Jesse set down his work, locking eyes with Eli.
“That isn’t a bad sentiment. Sadly, that bullshit doesn’t work anymore. I may not have been born here like you two, but even before the UNR, there are records of that lying snake being involved in a number of scandals. The Crimson Angels honor the past. It’s our mission to give back to the people what they’ve lost, but we’re not going to do it through the engine of corruption that brought this country to ruin.”
To this, Eli didn’t reply and only nodded. Jesse rose from his chair and stood before the two. Every other person in the apartment seemed to form a circle around them in silence.
“All that aside, you guys did good,” Jesse congratulated, smiling at Zaneta briefly. “Because of you two and our brothers and sisters around the country the word is spreading. You’re at the final step: I will be sending your names and my reports to the man himself. Because he runs the show, it’s ultimately up to him if you’ll make the cut, but from what I’ve seen you have nothing to worry about.”
Eli was relieved, but Zaneta was on the hunt for more.
“When’s the next big play?” she asked.
“It’s going down maybe a month or so from now, and you guys will be a part of it if and when you become members,” Jesse informed them. “For now, sit back. Have a drink and smoke. Today we deserve to celebrate.”
There was cheering as beer bottles were raised in a toast and many of them patted the duo on their backs. As space was made on the couch for them, the once quiet room became rowdy, Ruby sat next to Jesse at the table. The man was back at the cleaning. Watching him work so calmly drove her to say it.
“Jesse, these two aren’t even eighteen yet. No way he’s gonna let them join.”
“Maybe, maybe not, but I’m betting he will,” he said as he polished away.
“And why’s that?”
“How old were you when they forced you to join up and made you do their dirty work? How old was I when the PSID knocked down my parents’ door?”
Ruby looked like Jesse had spat in her face, unable to reply. She moved her tattoo covered arms off the table and placed her hands on her lap. Her right hand had a series of black rings at each joint of her fingers, intertwining into an arachnid-looking creature going up that arm. Her left arm had the image of a vicious serpent.
Jesse reached over to grab a pair of cigarettes out of the pack on the table corner. He lit one up before passing one to her. Though hesitant at first, she took it.
“They’re going to be the ones leading the charge, Ruby. If people as young as them can see something wrong with this country, then we have a chance. I’m sure your boyfriend will see the value in that.”
Ruby lost the discomfort she had before. “Well, I hope to hell you’re right. And don’t do that, all right? Just don’t.”
“Whatever you say, Ruby,” Jesse said as he watched everyone else enjoying their victory.
***
August 13, 2050 - Elsa, Texas
Clint walked up behind Nick, the teenager at the front counter. The store only had three shoppers, the usual for this time of night. The employee was texting up a storm without a care in the world. And to think when I interviewed him he said his greatest strength was his work ethic. Clint balled up a flyer off the wall and chucked it at the back of Nick’s head.
It was a direct hit, the boy fumbling to put his phone away so fast he ended up dropping it.
“Mr. Duvall, sorry, I just, uh, had to text my mom back about some family stuff,” he explained.
“You sure it had nothing to do with that girl who brought you lunch? Cute girl and all, but when you’re on the clock, all I ask is that you get stuff done. Especially since Luke is gonna be here in twenty. I’m just looking out for you.”
“Luke? Wait I thought I was closing on you?”
“It’s Tuesday. I got the meeting tomorrow morning, so I’m taking my old ass to bed early.”
Nick peered at the clipboard below the counter. The checklist hadn’t even been touched.
“I’ll start bringing out the product,” he said.
“Yeah, you do that. I’ll be on the register so you can hustle,” Clint replied.
“Thank you, Mr. Duvall!”
Just then, Clint’s phone started buzzing. First, he ignored it, but the buzz kept on going. It was no text. He hated taking it out at work, but he assumed it was urgent. Looking at who was calling, he decided it couldn’t wait.
Nick had just started to open the boxes lying next to the counter to restock the shelves, but Clint put a hand on his shoulder.
“Sorry, but I gotta ask you to man the register while I take a call.”
As a sign of Providence, a couple entered the store with a shopping cart. Running in behind them were four kids, immediately taking off down the first aisle they saw. The parents paid them no mind.
“Yeah, no problem, sir,” Nick said.
He put the bag of chips back in the box. Clint heard him mutter something, but he didn’t wait any longer. As soon as he stepped out front, he saw two more missed calls. He quickly called back.
“Julissa, what’s wrong?”
He listened in.
“You’re here? Hold on, okay?”
***
It turned out Julissa had parked around the back of the store in the employee parking lot. As Clint paced hurriedly through the store, he saw out of the corner of his eye that a whole gallon of milk had been spilled on aisle six. The sound of children laughing and adults yelling was drowned out. All he could hear was the fear in Julissa’s voice.
Once more he was outside, now behind his shop. There under a light pole was her truck, and Julissa stood beside it. As he walked up to her, he saw her frightened face. That alone gave him chills. He couldn’t recall ever seeing her like this. What could be so bad she couldn’t even say it over the phone?
“Are you okay? What happened?” he asked.
His first guess was something happening to that druggie brother of hers. He blew through his chances without a damn. While still hoping for the best, he hoped it was him as opposed to it being something regarding Zaneta.
Julissa offered no answer and instead handed her phone to Clint. He read the text she had opened for him.
Mrs. Marconi, I have news about your husband. Do NOT contact anyone concerning this message, not authorities or even family. I would like for us to meet face-to-face and I am willing even to let you pick the time and place. Before we go any further, I need to know if you are interested. Reply by midnight.
Received 7:00 PM
It was short but raised a whole of a barrage of questions. The worst part of it all was that the text had come from some area code he did not recognize. Probably from a disposable phone, anyway.
“Any idea who sent this?” Clint asked after rereading it.
“Not a clue. So far I haven’t told anyone but you.”
Clint rubbed his jaw. “Tell me you’re not fixin’ to respond to this.”
“Clint, this could be something. I know how it looks, but how can I not act on this?”
“We’ve both seen a lot of bad shit happen to people, most of it done in plain sight on the streets. Do you want to take the chance?”
“For Will, yes,” she said. The fear wasn’t on her face anymore. He knew this face. The face of cold determination.
“I see,” Clint said. “You didn’t show me this to try and stop you. You want backup.”
“I’ll be bringing heat myself, but if I had an extra set of eyes, it’d be much appreciated.”
“You gonna tell Zaneta what you’re up to?”
“No, not yet.”
“Jesus, Julie,” Clint said. The phone was still in his hands. If he wanted to he could reply fuck off or just delete it altogether. He was doubtful she’d remember the number, and hopefully, they’d never hear from it again. Seeing that light in her eyes convinced him not to go through with it.
Clint handed the phone back to her. “Your move.”<
br />
“Thank you, Clint. I owe you.”
“Damn right you do. In fact, tomorrow I want your ass at that meeting. Deal?”
“I’ll be there,” she agreed.
He sighed. “Go on. Send it.”
A week from now. 1 PM @ Pleasure Pier, Galveston. We meet in front of Galaxy Wheel
Chapter 7- Hope
March 25, 2033 – Pleasure Pier, Galveston, TX
“Not as tall as Texas Star but it’s still awesome, isn’t it?” Will said. Julissa sat next to him as they rose higher and higher.
“I’m a sucker for a nice view, you know that,” she replied.
The Ferris wheel stopped just as they were at the very top. Before them was Galveston: the entirety of Pleasure Pier, beyond that the beach and finally the lit-up city. The first signs of the evening were coming in fast, but there was still plenty of light left. The wind was caressing and warm, playfully blowing through Julissa’s black hair.
Even with all that splendor to take in, the sight brought a strange noise to her ears: helicopter blades. She was briefly back in the chopper that approached the city of death. When her hand began to shake, she felt Will take it. It was a remedy she’d already become addicted to.
“Thank you for this, Will. I couldn’t have asked for a better return home,” she said. Julissa looked at Will, but he didn’t look like he was enjoying himself. Is he nervous? It was confirmed when she felt his hand shaking.
“Will, are you okay?”
Will didn’t answer. He stopped gripping her hand and broke eye contact with her.
“Yeah, I’m fine, Julie. Having you back here made it dawn on me: I don’t think I could live without you. You make me laugh, you kick me in the ass when I need it, and you turn the shittiest of days into the best ones. You’re the strongest person I know, and you’re also the kindest. That’s why I decided today would be the day.”
Will pulled a small dark blue box out of his pocket. Julissa’s heart trembled.
“Julissa Ann Davis, would you do me the honor of marrying me?”
Julissa stared in sheer disbelief. Inside that box was a small ring, but even with those tiny diamonds, it shimmered beautifully in the dying sunlight. Tears ran down her cheeks. This must be a dream. She looked from the ring to Will’s face, and that’s when she knew this was no reverie. It was heaven made real.
“Yes, Will, yes!”
Their lips came together as Galaxy Wheel began to move downward again. With their fingers intertwined, neither of their hands shook. Their skin tingled as goosebumps covered every inch of their bodies. The sun was dipping as the lights of the city became all the brighter. Down below there was the sound of hundreds of people on the pier, but Julissa heard none of it. Neither did Will. All they saw and heard was each other, each consuming the other’s world. It was a sensation they couldn’t describe, but they knew its warmth and cherished it.
***
August 20, 2050
Pleasure Pier was as crowded as ever. Couples and rowdy children were anywhere Julissa turned her head. She was all by her lonesome next to the Brew Station, and across from it was Galaxy Wheel. For midday in August, the lines were grotesquely long. Staring at that line, she saw countless couples. Some were young, teenagers most likely, while others had grown old together. I wonder just how nervous Will was while we waited for line. A pair of kids darted past and behind them was the father with a little girl on his shoulders. Together they made their way to the very edge of the pier, observing the calm waves.
The little girl pointed out at them and giggled. One of her brothers claimed he spotted a dolphin or something of the sort.
Daddy! Mommy! Look, look! You see it?! You see it?! Zaneta’s wild screams and pointing hadn’t been sugar-fueled that day. All three of them and the rest of the pier had been treated to a pod of dolphins that wondrous day. She highly doubted there was one there today considering their rarity.
“Mrs. Marconi?”
Julissa whirled around to see an old man in khaki pants and a button up. He also wore an expensive-looking book bag. Standing beside him though was a young blond man, not even in his thirties. He wore shorts, boat shoes, and a plain white T-shirt. Julissa said no greeting, prompting the old man to speak again.
“Hello, I’m Robert Neeson. I’m the one who wanted to meet with you.”
He offered a hand, which she accepted, but his grip was severely lacking. Already she was skeptical.
“And who’s the kid?” she questioned.
The blond was insulted, allowing Neeson to speak for him.
“This is Captain Joseph Halsey. He’s a friend of my family. You don’t have to worry about him.”
“I’m far from worried,” Julissa snapped back.
Halsey was peering at the holster the woman wore on her hip. The gun was large, and she kept her hand close to it.
“If you need a drink to calm your nerves, I’ll gladly buy. I’ll reach for my wallet nice and slow, okay?” he laughed.
Julissa kept her distance, now focusing on the captain. “No, I’m fine.”
Halsey looked at him, toward the beach.
“What about one for your friend? He looks like a domestic type of guy.”
That unsettled Julissa and Neeson both.
“You brought someone?” the doctor asked.
“Same reason you did, I suppose.”
“Not exactly,” Halsey said.
“Mrs. Marconi, I know the whole situation seems strange. I know we haven’t earned your trust yet either. Please, give us a chance to do so.”
Julissa slowly took her eyes off Halsey, bringing them to Neeson again. “I can agree to that.”
“Good, good. Come, I’ve reserved a private spot for us down on the dock,” Neeson said. He began to move toward the stairs. Neither Julissa nor Halsey moved an inch on that wood. Joe was sure at this point she’d ask him to stay behind.
“You offered, so I’m calling you on it: I want a tall beer. Blue Moon with an orange slice.”
Halsey was taken aback, but he smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”
On the beach, Clint sat in a chair using his phone to canvas the pier. He zoomed in to see the three people on the move.
***
The private docks were small spaces at the very end of Pleasure Pier. In the past, the dock here had been a stretch of vertical wood with not much on it. Since the 2020s, it had been elongated into a series of ‘private sections’ that had been added like teeth on a comb. Each of these sections came complete with a table and four chairs, an umbrella, and a dazzling view of the ocean. Most importantly, between each of these areas, was had a decent amount of space. Sure, they could hear the next group over, but that was to be expected from a group of drunken college kids.
Halsey and Julissa both had a beer while Neeson only had smoke. The only one he had was while he waited for them to arrive with their drinks. Ever since then he sat in his chair with obvious anxiety, but he refused to have another. Not in his presence.
“So,” Julissa started off, “I get to meet the Doctor Robert Neeson. I remember seeing you on TV for a few interviews back when this cyborg phenomenon started. I’m guessing I have you to thank for this.”
Dr. Neeson couldn’t meet her eyes at such a declaration.
“Yes, WP-II was a project that had been started during President Howard’s first term, but it wasn’t until Venloran that it finally came to fruition. I was the one who finally made it happen.”
“You’re one of Venloran’s all-stars, but I have a feeling this isn’t a meeting sanctioned by the man himself.”
“Hence the discretion,” Neeson replied. “But recent incidents have led me to this.”
“Just the recent, huh?” Julissa remarked. Even Halsey looked away on that one.
“Being a part of the victory in 2046 had convinced me I was doing right by the people. The Hollow Wars had been dragging on for over a decade before the SSF. For once, we felt on top again. I once thought all that was sacrific
ed to attain that victory was justified.”
“And Will was one of your sacrifices, I take it. Your message said you had news regarding my husband. Let’s hear it.”
Her bluntness was startling, but for this Neeson could not look away. He’d cowered for too long to do so now, “Ma’am; Will is currently in active service again.”
“He’s awake? Since when? Why didn’t the Chancellor notify me?!”
Joseph saw the shock build into anger as Neeson retrieved the same portfolio from the last time they’d met. The heavy stack of documents was set down on the table. He pushed it toward Julissa.
“This has everything you need to know.”
Julissa pried it toward her as if it was a long-lost family heirloom, but she kept her sight fixed on Neeson.
“I bet it does, Doctor, but I came all the way out here so I want to hear you talk right now. You’re not gonna just drop these papers off and walk away. If that’s how you thought this was going down, then you’re in for a rude awakening.”
“Yes, you deserve nothing less,” Neeson stammered. “Will was one of the First Fifty. He’d been fighting since ’45. After the war, he was deemed unfit for combat and put in hibernation. He has only recently been reactivated.”
“You used him like a piece of fucking equipment,” Julissa growled. Halsey saw her fist ball up; her hand, in fact, shaking.
“Why weren’t we allowed to see him? Why the bullshit cover story?!”
“Several of the First Fifty suffered mental defects after the procedure. One of the worst seen in many were worsened PTSD symptoms, and in some of the most extreme cases there was severe memory damage. Your husband Will was one of those specimens.”
Oh god, Robert. Halsey saw one of Julissa’s hands go under the table. He couldn’t see it, but he was sure as shit her hand had gone to that holster. By now she was beyond talking. She was crying, but her face was so contorted by rage he was feeling more fright than pity.
“Mrs. Marconi, don’t,” Halsey said gently.
“Tell me why I shouldn’t. He obviously didn’t see any value in Will’s life, so I don’t see why right now should be any different.”
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