Tale – A Running Mate

The Rethan ship landed cautiously on the tarmac, and uneasily opened up, revealing its nervous passengers. The ten passengers carefully left the ship, and immediately headed to the specially prepared room, which was also filled with other, even more cautious Rethans. Everywhere else had been carefully sealed off from public access.

“Rethais, Lepidas, Emthion, it is a pleasure to see you all again.”

The former Vice General relaxed as he saw his former colleagues. Elkay’s followers all seemed to calm down as well.

Emthion stepped forward first, as he always did, extending his massive, clawed hand. “I never believed I would say this, but it is an honour to see you among the living, Elkay.”

“Much hope has been ignited with your return, Elkay. We are all glad to be here with you,” Lepidas added.

Elkay lowered his head with respect, then looked up at the three generals, all much taller and much more heavily armoured than him. Despite their looks, they all respected Elkay greatly. Behind the generals, their Ksa waved at each other nervously, especially since the V-Class and K-Class never really got along.

“I assume you know why we are here, yes?” Elkay finally asked, their brief moment of pleasure quickly passing.

“Indeed,” Emthion seemed to be smiling, which was unusual. “In fact, we have already made our decision. We only wish to announce it in person, with you by our side.”

Elkay blinked, an unexpected feeling rattling around in his stomach. One of surprise mostly. “You managed to decide between the three of you, as who will be my running mate, already?”

Rethais and Lepidas both nodded. Emthion’s smile faded a little but it quickly returned. “Yes, we have. Having experienced the duties of Vice General first hand, I removed myself from consideration pretty quickly. Lepidas and Rethais came to a mutual decision, based on our popularity outside our governing territories.”

“So which one of you will be my Vice General?”

Rethais stepped forward, bowing. “I will, Elkay. If you accept…” Rethais paused, spotting someone standing behind Elkay. “How did I not notice you, brother?”

Rethais’s brother Retvik came forward and stood by Elkay’s side. “That tends to happen when everyone is focusing on the little vok. Hello, brother.”

“Hello to you too…” Rethais turned back to Elkay. “Why is he here?”

“Did you really think I would leave the super popular Dessaron member and brother of the next Vice General at home?”

“But your own brother and Dessaron member is not here!” Lepidas interrupted. “I mean… I know he has been of ill health for a while…”

Elkay smiled, as did four of his Ksa, all of whom were also Elkay’s siblings. “Arkay and Psiksi are helping me by trying to get unregistered Rethans on Portalia to sign themselves up so they can vote in April. Meanwhile, Arksi here is a member of the Kronaron, the former leader of the Ξ-Class Ksa and is partnered to the leader of the Θ-Class Ksa. Which is probably a step up from a second Dessaron, do you not think.”

“I’m also not ill,” Arksi added.

“That too,” Elkay continued to smile. “I have been planning this over the last few months.”

“Do you think we have a chance?” Lepidas asked. “You and Rethais winning? No one has beaten Photeianos yet. I mean…”

Elkay was still smiling, but the shine in his eyes had faded. “I know what you mean. And I know it’s daunting and the risk of failure is high. But all we can do is try our best, like we always do…”