Chapter 44: Moonlit Night

As planned, Charlotte once again is on the move.

This time, the vehicle is their base. In real-time, the vehicle expands into a long bus, similar to that of a snake. The space inside is wide enough to house all of them. It provided a shower unit, a bathroom unit, and living quarters. However, it was still considered cramped seeing how it's only temporary accommodation.

Looking at the controls, it seemed the bus can be manipulated to fit however many people needed. The rooms are treated like folded compartments that are incredibly flexible. Probably due to the material, it seems soft and fragile yet still miraculously holding its shape.

It didn't take much to figure out why they shouldn't keep it extended all day. For one, a longer bus will make them more vulnerable to attacks. Second, they had a limited amount of power. Although they could generate extra power, in case of an emergency, it would be wise to use them responsibly.

It didn't take long for them to arrive at their appointed site. Everyone methodically unpacked while doing everything with the utmost caution. To not attract too much attention, no one made a noise. They all silently worked while purposely whispering among themselves if they needed to communicate. No one knew who was watching their every move. No one knew if there was someone looking to take their lives right after they stopped. It was all silence in the midst of the cooling heat. Their field of vision is occasionally shrouded with dust due to the breeze. The sky turned bright red, declaring the fall of the sun.

Airplane noises could be heard from the air force, coming nearer to scour from the sky. Since everyone finished with their task, they just sat, staring at the massive red ball that is descending into the distance. Everyone sat in a little chair, their knees reaching their face.

"It's pretty," Lucian sounded.

"Yes. it's one of the rare sights not witnessed by most in the city. Once people actually trod outside the boundaries, I think sunsets are the last thing they would think of," Lucianna chuckled.

"It always felt so fresh to see this sight every time we return. It just never gets old," Luna sighed.

"Really, nothing can compare to witnessing it with your very own eyes," Lucian also sighed and dropped his chin on his knees.

"It looks better out scouting," Finnian replied.

He just returned from setting things up from the distance. A trail of dust could be seen, following his agile movements.

"Are the others coming soon?" Lucianna asked.

"They are on their way. We just finished setting up the detectors as well, but we should scout just in case right?"

"Yes, we can't take any chances. After a few days, you'll be able to rest properly," Lucianna nodded.

Detectors are machines used to detect the presence of enemies. It was programmed to have the same five senses humans have, except amplified. There are ways to avoid the signals, however, you would need a certain code to do so. It was the same situation at the food street where she met Lucian. They had the code to interfere with the detectors. she wasn't sure where they had gotten it, but could imagine someone within the nation knew something about it. Besides, their location could only be revealed if someone betrayed them. Nevertheless, Charlotte was no technology expert and so never questioned it further.

In the distance, Eric and Armand are gliding back, Eric signaling a thumbs up.

Bert, who was previously inside the vehicle, also came out with a handful of materials. Finnian came up to him and help him hold some of the stuff brought out.

"We should start on dinner it seems. You all worked hard!" Eric exclaimed.

Everyone smiled and started to focus on setting up the equipment. They didn't want rations on the first day out and so brought some food that could be reheated. With technology these days, the goods sold are now more advanced, giving people the ability to bring any type of food with them.

Treating it as a potluck, their first night together was joyful. It was nothing close to a celebration, if anything, not one was actively trying to liven up the mood. However, there was something there, something unspoken about that night that brought a sense of nostalgia in them. It was just mere chatter among themselves but it felt comforting. It reminded everyone that they weren't alone in this. The morning that shook them was soon forgotten and the lighthearted mood took over.

The sky was now dyed with a deep blue, resembling of the space beyond the earth.

'No, in this world, they would already know what was beyond the blue sky,' she smiled at her ridiculous thoughts.

'The things beyond, beyond our world, the things that are driven by emotions, maybe the soul itself would be the only being that can be dyed with such a rich dark blue. The speckles of white couldn't be considered stars but little essence that shines in this dark space. Ah, but what am I thinking? Such dramatic words, no wonder people call me cliche.'

By the time it was completely covered by the night sky, the cold rush of the breeze permeated through the air. They started to huddle up in groups.

With no one by their side, Eric sat down next to Charlotte.

"The night is beautiful tonight," he commented.

"Yes. Tonight," she nodded.

She could feel his hesitation, wanting to ask about something. So, she waited patiently while staring at the sky above her.

"Will... we ever witness such a sky again?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"I felt like you knew an answer to these types of questions."

"These types of questions?"

"To be honest, no one really wants to discuss such a topic."

"Yet, I would like to?"

"Well..."

"I'm teasing you. I don't mind really. It's a thought after all. It can't discern anything."

"Don't jinx it."

"I'm surprised you even knew the word 'jinx'."

"I don't follow..."

"No, I am just old," she chuckled.

"...So? what do you think?"

"Of?"

"Please stop teasing me."

"Alright," she smiled.

"I would warn you now, I am pretty pessimistic."

"Well, it's perspective."

"I guess so. But I would like to think a downfall would come, at some point in time. I believe in both sides losing, an utter defeat that sinks both ships down along with it."

"Both sides losing?" he asked in confusion.

"A side would ultimately prevail right?"

"Yes, a side would. Do you believe in karma, commander? Do you know what it is?"

"Karma. Something in return what you do?"

"It's actually more subjective than you think. People believe in karma but in different ways. However, in theory, it's revenge for what someone did, whether good or bad. Except, it completely relies on fate, on a system, being, or even an existent to make things right."

"A being?"

"Well, is it a system? It has to have some sort of process in order to repay the person involved right?"

"Right."

"So, let's break it down. In order to obtain karma, one would need to do some sort of action that has a clear good and bad."

He nodded.

"Well then, who is the judge of it? The person who wishes revenge on someone else for what they have done? Or is it a third-party judging it? If so, how would they know what to judge and what to not judge? Is there a natural force that automatically does it for everyone?"

"Well, isn't karma gained and released? It doesn't need to have an absolute system. Once you gained bad karma, for example, it could be released or absorbed onto oneself."

"Then, how do you determine what is good and bad karma?"

"It's subjective, telling me to dictate what is right and wrong."

"Then let's take it as the person themselves as well as those involved with them as the judges."

"Alright."

"Now, we all can agree that karma can be stored up. It doesn't automatically release, right? Once you did a bad thing, it doesn't always immediately fall back onto you."

"Yes."

"Then what if two sides regard the other as 'bad', it builds up in both of them. At the point of release, assuming it would be released at all, who would suffer more?"

"That depends on how much karma."

"Then who would be the winner and loser in that situation?"

"The one with most 'bad' karma."

"The one who hates the other less yet suffers more loses while the other wins because they suffered less despite hating the other more."

"Well, if you put it that way."

"Of course, I can still be rebutted. They could hate each other more because of the 'bad' things they did. If you try to think more trying to defend both sides, isn't it a complicated mess?"

"Then will a winner and loser be made?"

"Although complicated, I do think a force would come up victorious. Just, maybe the suffering is not worth it."

"Not worth it huh?"

"You should know this best, commander. you are a fighter on the very battlefield in the midst of war. Regarding what I said earlier, what would you act upon if you don't necessarily agree with your orders?"

"Are you asking for my loyalty?"

"How loyal are you? Do you have the quality possessed of a sword, an object that doesn't question how it is used?"

Eric laughed at her question. Under the lit moonlight, the two could be seen. Except one knew more than the other.

She knew that suffering is suffering. A peaceful moonlit night might never be seen again.

'So might as well enjoy it right?'