Chapter six: The day the sun fell from the sky
Rita and Lynn have never been happier. Their first son was born. In the US President's limousine. The limousine stopped in front of the house. Rita, Lynn senior and the First Lady got out. The first lady held a baby with white hair. Lori, Leni, Luna, Luan and Lynn approach her curiously.
"What's her name?" asked Lori.
"His name is Lincoln." said the first lady.
"He is so cute." said Leni.
"Is he." said Rita.
"Here, take him." said the first lady, handing Lincoln over to Rita.
"Many Thanks." said Lynn Sr.
The first lady left the house. And a man came in. He looked unfriendly, had brown hair, and thick glasses. He wore a black suit. He closed the front door.
"Sit down!" he said to the family.
The Louds sit down on the couch. The man approached them.
"What did the President say to you?" asked the man.
"That he was on his way to a base." said Lynn Sr.
The man looked at Lynn senior. He pulled a document and a pen out of his suit. He put it down in front of Rita And Lynn senior. He gave the two of them the pen.
"Sign!" he commanded.
The two signed. The man took the document.
"You will be watched. You will not tell anyone what happened. Lincoln Loud was born at Royal Woods Hospital. The only person you can tell this is Lincoln himself. You understand?"
The family nodded.
"What's your name?" Leni asked.
The man approached Leni. He leaned down to her.
"Johnson. And nobody needs to know more."
The man approached Rita.
"I'm not a brute. Keep the blanket with the President's seal on it. It will be the only thing that will remind you of this day."
The man left the house. They pondered his words. Rita looked at Lincoln. She's only been five times as happy so far.
A normal morning had dawned in the naval port of New York. Three sailors stood by the dry docks. The sailors smoked. Next to them was a dry dock, in which an unfinished aircraft carrier. The sailors were angry.
"That's where the Enterprise messes up and we have to pay for it. Typical." said the first sailor.
"And we won't be able to set sail in a year." said a second sailor.
"Complain to Archer. He ordered it." said the third sailor.
"They want to install the computer core from us on the Enterprise." said the second.
"I hope not. Then we'd have to rip open three decks to lift her out. And then you'd have to reprogram it. Otherwise the Enterprise would think she is the Yamato." said the first sailor, and continued to smoke his cigarette.
"Basically, we are just a parts supplier. The Yamato will never leave the dry dock." said the third sailor.
"Do not be so sure." sat the second sailor.
"Why do you think?" asked the first sailor.
The second sailor points to a battleship which is anchored in front of the harbour.
"Why is the USS Iowa there? And why were four old cargo ships bought? I'll tell you. We have too few ships. The Iowa is being modernized with the Wisconsin and the Missouri. From what I've heard, the project is called Project Leviathan internally." said the second sailor.
"Then the rumors are true. And the four cargo ships. Will they also be converted?" asked the third sailor.
"Project Ambassador. The cargo ships are to be converted into tactical aircraft carriers. Three for us, one for the Russians." said the second sailor.
"Like the USS Langley. What should they be called?" asked the first sailor.
"USS Ambassador, USS Judge, and USS United States." answered the second sailor.
"And what should the Russian name be?" asked the third sailor.
"Oktjabrskaja Revoljuzija. Her name will be Oktjabrskaja Revoljuzija." said the second sailor.
The first sailor looks at the second.
"That means October Revolution. Oktjabrskaja Revoljuzija means October Revolution." said the first sailor.
"The Russians have decided," said the second sailor.
The sailors notice two women approaching them. One of the women wears a uniform with the insignia of a captain. Next to the woman goes Lana. The sailors throw their cigarettes on the ground and stamp them out. The sailors salute.
"Captain Pingrey!" said the three sailors.
Carol gestures downwards.
"Don't stand there so stiff. I'm looking for people to dry dock the Iowa tomorrow." said Carol.
"We will do it." said the third sailor.
Lana looked at the USS Iowa.
"We will start modernizing this week." said Lana.
"Excuse me, but who are you? You are not in uniform, so you are not from the Navy." asked the first sailor.
"Lana Loud. Chief Engineer of Project Leviathan." said Lana.
Carol taps Lana on the shoulder. She pointed to a group of ships approaching the naval port.
"That's the Mikhail Gorbachev. And the Illustrious." said Carol.
"And another aircraft carrier. That must be the Enterprise." said Lana.
"It's a miracle that it's still swimming." said the second sailor.
Carol takes out binoculars and looks at the Enterprise.
"Shit. They were hit badly. It even has to be towed." said Carol.
The Michail Gorbachev and the Illustrious entered the port. The Gorbachev horned. Tugboats pulled the Gorbachev and the Illustrious to a berth. Lana and Carol went to the docks. The sailors got out and the injured were carried out. Carol and Lana were waiting in front of the Illustious. But Lori and Lily were nowhere to be seen. Lana walked up to a sailor.
"Excuse me, but where are the senior officers?" asked Lana.
"On the Russian carrier." answered the sailor.
Lana ran to the Mikhail Gorbachev's berth. Then she saw Lori, who was the last to leave the ship. She ran to her.
"Lori, are you okay? Where's Lily?"
"Lily was picked up by a helicopter. She's on her way to Nuuk." replied Lori.
"Why? Hasn't she done enough already?"
"I told her that too. But they asked for her. I don't know why."
Carol joined the two.
"Luckily you're fine." said Carol.
Lori looked at the Gorbachev.
"We fought bravely." said Lori.
Lana also looked at the Mikhail Gorbachev. The Russian sailors carried body bags from the ship.
"You lost a lot of people." Lana said worried.
Lana hugged Lori.
"Too many good people." said Lori.
"You know what, we're going home."
"I can organize a helicopter for you." said Carol.
"Thanks." said Lori.
Lana and Lori went to the fleet base. There they boarded a helicopter. The helicopter circled the Enterprise once, and then flew towards Royal Woods. Lori cried at the sight of her ship. A good captain loves his ship. The helicopter landed near the nuclear power plant. Lori was happy to finally be home again. They walked towards Royal Woods, which took ten minutes. Another half hour later the two reached the house of the Santiagos. Lorraine and Miranda were playing in the front yard. Lori heard the two from far away. The two were so busy that they didn't notice their mother.
"Are you two done with your homework?" Lori said and the two girls turned around very quickly.
"Mom!" said the two, and ran to Lori and hugged her.
"I missed you both so much." said Lori.
"We you too." said Lorraine.
"We really missed you." said Miranda.
Lana watched. She laughed lightly. The front door opened. Bobby came out. Lori looked at him. Bobby looked back. Yes, something was different. Bobby didn't look at Lori happily, but suspiciously, or disappointed. Lori looked at her two daughters.
"Go in, I'll come to you." said Lori.
The two girls ran to the door.
"I'll sit next to Mom when I eat." said Miranda.
"No, I." said Lorraine.
Bobby walked slowly towards Lori.
He just looked at her. Then he said something in a low voice.
"You know what you did?"
Lori nodded.
"Do you regret it?"
Lori nodded again. Bobby looked deep into her eyes.
"The girls don't know about it. But it's a matter of time before they find out." said bobby.
"What have I done?" said Lori.
"An order." said Bobby and hugged Lori.
Lori started crying.
"What have I done? I've surely taken thousands of lives. I'm a murderer. A war criminal." Lori said between sobs.
"No that's not you." said bobby.
"Yes. I am a mass murderer."
"Lori. Paul Tibbets once said, 'I wouldn't hesitate if I had the choice again.' Tibbets had no regrets. You say the opposite. You're human."
Lori's legs grew weak. Bobby could just hold Lori.
"Lana, help me carry her to the bedroom." said Bobby.
Lana took Lori's right arm over her shoulder. Bobby and Lana carried them into the bedroom. They went into the house. Lorraine and Miranda came immediately.
"What's the matter with mom?" asked Miranda.
"Go into the living room. Mama is not well." said bobby.
"Listen to your father." said Lana.
The two girls went back into the living room. Lana and Bobby put Lori on the bed. Lori took the blanket and hugged her tightly.
"I didn't just kill extremists, I killed innocent civilians. And children. I'm a monster." shouted Lori.
"Lori. Lori! Lori stop it!" Lana yelled.
Lori looked at Lana in shock. She had rarely heard her little sister yell out so loudly.
"Lori, it happened. It sounds brutal and heartless, but it happened and that's the end of it. Don't think about it anymore. You only carried out an order. Others would have carried out that too."
Lori looked at Lana confused.
"You talk like people were just ants. Did you hear what I did? I launched a nuclear missile. Me and Lily entered the codes." Lori said loudly, but then went quiet.
"And Lily gave the order to fire."
Lori looked at Lana and Bobby.
"I hate to hurt anyone. I hate to kill. But I love Lily." Said Lori.
"She's just your sister." said bobby.
"The decision to use a nuclear weapon was questionable. But I don't blame you. Not you, and not Lily." said Lana.
Bobby left the room and went into the living room. Lorraine were watching TV. Bobby realized it was too late. On the TV was footage of the badly damaged Enterprise. Lorraine recognized the Enterprise immediately. Lorraine was sort of a fan of the Enterprise. There was even a poster of her in her room. She looked at her father.
"Dad, that was three days ago." said Lorraine.
"I know." said Bobby.
"Why didn't you tell us what was going on?"
"I wanted to protect you."
"You, you just hid from us that mama was in danger."
"You would have worried too much."
"I'm going to mom."
Lorraine ran past Bobby and ran to her mother. Lorraine was startled. She had never seen her mother cry.
"Mom! What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Lorraine asked worried.
"I killed them all." Lori cried.
"I have killed innocents."
"You fought the bad guys." said Lorraine.
"No. The first time we were attacked, we received an order."
"What order?"
Lana walked up to Lorraine and put her hand on Lorraine's shoulder.
"Lorraine, your mother was ordered to launch a nuclear missile."
"That is not true." said Lorraine incredulously.
"Yes. It's true." said Lana.
Lorraine walked up to Lori and hugged her. Lorraine didn't know what the consequences of a nuclear attack were, but they had to be bad.
"Mom, don't cry." said Lorraine.
Lori held Lorraine tight. Bobby and Miranda came into the bedroom. Miranda climbed onto the bed and hugged her mother.
"Lana?" said Lori.
"Yes? What is Lori?" asked Lana.
"Why can't anything go right in our family?"
"Remember Lori. Remember when our lives took the right path again?"
Nature to industry. Ponds and park up to nuclear power plants. That was Royal Woods. Home for many. Even those far away felt at home in Royal Woods. But an Arleigh Burke class destroyer could also be a home. But at Christmas, she was almost empty, the USS Edward Teller. It was snowing in New York harbor. The Edward Teller's deck was covered with snow. Lori was one of the last to disembark. She stood on the bow. She watched the horizon. She was warm in the uniform. Lori heard footsteps behind her. She turned around. It was Hartman. Lori stood up and saluted.
"Maam, I'm waiting for your orders Maam." said Lori.
Hartman took Lori's arm, which she saluted with, and pulled it down. Lori looked at Hartman.
"Don't forget who you are. My command is go home and celebrate Christmas with your family." said Hartman.
Lori stares at Hartman in confusion.
"I haven't been home for a year. I'm going home today too. And you too. Family is important." Hartmann said and went over the gangplank.
Lori looked at the horizon again. Only an ensign and a few sailors were on board. Lori continued to gaze at the horizon. Then she heard Hartman yell in the harbor.
"Stop him! Stop that bastard!"
A man ran up the pier. Lori looked closely. It was Bobby. Hartman ran behind him, looking like she was going to kill him. Lori ran in his direction. But the ensign was faster. He drew his pistol.
"Stop! You're under arrest now!" said the ensign.
Hartman reached Bobby and grabbed his collar. Her face was red.
"So, you fucking cocksucker, what are you allowing yourself to board my ship for?" shouted Hartman.
Lori reached Hartman.
"Commander. He's my fiance." Lori said anxiously.
"So you want to visit your sweetheart?" asked Hartman.
Bobby nodded.
"So. I understand you. You won't get arrested, but only under one condition." Hartman said quietly.
Hartman took a deep breath and yelled extremely loudly at Bobby.
"Get the fuck of my ship!"
Hartman let go of Bobby and he ran off the ship. Hartman approached Lori. But Lori no longer understood the world. Because Hartman grinned.
"Before you go home, you should buy your fiancé some new pants." Hartman said and walked off the ship laughing.
Lori goes to her quarters and takes her suitcase. She leaves the ship. Bobby hid behind some supply crates.
"Come on Bobby. Hartman's gone." said Lori.
"Don't tell me she does this to you all the time." asked Bobby.
"Oh, Commander Hartman liked you. She treated you very gently, actually." Lori said, and laughed.
"How is she when she's angry?"
"No one had survived that." laughed Lori.
Bobby trembled a little. Lori lit a cigarette and slapped his upper arm.
"I'm just joking landlubber."
"You have changed." said Bobby.
"Yes, and how?"
"Hard to say. But I love it."
"Well saved." said Lori.
Lori gave Bobby a kiss on the cheek.
"I missed you." said Lori.
The two left the port. Bobby's car was in the parking lot. Lori put her suitcase in the trunk and the two got in.
"I don't know if we'll make it to Royal Woods." said Bobby.
"Why do you think?"
"The snowfall is extremely heavy. The roads are mostly closed and because of the snowstorm the power line of the tram line fell down."
"They can simply put them up again."
"That's not possible because of the snowstorm. And you can guess how they operate the trains now."
"If there's no electricity in the line, they can't do it."
"Steam Locomotives." said bobby.
Lori looked at Bobby. Bobby looked back and smiled at Lori. He started the engine.
"You're kidding me. There haven't been steam engines on the Royal Wood railway for years." said Lori.
"Yes. But I saw on TV that the RWR has five steam locomotives just for this case."
"I did not know that."
"Neither do I."
Bobby drove off. They drove for hours. The two reached the Canadian-American border. Towards evening the two arrived in Toronto and went to a hotel. It was snowing heavily. In the hotel room, Lori left the tv on and switched to channel three. Kate Mulligan was seen in a heavy jacket on the snowy platform 4 of Royal Woods station. Next to her was a train driver with a brown mustache. It was Armin. Behind the two stood a three-axle meter gauge steam locomotive, which was coupled to four four-axle wagons. The wagons were red on the bottom and ivory on the top.
"Here is Kate Mulligan with a report on the snowstorm. Next to me is Armin, engine driver of the RWR. Armin, why are the steam engines running now?"
"Well Kate, as you can see there is a copper wire floating above the steam engine which is normally under 1500 volts DC. But because of the snow storm, a section of the wire snapped, fell down and caused a short circuit. And since we are not allowed to repair the wires during such a storm, we use our steam engines. This is our number 4, she is called Beaverton."
"And you drive the steam train?"
"Yes. Normally I drive the modern Tramlink or our Schindler railcars, but they need the 1500 volts from the line, so they don't work."
Lori looked at Bobby.
"Gosh, that must be a lot of snow." said Lori.
"Babe, could you check if the roads to Royal Woods are closed?" asked Bobby.
Lori looked at her phone. Then she read it to Bobby.
"All roads to Royal Woods are closed due to heavy snowfall. Those arriving should take the train from Creek Hill to Royal Woods. Operating information from the RWR. Due to power outage, replacement trains that are not wheelchair-accessible are on the way. If you are arriving in a wheelchair, please inform the train staff."
"Well, then we have to go to Creek Hill." said Bobby.
"Yes, and the modern tram needed half an hour for that. I don't know how long the steam locomotive needs." said Lori.
"This is true."
Lori dials a number on her phone.
"Who are you calling?" asked Bobby.
"My family."
The call was answered. It was Leni.
"Hello Lori. How are you?" Leni asked happily.
"Good. And how are you with the snowstorm?" asked Lori.
"Bad. Not even Lisa can do anything against the snow."
"I think so. Anything new?"
"I don't know. But you're coming home, aren't you? Then you can see everything for yourself."
"Yes, I'm coming home. Tomorrow. But I have to sleep now. Bye."
"Bye, see you tomorrow."
Lori hangs up the call. Bobby points to the tv. Army jeeps could be seen on the tv, struggling through the snow. A reporter's voice could be heard.
"Due to the heavy snowfall, traffic in Royal Woods has come to a standstill. The army supplies residents with supplies and has even introduced a special service called the jeep taxi. In cooperation with the Royal Woods taxi company, people who call a taxi will be picked up by a army Jeep."
Lori grinned.
"Give whoever had the idea a medal." said Lori.
"Yes. The idea is great." said Bobby.
"So, bedtime." said Lori, and lay down on the bed next to Bobby.
Bobby turned off the light and the TV. Lori and Bobby kissed each other and went to sleep. The two slept very deeply, and had beautiful dreams of both of them.
The next day they crossed the border again and reached Creek Hill. There the snow was six feet deep and Bobby's car had problems, because there was a lot of snow on the streets. Creek Hill was not a town or village. Creek Hill was a two-track railroad station in a wooded valley. Creek Hill had a station building and nothing else. Bobby parked his car in the parking lot. He took Lori's suitcase and the two went to platform two. An announcement came through the loudspeaker.
"Railway Information. Rail service between Royal Woods and Creek Hill is severely restricted due to heavy snowfall and power line disruptions. Delays are expected between Great Lake City and Creek Hill."
An old four-axle, olive-green railcar with old four-axle wagons pulled into track one. There was a noise coming from the direction of the Royal Woods. A huge steam-powered snowblower pulled by two three-axle steam locomotives pulled into track two. The train stopped briefly, and then continued to Great Lake City. After ten minutes, the train headed back to Great Lake City on platform one. After ten minutes, a train pulled into track two, which was also pulled by a three-axle steam locomotive. The four red and ivory cars looked warm. The train stopped and Lori and Bobby got into the dining car. The two were not alone. Luna and Lily were on the train. Lori and Bobby sat down with them. Luna and Lily were both wearing purple winter jackets, and had hot chocolate on the table in front of them.
"Lori. Great that you're here." said Luna.
"I'm glad to see you too. But what are you doing here?" asked Lori.
"I'm here because of the young lady. Lily wants to go to the station all the time, or take the train."
"It's supposed to be a great hobby, I heard." said Bobby.
"Lily knows her way around. Look. Lily, what kind of train are we going on?"
"Steam train." said Lily.
"See? I can imagine that the whole attic in our house will be full of model trains." said Luna.
"At least she has a hobby." said Bobby.
The steam locomotive reversed through platform one, and was coupled on the other side of the train. The four heard the conductor whistle and the train started. They drove through the forests that gave Royal Woods its name. The trees were snowy. The train passed next to a pond that was frozen over. It was wonderful.
Even if the RWR no longer needed electricity, all of Royal Woods needed a huge amount of electricity. So much that Carol had to stay overnight at the nuclear power plant. Both reactors were running at full power. Carol wasn't on shift, but she stayed in control room number two. Chevalier smoked. She had long, wavy black hair that hung down her shoulders and down her back. Chevalier smoked all the time, as did Rivera, the head of block one. Everyone in the control room wore white pants, white lab coats, and white cloth hats. The control room of reactor block two reeked of menthol cigarettes. Chevalier spoke with a heavy French accent.
"Have I ever told you that I was in Ignalina?" asked Chevalier.
"Yes you have. And you always say there is nothing more beautiful than an RBMK reactor." said a worker.
"RBMK?" asked Carol.
"A soviet reactor type. Very versatile, and reliable."
"Except for Chernobyl 4." said the worker.
"Reactors don't make mistakes, only humans do." said Chevalier.
The telephone rang. Chevalier took the call.
"Celeste Chevalier, Royal Woods two."
Chevalier took a drag on her cigarette and listened.
"We're already at the limit."
Chevalier got a little angry.
"Units one and two are running at maximum power. If you want more energy, call the Enrico Fermi nuclear power plant." said Chevalier, and hung up.
She continued to smoke and swore in French.
"Ce maudit bâtard devrait enfin se taire."
"Everything okay?" asked Carol.
"The energy distributor in Great Lake City doesn't understand no." said Chevalier, finishing her cigarette.
She took out another cigarette.
"Merde. I need more cigarettes. Put cigarettes on the inventory list."
The steam locomotive pulled into the station. Lori, Bobby, Luna and Lily got out. They ran to the army jeeps and got in. The jeep drove the four of them home. Lori went into the house and was warmly welcomed. She almost had to defend herself against the many hugs.
"You're finally back." said the twins happily.
"We missed you." said Lisa.
Lori was overwhelmed. It was even more beautiful than she remembered. Hartman was right. One must not forget where one comes from. As Lola hugged her, Lori felt that her handgun was still in the holster. She quickly pushed Lola away from her.
"What is Lori?" asked Lola confused.
"My gun. I still have it on my belt. Dad, where can I put the gun where is it safe?" asked Lori.
"I have an old gun cabinet from my grandfather down in the basement." said Lynn Sr.
"Fine. Thanks Dad."
Lori went to the basement. She walked over to a gun cabinet made of chromed stainless steel. Lori took the magazine out of the gun and put it in the closet. Then she disassembled the pistol and removed the firing pin. She put the gun back together and put the firing pin in the shirt pocket of her uniform. She put the gun in the gun cabinet and went back upstairs.
"So now it's safe and the firing pin is out." said Lori.
"Did you learn that in the Navy? I thought you were a sailor." Leni asked.
"I'm a sailor. Sailor Kitty. And Leni, I'm assigned to a destroyer. I'm on a warship." said Lori.
"Sailor Kitty?" asked Rita.
"Commander Hartman asked me my name and then she said that from now on I'm Sailor Kitty."
"My nickname in the army was coffee pot." said Lynn senior, and grinned.
"Why do you sailors get such stupid nicknames?" asked Luna.
"I quote Commander Hartman. «If you ladies leave my ship, if you survive recruit training, you will be a weapon. You will be a minister of death praying for war. But until that day, you are pukes. You are the lowest form of life on Earth. You are not even human beings.» We are under the command of Hartman, the lowest form of life on earth, and worthless."
"That's inhuman. So the right treatment for you. Get it?" said Luan.
"You're right. The joke was good." said Lori, and laughed.
Lily crawled up the stairs.
"Wait, I'm going up with Lily." said Lori, and went up the stairs.
Lori followed Lily to her room. There were two toy locomotives lying on the ground. On the floor was a rug on which pictures of railroad tracks were woven. Lily started playing with the toy electric train. Lori sat next to Lily. She took the toy steam train and followed Lily. Lily kept looking at Lori's hand. When Lori let the toy train run a bit off the track, Lily reacted unusually.
"No. wrong." Lily said a little loudly, putting the toy steam train back on the track.
"You have high standards. Does it have to be real?" asked Lori.
"Yes." Lily said, looking seriously at Lori is arm.
Lori had never seen such a serious two year old girl. Lori wanted to put her hand on Lily's shoulder, but Lily backed away. Lori was beyond confused now.
"Lily? You've changed."
Lynn came into Lily's room. She sat down on Lisa's bed.
"She's changed a lot. She doesn't cry anymore, she doesn't laugh anymore. She's almost like a machine." said Lynn thoughtfully.
"That's not the Lily I knew."
"I've changed too. I don't do any sport anymore."
"But Lily has changed so much. She's almost a different person. Is that just because, you know?"
"I don't know. But she's an interesting person. I have to take her to the train station every Friday evening, because she wants to see trains."
"Is she that interested in trains?"
Lynn pointed to the two toy engines. Lynn went to Lily and picked her up. Lily didn't fight back.
"She doesn't like being touched or cuddled anymore either. Only Mom, Lisa or I can carry or touch her." said Lynn.
"What about dad?" asked Lori.
"She always backs away. If someone approaches her, it's only four inches, then she backs away and puts them further away. Dad always hurts when she does that."
Lori looked around. Lily's purple blanket lay folded in her crib. On the wall above the bed hung a poster showing an RWR tram. It was becoming increasingly obvious what Lily's character would become.
"She will make an interesting woman." said Lori.
Lori went into the living room. Many faces smiled at her. Even though a lot has changed, she felt at home. She went to her mother.
"Mom, since when has Lily been like this, different?"
"Well, Lily changed almost unnoticed. Eventually she was who she is now. She missed you the most, by the way." said Rita.
"How do you mean?" asked Lori.
"She crawled to your and Leni's room at night and sat on your bed. Leni said it was like she was waiting for you."
"That's cute."
"Lily is developing. She's just growing up."
"I wonder what will become of her. She will probably become a train driver." said Lori.
Lori walked through the kitchen and opened the door to the garden. It was snowing heavily and Lori couldn't see five meters ahead. It was beginning to get dark. She took out the cigarettes and lit one. The smoke was clearly visible through the cold. Since Lincoln's diagnosis that a lot would change. How much and what, only now became clear. Lori tried to make smoke rings. She was unsuccessful. Lori looked at the cigarette. The glow glowed nice and warm. She liked that kind of light. She thought of Lincoln. Somehow it became a taboo subject. But Lori was sure that none of her sisters could forget him. Lincoln would have been proud of Lori. Lori got another cigarette. She lit the first cigarette and continued smoking. Lori came up with a question she's often asked herself. Lincoln was only eleven and he was about to die. Why? Why couldn't she die instead of Lincoln? Lori took a hard drag on her cigarette, drawing the smoke into her lungs. She was thinking about something Joker once said when the Edward Teller was in a storm. Life isn't bad, and it's not nice. It's just life. Joker was a good friend, like Carol. Lori hoped that Carol would finally finish her basic training at the nuclear power plant. So that she would finally get on a ship. Lori took out her cell phone. She read some news. Among other things, that electricity would become expensive, that Royal Woods should get fiber optic cables for the Internet everywhere, and that a Danish party, which calls itself CWP, is protesting against the peace negotiations with Russia. Lori didn't understand. Peace is good. She put her cell phone aside and finished smoking. She went inside. The table was set in the dining room. Christmas dinner was different this year. Rice with chicken in curry sauce. Her father had experimented again this year. Lori sniffed. It smelled delicious. Her sisters, her parents, and Bobby sat down. Lori came last. A chair was teaching. Lincoln chair. Lori looked at the ceiling. At least, that's what it looked like. She looked to where Lincoln was now. Lori waved up. She was very sure that he was watching from above. The family slowly began to eat. It was quiet. Far too quiet.
"Are you thinking of him?" Lori asked everyone.
Everyone nodded. Except Lily. They keep eating. It was still too quiet for Lori.
"I once forgot to lock my quarters, actually our quarters, I share one with five other recruits. Then Hartman noticed and yelled at me for half an hour. And my best friend on the ship, Joker, has everything heard."
The others looked at Lori.
"What did joker do then?" asked Luna.
"What did she do? She had to hold back her laughter."
"What did Hartman say?" asked Lana.
"Hartman had used words even I didn't know." said Lori, and laughed.
Everyone started laughing. Then Lynn senior started to tell something.
"When I was in the army, I had even more hair. And the first thing the instructor told me was that it looked like a failed toilet brush."
Lynn Senior's head went red with laughter.
"The coolest thing was... The coolest thing was that he had almost the same hairstyle as me."
Everyone laughed. They ate, laughed, and had fun. When they finished it was late. But the doorbell rang. Leni went to the door and opened it. It was Clyde and his fathers.
"Hi Clyde. Merry Christmas." Leni said happily.
"Hi Leni. I heard that Lori is there. Can I speak to her?" asked Clyde.
"Yes. I'll get her."
Lori came to the front door and was very pleased.
"Clyde! Nice to see you. And you're not passing out." Lori said happily.
"Yeah, I've got it under control now. Hey, I heard you're back and I just wanted to congratulate you on your engagement." said Clyde.
"Thanks Clyde. How are you?"
"I'm fine. I have some for you."
Clyde pulled out a flat present and gave it to Lori. Lori unwrapped it. It was a framed photo of Lori and Lincoln. Lincoln was just a baby and Lori was holding him. Lori looked at Clyde.
"Clyde, where did you get that?" Lori asked confused.
"I don't know if you knew, but Lincoln gave me his comic book collection. And when I finally, six months later, went through the collection, I found this photo. I think it's yours."
Lori hugged Clyde. Clyde's father Kevin took a picture. Lori looked at him.
"Mr. McBride, did you take a picture of the moment?" asked Lori.
"Sorry, I should have asked." said Kevin McBride.
Lori got up and took Clyde in front of her. They both looked at Kevin McBride's cell phone. Lori took out her sailor hat and put it on Clyde.
"This is my present Clyde. Mr McBride, take a picture."
Kevin McBride took a picture. Clyde looked at Lori.
"Thanks Lori. Merry Christmas." said Clyde.
"Thanks Clyde. Always a hand's breadth of water under the keel." said Lori.
"I'm sorry?" asked Clyde.
"That means good luck. It's a greeting among us sailors."
"Well then, a hand's breadth of water under the keel." said Clyde.
Lori waved to the McBrides. They disappeared in the blizzard and the darkness. Lori entered the house. Lori went into her room and took the picture out of the picture frame. She took the picture and put it in a drawer in her bedside table. This picture could endanger Lily's protection. She took a picture of herself and Joker from her bag and placed it in the picture frame. Lori undid the top button of her uniform. She missed the typical rocking motion of the USS Edward Teller. She went back downstairs. Dessert was at the table. It was chocolate pudding. Lori sat down again. Lori had never had dessert on the Edward Teller. She wolfed down the chocolate pudding and spooned it all out. Lori noticed that she was getting tired.
"My goodness, I'm tired. I'm going to sleep." said Lori.
"All right. Good night sailor." said Lynn Sr.
"Goodnight Lori." said Bobby.
"Good night, Bobby. Oh, Mom. If I oversleep tomorrow, you have to yell me awake." said Lori.
"What? Excuse me?" asked Rita confused.
"If we oversleep on the Edward Teller, one of the officers will yell at us until we wake up."
Lori went upstairs to her room. She took off her uniform and put on track pants and a t-shirt. She lay down in her bed. But something was missing. She felt the bed. There was nothing. Was it Joker's soft breathing? Neither. Then she remembered. The USS Edward Teller was a destroyer, and accordingly small. The ship always rocked a little, and very strongly when the waves were high. Eventually Lori fell asleep. It wasn't a restful night. She was at home, which was great, of course. But she had been on a ship for so long that she wished she could be on one again. Lori dreamed about Hartman. The way she called Lori names. And how mean she was. But in the dream, Hartman was nice too. Even in real life, Hartman was a good superior officer. Lori woke up in the middle of the night. She looked at the alarm clock. It was 1:32 in the morning. Lori noticed Leni in her bed. She snored quietly. Lori had almost forgotten that Leni snored. She got up and looked out the window. The blizzard grew even stronger. She had a craving for a cigarette. Lori walked out of the room and down the stairs. It was cold outside on the porch. She took a cigarette and the lighter and lit the cigarette. The wind blew out the lighter a couple of times. But Lori was finally able to smoke. The wind was blowing hard. Lori finished smoking and went back inside. She went back up the stairs to her room. She looked at the alarm clock again. 1:39 am. Lori lay down. She listened to Lenis snore. She used to get upset about it before she was in the Navy. But now Leni's snoring was very nice to listen to. Lori fell asleep again. This time she slept very relaxed. Rita was sleeping too. She dreamed of Lincoln. She dreamed of his birth. She felt a similar happiness as then. Then she woke up. Her phone vibrated. She looked at it. It was a text. "Go out on the porch." The SMS was sent from an unknown sender. Rita put on her dressing gown and went to the front door. She put on her shoes and walked out onto the porch. Rita saw nobody. The snowstorm was too strong. Then she heard the voices of a forty year old man.
"Do you remember me?"
Rit looked around. She saw a man wearing a black suit and coat. He had brown hair and thick glasses. He looked familiar to Rita.
"Sort of. But where from?" asked Rita.
"I let you sign the papers back then. Because of Lincoln." said the man.
"You're the secret service man. Jackson?"
"Johnson. And I'm breaking some rules and laws by meeting you here."
"Then why are you here at all?"
"We stopped following your family when Lincoln was six months old. But I heard about his illness. And I started watching him again. To be honest, I sympathize with you. And there are things you can't see through binoculars. How are you, Rita?"
Rita considered. She looked at Johnson.
"Our family is doing better. It was hell." said Rita.
"I was looking for Lincoln in the storm back then. But Lori got there before me. I want to give you my condolences."
"Thanks. And did you look for Lynn too?"
"Lynn's disappearance came as a complete surprise. And I wasn't at Royal Woods. I can't tell you where I was."
"Are you going to keep watching us?" asked Rita.
"No. Our ways separate forever. We will never meet again. All the best in your life and family." Johnson said, and disappeared into the darkness.
Rita went back inside. She took off her shoes and went back to her bedroom. Lynn senior woke up.
"Where have you been honey?" asked Lynn Sr.
"I was in the bathroom."
Rita lay down and tried to sleep. She put her arm around Lynn senior.
"I love you. No matter what." whispered Rita.
"I love you too." said Lynn Sr.
The two fell asleep again. It was a quiet and restful night for the Louds.
Carol worked the night shift. There were two other workers in the control room who were busy controlling the turbines. The energy distributor had given the instruction to produce less power. Carol was in the process of gradually reducing the power of the reactor. It was currently running at 2860 megawatts. Carol operated the control panel, and looked at the display, which showed the condition of the control rods. She selected group two on the control panel and drove them further into the reactor.
"Power will be further reduced. I will now move group three further into the reactor." said Carol.
"Confirmed." said a worker.
Carol selected group three and drove it into the reactor. The display jumped to 2820 megawatts.
"Hey hey hey Carol. You're doing this too fast." sat the worker.
"Sorry. Should I continue with power throttling?" asked Carol.
"Yes. But be careful."
Carol selected group four and drove them into the reactor. The display jumped to 2740 megawatts.
"I said slowly." said the worker.
"I barely moved them," Carol said.
The display jumped to 2575 megawatts.
"Take group three out again." said the worker.
Carol pressed the botton on the control panel again, and drove group three out again. The display jumped to 2305 megawatts. The worker leaves the control room. Carol gets restless. The display jumped to 1970 megawatts.
"Please don't let it be xenon poisoning. Please don't." said Carol quietly.
The display jumped to 890 megawatts. Carol was very stressed now.
"No. Shit. Shit." said Carol quietly.
The display reached 90 megawatts. A second later it read thirty megawatts. Chevalier and the worker came in.
"Don't tell me you did everything right, you're shutting down my reactor," Chevalier said angrily.
She walked next to Carol. She looked at the gauges on the control rods, and then at Carol's control panel. Chevalier looked at the power meter.
"What have you done?"
"I... I don't know." said Carol, stuttering.
"Look at this." said Chevalier loudly, pointing to the display.
"You just shut down the whole reactor, you idiot!" shouted Chevalier.
"Excuse me, Chevalier, but I acted by book." said Carol quietly.
"And that's what we're going to do now."
Chevalier walked to the center of the control panel, and removed a cover secured with a red wax seal that said SCRAM in red letters. Beneath it was a rotary switch. Chevalier flipped the switch. Alarms started ringing. The control rod readings showed that all control rods are fully retracted into the reactor.
"We now have to shut down for 24 hours. We have xenon poisoning." said Chevalier.
Chevalier started to leave the control room, but then she turned.
"Don't worry Pringrey. That happened to me a few times in Fessenheim." she said and left.
Carol sat down on a chair that was in front of the control panel. She thought about what mistake she had made.
Lori woke up in the morning. She walked down the stairs and saw her family opening Christmas presents. She joined them.
"Good morning. How did Bobby go home yesterday?" Lori asked tiredly.
"With the army jeep. He had no choice." said Lynn Sr.
Rita walked up to Lori holding a flat present.
"Here, it's for you." said Rita.
Lori opened it. It was a book. It was titled, Ships of the US Navy.
"Thank you Mom." said Lori.
Leni approached Lori. She also held a gift.
"Bobby told me to give it to you." Leni said and gave Lori the gift.
Lori opened it. It was a model of an Arleigh Burke class destroyer in a small display case. Lori looked at the number. It was the USS Edward Teller. There was a small letter with it. Lori read it.
"Dear Lori.
I thought long and hard about what to give you and then I found this. I bought it from a collector and it's a limited edition model. There are only 100 of them worldwide. I hope you like it. Merry Christmas.
Bobby."
Lori put the model on the table in front of the sofa. She looked at it. Every detail was right. She took the book and sat on the sofa. She read, but always thought of Lincoln. The others felt the same, except for Lily. She read the section about destroyers. Most were from World War II. The doorbell rang. Rita went and opened it. It was carol. She looked tired.
"Hello everyone. Is Lori there?" asked Carol.
Lori approached Carol.
"Carol. Nice to see you. How are you?" said Lori.
Carol entered and Rita closed the front door.
"Not good. I was called an idiot by my boss that night."
"Why?" asked Lori.
"I accidentally shut down the reactor. Xenon poisoning." said Carol.
"What does that mean?"
"That the reactor has to be shut down for 24 hours."
Carol took off her shoes and her blue jacket. Lori and Carol sat down on the couch.
"Look what I got from Bobby." said Lori, pointing at the model.
"Gosh, that's detailed." said Carol.
"Exactly."
"Carol, would you like some coffee?" asked Lynn Sr.
"Sure. But no milk or sugar, please." said Carol.
"How is the work at the nuclear power plant?" asked Luna.
"Very great. On my first day, Chevalier taught me how to start up the reactor. It was an unusual way, but very good."
"How do you mean that?" asked Lori.
"Chevalier said before I go into the simulator I have to be escorted to operate the reactor. She basically hugged me from behind, and it felt weird because Chevalier is only 1 meter 55 centimeters tall. Then she took my hands, and kept my index and middle fingers extended. Then she said that these fingers are what connects us and three gigawatts of thermal energy. Then she pushed the buttons with my fingers. And the reactor was powered up."
"That's really unusual." said Lori.
"Chevalier told me that the reactor operator in Fessenheim had taught her the same way. Chevalier is strict, but she is a good boss."
"I can say the same about Hartman. She told me that I was so ugly that I could be a piece of modern art." said Lori, and grinned.
Lori glanced at her book and when she looked back at Carol, she was asleep. Lynn Senior came out of the kitchen with the coffee. He put it in front of Carol, and joined Lynn.
"How's your present?" asked Lynn Sr.
"It's not what I really want." said Lynn.
"What? I thought you wanted a new baseball bat?"
"Yes, yes. But, I don't even know if I want to do sports anymore. And I wish Lincoln back."
"Oh sweetie. I wish it was the same." said Lynn senior, and hugged Lynn.
Carol woke up. She saw the coffee in front of her and drank it.
"Gosh I'm tired." said Carol.
"I noticed that." said Lori.
"I have to go back to the nuclear power plant."
"You just had the night shift. Why are you going back?"
"So I don't have to go home and to the nuclear power plant every day. It's actually the other way around, but you know what I mean."
Carol got up and went to the front door. Lori followed her.
"Don't fall asleep on the way." said Lori.
Caro put on her shoes and opened the door.
"Maybe." said Carol.
"See you Carol." said Lori.
The door closed behind Carol. She ran through deep snow, waving to an army jeep. The jeep stopped.
"Where do you have to miss?" asked the soldier.
"To the nuclear power plant." said Carol, and got in.
Lori sat back down on the couch and continued reading the book. In the following days it stopped snowing. Lori said goodbye again. Bobby drove his car in front of the Louds' house. Finally the streets were free of snow. They drove a long time again. And in the evening they arrived in New York harbor. Lori had changed on the way. But her hat was missing. She had given it to Clyde. The two got out. Bobby got Lori's suitcase out of the trunk.
"Bye Lori. I'll wait for you." said Bobby.
"Me too. All the best." said Lori.
Lori went into the port area. She turned around. Bobby waved. Lori waved back. She walked toward the USS Edward Teller. She boarded the ship and took the suitcase to her quarters. Then she went on the bow. There were other recruits there. Lori stood next to Joker. Then came Hartman.
"I hope you had a nice Christmas. Because now it's done with feeling good and partying. Now that you're back, you'll pray that I had a good holiday." said Hartman.
Hartman walked past Lori and noticed that she wasn't wearing a hat. Hartman's head turned red.
"Sailor Kitty, why aren't you wearing a hat?"
"Maam, I don't know, maam." said Lori.
"How was that? I think I just misheard?" yelled Hartman.
"Maam, no, maam."
"Joker! You'll get a new hat with Kitty. And you won't lose it again."
"Maam aye maam." said Joker.
"Then do it." said Hartman.
Lori and Joker went into hold 1. There they searched some boxes.
"How was your Christmas?" asked Lori.
"As always." said Joker.
"That's it? As always?"
"It's the same every year."
"You're right. And did you like it?"
"I guess so."
The two kept looking. Lori was trying to open a box when something was put on her head. It was a hat. Joker found one.
"What did you do with the old hat?" asked Joker.
"What do you think?" asked Lori.
"You're not the kind of girl who loses her stuff."
"I gave it to my brother's best friend."
"Oh I see."
The two felt a vibration. The engine has been started. The two went back onto the deck. They saw the New York skyline on the horizon. It was a beautiful sight.
Lori sat on the bed next to Lorraine and Miranda. She had calmed down again. She was still thinking about the neutron bomb she and Lily fired.
"You should go to a support group." said Lana.
"Maybe. But I don't know if I'll be accepted. I don't know." said Lori.
"Maybe it's for the best Lori." said Bobby.
The doorbell rang. Bobby went and opened it. It was Luna, Sam and Mia. They entered.
"So she's back?" asked Luna.
"Yes. She's in the bedroom." said Bobby.
"Thank you for your call." said Sam.
Luna went to Lori's bedroom.
"Hey sister. How are you?" asked Luna.
"Shitty." said Lori.
"You'll get better eventually."
"I agree." said Lana.
"I don't know. My ship is a wreck and I detonated the third nuclear weapon used in a conflict." said Lori.
"Where's Lily?" asked Sam, who goes into the bedroom with Mia.
"She was sent to Nuuk. A helicopter picked her up on the way and I haven't seen her since." said Lori.
"Should we call her?" asked Mia.
Lori looked at Mia. She took out her cell phone and dialed Lily's number. She put the call on speakerphone and waited. Everyone listened. The call was answered.
"It's a bad time Lori." said Lily.
"Where are you?" asked Lori.
"I'm in guest quarters on the USS Montana. I've been given command of the invasion."
"What invasion?" asked Sam.
"The second invasion of Nuuk."
"Take care." said Lana.
"Lori, how many people are with you?" Lily asked.
"Some." said Lori.
"You should tell me that in advance. When I'm done here, I'll come to Royal Woods."
"Good. See you soon Lily." said Luna.
Lily hung up.
"I'm kind of proud of her." said Lori.
"I also." said Lana.
Lily entered the bridge of the USS Montana. She saw many landing craft coming towards the shore. Lily watched the landing. The landing craft reached the shore and the infantry stormed Nuuk. Lily observed everything with her binoculars. The soldiers of the CWP offered no resistance.
"When can we enter Nuuk?" Lily asked.
"In the earliest of an hour." said a Marines officer.
Lily heard the rumble of artillery. She looked around. It was a German battle cruiser. He looked the same as Gneisenau. It was the sister ship Schleswig-Holstein. She shot Nuuk. F-35 planes dropped bombs and missiles on Nuuk.
"Do you find this amount of aircraft and artillery necessary?" asked the Marines officer.
"You need to know that violence is the only language the CWP extremists understand. And I hope you haven't forgotten my order." said Lily.
"I have not forgotten your command. Nuuk must burn."
"Good, Gunnery Sergeant. Let me know when the invasion is over. And if Vestergaard is still alive, I'll talk to him."
"Aye Commander."
Lily goes to the guest quarters. She loads the magazine of her pistol, and prepares more ammunition. Lily puts the gun back in its holder. Then she waits. One hour. Two hours. At some point a radio message came from the bridge.
"Commander Loud. There's a helicopter waiting for you on the flight deck."
"Got it. I'm on my way."
Lily exits the guest quarters and heads to the flight deck. A Black Hawk helicopter is waiting there. A soldier is in the helicopter. Lily gets in and the helicopter takes off.
"Have you been to Nuuk?" Lily asked.
"Yes." said the soldier.
"What's your name?"
"Robert. Robert Jones."
"Have you ever been here?"
"Yes. And I lost my best friend here."
The helicopter landed between some houses. Lily and Robert got out. A senior marine officer approached Lily.
"Commander. We arrested Vestergaard. But we have a big problem."
"What's the problem, Lieutenant Colonel Dancer?" Lily asked.
"You'd better see for yourself."
The Lt. Colonel led Lily and Robert to a group of civilians. Some had black spots on their skin. Some threw up and some were dying. What they all had in common was that they were suffering to death.
"It's the radiation. People are suffering. And we don't have enough doctors." said Dancer.
Lily considered.
"Shall we call a hospital ship?" asked Robert.
"We have. Yes, it takes a long time to come." said Dancer.
Lily looked at Dancer.
"When people are suffering to death, we shouldn't let them suffer." said Lily.
"What do you suggest?" asked Robert.
"We will put people out of their suffering." said Lily.
"You mean, we shoot civilians?" said Dancer.
"Yes. We shoot civilians." said Lily.
"This is a war crime." said Robert.
"And it's also a crime to let people suffer until they die." said Dancer.
"We will make a classification. People with no to mild symptoms of radiation sickness will be examined by the doctors. People with moderate symptoms and children will be treated. People with severe symptoms will be relieved." said Lily.
"We cannot shoot civilians." said Robert.
Lily draws her gun and walks towards a man whose skin is falling off in shreds. The man is lying on the ground and throwing up. Lily aims the gun and shoots the man in the neck. He was dead instantly.
"No needless suffering. This is the only humane final solution." said Lily.
An infantry unit with ten soldiers approaches.
"Shoot them all with strong symptoms of radiation sickness." said Dancer.
"Sir?" said one of the soldiers.
"You heard me right. Do it."
The soldiers look at each other. Then they point their guns at the radiation sick. They shoot. They keep walking. Colonel Dancer pulls out a radio.
"All units. Shoot people with strong symptoms of radiation sickness. Children and people with moderate symptoms should be treated by doctors." said Dancer.
"Colonel, take me to Vestergaard." said Lily.
"Yes. Follow me."
Dancer led Lily to Nuuk City Hall. There were four soldiers in each room. Dancer led Lily to an office. He opened the door and Lily entered. The Colonel stayed in front of the door and closed it. Vestergaard was a man in his late fifties with light brown hair and wore a dark blue suit. He sat on the floor and leaned against the desk. There were black spots on his face and his hair was falling out. He had the symptoms of mild radiation sickness. He looked at Lily.
"Who are you?" asked Vestergaard.
"Commander Lily Loud. I am in charge of this naval operation." said Lily.
"Are you that Loud that did us this harm?"
"You also had people killed. Innocent people who wanted to go to work and were then killed by a bomb or poison gas in the subway. But yes, I fired the neutron bomb."
Vestergaard chuckled.
"When the bomb exploded above us, it looked like the sun had fallen from the sky. This is how this day will go down in history. The day the sun fell from the sky. And now we're not that different. We both want to impose our ideology and change the world in our favor. And kill the innocent." said Vestergaard.
"I regret every life killed by my action." said Lily.
"And then you kill civilians? I saw it through the window. You kill them all."
"I have given orders to redeem people who would have expected a brutal death."
"I was just like you. I never wanted to develop the CWP into a military power. We wanted to survive. We didn't like how the world developed. I tried, tried for a long time through diplomatic channels. I never wanted to have people killed. I have spoken out against terrorist attacks because they only cause suffering."
"And yet you gave the orders."
"We overthrew the governments of Denmark and Greenland. We were at the peak of our power. And then, war in Europe, war in the Atlantic. I never wanted to be what I am today." said Vestergaard.
"A terrorist leader." said Lily.
"I'm not anymore. The CWP has split up and we here in Greenland are defeated."
"What do you mean?" asked Lily.
"I had Decker planted on your ship. He was once a staunch supporter. But then the factions developed. I found that Decker was preparing a systematic mass murder. He was mentally ill."
"I couldn't assess his mental state."
"Nobody could do that. Decker was unpredictable and brutal. And you? Why do you shoot civilians? I don't know you, but I know you're not like Decker. Thats for sure."
"No. I'm not like Decker. I don't want people to suffer. That's why I gave the order."
"Who of us is the war criminal now?"
"Both of us. And we both should be shot for it." said Lily.
"And when do you do it?" asked Vestergaard.
"What to do?"
"Shoot me."
"I won't shoot you. Your dead wouldn't be necessary."
"And what are you doing then?"
"The following will happen. You will be treated by a doctor. Then you will be taken to the United States and arrested there. You will be given a fair trial. That will happen."
A voice comes out of Lily's radio.
"Commander Loud, you are to go to the USS Dyson."
"Who gave the order?"
"I wasn't told that. All I know is that you should go to the Dyson."
Lily goes to the office door. Lily walked through the door and left City Hall. It was a horrifying sight that awaited Lily. There were piles of corpses everywhere. And some soldiers dug mass graves. Lily was now a war criminal. There was no doubt. She reached the port. And there was a man there that Lily knew. It was Johnson. He stood next to the USS Dyson, looking at Lily.
"I never thought you could give orders like that. It seems you've grown into a real warrior." said Johnson.
"You're wrong. I'm not a warrior. I'm a war criminal." said Lily.
"Sounds like you're proud. Well, this, incident, won't affect you. Here's what's going to happen. You board the Dyson, head back to New York, and wait for the Enterprise to be fit for service again."
"What should I do during this time?"
"I don't care. Go home, to Brooklyn or to your family in Royal Woods. But the order is go home."
Johnson pointed to the Dyson.
"New Mexico class. Your sister Lana helped develop it."
"Exactly."
"Then enjoy a ride on a science destroyer. Only your sister would come up with the idea of combining a destroyer and a research ship." Johnson said and walked towards Nuuk.
Lily boarded the Dyson. She went into the small guest quarters. She didn't know what to do. Then she felt a vibration. The Dyson drove off.
Lana and Lola are sitting in Lana's living room. There is a newspaper and two coffee cups on the mahogany table. Lola is wearing a pale pink sweater and white pants. She wears black glasses.
"Who would have thought such a thing possible?" said Lola.
Lola put her finger on the newspaper. They talked about the headline.
«Massacre in Nuuk
Possible war crime?»
"Lily said herself that she is in command of the invasion forces. God forbid if she gave that… that order." said Lana.
"With what reason will Lily apologize?" said Lola.
"I don't know. Maybe she has a reason. Maybe she's gone insane."
"Lily is a war criminal. She might get a prison sentence."
"Maybe that's what Lily deserves." said Lana.
"Lily doesn't deserve prison. She deserves death. And yet Lily is my sister. I hope she comes back."
"I'm thinking of a line from a song. Luna used to sing it while she was doing her history homework." said Lana.
"How's the line?"
«Crazy madmen on a leash, Or young men who lost their way?»
"Somehow this line fits."
Lana takes her coffee cup and takes a sip. She picks up the newspaper.
"If what the insider reports say is true, then it was done because there were too many people suffering from radiation who couldn't be helped." said Lana.
"And the children were treated immediately." said Lola.
"That sounds pretty much like Lily's logic. Every life is valuable, but it should not suffer."
"For someone who doesn't have feelings, she's kind of human. Or not."
Lana looks at Lola sternly.
"Lola! You know Lily can't help the way she is. And remember how she used to be. Remember how she never made eye contact with anyone, how little she spoke, and how she was in her own world. Even though Lily has a very special behavior, but she is our sister. You cannot call her a non-human being."
"I don't want to know what was going on in Lily's head. She did something that is unforgivable. And if she is human, which I hope, she will show remorse."
"Lily, in her own way, will regret this atrocity."
Lola gets up.
"Lana, I have to go. Dave is waiting at home. Bye. Good night."
"Good night." said Lana.
Lola went to the front door and left Lana's house.
The Dyson docks in New York. The dock was secured and Lily disembarked. She went to the dry docks. She passed the USS Iowa and the USS Yamato. Then she looked at the Enterprise. Where the bridge once was, there was now only the steel frame of the superstructure. She walked along the dry dock. There were several holes and burn marks above the waterline on the starboard side. And at the bow there were six holes below the waterline. She looked through a hole in the fuselage and saw the cargo hold. The hold where Sybille was injured. The cargo hold where Lily almost died and had a hallucination of Lincoln. The Enterprise is no longer serviceable. Lily takes out her cell phone and calls a cab. She runs to the street and waits. The cab stops and Lily gets in. She is driven to her apartment. The cab reaches its destination, Lily gets out and pays the cab driver. The cab drives away and Lily goes to her apartment. In her living room she sat down on the sofa and took a pen and a piece of paper. She starts to write.
«Dear family
Because of the events in Nuuk that I was involved in, I have now made the decision to end my life. This is the only fair consequence I deserve. I deserve the punishment that a war criminal deserves. I ask you not to mourn for me. It's not logical. With a great certainty you will be better off when I am no longer alive. All the best, and farewell.
Lily Loud.»
Lily folds the piece of paper and puts it in an envelope. She writes on the envelope, for my family. Lily goes to her bedroom. She puts the letter on the bed. She goes to the closet, pulls out a graphite gray dress. It has long sleeves and a long skirt. She takes off her uniform and puts on the dress. Then she goes into the bathroom. She discreetly applies make-up to her eyelids with graphite-grey make-up. She looks at herself in the mirror. Then she goes back to her bedroom. She pushes the wardrobe aside and takes out a rifle. It is old and has wooden casing. Lily pulls out a box that has K31 Full metal jacket bullet written in blue on it. Lily takes out a single bullet. She loads the K31 rifle and locks it. She goes to the bathroom. She stands in front of the mirror. She unlocks the gun and puts the barrel on her temple. She puts her finger on the trigger. She looks her reflection in the eye. She thought of Lynn. She thought of Lori. To Lorraine, Miranda, Lana, Lola, Luan, Luna, Sam, Leni, Lucy, and and their parents. She couldn't do it. She could not do to her family. She puts the gun barrel away from her temple. She secures her gun. She goes back to her bedroom. She puts the gun on the bed and takes the letter. She walks into the living room and puts the letter on the ashtray that only Lori uses. She takes a lighter and lights the letter. She watched as the orange flame turned the letter to ash. She goes to a dresser and opens the drawer. She takes out a screwdriver and goes into the bathroom. She unscrews the mirror and carries it into the living room. She opens the apartment door and goes down the stairwell. She walks into the backyard where there is a weeping willow and an old wrecked car that was extremely rusted. Lily lays the mirror against the weeping willow. She goes back to her apartment and takes the K31 in her bedroom. Lily carries it into the backyard, and stands ten yards from the mirror on the weeping willow. She cocks the gun and holds it ready. She looks through the visor and looks her reflection in the eye. She aimed at the target. She takes a deep breath. She holds her breath. She pulls the trigger and shoots. The mirror shattered into thousands of pieces. Lily pulls the K31's lever back and the cartridge ejects from the rifle. Lily secures the K31 again and goes to her apartment. In her bedroom, she puts the rifle back behind the closet, and pushes the closet back. Lily walks into the living room, and looks into a drawer that's under the TV. She takes out a DVD and puts it in a DVD drive. Lily turns on the TV and plays the DVD. A brown haired boy holding a sleeping baby was seen. It was Lincoln and Lily.
"Hello Lily. I don't know when you will see this video. But I want to tell you that I love you and that you are a wonderful sister. You probably don't remember me anymore. But my sister will have told you a lot about me . I think you're going to do good things. And you're going to be a wonderful, and beautiful girl."
Lincoln kisses Lily on the forehead.
"I love you."
Then the recording was finished. Lily puts her right hand on her forehead. Then she takes the remote control and sets a still image of Lincoln and herself. She takes a deep breath.
"Lincoln, you were wrong. I'm a war criminal. And I'm probably outcast from this family. At least you and Lisa will never hate me."
End of Chaper six