Season 05 - Episode 14

‘eventually the war’

“What,” says Iz, seething. “Is this?”

“Your majesty,” says Oc breathlessly. “These two... people, are a formal delegation from The Resistance. They seek an audience with you to discuss a matter of life and death.”

“Do they,” says Iz, unimpressed.

Opposite Iz at the far end of the council table sit a young man and a middle aged woman. The man is watching her with a level gaze, open and patient, while the woman is visibly agitated and keeps looking around nervously.

“So let me get this straight,” says Iz, drumming three fingers on the table. “Not only do I have to come here and listen to you lot, now you've got me sitting down with Inners?”

“Your majesty!” cries Ze, bowing his head to look at the table as he speaks. “We would never ask you to tolerate the presence of Inners at your table, except for the most dire of situations and this does appear to be just that.”

“Fine,” Iz sighs. “Go on then. You've got until I get bored.”

The young man glances around the table and then nods, shifting in his seat.

“Your majesty,” he begins. “My name is Ko and my friend here is called Syl. First of all I'd like to start by thanking you for this audience and on behalf of The Resistance...”

“Boring,” says Iz, picking idly at the grubby dressing on her hand.

“Ok, ok,” says Ko quickly, showing his palms. “The war between GovCo and The Church is destroying The Levels, people are dying every day by the hundreds, thousands even.”

“Inners,” says Iz, yawning.

“I'm sorry?” says Ko, derailed.

“Inners are dying every day,” says Iz. “Killed by other Inners. Why should we care?”

“But...” Ko falters, frowning. “GovCo have persecuted the people of The Levels just the same as the people of The Scapes. They don't distinguish and if The Church wins...”

“Just the same?” Iz interrupts, sitting forward, eyebrows raised. “Just the same?!”

“I understand...” Ko tries again.

“You don't understand shit!” Iz snaps. “And you're done talking. You, what's your deal?”

Syl's eyes and mouth spring wide. She looks to Ko then back to the table.

“Well,” she begins. “The Resistance has a plan and we think...”

“Hang on,” Iz interrupts again upon hearing Syl's voice. She narrows her eyes and stares at Syl. “I know you. You're GovCo! You're a fucking spy!”

The members of the council gasp in horror, several of them stand, some draw weapons.

“No!” cries Syl, looking from face to outraged face. “I'm not. I'm not”

“Yes you are,” Iz scoffs. “You visited me in the detention centre.”

“We're here to help you,” Syl says.

“Oh like you helped me then?” says Iz. “You still got my finger? Eh?”

“I was with GovCo,” Syl says quickly. “But I'm not anymore. I defected. I'm with The Resistance now. If we can all just calm down and be reasonable about this I'm sure...”

“Fuck reasonable!” Iz laughs. “You've got exactly ten seconds to explain to me why we shouldn't just put you both over the edge right now.”

The council members bristle as Iz and Syl stare at one another. The air thickens and crackles with tension. Even the hubbub from the platforms below seems to recede into quiet.

“You're right,” says Syl eventually. “The war is between Inners and right now it is Inners who are dying. Once it's done though, once it's over, whichever side wins is going to come for you with everything they have left. They'll isolate your Scapes, one by one and wipe you out, all of you. It doesn't matter if you trust us. It doesn't matter if you hate us. This plan is our only hope of survival and yours as well. We work together or we die.”

The tension remains as everyone turns to watch Iz. She stares at Syl for several seconds more then relents, sitting back in her chair and setting her fingers back to drumming.

“GovCo, Church, Resistance,” she says then. “You're all Inners. We owe you nothing.”

More of the council stand, ready to snatch up Ko and Syl.

“But,” says Iz, raising a hand to stop them. “You're right. On this, just this! You're right. Hear them out, give them what they need and at the first sign of a double cross, kill them.”

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