5
Mr Frederick and by association, Seth, were under interrogation, at the emergency PTA meeting. It was over the newly mandated schools and colleges military recruitment drive, or SHCEMR (pronounced ‘Shimmer’ or ‘Schemer’ depending on one’s alignment).
The night before, Seth had a dream. It wasn’t of Marjorie or the council but that he would lose something important to him. It was on the tip of his tongue but being un-hearing and un-seeing, nobody could reach out to assuage his worries. He tried hard to be himself.
Teacher did his best to convince concerned parents over the taking of their children as soldiers / to wield IS weapons they didn’t fully understand. The plan was to stem the Chinese-led advance in the betweens with a strong spearhead led by Seth or others like him -when in fact, there was but one suitable.
With a spear of gifted, special people stabbing deep into the heart of Asia, we can insert the e-bomb we’ve been developing.
What does it do?
It’s an emotion altering weapon, that was all Frederick was cleared to know.
And when you’ve mangled the hearts of the east, then what?
We invade and impose correct appreciation. You see, we export not just goods and services, but paradigms suitable for the times. Any Asian can understand a shift in thought. They had Confucius and Buddha. They can be persuaded by a higher principle -it has been shown.
We only have one chance.
Frederick and Seth shook hands with the parents. Later that afternoon, at Science club, Seth was made Leader in place of Matthew who had left for his service.
Saim, who was in detention, was represented, mentally, by his sister who was half White -they had different fathers. Seth never imagined Marjorie could turn so green.
What do you think of the plan?
The e-bomb? It’s the only chance we’ve got.
Don’t misunderstand us, said Saim’s sister, Asians mean the West no harm. We’re just different.
And the difference is annoying, said Marjorie.
Down right dangerous, quipped Frederick, you kids don’t know the half of it.
All witches know, said Saim’s sister, withering visibly.
And you’re one?
As you like, she shrugged suggestively by nature, as their hearts began pumping faster.
Show me your blade.
It’s not much but you can have a feel.
By the way, my name’s Gracie, said the slender, big-hipped brunette with her mop hairdo.
Of a sudden, Seth trusted her, her fingers running over the dull gray e-matter surface.
Saim says to complete your training -immediately.
Can I come along? Asked Marjorie.
Sure, sister.
Matthew Fastener lay in his cot drained. The target was a loose-cannon Chinese bureaucrat forming laws banning American IS / e-products from reaching eastern markets.
He had scouted out the target by watching many Asian movies and eating takeout Chinese food, studying the official’s body language in the briefing room. In the 3 lenses of the inexact gun sight, the image of the Chinese politician became clearer as it bounced from emotion to intention in the young soldier’s head. A spark ignited within the e-matter barrel. He could feel it, and the ghost of someone tottering and falling swept through his head -his awareness.
That night, in the debriefing room, the spearhead of 12 specialist soldiers watched the satellite broadcast of a senior party member being honored outside the Great Hall of the People at Tiananmen Square. His first kill as squad leader, and gun carrier.
You’re clear to access the e-bomb, brother.
Matthew smiled. He knew the spear tip would be Seth. Everything would go according to plan.
That night, Gracie and Marjorie got into a heated argument at the outcrop by the canyon, opposite from the cave witches and their roaring bonfire.
Without her blade, Marjorie was no match for Gracie’s witch skills and she reached out for Seth’s help through his natural curiosity.
The e-bomb. What do you Asians know about it?
Of course that’s double classified. You would have clearance too if you were bolder, You’re mild, Margie -too mild for this war.
And you’ll soon be labelled a traitor just like your brother.
Betrayal only begins when you’re hurt. Go home, sister. Saim and I will tell Seth everything he needs to do the job OUR way.
Seth felt for his blade. Next he knew, it was in Marjorie’s hand. Gracie drew hers as dimensional energies wrestled the two young women towards the canyon’s edge. Once again, he saw the blue neon streaks and Marjorie disappeared off the outcrop.
Gracie turned to Seth. She sounded like Saim as she took his right hand and their fingers meshed. Then, with a snap, his index finger popped lose and went dead.
Do you trust me, brother?
But Seth backed away, shaking from the wound she had inflicted.
Come at me with your powers. Or can you not see yet?
Gracie waited, Saim waited, then the Trainer’s sister turned to leave.
Go save your girlfriend, You’re not ready.
What about my hand?
Beseech the council, it’s the only way, barring major surgery that’s 50/50.
Marjorie! Seth cried, running towards the canyon’s drop. He looked all round by the moonlight and saw three fingers quivering over a rock, They were sore and bleeding. He could hear heavy breathing. He reached out his good hand but it wasn’t strong enough. He had to use his right hand damaged as it was.
If a pin dropped in Seth’s heart, Marjorie would have heard it. She grabbed for his hand greedily and he hauled her to safety, through the agony of losing his finger.
She didn’t know what he had sacrificed. His limp and numb digit that now hung by sheer thread, stuffed deep into his jeans pocket as they kissed, trembling less from it. So much as love does to a man and a woman.
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