by Isamu Fukui
Iris heard familiar footsteps behind her, and did not bother moving. The footsteps halted, their owner probably seeing her distress. They turned and began walking away.
Iris sighed. “What’s the problem, Umasi?”
The footsteps paused again. “It looks like you’re busy. I’ll give you some privacy and come back later.”
Iris smiled grimly. “You were going to tell me that you want to leave the City after all, correct?”
There was a stunned silence. That was enough to tell Iris that she’d been right. She waited for Umasi to explain himself.
“It’s hard to hide anything from you,” Umasi said at last.
“I’m glad you noticed—perhaps it’ll save us some time in the future.” Iris turned to look at him. “Why?”
Umasi seemed to hesitate. “This will sound strange and perhaps unbelievable.”
“Try me.”
“I recently found out that I have a son. His mother informed me a week ago.”
Iris raised her eyebrows.
“Are you sure the mother is telling the—”
“She wouldn’t outright lie to me,” Umasi insisted. “Not over something that big. It’s not in her character.”
“You’re willing to stake your life on that?”
“I am.”
Iris let out a deep sigh. “Well then, that does change everything. I’ll arrange for your immediate transport.”
Umasi seemed startled. “Iris, I want to be here to support you for as long as—”
“You’ve already done enough, Umasi.” Iris waved his protest aside. “Stay a few more days if you want, but I insist that you get out no later than that.”
Umasi hesitated again, then he bowed deeply.
“Thank you very much.”
Iris did not reply, and Umasi turned and left. Iris sat there alone on the rooftop for many more minutes, staring hard at the horizon where smoke continued to rise. Then she spoke, with only herself to hear.
“I’m glad that you’ll be leaving,” Iris said. “It’s better that you won’t be here to see too much of what must come next.”
31
THE GENERAL’S RESOLVE
“So it’s true, then,” Takan said.
“No doubt about it,” Cross replied. “I’ve got confirmation from five separate outposts, and they’re still coming in. The Government is blockading the deep City and any other districts they deem hostile. Nothing goes in or out.”
“Why?” Sepp demanded. “What do they hope to accomplish by this?”
“They say they’ll provide supplies if the resistance ceases completely.” Cross sighed. “They’re offering rewards for our heads, hoping someone turns us in.”
The leaders of the Citizens’ Rebellion were discussing these developments at a dusty wooden table in the basement of a house in District 26. Takan, Cross, Sepp, and Noni were in attendance. The day after they liberated the camp, their original hideout in District 47 had been wiped out by an airstrike. Ever since, they had kept their headquarters on the move. So far they had managed to stay one step ahead of the Government.
There was no electricity here, the only lighting provided by a series of candles. The tiny flames reflected in the eyes of the rebels. All of them seemed incensed by the news. Cross thought that Noni, who had just returned from a raid, looked especially murderous.
“And what if we don’t do what they want?” Takan demanded. “What about the civilians?”
Cross frowned. “Apparently they are expendable in the eyes of the Government.”
“Unforgivable,” Noni seethed. “There’s nothing they won’t stoop to.”
“The silver lining is that they’ve pulled their troops completely out of these districts,” Cross said. “Of course, those districts will starve soon unless something is done.”
Sepp raised his hand. “I’ve got bad news from the camps too.”
Cross glanced at his old colleague. Sepp’s responsibilities were mainly to help sow discontent in the camps. He established contact in any way possible, supplied means of resistance, and kept tabs on the situation behind those hated walls.
“They’ve begun a serious crackdown,” Sepp continued. “Drug treatments are being phased in as mandatory. They’re taking a zero tolerance policy to riots—anyone who even says the word is subject to harsh punishment.”
The other leaders shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Cross turned to Takan, who had been doing some scouting in the central districts.
“What’s the latest from the core?” Cross asked.
“About what you’d expect,” Takan said wearily. “The Government’s cracking down there too. There are constant raids on households suspected of being sympathetic to us. Everyone is scared. Half of my contacts in District 1 have vanished overnight.”
There was a grim silence. A candle on the table burned out, sending thin tendrils of smoke coiling into the air. No one seemed to know what to say.
“Look, I know this seems bad, it’s also a sign of desperation,” Cross spoke at last. “Iris is turning to these measures because she feels she has to. That means we’re getting to her.”
Noni snorted. “Unfortunately, it looks like she’s getting us too.”
Sepp clenched his fists. “We can’t let this go on. We have to do something.”
“The Government’s plan is to wear us out,” Cross said. “If we just continue on as we’ve been doing, they will succeed.”
“So what are we going to do about it?” Sepp demanded. “We can’t just let those people starve!”
“We might have to accept that some starvation is inevitable.” Takan shook his head. “There’s no way we can break all the blockades in all of the districts. Iris has us by the throat.”
“Yes,” Cross agreed, “that’s why I think it’s time for us to try to take Iris herself out of the picture.”
The other leaders all turned to look at Cross as though he were crazy.
“When my unit of four was trapped behind enemy lines, we tried to target Takan and nearly succeeded.” Cross glanced at the Truancy leader. “Right now I feel we might have better luck working together. If we can manage to cut off the head, the Government is sure to think twice about this invasion.”
“A nice fantasy. I’m sure we’ve all dreamed of it once or twice,” Noni said. “Do you have a plan to make it happen?”
Cross smiled at Takan.
“We’ll use his old Plan B.”
Takan’s eyebrows shot up.
“That’s right.” Cross nodded. “We’ll tap into the Truancy’s old stockpiles, whatever the Government hasn’t gotten to yet.”
Cross unfurled a map of the City onto the dusty table.
“We can then get under District 1 using the tunnels,” he continued. “Our forces will be positioned as close to the Mayoral Mansion as possible. When the explosives go off, the whole district will be plunged into chaos. With any luck, this will give us an opening to storm the Mansion.”
Takan frowned.
“The slightest error would give Iris a chance to retreat,” he said. “It’s risky.”
“Very,” Cross agreed. “What are your opinions?”
“I like it,” Noni said.
“I’ll lead the charge,” Sepp promised. “Any chance to end this war is worth it.”
Takan hesitated. “Under the circumstances,” he said finally, “I don’t think there’s any other viable choice.”
Cross nodded. “Then it’s settled. Takan, can you organize the effort to move the explosives?”
“Of course.”
“Great. Noni, Sepp.” Cross turned to the pair. “I’d like you each to gather half the forces we have available and get them ready to move out at a moment’s notice. Meanwhile, I’ll plan our approach.”
Everyone nodded in agreement. Cross let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. This was the first time he had ever proposed a plan like this, and he was gratified to see them accept his lead. Their rebellion
had so far done well against overwhelming odds, but Cross knew this would be their greatest challenge yet. Iris had forced their hands, and they were betting everything on one final showdown.
“By the way,” Cross said, a thought coming to mind. “Have any of you seen my teacher around today? I’d like to explain all this to her.”
The other leaders glanced at one another. None of them looked like they had seen her. That was odd. The albino normally attended these meetings, even though she rarely contributed to their discussions. She had returned late after their raid on the District 13 camp, but had told no one what had happened to her. Grateful that she had survived, Cross was content to let that be.
“No idea, Cross.” Takan shrugged. “I saw her walking off with Zen early this morning, but that’s about it.”
Cross sighed. “Well, it’s not urgent. She’ll be back later, I’m sure.”
In the flickering candlelight, no one noticed Noni narrow her eyes in suspicion.
* * *
The docks of District 13 were peaceful that day, forgotten by both the Government and the rebellion. The evening sun had set the surface of the river aglitter. The smoke from the camp had long since dissipated, and here no trace remained of the wider conflict that had consumed the City. Umasi thought that it should have made for a relaxing atmosphere.
And yet the Mayor felt nervous as he approached the docks, to an extent he hadn’t felt since he was a child. He had no idea what to do or say to his son, let alone what would come after that. None of the mental exercises he had done thus far had adequately prepared him for what he saw when the pier came into sight. The albino was waiting there—along with a young boy who couldn’t have been older than five.
The Mayor forced himself to keep walking, and, in an almost dreamlike stupor, he stumbled over to where they stood. For a moment he looked at the albino, who nodded at him, and then he looked down at the boy he was meeting for the first time. Zen was dressed in a small gray sweatshirt over worn blue jeans. His skin was only slightly lighter than Umasi’s, complementing his dirty blond hair. Zen seemed just as nervous as Umasi, shifting position every few seconds.
The Mayor found himself inexplicably awestruck by the sight. He was snapped out of his reverie by the rough sound of the clearing of a throat. The Mayor looked up to find the albino smiling at him.
“Zen,” she said. “This is your father. I’ve told you about him.”
Umasi forced a grin and waved at Zen. Zen looked at him for a moment, then hid behind his mother’s leg. Umasi felt an unfamiliar, vague pain at that.
“I think he senses that you’re dangerous,” the albino told him gently. “Maybe you should take the sunglasses off.”
Realizing that she was right, Umasi took his shades off and slipped them into his pocket. Then he crouched to get down to Zen’s eye level.
“Hey,” Umasi said tentatively. “It’s all right.”
The albino glanced down at their son. “He is dangerous, Zen—but not to you. You have nothing to worry about.”
Zen peeked out from behind his mother’s leg, then emerged completely, looking curious now. He stared up at Umasi with brown eyes that seemed to be assessing, analyzing, sizing him up. Yet there was a softness to that gaze, a humanity undoubtedly inherited from his mother.
Zen cocked his head as he looked Umasi in the eyes for the first time. Then he smiled, and Umasi felt his spirits lift. Maybe this wouldn’t be so unpleasant after all.
“Hi, Dad,” Zen said.
That word sounded strange in Umasi’s ears. “Hi, Zen.”
The two maintained their eye contact for a few more seconds, until both of them were overcome by nervousness and looked away. Umasi straightened up and turned to the albino. There were things to discuss.
“Milady, I cannot have you evacuated,” Umasi said. “However, I can place you under Government protection here. You will be as comfortable and as safe as possible within the City. I think you should consider it.”
The albino shut her eyes and shook her head. “Thank you, Umasi, but that’s not where my heart is. I wouldn’t feel comfortable cooped up like that.”
“This is your life we’re talking about,” Umasi said. “Please don’t make a reckless choice.”
“Believe it or not, I have given this matter plenty of thought.” She smiled wryly. “I’ve decided I want to have my say when the fate of the City is decided.”
“You intend to throw your lot in with the rebellion?”
“I will not bloody my hands,” the albino said. “But I will walk with my fellow citizens, where I belong. And when all of this is over I hope to rebuild a City that Zen will want to return to. Then we may see each other again.”
The two shared a moment of heavy silence as they looked at each other. Zen looked at them both. It occurred to them now that this was where their paths diverged, perhaps never to cross again. A great sorrow hung in both of their hearts.
“When we last parted,” Umasi said, “you said that you’d never loved anyone in your life.”
“I was lying.” The albino smiled at him, and then at Zen. “Now there are two people I love. But their fates are now different from mine.”
Umasi nodded slowly.
“I understand,” he said, reciting words from their past. “You and I are too free to be happily bound to each other. We could never remain together. Go and chase your own dreams, whatever they may be.”
The albino grinned at that, then she leaned forward. Umasi followed suit, and they heard Zen making icky noises as they shared a final kiss. The albino bent down to hug Zen tightly good-bye.
“Listen to your father,” she reminded him. “He’s very smart—there’s a lot you can learn from him.”
Zen looked back at her seriously. “Will I see you again?”
The albino’s eyes were wet as she replied. “I hope so.”
That seemed enough for Zen, and he went to stand by his father’s leg. The albino straightened up again, and she curtseyed.
“Good-bye, Umasi!” she said.
Umasi bowed deeply. “Farewell, milady.”
With one backwards glance, the albino turned and began walking away, her footsteps oddly stiff. Zen waved as he and Umasi watched her go. In that moment Umasi felt that he had just lost something that could never be regained, and breathed a sigh of sadness. Then Zen spoke up.
“You look funny—why do you wear your jacket like that?”
Umasi smiled. “It’s something my brother used to do.”
“Why’d he do that?”
“I don’t know, I guess he thought it was cool.”
Zen grinned mischievously. “You look like a big bird!”
Umasi laughed at that, and as they walked along the father and son continued to chat, learning to enjoy each other’s company. For that short while at least, Umasi felt like he had no worries.
That day the Mayor willingly accepted that an unfamiliar child was his own. He did not know what the future would hold for them, but he knew that whatever that future was, it lay outside of the City.
* * *
Iris’ face was drawn and haggard as she sat in the darkness of her study. The pale light from the monitor seemed to highlight every line and crease of her face, accentuating the dark rings under her eyes.
“That can’t be,” she whispered.
The War Minister’s face, projected from hundreds of miles away, looked regretful but determined.
“I’m sorry, General,” he said. “Your last report didn’t go over well at all. These orders come from your father himself.”
Iris gritted her teeth. “This is too soon. I was promised more time!”
“If you wish to take the matter up with him—”
“My father won’t listen to me anymore, Minister,” Iris said. “I need you to convince him to hold off. I know that my new measures will crush this uprising if given a chance!”
“I’m sorry, General,” the Minister repeated. “I already talked with the Pot
entate, and he was quite firm on the matter. He wants the troop drawdown to begin immediately—he’s ordered a complete pullout within the month.”
“That won’t happen.”
“I think you know what the consequences will be for defying him, General.”
Iris glared. “Surely he doesn’t intend to go through with—”
“Iris, we both know the answer to that!” the Minister said exasperatedly, abandoning titles. “I’m not happy about this decision either, but to be honest, no one ever expected you to succeed.”
“Then why was this operation approved in the first place?” Iris shouted.
“You’d have to ask your father about that.” The Minister sighed. “Iris, just let that City go, for your own sake.”
The monitor went black, leaving Iris in total darkness. She felt a lump form in her throat. This time there was no Umasi waiting with news, no one left to confide in or share words of support. She had been made a fool of, and soon her failure would be complete.
Iris slammed her fist against her armrest. No, she would not allow it. Her father would not have his way. They all believed that Iris was defeated, but she wasn’t done yet. No matter what, the General swore that she wouldn’t give up. Even if she was the only soldier left in the City, she could still be a shield between the City and destruction.
“To my last breath,” Iris swore. “I will never give up!”
Iris thought about Umasi and his dead brother. This was the City they had loved, and Iris was now its only protector. Its people, their lives, were in her hands. That was a responsibility she would not, could not lay down.
No matter how it would end for her.
* * *
As the albino approached the District 28 station through the subway tunnels, she noticed that something new was going on. Her sensitive ears could hear activity in the station—hushed voices, dragging sounds, and the occasional clank of metal. It obviously wasn’t Government activity, and so the albino simply shrugged it off and continued to walk alone through the darkness.
Parting with Zen and Umasi had affected her more than she had expected, even though she had been prepared for it. It was like a chunk of herself had been physically left behind. She knew that it was something that had to be done, that it would ensure the safety of both of the people she loved, but that did nothing to ease the ache in her heart.