15
Prolong
Because ten billion
Year's time is so fragile,
So ephemeral…
It arouses such a
Bittersweet,
Almost heartbreaking fondness
Abelia watched as a column of Hellywood troops, maybe twenty in all, made its way through the broken and uneven earth in the eastern part of the island where her headquarters was located. A Tatsu battle machine reared its head above the rest of the troops, keeping an eye out for a possible, no, likely ambush.
Most of the troops in this column wore red scarfs around their necks to show that they were cadets, soldiers in training, who hadn't yet accomplished all their training. The idea was that not many people would kill a child in battle; instead they might take pity on them and allow them to live. That, of course, had been Abelia's idea from the beginning, and had been one of her accomplishments that Hamdo had noticed when he was choosing a commander. Nobody had thought he would pick her, a girl who had been born to a slave mother; who had proven herself to be far to intelligent for the life of a common comfort girl; and who had risen slowly, very slowly, though the ranks to become one of Hellywoods most distinguished officers. Nevertheless, he did, and nobody had been more surprised than she.
In front of the Hellywood column two large cliffs rose up to either side of their path. The cliffs were far too large to march around, Abelia new, and their face was too steep to climb. They could only do one of two things, go back and try another pass, or blindly march forward into the narrow path.
But, really, there was only one choice. Hellywood officers were trained to move forward, no matter what, and never move back unless ordered by a supiear officer. Just like she had anticipated, the enemy column moved straight forward.
From her position from on top of a small cliff, topped with bushes and other small plants to provide cover, Abelia could see everything. Using her binoculars, she scanned the troops, trying to pick out the officers from the regular foot soldiers. Given the chance between life and death, she new, many of the regulars would desert and join her force. If she could take out the officers and veterans, she could use some of the teenage soldiers while sending the youngest ones to Sara to care for. She had little use for kids.
The commanding officer wasn't hard to find. He, like all Hellywood officers these days, had a flare for the dramatic, a need almost to be noticed and seen by everyone around him, and for it to be immediately recognizable that he was the man in charge. So, of course, he stood on the head of the Tatsu with his chest thrust out in front of him, his back straightened out, and his arm waving for his troops to follow him.
Beside her, Ralltel began to snicker.
"What's so funny!" Abelia demanded, more than asking.
"Oh, nothing commander. It's just that, well, he reminds me a lot of you when you used to do stupid stuff like that.'
"Ahh, but there's a difference LT. I only did that when I knew I was safe because it was the fastest way to move around on a battle field. He does it because it turns him on."
Ralltel snickered once more but then turned serious again. The enemy force was starting to enter the kill zone, and didn't even know it yet.
Abelia made one more scan of the column and this time found the man she was looking for. Near the rear of the troops, a large, muscular soldier carried a heavy machine gun strapped onto his shoulder. Abelia smiled when she was him. This was the man she was looking for, the "rear guard' whose job it was to shoot anyone foolish enough to try to retreat. He was normally the largest and most loyal man in the group, and carried the biggest weapon of all to protect him from desperate "traitors" who were desperate to retreat. As long as this man was alive, the column would keep fighting until either he was dead, or they all were. He was going to be the first to go.
Ralltel snickered again when he saw her lift up her high powered sniper rifle and look through its sights.
"Ready when you are commander."
As the column entered the gorge, Abelia made a final signal to the troops. Using her signal mirror, she had stationed on top of the cliffs.
Wait for my shot.
Ralltel lifted his gun to his shoulder in preparation for her shot.
Breathing hard, slow, Abelia put her crosshairs in the middle of the man's head, and squeezed the trigger.
NOWandTHENHEREandTHERE
Episode 16;
Falling into Chaos.
Grasshoppers jump in the grass to get out of the way as Sara made her way through the lush green dewy morning grass as rays of sun sent sparkles of light across the child earth.
It was a beautiful day by any objective standard; crickets were playing their morning lullaby for all to hear, the heat of the sun warmed her just enough to be toasty but not enough to sweat, and the air around her was charged with the sweet fragrance of new life and peace. Small animals rushed though the grass licking up the dew and digging for worms and other bugs in the soft earth. Yes, to any other person, it was a beautiful day.
Sara walked bear foot though the grass, over some scattered pebbles, and sat down on a large boulder overlooking the south side of town. In the distance, Hellywood stood like lonely tree in a desert, to the east, the rocky passes of the Eastern Mountains were Abelia kept her head quarters.
Sara tried to smile as she looked upon the island. Scenery like this had always calmed her down, lush greens, a sky and ocean the same color as her home back in Florida, and small-yet unmistakable- signs of life everywhere; nothing like the harsh browns and grays of the desert.
All she wanted was to be alone for a few minutes before going over to see the doctor. The children were all asleep now- they'd be up in a few minutes though, she new- and the villagers were just now getting ready to start the day. The only place in town that was open was the doctor's office, and that's where she needed to go.
Taking a deep breath, Sara stepped of the rock, taking care now to step on a small castle someone had built beside it, and made her way to the office. The building was nothing more than a small hut, built out of the wood of pine trees imported by Zadi Bars from islands out in the ocean, with a thatched roof and caked with mud to insulate it. It wasn't anything more than a dirty little shack, not fit to be lived or worked in as far as she was concerned, but it was the only place she could go.
Walking up to the door, she placed her hand on the latch and started to open it, but hesitated. Did she really want to do this? For a moment, Sis's last words flashed though her head; don't hold it against the baby, she'd said, Sara remembered with absolute clarity, you can hate the man who did this to you, but I ask you not to hold it against the baby.
It would be okay, doctor Mirgrep was a friend. He knew about what had happened to her, even though she kept the details a secret; something he understood and never asked about. He'd understand why she wanted to do this.
She stood there, her hand gripping the door, sweating, shaking, not knowing what to do.
Sis isn't here, Sara told herself, Sis doesn't know. I can't take care of this baby.
After a deep breath, she pushed the door open and walked inside, pulling down the sleeves of her jacket as she did.
LT Tabool, I like the sound of that.
Well, actually, LT in training, but finally he was on his way up the ranks. Not many cadets got the chance to become officers after they turned eighteen, the highest most ever got was sergeant, and even then a kidnapped soldier had to kiss some major ass to reach even that high a rank. Tabool understood why, even if he didn't like it. They didn't want anyone who had been kidnapped by force to achieve a high rank in the fear that he would promote discontent amongst the ranks and lower moral. Fortunately though, the higher ups didn't consider him a threat, for which he was most thankful.
He stood at attention, eyes staring into infinity, feet planted firmly on the ground, toes positioned at a 30 degree angle. In front of him, one of the ships LT's, a young man who was maybe twenty five years old, returned the salute Tabool gave him.
"Cadet Tabool reporting as ordered sir!" he shouted as loud and as deep as he could.
"At ease cadet," the LT replied coolly. Tabool spread his legs shoulder with apart, put his hands behind his back, and placed his fingers in a triangle shape, the position of Ease in Hellywood. The LT turned around and was handed a small green bandana by a drill master who was standing behind him, he then turned and faced Tabool once more, bandana in hand, and straightened himself out.
"Cadet Tabool, for courage under fire and in the face of danger, as well as performing your duty to your commanding officers diligently and with honor, you are herby awarded the rank of Cadet LT in Training."
Tabool reached out with both arms and accepted the bandana as it was handed to him. Pride filled his lungs like a gust of hot air and he felt like screaming at the top of his voice but he held it in like a good soldier; just like he'd always done when he's been mad or frustrated. He was really good at it.
After shaking the LT's hand, Tabool expected to be dismissed. The LT however, instead of dismissing him, snapped his fingers and a man carrying a piece of paper came in, handed it to the LT, and left the room without uttering a word. An awkward silence drifted though the air like a deadly air born virus, suffocating all who endured it, suffocating him like a hot summers day in the desert.
"Your first order cadet LT," the LT said, holding out the piece of paper for Tabool; who took it without a moment's hesitation, "you are to report to the control room immediately for further instructions. That is all, you are dismissed."
"Yes sir!" Tabool saluted once more and then retreated from the room as fast as he could. As soon as he was out of the LT's sight he ripped off the piece of string holding keeping his parchment shut and read his orders.
Cadet LT in Training Tabool.
You are to report to the ships central control room immediately after receiving these orders. Because of your experience, age, and expertise, you have been chosen to take part in a requisition party to recruit new soldiers to serve Hellywood and its leaders in its glorious war against Abelia and the traitors of Zadi Bars. This mission will be conducted by an expert team of brave soldiers who are willing and eager to put their lives at risk for the greater good and their nation.
General Scholes.
"What the hell"Tabool said, shock and bewilderment overcoming his nature to be quiet, "a requisition party?"
As hard as he tried, he couldn't figure out where the hell they were going to get new soldiers from. Zadi Bars was too powerful to risk a war with, the Pacifists in the center of the island would have Zadi Bars support in they starting kidnapping people from there, and Hellywood lacked a vehicle that could cross the ocean to visit the far off tropical islands. So where?
Tabool smiled in anticipation and delight. They'd found a way to do it, a way that nobody on the island would be able to find out about, and he was going to be a part of it.
He rushed though the hall towards the control room, smiling his crooked smile the whole way there.
"All right Ms. Sara, what can I do for you today?" doctor Mirgrep asked as Sara walked in though his door and hung her coat on a rack, "I trust your pregnancy is coming along well? It should be due any week now right?"
"Yes, it is." She replied, not looking him in the eyes and keeping her voice to a low tone. But the good doctor didn't even notice. He was so energetic that he sometimes failed to notice when people he new didn't quite act the way they should.
"Well that's so good to hear," he gave her a big smile, almost like a child would have when it found a new toy to play with; but his was older, more knowing, almost as if he'd witnessed all the cruelty mankind had to offer and yet still found the world a beautiful place. Sara wished she could say the same.
"Well," he said, walking over to where she was sitting and drying his hands on his shirt, "what can I do for you today?"
Sara didn't answer, couldn't answer. How could she tell this man that she wanted him to kill her baby? How? After promising Sis she'd have it, and care for it, and love it.
You never promised her anything. She died, remember? She died and left me all alone with all those kids to take care of. I don't owe her anything.
Out of habit Sara grabbed hold of her shirt sleeve and started pulling it down over her arms to cover them up
"Sara?"
She tried to talk, but the words caught in her throat.
Your hopeless Sara, this is for your own good and you're blowing it. Think of the baby. You can't take care of it; you can't even take care of yourself.
But she couldn't kill her own child. It was alive, inside of her, kicking and screaming to get out and look upon the sunset and the grass, to smell the fresh air and the salt of the ocean, to hear the soft melody of a bird's song or a cricket's nightly violin play as beautifully as any musician.
It's not a baby yet Sara, it's not a child. It's not your responsibility. You never wanted to have it anyway; it's not your fault.
The baby kicked, almost as if in protest of what she wanted to do to it, as if to say don't you even think about killing me.
"Sara," the doctor placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. she tried to turn away but he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her shirt sleeve away, reveling a series of scars running up and down her arm, "Sara, wha- oh god, Sara."
Unable to control herself any longer, Sara grabbed hold of his arm and buried her head in his shirt. Tears started rolling down her cheeks and onto his sleeve, but he didn't pull away, only held on as tight as he could with both arms wrapped around her body like, her father used to do when she was a little girl, and tried to comfort her. She didn't try to stop herself from crying like she normally did when she was around other people. It felt good to have a shoulder to cry on, to have someone there for here when she needed a helping hand, or an encouraging word.
"Oh Sara, oh sweetheart, how could you be doing this to yourself?"
He bent down and held her as close as he could. Once again, he reminded her of her father, his arms were and so knowing and kind.
"I" sniff "can't do it," she sobbed, almost unable to speak because of her tears, "I just can't do it." She tried to say more but she no longer had any strength inside of her. She started to collapse but he held her up in his arms.
"I don't want to have a baby, I'm not" sniff, "I'm not ready…"
"Sara," he said stroking her hair and putting her head on his shoulder, "there's no one on earth who can better care for that child than you."
"No," she shook her head in defiance, "I can't… I can't, not anymore. I don't want to…" she filled her lungs with air and cried out as loud as she could, "I DON'T WANT TO!!!"
"Sara," he said pulling her face up to his and covering her arm again to protect her from prying eyes, "please Sara, don't do this to yourself."
"Please don't make me go though with it. I'll kill myself if you do."
"Shh, shh," he stoked her hair and held her cheek against his own, "it's not my decision to make Sara. If it's what you want, than I'll do it for you," he grabbed her face and turned her so she had to look him straight in the eye, "just make sure you won't regret it I you do."
Tabool couldn't believe it. He stood in a large room, covered from wall to wall with control boards and pilot seats, with nine other soldiers, all older and of higher rank than him, all dressed-like himself-in odd clothing; stripped of their uniforms and weapons to make them "blend in" they've been told. But what he couldn't believe was what General Scholes had just finished telling them about the content of their mission. He wasn't alone; all the other soldiers had equally shocked expressions on their face. It was the look of a little kid who'd just seen his first pussy, Tabool thought.
Now that's just disgusting, he smiled to himself.
The General finished talking and looked his men over one last time, his eyes trying their best to locate a flaw in his men, but he couldn't find one. He smiled after a moment and turned to his second in command, Major Talles.
"Major, you are in command of this unit."
"Yes sir, I understand."
"Good, carry on."
"Group," the Major shouted as the General walked out of the room, "attention!"
He saluted the general one more time before he left, and then turned to face his troops.
"All right me, take your thumbs out of your sorry asses. You are under my direct command for the duration of this mission. Remember, the object of this expedition is not to requisition soldiers; it is only to collect data and to familiarize yourselves with the environment. Do not do anything to draw attention to yourselves or you will face capital punishment upon returning to Hellywood, do you understand!?"
Snapping to attention, the soldiers answered "Yes sir!"
"Then let's move out!"
The troops rushed out of the room in two columns and good order, Major Talles leading the way. The halls were uncommonly empty for this time of day, Tabool noticed, but then he remembered that most of the soldiers were in the east hunting down Abelia in her mountains. Lucky for him he wasn't there getting shot at.
After a couple of minutes they entered a large sphere shaped room though a pair of double doors built in its side. The Major took out a small remote control from inside his pocket and ordered his men into the center of the room. Eager excitement could be seen on the faces of all who were there; even the oldest soldiers there were smiling like little children playing in a field. Tabool even began to shake as the excitement grew inside of him.
Major Berkin nodded to a man sitting inside a control booth, who then gave him a thumbs up in return.
"All right men, prepare yourselves for transportation."
Tabool, along with the others, sat down on the ground and made sure everything he had was tightly fashioned to his body.
The man inside the booth gave one final thumbs up and started counting down with his fingers.
5…4…3…2…
"Get ready men, here we go."
1…
Suddenly the room filled with a blinding white light brighter and hotter than even the sun; a pricing scream filled the room like the sound of finger nails scraping against hard mettle. Tabool held his hands over his ears to block out the sound, but he still heard it, he still felt it ripping into his body and tearing it to pieces.
As suddenly as the light and sound appeared they were gone. Tabool opened his eyes and looked around him. The room was gone, replaced by a dark alley in between two large buildings. The sky was dark with storm clouds, the ground soaked with sludge and manure.
The Major stood up and look at his troops.
"Gentlemen," he said, raising his right hand into the air and waving it in a wide arch, "welcome to Old Earth."
