By the nods of approval, Helena figured she had nailed all the major points.
"Why?" Colonel Maillaro asked once she had finished her summary.
"Why what, sir?" her response was automatic.
"Why are they forcing us to fight them on the ground? They may have some kind of weakness. And we could exploit that weakness and maybe have a chance of blasting them off our planet," the last word hissed from his breath as if invading Earth had been an affront to him personally.
"That's why you are here. I want a list of potential candidates from your previous location. We are looking for the best. My orders are to build missiles. Your orders are to help develop a defensive strategy. You will also examine our different fighting styles and try to determine the most effective form of combat for these aliens. Do you understand," he bore the weight of his steel eyes down onto her small frame. No need to glance around at the others. They were all withstanding the weight.
"Sir, yes, sir," and she saluted. His face broke with a smile.
"Very good. Captain, show her around," and they were dismissed. She followed the Captain back out into the underground concrete tunnels.
"You ever wonder about any of that why business? Why did they come here? Why did they attack? Why don't they use weapons or bombs or armor?" he asked. She slowly shook her head.
"Ask why about to many things and you just want to cry. This is the way things are. All I can do is keep fighting to try and change them back to the way they were," as they walked, they passed other people in uniform. She kept looking for someone out of uniform, for a matted stuffed lion to be taking space on the floor. And then she'd remember this was a military base. Those things would not be found there.
"That's one way to look at it. A warning though, next week you may have a bunch of people asking why. The Colonel's rounded up some scientists. They'll be arriving next week," he kept chatting as they walked. And then the alarm sounded.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
25. The Dreamer-Once asleep, one must Dream
There was that door again. Birds chirped merrily as the sun dropped gold onto the hillside. The grass bent under the wind's light touch. The grass all bent towards the top of the hill. Every emerald blade was bowing before the door. The sun was at its zenith and centered over it as well. And the birds circled above.
"Not this time," she said. The wind grew stronger, insisting she allow herself to be swept upwards. There was a promise of rest, peace, and flying above the world.
"No," she repeated with more will. The sky grew cloudy. The birds left. And the wind whipped her hair, tugging the locks towards the door. A scythe ripped through the scene. Twisted remnants of sunshine were devoured by darkness. Nothing was left.
"You been enjoying yourself?" Aislinn's voice tinkled from all around. A dim, red ribbon glow appeared three feet in front of Anna. Aislinn faded into existence. Today her highlights and uniform accents were neon green. Her body was at an angle, ankles crossed, arms folded, and her scythe was leaning as well.
"Enjoying myself?" Anna repeated. The sounds were familiar, the way they moved across her lips was not new, and she knew what they meant. However, "enjoyable" was not a word she would have used to describe recent events. Something in her expression must have given her away. Aislinn laughed.
"I thought as much. I would not advise Dreaming for a while," a tree faded in behind her. She was leaning against and had never moved. Suddenly, her eyes focused solely on Anna.
"Of course, you already figured out that much. Ah, but how to stop that thing from finding you again? Those were your thoughts, right?" a smile glittered over Aislinn's lips.
"And that Nick is a cheating bastard," Anna flashed her teeth in return. Both women held their expressions for ten seconds before dissolving into laughter.
"I'm here to protect you. But that doesn't mean you have to make my job harder. Do you understand?" Aislinn said quietly after the laughter had subsided. Anna nodded.
"Good. Let's start the training," and a different, almost feral, grin reflected off the scythe.
"Not this time," she said. The wind grew stronger, insisting she allow herself to be swept upwards. There was a promise of rest, peace, and flying above the world.
"No," she repeated with more will. The sky grew cloudy. The birds left. And the wind whipped her hair, tugging the locks towards the door. A scythe ripped through the scene. Twisted remnants of sunshine were devoured by darkness. Nothing was left.
"You been enjoying yourself?" Aislinn's voice tinkled from all around. A dim, red ribbon glow appeared three feet in front of Anna. Aislinn faded into existence. Today her highlights and uniform accents were neon green. Her body was at an angle, ankles crossed, arms folded, and her scythe was leaning as well.
"Enjoying myself?" Anna repeated. The sounds were familiar, the way they moved across her lips was not new, and she knew what they meant. However, "enjoyable" was not a word she would have used to describe recent events. Something in her expression must have given her away. Aislinn laughed.
"I thought as much. I would not advise Dreaming for a while," a tree faded in behind her. She was leaning against and had never moved. Suddenly, her eyes focused solely on Anna.
"Of course, you already figured out that much. Ah, but how to stop that thing from finding you again? Those were your thoughts, right?" a smile glittered over Aislinn's lips.
"And that Nick is a cheating bastard," Anna flashed her teeth in return. Both women held their expressions for ten seconds before dissolving into laughter.
"I'm here to protect you. But that doesn't mean you have to make my job harder. Do you understand?" Aislinn said quietly after the laughter had subsided. Anna nodded.
"Good. Let's start the training," and a different, almost feral, grin reflected off the scythe.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
10. Defending Earth-An Explanation
"It is very simple really. We are going to make missiles," the Colonel then marched into the command center. Helena tilted her ear towards him and frowned.
"Make missiles? Here?" her words bounced off the closed door. The lights flickered and she swallowed. It couldn't be what she had heard. Smiling, Captain Clark reached for the door handle.
"It'll make sense inside," and he opened the door. There were flat screens with crisp resolution. Lights from monitors and LED's lit up the room like a meteor shower. There were about twenty workstations, each containing a computer, chair, and headset. There were more than twenty people milling around and shouting. In the center was a man. His arms were crossed, his shirt stretch slightly over the athletic frame. He barked questions from all those running around the room. Running around him.
"C-16 is being attacked. The number of attackers is within normal range for that area,"
"And the time frame?"
"About a half hour earlier than the projected time,"
"Again. Dammit!"
The Colonel, Captain, and Sergeant made their way to the center of the room. There was a temporary pause as salutes were given.
"At ease. Sergeant Weaver, we are able to monitor every single stronghold left in the United States. Numbers are crunched and we figure out the best way to distribute military supplies. Now, tell me about our experiences using long range weaponry," the Colonel leaned back on a desk. Her first instinct was to laugh. No one else had cracked a smile.
"It didn't work. No matter what we launched at them, they could always tell it was coming. And they always destroyed the missile, bomb, rocket, or whatever is was before it even came close to the target. They have long range weaponry as well. For some reason the Peregrinies only use it to destroy what we launch at them. Oh yea, they also attack and demolish any location where we try to make more long range weaponry," she paused.
"I think that's it. For some reason they want to fight us on the ground," she shrugged.
"Make missiles? Here?" her words bounced off the closed door. The lights flickered and she swallowed. It couldn't be what she had heard. Smiling, Captain Clark reached for the door handle.
"It'll make sense inside," and he opened the door. There were flat screens with crisp resolution. Lights from monitors and LED's lit up the room like a meteor shower. There were about twenty workstations, each containing a computer, chair, and headset. There were more than twenty people milling around and shouting. In the center was a man. His arms were crossed, his shirt stretch slightly over the athletic frame. He barked questions from all those running around the room. Running around him.
"C-16 is being attacked. The number of attackers is within normal range for that area,"
"And the time frame?"
"About a half hour earlier than the projected time,"
"Again. Dammit!"
The Colonel, Captain, and Sergeant made their way to the center of the room. There was a temporary pause as salutes were given.
"At ease. Sergeant Weaver, we are able to monitor every single stronghold left in the United States. Numbers are crunched and we figure out the best way to distribute military supplies. Now, tell me about our experiences using long range weaponry," the Colonel leaned back on a desk. Her first instinct was to laugh. No one else had cracked a smile.
"It didn't work. No matter what we launched at them, they could always tell it was coming. And they always destroyed the missile, bomb, rocket, or whatever is was before it even came close to the target. They have long range weaponry as well. For some reason the Peregrinies only use it to destroy what we launch at them. Oh yea, they also attack and demolish any location where we try to make more long range weaponry," she paused.
"I think that's it. For some reason they want to fight us on the ground," she shrugged.
Monday, September 19, 2011
24. The Dreamer-Before you dream, you must sleep
"Well?" Michael pressed. He slowed down and other cars blasted by with their horns.
"Speed up," she groaned and covered her ears. The horn blares were hammers beating inside her skull. Their speed increased. Cars stopped passing them and the drivers stopped slamming the middle of the steering wheel.
"If there was nothing to it all before, I know there is now," he told her after her hands had left her ears. Red, green, yellow lights melded into one stream. Something wet splashed on her arm. Then on her hands. She sniffed.
"We're almost back to your place. I'll find your medicine and you can lay down, all right?" his left arm stayed on the wheel. His right arm fumbled around the glove compartment. There, buried under stacks of insurance cards (none of them were current), was a travel package of tissues.
"But..." the tissues were outstretched. Blue light from a restaurant caused a halo to appear around his head. She took the tissues.
"It's...I'm not crazy. You know I'm not. I started having these dreams..." and she told him the story. Of seeing his conversation with Julie. His throat tightened at Anna's knowing that particular memory. Then again when she was attacked. The Scythe Girl. Her father. The Club. And now Nick. When she stopped talking, he pulled up to her apartment.
They sat. There were many ideas and thoughts running through his head. It was cool she had that ability. But something out there wanted to kill her because of it. Which was bad.
"Huh," he finally said and unbuckled.
"That's it?" she asked. He shrugged and shut the car door.
"For now. You need some sleep," and he helped her inside. The stove hissed with scrambled eggs which she ate before taking her medication. The James Bond theme song, barely coming from her television, serenaded her to sleep.
"Speed up," she groaned and covered her ears. The horn blares were hammers beating inside her skull. Their speed increased. Cars stopped passing them and the drivers stopped slamming the middle of the steering wheel.
"If there was nothing to it all before, I know there is now," he told her after her hands had left her ears. Red, green, yellow lights melded into one stream. Something wet splashed on her arm. Then on her hands. She sniffed.
"We're almost back to your place. I'll find your medicine and you can lay down, all right?" his left arm stayed on the wheel. His right arm fumbled around the glove compartment. There, buried under stacks of insurance cards (none of them were current), was a travel package of tissues.
"But..." the tissues were outstretched. Blue light from a restaurant caused a halo to appear around his head. She took the tissues.
"It's...I'm not crazy. You know I'm not. I started having these dreams..." and she told him the story. Of seeing his conversation with Julie. His throat tightened at Anna's knowing that particular memory. Then again when she was attacked. The Scythe Girl. Her father. The Club. And now Nick. When she stopped talking, he pulled up to her apartment.
They sat. There were many ideas and thoughts running through his head. It was cool she had that ability. But something out there wanted to kill her because of it. Which was bad.
"Huh," he finally said and unbuckled.
"That's it?" she asked. He shrugged and shut the car door.
"For now. You need some sleep," and he helped her inside. The stove hissed with scrambled eggs which she ate before taking her medication. The James Bond theme song, barely coming from her television, serenaded her to sleep.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
9. Defending Earth-New SO
"Here we are. The team is still being assembled, but half of us are here. Once everyone arrives well have a briefing about what this is all about," his eyes flicked around to the guards as the jeep rolled to a stop.
"The rumors have it almost perfect. So much for need to know," and he winked before saluting.
"Colonel Maillaro, sir," the salute went towards an approaching man. His uniform was slightly rumpled. Jet black hair poked from under his beret. The legs had a purpose, each step meant something as he marched over towards them. Quickly she saluted as well.
"Captain Clark, at ease. You must be Sergeant Weaver. I have a cousin who had the benefit of being your pupil. When this operation began, you were on our interest list. And now you're here," he stuck out his hand.
"Sergeant Weaver," she offered hers in return.
"Colonel Maillaro. Good to meet you," his hands swallowed hers. The pressure was firm, but the giant palms had not crushed her tiny bones.
"How much do you know?"
"She has not been briefed yet," Captain Clark answered.
"Walk with me then. As you know, the enemy has neutralized our long-range weaponry," they turned towards a small building. It was a brick garage with an elevator. Once inside, they began to descend underground.
"Just so you know, this isn't a community like Boulder. The Denver Metro Area hasn't been family hospitable in almost thirty years. We don't have cushy skylights here. This is a strategic military location," Maillaro interrupted himself brusquely. The concrete walls and floors were bare. Doors didn't seem to be in evidence. And the lights flickered.
"Before I show you the command center, let me explain what we are doing here," and the Colonel had returned to his original train of thought.
***Next Tuesday, find out why we can't bomb the shit out of the aliens***
"The rumors have it almost perfect. So much for need to know," and he winked before saluting.
"Colonel Maillaro, sir," the salute went towards an approaching man. His uniform was slightly rumpled. Jet black hair poked from under his beret. The legs had a purpose, each step meant something as he marched over towards them. Quickly she saluted as well.
"Captain Clark, at ease. You must be Sergeant Weaver. I have a cousin who had the benefit of being your pupil. When this operation began, you were on our interest list. And now you're here," he stuck out his hand.
"Sergeant Weaver," she offered hers in return.
"Colonel Maillaro. Good to meet you," his hands swallowed hers. The pressure was firm, but the giant palms had not crushed her tiny bones.
"How much do you know?"
"She has not been briefed yet," Captain Clark answered.
"Walk with me then. As you know, the enemy has neutralized our long-range weaponry," they turned towards a small building. It was a brick garage with an elevator. Once inside, they began to descend underground.
"Just so you know, this isn't a community like Boulder. The Denver Metro Area hasn't been family hospitable in almost thirty years. We don't have cushy skylights here. This is a strategic military location," Maillaro interrupted himself brusquely. The concrete walls and floors were bare. Doors didn't seem to be in evidence. And the lights flickered.
"Before I show you the command center, let me explain what we are doing here," and the Colonel had returned to his original train of thought.
***Next Tuesday, find out why we can't bomb the shit out of the aliens***
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
23. The Dreamer-Someone Makes an Observation
"Oh hell no!" Julie exploded. The cheating bastard looked up from his kiss. His eyes grew wide.
"You'll cheat with this slut and not with me?" she screamed.
"If I were up to it, I wouldn't be screaming that loud," Anna chuckled. Now all the times when Julie's eyes had skipped over Anna to solely focus on Nick were worth it.
"Julie, calm down. This is between Anna and I..." but Nick was to late. The woman whose name we hadn't learned yet was walking away. She took the long way around Julie. There might be some kind of disease the screaming woman had and distance was necessary. But then she looked at Anna.
"You're that girl from the news. God, I had no idea," she said and dipped her head so their eyes could not match.
"And me! God this is so like you! When you have no one else, you'll sleep with me. I'm your masturbation tool. But now I'm not even good enough for that. Who gave you the money to cover your cell phone bill last month? Who took you grocery shopping? Who gave you money to buy flowers for your girlfriend in the hospital but you actually gave your mistress the flowers!" the candles on the table all shivered as her tirade reached a crescendo. It crashed, pulling heads and eyes to the floor.
"Bastard!" all three woman said at once before scattering. Michael half-carried Anna outside. Julie grabbed a glass from the family of four's table and tossed Mountain Dew onto Nick's suit. Then the storm moved outside. The other woman was already gone. None of them would ever see her again. Nick never said what her name was.
They dropped Julie off at a bar. Tonight she was going to drink mai tai's until her eyes washed her makeup away. Of maybe she would drink the mai tai's because she was crying. Her best friend met them at the bar and hoisted Julie out of the car.
With Julie gone, there was a void. Michael waited before filling it.
"How did you know? And the bomb? What's going on?" is was quiet. It was a demand.
"You'll cheat with this slut and not with me?" she screamed.
"If I were up to it, I wouldn't be screaming that loud," Anna chuckled. Now all the times when Julie's eyes had skipped over Anna to solely focus on Nick were worth it.
"Julie, calm down. This is between Anna and I..." but Nick was to late. The woman whose name we hadn't learned yet was walking away. She took the long way around Julie. There might be some kind of disease the screaming woman had and distance was necessary. But then she looked at Anna.
"You're that girl from the news. God, I had no idea," she said and dipped her head so their eyes could not match.
"And me! God this is so like you! When you have no one else, you'll sleep with me. I'm your masturbation tool. But now I'm not even good enough for that. Who gave you the money to cover your cell phone bill last month? Who took you grocery shopping? Who gave you money to buy flowers for your girlfriend in the hospital but you actually gave your mistress the flowers!" the candles on the table all shivered as her tirade reached a crescendo. It crashed, pulling heads and eyes to the floor.
"Bastard!" all three woman said at once before scattering. Michael half-carried Anna outside. Julie grabbed a glass from the family of four's table and tossed Mountain Dew onto Nick's suit. Then the storm moved outside. The other woman was already gone. None of them would ever see her again. Nick never said what her name was.
They dropped Julie off at a bar. Tonight she was going to drink mai tai's until her eyes washed her makeup away. Of maybe she would drink the mai tai's because she was crying. Her best friend met them at the bar and hoisted Julie out of the car.
With Julie gone, there was a void. Michael waited before filling it.
"How did you know? And the bomb? What's going on?" is was quiet. It was a demand.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
8. Defending Earth-Pass Into Memory
Laughter trumpeted through the air. Mugs were handed and grabbed, shots lined and poured, beer frothing into glasses, and then it was time. Silence ran amongst the soldiers who had gathered. This was the last time they would see her. Soldiers died. It happened.
Every morning they said hello for the last time. Each bite of breakfast might be their last. Did they want their last meal to be dry toast? The question was never asked. But when the attacks come and through the dust and blood someone realizes that toast was the last thing they ate.
And now here was a strange event. This was the last time they were saying goodbye, but she wasn't dead. Something else was stealing her away, kidnapping their friend, comrade, and mentor. And the champion drinker. Tonight, someone new would emerge with the title.
"Are we gonna just stand here letting the beer get cold?" she finally snapped. Laughter rippled as she opened the night with a chug.
"I still don't understand..." Captain Clark watched her even gait and the absence of sunglasses the next morning.
"What's there to understand?" she heaved her dark green duffel bag into his jeep.
"That was..." his sentence died at her glance.
"Last night was a party. That's it. We don't talk about what happened the night before," unless something life altering had happened. And those things weren't talked about or announced. Children were born without know who the father was. It happened. Everyone living here was a parent to some child, whether it was genetic or not.
"But how did you guys get the Volkswagen..." once again he tried to talk. She punched the radio and turned the volume all the way up. There were no lyrics, synthesizer or guitar. There were many instruments with multiple people playing the same type of instrument.
"Been a while since I heard this," she leaned back into the seat and closed. Next time she opened them she would meet her new team. The soldiers left behind had become only memories.
Monday, September 12, 2011
22. The Dreamer-Some Things Have to be Seen
"Please tell me there is a damn good explanation for interrupting my "Friends" marathon," Julie huffed into Michael's back seat. Anna leaned her head back and closed her eyes. The world pulsed and danced with each searing flash of light. The sharp sneer in Julie's voice drove the barbs even further.
"I don't know. This is Anna's thing. Are you all right? I should just take you home," Michael kept the car idling, waiting for Anna to demand to be taken home. His fingers twitched, ready with the urge to scoop her back into bed. Only the knowledge that Nick wasn't there and she would be alone kept his fingers in check.
"Just take us to the restaurant. Please," she begged.
I have to see this for myself. Someone has to take me, someone who can be there to catch me if I fall. And she'll be there to unleash our anger.
And...nothing. She knew it was real. Either that or she had died in the explosion and this was some kind of afterlife. Which, this version went against the religious conventions. Nope, the light turned green and stabbed. Michael turned, accelerated, and braked without a jar or bump. To Anna, she felt she was being shoved and rocked around a soup can.
"Almost there," he craned to check for oncoming traffic.
"Good. This better not take long. Hey, is that Nick's car?"
It was, in fact, Nick's car. Michael helped her out and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Temperature's dropping," he said to the eighty degree air. His arm held her up and supported her.
"Welcome, table for three?" a charming blonde asked as they entered. No trace of Italy anywhere on the staff.
"No, I think..." she peered around the corner. Yes, there. She recognized that family of four and beyond them was Nick. She began to stomp towards the table he shared with the woman. The stomp withered into a determined crawl.
"I still don't get what..." Julie was silenced by the perfect view of Nick and the woman standing. He pulled her in for a light kiss on the lips.
"I don't know. This is Anna's thing. Are you all right? I should just take you home," Michael kept the car idling, waiting for Anna to demand to be taken home. His fingers twitched, ready with the urge to scoop her back into bed. Only the knowledge that Nick wasn't there and she would be alone kept his fingers in check.
"Just take us to the restaurant. Please," she begged.
I have to see this for myself. Someone has to take me, someone who can be there to catch me if I fall. And she'll be there to unleash our anger.
And...nothing. She knew it was real. Either that or she had died in the explosion and this was some kind of afterlife. Which, this version went against the religious conventions. Nope, the light turned green and stabbed. Michael turned, accelerated, and braked without a jar or bump. To Anna, she felt she was being shoved and rocked around a soup can.
"Almost there," he craned to check for oncoming traffic.
"Good. This better not take long. Hey, is that Nick's car?"
It was, in fact, Nick's car. Michael helped her out and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Temperature's dropping," he said to the eighty degree air. His arm held her up and supported her.
"Welcome, table for three?" a charming blonde asked as they entered. No trace of Italy anywhere on the staff.
"No, I think..." she peered around the corner. Yes, there. She recognized that family of four and beyond them was Nick. She began to stomp towards the table he shared with the woman. The stomp withered into a determined crawl.
"I still don't get what..." Julie was silenced by the perfect view of Nick and the woman standing. He pulled her in for a light kiss on the lips.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Sick
I'm calling in sick for today and tomorrow. Until I feel better, I will be curled up into a ball. Maybe I'll make it to class.
Crystal
Crystal
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
20. The Dreamer-Well, that explains it
Anna stumbled back to bed. Her head pounded and she could not keep herself upright any longer. The clear solution which had been dripped into her bloodstream was gone. It had done its job and left. Anna supposed it had other things to do, but it would have been nice if the medicine had canceled its plan and stayed.
And where was Nick? What the hell? She needed to take her meds, but she had no idea where they were. They needed to be taken with food as well. This medicine was familiar to her. Without food, the pills made her insides decide to evacuate through her mouth. And as her little excursion just showed, leaving bed for longer than thirty seconds clearly wasn't happening. Or couldn't she?
Remembering what she had done, she relaxed and pictured a door. Long minutes passed before her breathing evened. The door opened and she was in an office. Nick's office, to be exact. There was the red and black University of Georgia coffee mug she had bought for him. Next to it was a bobble head dog he claimed made him smile.
Nick was sitting there, busily typing away at the computer. Anna leaned over to look and saw he was not busily typing for his employers. Social Networks were once again chipping away at employee productivity. Ringing interrupted everything as he scrambled for the phone.
"Hello?...Oh, hey sweetie...yes, we're still on for five-thirty..." he cooed into the received.
"Is that what you're wearing?...Fine. I'll see you at Sapori D'Italia at five-thirty," and he hung up. The remaining ten minutes were taken up over online discussions of the most recent Bulldogs result. Anna experimented with going through objects, walls, doors, and even flying before he left.
She followed him to the restaurant. There he kissed a woman before they were seated at a candlelit booth.
Anna woke up and grabbed her phone.
"Michael? Come get me. And Julie. There is something at Spori D'Italia we all need to see,"
And where was Nick? What the hell? She needed to take her meds, but she had no idea where they were. They needed to be taken with food as well. This medicine was familiar to her. Without food, the pills made her insides decide to evacuate through her mouth. And as her little excursion just showed, leaving bed for longer than thirty seconds clearly wasn't happening. Or couldn't she?
Remembering what she had done, she relaxed and pictured a door. Long minutes passed before her breathing evened. The door opened and she was in an office. Nick's office, to be exact. There was the red and black University of Georgia coffee mug she had bought for him. Next to it was a bobble head dog he claimed made him smile.
Nick was sitting there, busily typing away at the computer. Anna leaned over to look and saw he was not busily typing for his employers. Social Networks were once again chipping away at employee productivity. Ringing interrupted everything as he scrambled for the phone.
"Hello?...Oh, hey sweetie...yes, we're still on for five-thirty..." he cooed into the received.
"Is that what you're wearing?...Fine. I'll see you at Sapori D'Italia at five-thirty," and he hung up. The remaining ten minutes were taken up over online discussions of the most recent Bulldogs result. Anna experimented with going through objects, walls, doors, and even flying before he left.
She followed him to the restaurant. There he kissed a woman before they were seated at a candlelit booth.
Anna woke up and grabbed her phone.
"Michael? Come get me. And Julie. There is something at Spori D'Italia we all need to see,"
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
7. Defending Earth-Before You Go
I stared at the duffel bag. It was sitting on the bed, open and waiting to be fed more items. Idly, I ripped the threads which had decided to try and run away. Once it had been bright blue, but now seemed a faded gray. Except for the dark splotch where wine had been spilled. The zipper yawned at me as teeth, waiting to finish its meal.
Except there was nothing more. Several shirts, a couple pairs of pants, underwear, several bras, just as many airs of socks, hairbrush, soap, lotion, and shampoo was all I was taking. My shoes would rest comfortably on my feet. My sword would remain in my hands.
The sword is the reason I travel light. Weapons were provided, but eventually most soldiers had one custom built for them. The maker of my sword had looked at my almost four foot and a half height and then at the type of sword I wanted. A longsword. There had been a burst of laughter, but that quickly died as he got down to business.
Weapons are expensive. In less than six months I will have mine completely paid for. Then I'd be able to buy something other than necessary clothes and food.
"Knock knock," a voice called from my doorway. It was still my room for another ten hours. Private Nieto was framed with his arms behind his back.
"Come in," I kept the order light.
"Permission to speak frankly," he asked.
"Granted,"
"Who the hell do you think you are? Were you going to say goodbye to any of us?" the words flew from his mouth and rattled around in my skull.
"I was going to find everyone before I left in the morning. I'm packing..."
"Not anymore. Boys?" he leaned out down the hall. A rush of soldiers flooded my room and I was swept away with the current. The current turned down the halls and was soon filled with alcohol.
***Ok! Labor Day yesterday so there was no post. I know it's been kinda slow, but I'm hoping to pick up the pace this week.***
Except there was nothing more. Several shirts, a couple pairs of pants, underwear, several bras, just as many airs of socks, hairbrush, soap, lotion, and shampoo was all I was taking. My shoes would rest comfortably on my feet. My sword would remain in my hands.
The sword is the reason I travel light. Weapons were provided, but eventually most soldiers had one custom built for them. The maker of my sword had looked at my almost four foot and a half height and then at the type of sword I wanted. A longsword. There had been a burst of laughter, but that quickly died as he got down to business.
Weapons are expensive. In less than six months I will have mine completely paid for. Then I'd be able to buy something other than necessary clothes and food.
"Knock knock," a voice called from my doorway. It was still my room for another ten hours. Private Nieto was framed with his arms behind his back.
"Come in," I kept the order light.
"Permission to speak frankly," he asked.
"Granted,"
"Who the hell do you think you are? Were you going to say goodbye to any of us?" the words flew from his mouth and rattled around in my skull.
"I was going to find everyone before I left in the morning. I'm packing..."
"Not anymore. Boys?" he leaned out down the hall. A rush of soldiers flooded my room and I was swept away with the current. The current turned down the halls and was soon filled with alcohol.
***Ok! Labor Day yesterday so there was no post. I know it's been kinda slow, but I'm hoping to pick up the pace this week.***
Friday, September 2, 2011
19. The Dreamer-Return Home
Nick was waiting in her apartment. The air was crisp with only a hint of bleach. Neither the counters nor the table had dishes on them, and the dishwasher was empty. Clothes in a basket before the explosion had now been washed. After being dried, they had been folded, or hung, appropriately.
The refrigerator had also been treated as well. There was no gallon of milk which had turned solid at the top, cracked, and revealed liquid the colour of death. Peaches had been spared the fate of being devoured by white and green.
The world was a carousal and she was riding alone.
"Sorry I didn't see you earlier. I had work and class. But I'm going to take care of you for a while now, ok?" thick arms wrapped around and she was dragged to a nest of blankets. Her blankets, a bundle of warm fleece which snuggled around her. Eyes closed and she faded to sleep. A dark sleep with no dreams.
And when she awoke the world was steady. The pain was back and threatened to crush her to the ground. Stumbling out of bed, she saw a note on the table, next to her meds.
At work. Back at seven.
Nick
The refrigerator had also been treated as well. There was no gallon of milk which had turned solid at the top, cracked, and revealed liquid the colour of death. Peaches had been spared the fate of being devoured by white and green.
The world was a carousal and she was riding alone.
"Sorry I didn't see you earlier. I had work and class. But I'm going to take care of you for a while now, ok?" thick arms wrapped around and she was dragged to a nest of blankets. Her blankets, a bundle of warm fleece which snuggled around her. Eyes closed and she faded to sleep. A dark sleep with no dreams.
And when she awoke the world was steady. The pain was back and threatened to crush her to the ground. Stumbling out of bed, she saw a note on the table, next to her meds.
At work. Back at seven.
Nick
Thursday, September 1, 2011
6. Defending Earth-Transfer Orders
"Sergeant?" a little voice asked, interrupting Captain Clark. He shifted his feet and looked at his watch.
"Hi, Kimby, would you run and get us some coffee?" I asked the waif. She was the younger sister of Private Andrews. They had the same moss eyes.
Blood was washed over his eyes. She had seen it coming, seen how he moved to slowly after stunning a Peregrinie. Seen how it had fallen, crushed, and trapped Andrews beneath its bulk. She had also seen the other three Peregrinies react to the first one's fall.
The closest Peregrinie had raised its front legs to bring the two black, glittering with red, clawed hoofs directly onto Andrews skull. Instead of crushing bone, the alien found steel. My sword reached taller than I and batted the hooves away.
It responded in kind. I ducked, but not quite fast enough. The edges of the claws kissed my cheek, leaving behind a second ragged smile of blood. But soldiers had rallied around Andrews. We pressed back and allowed the strongest to lift the alien.
Andrews spent the next several weeks casted and bedridden. I was given stitches and the promise of an impressive scar. Once he was released from his bonds, he went back to training. Some people make a mistake and they die. Andrews had a second chance. It was not a mistake he would make again.
Word spread, mostly from Andrews, that Helena had saved his life. Kimby soon became Helena's second shadow. She would run errands for Helena, run errands, and practice every movement until it was just like Helena's. At night, Kimby made attempt after attempt until she too could lift a longsword.
The girl would be one of the best some day. Better than any of them were now. She will have grown with a sword in her hands.
"Do you see it?" Helena asked Captain Clark.
"I can retire in peace seeing a child like that. In fact, I have been pleased with everything I have seen thus far," he began to pat his pockets until paper crinkled.
"I have orders for you to transfer," and he handed her the wrinkled papers. They were orders for her to report with Captain Clark at the Aurora Defense Base outside of Denver.
"This is unexpected, sir," she leafed through the packet. Everything was in order. Tomorrow morning she would have to leave the place she had dared to call home.
"I'm putting a team together. We need someone with your skills and abilities," and that was the only explanation he could give her.
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