Hybrids

Theodore

The family paused for a moment. The train car went completely silent apart from the gentle but never-ending hum of the air conditioning. The Theodore Lamirrion was in front of them. The man who could possibly become the most powerful person alive was standing and bowing in front of an average family in the middle of a train.

Cloude seemed to cough and splutter at the realisation as he scrambled to his feet and approached him, extending his hand to which Theodore gladly took and shook "Oh Mr. Lamirrion, it is an honour to meet you" he spoke, a large smile growing across his face.

Theodore smiled and bowed his head, adjusting the collar of his jacket "And it's very lovely to meet you. So you're heading to the city center for all the busy election things, eh?"

Cloude nodded, stumbling slightly as the train began to move "Yeah. We're just going for a little while, expected to see you there and not here to be honest. Weren't you meant to be in orbit?"

"Bah! Orbit..Shnorbit? Hm, anyway. I was supposed to be, but it was very boring. Bleak hallways, empty rooms. It was just agonising. But of course security wouldn't let me go for 'security reasons' so I tip toed my way into a small freighter and here I am. But uh, don't tell anyone I said that, kay?" he leaned in close and whispered that last part.

Rez seemed to find that funny, as he covered his mouth and tried to block a chuckle. But that didn't escape Theodore's radar, as he walked over and smiled "So what's your name?" he asked nicely.

Rez obviously was only happy to answer him "My name's Rez" he spoke with a smile, which Theodore nodded and rubbed his own stubble.

"Rez, hm? Well, you seem like you'd grow up to be a strong boy, think you'd join the army and help protect people?"

He seemed surprised at the question, and then thought about it for a few moments before he shook his head and smiled "I don't think so, I don't really want to fight people"

Theodore nodded and ruffled his head "I see. Well, the military life isn't for everyone. What about you, Miss...Er"

Riza looked to the odd man and smiled as she lifted her head up "Riza. And I don't think so either. I want to be a voice actress"

He nodded and folded his arms "A voice actress? Well that's a unique one. I wish you the best of luck for that my dear".

Theodore then walked over and sat at the table that Flower and Cloude had sat at, leaving Rez and Riza with a table to themselves. He sighed and leaned back in his chair, glancing out of the window and at the city passing by at high speeds. They were travelling along a cliff edge, and below the far drop was even more city that continued onward into the horizon. Being the biggest city in the system was a big title, and after satellites measured and calculated it, it was around the same size as Australia back on Earth. Of course Mons wasn't the only city on Mars, there were hundreds all spread throughout the red hills and mountains. The planet still had its deserts near the equator, but above and below it most of the sand had become dirt and grew grass. Lush forests were all over Mars and water was in abundance. However Mons was on the equator, so it was still quite arid and barren outside the city.

Sitting down beside her little brother, Riza looked out of the same window at the sprawling metropolis. Balloons were rising up from the streets, and she smiled "It's beautiful isn't it? The sun in the sky over the city. Hard to think that not even that long ago in the scheme of things, this all was cold, barren and dead" she spoke softly, looking down to Rez.

He nodded and hummed in response, before leaning his head against her shoulder "I think we should visit Earth when we're older. I'd like to see where it all began, y'know?" he asked.

Riza didn't seem to have to think about her answer, she simply rubbed his head and nodded "Of course. It's something we can do. I hear that there are some pretty fancy cruises that go to Earth. We can try one of those?"

"A cruise sounds fun. A lot better than being stuck on a cramped freighter for a few days" he shuddered at the thought of it. Most freighters were crammed to the brim with cargo. As fuel was expensive for ships, companies wanted to make the most out of what they could fit on a ship. Regardless of regulations and laws that were put in place to prevent accidents from happening.

She nodded, her red eyes glanced over to the table that the three adults were sitting at to see them chatting away, before sitting back and enjoying the rest of the train ride.

The trip only lasted about a half hour to get to the city center where all of the election results would be read out and broadcasted to the entire system. Everyone would be sat in front of their TV's, eagerly awaiting to find out who the new Head of System would be.

The intercom on the train made a dinging noises, catching the attention of the passengers before a female voice spoke "Now arriving at Korolev Station. Please make sure you do not forget any personal belongings aboard the train. Have a nice day".