Awakening

Chapter 7 - Demia

Clank. Clank. Clank. Distant sound of the representative's boots tapping the metallic floor of his dorm breached the door between him and Demia. She was standing outside the representative's room, her back to the door, stretched tall. She was continuously inspecting the hall for anything out of the ordinary. Two guards, one at each of her side, stood stiff and waited for her commands. They were silent as space--knowing well what she felt about talkative men on-duty. One can't be too careful when having the responsibility for the well-being of Ephelo Orion, son of Elder Donton, nonetheless.

Narrowing her eyes she made another sweep of the area, hands pressed to her waist and resting on the handle of her scorcher. She felt the push of air on her face, originating from the air-conditioner shaft in front of her in the narrow corridor. Hotel Arcadia was known for its state of the art climate-control and breath-taking views of Mars. If Demia wouldn't be so sick of seeing the same hues in this poorly painted planet, maybe she would even agree with what the advertisements stated.

She was wearing the security-officer official blue and white vest with a shield-belt strapped on her waist. It was comfortable enough, but it felt wrong. Everything did in this cursed red planet after so much time spent at the damn sands and dead rocks around.

Hiss.

The door opened and he stepped out of it. He curtsied, nodding to her as his body glided out of the room and the door closed.

"Good morning, representative." She said, maintaining her cool tone.

It was another morning on Mars, and their schedule was tight. Ephelo was the only representative on Mars these days. His duties included endless meetings with the many CEOs of the countless domes around the planet, giving services of information and object transfers. Today they had another setting with the CEO of Maria--a distant dome at the Acidalia Planitia. Ephelo had to uphold the grasp of the Senate over the red planet--a task both crucial and unnerving to the somewhat young representative.

Today's tasks served his purpose--many meetings about the current affairs of Mars and how they affect the path of the Union. She was his security officer--commanding some troops and making sure the representative is safe during his prolonged stay on Mars. Although she had actual backup, her soldiers were nothing more than brutes, hired by the Senate from Corp-Sec.

"Dinner?" Demia asked, as Ephelo strode towards the elevators.

He just nodded, slowly.

She noticed he was gradually fading from consciousness. His focus was shifting to the HiveNet as he strolled the carpeted hallway of this five-star hotel.

I don't blame him, she thought. If I could I would too.

Demia was also Venus-born, but she was not Hive. Not all the children of Venus got the peculiar genome which made the Hives what they are. She was just that--a simple human slave for the Hive to use for the mundane tasks of the physical plane. She didn't mind though--everyone had his place in this world and there was no use in protesting against it. The only thing now which bothered her spirits was to leave this forsaken rock and change the scenery.

Even the breathtaking view from the elongated protective glass on their left didn't strike her. Not anymore. It only made her angry. The same colors all over--red, crimson and rose--swiveled like waves in the ocean, creating shapes, almost flat. It was too monotonous for her. Too blunt.

They entered the elevator and Demia pressed the '-1' button on the panel.

The view of the rocky mountains from the elevator revealed the monument of one ancient vehicle which landed near-by. It was a relic of the past, sent by humanity before Origin. It was once a marvel of technology and the sign of advance. Today though, it was nothing more than another viewing-site for historians and students. Mocked upon by the many modern-martians and scientists. It was...