9 The Last Meeting

[the Year 2193 – September 20th. Genf - Next day after the incident at Elpida boarders]

...

The knock came quietly first and then there was silence. The door slowly opened.

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\"Good-evening sir, Mitera said that you were available-\" Greeted Seconda.

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Both Aleksithimia and the prosper bowed in the sign of welcome.

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\"It's been I while since you left.\" Greeted her Aleksithimia.

\"Yes, as you can see, I am still in one piece.\" Seconda replied.

\"I guess that if you are here, it is not for a cup of tea, isn't it?\" Asked Aleksithimia.

\"You are absolutely right. I need to talk to you in private when would be the best time for you?\" She asked.

\"Well, I believe our meeting is over?\" Aleksithimia looked at Nion.

\"Yes, I should get going.\" Nion lowered her head and headed towards the entrance.

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As Nion was walking towards the exit, she crossed paths with Seconda and they made eye contact. Class is a mysterious essence that comes in many forms, depending on the person. It largely comes from a person's sense of themselves – from confidence without brashness, from courtesy, from kindness, and often includes a distinct sense of style and gesture. Seconda is a strong woman and a warrior, but she is also a lady who displays self-respect, appreciation, dignity, and moderation in her daily actions. She finished 'Second' during the Grand Central prosper qualification, which also means that she is the second most capable of ruling the lands of the Grand Central after Aleksithimia and currently holds \"vice\" prosper status that grants her the executive privileges almost the same as the Prosper himself.

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Seconda gave her a blank expression and continued walking. It was one of those rare moments when Quarta and Seconda have met in person. Stunned by her beauty, Nion slowed down her pace as if she was a child who happened to meet her idol for the first time.

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Nion left the room and bowed for the last time before she closed the door.

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\"Here is the report from the last three months. How have you been doing since I left?\" Seconda asked.

\"Thermoaimos has just informed me that Terzo... His brother Raiwin, has disappeared three days ago. I don't like the idea of my people disappearing.\" He replied while reviewing the report.

\"Raiwin? Disappeared... Any clue about his whereabouts yet?\" She asked.

\"Thermoaimos has been out searching for his brother, tracking his \"Kanjöga\" with the assistance of Mitera System, but no clue so far. I've reviewed the server logs, and it is just as if his device was abruptly shut down or disconnected from our network. I do not have a clear explanation of this incident yet.\" Said Aleksithimia.

\"Mitera Server has been hijacked?\" She asked.

\"Sigh, another fool who is trying hard to make my life complicated... In any case, we have to consider the possibility of abduction. However, if that is the case, their motives are still unknown...

\"I am sure, you will handle it.\" Seconda asked.

\"Like I always do.\" He shrugged.

\"Anything else?\" She asked.

\"We are experiencing a major increase in trespassing incidents at Elpida's borders, why they just don't get that they are not welcome in here...\" Desperately exhaled Aleksithimia.

\"Who is in charge of the area right now?\"

\"Quarta... Perhaps it is too much to handle for her.\" He took a sip from his glass. \"Well... We are the best place in the world to live right now, so the raids and immigration problems are something to expect to happen.\"

\"I can only advise you to more careful.\" Said advised him. \"You should inform Mitera and others Keepers.\"

\"You didn't have came all the way here to give me some moral lesson aren't you.\" Aleksithimia asked.

\"I did not indeed, but you should not underestimate desperate and hopeless people who are fighting for their life every day. Greed and miscommunication, are the essence that triggered the wars between nations from the past. The world around us is full of hatred, envy and other toxic emotions that you are doing your best to keep your people away from, but until when?\" Said Seconda.

\"Quarta said something very similar just minutes ago.\" Said Aleksithimia.

\"Well, she is right then, who else than you should listen to your people, you are the ruler of these lands my sir.\" Replied Seconda.

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\"Seànn... You don't have to be formal with me. Toxic emotions are not my enemies, people who lose all rational senses and become blindly driven by toxic emotions are the ones who represent a danger to our lands.\" He explained.

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Aleksithimia finishes reading the report and stands up from his desk.

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\"I've pledged that I will protect this country. Whoever will try to harm these lands under my reign, will be exterminated; Nothing more, nothing less...\" He said.

\"Whatever you say, your highness!\" Said Seànn.

\"Is that sarcasm?\" He asked confused.

\"Maybe.\" She replied. \"In either way, during these three months of absence, I saw many things that alert me: Conflicts in between the upper city and 'Metro' has clearly increased in number, a 'Keeper' unit missing, Mitera been potentially hijacked, and I heard some odd rumors about child traffic at the Elpida's border. That's a lot.\"

\"Not the first time... But I admit, something feels different this time, something bigger...\" He looked puzzled. \"If Keepers are being targeted, I would like you to keep a closer eye on Quarta. It looks like my hands will be full for some while. Quarta is tough and I am sure she will handle everything by herself, but just in the case, try to watch over her.\"

\"Fine.\" Replied Seànn.

\"Excellent, now I should go back to work and fix all that mess.\" Said Aleksithimia as he went chocked the remainings of scotch and went back to his desk.

\"What about Thermoaimos kid?\" Seànn stopped him from leaving.

\"Ah, Quinto...\"

\"There is a possibility that he is being targeted as well.\" Explained Seànn.

\"You know the guy...Concealing his emotions was clearly not enough to calm his choleric temper... Wild as he is, especially since his brother went missing, I am sure he will look for troubles himself\".

\"That's my problem with him... Without his brother to control him, I am not sure if it is a good idea of leaving him on his own.\" Said Seànn.

\"I am a prosper, not a kindergarten...\" Aleksithimia began to hiccup.

\"You should get rid of your drinking habits, you will destroy your body.\" Advised Seànn.

\"Fine, I will keep a close eye on him.\" He replied while rolling his eyes.

\"Whatever you say.\" Seànn shook her head and closed the door behind herself. \"Good-evening.\"