Calan - The Immortality Paradox

Chapter Ten: The Brothers of Arena, Part Two

A city on the precipice of desolation. That was the perspective Sergeant Evans adjudged as she stared out of the wide, radiation-shielded window of the hospital. The surrounding desert appeared on the verge of swallowing up Lleno de Vida whole. An onslaught of golden dunes on all sides. One more sandstorm and the majority of ground-level surfaces would've disappeared without a trace. Barely the imprint of Human life left. Meanwhile, Tanwen had become relentlessly unbearable ; the loss of the solar shade meant the gleaming, white sphere was determined to boil the city and its people. What little remained of the populace had barricaded themselves indoors, away from the elements and certain death by dehydration.

Having spent many days wandering the tedious corridors of the hospital awaiting the foreign minister's recovery, Evans had obtained a new appreciation for the city that she called home. Or lack thereof. Seeing the capital, as its discoloured remains rotted in its abandonment, she came to realise how geometric it all looked. A stale personality of symmetric skyscrapers rising like obscene gravestones across the cityscape, each with its own mast extending from the rooftops. Among the suburbs, the residential towers were appallingly similar, as if a computer program had copied and regurgitated each one based on the original nauseating template. Dull quadrilateral windows were commonplace. She struggled to see the prior appeal that had attracted her to this place all those years ago. Perhaps it was the inhabitants who had established the planet's magnetism. Without the people, the veil of charm had lifted.

Evans watched a faint dot rise from the background of the city like an insect. It passed between and behind the unyielding towers until eventually it exited the zone of the city centre. The craft became clearer as its flight path took it closer to the hospital until the Sergeant realised that it was heading directly towards her. It performed a steep arc as it circled above the landing point adjacent to the entrance atrium. After a couple of narrow turns in the air - sand coiling in the currents formed - the craft descended onto its anchoring frame. She recognised the official emblem of the Aquarius Chapter. Louis had come to see his brother again.

A nurse in full hazardous protection gear bustled past at a fast walking pace. Following the economic downturn, technology was scarce on the planet. Evans had seen numerous unused conveyer belts, elevators and medical machinery during her prolonged stay at the facility. For the available employees, they were forced to traverse the hospital on foot and perform complicated manual surgery without assistance. The only consolation was a decline in the number of patients. Mercifully, Evans had been able to make use of their hygiene booths for her own sanitation. Though her uniform was beginning to look a little tired.

She glanced fleetingly at the communication link for what seemed the millionth time. Either the receiver had not picked up any new signals, or there was no one left to send one. She didn't even know whether she was still employed by the government. Whether her meagre salary would make its way onto her cache. If she was wise, she would've abandoned her post and sought employment elsewhere in the galaxy. Rejoined the AA on Camimante. In Half-Circle perhaps, away from economic depredation. Instead, Evans allowed her conscience to rule, watching over an ailing politician like a guard dog.

Louis appeared moments later, accompanied by a stranger. The younger di Gunga still possessed his wayward hair and the naivety pervaded his dark brown eyes; though they shone with less enthusiasm. His escort had all manner of paraphernalia strapped to her face and coiling in her curtained hair, including a headphone and microphone set, and was jabbing irritably at a digital tablet. She barely glanced at Evans, as Louis approached gravely.

'Any news?' He was carrying what appeared to be an old, battered book under his shoulder. She realised for the first time, scanning his face, how young he really was. The youngest of seven siblings.