by A. J. Ross
Lincoln had tried to make amends with Delphi, but she wasn’t interested. She withdrew from anything that reminded her of the Sword Nation massacre, and unfortunately for Lincoln that included him. She was one of his best friends and he lost her because he wasn’t good enough.
“What about you?” he asked, taking the attention from himself. His glossy eyes slowly panned her entire body and his mouth filled with saliva. “What good things do you use your powers for?”
Braii was surprised, then annoyed by the blatant desire in his eyes, and his overconfident flirtatious tone. “I don’t have powers,” she said plainly.
Her reaction made Lincoln feel ashamed of his behavior. He would slip into this persona so often at school it was almost involuntary, but he needed to keep it at bay if he was going to get anywhere with her. He needed to redeem himself . . .
“That’s not true,” he said. “I’ve never known a woman with more power . . .”
She shot him a curious glance, “You’re not very difficult to impress, are you?”
“Well actually . . . There’s very little in this world that excites me.”
She sighed, “Yeah, me too . . .”
Lincoln sat back on the bench. He couldn’t help but notice the beautiful glow on her skin. Her arm looked so soft, and though he wanted to touch it, he knew better. He couldn’t afford to get ahead of himself, especially since this was the most she had spoken to him since the start of their engagement. He needed to keep the momentum, and find a part of her she kept hidden from everyone else. Then she would truly be his.
“I remember being here when I was younger,” he said. “Kiina shared something she wrote about war. It was one of the most amazing things I had ever heard.”
Braii nodded. “Yeah, she is amazing. She’s started to write books with a lot of the old Griician tales and prophecies that have been passed down through the generations. She’s been working on them for years now. I don’t know why she has chosen to write them. I’m sure humans have no interest in those old Griician tales.”
“Do you know them?” he asked.
“Of course. Well, most of them. Some I like more than others.”
“Like what?” He sat up attentively. “What’s your favorite?”
“Well,” she was thoughtful, “I like the one she’s working on now. It talks about ‘a being’ from a faraway land.” She looked at Lincoln and her voice grew softer as she spoke. “This being was just a half. It was half of a whole in the midst of giants. It bled out weakness, and bartered with souls. Half of a whole, and it sought completeness. It began to reach in the direction of the stars, stretching its hand, stretching its body. Day and night, Reaching. Growing. Then the day came. Given its equivalent. It became the Giant of all Giants. It was made whole. It went on to wage war through the galaxy. It stormed through doors to castrate Kings, this being from far away. It did not abandon the half heart, and the half mind that once inspired it to reach for the stars, so it kept on reaching. This being from faraway, this writer of glory days would play body against spirit, and go on to be the greatest Fiiesman the world had ever seen.”
Lincoln was silent. He mulled over the words in his mind. They were beautiful. “I’ve never heard that story before. Do the Grii believe it?”
“Sure,” she replied. “They believe someday, someone will rise up and fulfill the prophecy.”
Lincoln pursed his lips and was thoughtful. “Well, do you know what I think? I think it’s you. I think you’re the one who will rise up as the greatest Fiiesman on Graiis.”
She shook her head and chuckled. “No, not me, I can barely even use that thing.”
Lincoln’s eyes grew wide, “Barely? So . . . that means you can use it?”
She shrugged, “a little.”
“I was right! I knew it. You’re definitely the one.”
Still shaking her head, she looked at him and smiled. For the first time since they had been reunited, he could see hints of affection in her eyes . . .
Lincoln was ecstatic. He had finally found a way to get close to the woman who would soon be his wife. She had softened a lot since their conversation about the Fiie. He had found something of interest to her, and every time he visited, he found a new way to draw her out. She was like a box full of treasures, and he was anxious to discover what was next.
He came to the office to meet with the council. Today, they were finalizing their decisions about what material to present to Grisian concerning the off-planet request. To his surprise, there was no one there. He glanced at the clock. He was only a couple of minutes late. He walked slowly from the building wondering what had happened. Had the meeting been moved? Rescheduled?
“Wolfe.”
He jumped at the sound of Logan’s voice, and spun around. “Where is everybody?”
“Come on. The meeting is at Grisian’s.”
“What?” he asked. “Why? What happened?” He made his way toward Logan, and the two began to walk together down the dirt road.
“I don’t know, but it’s serious.”
When the two boys arrived at the palace, Lincoln could see Raymond and a few of the other council members waiting. Within the next few minutes, the rest of them trickled in. Raymond addressed Grisian’s servant, “We’re all here.”
She led them through the palace, and into a bright white underground tunnel. Lincoln recognized the hall by the round bright white lights in the long corridor that lined the ceiling where it met the walls. He remembered the Griician walk of fame below him. Each thick glass tile had a 3D engraving inside, with the face, and mark of a warrior slain in battle. He knew exactly where they were headed. They were going to the base.
The guard led them into a room with a large table where Grisian was already seated along with Kiina.
“Please sit,” Grisian invited them.
Lincoln looked around at the faces of the other council members as he chose a seat next to Logan. It didn’t appear as if anyone knew what was going on. They all waited in anticipation for Grisian to speak. Instead, he gestured to Raymond, and all eyes turned to him.
“As I’ve reported to you earlier,” Raymond said to Grisian, “a ship has landed on Graiis carrying two men, a woman, and a child. After speaking with the passengers, it was discovered the ship was actually one from the planet Kayora. The individuals aboard the ship have asked for refuge here on Graiis, claiming the humans are being used as slaves on Kayora. This is obviously a matter of planeterrial importance, but it is also a personal matter for myself as well as the other humans who reside here. Emotions tend to run high in matters containing this particular type of mistreatment.”
“In what way are the humans mistreated?” Grisian asked.
Lincoln looked at the light in his chest when he spoke. It was white. A generally uninterested neutral white. As it stood, Grisian did not share Raymond’s concern.
“As it was described to me,” Raymond continued, “the humans are being driven to work dangerously long hours with very little food, or time to rest. The ones who oppose are beaten, or worse. Also, there have been many taken from the labor lines, even children, never to be seen again.”
Grisian nodded ever-so-slightly. “I thank you for sharing what you have come to know with the rest of us. As you have called us all to this important meeting, I discern perhaps there is more you seek to accomplish. What would you ask of me?”
“Investigate,” he replied without hesitation.
“I cannot involve myself in the affairs of other planets. You are aware of this?”
Raymond nodded. “I understand Lord Grisian, but perhaps you could reason with the Prime Minister Rahilius. I know he is a good friend to you.”
“Indeed,” Grisian replied, “Which is exactly why I will not meddle in his affairs. Why shouldn’t humans be made to work hard? I have studied Earth’s history. You have dealt with your own species in this same manner many times before.”
“But Lord Gris-”
“Here is my decisi
on on the matter of the Kayorian ship,” he interrupted Raymond. The entire room was silent as he continued, “I will allow the ones who have escaped to live as refugees among us. They have sought and obtained the means to pursue what they deem a better life, and I will not punish such initiative. However, if the Prime Minister should request they be returned to him, we will oblige. Both the ship and its passengers will be sent back to Kayora at our earliest convenience. We are already at this very moment in preparation for battle, and I have sent the general off planet, along with thirty-thousand Fiiesman. Graiis is a peaceful planet, and I will not risk the disturbance of that peace to become involved in unsolicited and unprofitable warfare. This is my decision.”
Raymond’s countenance fell. He hadn’t expected it to be easy to convince Grisian, but he hadn’t expected the immediate shutdown either. His eyes moved around the table at the disturbed faces of his former students. He addressed them all sternly, “Is that understood?” he asked.
All nodded in agreement, yet were unable to hide the growing confusion spread across each of their faces. The news had been shocking. Grisian’s indifference was shocking. The worst though, was Mr. Arthur’s demand for their compliance without discussion.
Lincoln was stunned. He had so many questions, but figured Raymond would wait until they were all alone together, away from Grisian and Kiina, to tell them what was going on. He knew all about slavery from his Earth History classes, and he knew it was a savage and dehumanizing way to live. There had to be an explanation; a bigger picture he was missing. Furthermore, he knew Raymond. He was the type of person who was always balanced in his decisions, considering each side of an issue respectively. There was no way he would concede to tolerating injustice so easily.
Lincoln looked up from the black wood table where his eyes had been glued for most of the discussion. He looked first at Grisian, then his eyes met Kiina’s. She stared back at him with an intensity he could not describe. His peripherals took note of her present state of emotion as his eyes moved slowly down from her face, landing squarely on her chest. It was aglow a fiery red.
The council reconvened after their meeting with Grisian. Raymond swore them all to silence, and then he provided them with a copy of the statement given by those who had come to Graiis seeking refuge. The boys read through the nine pages of comments fairly quickly. They learned of Rahilius's brutal dealings with those on his planet. He employed all the standard methods of control like beatings and deprivation of necessities, but he also included some of the more heinous ones. People disappeared all the time, and days later when their bodies were recovered, they would be missing limbs or organs. At times, bodies were found with additional organs. Rahilius was experimenting on them.
As was expected, the boys showered Raymond with questions. Questions he gave no answers to. It was a heated and passionate dispute among the council, and they took sides against each other. There were those who sided with Grisian, thinking it best not to get involved in the situation on Kayora, versus those who supported Raymond and his initial desire to come to the aid of the enslaved. Lincoln found himself at odds with Logan, who argued in favor of Grisian’s decision.
Raymond was overwhelmed as he listened to the boys argue. He sat with his elbow on the table, cradling his chin in the palm of his hand. He knew in this particular situation there was no such thing as winning. Either option was a loss, and would come at great costs. Considering the subjective nature of their predicament, he felt there was only one thing to do. He sat up straight in his chair, reinstalling his authoritative presence among them. “Gentleman,” he called out above their clamoring.
The conversations ended almost instantly as the boys focused all their attention on Raymond.
“I understand what a sensitive topic this is for everyone,” he said evenly. “Having said that, there are many things we must consider besides our feelings. I will appeal to Grisian once more on behalf of the enslaved. Once he decides, and I want you all to be prepared for what you know deep down inside will be his decision; but once he decides, the issue is finished. Grisian is right. This is not our affair. We could take the moral high ground, but at what cost?”
“So, we’re just going to leave them?” Lincoln asked. “Are you kidding me? Moral high ground? At what cost? THE COST OF OUR HUMANITY!”
“Lower your voice Mr. Wolfe,'' Raymond commanded. “This isn’t a personal issue. Graiis is our planet, and we have to do what is in her best interest.”
Lincoln shook his head in disgust at Raymond’s cowardice. “So, what?” he asked sarcastically, “We’re gonna send that ship back, knowing what Rahilius will do to those people and the child as soon as they return?”
“Not our affair,” Raymond retorted.
“Not our affair. What gives us the right to be so selfish? We may be the only planet in this galaxy with the ability to help them. Those people and their children are basically victims of vivisection. Do you really expect us to just go about our lives like we don’t even care about what happens to them?”
“Yes,” Raymond had raised his voice well above Lincoln’s with a tone of finality. He stared at him from across the room. It was clear the discussion was over and the room fell silent, full of palpable emotion. Lincoln’s rage burned in his chest, and he could no longer stand to breathe the same air any longer. After holding Raymond’s gaze a moment longer in a deliberate display of rebellion, he stood up from his seat and walked out of the room.
Lincoln wasn’t sure why he had gone to Penny’s house. He stood on her doorstep, knocking with an irritated sense of urgency appropriate to the circumstances. He hadn’t talked to her since he had joined the council, and that was almost four weeks ago. Even though they weren’t as close as they used to be, he knew in this instance, she was the only one who would understand his point of view.
Penny yanked the door open. “Why are you banging on my door?”
“I need to talk to you.” Lincoln ignored Penny’s tone. He barged into her house and began pacing the floor.
Penny shut the door behind him. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“It’s the council, a ship landed here from Kayora.”
“I heard about that.”
“The ship had four people on it. They’re slaves. He’s beating them, starving them, and dissecting their children.”
Lincoln watched the horror spread across Penny’s face. This was exactly the reaction he wanted. He needed to know he wasn’t crazy for standing against Raymond’s decision. “So, we met with Grisian. He doesn’t care, because he wants to stay friends with the prime minister. Then the council met alone, and Raymond decided we’re not going to do anything about it. He basically told me to act like I didn’t care at all. Long story short, If Rahilius wants the ship back, they’re going to send it and all of the passengers right back to him.”
Penny reflected the same disturbance on her face that Lincoln felt the moment he heard about the ship. Her imagination filled with the darkest pictures of suffering and death. Her heart beat quickly, and her bottom lip trembled. “What are you going to do?” she asked quietly.
“I don’t know.” He had stopped his pacing and stood still at the window. He stared out into the dull blue sky, his eyes mirroring all of the trouble and conflict he felt in his heart. “But I have to do something. I don’t care what the council says. They just want to hide behind Grisian. Someone has to take a stand for what’s right, even if that someone is only me.”
Penny nodded but didn’t speak.
By the time Lincoln left her house, he felt much better. He had released all of his frustration, and poured out his feelings without the inhibition that came along with speaking in front of the council. He took a deep breath. His resolve to come up with a solution no matter what Raymond said, gave him a sense of peace. Tonight he would go home and rest, and tomorrow he would come up with a solution.
FOUR
Justice or Love?
Lincoln woke from an unsatisfying sleep. He had
been unable to turn his mind off, plagued by endless thoughts of the stolen Kayorian ship. He just couldn’t come to terms with Raymond’s decision. There had to be a way to protect everybody.
He thought back to the Sword Nation petition. Saving only half of those in danger felt like only half a victory. He hated that feeling, and refused to go through anything like it ever again. This was his chance to prove it was possible to save everyone. But, how?
He jumped out of bed. He needed to exercise, but he was still irritated with Logan about their argument at the council’s last meeting. He dressed himself, took a drink of water, and went outside to run. He jogged lightly at first. It was a beautiful morning, still early so the cool air perfectly balanced out the blazing heat of the first sun. He quickened his pace and began to run, putting the road behind him at great speed. He focused on the air he would fill his lungs with over and over again. His heart began to beat faster, but it didn’t race. He felt so good he didn’t notice how long or how far he had run. His plan was to stop once he grew tired.
Physically unaware of the five, ten, fifteen miles he had run, but he began to notice the unfamiliar surroundings. Where am I? he thought. He slowed his pace to a walk, and then stopped completely. As he looked around, he realized much to his amazement he had run as far as colony A. He did the math in his head. Colony B was almost twenty miles from the outskirts of A. How had he run that far?