The Constant Star (83)

THE STORY SO FAR

But she won’t last long outside this facility. Whatever you are doing, make it fast.”

“Hey Siff, you made it. Welcome back.”

Bear places a gentle hand on her knee as she blinks her blurred vision away, a weak voice comes from her smiling face, “Hi, Bear. You made it too, huh?”

“Keenan almost killed me. It was pretty close.”

“Keenan?”

“Diana’s bodyguard. Those guys were slaves to her, but as soon as you…” He sees Siff’s pained look, “…y’know, well, he was free. You’ve really helped a lot of people, Siff. You saved all of Janus.”

“Feels like all of Janus kicked my ass. Ugh! I’m in pain.”

Bear lets out a laugh, “Yeah that’s what happens when you bleed to death.”

“Really? I died? That sucks.”

Saturn puts her hand on Siff’s arm, “I’m so sorry to wake you Siff, but we have a problem and we need your help.”

“It’s over…I thought it was over…”

“Diana is finished, and the Rebellion ended. But there is someone else to contend with.”

“Why can’t you…?”

“Because I think the best person to talk with him is you.”

Siff knows who it is immediately, but Bear still shows her the screen from the security camera outside. A crowd of thousands behind one man. She feels the guilt of his family on her heart. She sees the brokenness on his face. He has truly met the gods.

“Okay, I’ll go.”

67

Siff stands between her mother and best friend, Pluto beside them as the great door slowly opens before them. All three wounded, Bear helps keep her on her feet as they take in the silent crowd. Lucas’ countenance is unchanging at the sight of them: stoic and angry he waits.

Siff steps out on her own and begins the walk forward between the piles of keepsakes left as witnesses against them. All these people have seen what happened, surely the war is over. Halfway across the courtyard she looks Lucas in the eye and breaks immediately, collapsing on her knees in front of her escorts as Lucas steps closer. When he reaches her she grabs onto his cloak, head at his knees, between sobs she speaks, “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry. Lucas, I’m so sorry.”

Lucas strikes the ground with the butt of his spear and she is silent. His scarred voice is one that speaks for humanity, it is deep, and resonates across the courtyard. The microphone projects his words for all the crowd to hear, “I watched my gods fall from Elysium. Great lights cast to the earth. They fell to us and we ran to meet them. They walked among us and for a moment brought new excitement and hope. But they were not just fallen from Heaven, they were fallen from grace. Fallen from honour. We met them and discovered their fire.

“I watched my gods send destruction upon my loved ones. My family burned and the flames tore at my flesh. Overcome with vengeance I pursued and caught them as they rested. And when I spoke with them I realized their childishness. Their ignorance. How could our gods be so blind? My faith buried itself beneath their flaws. My vengeance warred with my pity.

“I was brought to this new land and saw many wonders. I moved at speeds I could never have imagined, even though I stood still. I was healed in moments by laying on a glowing bed. I saw mighty buildings constructed with elegance and genius. And I saw the affects of war upon your people.

“I saw mighty weapons launch one against the other. Explosions like those my people suffered rang about me. Fire and blood and gods hunted me. And I ran. And in my running I found the detritus of war. The gods who, like me, were lost among the ruins of their faith. They welcomed me and kept me safe. I helped them move unseen, and they showed me how to survive. These gods became human, and these humans became friends. And now these friends have become a force unto themselves.

“You, Siff, came here to save your leaders. I have come here to save your humanity.

“Look to your left, and to your right. See the judgement standing against you. Your own children, your own people. You cared not for them and their blood cries out! I saw them lain upon gardens. Lain upon streets. Disfigured and unmoving. Their blood cries out against you! Let your leaders hear what I have to say! The people you have forgotten will now be remembered. The dead and the living stand here before you and demand peace! Demand justice! Demand the end of slavery. You will give this to them, or you will lose your place as leaders aboard Janus. I came here to hunt monsters. Prove yourselves to be human, and earn the forgiveness of your people.”

Siff looks up at the man before her, “We will do all those things, I swear. We will heal our people and set them free. Please, spare us and come inside the Needle. I am so sorry. I am so sorry for everything. Please come in and speak with us so we can change. I am so sorry, I am so…” Siff stands but her wounds are still too fresh. She collapses and Lucas catches her, his spear falling to the ground behind him, ringing a great clang in the silence. He lifts her in his arms and looks to her companions, “Let us go then.”

68

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Entry#13944

My dear daughter, please live. Please wake up. I need you. I am so sorry, Siff, for my selfishness. Please wake up.>>

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Entry#13951

I sit watching your shallow breaths. The monitors speak a language I do not understand, but the doctor tells me you will most likely live. I hold on to that hope. Please come back to me, my daughter. I love you. Please come back.>>

<<Citizen#0024-48389264

Entry#13955

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