Author note update in * *
* Okay, I'm really stuck right now, and FF.N won't let me upload new chapters. But it will let me edit old ones. So I'm going through all my fics and taking out the grammar and punctuation everyone complains about. Bear with me people, I'm trying to get new software that will update my computer, and let me upload new chapters.*
Hi all! Did ya miss me?
Anyway, this chapter covers a lot of ground, but I got this really cool idea, right after writers block, and just had to keep going, and going, and going.
**little bunny with drum goes by**
Um, okay. there will be another note at the bottom cuz I've got something to ask, and can't ask it here because it would ruin part of the story.
Thanks, as always, to my reviewers, Silver Smoke, Luna, Sara, Liz Skywalker, Anonymous, Daine, and *~Amethyst~*.
In case you haven't figured it out, I'm continuing this story for now. (Sorry Luna) But I will finish the other one. **sigh** Eventually.
Disclaimer: All Giver characters and themes belong to Lois Lowry. However,**deep breath** Goren, Koren, Dawn, Jake, Duke, Jinkie, Aimee, Angela, and the plot are mine, please email me before you use them. Which you are welcome to!
Waiting for my Sun to Rise
Chapter 2
As Dawn came to, she was in darkness. She had never seen such darkness before, always there had been some light to comfort her, now, there was nothing. She shivered, and goosebumps formed on her arms and legs.
She heard, rather than saw a door open behind her, and whirled. Light stung her tender eyes, and she blinked to clear her vision.
We're sorry Dawn, but it was the only way to get you to us without your parents, and before it was too late. We have much to speak about, I'm ready now to answer those questions. A tall man, face marred by old scars stared at her with dark, beady eyes, and she didn't want to ask him anything. She was sorry now that she had left her parents. She just wanted to go home.
Well Dawn, I am part of a great group. We call ourselves The Clan. We oppose those who brought suffering upon us. You see, all of this started many years ago. Long ago, we were happy, we did not suffer, and we knew what, was what. Now, we wander in darkness. One person, and one alone took that peace from us. That person's name was Jonas. It wasn't enough to take our peace from us! He took our children, and twisted them to his evil ways. When I was young, there was no suffering, no pain, no hunger, no chance. He glanced at her, and his eyes were like burning coals, making sure she listened.
We want these golden ages back! The only way is through Jonas. Everything was controlled through a generator. We have those plans. The last recordings of Angela! It is she, the first Receiver, who will bring our world back to us!
Angela? Who was she? What is a Receiver? Dawn asked, stuttereing over the unfamiliar word. Then she slammed her mouth shut. She wanted nothing to do with these people. But that was so hard to remember when she had so many questions! Questions that her parents had never answered. . .
**********
Who is The Clan? Jinkie asked.
They are the most evil of people! They want to remake the Generator and reenter the Sameness. I have. . . infiltrated them for ten years. All I have in the material sense to show this is my scars, and this. Koren said. He held out his hand, and in the middle of his palm, was a small data tube. Jinkie snatched it from his hand.
What is it? Jinkie regarded it suspiciously.
The first Receiver knew about the Sameness, and wanted to be part of it. She also felt betrayed by the doctors who shut her out. She wasn't sane...
And with that, he clicked the data tube on.
:: Buzzzzz:: This is Angela::Buzz:: I am the only one left. :: Buzz:: Everything has gone according to the plan, except I have been betrayed. ::Buzzzz:: Enclosed is plans for the Generator, should something go wrong. ::Buzzz:: At least then you will have peace.::Buzz:: I also have enclosed a holographic projection of myself, to help in the creation. It is highly advanced technology-::Buzzzzzzzzzzz::
There was silence. Then Jinkie asked, The hologram?
Koren tapped the data tube. Still inside, I haven't tried it yet.
Then do it. Let's meet Angela. It's only a hologram, what can it harm? Koren tapped a small red button.
**********
Asher was nodding off to sleep, desk work had never agreed with him, he had always worked best out in the field. So when the phone rang, he looked blankly at it for a second before realizing, oh yeah, pick up up the phone when it rings.
But when he brought the receiver to his ear, he promptly yanked it away.
Jonas? Tone it down!
Sorry. Someone has kidnapped Dawn! Jonas yelled, and Asher stared at the phone, his pounding ears almost not comprehending the words.
Holding the phone away from his ear, Asher shouted in the general direction of the receiver, What? How!? Jonas, what happened?
Another phone rang, Asher grabbed it angrily with his left hand. Hello!!! What is it!?
It's me, Jinkie, and we have a problem, Dawn-
Has been kidnapped. Jonas just told me. Asher finished.
We are in big trouble. There is a huge plot going on here, and I need a technician, right NOW! I have a holo that isn't working right. I need it FIXED. I'm at the Speaker office! Jinkie yelled.
Asher sighed, and told Jinkie to hold on. He grabbed another phone, got a tech on, then sent her to Jinkie.
The tech is on the way. I need to comfort Jonas and Fiona. And he hung up. For now.
May as well get over to the Speaker office...
**********
Aimee had been sent to the Speaker office, she didn't even know why. She was a holo expert, not a relic cataloger!
She walked around the corner, possible reasons why she might have been sent to the run down, out of date area, running through her mind. Then she saw Jinkie, the head of security, and a man she didn't know, standing over two bodies. She gasped.
Jinkie? What happened? What do you need help with? she asked.
Aimee? I have an old holo projector here that we need to have work. Can you fix it? She reached out a trembling hand for the tube, and Jinkie gave her the cylinder. She flipped it over, and opened a back panel. this was something she could do.
There is a lot of dust, I think the main coil is plugged. she said, mostly to herself. Gently, she disconnected the tiny tube, tapped it with her thumb to clear the dust, and reconnected it. She flipped it over again, and pressed the red button.
A beam of bright orange light shot from the top, and Aimee dropped it with a sharp yelp. The beam began form into the shape of a woman, and soon she could pick out individual feature features.
What happened? Where am I? Who are you? The hologram spoke. Asking questions! She held her breath, this was far more advanced than anything she'd ever seen or worked on! Aimee's mouth dropped open just a bit. Personality subroutines? Impossible. But, here it was, right in front of her.
I am Angela. Who are you? the hologram repeated.
Jinkie seemed to recompose himself. I'm Jinkie, this is Aimee, and that is Koren. We brought you out of a holo tube. We weren't expecting such technology.
I'm a hologram? But wait! The sky! Clouds, and the sun! What happened to the haven? The hologram, Angela, spun in a circle, eyes widening in disbeleif, and horror.
That curse has been eradicated. Jinkie told her firmly.
No! It can't be! What year is it? What happened to the generator? We must fix it! She shouted at them frantically.
Aimee shuddered with revoltion, We destroyed it. The Memories are in the hands of the people now.
The Memories? Ah yes, my final betrayal. I suppose that Dirk is around here somewhere too? The rebels? I guess you are part of that misfit group? Angela face contorted into a cruel snear.
The year is 2460. Whatever rebels you refer to are long since dead. But their descendants live. Aimee informed her with some distaste.
But how? The Memories were safe, in me, and those who followed. Our sacrifice? I never failed. Who did? Who could? she cried in anguish.
Our old Receiver and the one he was trained were planning to rid us of that awful Sameness. The new Receiver, Jonas, left the Communities. He is back now, but it did the trick. The Generator soon followed. Jinkie explained proudly.
There is only one thing to do. Angela mused thoughtfully. Then she faded into a stream of orange light. Then Angela, or whoever she was, flew into a nearby console.
Koren flew to the console, and then swore fiercly, She has downloaded her program into the computer! She was stalling! We have to stop her!
We need the others back here, we can't do this alone. Jinkie said. Dawn has already been kidnapped... What would they do now?
Koren ran out the door, yelling at Aimee to try and hold off the hologram. They were going to go get help. Helplessly, Aimee ran towards the central compter hub.
**********
Duke paced across the living room of his parents house. They should have been here hours ago!
You're going to wear a hole in the carpet! Gabe told him. Mom won't be happy.
A yell came from outside, and the two boys, now men, ran to the window. Jonas was outside, in a truck. A truck? I thought they were coming on horseback.
Duke yanked open the front door, and flung himself outside. Gabe wasn't far behind.
What happened? Duke asked as they filed out of the truck. He looked at those whom he had fought for the Community with.
Jonas, still tall, his blue eyes still shining, but now in anger, and worry.
Fiona, hair as red as always, but her brown eyes full of the same sadness that was in Jonas' eyes.
Asher, trying to stand tall, but stooped by sorrow.
Jinkie, face hard and unreadable.
Jake, his brother, his twin.
And another man he did not know. He was tall, older than Jinkie, much older. His face was crisscrossed with scars. He looked like a man who has seen too much, knew too much.
Dawn has been kidnapped, and an insane hologram is trying to reinstate Sameness. We need your help. Jonas said simply. Duke's heart wrenched, he moved forward and clasped Jonas' hand in his own.
Any time brother, any time. Duke told him, Dad won't be going though. He is sick. Duke eyes were downcast. Very sick.
I'm going. Gabe spoke up.
Gabe? Is that you? Jonas asked.
I'm sure not the Easter bunny. Gabe joked, but nobody laughed.
Me too! Another voice came from the doorway. You aren't leaving me behind again. It Gabe can go, so can I. I'm older than he is! I'm twenty five now.
We wouldn't dare, little sister. Jake told her.
**********
Aimme heard another alarm. Another system. She yelled at an aide to shut it off, and get to work. How could anything have worked this fast? She was slowly losing systems to this... thing, and didn't think she could keep it from the repair system for much longer!
Angela knew these systems better than her men did, Angela had made them. They only could slow her down. . .
Slow her down? That was an idea.
She grabbed a wrench, and slammed it down in the console for the system Angela was in.
There was a mechanical scream, then the orange light began to stream out of the console. Again, it formed into the shape of Angela.
You don't know what you have done! I'll make you into a laborer when I get the Sameness up and running! And I will. Aimee swung her fist at her. Her hand went right through the hologram, and hit the wall.
"Aimee, you can't hurt me! And you can't stop me! She streamed into another console, a junky looking one.
Where is she!? she demanded.
She is in... bicycle repair? a confused tech told her.
We've got her hiding out now guys. Lets keep it that way. Anytime you know she is in a system, smash the console, it seems to slow her down... she trailed off. Then she shouted Get to work! I want this town to still be here when Jinkie comes back!
**********
Dawn. Her name was Dawn. Her parents were Jonas and Fiona. They were great people. Good people. Her parents. She was blocking out the sounds that came over the speakers. Telling her of horrible war, and death.
Her parents would never do something like that. There had. . . There had to be an explanation. She had to get out of here!
**********
They loaded into the truck, and took off in the direction of the town, top speed, dangerously fast.
Suddenly, Fiona screeched,
Just in time Jinkie swerved around it. I saw it Fiona! Don't tell me how to drive! He turned from the road to glare at her.
He swung them around the corner, skidding in and out of the tire ruts.
You are never driving again Jinkie! Koren yelled.
I'm a fine driver! It's my riders that need lessons! Jinkie yelled back.
Were you two enemies when you were young? Koren seems older though. Asher asked tentatively.
Worse! We were best friends! Jinkie glared at Koren, almost running off the road again. They had been friends? Koren looks so old.
And actually, I'm younger than Jinkie! He has just been taking it easy while I work! Koren shot back.
Remind you of anyone, Duke? Eliza asked slyly.
Shooting a look at Jake, Duke said, Whoever did you have in mind?
Jake stuck his tongue out at Duke.
Hey Jake, just how old are you? Asher retorted.
And it went on. Jonas felt they didn't know what was going on. Well, maybe that wasn't fair. He knew they were worried too, and moping wasn't gong to get them anywhere, but how could they just joke while his Dawn was lost?
He wondered when it would all be over. When would his sun rise? When would his Dawn be returned?
I'm just waiting for my sun to rise. . .
New note after update. Next, there is going to be an interlude, telling people about Koren. Don't get confused, it takes place in a different time, ad leads back up to where we met Koren before. Hope you like it!
~Siti~