Your Cooperation is Appreciated
Zhongyanggu Valley Region, Fusang - February 27, 2026
Wilhelmina’s helicopter flew across the expanses of flat land between Jinshan and the great Fusang Range, but she saw no land below her. As far as the eye could see, she could only see deep water filled with debris from drowned forests and towns.
“You were right,” Tsai said, “It was bad.”
“Hopefully we saved more lives,” Wilhelmina said.
“How did you know?” Tsai said. “About what was going to happen?”
“I don’t know,” Wilhelmina said, “I just had the feeling something bad was going to happen here and we had to get people out. How could this even happen? The plains of central Fusang briefly turned into an inland sea?”
“The rains were bad these last few months,” Tsai said, “And it all poured into this area. It’s surrounded by foothills and mountains. A basin where water collects. Something that usually happens once every two or three centuries.”
“Did we get everyone out?” Wilhelmina said.
“We did as best as we could,” Tsai said, “Thordarsson approved an aid package. The other Eimerican states are sending help soon.”
“And what about China?” Wilhelmina said.
“My hands are tied,” Tsai said, “The Guomindang majority in the Legislative Yuan has voted against aid.”
“How could they be so callous?” Wilhelmina said.
“They want to align with Zhao,” Tsai said, “I’ve seen Representative Han’s platform. Like Zhao, he wants to reshape our government into a system of national cooperation.”
“What’s that?” Wilhelmina said.
“All five branches of government are to be aligned to serve the state, with checks and balances eliminated in the name of the people,” Tsai said.
“Han can’t just do that, can he?” Wilhelmina said.
“It’s technically legal if you say nothing about subverting the checks and balances,” Tsai said, “Like what Zhao did. He passed the laws, then when the courts spoke out, he passed a law establishing a mandatory retirement age, which forced most of the justices to retire and allow him to appoint his own candidates. When he was going to lose, he used his media connections to censor the opposition and suppress examiners in opposition supporting areas while giving advantages and incentives to his supporters.”
“This guy is despicable,” Wilhelmina said.
“Weirdly enough he was once one of the most liberal people I knew,” Tsai said, “We were friends in the Tangwai movement. He was a law student back then, one of the leaders of the Penglai independence movement. Back then, he was domineering…but also sincere and likable. He formed Qimili as a liberal movement dedicated to Penglai’s independence.”
“What changed?” Wilhelmina asked.
“He became Gaojiang,” Tsai said, “He did whatever it took to win. He embraced Confucian identity politics and Penglai nationalism to appeal to the nationalist right. And with the opposition fragmented and unpopular, he won a majority. He never looked back.”
Tsai looked at the waters below. “That sincere law student I once knew had been drowned by the floodwaters of nationalism.”
“Perhaps you can talk to him again,” Wilhelmina said, “Remind him what you two accomplished together all those years ago.”
“No, we’ve drifted too far apart now,” Tsai said, “If we ever meet again in the same room, it will be as enemies. I can’t change that, unfortunately. He’s made his choice, and I must make mine as well. He wants to protect his country first? Well, I’ll do the same thing.”
Berlin - March 6
“And that concludes the report,” Diana said.
“Interesting,” Heinrich said, “So the Mongol bot network is still around?”
“Yes, and they were responsible for the hacks in Fusang and Nepal,” Diana said, “They seem to be based out of Korea now.”
“Was the Chinese government responsible?” Heinrich said.
“They have no motive to do so, and there’s no evidence implicating them other than the origin of the cyberattacks, but I can’t rule it out,” Diana said.
“Troubling news coming from China,” Heinrich said, “Perhaps they’re test runs for an attack on our Internet infrastructure?”
“The attacks they used were primitive,” Diana said, “Tiger’s Defense will make short work of them if they try to attack any Schengen member.”
“Still, we need to monitor this situation,” Heinrich said.
“Of course,” Diana said.
“I’ll get in touch with Bradziunas again,” Heinrich said, “Been a while since I talked with him.”
“How’s he doing lately?” Diana said.
“Still the same old Bradziunas,” Heinrich said, “But I hears rumors he may be planning to run for chancellor when Valiulis retires.”
“Hopeful chancellor Bradziunas...” Diana said. “Reminds me of a friend of mine.”
“Well, I suppose I should be on my way,” Heinrich said, “I need to give this report to the rest of the cabinet.”
“Of course,” Diana said, “It was nice talking to you.”
“Likewise,” Heinrich said.
After Heinrich left, Diana got up and left her office. She took the elevator to the next floor down and entered the newest wing of the building: the X-Division wing. Here, dozens of agents were at work processing cases that had fallen through the cracks of the rest of the agency. Weird and unexplained cases had dropped to almost zero, and the few that were investigated turned up nothing at all. So the division turned back to its old targets, corruption and white collar crime, but even those cases were few now due to budget cuts and legal reforms. Most of her agents sat at desks now, spending their time reading and filing case reports. They didn’t even bother to look at her when she walked past.
One agent did though. Angelica Haus looked up and waved when she noticed Diana. The girl from Alençon was always cheerful nowadays, despite her family's circumstances. Diana didn’t know how she did it.
“Director,” Angelica said, “I didn’t expect you to be visiting.”
“I just felt like taking a trip down memory lane,” Diana said, “I really like what you’ve done with the place. How goes the investigation?”
“Into Getrude Anhorn?” Angelica said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t find much. Nothing conclusive we can use.”
“That’s weird, because Theresa is following a lead right now,” Diana said.
“Well, send me the lead and I’ll check it my way,” Angelica said.
“I’ll do that,” Diana said, “Just keep at it. I feel like there’s something we’re all missing.”
“Permission to speak freely, Director?” Angelica said.
“You always had it,” Diana said.
“Honestly, sometimes this investigation feels like you’re just fulfilling a personal vendetta against Gertrude Anhorn with nothing to back it up,” Angelica said, “It’s not going to look good to the public if it continues without any developments.”
“Well, make sure there are developments, Agent Haus,” Diana said, “There is something. I just know there is.”
Humboldt family house, Mainz - August 21, 2026
The steaks on the grill smelled so delicious. Alex couldn’t wait to taste Aunt Anna’s cooking. He was currently in the backyard, watching the Rhine flow by, while everyone around him chatted about things. The whole family, plus a few guests, was here for Mending Day. Although it was the nine hundredth occurrence of the holiday and there would be massive celebrations in the major cities, to the Humboldts and Hansens this was just another holiday get together.
“The attacks just won’t stop,” Anders said, “All I did was point out how 400 media outlets were recently ‘donated’ to Vox Dei for whatever reason, and now the Mongol bots are after me.”
“Ugh, tell me about it,” Theresa said, “I know how you feel.”
“Did you hear some of the conspiracy theories they were promoting?” Anders said. “Absolutely ludicrous and out there! Even by my own standards.”
“I never thought I’d hear you say that,” Angela said.
“At least you’re fine with your hospital job,” Anders said.
“Things are rough there too,” Angela said, “Nobody’s listening to my suggestions. People are being put on the wrong or inefficient treatments because my colleagues aren’t using the proper ones I’m suggesting. Then another guy suggests the same thing and then they act, applauding him for coming up with a brilliant solution. It’s not like 25 years ago.”
“Sounds like you should file a complaint with HR,” Theresa said.
“Of course I did that!” Angela said. “But what has HR done? Absolutely nothing.”
“At least I can pull rank at the Athanatoi,” Diana said, “But there are plenty of times when people walk up and ask me, ‘Why can’t you control your husband? He’s saying such treasonous things against the Kaiser’.”
“Treason?” Anders said. “Against the Kaiser? I was only doing research for an article on Kaiserin Consort Francesca.”
“And the Kaiser himself called you a liar on TiEfarmo,” Theresa said, “I think the hashtag goes #ZeitenLied or something?”
“Yeah, and it’s trending,” Diana said.
“Ugh, the nerve of some people,” Anders said.
Alex didn’t want to listen more.
“You okay?” Thea asked.
“Yeah,” Alex said, “It’s just painful listening to what my parents are going through.”
He groaned and massaged his injured side. “It’s painful enough dealing with this.”
“Totally agree,” Alexandra said, walking over, “Mom’s always stressed out. We can’t have our usual night outs like we used to.”
“I thought you and Magnus...” Thea said.
“Well yeah, I still go out with Magnus, it’s just not the same when I can’t do the same with Mom these days,” Alexandra said, “So I spend my time on my latest project.”
“Did you get my schematic?” Thea said. “For the oxygen electrolyzer?”
“Yeah, all I need is some regolith to test it out,” Alexandra said, “I’ve run enough simulations, and I want the real thing. I know we're not going back to the moon anytime soon, but still...”
“I wish I could work on my own schematic,”Alex said, “I’ve had it for years now and I’ve barely been able to touch it.”
“Hopefully things change at Tesla Dynamic,” Alexandra said.
“I doubt it,” Alex said.
“Same here,” Thea said, “Theo’s been acting really weirdly lately. It’s like he’s a completely different person.”
“Hey, if things go south there, email me,” Alexandra said, “I’ll try to ask around the Jet Propulsion Lab. You’ll have to move to Damascus though.”
“I’ll remember that,” Alex said.
“Don’t worry, Alex,” Alexandra said, “We’re family.”
“We’ll always have your back,” Thea said.
“Thanks,” Alex said.
Mainz airport - August 22
The Humboldts and Thea waited in line for the VSB security check, luggage in tow. Anders checked his passport once more.
“Can’t you like show your badge and, I don’t know, get us to a priority line?” he asked.
“I tried,” Diana said, “They weren’t impressed.”
“Your mom was allowed to bring a gun onto a plane as Director,” Anders said.
“That was 24 years ago and before 11/9,” Diana said.
“Seriously, I’m going to have to write a paper on this when I get back to the office,” Anders said.
They reached the head of the line, and a VSB agent checked Anders’ passport. He saw Anders’ name and immediately scowled.
“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to step out of line,” he ordered.
“What?” Anders said. “What did I do?”
“Step out of line,” the agent repeated, “You do not have the right to say no.”
“What?!” Anders said.
“Dad, what’s going on?” Alex said.
“You can’t do this!” Anders said. “I’m a Roman citizen!”
“You do not have the right to explain yourself.” The agent grabbed Anders’ arm and slammed him against a table.
“Are you crazy?!” Thea said.
“You are under arrest for refusing to listen to my commands,” the agent said, “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”
Diana took out her Athanatoi badge. “Imperial Agent! Stand down, now!”
“I am legally obligated to protect our skies from any threats,” the agent said.
“On whose orders?” Diana said.
“It’s the law now,” the agent smugly said, “You have no jurisdiction here, Director.”
“What do you want?” Anders said, taking out his passport. "Look, I have a valid passport, right here!"
The agent pocketed Anders’ passport and handed him a sheet of paper. “Sign here.”
Anders read the paper. “‘I humbly apologize for the malicious lies I spread against His Imperial Majesty and the Imperial Throne which so damaged the order, stability, and reputation of this great Christian nation’...this is blatantly propaganda.”
“Well, if you want your passport back, you will sign it,” the agent said, “The alternative is I press charges of domestic terrorism.”
“I’ll call my lawyer,” Anders said, “I have a right to...”
“Listen, Humboldt,” the agent said, “You have no rights here. The Kaiser’s word is law, especially when backed up by Merkel’s administration. Now sign.”
“Make me,” Anders said.
More agents surrounded Diana, Alex, and Thea and prepared handcuffs.
“They will be charged with aiding and abetting a terrorist,” the agent said.
“Anders, don’t do it,” Diana said, “I’ll make some calls.”
Thea looked at the people waiting in line. “Are you just going to stand there and do nothing?”
Nobody replied. They just awkwardly averted their gazes. Thea sighed. Anders shook his head in defeat.
“Fine,” he said, “Give me a pen.”
“Thank you for your cooperation,” the agent said.
Tesla Dynamic office, Constantinople - August 24
Alex trudged into work. It was a Monday, and after what he went through over the weekend, he dreaded the rest of the week. He looked at the wrinkled paper on which he had draw his schematic all those years ago. Then he put it away again. How long would he have to wait?
“Humboldt,” Theodor said, walking over.
“Theodor,” Alex said, “I didn’t expect to see you this morning.”
“Me neither,” Theodor said, “But this is an urgent matter.”
“What seems to be the problem?” Alex said.
“You,” Theodor said.
“Me?!” Alex said.
“The VSB notified me of the incident in Mainz last Saturday,” Theodor said, “I understand your actions almost got my sister arrested on charges of terrorism?”
“That was not my doing,” Alex said, “It was an unlawful search and coercion of my father.”
“You were there anyways,” Theodor said, “You broke your promise. You put Thea in danger once again. My patience has run out.”
“No!” Alex said.
“I’m afraid you’re too much of a liability,” Theodor said, “You’ll only bring shame and ruin to my company and my family. You’re fired.”
“What?!” Alex said. “You can’t do that!”
“Yes I can,” Theodor said.
“I’m in a union!” Alex said.
“Which as you should know was just dissolved last week because its leaders were arrested for money laundering,” Theodor said, “CB has been cracking down hard on corruption lately, and I couldn’t agree more with their moves against the corrupt left. And don’t think Thea’s gone to change anything. I’ve already done the paperwork.”
“You can’t separate us,” Alex said.
“I doubt she'll stay with you once you're out of a job,” Theodor said, “I’ll give you the rest of the day to pack up your things and hand in your badge and equipment, then I want you gone.”
“Damn you,” Alex said.
Theodor casually walked away. “It’s my company, and I can do whatever the frak I want with it! Thank you for your cooperation.”
Perhaps it was time to talk to Alexandra…
