EK94: Okay, so I lied; I'm here for one more...
FS93: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
EK94: But, as you can see, Star here, is still in pieces...
FS94: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
EK94: So, enjoy this update 'cause you won't being getting another for some time. Mostly 'cause I want my notebook back...
Chapter Six - The Daedalus Bridge
The noise of the construction beat on Naomi's eardrums like a thousand hammers as she and Elodie approached the bridge. The structure was massive, made out of heavy steal and stone, stretching out over the bay like a giant reaching arm. There were bulldozers and cranes and construction workers all over the place wearing hard hats, goggles, gloves, and other protective clothing. Elodie picked up two pairs of goggles and a couple of hats for herself and Naomi before entering the construction site. Naomi cringed slightly at the loudness of it all, but Elodie walked as if she did this every day, which she did, Naomi had to remind herself.
"This is only the main bridge," Elodie yelled over the noise. "After we complete it, we'll build lots of connecting runways and lanes to other areas of both the City and Satellite. There will also be turbo dueling lanes, so people can turbo duel whenever they want."
Elodie and Naomi came to the foot of the bridge and approached two men who seemed to be in a serious discussion. One was wearing a Sector Security uniform and runner helmet with small keen gray eyes and a scar on one cheek. The second man seemed to be a lot younger than the first, only a couple of years older than Naomi herself, and he had blond hair with shocking violet eyes set in a stern, self-important face.
"Jack! Trudge!" Elodie called to the two men.
"There you are, Elodie!" the blond boy said in a sharp Australian accent. "We've been wondering where you disappeared to. Who's your friend?"
"Naomi Mori," Elodie introduced. "She's the girl who saved my butt yesterday. Naomi, this is Jack Atlas and Officer Trudge."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Mori," Trudge spoke politely. Naomi narrowed her eyes at him; she didn't trust Sector Security Officers.
"It's been a while since we've seen you around, Trudge, since you were transferred to the City," Elodie commented. "What are you doing on this side of the bay?"
"Just making sure everything is safe and sound over," Trudge replied in a grim, bass voice. "We've been getting reports about some of the officers on this end getting restless and irritable and not doing their duties."
Elodie seemed to find this news very unsettling. "Is it about the Bridge?"
"Afraid so. Not all of them are happy with it. In fact some of them are totally against it and think the construction should be shut down."
"They can't shut us down!" Jack proclaimed indignantly. "We've come so far already!"
"You don't think there would be and uprising in Security, do you?" Elodie asked, her tone almost fearful.
"I don't know," Trudge sighed, shaking his head. "It's been getting pretty bad. But we're taking the necessary precautions to make sure the Bridge remains safe."
"Why do people not want it built?" Naomi inquired.
"'Cause some of the rich fat-cats in the City don't think us Satellite Scum should be mixed with their kind," Jack scowled. "They like the separation because they think there is something wrong with us, like we're nothing but a bunch of thieves and outcasts."
"That's a bit ironic, coming from you," Trudge commented. Jack growled and shot the man a venomous stare.
"That's why people need this bridge, Naomi," Elodie spoke, changing the subject before Jack took Trudge's head off. "We need a chance to show the City we're normal people with dreams and goals, just like they are. We couldn't let them degrade us anymore. The bridge will give us the chance we need."
"It's becoming dangerous, though," Trudge stated morbidly. "The Security Bureau is talking about halting the construction for a while, just until things cool off a bit, and people are more comfortable with the idea."
"No!" cried Elodie. "They can't do that!"
"But you've seen for yourself just how bad it's getting. Jack was just telling be about that gang last night."
"We knew before we even started building that there was going to be opposition. We can't let it stop us! Not when we're so close!"
"Elodie's right," Jack agreed. "I can't believe I actually just said that, but what will people think if we stop the construction just because a few bone-heads like living in a cage?"
Naomi listened to the conversation in quiet amazement. It was surprising just how dedicated these people were to building the bridge. Maybe it wasn't as ridiculous as she had previously though. 'No," she thought sadly. 'It doesn't matter if this bridge is ever finished our not, people will never change so we'll always be scum to the rest of the world.'
"There are people in Satellite depending on us to give them the freedom they deserve," Elodie pointed out, her eyes resolute and bright. "And dog-gone-it, I'm gonna do everything I can to give them that freedom, even it if kills me!"
"Alright, alright!" Trudge exclaimed, waving his hands in submission. "I get the idea! I'd better get going then. But first, Elodie, I wanted to talk to you."
"What about, Trudge?"
Trudge looked down at the psychic through his helmet visor. "Crow gave me a call yesterday. He said you've been having nightmares that might concern what's happening at the bridge. And I'm assuming by how you reacted at my mention of a possible rebellion that he's right."
"He is," Jack huffed. "Her room is right next to mine, and I can always hear her mumbling in her sleep."
Elodie glared at the blonde before saying to Trudge, "Well, I have been having nightmares lately, but I don't know that they have anything to do with the bridge."
"Can you tell me what is happening in those dreams? Just in case they're visions of whatever?"
Elodie frowned. "I wouldn't base everything off of my messed-up dreams, Trudge. But... well, the dreams usually involve running. A lot of running in darkness. There are a lot of flashing lights and engine noises too, and shouting. And... and gunfire."
"Gunfire?" Trudge echoed in a worried voice. "Stun blasters or actual guns?"
"Both, I'm afraid."
"Do you know why you're running?"
"I... think we're running from something but also towards something. It's really confusing and chaotic."
"Is there anyone you know in the dream?"
"Mostly the guys. But there aren't a lot of other faces I recognize."
Naomi's eyes narrowed again when she swore she saw Elodie's gaze flicker over to her. 'Could I be in this dream too?' she wondered.
"Are there any other patterns in your dreams?" Trudge inquired.
Elodie thought for a moment and then she nodded. "Yeah. It always ends in red. I don't know what it means, but I always see red at the end."
Trudge and Jack exchanged concerned looks.
"This sounds pretty serious to me," commented Jack with a deep frown. "I'll deal with it," Elodie snapped finally. "We can't let that stop us from building! We have to finish this!"
"And we will, Elodie," said Trudge calmly. "Don't worry about that. Just keep a wary eye out for trouble and take precautions."
"We will, Trudge," nodded Jack. Trudge gave his farewell and left, muttering to himself about tightening security and other police-sounding things. As he zoomed toward the security tower on his runner, Elodie turned to Jack.
"Where are the others? I haven't seen them in a while."
"They're over on the end of the bridge, preparing it to meet New Domino's shores. We should have it finished within the next couple of weeks."
"That's great!" Elodie grinned, pumping her fist. "We've just got to hold on until then!"
Jack glance at Naomi. "So what did you bring her for? Is she another volunteer?"
"Hardly," Naomi snorted. Jack's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I've just been showing her around, Jack," Elodie stepped in hastily. "I wanted her to see what we were doing here."
"Hmph," Jack huffed. "Whatever, Elodie. Now, how about we get back to work, hm?"
"Not right now. I was just stopping by to see how things were going."
"Ya know, it's kind of hard to build a bridge when one of the designers isn't even here!"
"I'm sorry, Jack, but this is important. Ask Crow; he'll explain it to you."
Jack sighed irritably. "Whatever," he repeated before turning on his heel and stalking off, barking orders at nearby groups of workers.
"Nice guy," Naomi commented sarcastically.
"Don't mind him. He can really be an arrogant jerk most of the time, but he's as loyal of a friend as you'll ever find when he wants to be." Elodie turned and waved for Naomi to follow. "There's something else I want to show you."
Naomi followed Elodie to the edge of the construction site. Just outside the caution tape, Naomi beheld a large group of roughly-made picket signs with painted phrases written on them. They all said things like, "Thank You For Giving Us A Chance," "Long Live the Daedalus Bridge!" and "We Want Freedom" among others.
"Those signs were made by people in the Satellite who support the bridge," Elodie explained as Naomi stared, speechless. "You see, Naomi? People need to be free. You're not the only one who's been feeling helpless and alone."
"I've never felt helpless," Naomi snapped. "I never needed anyone's help. I don't need anyone else but me, and I've gotten along just fine alone!"
"You keep telling yourself that," Elodie spoke, her eyes boring into Naomi's soul. "But do you really believe it?"
Naomi had no reply.