Stargazer - Tribulation

Chapter Four - Broken Promises

It's time, time to go and meet Darryl's parents. For now, he will face Jinny first, as she will continue to take them into her care.

"Are you alright?" Mayumi asks as she puts on her helmet.

"Yeah," he responds, staring at his, not trying to put it on yet. "I am just a bit nervous, you know?"

"Don't worry," she says and pushes the button on the right side of her helmet. The front flap runs into the helmet. Mayumi wraps her arms around his neck, standing on her tiptoes as she kisses him on his cheek. "I'll be with you."

He grins. "Thanks for always be on my side."

She slaps him on his back. "Let's not get sentimental right now. We have something to do." She takes distance and turns on her front flap, smiling at him as she walks inside the H-03.

Darryl follows her.

"Okay," she says as she seats herself. "Coordinates set," her finger moves around the control panel. "Let's go."

The Horizon turns into the tunnel. Darryl tightens his grip, his feet turning straight. He exhales as the acceleration pushes him back a little. Together they fly to the meeting spot nearby Pittsburgh. Mayumi leaves the Horizon in a small pit. The machine turns black, almost invisible in this hole.

"Thanks for coming, you two!"

They turn to the voice crawling down from the small mountain. Jinny Fiala is a thirty-three-year-old woman and the founder of Iseidox. Her hair pitched in dark orange, braided together as two twin tails covered with feathers inside and face painting of their symbol. She wears a brown tunic with no shoes, and her skin shines lightly brown.

"Thanks for having us here," says Darryl as he bows to her welcome.

"Here is how we do it. You'll hopefully have your Uniform with you. Change into it and then you can move around the city. If you cannot find your parents for whatever reason, I marked our campfire spot on this map," Jinny takes the paper out of her pocket and gives it to Darryl. "I hope you can read it."

"I mean, if we don't, we just gonna sleep under a tree," he elbows Mayumi, who just rolls her eyes.

"It's not that easy. Some dangerous animals may live here."

"Well, I got my gun with me."

"No!" Jinny's sharpens her tone. "You don't do that here!" she huffs. "This is why I am so fed up with you god damn soldiers. Every single time you are in some kind of danger, you have to kill, kill, kill!"

"I am sorry I was just joking," he raises his hands.

"You better be," she walks away, lowering her tone. "Now follow me."

They walk beside her to the wall that separates the city from nature. "Here," she says, pointing at the grey bricks. "Antares has pulled up these walls to segregate his people from the outside world. If you want to get in, get past the soldiers."

"I didn't know this happened," says Mayumi as she looks to Darryl, who shrugs at her.

"He started doing it everywhere right after the law change. After the speech, people began to go ham. He needed to do something to prevent them from coming in, you know?"

"I do understand that, but isn't it going a little bit too far?" questions Mayumi.

"I don't mind it, actually, but everyone has a different perspective on these things. Now change your clothes and get inside!" she puts her arms on her hip. "If it weren't for my friend, I wouldn't even help you!"

"Sorry, okay?" says Darryl. "I know you don't like our ways, but this is the only way we can actually fight them."

"I know, I know," Jinny relaxes. "I am sorry. I am just really upset. Lately, there have been so many things going on and," she scratches her head. "Anyway, I don't wanna bore you with my stories. But keep in mind, do not raise your gun towards any living creature, okay?"