Episode Nine - Code Four (Part 1)
Chapter Song Suggestion "Zhuwei Xiao Mao by Cicada (Taiwan)" -link in comment-
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THE PAST | Eira
The end was near.
The word 'Ataxia' had been circulating the camp and the soldiers sounded relieved to finally conclude their month-long mission. She clutched Lars's hand as they trudged across the windy desert. "What do you think will happen to us?"
"I don't know." His response was grim.
"I'm scared," she whispered, her voice trembling. "These aren't good people." Would they ever have a chance to escape from these soldiers and return home? Would she ever see her siblings again? Would her brother come looking for her?
His grip tightened. "Don't be afraid. I won't ever leave you alone."
She held him transfixed with her innocent green eyes. "You promise?"
"I promise. I'll always protect you, Eira."
She gave him a wobbly smile, leaning her head against his shoulder. He was the only one who made her feel safe, even if instinctively she knew it wouldn't last. "You're my family now, Lars. I don't ever want us to be apart." At least, she hoped.
A few hours later, they found themselves facing a towering steel building, milling with armed soldiers. It looked dangerous and dreary, a place where children had no business belonging to. The imposing doors moaned as it cracked open, a red buzzer light flashing consistently followed by a droning alarm. It heightened her building fear and anxiety. The anticipation was like an axe hovering over her neck.
The soldiers roughly hustled the children in and begun splitting them into groups. She was ripped from Lars side, her cries and struggles futile as they dragged her away. "Lars!"
"Let her go! Where are you taking her?" Lars demanded, taking a step forward.
"I've heard about you," a bald-headed soldier sneered, raising his fist. "The hero trying to save the damsel. Well, pretty boy, it's lights out for you."
Eira screamed when the soldier punched the living daylights out of Lars until he fell in an unconscious heap on the ground. She fought against the soldiers. "No, let me go! Lars!" Her voice cracked at the end.
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PRESENT DAY
She stared out the foggy window, knees drawn up while the rain poured in the darkness. Lightning flashed and thunder roared, sparking her uninspiring reflection. It was rare for a downpour to wash over Ataxia, the weather conditions less than favourable with pollution. Lifting a finger, she wrote his name L-A-R-S before crossing it out.
"Are you still mad at him for grounding you?" Florian handed her a cup of steaming tea.
"Kaaqa," she accepted the comforting beverage. "Vi. No. I'm back on duty tomorrow. I was thinking about the little one. What do you think happened to it? Where did it go?"
Taking a sip of his coffee, Florian hitched a shoulder. "I don't know. I guess it'll do whatever predators are doing in this fucked up era."
"I tried looking it up in the government database, but I only discovered the history of dragon myths from the old era. There's no record of predators resembling little one. If I had to peg down its elemental attribute, I'd say it's a snow dragon. In ancient China, snow dragons are called Xue Long — Xue for snow, and Long for dragon."
Amusement twitched Florian's lips. "Is that what you've decided to name it?"
She tapped her chin and smiled thoughtfully. "Nienh? Why not? It suits little one's white complexion. Perhaps Xue Long's bloodline is a descendent of the orient continent. It would explain why there's no documentation of its species, not when it could have recently migrated here." Her tone became curious. "I wonder if Xue Long's parents are still alive."
"There is a possibility." Florian indulged her. "But Xue Long looked very much like an orphan. According to legend, dragons are solitary creatures that would leave their hatching grounds once they are old enough to find a new habitat."
"That makes —"
A loud commotion from the hallway startled them both. Koga and Anaelle stumbled in, or rather Koga fell – bottom first – into the common bay.
"What the hell is going on?" Florian twisted around, growing vexed by these two. They were like oil and water, and it was tiring to listen to them argue – day in and day out.
Ignoring their Vice-Captain, Anaelle pinched Koga by the ears. "Swear that you didn't eat my apples!"
Palms raised in surrender, Koga flinched pathetically, his dark glasses askew. "I swear! I never ate your apples. I didn't even go near your damn orchard!"
Convinced that he wasn't the culprit, she released him. Her gaze zeroed in on Florian and Eira. "What about you two? Did you eat my apples?"
Eira cocked her head in open interest. "What is this apple?"
"You know I dislike apples, Anaelle," Florian retorted soundly, then snorted at Koga. "And you call yourself a samurai? You're getting your ass handed to you by a woman."
Anaelle growled, hands on her hips. "What the fuck are you trying to say, Florian Denali?"
"I'm only calling it like I see it," Florian quipped. "Don't hate on the truth, Anaelle. Your pettiness is unattractive. It's no wonder you're still single."
"Shut up. I don't need a libertine giving me advice." Annoyance stamped every inch of her face. "I'm warning everyone here. Do not enter my orchard because if I find another apple missing, you are all dead meat!" With that final warning, she stormed out furiously.
Koga dragged himself to the sofa, cursing under his breath.
"I don't get it." Eira remained baffled. "What's this apple?"
"An apple is an old era fruit that was highly common and popular and was grown in abundance. But it's rare now. From time-to-time Anaelle receives seed samples from the research and development division to nurture. If she succeeds in growing a healthy orchard, then we'll be able to add apples into the nation's diet."
It never occurred to Eira how important Anaelle's job was. She was often mean and cold but, Eira never doubted that the scientist loved her job. "That's amazing."
"It may not look like much," Florian continued, "But little by little, she's helping to improve the nation's quality of life. Today, it's apples. Tomorrow, it could be something else."
"What she needs is an attitude makeover," Koga opposed, wearing a permanent scowl. "It's unbelievable how she has the face of an angel but the character of a demoness."
"Don't mind those two," Florian whispered lowly, a secretive smile curving his lips. "They just need to fuck it out of their systems, and they'll be alright. They've been circling each other for years. I'm amazed by how blind they are to their mutual attraction."
A hand over her mouth, Eira gasped. "Those two?"
"Yeap." He ended the 'p' with a pop. "It's called foreplay."
Eira's shoulders shook with unintelligible mirth, unable to believe her ears. Just then, an automated voice crackled through the bay speakers. "Attention unit six. Code four alert. I repeat. Code four alert."
Setting her mug aside, Eira noticed how Florian immediately became wary and alert. Koga was already striding for the door. "What does code four mean?"
"It means Colonel Emory's requesting for a meeting," Florian replied. "Come on, it's time for your second team mission."
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They filed into a bare room Eira had never seen before. Its interior was dim and cool with a round platform constructed in the middle while everything else glowed neon blue. Lars was already there, awaiting for everyone to arrive, Anaelle being the last one.
Eira gasped when Colonel Emory's holographic figure flickered to life on the platform. This technology was unheard of in Skocia. Apart from the Colonel's uncanny blue appearance, he looked authentic.
"Good afternoon, unit six," the hologram greeted jovially. "We've received disturbing reports about massive killings throughout the nations and word in the wind is that bodies are being dumped into the Skocian Oasis. It isn't conclusive but, there are sightings of bizarre occurrences, and the government wants you to investigate this situation. In the event that you do find the person responsible, you're required to hunt him or her down and prevent any more body counts." He turned to Eira. "It's good to see that you have recovered, Ulva. As a Skocian native, we will be relying on your expertise to resolve this mission."
"Kraz, Yes, sir." She formally saluted him. "I won't let you down."
"That being said, unit six is to depart at zero seven hundred tomorrow morning. If there's anything you require before the mission, Ataxia is at your service. Good luck and be careful."