Ghosts of Koa, The First Book of Ezekiel (38 page)

"Yum!" Manja dug in as soon as she set the tray down on the desk. Zeika flopped back into the hammock, and Manja sat on the floor with her food, taking out a large wad of blue bills from her trouser pocket.

Zeika eyed the bills, sad. Caleb had owed them a balance for the gun work he wanted, and she'd made sure he'd settled up before they left the hollow. Five hundred more dollars, paid. She'd forced herself not to feel guilty about it, reminding herself that this wasn't personal. This was survival. They'd need every penny to get smuggled out the Fifth. Besides, she would drop his equipment off somewhere safe where he'd find it, maybe at the fountain entrance--

"Good evening to you radio heads out there. You were just listening to smooth jazz off the silky not-so-golden Golden Days Collection available only here at WKAO31. This is James Montgomery reporting live from the Journalists' Desk, Guild 31 in Demesne 31, the only way to get your music and world news. Literally. If you've got a taste for fascist free press, then saddle up your intellectual pony, folks, and enjoy the heavy-handed ride!"

"James!" The producer snapped from the background.

Zeika snickered. Aside from Caleb, James Montgomery was probably the only Azure she would ever like.

James cleared his voice and continued. "Welcome to our eight o'clock evening show, 'Daily Debunks'. Today's debunk centers on the Alchemic Order's most recent motion to repeal the Articles 37 through 39, a motion that came into issue just a month ago--"

"Zeeky, what's Articles?" Manja interjected loudly. She was busy making long chains from the bunch of dollars she was holding.

"Shh. He's telling us now. And hey, don't lose that money, kid."

"--thirty-nine rules of engagement laid out by the Alchemic & Civic Orders to govern the codes of conduct in wartime. Remember that copies of the Articles39 are available at your local community centers, schools, police stations, and your demesne's Guild. Make copies, and read them to your kids at bedtime with cookies and milk, folks. Because from what I hear, it'll probably be the last you'll ever see of them."

Zeika peered down the sight of the rifle, getting ready to clean.
 

"Rumors, and even some confirmed sightings of teen Koan soldiers, have propelled the repeals of the Articles39 to the top of the Alchemic Order's priorities list. Recently, some minority groups of the Civic Order have also shown an outpouring of support for the repeals. Pro- and anti-repeal debates are heating up all over the world, and I'm here today with Councilman Ishmael Billings, a high official of the Fifty-Second Azure Demesne, who will give us further insight on this hotbed of political unrest. Welcome, Councilman, and thank you for joining us."

"Quite. Thank you for having me, James."

Ugh.
Zeika made a face. Billings sounded like a pompous doughdick if she ever heard one.

"Also joining us is Salvatore Morgan, recently elected Councilman of the Fifth Demesne. Though Azure-born, Morgan has spent years working in Civilian Demesnes as an ombudsman, representative, fiscal consultant, and cultural translator for both the Civic and Alchemic Orders. We look to him today to represent Civilian concerns over the Articles39 repeals. Welcome, Councilman Morgan."

"Good evening, James. And what a lovely introduction, thank you."

Zeika's grip tightened on the rifle. She wasn't sure when Sal Morgan had gone from resident IRS asshole to political powerhouse, but the only thing "Civic" he could give perspective on was the quality and variety of civvie coos in the Fifth. Everyone knew it, especially James. Why he even invited Sal on the show was lost on her.

"So, tell us a bit more about how the Halls of Pact have brought the repeal of the Articles 39 into issue. Councilman Billings?"

"Over the past three months, James, civilian and military casualties of the Koan insurgency have increased by 213 percent. We can't say how many have died on the Civic or Koan side, but for our part-- and 'our' meaning Azures-- we are losing twice as many soldiers and officers daily. It is becoming clearer that Koa's use of minors is contributing greatly to this problem. The Order believes that for the safety of all, the insurgency must be quelled as soon as possible. The repeal of the Articles will help to achieve that goal."

"How do you know that?"

"We can never tell the future, James, but our current intelligence has confirmed that Koan teen soldiers are the main sources of military reconnaissance for the rebellion. I don't suggest that we launch ourselves into a state of pedophobia. As the war continues to rage, however, I am less inclined to treat minors as innocent bystanders."

"Meaning you don't discourage the practice of arresting children."

"Dear boy, I think we have to prepare for the grim reality that Civilians can no longer be offered full protection under the Articles39. Koa uses Civilians as their safe havens, shields, and messengers. In order to make any headway with smoking Koa out, authorities have to be given latitude to treat Civilians and Koa as equals."

"And even ghosts of war, Councilman?"

"I'm afraid so. Children are becoming the most dangerous commodities of warfare. We can no longer afford to assume innocence."

Zeika pulled back the charging handle of the rifle and checked the chamber. Empty. She pulled off the receiver plate.

"And this is the reason that you're petitioning to repeal the Articles. You two are the main proponents of the repeals, are you not? The ringleaders of this Azure death circus?"

Zeika smirked. James was getting warmed up and ready for take-off.

"Eh... no, this is not a 'circus of death', man." Billings snapped. "Are you a journalist or a thriller novelist?"

"James, if you would," Sal finally chimed in. "The Order is merely making adjustments for a brighter future, and yes, we are leading the charge on this issue. We both stand behind the repeals one hundred percent."

"So I've heard. I've also heard that's not all you stand behind in the Fifth, Sally."

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"That's fine. I have a long list of Civilian women that can help me clarify my meaning for you."

Sal chuckled, ever relaxed. "I've always admired your sense of thoroughness, James. It is true that many Civilians of the Fifth Demesne are displeased with the results of the last election, and they've launched quite a smear campaign on my reputation. But unless discussing that is going to shed light on the issue at hand, we should move on. The repeals of the Articles39 is a serious matter that deserves our due attention."

"So let me get the facts straight. Basically, Azure soldiers are getting their asses kicked by Koan guerrilla warfare. So, you guys are turning up the heat by targeting the children of the enemy... and the children of the
non
-enemy, in fact. Is that right?"

Councilman Billings let out a blurping grunt that sounded much like a deflating windbag.
Zeika laughed as she pulled out the recoil spring. Then, she disentangled the bolt, gas piston, and the bolt carrier.

"Getting our asses kicked, not so much," Billings snorted. "But turning up the heat, yes. I think we'd all just assume ending the insurgency is best for all involved."

"Sure, but the war has also been pretty profitable for the Alchemic Order, hasn't it?"

"Profitable? To my memory, the first bomb detonated eighteen years ago, and
Koa
pulled the trigger. It went off at our yearly Summit, killing dozens of Azures, including several members of the Azure Royal Families, and wounding several more. Hundreds of APs and soldiers and citizens have been murdered at the hands of Koa since. So when you say that the Alchemic Order has
profited
from this war, James, I'm not quite sure what you mean."

"Money, Councilman, that's what I mean. Hard currency. Bills. And thanks for the history lesson, but I noticed how you skipped over the Order's long-time acts of aggression on Civilian Alchemy and their Guilds prior to the bombing--"

"A necessary measure to ensure that both societies benefit from advancements in the high art."

"Advancements? Advanced bullshit is what that is."

"James," Sal interjected. "There is hardly a need to be combative--"

"There have been numerous reports of raids on Civilian hovels," James continued loudly. "Raids without warrants, arrests without probable cause, murders without trials. Civilians from Civic Demesnes all over the world have filed reports of theft, battery, abuse, and rape, all pointing to APs and other Azure perpetrators. But the Alchemic Order states that these human rights violations, while 'unfortunate' occurred in the course of enforcing justice. Now, I'm not sure how gang-fucking defenseless Civilian women promotes justice, but I guess I should ask: how do you respond to these allegations, Councilmen?"

Holy crap. James, you are the MAN.

Billings threw the first punch. "Heh! Azure perpetrators, indeed! People will blame the Order for anything nowadays, as though Civilians have suddenly become incapable of harming or killing one another. Where's the evidence, I ask you? We need more than just the flighty testimony of a few shell-shocked conspiracy theorists."

"Well it's your lucky day, Councilman. In my hand here, I have a report produced by Guild 40, an Azure Guild of the Alchemic Order itself, that details the grotesqueries of this war. I focus now on page 23, which discusses the impacts of warfare on children. Very much within today's theme. 'In the past three years alone,' it says, 'Over three thousand minors have disappeared from their homes or on their ways to school. Over 80% of the missing children hail from one of the fifteen Civic Demesnes, and over 60% of these children fall between the ages of just a couple months to about seventeen years old'--"

"That is truly tragic, but--" Billings started.

"--and
many
of them have been found months later, dead and blackened as though burned. According to autopsy reports, the nature of the burns suggest that these child corpses were so heavily drained of their First Matter that they carbonized. There have been protests and witnesses claiming that Azures and Azure Alchemists are targeting children for their high First Matter content. What do you make of this, Councilman?"

"There have also been protests and witnesses claiming that these 'missing children' have defected to Koa and were even
forced
to serve as soldiers." Billings voice was tight. "The Koan attacks on Demesne Five are evidence of this enough."

"Corpses can't defect or serve, Councilman. You still haven't answered my question."
 

"Because it's pure nonsense! Each Alchemist that is trained under our flag is quite aware of their responsibility to the Articles39!"

"Aware isn't good enough!"

"Gentlemen, I'm afraid that we're slightly beyond the issue at hand," Sal said. "Let's move on."

But James had already stuck the poker onto the bull's ass. Billings was fired up.

"We are at war, James," Billings said. "There will be casualties, even child casualties, unfortunately. But as for Alchemists purposefully kidnapping and experimenting on anyone, especially children, that is poppycock. Anyone who claims to harm the innocent under the Alchemist flag is an imposter. This is all Koan propaganda, used to cover up the fact that
they
themselves are gang-pressing vulnerable children, ghosts of war, into their ranks to do their dirty work. The rise of these 'ghosts of Koa' is a clear testament to that. To deny that is to ignore the pure and simple truth."
 

"Fine, Councilman. But then how do you explain the 'pure and simple truth' that First Matter had been extracted from the bodies of the children who
have
been found?"

"I'm a politician, not an alchemical pathologist! I cannot explain the lack of First Matter in any dead body. But I can assure you: that technique, the draining of First Matter, is strictly forbidden. In the days of old, any who practiced such barbarism were severely punished by the Order. And while I can't be sure of the morality of rogue Civic Alchemists, no
Azure
Alchemist has dared to do such a thing since."

"Yes, and I'm sure you're making sure of that. Seeing as you're so invested in human life and not at
all
motivated to keep your own pockets heavy, I'm sure you're personally overseeing the war," James remarked dryly.

"Peh! Yellow journalism still has a market in the new age, I see."

"Councilman Morgan," James addressed his next victim. "You've been pretty quiet during this discussion. Is this the silence of indicted?"

"No, I'm merely reflecting on your analysis of the war. As compelling as it is, however, I'd like to get back to discussing the Articles39 repeals. Media sensationalism doesn't quite whet my palate."

"Not nearly as much as squeezing every last dime from the Fifth Demesne does, apparently.
That
seems to get you drooling. Not so much a gourmand of death as you are of embezzlement, Sally?"

Sal laughed softly. "Your fascination with political and economic corruption is intriguing. But it seems to me that if you're looking to do a cost-benefit analysis on war profiteering, you should start looking at the kunja addicts popping up in the Civilian territories. Everyone knows that Koa is responsible for that, using strung-out stewards and stewardesses to bankroll their terrorism. No Azure Alchemist, especially a properly-trained one, would ever produce such an imperfect chemical abomination. Tell me, James. What do you say to that?"

Zeika had already taken the gas cylinder off, strapped on a particle mask, and had begun to clean the rifle. But now, she craned her neck, interested in what James would say. Even though the 'war on kunja' was another one of the political crutches of the Cabal, the cause had merit. Civilians were falling like cards to kunja's call, a call that fried their brains into a comatose oblivion. Like Sal and Billings, Zeika wanted it
out
of the Protecteds. It was the only point on which she and the Cabal agreed.

"What I'd say--" James started. "--is that you're right. Kunja is a problem. On the other hand, to help alleviate that problem, the Orders should stop sanctioning Civic Demesnes. For Crissakes, Civilians can't even move across borders to get to work! They can't feed their kids, afford to keep the electricity on. How do you expect them to cope with not being able to provide for their families?"