Puerto Asís, 1 pm, on the outskirts of the municipality, temperature of 25°C.
We had gotten off the boat half an hour ago, everyone's spirits were on the ground, of course, that was my fault.
I had told them that they had closed minds, and I wasn't wrong, I just didn't expect their hopes to fall even more once they found out the truth and because they couldn't ask for help from any organization, not even CRITON.
CRITON was established to pass judgment on crimes caused by the districts, that's what was said in public hearing, what was understood is that they would give a home to this new group with the support of all united countries.
This union was not complete, the United States, Japan, England, China, Russia and India did not unite directly, contrary to all that was thought, this union was thought for the rest of the countries that had no way to defend themselves against the districts, the other countries tried to hunt them on their own, but then understood that it wouldn't be as simple as they thought. In the end they had to join efforts from everyone to try to dismantle their networks that were embedded in very powerful branches of different countries, only with everyone's help could they have a chance to find their hideouts.
But it was that same union that prevents Caleb's group and my group from being able to talk to them.
First is the paranoia, anyone who reveals information will be actively sought out to give statements, making anonymity almost impossible. Second are the actions of the organization itself, it had been known for some time that the cold fire treaty would be an obligation for all countries except CRITON, being an allied force of all countries, they saw the need to keep their nuclear weapons under control, especially because they didn't know where district people were infiltrated, as bad as it seemed to them they started to realize that their network was too large in several countries, for that same reason, Paris ended up as it did; in this way, only this organization would handle the weaponry of the entire world.
No superpower could accept this at first, but they had to, seeing that among themselves they could end up bombing their own allies just to eliminate the districts. There was no fixed location, therefore, those weapons would be useless and would only give problems if someone indulgent threw them against another country
This became clear when the investigations of how the tragedy of Paris happened were revealed.
'They should also know a little more about that….maybe later I'll tell them'
The third reason is a little more concerning, contrary to what was thought, CRITON was not a friendly ally, their methods were radical, and their methods could trigger massacres just to corner them, after a series of coordinated attacks, civilian casualties were disastrous.
This same thing was hidden from public opinion, they were people who collaborated with terrorists, so it was unheard of that they were still alive.
And the most important and influential reason, if they found out that the districts' plan was worldwide genocide, where everyone would be selected depending on their usefulness, being accepted and taken to safe spaces or discarded and put on the elimination list. CRITON would lose its mind and start its own selection of its own forces, one to continue the fight against the districts and two to shelter them and survive the district's plan.
They would think selfishly and only try to save those they want, who have contacts, resources, financing or anyone who is useful to them. Ultimately they will try to use the civilian population to find them, causing a slaughter even greater than what the district thinks to do; this is obvious since panic and shock will make people lose their heads, fighting each other for resources or trying to eliminate those responsible, who unfortunately will be mistaken, eliminating defenseless civilians, making the chain extend throughout the world, making countries return to their nuclear weapons in order to eliminate the most problematic threats.
In short, any decision that is made, which involves the inclusion of CRITON, will lead to genocides worse than the selective ones the district thinks to do, they couldn't have a worse headache, it would be easier if they had a guide or plan against the districts, but the truth is they don't know where they are or what they're doing.
"You should have kept the information about the end of the world to yourself, now they can't think about anything else"
The one who directed those words was Rudolf, who approached my side as we walked through the streets of Puerto Asís, looking for transportation to Florencia.
"It's necessary, at least I know I can't do it alone. They're not obligated to help me, I gave them the opportunity to change their lives, there's no other way to change it than by saving it"
"That's true, but…..what can we do that others can't?, don't you have contacts that could help you?, I'm sure you have influence here and abroad"
I didn't look at him, I just kept walking while observing the public transportation buses, hoping to find one that would depart that same day.
"I can't call them, my death is still premature, if someone realizes I exist it would be a big problem, besides that would only put them at risk. The districts keep a close watch on the points where we collect resources and information, also with who we had communication, therefore, they will be under surveillance as a form of prevention in case someone betrays the districts with the announcement of my death"
It is unorthodox how casualties are handled in the districts, even so, their precautions remain in effect even after death.
"What do you expect us to achieve?, we're not weapons like you, we're less than ideal, how do you expect to stop the districts?"
"Maybe I can't meet with them, but that doesn't mean you can't"
Those words gave meaning to what they would soon do in about two months.
"Think of it as an adventure, besides….. I'll do it by lottery so you don't have to worry that it's not fair, I swear I won't send you to a place with horrible weather just to bother you"
As if an ant had bitten him, Rudolf felt an itch and discomfort upon hearing those words.
It wasn't like when he talked to #4, even so he felt that a bad omen had fallen on him like a curse; his words had no malice, and in any case they were like asking for lightning to strike him.
Soon they arrived at the bus station, there was a direct bus to Florencia, they dispersed in the same groups, to watch out in case of any emergency.
In the end, one by one he took it easy and left the topic of impending death behind for now.
'Only 2 years left before they start moving, I have to do everything possible to get them ready'
***
In an extensive park in one of the most well-known places in the city, scorching sun and people exercising routinely, Kalika was in a chair in a park, with a bag in her hand, throwing grains to the pigeons.
She wasn't a fan of pigeons, particularly of any bird, she is a fanatic about cleanliness, and as if she saw flying rats that only know how to poop anywhere, she had a feeling of repulsion.
"Pit… pit…"
The grains fell, and the pigeons clustered to eat the corn seeds.
She didn't take the session of feeding them out of simple kindness, it was a way to distract herself from the words she had heard the previous night, she didn't enjoy it, but upon seeing that it was common for people to buy bags of corn at the stands and throw them at the birds, she felt that it could be a way to change habits and that she could have another perspective.
No more, she felt nothing.
Her head was a jumble before sleep, always intuiting that what she was doing was necessary to achieve her goals. Kalika once asked herself what she would do after overthrowing her family and taking power.
She had always been clear about it, rebuild the family she had lost since childhood, since she separated from her mother. She didn't want to be the daughter of anyone who didn't have real feelings for her, therefore, another idea occurred to her.
What if I take care of my own family?
A family made by herself, that would be brought and raised by her own hands, that, if she ever had a problem with them, it would be because she wasn't perfect, that something was missing for her to improve, and that among all of them they would resolve it.
A family that they could count on each other above everything else, absolute fidelity and loyalty to all, not to her alone. For now, she had achieved it, she gathered 8 prodigious young people, each with immense strengths, all with different talents to care for and guide.
With her peculiar eyes that could find flaws in anything and find solutions for them. She didn't want to be God for anyone, just a family where she needed them and they needed her.
"Have I made a mistake?"
Despite that, yesterday left her marked. Would she have to take freedom away from innocent people in order to achieve her plan?, it wasn't bad if those people believed they were doing it of their own volition, however what if they were aware or found out in the course of things?
Heiss would be caught in the end and would understand where he got himself into, but Ana, she was another person who knew she wanted Heiss. She might not care about her opinion, it's just that having it thrown in her face made her lose her breath.
Her morals were double at this moment, it mattered to her and at the same time it didn't, it was like not wanting to be judged, that she didn't care if someone told her that. What if it was someone in a similar situation?
'Is this what I want at the end of my life?, I hate revenge, and yet I desire it because without it, I have nothing else.'
"You're sadder than usual, did someone make fun of your height?, little sister"
The trees swayed in the hot air, people in the park ran, played, argued, trained, all happily in the enormous green meadow.
Lifting her head there she saw her, her older sister by age was Mirei.
Beautiful golden blonde hair similar to pure gold, her clear crystal green eyes, different from Kalika's dark green ruby eyes, defined nose, face sculpted like a queen, curves and defined breasts.
There was no one who didn't look at her, she was simply beautiful, she didn't seem to have fixed features, maybe Western characteristics with European ones, who knew, since she was orphaned until she was adopted.
Kalika fixed on her breasts, and a sudden disgust lined her eyebrows.
"¡..!, Come on Kalika, you know these are natural so don't look at me that way, don't get frustrated, when you're older you'll have them this size"
Kalika's attributes were nothing to feel envious about, if Mirei is the Goddess with large attributes then she would be the sculpture created by God himself, her attributes were proportional, neither too little nor exaggerated, she even preferred it that way, since for fighting it was an enormous difficulty.
In any case, she couldn't help but feel a twinge at her sister's audacity to show herself so revealingly with the beige dress that reached her ankles and marked her entire figure.
"What are you doing here, Mirei, didn't you say you were going to explore local gastronomy while you waited for the weapons test results?"
She evaded her sister's question and changed the subject.
"It's true, but I talked to Nile, and he told me you went out for some air, I was wondering, what could be so important as to distract my work-addicted sister?"
She came back and emphasized the topic.
"It's nothing important…., I just have some doubts"
"Let me hear, your older sister is here to support you"
With that, Kalika told her what had been in the past week, spent 10 minutes telling her everything, how she found Heiss, the operation of her people, the Inquisitors of Elend, all in overview, until she told her about the meeting with Ana, there her expressions changed.
"I see…., so you don't even know why you sacrificed so much?"
"¿Hmnp?", Kalika turned confused.
"Seriously you're very stupid, you're smart when it comes to solving other people's matters, but when it comes to you, you're just a mess"
Suddenly she pulled out a juice box from her purse, removed the paper and began to sip.
She had seen this relaxed attitude many times before, so she didn't interrupt her.
"You see Kalika, humans are not perfect, you know it, we are selfish, egocentric, greedy, idiots in one word, but what differentiates others is the nature of the desire. You desire something you didn't have and that we couldn't give you with our brother, a family in which to place all your trust, and I know it's not your fault, it's ours for not being able to protect you from that old bastard"
"Your desire is pure, and your stupidity is what contaminates it, you know what's necessary to reach that goal, so if you know that something makes you uncomfortable about tracing that plan, then change it. If you have a goal, let it be one you feel proud of, for my part I only feel that I can get my hands dirty when I care about someone more, seeing that the same thing happens to you don't try to force it by damaging another person's freedom. Be reasonable with what you want, how you want to get there; he offered you an association didn't he?, well you already have the way you can change and apologize in the process"
Finishing sipping her box, she threw it in a nearby trash can, then took the briefcase she had brought and handed it to her.
"Try fighting with a friend, maybe it can give you another perspective. Here is the information that Nile gathered so far, he told me to tell you that this is a very problematic matter, and it can be dangerous, I don't know who Jouska will be, but he must be someone very dangerous if Nile emphasized such risk"
Taking the folder in her hands, she looked at her Mirei, a hint of determination glimmered in her eyes.
"Thank you sister"