by Lake, Edward
Saule nodded. “We understand. But I can assure you, we will remain hidden, far away from any villages.”
I strongly agreed with her. We had put too many Turks in harm’s way, and they had paid a terrible price for our arrival. “Saule’s right. This is our fight—so we’ll handle Emily’s soldiers on our own.”
She got up and stepped outside. “We should get moving.”
I hurried to my feet and joined her. We said goodbye to the Turks before heading out. After a long trip, we found a deserted area and decided to stop for the night. I gathered some rocks and brushwood and showed Saule how to make a fire.
Under a thick tree, we took turns sleeping to keep an eye out for any Mamluk ships or soldiers. When it was my turn, I got up and let Saule take my place on the ground. She lay down on her side and exhaled softly.
I couldn’t help but stare at her. She was a beautiful Mamluk, and strong, too. For so long, I had hated them, and wanted to kill them if I could. I had no idea there were Mamluks like Juozas and Isabella—and now Saule. Their courage to act against the injustices of their society gave me the inspiration to change. I was a better man for it—a better human being.
“Hey...Saule.”
She turned on her side and looked at me. “Yes, Bill?”
In adoration, I gave her a warm smile. “Sweet dreams, Darlin’.”
Chapter 31: Emily
When we returned to Earth, we were met with a grand celebration. On the open terrain we landed on, I saw miles and miles of citizens and soldiers, cheering and dancing as we left our space pods and walked forward.
I was holding Samantha, with Nojus and London at my sides. Seeing the joy in the eyes of my people made me smile. We had won. The war was over, and now we could enjoy peace.
The never-ending crowd of onlookers went all the way to my building. I decided to walk back and take it all in. When I got there, I carefully walked through the crowd, taking my time to share such a glorious victory with them.
I reached the steps of my building and walked to the top. Nojus and London followed me up, and we turned and faced the crowd.
They started chanting a new phrase for Samantha, disregarding, “Juozas’ spawn, here at dawn.” I listened and smiled.
“Return of the Champion, the Mamluks rule, return of the Champion, the Mamluks rule!”
With great pride and joy, I lifted Samantha high over my head and howled. They erupted into a thunderous roar and danced wildly.
Yes. We have won.
Moments later, I quietly left and took Samantha inside. Nojus and London returned to their duties. I went to Samantha’s room and set her down in her cradle. I watched her for a long while. She looked so adorable, so happy and full of life.
At night, when all the celebrating had calmed, I went to the conference room to record a new set of laws.
On my sija, I activated the governing program and linked it to the automated system. “Identify yourself.”
“This is Emily. Ruler of all Mamluks.”
“Authentication complete.”
“At last, the war is over, and we have rescued our Champion from the hands of a traitor. However, we must still protect Samantha from the possible uncertainty she may hold from these dark times. Therefore, the law is as follows: History will remember Juozas as a rogue soldier who betrayed us and killed the Champion, her father, Adomas. As a result, my daughter, his spawn, was named the Champion in his place, thus making me the Ruler.” I sighed. “If anyone disobeys my command and tries to explain the truth to Samantha, they will be killed without a hearing.” I waited and pondered before going on. “Lastly, the leaders of the defeated rebels, Juozas—Isabella—Susan, and Zydrunas, shall never be spoken of again.”
To follow, I activated the security system. “Erase all reports, files, and any other information that may be linked to Juozas—Isabella—Susan, and Zydrunas, the four primary individuals responsible for the rebellion against my rule.”
In a few moments, the automated system responded. “Confirm deletion of all reports, files, and information linked to Juozas, Isabella, Susan, and Zydrunas.”
A pleased smile touched my face. “Proceed with the deletion.”
The lights on my sija flashed, and I saw a large collection of files disappear.
I sent a message to Nojus. “My Champion?”
He replied promptly. “Yes, My Ruler?”
“Kill prisoners Susan and Zydrunas at once, and prepare our community for the ceremony.”
“Right away, Great Emily.”
I exhaled deeply, closed my eyes for a moment, then opened my eyes and sent my final report on the war.
“History should not remember me as a coward—or a liar—or even a murderer. History should remember me as a hero, because I have saved the world. I have saved the world from humanity: a weak and destructive breed. I have risen as the Ruler of a species that respects the environment, and its people. And through it all, I’ve learned the truth: freedom is impossible. We are all slaves to something. We are all Mamluks.”
Chapter 32: Samantha
I was rather young at the time, looking at myself in the mirror. It was my first day at the Soldiers Academy, and I didn’t want to go. My first memories as I child, were of everyone calling me the Champion. I didn’t understand at first. It seemed so silly and over the top. Still, as I got older, they kept calling me the Champion, and everyone kneeled and bowed when they saw me.
To be honest, I liked that part. It made me feel special, and loved, like I meant so much to so many. My mother, Emily, the Ruler of all Mamluks came to me that morning. She was wearing a beautiful blue dress that matched her eyes.
In my standard soldier’s outfit: black sports bra, black pants and matching boots, I turned to her with a thrilled smile. “Mother!”
She came closer with her hands neatly folded over her midsection, with her head slightly leaned to the side, staring at me with the warmest look. “Hello, Dear. Are you ready?” I loved Mother very much. She was always so supportive.
I frowned and looked down. “No. I’m not ready. I don’t want to go.” At the time, I hated the idea of being a soldier. I was so young. Too young. I just wanted to play in the forest with my friends, like I had been doing all my life.
Mother stopped in front of me and kneeled. She gently placed her hand on my chin and lifted my head. “Remember, Samantha, you are very powerful, your bloodline—”
“Is the bloodline that conquered Earth, I know.” Her lectures were agonizing. In those days, all I ever heard about was Ignas, and my dead father, Adomas. They had been Champions before me, and as I had been told, had carried the responsibility of being Champion with the utmost pride. “Don’t worry, Mother. I will do great, you just wait and see.” Looking back, I can’t believe I was that brash at such a young age.
She gave me that look that I despised, the look that told me she was disappointed in me. “This is not a game, Samantha. It is your destiny to protect me as Champion.”
At that moment, my eyes watered. Hearing her say these things, about destiny and protecting her, fighting off all comers, was incredibly frightening as a child. Again, I loved Mother, and I didn’t want anything to happen to her.
But how could my society put such a daunting burden on the shoulders of a young child?
It was all so strange to me. Still, I feared for Mother, and on that day, something changed in me. “I will protect you, My Ruler. I promise.” I can still remember how soft and innocent my voice sounded. I meant every word, and Mother could see it, too.
She hugged me close. “I love you, Samantha.”
I held on tight and rubbed her back. “I love you, Mother.”
The End
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