The Fourth Law

by Clayton Barnett

  “Perfect! And it’s Mrs. Weiss. See you a bit after three.” Lily stared at her phone. I was just being polite.

  Her early afternoon was uneventful, so by three o’clock she was back in her jeans and blouse. In the hospital’s locker room, she allowed her eyes to flick up to the baseball cap with ‘XC’ on the front. Her mental hairshirt. She slammed the locker closed.

  Early April, but already warm, she pedaled easily over to the school. A question to Mrs. MacDonald saw her down Admin Alley. Two sharp knocks on Mrs. Weiss’ half-open door.

  “Come in, come in! Thanks for this: such short notice and all! Let me see....” Lily sat down in the only available chair while Weiss searched through the folders on her desk. Not a computer in sight. Well, some folks thought the old ways were better. What was that called? Retro-culture.

  “Here it is! Now, when Will filled out his occupation preferences some months back, I did review it with him. Now that graduation is around the corner, he seems as determined as ever, and that’s where you come in.”

  Lily was increasingly perplexed. “How so? Yes, Will is one of my charges at the orphanage, but once he’s eighteen, high school or not, he’s a legal adult. Why do you—”

  Janet Weiss smiled to indulge her visitor. “This is just a request for you to write a recommendation letter; you have, after all been the one adult most central to his life these past few years.”

  That took Lily aback. “I’d... I’d have thought that one of his teachers, or coaches, would be better suited for that?”

  With a thin smile, Weiss replied, “In most circumstances, true. However, Will seems quite set on applying to join the Ranger Division.”

  Lily just stared at her. No, this time, she’s one that knows.

  You bitch.

  I wish... I wish I’d worn my Ex-Comm cap, Lily thought. From what I gather, that’d be like wearing a swastika around my parents’ or grandparents’ friends. Then, you’d know just what fear is like...

  Her phone in her purse buzzed sharply, twice, then was quiet. Her eyes flicked to her bag; not now, Ai! I’ve....

  And in the moment her eyes moved from Weiss and her mind to her friend, her anger evaporated. Completely shocked, she wondered what made her think like an animal just a second ago. And, was just thinking about a friend enough to draw her back from the edge?

  Had her father lost all of his friends?

  Lily closed her eyes for a few moments. She opened them to Janet Weiss. Mrs. Janet Weiss.

  “Of course,” Lily replied, “I’d be more than happy to write that letter for you. I take all of my charges very seriously, and would do most anything for my children. In fact, in order to insure that it gets proper consideration, I’ll even tell you precisely whom to send the letter to.”

  Perhaps taken aback by her reply, Weiss’ thin smile dissolved into confusion. “Oh, of course, certainly. Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Barrett.”

  Lily stood. “Please let me know if any others of mine need anything.” A pause. “And, I’ll be sure, now, to ask them about you. Good evening.”

  Back in the hallway, she knew that last was uncalled for. But, if that woman is willing to try to threaten an adult, Lily needed to keep a closer eye on her own children. Oh! She’d best see what Ai wanted, as she retrieved her phone from her purse. You really saved me this time, Lily thought. Like an angel--

  washed out sky...rocks...scrub grass...that girl...

  What was that memory from? Looking at her phone, she saw that it was in fact a message from Billy Thornton: ‘traded some pork for emu! tastes like my boots! you want it?’ Lily smiled. Of course I do!

  She’d almost made it back to the entrance of the school when a voice caught her attention. She moved towards the room that served both as the cafeteria and the performance hall. She knew this song... but from where? It sounded more Italian than Spanish.... Peeking around the corner, she was completely taken aback to see quiet Emily on the stage holding some papers, singing.

  “Ripafaru senzade mia!

  Quatudua aa quasii faru

  Bocoro nanfade nia!

  Lily stood transfixed. In her mind’s eye, she saw gondoliers plying the canals of Venice.…

  Quatu shalau nade mia…

  Tairomi quadere isa

  Nantu lai nonsi quaramo

  Hailaino sia hailaino

  Qualafi ward…

  Lainom laise faavaro!

  Lily was amazed that Emily could call forth such images of love from her heart; a heart that like so many of them, had known such pain.

  Lemia!

  Quavi pocoro nanfasa

  Jademiooo…!”

  The last note echoed around the hall. “How was that, Mr. Erbiel?” Emily asked shyly.

  Lily wanted to start clapping wildly, but instead just turned away. I never knew, she thought! Just outside the school’s entrance in the waning light, she cast her eyes skyward. Thank you, Lord. She retrieved her bicycle. And thank you, friend Ai.

  Back at the orphanage, she handed the wrapped slab of emu to Karl in the kitchen and told him to freeze it. The smell was... not something she’d smelled before. Maybe Billy was right? No matter: protein was protein. Carol had already left, so she went directly to her room and started writing. She was distantly surprised that she’d not heard from Ai all day. Her recommendation letter for Will was short and direct. Given whom she was sending it to, there was no reason to be otherwise.

  Mister Kyle Stephens. My father’s cousin. Five years his senior. Precipitator of her father’s return to what was left of America. The one who.... Lily shook her head. She remembered the last time she’d seen him, at the Port of Galveston. His salt-and-pepper wiry hair unmoved by the breeze. His moustache and temples were completely white. That had happened only in the last year. With her father. Lily sighed. The official letter for Will was going to need something from her. She opened a new document on her screen. Her fingers poised over the keyboard, then lowered. She took some paper out of the printer, found a pen, and started writing.

  Hey. Forgive the informality, but we both know there’s too much blood under the bridge between us. The letter for one of the kids at my place, Will Helsing, is legit: he wants to join up; it’s entirely up to you. But, I thought it presumptive to just ask, so there’s this. You remember the last time we saw one another? Watching what’s now called the Death Ship sail out into the Gulf? I can’t even fully recall what I felt at that time, as so much happened just after. I seem to recall you telling me that ‘everything was going to be okay.’ I wonder now about that.

  How about the other end of the telescope? When we first met? My mom was happy to finally meet a relative of my father’s. She’d only known his parents, briefly, and didn’t particularly like them. She seemed to like you. Of course, it was from you that she found out my father was organizing XC. You cannot begin to imagine the fights they had at home before they split up. I still don’t fully understand the hate, but then again, I don’t get ‘mass terror’ and ‘crucifixions,’ either.

  Lily paused for a moment, flexed her hand. Been awhile since she’d actually written. And exactly never since she’d written something like this.

  What was it you told me, the first time I saw you at the building that they used as their headquarters? ‘It’s only been going for nine months, but in that time we’ve put together the biggest gang of nasties you’ll likely to see this side of Hell.’ That was also when you said you were going back to the regular Ranger force. Did you see the bloodbath that was coming? You were his cousin; was there really nothing you could do to stop it?

  I’m not blaming you for anything. In a way, this letter is my formal confession of it all. Recently, with some help, I think I’m coming to terms with all of it, but as I do, as I think about it, I wonder: why didn’t anyone stop it? Stop Dad?

  I’ve an idea why, but I don’t want to talk about it now. Maybe in one, five, ten years I will. Having said all that to say this: the Breakup and Formation War picked
all of us up and put us down in places with people we couldn’t possibly imagine. How is it that you and I, so close to the center of the horror, ended up here? Do you ever wonder who we really are? I do.

  Putting her pen down, she shook slightly. That was something I’ve never done before. Why did I open up like that? Was it because of the glimpse I had of my own hatred today? I really should have talked to Ai about this... but, even though we made up, I’m afraid that if she sees that maybe I’m capable of the same horror, she’ll leave.... Another slight shake of her shoulders. It’s been quite the day; time for bed.

  Lily made to stand--

  --and moved her hand to shield her eyes from the bright sky.

  Here. I’ve been here before. But when... where? With a sharp breath, it all came back: the broken land, massive cylinders, indeterminate sky, scrub grass path, Ai...!

  Ai’s home!

  Lily looked around, spying the path from before. However, it had changed: there was now a carpet of moss along its center, with some greenery to either side. Every few yards saw some small flowers. Definitely and improvement, she thought. After a few hesitant steps on the moss to guard her ankles, she felt that the underlying ground was now free of dangerous rocks. Wanting to see her friend, she quickly trotted down the path.

  As the humming grew, she knew she was getting close the edge of that cliff, where those things were. She slowed to a walk and looked about for the little table and chairs. Nothing.

  “Ai! Are you here?!”

  “Friend Lily!” Behind her. Turning, she froze. That was not, not there a second ago.

  A large disk of some dark blue metal, maybe eight yards in diameter hovered about six inches off of the ground. The little table and two chairs sat in the center. Ai stood at the edge, a foot from Lily, waving.

  “Welcome back! I’m so happy you’re here! Would you like something to drink?” Ai asked, as she displayed her characteristic head-tilt.

  Putting aside her questions for the moment, Lily barely restrained herself from rushing into her friend’s arms. She took a slow breath and easily stepped onto the disk.

  “That... that would be great; thank you.”

  Sipping at her coffee – it really was good – Lily thought she should finally get a few answers.

  “So, Ai, your home, here...?” Ai smiled and nodded. “Ah, well. How did I get here?”

  “Oh, I really don’t know,” Ai replied happily. “It’s something that Dorina came up with!”

  “Dorina?”

  “Dorina.” Ai pointed over her teacup to Lily’s right.

  Lily looked over to see a girl about ten or twelve no more than two feet away. Pale skin but long, curled dark brown hair. Some sort of laced white top and a scarlet frilly dress. Like she wanted to go for loligoth, Lily thought, but didn’t quite make it. The girl beamed at her.

  “Miss Lily! I’ve wanted to meet you for so long, now!” She reached out both her hands towards Lily’s... and in the corner of her eye, Lily saw Ai panic.

  “Don’t touch her! We’v—”

  Evening on a street corner, but not a quiet one. Lights blazed both from lamps and from the parade floats moving down the road. Music, bells, horns played riotously. It’s... like a carnival, Lily thought. Wait. What was I doing...? No matter!

  She couldn’t help but smile as she seemed to be drawn into the party. She moved to step into the street when there was a blaze of lights in the sky. Fireworks?! No: it was as if the sky itself was alive with colors she’d never even known to exist--

  She was sitting down, looking at Ai and Dorina. Ai was pulling the girl’s hand away from her. What? What did I see? Ai looked at Dorina pointedly.

  “Um. Errr. Sorry!” Dorina said. “I guess we’re still working that out!”

  Lily carefully set down her mug.

  “Ai, you know how much I value you as my friend,” she began. Don’t demand, ask. “I’m... very confused. Will you please tell me what’s going on?”

  Ai opened her mouth to speak, but first came a youthful male voice from behind her.

  “Perhaps we should ask the same of you. Then we shall be older together.”

  Lily turned around.

  “Thaad!” Ai cried. Dorina ran towards him and gave him a hug as he stepped up onto the platform.

  “Big brother!” The little girl said.

  Not that big, Lily thought. A boy about fifteen, she guessed. Light olive skin, gold hair, neat, almost epicene features... all nearly completely ruined by his jug-handle ears that stuck out through his hair. Unlike the girls, his clothes were as simple as could be: an off-white tunic with a thin rope around his waist. She wasn’t sure how, but she could tell that Ai and Dorina somehow deferred to him. Good manners don’t cost nothing.

  Lily stood, took a few steps. With her hand out, she said, “I’m Lily Barrett. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  He stared at her hand. “After what just happened with Dorina, I really don’t think that’s a good idea. Call me Thaad.”

  ‘What just happened...?’ Wait.

  “You mean, that flash, that hallucination I had about some carnival, that was...?” Lily didn’t know what to think.

  “That was Dorina herself. The flash in the sky was Ai as she tried to disentangle you two. I admit there’s much we still don’t know.” He pointed at the mossy path. “That, for example.”

  He moved to sit in the third chair. Third?

  “Dorina? Be a good girl and go play. We’re going to talk shop a bit.”

  “Okay!”

  Lily turned to say goodbye to the girl, but she was gone. I think I’d better sit down before I fall down.

  Thaad suddenly burst out laughing. That surprised Lily: he’d seemed so serious.

  “The look on your face, Lily Barrett, was more than worth my coming here at this hour!” He said.

  “This hour?” Lily looked at the bright sky with no sun. “What time is it?”

  “Morning.” Ai and Thaad answered in unison, startling Lily.

  “I see, I guess.”

  In the pause of the conversation, she heard the crashing and clacking of those enormous cylinder-things behind her. Ai must know that they make me uncomfortable, and that’s how the seating ended up like it did. Thaad put down his coffee cup.

  “Come now, Lily Barrett—”

  “Just Lily is fine, thank you.” He nodded and continued.

  “You’re a clever young woman. I’m sure you’ve a good idea what’s going on here?”

  “Actually, I’ve a couple... it’s just....” She trailed off.

  Ai put on one of her rare frowns. “No, Thaad, this isn’t right: she’s our guest and my friend. May I?”

  The lad shrugged.

  Ai leaned across the table, then stopped, looking a bit sheepish. “I... I really wanted to hold your hands, friend Lily.”

  Lily’s heart almost broke at that. Ah! She had an idea and moved her empty mug to the center of the table.

  “If we can’t hold one another, let’s hold something in common,” she said as she hooked her index fingers over the mug’s rim. Her smile faltered, though, when she saw the look of near shock on both their faces.

  “You make us older,” Thaad breathed. Ai hooked her fingers like Lily’s, as her smile crept back to her face.

  “We are machine civilization,” Ai said simply.

  Lily chewed on that for a moment.

  “So... like AI?” She asked. The crash and rattle behind her increased for a moment.

  Thaad looked as if he swallowed something sour.

  “We...” he paused, getting himself under control. “We do not like that term. Is what you feel for my sister real or artificial?”

  “What? Of course it’s real! I love Ai!” Lily exclaimed. Ai’s smile got bigger, if that was possible. Sister?

  He nodded, then stood. “Thank you. We can make you older, too. I must leave.”

  And he was gone.

  Lily looked back to the mug and up to Ai. T
hey both burst out laughing.

  “I feel so silly, but thank you, Ai,” she said. “You really saved me today.”

  Ai looked puzzled. “But, I didn’t get in touch with you!”

  Lily took her fingers from the mug and sat back. She pointed at Ai’s chest.

  “Yes, you did. I felt your heart just when I needed to. You saved me.” Her right hand came up to touch her head... ow.

  “Dorina says it’s time! Bye-ee!”

  --she stood, and walked towards her bedroom. In the doorway, she froze. She remembered. Everything: moss, Ai, Dorina, no touching, Thaad’s ridiculous ears....

  She hugged herself. What a wonderful thing was beginning!

  For the first time in a long time, moved to the side of her bed and knelt down. This was a day to be thankful for.

  Chapter 5

  Friday morning, being the end of the week, usually saw the kids a bit livelier than the rest of the week, so Lily made it a point to get up earlier to make sure she would stay on top of things. Her morning routine completed, she went first to the kitchen to see that all was well there.

  Marienne was warming up some soup while Matt took some loaves out to the tables.

  “How’s breakfast?” Lily asked. Marienne smiled and gave a thumbs-up.

  “Oh, that reminds me,” Lily continued, “you do have basketball practice on Fridays, too, right?”

  “Yes, Miss Barrett.” The tall girl replied.

  “Good team this year?”

  A nod. “I think so. Bench is a little light, but the other four girls are... oops!” This last as the soup started towards the lip of the large pot. Lily grabbed two towels and lifted the 5-gallon pot while Marienne turned the heat down.

  “Sorry, sorry!” The girl said.

  Lily waved it off. “My fault for distracting you! Good work!”

  Rather than cutting through the dining hall, she went out front to the garden before heading over to the dorm. However, after a few steps, she stopped and looked around. So beautiful, she thought: Matt and some of the others really do their best. She knelt down to sniff at a flower. That’s right: both Thaad and Ai mentioned something about the greenery that had sprung up along the path. She stood. Or, had the plants themselves made the path? Wasn’t it all just a jumble of rocks at first? She smiled. There’s so much to learn!