“April 2nd?”
“Yes, April 2nd. That’s the date they want to do. As early as possible. First Sunday of the month, as to avoid arousing suspicions.”
Nenth glanced up from his desk, across the room where the Keeper was having a quick nap.
“Why?”
“I don’t know…” the voice at the other end replied. “I mean, I asked Elkay. I don’t think he even knows why he agreed to it. Of course Teekay’s pissed because we might have to work on April 1st and he wanted to take his birthday off.”
“Is that really necessary?” Nenth lowered his voice slightly, not wanting to disturb anyone. “I mean, all we have to do is turn up at our assigned polling stations at five in the morning…”
“Teekay likes to take the whole weekend off. It’s his little thing. Bastard doesn’t take time off, so it’s important for him to get those two days.”
“Can’t he take…”
“Yeah, I know, I know, Nenth. Everyone tells him. He’s just… Teekay’s just weird. Thankfully, none of us are going abroad, we’ve already got Ksa on Kolasia and Portalia willing to guard the polling stations…”
“That reminds me…” Nenth once again looked up. The Keeper was still asleep. In fact, he was snoring slightly. “What polling station are you going to? Or is it not decided for you guys yet?”
“I don’t know. All I know is that Arkay and Psiksi and a couple of non-Apogens are dealing with polling stations on Portalia, and apparently some of the L-Class stepped forward to look after the polling stations on Kolasi.”
“Well, see if you can get a spot here. I’m going to be at the fifth district in Thre-Etas. Bit of a journey for me, but I don’t mind.”
“Just you?”
“So far, yes. I mean, we all go in pairs.”
“Yeah but I can’t just ask Elkay. I have to go to General Emthion and ask him.”
“Arksi, he’s the Vice General, he’s not going to bite you or anything.”
The voice at the other end of the line sighed loudly. “That’s not the problem. I gotta talk to the V-Class Ksa first. The ones staying with General Emthion anyway. They hate me for some reason. I really don’t get why.”
Nenth got up from his seat and wandered over to check on the Keeper. He found it amusing how Veeksiar would just sleep at his desk rather than use his bed, which was only about fifty metres away. Maybe his chair was just that comfy.
“We’re all insane and randomly hate each other.”
“No we’re not. Alright, insane, yes, but… I don’t know.”
“Arksi, just ask. It’s an excuse for us to spend the day together.”
“I guess…” Arksi’s voice drifted off.
“You alright?”
“Yes. Just checking to make sure no one needs me right now. But I gotta get back to work in a minute anyway. Elkay needs a stage set up and why hire a team of Rethans when you can get one measly Ksa to do it all? I’m telling you, Nenth, if Elkay loses, I fear we’re going to end up back in Deitic times when it comes to our rights.”
“You worry too much…” Nenth smiled, even though he knew that Arksi would be unable to see his optimism. “We’ll be fine.”
“I bloody hope so… I gotta get this stuff done. Apparently Elkay is meeting General Emthion again tomorrow so here’s hoping I can ask him then.”
“Either way, if we don’t, just book the weekend after off and…”
“Nenth, if we win, I don’t think we’ll have time either way.”
“We will find the time. Please, it’ll all be fine.”
A long sigh echoed down the line. “Alright. I’ll call you tomorrow. Love you, Nenth.”
“Love you too, Arksi.”
The call ended, and Nenth went back to his desk and checked the time. Wasn’t quite time to wake up the Keeper. With a smile, Nenth decided to get up and get himself something to eat. For reasons he could not explain, he had a good feeling about the upcoming elections.