Lanna's War

2

Lanna opened her eyes to a blurry scene. The airy cargo bay was crowded with hundreds of gray-clad soldiers, waiting for war.

As her vision returned, the shimmer of a dagger caught her eye. She picked it off the floor and continued swiping it over the whetstone on her lap. As she swiped she drifted into thought. She fantasized of home, their destination, and how long it had been since she last saw it.

"Move your foot, scrawny." Said a passing soldier, interrupting her.

"Go to hell." She replied without skipping a beat. She didn't move her foot either. The man looked back and chuckled.

She put the soldier out of her mind but was interrupted again by loud chatter. She recognized the voice. She looked up and saw Martin near a small crowd. Like usual, he towered above everyone.

"What a nerd." She said to herself.

A woman stepped into her view.

"Sleeping again, Leroy?" Hart said as her slender form towered above her.

"I was." She replied. She finished with her blade and rose to her feet. She sheathed it and slung her rifle over her shoulder.

"Were you dreaming again?"

"Yes."

"What of this time?"

Lanna wasn't sure why, but she found Hart irritating. She paused and stared at her vacantly. Grogginess affected her.

"My brother Adrian."

Hart changed the subject when she detected Lanna's irritation.

"We're almost home. After all these years."

Lanna nodded. "Yes, it's certainly been a while." She momentarily lost concentration, then said, "Excuse me, Lieutenant Hart."

The prospect of returning home was a strange jolt to her stomach. She waded through the sea of gray tunics, awkwardly stepping over boots and equipment.

She reached the bow of the ship. There, she looked at the resting army as the ship hit an air pocket. The soldiers were shoved left. A flag above her head rippled as the ship bounced through. She looked up and saw a forbidden object. It was a midnight purple flag with a crescent moon surrounded by stars and a songbird in the centre. The flag of the Lunar Republic.

"Lanna." Someone called. Martin stood behind her looking through his round spectacles. "The ship's below the cloud line so the battle decks are open. Want to see?"

"I could use some fresh air." Lanna replied.

"Commander Martin, I'm grabbing something to eat before we hit the sea. Want anything?"

"Later, thanks Hart." Martin said quickly.

They climbed three decks and halted at an airlock. Martin cranked a wheel next to it and air rushed toward as it popped open. The breeze hit Lanna's face as she stepped through.

Four people could stand abreast on the deck. Armored walls stood at shoulder height. Lanna looked around and saw nothing but ocean.

"I didn't realize this ship has six levipillars." She said.

"I noticed when we boarded."

"Of course you did."

"It's a big ship. It needs six."

As they walked toward the bow they passed clusters of soldiers. Most peered over the side, but one group knelt in a circle around another who led them in a prayer.

"May the God bless us. May the God keep us safe..." They heard before losing the speech in the breeze. Moments later they passed another prayer circle.

"Do not doubt the existence of our Great Celestial Protector, my friends. Her hand guides this moon with its unique orbit. She punishes the wicked with great quakes, and rewards us with a bright night when we do her will. She guides each and every one of our lives, so give thanks. When the clouds part, look up upon her and receive her blessing."

Lanna formed a smile in the corner of her mouth.

"You should go over there and get your soul cleansed, Martin." Lanna teased. Martin smirked.

"Your soul's dirtier than mine." Lanna laughed and nudged Martin with her hip.

They reached the bow section, which was an observation deck. Small groups of soldiers and officers leaned against the high wall and peered out as Lanna and Martin approached. Lanna stepped up to the wall and finally looked over.

A thick layer of white cloud hung above the ship in drapes. Ahead, two-dozen ships floated in the sky, and to their right a ship slowly passed theirs. The ship passing was a long, metallic, torpedo-shaped vessel spewing thin ribbons of steam through small ports.

Below them and stretching in all directions was a vast, blue ocean.

"It's nice to see the other side of the Tidal Sea for once." Martin said as he became fixated on the horizon.

"Yes." Lanna replied simply.

"We're less than a hundred kilometres from the coast, now." Lanna frowned and looked at him.

"How do you know that?" Martin held up a small tablet computer.

"A computer?" Lanna said with a dry tone. "You must be pretty important if they gave you one of those."

"More like pretty busy. It's unbelievable."

"It's your fault for wanting to impress everyone." Lanna replied. Martin smirked.

"Would it be better if I was a mouthy, stubborn lieutenant who plays with fire?"

"Maybe. It's more fun, I guarantee that."

"I wouldn't be as good at it as you."

Lanna smiled and rested her head against her arms on the wall. She suddenly didn't feel talkative as the moment took her. While the wind sifted through her hair she noticed Martin was silent as well, but it was a comfortable silence.

Lanna listened to the breeze and the hum of the mechanical beasts in the sky for several minutes. Then, a coastline formed. She stood up as a thin, brown and green line materialized.

"Do you see it?" Martin asked.

"Of course." She replied.

"We're coming for you, Temp!" A soldier nearby shouted aggressively. "Grasslands belong to us!"

Lanna stared blankly at the coast. She knew somewhere inside she was thrilled to see it after so long, but another emotion consumed her.   

"I know what you're thinking." Martin said.

"Do you?" She replied.

"Don't let Narcene back in your head. It never takes you to a good place."

"I wish I could listen to you. She stole my brother from me, and destroyed our family. If seeing the light leave her eyes is the last thing I do I'll die happily."

All hands. Prepare for imminent contact with the enemy. Sounded an alert. Martin looked at Lanna.

"The operation is about to begin." He said.

Lanna nodded and looked away from the horizon. But as she turned, a vision burst into her head as clear as day. A woman dressed in uniform stood at the top of a muddy hole in the ground. She pierced Lanna with her cold, dark stare as sweat covered her from head to toe. She quivered.

"Enjoy your watery grave." The woman said.

Earth dropped from above. Lanna could feel its weight crush inward and suffocate her. Then, everything became dark.