Shadows of the Past

[Capt. Henry Morgan]

Lieutenant Kim Ye-jin walked into Kalashnikov's for a much-needed post-patrol drink. She was a short woman of Kusari-Korean descent, with an appearance that suggested a hard life. At 40, but appearing to be in her early 50s, she was easily the oldest Lieutenant in the Revolutionary Army's ranks. It hadn't always been like that, though. At one time, she had been a respected Major with a successful career in Internal Security. Her star had been on the rise until the civil war against the Volkhan.

She had made the mistake of choosing the wrong side. Unlike so many other officers and soldiers, she had done so willingly. That choice had defined the better part of the last ten years of her life. After the Volkhan was defeated, she was stripped of her rank, found guilty of treason, and sentenced to seven years of reeducation through labor.

She had come out of the other side still mostly intact, unlike so many others. South Katorga had a way of weeding out those weak in mind or body. She had come to regret her choices and dedicated herself to proving her loyalty to the Revolution. Eventually, she was released and welcomed back into the Revolutionary Army, though without the rank or prestige she once enjoyed. Few people spoke to her outside of official duties, and even old friends avoided her. She was seen as tainted by her misdeeds, but she knew she'd earn their respect again. It was only a matter of time.

Ye-jin paused in her ruminations and noticed her glass was getting low. As she walked up to the bar, she glanced at one of the ubiquitous propaganda posters that nobody really noticed. It was a portrait of Premier Selim in the usual heroic pose. As her eyes took in the patriotic slogan at the bottom, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her temples, bad enough to make her double over in pain. She dropped her glass on the floor. As it broke, a familiar, but unwelcome voice shouted in her head, where only she could hear it.

"ALL HAIL THE VOLKHAN!"

As soon as it came, the voice fell silent and the pain immediately ceased. Ye-jin was momentarily stunned. It couldn't be. They said they had deactivated the nerve staple, and that it would never trouble her again. Clearly something had gone wrong.

She ran out the door, past the other patrons who were doing their best to ignore her, and turned down the corridor towards the nearest medical station.