The Originators

CHAPTER 7: LEAVING LAS LUNA (MERC)

I.

I've met two of my goals tonight. I cried, I got away, but, I did not forget.

Let's make sure I complete my third goal.

I put my hands on matte crystal orb. It starts to glow.

"We've been waiting for you to contact us. What has taken you so long Merc?" I see in this foggy, sloppy globe the compressed faces of Bat, Tet, and Miss. Sac.

"Don't even ask me. This place has become a tomb. I'd invite all you here, but I'm sure you are otherwise occupied. You told me they would make us wait forever for a new forever. You were correct. They are molding here."

I am trapped, frustrated, by everything, "There is nothing new here. Oh, except for their hopes for a little girl down on the planet who is supposed to save it. I know what they are like down there, so really what's to save? Shouldn't we be thinking about moving on at this point?"

All of us had access to the evolution of the planet. We were updated, or updated ourselves, constantly on the planet; its progress along with what's happening to its people; their history – real or faux. We knew what went on with the wars, the governments, the religions, the arts; it fascinated us. At the same time the planet seems played out. What is all the fuss about?

Bat's horns twitch as she tries to smooth down the darkness.

"Merc, we need you to find out what they are hoping for. We need you to start turning the keys on everything we have set up down there to end it all. That lot has had their chance; they have made a muck of it."

"Merc? Are you listening?" Bat's shriek is so unsettling. I wish she would fly away and torment someone else.

"Yes." I find I am dissociative, as I always am from things that require me to kill or destroy. Where is the finesse, the subtlety? I want to barter for these types of things. I want to trade, or it isn't worth it at all. My key question is: What is my motivation? Why am I playing this role?

"So, what? I go down there, find this conduit to Ana and her decaying group. Then what?" I don't even care what they have to say anymore.

Miss. Sac looks at me and says, "Are you a boy or a man? A warrior or a pacifist? Or, are you just a common trickster? We want results. Bat didn't give you the chance to hold onto your pretty boy looks for eternity with nothing attached to that particular favor."

"I know Miss. Sac. We'll also have your particular aesthetic with us for eternity. Frankly, no one is thanking Bat for it." I snort.

"You upstart, you ungrateful wretch. You..." Miss. Sac sputters. She could have gone on for quite a while. I cut her off.

"You're a bore and a simpleton, as usual. You started this whole disaster to begin with you old witch and I have to go and fix it for you. My father is not happy about it, trust me."

"Z? I thought he was behind the Unistation migration plan to begin with. Earth was to be our next resting spot," Bat screams.

"I'm not deaf Bat, not yet at least." I have to say I enjoy pushing her to the edge. Her scream has a blood-freezing quality.

I go on, "Z covers all of his bases. So, all of you sabotaged a host planet for nothing."

Tet spoke up, finally, "So, are you going down there Merc?"

"I have to. We are all tired of the fractures amongst those of us who remain. We need a solidified group. This planet is now a distraction, an unnecessary battleground over nothing." I am more and more weary of them.