by Marc Mulero
Milos didn't respond. He tried to process what she was saying. He stood up straight, hoping that this is what she wanted from him.
He's not giving up. Maybe this kid can make it.
Lesh grabbed him by the hair and jerked him forward. She took a knife out of the bottom side of her ring and sliced Milos’ shackles right down the middle.
"Defend yourself, Milos. Do you still have life in you?" she asked.
Milos nodded timidly. Lesh faked a punch to his face and he flinched. She then swept his legs from under him.
"Milos," Lesh said as she rose from her kick, "I asked you if you still have life in you."
Milos got up again, this time a little bit faster. He put his fists up; the severed shackles rattled as he moved his arms. Lesh threw a punch, holding back force. Milos used both of his arms to block the incoming punch. Lesh's hair swung with her, as she curtailed her strength and her speed, but put enough force into her strikes to cause some pain. Milos found himself face down on the floor again.
"Dwelling again, Milos? That's all you're communicating to me with your body," Lesh said, dropping her fists to her side.
Milos jumped up again, his face looking more determined this time. He put his fists up and charged Lesh. She side stepped his punch and tripped him.
"Get up you fool," Lesh said, taunting him, "How are you going to save your friends if you’re on the floor?"
An image of his mother being shot flashed through his mind. Milos jumped up, this time with rage. The small Cryos mark on his arm began to shine. He charged Lesh while swinging frantically, just to be tripped down and kicked again.
"Don't you see?" Lesh asked. "It doesn't matter if you're dwelling in sadness or boiling with rage. You have no control over either. Your body is reacting to your emotions. You'll never land a blow in this state. Get up and show me that you're not a ball of useless energy."
Although Milos was conflicted, he kept getting up. His rage didn't allow him to feel any pain, but it also made him predictable. He continuously charged Lesh, slamming onto the floor after every attempt.
"You're going to make the same mistakes every time, until you maintain some control," Lesh said.
He began to tire after an hour of endless bruising. It was only at the point of exhaustion when he started to realize that Lesh was right. He was beginning to think clearly again, but he lost all of his furious energy. Milos breathed heavily, as sweat dripped down his face, but he kept his fists up and his head focused.
Eugene laid still as Narene redressed his wounds on one of the medical tables. The doctors and nurses were running on very little sleep, but were finally able to address the needs of the less critical patients. The more critical cases were either stabilized or failed at this point. Narene's tired eyes still had a glimmer of light in them. She artfully performed her job, never letting her smile escape her face.
"I'm so happy you're safe," Narene exclaimed to Eugene.
"It was a close call up there. I lost good men," Eugene said as the scene replayed in his head. He sighed when he thought of Briggs, who was probably the closest with Eugene.
"I know you're suffering, but you're not alone," Narene said smiling. Her nose ring glimmered in the makeshift hospital’s fluorescent white light, shining in Eugene's face.
I feel guilty being with Narene, but she is great. Maybe it's time I let myself feel again.
Eugene reached for her hand. She stopped what she was doing and held it for a moment. Flashes of Jen's beautiful smile and squinted eyes rushed through his head, conflicting with the image in front of him. Narene leaned in and gave Eugene a passionate kiss. One of the doctors walked past the room with bloody gloves held away from his scrubs. He looked over and smiled through his mask, then coughed loudly so that Narene would hear. Narene pulled back and smiled bashfully at the doctor. She looked back to Eugene, who awkwardly smiled back at her.
"I'm going to get some rest now if that's alright, Narene," he requested politely.
"Sure," Narene said while she finished dressing his wounds. "Hopefully my shift will wind down sometime tonight. I'll see you later?" she asked.
Eugene smiled and nodded at her. She smiled back and walked out of the room to tend to her next patient.
I'm getting sick of this war, even though it seems to be tipping in our favor. The Sins are still looked at as discarded fodder and most of us outside of these walls believe that. I don’t know though, I have to give Blague some credit. He’s making some powerful strides. I guess patience is only my strong point on the battlefield.
Eugene looked at the Cryos mark on his arm. The line where the bullet grazed him didn't affect his mark.
This mark is a constant reminder of that nightmare. Eugene put his arms behind his head. Who am I kidding? I just lost two junior snipers that I've been training for months and one of my closest friends. This hell continues on.
"Eu," Blague said through the radio, "one hour until burial. Bring the boy."
Eugene sighed as he picked up his radio, "Copy.”
Blague looked up at the sun that was beginning to set. He stood with one foot on the base of his shovel. Briggs' body was covered with a large white cloth, rippling in the wind.
I didn't anticipate Mulderan paying us a visit so soon. His spying on my debate with Jeck must have escalated the threat in his mind. He witnessed with his own eyes the momentum this group has gained.
Blague looked down at his shovel as his hair fluttered in the wind. A flash of light in his head gave him the goosebumps. Moments later, he was enveloped in thought.
His wife was being escorted by a shadowed figure. Her head was down, stunned that the man in front of her was dead set on going through with the process.
"Mulderan Grenich," she said slowly, "may you live forever with these horrors that you've caused."
Mulderan turned around, the shadow of him faded; his face was now clear in Blague's mind. He lifted Elaina's chin with his gloved fingers. Mulderan stared into her eyes, with his defined and emotionless face. "Your DNA is of the rarest on this planet. You're going to directly contribute to the survival of our race, whether you can comprehend your value or not."
She looked back at him. Her features were beautiful, but her eyes reflected despair. "It's funny what power can do to a person. You were always on the brink of madness, but now you've hopped over the edge," Elaina said. "Why don't you sacrifice yourself for your grand cause?"
Mulderan let out a laugh, "I gladly will when the time is right. But for now, I have to ensure that our survival is guaranteed."
"You've never sounded so lost," Elaina said.
Mulderan turned back around and signaled for her escorts to continue. "I won't forget you, Elaina, and neither will your partner."
Blague's eyes opened wide, feeling like he was slapped in the face. "These visions are odd," Blague said to himself. "It's as if I'm piecing together the events leading up to her extraction. Events that I wasn’t even there to witness."
Blague shook his head then looked up to see Eugene, Kentin, Sabin, and Mars making their way over the rocks. Kentin's head was up high as he conversed with the others. Blague put his hand up to say hello.
Everyone reacts differently to traumatic situations; this kid is a clear reflection of that.
As Kentin arrived, Blague knelt down and put his heavy hand on Kentin’s shoulder. "I'm sorry, Kentin. I would have taken those bullets for your father if I could have."
Kentin teared up, looking at the cloth spread over the huge man. "I want to be strong and I want him to be proud of me, no matter where he is right now," Kentin said.
Blague nodded and stood up. He handed Kentin a small shovel, "We will help you achieve that goal."
Sabin pet Mars and then tapped the wolf to go stand by Kentin’s side. Kentin grabbed the shovel, then turned to pet the wolf who cried, feeling the boy's sorrow. They all began to dig.
"When I finally made it to the main floor, I saw the fighters pushing the Hiezer's up the s
tairs to the roof, unloading a storm of bullets at their shields," Sabin said while digging. "I watched Mulderan walk away, as if nothing was happening around him. That man changed since I last remember him. He shows no fear," Sabin finished.
Eugene looked up, "I watched him deploy onto the roof as Lito carried me down the stairs. He saw how few of us were left and just pointed to the squad trailing him to clean up the mess. He has a very odd and ruthless demeanor, so I would have to agree. I didn't know you knew him too?" Eugene added.
Blague looked up, staring at the two of them in a daze, his thoughts racing. "The man you saw is a finished product," Blague began. "He was in the making for a very long time. His father, Orin Grenich, was the creator of the Hiezer initiative after the Global Quake. He was a strategic mind who came from an old way of thought. He wanted to help people and make the world a better place. So he created the Hiezers from a broad sea of contacts. He was the CEO of a large company at the time, which enabled him to extend his reach on an international scale to stop the chaos that the world was rapidly succumbing to," Blague said, recalling the chain of events.
Kentin listened intently, as did Eugene. Sabin continued digging, well aware of the Hiezer history.
"When I was on sniper patrol in my past life, I used to hear of the Grenich name, but I was so far removed from upper leadership that it meant nothing at that time," Eugene said.
"Yes, Orin was not a man known to boast or broadcast," Blague responded, "Mulderan naturally inherited his position as a highlord."
Eugene nodded, breaking from the digging to listen.
Sabin slammed his shovel into the sand and gravel, "There was always something off with him, Blague. Everyone knew it deep down."
Blague stared at Sabin, "That’s true because he never responded to emotional events and he always took a calculative approach, starting with the big picture, the “greatest good.” That thought process made it almost impossible to relate with him on a personal level," Blague continued.
"How well did you know him?" Eugene questioned.
Blague waved that question away. "I only knew forms of him," Blague answered vaguely. "The worst of which was created the day he scrutinized a decision made by his father. The decision to stop the research of Ayelan, once Orin got wind of a psychotic scientist making significant progress through human experimentation. Mulderan believed cutting off that momentum would significantly hinder the needed progress for the Hiezers. After the decision, he worked closely and secretively with the scientists to complete the Ayelan injection. Once Mulderan was comfortable with his accomplishment, he called a surprise meeting with the highlords to display his achievement and prove that his father's leadership was counterproductive. Ultimately, he wanted to prove that his father was unfit to lead. The highlords, mostly in shock, realized the capabilities of the unique man presenting in front of them. Mulderan took control of the Hiezers and condemned his father to death," Blague finished.
Eugene looked at Blague with confusion, "How did he assume such power so easily?" Eugene asked.
"From what I heard, it wasn't done overnight. It was a six day meeting consisting of scientific human displays and Mulderan's persistence. His father was disgusted with him. Orin’s skills in rhetoric were hindered by the audacity of his son. The result of that meeting was the birth of a monster. The current state of this world is a result of his perseverance," Blague said.
Eugene had trouble digesting the information.
"We have to stay sharp," Blague said to everyone, "We pushed Mulderan back for now, but I'm sure he's planning our demise."
"We won't let that happen, Blague. Don't talk the bastard up too much," Sabin said smirking, "Besides, it's much more fun to root for the underdog."
Blague gave a half smirk, "You're right, Sabin. I shouldn't underestimate our movement. We're fighting for something far greater than domination and preservation. We're fighting for hope, which is something Mulderan has no concept of."
Eugene sighed. "Well don't be too optimistic either," he said as he motioned toward Briggs' body with a nod.
Blague turned to look at Eugene with his green piercing eyes, "Briggs definitely would want us to be optimistic, Eugene. Why don't you help us keep his spirit alive?"
Eugene looked down and continued digging, as did the rest of them. After fifteen more minutes of labor, they carefully lowered Briggs' body into the pit. Kentin helped cover him. His eyes were filled with tears.
"I'll miss you, dad," he said in a scratchy, exhausted voice. He pounded his chest, "I'm going to be strong for you."
Eugene knelt down and put an arm around Kentin. "Don't ever forget him, Kentin. I know I won't. He loves you with all of his being, wherever he is," Eugene finished.
Kentin nodded and wiped his eyes. Blague looked down at the grave. They all proceeded to say goodbye in their own way. Blague then slammed a wooden stick down and carved a “B” in it.
"We'll make this a stone grave one day soon, once we're more established," Blague said.
Kentin didn't fully understand, but he said "Thank you" anyway.
"Gran jefe," Blague's radio sounded.
"Yes, Lito, what is it?" Blague responded.
"I think you should come see this. Meet me at the breach point," Lito said.
"All commanders, meet with Lito," Blague broadcasted.
Blague and his crew walked to the breach point, where people were being held back by the fighters. Once Blague had a clear visual, he slowed down his walk.
As anticipated, the word has spread.
"There must be a thousand Sins," Drino said.
Blague turned to his commanders, "We need builders and a new head screener. This is now a Sin fortress. Protect it with your lives."
Chapter 13
"Four months have passed since the battle," Drino shouted, his voice echoing amongst eighty cadets.
The training room was the size of a school auditorium. A golden Hiezer symbol flowed to the center point of the ceiling. Stone floors and walls surrounded them. Drino paced up and down the rows, inspecting his new cadets with a grim expression. His Cryos mark was shimmering, as his sleeveless shirt served as a good source of intimidation, exposing his white muscular arms. Drino had two squad mates assisting him, disciplining the new fighters.
"It could be any moment," Drino yelled as he inspected the cadets. "Any moment when we're stormed again. Or worse yet." He spun to look a cadet in the eye, "A mole could already be in our home, trying to murder your family. And you stand here, useless to our cause. Waiting for someone to protect you," he said waving his hand with disgust. He spit on the floor, "Is that the contribution that you want to make?"
"No sir!" the room echoed.
Drino walked over to a cadet, "What's your name, soldier?"
"Chella," she shouted.
"Do you want to protect your family, Chella?"
"I lost my family, sir!" Chella replied.
Drino paused for a moment. "Then what do you fight for?"
"A better life!" she screamed.
Drino stood up straight. His scars creased as a smirk crept up his face. He nodded at Chella and continued marching slowly down the rows. "You, what's your name?" Drino yelled.
"Oscin, sir!" he screamed.
"Oscin, do you want to learn how to protect our home?"
Oscin looked at Drino with a sarcastic grin on his face. "I know how to fight, sir," Oscin replied.
As soon as the word ‘sir’ slipped from Oscin's lips, the back of Drino's hand connected with his face. As the cadet’s face jerked toward the floor, he spit out a little bit of blood. Drino yanked him by the collar, lifting his feet off the ground, pulling him toward his face. Drino's strong features and strictly combed blonde hair distinguished him from the rest of the people in the room.
"Don't get smart with me again, boy," he said in a harsh whisper.
Oscin nodded, even though he was angry and embarrassed. Oscin was sloppily unshaven; he had black messy hair and looked like he
just rolled out of bed. He was also one skipped meal away from being stick thin. He was not an ideal candidate for a fighter position.
“And you reek of alcohol. Shape up or get out,” Drino said as he released him from his grip. “Cadets!” Drino yelled as he walked toward the front of the training room, “I'm through with speaking to useless Sins. So let's change that fact right now. Get into formations and prepare for training!”
It was a beautiful day in Senation. Sabin slammed the dice onto the table, watching them tumble with an ear to ear smile across his face. Lesh stood, leaning against the wall behind Sabin, watching the breach point for any trouble. The dice landed two sixes. Sabin hit the table and laughed. He pointed at Lito and laughed again, then he turned to Mars to pet the top of his head with excitement. Lito scratched his mohawk, upset from losing, but couldn’t help but join in on Sabin’s infectious laughter. Lesh looked over at the two commanders and the surrounding fighters and rolled her eyes.
Sabin looked back at Lesh, “Ah c’mon, have a little fun!” he joked.
Lesh smirked at him, “You're an idiot.”
Sabin waved his hand at her, and then he extended his half cloaked arm to Lito, “Pay up, buddy.”
Lito blew him a sarcastic air kiss and flipped two coins over to him. Sabin sat back, with his freshly trimmed black and white beard and his golden eyes that were full of life. Just then, Mars barked. Sabin hit the table with his knee as he rose quickly from his seat. Lesh tensed up and reached for the binoculars on the table. She saw the fighters guarding the breach point holding their hands forward, not allowing three people to pass.
“Looks like we've got some trouble,” Sabin said.
Lesh picked up the radio, “Blague, you should make your way to the front entrance. We may have intruders.”
“On my way,” a calm tone responded.
Sabin and Mars charged toward the breach point, running on the strip of pavement that was recently renovated. As they approached the point, Sabin noticed the fighters guarding the entrance in a defensive position.
