Chapter IV

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 : The Moon Balcony

In the past.

February 13th, 4035

Time 1903 Hours

Jason Ford

The Moon Balcony sits above the Floweritorium owned by Thomas Deliah. It's the only known vegetation park in the universe; a large glass dome that's pointed at an angle beneath Earth, or above it, depending what planet you're on—offering a clear picture towards Paradise. It's rather large, the size of four football fields. As well, there is an adult only zone; of which therapy sessions of all kind are offered. From those who are suicidal, to parents who need a break from their children and want to drink and sleep and fuck beneath the stars.

Overall, it's been highly successful at simulating Humanities Origin the best it can. But there is a limited to carbon-fiber trees, plastic grass, and the computer generated noises of animals.

It's better than a metal cubicle, at least.

It's also where many of times Jaycee found himself staring up at Earth, waiting for the day for him to drop.

And soon, upon completion of his battle school, he will be dropping to Earth for war.

Jaycee slides off a fake log and reaches down into his pocket, pulling out a special gift from a friend.

It's a pocketbook, no bigger than his hand and no thicker than his thumb. The title?

A quick guide to being a Florist.

It has a picture of a sunflower on it. Thomas called it a Russian sunflower.

Jaycee opens the cover page to meet Thomas's words of wisdom.

You can always leave the war. Come to my side. I'll miss you. I hope you know that JC. I hope you know you will always have a home with me. But I beg you, if you so choose to go to that damn place, promise me you will come back with the marigolds.

Lots of Love, Thomas.

A frog crawls up his throat. It's always hard to say no to Thomas. After all—

"Are you still holding onto that damn book?" Kelly interjects, sitting above the log, looking down. Jaycee looks up at Kelly; he's in awe. She's wearing a bright pink and purple lace, her exquisite features shown through the thin fabric.

He distracted now; her presence making it difficult to swallow the spit in his over salivating mouth.

"He's a legend, and I respect him."

Kelly steps over him, so her crotch is at his back and her hands are on her lover's shoulders.

She pulls the back of his head to her breasts and begins to rub his neck.

"I know he's a legend, but I don't understand how you can sit and read a book about flowers when you should be prodding all the information you can about the war. You're the only one he talks to I hear. . . Any information on those M Series 10 machines would help,"

"The MechXs you mean,"

"Sure, the MechXs."

Jaycee flips the pages until he finds the index.

His eyes fall to the word Marigold. Many circles in black ink surround the word; with a smiley face next to it.

Page 50.

"I know, but that's the thing. . . He's talks to me because I'm the only one who doesn't prod him for information about the war."

Jaycee flips to the page and rolls his shoulders forward; feeling Kelly as she digs deep into his sore muscles. He's relaxed now, he could sleep from this comfort level.

There is just something about lying up against a girl's chest. Indescribable.

Kelly leans forward at this, her eyes falling to the image of flowers.

"What flower is that?" Kelly asks, shifting herself closer,

"This is a Marigold."

Jaycee says proudly.

"It's a beautiful flower. A flower which Thomas tells me is the only reason I'm allowed to go to war. To bring this damn flower back for him."

"He will only let you fight thirty feet tall machines that slaughter hundreds so you can bring back a fucking flower?" Kelly asks, jokingly.

"I think it's a fair trade off, after all, then I get to experience everything else on the planet. I get to experience wind and birds and insects and animals."

"And we can finally fuck beneath the stars, instead of in them," Kelly states, biting her lip, grinding her hip into his back.

"Not now, please,"

"Fine. . . but later?"

Jaycee nods, as he leans back; his head resting up against the log. Kelly drops beside him; pulling herself into him, laying her head to his chest.

Directly above them, Earth gleams bright; a single lantern in the space of stars.

"It can only make you wonder why the moon and mars was even created. As God spoke of no planets beyond earth, and yet here we are—a mistake to our own creator."

"Maybe if we lived on Mars it would be different. At least they can breathe on their soil,"

"And yet they had a decade long war that set them back a dozen generations."

Jaycee turns to face his partner. He's smiling, as if holding onto a thought that is seeping to escape.

"It's still better than this shit pit."

And to that, Kelly shrugs. She doesn't stress about things she can't control. She just likes to live life—fuck, sleep, eat, drink.

Jaycee looks a bit saddened by his need to continue back the conversation as if her words all dried up. Unable to process thoughts on her own, only able to respond to questions asked.

Jaycee turns back to Earth.

"I just think it's kind of sad you know. Like to think we left this beautiful place and went to the moon and mars. It just makes me wonder how we lost Earth. How we got here. Like, I don't think it's fair that we don't know. And I don't think it's fair that all our information is gone, burned away—all because of the Colony wars."

"Jaycee, what did you expect? The Totalitarian government crushed history so we would be forced to face our new reality. Instead of our past."

"But why?"

Kelly can't help but laugh. To which Jaycee chuckles—realizing his dumb question.

"You should check who you're asking, alright? You think I know why big robots showed up on Earth, and we established hundreds of colonies all throughout mars and the moon?"

"I know, but still—"

"But nothing. All we know is the Ark got us here and the Ark is nowhere to be found."

"And the Ark is?"

"A three letter word that supposedly saved our asses and that's why we're here. I'd tell ya more there young troop-a-loop, but again, the Unifers burned every single peace of histroy the Anchoras had in their high society." Kelly sticks her tongue out playfully. And Jaycee closes his pocketbook, sliding it back into his pants pocket. He bites his tongue and nods in agreement; the same way he's been taught in every history class ever.

"There is no way they destroyed everything."

"You're right. The high society probably has all it, but again, they aint' giving it.

"Yeah and what about the enemy?"

"We're gonna fuck em up," Kelly chuckles, punching Jaycee in the shoulder.

"Hey!" Jaycee jumps, rubbing his shoulders. "That—"

Kelly, not giving Jaycee a time to finish his sentence, tackles him, and lands on top. With both hands, she pulls up her lace with a wide grin.