Desert Company: Retrospective

Dusk engulfed the city in twilight, the lights of the districts awakening from their slumber. In a quiet café, Tsuchiya slowly closed a papyrus file before lifting a kafei cup to his mouth. He blinked once, twice, as his entire body began to slouch.

“Good evening, Mr. Tsiishch'lli.”

Kwazhak seated himself in a chair away from his table, Tsuchiya’s back went straight.

“Mr. Laoyuang. What brings you here?”
“I was merely frolicking in the streets on the last day of peace as a flâneur,” The prince answered, while grossing a menu. “Say, quite tired are you?”

“The days of a spokesman are a hard one. Being the liaison between Al-Wa and the KWKK, I just…” Tsuchiya began to relax his words.

“Among balancing a life with thy wife and children?”

“... How did you know that?” He questioned, as Kwazhak lifted his wrist towards him. Kwazhak had a mission, and it was his duty to have it completed.

“This black circlet, seems to give the same status equivalent to that of a noble. Wasn’t sure if the data company Jeongbo had a branch office, although fortunately enough there was one in the heart of Pupunru-ku,” He straightened the black band. Tsuchiya’s face tensed.

“And what are your intentions to know about my personal life?”

“Thou art well acquainted with connections to As-Z̆onghu̐a. Aware of the Laoyuang House, and even Yeow Khouw. I’m confident that one knows what is happening in the outside world, since there is no media being broadcasted here in this city. Anyone with a heart should know the true nature of the KWKK.”

They sat there in silence. Kwazhak had made sure, beforehand, that he had obtained substantial evidence to back up his conviction. Then Tsuchiya took out a hologram device directed towards the prince. At first, Kwazhak blinked, but the hologram lit up and began to transmit an international news channel with a blue hue.

“As of Tav 30th, it has been nine days since the death of Rümqî Kesat senior officer Kiyomiya Lojuno. The killing started a labor strike in the police force, forming a movement called ‘The Rebellion’. Mass protests around the world aligned with the group after addressing its opposition against the Dineh Kazaàd.”

“This…” Kwazhak covered his mouth after hearing his late friend’s name.

“Keep watching. These chain of events have been a handful for the KWKK.”

“The Rebellion has claimed Al-Wa and the Dineh Kazaàd responsible for the officer’s death. The regional magistrates of Rümqî Administrative, Nankai, and Al-Shinkyou have laid similar accusations against the Kazaàd company. A formal investigation led by the Azu government is currently taking place, and the nations of Buhanggilog and As-Z̆onghu̐a have uniformly agreed to probe other Kazaàd corporations.”

“L, is this what you meant…” Kwazhak asked no one but himself. Tsuchiya closed the hologram and let out a sigh.

“Do you this ‘Kiyomiya Lojuno’? Now that the governments of the three nations are grilling all the companies, their assets are frozen and none of their fighters could make it to Dineh Kazaàd ‘Autónoma,” He organized his papers on the table silently. “Tasdaha and the KWKK is the only one defending the tournament at this point. Lately the council is in shambles trying to salvage everything, Qiemi being the calm one as the head. But I don’t know if we can keep it up.”

“Then how about we make a compromise,” Kwazhak stood up, heading towards Tsuchiya’s direction. “We, ten muqatil are looking for a way out of this situation. With the way the circumstances are, the tournament is crumbling before the KWKK’s eyes. At this rate, they will go the length to sacrifice non-fighters in the Dineh Kazaàd.”

Tsuchiya looked at him with pitiful eyes. The Nyebvůkshå 'Tsuchiya' Tsiishch'lli, the liaison between Al-Wa and the KWKK, closed his fists. Dineh people, faithful believers of the Yyvubia, never batted an eye to the killings in the tournament. However, this Dineh man shared an emotion with the outside world.

“If you muqatil can find a way to escape, ensure the safety of my love and two daughters… Then I can help you. I don’t want my family to be involved in this… mess. So only if you truly have a plan that is flawless, then I will assist you. To abolish the tournament.”

 

Kwazhak’s next task. On the upper tier of the spectator seating, was the elegant Ayai Toya. Sitting on her own private stall, she watched what was going down below. He had never met the woman in his life, but he was poised to talk to the champion. His arrière-pensée. His journey from the start, was to question her about his mother, although now the goal was to persuade her. Determined to fulfill both his personal and Suruj’s task, he situated himself right next to Toya. Her face was unperturbed, observing the battle between Htet and Shunji. Then he spoke.

“Thou-”

“I do not wish to speak to a Laoyuang,” She turned her head away from him. Intrigued, he continued his ploy.

“Hoh? And what if I am?”

“Do people from Lāoyuàng 'Aimag talk that way? Perhaps you are here to coax me,” Her voice let out a smooth flow, yet cutting like knives.

“A bit harsh, Miss Toya. How could I coax someone with my one arm?” Kwazhak repelled back, placing his hand on his lap. “Besides, I have no intention of persuading one into anything. I just have a few questions to ask.”

“And with those few questions, what will you do with the answers?”

“The answers shall reborn me anew, surely they are ample in wisdom of a Khoitan.”

“If you wish to pry from me, I’m afraid you’ve got the wrong person with the wrong intentions,” She closed her eyes, parting her exotic hair. “The Laoyuang’s are the bane of all tribes. Leave in peace.”

Kwazhak clutched his clothes. The woman simply ignored him afterward. He needed to search for a weakness in her reasoning and take chances, to inch closer towards his goal. All of their lives were at stake, so he couldn’t back down. As Htet and Shunji stalled for time in the arena, five of them were going to die today.

Contemplating possible arguments, he went silent and observed the display going on down below. However, he noticed something was off. Htet and Shunji’s behavior in the arena, instead of trying to figure out loopholes in the battleground… were they attempting to kill each other?

He tightened his fist strongly at the ongoing duel. No one could escape primal instincts, not even man himself. Mankind was able to build towers that reach the clouds, marvelous inventions that made them carefree, study the stars and cosmos, yet here they were reduced to battles of mice in this Khoitan city.

Kwazhak wanted to ask her. The questions in his mind that she refused to answer. There had to be a way.