The Key Chronicles

Chapter 2 and 3

                         Chapter II: The Key

I walked through the door and dropped my bag down on the floor.

"Mother!" I called. No answer. She was working late again. I figured. Mother worked multiple jobs, you see. She was working as a waitress at Hog's Diner. A rest stop for off worlders, space travelers, and cargo pilots. Not a lot of imports entered Pharaoh 9, lots of exports left however. Food was taken from Pharaoh 9 and distributed amongst other planets, making Pharaoh 9 a frequent stop for government traders. When I was younger I loved to go there. I spent hours listening to the stories of spacers. I loved it, but now school had me tied down like an anchor. In a few months it will be working the fields. Mother had cleaned up since the soldiers raided our house, boxes were put back in the cabinets and muddy boot prints had been scrubbed away. I went to the unstable dinner table and saw a note left on it.

Dear Aurora,

I'll be late working at the diner, so I left some money on the table for you and Sarah to go into town to get dinner. Also, place an order for your dress!

Love, Mother

Just when I sat down on our old leather couch and breathed a sigh of relaxation, the door knocked. I jumped up to answer it and was greeted by a Solar trooper. His black mask was right in my face as he handed me a wanted poster for the three Insurgents. The three men were the same men I had seen at school. The younger, and handsome one, the almond eye shaped older man, and the intimidating one.

"Have you seen these men?" He asked, his voice crackling life a failing radio signal.

"No." I said, I think my voice cracked then.

"If you see them, call the barracks immediately. Do not pursue yourself, they are armed and dangerous. Understood?"

"Yes, sir." I replied with a nervous tone in my voice

"Can I see some ID?"

I sighed. I was tired of repeating this, but I would not dare say no.

As I went to my pocket, the Solar Troop went for the scanner on his belt.

I held out my ID card. The Troop scanned the card.

Aurora Greene

Helot

"Good evening." He did an intimidating about face and left. I held the poster awkwardly, Sarah was skipping down the road, oblivious to her surroundings. Sarah sang while she skipped. I winced as she walked right into the soldier. He looked at my sister and she stared in horror at his mask. "Watch where you're going, kid!" He said in a frustrated tone.

"S..Sorry." Sarah cried

"Let me see some ID, Obsolete."

Sarah nervously pulled out her school ID. The Solar Troop pulled out his scanner and scanned her ID card.

"Move along." The soldier said in a monotone voice. The soldier continued to walk until he got to the next house.

"Have you seen these men?" I heard him ask.

Sarah ran inside as I closed the door.

"So...." I started. "How was your day, sis?"

"Scary." She said. "Those men came to my school."

"I think they came to all of the schools." I said

"I don't understand why." Sarah moaned.

"Let's not worry about it. Come on... let's go out to eat. Let's go to Hog's Diner. I haven't been in ages. I'm sure Mother will love to see us."