Mists Of Fate
By Dan Kirk
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Mists of Fate - Final Interlude He was getting his equipment ready for the
upcoming mission. These damn things were a pain in the ass, but thankfully
boring. Sure they were at war, but being on the security detail for
a four-star admiral had to be a nice quiet duty, "Whiskey Tango Bravo is under heavy fire, I repeat, heavy fire! We need immediate fire support at coordinates..." the sounds of heavy machine gun fire were all around and he knew he had to get his charge to safety... Flash He didn't see the Radioman enter the berthing compartment until the man stuck a piece of paper in his face. He smiled at the young man, remembering a night in a motel room back in Bahrain, then sobered at the expression he saw. He looked at the paper and tears formed in his eyes as he read the words, 'We regret to inform you .. both parents passed away..'. Flash "Today, our nation has suffered a great tragedy, and I promise those responsible for it will be dealt justice!" the voice from the TV told a shocked nation. Flash "...announced today the explosion of a device of unknown type in the southeastern portion of Iraq. This device is rumored to have had some effect on oil reserves in the area. As a precautionary measure, the President today announced that he was opening the Arctic Wildlife Refuge for immediate emergency drilling to preserve the flow of oil to US markets. This action is being taken under the authority of the recent Homeland Defense Act of 2005." Flash "It is with grave displeasure that I announce today the suspension of the First, Second, Fourth, Fifth, Six, Seventh, Eighth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Twenty-second Amendments to the US Constitution and relevant US Regulations and Laws. Effective immediately, all persons of middle-eastern descent are required to report to regional registration centers where they will be detained until they prove their innocence. All loyal Americans have no cause to be alarmed, with God on our side we will prevail over the evil people who seek to overthrow us." Flash "...unsure of what is happening, but it appears to be a massive contamination of the worldwide fuel supplies. Literally hundreds of planes are falling from the sky, power plants relying on gas fuels are shutting down, and vehicles just stalling everywhere. Panic is gripping the nation and the President is said to be ready to declare martial law." Flash The Lieutenant in charge of the company went down, a bullet hole obvious in his forehead. As senior enlisted, he was now in charge. He looked over the rest of the squad in riot gear, all of them young, too young to be experiencing this. Too bad. Calmly, he gave the order to open fire into the crowd of rioters. The first hail of bullets changed the mob from being intent on breaking through their lines to running away. Minutes later over a hundred dead and dying littered the Phoenix street. Flash Power poured from him, seeking a weakness in the enemy's shield. Water was still pouring in from the ceiling of the training room, but he paid it no attention. What was to say he couldn't breathe water now anyway? He felt his opponent's shield break, and stopped the flow of power before damage was done. Another victory. Flash He hadn't seen the pilot since they day he'd arrived at the Center. Now they sat around the Washington café and talked about that last flight, and laughed about the flat tire on the humvee. It was a great relief to know that the flash of red he'd seen had not been what he had originally thought. Flash The hum of machinery made the Center so much like a ship that he felt comfortable with it. What made it even more comfortable was the two warm bodies, one on either side. Even asleep he could feel their love for him. What could be better than this? Flash The Earth rose over the horizon in all its beauty. He sat there, ignoring the cold, the lack of air. It only made the warmth of his love, resting in front of him, all the better. Their silent communion relaxed their weary minds. All too soon it was time to head back, prepare for another day making sure New Phoenix got off the ground. Flash The first colonists stepped off the starship, and stared in wonder at what waited for them. The clearing was packed with landed equipment, temporary shelters, and people. Beyond those things, though, trees rose in silent grandeur with Jupiter hanging low in the sky like a giant moon. A gentle wind blew across the clearing, rustling the trees in the distance and carrying the fresh scents of Europa to the new inhabitants. He swelled with pride at the looks of wonder on their faces. Flash It was a few stolen moments of clarity, of remembering. The man who had been a second father to him lay dying in this mountain retreat. Dying of old age. Somehow that was as comforting as it was sad. They sat and talked for a few hours, of times long past. When the end came for Tomas, he went back into the forgetful captivity, a small smile on his face. Flash "I understand the idea. I agree. It would be a better idea if we established which Shapers are responsible for different areas. Especially since many of us are more given to certain things. Not a problem, but WHY do I have to be 'Eldest'? You're older than me!" "Only by a few years, besides, your reputation is a lot stronger than mine." "Oh great!" Flash "I don't know. The Mists have grown more quiet, but do we really want to start a new settlement?" "There are thirty more of us now, and almost two million people. All the priests are asking us for the same thing. Let there be a new settlement." "Who will lead them?" "Tyler has said he wanted to." "No." "Look, he's over a century old now. All children grow up. You need to let him go a little. You're starting to smother him." "Now I truly know how my parents felt. I hate it, but ok." Flash "So, the convoy from Berkstel should be here later today. I understand that Tyler is leading it?" "Yeah, he decided to pay me a visit and instead of teleporting decided he'd escort the trade convoy." "I bet you're excited." "Yeah, it's been at least half a century since I saw him." Both men turned as a priest entered the room. The older man's face was filled with tears. For some reason, he knew what it meant, but was still surprised and his own tears flowed as the priest delivered his message. "Great One, I am sorry. The convoy from Berkstel was attacked by the Mists. There are no survivors." Flash "But there are so few of us left!" he nearly shouted to his friends. "That is why we must find out what happened to Periton. They survived with us, all this time, and just suddenly disappear? Something must be happening." "If both of you leave, I'll be the only one here." "You've held it back before. Besides, we'll link with you so you'll know how we are." "Ok" Flash How many days had it been since he'd felt the pain of his two oldest friends dying? He'd locked himself in the main room of the temple, which had once been the entrance of the Shapers' castle. He had reshaped the doors until they were nothing but wall, locking the priests outside. They were gone, and he was all alone. Nothing new had happened in so long, nothing except death. Life had gone from being a thing of joy to a thing of dull routine. There was no joy anymore, no happiness. Just people wanting things from you, forever wanting. "How boring," he whispered into the empty room. The sound seemed to echo strangely. "How boring," he repeated. Flash Sure, the farm was close to the Mists, but nothing could make him love it any less. He'd finally gotten old enough to help Da out, tilling the fields, irrigating them. Come harvest time, he'd join Beric, his older brother, and his Da bringing in the crop. He'd helped before, but never for a full day. Now he was old enough the priests who ran the school gave him half-days to help run the farm. Beric had moved out with his new bride last year. At sixteen, his older brother was all he idolized--well, Beric and Da. Now, a year after he'd moved out, Beric was the proud father of twins. It had been a generation since the last set of twins was born in Tylera, and priests declared the entire family blessed. He made his way through the front door of the modest farmhouse, calling out the afternoon greeting to his mom. He threw his books into a corner and grabbed the sandwich she had fixed him off of the counter. He sauntered through the home, thinking about next month, when he'd be turning thirteen. In moments he was out the back door and started trudging through the field to his older brother's house when he noticed something different. The barrier holding the Mists back had thinned! He could see a large, thick tendril of the deadly blue-gray mist sweep across the fields, turning the crops to ash in moments. The Mist swelled in the few moments he stood there in shock, becoming a billowing wall advancing towards the two homes. He sprang into action, yelling at the top of his lungs. He could see his father running out of the house, followed by Beric's wife. They each had one of the twins in their arms. His mom flew past him, running to her husband to help him with the armload of stuff he held besides the child. He started to turn, thinking now of his little sister still inside his own house. His parents and brother were almost to the house as he ran through the door. Screams from behind him made him turn around
in time to see Beric speared by a tendril of Mist. The same tendril
snapped back from his brother's body and lunged for Beric's wife.
She too fell with a short scream. His legs were paralyzed as he heard
the soft patter of little feet and felt his younger sister wrap her
arms around his legs. He picked her up, transfixed by the sight of
the tendril leaving his sister-in-law's body. His parents had made
it to the back porch where he now stood. They waved him inside, through
the house and out the front door, barely slowing along the way. Because of his youth, he stayed in front of his parents as they ran to the nearest farm further inside Tylera. He started to slow down but was urged to go faster by his mother behind him. He did so, until a scream caused him to stop and turn around. He was stunned to see the wall of Mist had swallowed their home, and was still closing on them. Even more shocking was the tendril that was leaping out, towards him. It disappeared when his mother shouted at it, but was replaced by two more, that struck at his parents. Their death screams vibrated in his bones. He was only vaguely aware of a silvery wall appearing before him, blocking the tendril that shot out at him. It was several hours later that the priests found him, collapsed on the edge of the silver barrier, crying. Flash He couldn't help the tears that came at night in the orphanage. Of course the priests didn't call it an orphanage, but that's what it was for him. Some of the older boys weren't orphans, but his younger brother, sister, and he were. It was late at night that he'd cry, missing his family. It was even worse that he didn't have anything but the clothes he'd been wearing that day to remember them by. He could feel the air stir as someone knelt beside his cot. A soft voice calmed him, and gentle hands patted his head comfortingly. He opened tear-stained eyes to see the nice redhead he'd met yesterday, concern on his face. He threw his arms open, and the older boy wrapped him in his arms. Flash He was no longer a virgin. His red-haired friend, Creis, had managed that last night. Creis was only a year older, but had made a comment this morning about him being the toughest one yet to seduce. Who knew what that meant. At least he'd promised not to tell the priests yet. He wasn't ready for that. Flash He couldn't believe the way things had gone. Creis was now officially his lover, the high priest himself had blessed them! Still at fourteen, they both lived at the School of J'Stan, run by the priests. Creis was a Dedicated, and it was his duty to make sure Creis had all the support and love he needed. Flash He hadn't cried like this since that night Creis had first comforted him. Now he wasn't sure what to do. How could Creis have cheated on him, and how many times? Was it really every boy over twelve in the same school? Did that include his own younger brother? He threw up again into the basin the priest had left with him. His eye hurt where Creis had hit him, but that was nothing compared to the hurt he felt inside. Flash The priest was right. He should be more supportive of Creis. Everyone had their faults. Creis was a Dedicated, as he was now. Soon, Creis would be given his opportunity to save Tylera by reaching J'Stan. He ran his hands through Creis' red hair, enjoying the silky feeling, and the look of innocence on his face. Flash Tears streamed down his face as he cleaned the bloody remains off the wall. To think this used to be his lover. A strand of red hair floated on the wind, and he caught it. He wrapped it around his wrist for safekeeping and returned to scrubbing the walls. The priests said it was a test of his dedication. Instead it felt like torture. Flash Now he understood what Creis had been going through. That High Priest was insufferable! The man expected the Dedicated to sleep with him! With Creis gone, this last year had been nearly intolerable. At least it would be over tomorrow. Tomorrow it was his turn to step into the catapult. Flash He opened his eyes and saw the form of J'Stan sitting across from him. His head still spun, and memories upon memories bubbled through. It took all his willpower to get them to settle down some. But who was he? How did the paltry eighteen years of his own life add up with the thousands of years of memories he now possessed? How much time had passed since this had started?
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