1.1.1 Chapter Eleven – The Gathering in the Meadow
1.1.1.1 Hoping There's Hope
Callista walked somberly through the marshes carrying with her four- year-old Caitlyn. She was on her way to a small clearing in the meadow where relatives of those participating in the war gathered to say their good byes to lost loved ones, or just in despair of missing them. Here, a sort of truce was set, as people who were Serenitians, Sulfeitians, or Indifferent met with a common purpose in mind other than destroying each other. It was a place where all was calm as a peaceful silence descended upon them. No killing could be done here, nor could be done even within a hundred-mile radius of the area. Guards surrounded the perimeter to make sure that no violators passed. But still. Throughout history people had always found a way to kill. A way to destroy.
Breaking the barrier seemed to occupy most soldiers' minds, but – why would anyone wish harm upon those whom had suffered this much already? What kind of malicious thoughts could possibly pass through these people's minds? Callista was baffled at this, yet she never understood the behavioral and thought patterns of her kind. Never had she solved any of these enigmas. Never.
Something always seemed to penetrate that partition which she had set for herself between her consciousness and the outside world. It was the only thing that in fact bothered her about her survival on this planet and the others for which she cared. It was the fact that she had sympathy for people. She had compassion. She would always put her foot out in an attempt to stamp out the problems. Though it didn't seem it, part of herself depended on this commiseration for total control of her sanity. If snagged from her the opportunity to do something about this mess of a world, she might collapse of anxiety as to the apparent doom of the human race.
'But what can I do?' Callista thought, 'With Caitlyn…I can no longer be an officer. Dib's mission will be the last of our legacy as Inter- Dimensional Officers. Alas, I hope only the complete safety of all inhabiting this planet though there is nothing I can do.'
Callista let out a sigh, and off in the distance, a familiar face showed through. She clearly stood out from the crowd. Callista, Dib, and Caitlyn stood out because the surviving humans were slowly changing into that of the Irkans from which Zim and Kristen originated. Kristen. She was there. She was the one recognizable. Slowly Callista approached Kristen.
"Kristen? Kristen, why are you here?"
"Zim...in the war...he...I can't bear it." Though Kristen didn't say, Callista knew just what occurred.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what to say...I'm sorry."
"Did Dib...?"
"No. He's just out there in the war. I hope he returns. I hope I see him again."
"You will. You will. I promise."
1.1.1.1 Hoping There's Hope
Callista walked somberly through the marshes carrying with her four- year-old Caitlyn. She was on her way to a small clearing in the meadow where relatives of those participating in the war gathered to say their good byes to lost loved ones, or just in despair of missing them. Here, a sort of truce was set, as people who were Serenitians, Sulfeitians, or Indifferent met with a common purpose in mind other than destroying each other. It was a place where all was calm as a peaceful silence descended upon them. No killing could be done here, nor could be done even within a hundred-mile radius of the area. Guards surrounded the perimeter to make sure that no violators passed. But still. Throughout history people had always found a way to kill. A way to destroy.
Breaking the barrier seemed to occupy most soldiers' minds, but – why would anyone wish harm upon those whom had suffered this much already? What kind of malicious thoughts could possibly pass through these people's minds? Callista was baffled at this, yet she never understood the behavioral and thought patterns of her kind. Never had she solved any of these enigmas. Never.
Something always seemed to penetrate that partition which she had set for herself between her consciousness and the outside world. It was the only thing that in fact bothered her about her survival on this planet and the others for which she cared. It was the fact that she had sympathy for people. She had compassion. She would always put her foot out in an attempt to stamp out the problems. Though it didn't seem it, part of herself depended on this commiseration for total control of her sanity. If snagged from her the opportunity to do something about this mess of a world, she might collapse of anxiety as to the apparent doom of the human race.
'But what can I do?' Callista thought, 'With Caitlyn…I can no longer be an officer. Dib's mission will be the last of our legacy as Inter- Dimensional Officers. Alas, I hope only the complete safety of all inhabiting this planet though there is nothing I can do.'
Callista let out a sigh, and off in the distance, a familiar face showed through. She clearly stood out from the crowd. Callista, Dib, and Caitlyn stood out because the surviving humans were slowly changing into that of the Irkans from which Zim and Kristen originated. Kristen. She was there. She was the one recognizable. Slowly Callista approached Kristen.
"Kristen? Kristen, why are you here?"
"Zim...in the war...he...I can't bear it." Though Kristen didn't say, Callista knew just what occurred.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what to say...I'm sorry."
"Did Dib...?"
"No. He's just out there in the war. I hope he returns. I hope I see him again."
"You will. You will. I promise."