Chapter 10

"Are you out of your mind?" Rolf said, barely keeping his tone civil.

"It's a simple and practical solution to our problem," Sunbearer said with maddening calm. "I call it Operation: Ugly Duckling. It will commence in ten days."

"How's that the case?" The table squealed as he gripped it even harder. Rolf couldn't believe this. This reckless stupidity threatened to unravel everything! Only chaos would result from this. And ten days? His head spun considering the necessary safety procedures required for such an operation in such a short amount of time.

The police chief gathered himself, his tone calming somewhat. "Let's approach this practically. If you feared a potential riot from the Demons before, this will spark an outright inferno."

"Not a problem," Sunbearer said, not hiding his smugness. "General Xander promises me he'll deal with any rebellion in the harshest terms."

"Sure, but the cost of lives and property damage will be horrendous."

"I have guarantees they will be mitigated."

Mitigated? Like it'd be that simple. Rolf tried another approach, one that targeted something Sunbearer's voters and constituents would care a great deal about. "How will you provide transportation necessary to relocate these people out of the city? The operation will be costly."

"Already settled. I have contracted a private shipping company for the personnel and vehicles. Vladus citizens will see their taxes were well spent once we remove this riffraff from our beautiful city. I already have plans ready to transform the slums into affordable apartment buildings and a new amusement park."

"One final point." If this final splash of reality didn't work, nothing would. "You call the lowest class and the Demons scum and leeches—hard to argue. But they are also a useful, low-cost workforce. By removing them from the city, you'll have hundreds of jobs left unoccupied."

But Sunbearer only waved a dismissive hand. "It's an excellent opportunity to clean the city. You talk about these low-class scum like they are some irreplaceable resource. They aren't. I've been in talks with Tiertex about using AI bots as a viable workforce. Hundreds of robots are already in production. They will be cheaper, work harder, and be more cost-efficient. It's no longer necessary for humans to occupy those jobs."

"You have an answer for everything," Rolf replied dryly. While foolish and wasteful, it was a somewhat workable plan nonetheless. "And what about the legality?" This was pushing the mayor's executive power past all reason.

"I've been in long talks with the other city council members. They've all backed my plan. The bill only needs to be ratified in a closed doors town council meeting tonight. The public will remain ignorant until we're ready. We can't allow the Demons to gather in protest until it's too late."

"Okay." Rolf rubbed his temple, realizing not a damn thing he could say would change the mayor's mind.

"The military will lead this operation, however, the city police will provide any assistance they might require. But keep the details need-to-know. You know the consequences if this leaks out prematurely."

"You'll have our support." It wasn't like he had a choice. If the city approved this insane plan, it was his job to do the dirty deed.

"Good," Sunbearer said, taking delight in squashing Rolf's resistance. "But that isn't the main reason I called. Your involvement in Operation: Ugly Duckling will only be a formality. What have you learned about Loffie's murder?"

"The investigation is still ongoing. That's all I can say."

And it had proved more fruitful than he'd expected. Rolf had uncovered some oddities about Loffie's death. The late minister had tried grabbing the banister to secure his fall, but he'd broken through the barrier to the hard wooden floor almost a story beneath. While it was plausible Loffie had struck the banister hard enough for it to break, close inspection revealed it'd been loosened with a screwdriver. And more conspicuously, security camera data was spotty days before the accident.

"Incompetence. And the Konquellia remains at large?"

"Best men are working on it."

"I'm losing my patience with you, Rolf." Without another word, the Prime Minister hung up.

"Wretched, empty-headed buffoon!" Rolf screamed, papers spilling as he slammed his fist on his desk. He fumed, wanting to go over to the Prime Minister's estate and assassinate the idiot himself.

"Phú!" Rolf screamed, but paused when he realized the AI was still with Halkken. He considered recalling her to help with the preparations, but decided against it. While an absurd workload that'd cost him hours of sleep, he'd manage it. Besides, he wanted Joven's killer caught at all costs. That Rocke boy had betrayed his trust and would pay dearly for it.

"Still, so much to do." And it had to be done without the public catching wind about Sunbearer's idiotic, asinine plan. 

Rolf would make sure Operation: Ugly Duckling succeeded, regardless of his feelings on the matter. As Chief of Police, he'd sworn an oath to protect the public, and he'd make damn sure that Vladus wouldn't fall into total anarchy. If some Demons got squashed, it was on them. The UOP would stand, whatever the cost.

---

"Is something the matter?" Rocke asked as he entered the main living area. He yawned, stretching to get the stiffness out of his back. Those cots they slept on weren't the most comfortable. 

"Thanks." Rocke nodded his gratitude as Maple handed him a cup of coffee, helping to wake his dull mind. Nitao entered next, nodding he received his coffee, applying a generous helping of cream before sipping it.

"Yeah, is something wrong? You look worried," Kallane asked.

The Soothsayer said nothing, only picking at his breakfast of oatmeal. He tapped his fingers, obviously deep in thought. "I had a dream."

"A message from the Sovereign?" Kallane asked, intrigued. Nitao also perked up, eyeing the prophet with interest.

"Yes, but I'm not sure how to act on it," Matthias replied, troubled.

"And you're sure it's a vision?" Rocke asked, sipping at his drink. Despite only being instant coffee, it was rich and black, just how he liked it.

"Oh yes, but its contents were troubling." Matthias released a deep sigh before continuing. "I dreamt of an endless expanse of weeds. It was an ugly pasture, full of spiky plants whose trunks reached higher than the tallest trees. But golden wheat stalks hid amongst their thorny leaves, alive and vibrant despite their unsightly neighbors. Then some farmers arrived and stalked through the field. Whenever they found a wheat stalk, they tore it free and tossed it into a cart. When the farmers finished their work, they pulled the cart to a furnace and dumped its contents inside."

"Huh? What does that mean?" Rocke asked, perplexed. "Why pick the wheat and spare the weeds?"

"I have a hunch, but I fear its implications," Matthias replied.

"I doubt it's anything good," Maple said, eyes hardening. "With the UOP, there isn't anything they won't do."

"I doubt it's that serious," Rocke replied. "Maybe it's just saying we're in danger."

"No, I don't think that's it." Matthias shook his head. "I'm good at interpreting my dreams. The farmers are the UOP, or rather, its leadership. And the wheat is the Sovereign's flock. Someone at the top is planning something big."

"Like removing every Ottomon from the country or something?" Rocke said, incredulous. That would be insane!

"Nothing that drastic. The field was the city of Vladus," Matthias replied.

Kallane swore up a storm about murderous Uppie dogs. "That's their plan, huh? Get rid of all us Demons. We can't take over if we're all dead!"

"Dogs!" Nitao snarled, scowling. "As usual, the UOP are killers."

"We don't know that for certain!" Rocke argued back, but neither Kallane nor Nitao seemed convinced by his argument.

"Whatever the case, this bears investigation." Maple replied. 

"I will help. I will not allow this to happen," Nitao said, his expression hard and determined.

"But we're trapped here, aren't we? The police are after us!" And Chief Rolf was unstoppable in his desire for justice for his nephew. They'd all seen his ruthlessness.

"It's a risk we'll have to take, Rocke," Kallane replied. "People's lives are on the line!"

"Okay." Rocke reluctantly agreed. 

While he didn't believe the interpretation of Matthias's vision, it wouldn't hurt to check. Still, he doubted Mayor Sunbearer would do something that insane. He'd always seemed a wise, generous, loving person. Besides, the citizens of Vladus would never allow it, however they felt about the Ottomon people. This was a bridge too far. His friends were mistaken about them, Rocke was sure of it.

---

"What the problem, Maple? You sounded upset in your call." the man sitting across the table asked. Colins was a well-built, heavyset man with arms the size of tree trunks. Despite looking like a hardened construction worker, he wore his black suit well, indicating some wealth.

Around them, people bustled through the busy shopping center, going about their business. They sat in a tiny open air café with cute little parasols blocking the midday sun. Rocke tried his best to remain inconspicuous, like he wasn't wanted by the law. He'd dyed his hair blond as a simple disguise that would hopefully mask his features.While it wouldn't fool his mom, it would at least make him harder to identify. 

With Matthias still in not-great shape health-wise, Rocke had gone in his stead. With Nitao unable to speak their language fluently and Kallane doing her own investigation, it left Rocke to watch over and help Maple however he could. Besides, he refused to sit on the sidelines while everyone faced danger. Nitao stood on the sidelines, ready to help if the situation turned ugly.

"Terrible business. I'm afraid my people are to suffer a terrible calamity," Maple said, shaking her head.

"Aren't they always?" Colins replied, sipping his coffee. He furrowed his brow. "But we're not talking about general terribleness, but something worse. Is you-know-who involved?"

"Right from the holy man's lips," Maple replied.

"Dear Sovereign." The big man clasped at his shirt, grabbing something hidden behind it. From its general shape, Rocke guessed it was the holy symbol of the Sovereign—three interwoven knots. His grandmother had worn one openly, and it had earned his family's contempt. This man, for good reason, kept his faith more hidden. He might not have his job otherwise.

Colins' voice lowered to a whisper. "What has the Great Lord told him? How may I help? I'm not that high on the government totem pole, but I hear things." Apparently, he was a legislative aide in the mayor's office.

In a clipped tone, Maple explained Matthias's vision word for word, not giving her own interpretation of it. Instead, she wanted Colins to come to his own conclusion.

From the aide's expression, it was clear he saw much already. "Sovereign preserve us. It's clear to me why the UOP deserves His judgment."

"Can you help us?" Maple asked.

"However I can," the big man said without hesitation. "I sense a great evil is about to happen. Thank the Great Lord He put me in this position. If the city officials are the cruel, wasteful farmers, I'll learn their plan."

"Thank you," Maple said, patting her friend's hand. "We appreciate your support."

"Someone has to," Colins said with a slight smile. "Though I'm not taking part in protests anymore, I'll do my part. Though it shames me, I can't do more. Some days, I wish I could tear off my shirt and show the world my true devotion."

"You'd go that far?" Rocke replied, bewildered at the idea of this big man showing everyone his pendant and hairy chest in some odd display of religious faith.

"I am a coward," Colins said, crestfallen. "I lost my youthful vigor, but now I will make up for it tenfold!"

"Calm down, you're making a scene," Rocke said in alarm as the big man sprang to his feet and spoke at full volume.

"I thank the holy man. He has reinvigorated me!" Colins said without shame. "I will discover this injustice and expose it!"

"What a character," Rocke said as they walked away from the café. It made him somewhat jealous, wishing he could be that bold in his faith, infantile as it was. Nitao followed them from behind, making sure no one followed them.

"He has a kind heart," Maple replied, amused. "Soft as a lamb, and bold as a lion."

"It's lucky his job is right where we need him," Rocke said, marveling at the coincidence.

"The Sovereign provides," was Maple's simple response.

If the government was planning something, the chaos they would cause would be like an out-of-control wildfire. He hoped the citizens of Vladus would finally understand the Ottomon's suffering. It might be the shift the city needed to finally repent and redeem itself. He prayed this was true, at the very least.

---

"Paranoid bas…" Jafia said, venting her frustration, but stopped herself. Getting angry wouldn't help her fulfill her mission. Still, she'd suffered a major setback. Despite her impressive fake credentials, Jafia had failed to get hired as a member of the mayor's staff.

Paranoid for his pathetic little life, Sunbearer had fired everyone but his most trusted and essential staff, no matter how many years they'd worked for him. Despite her best efforts, the mayor had caught onto the fact that Minister Loffie had suffered more than an accident. Worse yet, her police contact had informed her that Police Chief Rolf was investigating the Defense Minister's death personally. She'd covered her tracks, but she couldn't think of everything!

"Darn it," Jafia said, tapping her painted fingers against the table's surface. A gentle wind tussled her hair, the warm sun beaming on her. It was a nice day, but her mood was too sour to enjoy it.

"Sorry for the delay," the waitress said, mistaking her annoyance for something she'd done, slipping a plate with a turkey sandwich and a black coffee onto her table.

"Thank you," Jafia replied, remembering her manners. She gave the woman a slight smile and a nod.

Jafia sipped at her coffee, its bitter taste invigorating her. If her first plan didn't work, she'd try something else. Vanderfall was counting on her to complete the mission. Sunbearer's death would leave the city in confusion and rudderless as their army invaded. And the mayor was slippery. They couldn't afford him slipping out and causing trouble elsewhere. Besides, this was also a mission of justice.

Back in the last war, Sunbearer had led a mission that resulted in the capture of Vanderfall's largest city, Califran, leading to a short but brutal occupation. But it wasn't just the people he'd hurt and killed—he'd caused such damage to Califran's infrastructure that the city never recovered, ultimately leading to Vanderfall's financial collapse after the war. Her superiors wanted him to have an inglorious death.

"Would poison be my best shot?Getting close wouldn't be easy, top-tier security protected the mayor, however, a poisoned dish might slip past his careful bodyguards, but her gut warned it wouldn't work.

"If I got his schedule, I might find the perfect opportunity to shoot him with a sniper rifle." Sunbearer couldn't be paranoid forever—he'd drop his guard, eventually. But would it happen before the invasion deadline?

Lost in her thoughts, she almost missed a familiar sight. She almost didn't recognize him with his new hair color, but she'd recognize her ex anywhere.

"Rocke? What's he doing here?!" Jafia said, alarmed. 

That idiot. Why was he sitting in a café rather than a safe house somewhere? With him was an older Ottomon women Jafia didn't recognize. Much to her astonishment, Rocke and his friend were conversing with someone. It seemed important. Surreptitiously, Jafia eavesdropped on the conversation. Though spoken in low tones, her excellent hearing caught every word.

The Ottomon woman explained a strange dream, her tone deadly earnest. It was a bizarre dream about a group of farmers who tore wheat from a field of weeds and burned them.

"Sovereign preserve us. It's clear to me why the UOP deserves His judgment," the big man they were conversing with replied.

Jafia's eyebrows furrowed, having trouble parsing the conversation. This was about some dream? Her frown deepened as they spoke about the dream like it was some message from the Sovereign himself. They were taking the dream literally, as though the city's upper echelons were planning something nefarious. Jafia heard the big man promise to use his position to learn if there was any validity to the dream's prediction.

"What the heck?" Jafia shook her head, baffled. Then an insight struck her. Hadn't Rocke escaped with Matthias Daliven, the infamous prophet who he'd once saved from death? Was that the source of the dream? While Jafia wasn't religious, this encounter seemed like it was fated somehow. 

"Is Mayor Sunbearer planning something?" Jafia thought, trailing Rocke and his friends at a safe distance. Her ex seemed to believe so. 

It was at least worth investigating. This might provide the key she needed to kill Sunbearer, or at least discredit him. Even if the dream proved false, some well-placed rumors would light a fire the mayor couldn't easily quench. The political turmoil would help Vanderfall when they launched their invasion. This may prove a more effective scheme than assassinating Sunbearer. If there was any validity to Daliven's dream, she'd help Rocke find it.