Zaph found himself floating through his consciousness. Memories, like waves, came rolling in out. Five years ago… he couldn't stop going back. Rayn, the only person he had cared for. The memory of her dying flashed again and again inside Zaph's head, only to be replaced with Crezcs. Holding his gun level, smoke coming out of the barrel. His cold, stoic face showing not even a trace of remorse. Why? Why had he come that day?
Colony 412 on Mars, 243cb. Zaph remembered his life there. The colony was a peaceful one, consisting of only civilians. Although Martian colonies had agreed on independence, not all of the colonies militarized on it. For most of the war, Zaph's home colony hadn't planed or aided a single attack. That wouldn't save them from feeling the pain.
It was a Sunday… possibly a Monday. Life had been regular on colony 412 through the war. The closest anyone ever got to the war was to hear about it through the news. That night had been special for Rayn and Zaph. It wasn't the fornication; it was much more than any physical boundary. No, there was something strong between them. Love? Zaph would never know. She was taken away from him.
In the earlier hours, as much as one can devise time while living in a colony, the attack began. Those damned frames, swept down seemingly out of nowhere, destroying innocent lives, destroying civilian buildings. Destroying the peace. Crezcs landed, and got out of his frame, Rayn ran towards him, a rock in her hand. She would never even throw the rock. Glancing at her, Crezcs whipped out his pistol, and shot Rayn. In cold blood.
The memory of her death came back. Rushing to her, Zaph picked her up, tears streaming down his face. She was fast fading from him. "No, you can't die," Zaph whispered, "don't die. YOU CAN'T DIE LIKE THIS!!!!" Zaph screamed till his throat was raw. He sat there hours after the light in her eyes had faded to nothing. Sitting hushed, cradling the love he could no longer have. Anger wouldn't set upon him till after she had been buried. Then all he had lived for was to see the immovable face of Crezcs writhed in pain, to see the bastard die like he had seen his love die.
Zaph regained his consciousness, laying somewhere dark. Zaph tried to get up, discovering all his muscles to be bruised. Zaph feel down again. No need to hurt himself more. Moving his head, Zaph caught the only sign he needed: bars. He was in some sort of prison. Might as well catch some sleep.
The cold floor was strangely comforting to Zaph's skin. He didn't dream, but just slept. Two men pulling him to his feet, beginning to drag him, through a long hallway awakened him. Dizzily, Zaph tried to understand what was going on. Finally, the men stopped, propped him on a table and left. Sitting up, his head felt like he was going through a hangover. Coaxing his eyes to open, Zaph took a look around the room. It was another cell of some sort, but nicely furnished. Confused, Zaph again fell onto his back, and slept.