"So Governor," Bokuratu began, "I trust that you've seen the training that your friend Terovu has gone through."

"Ivo is how he's known to me." Conrad saids, "I just have trouble believing that my old childhood rival is now living the simple life."

"It's the training." Bokuratu said, "A man's life is changed by learning what we know about fate. Your friend is living proof of that."

"Must have been quite a bit of training." Conrad said.

"He learned last night what you should have learned a month ago." Bokuratu said, "You are lagging behind."

"Doesn't fate say that I sam predestined to be behind?" Conrad asked.

"Not this time." Bokuratu said, "We tapped into the will of fate, and found that your entrance into our way of life was fated, but the rate at which it happens is to be determined by us."

"And also keep in mind that Ivo is the one who gave up his entire life to comes here." Conrad retorted, "I have a political obligation to fulfill."

"Yes." Bokuratu said, "But we still have time. Now, I would like to ask you to do me a favor."

"Okay." Conrad said.

"Do you see that bucket in the corner behind you?" Bokuratu asked.

"Indeed I do." Conrad looked at the small wooden pail.

"Take that pail over to the stone basin and pour it in." Bokuratu ordered. Conrad took the small wooden pail, which couldn't have been larger than a foot and a half in height, and brought it over to the basin. It was elevated about three feet off the ground, and the basin itself was only about two feet wide. It was only a couple inches deep, and would only hold a small amount of water. Conrad began to pour the contents of the pail into the basin. But what Conrad saw astounded him. The water in the pail continued to flow and flow. It did not stop. From this tiny little pail, gallons of water came rushing into the basin. And the basin itself kept perpetually filling. Conrad could barely see where the water was going to. He looked in disbelief as the water kept pouring. He looked over at Bokuratu and Bokuratu stood there smiling.

"The first of today's lesson:" Bokuratu began, "With the aid of magic, even the most basic laws of nature my be obstructed."

"When will it stop?" Conrad asked.

"In a few moments." Bokuratu said, "Let the liquid wash out."

Conrad kept pouring the pail until it had no more liquid inside of it. He looked down at the basin. It looked only moderately full. Conrad stared down at the water in the basin. "What you are seeing is a very special substance to our people." Bokuratu said, "It's called Fiolik, and it is the essence of our tribe."

"What does it do?" Conrad asked.

"It is the magical substance in the body." Bokuratu said, "It is makes up the majority of your Bokurik. Your fetus is floating in a halo of it, and your uterus is made up of solidified Fiolik."

"Strange." Conrad said, "It can defy spatial relationships?"

"It can do much more than that." Bokuratu said, "It is the concentrated essence of magic. Use your imagination."

"Can't I use my Bokurik for that?" Conrad asked.

"Not quite." Bokuratu said, "Yours is not fully developed, and it won't be for years to come. Instead, Fiolik acts as the Bokurik when it has reached it's full potential. No one person's Bokurik is stronger than the Fiolik."

"What shall I use it for?" Conrad asked.

"Use your imagination." Bokuratu said, "But be very careful, it is very powerful."

Conrad's mind raced for a second. He then thought of the General from the palace. He remembered the threats the General offered, and suddenly wanted to know what the threats meant. "I know what I want." Conrad said.

"Good." Bokuratu said, "Just take a drink of the Fiolik. Be careful, though. Take only a tiny sip, it's very potent."

Conrad dipped a small cup into the basin and drank from it. He drank as little as possible for to experience the magic. He stood over the basin waiting. He could feel his temperature rising, and his pulse quickening. He began to sweat more. His breathing increased, Suddenly his eyes shot quickly out of reality. Conrad began to see the General in his face.

"We shall obstruct no justice..." the General was making a speech. His face was blurry, and shaking around in Conrad's eyes. His voice echoed through Conrad's ears, "We shall carry no bias or favoritism..." he continued to speak.

Conrad felt his body hit the ground, and he felt a searing headache. The General's image flashed on and off in Conrad's mind. "I can vouch for the Governor's character..." the General continued to speak.

Suddenly Conrad's vision flashed again, and Conrad could see the General, but he was not making a speech. He was surrounded by other Generals. "The man's a charlatan..." the General said, "Extremely false..." the words bounced around in Conrad's ears. They kept playing louder and louder, "I will try him, and exile him for conspiracy..." Conrad writhed on the ground. "Don't believe a word he says." a voice began to echo in Conrad's ears. "Don't believe him. He's lying. For your own good." the voice was very high-pitched, and it made Conrad's headache worse.

With one stroke, Conrad flashed back to reality. He could barely breathe on the ground. Conrad shifted to his side and lay there shivering. Bokuratu was over him comforting Conrad with his magic. "It's okay." Bokuratu said, "You must have drank more than sip."

"I drank as little as I could." Conrad wheezed in between his deep breaths, "It was definitely a sip."

"No, no." Bokuratu said, "Dip your finger in the basin, and then drink what is on the end of it. That's a good amount."

"So noted." conrad was feeling better and then sat up.

"I know what you saw." Bokuratu said, "I've seen it too."

"The General..." Conrad said, "Do you know what he plans to do?"

"I had hoped the Fiolik would have made it obvious." Bokuratu said.

"I was a little distracted by the overwhelming pain." Conrad said, "Please tell me what he wants to do."

"Subvert you." Bokuratu said, "This man believes that you aided your friend while in that prison cell. He thinks you are a traitor, and wants to be rid of you."

"So that's the investigation." Conrad said, "Will I weather it?"

"Investigation?" Bokuratu asked, "I hadn't foreseen that."

"The police are looking into my actions." Conrad said, "They're watching me to see if I have done anything illegal."

"Have you?" Bokuratu asked.

"To them I have." Conrad said, "I let Ivo get taken away here."

"That is interesting." Bokuratu got up and began to think. He rubbed his hand on his chin as Conrad got up.

"If the investigation finds out what you did to Ivo, we'll never live it down." Conrad said.

"That is what your Bokurik is for." Bokuratu said.

"What do you mean?"

"Your Bokurik has a special power you have not used yet." Bokuratu said, "It can wipe a person's memory of any event, memory, or idea instantaneously. Let the investigation proceed as they want it. But if someone were to stumble upon some bad information, you can just swiftly wipe it away before it becomes a problem. Understand?"

"It seems so corrupt." Conrad said, "Is there an alternative?"

"Of course." Bokuratu said as he walked over to his chair in front of the fire circle, "You could finally tell the island about us. You could let the populace know that we are a harmless people who wish to coexist with them. You could let the world know exactly what is going on this island, and be completely honest."

"I much prefer the magic option." Conrad said.

"Suit yourself." Bokuratu sat back. "You may go now, but just remember, practice using your Bokurik."

"I have no idea what I can use it for." Conrad said.

"Imagine something." Bokuratu said, "If you can imagine something being done, or being thought of, you can do it with your Bokurik. The more practice you have the more you can accomplish. You may go now."

Bokuratu watched as Conrad left his hut. Conrad left, and looked at the village. He stared at Ivo, who was grinding up grains. Ivo smiled at Conrad. Conrad looked away to prevent awkwardness. Conrad then walked out of the village and back into the jungle, and back to the road.

Next morning...

Conrad sat alone in his office just after he had finished breakfast. He took a look at the large clock in the corner of his room. It was just after eight in the morning, and the Doctor wouldn't be there for another half-hour. Conrad had nothing to do at this point. He wasn't scheduled to speak anywhere, nor did he have any intention of going to the village. He had jiust eaten, and nobody was waiting for him anywhere. This was extremely rare for him. His usual day was almost totally consumed with speeches at public functions, appearing before the House of Lords, and speaking to them about internal affairs. Indeed, it was a slow day, and he wasn't scheduled to do anything until after lunch, and he could finally relax.

At first Conrad didn't know how to react to his sudden need for relaxation. He thought it was odd and bizarre, and did not remember the last time he had time to himself. Often times, he barely had the time to sleep a good amount at night (which was especially dangerous considering how far into pregnancy he was). Even on regular nights he could barely sleep. The baby would shift completely inside his abdomen every time he was just about to fall asleep. A god shift from the fetus could mean another half-hour awake.

Lenya was experiencing the same problems too. Neither of them could sleep on their back, front, or right side. It was one restless night after the next during both of their pregnancies. Conrad and Lenya were able to identify so well with each other on their physical changes.

The memories of times when he wasn't pregnant were growing thin to Conrad. His days back in the Palace, and in the Royal family were faint and foggy to him. He couldn't remember having a flat belly, or walking normally like he used to. All he could remember about his body consisted of his massive pregnant belly hanging dangerously low over his belt. In all of his memories, he couldn't remember how it felt to be completely independent of any other body. Instead, in all his memories he could picture himself with his swollen belly, even though he didn't have one in any of the times he could remember.

So, thusly he was growing used to his pregnant belly, and rather began to enjoy it. Regularly, he would clasp his hands on his stomach and press inward with moderate strength. He could feel the shifting inside of him, and the mixture of fluid too. He found he was doing that at that very moment, and smiling at it too. He could barely remember why he had been so against it in the first place.

Suddenly, with a flash of what he was pretty sure was a pregnancy hormone, Conrad got a wild idea. He suddenly felt as if he needed to tell someone about his pregnancy. Someone who he wasn't sure he could trust. It would have to be someone who otherwise didn't need to know. He felt daring that day, and needed to let someone know about him being pregnant. It had to be someone who he could risk not keeping the secret.

Conrad sprung from his desk to look around for that special someone. He looked in his contact list which he kept traditionally in paper on his desk. He looked at all the Representatives in the Cahrillian Government, as well as the Morgan Island protectorate government. He spied his friends, and contacts back in the Royal fmaily. He muttered under his breath. "Who to tell?"

Suddenly, Conrad stopped. His hands flew from his belly to his forehead. "What am I doing?" he then asked himself. Now he realized that he actually was about to tell someone about his greatest secret. He was about to take a considerable risk of being exposed. He knew that wasn't an option. He knew he would have to find some other way to channel his urge. He then sat back down and sighed. The urge was strong to tell his dark secret, but he knew it would be a poor decision, and most likely yield awful consequences if he did.

But then Conrad remembered something. He remembered the previous day when he was with the tribe. Bokuratu talked a bit about using his Bokurik. After all, it was magic, and was capable of almost anything. Bokuratu brought up the idea yesterday that if he was discovered, by say a military investigation, he could use his Bokurirk to wipe the brain of whoever discovered something dangerous. Conrad thought to himself. Could he use the same principle to apply to telling someone a short secret? Conrad wondered, and decided it was good enough to try.

He then needed to know who he could call to make it happen. He then remembered one special person: Randolf. Randolf was still there, waiting at Conrad's beck and call. He was perfect person to tell a dangerous secret to, and then completely wipe his mind. He was still young and vulnerable, and Conrad wanted to test out his ability. So he decided he would give it a try.

"Randolf?" Conrad paged on his intercom, "Could you please come here a second?" Conrad smiled as he contrived his devious act.

"Right away, sir." Randolf said. In only a few seconds, Randolf came bursting through the doors to stare at Conrad, who was sitting behind his desk. "What can I do for you, sir?"

"You can help with a correspondence to some foreign political leaders, who I can't contact now." Conrad said, "I need a little help finding their information."

"Yes sir!" Randolf said, "I'll be right on it." Randolf began to leave.

"Not at the moment yet, Randolf." Conrad beckoned him back in, "You may stay for a moment."

"Yes sir." Randolf seemed a little less enthusiastic about not being at work.

Conrad tugged at his collar and loosened his tie, "Good Lord," he said, "Isn't it oppressively hot in here?"

"If you think so sir," Randolf began, "there's a thermostat behind you on the wall. You can adjust the temperature."

"I've been toying with that all morning." Conrad said, "It's no use."

Conrad began to undo his tie and take off his jacket. He then proceeded to unbutton his shirt. "Sir, I can get maintainance up here." Randol said, "It won't take long."

"Not now, Randolf." Conrad walked over to him, "I'm just exhausted this morning." Conrad walked by Randolf and purposely bumped into him with his belly. "My mistake." Conrad said as he walked by. He then proceeded to sit down on the couch and cradle his belly.

"Sir?" Randolf asked, "Well, is there anything I can do for you at the moment?"

"Not now." Conrad said, "I just need you to show the Doctor in when he comes."

"Doctor Zhuboyev?" Randolf asked, "Is everything alright, sir?"

"Yes, yes." Conrad said, "Everything should be fine."

"What is it about sir?" Randolf asked.

"This stomach of mine." Conrad rubbed his belly. "It's the strangest thing."

"Sir, are you sure you're alright?" Randolf looked very worried.

"Indeed." Conrad said as he pulled up his shirt and exposed his taut, skinned dome, "It is just that the Doctor and I have a very strange hypothesis of the cause."

"What would that be?" Randolf asked, "I must know."

"You don't need to know, Randolf." Conrad said, "It's only a possibility."

"Sir, I think it's important that I know if I'm to work with you in the upcoming weeks and months." Randolf said, "Now may I please know what's going on."

"Very well." Conrad could barely contain his grin now that Randolf had played right into Conrad's hand. "The Doctor and I believe that this belly I have is not the result of fat, or overeating."

"That's a relief, sir." Randolf said, "But what could it be?"

"Let me finish." Conrad said, "The Doctor and I believe that there may be a... resident inside of me."

"Like a parasite?" Randolf asked.

"Not really." Conrad said, "Like a fetus."

Randolf looked very puzzled by the last statement. He didn't seem to understand what Conrad said.

"I'm pregnant, Randolf." Conrad said.

Randolf began to laugh, "That's funny, sir!" he exclaimed.

"I'm serious Randolf." Conrad said, "Sir, I know better than that. I know that while I studied anatomy this topic came up. Men lack a variety of functions necessary for pregnancy."

"Not if they're bioloigcally altered." Conrad said, "I am, Randolf."

"That still doesn't mean you're pregnant." Randolf said.

At that exact moment the baby awoke inside of Conrad. It began to twist, turn, and shift its weight. Conrad's midriff shifted back and forth with the change. Conrad put his hand on his belly, and Randolf stood there in shock.

"It's real Randolf." Conrad said, "There is a baby living, feeding, growing inside of me. I'm growing new life, and it depends on me for everything. It is a powerful relationship, and one I believe you must know about."

"Oh my God..." Randolf backed away, "Oh my God..." Randolf began to back away but he tripped over Conrad's desk. "This can't be real!"

"It is Randolf." Conrad stood up, "Now will you please act maturely?"

"What?" Randolf was squealing, "This is insanity! This isn't real!"

Randolf began to run to the door. Conrad then held out his hand and whispered the word "Forget". Under his breath. Randolf stopped in his tracks. His eyes grew vacant, and Conrad could feel the magic working. Conrad pulled his hand back, as if he was stealing a memory directly from Randolf's mind. Randolf stood there vacant for a quick second, and began to blink again. He turned around and smiled.

"What can I do for you, sir?" Randolf asked.

"What do you mean?" Conrad asked unsure if his magic worked.

"Well you just called me in here." Randolf said, "I don't know how I ended up facing backwards, but I'm here!"

"Backwards?" Conrad asked.

"Did you not see me sir?" Randolf said, "I came in here and you were there..." Randolf pointed to behind Conrad's desk. He looked at Conrad on the opposite side of his office, "Wait." Randolf said, "Am I forgetting something?"

"I doubt it." Conrad said, "I was over here the entire time."

"I must have lost my focus, sir." Randolf rubbed his eyes, "Please forgive me."

"Indeed." Conrad said, "It's okay."

"Then is there anything I can do for you, sir?" Randolf asked with a smile.

Conrad smiled back, "No, Randolf." Conrad said, "I've resolved the issue on my own."

"Great to hear, sir!" Randolf was very enthusiastic. He then left the room and shut the door behind him. Conrad smiled, chuckled, and rubbed his belly, "Is there anyting you can't do?" he laughed.

"Sir?" Randolf paged over the intercom just afterwards, "Doctor Zhuboyev is here to see you."

"Already?" Conrad said, "It's not even Eight thirty!"

"He's here now." Randolf said, "Shall I send him in?"

"Yes." Conrad said, "Show him in."

The doors to Conrad's office opened again, and Randolf was seen letting the Doctor in. The Doctor walked up and sat in the chairs in front of Conrad's desk. Conrad smiled as he looked at the Doctor, "You're early." Conrad said.

"An appointment I had canceled." the Doctor said, "So I finished with the patient I was on, can came straight away."

"I see." Conrad said.

"Any changes in your," the Doctor hesistated at the word, "State?"

"You mean pregnancy?" Conrad asked.

The doctor nodded back. "No changes." Conrad said, "However I do have reason to believe that the dark spot we saw on the sonogram last time is a glandular organ that has developed to accommodate my pregnancy."

"I have taken that into consideration." the Doctor said, "How about physical changes. Are you still the same person inside and out."

"I have reason to believe that my insides are rearranging." Conrad said, "In order to accommodate a pregnancy."

"Interesting." the Doctor said.

"Do you have any idea how my body would have changed?" Conrad asked.

"Hardly." the Doctor leaned back in his chair, "But if I were to make my best guess..." he began with his theorizing, "I would say that your intestinal tract has probably moved backwards. I'm guessing that your spine too is consolidating itself in order to alleviate problems on your back. Your veins have probably swelled in order to fit a large amount of blood. Your stomach is most likely resting behind your baby in order to not stretch out your intestines.Your kidneys have spread apart, your liver is mot likely riding directly next to your womb, and any other organ in the area has shifted based on its original location with respect to the origin of the fetus."

"There's only one way to know for sure." Conrad said.

"Indeed." the doctor said, "I have the equipment in my car. I ask that you strip down and wait in your bedroom for me."

"Yes." Conrad said as he left his office. He waddled down the hall until he reached his bedroom. He placed his hand on the monitor in front of the door, and it scanned his palm. It was a new security device he had installed. Conrad entered his bedroom, and found Lenya was already there.

"Is he here?" Lenya asked.

"Yes." Conrad said, "He's gone to fetch his equipment."

"He's early." Lenya said. "When will he be up here."

A few moments." Conrad began to take his shirt off, "I just need to rest here until he comes."

"A home ultrasound." Lenya said, "That's quite a blessing."

"Not even Bokuratu can provide that." Lenya said, "However, you may have to cover up anything dangerous he might find."

"Such as?" Conrad asked.

"Well, suppose he finds something that shouldn't be there." Lenya said, "Are you prepared with an alibi?"

"He already has, and I have already cleared it." Conrad said as he climbed into his bed, "According to Bokuratu, there shouldn't be anything else."

"Just be sure." Lenya said. "I don't want you to expose more than you have to.She leaned over and kissed Conrad.

"We'll talk about that later." Conrad whispered.

"Well, I brought what I could." the Doctor said as he wheeled in his cart. "You may want to thank your staff for helping me with this."

"I will remember to." Conrad said.

"Good." the Doctor said, "Then we should be all ready."

"Fine." Conrad said, "Begin what you need to."

"Good." the Doctor said. He switched on the monitor and grabbed the wand from the cart. He placed the gel on the tip of the wand, and then placed a bit at the top of Conrad's belly. "Bear in mind, this isn't necessarily to see your fetus, more is it to determine the full range of things happening inside you."

"Indeed." Conrad said, "Just interpret what you see."

The doctor then placed the wand on the very top of Conrad's belly and began to move it around. He looked at the globular formations on the ultrasound screen. The doctor nodded as he saw them, "Well, my hypothesis was right." he said, "Your intestinal tract has moved backwards."

"Wonderful." Conrad said, "Any other changes I should know about?"

"Your lungs, I suppose." the doctor looked, "It would appear they've shifted upwards."

"Really?" Conrad said.

"Looks like it might be safe for you to sleep on your back after all." the Doctor looked.

"Lucky." Lenya said.

The wand moved further down the immense curve of Conrad's belly. Doctor Zhuboyev stopped reapply gel, and then continued. "This is strange." he said.

"Strange?" Conrad asked, "Might you please explain."

"Well, normally a pregnant woman doesn't have her organs displaced." the Doctor said, "It seems that along the front of you belly, you have no major body parts."

"So this is all uterus?" Conrad asked.

"No." the Doctor said, "That's the weird part."

"Then what is it?" Conrad asked.

Doctor Zhuboyev pointed to the screen an indicated a large patch of white spots, "You see that?" he asked, "That looks like a pool of liquid located somewhere between your uterus and top of your curve."

"I don't understand." Conrad said.

"Neither do I." the Doctor said, "I suppose we should wait this out and see if it serves any function."

"Is that safe?" Lenya asked.

"It hasn't killed me yet." Conrad said.

The doctor continued to move his wand around Conrad's belly. "Well," the Doctor began, "Your womb is almost fully formed."

"Womb?" Conrad asked.

"Yes." the Doctor said, "It seems that when your pregnancy started you only had a partial womb with a cervix, and now it seems its grown. It's almost fully encompassed the baby."

"Then what's keeping everything from spilling out into other parts of me?" Conrad asked.

"It looks like there's a thin semi-solid membrane that's keeping the two pools separate." the doctor said, "I'd say that is what's keeping the fetus in one location."

"How thin is it?" Conrad asked.

"A millimeter, perhaps?" the doctor said, "I can barely see it."

"So it is frangile?" Conrad asked.

"Maybe." the doctor wrote back, "I wouldn't test its fragility, if I were you."

"So noted." Conrad said as the Doctor kept moving.

"It seems that your cervix isn't connected to anything." the doctor said, "Not yet."

"What do you mean?" Conrad asked.

"Well, in a pregnant woman the cervix is the passage to the birth canal." the doctor explained, "It's firmly closed from the start of pregnancy to the moment the woman's water breaks. However, it should be connected to some sort of exit from your body. It's not, but it looks like it's gearing up to be."

"Where is it pointed?" Conrad asked.

"Above your anal cavity." the Doctor said, "If it connects there well, you'll know."

"Grand." Conrad said sarcastically, "I'll know."

"And there's the baby." the Doctor showed the outline of the fetus on the screen, "It's very dormant now."

Conrad just stared as he saw his baby floating there on the screen. He was awed for the second, and greatly humbled to be a part in its creation. "That is quite impressive." Lenya said.

"Indeed." the Doctor said, "Looks very healthy to me. Not one flaw."

"Great." Conrad whispered, his eyes focused on the screen. "That is something."

The Doctor continued with checkup, even though Conrad's mind was fixated on what he saw. He wasn't completely there for the rest of the ultrasound, but he was paying attention from time to time.

Hey Kid, take your time. As a reader of said news, I understand that this Bin Laden story is gonna really occupy your time for a while.

Speaking of journalism, how did you get into it, if you don't mind my asking. I hope to get into journalism myself someday.

Mainland Cahrill 7:00 PM

General Wagner Hofman was finishing what he considered to be a long work day. After all, instituting Democracy again in a small but populous nation was not easy. After all, even though the monarchy had little political power, the people were anxious for a face of the government to represent them. It was clear that the Prime Minister was not sufficient for this role. Even after the ousting of King Ivo, the Prime Minister's approval ratings continued to wane as the economy still lagged. General Hofman knew this. He was sick to death of hearing it.

Unfortunately, that was all he could read about while he sat alone in his office. He could feel the fading sunlight as it peeked in through his Venetian blinds. He took a deep breath and sat back in his chair. The regulation-blue tie that came with his uniform was nearly choking him. He loosened it just a little, seeing how the end of the day was less formal for him.

General Hofman leaned forward and then grabbed the first paper on his desk. He looked at the headline on the top.

IMPORTANT!

That was the first word written in bold italic capital letters.

Urgent that the military put down riots in Cahrill's largest city. Anti-government protesters have been taking to the streets in the largest pre-election demonstration seen in the country's history. We must maintain stability and we need troops-

Hofman stopped reading there. He put down the paper on his desk and frowned. He shook his head. "They always want troops." he muttered to himself. He was right. He grabbed the second paper and read only the headline:

Massive danger! Police Not efficient! Send troops!

General Hofman scoffed at their request. He would be gladly obliged to send every soldier available at his disposal, if there were any. The Cahrillian military was stretched out all over the Earth, and in cities all over the country. And it was starting to seem that the majority of the troops were sympathizing with the political rioters, and sometimes partaking in the protests.

General Hofman threw the papers aside and wiped the sweat from his brow. He was furious. He now had to put up with a Prime Minister he couldn't defend, a Governor who he didn't trust, and a military that didn't trust him. Nothing was going to work out well in the end for him.

A knock came at his large mahogany office door. "General Hofman! This is Admiral Schauer!"

"What do you want?" Hofman shouted from his desk.

"I have some business to discuss!"

"Is it urgent?" the General asked.

The Admiral puased to think, "No it isn't!" he said, "I can come back later if you're busy-"

"Please come in." the General opened the doors for the young tall Admiral.

"I'm sorry sir, but I thought you were busy." Schauer stated.

"Hardly." Hofman said as he went back to his desk, "I'm just so fed up with hearing people's 'urgent' business that I just want to hear some casual news."

"Our expeditionary force has come back from their tour of the South Pacific." Schauer said, "The one you ordered months ago?"

"Good." Hofman said, "They'll probably be best suited finding work here in the nation. Every city and town needs military police right now. Riots, pipe bombs, anarchy all over the country! No town can hold its own anymore."

"I've heard, sir." Schauer responded, "Prime Minister Malsef is looking weaker every day."

"May I tell you something secret I heard from one of the War Ministers?" Hofman said, "If you feel comfortable handling the information."

"Indeed sir." Schauer said, "I'm bound to your secrecy orders."

"Tomorrow the opposition party is going to be holding a vote of no confidence against Malsef." Hofman said, "They feel it is the time."

"But sir!" Schauer said, "The election isn't for a month, and Malsef's party still has control of parliament! Surely it can't be passed."

"It will most likely pass." Hofman contradicted, "The opposition believes it has enough support from Malsef's party to depose him. And according to the Royal Constitution, an itnerim Prime Minister will have the ability to serve. He or she will be selected by the initiating party, and will have control for one month."

"That's clever." Schauer said, "By the time Malsef's party can select a Prime Minister, they will be out of power and unable to."

"These are dangerous times, Schauer." Hofman said, "We have many enemies, and they'll soon see why their opposition is dangerous."

"Good." Schauer said, "All the pieces are falling into place."

"And one more thing, Admiral." Hofman sat down, "Have you heard from our sentry inside Conrad Wilhelm's palace?"

"No sir." Schauer said, "He hasn't reported on the Governor's behavior yet today."

"Very well." Hofman said, "That makes an entire week we haven't heard from him."

"I can vouch for his credentials, sir." Schauer said, "He's closer to the Governor than anyone, from what I've heard."

"Yes, I'm sure of his credentials." Hofman said, "I only worry about his allegiance."

"He goes where the money does." Schauer said, "He'll say anything if we pay him enough to."

"I need to call him." Hofman said, "Maybe now would be a good time. After all, it's early in the morning there."

"It would be a good time." Schauer said, "I'll leave you to do that."

"That would be good." Hofman said as he showed the young Admiral the door. They saluted each other as Schauer walked out. Immediately afterwards Hofman went back to his desk and dialed a number on his phone. He waited and listened for an answer.

"Hello?" a perky male voice said at the other end of the line.

"Hello." Hofman began, "Is this Doctor Emerich Zhuboyev?"

"This is him." Dr. Zhuboyev answered back, "Who is this?"

"This is General Wagner Hofman of the Cahrillian Armed Air Guard."

"Ah! So you're the one behind my pretty paycheck!" Dr. Zhuboyev said, "Admiral Schauer was right when he said you wouldn't disappoint."

"I'm glad you found it fitting." Hofman said, "I called because I was worried about our alliance. Admiral Schauer says you haven't called him in seven days."

"A simple explanation." Zhuboyev said, "The Governor did not need my services at all this week, until this morning that is."

"Good." Hofman said, "So you have spoken to him recently?"

"Just this morning actually." Zhuboyev said, "He asked me to give him a physical examination."

"How is he?"

"Quite well." Zhuboyev said, "He may have a few... abnormalities, but he's otherwise the picture of perfect health."

"Really?" Hofman said, "Abnormalities?"

"I'm afraid I cannot divulge that information." Zhuboyev said.

"I'm afraid you forget yourself." Hofman said jokingly, "You see, you forget that we control the majority of your paycheck. We give you money, you give us information."

"I'm sorry sir." Zhuboyev said, "The hippocratic oath forbids me from discussing patient records dealing with their medical history. Such a promise could only be broken for a... reasonable sum."

"We have given you six hundred thousand US dollars." Hofman said, "We have your sum."

"This information is worth at least triple that." Zhuboyev said.

"Triple! This is extortion!" Hofman shot out of his seat in disbelief.

"That would be one and a half million Charillian Hachaks." Zhuboyev said, "The rough equivalent of 1.8 million dollars."

"We may be able to suit you." Hofman said going through his files, "But you are proving to be a most expensive spy."

"You may trust me." Zhuboyev said, "What I can tell you is worth it."

"We will have it at your office in no more than two weeks." Hofman said, "And if the information you provide is deemed less valuable than the sum of 1.5 million Hachaks, we will call up that old treason charge you were 'acquitted' from."

"Indeed." Zhuboyev said, "I would not want that to happen."

"Then tell them everything you can right now." Hofman demanded.

"The Governor has no real confidants." Zhuboyev said, "He may be slightly open with a few palace workers, and his secretary Randolf. No, instead he shares everything with his lover, Lenya."

"Lover?" Hofman said, "Not wife?"

"I was just as surprised as you are." Zhuboyev said.

"But isn't she with child?" Hofman asked.

"Precisely." Zhuboyev said, "Currently, she is 32 weeks pregnant. They have only lived on Governor's Isle for 12 weeks. Therefore she must have been pregnant when she was working as a palace maid to the Queen."

"Interesting." Hofman said, "So the child is illegitimate."

"The Governor does spend much of his time by himself." Zhuboyev said, "He makes few speeches, and does most of the work on his own, but he otherwise is very isolated. However, he routinely requests to be driven to the Northeast section of Governor's Island."

"Isn't that uninhabited?" Hofman asked.

"That's just it." Zhuboyev said, "He's driven down a dirt road, and requests to get out in the middle of the jungle, and get picked up one hour later. It makes no sense."

"It's suspicious." Hofman said, "Look into it, this could be our big lead."

"The public still believes we are on the Governor's side." Zhuboyev said, "It's political suicide to go up against him."

"Leave that to me." Hofman said, "I'll change the whole paradigm."

"Very well, sir." Zhuboyev said, "I shall continue to investigate."

"Don't betray us, Zhuboyev." Hofman said, "Remember the penalties for treason."

"I will." Zhuboyev said, "Goodbye."

"Goodbye." General Hofman hung up.

-- Edited by Meticulous Kid on Monday 20th of June 2011 04:00:32 PM

The parade was held in the city square that afternoon. This was the island' first parade, and it showed. The procession must have been two miles long, because every single island group wanted to march. And of course, the organizers were too inexperienced to know how to say "no". There were many people all in a row. Conrad was situated right in the middle of the procession, sitting atop a convertible with the top down. Lenya was sitting there too, and both of them knew they ad to make their public appearance short, an sweet.

They both sat, not on the seats, but atop the backseats. Their feet rested where people would normally sit in their car. From this position it was easier to see people, and to smile and wave at them.

"Smile and wave." Conrad thought, "It's not that difficult."

His car was moving slowly along with the parade procession. Conrad and Lenya often stepped out so that they could shake hands with their constituents. It was a classic PR move that never failed a young, attractive politician.

His car moved along, until it turned onto Englerott Boulevard, where the largest crowds were. Englerott boulevard was built so that the businesses were pushed off further off the road, and the sidewalks and plazas were wide enough to accommodate thousands of people. This was obvious as Conrad looked at the crowds. The parade would soon end after the next few turns. Conrad smiled and waved some more at the people.

Out of nowhere there were a few screams and shouts. The parade stopped, and Conrad's head veered in one direction. "Oh God no..." his mind said. Indeed, many people were shouting in terror, and running away from one location. Suddenly, and explosion went off deep inside the crowd, sending fire hurtling into the air.

"Terrorists!" Somebody shouted as they continued to run from the explosion, "Bombs!" Someone else shouted.

Conrad got out of his car, and went towards the disruption. His stomach turned, as he feared the worst. He made his way past the crowd and saw the disturbance. H looked and saw a man with tan skin, standing near the side of a glass skyscraper. He was almost nude, except for what looked like boxer shorts made out of deerskin. His hair was long and dark, and he carried a bow and arrow at his side. But what Conrad was most frightened about, was the fact that this man had a large distended protruding stomach, just like Conrad had. This man was a member of the tribe. Conrad's worst fears were now confirmed.

The man stood there just raising his hand into the air. Of course, every time he did, a bright orange orb appeared in his hand, which became some sort of fireball. Conrad knew it must have been some ancient magic. The tribesman spied Conrad and eyed him very angrily. They both knew each other. The man then conjured up one more fireball, and sent it directly at Conrad. Conrad held up his hands and backed away. He thought to himself, "Block it block it!" Conrad felt as the fireball touched his hands, and dissipated into them. "What the-?" Conrad asked again.

From behind him, Conrad's security forces ran up to the man, and tackled him to the ground. The security forces shouted at the tribesman, as they arrested him violently. Conrad went to the chief of his security and said, "Take him to an isolated holding location."

"But sir, this man is very dangerous." the chief responded.

"I must interrogate him." conrad replied, "And I must be alone."

"Yes sir." the chief responded. Security then brought the tribesman into a van, and locked it. They drove him to his prison. Conrad followed in pursuit. They drove past the disbanded parade members, and they frightened crowds. Conrad averted his gaze as they all stared.

 

Two hours later, the convoy arrived at Pynchon Prison. It was located on a cliff overlooking a dangerous rocky coast. The whole prison was dark grey, and concrete. It was a very brutal style.

Conrad followed his security forces as they brought the tribesman down the hall into one of the holding cells. They placed the tribesman inside the interrogation room. It was small, dark, and completely surrounded by concrete. The only part of the wall that wasn't concrete was the thick, one-way window that the security could watch from the outside. As the security forces left the room, it was obvious that the tribesman wasn't even fazed.

At first, Conrad wasn't allowed to speak to the man. He wasn't even allowed to look. Conrad and Lenya were told to wait for them to finish. An hour went by, and one of the security forces stepped out of the room, up to Conrad and Lenya. "We've accomplished nothing." he said.

"What do you mean?" Conrad replied.

"We still are clueless about who he is." the man said, "We know he speaks English, we know that he is very resilient, and we know he only wants to talk to you."

"Quite a coincidence." Conrad said, "I very much want to talk with him, too."

"Step inside, please." the security man spoke.

Conrad and Lenya both got up to go into the heavily protected room. Lenya was blocked by the man. "I'm sorry, m'lady." the man said, "Only authorized security forces beyond this point."

"She goes in, or I don't go at all." Conrad said.

"Fine." the man said disappointed as he let her enter.

Conrad looked through the window at the tribesman. He just sat patiently inside his holding cell, staring at the window. His hands were folded, and he had a good demeanor about him. He was completely unfazed.

"Be warned." the security man said, "He's very adamant. We haven't caught him saying four words yet."

"He'll talk to me." Conrad went to enter the room. Before he did he turned around and said, "this man is more powerful than you think. Stay away from him at all costs, do you understand? Steer clear of this room. And no matter how much I plead you, no matter how much I beg and cry, do not open this door until the interrogation's over. Do you understand?"

"Of course." the chief of security said.

Conrad entered the interrogation room. Conrad sat down across the desk from the tribesman. "You've caused my friends a great deal of trouble, I hope you know that." Conrad continued.

"I'm sorry if you feel they've been beaten by me." the tribesman said, "The strongest rewards come to those who hold their ground."

"Okay." Conrad said, "Why did you do it? Why did you appear in the middle of a public event and cause panic?"

"A warning." the tribesman said, "I came to warn your people that they cannot intrude on the island without first knowing who they are sharing it with."

"The people would be happy to exterminate you now." Conrad said. "Don't you think there's a better, more diplomatic way?"

"Do you honestly believe people would listen to a well-ordered press conference in which an indigenous tribe announces their existence?" the tribesman asked.

"Maybe." Conrad said, "I can arrange one for you."

"What catches peoples' attention better than what they don't know?" the tribesman said, "Knowing human nature, everyone who saw me today will be frightened for a week."

"That wasn't necessary." Conrad said, "You could've killed someone!"

"This magic is non-lethal." the tribesman said, "I couldn't have harmed someone if I tried."

"But why now?" Conrad asked, "And who's making you do it?"

"The time is now." the tribesman said, "Our savior is at hand. The arrival of the chosen one has come. He is here to bring us to a new age."

"I presume you mean me." Conrad said.

"It is as Bokuratu predicted." the tribesman replied.

"Tell Bokuratu that I want no part in his world." Conrad said, "And he shouldn't want any part in mine."

"But you do, Governor." the tribesman said, "But you do."

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't you know what I'm talking about?" the tribesman smiled, "Feel that pregnant belly of yours, that's so quickly grown on you. Go ahead. Feel it."

Conrad obliged. He put his hands on the front of his belly. He could feel movement on the inside. Conrad looked up at the tribesman, "Don't you feel it?" the tribesman continued, "Don't you feel the power growing within you every day? Don't you feel the changes that are happening every moment of every day? Aren't you a little bit anxious about the future and what it means for you?"

"I have felt that way at times." Conrad said, "But it is not strong enough to make me go back-"

"The magic?" the tribesman asked, "How's your conjuration."

Conrad stared blankly at the tribesman. He shook his head and placed his hand near his eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about." Conrad said.

"You've been experimenting with your magical abilities, haven't you?" the tribesman asked, "Your Bokurik is getting some exercise."

Conrad averted his gaze from the tribesman. Indeed, he had been using his magical abilities for his own gain. "Aren't you curious?" the tribesman asked, "Aren't you the least bit interested in what you can do? You have a power now that you never had before. Don't you wonder what you are capable of now?"

"What gives you the right to ask me questions!" Conrad was upset over this, "I have no interest in your silly little tribe!" Conrad was well within the knowledge that he was lying. "Now tell me what you want!"

"I want nothing." the tribesman said, "Except, at the very least, an opportunity to fulfill our prophecy."

"What does it entail?" Conrad asked, "I can give you money, resources, troops, anything you want."

"Our prophecy is simple." the tribesman said, "Our tribe shall never be in the hands of God until the chosen one seizes command of our tribe, and leads us onto victory."

"Victory over what?" Conrad asked, "What are you fighting?"

"The interlopers." the tribesman said, "Everyone who has taken this island from us against our wishes."

"You're fighting us?" Conrad asked.

"And our prophecy will not be fulfilled until the interlopers cease all threatening behavior, and leave this island."

"Absolutely not." Conrad said, "No. I will not send everyone back."

"Then our prophecy will not be fulfilled." the tribesman said.

"Good." Conrad said, "And tell Bokuratu that if he wishes to wage war against us, I am more than happy to oblige."

"I will not be returning to the tribe." the tribesman said.

"What do you mean?" Conrad asked.

"I have fulfilled my purpose in fate." the tribesman said, "I am of no more use to it."

"What does that mean?" Conrad asked.

"I shall now die." the tribesman said, "Farewell, I've lived a good life."

"What?" Conrad asked, "No one can die on command."

"No." the tribesman said, "For I am sure, this is my time."

"How do you know?" Conrad asked.

The tribesman began to look uncomfortable in his seat. His hands clasped tightly up against his belly as he began to squirm in his chair. "The baby's coming." he whispered.

"No." Conrad said, "No! Wait, huold it in!"

"I can't..." the tribesman was trying to hold back the pain, "I can't..." the tribesman fell out of his seat and shouted on the floor. His hands were pressing down on his belly as hard as they could go.

Conrad was also on the floor with the tribesman. He looked all over the tribesman's body, and found a small trickle of clear liquid running out the tribesman's backside. "His water's broke." Conrad looked around quickly.

"Help me!" Conrad shouted around the small room. The tribesman shouted in pain, "Help me!" Conrad ran over to the one-way window. He pounded on the glass and shouted as loud as he could, "Open the door! This man needs help!"

Lenya saw the commotion and turned to the security chief, "What are you doing?!" she was frustrated, "Open the door this instant! The man is in trouble!"

"Hold on there, m'lady." the chief said as he blocked the doorway, "The Governor ordered us to stay here until the interrogation is over. We don't know what's going on, and therefore we don't know what'll happen next."

"The man is obviously dying!" Lenya said, "Do something!"

"Governor's orders, m'lady." the chief said, "I'm sorry. We're waiting this out."

Conrad continued to shout and pound on the door. "Help!" he screamed, "Help!" Conrad finally realized that try as he might, he would not receive any help. So he went back over to the tribesman, who was squealing on the floor. "Okay." conrad said, "Okay, I can deliver this baby. I just need some time to-"

"No time!" the tribesman shouted, "No time! Must push!"

Conrad looked up the rear end of the tribesman. He could see the baby's head begin to crown. Conrad was disgusted by this, but decided to make the most of it. "He's almost there!" Conrad shouted, "Just a little more! Push!"

The tribesman shouted again. His agony was clear. Conrad reached in to grab te baby. He couldn't grab it, but his hands were covered with blood when he pulled them out. Conrad began to tear up in frustration. "Breathe!" Conrad shouted.

Outside the room, Lenya was tearing up too. "Oh for God's sake!" she shouted.

"Governor's orders." the chief said, "Until it's over."

Inside the room, Conrad could feel the baby begin to slide out. It was obvious that the tribesman's pushing was having some effect and the baby's head was nearly all the way out. Conrad tried to pull out the baby, but the shoulders had to go. The tribesman let out one more wail during the birth. The shoulders were now evident and Conrad  Cornad grabbed them and pulled out the baby. The tribesman had then gone silent.

"My God..." Conrad said as the baby began to cry, "Holy Lord..."

Lenya shouted at the chief, "Can we go in now?"

The chief was in a near-catatonic state from what he had just seen. "Did that man just have a baby?" the chief asked, "To hell with orders! Everyone inside!"

The security staff came in, and saw the little newborn infant crying helplessly on the floor. The staff proceeded to cut the baby from its umbilical cord and move it to the infirmary. Conrad sat in the corner, tears streaming down hi face. Lenya went over to comfort him. He held him tightly as she too wept from what had just happened.

The chief of security put his first two fingers on the neck of the silent tribesman. There was no pulse. Quietly the chief turned over the man, and closed his eyes for the final time. The chief looked down sympathetically at Conrad and he shook his head for his own literalistic failure.

Conrad wept in the knowledge that if he had trusted the tribesman, he might still have been alive.

I am really enjoying this story

Soon, Conrad sought solace in his weekly drive out into the jungle. As usual, he was dropped off by the side of the road in the middle of the woods. This was the first time he had approached the tribe since the attack. He walked slowly through the woods, and every time it was getting easier with his pregnant form.

Finally he approached the village. Everyone was outside. Conrad looked on as he walked into the village. When the villagers saw him, they stopped what they were doing. They stopped and stared at Conrad as he paced into the village. This was unusual. Conrad was usually welcomed by the villagers, and they had even gotten used to his presence. Now they acted as if he had offended them, or that they did not know him.

Conrad became self-conscious as he walked towards the main hut. From the ogling crowd, Ivo had reentered the village and approached Conrad. Conrad saw this and stopped for a second. He walked up to Conrad and stared as well.

"Well?" Conrad asked, "Aren't you going to tell me why these people are staring?"

"You're taking a long time, Conrad." Ivo said, "We were hoping we would have what is ours now."

"Yours?" Conrad asked, "What do I possibly have that you want? Money? i'll give you money! Land, I'll give you land!"

"We want our freedom from interaction with your people. We want our ways to be upheld." Ivo said.

"You haven't even been a member of the tribe for a month, and already you're their spokesperson?" Conrad asked.

"I am the tribe, Conrad!" Ivo approached him, "Every man here is the tribe. My son, who is growing in my belly, is the tribe! We are all one, we are all the same! We all have the same wishes and desires!"

"Well what do you want me to do about it?" Conrad was getting aggravated, "I can only do so much, and the fact that you send your men to blow up my downtown is not helping your case!"

"All we want is for the white man to treat us with more respect than you treated other tribesmen you encountered." Ivo crossed his arms.

"Listen to yourself!" conrad said, "I am not sure if you recognize this fact, but you are the white man!"

Ivo shook his head, "You can't say that anymore. My outside may look the same, but I havr gone through an inner transformation. I am not the man I used to be."

"That we can agree on." Conrad said.

"And you've gone through the same transformation too, haven't you?" Ivo said, "You are with child, just like we are."

"I still have a job to do on the outside." Conrad said.

"When will you come to the same realization that I did?" Ivo said, "You aren;t the same person anymore. The tribe is where you belong, and you know it. Soon you will realize it."

"Governor Wilhelm!" Bokuratu shouted as he stepped out of his hut. The villagers all stared at him. "Please." he motioned to the inside, "I have someone who very much wants to speak to you."

Conrad left the village behind. He entered the hut and looked around. Bokuratu pointed down at his guest, who was sitting in a straw chair. He looked very anxious with his hands folded. He was a young man, wearing a tailored suit. But Conrad soon remembered his face. He was Wallace Morgan, who had sold the Queen the island. "It's good to see you, Conrad." Wallace said, "I'm sorry that we had to meet under these circumstances."

"What is this about?" Conrad asked, "Why is he here?"

"I felt he had an urgent testimony to say." Bokuratu said, "That's why I 'persuaded' him to make a visit."

"Please take a seat, Governor." Wallace said, "I should make this clear to you."

Conrad sat down on a wooden stool. Wallace looked very nervously at the ground, "I'm not sure if this whole island sale was a good idea anymore."

"What do you mean?" Conrad asked.

"I'm looking out for your best interests!" Wallace said, "But I fear that the tribe might have their way."

"What are you talking about?" Conrad asked.

"Remember when I said to stay away from the Northeast corner of the island?" Wallace said, "I told you that on the plane?"

"Yes." Conrad said, "I do."

"Well, I wanted to see if you could avoid the tribe." Wallace said, "I guess I should have known that Bokuratu would have known you were coming."

"So naturally, I had you brought to us." Bokuratu explained, "That's when we knew you were our chosen one."

"So how does this relate to the island?" Conrad asked.

"I'll get straight to the point." Wallace said, "I'm willing to buy this island back from you for 400% of what you paid. Isn't that well worth it?"

"Absolutely not!" Conrad said, "I would never authorize such a sale!"

Wallace sat back disappointed in his chair, "I'm just worried that you may be meddling with powers you don't understand."

"Are you referring to the tribe?" Conrad asked.

"Yes he is." Bokuratu said, "And it seems we are on the verge of an impasse."

"Impasse?" Conrad said, "I thought we were getting along splendidly until your tribesman started shooting fireballs in the middle of downtown."

"You don't understand." Bokuratu said, "For weeks we've been asking you to let your people know that we have our space. All we asked for was the little Northeast corner of the island, with which to continue our heritage. You promised that this area would remain off-limits to developers. But it seems you could not ever guarantee that!"

"What are you talking about?" Conrad said, "The corner is still in pristine condition, and I wouldn't think of approving a project anywhere near here!"

"Check again." Bokuratu said, "One of your developers is about to carry out a project that ends only a quarter mile away from our village!"

"Impossible." Conrad said, "All building projects have to be approved by me before being set into action."

"Read the fine print in your laws." Bokuratu said, "All civilian projects have to be approved by you. This project is being funded by the United States' Army Corps of Engineers, and therefore is exempt from your law."

"What?!" Conrad shouted, "But why?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Bokuratu said, "The developer got tired of wasting time and money waiting for your approval."

"I'll stop the project!" Conrad said, "I'll cut off their funds our international aid!"

"That's not good enough." Bokuratu said, "If you do that we'll just be fodder for another developer armed with a poorly-worded loophole to bulldoze all of us."

"So what would you have me do?" Conrad asked.

"Tell everyone." Bokuratu said, "Tell the people that this land is forbidden, and then tell them why."

"Why on Earth would I do that?" Conrad asked.

"So our people can live in peace, like we were always meant to be." Bokuratu said, "As is the human condition."

"I cannot risk my career over that." Conrad said.

"I hoped you would." Bokuratu shook his head, "Because we'll have no other option but to forcibly defend our own. that attack last week was only a fraction of the power we possess as a whole. If we all attack, not even one of your nuclear bombs can stop us."

"Is that a threat?" Conrad asked, "If it is, I may have no choice but to declare war on your tribe."

"Governor, I beg you, you have no idea what you're up against!" Wallace said, "They really do possess untold power. And if you're not going to warn people about the tribe, then you should consider letting me buy the island back."

"Why do you want it back?" Conrad asked.

"To stop the bloodshed!" Wallace was shaking in his seat.

Conrad detected his anxiousness and sat back. "If they attack, thousands will die. The entire island will be laid to waste. You have no idea of what combined magic can do."

"We have the upper hand." Bokuratu said, "Either warn your people about us, or leave the island. but do not expect us to be encroached on and not fight back."

"I can't tell people that." Conrad said, "I'd cause a mass panic."

"If you do decide to tell your people about us, we will help control them in whatever way we can." Bokuratu said, "After all, we can influence people's thoughts."

"Can you make my approval numbers go up, then?" Conrad joked.

"I'm sorry." Bokuratu said, "I've been too preoccupied decreasing them to help you with that."

"Hey, wait a minute!" Conrad said, "You're the reason why people don't believe me? You're the reason why my poll numbers are slipping?"

"The human mind is very vulnerable." Bokuratu said, "Sometimes I can telepathically communicate an idea to someone, and they don't even know it was me."

"As if the attack wasn't bad enough!" Conrad was furious.

"You can make it end by just doing what we asked you to do months ago." Bokuratu said.

"Forget it!" conrad began to storm out, "I've had enough of this! I will not work with someone who is actively sabotaging me!"

"Conrad, wait!" Wallace said as he actually got Conrad to pause at the door, "You're practically one of the tribe. Look at yourself. You're fully pregnant with your own son. You keep saying to yourself you'll never come back here, but you do. You keep telling yourself this isn't real. but it is."

"Wait." Conrad said, "How did you know I was pregnant?"

"That reminds me." Bokuratu said, "How are your children, Wallace?" Bokuratu asked.

"Wait, children?" Suddenly it dawned on Conrad, "Oh no, Wallace. You're not saying-"

"Yes Conrad." Wallace said, "The tribe got me pregnant."

"A short five years ago, wasn't it?" Bokuratu smiled, "I remember it very well. How are your children?"

"They're fine." Wallace turned his head.

"Wait, children?" Conrad was cuious, "You had multiples?"

"I've been pregnant multiple times." Wallace said, "I'm as fertile as a teenage virgin. If my wife and I even think about sex, I think I might get pregnant."

"You carried multiple children for the tribe?" Conrad was shocked.

"Not for us." Bokuratu said, "His first child was made by us. Of course, he then had his Bokurik removed so we couldn't do it anymore."

"But I couldn't get the uterus removed." Wallace said, "During my first pregnancy, a uterus grew around the baby, full with ovaries. Yes, I'm ovulating from time to time."

"Oh my God..." Conrad said.

"Of course I was so fertile that I got pregnant only three months after the birth of my first child. And again two years later." Wallace said.

"Good Lord..." Conrad said, "But why?"

"We thought he was our chosen one." Bokuratu said, "But we were wrong. We now know it is you."

"But I still experienced the same thing you did, Conrad." Wallace said, "Those feelings of ecstasy every time you use your new powers, those waves of fear and doubt which you get periodically, the denial of the process, the weird motivation you have to go back to the tribe, which you can't justify, I had all of it. Of course, they didn't need me after it became clear I wasn't the chosen one."

"So now you've come back to warn me that I'm making a mistake?" Conrad asked.

"That's what I hoped." Wallace said, "It didn't seem to get through to you."

"Maybe there isn't anything to fear after all." Conrad said, "Maybe we can live together."

"Make your announcement." Bokuratu said, "And everything will be fine."

"We'll see." Conrad said, "We'll see."

Good story! Can't wait for more! :D