The sullen room was silent. The air was thick with tensions as Lourdes fumbled around the room for the emergency switches; her fingers were scratched by the needles that distinctly had fallen onto the ground. There was a thunder stricken gasp as her colleagues commenced to hold their senses; these gasps transformed into panicked shrieking around her. She deeply felt strong arms around her shoulders, in the dim light; Anne's anxious eyes glistened with sorrowful tears. A relieved yelp escaped her lips as the two friends held onto each other in a protective embrace. With a gentle pull, Lourdes was brought to her feet; her first instinct was to behold Lexi. The child was deeply slumbering soundlessly in her cot; not a scar of harm upon her. Around her, chaos ensued. A booming voice could zealously be heard cutting through the buzz of terror. Captain Weaver was forever, the marble statue.
"Dr. Delgado." He ushered her over, his calloused hand assisting her through the catastrophic mess at her feet. Thumping could be heard above her as men and women ran to their designated positions, never resting and always protecting. "What happened?" Weaver's hand had travelled to her shoulder in a comforting grasp. He was the father figure of this family; the second mass family. Lourdes waited for the panic to course through her veins, except it did not. She is a thing of light, of airiness and joy; she remained calm, and even though her heart was hushedly telling her it was okay to scream.
"I don't know, sir. I was about to begin the operation on Lexi, but I stopped." The sight of her genes was ingrained in her mind, how could she tell Anne this terrible news? What hope was there for Alexis? Panic finally struck her sharply in her scarlet heart; her hands began to shake with fright as the adrenaline began to take its toll. Beholding this, Weaver wrapped his hands wrapped around her shoulders in companionship.
"Hey…Delgado, stay with me." It was no use; the young woman was becoming paralysed; her eyes were glazed over as she relived an experience that had terrified her so. "Lourdes!" The use of her Christian abject appellation awoke her from her nightmare, with a blink of the luminous eyes; Lourdes' attention was snapped into motion. "You got to stay with me, okay? I need your help." The urgency in Waver's voice stunned her slightly, how could a simple medic be so important? Nevertheless, she followed Weaver's hurried footsteps upwards. He waited for no interruption, his posture strict and his eyes forward.
They had travelled upwards to the generators; all the machines were lifeless; no energy buzzing them alive. If Jamil had not been ripped apart from her; they would have been saved instantly. Captain Weaver's hands rapidly moved methodically over the wires as he examined the wreckage. They had not been touched; it was as though a divine force had sucked the energy out of them. Waver had quickly ceased believing in divine beings a long time ago, however, this time; he wished it had been a divine being. The alternative lucidly appeared horrifically worse. As Weaver worked through the different wires, Lourdes made herself useful in the way she knew how; she read. By the broken windows there were emergency protocol files, they had to begin somewhere. Absentmindedly, Lourdes scanned the text, but her eyes dreamily watched the sight outside. The smoky clouds teeming with pollution, the wrecked vehicles outside, and the hint of sunlight radiating through the clouds. The green light that had gotten closer.
Wait, what?
Lourdes stood mightily as she examined the familiar green light. The light had grown bolder, and closer. Her fingers itched to grasp it before her. "Sir!" Weaver grunted, his mind solely focused on the damned wires. "Sir, come here. This is important." She glanced backwards, grimacing at the fact that Weaver was dismissing her request with a wave. The survivor in her awoke; she stomped over there with her steely, determined eyes. "Sir, you asked for my help. And I am giving you my help, look at the green light!"
Waver scrunched his nose in confusion; he had no time for this. His fingers were intertwined with tight, metal wires and this woman was blabbering about a green light! Wait. "A green light? What light?" He stood up suddenly, his feet carrying over to the windowsill. His hot, pumping heart froze. "That's no simple green light, Lourdes…" It could not…it could not be. His soft whisper grew louder with every breath. "That's an Espheni ship!" He barked with such fire and might that it shook Lourdes. Without a second glance, Captain Waver stormed through the crowd; the young man in him reborn. He fired warning shots into the air.
"Alright, listen up!" The soldiers that had been left began to form around him, immediately. "It's very likely that the source of this power outage is the Espheni ship that's heading straight for us." He gestured for silence as the crowd grew restless at the sudden reveal. "I need all soldiers to defensive positions, I need medical staff to help move the civilians out of here; there will be trucks ready to take them to a safe location. Engineering, I need you working those wires; let's see if we can some light in here. Alright, move!" He turned towards the senior soldiers; ready for the battle. Lourdes halted him in his step.
"Sir, we don't even know if the Espheni are draining us!" She reasoned; could this zealously be a reckless mistake on Weaver's part? Captain Weaver signalled for the senior soldiers to leave them in peace. Checking no-one was eavesdropping, he addressed the brave medic.
"You're right, Lourdes. But, I'm not taking any chances." He pushed a radio into her palm. "I need you to contact Hal. His squad is still out there and if we have Espheni on our tail, we need them to move the civilians out too." Weaver left without a word, the radio felt cold and heavy in Lourdes' hand. The same way the world felt on her shoulders.
The Mechs were seen twenty minutes into the patrol mission; Maggie had screeched her commanding voice for the team to regroup as they planned their route back to base. The Espheni had surprised them and they were surrounded by all major escape points. Their only solution was a bridge that connected two regions of the area; however, this bridge was famous for its disasters. Could they risk it? Morality is the herd-instinct in the individual. As they surrounded around the blueprint map, Hal's radio crackled in his pocket. The sharp melody did not selflessly give Hal hope.
"Hal?" His sweetheart's voice crackled through the speaker, Hal's hand gripped around the radio righter; in a way that he may as well have been holding her. How beautiful it was, if it was to be his last journey onwards; to have Lourdes guide him through it. "Hal! Are you there?" Hal pressed a kiss against the speaker.
"Lourdes." He breathed her name, in the same ecstatic admiration that he always did. "Yes, I'm here. What is it? Are you hurt?" The worst scenarios began to flash in his mind, in an unusual manner. There was a great feeling of dread sitting in his heart, clawing at his nerves; suffocating him.
"No, I'm not." Her voice was drowned out by the booming voice of commanders. "Hal, we have trouble. There's an Espheni ship heading straight for us." Lourdes' calm voice began to rise in pitch as the adrenaline began to pump through her veins. Hal's patrol team shared looks of horror. "Hal, it's bad. We need to move out civilians, but we need your help." The sound of children crying began to seep through the speakers; protocol had begun. Under attack, souls unburdened by melancholy were separated from their family to maximise the chance of survival, It was a horrific wickedly evil, but it was a necessary evil. Empty space woefully filled Hal's fingers as Maggie snatched the radio.
"What do you need?" Maggie asserted herself, her other hand gripping the map possessively. She gulped at the sound of the children howling as they were ripped away from their mothers. She knew the sound all too well. "Lourdes!" She needed instructions, she needed a distraction; the cries were drowning her. "What do you need?" She gritted her teeth to maintain her strength. Hearing the desperation in her friend's voice, Lourdes wasted no other breath.
"We need you to meet us with the civilians outside the base. We need to pass into another region, one that the Espheni can't find us. Do you have access to one?" Lourdes paced through the corridors, her shoulders straight and her head held high. Maggie glanced at the bridge before her; Wilder Bridge. The passageway that haunted ghosts, they said. Countless disasters occurred here. Countless. Maggie watched for the reactions of her team, many shared looks of encouragement; they were ready to take the risk. Nevertheless, under their soldiering exteriors; there hid the traces of fright.
"Yes. Meet us here." The radio disconnected and Maggie signalled for her team member to fire up their vehicles. It was only Hal that remained with an honest expression upon his rugged and hallow features. "Hal, if you want to lecture me about the risks; save it." She pushed past him, but Hal's fingered palm wrapped around her elbow to prevent from doing so. She glanced upwards to coincidentally meet him; slightly recoiling at the twinkle of surrender in his luminous eyes.
"I'm not lecturing you." The gentleness in Hal's voice frightened her. "I need you to promise me something." The feeling of anxiety deepened in her scarlet heart. He glanced towards hi team, his innocent and young team. His fingers brushed against her in secrecy as though they were to swear an oath. "Wilder Bridge is not safe; it's a mighty risk we're going to take. I need you-" His voice cracked hoarsely. "I need you to promise me that if I get hurt, you'll get my family out. No questions, no protests; just get them out."
Maggie pulled him closer in desperation, this was madness! "Hal, you're not going to get hurt. Don't be an idiot, Wilder Bridge is full of superstition, that's all-"
"Promise me!" Hal barked with his hands wrapped around her shoulders in pitiful distress. His eyes bore into hers eyes maniacally; Maggie pushed her hands against his chest to steady her. The thumping of his heart could be felt under her rough hand; it was erratic and fitful. Maggie nodded; soft tears welled in her eyes.
"Yes, okay. I promise." Hal finally released her shoulder, his own sagging with sudden surrender. "Why though, Hal? What's with the resignation?" Hal gazed into the distance, his eyes illuminating with an unreadable blaze.
"I don't know…I-I feel like I need to say goodbye." His hands began to shake as this peculiar fear overwhelmed him. "It's scaring the crap out of me."
The civilians' belongings had been loaded onto the main trucks in record time; Lourdes still clutched the radio valuably. Just in case. The prospect of adventurously jaunting to Wilder Bridge had not woefully filled her with hope; she had watched the crestfallen expression on Captain Weaver's mask when she had informed him of the rescue plan. Her eyes glanced over to the small shrine in the ivy-clad hall, which was illuminated with twinkling candles; it was her rich sanctuary. When she could not sleep, she would sit there and pray. In those moments, she could deeply feel her mother embrace her and her father kiss her lovingly on her cheek. As time went on, the absence of her family zealously became more painful. Gentle arms embraced her shoulder; Anne's devoted smile welcomed her back to reality. Her constant light, Anne Glass. How much must they endure together?
"Are you ready to go, Lourdes?" Her hand rubbed Lourdes' shoulder in reassurance, her young medic nodded as they made their way out into the open air. A barricade of weapons had been constructed against the stronghold of the Espheni. The two medics observed the soldiers that were grouping the different sectors together. Boys younger than Lourdes were masterly assembling guns, and without an ecstatic instant of hesitation. The quarrel for peace was the cost of blood.
"Anne!" Anne was taken out of Lourdes hold, and into another. Lourdes glanced away sheepishly as Tom's lips crashed against his partners. There were moments; Lourdes would not be ashamed to admit, where Lourdes had wondered whether she would grow old with Hal. Would they have children? Would they have ordinary lives? Perhaps, if they survived this endless, bitter war. The passionate moment between the two parents ended quickly, to Lourdes' relief. Tom clasped Lourdes' hand in hurried desperation. "Lourdes! Get to Wilder Bridge quickly, and pass over it quickly. The Mechs have been spotted. They're getting closer; make sure that my children are safe."
"Wait!" Anne cradled Tom's face in her hands; fear overshadowed her hazel brown eyes. "You're not coming with us? You have to!" Tom laughed softly, who was fully aware that his beautiful partner would act this way. Without a word, he shared a look of secrecy with Lourdes. With the deepest regret, Lourdes pulled Anne away from Tom's embrace. With a mighty struggle, she pushed a fighting Anne into the truck. The truck doors slammed shut; Tom's hopelessly optimistic smile was the last thing Anne beheld
"What the hell are you doing?" Anne barked, outraged that Lourdes had separated her from Tom so abruptly, and without a moment of goodbye. In another moment, perhaps she would not have acted so dramatically. Except, there was a deep feeling of anxiety clawing at her heart. This was a mistake, Anne was certain. Wilder Bridge was a perfection that was wrongly disgraced.
"I'm taking you to Wilder Bridge!" Lourdes bit. Everyone around her was acting peculiar. The mention of that damned bridge and they had all acted with such spite. The way Weaver had ordered the evacuation so precisely, the way Tom had kissed Anne so wildly and Anne's frightened eyes. Wilder Bridge had poisoned their sanity. "What the hell is wrong with Wilder Bridge? Why are you all acting crazy?" She demanded, but her only response was a sigh of resignation from the woman beside her.
"Wilder Bridge is bad, Lourdes. No good comes from there." Anne's features were sagging and exhaustion, feigning surrender. Lourdes scoffed, who was the professional here? Anne, the woman with the medical degree was being consumed by glorious phantasm tales and apparitions.
"That's just superstition, Anne." Lourdes reasoned with logic, but Anne stared ahead. Her silence was unnerving.
The children cheered at the sight of their heroic soldiers, Hal suspiciously watched the trucks emerge from the fog that had descended onto the bridge. The patrol team ran closer towards them, parents hugged their eldest children, lovers kissed their lovers and Hal Mason wrapped his arms around a certain medic and twirled her in the air. Her laughter a melodious tune to his ears, after a moment of hesitation; he set Lourdes down on the ground. Her beaming smile illuminating his way through the dusty fog that had separated them.
"What's the occasion, Romeo?" She smacked his arm playfully, a flattering blush spread across her cheeks. Her dazzling dimples framed her gleam. Hal could not help it, with a romantic swoop; he moulded her body against his and kissed her wildly. In the midst of the crowd, no wayward soul interrupted them. With regret, Lourdes pulled away; breathlessly panting. "Okay, we can save that for later. What do you need me to do?" Hal frowned, always professional! Nevertheless, he understood the priorities.
Glancing back towards the many trucks that carried civilians, Hal grimaced. Could Wilder Bridge handle this mess? "I need you to direct the trucks across the bridge, stay close to me. Maggie's already got Anne helping her, so we're good on that front." In a power couple formation, they strode across the mighty bridge; earning the instant respect of all those they passed.
One by one, the trucks travelled across the bridge. It was not without its difficulties, however. The bridge was narrow, and the trucks narrowly missed crumbling through the ground. If it had not been for, the expertise of the second mass workforce, the mission would have been a disaster. Lourdes had cleverly mastered the art of direction, with gratitude to her supportive boyfriend. Anne had become the commandeering face of the operation, soon after Maggie's encouragement. The sky commenced to clear, and the sun dazzled against the silvery water; brightening the nature before their eyes, the birds began to sing. It appeared that their paranoia had been misplaced. Or, so they imagined.
The blasts came rapidly, and sharply. There were sparks and explosions that flamed the bridge, the civilians erupted into screams as they watched the beloved family be tortured into pieces. The last truck was passing on the bridge; it was the last truck painstakingly children. They all watched helplessly as the bridge began to creak and falter. Waiting no further instruction, Hal Mason grabbed the pack of grenades and hoisted himself onto the motorcycle. With a terrified Lourdes in tow.
"Hal, what the hell are you doing?!" She stopped herself in front of the motorcycle, to prevent him from leaving. Her protestations had attracted the sight of his brother, Ben and his best friend, Maggie. Hal revved the motorcycle, fully resilient against discouragements. His younger brother clasped his shoulder in alarm.
"You can't go over there! I won't let you!" Ben helplessly begged, it was selfish perhaps to ask him to do this. Except, Hal had a hero complex; he would die a thousand times over to save others and not think of the consequences. Hal revved the motorcycle further, feeling the engine buzz with life. This may have been his last adventure. Allowing his hands to find Lourdes', he pulled her in for an ecstatic moment of weakness. Her lips tasted salty as their sorrowful tears mingled with one another. He pierced Maggie with a dangerous look of devotion.
"Remember my promise."
Maggie's eyes widened at his proclamation. No, he could not! It could not be! "Mason, this is a suicide mission. Don't go over there!" She too, stepped in front of the motorcycle; shoulder against shoulder with Lourdes. The woman, who had the resilience of stone, had the heart of gold at this moment. Hal's eyes caught onto the sight of the fire that was engulfing the bridge, with the children's cries becoming deafening. It may be suicide, but it was for the greater good.
"Too late."
Swerving around his family, he soared across the grounds and towards his downfall.
The vapour stung his tears, and reddened his scars. Using his collar to mask the worst of the embers away, Hal approached the truck that was desperately in need. There were sighs of relief, cries of gratitude, but mostly; fear. Hal Mason had travelled across this chaotic bridge on his lonesome and what for? It could not have a happy ending. The driver peered down at Hal, his head bowed in respect. The young soldier glanced at the children of delight that were stuck in this horrid destruction; this was why he was doing this. For a better tomorrow, he truly required to remember that.
"I need you to drive this truck as fast as possible across Wilder Bridge. I got my weapons for the diversion, but it won't work without you." His voice was cold, and professional. As though, this was a simple training exercise, and not a suicide mission. Perhaps, it was easier to perceive it that way. He needed strength to power through this dilemma. The driver hesitated, intensely desiring to help the young boy. His eyes watched the silent crowd in the rear-view mirror; they were doing this for them. Taking in what might have been the last view of Hal Mason, the driver readied himself for the fright of his mortal life. The Mechs grew silent. Hal Mason emerged from the smoke. One human against mighty, metal warrior, he felt inside for the first weapon. As his hand clasped around the first grenade, visions of youth overwhelmed him.
Lourdes; reaching inside to grab the grenade to save his life, Ben; throwing the grenade around out of Hal's reach and Maggie; kissing the grenade before she catapulted it through the air. He never said goodbye. Without a second glance, Hal hurled the first grenade into the air.
"NOW!"
The truck surged forward, breaking through every crack in the tormented trail. Hal dashed through the barriers, narrowly missing the laser strikes. Never ceasing, never breathing; each motion was a shoot after another propel. The Mechs crumbled to the ground as the grenades surged through their bodies ignited their very demise. Hal watched with sweet satisfaction as each Mech commenced to fall at his feet, it seemed that he would not need to say goodbye after all. With a lasting heave, he thrust the last grenade at his standing enemy. Expecting the Mech to burn at his feet, Hal waited optimistically. The action did not occur. Instead, the grenade was caught in the Mech's grasp. With realization, the adrenaline pumping through Hal's veins plummeted as his body heaved in exhaustion. The Mech cornered him, defenceless and weak. He did not face his enemy, the way he had always been taught to do so. In his last moment, Hal Mason faced his family. Lourdes, Maggie, Ben…the Second Mass civilians. The grenade was surging through the air, it erupted the bridge's structure. The Second Mass watched as the bridge crumbled into the water; taking Hal Mason's body with it. As Hal plummeted through the air, he gently spoke his last breath.
"I never said goodbye."
I would like to apologize in advance for the emotional trauma you will be put through in the following chapters. Sorry for the slow updates, exams are taking a toll on me. X