Bertolt: I don't see the point of your reluctance.
The frowning master of ceremonies straightens the tortoise-patterned letter and then shoves it back into its envelope.
Bertolt: The letter conveyed Zeno's decision clearly.
Bertolt: I suggest we warm ourselves up with a few drinks before we go. Do you have any Stolich in town?
Bertolt: Better than sitting here dwelling on the things that cannot be changed.
Bertolt: Please tell me you have something like cocoa here.
Their long-awaited guest stretches lazily, as if no one is around, and sinks into the couch.
The tension in the air hangs like fumes waiting to ignite.
Vila: This is not what we agreed on earlier, Mr. Bertolt.
Evgeni: Calm yourself, Vila.
Bertolt: You must be mistaken, my very passionate friend.
Bertolt: Zeno sent a warning months ago. "The estimated value Rayashki can add to Zeno's program is less than satisfactory. Further support is no longer recommended."
Bertolt: "Should any new valuable resources be found in the region, please reply to this letter as soon as possible for further assessment."
Vila: ...!
Bertolt: Then we heard back from Rayashki.
Bertolt: In fact, the sender was you, Evgeni.
Evgeni: Yes, it was.
Bertolt: And it was you yourself that argued the most compelling point, I have to say. One that has drawn the higher-ups' attention, and the reason why I was sent here.
Bertolt: I believe you wrote: "I have total faith in the quality of the people of Rayashki. Their solidarity, dedication, and motivation have proven invaluable to us."
Bertolt: "I am certain they would carry those same strengths of character and skill to any post, no matter where they were assigned."
He folds the letter and hands it to Vila, her face blank as a canvas.
Evgeni: Zeno accepted my application.
Evgeni: Of course, I asked around before making my submission, and Zeno seemed to have a good reputation.
Evgeni: It was a golden opportunity to join them.
Bertolt: It is, but do not get us wrong. Our entrance requirements can be most difficult to meet.
Bertolt: Zeno only takes in the best of the best.
Vila: You want some of us to work for Zeno?!
Vila: You never told us anything like that, Evgeni!
Evgeni: Be reasonable, Vila. Some of us deserve this opportunity.
Vila: What about the others?! We have elders and children. Some of our comrades have been injured and even died in the mine; are we to forget their sacrifices?
She tries to suppress the gills on her neck as they heave violently.
Bertolt: Relax, my friend. That's why we sent our very best biological control squad.
Bertolt: We will escort you to the nearest shelter.
Another wave upon relentless waves of shock.
Evgeni: Face reality, Vila. I know how much effort we have put into building this town, and I understand you have this dream to fulfill.
Evgeni: But we must prepare for the worst: we may have to give up on our Rayashki.
He takes out a document covered in scratched notes and annotations and hands it to her.
Evgeni: Read this.
Vila: "Field investigation has confirmed that the remaining runium reserves in Rayashki are around 0.0173 kilotons, which is less than 0.275% of our average annual output."
Vila: "The mine is located high within the Arctic Circle, which has entailed significant transportation costs. The harsh environment is also wholly unsuitable for building any permanent processing facilities."
Vila: "In addition, military spending on the region has recently been elevated 3.61 times due to increasing animal and critter attacks, and that number is still rising."
Vila: "Clearly, the region is now incapable of self-management."
Vila: "According to the Guide on Global Humanitarian Aid by the Office for Disaster Risk Reduction of Zeno Arms Academy, we propose to ..."
Vila: "... send a special squad to the region to evacuate all local citizens and subsequently take care of the remaining biological control issues."
Bertolt: And our admission standards will be lowered—at Zeno's discretion—so that you will all find work with us somewhere.
Zeno's representative offers a timely, if unconvincing, supplement to the letter.
The paper creases and crumples into a ball in her hands.
Evgeni: I'm sorry, but this is reality.
Evgeni: From the start, this ore was the only thing they wanted from us.
Evgeni: The environment here has always been harsh for mining, but we overcame it and sent our shipments to wherever Zeno had need of them.
Bertolt: And I salute each one of you for your work, my friends.
Evgeni: But now, our mission is over.
There is no doubt in anyone's mind: runium has been the town's lifeblood and the key to its survival.
Evgeni: I believe all of you will continue to work hard in your new positions. No matter what ...
Vila: You shouldn't rush to a decision. We're discussing Rayashki's future here, Evgeni.
Vila: For six decades, the people here have put in great efforts to turn the town into what it is today. We won't leave just because you tell us so.
Vila: Our grandparents didn't even have construction equipment at the beginning. They built these houses with their own hands.
Vila: We shipped over the planting soil. We built walls to keep out the wind and snow.
Within the meeting room's cloistered walls, the air is heavy with moisture once more.
Evgeni: When you came here, you brought books for the children and introduced us to a species different than humans. You became one of us.
Evgeni: I am not happy about this either, Comrade Vila.
Vila: I won't buy that, Comrade Evgeni. This is not just about my dream, but everyone's dream.
Vila: Or have you forgotten what Rayashki was meant to be?
Evgeni: A utopia built for and by everyone. The voice of a better future, one which would sound across the land and seas.
Evgeni: I remember every word of it.
Evgeni's voice is low but still decisive.
Bertolt: You have my sympathy, friends.
Bertolt: Zeno has also suffered huge losses in many regions.
Bertolt: We have lost manpower, territory, armament factories, and even some of our affiliated military schools. Rayashki is but one of these losses.
Bertolt: We know how you feel right now.
He shrugs his shoulders, his face a picture of unhelpfulness.
Bertolt: But Zeno has its own problems to be faced.
Bertolt: And investing in these new industries, purchasing fancy equipment, all these things Rayashki will need ... All of this takes money. And even Zeno must be economical.
Vila: Shouldn't the people in Rayashki also benefit from these global benefits Zeno has promised?
Bertolt: We will get there, my friend. Maybe slowly, but we will get there. Trust me, Zeno has done everything they can for you.
Bertolt: We need to keep our eyes on our goals and stay on the right course, so that we won't get lost in these turbulent times, yes?
Vila: ...
He leans toward Vila, providing an unnecessary whisper.
Bertolt: I know how much faith these people have in you, and I believe you can show them a different perspective about these coming changes.
Bertolt: Of course, this will also help you during Zeno's assessment.
Vila: ...
Bertolt: Good luck, my friend.
