Meronym smirked and closed the little book. So, that is how Apis got Hae Joo to write this journal, she thought. It was late at night and Meronym got up and started to pack up the things she had collected during her unexpected confinement in the bag Zachry had brought. In went the cute little doll and her clothes, her toiletries. Duophysite had promised her that she could leave the infirmary tomorrow if her lab results from the morning continued to improve as expected. She had about enough of feeling like a lab rat.

Once packed, she lifted up her sleeve and looked at the new marking Zachry had placed on her arm, much like the markings found on the Valleysmen. She smiled, happy with the design, which was artistic and delicate. She was also thankful she was in the throes of hallucinations when he was doing it; she did not feel a thing. She slowly traced the concentric grouping of lines and circles, swirls from her shoulder to her elbow, mirror image from top to bottom, and back to front. It was just her luck that Zachry was well versed in the design and placement of these tattoos. She had agreed to it during the worst of her nausea. Duophysite told her a few days later that he could erase the marks if she wanted, but she would have to do it soon. She flatly refused.

First of all, she felt very thankful to Zachry for what he had done, to erase his handiwork would have been rude at the least, or deeply offensive at the worst. It actually made her feel that he had accepted her into his life, and she felt like she was a part of the now dwindling Valleymen clan now. It made her unique among her Prescient tribe.

Duophysite was enthralled with the compounds found in the Rumna berry; it proved to be the miracle drug that he was looking for. While Meronym was suffering from the radiation poisoning, the plague, held in check by her once normal immune system, was starting to threaten her life. That was what why he was so concerned. The Rumna berry seemed to also stop the growth of the organism that caused the plague within her, the same scourge that had so affected her people. If the repeat tests were as promising as the preliminaries, they would soon be quite busy isolating and mass producing the compound.

Without her falling ill and being treated by Zachry, they would not have found it. She thought it interesting that the Precients, with all the ancient smarts, would turn out to be saved by natural medicine, brought to them by the lone survivors of a goat herding clan.

They were now days from the Prescient homeland, and she was growing more excited with each day. She would have to work on arranging a place for her guests to stay. She smiled to herself. They could always stay with her…

A gentle knock came on the door. She turned around smiling; knowing it would only be one person at that hour. Zachry came in, a slightly rushed manner about him.

"Here latesome Zachry. Not that I be mindin' the company." She said. He smiled briefly and handed her a cloak to put over her shoulders.

"Meronym, there is something important we have to do. Come with me." Zachry said. Meronym looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"I not free to go till morningtime. Doc prescient said…" she started, then she noticed the seriousness in his eyes. "What is so important?"

"It is moonrise." Zachry said. Almost before she could refuse he threw the cloak over her shoulders and grabbed her hand. She acquiesced, allowing him to pull her quickly along the corridors after sneaking out of the infirmary. She knew that they would find out soon that she had left, but felt he needed her to go. They arrived at the side of the boat, on the open corridor deck. "Good, she just rising from the waves." He said, pointing out over the inky black sea.

"Moon full shining bright this night so clearsome." She said, leaning over to see the brilliant slow orb rising from a sea of small undulating waves. The glittering reflection was cast long over the water, scattering diamond sparkles far and wide. Zachry turned to her.

"It is time to rid yourself of your demons." He said. Meronym shook her head, confused. "The talisman…" he reminded "it must find the sea the next moonrise. Catkin sayso." She looked down at the shell and stone necklace on her neck. She held one of the shells, rubbing the smooth surface between her fingers.

"But…I like it." She explained.

"Do what you will, Meronym." Zachry sighed. He looked over the water then reached into his cloak and pulled out a simple leather necklace, strung on it was a button adorned with a brilliant irridescent stone. Meronym came in closer, to see it better. He looked at it, seeming to be rapt with emotion.

"Found this sparkly on a ledge like it put out for me alone back at Slosha's Falls. Adam and son givin homage a ways away, in the bottom of the valley, like they always do. We know Kona country close so I wait by the trail as watch." His face grew sullen. "I heard a voice, evil and beastly, come whisprin like a cold chill runnin through my bones. Old Georgie." He said, his voice a low growl. He looked over at her.

"Go on, Zachry." Meronym whispered. He breathed hard and nodded. His eyes glossed over.

"He taunted me, distractin me from my watch. Put a dread stone in my heart, feeling like running I did.
A moment later, Kona come a visiting." He said, voice trembling. Meronym moved closer, put her hand on his arm. "Big rock in front of me so I hide behind it, under brush. They surround poor Adam, he tell his boy to run but it too late. I can hear him yelling for me to this day." It was becoming difficult for him to speak. Meronym put her hand on his arm, he was tight and tense.

"Tell me Zachry. Story come out." She urged softly, understanding the catharsis.

"Georgie freeze me, bid me stay hidden…save myself while the Kona kill my kin, he say." He said with his eyes wide. "The weak are meat and the strong do eat…he say" he whispered. Meronym felt a chill go down her spine. "I…still see the arrow through my nephew when he ran to help his pa…" he groaned, his eyes wide. "I can still hear Adam screamin till Kona blade cut him quick…" he closed his eyes and dropped his head, unable to continue. Meronym put her hands around his neck and pulled in close. She saw the tears squeeze from his eyes. "I too fearsome to help my kin…" She stayed silent as Zachry breathed hard, trying to control the tremors quaking his body. She felt his sadness, tears forming in her own eyes. She could only imagine how awful that was.

"Since then Old Georgie torture my soul. Constantlike, he tell me to kill you…" he whispered, after a moment. Meronym was paralyzed. Whatever this was, Zachry's inner demon, the devil, who knew, he was at war with it for some time. But also guilt and sadness; much to carry on those strong shoulders. "Now you know the poison in my heart, what kind of man before you be." He said.

Meronym backed away a little, and pulled off her talisman. Zachry watched as she leaned over the railing and threw the necklace. They looked on in silence as it disappeared from view and entered the dark waters.

"Time to get rid of them demons, Zachry." She said, looking at him with conviction. He took one last look at the little necklace, the shiny iridescent stone, then launched it overboard, using more effort than necessary to send it to the deep. They both watched the moon rise for a few moments. She looked back at him. He breathed deeply. "Takes brave man to face his demons." She said, stroking his hunched shoulder.

"On the souls of my fallen kin, I promise never let chance to help anyone in need pass me by. I swearby Somni…" He whispered, staring into the dark ocean. Meronym's communication device became active.

"Meronym, why are you not in the infirmiry?" Duophysite said, in a worried voice.

"I will be back soon. I just needed some fresh air." She answered back and then turned it off. She turned to Zachry again. "Got to go." She said. He turned his tired blue eyes to hers.

"Thank you, again." He said, seemingly drained.

"No, Zachry. Thank you." She smiled, and turned to go.

Once back in her room she curled up for the last time on the infirmary bed. She hoped she had helped Zachry but only time would tell. Unable to sleep, she sighed, and picked up the little journal again. Immediately following the last entry were several pages affixed, with a different script…

Excerpt from Dr. Obode Atul

I spent a few short moments with Somni 451, but they were enough for me and the other officers to decide that we were justified in our decision to overthrow Unanimity.

I led Somni out of her first meeting with General Apis so that he may have a few words alone with Commander Chang. She came with me quietly; however she seemed anxious and worried. The door closed behind us and Somni continued to look back every few steps we took down the hall.

"What will happen to Hae Joo?" She asked me finally, in her strong subspeak accent.

"He is receiving orders from the General. He will be just fine." I continued with a smile. "When I first met Chang, I thought he was too mild mannered to be a good soldier. I was quite wrong. He is one of our best." We walked on, Somni by my side. I went on. "From the first moment we met, I knew we would be friends. I saw it in his eyes. He is a good man." She looked up at me.

"Do you believe as he does…about fabricants?" she asked in a soft voice. I nodded.

"I don't know if you noticed, but General Apis and I, as well as some of the other men here are somewhat darker in skin color." She looked at me, eyes curious, and nodded. "Our ancestors are from faraway lands. Because of their color, they were called awful names, they were treated worse than animals. They were used as slaves to do work without rest or without compensation. Beaten and killed if they disobeyed. Our ancestral memories are strong." I stopped and turned to her. "And that allows us to see that the scourge of slavery has reared its ugly head yet again." She nodded slowly, wide eyed. "We cannot sit idly by and let it continue." I said.

"I have learned many things from Hae Joo. About slavery… and freedom." She said, slowly, looking intently into my eyes. "I cannot return to my previous life." I could not help but to smile. Chang had quite an effect on her.

"I would like you to see a little more of what Union is all about." I said as we entered the largest area of the underground stronghold, full of people.

Somni stepped forward and took it in, her eyes widening with the sight of dozens of weapons lined up against the wall and on shelves, several men attending to them. We walked on slowly. Around an array of flat tables, others were working at large screens projected before them, monitoring the transmissions and communications of Unanimity. We walked past these men, to another room where a battalion of men were training in hand to hand combat. A man hit the floor before us. He scrambled up, and paused to look at her before resuming the sparring match. She backed up and held on to my arm. I urged her forward and into the Officers Meeting Room.

"Here is where the officers like Chang and I convene, make our plans. I would like for them to meet you." Here, several officers were making disagreeing loudly. When we entered all conversation ceased in a few moments, and everyone turned to look at her.

"Friends. This is Somni 451." They all greeted her to varying degrees. She blinked and looked around shyly.

"There are so many of you…" she said, a tremble in her voice. She looked at me wide eyed. "Fabricants do not know about… any of this." She said turning to me.

"We are a well-kept secret." I walked around her.

"We were told…that Union was the enemy. That Union wants to kill fabricants." She said. At this statement, there were a number of responses and grumblings from the officers. I raised my hand for silence.

"Well. That explains our difficulty in recruitment." I said, walking behind her.

"What do you think of Union now? Do you think we are the enemy, like they told you?" A young officer asked. Somni raised her eyes and looked him intently.

"No. Quite the opposite. You want us to be free." She said. "But that makes the enemy...Unanimity." She said. I nodded as she turned to face me again.

"Somni, can you tell us what your life was like working in Papa Song?" I wanted to hear what it was like from the fabricant's perspective. She looked back down the hall. She sighed and swallowed.

"We obey our seer's commands and live according to the catechisms." She shuffled back and forth slowly. "We work in the restaurant each day and sleep in sleep boxes in the back of Papa Song's at night. That is the extent of our life. Each day is like the previous." A low rumbling came from the crowd.

"Did you enjoy this…way of life?" an officer asked.

"Enjoyment was not the purpose. There was work to be done. We were genomed to do it." Somni said.

"So this is the fabricant." A voice said at the door. Marcus walked in; he still wore the uniform of a chief enforcer, without the helmet, however. Somni gave a gasp and backed up towards me.

"You have nothing to fear from me, young lady..." Marcus raised his hands and stepped back. Somni looked at me, fear in her eyes.

"He is with us Somni. There is nothing to fear." She looked back at him meekly. He looked at her closely, then sat on one of the nearby tables and crossed his arms. I knew he would be interested in meeting the woman who made him leave the Ministry.

"Somni…" I said, trying to draw her attention away from Marcus. She turned to me. "You saw how other people lived at the restaurant. Didn't you want to be like them?" I asked pointedly, trying to change the subject. "To come and go, do as you pleased?"

"We were told we were not like the Purebloods who ate in the restaurant. They were our Consumers. We had to obey them also." She said.

"Did they treat you well?" Someone asked. Somni looked around.

"Some were civil. Some were rude." She looked down. "Some were cruel."

"Couldn't you just leave?" I asked. I knew the answer, but I wanted everyone to hear it. She opened her eyes widely.

"We are not allowed to leave Papa Song. If we disobeyed, we would be excised." She looked down. "Just like my friend, Yoona, was." She said soflty, looking sadly at the floor. "I never thought of another life, until..." said, looking up, distracted by all the eyes upon her.

"Until what, Somni?" I said, drawing her attention. She focused on me.

"One night I woke up from sleep cycle, and met Hae Joo Chang. He told me my life was in danger." She said to me. "And then gave me the choice… to stay or to leave." Then she looked around. "So I left with him."

"If you knew you would get into trouble, why did you leave?" Was the next question asked.

"I trusted him." She looked down and sighed. "He was the first pureblood who was ever kind to me. It was the first time… someone cared what would happen to me." The low rumblings continued.

"Are you glad you left?" Marcus asked.

"Yes." She answered, without hesitation. "It was the first time I felt… truly alive." She said, taking a deep breath. The room silenced.

"So, Somni, given what they told you about Union, why did you leave with a Union soldier?"

"I did not know he was Union." She looked over at the officer shyly.

"With what you know now, will you join our cause?" I asked.

"It is not in our nature to challenge authority or be in a revolution." She said, and then a strange look came over her face. "But we can learn." She said softly.

"What do you think would have happened had you stayed?" Marcus asked. I was puzzled. I did not know where he was going with this.

"They may have had me excised for knowing about Yoona. If not, then I would have continued to work at Papa Song until exultation." She said. Everyone grew quiet. They all stood still, staring at Somni. Marcus rubbed at his chin, in thought.

"Exultation. Do you know what…" Marcus stopped, trying to find better words, "where…it is you would go?" The tension was thick. There was complete silence in the room. I looked at Somni, who was growing more wary by the moment.

"We will be taken there on a ship. We are told it is a just reward for our years of hard work and obedience." She said softly, a tremble in her voice. "That is all I know." Marcus nodded and looked down. All the men exchanged silent glances, Many looking down, shaking their heads. Somni noticed, looking around, confused at the response. I myself, was speechless.

"Somni." A clear voice broke the silence. Chang walked slowly into the room, looking around at everyone, a stern look on his face. Somni turned around and breathed a sigh of relief almost immediately at the sight of him, her body relaxing visibly. When Chang looked back at Somni, his face softened, and he gave her a small smile. "Are you ready to go?" he asked, his gentle tone comforting her, soothing her obviously frayed nerves. She nodded her head rapidly.

"Thank you for answering our questions, Somni." I said. She nodded and bowed her head, smiling meekly at me, looking briefly at everyone. As she turned to go, Chang's hand rested on her back. From my vantage point, I saw her look back up at him, eyes alight with pure adoration and trust as they walked out together. He returned a similar glance.

We all stayed in place in silence as Somni and Chang walked away. Then I turned to the group and started walking slowly around them.

"Gentlemen. Any thoughts?" I asked, looking around.

"She seems very naïve." Said one officer. "But kind. And definitely human."

"Well of course she is naïve, that is what happens when you are forced to live your whole life in the back room of a restaurant." Another said.

"They do not even know the fate that awaits them." One of the younger officers said, shaking his head sadly.

"It is murder. Just awful." Another said, in disgust.

"They will not be quite so compliant…once they learn the truth." I said.

"She said they are willing to learn…they will have to."

"What do we teach them first? How to fight? Or how to just live in the outside world?"

"There is much work to be done with them. I think the challenge is for us to learn how to help them." I said as I walked up to Marcus.

"What do you think? Are they worth it? Is she worth it?" I asked. He looked at me and nodded.

"There is much at stake here. That is why we have the plan, involving the fabricant, right?" Marcus said. "Will she do it?" he asked.

"She has not yet agreed." I started. That was met with some grumblings. Marcus shook his head. "Apis has a plan that may help her make up her mind." He looked at me.

"Regardless…the citizens of Neo Seoul, the whole world needs to know about the murder of these innocents." he growled. Everyone vocalized agreement. He stood up, and looked around at the other officers. "We have a rebellion to stage." His words were greeted with a cheer.

Our meeting with Somni 451 solidified our resolve, it reminded us who and what we were fighting for. Unanimity must not be allowed to exist unchecked. It is our duty as humans to help the fabricants gain freedom.

Meronym put the book down a second and leaned her head back, sleep finally taking hold of her. She was in awe of the importance of the history she had unearthed. It was a treasure; to learn about the inner workings of Union. The place they found the books must have been this instillation, Union command, the one Chang and Atul spoke of, or someplace like it.

She sighed. Even though she was pleased that Unanimity was overthrown and the fabricants were freed, she wished that The Fall had not occurred in such a complete, catastrophic fashion. It happened just as the seas were rising quickly, rendering the ports vital to the earths economy non-operational, faster than new ones could be built. The earth's oil and gas resources were dwindling and countries were going to war, squabbling over the spoils. To add to that, it was as if mother Earth was angry at her wayward children; the intensity and frequency of catastrophic storms, tornadoes, wildfires, earthquakes and floods ravaged much of the civilized world to the point that the governments could not keep up with the destruction. It became the perfect storm. Much of the new technologies became lost and forgotten in many parts of the world in the chaotic aftermath.

A few isolated nations and regions, shuttered in protective city states, under military rule, struggled to survive that turbulent time. Much of the rural world returned to that state, like Zachry's Valleyman tribe. The off world colonies were too engrossed in struggling to exist in their new frontiers to be of much help. The Prescients kept hold of all the technologies they could, running much of what they could from the knowledge of the fusion reaction energy source they retained. To spare their society, they moved to a remote region, to the North Pacific where they could survive in isolation. And there they would have stayed, had their people not been attached by a virulent plague, the survival of their people threatened. They ventured forth looking for help, looking for salvation.

We may just have found it in the unlikeliest of places, She thought to herself as she drifted to sleep.