" The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. "
-Eleanor Roosevelt
(Three Days Later: MTF Facility, Paris, France 5:00 AM)
Please don't tear this world asunder
Please take back this fear we're under
I demand a better future
Or I might just stop wanting you
I might just stop wanting you...
Please make sure we get tomorrow
All this pain, all this sorrow
I demand a better future
Or I might just stop needing you
I might just stop needing you...
Give my children sunny smiles
Give them warm and cloudless skies
I demand a better future
Or I might just stop loving you
Loving you, loving you...
The upbeat pop-rock music of the late David Bowie had broken the grim silence of the white walled corridors while one of the French MTF scientists had introduced the young pink Kree some music to listen to. He had his headphones as he was nodding his head to the beat. This time, Amnon volunteered to take some janitorial and maintenance shifts which he had taken on his schedule. He woke up earlier than his parents as he mopped and polished the floor. Somehow, he looked even more restless than before for the past three days and spent time cleaning the whole facility and checking every premise. He had never been home to his parents which he dedicated his life as a slave to the MTF in his new body. Ignoring his tiredness and homesickness, he diverted himself listening to music and working around.
Seeing some footprints and stains around, he was certainly removing them and making the floor spotless in every corner of the premises. For him, it was very tiring, but he got used to this kind of duty before. To his left, he noticed Commando Buck Henderson who walked and saw him working. Amnon was contemplating approaching him and keeping himself busy cleaning the floor while listening to Bowie's song. Buck curiously looked at him in his new body and scratched his chin. The Kree was still focusing on his work and noticing the floor almost spotless.
When you talk
We talk too
When you walk
We walk too...
From factory to field
How many tears must fall
Down here below
Nothing is moving...
" Hello? Morning? Amnon? " a gruff male voice curiously greeted him, calling his attention and gently poking the pink Kree's shoulder. " Hey?! Hello? Can you hear me? "
Amnon felt someone touching his shoulder and curiously looked at the MTF Commando. Then, he paused his work and music and removed his headphones, turning his attention to him. The Kree felt uneasy and wryly grinned at Buck when he had a bad experience encountering him in Paris almost a week ago. Right now, he was interrupted at his duty and music.
" Hi, Buck, Morning... " he emotionlessly replied as he had no choice in greeting him back.
" Look, I'm sorry if I interrupted your pre-shift work and that music, " Buck said with concern. " It's just that you haven't had your breakfast yet. "
" Thanks for reminding me, Buck. I'm used to skip meals back in the slave den, " Amnon answered. " There are times that I don't eat at all just to finish a task or else they will beat me up to death and feed me to the roaches. "
" Why is that? " the Commando curiously asked.
" Let's say, the handlers just poured out a large gush of grain to all the slaves and made them rowdy and overcrowded, pushing each other to grab their share for them to eat. In my case, I rarely got the right portion of grain. I usually took and ate a few or nothing at all, just ignoring my extreme hunger and continuing working even though I felt weakened. "
" When was that? "
" That was six months ago before I got brainwashed by the overlord, " he sighed and seriously spoke. " Buck, you are obviously seeing I'm working, right now. Don't tell me, I'm making up stories again and then you will brutally punish me. Honestly, I have experienced the worst things after my escape from the MTF. There's a lot to tell from me that you never know. If you have nothing nice to say, I guess I shall finish every corner to be mopped and floor polished. I don't want to waste any time having a ruckus with you. Do you understand that? "
Buck was dumbfounded when he heard of Amnon's statement and heavily sighed. Somehow, that greatest mistake was still a harsh reminder from the young Kree man. This time, Amnon was supposed to return his duty and headphones music when he was about to turn on the floor polisher's button from its handle. Waiting for his response, Amnon was still holding the cleaning equipment and considering his time to interact.
" Look, I know you're still having trust issues with me. First of,
I'm sorry if I let my troopers harm you in the first place. This time, I don't have any intention to repeat the same thing. I know your mother will kill me again, if she finds out, " Buck reasoned and shrugged. " Secondly, I fully realised you're far different from 682. Then, I'm glad you have your new body as I have heard from Kai and Skouro. It's just that I felt sorry for you in experiencing such tremendous hardship back in the slave den. You're no longer that monstrous slave anymore. You have a new life in this body you have. Please don't starve and overwork yourself, okay? "
Amnon heard what the MTF Commando had said and got convinced as he sincerely smiled and spoke, " Glad, you have fully comprehended and come into your senses. Are you suggesting that I take breakfast first? "
" Well, yeah. You can't function without food while working. I just took it at the cafeteria. So, have a break and get back to cleaning. "
" Got it. Thanks, Buck. "
Buck nodded in response and left as Amnon paused his work and headed his way to the cafeteria. An hour later after his breakfast, he took his mop and started to wet and make the floor clean. This time, he was still continuing listening to his headphone music when he busied himself mopping and placing his mop into the bucket.
I might just stop wanting you
I might just stop needing you
I might just stop loving you
I demand a better future
I demand a better future
I demand a better future
For I might just stop loving you
Loving you, loving you
I demand a better future
I demand a better future
I demand a better future
Or I might just stop loving you
Loving you, loving you
I demand a better future...
As the song ended, He spent minutes finishing it, removing his headphones, and placing them into his left pocket . Then, he turned on the floor polisher and moved around the corridor. He saw some group of MTF troopers from America who knew Amnon and sternly glared at him. The Kree felt uneasy at their stare and whistled a tune to the song he had listened to.
" Well, what do you know, the Kree-SCP boy has a new body, " the trooper turned to his colleagues.
" That kid is supposed to be locked inside the containment cell, " his colleague added. " No wonder why had escaped and spent years travelling the globe in a prolonged problematic situation. The others had a hard time chasing him for fifty years. "
Amnon ignored them and kept whistling the same song he heard. He placed his headphones, played it again, and continued making the floor shiny and unblemished. The MTF troopers eavesdropped on him and shared glances at each other.
" Wait, he's whistling a song from Ziggy Stardust?! He's not supposed to learn anything from the outside world! " the third trooper raised his voice in shock.
" Well, he can't demand his better future because, he's considered as
an Indestruc, regardless if he has a new body! " his associate chuckled.
Still focusing on his work and listening to music, the young pink Kree paid no attention to their insults and loud laughter. All they heard from him was his whistling and the loud sound of the floor polisher. Walking around the corridor, Skouro noticed the spotless white floor and overheard the conversation from her subordinates. She approached them and cleared her throat when the MTF troopers saluted her in greeting.
" General Commander, ma'am! " they exclaimed in unison.
" Are you supposed to be preparing for your next slave den raids? " she asked. " I heard you guys gossiping at the Rebel Forces member who works with us. "
" Ma'am, we just..." the trooper hesitantly spoke and paused, thinking of another excuse to cover up their discussion.
" Now, go to your stations and be ready. Understood? "
" Yes, ma'am. "
The MTF troopers hurriedly left when one of them had accidentally slipped from the wet floor which Amnon had let it dry before he would polish it. Skouro sighed heavily and watched them. Then, she turned her attention to the busy Kree man and approached him to have a chat. Amnon slowly turned his attention to her when he paused his music, removed his headphones, and temporarily turned off the cleaning equipment.
" It seems you're too busy, " the dark angel said, smiling at him.
"Oh, Hello Skouro! " the Kree greeted and smiled back at her. " What brings you here? "
" I'm just checking around how everyone's doing, " she answered. " So, Lord Hood has given you a schedule in the facility. "
" Yeah, I have been starting my volunteer work as a janitor and maintenance guy for three days. I have been doing these in my early days in the Rebel Forces until now. When I escaped the MTF Facility in California, I was totally illiterate and naive. I'm glad you just helped me escape in that first hellhole. "
Skouro remained silent and in-shock as she was having a hard time remembering her first encounter with him from five decades ago. She felt something was missing from her memories after that great hibernation during the Kree-Lizard period. Amnon waited for her response and crossed his arms when he looked at her with concern.
" Skouro? Skouro?! " he called her attention and snapped his fingers using his left hand.
" You startled me! " she exclaimed. " What's going on?! "
" You went dead silent. Did the Flerken get your tongue? "
" What's a Flerken? "
" It's a space alien cat with some tendrils on its mouth, " Amnon explained. " Anyways, I will bring Yuri to work one of these days. He's still in Rouen. "
" I hope so. I would like to see your pet soon. You can bring him if you have time, " Skouro smiled and changed her topic as she sadly sighed. " Look, Amnon. I'm so sorry. I don't know if I could remember that very clearly. It's just something that has happened to me and I'm still trying to find more answers about what's happening even to you. I don't know if I could easily respond to you. "
Amnon heavily sighed and got disappointed at her from what he had heard. He clearly remembered what happened and needed to retell that time to her, but he had thought of his other duties to finish within the day.
" Well...it's okay, " the Kree seriously broke his silence and shrugged. " I guess I have some floors to be mopped and polished. Then, I will be cleaning the toilets later on, replacing some toilet papers, and disposing of all the garbage. Oh, by the way, Skouro, watch your step. It's a sticky floor, you're stepping on. "
Skouro was about to slip her feet and fall down when Amnon instantly reached his right hand to her and grabbed her hand. She intently looked at him and pondered why he was doing it. He assisted her by letting her step on the polished side of the floor.
" Thanks..." she slightly smiled at him.
" You're welcome. I guess I should go back to work now. "
" Oh, wait. Before we go..." Skouro instantly snapped her fingers, remembering what she would say. " I just need to tell you something."
" What is it? " Amnon curiously asked.
" Okay, how should I say this to him? " she thought and looked at the ceiling when the pink Kree man again waited for her to speak. " Oh, right! Just this morning, I just recently spoke to Kai, Roosevelt, Lord Hood, Commander Bav-Tek, and the other elders about your involvement with the Rebel Forces and the MTF. We have already talked about your efforts in the past five decades before you got enslaved which I wasn't fully aware of. They explained to us about your history with the Rebel Forces and mentioned that you have been a great help. Now, they noticed you started working as a full time janitor in the facility. We have observed that you have been so overworked and tired. "
" Did my master and my mother know of this? "
" Well, yeah. They got concerned and worried that you spent too much overtime without any breaks and being paid. They were asking me why you never slept at the flat as I have noticed you tirelessly remained working here. "
" Yeah, that's what Roosevelt and I agreed before I began. I just told Buck and his troopers a week ago that I am willing to work here, even if it's for free. "
" Amnon, you have been working too much. I appreciate that you are so dedicated to managing the facility by other means. It's obviously wrong that you live again as a slave. You're doing the same hardship here. You deserve better than being a manual laborer, " Skouro sincerely spoke and gently held his right hand. " We have decided to give you some changes to your involvement, but you can still work as a janitor on a specific schedule. So, anyone here can have their shift aside from you. "
" Care to explain those, Skouro? " Amnon curiously asked as he got interested.
" Okay, there will be a series of combat training sessions and a lot of stuff to learn. So, we will arrange a specific schedule each aside from your current job and make you compensated like anyone else. Then, you can have more time with your family and for yourself on your days-off, " she explained and gave him a suggestive look. " How's that sound? "
The pink Kree remained silent as he was trying to comprehend what the Dark Angel had said. Somehow, it would be more interesting for him to expand his learnings, knowledge, and experiences. Realising the thought, Amnon slowly widened his smile and instantly hugged her. She was surprised by his sudden action and gently hugged him back.
" This is so weird. Why do I feel so related to him? Perhaps, I'm just too concerned about his current well being and welfare, " she pondered, still putting her arms into him. " I guess I should talk to Carol and Methie more often. "
" Thank you, Skouro! This is so brilliant! I don't really expect it! " Amnon happily exclaimed and wept for joy. " I have fully understood and agreed as I'm taking this better opportunity from you. I will do my best to be a better agent of the Rebel Forces. I assure you that I won't let you down! "
" You're welcome, Amnon, " Skouro smiled back. " Just strike whilst the iron is hot. I know you can do greater things than you have done before. If you have a new body, then enjoy and value your new life and journeys. Okay? "
" I will, I will! Thank you so much! "
Amnon and Skouro both parted their arms together as they both felt pleased to share and hear good news. He gently rubbed his eyes with a handkerchief and wiped his teary face.
" By the way, I really want to tell you this, " she broke her silence. " Some of the MTF Troopers just made fun of you earlier. I called their attention and got relieved that you had ignored them. "
" You know what's my secret? " Amnon queried.
" What is it? "
" Keep playing music while you're working, " he showed his device and headphones which he took from his pocket. " Well, it surely helps divert your attention to them. Thanks to your staff here, they introduced me to the Starman, David Bowie! "
" Oh, smart move! Nice tactic! " she softly chuckled and joked. " Enjoy your Better Future, even if you don't demand it! "
" Wait, how did you know?! "
" I just secretly sensed what music you were listening to without raising your music's volume. "
Amnon curiously raised his eyebrows at her and slightly chuckled. He was trying to ignore what she was saying when he happily exclaimed and saluted, " I will. Thank you so much! I'm going to continue my work until my shift. "
" You're welcome, " Skouro replied and watched him working from a distance as she thought." I wonder why Amnon is so really happy for the good news. Maybe it's really meant for him after all these years he had suffered. Glad, he won't be suffering that much anymore. But still I need to find out what's bugging me and why I have this similar aura as him. "
(HOURS LATER)
" Well, it's just the MTF found out from the Rebel Forces what I have done in the past fifty years, " Amnon continued as his parents were listening. " I have never realized that both of you and Skouro are worried for me in the past three days. "
" Kid, it's just you never came home and all you did was work overtime. You're getting too tired from all of these, " Carol replied and stood behind her blue skinned boyfriend. " Your Old Man and I were worried about your safety. "
" Within the Foundation's premises, you might end up as a D-Class personnel which you will witness the horrors of the SCP objects, " the Kree Eternal added and sat on the sofa, leaning in between his loved ones . " Son, I know you never want that experience again. You deserve better than that. You have a lot of dreams to achieve. "
Amnon was silent and curiously looking at his parents. He pondered for a while and thought of his dreams and wishes in life. Carol and Methu-Selah waited for him to respond.
" When I was a Kree-SCP 682 hybrid, I had dreams of going to the outside world and made it to witness and experience what life is, " he spoke. " Well, I hoped to be a farmer and chef which I wanted to work for food and serve not just for myself, but for anyone. Then, I dreamt to be an astronaut and explore the universe. "
" Eventually, you will, Kid, " his mother said and gently rubbed her son's back. " But it takes more time to achieve them, who knows? After this long term invasion, you may gain your new life and experiences. It will be a very long road to push through and deal. "
" I hope so, if those nightmares from the past won't let me stumble again. "
" You will be getting through it, Son, " his father assured. " Your mother and I will help you. "
" Right, thanks, " the young pink Kree smiled and changed his topic by asking them. " By the way, I'm still wondering when do you plan to settle down? It seems like you two are a good couple! "
Methu-Selah and Carol both blushed harder than earlier when they got surprised at their son's question and remained silent. Amnon loudly laughed at their expression and saw them sharing glances at each other. He was waiting for their response until the Kree Eternal messed up his son's golden locks. Carol heartly laughed and watched the two men having fun with each other.
" Master, I was just kidding! " Amnon chuckled.
" You naughty cupid boy! " Methu-Selah replied with a smirk.
" At least, we're no longer worried for you, Amnon, " his mother sighed in relief and kissed her son's cheeks.
" We are together, right? "
" Of course, we are. "
Moments later, the couple watched their son peacefully sleeping in his room and stood at the doorway. Carol remembered those early days in Rouen when she was watching the boy sleeping and hearing his nightmares. This time, she noticed he was no longer having the frequent onsets of them.
" Still reminiscing that first night I saw him sleeping? " the Kree Eternal asked in a low voice.
" Yeah, I was glad you were able to see him before you left, " she answered. " I just got alarmed to hear and see him those unending nightmares he had before. "
" I get what you mean, Carol, " Methu-Selah heavily sighed and seriously replied. " I watched how he suffered back then. I couldn't have a chance to meet him physically. I could have done something right for him. In that way, I could have spared him from 682 and spent my time with him. He should have a normal life like he wanted. "
" Amnon had told me before that Skouro just helped him escape from the facility after that earthquake. Then, you might be searching and watching over him as you have sent out some people to aid him in his long journey, " Carol explained and turned to her boyfriend. " You were never too far from him. You kept an eye on him, no matter where you were. "
" You're right, " he nodded and sincerely smiled, watching his son slumbering on his bed. " I believe he has been searching out for me for years. "
" He has constantly asked me of you and your whereabouts, every time before he goes to sleep. Are you going to tell him the truth that you're his father on his Kree side? You know he deserves to know who he really is, whether if he was a Lizard hybrid or in his current body. He is truly your son. "
Methu-Selah remained silent and read Amnon's thoughts while he was sleeping. It took minutes to compose his thoughts and respond to her. Carol waited for her to respond and looked at him with concern.
" Honestly, I wanted to tell him the truth, " he sadly broke his silence. " I have predicted that he will gain grudges towards me. I don't want to ruin it and let it happen. For me, Amnon may look like an adult, but he's still a child inside. I understand he grew up without me, but I am worried about how he will react if I disclose it outrightly all of a sudden. He's too young to comprehend this. "
" I see, " she nodded and understood. " I guess you'll take it slowly then. Like you're going to re-establish that father and son rapport, before you're going to tell him the truth? "
" Yes, in that way, he will easily accept me as his father before I pass on. Carol, I have a few years left before I leave and pass my light soul to him. I will still live through our son, but I want him to regain his new life without me. "
" You don't have to tell me that twice, Methie, " she replied and kissed her blue boyfriend's cheeks. " If you're gone, I'm still here taking care of our handsome gentleman. " Then, the half-Kree woman looked at Amnon and sighed, " But I'm also worried about my daughter, who I left for several years. I never told Amnon that he has a half-sister from Australia. "
" You mean you had met Tim back in Remnant after Colonel Rhodes' demise? " Methu-Selah surmised. " From those times, you were pregnant with Eumeralla and leaving her to him. "
" Yes, I asked an Atlesian soldier to take Ella and Tim away from the war in Remnant and live in Australia, after I gave birth to her and continued fighting, " she said and wept. " I don't want to raise a child in those times of peril. But more than two years ago when I first met Amnon in France, he reminded me of my lost daughter. I didn't know if she was still alive or dead. I just felt sorry for her that I never had a chance to see and raise her because of this damn invasion! This is all my fault! I should have taken her along with Amnon and be a mother to them! They could have been..."
Methu-Selah noticed his girlfriend bitterly weeping and instantly placed his arms around her. He waited for Carol to be pacified and looked at his son who was still sleeping. In this time of war and peril, he understood how devastating that this invasion had caused such separation and tragedy to each family. He heavily sighed while pondering it. It was utter silence and sadness that visited them at this moment.
" Carol, I'm sorry this has happened to you, " he calmly spoke. " I know that feeling when I couldn't see and get to Amnon back in the MTF Facility. It's the same thing that you couldn't reach out to your daughter. But I'm really sure that we can still see her alive and join our family. It will take more time for us to rekindle these lost memories and events. I know our son will be trying his best to deal with his older half-sister.The most important thing is we are together despite this unending onslaught. "
(Buck Henderson and Skoúro Valour belong toFlashlightMan.)