Letter 7

July 5, 2506

My dearest Willy,

Please know that I can identify with the tardiness of your replies. The reality of war continues to manifest itself in my everyday activities, cousin. At the end of June, Grace and I celebrated our nineteenth wedding anniversary. Though I had intended to cook the perfect meal, my efforts were thwarted by the ration Rajska Polja has had to enact. When news of war broke out earlier this year, there was a mad rush to stock up on food, rendering the stores' shelves empty. Suddenly, steak and mashed potatoes turned into canned foodstuffs and several stale protein packs that had been stored in case of natural disasters. Fortunately for myself, Grace understood and she, Alek, and I had the opportunity to spend the day in celebration of our family. Although we are immersed in the biggest war the 'Verse has ever seen, I feel like the luckiest man in the world. I have, to the best of my ability, been a virtuous man and God has blessed me abundantly.

Speaking of our wedding anniversary, Cousin Nicky sent our family a gift. A large package arrived containing an ancient-looking box camera and a note that read: "An artifact from the 1830s. I'm getting closer!" In my opinion, the present was a thinly veiled attempt to coerce us into believing Earth-that-was still exists and that his ancient box camera proves its existence. While I have yet to figure out what the camera really is, I'm convinced it's a hoax. Regardless, Alek has taken a liking to the camera, and he persuaded me to enclose a photograph of our family. I didn't realize how long it's been since you've seen a photograph of our family. How grown up Alek must look now. He's nearly 18 years-old!

[Photo; see theunificationletters(.)com]

I've sent additional copies to your wife and Granny Victoria. I know how much she worries about her grandchildren.

I have enrolled Alek in a nearby military school. He's certainly not happy with me, but it seemed like the most prudent thing to do. Alek will be drafted in early December, and frankly, I don't want him going into the battlefield with little to no experience. It is my understanding that the Independent Army trains new soldiers for two weeks before sending them into combat. I know cooking classes that run longer than that! The way I see it, the more preparation that Alek can get between now and December, the better. While I agree with the ideologies of the Independent Faction, I have a very hard time coming to terms with the disorganization that surrounds me, the ordered man that I pride myself in being. You know what they say, though. How W'rin Bu Lai, Whai W'rin Bu Jwo!

I know how dedicated you are to your cause, cousin, and I appreciate men who have the courage to do what you do. I hope all is shiny on your vessel. I don't think I could handle something like that for long periods of time. I'm terribly claustrophobic.

Jing Tian Dwohn Di,

Cousin Georgie

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All your Firefly are belong to FOX.

The Unification Letters are written by Phillip Shifflet and Jonas Choi. New installments are published on Mondays and Fridays.