S01 - 13 - Checking Shadows

The young Director pushed the trolley with the tape player and TV on it. Then he went to his desk, grabbed a cassette and plugged the old tape player into the socket. The old cathode ray tube television opened after two seconds with a relay sound. Then Nikishai put the tape in and sat down on one of the sofas in his office. While he waited for the player to do its job, he mixed some whisky from his flask into the coffee on the table. As he picked up the cup, the face of an old man appeared: the first Director Tamear Magnaton.

In the video, Tamear was reluctant to speak at first. He even got up, pulled down the curtain and looked out the door. Then he sat down again, but began with a voiceless voice:

-Hello, I am Tamear Magnaton, First Director of the Republic of Vurk. But... One thing you should know...

Nikishai leaned forward as he watched the video, drinking his coffee but not looking away.

-... I am actually a different person.

And the whisky coffee came out of Nikishai's nose. What was going on? Since his decision, he'd been checking state archives, one document or record a day, but this tape told him that Tamear wasn't a real person. He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket, keeping his eyes on the TV. Tamear leaned back and continued talking, looking relieved:

-Oh, it feels very good to at least say that. All these years I pretended to be someone else. Well, the line between Tamear and I was blurred, and I certainly enjoyed being Tamear. But Tamear is just a character I created, and there is a difference between being him and being yourself. Yes, language, attitudes and cultures are few things to point out. I missed the old days when we...

Tamear paused for a moment. And continued:

-Well... I think it is better not to talk about my past and details of my real personality. I don't want to put people I know in danger. Anyway, the reason I record is to leave a trace for the next generation. That's right! They need to know more about what they did, how they did it and why they did it. Me? I am just an opportunist who enjoys power and control. Yes, I am an old man and I am mature enough now to admit it. If I'm reborn, I'll do it again.

Tamear paused again, then continued:

-The reason why I am telling this is not that I am having a mental breakdown because of years of guilt. Definitely not, I have done terrible things... I didn't do it for the Vurk. I did it for me. I liked it, and I was good at it.

Then Tamear laughed:

-It is nonsense for me to play the role of a sheep and then tell you that I am sorry. I wouldn't believe me either.

The old man stopped, but this time for longer. His eyes were cold and deadly. Then he smiled and a tear fell from his left eye. But he gathered himself and looked back into the camera.

-Whoever you are, look at this:

Tamear unbuttoned the top three buttons of his shirt. And revealed a small symbol tattoed on his heart:

-Did you see this? Of course not! This is the symbol of Genesis. These guys are where it all started. But they think they are in control. No, they are not in control and my protégé will prove that! Anyway, so the Genesis is...

Video corrupted. Nikishai was asthonished... In less than five minutes, his entire reality was shattered. What was the Genesis? Who were they? Or what are they? And the old director, who was he? Nikishai leaned back and began to remember the first day when he met the old Director face to face...

(Eight years ago)

Nikishai walked through the Directorate with two Manguards at his side. They passed halls with red carpets, portraits of important people: Philosophers, scientists, military leaders, politicians... From both the world and Vurk, the portraits were diverse. And almost every thirty metres there were at least two Manguards waiting beside the walls.

When they reached the main hall, they began to climb the stairs, which had golden handrails. Nikishai was amazed, but his mind was also questioning: Was this really necessary? After all, all useful materials should be used for useful things.

When they reached the middle of the stairs, he saw four guards carrying two body bags. Nikishai felt bad, something was wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it. It could be a coincidence, after all, people die for many reasons, including old age. He didn't question it, and they passed the guards.

After almost three minutes, they reached the Director's office. The guard on his right knocked on the door. And a voice told them to come in.

Nikishai opened the door and saw the two people in the room: One was the Director, Tamear Magnaton, and the other was the Manguard Headchief at the time. He didn't know the name of the Headchief, because at that time the Manguards had no public face and no one knew - except the Director - who the famous Headchief was.

Nikishai entered the room and stood there, realising that he didn't know what to do or say.

Tamear smiled slowly, but the Headchief still looked cold. Tamear spoke:

-So you are the Nikishai?

-Yes, sir, I am Nikishai Strix, 18 years old, last year's student of telecommunications engineering at the Kinigin State University. At your service!

-Good, good. But enough of this formality, Mr. Nikishai. Take a seat here.

Nikishai, Tamear and the chief sat down. There were three coffee cups on the table. And Nikishai noticed that a fourth cup of coffee had fallen near the couch on which the Headchief was sitting.

-Here, Nikishai, have some coffee. Please, take one for yourself, we already drank.

While Nikishai grabbed the nearest cup, the warden gave the Director a strange look. What was the point of giving him the poison? Tamear watched Nikishai carefully. Nikishai was about to drink from the coffee, but then he stopped. He looked at the Director and the Headchief. Then he slowly put down the cup and said:

-On second thought, sir, I don't want to drink. Thank you for your kind offer!

-Clever!

Then he looked at the Headchief:

-See? He was better at defending me than you, and he is also good at defending himself. Tell me, Nikishai, why didn't you drink?

-I felt bad about drinking coffee in front of the Dire-

Tamear shouted:

-Bullsh*t! Nikishai, you saved me from the poisoned coffee plan, and then when I offered you a cup of coffee, you refused. Be honest, son, otherwise I will not waste my time with you.

Nikishai looked at the Tamear with emotionless eyes:

-There are other cups than these four, including one on the floor. If you have drunk your coffee, why are there still three coffee cups here? And why do you refuse to drink your second cups of coffee with me?

-Excellent! That is what I am looking for! We haven't had any coffee. And the cup you were holding was poisonous, and the other one fell on the floor. So I will take this normal cup of coffee, and you will take the cup of coffee from the Headchief. That would be no problem for you, my Headchief, would it? After all, this boy did your job better than you, so a cup of coffee for a small price wouldn't bother you?

The Headchief nodded his head, but he seemed a little annoyed. And Tamear asked:

By Tutku15 -