Special Defense Force

Special Defense Force: Episode 11: Battle Lines. Part 1

The cold glass bottle of my drink was almost as relaxing as the beverage itself. I sat on top of the Dome and watched the clouds roll by. It had become my private get away, a place of mild seclusion that allowed my mind some quiet. I finished the drink and chucked the bottle into the air. I stood and jumped down to the ground. I landed easily but a voice chided me from behind, "Tut Tut, such a heavy footstep will surely attract unwanted attention." I stood and grinned, "As if attention from you could ever be unwanted my dear." Emily giggled and walked over to me, "Did you enjoy yourself up there?" I smiled and nodded as I walked to a trash can, "It's calming. And with everyone preparing for what is sure to come, that's a rarity." I opened the lid just as my bottle landed inside. I shut it and turned back to her, "Still, I have a bad feeling. So I guess I'm just trying to ease my own mind." She nodded, "I can see that. But honey, what exactly is on your mind? Is it the fact of fighting our friends?" We walked along the campus sidewalk as I pulled my answer, "No. I know we will have to fight. Courtney is developing a solution to get our friends back to normal. What's eating at me is just...well..." Emily stopped me in front of the Dorm, "Daniel, what is it? You can tell me." I sighed, "The destruction that Robbie left behind. The near miss on Dr. Adams. Everything from the defection shows that he has seemingly no concern for us what so ever." I looked at the Dome, "What I'm afraid of is making a choice." Sharon walked up at that point, "What choice Daniel?" I turned to her, "Whether or not I can stop this. Without killing Robbie." Emily drew a quick breath, "Does that mean you have considered it?" I nodded, "Yes. Hesitantly, but if it means choosing between all of you or him, then I'll make the choice." Emily stared at or rather stared through me. I met her eyes, "I'm sorry if that was too blunt." She turned and walked to the entrance. I stepped behind her and touched her shoulder, "Emmy?" She didn't turn, "Don't touch me." I recoiled and stepped back. I shook a little, "Emily?" I saw her wipe her face, possibly shedding a tear, "I can't believe you would consider taking a life. I just never thought you would go that way. It makes me sick." My stomach lurched into my chest, "Look, I didn't mean to..." "Good day Daniel." With that she walked into the Dorm without me.

The doors shutting might as well have been a gunshot in my ears. I just stared at them while I tried to process what had just happened. I looked at Sharon, "What...what did I do?" Sharon sighed and patted my shoulder, "I'll talk with her Daniel. I don't think she quite understands." I looked at the ground and fought back my own emotions. Sharon sulked and fidgeted her hair, "By the way I think Anna was looking for you in the Commissary." I nodded and put my hands in my pockets, "Ok, thanks." I walked off, leaving Sharon alone by the Dorm as her hair floated in the gentle breeze.

At the top of the country sat the landmark city of Northopolis. This bustling business Mecca saw no rest for strong or weary alike. Its sunlit street corralled hundreds if not thousands of citizens encountering their daily routines. However, amongst these everyday people strolled a not so ordinary couple. One a middle aged man wearing a simple grey suit and the other a younger teenage girl wearing a school uniform. They walked into a small bookstore off the main strip just before the City Square. The man walked with the girl in tow to the counter. The older woman there smiled at them, "What can I do for you dears?" The man patted the girl's shoulder gently, "This young lady is looking for a copy of an old sci-fi story." The elderly woman smiled at the timid girl, "Oh and what magical story seeks your gaze my young one?" She looked up cautiously at the man and he looked around the shop. After taking in the other patrons he nodded at her, "It's alright." She sighed and looked at the counter lady, "The Island of Dr. Moreau." The counter lady rose her eyes back to the man who nodded and she smiled once again, "Oh yes. I know of that one. However, the only copy I have is in the back. And my withered arms tend to buckle on the higher shelves." The man smiled, "We'd be happy to give you a hand." She stepped towards a back hallway, "That would be much appreciated young man." The three of them walked into the farthest room and once they were there the door shut behind them. The woman slid a heavy looking bookcase aside revealing a strong metal door with a turn-style lock. She began putting in the combination as the girl looked up at the man, "Um, sir?" He looked down, "Yes my dear?" She seemed uneasy, "You said that there was a place for people like me. But all of this seems very strange." He smiled and patted her shoulder, "Yours is a special circumstance young lady. People like you are rare and even more rarely appreciated. That is why this secrecy is necessary. It is not only for your protection..." The lock clicked and the door opened to a winding staircase, "But ours as well." She gulped once more and began descending the hidden staircase.