[i]Palace of the Republic[/i]

[hr]

"Mr. President, we must set an example in public, not behind bars where the people are not intimidated!"

"That is not the point of your duty, Chief Shahmeni. By committing such barbaric acts, you make these false prophets into martyrs and inflame in the people the poison of extremism. This is my last warning. You are dismissed."

"Mr. President-"

"You are [i]dismissed.[/i]"

The bulky, bearded Palestinian reluctantly saluted, put on his cap, and turned to leave Youssef's office. As Chief Shahmeni exited, Aliyah entered wih her hair tied in a bun.

"Sir, the Aldoranians have summoned you to peace talks in Turkestan. Vornehm will also be there."

"Finally, they see reason," Youssef sighed. "Pack my things."

[hr]

[i]Damascus, Syria province[/i]

[hr]

"Did you hear about the imam in New Ilya the other day?"

"Yeah. They got a rabbi here too. Beat him with gun stocks in front of my aunt."

"It's a pandemic!"

"No. The revolution still hasn't faded away in many people's hearts."

"This is absolutely the wrong way to go about things-"

Rahim let Fadi drone on as both of them walked to school. Rahim wasn't big on talking. It was with himself, with his drones, wires, and circuit boards, that he felt rejuvenated. He was named after Judea's national hero, whose bespectacled portrait hung in an impeccably dusted mantel of his two-story home. He liked remaining where things were. Change upset Rahim. Change upset the meticulously balanced scale that was his life.

Meanwhile, Fadi was different. He was radical about change. Wanted to go into political science, work for the state-run press, maybe get into parliament. Change, according to Fadi, was the only way Judea could survive with such a radical ideology. Change was Fadi's watchword. Stability was Rahim's.

"We should really organize a student activist group--hey, are you even listening?"

"Quiet. There's a drone patrol here."

The two seventeen-year-olds stood back as a large quadrocopter drone with rotors as long as Rahim's forearm crossed the street in front of them, followed by two robotic infantry battle scout androids brandishing AKX-78s. All three robots were clad in intimidating black reinforced carbon plate. The quadrocopter emitted a low, choppy hum that made everyone in the public market take a step back.

Fadi's brows furrowed. "Why so much security for a little market?" 

"Routine experimental testing." Rahim's mouth was watering. "Imagine the specs on that thing!"

"Is that all you ever talk about, specs and electronics? Think of the political implications! Judea cannot rely on authoritarianism forever to push for a stateless society. We-"

"Hush." Rahim began to jog. "Race you to school?"

Fadi sighed. "Sure."