The Sentencing

The Greshan government funded a series of military operations with the objective to gain intel on the nation of Aneth and monitor their movements. They suspected Aneth of performing terrorist acts against our nation. This was after the war started with Weslayan during a time of panic and uncertainty. So the objective was clear on the surface. But underneath the nuances and military jargon was an underlying mission not explicitly stated, but was an added caveat:

Confirm the conspiracy that General Otis is in cahoots with the Anethians ,therefore, branding him a traitor.

I went into this mission with no expectations. I tried to be as unbiased and correct as an agent can. But here we are. To think I let my comrades get dragged into this mess. I’m using my time in this cold cell as a way to attone. Not to this country, but to my friends. I truly believed Anethians were no different than our Weslayan adversaries and diplomacy between them is futile. This war with Weslayan has sort of made people revile the government where foreign policy is concerned. Understandably so. When crime intensified in Gresha, people didn’t know who to blame. Anethians have been outsiders long before I was born. There was no reason to doubt that our relationship with them will improve. I didn’t even register the rise in terrorist attacks on the motherland as Anethian related either. They were not Weslayan forces as the media painted them to be. And they were too sophisticated and intentional to be the result of some renegade group looking to stir chaos as I’ve previously thought. The kidnappings, bombings, vandalizm during the war; were staged to make Greshans fear Anethians. The threat wasn’t real then. The propaganda from newspapers and radio portrayed an artificial threat that made the fear easier to digest. It also made it easier for Anethians to hate us in turn. We called them thugs, terrorists, monsters etc… This ended up being a self fulfilling prophecy as war makes people who are struggling desperate. We didn’t need to stage acts of terror anymore because Anethians filled the need perfectly. They were slowly gaining strength with repeated acts of terror such as kidnapping government officials and hijacking our ships and trains. In retaliation, Gresha ravaged the Anethian homefront. This battle of attrition would’ve been a loss had General Otis not intervened and ceased all campaigns in Anethian territory so they could recover from their land constantly being desecrated and stop the terror. It makes total sense. To think THEY would accuse him of treason then arrest me for bringing it to their attention! I was just doing what they told me to do! This is how they treat their agents!?

This country has gone to hell in a handbasket. My only hope is that when my execution date comes, it will be swift and painless.Otis however, will not be shown the same mercy. My guess is he will go out screaming until he chokes on his final breath. Damn.

Why me?! Why?! Why?! Why!? whY!? WhY? wH…

BAM! BAM! BAM! “Hey Bart! Stop murmuring to yourself. Last warning!”

My mind breaks free from my daydream as I see my journal nudging me to continue writing. I grudgingly decline and shift my gaze to the wooden door to the far side of the room. Would I be able to trick the guard standing watch, make a run for it, and escape this detention centre? The shackles on my feet would be an issue first of all. I’d need to take care of them first. Also, there are Marco and Eliot in here as well. If I escape, we all should escape. The only reason they’re roped in with me is because I wanted us all to build a case for General Otis since they knew him best.

The concrete floor sends a sharp numbness in my feet, urging me to move around until I walk to a window that is now illuminated by the moonlight. The night sky is a dark shade of purple with the moon shining a deep eggshell color. Otis is still alive, right? Who knows at this point. I can't be bothered to contemplate on his horrific demise anymore. He wasn’t a traitor. He had no proof of conspiracy. So why? Did I overlook something important?

I hear footsteps in the hallway. They grow louder and louder until they stop in front of my cell. Is this it? Is it my time to die? It seems like the guard is now talking to whoever is outside. I can't make out what they say. All I hear is “General Otis wished to give this...Bart is due tomorrow.”

The door opens and the guard steps in. “Bart Neidecker, your execution is set for tomorrow at dawn. It has also come to my attention that you were given a note written by General Otis before being executed.Also…”

“When was he executed?!” I exclaim. The guard gives me an irritated glare. “The war criminal was executed yesterday on counts of conspiracy, treason, and crimes against humanity. He was sent to conquer the Anethians to expand Gresha’s territory but returned with no new land but multiple peace offerings from them to compensate. It wasn’t like their forces were at all formidable either. He could’ve squashed all attempts at resistance but instead conceded like a coward. Now he’s a dead coward. And you will be soon enough. You had all the time to gather solid evidence to convict him yet chose to side with him. Your evidence you presented was lacking and obviously biased. The military had to hire another P.I. to pick up the pieces. You should consider yourself lucky you weren’t executed first.”

“I was seeking the truth!” I rebut. The guard gives me a look of disgust, then scoffs. “And look where that got you.” He drops the parchment he was holding on the floor and exits. I sit in silence for about five minutes before picking up the paper. On the letterhead is the symbol of the Anethians, the owl. The handwriting is rushed yet elegant. It reads:

Agent Bart, I fear if you are reading this, it is already too late. I have already kicked the bucket. I commend you for your diligence and integrity regarding my investigation. I heard about you from Marco and Eliot. They say you are quite astute. So it was to my disbelief to hear you have been arrested because of me. I take complete responsibility for your imprisonment and understand if you hold it against me. I had to do what was best for my country. I only wish for this war to end with Weslayan. I can't have any loose ends hinder progress in that. The Anethians are a peaceful people. I learned from talking to their leaders that they only want to live in their native land again. Their native land being a little of both Gresha and Weslayan. Their task force, the Aneth Owls, said the acts of terror were nonviolent and minimally invasive. The kidnappings and hijackings in Gresha and Weslayan was to encourage dialogue. They brought officials from both sides to exchange ideas on peace for all. Gresha, however, doesn't want discourse among nations, but expansion. They know their land is the land of the original Anethian, but refuse to compromise because of the wealth of natural resources present. They wanted to use me to silence the Anethians from acting out by pillaging and claiming more of their land. The Anethian don't want to expel those on their land, but be able to return there themselves. I simply agreed not to pillage and conquer any more of their land and just focus on fighting Weslayan. But I was arrested. And so are you. I don’t know if this will amount to anything, but I’d appreciate it if you can pass this on to whomever. I don’t know if there's much time. Gresha is seeking to conquer all the land Aneth has left and keep Anethians in internment camps as we speak. I am due for execution tonight but until this letter finds you, my soul can't rest. Please give this to someone if you can.

-O-

P.S. Fun fact is the Anethians keep owls as pets because they believe they are their ancestors reincarnated. Ironic isn’t it?

I lay in disbelief for what seems like forever until I’m startled by something at my window. The moon cascades a shadow on the floor and I see the silhouette of what appears to be a bird. An owl. Its obsidian eyes compliment its light brown face. Its beak yellow and sharp, with feathers almost a brownish gold color with patches of white here and there. The creature turns its head around to look at the letter in my hand. Does this owl belong to an Anethian? It keeps staring at my hand so I lift it up to show the letter and the owl perks up.

This is definitely someone's pet grandmother.

I slip the parchment through the iron bars into the owls beak and it flaps its wings bracing for flight until it shoots up like a cannon made of feathers. I watched the creature fly away until all I could see was a brown blur.

“Message sent General Otis ”.

I look out the window one last time and notice a hint of orange pushing upwards in the distance. The sun barely peeking over the horizon as I hear a knock at my door.

A wave of peace suddenly envelops me.