Eon

Chapter 12

Sam awoke to the violent cries of distant explosions. The lanterns that hung above his cot swayed with vigor, casting a fast array of long lights which flashed in odd directions. After lifting himself from his cot he slicked his greasy hair into a ponytail and headed towards the exit, his wrinkly chest exposed.

A fog was pouring across the all-encompassing plains like fingers swimming forth. The Insurgents had gathered at the top of Camp One and were now pointing towards a series of far smokestacks which glowed orange. Sam reached into his deep pockets and unveiled a bronze telescope with glowing-blue bands and peeked through the glass.

The Insurgent Kevin ascended the hill and came up to Sam, his face stern. The iron and cloth suit Kevin wore emitted clicking noises, prompted by the wind which poured through the encampment. He stared at Sam's strange body and then turned towards the smokestacks. The other Insurgents whispered to one another, their voices littering the air as they watched the distant smoke trails become darker and longer. Some claimed they could hear screaming, if only barely.

"Started about half an hour ago," Kevin said as Sam looked on. "Started with one big explosion, and now it's a bunch of small ones. Looks to be about where Joey and Kerry went. You think they had something to do with it?"

"For their sakes, I hope not." Sam put away the telescope in a single, swift motion. "They don't have the firepower to do something like that. It was probably the Casks, or maybe the Chinese." Sam glanced at the Chinese silver ship. "Have you been keeping an eye on them?"

Kevin shrugged, his face passive underneath the black hood. "They've been quiet. Haven't seen anyone come out of the ship."

Sam nodded. He turned to the Insurgents who had gathered around him. "I want our border patrols doubled! Marcus, Will—make it happen! If any of you leave camp you will tell a superior officer or you will suffer the consequences."

Sam went back into his tent without another word. Some of the Insurgents scowled as he left, but were quickly urged on by the more patient among them. Snipers soon lined the top of the hill in various nests, and a regular patrol now rounded the limits of the encampment. The air was electric and as the day came the Insurgents guessed among themselves the culprit of the explosion. There were those who claimed it was Kerry's doing, other's blamed the Casks or the Chinese. In the end there was little evidence for any blame. Sam remained in his tent for the rest of the morning and shed no light on the situation.

Kevin was watching the Chinese on a small, metal chair next to a dead fire when he heard the first calls of thunder. He turned to the plains to watch the dark clouds ascending over distant mountains, a scene which the Insurgents had grown so accustomed to. Out of the corner of Kevin's eye he saw the Chinese ship wrench itself open. He quickly returned his attention to his quarry, cursing himself for his lax. From the ship came Commander Zhou, followed closely by a squadron of metal-clad Chinese soldiers. Kevin got up from his post and went to warn Sam, as per his instructions.

Sam and Kevin returned to look out at the Chinese. Sam was now clothed in his standard Insurgent-attire. He stared at Zhou and frowned.

"What the hell am I supposed to do?" Sam asked.

"You really don't think he has something to do with whatever's going down?" Kevin smiled. "C'mon, Sam. We've been doing this for a while now. This is standard government bullshit. Theirs and ours. Two sides of the same goddamn-coin."

"I know. But the situation is...delicate."

Kevin snorted. "You're starting to sound like the General, boss. We have to protect ourselves. The situation has gone out the window. We gotta make sure we get back home in one piece."