Chapter 18: The Wounded Tiger

If one day I had been told that things could never turn out so badly I would have believed it. And yet it is because we refuse to consider the worst that it has happened.

-Why not set up our factory in the West in your area? *I asked.*

-We are too close to the front line. Even though the tensions with Sun have eased, that doesn't change the fact that discidents might target him. *Zell replied*.

-It doesn't change the fact that he can also be attacked in the North. *Supported Decken*. You said it yourself even if there is a chance that a disaster will happen then it will happen. Murphy's Law.

- Who is Murphy again? Swan asked.

-We don't care.

-Exact. *He said, crossing his arms.* That's why we're going to increase the guard. 20,000 men should be enough. Don't worry, simple rebels won't be able to take down this factory.

He was right that simple rebels could not have done such a master stroke, because in front of me it was not at all a group of rebels but a large army extremely well organized.

- Go ahead. *A guard told me*.

Handcuffed, I walked with a group of civilians towards one of the trucks as I observed the factory. The attack had spared the sensitive areas, their goal was to capture this place and it had succeeded. Just on my left the caracasse of our two prototypes of heavy tanks, they had not been spared by the battle. But more importantly it was Corporal Lecter who was probably lying somewhere in the middle of this miriad of corpses.

-It's full.

As the truck was going to take us to an unknown destination, the young man who had come for the scientists, the curly haired man disembarked.

-Wait. Not this one.

-Are you sure ? She still shot one of ours, it's a ....

-I know what she is, you don't. So shut your mouth and bring her down.

The man shrugged before opening the back of the truck and throwing me abruptly to the ground.

-Where is your gallantry?

-Fuck you, Lars. *He said giving her a middle finger.*

Definitely I don't understand anything about these people.

-Sorry for her boorish manners, we don't treat a lady like that. *He said*.

-You can take the handcuffs off me then.

-Haha she has a good sense of humor too. Get her into the car Tribe.

-Yes sir.

I put up no resistance and went up with them. As I crossed the Nordic territory with them I discovered more and more that my á Priori in the north were more and more erroneous. So I ended up laughing to the point of disturbing my guards.

-Hey why are you laughing bitch? *Asked the young Tribe*.

-She understood. *Said the curly-haired man*. That the world was vast.

I had a kind of smirk on my face as I saw the scenery around me. The mountains the trees the great plains. Everything in this north looked like a country. And I was more and more curious to find out how this oppfore worked. Opfor is a term Zell uses to describe an unknown armed force. I'm sure he'll be ecstatic but also green with anger to find out that such a place exists. After 2 hours of driving we finally arrived at the place we were interested in. And there again I was amazed.

-Welcome to Der Herbst.

-The fall.

-Hey but she's not that dumb. *Lars said.*

Der Herbst, a small town on the riverside, there was all the aspect of an old town, let's say the far west era but more modern. The houses were lined up facing each other, there was everything. A bar, a shop, a car workshop, a hotêl, an armory.

-You even have a church .....

-That shocked you ? He asked.

-I thought that the guys of your people did not pray to Joshua. *I tell him amazed*.

-On the contrary, we pray. But in a very different way than you are, that's why your leaders are after us. Our temple is on the river just below. You see we can get along if we want.

I liked this place already. However, there was a cluster of tents close to each other just outside the city. This place was probably used as a country hospital. The fact that there are very few inhabitants in the city was immediately explained. They were all crowded around one of the tents looking worried.

-Is he going to be okay?

-Answer doctor.

-Damn Elysian if he dies, we'll hang you by the guts.

Elysian? Was the doctor an Elysian like me? I had to clear up everything that's going on here. As we approached the tent all eyes were on our group.

-Stay here and watch there.

I saw him enter the tent and chat with the doc. The other people around then turned to us or rather me.

-Who is she ? An Elysee bastard?

- You're not going to start over. *Said young Tribe*.

The guy in front was rather old, a shaven head with a sooty t-shirt. His beard was a little too big and visibly poorly groomed. In Elysion he would surely be mistaken for a pedophile and put in prison.

-Nothing to give a damn, she's cute. I'll do it to myself.

The youngster pointed his rifle in his direction.

-You're fed up with your bullshit. I too would like to hurt her but I received orders so you don't come near.

-It's good calmos.

-And there are plenty of women if you want to dip your little dick.

- Fuck you.

- Anyway, this doc charlatan is killing Seb.

-And Lars does nothing to stop him. If this keeps up....

-I said SHUT UP. *Yelled a young girl who had just come out of the tent.* Nahel Keith Rashford will not die.

Everyone was dumbfounded at her words. This kid had gray hair too, it could only be her sister.

-He won't die. *She continued.* So shut your mouth and stop criticizing our choices.

After that Tribe planted a dive right next to the tent before dropping off my meal. Rice and soup and a glass of water.

-How do I grease if my hands are tied? *I asked the guard*.

-Ah yes sorry.

He put his rod straight out in front of me and sprinkled his urine on my food. A great anger then seized me and I kicked my boots which overturned the food.

-Listen to me, you bitch. You are a fucking Elysian do you hear that? Can't wait to see what sauce Seb is going to cook you when he gets out of bed.

So I spent my night starving tied to that damn stake. I think I was halucinating at one point but I swore I saw a fire start in the tent. A kind of spirit had appeared and was spinning for a moment. When I woke up in the first light of dawn there was no trace, yet it felt real. A bucket of ice water pulled me out of my reverie.

-Hi bitch.

Always so unpleasant. That said at the first light of dawn all these peoples were still in front of the tent, no they were even more numerous, there seemed to be chiefs among them. And it kept bickering over nothing. It was then that a man arrived. He was tall and imposing. Black as well as bearded. Holding a rifle in his hand he walked towards the tent. His mere presence had imposed silence. But even before he could enter he froze. A man came out of the tent. His chest was covered with bandages, the outline of his head as well as his hands. I didn't need to be told who it was, I had understood it instinctively. He put on a t-shirt with bull written on it. He then put the holster of his gun on his hip and stared at the group of people there. Everyone was holding their breath.

-I have never seen so many lazy gathered in one place.

A huge cry of joy echoed across the mountain. And it said:

-HE IS ALIVE.

-He is Alive.

There were even some who pounced on him. One thing is certain this man was very much loved by his people. The Tiger is back. I admit that for a moment I felt reassured for him when I barely knew him. After the screams he finally got up and cracked his shoulders. The great man who had come earlier hugged him.

-Good Wake up son.

-Thank you dad. *He said in a weak voice*. What day is it ?

-At the fall. The plan is a success. *Lars explained*.

-I see. There is still a lot to do.

- Don't worry my brother, I'll take care of everything.

-You rest yourself you deserve it? His sister told him.

-And Lino? The old colonel ....

-He finished badly. The jail guys took care of his case. *Lars explained*.

Seb held his head like he was in great pain.

-We're going to the ranch if you want? *Lars asked.*

-Yes let's do that.

It was then that his gaze suddenly turned to me. The half-wounded tiger walked in my direction, giving me a confusing look to say the least.

-Who ... Who did that ? *He yelled.* Who tied her up like it was just a sack of sand.

-It means that she is a prisoner ... *Explained the guard.*

-He is right. *Lars said*. I take my precautions.

-The keys. Quickly.

Lars let out a sigh and threw the key at him. He then crouched down and tried to free me from the handcuffs. He put his hand on my cheek and stared straight at me.

-Did they hit you?

-N ... no. Just pee in my food and wake up to ice water.

He stood up visibly angry. But very silent anger.

-From now on the war is over. The summary executions are over, we will treat our prisoners humanely.

-I thought we never made prisoners. *Said the beard guy*.

-Exact but the situation has changed. If you execute 50 thousand Elysian prisoners you can be sure that they will send all their forces.

-We will push them back as usual.

- You're stupid Oslo. *Lars said.* The priority now is to preserve our way of life. Look what we've built in six years. If Elysion ever gets upset we can say goodbye to it all. We will go back to live in caves.

-So what do we do ?

-We are negotiating. *Seb said*. the art of compromise. We will find common ground with Elysion.

-All that so that we don't end up negotiating?

-All that to have peace. *Seb's father said.* Because it's the only thing worth defending. Elysion will have to listen to us after such a bang.

-This girl is my guest from now on. *Said Seb*. Treat it her such. So...

He took me squarely by the hand and we mounted our horses with a group of men. The first thing he did was go south to Sterben. The prosecution of all the soldiers of the duchy who had been captured. All the soldiers had been taken to the yard. I stayed outside watched by two guards.

-Soldiers soldiers of the Duchy. Yesterday on the morning of November 17th all of Elysion's forward bases in the north were taken by storm. Your army got caught off guard and now you are going to pay the consequences. I introduce myself I am seb.

Murmurs arose in the crowd. From where I was I could tell they were scared. Seb never takes prisoners; they already told themselves that they were not going to see their family again.

-This is how it will be. You will take the place of the convicts of Sterben and run the factory day and night. We'll check you in and get you to work. You will be fed and housed as it should be. You will only have 2 meals a day but understand that there are too many of you too. If the negotiations go well you will all return to Elysion.

Smiles appeared on the soldiers' faces, but others remained skeptical.

-If they go wrong on the contrary, I won't answer for anything. *He said in an icy voice.*

-He won't ....

-Now let's get to the rules. You will be scattered all over Jericho.

-Jericho? *I said.*

-The name he chose for our country. *Replied a guard.*

-If you try to escape you will be shot, if you cause a fight the guards will shoot you, if you piss and your urine comes out of the prison you are screwed.

-He is ill.

-Think about it. You are young for the most part, probably engaged, you have family, friends in the countries. I'm sure your mother doesn't want to receive a folded flag and a cold body between 4 planks.

What ? This guy knows a lot about military funerals casually. Yet he grew up in an area isolated from everything. Who is he really?

- Unlike you who treat us as animals, we will do our best to treat you humanely. If you abuse my hospitality you will regret it bitterly.

After this speech the prison doors closed. We then took the road towards the region of Herbst. When we arrived at our destination I didn't even have the strength to be surprised.

-You've done enough my brother. *Lars said*. Now Rest.

-It's the first time that I have the ranch to myself.

-Hey am there too. *Said his little sister*.

-Don't forget the plan.

-Rest you dumb. It was I who designed this plan.

As Lars disappeared over the horizon with his men I wondered that such a place had never been discovered. Five miles from Herbst a superb ranch reminiscent of the Decken's. No he was even taller. Who the hell is this Seb? No who is Nahel Keith Rashford ?

To be continued