"In three weeks Turner is holding a meeting in Ceres with all his advisors to talk about the drought occurring there. With them will go exactly ninety-nine percent of the Legion troops from Pyramus and of course his personal guard. That leaves roughly two-hundred troops in the city for three whole days. We have proof on those numbers from our people on the inside and the data from Advisor Lemaire's computer." Idris looks at Avery, who is parallel to her. She is staring at Aaron, who is at the head of the table. A map of the city is mounted on the wall behind him. Idris blurs her vision and Pyramus appears to faintly resemble a wheel. Aaron takes a red marker and draws a line on each spoke. "Ceres is to the south and the barracks are to the east. So we need to fortify the streets that are in those directions..." He takes the marker and doubles the lines on the streets to the south and east. "We will be the outermost barrier on Juniper Street," he declares, circling a southward line. Idris' heart drops at Aaron's words.
The air is cool, but carries a hint of spring. The sky is gray, threatening rain. Idris stands, wrapped in a black sweater. She starts to reach out to touch the simple stone before her, but draws her hand back. Instead, she rests a bunch of snow white flowers with drooping petals on the dirt. A tree overshadows her, guarding her with its branches that scrape the ground. Idris sits on the rich dark dirt and pulls her legs to her chest. A tear makes its way down her cheek against her wishes. "I'm sorry," Idris whispers to the silent tombstone. The tree's graceful limbs sway in the wind, providing no response to the mourner below.
YOU ARE READING
Outcasts
Bilim Kurgu"In the twenty second century civilization has crumbled from war. From the ashes rose a new society of the survivors, but it is worse than ever before." Idris Summers, a truculent nineteen year-old, is part of the lowest class of society, which is g...
