Zurkerx- The Empire Shall Grow

by Eric William Haluska

The excitement in Indra dies as he turns towards Argus.

  “You have been in the Empire’s military for years and you don’t know what a Black Folder is?” asks a disappointed Indra. “Government projects and operations meant for the eyes of a few. Not even I had access to them when I was in the Krenma.”

  “Oh. I see. That is significant.”

  “Now I got your attention.”

  Indra taps the Black Folder, opening it. The file opens and a bunch of black lines appear, along with two words: Project Ominous. The two men stare at the screen, disappointed to find nothing else.

  “I thought you said there would be government secrets,” Argus says with a sneer.

  “There are usually, but the document is heavily redacted. They usually aren’t this redacted, which tells me the government really doesn’t want anyone to know what it has to say.”

  Silence falls for a moment.

  “What is Project Ominous?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Hmph! Well, can we undo the redactions within the document?”

  “Negative. These redactions were done by hand, meaning the C&U Program[59] won’t be able to remove the redactions.”

  Both men look up, irritated that they can’t get any State secrets.

  “What secrets do you hide from us…” mumbles Indra.

  UNDERCOVER

  NOVEMBER 9th, 2060

  02:30 P.M.

  HANGART

  “Sadara. He needs to know, and if you won’t tell him, I will. You can’t hide it forever.”

  “Donin, you can’t tell him.”

  “But why, Sadara? These nightmares of yours have been plaguing you for the past few weeks. He is family.”

  “I know, but when a thought gets stuck in his mind, he’ll become focused on it, forgetting everything else around. Given the mission that’s been assigned to him, we can’t risk any distractions getting into his mind, or else I fear the worst. He can’t know!”

  “The worst? But Sadara-”

  “I worry for him, Donin. My nightmares have painted him dying painfully. If it actually happens, then I’ll break, and I know you will too. You can sympathize with me on that, can’t you?”

  Sadara yawns, trying to stay awake. She has yet to tell Donin about the nightmares she has about him, ones that torture her as well. Donin nods, reluctantly agreeing with her.

  “Fine. However, I still think he should know.”

  “No, not yet at least. Like I said earlier, we need him to be focused on the mission. Any distraction and he may die, and I don’t want that.”

  “I share your concerns and I understand that, but you will tell him afterwards, right?”

  Sadara blankly stares back, unsure how to answer.

  “I promise,” she says slowly.

  “Good,” he says, relieved. “Now, let’s get on with the mission. He’ll be in position shortly.”

  ~

  Located in the western part of the Empire is Fort Halsen[60]. Built in 2042, this was one of many forts built within the Empire to expand its ever-growing military, to accommodate the millions of people signing up to the military for lack of other employment. Many of these forts, including Halsen, were built near towns, suburbs, and cities, ready to come to their aid should a national crisis erupt.

  However, the building of these forts had an unforeseen benefit: they strengthened the economies of these cities and towns. Yet, the surging number of military personnel forced these municipalities to expand their size to accommodate this surge of military personnel. This is no different for the town of Cazah, once considered the Empire’s smallest town before the building of Fort Halsen converted the town into a large suburb.

  For Cazah, the town’s population was roughly 2,500 and mostly isolated from most of the Empire. Now its population is roughly 50,000, and the streets are filled with soldiers in uniform or individuals in business attire, replacing the casual clothing that one would see before this major modernization. Yet, this modernization hasn’t been good for all. Like many small towns, Cazah had a thriving small business economy, the threat of encroaching automation far from their minds. The building of these forts changed that, inviting in corporations that have squashed most of these small businesses.

  Yet, a few businesses have survived, including a barber shop that has managed to stave off modernization. Inside are a few patrons, waiting to get their hair trimmed. They are older clientele, having a lack of trust for the machines that now cut people’s hair elsewhere. To kill time while they wait, many read the news on their phones, catching up on the daily events.

  “Next please.”

  Everyone lifts up their head, wondering if they are next. An older woman stands and slowly walks to the barber, knowing it’s her turn. Seeing it isn’t their turn, the patrons lower their heads and look back at their phones.

  But one of the patrons doesn’t do that. Instead, he turns his head and looks out the window.

  He is a 56-year-old pale man with pale green eyes, and a look as if death is fast approaching him. He has thin, long, black hair with a bald spot on the top of his head. He usually only gets his hair cut every few months, given he doesn’t like paying the 18 Zureus for a trimming.

  As he waits to get a haircut, a man in a taupe suit walks by. The man’s green eyes widen a bit. He’s surprised that someone would wear a hideous color like that, sticking out like a sore thumb that would embarrass anyone. And yet, the man has a smile on his face, oblivious to others staring at him as they silently mock him.

  Then a thought hits him. He remembers he has to meet someone today, someone in a suit of similar color. He needs to tell that individual of an important shipment that will be arriving, one that is bound to bring benefits for the public good. He looks down at his watch. 2:29:01. The meeting is at 2:30. I’m going to be late. I’ll come back later.

  The black-haired man gets up and grabs his mahogany coat, walks out the door and makes a left, following the man in the taupe suit, believing that this is the individual he must meet. He couldn’t risk missing this meeting, an important one that can help his organization out.

  As he continues to follow the man, he looks down at his watch. 2:30:24. It is around the meeting time and he isn’t sure if the man in front of him is his contact.

  “Excuse me sir,” the man says charmingly. “I galbu sei gelsa etaws[61].”

  The man in the suit stops and checks his pockets. He knows he didn’t drop anything, nothing of value at least.

  “That’s the signal, you idiot,” shouts someone in his ear.

  The man in the suit jumps a bit, taken off by the loud shrilling voice ringing in his ear. He turns around frantically as if something has scared him. He looks around a bit until he sees someone in front of him. His fear abates and a smile comes across his face as he laughs.

  “Ha, ha! There you are! I have been looking all over for you.”

  He heads towards the man and shakes his hand.

  “K.B.,” says the man in the suit, wondering if today the man will tell him what his initials stand for.

  “Mr. Keller.”

  “It’s a pleasure we can meet again.”

  “Yes, it is. I have been looking forward to this for a while now.”

  K.B. smiles. His real name is Kelin Borgou, a Halusnek arms dealer who founded a business called Signature Weapons. He used his business to arm militant Demokrist groups, including Nikholas Cebastian’s crusade against the Halusnek government. In 2054, when the government learned of his crimes, his business assets were frozen and a warrant for his arrest issued. Yet, he was able to escape, fleeing to Zurkerx then disappearing like a ghost. When he arrived in Zurkerx, he became the Gewerksma’s armaments manager, a Vorh, using his initials as his alias.

  But while he hides in Zurkerx, the Halusnek Government continues to search for him, wondering if they’ll ever find him. Yet, unknown to them, the Zurks are aware where Kelin is and have been watching him for months now. While it would be easy to arrest him
, the government has decided to hold off on the arrest, believing that Kelin will lead them to a stockpile of armaments that the Gewerksma hide. More importantly, the government wants to find the supplier, who they believe is the last significant foreign dealer aiding the Gewerksma.

  That source remains unknown, but the Empire believes they reside somewhere in Jekaria because a few months ago, twenty G131 tanks[62], along with weapons such as the AMR-46[63], went missing after a Jekarian fort was attacked and raided by a militant group known as the Kwame[64]. To this day, these military products are still missing, but the Zurks believe that this dealer is tied to Kwame and have a hunch that these stolen supplies will be arriving by freight; they just don’t know where they are going.

  To find the supplies, the government has asked Empire Express (EE) to assist them in their endeavor. EE is a courier company that specializes in sea freight. Months ago, EE set up a business venture with a company called Sea and Other Land Deliveries (SOLD), which was founded by an individual who is known by his initials K.B. This individual has bought several docking stations from EE in Farzca and Twasre, although he has allowed EE to have a minority stake in these places, believing their knowledge and money would help cement SOLD into the market.

  However, EE soon learned that SOLD is a Gewerksma affiliate run by Kelin Borgou, stirring panic in corporate management. Thus, they turned to the government for help, hoping the government would put a stop to this entity. But the government told them to keep the partnership alive, telling EE that it could help them track down where the Gewerksma is stockpiling their weapons and finance.

  Reluctantly, EE agreed on the condition that the government reimburse them for any costs in aiding the Gewerksma. And that’s where Lucas Keller comes in. His job is to oversee the operations of SOLD, aiding them and recommending solutions to help reduce the business’s liabilities while increasing revenue. In addition to his business advisory role, he is to report to the government, handing over information that leads to the locations of these supplies.

  “Let’s not stand around here. You and I both know that standing around is a big red flag, especially with the military nearby,” says Kelin concernedly.

  “Relax, K.B. There’s nothing to worry about here.”

  The two men take off walking, crossing the street where an old man watches them. They pass the old man, not acknowledging his presence.

  “So, K.B., why did you call me out here to such a desolated place?”

  “Well, since our last meeting, I told you about a shipment coming in to Farzca or Twasre. I can confirm now that the consignment is making its way to Farzca. It will arrive on the 11th after midnight.”

  “So, the shipment is going to Farzca? That’s farther north than Twasre. Don’t you think that Twasre is closer and cheaper?”

  “I thought the same way too, but the supplies coming in are too large to be taken in at Twasre.”

  “I see. I said you needed to expand those ports down there, but you didn’t listen.”

  “I know, I know, Mr. Keller, but the supplier has added additional items, products that would make Twasre irrelevant at the moment. You see, this is a vital shipment that is coming in, one I can’t afford to lose. I need the money to expand my operations, to provide the government the tax revenue needed to fund the government. Oh, that brings me to an important question I must ask you: how would I record additional revenue to the same shipment when I recorded this revenue from the previous month?”

  “Well, K.B., you would recognize this revenue in this given month since it’s a new fiscal period. That’s all you have to do.”

  “Oh, that easy now? I’m just wondering given the government has passed stringent accounting laws and I don’t want them to come knocking on my door.”

  Lucas nods. Ever since the government passed the Accounting Accountability Act, the Gewerksma’s old revenue model had to be revised. The original model relied on donations from individuals, which they masked as charitable donations to non-profit organizations that the Gewerksma fabricated. They also covered up their revenues collected from the black-market, doing the exact same thing.

  But with these new accounting rules, their ability to disguise their revenue streams has hit a snag. Whenever an individual or entity gives a donation to a charitable organization, the recipient is required to give a donation receipt to the donor and wherever the money was sent to, which is labelled by a number. This number helps the tax authorities to see whether charitable organizations are using their funds properly, and helps give taxpayers sufficient evidence that they donated to deduct from their taxes.

  The Gewerksma failed to do this with its affiliates, leading to multiple investigations that uncovered fraud. When it became clear that individuals and organizations were aiding the Gewerksma through donations, the government shut them down and arrested everyone involved, going as far as to seize their assets and fortunes, including that of foreign nationals. This remains a controversial move that has led critics to accuse the government of political targeting and asset seizure.

  And yet, these moves have significantly weakened the Gewerksma financially, forcing them to take in inconspicuous amounts from their loyal members. However, what has been keeping the Gewerksma afloat has been the support of a mysterious person, an individual sending the shipment Kelin needs. But despite this help, the Gewerksma are almost on the brink of collapse, forcing Argus to propose the Final Draft, an all-or-nothing plan to overthrow the government.

  Given these circumstances, Kelin knows it’s imperative to get this shipment secured, knowing it’s only a matter of time before their financial resources dry up, crippling their goals in the Final Draft.

  “Yep, that easy. Do you have any other questions for me, K.B.?”

  “No, no. That was my only concern.”

  “Good. You said the shipment is arriving on the 11th, correct?”

  “That’s correct.”

  “Good. Now, I have a question for you. What’s your-”

  “I have told you many times already, my name is K.B. The K or B doesn’t stand for anything.”

  “Jeez, hostile we are. Then can you at least tell me where this shipment is coming from-”

  Lucas stops himself, realizing his mistake.

  “You idiot.”

  The voice echoes in his ear. It is close, very close. Lucas looks around, but doesn’t see anything.

  “Who’s an idiot now?”

  He turns towards Kelin, believing he said those words.

  “Did you call me an idiot?”

  Kelin stares at Lucas with malice, raising an eyebrow.

  “Why do you want to know where this shipment is coming from? What’s the problem?”

  Lucas thinks for a second, unsure of what to say.

  “It’s for transparency’s sake. It concerns me that this shipment’s location hasn’t been disclosed. You usually tell me source locations. I just don’t want to see a respectful Zurk taken away by the government, that’s all!”

  Kelin looks away, somewhat disappointed by Lucas’ answer. He senses something is wrong, wondering if Mr. Keller is hiding anything. Ever since Lucas Keller has been helping him, the locations of the Gewerksma have been raided, especially the one in Zok recently. He suspects Lucas may be aiding the government, chipping away at the little success the Gewerksma has built and recovered, dismantling the Final Draft the government remains unaware of.

  Yet, it’s possible that the government has moles. He isn’t a hundred percent sure about that either. Regardless, doubt lingers in his mind as he pulls out a knife and points it at a flustered Lucas, then gently places the blade on his throat.

  “Mr. Keller, if I were to tell you where this shipment is coming from, I would have to slit your throat like a pig in a slaughterhouse. That is none of your business!”

  Kelin pushes the knife against Lucas’s throat. Lucas just smiles and laughs as he gently pushes the knife away.

  “Oh, you got a way with words there. Do you t
hink that can help me pick up the ladies or something-”

  “Stop screwing around! Do you understand what I am saying?”

  Kelin presses the knife harder against Lucas’ neck.

  “Yeah, sure. Jeez chill, killing me will not get you any closer you know, especially since threatening me is assault. Look, K.B. I would usually have charges pressed, but you are a respectful Zurk and for that, I’ll let this slide. However, I hope you are aware that there will be consequences next time for threatening me. Got it?”

  Kelin stares at Lucas furiously. Every fiber of his body wants to gut this man who torments him. Despite his irritation, he pulls the knife away. This bastard is right about one thing: I kill him now and I’ll surely be locked away. He puts his knife away and reluctantly shakes Lucas’s hand, gripping it firmly.

  “I’m glad we can still do business together, K.B.”

  Kelin stares. Lucas is crazy to think that kindness would fix this now. Kelin sighs.

  “Just be there, okay? We’ll need your help most certainly,” Kelin says, defeated as he walks away.

  “Don’t worry, I will. You have a lovely day now.”

  Lucas waves goodbye to K.B. as K.B. walks away, making a sharp left at the corner. Kelin has almost blown his cover, as his identity surely would have been discovered if he were arrested. However, what concerns him more is the fact that Lucas may be the one responsible for leading the government to their stockpile of weapons and cash, something that greatly alarms him.

  He looks behind to see if anyone has followed him. He doesn’t see anyone. He pulls out his phone and sees a text message. Kelin taps his phone to open the message.

  How did it go?

  Kelin smirks, realizing it’s his boss.

  I don’t trust him. I think he’s working for the government.

  He sends the message. His phone encrypts the message to ensure no one can read it other than his boss. He has a feeling the Zurks are watching him. A moment later, a message pops up.

  You can’t trust anyone in that god forbidden nation. Do what you must do. Once your work there is finished, report back to me.

  Kelin smiles, relieved that he’ll be able to return home soon. It has been four years since he has been in Zurkerx, working for his boss who has sent him here. He’s baffled why his boss would even have him join the Gewerksma, despising the organization and its flawed ideology, Neo-Demokrism.