Alone

The Samurais got in to the starship. The footsteps of Zeno and Archimedes too entered the ship. They looked at the Mountains one last time and left for their planet. They seated themselves after setting the course for their home. The strongman samurai remained standing. " Please take a seat " said Archimedes. The strongmen took their seat. Do you plan to get of at your village? asked Archimedes who for the first time showed signs of tiredness. Zeno was already sleeping. We do as per your command, answered the strongman. You shall come with me, he said to them. The strongman seemed happy with his decision. You can bring your family too, he said. We do not have a family sire, they replied. Archimedes last remembered him saying OK, as he closed his eyes. When he opened his eyes he was at his township in Planet 157.

Archimedes got down from the ship and headed home, While Zeno told the Strongman to follow him. " I will arrange the accommodation for you " he said to them. So they followed him. There were farms everywhere , the vegetation grew in all forms and sizes. The Water supply was near perfect. But what surprised the strongman was "where were the people?!" . There were far more farms than there were people. Most of the people have relocated, said Zeno. In case you were wondering, he added looking at the strongman. There was a long history of troubles with the natives, that the people deemed best to move elsewhere, even if they had to leave their famrs behind. "Do the barbarians still cause trouble?" asked a Strongman. Not anymore, said Zeno. But I do not think that alone will be enough for the people to return back. Where have they gone? asked the Strongman. " They have gone to someplace far away" that was his simple answer. Who takes care of these farms now? They asked. Zeno laughed. " It is not only me and Archimedes who have decided to stay back" there are quite a few other's too. We all split the job equally, said Zeno. We want to help too, said the Strongman. That is good to hear, said Zeno. They walked for some time and reached a small settlement. This is where we live, said Zeno. He pointed to a house and said to them" This is your house". Thank you Sire, said the Strongman and took leave. I forgot to say something, said Zeno. Dinner is at 7 at the town center, he turned back and said this to the Strongman. The Strongman went into their housing and decided it was time for them to get some rest as well. " Those mountains remind me of something , said a Strongman" What? asked the other. They remind of home, he replied. This is good enough said the samurai, and you better think that too. Why can't I dream a little, asked the strongman. This is a dream that we live in now. Have you forgotten for how long we stood and guarded the ship, asked the Samurai. Years, replied the fellow. Do you want to go back to that again? asked the Samurai. Certainly not, replied the fellow. Then it is better you abandon such dreams, he said. My dreams do not have a place in this world anyway , said the fellow. Nor in any world, he grunted and hit the rocks.

At the home of Archimedes.....

His wife hugged him. Glad you are back safe she said to him. Do I have a choice to not , boasted Archimedes. Oh, you are boasting now, she said to him and kissed him on the lips. Archimedes caught her by the hips and kissed her too. "The kids will be home soon" said Hera and pushed him away gently. Archimedes sighed and went to get himself a glass of water. He poured himself a glass and a glass of water for his wife as well. He handed over the glass of water to her and they drank it." Did you meet the chief?" she slowly asked him. I did, replied Archimedes. He enquired about you and the children in great detail. That is very nice to hear, said Hera. Did he say anything else that could be important. Oh, we spoke about many things. Some trivial and some important things, replied Archimedes. Anything that could interest me, asked Hera. He did mention about him wanting us to move back to the mountains, there, said Archimedes. Here was s happy that she hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheeks this time. You seem to be in a very good mood, said Archimedes. What did you say ? she asked as her pupils became large. I said I would think about it, replied Archimedes. What is your decision then? asked Hera as her tone changed a bit. Archimedes knew that it was best he answer it wisely. " Let the harvest season past" and I shall decide, dear! he said to her. Archimedes could see Hera's face changing, her brows above her eyes widened and her pupils began to shrink back. " What does the harvest season have to do with your decision? " she asked him. Archimedes did not really want to utter a word. "I have to meet Zeno for an urgent matter" he said and walked out the door. Archimedes! you listen to me now, she commanded. You are not leaving without an answer, she demanded. I just forgot dear, there is something important that I need to discuss with him , said Archimedes and rushed out the door. His plan for an afternoon nap was completely dispelled.