Is…?

  “Today is the ceremony where I once again take in to office. This has been a long road which I now can see it has costed a lot to everyone, not just people… in my cabinet, but the Lys, too. I… don't know what anyone else would've made of the country, but I'm sure I can do this better than I ever thought after so much support has been given to me.” Luis began, standing behind his podium.

  “But that’s enough about that. Today, I have an important announcement to make before anything else. It won’t be about any of the things I’ll be managing as my third term begins. However, it is of utmost importance, I consider. Globally, and for the rest of the… south.”

  “With no more circling— I have moved Fox from his position as the Chief Secretary of Security,” Luis spoke until here, but the news reporter had already stood up, their eyes widening unprecedentedly. Luis paused momentarily, resuming shortly after, “And have given him the position of Senior Minister to assess Terka during the following 4 months.”

  ***

  Several kilometers above the Lyclan Ocean, in an airplane piloted by PSD agents.

  The world was quite a bit surprised when they received the first piece of news, paused from the important, second piece that explains everything. Fox was removed from his position in the President’s cabinet!

  What could have happened? How did this happen? Was Fox actually a danger that the President finally saw, or did he grow scared after seeing the ease Fox had in killing another president?

  Then, the full extent of the news would be known after a bit of researching on the web, no matter how much money the opposition spends in hoping to keep international media silent. It was out there for all to listen and read. Fox became the first Senior Minister of Lymoca.

  What was a Senior Minister? Simply put, as an innovation from Lymoca. This was a position/role like a regent, in which Fox would ensure the stability and growth of the ‘annexed’ territory.

  He not only had the ability to make the decisions for himself, having the final say at everything, except perhaps a few matters. Fox was to become the sole ‘leader’ of Terka’s matters. This caused many to have provoked thoughts, but that would’ve happened regardless of the situation.

  Unusually, Cerka and Torka, whom Luis hadn’t even bothered to think about amending their diplomatic relationships with, were silent. But even Zyckevele and KAA expressed concern, while ANS showed a ‘waiting and seeing’ attitude, showing their trust in the Lys’ ways of governance.

  A Senior Minister with a president’s capabilities in a foreign territory that was semi annexed. Nothing from that seemed simple, or uncomplicated. Yet, none of that mattered to Fox, who had what presidents didn’t, not a congress.

  … Sitting on his seat, with Esmeralda and Nala on the same row as him, and a wide space between their seats and those in front, with a small, long table in the middle. Fox looked at the side, where a man in formal clothing walked to them and bowed his head a bit, notifying him.

  “Sir, the President has already revealed the news to the press.”

  Fox nodded and said, “Okay. I heard about a few dishes and supplies from Zyckevele and the Knight Assembly Association, which is very popular in Lymoca. Terka doesn’t have any of those. Why not whisper out in the air about needing a few of these things? Also, throw ANS’s garbage.”

  “Yes, sir… garbage?” The man bowed a bit this time, preparing to leave but stopping. Fox nodded again, “They sent some food, water, energetic-healthy drinks, and raw supplies. Gift them to the opposition for me.”

  “Op- the opposition?” The man gulped and nervously wrinkled his brows. Fox uncaringly nodded, “Uhuh, just shove them into their post office or front yards. Don’t bother with anything else and comply with it, with my orders.”

  “Very well, sir Senior Minister.” It wasn’t important to understand whatever Fox wanted to do with that. The man bowed before departing, taking his protected phone out.

  Esmeralda closed her laptop and turned her head to Fox, flinging her beautiful golden blonde long hair powerfully yet remaining somewhat delicate. “He’s your personal secretary. You better start using him for important matters as well. Give him credit for what he does in your name, and show him you’re willing to give treats after ‘your orders’ are adhered to.”

  “I am,” Fox casually replied. Esmeralda tilted her head and frowned scarcely. Without turning his, Fox uttered, his left backhand supported by the window, “The matter of throwing garbage is important. I don’t want to accumulate parasites where I’m going to live.”

  “And what about ‘gifting’ them.” Esmeralda recomposed her head and expression. Fox narrowed his eyes a bit, “Just a message.”

  “Hmmm,” Esmeralda hummed and sat upright on her seat, opening her laptop before continuing what she was working on. Fox went silent, until Nala grabbed his forearm. He looked at her. Nala blinked twice, slowly fluttering those eyelashes before whispering in a playful mood. “What position are you giving me, Fox?”

  “Oh, Senior Secretary.” Fox leaned his face closer to hers. Nala smirked, while Esmeralda rolled her eyes. Fox and Nala read each other’s eyes in silence, with Esmeralda knowing nothing about it.

  “You’re my advisor, so you won’t feel left out, right?” Fox peeked past Nala’s head and looked at Esmeralda. The latter turned to him in silence before returning to her screen. Just as she seemed to not care, her murmur reached their ears, “It’s okay, then.”

  “…” - “…” Fox and Nala exchanged another glance, lasting them a good while, closely reading each other’s eyes. Nala’s side view of her upturned eyes solely focused on him was breathtaking.

  … 2 hours later, the airplane descended onto Terka’s old capital, which was well-reconstructed and massive with people. Of the 110+ million civilians in Terka, easily, there were about 15 million in the old capital. It had already finished building tall structures, but half the city was underway for even more buildings, coming from all over the south.

  Lymoca couldn’t just claim territory without worrying the rest of the south, including their closest ‘hidden’ allies like Endesa and the Islands. This was but a method to avoid rising unnecessary suspicion, and calming everybody’s minds.

  The old capital wasn’t that anymore, but the capital of Terka, which would become Lymoca’s territory, should everything go for the best. There were various matters of vital significance. The military was still here, with a commander to lead these and ensure Terka’s stability in the face of crime, riots; which none showed, and relief responses.

  After all, the Lymocan forces were well known for their performance when disasters struck Lymoca, much more than any other country. So far, the army has only been useful for decreasing crime and relief in Terka.

  There was the continuation of a civilized regimen, which the Terkans were worried about, and within reason. Fox would handle that as soon as possible, but that required quite a few factors, and it might not be enough for just 4 months.

  Then, there was the security across the territory, which was a little threatened, but it was still under ‘acceptable’ levels.

  Lastly, the economy, sustainability, working communities, and progressive future of Terka in development, not just to regain all its previous energy, water, and victuals, but to severely improve it.

  There was a lot of work to do, but that was why Fox was sent as the Senior Minister, other than to trial and error through this new system. As for Fox’s effectivity, that would depend on the studies Luis made him and Nala go through together by Esmeralda.

  Stepping down the airplane, Fox was welcomed by a multitude of people, some of which were from Terka’s previous administration. The cabinet general, and some few former Terkan cabinet members were present, ready to ceremoniously present Terka to Fox’s care.

  Walking forward, Fox’s entourage, comprised of the Lower Cabinet in Terka, caused a strong image in the cameras recording live footage. In silence, but with momentum, Fox approached the Terkans, who shook hands with his gloved one and said ceremonial words.

  “It’s an honor to work with you.” - “I’m glad you’ve arrived, sir Senior Minister.” - “Welcome to Terka, Senior Minister. Let’s hope for a brighter Ly future.”

  Fox silently shook their hands and nodded at each of them, offering no words until they finished, and procedures had taken place. “Return to Lymoca and present your honors to the Ly flag. Your work here is done.”

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  They nodded and walked to the airplane, with workers moving machinery to resupply it, although it was all a show. A small trip from Lymoca to Terka and vice versa a few times over barely cost it any fuel.

  Fox then walked forward. Nala abreast of him, and Esmeralda a step behind her. Fox furrowed his eyebrows and squinted his eyes, commenting, “They seemed half-willing and half-preoccupied. It seems like our work here will be a little silly.”

  “It seems like so.” Nala nodded, but it was Esmeralda who replied. She continued walking forward behind Nala, staring into the palace at the center of the capital and capital city. Fox and Nala stared at her before exchanging a glance.

  Fox was driven to an avenue with tens of thousands of Terkans present, packing around a stage. A few hundred thousand surrounded the stage, which was only a few kilometers from the palace.

  The bunker became the congress, where both chambers would work in the future, like they do in Lymoca. The palace was from an old place in Terka, not the previous noble palace built during the Lylaco Empire, but just another palace. It was reconstructed and modernized, giving the capital a magnificent view, albeit humble overall, which didn’t exist even in the former Terka.

  “Thank you, everyone here, for coming personally to witness the arrival of your Senior Minister. To everyone watching, we thank you for your patience,” Fox’s personal secretary announced to the crowd a few minutes after Fox arrived and stood before them with his lower cabinet onstage.

  Stepping forward, he looked at the people and waited a couple of seconds. They were a bit silent, although not as much as one would expect from the person who is now leading them.

  Fox didn’t give it importance, finally speaking to the Terkans. “There are a few things I should tell you before I can start promising you with a cooperative feedback.”

  They quieted down a lot more. “For starters, I will launch a series of morning videos where the situation in Terka will be described, and as time passes, of how it is developing. These won’t be forgotten and will happen, as I will make sure it stays even after my departure. With this, I will also encourage the lower cabinet to make a law where you can vote to remove your current Senior Ministers from now on, every 3 years afterwards, if the annexation is complete.”

  There was some mumbling, but it didn’t incur to anything. Fox carried on, “Secondly, and so that I can start the promises to everyone— you are no longer Terkans. You should accept by now that you are Lys. You were before and you are now. The official interest isn’t needed when there is Ly blood in our veins, and more so when such for-sure matters are unquestionable.”

  “You are still Ters, but Terkans no more.” Fox sternly stated. “Whatever likes of government you had before, Lymoca will better it. Regardless of the support from whomever this territory once accepted, I will let 2 things clear by the time I’m done managing this part of the world.”

  “One, you won’t be able to say not to Lymocan governance. Two, these borders will belong to Lys from Terka alone!” Fox showed seriousness in this part of his speech, with the crowd’s silence remaining as such, but with a touch of something more than growing coldness.

  “From now on, I’m your Senior Minister. A pleasure to meet you, but I’m just being polite. My lower cabinet behind me are your targets for complaints, civic proposals, and aid request. Any social program in Lymoca is now part of Terka, too. So read the leaflets and stop ignoring information. From now on, anyone who still remains ignorant is a fool.”

  “Thank you.” Fox looked at them a little more and nodded before turning and walking away. Some from his lower cabinet showed surprised faces for a split second, but the rest didn’t, even when they also didn’t expect Fox’s attitude to be like this.

  If only, two little faces showed pride than the others, who repressed their expressions as much as possible. Nala was surprised, but more contented, to see Fox become like this. He kept his nature while showing his responsibility. Her buttocks and hips will hurt today, on top of him.

  On the other hand, Esmeralda Heartez lifted her chin, unsure where her reactions came from. Yet, as cameras recorded, these two became a notorious conversation topic. Even these beauties looked up to Fox and the annexation of Terka, looking genuine.

  Image was everything at the right times, be it Lymoca or Terka.

  … After stepping down the stage, with the many eyes present following his figure, Fox was driven to the palace. Nala sat beside him. He let her have the window this time, giving her the benefit to see Terka’s streets. These were new, but quite still not as thrilling as Proteros City.

  For a war-torn country, this was pretty good, and it was probably the first time such advancement as swift as this was seen after a war. But of course, before, there was no such ease when using Courusel machinery to make this all possible.

  Arriving at the palace, Fox walked in with the White Bloods and some Green Bloods positioned within the public servants. Their base was also built similarly nearby to the presidential precinct in Proteros, where the executive power would reside and more or less work from.

  They were positioned in a triangle, should there be any need to react, an emergency, or a simple matter of speed.

  The first thing Fox did was to go to the meeting hall with the rest of the lower cabinet and their secretaries. It was a sizeable enough room with a long rectangle table. Fox and Nala sat together on one end, with the other occupied by no other.

  Esmeralda sat on Fox’s left around the corner. Everyone was seated, with the process not during more than 20 seconds. The secretaries stood behind their direct superiors. Fox looked at everyone before staring at his secretary.

  “There were a few who showed their faces, didn’t they?” Fox asked. His secretary nodded, hesitant at first. Fox returned to face the others and declared, “Let them do everyone’s paperwork for the following week— the arranging and moving.”

  “Ahem, yes, sir minister.” The secretary cleared his throat before nodding, stepping backwards. Fox looked at everyone and returned their mindsets to him. Those who did show a change of expression at the press conference felt a moment of trepidation, but it was now replaced by a relieving headache.

  “I’m going to use Terka as point zero.” Fox declared. His lower cabinet looked at him in askance. Fox elaborated, “From there, like it comes from the sea, from the northern, sole shores of the territory— from Lymoca at the center of Moonblue— Terka will improve in the public eye.”

  “Sir-” A person opened their mouth, but Fox continued as if he was just pausing on purpose, which stopped the person from speaking. “Should anyone have any crucial ideas, things that function in your minds, write them off and pass them to my secretary.”

  “If I call you in tomorrow morning— I am considering your proposals. To make things clear, this is outside your direct line of work. Be it a revolutionary idea or the prospect of a radical movement for the greater good, I will be reading it. I already know what you’ll be doing, I made those orders in your lists myself. So there’s that.”

  Fox cocked his head a bit and looked upturned from the corners of his eyes before speaking again, “From this new capital, every road, settlement, new plot of land, farming or construction— will be developed. The north was the first to suffer the war, and the worst. Make the restoration happen sooner to them and call it a sign. Give the ‘new’ Lys the chance to discover truths by themselves.”

  “About the morning videos. Do you want us to make them with the publicly available details for the Te- Lys?” A person asked, rapid and without noticing until he already asked.

  Fox looked at the middle-aged man with gray hair, starting to bald from the front. “Yes. You will each gather information, then portray the doubts and requirements, before showing the ongoing works and results. These will be shown in order. Every day, either one of you or more at the same time will have a video of your field showing to Terka.”

  “Understood.” The man nodded, feeling relieved and now glad that he asked.

  Fox looked at them and gave them all a glass shard, which was like a window, only these carry locked information, unlockable exclusively by the respective fingertips. He slid them on the table to each secretary, gaining from them a few little nods before they looked at him.

  “This is the information I’ve gathered so far. These will be your examples. Study them and gather that information by next week.” Fox reclined back on his chair. He gestured to Nala and then Esmeralda. “This is Nala Loba, you might know her for her companies in Lymoca. She is my Senior Secretary. Should I not be available, or if she is at nearby, respond and report to her.”

  “You know the boss’s daughter, Esmeralda Heartez. She will have the ability to influence orders given upon you, in case you’re feeling doubtful and either want her advice or don’t know what to ask of me, how, and when. I will be busy, but she will be my advisor.”

  “There won’t be punishments for disrespect and contempt. Maybe some extra paperwork. Unless you thoroughly violate the law, my morals, or go against me, there won’t be exiling off Lymocan territory, or from jailing to taking long vacations.” Fox added, stern and direct.

  But then, he further added with a softer approach, so as to not call it ‘remotely soft’, “You won’t expect rewards, but your actions will be recorded well and explicitly. From trying to steal someone else’s efforts and/or work to honorable deeds. Bonuses for the revolutionary ones.”

  “You are the people selected by the President’s previous cabinet. Either apprentices or colleagues who didn’t have the chance to be considered. Your work in here will represent Lymoca, don’t underestimate that.”

  “But I won’t accept discrepancies that affect the image of our unity in any case. You all knew to keep a straight face, either if I was too young for my position, or adopted an unnecessary, radical method. Self-restraint is a must in those whom you know I work with. Piya Sanctum District will protect you from now on, and you will… to Lymoca’s image, yes. But more importantly…”

  Fox sternly looked at them. His eyes slightly narrowed, “To the people of this ‘provisional’ Terka. I’d rather have a quick-acting, direct, unafraid lower cabinet than to do it all by myself. You’re not to disappoint me— I will already have many issues to deal with.”

  “Now, Secretary of Education, Security, and Economy.” Fox reclined in his seat and called out loud. They looked at him and nodded, swift and responsive, to Fox’s liking. Fox began delegating, “Your work must be fast, so military and international workers will be passed to you to speed up the overall process. Don’t be afraid to tire them to death, Lymoca’s budget… is enough for 4 Terka restorations at the same time…”

  … A couple of hours later, through a precise, concise discussing. Fox was left alone with the last Secretary, that of Health and Medicine, or vice versa, leaving with a face full of intrigue. Only Nala, Esmeralda, Fox, and his secretary remained.

  The secretary stepped to the side, bowing and about to announce his departure, when Fox lightly tapped the edge of the table before him. A habit he accidentally picked up. “What about the military? Who’s the commander?”

  “Fernando Cascabel, sir.” The secretary frowned a bit, confused, as this was something Fox was supposed to know. Fox looked up and down at his secretary for a bit. He voiced afterwards, “Schedule a meeting in 3 days. I’ll be around the palace.”

  “Yes, sir Senior Minister.” The secretary bowed again before turning to leave the room, pensive.

  “… Well, I suppose I should also leave.” Shortly after, Esmeralda stretched a little and expressed before moaning out of comfort. She stood up and nodded at Fox before leaving, “I’ll revise the data. Meet me in the 3rd.”

  “…” Fox looked at her back leaving without further ado. After she walked outside the room, Nala daintily placed her palm on his shoulder and leaned onto him, “So, do you think she is… that Roroa or not? I’m here.”

  …