Acid Reign : Genesis

The lights of Nucrea’s nightscape cast their blue and red hues into Yeong’s dark office. Yeong and Nun stood looking out at the city together.

“There are very few of the third generation left, but those who are will understand, and that is all that matters,” Yeong said.

Nun looked out onto the city with his hands in his pockets.

“Is it really all that bad?”

“The people do not remember the cost, and now they bite the hands that feed them.” Yeong turned away from the window and looked at Nun.

“You should have some windows facing east. You would see some who do remember,” Nun said as an intentional jab.

Yeong laughed a short, pretentious laugh.

“You of all people to lecture me on having more than others.”

Nun wanted to point out that he had built his own fortune as a Runner, while Yeong inherited his wealth through a lineage that caused the Fissure, but decided to keep those thoughts to himself.

Yeong moved to his desk and pulled out two cigars. He cut the end off one and handed it to Nun.

“Thank you,” Nun said as he held the cigar to his nose and relished the scent.

Yeong watched Nun admiring the cigar for a moment then offered him an electric lighter.

“What are you looking for in the Fringe?” Yeong asked.

Nun reverently lit the cigar.

“Trinkets here and there,” he said before taking a long draw and letting out a cloud of thick smoke.

“Let’s speak plainly with each other Alanon.”

Nun felt Yeong’s irritation at his deflection and noticed that he hadn’t cut or lit his own cigar.

“Anything I can sell or use,” he amended with more assertiveness. Nun didn’t like being tested or questioned. In fact, he hated it, and though their relationship went back five decades, Nun struggled to be in the same room as Yeong at times.

“I find it hard to believe there isn’t something that you aren’t specifically looking for.”

“I don’t believe you brought me here because you care about what junk I dig up. Speaking plainly, what do you want from me?”

Yeong looked him in the eyes and moved closer.

“I want to know what it is you want. Nucrea?” Yeong added.

“I want to survive,” Nun answered, finally knowing what Yeong was getting at. “I want Nucrea to survive, same as you,” he added.

“Similar perhaps, but not the same as me,” Yeong replied with less respect than he had been showing. “You want to control all of the markets, and you should. I, on the other hand, want to ensure that these people don’t destroy what we have saved because of ignorant freedoms.”

Nun looked at him with a devilish smile. “You are planning to overthrow the council aren’t you?”

Yeong pretended to be surprised at hearing it out loud. “Yes, as you must also see that we need to return balance to this city before we destroy ourselves completely.”

Nun made sure his cigar was out completely and reverently put both cigars it back into the box.

“Very much so; but personally, I feel pretty balanced at the moment.”

Yeong ignored Nun’s comment.

“The council will be overthrown. You will be given stewardship over all the markets and will also be given a seat in the new council.”

“You can skip the council part for me, but the markets I’ll take. You know, this all sounds wonderful, but also sounds like a mess, and wonderful messes are something I don’t take part in.”

Yeong walked over to the cigar box, slowly took Nun’s cigar out of the box and set it aside. “I just need you to ensure that the other market barons do not interfere. I give you my blessing to do whatever you feel necessary to ensure that. You will have access to whatever you might need outside of your own resources to accomplish this.”

Nun thought for a moment. He knew Yeong was a brilliant tactician, but he was not a liar. There was no reason for Yeong to mislead him.

“Access to your feeds is all,” Nun threw out, expecting hesitation.

“Done.”

Yeong pulled up his access portal on the holo-desk, swiped through a couple of screens, and held his face close to the table. After the scan was finished, he stepped aside, opened his hand, and motioned for Nun to approach.

“Hold your face above this screen,” Yeong said as he backed away.

The desk scanned Nun’s features.

“You will now be able to access the city’s feeds, assuming that you understand the need for secrecy.”

“Easy enough,” Nun said as he pulled his sleeve back and linked the feeds to his own Pigeon.

“Then we have an agreement?” Yeong asked as he walked to Nun with his arms out.

“We do. Until the morning,” Nun said as he embraced Yeong.

“Until the morning,” Yeong answered.