Yami no Kotoba ~Mirrors of the Past~ - 4. Chapter 4: Interweaving

Chapter 4: Interweaving

=o=o=o=

“Catherine... Catherine...” The man stared at a gigantic metallic cylinder. It has tubes connected to it and its surface glowed randomly.

“Can you hear me, my dear?” He came closer and hugged the side of the cylinder.

As he gently caressed the surface, a contented smile appeared on his face. He closed his eyes and leaned closer to the metallic body.

“It had been years Catherine. How are you?”

He brought his index to his lips.

“Shh.. You don't need to answer. The time is nearing. The completion of the circle is at hand.”

He giggled and stepped away from the cylinder. He shook his head as he rearranged his glasses.

“You won't understand, beloved. But know this Catherine... The day of beginnings is arriving. And everything shall be made whole once more.”

“Sooner or later, the world will awaken to a whole different era. And amidst its confusion, the cycle will complete its course and a new world shall be unveiled.”

He eerily said as he stepped back and echoes of his laughter unleashed upon the solitary and closed off room.

=o=o=o=

Dr. Ran allowed a sigh to escape his lips. He knew that Ross is right all along. The Union is not how it appears to the public. Disguised as a powerful yet benevolent society, the USSR is actually a cult. Its scientific beliefs are not self-correcting. In fact, the facts that they most often uphold, were dogmatic in nature.

The administration dictated the rules and the masses believed them. And who wouldn't? After all, they are the self-proclaimed “Community of Science”, the top researchers within the Scientific Food Chain. All independent attempts were thwarted and third party investigations were silenced.

He always knew. But he, like all other members, was compelled to keep his silence. After all, they were offered peace, luxury and comfort. They were given protection, status and credence. Ran knew too, that the moment he goes against the Union, his project would be scrapped. And without the giant backing his experiments, he would never be able to pursue his goals. Since his Science is unlike any Science that had been presented before man, he is bound to receive opposition when support from the Union is dropped.

He sunk deeper to his couch. As he sipped his tea, he kept glancing at his folders, determined to continue his experiments no matter what the cost. It is selfish. He knew that. But too much is at stake on this project- his dreams, his reputation, his whole life- everything. His life revolved around this project. It had become his lifeblood, his driving force to pursue life and knowledge.

And yet, as he fuels himself to achieve his dreams, he found himself somehow stopped. Something within him relentlessly fought- to scream, to be let out. Something within him desperately yells at him, telling him that there's a better path, a better way.

He sighed once more and brought down the cup. The tea did nothing to calm his nerves down. In fact, he only became more restless. He could feel his heartbeat racing. Confusion made his head spin. What did he really know? He was thrust into this life when his parents died and the Union saw his potential. For what potential, he never knew. The only thing he knew is the Union's interest in him and how it appointed him in its complex organizational tree.

None of them question the Union either. All of them were afraid- afraid that the moment they raised their hands to ask, their proposals would be rejected and they would lose their means to develop something, to make it big in this highly competitive world.

But then, just as he was about to abandon all hope, a familiar face came into his view. A voice echoed within him. Forceful, yet insightful, the wisdom behind those words engulfed him in an aura of calming embrace.

“The Union is a superstructure of our society. It is a structure in the sense that it shapes how society operates. But it can never rule our lives. They possess the power. They are influential. They dictate the world. Yet what fools are they! For all what's worth, a true scientist at heart is only interested in facts, truths. Opinions have no place in him. Nor does his viewpoint. And never traditions. For a scientist, the world is as he sees it, not what his heart dictates nor what his mind perceive. His self does not matter. The world does not matter. All that matter is the universal, tangible truth. Remember Ran, the Union is simply an illusion, a placeholder. Sooner or later, it will dissolve, replaced by a stronger one. That's how it works. You are a fool to believe otherwise.”

Ran smiled. That was one of Ross' words when they parted. He was innocent at that time- naive. While Ross chose fieldwork and founded a colony of her own, he chose Saphiro and became a member of the board. At that time, he tried persuading her. But she never listened to him.. In turn, she even gave him a lecture- a lesson he never learned even to this very day. But perhaps, he's starting to understand even to a certain extent.

Ross is one of the few who have a strong will. She is a stubborn woman. Despite her old age, she is never opinionated. Yes, she is hard, her tongue stabs, her honesty is brutal and her very presence can drop the very temperature of the area. But that is only a part of her conviction as a scientist. Her inquisitive and rebellious nature is even more devastating and her demanding standards surreal. And that's what dragged her down to the bottom- not on the organizational chart. After all, she is highly respected scientist and an award winner. Her influence reaches out to the masses, to the inhabitants of this world. But she is often looked down by the Union.

But that wouldn't matter. She could leave Saphiro and half would go with her. In a way, the Union came to fear her, not for what she can do but for her influence. And that alone multiplied his respect for the woman.

In a way, too, Ross had become the mother he never had. But he wouldn't go far as to proclaiming that to her. He knew that she would only give him another lecture on independence.

Ran's smile widened. Ross is the only one that can get him to think, to contemplate and change his views. The tea might not have helped him, but his memory of Ross did. Maybe it's not yet too late. Maybe he could still do something- something that would make him worthy in Ross' eyes and to himself.

With a new fire of determination revived within him, he rose, gripped his folders tightly and walked away. His dreams are worthwhile. But he would reach them with dignity. He would not let his friend down, nor would he sell his soul.

From this moment onwards, a new battle must be fought.

=o=o=o=

Hot, unnerving, unsettling.

Ross opened her eyes to metallic walls. The feeling of unknown fear gripped her and a surge of confusion cause her to rise up suddenly. Shaking away the feeling of dizziness, she opened a drawer and pulled out a folder.

With widened eyes, realization dawned upon her. But the confusion continued to gnaw at her.

Ares Space Station. There she is in all her glory. Magnificent, sophisticated and proud, the space station ruled the galaxy with her enormity. Her sheer size and volume could block the sun's rays if directed in the right way.

Ross' eyes gazed attentively at the holographic image before her. Their calculating gaze clouded behind them much confusion. Yet she wasn't entirely ready to give up.

Ares existed and fell on 2012, when the solar activity is strong enough to knock out Earth's magnetic fields out of balance for nearly two months. What could it be doing in her dream? And what could it possibly mean?

By now the dream is fading. But one piece of it remained vivid to her. Desperate, pleading, begging, the voice of the space station as it called to her is in itself unusual, thought-provoking.

She heaved out a sigh and shook her head. She would have to ponder about this later. Dreams might mean many things or it could just be a chunk of stress-related electrical discharge from her brain. But she is convinced that indeed, her dream has some connection to the events that are now taking place.

“Ma'am, we are approaching Saphiro. Please stand by for verification.”

She nodded as her pilot's voice echoed from the speakers. She would need to slot in her I.D. again, type the pass codes and do some scans, which is a tiring procedure but a required one nonetheless. To her, it is simply a silly facade to scare away terrorists. And although it's working, there could be better ways to strengthen security.

Before she could slot in her I.D, a static came from the speakers and her monitor blared to life.

“Hey, Ross. Nice to have you back.”

She released a breath she never knew she held as she saw Ran's grinning face on her monitor. The boy had been like a son to her. But she wouldn't really admit that. She look at herself as an independent woman. And having him tied to her would only complicate his life. Ran is on the verge of greatness, on his road towards success. She wouldn't want to take that life away from him- that life where he's comfortably seated under the protection of the Union.

“Remind me to smack the back of your head later, Ran. You surprised me!” Ross exclaimed as she feigned annoyance.

The other only laughed.

“Come on, Ross. I thought your heart is stronger than that.”

“Nevertheless, such lack of concern for the welfare of your elders--”

“--is a blatant display of disrespect and most definitely deserves a punishment. You recite that every time, mom.” The other jokingly replied, much to her displeasure.

“How many times do I have to tell--” She saw the other ready to finish her sentence for her again. And to prevent further humorous comments from him, she decided that she really shouldn't push it when he's in one of his moods.

“Oh why should I bother? At any rate, it is indeed a surprise to see you on the security satellite, Ran. I thought you hate it outside Saphiro?”

“Ohhhh.... So that's what it's all about? Can't I greet my mom for once?” Ran's grin returned full-force.

“Ran--” She warned him, not wanting the other to get into the habit of calling her his mom. But the other just shrugged her off. Indeed the little boy who used to fear her had grown up. And now, she had become the source of his amusement. This displeased her a little. But it also brightened her that he's finally maturing.

“Geez, cool it down, Ross. You know I'm only playing with you. Anyway, the magnetic fields are down. Land on your usual spot, ma'am.” The other saluted as he vanished from the monitor.

Ross can only shake her head as she returned to her seat. It warms her to have that kind of conversation. The rigidity of her life transformed everything into a monotonous cycle. But she knew she couldn't blame anyone. After all, it was her who modeled her life that way.

The landing is uneventful. And Mark's usual squad isn't there. Ross grinned mischievously. They must have been relieved, having a party somewhere. What a moronic bunch.

“Ran... I'm glad you did as you're told.”

“Nope. Actually, the Union decided to delay the launch. It appears that a solar storm was detected by our satellites. You just got lucky.”

She shook her head as she closed her coat.

“Luck is governed by the laws of probability. It's--”

“There you go again. Just accept it and be merry.”

A smile crept up her face. Without warning, she reached out to touch her friend's head and ruffle his hair. In response, Ran whined and pulled away from her.

“Ross! Come on, I just fixed it!”

“Just accept the gesture boy. Don't get used to it, though.”

“Good.” Ran smiled while Ross chuckled.

“So, how's everything while I'm away?”

“Nothing much. Dr. Slavick, the Union's representative, just briefed us on what to do and stuff. As I said, nothing much.”

Ross felt like slamming her palm on her face. Ran might be a brilliant scientist but she knew from experience how short his attention span is. But to preserve her dignity, she only resorted to a grunt.

“Indeed? What could possibly be so serious that they needed to brief the scientists? I'm sure that they would know about the standard process of diplomatic meeting.”

“Oh. I wasn't really listening.” But Ran's grin faltered. His face turned serious and he stopped walking. “You know this isn't a mere diplomatic meeting, Ross.”

That froze her, too. For it suddenly reminded her that indeed, something is brewing.

“You are correct, Ran. At any rate, I need to meet up with the administration. It might cost my pride by worming my way back to them, but I have no other choice. I need to be on this trip. There's something that I have to check out.”

“You do that, Ross. It would be fun to have you on board.”

Ross continued walking. Yet as if remembering something, she turned back and smiled.

“Oh, and remember, Ran, you as a scientist should know that this isn't a vacation. We're not going to have fun.” Ross smirked as she saw the doctor pouted. Cute, but it is necessary that she once again facilitate his growth.

=o=o=o=

Outside the Violet Garden is a place unlike any other. Glowing, breathing, alive.

The forest Kald'Ry'N (Caldarrien in human tongue) contains the most unique deposits of metals that glowed under the artificial light of “Athena” satellite- Block A1's prominent moon. Its unique glow gave home to different flora and fauna that could not be found anywhere else.

Its denseness might be the biggest deterrent why nobody dared venture into its maze-like confines. And although the friendly yet territorial inhabitants might contribute to that fear, it is actually the Union's own doing while many fear it.

Hyped and exaggerated as a forest of misfortunes, the Union tried to deter any kind of investigation due to fears that their observation tools might be discovered by the people. This only served for the Elder's advantage. It actually lessened the work for them.

As the outside world deemed it dangerous, the elders announced it to be dangerous, too. As they engraved it upon their book as the goddess' sacred grounds, nobody dared enter it due to fear of the goddess' wrath.

And since it is the only way in and out the colony to the outside world, it completed their isolation. But of course, there are exceptions to the rules.

Laughter reigned over the atmosphere. Fireflies flew everywhere and the aggressive and territorial animals were unusually friendly. As one teenage boy rides upon a wolf one teenage boy enjoyed himself on top of a narra tree.

They seemingly have a connection with the forest that allowed them to feel so free within the forest- to unleash their aura into it and that in turn invited the locals to them. And tonight, when the breeding season of the local species has finally ended, everything seemed to flow effortlessly.

“Sam! Sam, you look like an ant from here. Stop bothering Mr. Wolfy and join me! We have an apple tree, here.”

“Shush Sean! Can you see I'm enjoying myself here. And his name isn't Wolfy! He's Sachi. You should join us! His pack is coming over.”

“You gave him a name? You know better than messing with the locals.”

“Oh don't worry. He won't get mad, would you, Sachi?” He faced the wolf who bared his fangs at him. “Oh don't be like that. We're friends aren't we?”

Sean looked at this with amusement. Sam who never get out of the colony resigned to his idea of fun too easily. And to a person who's so indoctrinated by the elder, that's a huge feat. It usually isn't that easy to deviate from the teachings of the temple. But Sean dared not question it. The fact that his best friend is enjoying the forest pleased him. That would mean he would have someone to share this spot with and that just doubles the fun.

It is times like these that Sean wished never to end. He wished to treasure this forever, to keep it. But unfortunately, he know it in his heart that something is about to change. But of course, he could always enjoy the calm before the storm.

Jumping off from the tree, he ran towards a bush and gathered berries, just like he usually did.

But today, he didn't store them in his little boxes. Turning towards his friend, he threw the berries and showered his friend in different shades of red, violet and blue. In excitement, the wolf jumped around, trying to catch the berries with his mouth.

As he did so however, he threw Sam off his back, resulting in a fury of laughter from Sean.

“Geez! You should be more careful, next time Sam! Riding a wolf. What an idea!”

Sam glared at him for a moment before realizing the irony of the situation. And that's the time that he joined the laughter as well.

In the middle of their rough horsing however, they noticed a sudden movement. And to their surprise, the animals that gathered around them suddenly dispersed. Even the wolf ran off to a different direction. The crickets quieted. The fireflies left. Solitude reigned over.

“Huh? That's weird.” Then, as if confirming his observation, he cupped both hands around his mouth and shouted, playfully turning his head around. “Heelloooo!!”

Before Sean could silence him, a loud voice froze them.

“What are you boys doing out here?”

Startled, they looked up. They cringed and looked at each other. And right then, they knew that they are in trouble.

=o=o=o=