Medieval seat of Takangi Empire (c. 1250–1475). Indep. kingdom to c. 1683. Partitioned 18th-19th cent. Dut. col. 1899–1954. Indep. repub. 1954–date.
Mixed Khmon, Nger. 70% Buddh. w. pagan admx., 20% Muslim, 10% Xian (Prot.)
“… and shows the way forward free of foreign contamination to all the peoples of Asia. History is being made in Yatakang. Never before has any country been promised liberation from the caprices of fate; never before has any government been able to look forward to a citizenry perfectly equipped both to contribute to the forward progress of the state and to enjoy to the maximum their lives as individuals. Under the direction of internationally renowned scientist Professor Dr. Sugaiguntung, and following the leadership of our beloved Marshal Solukarta, to whom in every city of Yatakang masses of people have gathered spontaneously and paid tribute…”
(LEADERSHIP A form of self-preservation exhibited by people with autodestructive imaginations in order to ensure that when it comes to the crunch it’ll be someone else’s bones which go crack and not their own.
—The Hipcrime Vocab by Chad C. Mulligan)
“Sheeting hole, what I want to know is, why can’t we have what people in some muddy rice-paddy plodding behind their buffaloes or whatever are going to get for free?”
the happening world (9)
SHAMBLES
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“In the fiercest engagement so far this year, units of the 23rd Pacific Combat Group inflicted severe losses of men and material on Chinese aqua-bandits in mid-ocean this morning. Our own casualties are reported light.”
FLAMMABLE
His hot breath launched a spray of spittle across her face. His wild hands clawed at her tender breasts. She remembered what Dad had told her an infinity of time ago and pretended to relax, let him do as he wished. Then, the moment his guard was down, she groped across his cheeks with stiff fingers and located his eyes. They popped from their sockets like wet gooseberries and he screamed. She had never heard a more wonderful sound in all her thirteen years. NOW READ ON.
RADIATION
“Chairman Yung today sent a personal message of congratulations to the daring sailors of the Blood-Red Banner flotilla who yesterday inflicted great damage in men and material on the imperialist aggressor. Our own casualties were very light.”
LOADED
Lonely on the edge of space, Patrol Pilot Eugene Flood keeps watch and ward over the security of your homes and families. Thanks to General Technics, weapons capable of taking out—clear from orbit—anything from a single boatload of saboteurs to an entire megalopolis lie under his hand.
SHELTER ENTRANCE
“A note was today sent to Cairo protesting the infringement of Israeli air-space by a photographic spy-plane. The aircraft was brought down and the pilot failed to escape.”
SHARP
Again and again he hammered at the bleeding face beneath him until he heard the satisfying sound of crunching bone. The man’s teeth were rammed down his throat and he was choking to death on his own blood.
INFECTIOUS
“A strong protest was lodged in Tel-Aviv today against the unwarranted attack by Israeli army units on an innocent Egyptian aircraft that had been blown off its course. Compensation for the dead pilot’s dependants was demanded.”
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PLAGUE AREA
“Fanatical Italian youths crying ‘Death to all heretics’ this morning attempted to storm the palace of Right Catholic Pope Eglantine in Madrid. When under fire from Spanish police they refused to run for cover but tore off their shirjacks to reveal large red crosses tattooed on their chests. The survivors will be interrogated in hospital when they are well enough to answer questions.”
PUT ON BREATHING MASK
He lay without moving except for the gentle up-and-down rhythm of his chest that barely disturbed the blanket. She crept towards him, trying not to notice that in sleep his face had the smooth handsomeness of a teenage boy, trying to remember only how much she hated him. Convulsively she raised the broken bottle and ground it down over his nose and mouth.
IT’S A MAN’S LIFE IN THE ARMY
“Right Catholic saboteurs today exploded a time-bomb aboard a ship carrying desperately needed contraceptive pills to Bombay, India. Divers will attempt to raise the sealed packing-cases at next low tide, but all hope of saving the crew has been abandoned.”
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POISON
“A mob protesting against recent language reforms designed to bring Brazilian-Portuguese into closer conformity with the Spanish spoken over the remainder of Latin America today set fire to a number of buildings on the outskirts of Brasilia.”
He seized her ankles and before she could react even with surprise raised them and tipped her bodily forward over the sill of the open window. Far below there was a sound half-way between a splash and a thud. When he looked out she lay spreadeagled on the ground. He gave a nod of grim satisfaction. She had cheated on him for the last time.
HIGH TENSION
A kazow fires a stream of miniature rockets, no larger than reefers, each with a seeking device that homes on the body-heat of a human being. Learn to use one at your local Militia Readiness Centre. It’s part of your responsibility as a citizen to defend yourself from tyranny.
“Election agents of the ruling Shangaan Party are reported to have demanded police protection when venturing into predominantly Zulu constituencies to canvass for the forthcoming South African elections. This follows the stoning of Eurasian Harry Patel, the Minister for Home Affairs and Education, on a visit to Johannesburg last week.”
RESTRICTED ZONE
“Police arrested self-styled ‘generals’ and ‘colonels’ of the French Canadian Republican Army in Montreal last night, alleging discovery of a plot to dynamite the parliament buildings in Ottawa when the members reconvene on Monday.”
His lip curled as he watched the missile’s trail home on the crude shacks of the slit-eye village. The world was a better place without those dirty bleeders.
FIRE WHEN READY
He glared at the cowering figure before him. “You’ve always wanted to be more of a daughter than a son!” he snarled. “See this razor? It’s going to give you exactly what you want! Now do you take off that dress or do I cut it off?”
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NO QUARTER
“Frenzied mobs in Tokyo last night burned the effigy of the Emperor in protest against his intention to abdicate to facilitate Japan’s adoption of a republican system of government. Spokesmen declared that if he does resign his throne they will recognize Mr. Oyoshita, head of one of the country’s oldest noble families, as his successor and will refuse to co-operate with the new government. Victims of the rioting are already being described as ‘martyrs’.”
Her eyes lingered on the bright new disc of metal pinned to the breast of his uniform. “Son, I’m proud of you,” she whispered, and embraced him because she did not want him to see her tears.