THE MUNDAN EXEMPLAR
TOPICS FOR THE CONSCIENTIOUS RIGHTEOUS
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BUSINESS. Doloric fuel futures fall 5.2% following heavy losses in the ARC defense of Astana, Kazakhstan. ARC reports that newly developed weapons technologies “bleeding us like stuck pigs”; Analysts fear recession on the horizon. — State subsidies announced for development of new defensive capabilities. — Azrael Biologics and Seven Trumpets Technology Solutions to bring proposals for standard service deployment at next examination conference.
POLITICS. May 2nd Rapture Summit results in agreement across major parties; Rap. Thor Archgun and Rap. Brutal Ovdeth shown shaking hands across the aisle. — UCF-Japanese subjects will be afforded a legal path to citizenship. Registration begins today. — Applications must be submitted in person at the Ford-Rockefeller Tritower Complex in Dallas.
WEATHER. High 110s through the Northeast corridor; — Heatwave continues along the Gulf of Amerexico. — South Texas activates state of emergency; rolling brownouts established to preserve energy capabilities.
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The Mundan Exemplar, morning circular, Axis Mundi edition, UCF 05/02/454
Block 0x10 Canteen, Yan’an Underground Complex 1, China, PRA, Earth, 05/03/2230, 2000 hours
Flechette is in the communal cafeteria, eating with Zhengming. Talking about Kailani. Remembering.
“You know, he always planned on taking you with him. He hoped that you would be able to come to understand what this was all for. Ka Kailani respected you deeply, and genuinely adored you. He talked about you all the time.”
“I’m just… I’m sorry I couldn’t bring him with me.”
“You followed him, to where he was leading you. I think that is enough.”
Flechette holds that for a moment, before remembering the drive in her pocket.
“Oh! Zhengming! I— I have a copy of Kailani’s personal drive. It has all of his video diaries on it. Could you— could you see to it that his words are remembered? I think… I think he deserves that.” Flechette fishes the drive out of her pocket, and hands it over to Zhengming.
Zhengming lifts the small drive in their palm, looks at it sadly, hopefully. And then looks at Flechette.
“Thank you for entrusting me with this. I will ensure that his words are preserved. For the People.”
“Thank you.”
Suddenly, all of the windowscreens in the room, mounted around pillars and on walls, all change to the same channel — a pirate broadcast of the Mundan Exemplar newsfeed. A murmur begins to flow through the canteen. Zhengming looks up, visibly excited — their face hiding nothing now, hope filling their eyes.
“Oh, it’s starting—”
“Thank you for joining us. This is the Mundan Exemplar, coming to you live for breaking news coverage. I’m Synic Cicofent.”
“The PRA has just launched its first attack on Axis Mundan soil in decades. The Ford-Rockefeller Tritower Complex has just been attacked.”
“Reports indicate that halo-hallow building defenses had no effect on the enemy arms. Scientists hypothesize that Thanatic Arms may have been used against the Complex. Eyewitness reports mention ‘drones’ and ‘a stormcloud of black eels’. We are currently investigating further.”
“As of right now, the entire complex has been leveled, turned to white ash. The Tritower Complex stood as a monument to Axis Mundan industry and exceptionalism for over 80 years, housing both the heart of UCF administrative functions for the entire Gulf of Amerexico, as well as being a major doloric fuel processing hub for the entire southern half of Axis Mundi. Economists cite fears that this attack will have devastating consequences on the energy production of the region, especially in a time when energy rationing is already underway to control the effects of climate collapse.”
“Deaths are estimated in the multiple thousands, inflated by the fact that hundreds of UCF-Japanese subjects had traveled from around Axis Mundi to apply for the new path to citizenship.”
“Supreme President Elias Killswitch shared the following statement:”
“The red animals have attacked a civilian building. The Tritower complex holds no military equipment or personnel. This is another example of the abominable, subhuman way these animals fight. It is of greater importance than ever that this war for extermination ends with their kind utterly eradicated. We will never forget this day.”
“We will continue momentarily with a list of the confirmed dead. Please stay tuned.”
The canteen erupts in cheering. The People are celebrating, crying, holding each other. Several people come over and clap Ka Zhengming specifically on the back. The roar of victory is immense. Flechette finds herself caught up in the wave of it — the rush of the crowd, the human equivalent of a storm picking up force as it travels over the ocean. She cheers. She whoops and hollers.
Then she looks at the screen again, and notices the list of the dead scrolling by.
AYAMI INGULSRUD
AKARSHA JACKSON
AIKO JAYDAMN
Ka Zhengming follows Flechette’s gaze to the screen. They understand.
Flechette stumbles out of the canteen, reeling. I— They— I didn’t— I never called her, I—
Ka Zhengming rushes out of the canteen, chasing after Flechette.
“Flechette!” Flechette wheels around, sobbing, pulling at her hair in grief.
“GET AWAY FROM ME!” She tries to swing at Zhengming, and collapses on the ground instead.
“Flechette…” Zhengming looks at her. With sympathy.
“My mother! My— my— I never called her… I should have… I should have called her, I didn’t think— Oh, God.” Flechette lies on the ground, helpless, groaning wordlessly, the keening call of mourning.
“Flechette.” Zhengming sits down next to her.
“WHAT???” Flechette snaps at Zhengming. They just look at her, sadly. Unmoving.
“Flechette. I’m sorry about your mother. It is a tragedy.” Flechette wails.
“Your mother was a victim. Her death is a tragedy. Your mother was also there because she was being enlisted in support of the UCF. The same UCF that colonized her homeland!” Flechette wails louder, slams her fist against the stone floor.
“Flechette… I’m sorry. I know this is hard.” Zhengming stands.
“But you are not the only one in this war who has lost someone they loved. And your mother was on the wrong side of the line.”
Zhengming walks away. Flechette is alone.
Flechette wanders back to her housing unit. Stumbling through the city streets, as if drunk. As she approaches her building, she hears a knock down the street. A soldier is at the door of a house, standing at attention.
The door opens. Light spills out, pouring onto the stone floor. The person in the house takes one look at the soldier’s face. The soldier hands the person a folded uniform. It is tattered, and stained with blood. The person at the door takes the uniform in their hands, then collapses onto their knees, weeping. The soldier salutes them.
Flechette knows that door knock. She spent her whole childhood wondering when it would come, telling her the news she knew was inevitable.
Flechette understands. This world is not just. It has no moral character. That is not what it is for.
This world is consequences. And these are what the consequences look like.
Tears.