Hybrids

Park

It was time to go to the park.
The family's weekly afternoon to the park was just about to start.
An excited looking Rez was helping Flower make a bag full of a few snacks, sandwiches and drinks that they could enjoy when they got to their spot on the hill in the middle of the park. He was cutting the sandwiches in half and putting them into a tupperware container on the side, and humming happily as he did.
Cloude was sitting on the couch, just in front of the counter watching the weather. The man on the screen spoke "Tonight we've got a rather warm looking evening over Central, Southern and Eastern Mons. No sign of any clouds or rain. Unfortunately for Western Mons it looks like we've got a pretty bad dust storm gathering up a few kilometers from the city borders. Make sure if you live in the Western regions of the city to tie down anything that could be blown away, keep windows and doors shut and avoid going outside for any reason. We've got some satellite images to keep everyone updated on the storm. They should be coming up now..."
Cloude wasn't interested in the storm, he was just making sure it was a good night to go out. He turned to the three others and nodded "Alright. Weather's good. It'll be warm so don't need our coats" he said, looking over to his wife and child making the food "Uh, where's Riza?" he asked, tilting his head.
"Here, I'm here" called out her voice as she came out from behind the corner, fixing the zip on her hoodie "I was just getting changed"
After the family was set up, they made their way down the wide elevator to the apartment's reception, walked out the front door and crossed the road to go to the park.

The roads were eerily quiet, thanks to Theodore's increased security measures. There were only a handful of cars on the road, and even less people on the streets. It was definitely a creepy sight, to see the streets of Central Mons almost dead. But the Stars weren't about to let that ruin their day to the park, Rez dashed across the street towards one of the parks many entrances. A wall made of stone slabs went around the whole perimeter of the park, with tall arching gates at different points to let people in. A metal sign in bold fancy letters was bolted on top of each gate that read "Colony Park" in a sort of tribute to the first astronauts that made Mars their new home.
Many trees were growing around the edges of the wall, so the branches of would grow outwards and sometimes even reached the other side of the street, which made for some beautiful sights in the sunlight. As well as some annoyance when the leaves fell in the Autumn time.

The eager young boy was waiting happily by the gate, looking back to his family as they walked across the road toward him.
And soon enough they were walking down a curving path alongside a small lake. The sun setting the sky ablaze with vibrant oranges, reds and yellows. Two tiny white dots were drifting across the ocean of fire, one moving slowly and steadily whilst the other was far faster. They were Mars' moons, Deimos and Phobos, watching over the small red planet despite their even tinier size.

Space had always fascinated Rez, from the scale of planets compared to galaxies. The distance of a lightyear. And the ships as well. He loved the idea of a giant metal beast flying through space, going between planets. With today's technology, he could get on a ship and be at Earth in a few days. The longest flight possible, Mercury to Pluto could take a few months but it was much more feasible than the many years that it used to take. That was Rez's dream, to be the captain of a big starship like the Absolute Authority. 

Riza watched her younger sister closely as she walked along, her steps light and gentle as her ruby red eyes glanced over to the reflection of the highrises in the water. She was interested in the movie and show industry. Mons being the heart of the solar system, it was natural that many famed directors and producers came to create their products here. But there was a problem that she had with herself. She found that her body was what people looked to, her well developed features, her elegant face and her beautiful eyes. She didn't want to be known for being born with luck. To her, her most important part of herself was her voice, and she wanted to voice act.

The two parents held each other's hands as they watched their two children walk in front of them. Pride, happiness, fear and love being some of the many thoughts and emotions they felt. They loved them both and would do anything to protect them. But it was clear that the System that Theodore spoke about was not what he intended to create when he was elected. They feared for what job they might be stuck with, what would happen to their education. And these were all reasonable fears to have. But they knew that whatever would happen they would work through it as a family. Cloude kissed Flower's loving lips deeply and passionately, before giving her a silent nod and continuing their walk.

Eventually the family reached the tall round hill that they would always sit on and watch the sunset. The blanket was laid out, the four sat down, and they sighed happily. Listening to the distant rumbles of the industrial district, the Martian wind blowing past their ears and the occasional whir of a car driving down the empty streets.
Rez tucked into the bag of snacks and began to hastily chomp down a sandwich, whilst Riza nibbled on hers. And the family seemed to enjoy the time they were spending together.
Cloude looked over to his two kids and smiled as he leaned over. He held their shoulders gently and gave them reassuring rubs
"Do you kids want to know a surprise that me and your mother were keeping for a little while?" he asked.
Rez of course nodded almost too fast for his little neck, and Riza just glanced to him and nodded in a typical teenage fashion. Cloude only smiled and looked over to Flower, who was smiling just as much as he was.

He took a breath and exhaled "Your mother and I have decided that we're going to move to Earth. All four of us" he said with a grin.

Rez looked up to him, then tilted his head "But don't you like Mars, dad?" he seemed upset, as Mons had been his entire life.

He simply nodded "I do. I love Mars. It's my home and I wish we could stay, but..It's not.. Safe, anymore, son" he said, quietly.

Riza seemed to understand what he meant, but it didn't make her any less saddened "I was hoping to go to college and start acting here. But, if it's what you two want" she sighed.

Flower nodded and wrapped them both into a hug, gently squeezing them "I know honey, I know. But it's for the better. On Earth, we'll get to see all of the first space ships" that seemed to excite Rez, but she continued "And we'll get to see Hollywood. That's where all the big films used to be made, there's a lot to do there"

Flower's gentle words coaxed a smile out of her daughter, and she just nodded in response, which was enough for her. 
Cloude smiled and hugged them all, pecking their heads gently "Now come on. We didn't make all these sandwiches to just not eat them" he teased.

And they would sit their for hours until the sun had already set and the sky was dark, with the bright lights and engines of passing cargo ships and cruisers lighting up the sky as they drifted in orbit.

It was a quiet night. The lampposts lit up and emitted  a faint blue light on the stonework path. It was about time that they headed home.
They packed it all up and began to go back the way they came, walking under the blue lights of the lampposts. There was laughing and joking from all four of the family members. But what came next would change each of their lives forever.

A twig snapped in the bushes beside them when a heavy boot landed on it. All four heads turned to look. 
Blinding flashes with deafening gunshots rang out and echoed across the park. But the echoes would reach nobody's ears.