’s mind. The steaming kettle soon whistled, though Mack was too wrapped up within his thoughts to even notice. Jenko quickly got up and took care of pouring tea for them, so as not to awaken the others.
Jenko soon felt a responsibility to break Mack from his intense state of thought, “Your tea is ready.” Mack seemed as if not to have heard him. “…Mack? Your tea is done,” he said again firmly. As if his soul suddenly slammed back into his body, Mack came to. “Oh, um, thanks,” he said taking, it and then sat on the floor by the fire. “You are going today then?” Jenko blurted out.
“I planned to,” Mack said solemnly. “You really think he’s here?” Jenko questioned. “I have no idea… this place is just as likely as the next for all I know… I suppose it will be easier to leave while the others are inside during the rain… between here and tending to Mei.” Mack stared at his back pack and sighed. “They don’t know then?” Jenko asked, surprised. “No. I never told them,” Mack replied. “You want it secret then, hmm?” Jenko pried.
“No. I’ll let ‘em know sooner or later. The subject just ain’t ever come up is all,” he explained sipping his tea. “Yeah, well I’ll let you explain it to them…” Jenko looked away from Mack for a moment, then back to him. There was a change in his eyes; they went back to their usual light-hearted mannerism. “Sure is delicious… wonder if that lady makes this green tea herself?” Mack chuckled at his friends random commenting. “I think you should go before they wake up,” Jenko recommended looking behind him at the two sleepers. Mack nodded, got up, grabbed his bag, and dodged out the door into the rain.
Mei opened her eyes to see Kato sitting near her, like a guardian angel that wouldn’t abandon her. Dark circles enclosed his tired eyes. Pulling herself up into a seated position she reached her hand out a placed it atop of his. They said nothing, but there was an apparent “Thank you,” speaking through her eyes. For a grand span of time they connected, and his “You’re welcome,” was just as easy to read.
What seemed all too soon an ending came as the villager woman came in to check up on her guests. Mei thanked her graciously for all she’d done, and apologised for the startle when she’d first arrived. Despite telling the woman that she could leave and wished to no longer burden her, the lady insisted she stay another night. Before Mei could argue she’d been handed breakfast and the woman excused herself.
Not one minute later Suako, Vince and Jenko entered the premises. “Mei, how are you today?” Suako asked kneeling by her bed. “Really, it looked bad yesterday, but I’m fine. I was tired. As soon as the air got to me I was ninety percent better. They’re minor in comparison to many things I’ve had happen in the past. I’m alright to do everything… excluding heavy lifting.” She giggled pointing to her arm.” “That’s great!” Suako exclaimed in her highly energetic manner.
Mei pulled herself from the bed. Walking over stiffly to the window sill where her excess clothing had been hung from. It was spotless after the kindly hostess had finished washing it, further insisted upon by her. Looking out the window she saw the rain speckled ground. The clouds were light and allowed blue sky to show itself every so often. “It isn’t a heavy rain. I think we should start our investigation,” Mei said after examination. The others looked to one another; little shrugs and head tilts of no rejection passed the room. Kato walked over to Mei and placed his hand on her upper arms and leaned forward. Whispering in her ear, “Are you sure you’re well enough?” a tinge of worry in his usually calm cool voice emerged. “Yes, I will be okay,” Mei reassured him.
“How about we start by finding out about this town; its history and such? Then we can go on to asking about the reactor and C.D.F.P,” Vince suggested. He was about to go on, and then he stepped back, “I didn’t even notice. Where’s Mack? I thought he was here when I got up so I never asked but, uh… he’s not?” he questioned. Jenko stood upright from the wall, “He’s already gone off to gather some info; left at sunrise. He knows just as well as you do that time is precious for this planet. … On that note, shall we?” he took his leave. With little hesitation, the others pursued him, expecting to find him outside, but otherwise found him taking a seat with the woman in the next room. She smiled and tapped a chair beside her. They all took a seat.
“I’m Jenko Ma’am. I want to thank you sincere
ly for taking Mei in and allowing us to stay in your extra room,” he said, standing and bowing to her. The little woman blushed, “You are indeed welcome. I’m Miss Sui Akron, the town healer, after my late mother. You wish to know about our quaint little slice of land here?” An innocent little grin crept across her elder face, “Indeed I must admit I did hear you. So, I suppose I shall let you know all the knowledge that has been passed on to me about this place.”
“If the stories of old passed down through the generations hold to be true, our people originally come from the North. Many centuries ago there was a war between the old Empire across the great sea to the west and our own. Our city lay along the coastline where they were entering our continent through the port. At first we tried to fight, but too many came. The villagers fled the grand city we’d worked so hard to establish with no other options available.”
“Our ancestors wandered in search of a place to hide from the advancing forces behind them. That’s when they gave the name Yokutan to the city, splicing the name from the ancient city whence we came. When the head of the old town viewed these mountains, he saw it as the best place to bide the time while awaiting the Empire to be run out of our continent… Unfortunately, the invading Empire won, so they just decided to reside here permanently, subjugating our citizens. At first sustaining life within the cavernous rock walls was so hard it nearly drove the people to starvation. They began trading with small cities around us for food with valuables. Soon trade items were coming up short.”
“Luckily one young man stumbled upon coal within the mountains… as it has been told to me he was just wandering one day and noticed one of the mountains had a slight discoloration to them. From that they dug into the depths of the mountains and mined the coal. It has been our livelihood, though I must say we rarely use it here. Long ago some company… hmm” she paused to think. “I can’t remember the name of it. Anyway, they learned of our coal and they wanted it. Thanks to them we’ve not just survived but have a fair amount of wealth.”
The intent listeners all knew it’d been the C.D.F.P. who’d harvested their coal away from them. “That company,” Suako began, leaning slightly forward, “They’re the ones who built the reactor in your town and offered you the dome coverage too, right?” The woman nodded. “Who is your town leader?” Sui turned her attention to Jenko, sweeping her dark hair away from her brown eyes and behind her ear. “Our chief is a native descendent of the chief who originally lead our peoples here. His name is Mu-Kai Hiroshu. He is wise through his many years of experience. If you wish to meet him, his post is the large stone building with the red roof at the very end of the city,” she instructed.
The company stood and bowed to her respectfully before leaving. The rain had since ceased; as they ventured forth into the little community they sensed a real feeling of togetherness. Women were working, seeding the ground and hanging clothing to dry. An ox driver passed them, towing harvested vegetable behind him to the market place ahead. Vendors lined the tiny streets and offered many different ornaments, fresh produce and fine trade items from afar. Trinkets from places all around the vast continent could be seen. Vendors sported small corn dolls, antique vases, statues and the sort for buyers.
Suako stopped to look at a burgundy jewel hanging from a woven cord of cotton. Trying to pull herself away she felt and odd connection to it and offered the vendor an ornamental knife from her belt in exchange. The man kindly agreed and made the change. Tying the gem round her neck she felt a strong vibrant sensation pass threw her entire body, but disregarded it as a shiver. Mei found a hatchet that she admired at a weapons dealer. They all seemed to lose themselves in the glamour of fine things about them. After some time Jenko finally reminded them they needed to get a move on and continue their mission.
The mountain air felt soft but cold on their skin. The cool muddy ground beneath their feet squished as they walked onward, making the road quite slippery. “I could really go for some of Miss Akron’s warm herbal tea ‘bout now,” Vince declared rubbing his shoulders to warm himself. “Boy if you think this is cold you ain’t gonna last when we go north. Not a minute,” Jenko shook his head as he laughed.
As they approached the authoritative building of the Chief, the street migrated from dirt to cobblestone. They walked the steps, past narrow pillars to the grand entrance of the building. Jenko told a guard, who appeared more as a host, that he’d wished to meet their chief to discuss politics. They were led in past large dark wood doors, engraved with a picture of their landscape and a guardian deity watching them from above.
The official offices were also home to the Hiroshu family. Stairs detoured from the main hall to either side leading upstairs to the living quarters. Down the centre of the structure, through another set of massive doors was the grand hall in which the chief held his office for foreign affairs. The guard slipped beyond the doors and asked the others to wait for him there. “This place is incredible. I can’t believe these doors… the dedication that must’ve been applied to carve them,” Suako said in admiration, running her fingers along the carvings.
The doors further inward soon opened and the guard invited them to come forward before Mu-Kai. They entered a wide grand hall; the floor was laid out in limestone and the bamboo walls had tapestries of fine silk brocade hanging from them. Near the back of the room a large rectangular hardwood table was situated, likely for negotiations with foreigners and for celebrations. Before the table lay pillows for casual relaxation while conversing.
Mu-Kai sat in the casual area awaiting his guests, with a long white silken garb covering his body. Upon closer inspection, they saw Mu-Kai as an older man, with long greying hair and beard. His eyes were wise and sharp, peaking from behind his spectacles. He had the appearance of a loving grandfather, as well as a protective warrior. Mu-Kai’s weathered face represented a fully and thoroughly lived life. After approaching the sitting area, they all bowed to Mu-Kai, and then they were welcomed to sit.
“Greeting Mu-Kai, we are travellers from the southern city Torusan. My name is Jenko; these are my travelling companions, Suako, Mei, Kato and Vince, we arrived with an older gentleman Mack, whom isn’t here at present. We have come seeking knowledge and hoped that you might be of assistance to us in our quest?” Jenko humbly asked. “Welcome, all of you. If I know anything of use I shall share with you my knowledge. Please, ask what you wish to know,” Mu-Kai graciously offered.
They were all pleased at how willing the man was; a generous person indeed. Mu-Kai had a sense about people, he knew instantly of their intentions it seemed. High vibrations connected him to some higher power, they could all sense it, and the strengthened energies in the room heightened their own senses. “We wish to know about Yokutan’s connections to the C.D.F.P. Company. Anything you know would be helpful. In fact, if you know anything relating to the C.D.F.P. in any way we’d appreciate hearing of it,” Jenko asked then respectfully bowed his head to the chief.
Mu-Kai stroked his beard “Hmm, I see. Well the C.D.F.P. and Yokutan started to have connections after they discovered we had coal tucked away in our mountains. They paid us handsomely for it, especially in my grandfather’s day. When the company began to expand, and create their mammoth energy producing machines, they insisted on placing one here. Knowing the strength of the company, the chief of the time, my father, agreed to it. With our past standings with them it would have been rude to turn them away.”
“As I can see in your eyes, you know of the black heart that is the core within the C.D.F.P. Company.” They all chuckled at his accurate insight. “They are the cause of our mother Earth’s accelerated disease. I feel her pain, just as we all do.” Mu-Kai acknowledged. The guard scuttled into the room carrying a tray and offered them all some matcha tea. “Though it seems a forgotten page in history, I can tell you how the C.D.F.P. came to be.” Mu-kai continued. All eyes sparkled intently upon his words, which seemed like gifts. In his own slow relaxed way of being he paused to drink his tea. The suspense nagge
d them as they waited for his words to fill in the gaps in their own knowledge.
“Long ago this town was situated north of here. When the Western Empire attacked this continent, we fled to these mountains. After the Empire won the war, they sent most of their soldiers back home to their families. Some generals with no families stayed. It did not take long for them to start their new lives in this continent, after all they’d be the wealthiest ones here and could tax us heavily. They decided upon creating an energy plant. The only thing left to figure out was, what would be the source of their energy?”
“The company started with waterwheels. They were a common practice back to the west. Unfortunately, our currents here aren’t nearly as strong as theirs and they could only produce a limited amount. They weren’t making much money. They had a scout in one of the cities that we traded with. One day when some of our men were carting in a wagonload of coal that for a blacksmith, their scout learned of our coal mines. At first they heavily depended upon us for coal. They soon excavated the land and found that most of it had coal readily available. Since then they have used coal to some degree.”
“As you all know the company is primarily an energy generating company for the people, which has also spawned off other job facilities, correct?” There was simultaneous agreement. “Well what they don’t have on the surface is the secret S.E.D.” Kato wrinkled his brow, “Chief Mu-Kai, what is S.E.D.”“S.E.D. is the C.D.F.P.’s scientific exploration department. In the not so distant past they discovered the cheapest way of energy production. I only know what I’ve heard from my sources, but it supposedly consists of a liquid chemical concoction they can create infinite amounts of; the down fall of this is that it produces several times the amount of carbon dioxide output as burning coal does. The world as you have recently seen with your own eyes not fifteen years ago was an entirely different sight. I suppose a company of that magnitude thinks they can prolong their own lives even with a dead planet to live on.” Mu-Kai sighed heavily in disgust.
