Nobuo 'Tatsu' Takayama's Story

"Sir." Wouters nodded in deference to Minamino, and turned sharply to lead them to the elevator. Sunlight streamed through the windows at once grand and gentle on the marbled floor below. Over the years, Parliament had ordered one or another trinket - a magnificent mural of haloed mountains or arching jungle vines, a battle carved in relief, a freedom fighter rendered in marble. Wouters had noted their accumulation with a bit of disdain, but knew better than to voice such feelings aloud. Symbolism made for great postcards, but what did it mean for Terrans who couldn't make rent, who ran out of credits to pay the tax collector, the doctor, the boss, the landlord? Even enlistment in the Armed Forces was no guarantee. Not anymore.

For now, though, Wouters had a simple assignment, and no distracting, inconvenient thoughts of unpaid rent would keep him from fulfilling this very basic duty. Escort the Taiyou dignitaries to Minister Vilhjálmsdóttir and Minister Dvořák, who had chosen the grand reception hall, of all places, to host this meeting. For all that pomp and grandeur, usually reserved for official state visits, you might have been forgiven for thinking these two were the Taiyou Emperor and Crown Prince.

Shiya winked, but Wouters and the Taiyou had already left.