Pulse

Chapter 15 - Unknown Location

"You love her, right?"

"What? No way. She's a mech."

"It's written all over your stupid face."

"Hmm. That obvious huh?"

"That obvious. From day one, you were hovering around her like she was some kind of queen. You used to be like that with me. But this... this is another level!"

"Alright, that's enough. You're starting to make it sound like I'm some kind of creep. Which I'm not. So back off. I get it. You're a little jealous. That's to be expected."

"Jealous? I'm happy for you Kal. More than I have been in a looong time."

"Ok. But what about you? What are you going to do?"

"Me? I've never been better. These kids... they're my life now. I finally have purpose instead of just looking after a big baby all the time."

"Careful. It's a beautiful afternoon. Wouldn't want to ruin it."

"Ha! Look at you. Diffusing conflict like a boss. I swear to God Kalen... I have no idea how you two are gonna make things work... but whatever magic sauce she's feeding you... it's working! It's like a whole new you. And that's fine by me."

"Well, that's mighty sweet of you pumpkin. I hope you don't mind if I go and check on the little lady again."

"Yeah... why not. It's been all of ten minutes since the last time."

Kalen kissed Maya softly on the cheek. "You'll always be my pumpkin though. You know that right?"

"Get outta here, ya creep! Before I call the police."

Kalen grinned from ear to ear. He sat a while longer taking in the view in front of him: a bizzare menagerie playfully coexisting. Duty was reluctanctly giving donkey rides to the smaller children, two at a time. SEAN was engaged in a vigorous game of tag with the older kids, gently zapping them with his tentacles when he got close. Billy was running around in between them all, barking, intoxicated with the energy of community.

The mechs and humans sat on the grass watching it all unfold. They knew history was being made. The chattering among them was cautiously jovial, reserved, a serious tone creeping into the conversation at times. No one wanted to celebrate just yet. It was too soon.

Kalen allowed the momentary happiness to wash over him. Things hadn't gone too badly for him in the end. Despite all the death and destruction, despite the fact that the odds were still heavily stacked against them, there might actually be something to salvage here: a future worth fighting for. And in this day and age, that was something to hang on to. Something concrete. Something real. For Kalen, this little group taking refuge here, the people, the mechs, everyone... they represented a new beginning.

This was it, he thought. A tiny glimmer of light. And this tiny light would become a beacon. And why not... the beacon could become a blazing star. The whole world could follow their example. He'd show them how. And the others would help too. Grace, Adam, Maya, Duty, SEAN, maybe even Alma someday. This could be good. It was a good feeling. One he hadn't had in a long time. If ever. He was relishing it. Why not? They'd all earned it. This moment. A moment they wouldn't forget for the rest of their lives, however long those lives would be.

Kalen wondered how long it would last, before they would have to move on. Before they would have to fight again. But he wasn't about to ruin the moment. He maintained his smile as he walked through unkempt gardens until he reached a dilapidated, old, country house at the top of the incline. Inside, he traversed a kitchen stacked full of radio equipment, computers and holoscreens, then stepped into the temporary hospice that had once been a large games room of sorts. Adam was sitting on a chair next to a makeshift bed. On it lay Grace, her eyes closed, as if in a deep sleep.