The Rise of Planet Rubicon - Part Two

by Dasrim Hasik

  For a moment, Alara saw a strangely fierce look flash over Jack's normally serene, focused face. He said nothing to her, turning to call in a shopping bag.

  "I was hoping that we could at least have a late dessert to celebrate. After all, you're part of this. I couldn't do this without your support too. Did you at least catch the broadcast?"

  She pointed to the viewing screen. "I even had it recorded. I wanted to capture your big moment forever...had I known you would have done this with Bridget though, I would have been there. What you did was highly disrespectful to me. They were bowing to Bridget too -- what were you thinking?"

  Bridget said nothing, looking at her guest room on the other side of the house. "I can leave; it's really no big deal."

  Alara scoffed at her. "Oh yes, of course. Poor little Bridget, always in the wrong place at the wrong time." She called in the mirror from the box and shouted, "Reveal the life left behind in full, display it with sight beyond sight!"

  Her shaking hands tossed the mirror onto the floor, the glass shards breaking without flying everywhere. Instead of random chaos, the shards of glass mixed together and flowed around each other.

  Jack felt compelled to look at the mirror, which made Alara smirk to herself. He would be feeling the full effects of the Revelation Mirror soon. They always did. Jack shivered, watching the mirror pieces reform into his life on Earth. He could see his parents arguing and fighting, and Katja packing her things. Each scene seemed to drip and ooze into another scene.

  For a few minutes, he did nothing but sit and watch...until he recoiled in horror as he saw Katja's new boyfriend shove her into a wall. At first, it seemed as if it was a mere accident. Then he realized that the man was still shouting at his older sister over something that he couldn't really make out, even with his lip reading skills.

  It was clear that Katja hadn't really found the new home she treasured. In fact, it was worse than life at their tiny home because he knew Katja felt trapped. He began to shudder all over, feeling completely wrecked. "I can't save her...I can't..." "Stop it! You're doing this on purpose!"

  Alara laughed. "Is it fair that your poor family pays for your neglect like this? And by the way…the Gate would have given you a chance to go back. Because you committed to the City...once you return, all of your memories will be gone for good. It will be like this place never existed for you. Of course, you /could/ stay, but..."

  Be careful, Jackson. Not all is what it seems to be. Jack blanched and shook his head. Fear covered him, swept him completely away. He felt unsure of what to do, where to go, or even what to think. It is not real, Jackson. Think carefully on what you remember. Jack tried to let his body go completely still, trying to reach in for all of those memories...

  The air had been crisp, filled with a light breeze that was gentle. Even though they didn't have a real lake to speak of, both families had met up at the park. It was really just a simple meeting but it had turned into a lot of fun. Dan had played a long game of catch with them, laughing as they had fun just being kids for a change, considering that it was a much needed break from life at home with his parents.

  Things began to get serious. He and Dan had walked through the entire park, stopping to truly enjoy the trails ahead of him. He wanted to make sure that he made himself clear to Dan. Even though he was a scrawny geek to Dan's powerful football player, he didn't care. Katja was important to him. "Seriously, man. Don't hurt her. She's the best thing that I have in my life."

  The words were serious, and they were delivered with serious heat in every word, every syllable. If he had been writing it on paper, his hand would have probably gripped the pen tightly.

  Dan just stretched out his hand. "Hey, look, I totally understand that. Listen...I know things are fast, but I really like Kattie, you know? I want to show her how much she means to me every single day, to the best of my ability. If she wanted to live with me, I wouldn't turn her away and my parents already love her to death." Then his eyes darkened and he said his next words slowly and carefully.

  "Trust me -- anyone that wants to hurt Kattie is an enemy of mine, too. You can count on that. She's my life now, and there's no turning back. Can't go back on things like this, anyway."

  Jack jumped back to the present and clenched his fists together. He remembered Dan as a sweet man that couldn't even stand watching Katja try out for cheerleading because she often had bruises from all of the tumbling and acrobatic work that she liked to work in just to show off.

  That's not a man that would shove my sister -- not even when she's being annoying.

  That's right, Jackson. Hold onto those memories. You will be able to see what is necessary very soon.

  For once, he agreed with the haunting voice that sounded so familiar. It had a deep edge to it, but it wasn't his voice. He was convinced now that something else was speaking to him.

  You are not ready for us to meet fully. Trust me. And then do what your heart speaks to you to do.

  He whirled to face a smug Alara and said simply, "I think you should sleep at your parent's house. I can have a car sent here to get you and transport you safely."

  Alara blinked. "Darling, you can't mean that. I'm on your side. We just want what's best for you. You saw..."

  "Get out. Just go. I can't believe you. Don't consider us together. I'm done with you and the way you're trying to take over my life. I didn't like people doing it to me on Earth, and I don't like it now."

  Alara stiffened. "You will regret this, Jackson. You have no idea how powerful my family is."

  Jack made some distance between him, his left hand crackling with purpose and intent. He would defend himself against anyone, even Alara. "And you forget that I am the King. You need to remember your place too, Alara Reversio. What can be freely given, can also be freely taken."

  For a moment, the silence was beyond everything he had imagined. Then he realized that Alara really was leaving. He had to let her go. He turned around, facing Bridget, who bowed lightly.

  "I need to go to bed, please excuse me." She turned and left, leaving Jack in the room with nothing but his thoughts. The voice seemed to try to comfort him, curling around and around his inner self like a warm hug from someone that cared.

  Anyone who professes to love you, but will use banned tools to harm you is no one worth having in your life. That tool distorts images based on negative emotions. The only ones that can look through the gateway are the Silent Sages. I should know.

  Who are you?

  A Dreamer, like you...but not like you. I have no doubt, no fear, and no uncertainty. I am where you want to be. We will talk more later. Rest now.

  Jack went upstairs to his room, looking at the well-made bed. It was clear that Alara had had no plans to actually sleep in that bed anymore. He was exhausted and every fiber of his body showed it. It was time to start looking at things in a different manner, one that allowed him to honestly see the things that he didn't want to see.

  He had a new home, and it was time to get used to it. He wasn't sure if he would visit the Silent Sages again, but he knew that he would think about the road ahead. The future felt bright. Despite all of the challenges and tensions the day had brought, Jack honestly felt good for the first time in his life.

  A few tears pooled up in his eyes. Tonight, he would let himself feel everything. Every tear, every thread of regret and loss for the boy that couldn't be a boy any longer. He had to grow up, take responsibility, and face the future. He would not allow himself to cry for the past after this point.

  He would dance in the present and look towards the future with pride. That was how things got done. You didn't gnash your teeth over the things you couldn’t control. He wished Katja the best on Earth, but that part of his life would have to stop being a priority. It was time to finally live for himself, the way he had always wanted to live. Everyone had passed him over, made him feel invisible.

  Bridget had believed in him, even when he feared going through the gateway. Even when Alara
attacked them the first time they came to Quiet River compound. Even when their lives were in danger on the Harbor. She continued to stand with him even during a very public broadcast.

  New beginnings had to come, but it would take time. He would get some rest, roll up his sleeves, and keep marching. After all, he couldn't go back. He could never go back. Jack shut his eyes and let sleep bring him into a world that was blissfully quiet and free of most of the political intrigue he had a feeling would be waiting for him when he woke up the next morning. Bring it.

  Chapter 8: Feeling Brand New

  Jack slept better than he had in a long time, but that didn't mean the morning wouldn't be fierce. It would be, and he knew better than to just assume that everything would be just fine. It would take a lot of hard work from here to put all of the pieces together.

  He reflected on everything that happened the previous day. There would be mixed support for the hospital, and he wasn't really expecting a lot of people to show up. He didn't blame them.

  After all, he had proven to them that he could leave once -- why would they trust him again? Why would they believe in him when he had done nothing to prove himself valuable?

  He would pour his energy into the hospital if that's what it really would take. The global broadcast did change things. To see so many people bowing before him was something he wasn't sure he liked or disliked.

  Sure, it was every boy's dream to be a king in the symbolic sense, but things were a lot more than just symbolism and ritual. He had an immense amount of control.

  He could use it for any purpose and very few would have the guts to speak up against him. However, he would become worse than any bully he had to deal with back in high school.

  He didn't like that type of guy, and he didn't want to be that type of guy. So he figured it would just be a lot of touch and go and hoping for the best.

  He thought of the voice that he had heard while Alara's final act of betrayal had taken place. That soothing male voice in his head just said that he was a Dreamer, but he didn’t know what that really meant.

  He had a few ideas, but one thing he had already learned about living in Reversia was that nothing was as it seemed. There was always something to worry about, and he knew better than to just assume everything would automatically be alright.

  Things would get better because he made the effort, not because they would just click into place. But what about his thoughts changing the world around him? That was something to dream about, wasn't it?

  Didn't he deserve some sort of happiness? What would really make him happy would be to get accepted by the people and maybe even fall in love with a girl he could build a life with. He thought he was having that with Alara, but...

  The fresh betrayal cut him, and he hated that feeling. Not only did she try to hurt him, but she projected a lie about someone he truly cared about.

  Katja was one of the only people in the world that actually treated him like a real person, not just an invisible nerd that was only useful when there was incredibly tough homework to be had. He missed her, but she had moved on with her life.

  He really hoped that her boyfriend would do well by her, and that was all he could honestly think at the moment. There were too many things in Reversia that needed his attention. Like Bridget.

  He blushed as the thought crossed his mind, and then shrugged. It was surreal to see the whole audience bow to both of them, as if Bridget were higher than just his advisor. He thought that she was a great woman, an interesting woman, but he wasn't really sure whether or not she would be interested in him.

  How much of her concern for him was because he was the King of Reversia, and how much was her actually caring for him? Alara's treachery had poisoned him against thinking a woman could honestly love him.

  He didn't want to be that cynical, but he had to start acting like a mature adult and thinking logically. Women didn't just flock to him because he was good looking -- that was the domain of other men, never himself.

  Things would really have to change in order for him to honestly see a woman. But as long as he was the king, things would never align that way.

  He would be trapped forever single, or having to take a woman as his wife merely to keep up appearances with the powerful leadership class, who probably already had a few women he should take out on the town.

  He wanted to have control of his own destiny -- was that too much to ask? He honestly felt a bit trapped in his own world, but he knew that would have to change too.

  I have to start taking responsibility for my own life. All of it. Running and rebuilding the City, building a relationship with a woman, and finding other hobbies to indulge in. he clearly had wealth, power, and influence -- it was time to honestly do things with it.

  The hospital would only be the start of his changes. He would continue to refine and sculpt the city higher and higher until it returned to its former glory. He wasn't even going to stop there.

  He would make it up to the people of Reversia for all of the pain that he caused them. One way or another, he would make it right. That was just the way it had to be.

  Bridget sat at the little desk in the guest room, unsure of where to begin. Being Jack's mostly unofficial advisor had sounded like fun at first, but the gravity of their situation was slowly settling on her.

  Things were different now, and they only grew more dangerous. The fact that Alara would betray him didn't really surprise Bridget in the least.

  Betrayal and treachery were hallmarks of the leadership class. They didn't know any better. Power was all that mattered to them, and Bridget had already dealt with their games her whole life -- so nothing was surprising. But Jack?

  She knew he was hurt, and she knew that it would probably take time before he warmed up to anyone else. She wished that she could get his attention, even though that was a very selfish concept to her.

  Jack was someone that could have anyone he wanted, any time he wanted -- why mess with a girl from a middle-of-the-road merchant family?

  Even if her parents rebuilt the family business again, her and Jack would never be equals. He could have the world -- and it was a world that she would never truly feel welcome in anyway. It would just be a lot of awkwardness on both of their parts.

  She assumed that Jack would never hurt her intentionally, but he really wouldn't have much of a choice. There were obligations a king had to understand, and it was time for him to start leading the nation. Her wants and needs would just have to wait ...as they always did.

  She knew that she could simply dictate into her family pin and the words would appear on one of the many communication and presentation devices in her possession.

  However, she realized that it wasn't time for all of that. She wanted to really put pen to paper and let her mind wander, the way she always did when she was still on earth watching Jack struggle to fit into a world that never would accept him.

  She was a Reversian through and through, and had no desire to go to Earth ever again. Even if she could earn a safe passage coin or two to use the gateway, she wouldn't do it.

  Earth had a lot of problems when she was living there undercover, and she figured that it would still have those same problems even when she left. That was the problem with Earth -- human nature ran wild and there were sharp power imbalances.

  The helpless were truly helpless, and the powerful were powerful beyond belief. She didn't like that aspect of everything, but what could she do? That was behind her.

  And yet...as long as she agreed to guide and counsel Jack Stonewell, it would always be in front of her. She couldn't look at him without realizing that he was not a Reversian by default. He wasn't born here, but he was part of their world.

  He could do things that left her in awe. She didn't want to manipulate him, and certainly didn't want to control him. She wanted him to live free and wild, running the nation as he saw fit.

  There would be time to discuss a thousand things with him, but she needed time to create her
own small plans. She wanted to show Jack the value she could provide him as an advisor.

  If she got lucky, she'd love to show him what she could provide him as a romantic interest...but that was just wishful thinking. Onward I go...to protect my city, my nation, and my king...but oh, to live outside of duty...just for a day!

  "Are you finished?"

  Alara looked up at her mother's dour expression, a broken plate still cupped between both hands. She rolled the plate back and forth, not even caring when the sharp edge tore into her palm. She could always have it healed by the live-in healer, or heal it herself.

  Everything was a matter of mental strength, and she would prove it to everyone that she was stronger than what she looked like. Jack Stonewell was a fool. He should have never seen through her illusions, and he wouldn't have if Bridget weren't there.

  He actually brought a common girl on the Call of the World announcement -- how insulting! The more she thought of it, the angrier she actually became. It was madness, plain and simple. They should be together, not him with that purple haired freckled freak! She could stand by his side and truly make him look good. What would Bridget honestly talk about, the moon and the stars?

  That was old news -- she wanted to talk about all of the things that made up a nation. She wanted to make the important decisions that would earn her full acceptance into the leadership class.

  She was still unmarried and still had no real options. It would take a lot of bribes on her parents' parts to get her into a good marriage, and she didn't want to burden them.

  Her mother would never forgive her for beggaring them in any way, even though Alara knew that the family had plenty of money. She was an only child, a child that had grown up with every privilege known to man and then some.

  Her family could invest the money in another marriage, but the stigma of a rejection would follow her around. Her future husband would worry that she was not as quality as she was being advertised.