Chapter 5: The Pain Of Loss


By now, most people were milling around the large chamber, as well as it's open connecting passages. The chamber looked more like a temporary place to call home; cots were arranged in family groups, and upon each cot was a pillow and blanket. Occasionally a small stuffed animal was on a cot, mostly for the littlest ones. The area was dimly lit, however it rang with the calls of children playing, and adults talking. The air of tension hovering over the place had thinned greatly; people seemed more relaxed and at home.

"Hey, thanks again." Andromeda said as she turned to leave. Medley merely nodded as she worked her way through the maze of cots and people. Finding a clear spot, she sat down and stretched. Idlely, she began watching other people go about their business silently, something she did often. Silence usually wasn't in her vocabulary. Idley, she rubbed her left shoulder, which was rather sore from punching anyone out so soon. Finally giving in to her shoulder's protests about being used so soon, Medley began to seek out some painkillers. Suddenly the ground rumbled, knocking everyone down. Frightened, most people looked around. Medley frowned; she was gonna find out what was going on. Getting up, she began making her way through.

"What's going on here!?" Medley growled. One of the people near the exit to the area above ground was able to answer.

"Everyone above ground is attacking Main Gate!" He said, somewhat alarmed. Medley frowned.

"We're sitting ducks down here! Someone get ahold of the beaurocratic unit in charge of this district and report what's happening up there, if their trying to figure it out. I'm going topside." Medley said, firmly. Before anyone could protest, she climbed the chute to the exit and was outside. She needn't look to long to find the group of attackers; they were clad in military uniforms, and carried weapons. Medley growled. She could probably take them out one by one, but not as a unit. Still, it was better then not doing anything. Rushing onto the feild, she quickly darted amidst the soldiers, fists flying. The soldiers were confused easily; not expecting anyone to punch them. However, they did spot their attacker, and prepared to open fire. Medley swiftly darted for cover as soon as she was spotted, and hoped the bullets wouldn't shatter the boulder she hide behind; the weapons were rather high-power. Soon the sounds of gunfire shifted back to Main Gate. Medley peered out to see the mechanical inhabitants were finally fighting back. Quietly, she made a run for the forested area near the hidden Main Gate entrance. As she ran, she felt a sudden searing pain in her arm. However, she mustn't let on that she was running for it; hence she bit her lip and darted into Main Gate. Once inside, she quickly took a look at her arm, frowned, ripped off her shirt sleeve, and tore it so she could use it as a bandage. Bandaging her wounded arm, she looked around, and was surprised that nobody was inside except the children, and they were terrified. Medley was suddenly gentle and cheery; disregarding the turmoil topside.

"Hey there... What's wrong you guys?" Medley said, addressing the little ones gently. The smallest ones sniffled, but one of the children, close to 9, wiped his eyes.

"Our Mommies and Daddies went out there to fight." He said, sniffling. Medley smiled warmly.

"Their doing it so you guys can be safe, you know." Medley said warmly. The children sniffled, then shyly creeped over. Medley sat down.

"Don't worry, I'm sure they'll be ok." Medley said. One of the youngest frowned.

"But Daddy said people are killed sometimes when fighting." she said. Medley nodded.

"I know... Trust me." Medley said softly. Quietly the children huddled near her; frightened, and she was the only one who was old enough to tell them what was happening. Juno watched Medley comfort the children from the entrance and smiled slightly. She could be highly aggressive, but she was so gentle with the little ones, even though there was a battle going on topside. As he watched, most of the children began dropping off to sleep, exhausted from fear and crying. When they had fallen asleep, Juno went over and touched Medley's shoulder gently. She looked up with a start; exhausted herself.

"Oh, hi!" Medley said, smiling. Juno smiled back.

"Greetings.. Where were you?" Juno asked. Medley yawned.

"Ugh.. Topside. Those soldiers aren't what I'd call friendly." Medley joked. Juno frowned. "Are you damaged?" Juno asked, worriedly. Medley shrugged.

"Just my arm. I'll be ok." Medley said.

"Allow me to examine it." Juno said. Medley held up her injured arm, and Juno unwrapped her wound and looked at it.

"Bullet wound.." Juno said, gently placing his fingers into it. Medley squealed, which woke a couple of the children, but Juno took out a medium sized bullet and crushed it in his hand, then dropped it to the ground. He then helped Medley to her feet.

"Come with me." Juno said softly. Medley nodded slowly, then stepped over a couple small children as she followed Juno. As they passed the main entrance Medley suddenly heard it open and felt a twinge of panic. Juno froze, and looked back to see some of the human soldiers. Medley looked and saw them as well, and quickly hid behind Juno, frightened.

"Out of the way, robot." One of the soldiers growled. Juno stood firm.

"No." He said, his soft voice firm. The two soldiers raised their weapons.

"Then die like the scum you are." The second soldier snarled. Medley caught sight of the weapons from behind Juno. She knew they could damage him heavily, or worse. She couldn't let them... As the soldiers prepared to fire, Medley darted from behind Juno, and took the shots head on. When the smoke cleared, Medley lay on the ground, still. Juno gaped, then frowned at the soldeirs, who were aiming again. Juno growled, and, in a rare show of anger, he fired a bream from his hand, and eliminated them both. Juno silently lifted Medley's stilled form from the ground and held her against his body, upset. He was startled to hear her speak.

"J..u..n..o...?" Medley said quietly, voice hoarse with pain.

"Medley..! You function!?" Juno said in slight surprise.

"Juno.. I'm scared... I can't move..." Medley said, fear in her voice. Juno brushed her cheek with his hand.

"I'm certain you will continue to function.. It was only a couple laser weapons...!" Juno said, becoming frightened himself.

"Lasers... Then I'm defanaitely done for... I heard lasers are able to kill a person in minutes." Medley said quietly. Juno became alarmed.

"No! You will not deactivate! I forbid it!" Juno said, anxiety in his voice; the first time he expressed and emotion so highly. Medley looked Juno in the face.

"I'm.. Sorry.. Juno.. But don't be sad... Keep smiling... Please...?" Medley said quietly. Juno held her closer.

"I shall... I promise I shall.. Medley... I..love you..." Juno said quietly. Medley looked at Juno, and smiled weakly.

"Juno.. I love you too..." Medley said as she closed her eyes. Seconds later, she went limp. Juno's eyes widened.

"Medley! Wake up!!" Juno cried, shaking her gently. When she didn't respond, he held her body tight against him, and, for the first time, he wept. The battle ended several hours later, but Juno felt no sense of victory. He kept in his quarters, still cradling Medley's body. He was aching inside; he would give about anything just to have her back. However, he finally had to get the casualty report for Mother. Silently, Juno placed Medley's body into a small capsulesque storage unit; padded, in case it stored any machine. Before sealing the unit, Juno took a small red rose out of a storage compartment and clasped her hand around it. Finally, he kissed her lips softly before sealing the unit. A knock came at Juno's door as soon as he finished. Juno opened the door, and down upon the small messenger. The messenger presented him with a feild report and scurried away to it's tasks quickly. Juno unfolded the small peice of paper silently, and began to read. The battle had been won, but many of the humans who had joined in were dead, and the rest, severely injured. Reading on, Juno stopped. His sister had been reported as missing after the battle. Juno felt his pain worsen; why his sister? Why now? He didn't know. He didn't know if he'd ever find out. Juno silently crushed the slip of paper, and filed the report, but his heart wasn't in his work. He felt empty; lost, and horribly alone.