The Split Sun and The Mechanical Moon

Chapter Fifty-Two: Like a Blank Canvas

TW: Suicide

My first impressions of the EMC's manufacturing department was rather lackluster, the large spire had no windows, no huge loading dock, only a landing pad and a path to a small door. I walked over, no one was awaiting my arrival. It was difficult to fit through the door, but I was greeted with a boring lobby. A couple of tattered leather chairs to my right, empty space to my left. I walked up to a counter, a nice chandelier above me. To my left and right from the counter were two walkways leading to different departments, via the skybridges. There was no one at the counter, and the two doors that led out from either side of the counter looked to be unlocked, I passed the dirty counter and easily opened the door to a hallway to 4 elevators, two on each side. I went into one that was already called down, and pressed the only button available. The elevator soared up for only a few seconds, until coming to rest in a large open room. On the floor, a complex and intricate system of conveyer belts and machinery wrapped around. Sounds of clanging metal, the sting of a welders tool, and the smell of iron flooded the room as I started to walk around the mass structure. Not a soul in sight, the machinery were doing all the work. I arrived at the spot where the product gets offloaded, it simply fell into this hole. Looking up above the hole, product from every floor eventually fell into this black abyss. I didn't dare to inquire where the medium sized home went to, nor could I fit. It looks like this floor, makes these robotic arms... but they're hollow, almost like some sort of cast. Looking around, I found my way to a room full of cubicles, an office devoid of any sound, and devoid of the presence of anyone. However, there was a blue door at the end of the room. I passed by remnants of people's jobs, hopes and dreams left behind here, it was something out of a horror film. I knocked on the door, couldn't hurt... there might be someone in here. There was no answer, but the door remained locked. I had no real time to look for a key, so I let my fist burst it off its hinges. It fell with a clang, as I stepped through a stench filled the air. I turned the corner, to find someone hanging from the ceiling. The lights were dimmed, as they had been running for what seemed like weeks with no one to turn them off, looking closer at the poor soul, I realized it was Millia. I unwrapped the rope from her neck, and took her to the ground with me. She's been dead for about a month... I sighed, now reaching into my pocket dimension. Even though it's empty these days, I remember having a body bag somewhere in there from a long time ago. I fetched it, and now rested Millia inside it. I zipped it up, and left her on the ground for a moment. I noticed note on the chair she used, picking it up, I read it to myself.

"To whoever finds this note, I have taken my life in protest to Alexis's recent layoffs in the manufacturing department. As the aspect of manufacturing, it is my belief all good things are made from man, we do not need machines making the product we make here. Alexei has put hundreds out of jobs, all in favor for profit over basic human needs. Damn you Alexei! Damn the EMC!

To my dearest Hallxio, who unfortunately suffered from my experiments, and who has climbed in the ranks of the Security department.

I love you, your mother will always be there, in heart and spirit.

Like a blank canvas, I gave you the paint."

-Millia Justorm

"The Aspect of Manufacturing".

I pocketed the note, almost tearing up. I wish my mother told me all this, but I suppose reality is cruel. I picked up Millia, passing through the crumbling cubicles, past the amalgamation of machinery and moving parts. I'm not sure what to do with her, she died in vein. No one comes here anymore because it's all automated, so no one ever found her body, that or nobody cracked the lock on her door. I went back outside to the landing platform, setting her down I sat on the edge of it, watching the sun set on the foggy horizon. I stared at the setting sun, as I heard someone behind me. I quickly stood, puffing out my chest with my rifles aimed at... Tyr. I lowered my weapons, as he stood there at an angle.

"Im surprised to see you made it up here, making friends are we?"

Tyr knows who I am, nothing gets past his eyes. For the first time in weeks, I spoke.

"I'm blending in just fine, what's it to you?"

"There's plenty of talk about a tin man assisting Jacob in his department, I was ordered to investigate. Ordo Centralis isn't fond of your sudden appearance, so can you explain to me why you're standing next to The Aspect of Manufacturing- who lies dead?"

"Found her in her room, hanging from the ceiling. She wrote this note."

I handed Tyr the note, he read it swiftly, and gave it back.

"Millia has been missing for about a month now, no one has stepped foot in the manufacturing tower ever since Alexei fired everyone in the department. The story lines up, on behalf of the EMC's security I thank you for solving this case. As for the body, it is too old to take in for evidence, there is no one to prosecute for the death. You are allowed to dispose of it."

"How would I do that?"

"It is considered kind to be dropped off any EMC tower during sunset. Do as your please, goodbye."

His feet became hot, as he propelled away with rockets in his feet. I looked to the edge of the landing platform, a far drop... it would kill her a second time. I took a deep breath, took the bag with both my hands, and let gravity take her. I didn't hear any sound of her hitting the ground, all I heard was the whistling wind, and the distant sounds of machinery stemming from the large EMC towers. I sighed, didn't think this would be on the agenda... I suppose this counts as being well acquainted with the manufacturing department. Making sure I was alone, I recorded another audio log sitting on the landing pad.

"The world up here holds many different values and beliefs than below, most of the people here don't even know there's a world beneath them. Daniel should be at center of all this, he must've told the people up here his side of the story and they all believed him. I don't know who's the villain here, usually I'd be facing some big badguy... but there's no obvious candidate. I'll keep in touch."

I stood, where to next?

I guess I could pay a visit to Jaxton, In finance. 

I fired up my engines, charging my liftoff.

I looked at the stars as I began to fly up, they were real stars... not like the ones I saw in middle earth.

Maybe... everyone of those stars holds another me... maybe on one of those worlds...

I grew up a normal life...

I had... a mom-no... 

Where I had a mother.