Feedback - Origins
1085 Words
Next morning, the old man early awakes the novices, giving them the task of recollecting food to have lunch together. This time, the warriors already know what to bring. Finishing their duty, the brothers join at their meeting spot, stocked of enough food for the rest of the day.
-Where did he go?- Asks Krein, seeing that the monk isn’t close.
-He’ll be back.- Answers Dan -I think we should wait for him to eat… would be a good moment to clear some questions.-
The novices are Super Soldiers. Most of their time is obligatory required for extreme physical training… training that not just any man could survive. Other great part of it is invested in their internal treatments, which gives them singular features to them and the eight predecessor Generations. This treatments consist in making them genetically better with some peculiar methods, non of them enjoyable, to give them more corporal endurance, strength, skills and agility, and the most important, a great capability for pain resistance. With the old man absent, the novices decide to continue their daily duties. Perhaps they can’t take their weekly treatments… but they can still train.
After some time of leaving them alone, the monk observes the soldier’s session in action from the trees. After a few instants, the team notices the return of the old man, so they stop the training. The novices look at him. Being next to the only one of his species still feels so odd.
-I don’t know you, but I’m hungry.- Exclaims Ten, walking to the baskets full of vegetables.
Assuming that it is moment to start, the soldiers join around the food, inviting the monk to sit beside them.
-I still don’t get it.- Starts Two -All that light and fog in the sky… does it always happen with you or those were just special occasions?-
-Only this occasions.- Replies the old man, laughing a little -But… I’m sure you’ll see them again, Lin.-
-That!- Interrupts Dan, pointing to the monk -How do you know our names?-
-Is it true that Krein told you?- Continues Ten, turning to permanently stick his view on One.
-I didn’t…! Well, I don’t know…- Responds Krein, slowly talking, getting the intimidating eyes of his brothers -that night in the jungle… I could hear your voice.- Continues, while he turns to see the old man, recalling the scene from two nights ago -I was thinking about you, brothers… I just wanted to take you out of there. That was the only thing I had in mind. I think that’s the way I told you… right?-
-Wise reflexion.- Replies the old man, settling with his head.
-Hey, I understand you are some kind of monk and that you have abilities that not just anyone could obtain…- Continues Lin, a little anxious -but, how were we able to speak your language? I mean, now the six of us are talking the same we were speaking before getting to this place… but, how? Yesterday was different. I just know we were able to understand each other… but I don’t know what the f**k was coming out of my mouth.-
-To be honest… all of that wasn’t because of me.-
-What do you mean? You didn’t do it?-
-That’s right. Perhaps it was my journey. You were so close where I emerged… maybe the crash made you susceptible to my knowledge.-
-You can travel in space? That’s awesome!- Says Two, without being able to hold his laugh mixed with joy, intrigue and confusion.
The old man doesn’t answer back, takes a snack from the basket and, before putting the food in his mouth, he smiles to Krein, who looks at him suspecting that Lin’s theory is incorrect.
After some silent moments, the old man takes his turn and proceeds with the interrogatory:
-Now I have to ask you something…- The brothers say yes with their heads -what are you doing here?-
-I thought we were welcome…-
-You are, Dan, but you misunderstood my question. What are you doing here?-
-We were sent to escort a recon team.- Responds Krein, taking the initiative ok talking since he realizes that non of his partners will -We didn’t know the details of the mission… they said it would be easy. The only thing we knew was that this place was a hostil crossing spot during the war.-
-That’s right, Krein… but those rebels were here since some time ago.-
-How do you know?-
-There wouldn’t be any reason to match with your arrival. But, by the second time, you didn’t answer my question. What are you doing here? You are just kids! You shouldn’t be in a dangerous zone like this… you shouldn’t even be part of the military.-
The old man is right. The soldiers are, just… teenagers. Their number indicate their ages from youngest to oldest; Krein is the youngest member of the squad. The treatments he has had makes him look more aged, but his immature face betrays him. Lin and Kay are a little older. Nevertheless, they have considerable heights. Dan is the next one. He is one of the soldiers with more leadership among his Generation. Ten is the oldest one. His age and body contradict each other. Between all of them, he is the strongest.
-I can help you. You don’t need to fight again.-
-There’s no way.- Replies Dan -They can track us… there are a lot of ways to do it. And when they find us, we’ll be fugitives. I don’t know what would await for us after that.-
-They can’t track you here… any possible way. I can help you, but it would be in a non conventional way.-
-You are meddling too much.- Says Ten, with a superb tone, while he walks out from the circle.
-We met across our paths. The question is… why? Maybe we’ll find the answer together. It’s up to you. You can go…-
-Or stay? Is that your idea?- Asks Ten -We don’t know who or what you are… if they classify us as traitors because of you, I’ll come back to cut your head off myself.-
-You carry a lot of fury inside you, Ten… but you don’t know how to canalize it for good purposes. I can help you.-
-I don’t care. I don’t need your shitty help.- Responds Ten, walking away from the others.
-Ten?- Questions Kay to Krein, surprised, but speaking quietly -Why did he call him Ten?-
-I don’t know…- Replies the monk, in the same voice tone -I know his number, but not his name.-
From afar, the oldest soldier listens to the conversation, he stops and, without turning to look at them, he answers:
-I’m Neder.-
- Writer
