When the rains may come (Science Fiction)

71. As the skies clear up

The House of Justice received a call from Erik in Moudrin. They had successfully stopped the special grade trucks from advancing further into the country.

Every operative and revolutionary erupted in cheer. The walls of the building trembled with overwhelming joy as everyone celebrated. The first thing Cathy did was pay another visit to Dahlia Esker.

"Just wanted to let you know, Moudrin is saved. Everything you were bragging about is never gonna happen," Cathy said. "You can let yourself cry over it."

"What about the rain?" Dahlia said quietly.

"Oh yeah, they stopped that too."

"What about the other troops?"

"We can just call them back once we elect a new First Leader." Cathy smirked. "Accept it, Dahlia. The war is over."

Before the woman could answer, Cathy walked away, sighing in content. She looked down at the bird's skull. Milo still hadn't talked. She scoffed.

The girl named Tracy was waiting for her out in the corridor. Cathy smiled at her. "Let's get something more to eat from the cafeteria, shall we?"

"You read my mind."

#

As everyone celebrated the victory in the House of Justice, Gemma was nervously biting her lip at the dockyard when Erik made his way to his sister. He'd just talked to president Leo, told him about what they'd done in Lichtenheim and how they were also his allies. President Leo was as ecstatic as ever.

And then Erik was standing right in front of her. She was surprised to see he wasn't his usual smug self right now. He seemed ready to cry.

Erik threw his arms around his sister, capturing her in a fierce hug. "I'm so proud of you."

It took her a second in her brother's arms to find her voice again. "Y-You aren't mad at me for running away?" she said.

He let go of her and smacked her arm playfully. "You take me for a complete asshole, don't you?" He snorted. "You helped stop the rain. How could I be mad at you?"

Gemma smiled bashfully. "I thought you'd give me a speech like Eva did for leaving the family behind."

Erik raised an eyebrow. "Eva is here?"

"How else do you think we got here so fast?" Eva said as she walked up to the siblings. "It's cuz my private jet flies at the speed of–"

Erik rolled his eyes. "Ugh, you're as annoying as ever. I bet you are still afraid of flying too. That high speed private jet is wasted on you."

Eva groaned. "I don't have the energy to deal with you right now. And I'm not gonna even gonna wonder how you are still alive. I wanted to talk to Gemma." She turned to the woman and handed her the same piece of paper Gemma had given her. "Take it. I don't need it."

Gemma frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I was just testing you, cousin." Eva grinned. "I wanted to see if you were really committed to your cause. Turns out you were. You came back and faced me and were even ready to sign off the inheritance. You are the real deal, Germaine."

Gemma blushed but took the page from her cousin. Eva smiled at her. "Good luck with everything when you become the First Leader. And you can always come to me for help if you ever need something. Just don't forget, you're still a Koehlwin."

Erik frowned at his sister. "You are gonna become First Leader?"

Gemma sighed. "That's the promise I had to make to Albrecht to ensure peace and cooperation from Moudrin."

"How do you plan on becoming the First Leader, exactly?"

"I don't know. But I'll figure it out!"

"Gemma, you lied."

"What was I supposed to do? Give up?"

#

Cathy and Tracy were on the roof of the House of Justice, enjoying their third cup of coffee. "What are you gonna do once things come back to normal?" Cathy asked as she watched the setting sun.

Tracy shrugged. "Get a job that doesn't involve guns. But my mom will probably tell me to go back to school. I don't know really, I feel too old to go back to school."

"Aren't you also seventeen?"

"How did you know?"

"I can tell." Cathy shrugged. "I feel too old to go back to school myself."

They both went quiet as a gentle gust of wind brushed their hair. "The city looks beautiful at sunset, doesn't it?" Tracy said.

"It does." Cathy nodded.

"You know I've been meaning to ask this since we first met back in Mathesdale." Tracy leaned closer to Cathy. "What's up with the bird skull." She pointef at the Milo pendant.

"Oh this? Yeah well, this may sound weird but I can hear him talk sometimes. Though, he is been pretty quiet lately."

Tracy raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Cathy chuckled. "I know you think I'm crazy but Erik told me it's just a side effect of the EpiFreeze. Like how he gets night terrors about his days as a soldier."

Now Tracy narrowed her eyes. "That doesn't sound quite right. I was given the EpiFreeze too. I don't hear any voices."

"Maybe it's cuz I also had the virus." Cathy shrugged.

"I also got infected back in sector 22 when Erik stole the special grade truck." Tracy shook her head. "I don't hear any voices."

"But..." Cathy trailed off. That would mean Erik lied to me...