Through The Stars

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

    We were once again in this barren field, lined up, facing a platoon of armored soldiers. I always hated everything about the military. For me, they were a group of assholes pretending they know everything when they actually don't. The soldiers are wearing suits that hinged whenever they walked. Metal banged as they approached us, probably because those suits are made out of it. Big guns hanged across their bodies; their fingers ready to pull the trigger anytime.

   I faced front, emotionless. I was tightly holding on to the hand of Rafael who started to become shaky as time passed. At my right is my father who still looks disappointed of me for how I acted in front of Mikael a few minutes earlier. But that was the last thing I have to worry about. At Rafael’s other arm, his mother clung. She embraced her son so tight because she knew it was the last time.

“Thank you all, for cooperating to come here today.” Mikael announced in front while he stood alongside the squadron of the Supreme. “As you all know, Mission Sol failed. All our representatives are dead. And so the Supreme is here today to proceed with the enlistment for Galaxias.”

   Mikael’s eyes shifted to where Rafael is.

“And we only have one candidate that is eligible to be enlisted as our representative.” Our leader said when they met gazes.

   Eloisa broke out into a sob for she could no longer hold the tears that she was fighting back ever since the gathering started. Rafael is the only eligible candidate… isn’t he? My heart raced.

“Aight enough of the talk. Whatever s**t you dare say. We just came here for the kid.” The soldier who seemed to be the leader of the troops, stepped up to interfere along Mikael’s little introductory speech, breaking the ambience with his attitude.

   He removes his head gear and passes it on for another soldier to hold. The removal of his helmet revealed to us his green-orbed eyes that screamed how impatient he is. The man looked just a year or two older than Rafael and I, but his aura spoke of years of expertise in his field. I know that because even in his spacesuit-like armor, his muscle features seem evident. His voice is deep and raspy, and his stare is very intimidating. If looks are blade, his was the sharpest I ever saw.

“Now let’s move that ass, you little s**t. We have a lot of important matters to attend to other than your cry-baby self, so pull your s**t together.”

   He pulls Rafael harshly by his arm which causes my bestfriend to go on complete hysteria. He starts crying and pleads for his freedom.

“Please, sir! I cannot do it!” He thrashes from his firm grip.

“What the f**k?” The man smiles but it was devilishly bad. It was a grin that anyone would fear seeing. “You dare oppose me? Do you not know who I am?”

    The man sets Rafael’s arm free, and then quickly levels his gun straight to Raf’s head. Everyone was in great shock. His finger is ready to pull the trigger and blast the brain out of Rafael’s skull. I was about to move towards them but when my father’s eyes met mine, he immediately shook his head.

“Is this a better way to introduce myself?” He asks with a notable sarcasm. “You see, I’m a very impatient man. I hate it when people make me wait. The last one who dared to oppose what I said is already six feet below ground. Would you like to ask him how it went?”

   In great horror, Rafael suddenly had an attack of his disease. He dropped to the ground and started to shake like he was having a seizure.

“Rafael!”Aunt Eloisa was quick to jump over her son who is on the ground.

“What the actual damn scene is this p***y trying to brew up?” The soldier’s voice is already laced with annoyance. He is fed up.

“He has a disease. He has it ever since he was born.” Aunt Eloisa answered.

“Yeah?” the guy was very sarcastic in responding. “Well, screw that.”

    He lands a kick to Rafael’s abdomen.

“GET THE f**k UP!” His voice boomed and rang echoes. It will make you tremble in fear because you can sense how ruthless he can be.

    He kept torturing Rafael until my bestfriend started to ooze blood from his mouth. His mother was sobbing as he watched his son suffer. Raf’s attack wasn’t subsiding at all. It was actually worsening every minute that the soldier attacked him physically.

“Keep being like that, and you’ll die just in the first phase of the training you weakling!” The soldier humiliated him. “You won’t even last a day, so why don’t we end things here?”

    My chest was starting to pound hard. I shut my eyes tightly and took a deep breath. When I opened them, I know Mikael was right.

“STOP!” I dared to shout amidst the scene.

   I was successful in earning everyone’s attention on me and I hated how it felt.

“Genesis, what are you doing?” My father said through gritted teeth. His voice is only enough for us both to hear.

    I smiled at him as a tear fell from my eye.

“I love you.” I said before I turned and walked towards where the soldier and Rafael are.

    The man greeted me with a gun pointed straight to my head, but I didn’t wince. I am not afraid of anything else. I’m not afraid of death.

“Stand down or I’ll shoot your head.” He threatened.

“You won’t.” I said, unafraid.

“Give me a reason not to.” He said darkly.

“I, Genesis Asha Montecarlos, already of legal age and eligible for enlistment – volunteers to be my country’s representative to Galaxias in replacement of Rafael who is not physically fit to undergo training.” I said without blinking.

    What I said gained gasps from the crowd. The man got a bit surprised as well but he was quick to recover.

“Is this true?” The man asked. “Marcos, check the list of eligible candidates for this country on our records. If she just makes a scene, I’ll blow her head. I don’t have time for s**t as I have a ton more to fetch.”

“Yes sir.” The soldier confirmed my claims handing over a tablet that displays my identity pad. “Data has it showing. This is from our own base.”

   The leader of the military troops smiled sarcastically at me.

“Tough luck, woman. You’ll keep your head today.” He comments and turns his back on me. “Keep it moving before I change my mind.”

    I readily sped up to his pace, ready to leave this place. I heard my father calling me but I dare not turn my head to him anymore. It would make it harder for me to leave if I do so. Before I entered the ship, Mikael was quick to catch my arm and stop me at the entrance.

“Genesis… do you understand what you are doing?” he asked, his eyes full of worry and concern.

    I gave him a small smile. I don’t actually know if this is the right thing to do but…

“We make sacrifices not because it will make us heroic. There is a bigger reason behind every choice we make.” I repeated what he told me earlier.

     I stepped inside the ship, a tear falling from my eye. A few seconds ago, I didn’t know what he meant by that. Ironic, because now that the door of the ship inches to a close, I feel like those words are made for me.