A Not So Far Off Place, pt. 1
By: DL
Thread: Iron Writer
Posted: July 12, 2003
The scent of fresh snow was thick in the air. It was a rich, but crisp sensation that held at a certain moist feeling. The snow had yet to be cleared from the streets of the industrial city of Narshe, and thus had yet to be stained with blacks and greys by the touch of the smoke pouring out of the cityÕs numerous steam pipes, smokestacks, and mines. Not even the lights of the city dared to touch the tranquility of the snowfall. They were all blacked out, as had been deemed necessary by the Esperian government. In the December of 35 WR, the fear of Scandian bombers was too great to risk a luxury such as proper lighting.
The only disruption of the white sheet on the ground was two tracks of footprints that wound through it. They went down what would have ordinarily been a sidewalk, and cut across a street that was discernable only because of the nearby traffic lights and street signs that were held over the snow by wrought iron poles. The footprints led into one of NarsheÕs parks. It was dotted with trees bare of their leaves; snow and ice were crusted about their branches, and a simple and small fence fenced off the park.
A couple walking into the park had left the transgression on the field of snow. The boy was the taller of the two, but only slightly, and the slouch to his walk made him seem slightly shorter than the woman walking next to him. He wore a large, down-filled jacket that hung past his waist, and his gloved hands were crammed into the pockets of the jacket. Strands of brown hair were creeping out from under the wool cap he wore, onto his forehead. It was without any lines, as was his face. He was eighteen, perhaps nineteen years old. His blue jeans were tucked into large leather boots.
The girl at his side was shorter than him, and had a fairly small build to her. Her age was the same, though a couple of months younger than he was. However, she stood up straighter than he did, and held herself with more pride than his stance suggested. She was wearing a long jacket similar to his, but had it in a shade of royal blue instead of his drab grey coat. A wool cap was also pulled down over her head and ears, leaving her lighter brown hair to fall down to her shoulders. Bits of snow and ice were crystallized around it in a few places.
He glanced over at her, and she smiled at him. He returned it, but he felt a little guilty inside. He loved her. He knew that to his very core. But he also knew that he did not deserve a girl like her. He sighed, a cloud of steam appearing in front of his mouth, and kept walking. The sigh drew a slight downturn of her lips, which he caught from the corner of his eyes.
ÒYouÕre thinking about tomorrow, arenÕt you?Ó she asked. She stopped, cleanly and smoothly in the snow, and looked at him. Her blue eyes were slightly sad looking, despite that she was forcing a smile on his face.
ÒHard not to,Ó he lied. ÒItÕs still a little hard to believe we both got into the Sky Riders. And that the governmentÕs going to let us go into it after they decided to split from the rest of the Soldiery.Ó
ÒThey still need soldiers in the Sky Riders, Erwin,Ó she said. She shook her head emphatically, and removed her hands from her pockets. Her gloved fingers started entwining themselves as she clasped her hands together.
ÒWeÕve won every major space engagement with the Scandians, Anne,Ó he answered. It was a futile effort to try to argue with her, however. She was simply smarter than he was, and he knew it Ð the argument he just gave was what the Esperian propaganda had been spouting off in the cities it still held, while she had no doubt at least tried to examine the information herself. She was also far more stubborn than he was, and was less likely to concede an argument.
ÒWe havenÕt had a major engagement with the Scandians,Ó the girl retorted, but hastily added, Òat least that I know about. TheyÕve only sent a few ships. Sure, the Warhammer-class ships have roughed us up some, but our ships have outnumbered theirs every time. WeÕll need manpower for whenever they finally send the main fleet after us.Ó
In later years, it would all seem a ridiculous thought to Erwin. But at the time, the young man and Anne saw things as most Esperians saw them. The Scandian ground power had overwhelmed the Esperians on Solthai, and the behemoth Scandian fleet was simply waiting in Dragon to come into their space and cleanse Esper of the Sky Riders. It was a chilling thought, and it sent a shiver down the young manÕs spine at the time.
ÒI guess youÕre right,Ó he said. He nodded to her. His real reason for conceding was that he did not particularly care for an argument at the moment. The two of them had enlisted in the Sky Riders, and their training was complete. The next day, they would be issued their first assignments. Part of him, a younger and idealistic part that had forgotten the war raging on Esper at the moment, hoped they would be assigned to the same ship. A more logical, weathered side that was perhaps a bit unnatural for a boy of nineteen knew that this was quite unlikely.
Her expression had been hardened as the argument started, but it quickly softened back into a smile. She brushed his cheek with one of her gloved hands, which brought an instinctive blush to his cheeks. He tried to fight it down, but it was to no avail. The likelihood was that this would be their last, real moment alone for some time. Their tours of duty would end in two years, if neither resumed it. And, he reminded himself, only if the war had ended by that point.
ÒYou always think too much about this stuff,Ó she said softly.
He grinned. ÒItÕs just the way I am, I guess.Ó
ÒI know. I like you the way you are, too.Ó Her smile became smug.
ÒThatÕs good to know.Ó He grinned and continued walking forward in the snow, stepping carefully each time. She followed after him, her feet making a lighter crunching sound than his each time they pushed into it. Her hands returned to the pockets of her jacket. He glanced at her while they walked. They were a couple, to one another, though it had been rarely said. It was comfortably assumed, even known, where they stood with one another. There were many questions he had in his mind when it came to her, but the basis of their relationship was one he knew was solid.
ÒDid you enlist because you knew I would be drafted or have to enlist anyways?Ó he asked after a moment of silence. She blinked and stopped again. Erwin stopped after a moment and turned around to look at her. She was looking rather surprised by the question. It was one of the ones he had been wondering about.
ÒNo,Ó she finally said. ÒNot entirely. I love my country, for one thing.Ó
ÒSo do I,Ó he replied.
ÒWe owe Esper everything,Ó Anne continued. He watched her for a moment. Her eyes were lit up like they rarely were. She often held that fiery, impassioned look when she thought of her country. Both of their formative years had been in the height of their newly born nationÕs glory, and the propaganda machine had inspired them. He believed that his nation, at least in some way, was greater than any other in the Web Ð and yet, at the same time, he knew it was only because a few pamphlets, commercials, and speeches had told him such. Nationalism was a fickle thing.
ÒWe owe meeting to the nation,Ó she stated. She had noticed the thoughtful look in his eyes, and taken it as a cue for her to continue speaking. ÒIf they had not stationed my dad in Narshe, then we wouldnÕt have met.Ó
He knew what was unsaid was that it would have been a bad thing if they had never met, and Erwin agreed wholeheartedly. However, he knew there was something else to this, and it was more than she was letting onto. Ordinarily, he would have dropped such a matter, but there was a chance this would also be the last time they would ever see one another. If one of them died, he wanted to know why she had done what she did. ÒThereÕs more, though, Anne.Ó He shook his head. ÒWhat is it?Ó
ÒI donÕt want to sit at home while youÕre off fighting the Scandians,Ó she finally said. She let out a sigh of her own, sending another puff of steam into the air before them. ÒI donÕt mean that in some wishful thinking, heroic way. But weÕve lived mostly the same life so far. We went to the same school; we grew up in the same town. IÕd rather live the same, basic life with you, even if it means putting myself into danger.Ó
ÒI guess I would feel a little better, knowing youÕre going through what I am out there,Ó he admitted. He looked down at his feet, which were partially sunken into the snow. ÒNot to say that I want you to be in a war, Anne.Ó
She smiled at him, again. ÒI know that. IÕll still miss you, though.Ó
ÒYeah,Ó he said. ÒIÕll miss you, too.Ó He sighed, and looked at the horizon. The largest mountain chain on Esper loomed to the north. The majestic Letian Range was rising over them, a wall of dark grey peaks. The tallest of the mountains, the mountain that had been named the Grazenhorn, was partially covering the moon with its hooked beak of a summit. He looked at his girlfriend, and found that Anne was looking at the mountain as well. She had always loved that mountain.
He felt her lean against him, and put his arms around her. It occurred to him that it could be the last time they would ever see it together.
The only disruption of the white sheet on the ground was two tracks of footprints that wound through it. They went down what would have ordinarily been a sidewalk, and cut across a street that was discernable only because of the nearby traffic lights and street signs that were held over the snow by wrought iron poles. The footprints led into one of NarsheÕs parks. It was dotted with trees bare of their leaves; snow and ice were crusted about their branches, and a simple and small fence fenced off the park.
A couple walking into the park had left the transgression on the field of snow. The boy was the taller of the two, but only slightly, and the slouch to his walk made him seem slightly shorter than the woman walking next to him. He wore a large, down-filled jacket that hung past his waist, and his gloved hands were crammed into the pockets of the jacket. Strands of brown hair were creeping out from under the wool cap he wore, onto his forehead. It was without any lines, as was his face. He was eighteen, perhaps nineteen years old. His blue jeans were tucked into large leather boots.
The girl at his side was shorter than him, and had a fairly small build to her. Her age was the same, though a couple of months younger than he was. However, she stood up straighter than he did, and held herself with more pride than his stance suggested. She was wearing a long jacket similar to his, but had it in a shade of royal blue instead of his drab grey coat. A wool cap was also pulled down over her head and ears, leaving her lighter brown hair to fall down to her shoulders. Bits of snow and ice were crystallized around it in a few places.
He glanced over at her, and she smiled at him. He returned it, but he felt a little guilty inside. He loved her. He knew that to his very core. But he also knew that he did not deserve a girl like her. He sighed, a cloud of steam appearing in front of his mouth, and kept walking. The sigh drew a slight downturn of her lips, which he caught from the corner of his eyes.
ÒYouÕre thinking about tomorrow, arenÕt you?Ó she asked. She stopped, cleanly and smoothly in the snow, and looked at him. Her blue eyes were slightly sad looking, despite that she was forcing a smile on his face.
ÒHard not to,Ó he lied. ÒItÕs still a little hard to believe we both got into the Sky Riders. And that the governmentÕs going to let us go into it after they decided to split from the rest of the Soldiery.Ó
ÒThey still need soldiers in the Sky Riders, Erwin,Ó she said. She shook her head emphatically, and removed her hands from her pockets. Her gloved fingers started entwining themselves as she clasped her hands together.
ÒWeÕve won every major space engagement with the Scandians, Anne,Ó he answered. It was a futile effort to try to argue with her, however. She was simply smarter than he was, and he knew it Ð the argument he just gave was what the Esperian propaganda had been spouting off in the cities it still held, while she had no doubt at least tried to examine the information herself. She was also far more stubborn than he was, and was less likely to concede an argument.
ÒWe havenÕt had a major engagement with the Scandians,Ó the girl retorted, but hastily added, Òat least that I know about. TheyÕve only sent a few ships. Sure, the Warhammer-class ships have roughed us up some, but our ships have outnumbered theirs every time. WeÕll need manpower for whenever they finally send the main fleet after us.Ó
In later years, it would all seem a ridiculous thought to Erwin. But at the time, the young man and Anne saw things as most Esperians saw them. The Scandian ground power had overwhelmed the Esperians on Solthai, and the behemoth Scandian fleet was simply waiting in Dragon to come into their space and cleanse Esper of the Sky Riders. It was a chilling thought, and it sent a shiver down the young manÕs spine at the time.
ÒI guess youÕre right,Ó he said. He nodded to her. His real reason for conceding was that he did not particularly care for an argument at the moment. The two of them had enlisted in the Sky Riders, and their training was complete. The next day, they would be issued their first assignments. Part of him, a younger and idealistic part that had forgotten the war raging on Esper at the moment, hoped they would be assigned to the same ship. A more logical, weathered side that was perhaps a bit unnatural for a boy of nineteen knew that this was quite unlikely.
Her expression had been hardened as the argument started, but it quickly softened back into a smile. She brushed his cheek with one of her gloved hands, which brought an instinctive blush to his cheeks. He tried to fight it down, but it was to no avail. The likelihood was that this would be their last, real moment alone for some time. Their tours of duty would end in two years, if neither resumed it. And, he reminded himself, only if the war had ended by that point.
ÒYou always think too much about this stuff,Ó she said softly.
He grinned. ÒItÕs just the way I am, I guess.Ó
ÒI know. I like you the way you are, too.Ó Her smile became smug.
ÒThatÕs good to know.Ó He grinned and continued walking forward in the snow, stepping carefully each time. She followed after him, her feet making a lighter crunching sound than his each time they pushed into it. Her hands returned to the pockets of her jacket. He glanced at her while they walked. They were a couple, to one another, though it had been rarely said. It was comfortably assumed, even known, where they stood with one another. There were many questions he had in his mind when it came to her, but the basis of their relationship was one he knew was solid.
ÒDid you enlist because you knew I would be drafted or have to enlist anyways?Ó he asked after a moment of silence. She blinked and stopped again. Erwin stopped after a moment and turned around to look at her. She was looking rather surprised by the question. It was one of the ones he had been wondering about.
ÒNo,Ó she finally said. ÒNot entirely. I love my country, for one thing.Ó
ÒSo do I,Ó he replied.
ÒWe owe Esper everything,Ó Anne continued. He watched her for a moment. Her eyes were lit up like they rarely were. She often held that fiery, impassioned look when she thought of her country. Both of their formative years had been in the height of their newly born nationÕs glory, and the propaganda machine had inspired them. He believed that his nation, at least in some way, was greater than any other in the Web Ð and yet, at the same time, he knew it was only because a few pamphlets, commercials, and speeches had told him such. Nationalism was a fickle thing.
ÒWe owe meeting to the nation,Ó she stated. She had noticed the thoughtful look in his eyes, and taken it as a cue for her to continue speaking. ÒIf they had not stationed my dad in Narshe, then we wouldnÕt have met.Ó
He knew what was unsaid was that it would have been a bad thing if they had never met, and Erwin agreed wholeheartedly. However, he knew there was something else to this, and it was more than she was letting onto. Ordinarily, he would have dropped such a matter, but there was a chance this would also be the last time they would ever see one another. If one of them died, he wanted to know why she had done what she did. ÒThereÕs more, though, Anne.Ó He shook his head. ÒWhat is it?Ó
ÒI donÕt want to sit at home while youÕre off fighting the Scandians,Ó she finally said. She let out a sigh of her own, sending another puff of steam into the air before them. ÒI donÕt mean that in some wishful thinking, heroic way. But weÕve lived mostly the same life so far. We went to the same school; we grew up in the same town. IÕd rather live the same, basic life with you, even if it means putting myself into danger.Ó
ÒI guess I would feel a little better, knowing youÕre going through what I am out there,Ó he admitted. He looked down at his feet, which were partially sunken into the snow. ÒNot to say that I want you to be in a war, Anne.Ó
She smiled at him, again. ÒI know that. IÕll still miss you, though.Ó
ÒYeah,Ó he said. ÒIÕll miss you, too.Ó He sighed, and looked at the horizon. The largest mountain chain on Esper loomed to the north. The majestic Letian Range was rising over them, a wall of dark grey peaks. The tallest of the mountains, the mountain that had been named the Grazenhorn, was partially covering the moon with its hooked beak of a summit. He looked at his girlfriend, and found that Anne was looking at the mountain as well. She had always loved that mountain.
He felt her lean against him, and put his arms around her. It occurred to him that it could be the last time they would ever see it together.
A Not So Far Off Place, pt. 2
By: DL
Thread: Iron Writer
Posted: July 12, 2003
It had not gone as Anne planned.
This was the only thing the woman could think of after remembering the last day she had spent on Esper. Her eyes opened and she looked around the ship that had been her home ever since that last night in Narshe. The Encephalon was a normal cruiser for the Sky Riders, for the most part, at least on the bridge that she sat in. Sleek metal walls of a matte grey color were lit up by rows of lights built into the crevices separating the floor and ceiling from the walls.
She made a point of trying to keep her last night in Narshe fresh in her mind. It was a mental exercise of some kind, to remember every detail she could muster about that day. With time, however, the details began to slip away. Words that had been spoken changed into the memory of only approximately what had been said, what she had seen slowly melted away until a few key images stayed in her mind, and the memory slowly turned itself into a phantom of what had actually occurred.
It had been perhaps a month to her, since she had left Narshe. She glanced at the forward view port of the Encephalon. The sight she saw there was one that she had never quite been used to, in the month she had spent aboard the vessel. The stars before here were slowly moving towards her, like distant mountains on a far away horizon. The sight was awe-inspiring and terrible in its own.
It was a reminder that for Erwin, who was not traveling on an experimental propulsion system capable of a significant fraction of the speed of light, nine months had gone by. By her reckoning, it was January of 36 WR, but the reality was that it was somewhere closer to August of 36 WR. The time gap would only grow from here. She was approximately nine light months away from her homeworld.
Their destination was the closest star to Esper, some four light years away. It was a yellow star not that unlike their sun, given the name Centaur. In an unlikely coincidence, a space telescope had found that Centaur had a planet slightly bigger than Esper. Its spectral readings showed that it had an atmosphere of oxygen. In the throes of the Leviathan War, it all made sense to someone on the high command. This world could be colonized, and in a worst-case scenario, used as a staging point to invade Esper and liberate it from the Communists.
She put her face in her hands and sighed. She had been told that she was among the greatest heroes of Esper, and that sacrificing living a normal life with the people she loved could be the saving grace for millions of others. Anne, however, just wanted to go home.
ÒDidnÕt your shift end an hour ago?Ó
Anne looked up as the skipper of the Encephalon, Captain Bernard Galling, walked into the bridge. He had his hands in his pockets of his uniform, and the coat of his uniform was left open. The man was in his mid-thirties, and just slightly overweight. He walked with a slouch that reminded her a little too much of ErwinÕs, and she thus looked away from him. She smiled and shook her head.
ÒIÕm sorry, sir,Ó she replied. ÒI was just admiring the view.Ó
ÒItÕs quite a view,Ó the Captain stated. He leaned against the doorframe of the entrance to the bridge. His hands were fidgeting, which she could see from the corner of her eye. Anne turned around at her station and glanced at him. Galling glanced down at the metal floor of the cruiser, and sighed. ÒI sometimes wish I could show my children this. Then I remember that by the time IÕm back, they wonÕt be children at all.Ó
She looked down at her station. The displays on her console met her eyes. They cast a soft green light over her face, from the technical readouts on the Merton cannon that she operated it. She sighed and closed her eyes. ÒI know how you feel, sir,Ó Anne answered him. ÒMy boyfriend is still in the Web. Or, at least he was. I got a letter by e-mail from him a few weeks ago. Of course, itÕs not really current. IÕm not sure if heÕs alive or not.Ó
ÒWhere is he stationed?Ó Galling asked.
ÒWith the strategic bombing campaign in Ticondera, so on one of the aerospace carriers behind that campaign,Ó she said. She tried to imagine what it must have been like for him out there, flying over the Ticonderan rail lines, magilyte mines, and factories. She had heard that it was one of the most dangerous types of missions that the SRAN could be given. She closed her eyes. It brought to mind a fact that she hated. ÒI actually joined because of him, sir.Ó
He raised an eyebrow. ÒWhy? Were you hoping to be assigned to the same base as he was?Ó
ÒA little bit,Ó Anne admitted. She opened her eyes, and looked at the slowly moving stars again. ÒThe real reason was that I just wanted to go through the same thing that he would go through, though. I wanted to have an idea what he would be experiencing.Ó A bitter smile crossed her face. ÒI guess that blew up right in my face, though, wouldnÕt you say?Ó
The older man was silent for a long moment. ÒMaybe so,Ó he finally conceded. His voice sounded wary, and she realized that she had perhaps said too much to him. He started speaking again after a short moment, and his tone relaxed. It put her mind, at least for a moment, to rest. ÒIt will be eight years, at least, before you see him again Ð and it will feel like ten months to you.Ó
ÒI know.Ó This time, it was her turn to be wary, and even slightly offended. She had been aware of that fact most acutely. She lived with it day and night. Who was he to remind her of that?
ÒThe only comfort I can give you is what I think of, when I think of my children,Ó Galling went on to say. His tone was a saddened one, which was a strange thing to hear from the Captain. He had always sounded resolute and strong, even when other crewmembers bemoaned their fate. Military discipline had been difficult to keep at first, but Galling had maintained it on the Encephalon. Perhaps, Anne decided, the mission given to the vessel was too much for anyone.
ÒI try to believe that if I remember my children, and try to communicate with them despite the impossible distances, I can be with them somehow,Ó he said. She turned around to look at him again, and h looked down and shook his head. ÒPerhaps they wonÕt have a father there while they grow up, but they can know that their father is alive, and that he is thinking of them every day.Ó
ÒThat is good advice, sir.Ó She smiled, and stood up. The young woman walked from her station and towards the doorway leading out of the bridge.
Galling blinked, and stepped aside. ÒWhere are you going?Ó
ÒI should respond to his letter,Ó Anne said. She walked into the hallway leading away from the bridge, her eyes locked on the elevator up ahead. ÒBefore it will take even longer for it to arrive.Ó
This was the only thing the woman could think of after remembering the last day she had spent on Esper. Her eyes opened and she looked around the ship that had been her home ever since that last night in Narshe. The Encephalon was a normal cruiser for the Sky Riders, for the most part, at least on the bridge that she sat in. Sleek metal walls of a matte grey color were lit up by rows of lights built into the crevices separating the floor and ceiling from the walls.
She made a point of trying to keep her last night in Narshe fresh in her mind. It was a mental exercise of some kind, to remember every detail she could muster about that day. With time, however, the details began to slip away. Words that had been spoken changed into the memory of only approximately what had been said, what she had seen slowly melted away until a few key images stayed in her mind, and the memory slowly turned itself into a phantom of what had actually occurred.
It had been perhaps a month to her, since she had left Narshe. She glanced at the forward view port of the Encephalon. The sight she saw there was one that she had never quite been used to, in the month she had spent aboard the vessel. The stars before here were slowly moving towards her, like distant mountains on a far away horizon. The sight was awe-inspiring and terrible in its own.
It was a reminder that for Erwin, who was not traveling on an experimental propulsion system capable of a significant fraction of the speed of light, nine months had gone by. By her reckoning, it was January of 36 WR, but the reality was that it was somewhere closer to August of 36 WR. The time gap would only grow from here. She was approximately nine light months away from her homeworld.
Their destination was the closest star to Esper, some four light years away. It was a yellow star not that unlike their sun, given the name Centaur. In an unlikely coincidence, a space telescope had found that Centaur had a planet slightly bigger than Esper. Its spectral readings showed that it had an atmosphere of oxygen. In the throes of the Leviathan War, it all made sense to someone on the high command. This world could be colonized, and in a worst-case scenario, used as a staging point to invade Esper and liberate it from the Communists.
She put her face in her hands and sighed. She had been told that she was among the greatest heroes of Esper, and that sacrificing living a normal life with the people she loved could be the saving grace for millions of others. Anne, however, just wanted to go home.
ÒDidnÕt your shift end an hour ago?Ó
Anne looked up as the skipper of the Encephalon, Captain Bernard Galling, walked into the bridge. He had his hands in his pockets of his uniform, and the coat of his uniform was left open. The man was in his mid-thirties, and just slightly overweight. He walked with a slouch that reminded her a little too much of ErwinÕs, and she thus looked away from him. She smiled and shook her head.
ÒIÕm sorry, sir,Ó she replied. ÒI was just admiring the view.Ó
ÒItÕs quite a view,Ó the Captain stated. He leaned against the doorframe of the entrance to the bridge. His hands were fidgeting, which she could see from the corner of her eye. Anne turned around at her station and glanced at him. Galling glanced down at the metal floor of the cruiser, and sighed. ÒI sometimes wish I could show my children this. Then I remember that by the time IÕm back, they wonÕt be children at all.Ó
She looked down at her station. The displays on her console met her eyes. They cast a soft green light over her face, from the technical readouts on the Merton cannon that she operated it. She sighed and closed her eyes. ÒI know how you feel, sir,Ó Anne answered him. ÒMy boyfriend is still in the Web. Or, at least he was. I got a letter by e-mail from him a few weeks ago. Of course, itÕs not really current. IÕm not sure if heÕs alive or not.Ó
ÒWhere is he stationed?Ó Galling asked.
ÒWith the strategic bombing campaign in Ticondera, so on one of the aerospace carriers behind that campaign,Ó she said. She tried to imagine what it must have been like for him out there, flying over the Ticonderan rail lines, magilyte mines, and factories. She had heard that it was one of the most dangerous types of missions that the SRAN could be given. She closed her eyes. It brought to mind a fact that she hated. ÒI actually joined because of him, sir.Ó
He raised an eyebrow. ÒWhy? Were you hoping to be assigned to the same base as he was?Ó
ÒA little bit,Ó Anne admitted. She opened her eyes, and looked at the slowly moving stars again. ÒThe real reason was that I just wanted to go through the same thing that he would go through, though. I wanted to have an idea what he would be experiencing.Ó A bitter smile crossed her face. ÒI guess that blew up right in my face, though, wouldnÕt you say?Ó
The older man was silent for a long moment. ÒMaybe so,Ó he finally conceded. His voice sounded wary, and she realized that she had perhaps said too much to him. He started speaking again after a short moment, and his tone relaxed. It put her mind, at least for a moment, to rest. ÒIt will be eight years, at least, before you see him again Ð and it will feel like ten months to you.Ó
ÒI know.Ó This time, it was her turn to be wary, and even slightly offended. She had been aware of that fact most acutely. She lived with it day and night. Who was he to remind her of that?
ÒThe only comfort I can give you is what I think of, when I think of my children,Ó Galling went on to say. His tone was a saddened one, which was a strange thing to hear from the Captain. He had always sounded resolute and strong, even when other crewmembers bemoaned their fate. Military discipline had been difficult to keep at first, but Galling had maintained it on the Encephalon. Perhaps, Anne decided, the mission given to the vessel was too much for anyone.
ÒI try to believe that if I remember my children, and try to communicate with them despite the impossible distances, I can be with them somehow,Ó he said. She turned around to look at him again, and h looked down and shook his head. ÒPerhaps they wonÕt have a father there while they grow up, but they can know that their father is alive, and that he is thinking of them every day.Ó
ÒThat is good advice, sir.Ó She smiled, and stood up. The young woman walked from her station and towards the doorway leading out of the bridge.
Galling blinked, and stepped aside. ÒWhere are you going?Ó
ÒI should respond to his letter,Ó Anne said. She walked into the hallway leading away from the bridge, her eyes locked on the elevator up ahead. ÒBefore it will take even longer for it to arrive.Ó
A Not So Far Off Place, pt. 3
By: DL
Thread: Iron Writer
Posted: July 12, 2003
Ê Ê Ê ÊErwin had moved into a small apartment when the Leviathan War had ended. He had left the Sky Riders behind, finding little reason to stay. The stars had little calling to him, though the war had left him changed. The questioning nature of his mind ultimately led him to the question many were afraid to ask about all wars: why was the Leviathan War fought? The answer had eluded him for a long time.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHe had taken to working at a Hoplite Biotech facility that had been opened in Narshe, in hopes of creating a hydroponics farm in city and allowing it to supply more of its own food. The job was not the most well paying sort, but it was enough to pay for his new home, feed him, and allow him a few small pleasures. The downside was that it had long hours, and it was such a long day that he was coming home from. The brown-haired man swung the doorway open and walked into his apartment.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHis coveralls were stained green from working in the gardens all day, and his hands were little better. He looked at them to find a few pricks of blood from where he had scratched them on the thorns of a rose bush. He had taken care of the rose bush himself, and even had planted it in the soil-less garden. It was a kind that Anne had always liked. That had been how he had kept her in his mind.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHis memories of her were still there, though faded. Her face was hard to remember in every detail at times, which was why he kept a picture taken of the two in the summer of 34 WR on a table. He glanced at it as he passed it. He looked different than he did then, and even than he looked when she had last seen him. He slouched more than he did when he was younger, and his face often had the shadow of a beard on it.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHe walked past the picture. Being reminded that he was no longer the boy she fell in love with was something Erwin disliked dwelling on. He glanced once at the laptop sitting on a coffee table in his living room. It was turned off, and the screen flipped down. He remembered how, at first, he checked multiple times per day for e-mail sent by her. Now, he tried to keep himself from doing so. Learning that the laws of physics would not bend for him was a hard lesson. It was also one his mind would not easily give in to.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHe sighed and sat down on his sofa. The man took the remote control to his television and turned the television on. For now, he would try to put his far away girlfriend from his mind, and watch the evening news. The screen came to life with an anchorman standing behind a sign reading ÒEBN Evening News.Ó A date line was displayed across the bottom, stating it to be August 4, 37 WR.
Ê Ê Ê ÊÒGood evening from Nikeah,Ó the anchorman said. He adjusted his tie and nodded, and took a seat behind the large desk. His name was Earl Jennings, and he had been a war correspondent during the Great War. He was widely regarded as one of the finest newscasters in modern times. ÒThere are several major items of news today. Among the first is that the Tasnican war in Carrion has progressed, and the city of Lieme has fallen to the Republican Marines. At the same time, stocks have fallen in Kuat a startling three percent. At home, the SkygonÕs renovations and repairs have finally been finished after the damage inflicted during the war. All this, and more on tonightÕs Evening News. But first, we go to Lieme, Carrion, where Tom Gallet is reporting on the progression of the war.Ó
Ê Ê Ê ÊThe screen cut to a younger man, who was wearing a Phalanx battlesuit like those used by the Republican Marines. His helmet was off, and his chest plate had the word ÒmediaÓ written across it in large letters. He held a microphone in one gauntleted hand, and blocked a large scene of destruction in the Carrionese city. ÒThank you, Earl. As you can see here, the fighting for Lieme was particularly ferocious. The Federal Army put up a considerable fight. As IÕm sure our viewers know by now, this war has brought a change in media coverage by imbedding reporters with certain units. IÕve been imbedded with the 4th RMC Infantry Regiment, which today played a key part in the assault on the northern fortifications of Lieme. Earl, I donÕt know if you knew this, butÉÓ
Ê Ê Ê ÊErwin tuned the television broadcast out. His muscles were aching from the long day at work, and his mind was refusing to take itself off of Anne. The man sighed, annoyed with himself, and flipped his laptop open. The liquid crystal screen came to life with a soft glow, and the Tasnican-made computer began to boot up.
Ê Ê Ê ÊThe sound of raindrops falling rather suddenly came from outside. He turned his head and looked out of the window, to see that a summer rainstorm had started to pound the city with a shower. The raindrops failed to mask another reason he had chosen the apartment. His window gave him a clear view of the Grazenhorn. The tallest mountain in Narshe was still snowcapped, even in summer. He had been able to see a few teams hiking up the mountain from his apartment. It was a popular sporting event with veteran mountaineers in the summer.
Ê Ê Ê ÊAnne had always said she wanted to climb the Grazenhorn. Unlike him, she had not spent her entire childhood in Narshe, and thus the massive mountain never ceased impressing her. He had told her it was not very impressive to see, once at the top. The mountaintop was little more than barren ice and snow. Yet, after she left, he had come to think of the mountain as hers.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHis laptop let off a sound byte of chimes ringing, and he turned to see that it had finished booting. He had a wireless Omninet service, which had been catching on like wildfire in the Esper Union and Tasnica. He took the mouse, and opened up his e-mail program. He glanced back up at the television while it loaded.
Ê Ê Ê ÊÒSo as you can see, Earl,Ó the battlesuit-clad reporter said, ÒKnossos is clearly on his way out. The men at the front seem confident, to say the last, and I think weÕre going to see a victory very soon.Ó
Ê Ê Ê ÊÒIÕm glad to hear that, Tom,Ó the anchorman said as the shot cut back to him. He looked into the camera, and smiled roguishly. ÒGrand times, for the grand old republic. Our next big story deals with a declining Kuat stock, which has been attributed to the increasing sales of Saeder-Krupp productsÉÓ
Ê Ê Ê ÊHe looked back at his screen. His inbox was littered with a few junk e-mails, which he rapidly started to delete. It had become an increasing problem in the Web Ð electronic mail had become littered with unwanted advertisements sent out by various companies. Many were for embarrassing purposes, and none were of interest to him. However, he stopped upon reaching a certain e-mail.
Ê Ê Ê ÊThe sender was abornley@sran.mil.on.
Ê Ê Ê ÊÒMy gods,Ó he said quietly to himself. He clicked on it immediately, spreading it out over his computer screen.
Subject: Nine light months out
To: elangley@narshe.com.on
From: abornley@sran.mil.on
Dear Erwin,
Ê Ê Ê ÊIf youÕre getting this when I think you will (and really donÕt know, because relativity is such a bitch to do the math for on the fly), then it should be late summer of 37 WR. For me, it would be February of 36 WR. IÕm looking at our first winter apart, and I suppose this would find you thinking about our second.
Ê Ê Ê ÊThe Encephalon is a strange place to be. The thing I see all day, and the only thing there is to see, is watching the stars actually move towards me. They donÕt get any bigger, of course, and theyÕre moving very, very, very slowly, but theyÕre still moving. It was kind of amazing at first, but itÕs just depressing now. It feels like weÕre not really going anywhere.
Ê Ê Ê ÊIÕve adjusted to life in the military, which IÕm sure youÕve worried about a lot. I didnÕt have your new military address, so I hope this finds its way to you. IÕm sure it will, because with the war going on this long, then they must have set up forwarding or something. I hope youÕve adjusted too. I also hope youÕre reading this. I tried to find casualty lists from the Ticonderan front, but I couldnÕt get a hold of them. ItÕs got me a little worried.
Ê Ê Ê ÊIÕm alive and well. We havenÕt seen much action from out there, or any, really. There was just the time we came about a million kilometers to close to KBO (Kuiper Belt Object, since I know you wonÕt look it up, you lazy bum). Real excitement, there. The computer thought we might hit for a nanosecond, and then it decided we wouldnÕt hit. Everyone would have been worried, but the chemicals in our brains to make us worry donÕt work that fast.
Ê Ê Ê ÊThat was sarcasm, by the way, Erwin.
Ê Ê Ê ÊI guess by this letter, you must be 21 by now. I hope this letter finds you in good health, and the nation in the same. Is Narshe in Communist hands? I had a nightmare that it fell to Skalice and that Regent deÕZama had died. Unbelievable, huh? I hope the war is going well.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHow is your life? I hope youÕre not too lonely, but if you feel anything like I doÉ Well, I guess it would be a lost cause then, huh? IÕm sorry that it happened like this, Erwin. But IÕve stayed faithful to you, as if you would ever doubt me on that. ItÕs a little hard to imagine what it must be like for you out there. IÕm afraid itÕs only going to get worse. IÕve done the math, and IÕll be back in 8 years at a minimum if I catch the first flight back home. IÕll have aged 10 months, and youÕll be 27.
Ê Ê Ê ÊYou can impress all of your friends by having a twenty year-old girlfriend then, huh?
Ê Ê Ê ÊTry not to worry about me. IÕm holding out. I just want to hear how youÕre doing. Please respond soon. IÕll reply right away. I love you always.
Love,
Anne
Ê Ê Ê ÊHe stared at the letter, and read it a second, a third, and a fourth time. It was really from her. The writing style was hers. He stared at the computer screen for a long moment. She was living in the past, in the most figurative sense of the word. She thought that the Leviathan War was still being fought. Regent deÕZama really was dead, and had been for nearly a year.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHe did not know how he would respond, but that would not impede him. He called up a new e-mail, and began typing.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHe had taken to working at a Hoplite Biotech facility that had been opened in Narshe, in hopes of creating a hydroponics farm in city and allowing it to supply more of its own food. The job was not the most well paying sort, but it was enough to pay for his new home, feed him, and allow him a few small pleasures. The downside was that it had long hours, and it was such a long day that he was coming home from. The brown-haired man swung the doorway open and walked into his apartment.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHis coveralls were stained green from working in the gardens all day, and his hands were little better. He looked at them to find a few pricks of blood from where he had scratched them on the thorns of a rose bush. He had taken care of the rose bush himself, and even had planted it in the soil-less garden. It was a kind that Anne had always liked. That had been how he had kept her in his mind.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHis memories of her were still there, though faded. Her face was hard to remember in every detail at times, which was why he kept a picture taken of the two in the summer of 34 WR on a table. He glanced at it as he passed it. He looked different than he did then, and even than he looked when she had last seen him. He slouched more than he did when he was younger, and his face often had the shadow of a beard on it.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHe walked past the picture. Being reminded that he was no longer the boy she fell in love with was something Erwin disliked dwelling on. He glanced once at the laptop sitting on a coffee table in his living room. It was turned off, and the screen flipped down. He remembered how, at first, he checked multiple times per day for e-mail sent by her. Now, he tried to keep himself from doing so. Learning that the laws of physics would not bend for him was a hard lesson. It was also one his mind would not easily give in to.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHe sighed and sat down on his sofa. The man took the remote control to his television and turned the television on. For now, he would try to put his far away girlfriend from his mind, and watch the evening news. The screen came to life with an anchorman standing behind a sign reading ÒEBN Evening News.Ó A date line was displayed across the bottom, stating it to be August 4, 37 WR.
Ê Ê Ê ÊÒGood evening from Nikeah,Ó the anchorman said. He adjusted his tie and nodded, and took a seat behind the large desk. His name was Earl Jennings, and he had been a war correspondent during the Great War. He was widely regarded as one of the finest newscasters in modern times. ÒThere are several major items of news today. Among the first is that the Tasnican war in Carrion has progressed, and the city of Lieme has fallen to the Republican Marines. At the same time, stocks have fallen in Kuat a startling three percent. At home, the SkygonÕs renovations and repairs have finally been finished after the damage inflicted during the war. All this, and more on tonightÕs Evening News. But first, we go to Lieme, Carrion, where Tom Gallet is reporting on the progression of the war.Ó
Ê Ê Ê ÊThe screen cut to a younger man, who was wearing a Phalanx battlesuit like those used by the Republican Marines. His helmet was off, and his chest plate had the word ÒmediaÓ written across it in large letters. He held a microphone in one gauntleted hand, and blocked a large scene of destruction in the Carrionese city. ÒThank you, Earl. As you can see here, the fighting for Lieme was particularly ferocious. The Federal Army put up a considerable fight. As IÕm sure our viewers know by now, this war has brought a change in media coverage by imbedding reporters with certain units. IÕve been imbedded with the 4th RMC Infantry Regiment, which today played a key part in the assault on the northern fortifications of Lieme. Earl, I donÕt know if you knew this, butÉÓ
Ê Ê Ê ÊErwin tuned the television broadcast out. His muscles were aching from the long day at work, and his mind was refusing to take itself off of Anne. The man sighed, annoyed with himself, and flipped his laptop open. The liquid crystal screen came to life with a soft glow, and the Tasnican-made computer began to boot up.
Ê Ê Ê ÊThe sound of raindrops falling rather suddenly came from outside. He turned his head and looked out of the window, to see that a summer rainstorm had started to pound the city with a shower. The raindrops failed to mask another reason he had chosen the apartment. His window gave him a clear view of the Grazenhorn. The tallest mountain in Narshe was still snowcapped, even in summer. He had been able to see a few teams hiking up the mountain from his apartment. It was a popular sporting event with veteran mountaineers in the summer.
Ê Ê Ê ÊAnne had always said she wanted to climb the Grazenhorn. Unlike him, she had not spent her entire childhood in Narshe, and thus the massive mountain never ceased impressing her. He had told her it was not very impressive to see, once at the top. The mountaintop was little more than barren ice and snow. Yet, after she left, he had come to think of the mountain as hers.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHis laptop let off a sound byte of chimes ringing, and he turned to see that it had finished booting. He had a wireless Omninet service, which had been catching on like wildfire in the Esper Union and Tasnica. He took the mouse, and opened up his e-mail program. He glanced back up at the television while it loaded.
Ê Ê Ê ÊÒSo as you can see, Earl,Ó the battlesuit-clad reporter said, ÒKnossos is clearly on his way out. The men at the front seem confident, to say the last, and I think weÕre going to see a victory very soon.Ó
Ê Ê Ê ÊÒIÕm glad to hear that, Tom,Ó the anchorman said as the shot cut back to him. He looked into the camera, and smiled roguishly. ÒGrand times, for the grand old republic. Our next big story deals with a declining Kuat stock, which has been attributed to the increasing sales of Saeder-Krupp productsÉÓ
Ê Ê Ê ÊHe looked back at his screen. His inbox was littered with a few junk e-mails, which he rapidly started to delete. It had become an increasing problem in the Web Ð electronic mail had become littered with unwanted advertisements sent out by various companies. Many were for embarrassing purposes, and none were of interest to him. However, he stopped upon reaching a certain e-mail.
Ê Ê Ê ÊThe sender was abornley@sran.mil.on.
Ê Ê Ê ÊÒMy gods,Ó he said quietly to himself. He clicked on it immediately, spreading it out over his computer screen.
Subject: Nine light months out
To: elangley@narshe.com.on
From: abornley@sran.mil.on
Dear Erwin,
Ê Ê Ê ÊIf youÕre getting this when I think you will (and really donÕt know, because relativity is such a bitch to do the math for on the fly), then it should be late summer of 37 WR. For me, it would be February of 36 WR. IÕm looking at our first winter apart, and I suppose this would find you thinking about our second.
Ê Ê Ê ÊThe Encephalon is a strange place to be. The thing I see all day, and the only thing there is to see, is watching the stars actually move towards me. They donÕt get any bigger, of course, and theyÕre moving very, very, very slowly, but theyÕre still moving. It was kind of amazing at first, but itÕs just depressing now. It feels like weÕre not really going anywhere.
Ê Ê Ê ÊIÕve adjusted to life in the military, which IÕm sure youÕve worried about a lot. I didnÕt have your new military address, so I hope this finds its way to you. IÕm sure it will, because with the war going on this long, then they must have set up forwarding or something. I hope youÕve adjusted too. I also hope youÕre reading this. I tried to find casualty lists from the Ticonderan front, but I couldnÕt get a hold of them. ItÕs got me a little worried.
Ê Ê Ê ÊIÕm alive and well. We havenÕt seen much action from out there, or any, really. There was just the time we came about a million kilometers to close to KBO (Kuiper Belt Object, since I know you wonÕt look it up, you lazy bum). Real excitement, there. The computer thought we might hit for a nanosecond, and then it decided we wouldnÕt hit. Everyone would have been worried, but the chemicals in our brains to make us worry donÕt work that fast.
Ê Ê Ê ÊThat was sarcasm, by the way, Erwin.
Ê Ê Ê ÊI guess by this letter, you must be 21 by now. I hope this letter finds you in good health, and the nation in the same. Is Narshe in Communist hands? I had a nightmare that it fell to Skalice and that Regent deÕZama had died. Unbelievable, huh? I hope the war is going well.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHow is your life? I hope youÕre not too lonely, but if you feel anything like I doÉ Well, I guess it would be a lost cause then, huh? IÕm sorry that it happened like this, Erwin. But IÕve stayed faithful to you, as if you would ever doubt me on that. ItÕs a little hard to imagine what it must be like for you out there. IÕm afraid itÕs only going to get worse. IÕve done the math, and IÕll be back in 8 years at a minimum if I catch the first flight back home. IÕll have aged 10 months, and youÕll be 27.
Ê Ê Ê ÊYou can impress all of your friends by having a twenty year-old girlfriend then, huh?
Ê Ê Ê ÊTry not to worry about me. IÕm holding out. I just want to hear how youÕre doing. Please respond soon. IÕll reply right away. I love you always.
Anne
Ê Ê Ê ÊHe stared at the letter, and read it a second, a third, and a fourth time. It was really from her. The writing style was hers. He stared at the computer screen for a long moment. She was living in the past, in the most figurative sense of the word. She thought that the Leviathan War was still being fought. Regent deÕZama really was dead, and had been for nearly a year.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHe did not know how he would respond, but that would not impede him. He called up a new e-mail, and began typing.
A Not So Far Off Place, pt. 4
By: DL
Thread: Iron Writer
Posted: July 12, 2003
The Encephalon could only have been a light year or so from Centaur. This was not the professional opinion of the onboard astronomer, but simply AnneÕs reckoning as she glanced out of a view port. Ordinarily, the lights on the outside of the cruiser and the interior lights would make the faint stars disappear because of the brightness. Only specially modified view ports, such as the one on the bridge, allowed them to be seen.
However, there was a twinkling yellow light outside the view port she was looking out of. She knew it was Centaur. A simple study of star charts in the shipÕs databanks had confirmed that for her. For the star to appear, and be growing steadily brighter, meant that it was getting closer. Anne smiled to herself and turned away from the small, circular window onto the void.
She was sitting inside the infirmary. The crew of the fleet headed towards the star beyond the Web was preparing for what could be a historic, momentous occasion. Life from beyond the Web was preparing to step upon a world that had not been touched by the Strands or the Web. The entirety of the crew was getting medical inspections to make sure they were at their healthiest.
The nature of the mission had changed. Word had arrived that the Leviathan War ended, and a staging point on Centaur was not immediately needed. Instead, the Sky Rider high command had decided to create a full-fledged colony on Centaur, either on the planet in orbit around it or on an artificial construction. The staging point would still be created, but it would double as a place to live and as a scientific research point. Much of what the Encephalon and the ships with her would convert their cargo into living facilities and research stations.
It raised her spirits in a strange way. There was no longer apocalyptic feeling of knowing one was embarking on a mission that was entirely based around the idea that the nation would fall to the Communist legions, and they would be at the spearhead of an army to reclaim the Esper Union. Instead, theirs had become a mission of discovery. They would be the first humans to see a world beyond the Web.
It was depressing, too, however. The Web that the data reports told them of was one that she barely understood. The Scandians had killed Regent deÕZama in the Second Battle of Nikeah, and there was now someone called Ceriz Altrega leading the Esper Union. Part of Esper was under the control of the Communists. And through it all, she still had no idea what happened to Erwin. Was he alive? Or had he been killed over the skies of Ticondera? Was he rotting away in a Ticonderan prison?
She sighed aloud.
ÒMiss?Ó a man asked. She looked up to see a man in a suit walk in. This was a strange thing to see, though she had seen the man a few times before. He always was found in civilian clothing, and kept to himself for the most part. He was a civilian, and the only one onboard the Encephalon, perhaps even the only one in the entire fleet. He was a man of some muscle and strength, though it seemed to be fading. His dark hair was greying and thinning, but he smiled in a friendly, unassuming way. ÒIs something wrong?Ó
ÒOh, itÕs nothing,Ó Anne answered. ÒAre you here for your check-up?Ó
The man sat down, and moaned in a bit of pain as he did. His face became a grimace of irritation, but he quickly turned it back into a smile. ÒNot quite, IÕm afraid. Chemo therapy.Ó
She blinked. ÒChemo? YouÕre a cancer patient?Ó
ÒThatÕs correct.Ó He smiled and closed his eyes, leaning his head back against the wall. ÒStomach cancer that has since spread to my spine. The doctors insist itÕs inoperable, and when they diagnosed me, I have about two years to live. IÕd like to extend it as much as I reasonably can.Ó
ÒI understand.Ó Anne shook her head. ÒAre you a civilian, then?Ó
ÒI am.Ó He opened his eyes and looked across the waiting room at her. As she studied him, she began to realize he was unhealthy. His body was withering, though it was in a fashion subtle enough to miss on an initial look. His musculature was fading away, and his face looked slightly gaunt. His suit was made to hide some of it. His tone of voice, however, was peaceful, and perhaps even happy. ÒIÕm with Hoplite Biotech. IÕm basically traveling with the fleet to evaluate what sorts of hydroponics, genetically altered crops, and other sorts of things will be needed for the new planet.Ó
ÒHow did you get stuck on this job?Ó Anne sighed and shook her head. ÒI would have quit if a company told me I was coming out here.Ó
ÒI volunteered for it, actually,Ó he said. ÒMy nameÕs John Gleason.Ó
ÒVolunteered?Ó she asked. She stared at him for a moment. What sort of psychopathic man would volunteer for a horrible mission like this? The entire idea baffled her, especially as she had spent the past four months trying to figure out just why she would be sent out here. ÒDo you not have a family?Ó
ÒA daughter, Emily,Ó Gleason answered. ÒShe was two when I left. I think she would be about five now.Ó
ÒDonÕt you miss her?Ó
ÒThatÕs why I volunteered,Ó the salesman said with a resolute nod. He smiled again, but there was a touch of bitterness to it. Anne stared at him for a moment, unsure what she should make of this individual. ÒI volunteered because I donÕt want to miss Emily. I donÕt want to miss her growing up. I want to see what sort of woman she turns into. IÕll return on the next ship, and then come back on the next one to return to Centaur. Then I can go back one last time, and sheÕll be eighteen.Ó
ÒBut what about knowing her father? DonÕt you want her to know who you are?Ó Anne asked him. She shook her head. ÒYouÕre still missing seeing her grow up. We canÕt always physically be with someone, but youÕre not even trying to be with her at all.Ó
ÒI am not leaving my daughter behind,Ó he said, his tone becoming venomous.
Anne sighed and shook her. She waved a hand in front of her face. ÒIÕm sorry about that. I donÕt have any right to judge you,Ó she said, though it was nearly a mutter. The truth of the matter was that she felt she did have a right to judge him, but it certainly was not a proper attitude to take with someone she had known for all of five minutes. ÒMy name is Ensign Anne Bornley, by the way.Ó
ÒA pleasure, Anne.Ó He smiled at her, some of that defensive air melting away. She found the gesture to be rather annoying, because she could see that he was not entirely at ease with what had transpired. The way his mouth was turning just slightly said that he had been offended by her words. He was trying to fake it, and doing a good job at it. ÒA woman your age probably doesnÕt have children. I presume you left your parents behind, then?Ó
Anne nodded. ÒMy parents and my boyfriend.Ó
ÒOh, a boyfriend?Ó Gleason let a grin with just a small amount of slyness come into it. The salesman sat up in his chair, his eyes wincing once more in pain made briefly visible. The reason behind that pain made Anne shudder slightly, but the salesman seemed to dismiss it immediately. ÒWas he from the same city as you were, or did you both meet in the military?Ó
ÒWe were both from Narshe,Ó she replied. ÒHe lived there his entire life, and I moved there when I was fifteen. I love that city, really. ThereÕs nothing quite like waking up to see the mountains looking back at you.Ó
ÒIÕve heard of the Letian Range, but IÕve never seen it,Ó the salesman answered.
ÒI want to climb the Grazenhorn when IÕm back from this mission,Ó Anne said. She smiled at the thought of it. ÒIÕm entirely serious, too. IÕm going to take some mountain climbing courses, and scale that thing. Erwin Ð oh, thatÕs my boyfriend, by the way Ð always said that itÕs too dangerous and thereÕs nothing to see up there, but heÕs just a worrywart.Ó
ÒIÕm sure youÕll get to see it soon,Ó John said. ÒAre you going to stay at Centaur for very long before catching a return flight?Ó
ÒIÕm not sure, to be honest.Ó Anne shook her head and looked down at her lap again. ÒI want to go back as soon as possible to see Erwin again, but I think theyÕre going to want me to stay and help out with the construction of the new colonies. Maybe IÕll be able to get out of it after a couple of years here or something. Also, I donÕt even know if ErwinÕs alive or not. He was with a bomber unit in Ticondera.Ó
GleasonÕs expression turned into a sympathetic frown. ÒI heard about the casualties that campaign took.Ó
She nodded her head. ÒThey were pretty high. I sent him e-mail awhile back. If he got it, and if he responded right after he did, then I should be getting it pretty soon.Ó The young woman looked down and shook her head. ÒIn fact, any day now.Ó
ÒSo why donÕt you check?Ó the salesman inquired. ÒI can tell that itÕs on your mind.Ó
ÒGetting my hopes up about it and looking, only to find that itÕs not there isnÕt really a good thing, with all due respect.Ó Anne ran her fingers over her lips and chin, and shook her head. ÒIt kind of brings the rest of my day down. IÕm nervous enough as it is.Ó
ÒDo you worry that heÕs forgotten about you, then?Ó
It was her turn to get defensive. AnneÕs eyes narrowed in suspicion as she looked at the man. ÒWhat do you mean by that?Ó she asked. Her tone was cold, and she was doing her best to put every bit of iciness that she could into it. She tensed her hands on the armrests of the chair she was sitting in. ÒI know he hasnÕt forgotten about me, do you understand? ThatÕs the last thing on my mind.Ó
He was not fazed. ÒBut how do you know?Ó
ÒBecause I know him,Ó she replied. She took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself down. ÒHe doesnÕt just forget people.Ó
He was silent at that. She watched the cancer patient for a long, silent moment. His expression had grown hard again, but he seemed to be thinking more than anything else at the moment. Anne found herself wondering just what he was thinking, but there was no way to pry into the manÕs mind and find out. Finally, John Gleason nodded his head, and said two quiet words. ÒI see.Ó
A nurse stepped into the room, and graciously put an end to the awkward silence that had developed. A smile was on her face, and she seemed to be oblivious to the tense atmosphere that had been there a moment ago. ÒMister Gleason? The doctor is ready to see you, now.Ó
He stood up and nodded to Anne. ÒIt was a pleasure talking with you, Miss Bornley. Do check your e-mail soon.Ó
ÒThanks,Ó she said, her voice quiet. ÒThe same to you, Mister Gleason.Ó
She watched as the man stood. The nurse walked into the room and tried to offer him assistance, but waved her aside with one arm as he brought himself to his feet. He moved slowly, and it was clearly with some effort. Anne watched as the man started walking for the open door, and the nurse followed him. It closed and took the two from sight. Anne sighed, and glanced at the small table beside her chair.
There were a few magazines there, and a small handheld unit for checking e-mail. She quietly cursed herself under her breath as she took the handheld unit and started typing into it, entering her login information. Her e-mail appeared, though there was only one letter in the inbox.
Her eyes went wide. It was from Erwin. She took no time in opening it.
Subject: Alive and well
To: abornley@sran.mil.on
From: elangley@narshe.com.on
Dear Anne,
IÕm not exactly sure when youÕll be getting this. You remember how I am with math. I did get your letter, though, which was a relief. I guess by the time you get this, youÕll have heard how everything in the Leviathan War and the Web turned out. It must be pretty hard to believe. I always wondered what it must be like for you, to suddenly hear all of that.
I survived. Ticondera was a hellhole, but we made it through. IÕm not sure just how much good it did, but IÕve since gotten out of the service. ItÕs strange not having you here, though. I guess I always thought that you would be around when I was out, but youÕre obviously not. Right now, IÕm working with Hoplite Biotech. IÕm basically involved in keeping up with a hydroponics facility they had made in Narshe after the war, since the fields at Mobliz mostly got ruined. WeÕve been finding ways to feed people. I might start doing a two-year program, though. Hoplite said theyÕd pay for it, and it would give me better training in what I do, which would mean a promotion.
Narshe is different. ItÕs hard to remember what it was like, exactly, when you were here, but itÕs changed. They tore down GusÕ old cafŽ, where we used to eat, and put in one of those new Tasnican coffee chains. ItÕs just not the same. TheyÕre also adding houses everywhere, and a few new big skyscrapers were built in downtown. They were talking about adding in a new stratoscraper, sort of like the Skygon. The Tasnicans think they can do it.
A lot of our friends arenÕt around anymore. Bob and Rodger died in the war. I went to the funerals, and told their families you were thinking of them. Sorry to put words in your mouth, but they asked about you. Hal moved to Tasnica, believe it or not. MaryÕs still living in town, and she got pregnant by some guy that was stationed here. SheÕs married, too. I went to the wedding.
IÕm still thinking about you. IÕm not sure where youÕll be when this arrives, but I want to hear about it. The Encephalon or anything else. Tell me about the crew. Life here is trying to be normal without you, but itÕs not really. I keep hoping youÕll be home soon.
IÕm hanging in there. Love you.
Love,
Erwin
She closed the e-mail after reading it once. He had lived, which brought an immediate smile to her face. He seemed to be well, though he sounded lonely by his letter. She realized, however, that her letter would now take approximately three years to arrive to him. The distance was growing. His next reply would likely take four to get to her. She would be on Centaur, by then.
She started typing her response.
However, there was a twinkling yellow light outside the view port she was looking out of. She knew it was Centaur. A simple study of star charts in the shipÕs databanks had confirmed that for her. For the star to appear, and be growing steadily brighter, meant that it was getting closer. Anne smiled to herself and turned away from the small, circular window onto the void.
She was sitting inside the infirmary. The crew of the fleet headed towards the star beyond the Web was preparing for what could be a historic, momentous occasion. Life from beyond the Web was preparing to step upon a world that had not been touched by the Strands or the Web. The entirety of the crew was getting medical inspections to make sure they were at their healthiest.
The nature of the mission had changed. Word had arrived that the Leviathan War ended, and a staging point on Centaur was not immediately needed. Instead, the Sky Rider high command had decided to create a full-fledged colony on Centaur, either on the planet in orbit around it or on an artificial construction. The staging point would still be created, but it would double as a place to live and as a scientific research point. Much of what the Encephalon and the ships with her would convert their cargo into living facilities and research stations.
It raised her spirits in a strange way. There was no longer apocalyptic feeling of knowing one was embarking on a mission that was entirely based around the idea that the nation would fall to the Communist legions, and they would be at the spearhead of an army to reclaim the Esper Union. Instead, theirs had become a mission of discovery. They would be the first humans to see a world beyond the Web.
It was depressing, too, however. The Web that the data reports told them of was one that she barely understood. The Scandians had killed Regent deÕZama in the Second Battle of Nikeah, and there was now someone called Ceriz Altrega leading the Esper Union. Part of Esper was under the control of the Communists. And through it all, she still had no idea what happened to Erwin. Was he alive? Or had he been killed over the skies of Ticondera? Was he rotting away in a Ticonderan prison?
She sighed aloud.
ÒMiss?Ó a man asked. She looked up to see a man in a suit walk in. This was a strange thing to see, though she had seen the man a few times before. He always was found in civilian clothing, and kept to himself for the most part. He was a civilian, and the only one onboard the Encephalon, perhaps even the only one in the entire fleet. He was a man of some muscle and strength, though it seemed to be fading. His dark hair was greying and thinning, but he smiled in a friendly, unassuming way. ÒIs something wrong?Ó
ÒOh, itÕs nothing,Ó Anne answered. ÒAre you here for your check-up?Ó
The man sat down, and moaned in a bit of pain as he did. His face became a grimace of irritation, but he quickly turned it back into a smile. ÒNot quite, IÕm afraid. Chemo therapy.Ó
She blinked. ÒChemo? YouÕre a cancer patient?Ó
ÒThatÕs correct.Ó He smiled and closed his eyes, leaning his head back against the wall. ÒStomach cancer that has since spread to my spine. The doctors insist itÕs inoperable, and when they diagnosed me, I have about two years to live. IÕd like to extend it as much as I reasonably can.Ó
ÒI understand.Ó Anne shook her head. ÒAre you a civilian, then?Ó
ÒI am.Ó He opened his eyes and looked across the waiting room at her. As she studied him, she began to realize he was unhealthy. His body was withering, though it was in a fashion subtle enough to miss on an initial look. His musculature was fading away, and his face looked slightly gaunt. His suit was made to hide some of it. His tone of voice, however, was peaceful, and perhaps even happy. ÒIÕm with Hoplite Biotech. IÕm basically traveling with the fleet to evaluate what sorts of hydroponics, genetically altered crops, and other sorts of things will be needed for the new planet.Ó
ÒHow did you get stuck on this job?Ó Anne sighed and shook her head. ÒI would have quit if a company told me I was coming out here.Ó
ÒI volunteered for it, actually,Ó he said. ÒMy nameÕs John Gleason.Ó
ÒVolunteered?Ó she asked. She stared at him for a moment. What sort of psychopathic man would volunteer for a horrible mission like this? The entire idea baffled her, especially as she had spent the past four months trying to figure out just why she would be sent out here. ÒDo you not have a family?Ó
ÒA daughter, Emily,Ó Gleason answered. ÒShe was two when I left. I think she would be about five now.Ó
ÒDonÕt you miss her?Ó
ÒThatÕs why I volunteered,Ó the salesman said with a resolute nod. He smiled again, but there was a touch of bitterness to it. Anne stared at him for a moment, unsure what she should make of this individual. ÒI volunteered because I donÕt want to miss Emily. I donÕt want to miss her growing up. I want to see what sort of woman she turns into. IÕll return on the next ship, and then come back on the next one to return to Centaur. Then I can go back one last time, and sheÕll be eighteen.Ó
ÒBut what about knowing her father? DonÕt you want her to know who you are?Ó Anne asked him. She shook her head. ÒYouÕre still missing seeing her grow up. We canÕt always physically be with someone, but youÕre not even trying to be with her at all.Ó
ÒI am not leaving my daughter behind,Ó he said, his tone becoming venomous.
Anne sighed and shook her. She waved a hand in front of her face. ÒIÕm sorry about that. I donÕt have any right to judge you,Ó she said, though it was nearly a mutter. The truth of the matter was that she felt she did have a right to judge him, but it certainly was not a proper attitude to take with someone she had known for all of five minutes. ÒMy name is Ensign Anne Bornley, by the way.Ó
ÒA pleasure, Anne.Ó He smiled at her, some of that defensive air melting away. She found the gesture to be rather annoying, because she could see that he was not entirely at ease with what had transpired. The way his mouth was turning just slightly said that he had been offended by her words. He was trying to fake it, and doing a good job at it. ÒA woman your age probably doesnÕt have children. I presume you left your parents behind, then?Ó
Anne nodded. ÒMy parents and my boyfriend.Ó
ÒOh, a boyfriend?Ó Gleason let a grin with just a small amount of slyness come into it. The salesman sat up in his chair, his eyes wincing once more in pain made briefly visible. The reason behind that pain made Anne shudder slightly, but the salesman seemed to dismiss it immediately. ÒWas he from the same city as you were, or did you both meet in the military?Ó
ÒWe were both from Narshe,Ó she replied. ÒHe lived there his entire life, and I moved there when I was fifteen. I love that city, really. ThereÕs nothing quite like waking up to see the mountains looking back at you.Ó
ÒIÕve heard of the Letian Range, but IÕve never seen it,Ó the salesman answered.
ÒI want to climb the Grazenhorn when IÕm back from this mission,Ó Anne said. She smiled at the thought of it. ÒIÕm entirely serious, too. IÕm going to take some mountain climbing courses, and scale that thing. Erwin Ð oh, thatÕs my boyfriend, by the way Ð always said that itÕs too dangerous and thereÕs nothing to see up there, but heÕs just a worrywart.Ó
ÒIÕm sure youÕll get to see it soon,Ó John said. ÒAre you going to stay at Centaur for very long before catching a return flight?Ó
ÒIÕm not sure, to be honest.Ó Anne shook her head and looked down at her lap again. ÒI want to go back as soon as possible to see Erwin again, but I think theyÕre going to want me to stay and help out with the construction of the new colonies. Maybe IÕll be able to get out of it after a couple of years here or something. Also, I donÕt even know if ErwinÕs alive or not. He was with a bomber unit in Ticondera.Ó
GleasonÕs expression turned into a sympathetic frown. ÒI heard about the casualties that campaign took.Ó
She nodded her head. ÒThey were pretty high. I sent him e-mail awhile back. If he got it, and if he responded right after he did, then I should be getting it pretty soon.Ó The young woman looked down and shook her head. ÒIn fact, any day now.Ó
ÒSo why donÕt you check?Ó the salesman inquired. ÒI can tell that itÕs on your mind.Ó
ÒGetting my hopes up about it and looking, only to find that itÕs not there isnÕt really a good thing, with all due respect.Ó Anne ran her fingers over her lips and chin, and shook her head. ÒIt kind of brings the rest of my day down. IÕm nervous enough as it is.Ó
ÒDo you worry that heÕs forgotten about you, then?Ó
It was her turn to get defensive. AnneÕs eyes narrowed in suspicion as she looked at the man. ÒWhat do you mean by that?Ó she asked. Her tone was cold, and she was doing her best to put every bit of iciness that she could into it. She tensed her hands on the armrests of the chair she was sitting in. ÒI know he hasnÕt forgotten about me, do you understand? ThatÕs the last thing on my mind.Ó
He was not fazed. ÒBut how do you know?Ó
ÒBecause I know him,Ó she replied. She took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself down. ÒHe doesnÕt just forget people.Ó
He was silent at that. She watched the cancer patient for a long, silent moment. His expression had grown hard again, but he seemed to be thinking more than anything else at the moment. Anne found herself wondering just what he was thinking, but there was no way to pry into the manÕs mind and find out. Finally, John Gleason nodded his head, and said two quiet words. ÒI see.Ó
A nurse stepped into the room, and graciously put an end to the awkward silence that had developed. A smile was on her face, and she seemed to be oblivious to the tense atmosphere that had been there a moment ago. ÒMister Gleason? The doctor is ready to see you, now.Ó
He stood up and nodded to Anne. ÒIt was a pleasure talking with you, Miss Bornley. Do check your e-mail soon.Ó
ÒThanks,Ó she said, her voice quiet. ÒThe same to you, Mister Gleason.Ó
She watched as the man stood. The nurse walked into the room and tried to offer him assistance, but waved her aside with one arm as he brought himself to his feet. He moved slowly, and it was clearly with some effort. Anne watched as the man started walking for the open door, and the nurse followed him. It closed and took the two from sight. Anne sighed, and glanced at the small table beside her chair.
There were a few magazines there, and a small handheld unit for checking e-mail. She quietly cursed herself under her breath as she took the handheld unit and started typing into it, entering her login information. Her e-mail appeared, though there was only one letter in the inbox.
Her eyes went wide. It was from Erwin. She took no time in opening it.
Subject: Alive and well
To: abornley@sran.mil.on
From: elangley@narshe.com.on
Dear Anne,
IÕm not exactly sure when youÕll be getting this. You remember how I am with math. I did get your letter, though, which was a relief. I guess by the time you get this, youÕll have heard how everything in the Leviathan War and the Web turned out. It must be pretty hard to believe. I always wondered what it must be like for you, to suddenly hear all of that.
I survived. Ticondera was a hellhole, but we made it through. IÕm not sure just how much good it did, but IÕve since gotten out of the service. ItÕs strange not having you here, though. I guess I always thought that you would be around when I was out, but youÕre obviously not. Right now, IÕm working with Hoplite Biotech. IÕm basically involved in keeping up with a hydroponics facility they had made in Narshe after the war, since the fields at Mobliz mostly got ruined. WeÕve been finding ways to feed people. I might start doing a two-year program, though. Hoplite said theyÕd pay for it, and it would give me better training in what I do, which would mean a promotion.
Narshe is different. ItÕs hard to remember what it was like, exactly, when you were here, but itÕs changed. They tore down GusÕ old cafŽ, where we used to eat, and put in one of those new Tasnican coffee chains. ItÕs just not the same. TheyÕre also adding houses everywhere, and a few new big skyscrapers were built in downtown. They were talking about adding in a new stratoscraper, sort of like the Skygon. The Tasnicans think they can do it.
A lot of our friends arenÕt around anymore. Bob and Rodger died in the war. I went to the funerals, and told their families you were thinking of them. Sorry to put words in your mouth, but they asked about you. Hal moved to Tasnica, believe it or not. MaryÕs still living in town, and she got pregnant by some guy that was stationed here. SheÕs married, too. I went to the wedding.
IÕm still thinking about you. IÕm not sure where youÕll be when this arrives, but I want to hear about it. The Encephalon or anything else. Tell me about the crew. Life here is trying to be normal without you, but itÕs not really. I keep hoping youÕll be home soon.
IÕm hanging in there. Love you.
Erwin
She closed the e-mail after reading it once. He had lived, which brought an immediate smile to her face. He seemed to be well, though he sounded lonely by his letter. She realized, however, that her letter would now take approximately three years to arrive to him. The distance was growing. His next reply would likely take four to get to her. She would be on Centaur, by then.
She started typing her response.
A Not So Far Off Place, pt. 5
By: DL
Thread: Iron Writer
Posted: July 12, 2003
ÒGood morning, Lorene,Ó Erwin said to his secretary as he walked into his office. The woman looked up at him and smiled. She was a woman in her mid-forties, who had moved to Narshe from Tasnica. The number of Tasnicans in the Esper Union had been steadily growing since the Leviathan War, but there had been nearly exponential growth ever since Grand Marshal Halberg made his goodwill visit to the Republic and the rest of the Web in late 41 WR and early 42 WR. The Economic Partnership Deal that resulted had eliminated the need for visas for workers transferred from one country to another.
ÒGood morning, Mister Langley,Ó she answered him.
ÒHow are we looking today?Ó the man said. He had changed again since finishing two-year program. There was more confidence to him, and the slouch he had walked with had straightened itself out to a considerable degree. His eyes were clearer, and his brown hair was better groomed that it ever had been in his life. The boy had become a businessman.
ÒNot too bad,Ó she answered. She glanced at her computer screen, a flat panel monitor that had been catching on in the past two years. It was remarkably clear, and provided an excellent image. ÒThey want you at a meeting about farming on fourth planet colonies at noon, and said lunch would be free.Ó
Erwin grinned. ÒIÕll never argue about a free lunch. Did they say whoÕs catering?Ó
ÒGiottoÕs,Ó she said. She squinted her eyes, and adjusted her glasses to sit up higher on her nose. ÒOh, and they also want you to talk with one of the Conservative Senators. HeÕs some new kid from Backwoods, just elected last time. ItÕs apparently about trying to get Kenny out in the next elections.Ó
ÒWhy me?Ó Erwin asked. ÒIÕm not a Tasnican citizen.Ó
ÒWell, you were in the Leviathan War, and that made you part of the Returners Expeditionary Force,Ó his secretary replied. She smiled sweetly at them. ÒTheyÕre hoping you can give them a little sound byte about how the REF wouldnÕt support families being fed and universal health care for everyone.Ó
He rolled his eyes. ÒDo you want me to not do it, Lorene?Ó
ÒOh, I never said that, Mister Langley.Ó The woman chuckled.
ÒWell, I guess I can give a good old fashioned rant about stamping out the evil of Communism at even the cost of personal freedom, if I have to.Ó He grinned down at his secretary. ÒEsperians are pretty good at that.Ó
The secretary giggled at that. She then glanced back at the monitor and rubbed her chin. He watched her for a moment, and then she looked up at him. ÒOh, yes. Mister Carter called here earlier, before you were in.Ó This immediately drew ErwinÕs attention, and he raised an eyebrow up. It was a phone call that he had been waiting to receive for a few days now. ÒHe wanted you to call him back as soon as you got in.Ó
ÒRight. I got it.Ó Erwin started walking into his office. ÒThanks, Lorene.Ó
He stepped into his office, and looked out of the window. The Grazenhorn was looming up in the distance, though the summit of the mountain was concealed in clouds for the moment. It was a daily reminder. He pulled his chair from under his desk, and sat down at it. He had the desk set up perpendicular to the window, to look out of it whenever he liked. On his desk was a single framed photo of Anne.
He wondered if she still looked like that. She had been at Centaur for two years now. A friend of his that had remained in the Sky Riders after the war had confirmed that she would not be leaving until 45 WR. The message had arrived a few days ago. The man glanced away from the picture, and back at the window. As he looked into the faint reflection of himself in the glass, he realized that his appearance had changed a good deal since the war. The details were small, but they added up. His hair was worn differently, and had grown lighter from more exposure to sunlight. His skin was slightly more tanned, and he had taken to wearing reading glasses.
He glanced away from it, and picked up the phone. He had something else to handle at the moment. He dialed in a number, and heard it ring on the other side. Someone else picked it up.
ÒThis is Mister CarterÕs office,Ó a womanÕs voice said. ÒHow can I help you?Ó
ÒThis is Erwin Langley,Ó he answered. ÒCan you get me Mister Carter?Ó
ÒCertain, Mister Langley. Please hold.Ó
Erwin waited for a moment, until the voice a man in his fifties answered. A few years of smoking were evidenced in his gravel-like tone. ÒGood to hear from you, Langley,Ó he said. ÒYour secretary said I called, right?Ó
ÒShe did, sir,Ó he answered. His knuckles were almost white as he grasped the phone, and he could feel his pulse pounding against the phone through his hand. Erwin was nervous. The subject he wanted to speak with Carter on had been one that was nearly constantly on his mind. Sleeping at night had been a problem, because of the sheer anxiety. ÒDid you reach a decision on the transfer?Ó
ÒI did, Langley.Ó The man on the other end of the line coughed. ÒIÕm surprised you would volunteer to go all the hell of the way out there. No one else even seemed willing to. Hell, the first salesman we had out there left us a note a couple of weeks ago. Well, figuring in however long it took to get here. He said heÕs coming home and staying home after this trip, and heÕs dying of cancer anyways.Ó
ÒItÕs not a problem for me, sir,Ó Erwin answered. His voice was enthused, sounding almost like a boyÕs. A wide grin was spread across his face, to the point that it was almost silly. He even felt silly. ÒIÕd be happy to.Ó
ÒWell, I wanted to check one last time,Ó Carter answered. ÒAll right, then, Langley. Sure. You got the job.Ó
ÒThank you, sir!Ó Erwin hollered. He saw Lorene stand and look inside his office, blinking in surprise as her boss jumped out of his chair. The man paid it no mind. He could care less about making a fool of himself at the moment. The secretary simply smiled at him while he sat back down in his seat, and kicked his feet up onto his desk. ÒIÕll make sure you wonÕt regret this, sir!Ó
ÒIÕm sure I wonÕt, Langley,Ó the older man answered. ÒSeems like itÕs what you really want.Ó
He nodded vigorously, even if Carter could not see it over the phone. ÒI do.Ó
ÒAll right, then, Langley.Ó Carter coughed again. ÒWeÕll have you out on the next ship, in two years. Talk to you later.Ó
ÒThank you again, sir! IÕll see you at the meeting!Ó
The man hung his phone up, and clapped his hands together. Things were working out as he had hoped they would. It was a strange feeling, but for the first time since the start of the Leviathan War, he felt as though he had gained some control of his destiny. There were only a few things left to take care of, and only two more years to wait. He glanced at the picture of Anne and smiled at it.
He turned to his computer. He opened his e-mail program up, and saw the e-mail from Anne that had been sitting there for a month. It was still unread. He had decided to wait until he heard from Carter before replying to it. Erwin glanced back out the door, putting the cursor from his mouse onto the e-mail. Lorene was typing away at her desk, rather oblivious at the moment. He clicked on the e-mail, and opened it.
Subject: Almost there
To: elangley@narshe.com.on
Auto-fwd to: elangley@hoplitebt.com.on
From: abornley@sran.mil.on
Dear Erwin,
I received your letter the other day. By the time you get this, I should be at our location. We did a few sensor sweeps on the area around Centaur. ItÕs a yellow star, a lot like ours, like youÕve probably heard about. ItÕs got six planets in orbit around it. ThereÕs a gas giant really close in, then a planet smaller than Crimson, then a planet a bit bigger than Esper with an atmosphere of neon and carbon dioxide, and then a planet with an atmosphere with some pretty high oxygen levels. ThatÕs what the Cidolfas Space Telescope found back in 28 WR. The other two planets are gas giants much further out.
Our ship is going to be headed to the fourth planet first. IÕm not too sure what weÕre going to find there, to be honest. I donÕt know if the science officers will know, either. I heard it takes awhile to evaluate that evidence, so I wonÕt know until after IÕve sent the e-mail.
The Encephalon is becoming more and more like home. ItÕs still not the same as Narshe, and it would never be the same without you, but everyone misses everyone back in the Web so much that we all have something in common. I have a couple of friends on the ship.
Lena is a girl from Maranda. She says sheÕs a third cousin of Theodore Halberg, so she likes to remind us of that. Maybe it would work better on the people who were living in the Web, and not just hearing about what all TO did on the news. LenaÕs nice, though. YouÕd probably like her. ThereÕs also Sharon, whoÕs from Toroia. SheÕs a little militant, and I think sheÕs kind of crazy, but sheÕs basically nice. Even though sheÕd scare the crap out of you.
I still miss Narshe. I told someone on the ship that IÕd climb the Grazenhorn when I get back. IÕm not kidding, Erwin. IÕm going to do it. You just watch.
How are you doing? Did you do the two-year program? It sounds like a really good idea. If not, maybe you can do it. I donÕt want to have to earn all of the money when I get back, you lazy bum. Just kidding. IÕve been a little worried about you even though the warÕs over. I guess itÕs just what I do. Of course, I know youÕre probably doing just fine. I found out IÕm going to be at Centaur until 45 WR, so I wonÕt be able to come back until 49 WR. ThatÕll make you 33, and me 23.
Gods, a 10-year difference. ItÕs hard to believe.
IÕm still thinking of you. I love you always.
Love,
Anne
Erwin smiled to himself, and started typing his reply. He had good news for her. The man looked up at the door to the waiting room in front of his office, and called out. ÒLorene, I have a large favor to ask you. Can you get me the number for a painter?Ó
Her voice sounded surprised. ÒA painter?Ó
ÒThatÕs right.Ó
ÒGood morning, Mister Langley,Ó she answered him.
ÒHow are we looking today?Ó the man said. He had changed again since finishing two-year program. There was more confidence to him, and the slouch he had walked with had straightened itself out to a considerable degree. His eyes were clearer, and his brown hair was better groomed that it ever had been in his life. The boy had become a businessman.
ÒNot too bad,Ó she answered. She glanced at her computer screen, a flat panel monitor that had been catching on in the past two years. It was remarkably clear, and provided an excellent image. ÒThey want you at a meeting about farming on fourth planet colonies at noon, and said lunch would be free.Ó
Erwin grinned. ÒIÕll never argue about a free lunch. Did they say whoÕs catering?Ó
ÒGiottoÕs,Ó she said. She squinted her eyes, and adjusted her glasses to sit up higher on her nose. ÒOh, and they also want you to talk with one of the Conservative Senators. HeÕs some new kid from Backwoods, just elected last time. ItÕs apparently about trying to get Kenny out in the next elections.Ó
ÒWhy me?Ó Erwin asked. ÒIÕm not a Tasnican citizen.Ó
ÒWell, you were in the Leviathan War, and that made you part of the Returners Expeditionary Force,Ó his secretary replied. She smiled sweetly at them. ÒTheyÕre hoping you can give them a little sound byte about how the REF wouldnÕt support families being fed and universal health care for everyone.Ó
He rolled his eyes. ÒDo you want me to not do it, Lorene?Ó
ÒOh, I never said that, Mister Langley.Ó The woman chuckled.
ÒWell, I guess I can give a good old fashioned rant about stamping out the evil of Communism at even the cost of personal freedom, if I have to.Ó He grinned down at his secretary. ÒEsperians are pretty good at that.Ó
The secretary giggled at that. She then glanced back at the monitor and rubbed her chin. He watched her for a moment, and then she looked up at him. ÒOh, yes. Mister Carter called here earlier, before you were in.Ó This immediately drew ErwinÕs attention, and he raised an eyebrow up. It was a phone call that he had been waiting to receive for a few days now. ÒHe wanted you to call him back as soon as you got in.Ó
ÒRight. I got it.Ó Erwin started walking into his office. ÒThanks, Lorene.Ó
He stepped into his office, and looked out of the window. The Grazenhorn was looming up in the distance, though the summit of the mountain was concealed in clouds for the moment. It was a daily reminder. He pulled his chair from under his desk, and sat down at it. He had the desk set up perpendicular to the window, to look out of it whenever he liked. On his desk was a single framed photo of Anne.
He wondered if she still looked like that. She had been at Centaur for two years now. A friend of his that had remained in the Sky Riders after the war had confirmed that she would not be leaving until 45 WR. The message had arrived a few days ago. The man glanced away from the picture, and back at the window. As he looked into the faint reflection of himself in the glass, he realized that his appearance had changed a good deal since the war. The details were small, but they added up. His hair was worn differently, and had grown lighter from more exposure to sunlight. His skin was slightly more tanned, and he had taken to wearing reading glasses.
He glanced away from it, and picked up the phone. He had something else to handle at the moment. He dialed in a number, and heard it ring on the other side. Someone else picked it up.
ÒThis is Mister CarterÕs office,Ó a womanÕs voice said. ÒHow can I help you?Ó
ÒThis is Erwin Langley,Ó he answered. ÒCan you get me Mister Carter?Ó
ÒCertain, Mister Langley. Please hold.Ó
Erwin waited for a moment, until the voice a man in his fifties answered. A few years of smoking were evidenced in his gravel-like tone. ÒGood to hear from you, Langley,Ó he said. ÒYour secretary said I called, right?Ó
ÒShe did, sir,Ó he answered. His knuckles were almost white as he grasped the phone, and he could feel his pulse pounding against the phone through his hand. Erwin was nervous. The subject he wanted to speak with Carter on had been one that was nearly constantly on his mind. Sleeping at night had been a problem, because of the sheer anxiety. ÒDid you reach a decision on the transfer?Ó
ÒI did, Langley.Ó The man on the other end of the line coughed. ÒIÕm surprised you would volunteer to go all the hell of the way out there. No one else even seemed willing to. Hell, the first salesman we had out there left us a note a couple of weeks ago. Well, figuring in however long it took to get here. He said heÕs coming home and staying home after this trip, and heÕs dying of cancer anyways.Ó
ÒItÕs not a problem for me, sir,Ó Erwin answered. His voice was enthused, sounding almost like a boyÕs. A wide grin was spread across his face, to the point that it was almost silly. He even felt silly. ÒIÕd be happy to.Ó
ÒWell, I wanted to check one last time,Ó Carter answered. ÒAll right, then, Langley. Sure. You got the job.Ó
ÒThank you, sir!Ó Erwin hollered. He saw Lorene stand and look inside his office, blinking in surprise as her boss jumped out of his chair. The man paid it no mind. He could care less about making a fool of himself at the moment. The secretary simply smiled at him while he sat back down in his seat, and kicked his feet up onto his desk. ÒIÕll make sure you wonÕt regret this, sir!Ó
ÒIÕm sure I wonÕt, Langley,Ó the older man answered. ÒSeems like itÕs what you really want.Ó
He nodded vigorously, even if Carter could not see it over the phone. ÒI do.Ó
ÒAll right, then, Langley.Ó Carter coughed again. ÒWeÕll have you out on the next ship, in two years. Talk to you later.Ó
ÒThank you again, sir! IÕll see you at the meeting!Ó
The man hung his phone up, and clapped his hands together. Things were working out as he had hoped they would. It was a strange feeling, but for the first time since the start of the Leviathan War, he felt as though he had gained some control of his destiny. There were only a few things left to take care of, and only two more years to wait. He glanced at the picture of Anne and smiled at it.
He turned to his computer. He opened his e-mail program up, and saw the e-mail from Anne that had been sitting there for a month. It was still unread. He had decided to wait until he heard from Carter before replying to it. Erwin glanced back out the door, putting the cursor from his mouse onto the e-mail. Lorene was typing away at her desk, rather oblivious at the moment. He clicked on the e-mail, and opened it.
Subject: Almost there
To: elangley@narshe.com.on
Auto-fwd to: elangley@hoplitebt.com.on
From: abornley@sran.mil.on
Dear Erwin,
I received your letter the other day. By the time you get this, I should be at our location. We did a few sensor sweeps on the area around Centaur. ItÕs a yellow star, a lot like ours, like youÕve probably heard about. ItÕs got six planets in orbit around it. ThereÕs a gas giant really close in, then a planet smaller than Crimson, then a planet a bit bigger than Esper with an atmosphere of neon and carbon dioxide, and then a planet with an atmosphere with some pretty high oxygen levels. ThatÕs what the Cidolfas Space Telescope found back in 28 WR. The other two planets are gas giants much further out.
Our ship is going to be headed to the fourth planet first. IÕm not too sure what weÕre going to find there, to be honest. I donÕt know if the science officers will know, either. I heard it takes awhile to evaluate that evidence, so I wonÕt know until after IÕve sent the e-mail.
The Encephalon is becoming more and more like home. ItÕs still not the same as Narshe, and it would never be the same without you, but everyone misses everyone back in the Web so much that we all have something in common. I have a couple of friends on the ship.
Lena is a girl from Maranda. She says sheÕs a third cousin of Theodore Halberg, so she likes to remind us of that. Maybe it would work better on the people who were living in the Web, and not just hearing about what all TO did on the news. LenaÕs nice, though. YouÕd probably like her. ThereÕs also Sharon, whoÕs from Toroia. SheÕs a little militant, and I think sheÕs kind of crazy, but sheÕs basically nice. Even though sheÕd scare the crap out of you.
I still miss Narshe. I told someone on the ship that IÕd climb the Grazenhorn when I get back. IÕm not kidding, Erwin. IÕm going to do it. You just watch.
How are you doing? Did you do the two-year program? It sounds like a really good idea. If not, maybe you can do it. I donÕt want to have to earn all of the money when I get back, you lazy bum. Just kidding. IÕve been a little worried about you even though the warÕs over. I guess itÕs just what I do. Of course, I know youÕre probably doing just fine. I found out IÕm going to be at Centaur until 45 WR, so I wonÕt be able to come back until 49 WR. ThatÕll make you 33, and me 23.
Gods, a 10-year difference. ItÕs hard to believe.
IÕm still thinking of you. I love you always.
Anne
Erwin smiled to himself, and started typing his reply. He had good news for her. The man looked up at the door to the waiting room in front of his office, and called out. ÒLorene, I have a large favor to ask you. Can you get me the number for a painter?Ó
Her voice sounded surprised. ÒA painter?Ó
ÒThatÕs right.Ó
A Not So Far Off Place, pt. 6
By: DL
Thread: Iron Writer
Posted: July 12, 2003
John Gleason found himself overwhelmed as he stepped out of the gate leading from the Encephalon, a manila file folder with , and into the main terminal of Hannibal deÕZama International Spaceport. The spaceport had been constructed by the Esperians in 43 WR as a means of funneling traffic down to the numerous ground-based spaceports. In the eight years that Gleason had been away from the Web, things had changed considerably.
The terminal had a large monitor on the northern wall. It was displaying the evening news; a phenomenon that Gleason had almost forgotten existed. The man sitting at the news desk, marked with an EBN Evening News logo, was not the one that Gleason remembered from years before. Those years felt like a mere ten months to him. He stopped in the middle of the terminal and stared up at the screen.
ÒGood evening, Esper. This is Tom Gallet, reporting from Nikeah,Ó the man in the suit stated. Gleason thought he recognized him from a few reports from Kakkara when the war first broke out. At the time, Gallet had a head of brown hair. It had become grey in the time that Gleason had been away. ÒOn this day of January 9, 44 WR, we have a number of major headlines. The first and most notable is Vorten TuinneÕs announcement that he will be running for Prime Minister of Tasnica. He is coming out of retirement and has promised that he will unseat the unwieldy Populist behemoth of Kenneth Brackhaven, and the Conservative polls show a considerable margin of support for him in their own party. The second major headline is the Esper UnionÕs budget crisis. Thanks to increased military spending to focus on the KN Garrison Advanced model, as well as their new missile program, the budget of the Union is in dire straights. Members of the government have raised serious doubts about this situation, and there is talk of the Raineric Democratic Party leaving the current coalition because of the budget crisis. All this and more, on tonightÕs evening news. Stay tuned.Ó
The television screen broke to a commercial for a luxury space cruise liner, which was running flights along a path through the Esperian asteroid belt. He stared upward for a moment. The impact of how long he had been gone finally began to hit him, and it was not the cancer that made him nearly fall over. The Web had changed, and he could only wonder how his daughter had changed with it.
He looked away, and glanced around the room. He was supposed to meet up with the man who would be boarding the Encephalon, along with a fresh crew for the cruiser. It was now one of the oldest cruisers in the fleet Ð every other model like it, save for those that had gone with it to Centaur Ð had been upgraded and refit. The ship would, this time, be carrying a number of corporate personnel and SRAN science staff to Centaur. He finally spotted them when he saw a small crowd of Hoplite personnel. One was in a suit, and was helping to guide a large, flat package into a cargo bay on the cruiser.
Gleason approached him. ÒExcuse me,Ó he called out over the spaceport. His voice disappeared into the noise of the terminal. He shouted it again. ÒExcuse me!Ó
The man turned around and blinked. He had dark brown hair and blue eyes, and well-combed hair. He was clean-shaven, and stood only with a slight slouch to his posture. He blinked a few times at the other salesman, who stopped. He realized he must have looked something horrid at the moment. The cancer had made him look thin, and a little older than his years should have allowed. ÒCan I help you?Ó
ÒIÕm John Gleason,Ó he said. ÒThe salesman. I just got off the ship.Ó
ÒOh, right!Ó the younger man said. He shook his head, and extended his hand. ÒSorry about that, I completely forgot. IÕm Erwin Langley.Ó
Gleason blinked. The name had stuck in his mind ever since he had met a young ensign aboard the Encephalon, on its first voyage. She had been the one to ultimately make him decide to retire, and spend the time he had left with his daughter. The man stared at him for a moment. ÒIÕm sorry to change the subject so abruptly, but would you happen to know a young woman named Anne Bornley? She is Ð was, last time I saw her Ð an ensign in the Sky Riders.Ó
The younger salesman stared at him for a moment. ÒI do,Ó he stammered. ÒSheÕs my girlfriend. How do you know her?Ó
ÒWe were acquaintances, I suppose you could say.Ó Gleason cracked a smile at that. ÒShe gave me some advice IÕm following.Ó
ÒHow did she look?Ó Erwin asked. ÒIs she well?Ó
ÒSheÕs very well, I can assure you.Ó The salesman smiled widely at him. The other man was practically ecstatic, his hands moving about wildly while he spoke and fidgeting nervously even when he was not. ÒSheÕs healthy, and seemed to be in relatively high spirits. The only thing wrong with her is an acute case of missing you, the mountains, and perhaps not holding her tongue when she should.Ó
The younger man laughed aloud. ÒSounds like my Anne.Ó He grinned widely for a moment, and then his expression became tight-lipped and serious. ÒIÕm glad she hasnÕt changed too much.Ó He motioned with one hand towards the draped object being pulled into the cruiserÕs cargo bay. ÒAnd IÕll see what I can do about the mountains.Ó
ÒGood luck. And good luck on the new planet,Ó Gleason said. He sighed and shook his head. ÒItÕs an amazing world.Ó
ÒWhy didnÕt you stay longer?Ó Erwin inquired.
ÒI have a daughter to see, and she needs her father.Ó Gleason smiled. ÒThat was the advice that Anne gave me.Ó
The more youthful salesman sunk his hands into the pockets of his suit coat and grinned. ÒAnne always did give good advice.Ó
Gleason studied him for a moment. He ultimately reached the conclusion that Erwin Langley was a good man. He could see Anne with him, even though he had only met her once, and briefly at that. She deserved someone like him. The salesmanÕs head nodded, and the tumors pressing on his spine caused a slight wave of pain from the very motion of his head. ÒYouÕre a good man, Erwin. She deserves someone like you.Ó
ÒThank you,Ó Erwin said. He wordlessly took the files that Gleason offered him, and held the manila folder under his arm. ÒYouÕre a good father, John.Ó
The elder salesman nodded. ÒThank you. IÕm going to go be one, now, with what little time I still have left.Ó
ÒThe best of luck to you,Ó Erwin said. Gleason turned away from him, and began to walk out of the spaceport terminal. It was time for him to return to his home. It was the end of a long journey, and he had seen the mistakes he had made. He had taken all the time in the world to make them. He could only hope that he had enough of that time left to fix them.
The terminal had a large monitor on the northern wall. It was displaying the evening news; a phenomenon that Gleason had almost forgotten existed. The man sitting at the news desk, marked with an EBN Evening News logo, was not the one that Gleason remembered from years before. Those years felt like a mere ten months to him. He stopped in the middle of the terminal and stared up at the screen.
ÒGood evening, Esper. This is Tom Gallet, reporting from Nikeah,Ó the man in the suit stated. Gleason thought he recognized him from a few reports from Kakkara when the war first broke out. At the time, Gallet had a head of brown hair. It had become grey in the time that Gleason had been away. ÒOn this day of January 9, 44 WR, we have a number of major headlines. The first and most notable is Vorten TuinneÕs announcement that he will be running for Prime Minister of Tasnica. He is coming out of retirement and has promised that he will unseat the unwieldy Populist behemoth of Kenneth Brackhaven, and the Conservative polls show a considerable margin of support for him in their own party. The second major headline is the Esper UnionÕs budget crisis. Thanks to increased military spending to focus on the KN Garrison Advanced model, as well as their new missile program, the budget of the Union is in dire straights. Members of the government have raised serious doubts about this situation, and there is talk of the Raineric Democratic Party leaving the current coalition because of the budget crisis. All this and more, on tonightÕs evening news. Stay tuned.Ó
The television screen broke to a commercial for a luxury space cruise liner, which was running flights along a path through the Esperian asteroid belt. He stared upward for a moment. The impact of how long he had been gone finally began to hit him, and it was not the cancer that made him nearly fall over. The Web had changed, and he could only wonder how his daughter had changed with it.
He looked away, and glanced around the room. He was supposed to meet up with the man who would be boarding the Encephalon, along with a fresh crew for the cruiser. It was now one of the oldest cruisers in the fleet Ð every other model like it, save for those that had gone with it to Centaur Ð had been upgraded and refit. The ship would, this time, be carrying a number of corporate personnel and SRAN science staff to Centaur. He finally spotted them when he saw a small crowd of Hoplite personnel. One was in a suit, and was helping to guide a large, flat package into a cargo bay on the cruiser.
Gleason approached him. ÒExcuse me,Ó he called out over the spaceport. His voice disappeared into the noise of the terminal. He shouted it again. ÒExcuse me!Ó
The man turned around and blinked. He had dark brown hair and blue eyes, and well-combed hair. He was clean-shaven, and stood only with a slight slouch to his posture. He blinked a few times at the other salesman, who stopped. He realized he must have looked something horrid at the moment. The cancer had made him look thin, and a little older than his years should have allowed. ÒCan I help you?Ó
ÒIÕm John Gleason,Ó he said. ÒThe salesman. I just got off the ship.Ó
ÒOh, right!Ó the younger man said. He shook his head, and extended his hand. ÒSorry about that, I completely forgot. IÕm Erwin Langley.Ó
Gleason blinked. The name had stuck in his mind ever since he had met a young ensign aboard the Encephalon, on its first voyage. She had been the one to ultimately make him decide to retire, and spend the time he had left with his daughter. The man stared at him for a moment. ÒIÕm sorry to change the subject so abruptly, but would you happen to know a young woman named Anne Bornley? She is Ð was, last time I saw her Ð an ensign in the Sky Riders.Ó
The younger salesman stared at him for a moment. ÒI do,Ó he stammered. ÒSheÕs my girlfriend. How do you know her?Ó
ÒWe were acquaintances, I suppose you could say.Ó Gleason cracked a smile at that. ÒShe gave me some advice IÕm following.Ó
ÒHow did she look?Ó Erwin asked. ÒIs she well?Ó
ÒSheÕs very well, I can assure you.Ó The salesman smiled widely at him. The other man was practically ecstatic, his hands moving about wildly while he spoke and fidgeting nervously even when he was not. ÒSheÕs healthy, and seemed to be in relatively high spirits. The only thing wrong with her is an acute case of missing you, the mountains, and perhaps not holding her tongue when she should.Ó
The younger man laughed aloud. ÒSounds like my Anne.Ó He grinned widely for a moment, and then his expression became tight-lipped and serious. ÒIÕm glad she hasnÕt changed too much.Ó He motioned with one hand towards the draped object being pulled into the cruiserÕs cargo bay. ÒAnd IÕll see what I can do about the mountains.Ó
ÒGood luck. And good luck on the new planet,Ó Gleason said. He sighed and shook his head. ÒItÕs an amazing world.Ó
ÒWhy didnÕt you stay longer?Ó Erwin inquired.
ÒI have a daughter to see, and she needs her father.Ó Gleason smiled. ÒThat was the advice that Anne gave me.Ó
The more youthful salesman sunk his hands into the pockets of his suit coat and grinned. ÒAnne always did give good advice.Ó
Gleason studied him for a moment. He ultimately reached the conclusion that Erwin Langley was a good man. He could see Anne with him, even though he had only met her once, and briefly at that. She deserved someone like him. The salesmanÕs head nodded, and the tumors pressing on his spine caused a slight wave of pain from the very motion of his head. ÒYouÕre a good man, Erwin. She deserves someone like you.Ó
ÒThank you,Ó Erwin said. He wordlessly took the files that Gleason offered him, and held the manila folder under his arm. ÒYouÕre a good father, John.Ó
The elder salesman nodded. ÒThank you. IÕm going to go be one, now, with what little time I still have left.Ó
ÒThe best of luck to you,Ó Erwin said. Gleason turned away from him, and began to walk out of the spaceport terminal. It was time for him to return to his home. It was the end of a long journey, and he had seen the mistakes he had made. He had taken all the time in the world to make them. He could only hope that he had enough of that time left to fix them.
A Not So Far Off Place, pt. 7
By: DL
Thread: Iron Writer
Posted: July 12, 2003
The green blades of grass crunched underfoot as his boot-clad feet stepped over it. He felt his back cry out in pain with each step, a protest to the action of walking. It was a side effect of that thing he knew was growing in his body, clawing at him and sapping his life away from him before age could touch him. There had been a time to him when the cancer seemed to be utterly unfair, robbing him of time he did not want to concede. That anger, that bitterness was a thing that he found hard to let go.
Man was not a creature of forgiveness, John Gleason had found, and fate was something that was hard to forgive. He knew he had not forgiven fate for taking him from his children, nor had he forgiven himself for doing the same. The man paused for a moment to stand still, and let the pain melt away again. He looked ahead, at the small farmhouse that was ahead. The wooden fence around it, and the swaying grass, was too inviting to let his ailment stop him any longer.
He adjusted the backpack on his shoulders, and the weathered brown jacket he wore. He touched it gingerly. It was a reminder of the life he was now leaving behind, and that gave it a certain bitter air. But he would not be impeded any longer. He began walking forward again.
The door to his home opened, and a girl of perhaps ten looked out.
She looked like him. Perhaps she lacked his height, his strong arms, and the lines age had put in his face. However, her eyes held a certain innocent shine to them, and her smile a friendliness that marked her as his daughter. The man stopped walking again and crossed his arms over his chest, and the fact the muscle was withering from it did not register in this single moment.
ÒDaddy!Ó she shouted. She ran out towards him, her small feet carrying her over the dirt path leading from the yard to their porch, and pushed the gate to the wooden fence open. She had grown since he had last seen her, but it did not stop her from leaping towards him. His arms grabbed her and held her up, bringing her eye level with him. The man laughed aloud.
ÒHello, dear,Ó Gleason said with a warm smile. He kissed his daughterÕs forehead. ÒHave you been a good girl while I was gone?Ó
ÒI sure have!Ó she answered. She nuzzled her small head into his chest, and leaned against him. He started to walk towards the house while carrying her, though his arms already started to feel tired from holding her. A pang of guilt struck through him at finding it increasingly difficult to carry his own daughter.
ÒIÕm glad to hear it,Ó he answered. ÒHow is your grandfather?Ó
ÒTheyÕre both good!Ó Her voice was maturing, he realized, but it still held that soft quality of a child. He smiled down at her. He was glad to have not missed that part of her youth. She lifted her head away from him, and looked up at him. He stopped at the fence and gently deposited her on it. He left her sitting on a fence post and looking up at him. The girl blinked at him. ÒYou look different, Daddy.Ó
ÒIÕm sick,Ó he answered. He frowned momentarily, but quickly shook his head. ÒDonÕt worry about it right now, dear. I can tell you more about it later.Ó
ÒI hope you get to feeling better,Ó she said. The girl looked at field of green blades of grass, and towards the small field in the distance. He looked over his shoulder at them. They were his property, at least in some sense. The farm had been in his family, even if he had left it behind when he was a young man. His father had been taking care of it while he was off trying to make more of himself than being a farmer, and had been taking care of his daughter while he was gone. Her mother had passed on when she had been born.
ÒDaddy?Ó she asked. He blinked and shook his head. He had become lost in thought for the moment. The man turned and looked down at his daughter. She smiled at him, but it was a wary, uncertain smile. It seemed as though she were waiting for a message of disappointment. ÒAre you going to stay longer, this time?Ó
Gleason smiled. ÒMuch longer.Ó
ÒIÕm glad.Ó She smiled, and hugged onto him again. He brought his arms around her and looked down at her. His chest and back ached as he leaned in to do so, but he closed his eyes and tried to cast the pain the motion brought to the back of his mind. He had other things to think about. ÒWhy are you staying longer? You always said your clients keep you really busy, and on the road all the time.Ó
The salesman hesitated for a moment. He looked down at his daughter, his face becoming rather serious for a moment. The man finally nodded to her, and patted her on the cheek. ÒI met a young woman and a young man who changed my mind, dear.Ó
Man was not a creature of forgiveness, John Gleason had found, and fate was something that was hard to forgive. He knew he had not forgiven fate for taking him from his children, nor had he forgiven himself for doing the same. The man paused for a moment to stand still, and let the pain melt away again. He looked ahead, at the small farmhouse that was ahead. The wooden fence around it, and the swaying grass, was too inviting to let his ailment stop him any longer.
He adjusted the backpack on his shoulders, and the weathered brown jacket he wore. He touched it gingerly. It was a reminder of the life he was now leaving behind, and that gave it a certain bitter air. But he would not be impeded any longer. He began walking forward again.
The door to his home opened, and a girl of perhaps ten looked out.
She looked like him. Perhaps she lacked his height, his strong arms, and the lines age had put in his face. However, her eyes held a certain innocent shine to them, and her smile a friendliness that marked her as his daughter. The man stopped walking again and crossed his arms over his chest, and the fact the muscle was withering from it did not register in this single moment.
ÒDaddy!Ó she shouted. She ran out towards him, her small feet carrying her over the dirt path leading from the yard to their porch, and pushed the gate to the wooden fence open. She had grown since he had last seen her, but it did not stop her from leaping towards him. His arms grabbed her and held her up, bringing her eye level with him. The man laughed aloud.
ÒHello, dear,Ó Gleason said with a warm smile. He kissed his daughterÕs forehead. ÒHave you been a good girl while I was gone?Ó
ÒI sure have!Ó she answered. She nuzzled her small head into his chest, and leaned against him. He started to walk towards the house while carrying her, though his arms already started to feel tired from holding her. A pang of guilt struck through him at finding it increasingly difficult to carry his own daughter.
ÒIÕm glad to hear it,Ó he answered. ÒHow is your grandfather?Ó
ÒTheyÕre both good!Ó Her voice was maturing, he realized, but it still held that soft quality of a child. He smiled down at her. He was glad to have not missed that part of her youth. She lifted her head away from him, and looked up at him. He stopped at the fence and gently deposited her on it. He left her sitting on a fence post and looking up at him. The girl blinked at him. ÒYou look different, Daddy.Ó
ÒIÕm sick,Ó he answered. He frowned momentarily, but quickly shook his head. ÒDonÕt worry about it right now, dear. I can tell you more about it later.Ó
ÒI hope you get to feeling better,Ó she said. The girl looked at field of green blades of grass, and towards the small field in the distance. He looked over his shoulder at them. They were his property, at least in some sense. The farm had been in his family, even if he had left it behind when he was a young man. His father had been taking care of it while he was off trying to make more of himself than being a farmer, and had been taking care of his daughter while he was gone. Her mother had passed on when she had been born.
ÒDaddy?Ó she asked. He blinked and shook his head. He had become lost in thought for the moment. The man turned and looked down at his daughter. She smiled at him, but it was a wary, uncertain smile. It seemed as though she were waiting for a message of disappointment. ÒAre you going to stay longer, this time?Ó
Gleason smiled. ÒMuch longer.Ó
ÒIÕm glad.Ó She smiled, and hugged onto him again. He brought his arms around her and looked down at her. His chest and back ached as he leaned in to do so, but he closed his eyes and tried to cast the pain the motion brought to the back of his mind. He had other things to think about. ÒWhy are you staying longer? You always said your clients keep you really busy, and on the road all the time.Ó
The salesman hesitated for a moment. He looked down at his daughter, his face becoming rather serious for a moment. The man finally nodded to her, and patted her on the cheek. ÒI met a young woman and a young man who changed my mind, dear.Ó
A Not So Far Off Place, pt. 8
By: DL
Thread: Iron Writer
Posted: July 12, 2003
Ê Ê Ê ÊThe world that they had found around Centaur was not quite like anything else in the Web. The scientists on the team had gone wild with trying to figure out explanations of why this planet, which could support human life, was different in so many small ways from the ones of the Web. Anne had not concerned herself with it. Unity, as the planet had been dubbed, simply had something more similar to moss on the ground instead of grass. Its trees were generally thinner in their trunks, and it had more marsupials than most planets in the Web.
Ê Ê Ê ÊShe was sitting in her quarters in the first human settlement on Unity. The small colony city had been dubbed Cole. There had been some talk among the commanders of the mission of calling it New Nikeah or another name owing to the Esper Union, but the decision was to give it a name that the entire Web could share, at least in some sense. News about the colony had broken out in the Web two years ago by now, she imagined, though it would be another two years before she would know for sure.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHer quarters were small, perhaps even cramped. They were still the prefabricated rooms that had been brought over from Esper on the ships, and used during the construction of Cole. The room looked similar to her one on the Encephalon. Its walls were made of metal, a sleek and well polished dark shade of grey. It included a simple bed, a desk, and a television. A year ago, the authorities had gotten a basic television station running.
Ê Ê Ê ÊIt was playing what were, by the WebÕs standards, reruns from the late Thirties and early Forties. By the standards of those living on Unity, they were fresh and quality entertainment. The Esperian and Tasnican governments had been doing their best to make the space colony feel like part of the Web, but they were always four years behind the rest. She was watching a show that had ended in 42 WR.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHer television was resting a bookshelf next to a picture of Erwin she had kept. It was the only one that she had been able to bring with her. It was one of him in the winter of 35 WR, wearing clothes that she thought he had probably worn on the night before they left. She could no longer quite remember.
Ê Ê Ê ÊTo her satisfaction, his face was still fresh in her mind. She had decided a year ago that was enough. She remembered who he really was, which was far more important.
Ê Ê Ê ÊShe had been given a laptop after their arrival on Unity, and that was open on the desk. The planet had started using e-mail in its communications, and Anne Ð now a Commander Ð had the job of commanding one of the anti-orbital batteries near Cole. She kept in touch with the commanders of the individual guns by e-mail when she was in her quarters. The officer heard her computer announce that she had an electronic letter in an irritating voice, and leaned over to her desk.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHer jaw slightly dropped. It was from Erwin. It was a month later than she had expected, which had her worried considerably. She leapt off her bed and into the chair at her desk, and clicked on it to open it.
Subject: Sorry this is so late
To: abornley@sran.mil.on
From: elangley@hoplitebt.com.on
Dear Anne,
Ê Ê Ê ÊIÕm sorry this is a month later than you expected. I wanted to wait to send it because I was waiting on a piece of news that would really affect what IÕm writing here today. The news is good, IÕm happy to report. IÕm sorry that I probably made you very worried by waiting so long to reply, though.
Ê Ê Ê ÊYou probably noticed I had my e-mail address changed. I did the two-year program I talked about, and later on finished it with another and got my BachelorÕs Degree. I got promoted to a pretty well paying sales job at Hoplite thanks to that, and my specialty is in terraforming and farming goods. Because the salesman on your ship decided to return home, I decided to take an unexpected opportunity and promotion.
Ê Ê Ê ÊIÕm going to be stationed at Centaur. I know IÕll be leaving 44 WR for this. As I write this, itÕs 42 WR. That means that by the time youÕre reading this, IÕll be two years away from arriving at Centaur.
Ê Ê Ê ÊI canÕt wait to meet everyone from the Encephalon. IÕll see the same ship, because they said that itÕs already en route to Esper to pick me up and bring some people back. The goods our salesman sold you will be the ones IÕll be delivering. IÕm sorry you wonÕt get to see me and the Grazenhorn at the same time, but maybe you can settle for just me.
Ê Ê Ê ÊStupid mountain, always showing me up. And thatÕs my own crappy brand of sarcasm.
Ê Ê Ê ÊActually, if all goes well, IÕm going to have a surprise for you.
Ê Ê Ê ÊI canÕt wait to see you again. ItÕs been too long. I love you.
Love,
Erwin
Ê Ê Ê ÊAnne stared at the e-mail. She had heard that Gleason would be replaced by someone from the Web, and had even heard a couple of days ago that it was someone who volunteered for it. In her wildest dreams, she had never imagined that person would be Erwin. She read it a second time, and rested her chin in her hands; her elbows propped up onto the edge of the desk, and took her time to study each and every word separately. She wanted to make absolutely certain that what she had read was the truth.
Ê Ê Ê ÊThere was a lot of waiting and hoping to be done.
Ê Ê Ê ÊShe was sitting in her quarters in the first human settlement on Unity. The small colony city had been dubbed Cole. There had been some talk among the commanders of the mission of calling it New Nikeah or another name owing to the Esper Union, but the decision was to give it a name that the entire Web could share, at least in some sense. News about the colony had broken out in the Web two years ago by now, she imagined, though it would be another two years before she would know for sure.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHer quarters were small, perhaps even cramped. They were still the prefabricated rooms that had been brought over from Esper on the ships, and used during the construction of Cole. The room looked similar to her one on the Encephalon. Its walls were made of metal, a sleek and well polished dark shade of grey. It included a simple bed, a desk, and a television. A year ago, the authorities had gotten a basic television station running.
Ê Ê Ê ÊIt was playing what were, by the WebÕs standards, reruns from the late Thirties and early Forties. By the standards of those living on Unity, they were fresh and quality entertainment. The Esperian and Tasnican governments had been doing their best to make the space colony feel like part of the Web, but they were always four years behind the rest. She was watching a show that had ended in 42 WR.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHer television was resting a bookshelf next to a picture of Erwin she had kept. It was the only one that she had been able to bring with her. It was one of him in the winter of 35 WR, wearing clothes that she thought he had probably worn on the night before they left. She could no longer quite remember.
Ê Ê Ê ÊTo her satisfaction, his face was still fresh in her mind. She had decided a year ago that was enough. She remembered who he really was, which was far more important.
Ê Ê Ê ÊShe had been given a laptop after their arrival on Unity, and that was open on the desk. The planet had started using e-mail in its communications, and Anne Ð now a Commander Ð had the job of commanding one of the anti-orbital batteries near Cole. She kept in touch with the commanders of the individual guns by e-mail when she was in her quarters. The officer heard her computer announce that she had an electronic letter in an irritating voice, and leaned over to her desk.
Ê Ê Ê ÊHer jaw slightly dropped. It was from Erwin. It was a month later than she had expected, which had her worried considerably. She leapt off her bed and into the chair at her desk, and clicked on it to open it.
Subject: Sorry this is so late
To: abornley@sran.mil.on
From: elangley@hoplitebt.com.on
Dear Anne,
Ê Ê Ê ÊIÕm sorry this is a month later than you expected. I wanted to wait to send it because I was waiting on a piece of news that would really affect what IÕm writing here today. The news is good, IÕm happy to report. IÕm sorry that I probably made you very worried by waiting so long to reply, though.
Ê Ê Ê ÊYou probably noticed I had my e-mail address changed. I did the two-year program I talked about, and later on finished it with another and got my BachelorÕs Degree. I got promoted to a pretty well paying sales job at Hoplite thanks to that, and my specialty is in terraforming and farming goods. Because the salesman on your ship decided to return home, I decided to take an unexpected opportunity and promotion.
Ê Ê Ê ÊIÕm going to be stationed at Centaur. I know IÕll be leaving 44 WR for this. As I write this, itÕs 42 WR. That means that by the time youÕre reading this, IÕll be two years away from arriving at Centaur.
Ê Ê Ê ÊI canÕt wait to meet everyone from the Encephalon. IÕll see the same ship, because they said that itÕs already en route to Esper to pick me up and bring some people back. The goods our salesman sold you will be the ones IÕll be delivering. IÕm sorry you wonÕt get to see me and the Grazenhorn at the same time, but maybe you can settle for just me.
Ê Ê Ê ÊStupid mountain, always showing me up. And thatÕs my own crappy brand of sarcasm.
Ê Ê Ê ÊActually, if all goes well, IÕm going to have a surprise for you.
Ê Ê Ê ÊI canÕt wait to see you again. ItÕs been too long. I love you.
Erwin
Ê Ê Ê ÊAnne stared at the e-mail. She had heard that Gleason would be replaced by someone from the Web, and had even heard a couple of days ago that it was someone who volunteered for it. In her wildest dreams, she had never imagined that person would be Erwin. She read it a second time, and rested her chin in her hands; her elbows propped up onto the edge of the desk, and took her time to study each and every word separately. She wanted to make absolutely certain that what she had read was the truth.
Ê Ê Ê ÊThere was a lot of waiting and hoping to be done.
A Not So Far Off Place, pt. 9
By: DL
Thread: Iron Writer
Posted: July 12, 2003
The scent of fresh snow was thick in the air. It was dryer than it was in Narshe, somehow, but there was still a life to it that always stood out. The snow on Unity was overall more like powder than the wet, thick clumps in northern Esper. Tracks were made through the field of snow over the small, but growing city of Cole. The largest was where a good portion of it was melted away on a large slab of concrete. The Encephalon had done that when it landed on the surface of the planet. Puddles had formed on the slab, and the mobile stairwells placed at the hatches leading from the cruiser led down to the surface of the planet.
A man stepped onto one of those stairwells, and looked over the unfamiliar landscape before him. He stood up straight, only a slight lazy slouch to his posture that was hidden well by a heavy winter coat that fell past his knees. His hair was exposed to the weather, and the heavy breeze had made it become unkempt. Snow and ice crystals had become mixed with his dark brown strands. He glanced downward at the landing pad, until he spotted someone.
It was a woman, who was looking at him. She was in a large winter coat of her own, though the styling was a royal blue instead of his black coat to match the suit he was wearing. It was emblazoned with the white eagle grasping a sword common to the Sky Riders Aerospace Navy, and the golden bars on her shoulders marked her as a Captain of the independent military. Her brown hair was lighter than his, and hidden underneath a white officerÕs cap, but it fell down to her shoulders.
He walked down the stairwell. He tried to make it casual and simple, with his gloved hands in his pockets, but he failed to do so. He walked down the stairway eagerly, and she was walking briskly over the puddle-laden landing pad to meet up with him. He stopped as he reached the bottom, and studied her for a moment. She was staring back at him. A smile was on both of their faces.
ÒI hear you have a girlfriend on this colony, Mister Langley,Ó she said.
ÒYeah, I do,Ó the man answered. His smile widened. ÒSheÕs a pretty one. I hear you have a boyfriend getting off this ship.Ó
ÒYeah.Ó She crossed her arms. ÒHe better not be late.Ó
He took a hand out of a pocket, and brought his wrist up. The coat sleeve fell back over his arm, so he could look at the watch. ÒI think heÕs right on time.Ó
She smiled at him, and he felt himself smiling back. ÒHi, Erwin.Ó
ÒHi, Anne.Ó He slid his hand back into his pocket. The winter air on Unity really was rather cold.
She walked closer toward him, and leaned against him without a second thought. He blinked and looked down at her, and then took his hands from his pockets and put his arms around her. The woman sighed and muttered against him, her words almost becoming too muffled to make out. ÒYou know, I was right. I did miss you.Ó
ÒI missed you, too,Ó he said. ÒThirteen years is a lot, huh?Ó
ÒToo many,Ó she replied.
Erwin nodded. ÒBut we made do.Ó
ÒI never doubted that we would,Ó Anne stated in a tone that was quite matter-of-fact. He looked down at her and grinned. She looked up at him and grinned back at him, laughing softly. ÒSo, did you bring my mountain with you?Ó
He nodded. He was proud of himself for thinking of an idea that was, at least to some degree, rather clever. ÒI did.Ó
She blinked, her expression looking rather surprised and curious. He gave her a smug smile, and then looked in the direction of the Encephalon. He took away one of his arms and pointed it at a mobile freight elevator. It was leading up to one of the cargo bays of the cruiser. ÒRemember that surprise I told you about?Ó Erwin asked her. ÒThatÕs it. I literally brought you the Grazenhorn.Ó
ÒDid all this time dilation and near light speed travel do something to your brain?Ó
ÒNope,Ó he answered. He grinned and stepped away from her. She stared at him, a rather suspicious look on her face, but it held a smile that made him confident she was still happy. The man motioned towards the freight elevator. It was down on the ground, and a pair of Hoplite workers was resting by it. He had made them agree to wait for him to show her the surprise before starting to unload the cargo. ÒYou want to see it?Ó
ÒWell, IÕm too curious not to,Ó Anne said. She started walking towards the freight elevator. ÒCome on.Ó
ÒIÕd say that being in the military has made you bossy, but IÕd be lying,Ó Erwin answered. He started walking after her. ÒYou were always bossy.Ó
She picked up a clump of snow as she walked, gracefully staying in stride as she grabbed it from the ground, quickly balled it up, and tossed it over her shoulder. The snowball hit his overcoat and splattered. He looked down at it and wiped it away with one hand. ÒYou have, however, become a much better aim.Ó
ÒWhy, thank you,Ó Anne answered in a pleasant-sounding voice. ÒI did try.Ó
The couple stopped in front of the freight elevator. Anne stepped onto it carefully, followed by Erwin. He glanced at one of the workers, who looked up at him, and then nodded to the man. He hit a switch attached to the structure, and the elevator began to rise. The machine whined as metal scraped on metal, and Erwin tensed slightly. He glanced over at Anne, and saw that she was as calm as ever. Some things never changed.
It rose to the top, and Erwin walked into the cargo bay. It was sectioned off, an area for holding personal belongings and such. The room was dark, and all that could be made out was an assortment of boxes, chests, luggage, and other odds and ends that had been accumulated by those traveling to Unity. Anne glanced at him, her eyes a bit wide in the darkness. He reached over, and flipped a switch. The lights in the room turned on.
ÒWhat in theÉÓ
He glanced ahead, at where Anne was looking. A large picture frame was mounted on one of the walls, though a black drape was covering it. She stared at it for a moment, and then glanced over at him. He walked towards it, a large smile on his face, and turned around to face her. ÒLike I said, I brought you the Grazenhorn. Ta-da.Ó
He pulled on the drape, and it fell to the ground. It fell away to reveal a painting of the Grazenhorn on a clear day. The hooked, curved mountaintop was visible in all of its glory Ð snow and ice mixed with rock, to form a beak that seemed to be gnashing at the sky. The mountains around it looked fuzzier, to bring the large mountain into focus. Anne stared at it in disbelief for a moment, her jaw hanging open.
ÒErwin, how did you do this?Ó she finally asked.
ÒI commissioned a painter to do it,Ó he said. ÒOn the same day I sent the letter saying I would be coming here. I knew you loved this thing. You like it, right?Ó
ÒOf course I do!Ó she answered. She walked over to him, and smiled. ÒItÕs not quite the same as climbing it, but I think IÕll get by just fine.Ó
ÒIÕm glad to hear it.Ó Erwin smiled again, and leaned against the wall. He watched her for a moment. She had gone back to staring at the painting, though she was leaning against him again. He decided that she had changed since he last saw her, but that it was not quite the devastating thing he had expected. He had heard from her, interacted with her, and had something to think of that was dynamic and changing instead of a still life memory stuck in his mind. And, he knew he had changed with her. It was something that he knew solidly, and quite well.
There were, however, questions that still gnawed at the back of his mind.
ÒAnne,Ó he said after a moment. She pulled her gaze away from the painting and looked at him. ÒIf you had to do the last thirteen years over again, would you?Ó
She shook her head. ÒNo. ItÕs why we are who we are.Ó
Erwin smiled and stepped closer to her. It was the same answer he had in his mind.
A man stepped onto one of those stairwells, and looked over the unfamiliar landscape before him. He stood up straight, only a slight lazy slouch to his posture that was hidden well by a heavy winter coat that fell past his knees. His hair was exposed to the weather, and the heavy breeze had made it become unkempt. Snow and ice crystals had become mixed with his dark brown strands. He glanced downward at the landing pad, until he spotted someone.
It was a woman, who was looking at him. She was in a large winter coat of her own, though the styling was a royal blue instead of his black coat to match the suit he was wearing. It was emblazoned with the white eagle grasping a sword common to the Sky Riders Aerospace Navy, and the golden bars on her shoulders marked her as a Captain of the independent military. Her brown hair was lighter than his, and hidden underneath a white officerÕs cap, but it fell down to her shoulders.
He walked down the stairwell. He tried to make it casual and simple, with his gloved hands in his pockets, but he failed to do so. He walked down the stairway eagerly, and she was walking briskly over the puddle-laden landing pad to meet up with him. He stopped as he reached the bottom, and studied her for a moment. She was staring back at him. A smile was on both of their faces.
ÒI hear you have a girlfriend on this colony, Mister Langley,Ó she said.
ÒYeah, I do,Ó the man answered. His smile widened. ÒSheÕs a pretty one. I hear you have a boyfriend getting off this ship.Ó
ÒYeah.Ó She crossed her arms. ÒHe better not be late.Ó
He took a hand out of a pocket, and brought his wrist up. The coat sleeve fell back over his arm, so he could look at the watch. ÒI think heÕs right on time.Ó
She smiled at him, and he felt himself smiling back. ÒHi, Erwin.Ó
ÒHi, Anne.Ó He slid his hand back into his pocket. The winter air on Unity really was rather cold.
She walked closer toward him, and leaned against him without a second thought. He blinked and looked down at her, and then took his hands from his pockets and put his arms around her. The woman sighed and muttered against him, her words almost becoming too muffled to make out. ÒYou know, I was right. I did miss you.Ó
ÒI missed you, too,Ó he said. ÒThirteen years is a lot, huh?Ó
ÒToo many,Ó she replied.
Erwin nodded. ÒBut we made do.Ó
ÒI never doubted that we would,Ó Anne stated in a tone that was quite matter-of-fact. He looked down at her and grinned. She looked up at him and grinned back at him, laughing softly. ÒSo, did you bring my mountain with you?Ó
He nodded. He was proud of himself for thinking of an idea that was, at least to some degree, rather clever. ÒI did.Ó
She blinked, her expression looking rather surprised and curious. He gave her a smug smile, and then looked in the direction of the Encephalon. He took away one of his arms and pointed it at a mobile freight elevator. It was leading up to one of the cargo bays of the cruiser. ÒRemember that surprise I told you about?Ó Erwin asked her. ÒThatÕs it. I literally brought you the Grazenhorn.Ó
ÒDid all this time dilation and near light speed travel do something to your brain?Ó
ÒNope,Ó he answered. He grinned and stepped away from her. She stared at him, a rather suspicious look on her face, but it held a smile that made him confident she was still happy. The man motioned towards the freight elevator. It was down on the ground, and a pair of Hoplite workers was resting by it. He had made them agree to wait for him to show her the surprise before starting to unload the cargo. ÒYou want to see it?Ó
ÒWell, IÕm too curious not to,Ó Anne said. She started walking towards the freight elevator. ÒCome on.Ó
ÒIÕd say that being in the military has made you bossy, but IÕd be lying,Ó Erwin answered. He started walking after her. ÒYou were always bossy.Ó
She picked up a clump of snow as she walked, gracefully staying in stride as she grabbed it from the ground, quickly balled it up, and tossed it over her shoulder. The snowball hit his overcoat and splattered. He looked down at it and wiped it away with one hand. ÒYou have, however, become a much better aim.Ó
ÒWhy, thank you,Ó Anne answered in a pleasant-sounding voice. ÒI did try.Ó
The couple stopped in front of the freight elevator. Anne stepped onto it carefully, followed by Erwin. He glanced at one of the workers, who looked up at him, and then nodded to the man. He hit a switch attached to the structure, and the elevator began to rise. The machine whined as metal scraped on metal, and Erwin tensed slightly. He glanced over at Anne, and saw that she was as calm as ever. Some things never changed.
It rose to the top, and Erwin walked into the cargo bay. It was sectioned off, an area for holding personal belongings and such. The room was dark, and all that could be made out was an assortment of boxes, chests, luggage, and other odds and ends that had been accumulated by those traveling to Unity. Anne glanced at him, her eyes a bit wide in the darkness. He reached over, and flipped a switch. The lights in the room turned on.
ÒWhat in theÉÓ
He glanced ahead, at where Anne was looking. A large picture frame was mounted on one of the walls, though a black drape was covering it. She stared at it for a moment, and then glanced over at him. He walked towards it, a large smile on his face, and turned around to face her. ÒLike I said, I brought you the Grazenhorn. Ta-da.Ó
He pulled on the drape, and it fell to the ground. It fell away to reveal a painting of the Grazenhorn on a clear day. The hooked, curved mountaintop was visible in all of its glory Ð snow and ice mixed with rock, to form a beak that seemed to be gnashing at the sky. The mountains around it looked fuzzier, to bring the large mountain into focus. Anne stared at it in disbelief for a moment, her jaw hanging open.
ÒErwin, how did you do this?Ó she finally asked.
ÒI commissioned a painter to do it,Ó he said. ÒOn the same day I sent the letter saying I would be coming here. I knew you loved this thing. You like it, right?Ó
ÒOf course I do!Ó she answered. She walked over to him, and smiled. ÒItÕs not quite the same as climbing it, but I think IÕll get by just fine.Ó
ÒIÕm glad to hear it.Ó Erwin smiled again, and leaned against the wall. He watched her for a moment. She had gone back to staring at the painting, though she was leaning against him again. He decided that she had changed since he last saw her, but that it was not quite the devastating thing he had expected. He had heard from her, interacted with her, and had something to think of that was dynamic and changing instead of a still life memory stuck in his mind. And, he knew he had changed with her. It was something that he knew solidly, and quite well.
There were, however, questions that still gnawed at the back of his mind.
ÒAnne,Ó he said after a moment. She pulled her gaze away from the painting and looked at him. ÒIf you had to do the last thirteen years over again, would you?Ó
She shook her head. ÒNo. ItÕs why we are who we are.Ó
Erwin smiled and stepped closer to her. It was the same answer he had in his mind.