Eon

Chapter 14

Zhou rose from his bed draped in red cloth in a room barely lit for he preferred the dark. The light only agitated his thoughts. To be in control of one's psyche was imperative to be focused. This is what Zhou believed. The fact was his mantra, the reason why he had risen with such prominence amongst the Chinese military and its many rungs. Focus, unbridled focus was truly the most powerful weapon of this steel age. Zhou knew that if there was ever a day when he faltered and became unfocused it would be the day he would fall.

On Zhou's back were the remnants of thirty lashes. He had received them without crying out. They were his secret shame, but he did not regret the actions that had initiated such pain. The lashes reminded him of his past and of this singular event. And he would never forget it, for the cuts were deep and even as they healed their phantoms lingered. Lovers had turned away from the sight of the lashes. His men did not know of them. They were Zhou's to bear witness to, and no others.

As he went over to the panel on the wall across the room Zhou found himself thinking of the Americans, as he often did since he had landed on Eon. An unsettling feeling entered his stomach then, a strange mix of anxiety, fear, and loathing. In the midsts of these emotions Zhou flipped the switch on the panel. Before him hidden windows parted, melding into the iron walls, revealing the vastness of Eon. The sun blinded Zhou at first but he recovered. He looked on at the far forests and fluctuating clouds before him.

He dressed himself in his standard-military attire and left his personal chambers. He walked down long iron halls at a brisk pace. He was met by one of his aids who presented him a cup of coffee. The aid bowed his head and disappeared into the shadows of the ship, as if he were never truly there and his very existence created unease. Zhou took a sip of the coffee and went forward, albeit more slowly now. The inner-machinations of the ship began to plead around him. A low growl sounded, followed closely by a thunderous echo which sounded similarly to the bellowing of the earthquake or the explosion of some distant bomb.

Zhou hurried down metal stairs, careful not to spill the coffee on his suit. He reached the docking room, where most of the machines he had brought to Eon were now stored. Titans the size of small buildings rose overhead with thousands of lights mingling on their skin. Cycles, carriers, tanks, and other vehicles assorted themselves at the base of the room, metal things with metal hearts. Among the machines were men, calibrating and repairing, yelling and laughing, their surroundings a collaboration of fake and man.

One of the soldiers noticed their commander approaching and immediately stood to attention. Those around him followed suite, and soon the entire room which had once been so full of life was now still, overlapped by the cooing of machinery. Zhou nodded once and then approached the soldier who had first acknowledged him.

"Who is making the rounds this morning?" Zhou asked nonchalantly.

The soldier stood with his arms rigid on both sides, his eyes darting towards the commander and then zeroing back into the distance.

"Me and my men, sir," the soldier replied.

Zhou nodded and then smiled. The soldier seemed unable to comprehend his commander's good mood, so he simply stood there and in discomfort.

"Would you mind if I accompanied you?" Zhou took a sip of his coffee and nodded again. "I feel it is time for me to look on this planet more carefully, with my own eyes."

"Of course, sir. It would be an honor."

"Good."

The soldier turned and walked away briskly, yelling at his men, ordering them to ready themselves for the daily patrol. Zhou waited patiently as the soldiers put on their metal suits which clung tightly to the skin. A helm emerged from the inner-workings on the back of the suits, metal and fibers spilling forth and consuming the head of the host. Soon the soldiers were ready. Zhou nodded to the officer in charge who went over to a panel next to the colossal barrier which stood between the Chinese and Eon. The door wrenched itself open, emitting a terrible, low-wielding noise which made Zhou wince. The soldiers ran forward, into the outside world. Zhou followed close behind with an appointed guard.