Untitled: Episode 4 Part 1

A whole lotta in this update. More of those to come.
Also I changed the title.

EPISODE 4: BALANCES

The planet was known as Bunkatsu or Fēnliè depending on who you asked, and had a lengthy and rather gory history. An independent world free from the Wheel and the DSC, its people nevertheless want to get into the fold of one of the two factions. In the far past, qualifying as ancient history for some of the planet’s populace, settlers from earth now referred to as “Asiatics” settled the planet. There were two major ethnic groups amongst the colonists who were unable to settle old differences between their peoples, and so chose to land in two different regions. Those who settled in the west named the area “Bunkatsu” and those in the east, “Fēnliè”. The westerners, over the years, built up a decadent empire from their capital city of Tanitsu, the glittering gem of Asiatic capitalism. Not many tourists visit from either the DSC or the Wheel visit Bunkatsu, so the many Onsen around its volcanically active central mountain are frequented mostly by locals. The few tourists that do make it speak wonders of their luxury, wondering how such a serene countryside could exist alongside the cities of the country’s western coast.

                On the remaining half of the planet, another dominant ethnic group populates the country called Fēnliè. This nation took the industrial path, building up a great economy extremely rapidly for a newly colonized world. Their great cities may not have the aesthetic appeal as do those of the west, but their mighty industrial machine has brought great wealth to their nation in the form of interplanetary trade. Off world interest in Fēnliè is limited, however, given their volatile relations with their neighbours to the west.

                On one particular day the forgotten protagonist found himself in the border town of Pibotto. Having refuelled the Space Wasp and locked it securely in a pay-to-stay garage, Jay’s wallet was beginning to feel the pinch. He would need to find some sort of work in the near future. At the present moment he was making his way down a lonely street, a pale wind blowing from the east. His destination was known only to him – or perhaps he had no destination at all.

                The weather on that day in that town had been overcast since the sun rose in the morning, beginning its 23 hour journey across the sky. Now, with the heavenly body a little more than halfway through its trek, it began to rain. Jay ducked into an alcove, seeking respite from the sudden deluge. Thunder rumbled nearby. Jay’s eyes wandered to a hanging sign above the doorway he was standing in. The sign proclaimed, to all those who would read it, “BAR”. His curiosity piqued, Jay entered.

                It was a simple affair, a thin room with a lone chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The place must have been swanky in its heyday, but its wood panelled walls were beginning to peel and the chandelier was much too dim to inspire any dreams of high society. Photographs of cities much more prosperous than this one were framed on the walls, wooden chairs and tables lining the sides of the room. A radio somewhere played a slow piece of jazz, sounding tinny compared to the thunder outside. At the end of the room were the bar and its bartender, an Asiatic woman dressed in blue jeans and a white sleeveless shirt, black hair falling down behind her shoulders. She was polishing a glass that had definitely seen better days. Jay moved forward and sat one of the bar’s stools.

                The sounds of the radio, the ticking of a clock, distance rumbles of thunder soon became too much to bear. Jay spoke.

                “How much for a whiskey?”

                The bartender put the glass she was polishing down on the bar.

                “Three dollars.” She spoke without a trace of accent, but Jay kept his intrigue to himself. “But not many people usually ask for a whiskey this early in the afternoon.”

                “Aw, shit.” He cursed, ignoring her verbal jab. “That much?”

                “This isn’t a charity.”

                “No, I’ll take it, just… ugh. “

                “You’re homeless? Not smart to be spending your money on drinks.” Quipped the bartender as she poured him the whiskey.

                “What?” Jay’s outrage was genuine. He had spent a considerable amount of time the previous day going over his beard with a pair of nail scissors, going for the more rugged, urban style beard than the “wandering vagrant” look he had before. “No, not homeless, just searching for opportunities.” The bartender slid the drink over to him.

                “Not many opportunities in this town.” She said. “Not many opportunities on this planet, the way things are going.”

                “I find that one finds more opportunities if one ignore politics.” Said Jay. He downed the drink.

                “Politics are a big deal here right now.” The bartender answered, somewhat contemptuously. She picked up a new glass to polish. “We Bunkatsu and the Fēnliè are feuding again, with the new conflicts between the Wheel and the DSC.”

                “Why should anyone here give a damn about what goes on between the Wheel and the DSC?”

                “Because politicians are idiots, and so were our ancestors.”

                Jay cleared his throat.

                “Are you guys allowed to say that? About your ancestors, I mean.”

                “You let me worry about that, Gwai’lo.” Replied the bartender.

                “What does that word mean?”

                “It is a word they use in Fēnliè.” She waved her hand. “It is a respectful title, like ‘sir’.”

                “Got it. What were you saying about the politicians and your ancestors?”

                “Not many people want to hear this story.” The Bartender sighed, putting down the glass and leaning over the bar. “Mostly because it is over-told.”

                “No, no, I’m interested. You Asiatics always have interesting stories.”

                The bartender rolled her eyes.

                “As the stories go, we’ve been divided since we first landed here. You can call us all Asiatics, but we and the Fēnliè are different ethnicities, just like you and I.”

                “You all look the same to me.” Jay shrugged.

                “Shut up. This is why many of us think you Gwai’lo are all assholes.”

                “That word in that context doesn’t really fit with the definition you gave me.”

                “Whatever. Anyway.“ The Bartender continued her tale. “Because of the hostility between us, we settled different parts of the planet. Later, when the DSC and the Wheel were formed, Bunkatsu pledged itself to the DSC and Fēnliè to the Wheel.”

                The current song on the radio ended, and a man began jabbering in an Asiatic language. The bartender stopped to listen while Jay sat, not understanding a word. The rain outside seemed to be lightening up. Another song came on soon after.

                “I don’t see much DSC presence on this planet, though.” Jay remarked.

                “That’s because neither the DSC nor the Wheel give a shit about us. It’s mostly the mafia who run the government these days. Yet the two sides use their ideologies as an excuse to fight all the time. We’ve had wars here before, you know. There have been massacres, and everyone says that their side is the one that’s been wronged.”

                “Why don’t you leave, then?”

                “Because unlike you,” The bartender scoffed, “I’ve got a good business going here.”

                Jay twisted around on his stool. The bar was as empty as it was when he had arrived.

                “Seems pretty empty to me.”

                The bartender glanced at a clock behind her.

                “That’s because most people work in the afternoon, and drown their sorrows in the evening. Another drink?”