ONE NATION: A Post Apocalyptic, Dystopian Saga

by Michael W. Huard

  The remaining guard backed away from Josiah. Karma then kicked him hard in the knee. With a groan of pain, he slumped to the floor holding it as she turned to her rescuer.

  Josiah grabbed her by the hand. “You must come with me. Miggie, my wife, is waiting for you. Hurry. Please.”

  As they ran down the hall, he took her to a side door. Then they ran down another hall to the back door, shoving it open.

  “Follow me,” he said as they ran down a dirt trail. “Run like the wind!”

  Karma began to feel like she had come to this island for exercise. She ran everywhere. When she heard warning sirens going off, she forced herself to run even faster.

  “I know who you are,” she panted, “and your wife is so sad to have lost you though all this.”

  “Yes, I know. I have made wrong decisions. They were for a good reason, but I couldn't let it happen to you. I just couldn’t.”

  When they came upon Miggie waiting on the far path, they embraced, and Karma thanked him again for doing this.

  “We can talk more soon. Let’s go,” said Josiah. “We have to keep moving.”

  He led them down a path, soon reaching another side path. Josiah shoved away brush to open a hidden trail for them to pass through.

  At the river's edge, a large rope, connected to trees on either side, ran across the entire length of a water way.

  Josiah tested the rope and turned to the ladies. “Grab hold of the riding ring and I’ll shove you across.”

  Miggie looked at her husband. “We will all go.” Then they began crossing.

  First Karma, then Miggie and Josiah made their way across, just as some of their armed pursuers came to the edge, yelling out at them. They began firing. Before Josiah had made it, he was shot in the back.

  He cried out, as did his wife. The shots kept coming. Slowly, he lost his grip and fell into the flowing water below.

  Once Karma and Miggie got to the other side, they looked down, neither seeing Josiah’s body anymore.

  Having no choice, they ran on, eventually coming to a boat. An older fellow with a drooping mustache and wearing a large-brimmed cowboy hat stood by a tree waiting as they arrived.

  The black woman shook her head to make it known that Josiah did not make it. The man frowned, then spit tobacco juice onto the ground.

  “Sorry, Miggie. Consider this the favor I owe him. He was a good man. I know what he did was for your daughter, not himself.” Karma opened her eyes at that statement. A daughter?

  The guy then ushered them onto the boat. “Get in and let’s get out of here.” Both women kept looking to the sky, waiting for something to fly after them, seeing nothing. Miggie’s eyes were wet as tears flowed from them. Karma reached out and held her hand.

  Forty minutes later, they neared the far shoreline.

  As they made way onto the shore, the man tipped his hat and sailed off.

  Miggie began to babble, saying Josiah was a good man and they had a daughter, which was why he felt like he had to work for them. As a crucial top worker, their child would be spared. Karma just listened. She soon understood.

  As they began walking back to Washington, Karma learned that Miggie’s daughter was still currently being held prisoner, even though her father worked there. Now she really did understand her new friend’s dilemma. They were using him.

  It was a long walk back home, but one that found Karma realizing that the long road away from home had led her back, and there was nowhere she’d rather be.

  She turned to Miggie. “We'll go back. I promise. We will find your daughter and stop what those people are doing.”

  The woman tried to smile through the pain of losing Josiah.

  Karma then asked her, “What is your daughter’s name?”

  Miggie tried to smile. “Carman. Carman is her name.”

  Miggie could not help but wonder, Who were these women Karma spoke of? These so-called Mystical Slayers? She could only hope that this sisterhood was all the young woman had spoken of—strong, courageous, and compassionate.

  Karma couldn’t wait to send her sisters to this dreaded isle, but first she had some explaining to do. They had now reached the homes the sisterhood were living in.

  JUSTICE

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Is Raegan speaking to anyone?” Sinaye was curious if she was opening up to anyone. The rest of the sisters gathered around all shook their heads no. Mahira was here, as were Jansa, Sun, Tyne Gem, Chaya, Grammy Wal, and Naiera, who was healing well.

  It was certainly an eerie feeling to have their leader shut down. She had gone through a lot and everyone understood, but still they had never seen her like this. She was nearly broken.

  Eventually, they all turned to their cyborg sister, hoping for answers.

  Tyne, like the others, knew action was needed, yet all were feeling down and out of it due to the loss of Paka and the others.

  “I've done all I can so far. Sin, Jansa, and I have been on it from the get-go. Her feet will heal, her other wounds will heal, and her hair will grow back. The issue is, of course, the micro-bots embedded in her head. They are deep, and if we just remove them, she could suffer permanent brain damage.”

  Sin then added, “Also, there's no doubt that there are tracking devices, and at any moment we could be assaulted by the Corporation.”

  “Give it enough time.” Jansa then explained, “I believe they will push themselves out as her body heals itself. I'm going to do some more work on her. The thing is, every time I try and work, she tells me just to pull them out and not to worry about what will happen to her. She’s so stubborn. She’s more concerned about the safety of the rest of us.”

  “I'm feeling a little bit overwhelmed,” spoke up Mahira. “Too much has been happening all at once. Losing Brin and then Paka, it’s all eating at my soul. I feel so helpless. What are we going to do next? I need clarity. I just want to hit something.”

  Jansa had to make some quick decisions. There was the issue of Karma now too. She was now in New York, sacrificing herself for the good of the sisterhood, feeling like she owed them for running away earlier due to the loss of her good friend, Gavin.

  Chaya then added a thought, like she was reading Jansa’s mind. “I know the details of the situation with Karma. She had witnessed some horrible things on that island, which she has told us about. I think the least we can do is deal with that place, for her sake. She’s a survivor; she’ll be fine for now in New York.”

  “Where is Johan, by the way?” Sun asked. “I thought he was going to come to this meeting?”

  Grammy Wall shook her head. “He hasn't left his mother's room since she's been back.”

  Sun had already prayed for answers but had received none. She, along with the others, waited for Jansa to form something of a plan to resolve the current dilemma they were all in.

  The new-age doctor looked as though she was lost in thought.

  Tyne then made an interesting observation. “It appears that the corporation has some internal issues. Weather they work it out or not is something we can't chance right now. I've come to the conclusion that we need to split up. If we don’t, we could all be attacked at once.”

  Jansa nodded. “I will stay with Raegan, as will Johan. I want each of us to split up into two- or three-people units.”

  Mahira raised her hands in somewhat of a protest. “Are you saying we have to disband the team?” There was a lot of discussion following her words. Everyone tried to talk over one another, voicing their opinions.

  In the end, they all came to an agreement. It was too dangerous to stay clumped together in one group. So once again the sisters were going to be on the move. And this time in packs.

  Chaya than tried to help with the spreading out of the sisterhood. “Okay, here’s how I see it. Jansa, you'll stay here with Raegan and Johan. Mahira and I will seek out Victory and Jackson J. Word has it they’re returning to see Jerry now. Everyone must act with extreme caution wherever you go.

 
“Who wants to go to the island and fulfill Karma’s wishes? That will be as good of a place to disappear for a bit as any other.”

  Jansa then added, “By the way, our governor has little time left. I think we all know that. She’s conceded already to Y-Wood in hopes of giving us more time to spread out.”

  The sisters all hung their heads at that announcement.

  Tyne Gem, sick of staying still so much, offered to go to the island. Sinaye quickly offered to join her. “Resin will watch over Celestial; we have already talked about this. I’m in with Tyne.”

  “Grammy Wall, you, Naiera, and Sun go northeast,” Jansa then added.

  “Who does that leave that is still not accounted for?” Mahira asked, scanning the room.

  Jansa then replied, “Everyone else is going to have to work their way back into the system for the time being. Become normal people, so to speak. Once things cool down a bit, we'll rendezvous back together.”

  “So that's it?” Sun announced.

  Chaya interrupted, “I’m still on my own so far. Plus, what do we tell the governor?”

  There were a lot of puzzled faces now.

  “Are we going to do anything about those we have lost?” Naiera asked.

  “Before we spread apart, we will have a ceremony,” Jansa answered. “We have to tell all the rest here to gather in small groups too. It’s the best for all of us right now.”

  The lot of them went their separate ways, spreading the plan, while Chaya waited to talk to Jansa privately.

  “So, what about me?” she asked. Jansa contemplated the question.

  “Here are my thoughts. As mentioned, Y-Wood is at a crossroads. Word has it that outside forces are involved with them. With all the surrendering lately, they should have made heavy progress, yet word on the street is that something very strange is brewing. I need you out there in New York. Plus, we need Karma back. You know that as well as I do.”

  Chaya understood. “So just me? On my own then, right?”

  Jansa nodded yes. “There’s no room for error there. You’re the only one I trust, you and only you.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  Before any of the sisterhood’s men, women, and children departed, Chaya was chosen to say a few words for those lost. All were together in the nearby airfield in Washington, DC. They all stood before her, quiet yet still mourning the losses.

  She had them form a big circle to begin.

  Rather than make a spectacle out of Reagan, she, with the help of Tyne, had gotten her in their ship prior to speaking. Before leaving her, Raegan did whisper one important thing. “I had a vision, and we’re going to be okay.”

  Chaya had that thought as she now spoke before all the others.

  “At this moment, we pay tribute to those that have fallen.”

  Heads were lowered and hats were removed as most closed their eyes as she went on.

  “First off, as for every single member of the sisterhood that has passed away, you will forever live in our memories. That is the way that you will live on. You may not be here in physical form, though every single thought that we have of you makes us feel your presence, and this will never stop.

  “We’re a sisterhood of climate warriors. We will always strive to make the planet better, doing all we can to conserve the land so that it may stay beautiful.”

  Chaya took a long breath before continuing.

  “Della, we thank you for all that you did for us by being undercover, right in the enemy's lair. You took a great chance to try and make a difference. We will forever be in your debt. Thank you so much. Without you, Jansa and Reagan would have never gotten free.

  “To Brin, flying out, trying to go and save our leaders took great courage and great risk. And even though your efforts lacked results, we will never forget you for all that you stood for. Once just a young teenager on the streets, you always had the dream of meeting the Mystical Slayers, and then out of blue your dream came true. Thank you for your service to the sisterhood. We will never forget your beautiful face. You will always be one of us!”

  Before Chaya was through, several turned up to look up at one of the sky vessels. The doorway had opened up and Raegan was now standing there. Her forehead was heavily bandaged, her face and her body beaten, but she too was now listening to the tribute to those that had fallen recently.

  Everyone stayed within the circle, honoring lost loved ones. You could see it in their faces and the tears as Chaya now mentioned Paka.

  “As to our longest fellow member, our hearts go out to a legend of the sisters. She went to Mars in representation of us, and had recently returned to the joy and enthusiasm of all of us here. Paka, your fighting prowess always amazed us and your will to succeed and never give up was contagious. We love you, we miss you, and your legacy will be with us until the end of time.”

  Chaya looked up to see Raegan now as she slowly lifted her arm up and made a fist.

  There was a moment of silence thereafter before Chaya announced that it was time for all to go their own ways.

  “But before we all part,” she then added, “all of you keep the faith. As Raegan always says, ‘Wherever we go, know that the Lord has been there, and he will watch over us in all that is to come.’”

  Raegan, from up in the ship, slowly backed away from the exit door, closing it and heading back inside.

  It was then that the sisterhood, along with the men, women, and children amongst them, all went their separate ways, scattered about the country. It was a first that none had ever dreamed of.

  There was a known plan out there, one to eliminate all the sisters, but they were not going to make it easy.

  Everyone was going their separate ways, but before the place was empty, Chaya, Sinaye, Mahira, and Tyne met up with Jansa. The remaining core of women stood together one more time now.

  “Take care of yourselves,” Chaya said to them all. “Most of us, as planned, will be lying low for a bit. But let us realize that Sin and Tyne are on route to an island that Karma has described as horrible and gut-wrenching. We wish you two safe travels.”

  It had been awhile since Tyne or Sin had been out. They both were looking forward to whatever the adventure brought them. There was no doubt from the stories told that there was justice to be served on that secluded island, and they were ready to do just that.

  “Yeah, you guys be safe out there,” the fiery redhead, Mahira, spoke out. “You guys all realize one thing, right? I'm next. Whatever needs to be done, I’m the one next.”

  The women near her all nodded.

  “Fair enough,” Jansa then said.

  Mahira smiled for the first time is a bit. “Live free or die, right you all? Don’t ever forget that!”

  Each of them would take her words inside and hold great hope for the future. It was then each said their private goodbyes to one another and headed to their own ships.

  The dark-haired robotics scientist made sure she had her breathing mask, while Tyne, dressed all in white, pulled up in a utility vehicle they would use to reach the bay.

  “All set?” Tyne called as she came about.

  Sinaye gave her a thumbs up. The scientist was in all black and had also made sure she had her favorite laser pistol at her side.

  CHAPTER THREE

  With Starigen 6280 flowing in their blood, Tyne and Sinaye were off. With help from Miggie, the so-called druid of the woods from that very island they were headed to, each knew right where to go to find the ferry across the water leading to Pine Haven.

  Sin, since being on a different planet, was still finding it hard to breathe on Earth. She had devised a technologically-advanced breathing mask that she now had to continuously wear. She looked a bit intimidating in it too.

  As for Tyne Gem, she didn't even have to breathe air.

  The two of them rode through the night without stopping until late morning of the next day. Then they reached the dock following the map from Miggie that Tyne had digitally downloaded into her system.

&nb
sp; As to the timing of arriving to take the ferry, it was somewhat on track. The large boat was out there, they could see it clearly.

  Now they just had to get on the thing without issues. There was consideration about using one of the flyers to fly over, but this would give them away, possibly alert the islander heads. They had learned that no flying ships were allowed to land in Pine Haven.

  The bay today was wrestling with amber waves. After seeing such, the two women approached several shipmen, who were more like guards, in front of the ferry.

  With her long-ranged x-ray vision, the cyborg immediately saw someone in the front of the uphill line offer an illegal item. He was taken and put in cuffs, his weapons confiscated, and soon led to the edge of the dock and shot on sight.

  Tyne was surprised at such cruelty and law here.

  “Throw our bag of extra guns to the side off the road,” she immediately instructed her sister. “We're going to have to get on board in another fashion.”

  Sin gave her a funny look. She then asked, “And what would that be?”

  Tyne winked at her sister. “Maybe you could use your womanly charms,” Tyne then insisted, mocking Sin by acting as if she, a small-chested borg, had big bosoms.

  Sin did not find her joking all too funny.

  She then replied, “Good thing I had a back-up plan.” She then removed her backpack and went about digging through it.

  Tyne rolled her mechanical eyes, waiting for a result.

  “Who could be able to resist these?” Sin announced, holding up a bag of candy.

  Tyne zoomed in on them and did a quick analysis of what appeared to be small balls of a red color. The data she scanned in her head came to the conclusion that they were a sort of Atomic fireball candy.

  The cyborg wondered now if such a unique idea would be successful.

  “You think these guards will want them?”

  Sin was the one now who winked. “Well I guess we'll just have to find that out in a few minutes… The line is moving. Let's go give it a try.”