Everybody was gathered into the city center of Golden city, the capital city of Vextel. It was an amazing city center. All sorts of buildings could be found here, with many local shops to be found and explore. There were wooden houses, stone houses, steel houses etc. The center stood as a legacy or monument, to show how far the human race had evolved.

The reasoning for everybody to be gathered in the city center was that sirens started to blare out, soon after Nova’s fight. Sirens were installed in every city, and they would blare different types of sounds to warn the citizens of various events. This time the sirens were warning us that there would be an important announcement to be made.

In the center of the center (heh good one El), a giant spire rose up, seeming like it could almost touch the sky. Thousands of television screens hung on the spire. Major announcements if needed to be televised would be displayed on the screens on the spire. Every city on Vextel and the other interstellar planets had these. I happened to find myself at the complete back of the crowd along with Nova and Atlas. Which thank The Beings for that; I didn’t want to be squished by complete strangers.

“Wonder what this broadcast will be about? There weren’t any scheduled broadcasts for today.” I asked.

“There better a damn good reason for this, I can’t get my bloody leg healed and patched until it’s over,” Nova growled.

Right, since the sirens warned us about this broadcast minutes after Nova’s fight, she didn’t have time to get her injuries healed up. So we had to take a chair from a nearby bakery for her to sit on. For all I know, William is probably still unconscious back at the arena.

Well, let’s look at our options.” Atlas butted in. “If it’s an emergency broadcast because it hasn’t been scheduled, that leaves us with a few options. There could have been a change in the government, news about the Abandoned Ones or a meeting between the Beings just took place to discuss planetary matters.”

“Whatever the case is, it must be very important,” I added.

“Whatever the case is, it better be quick or someone’s going to get hurt,” Nova added.

She’s certainly gloomy when hurt. Somebody should give her a chill pill.

“Thank you all for attending this sudden broadcast. It will now commence.” Said a disemboweled robotic voice through the floating speakers placed around the city center.

The screens on the spire flashed to life, revealing the face of Emma Kane, the president of Vextel. She was a lady in her mid-thirties. She took power three years ago riding on an election platform that well, was her ticket to victory. She had short dirty blond hair that stopped at her chin. She had battle hardened brown eyes showing the population that she was all work and no chat.

“Hello fellow citizens of Vextel, I apologize for this sudden interruption. This announcement is currently being broadcast to every planet under the Beings’ watchful gaze. Today my fellow citizens is a sad day for all of us. As of five hours ago our beloved Representative of Vextel, Thomas Xen was assassinated in his home.”

Xen was murdered! This was simply unbelievable! Shock and outrage spread throughout the crowd of people. Who could’ve done such a thing?!

“The killer was an Abandoned One, whom we assume is part of an even bigger opposing force. Unfortunately, the killer committed suicide to avoid capture. May the Beings watch over Thomas Xen during his passing. In the immediate future, I urge fellow planets to increase their security measures to protect their Representatives, their people and the peace from these criminals.”

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

The silence seemed to roll all over us as we gave Thomas Xen a moment of silence.

“Now I will proudly introduce to you the new Representative of Vextel. Citizens, I am proud to present to you our new Representative; Minerva Highborn!” Kane announced disappearing off the screen to allow the new representative to be seen.

The new Representative, Minerva Highborn appeared on the screen… wait, why did that name sound so familiar? Minerva Highborn that name sounded so familiar, but I couldn’t place my finger on it until I saw Atlas’ face that is. His face was in absolute shock. His mouth was wide open, as he stared at the new Representative. I looked over at Nova who quietly nodded at me. That was Atlas’ sister! She fit the profile that Atlas had told me. She had long, midnight black hair that seemed to suck in the light around it, tied in a ponytail like Atlas had said. Her amethyst purple eyes were filled with intellect, determination, and radiance. She wore a black suit, accompanied by a red tie. Even from a screen, her presence was dominating, like she had an aura hungry for respect and subordination.

“Fellow citizens of Vextel, head my call!” Her voice boomed with authority. “Head my call here and now! The Abandoned Ones for too long have terrorized us, refusing to understand what the Beings do for us, is for our protection. They are low lives, thugs, criminals that only wish to upset the peaceful societies of Vextel and the other Interstellar planets.”

The crowd was absolutely stunned. Never have we seen a Representative talk and move with such power. She seemed to control the crowd as she talked. Minerva had complete dominance for us all. I looked at Atlas, and he looked sick. He was shaking uncontrollably, pale as a ghost, inches away from a nervous sweat. This was so out of character for me; I didn’t know how to react.

“For too long, we lightly punished the Abandoned Ones for their acts of terrorism! They attack our very foundation of living, killing innocent people in the process, and all they get is life imprisonment. And now a Representative has been a victim of one of those acts. We must make an example of these traitors!” Minerva barked.

“No, no, no no no” Atlas muttered under his breath. “This is not like her; she wouldn’t do that would she?”

“For the first time in Vextel’s history as a modern society, I have introduced a dead penalty policy to any Abandoned One, by public execution. Break the laws and our way of life, your life will be taken as well. I have already contacted the other Representatives and have urged them to follow. We will rid ourselves of this Abandoned One's infestation. Head my words fellow citizens; they will no longer inflict pain on our families!”

The screens went black, leaving only an eerie silence among the crowd until the town center burst into cheering. People were applauding and whistling, even a “Minerva” chant started to emerge from the crowd. Atlas, Nova and I made our way out of the town center.

“That was not like Minerva, she would never go so far as killing people. I need to meet her, talk to her.” Atlas told us as we left. He had calmed down and regained his composure, but he certainly must still be shaken up.

Nova pitched in, probably trying to calm Atlas down. “Maybe it’s just a ruse, a feint. Maybe she won’t execute actual prisoners; she’ll get fake dummies executed. Some were falsely imprisoned for being falsely accused of being an Abandoned One.” It may have been my imagination but I thought I saw Nova flash a glare at me.

Atlas shook his head. “Maybe, but knowing my sister, I don’t think she’s bluffing.”

“You haven’t seen your sister in years Atlas; you don’t know your sister anymore.” Nova cut in.

I looked ahead and gulped. “Well, we may be getting an answer soon enough, look,” I said pointing in front of us.

In front of us were two police cruisers with a black sedan in the middle. A woman in a suit was waiting outside the car. “Elenore Magnus, your presence is needed elsewhere. Please, if you would kindly.” She said, opening the car door.

“Are you talking her to Minerva?” Atlas asked. “I demand to be allowed to follow; I have questions for my sister.”

“Atlas Ryder, you were not one of the people requested, hence I will deny your request. Elenore will be brought back at Golden Sierra when this matter is dealt with.”

Atlas looked like he was going to argue with the woman, but Nova places a hand on his shoulder and shook her head; this wasn’t the time to get aggressive. Atlas huffed in annoyance be reluctantly nodded at me and turned to leave, Nova in tow.

“If you would kindly Elenore, we’ll be on our way.” The woman said. I quietly got into the black sedan, the car door being closed shortly after. The woman got into the driver’s seat and radioed the two police cruisers. They put on their sirens, and with one car in front and one behind, cleared a path for me to whatever my destination was. My gut told me, it wasn’t going to be for anything good.