Decima: Ground Zero - Chapter 1 - A'mara Books

1

(late Kalinari
888 Terrenden Common Era)

Imperial Palace Irola

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“I think we’ve finally found it, Mother. The perfect weapon to make the people bow to our every whim,” Lant said as he walked triumphantly into Belmara’s throne room.

She smiled, wondering what new entertainment he had come up with to make her life more interesting and exciting. “What is it?”

“A new virus… fresh out of Tarania science labs when they were trying to find a cure for pet diabetes.”

“Oh?”

“Get this – it looks and sounds like a normal cold. Hacking cough, sneezing, but then it gets nasty… attacks the body’s immune system and begins to shut it down like the nastiest cancer!”

“I don’t want my people to die – I just want to enslave them!” Belmara complained.

“Oh… they don’t die – well, some do… but most people just get better normally.”

“I’m missing something.”

“It’s new! It was accidentally released from the lab where half of the workers died!”

“You just said that most people get better...”

“Not when it coincides with a chemical leak that just happens to kill everyone who knows anything about this virus...”

“Get to the point, Lant!” Belmara ordered irritably.

“Fear,” he said with a smile. “It’s like you were told years ago – and taught me… The fear of war sells weapons faster than an actual war does...”

“I think it was Sipper who told me that. Smart man when he wasn’t trying to pull a fast one.”

“Fear of Decima will have everyone doing everything you tell them – just to keep from getting sick!”

“Except that if no one dies in our part of the world, then they’ll work out pretty quickly that it is different here – and nothing to be afraid of.”

“So, we make sure that many of those hospitalized really do die… Enough to make people panic.”

Belmara nodded. “What are you planning for the people?”

“Absolute control of their daily lives. That’s all.”

She smiled. “Sounds fun. I haven’t had any real fun since destroying all the A’mara Complexes and putting Saraca to death! That felt good!”

“You know, we could even use this to get control of T.R.A.S.H…,” Lant suggested.

“How?!” she asked instantly interested. “Issyk has been a thorn in my side ever since he grew a pair of balls!”

“He’s always had a pair of balls, Mother, but I know what you mean.”

Belmara glared at him. His sense of humor had always been a bit wry – something he’d inherited from Fashi she supposed.

He laughed. With a wave of his hand the Holo Projection System (HPS) swung out from the wall and he sat down. He typed away furiously.

“What are you doing?” Belmara asked, only half watching.

“A press release to leak to everyone about this terrible disease. I have just enough quotes from Taranian doctors to make it plausible and create a panic.”

“And T.R.A.S.H.?”

“Tomorrow, I will go to all the stores I can and buy up half of their cleaning supplies… half their staples… Thorsa can go with me if Oleana will allow it. With any luck, T.R.A.S.H. will send some of their members to follow suit, and Thorsa can give them a sob story of her own.”

Belmara felt the beginnings of a plan that just might work. “Where’s Oleana?”

“I’ll call her when I finish with this press release. Shall I end it with you entreating everyone to not panic?” he asked.

Belmara smiled. “Yes. I think that’s perfect! Make sure everyone is ready to clean up the streets of the Understory. We will need bodies… lots of bodies...”

Lant grinned. “You’re right, Mother. We’re going to have a lot of fun!” He pressed a key on the keyboard in front of him with emphasis.

“Oleana!” he called into the adjacent Portable Communications System (PCS) unit. “Mother wants to speak to you! Bring Thorsa.”

“Thorsa has been wanting to impress me,” Belmara said. “I have the perfect way for her to do just that.”

“What do you mean?”

“What is normally required to show dedication to the Balan?” Belmara asked.

“She’s your granddaughter, my niece… and still very young. Is she 15 yet?”

“She is old enough – and who better to form an example than my own flesh and blood? Our members will know that I am serious!”

♥

Understory - T.R.A.S.H. Base 2

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Jukanya Garren sat in the lap of Breith Dalston as he worked the HPS display. She felt nervous, but didn’t know why. Maybe it was because her blood was two days late already. She almost always took her tablets, but had to admit to forgetting several times this most recent cycle.

“Look at this!” Breith exclaimed. “Just released from the Palace.”

Kjane Issyk hurried across the room and read over his shoulder. “Dozens dead in Tarania after new virus discovered… blah, blah… Doctors afraid… and then Belmara says not to panic. Sounds fake to me.”

“All the same, maybe we’d better make sure we have enough supplies in all of our bases,” Breith suggested.

Kjane nodded. “It’s always good to stay well-prepared. I’ll check on the shelters as well. I’ll make sure they have what they need and find out whether they’ve heard anything.”

“She said not to panic,” Jukanya repeated.

“We’re not,” Kjane replied. “That includes you, by the way!”

“Why would I panic?”

“You’re not pregnant, so don’t worry.”

“How!” she asked, stunned. How did Kjane know such things?

“I just know. You’re stressed about your mother. That’s why you’re late. You’ll come on tomorrow or tomorrow night, so you two probably better get to bed so you can get your fun in!” Kjane suggested with a wink.

“Some woman is going to give you the time of your life,” Breith predicted. “I want to be there to see it!”

“I’m not an exhibitionist!” Kjane protested. “I won’t bond until I’ve found someone who can keep up with me, tolerate me and not be afraid of or for me.”

“An untainted virgin, no doubt, as well!”

“That’s less important, though it would be an added bonus. I’m sure you’ve taken more than your share of virgins, Darrey!” Kjane added, looking over at the dark Kri’enden native. “Like that one last month, what was her name again?”

“Vinnia,” Darrey said dreamily. “Almost two months ago already. I keep thinking that I should just get on a boat and go and find Tranas. I still dream about her every night!”

“Maybe you should go then. Not everyone gets to bed the abári’s own daughter!”

“Niece. Vinnia is the niece of the Tranas abári. She’s something really special.”

“Sure, when she calls for child support!” Kjane retorted.

“I would go for sure then,” Darrey replied. “I’m not a dead-beat, for everything else I am!”

Jukanya stopped listening and kissed Breith who returned it instantly. “Let’s go to bed,” he suggested.

She nodded and let him carry her to the room she shared more often than not.