A light breeze swept up the sands of a Nevada desert. The breeze carried a grain of sand into the palace of Jhact-Ni. After World War Three, he established a residence in a place similar to his Middle East home. The grain blew into the eye of one of his Imperial Guards. The guard rubbed his eye and was instantly reprimanded by his commanding officer.
Today was December twenty-fifth, 2023, A day that had once been Christmas. The Elders had memories of it. It was a time for celebration. A joyous occasion with presents, feasts and happiness, but all that faded. It was now a day of sorrow and gifts for the Sultan. The twenty-fifth was a day in which the loyal subjects of His Highness showered him with gifts in return for their lives. Those who neglected to do this where hunted down and killed.
"Mommy? Why are we here? I'm I wanna go home," Mosley moaned as he pulled on his mother's skirt. "We're here, brat, to give our Sultan gifts," His older sister said smugly. "But it wasn't always like that." "Don't fill your brother's mind with trash like that, Sai." Mother said as they moved up in the line. "But it's true. Father knew it, and they took him away," She shot back. They were nearer the Sultan now. All the waiting was nearing its end. Sai got her first look and the Sultan and gasped. Instead of the elegant and handsome man she had envisioned, he was fat, ugly and poorly mannered. "Next!" Sai's mother bowed and motioned for her children to do the same. "Your Highness, a gift from the Jechet family." "Ah yes," The Sultan said. "I knew your husband w-" "No you didn't! Don't lie! You didn't know Father at all, you killed him!" "Your Majesty," Mother said bowing. "I'm-" "Sorry? Not as sorry as I am." He snapped his fingers and two burly guards grabbed Sai and her mother from behind. They were dragged off leaving Mosley on his own. "Take him to my chambers," The Sultan muttered. "My dogs are in need of a chew toy." "Yes Majesty," The corporal said bowing. "Next!"