CHAPTER 1: Radiation (2884 S.E)
Artemisia reflected all the light from the large dome refracting small rainbows in the glass. For five year old Cyprus Blackburn, this was a peculiarity. Pressed up against the glass he gaped at the dusty landscape, the Blue Planet in his line of view. Despite being human, Cyprus had never been to Earth. He had been born in Luna, becoming the first person to ever be born in the young country. Everyone had made a big deal out of it , Cyprus obviously oblivious to his fame and at the time, unknowing the fact that this would not be the only occurrence to make him famous.
Lylia clasped Cyprus' little hand in hers smiling at his ever-present curiosity and how he waddled unsure on his feet. He followed his mother down a nameless tube he'd been down several times before, he never remember where it led and it always kept it exciting for him. Lylia's shoes echoed down the hall tap-tap-tap-tap.
Breaking the silence an alarm sounded, Lylia clamped her hands over Cyprus' ears pulling him up into her arms, she looked around and listened for an announcement over the comm system. "Radiation levels rising on surface level, please make your way to a secure location," it repeated over and over. Another radiation warning, she looked up and saw funnels of light plummeting towards the moon, feeling safe with the knowledge that they were prepared for such things, she turned round and started back the way they had just come, quickening her pace anyway. She arrived back at the main entrance and saw that the androids were already issuing survival kits, the radiation "storms" rarely lasted long, but it was just a precaution. Placing Cyprus back on the ground she got the attention of an android.
"Has Harvey Blackburn checked in?" she questioned pursing her lips.
"All citizens are required to check in, in the event of an emergency" it replied in a monotone voice, she sighed deeply.
"Cyprus?" turning round she panicked, she was sure that he had been tugging at her pant leg just a moment ago. The words had barely left her lips when she saw him through the tube they'd been walking down before, but it was too late, the light blinded her just as it came in contact with the thick glass. There was a split second where everything seemed to be on pause, shock frozen on her face she was rooted to the spot as the glass ever so slowly began to crack. Lylia screamed as the 'smoke' coated Cyprus covering him, it was like nothing she'd ever seen, blue, electric-looking energy was circling him. A nearby android took action taking hold of the now unconscious child, Lylia gasped and hot tears welled up and they streaked down her cheeks. Cyprus was already being wheeled down a hallway to the hospital and had been handed over to a nurse. People were panicking around her from the sight of the impact rushing to the bunkers and to safety, the once organized line was now chaos. Lylia tried to follow the nurse but the crowd pushed her back, suffocating and eyes still puffy, tears blurring her vision, she pushed her way out to the side letting the crowd pass before running after the med-bed that was on its way to the hospital. She was scared more scared than she had ever been, more terrified than when she had relocated to the moon because her child, just a mere five was dying of radiation poisoning and she would never forgive herself.
No one paid any attention to her as she searched the halls for the room with her son, she peered through every window but mostly they were empty. Except for one, quite a crowd had gathered in one room and she could tell there was a commotion, on further inspection she noticed Harvey and rushed to his side, she could see worry creased in his brow and fear in his eyes, he looked exactly how she felt. He gripped her hand as scanners and monitors beeped loudly. Lylia let out a whimper and Harvey squeezed a bit tighter.
"I think it would be best if you two waited outside" said a flustered nurse,
"Don't be ridiculous!" she practically screamed "He's my son, he's my son! "
Realization settling in, Harvey took charge and ushered her outside, following a step behind, she didn't put up a fight as they sat in silence on the chairs. Almost inaudible murmurs of Lylia "It's all my fault, It's all my fault" could be heard followed by sobs. Time dragged on and with every second she felt hope draining out of her. After what seemed like hours, a nurse came out, "He's going to pull through with what we hope is minor brain damage," and then seeing both of their looks she added "It's completely treatable."
Lylia felt she was being lied to but followed both the nurse and Harvey into the room, there lying with several wires hooked up to him was Cyprus, he looked so peaceful despite all that had happened.
Cyprus did wake up and he was sick for several weeks, he was treated every Wednesday with his weekly dose and had blood drawn every second visit. The hole in the tube had been fixed and had more reinforcements set in place and eventually normality was restored in the Blackburn family. There wasn't another storm after that for five years.