Terra Novus

Chapter Six

If I had any hope left over, it was all snuffed out by the leader's meeting. I forced my mind to focus on the future, trying to ignore the doubts that nagged the back of my mind. First Iana had addressed the claims Greenpeace had made that our mission was scientifically impossible. That, I wasn't concerned about. Everyone knew that scientists had been researching this for hundreds of years just in case something like the war happened. I was more concerned about the people and what they chose to believe. Right now, people were searching for something to be passionate about, as long as it's safe and comfortable for them. Assurance of a better life on earth was a lot more comfortable than the idea of being hurtled through space to try and create a new life on a new planet.

Iana had also spoken about our upcoming rallies and plans for celebrations when our exploration team launches. She then encouraged everyone to keep their hopes up in the most over exagerated way possible. The applause was a mix of tired, polite claps from people who were losing their motivations, and wild cheers from the over-zealous fighters of Novus. Evan stood as the appluase faded.

"Let's go." he sighed.

"You go ahead," I said, acting as if I was looking for someone.

"Alright, then." He grunted, leaving the room.

Really, I just wanted to walk alone. I waited a couple minutes until I finally returned my name tag and left the building. I had barely stepped foot out the door when I was met by several Greenpeace supporters, donning bright 20th century "hippie" clothing and waving grime-covered signs just down the street. One particular woman studied me a moment before crying out in anger

"Native of this land, yet you want to abandon it?" I sighed. I had heard this one before. People calling me out for being Native American yet "buying into Novus' lies." Though I was sure they knew just as well as I that at this point in time, there was no such thing as any pure race, and it was silly to call me out for an ethnicity I may not even be. I shoved my hands into my pockets and stood there, watching them. Her shouts had drawn everyone's attention to me.

"Say something!" a man in the back of the Greenpeace crowd shouted. I sighed as the protesters urged me to fight back.

"This place isn't safe for us anymore-" I said calmly, but was cut short by more shouting.

"Then do your part in reviving Mother Earth!"

I put my hand up, "That is impossible at this point." I said simply as I tried to move forward. The woman stood in my way, glaring at me.

"You want leave the Earth to die and wither away? The home your ancestors tended to in ancient times?" What a bunch of idiots.

"The Earth is already dead." I said.

People were starting to gather behind and ahead of me. For the first time I noticed news reporters standing a small distance away from the protesters.

"I want to move on. I don't want to forget." I said, quoting Jade.

"It seems you've already forgotten." A young teen with green "war paint" streaked on their face shouted. I felt something quiver inside of me as I broke my disinterested act.

"I have not forgotten." I shouted back, above the protestors. "I haven't forgotten the way the earth was before. Full of life and peace. I haven't forgotten the sound of the first blast, or the blinding light that stung my eyes. I haven't forgotten the sight of my father burning before my eyes as I begged him to stop screaming. Or the sight of my mother starving and beaten to death for a can of beans." I held back the tears that taunted me as the protester's voices faded out.

Everything stood still for a split second as I held eye contact with the teen. And in that moment, I didn't see a crazed Greenpeace follower. I saw a child of war. I saw someone whose childhood had been ripped from their grasp. I saw someone needing reason to live.

I cleared my throat and lowered my voice back down to the calm tone I had taken on before.

"That, I have not forgotten," I said quietly. "and that is why I fight for a better life for future generations." 

I turned to weave my way around the small group of protesters when a woman with bright eyes and long, dreadlocked hair stood in front of me.

"We want the same thing." She said, fake compassion in her voice. "Help us revive the earth, like it was before."

For a split second, I nearly considered it. I looked into her eyes full of passion and shook my head gently.

"You know just as well as I that that is impossible." I stated.

She stepped aside as I pushed past her and hurried away down the street. I heard voices slowly growing louder behind me. Hearing shouts of people trying to get my attention, I picked up my pace. Not now... not now. I thought, my fists clenched and my body shaking.