Off Planet (Asterism Chronicles Volume One)

H

I awoke to Jack shaking me. The previous night I had fallen asleep on the couch beside him. As I was groggy from sleep I forgot his hair was dyed. I jumped frightened by the changed appearance, but calmed as I saw who it truly was.

"We need to go." He said as I rubbed sleep from my eyes.

"Okay," I yawned standing up. I grabbed the coat Jack ghat given me the first night I was at his house and we headed out.

My dad and Cap told us to come back before dark so they didn't worry and we made our way to the other side of the district. To a man who could forge our documents and possibly save our lives. Though the district was smaller than others it was still a walk to get there. As we wandered the streets, steering clear of large spaces, we saw many faces. Mostly children. Some were tired and angry at having to work at such a young age, while others full of joy. But most were full of curiosity. Who were these strangers wandering in their side of town? What are they doing here?

As we grew closer to the house Jack told me the story we needed to know. "Your dad and I came up with our identitieslast night after you fell asleep. You're Annanoa Chrissins, a twenty year old designer who recently got married."

"Married? To who?" I asked kind of weirded out by the thought.

"Jonathan Chrissins. A 21 year old professional hover bike pilot." He responded smiling.

"And you are?" I asked as we neared the steps to a high rise building.

"I'm Jonathan." He said as he knocked on the door.

"Wait, so we're married?" I asked as he nodded. "Why?"

"Because they are looking for two single people. Your dad thought it was a good idea. We're even getting a marriage certificate to make it more real." He said as a man slightly opened the door.

"Who is it?" He said in a small, but harsh voice.

"Friends. Noah sent us." Jack said, again forcing his voice to become deeper.

At that the door opened to a man almost six feet tall. He was dark skinned and had a bald head. He motioned for us to come in as a woman came in the room. She was slightly darker but only about five feet tall. She was small but looked strong.

"You said Noah?" He asked as the woman took my arm and lead me to a sitting area.

"Yes. I'm his daughter." I said as the woman's eyes brightened.

"Lovely!" She said with a slight Jamaican accent, one that has almost gone extinct on this planet. "How is he?"

"He's doing good. He was hurt a little while ago, but he's doing better." Jack responded as she smiled again.

"He saved my life you know."

"He told me. But, hes not in charge anymore. He quit so he could help me."

"Oh, he saved many people. But it's good he wants to take care of you."

"Alsa, that's enough. Why are you here? Don't get me wrong. I am greatful for your father, but we haven't spoken in years."

Jack sat beside me and Alsa as he spoke. "We need papers. The cops are after us and we were told you could help."

"I knew it, he just wants a favor. Tell him to visit sometime." He threw his hands up jokingly. "I can help. Do you have real IDs?"

Jack shook his head no as I pulled mine out. It showed the me before, long blonde hair and all.

"Good. Now for you we need to really make one. Her's I can just change and they won't know the difference."

He stood up and lead us to a small room down one floor. Opening the door he told me to stand in front of a camera and wait for the light. As I waited he asked Jack for the specific details. Waiting for the light I looke around the room. It was small with brick walls painted white. Greenish lights cast strange shadows over the walls as many computers glowed around. White lights turned on as I looked to the camera. They flashed off as I was told to move over to the computer desks.

"This is how it will look." He said as he pointed to the screen. "Is the information correct?"

As we told him yes he pressed print. The machine whirred as the old ID was transformed. He handed me the new, which was exactly like the real one and asked if I was satisfied. I told him yes as he moved onto Jack. He stood in front of the camera as it captured his image and came around to watch it be changed into an ID.

"Because you don't have one I have to use this machine." He explained as he edited it. As he finished we both held our new identities in our hands. Jack smiled as he looked at his. He never had an ID, and now was free from his previous past.

"Can you do marriage certificates, cousin?" Jack asked, going back to his slang.

"Its H, not cousin. I can tell you grew up in the outskirts. Yes I do. But that will call at a little more." He said as Jack nodded to his inference.

H went to work and made a marriage certificate for us as we talked to Alsa. She was very grateful for my dad and was a joy to be around. She brought us food as we waited for the papers. When the papers were finished we gave H the money and left, Alsa giving us food on to take on the road. Though it was a short visit, we gained a lot. New identities and a new life together. Soon we could leave the planet and make it come true.