His destiny was happening. His future was awaiting.
James had become a combat expert. He was no newbie. Going to the Energy Lab was like walking. He walked a thousand miles. His dad was taking him out on patrol. He had even gone out on patrol with his friend Randy a few times. The lab was essential in teaching him how to use his powers: Strength and Energy absorption and redirection. At first, it was hard. Over time, after he trained, it had gotten easier.
He thought about his life and how much it had changed. He was still dating Anna Harkavy. He was still living in a shoe box. He made friends.
Just getting out of one of his Energy Lab sessions, his dad was standing outside the front door of the training institute. His dad was wearing a fake leather jacket, a black pair of jeans, and brown combat boots. Wearing a black coat, green khakis, and a blue long sleeve t-shirt, Jim walked over to his father.
“Hey, Junior.”
“Hey, Pops.”
“I want to take you somewhere.”
“Where?”
“To meet your family.”
“Am I going to see Mom again?”
“No, our side of the family.”
“Oh.”
There was an air of disappointment on Jim’s face. Jim’s dad could see it in his eyes.
“What's wrong?” asked Jim’s father.
“I miss Mom. That is all.”
“You are half way done with your training.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. You have been here for five years.”
“Wow.”
“You should be proud.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“You deserve it. You have come a long way.”
“I have?”
“Yeah, Son.”
“It doesn't feel like it.”
“You are almost as tall as me.”
“I don't know about that.”
“Trust me. You are going to be one hell of a Protaru.”
“Thanks, Pops.”
“No, problem. You are welcome.”
“Where does our family live?”
“They live in a different colony. It′s off the asteroid.”
“Are we going off the asteroid?”
“Yes.”
“Awesome.”
Jim had done some patrolling off of the asteroid. As a Protaru Tenu, a protector in training, he had several hundred hours he had to fulfill before he was certified to be a full fledged Protaru. It was usually going on patrol that sometimes involved combat. Jim remembered that there were five Laverian colonies in this solar system.
“We are going to Natonia, on one of the moons of Neptune, Triton.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. That is where your grandmother lives. Your grandfather, my father, passed away. He taught me how to use my powers before he passed. Your great grandmother is still alive and so is your great grandfather.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Cool.”
“I hope you are ready.”
“Ready, willing, and able.”
He was ready. He would see his father’s people. His people.
He walked with his father to the shuttle. He was brimming with anticipation. He was 50% excited and 50% nervous.
As he was walking, he thought a lot about different things. How was his father’s side of the family? Were they cool? Were they assholes? Doubt clouded his mind like dark fog. He would meet them soon enough.
They walked for twenty minutes from the Protaru Barracks to the New Laveria Spaceport.
Reaching the Spaceport of New Laveria, they entered the terminal through large gates. Walking into the building, Jim could see it was a bustling place. There were plenty of people and things going on. Women were carrying babies. Families were traveling together. Protaru were on patrol, keeping the peace. Jim and his dad were walking to the docks where the spaceships took off.
Jim saw a sign on the top of the wall in the terminal. It was a metallic orange displaying the destination and the location of the ship. The sign displayed the word: Natonia, dock F23.
“This way, Son.”
“Okay, Dad.”
They walked to their space shuttle. The lights of the spaceport were an orange haze. The light contrasted with the brown rocky structure of the asteroid bed. There was no floor, just the rock of the asteroid. It felt more like a train station than a terminal for spacecraft, remembering the CTA train stations back home; there were a lot of similarities between the two.
Jim remembered when he first came to New Laveria. It was such a long time ago, but it didn’t feel that way. He had made leaps and bounds since then.
They arrived at the door for the departing space shuttle. The driver asked for tickets. Jim’s dad pulled the paper tickets out of his pocket. He handed them to the driver. The driver scanned the tickets for Jim and his father. They walked onto the shuttle. The shuttle had the shape of a toaster. The exhaust back of the transport lit up like an electric heater. The docking claws connected the ship to the spaceport. Smaller than the ship that Jim had arrived on from Earth, it had two levels, like a double decker bus. Jim sat in a chair by a window, with his dad right next to him.
“Last call to Natonia. All aboard for Natonia,” said the driver through a loud speaker.
“Here we go!” said the driver.
The doors to the shuttle closed. The asteroid disappeared in the distance. They were on their way. They would be there soon.
“I am glad you are coming with me.”
“Sure.”
“I don’t get to see them often, with my duties and all.”
“Does our family have powers like us?”
“Yes and No.”
“Why not?’
“Your powers came from my father.”
“Really?”
“This family is related to us through your grandmother.”
“Wow.”
“How was my grandfather?”
“He was awesome.”
“Tell me more.”
“He was an awesome warrior and great man.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“What happened to him?”
“He died in the Tolerian uprising, about two years before Laveria was destroyed.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“It is okay.”
“So our powers are unique?”
“Well I guess you could say that. A cousin on your grandfather’s side has super strength. Some others have super strength as well.”
“I had no idea.”
“Your grandfather had a daughter with another woman before he met your grandmother. She has a son. That son has super strength. I also have a full older sister. Energy absorption and redirection is a rare and powerful power. I guess the gene for the ability is extremely recessive.”
“Like genetics.”
“Exactly. We are one of the few families to have that power.”
“I had no idea.”
“Well, now you know.”
His father looked out the window, staring into the dark abyss.
Jim’s dad said, “Our power of energy absorption and redirection gives Protaru like us a serious advantage on the battlefield.”
“It does?”
“Yes, it does.”
“I sometimes feel the burden of my powers.”
“We are very powerful individuals.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“Okay.”
“We are powerful warriors. We use our powers to protect. Always.”
“I know.”
“Life is hard enough. Don’t make it worse.”
“I know, Dad.”
“I'm going to get some sleep.”
“Huh?”
“We should be there in a few hours.”
“Okay.”
“Wake me up when I get there.”
“Sure.”
Jim sat in his seat and looked out the window. Earth was the size of a pebble and the asteroid was small as well. They passed another of the colonies. It was also in the asteroid belt. Hevaria. It was not as big as New Laveria, about a quarter of the size. It was on the asteroid Vesta, the second biggest celestial body in the asteroid belt. Like New Laveria, it built into the rockbed of an asteroid. Jim had been there on patrol. There was an uprising of Emerald Fire producers, where Hevarian Protaru had requested New Laverian Protaru for support and assistance in putting down the rebellion. It was mostly industrial and made ships and technology for the other colonies. Anna had family in Hevaria, an uncle and his family, a wife and two boys. Jim thought Anna’s uncle was an engineer.
He was thinking about his life. His path. He was on this journey called life. He was becoming a powerful warrior. A Protaru. His strength had amplified tenfold. He was just getting the hang of his energy absorption powers. Those powers were different from his super strength.
Unlike when he arrived, he had a greater sense of strength control. He didn’t go through walls like they were tissue paper anymore.
He got on his phone. It didn’t have a signal. He was just using it to listen to music. He plugged in some wired headphones. He played a playlist, mix-up, from the media player. First song: “Spaceship” by Kanye West. He loved Kanye West’s first three albums. His newer stuff was trash. He was born after The College Dropout was released, but his mom had a copy of the CD. He listened to it the first time and it touched his heart. He could relate to the lyrics.
He thought about Anna. His goddess. She was one of the things he was grateful for. He thought about his friend and roommate Randy. Randy was a cool dude. He missed his mom. He missed his siblings. He had not seen them in five years. Time had passed quickly. He felt that he had just gotten there yesterday. His dad was right. He had become different. He changed. He was now a lot taller. He practically looked his dad in the eye. He towered over most people, except for Sam, who was still an inch taller than him. He was not that newbie that had just arrived at New Laveria. Forever changed, the old Jim was dead and gone.
The playlist ended. So, he started another playlist, Chilax. It was about fifteen songs long. First song, Adore you by Harry Styles. He loved that song. He was singing the words in his head.
“Walk in your rainbow paradise.”
He could sing the lyrics by heart.
“Walk through fire for you, just let me adore you.”
I adore Anna. I would walk through fire for you. I walk through hell for her beautiful fine ass.
Next song, Shape of You, by Ed Sheeran.
I am in love with the shape of you.
He drifted into sleep.
Anna was wearing a white summer dress. They were walking side by side in a park. It looked like Grant Park near Soldier Field. Her family was at a table.
Her hands were reaching out toward Jim. He walked towards her. He grabbed her hand. He sat at the table and ate a feast.
Jim woke up. He saw that the ship had docked at the spaceport because it wasn't moving. They were in a domed structure, which was completely transparent like a ziploc bag. He tapped his dad’s shoulder.
“Are we there?” asked his father.
“Yeah.”
“Great! I can’t wait for you to meet our family.”
“I am getting kinda excited myself.”
“Good.”
“Cool.”
The spaceport was in a transparent dome. Jim could see the stars and the planets that were nearby.
They got off the transport, and stepped into the Natonia Spaceport. They walked out of the building.
“Welcome to Natonia,” said Jim’s dad.
“This feels different,” answered Jim.
The streets of Natonia were illuminated by white sodium lamps. The ground, covered by blue dust, was a contrast to the rocky ground of New Laveria. It was visibly colder than New Laveria.
“Why is it so cold?” asked Jim, shivering.
“We are farther away from the sun.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Button up your coat if you can't handle the weather.”
“Sure thing.”
Jim buttoned up his jacket. Walking to a bus stop, they waited for one to arrive. Thirty seconds later, the vehicle arrived. They walked on the bus. The bus was wheelless. It hovered on pads. Painted white as snow, it was a double decker, with green lines streaking from front to back. The back of the vehicle was shaped like the bottom of a bottle rocket. The windows were translucent as a green coke bottle and cloudy as a winter blizzard. The engine was underneath the hood at the front.
“How long is the bus ride?” asked Jim.
“About forty minutes,” answered his dad.
“Okay.”
“You got somewhere to be?”
“No.”
“You were just curious.”
“I guess you could say that.”
“Any other questions?”
“Anything I need to know before I meet the fam?”
“Your great grandmother is a very short woman. She has a lazy eye. Don’t stare at it.”
“Okay. Anything else?”
“My sister is a shit starter. Don’t listen to anything she says.”
“What else?”
“Your cousin Jethro is a Protaru of this colony on this moon. He is pretty high ranking.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. He will try and get you in a contest of physical strength.”
“Why?”
“He is overcompensating. He thinks he is big stuff.”
“But aren’t you one of the toughest, baddest Protaru to ever exist?”
“I don’t know about that.”
“My friends always talk about how BladeFist, your alter-ego, is so tough.”
“I am not that tough.”
“You went on all these missions as a consultant for the FBI.”
“I have. I also did Patrols on New Laveria, our home.”
“So you switched locations.”
“I was on Earth while I was married to your mother. When we got divorced, I started spending more time in New Lavaria. No one outside the family and the military families knows I am BladeFist.”
“Why? You are the toughest badass to have walked the planet Laveria.”
“I did it to keep my loved ones safe.”
“I guess I can understand that.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For understanding.”
“No problem.”
Jim could totally relate to his father’s dilemma. He thought about Anna. He would do anything and everything he could to keep her safe. If he stayed with her long enough, he would make an honest woman out of her. He would make her a mom. He would do anything to keep his kids safe.
He began to think about his training as a Protaru. He realized why his dad did what he did. Leaving his mom. It was to protect him and his siblings. His father had enemies. If they found out about his dad’s identity, they could have used his family to hurt his dad.
The bus left the spaceport dome. The bus phased through the gate. The containment field around the bus allowed them to stay safe. Jim was still surprised about the advancements of Laverian technology. They were traveling on one of the moons of Neptune now. Ice mountains and jagged glaciers surrounded them. Jim could see a cryovolcano in the distance. Neptune was a giant ball in the sky. It was dark as a night without stars. The ice road was dark and narrow.
Jim used the music to feel safe. It was his safety net. To him, life changed, but music always stayed the same. The song he was listening to now was “Homecoming” by Kanye West. Graduation was his favorite Kanye West album. He could relate to this song. Chicago was his home. The wind. The lake. He was all familiar with that.
I am coming home.
Do you ever think about me now and then?
It had been so long since he saw Chicago. Would it even look the same? He had done so much. He had been through a lot. HIs ordeals. His friends. He was on the path to become a Protaru. He could do it. If he wanted to keep his loved ones safe, he didn't have a choice.
The next song on his playlist, Amazing, was “Adore You” by Harry Styles. ”Adore You” was one of his favorite songs. He also liked “Lights Up” by Harry Styles.
Walk through fire for you. Just let me adore you.
Jim could relate to the line, “I get so lost inside your eyes,” which made him think about Anna. He loved this playlist; it was one of his favorites.
The next song was “Thank God” by Kane Brown.
“Hand on the bible
Don't know how I got you
I couldn't ask for more
Girl, what we got's worth thanking God for.”
He was so thankful to be in a relationship with beautiful Anna. One of the hottest women in all of creation.
They entered into another dome. Jim could see houses. He also saw solar panels attached to the roof of every building. He could see that in this colony, there was no central power plant. He saw a grocery store next to a garden. The garden went on for blocks. The bus stopped at an intersection.
“Independence ave,” said a voice on the bus, it sounded like the voice on the CTA, Chicago Transit Authority, buses and trains.
“This is us, Son,” said Jim's dad.
The ground was covered with blue dust and red rocks. Stepping off the bus, Jim and his dad walked four blocks to a huge three story building. It was a sky blue mansion with orange shingles. There were multiple vehicles parked outside on the street. Jim could count five in total. Jim looked at his dad and stopped at the steps.
“This is the family’s house,” said Jim's dad.
“Okay.”
“Remember what I told you and you should be fine.”
“I understand.”
Jims dad and Jim walked up the stairs. Jims dad knocked on the door. A short Black woman opened the door.
“Benai Attenu. Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes? Give me a hug, cuz!”
“Hi, Magareete.”
“And well, what do we have here?”
Jim waved.
“This is my son, James Jr.”
“Well hello, James.”
Jim said, “I go by Jim.”
“I didn't know you had a son that lived with you.”
“He has been training with me for the last few years.”
“He takes after you. He is your twin.”
“Thanks.”
“Well, come inside! Don’t just stand there on the street!”
Margareete was short. Probably five feet two inches. Jim and his dad towered over her. She was wearing a pinkish red dress with the pattern of white tulips all over it. Wearing black stockings, she had on beige tennis shoes. Her complexion was toffee. Her black hair was as curly as a box of springs.
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Jim and his dad walked into the house. Jim could see a stairway that walked up to a different level. He saw a living room where there was a projector and a screen for the projector to display.
There was a big dining room where a huge mahogany table could fit twenty people.
“Jim and James, please put your coats up in the closet. Come on in. The food is ready. Grandma made some Gavarian Fowl. She just took it out of the oven.”
“Gavarian Fowl?” asked Jim. “What is that?” he continued.
“You don't know what Gavarian Fowl is? Benai, you never fed the boy Gavarian Fowl! What have you been doing with your life?”
“I am sorry, cuz. I have been busy.”
“I know. You have been some hot shot Protaru on New Laveria and Earth.”
Jim and his dad put their coats in the closet. Just then a short woman walked up to Jim.
“Well, I'll be!” said the woman.
Jim’s dad said, “Jim, this is your great-grandmother.”
“Give your great-granny a hug!”
Jim wrapped his arms around his family.
“I haven't seen you since you were a baby.”
She pecked him on the cheek.
“This is my first born. My Dusai.”
“I see he takes after you. He is in your spitting image.”
“That′s what I have been told.”
“Come on, baby. I got to introduce you to the family.”
Jim looked at his father.
His dad said, “Go on. Go with your family.”
Jim took his great-grandmother’s hand.
She started pointing out family members. Jim was getting the rundown of his clan.
“This is your cousin Benjamin. His father Larry and his wife Patricia.”
Wearing a navy blue dress with pink petals, Patrica was a moderately tall woman with skin the color of toffee. Wearing a mechanic’s work shirt and straight cut denim pants, Larry was a few shades lighter, around the color of sand at the beach. He had greasy fingertips. Jim thought he had just gotten off work.
Benjamin was closer to his mom's skin tone. He was a few inches shorter than Jim. Benjamin was stocky like an oak tree. Benjamin had the same body type as his father. His mother was as skinny as a pretzel.
Benjamin was wearing beige khakis and a teal hooded sweatshirt. Flip flops were on his feet.
“Who is this?” asked Patricia.
Jim’s great-grandmother responded, “This is Benai’s boy.”
“I go by Jim,” said Jim.
“Benai is here?” asked Patricia.
Jim’s grandmother said, “Yeah, he is.”
“I haven’t seen him in years.”
“He should be in the living room.”
“Let me go holler at that negro!”
Benjamin said, “You are Benai, Dusai.”
“What?”
“Dusai means second. You have the same name as your father, right?”
“Yes, I do, but I prefer Jim.”
“Ex-squeeze me!”
“What?” said Jim
Benjamin said in Laverian, “I am just yanking your coins.”
“Huh.”
“It’s an expression.”
“Okay. We don’t have any issues, right?”
“Not at all. Thanks for joining us for Founders’ day.”
“Founder’s day?”
“Yeah. Founders’ day.”
“What is that?”
“It celebrates the beginning of formal Laverian society. It is when we came together as a united people and established a planetary government.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I like to think of it like a fourth of July for Laveria.”
“Cool.”
“Yeah.”
A bell rang.
Cousin Larry said, “Food is ready. Time to eat!”
“Don’t have to tell me twice,” said Benjamin.
“We are going to eat now?” asked Jim.
“Yeah, we are,” answered Benjamin.
“Cool,” said Jim.
“Follow me,” said Benjamin.
Jim went behind Benjamin, Patricia and Larry to the dining room.
“Come on, this way!” said Benjamin.
“I am right behind you,” said Jim.
They arrived in the living room surrounded by twenty people. Some women were holding new born babies. Toddlers were standing by their parents.
The Great-grandfather of Jim stood in the center. He began to speak.
“Thank you to everyone for coming to Natonia to celebrate Founders’ day. I am so glad that I could see each and every one of you. Jethro, his four boys, along with his wife are here. We also have Larry and his family. Margareete and her husband Davos and her two daughters, Penny, Alyssa and son Karl. My daughter, Maribel, is also here. Her two Children Benai and Lisa are here as well. Lisa’s sons, Josiah and Harrison are here as well. We are joined by Bladefist himself. His son is here as well.”
“I am always up for a party,” said Larry.
“I know that is right,” Jethro said.
Jim’s great-grandfather continued.
“I am thankful that the Roxio clan could come together. I know we all don’t have the same last name. We do share the same blood. That is what is important. Let us say our planet’s motto in our native tongue.”
Jim had no idea what the motto was.
From the skies above me to the oceans beneath me, I will cherish the civilization of Laveria. From boulder and sand to wood and coal, I will be thankful for the planet I call home. Laveria is forever and always in my heart.
“Okay everyone. Dig in and eat,” said Jim’s great-grandfather.
Jim lined up to get a blue plate and metal fork. He was next to Benjamin.
“So you have powers too?” asked Benjamin.
“Yeah, I do,” responded Jim.
“You must be a total badass.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“I wish I had powers like you.”
“Do you even know what my powers are?”
“Yeah. You can control energy. Right?”
“Wrong. I can absorb and redirect it. I also have super strength.”
“That is so cool.”
“It has its uses.”
“I don’t have any offensive abilities.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, what are your powers?”
“I can heal people. I can also see and hear better than most people.”
“So you also have super hearing and vision.”
“Yeah.”
“That is pretty cool. Can you see invisible forms of light?”
“Yes I can.”
“So cool.”
“Not really.”
“You got to show me your healing powers.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“They are not that cool.”
“Come on, man! That sounds awesome!”
“Let’s eat first.”
“Okay, Benjamin.”
Possessing a complexion as dark as mocha, the great-grandfather was cutting the meat with a knife possessing a blade made of light. He had on a dress shirt and brown khakis.
“Jim, right?” asked Jim’s grey-haired ancestor, shorter than Jim and his dad.
“Yeah, that is me.”
“What part of this beast do you want?”
“Can I get some of the leg and some of the thigh?” asked Jim.
“Sure, son.”
He cut two slices and placed them on the plate. Jim went down the line. He grabbed two veggie dishes, one looking like purple sliced okra, and the other was blue carrots.
He asked Benjamin “What's that?”, pointing to a dish on the table.
It looked like a mix between split pea soup and mashed potatoes.
“That would be Viroxilan beets.”
“How does it taste?”
“Like a mix between oatmeal and mashed potatoes.”
“Sounds delicious.”
“It is.”
Jim grabbed the serving spoon and placed a generous portion on his plate. He walked to a cooler and opened it up. Inside were bottles of Havaria Ale. Jim took one in his hand and walked to the couch in the living room. Some little kids were playing a video game system. It had a motif of a gear, completely grey and silver.
“Is that the Gearbox 2?” asked Jim.
One of the kids, a nine year old boy, answered, “Yeah. It is.”
“That is a great system.”
“I know, right.”
“What are you playing?”
“NBA Throwdown 3.”
“I love that game.”
“You want to play?”
Just then an adult voice pierced through the room.
“Harrison, Josiah, it is time to eat,” said a woman.
“Aw man,” said the boy.
“You heard Mom, Josiah.”
Josiah answered, “Okay. Mom, we are coming.”
Harrison was younger than Josiah. Harrison looked around four years old. They were both skinny boys.
Jim remembered his brother and sister. That felt like yesterday. He wondered how they were doing. What they were up to.
The boys got up off the floor and left the room. Benjamin walked into the front room.
“Aw, Jim.”
“Hey, Ben.”
“I lost you for a second.”
“I have been here.”
“I got some of the heart meat from the Gavarian fowl.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“How does it taste?”
“It is really tangy. It has a kick.”
“Really?”
“It also has an umami flavor.”
“I see.”
Jim began eating his food. He cut into the meat, placing it into his mouth. The texture was soft. Like marshmallows. Jim had never tasted anything like it before. He took a bite of the meat and dipped into his Viroxilan beets. The contrast and the creamy beets and meat made fireworks in his mouth.
“This is amazing,” said Jim.
“I know, right?”
“I have never tasted anything like this in my entire life.”
“How so?”
“I am from Earth.”
“That makes sense.”
“I lived in Chicago.”
“That city of wind on Earth?”
“Yeah.”
“How is it?”
“It is amazing. There is a food celebration every summer called the Taste of Chicago. It brings together the best food in the city.”
“Really?”
“Yep. This food I am eating right now tops that.”
“Those are some strong words.”
“It is the truth.”
“Tell me more about Chicago.”
“What for?”
“I want to know more about Earth and Earth life.”
“Sure. Chicago has a lot of diversity. There is division as well. There are different areas: The north side, where I was born, the south side, and the west side. Some people called the east part of the south side the east side.”
“Wow.”
“The neighborhoods are economically homogenous.”
“What does that mean?”
“Poor people live around the poor and the rich live around the rich.”
“How does that affect the life and culture of the city?”
“It can create inner city regions where crime is high.”
“Have you ever lived in the rough parts of Chicago?”
“Yeah, I did. My mom moved me and my sister away around the time I was five.”
“Really?”
Jim told him about the landmarks, such as the Bean. Navy pier, Grant Park and Lollapalooza. Going to a Cubs game in the summer. Visiting the Field Museum with his classmates. It made him realize how much he missed Earth. Benji was engaged in the conversation.
“That is amazing,” said Benjamin.
“Chicago is home.”
“I would love to visit one day.”
“You will.”
“How?”
“Take a trip there.”
“Trips to Earth are expensive.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“I had no idea.”
“Do you want to go back there?”
“With every fiber of my being.”
Jim finished his food. Benjamin, his cousin, seemed like a cool dude. He liked him. They were close in age, about two years apart.
“Wanna play some games on the Gearbox?” asked Ben.
“Do I ever?” said Jim.
Before Jim could start the game, Jim’s great-grandfather came into the room.
“Turn on the news,” said Jim’s great-grandfather.
“Why? We were just about to play video games,” said Benjamin.
“Don’t question me, boy. Do as I say.”
“Okay, pop-pop.”
Benjamin pressed a button on the controller. A guide came up. Benjamin navigated to the news channel.
“Breaking news, the Volarkian horde, an enemy to Laveria, has entered the Solar System. They have just passed the outskirts of the Kuiper belt. The Laverian Colonies are going to need every available warrior to fight against the Volarkians. The Lavarian councils are meeting in emergency sessions to discuss mobilizing all active Protaru across all of the five colonies. There is also discussion about using Protaru Tenu in combat as well.”
“Jim, that is us,” said Benjamin.
We might face combat.
The thought was a gumbo of terror and excitement. Jim had heard about the Volarkian horde from his father. He didn’t ever think they would come to the solar system.
“We now report to the Moaru of Natonia.”
“What’s a Moaru?” asked Jim.
“It is Laverian for leader. It refers to the chief executive of the colony. The Moaru of a colony is like the mayor of the colony. He is usually a high ranking Protaru, but sometimes non Protaru can fill the position. The council of the city usually votes on the Moaru. They serve five year terms,” said Benjamin.
“So every colony has a Moaru?” said Jim.
“Most of them do.”
“Which one does not have a Moaru?”
“Vikaria.”
“Vikaria?”
“Isn’t Vikaria in the Kuiper Belt?”
“Kind of. It is actually on the dwarf planet Pluto of the Kuiper Belt. It is the oldest Laverian colony.”
“Vikaria. The people of Vikaria vote directly for their leader, called Yolaru Megro.”
“Fascinating.”
“It totally is.”
The Moaru of Natonia stood in front of a podium. He was a tall, skinny man with the complexion of an almond. He was wearing purple dress robes. Not battle armor.
“Is the Moaru of Natonia a Protaru?” asked Jim.
“Yes he is,” said Benjamin.
The Moaru of Natonia began speaking.
“Good evening, my fellow Natonians. As we celebrate this Founders’ day, our society will be tested. The destroyers of our home planet have found us. They are coming to finish the job they started over two decades ago. After the council of our fine city met with other councils to discuss the Volarkian menace, they unanimously decided to invoke the war charter and galvanize our Protaru to protect and preserve the remnants of Laverian society. Every Protaru in our city will be used to fight and defend our colony from the Volarkian threat. The Council decided to use the Protaru Tenu to boost the ranks of our forces. Other colonies are considering doing the same. Our sister colony, Vikaria, is being evacuated as we speak. Please welcome our fellow Laverian brothers and sisters with open arms. This is a grave time in our society’s history. We must rely on each other to get through it. We must come together as a people if we are going to survive. Thank you, my fellow Natonians. Good night, and hail the Creator.”
The transmission ended.
The news reporter began speaking again.
“That is all the information we have right now. We just got word that Vikaria is being evacuated. The Natonian Council passed a resolution to begin housing refugees from Vikaria. Vikaria will become ground zero in the war against the Volarkians. Vikaria is one of the smaller colonies. We will update you as we get more data. Please stay tuned to Natonia News Network for more information. This is Chet Goodmark signing off.”
The screen went gray.
The world changed for Jim. Just like that. All of his training, his life had been preparing him for this moment. He would be tested. His time in the Energy Lab and the quarry had been getting him ready to fight in this war. Would New Laveria call in their Protaru Tenu? Would he see combat? He was not sure. He would be ready.
The rest of the party went by fast. Benjamin and Jim played a game on the Gearbox, Jim met with the rest of his dad’s side of the family. Jethro challenged Jim to an arm wrestling match. Jim declined. He met his aunt and her two boys. They were still kids. He was a minor too. Of course in Laverian Culture, you weren’t an adult until age 20. Jim was fourteen when he arrived in space. Five years had passed.
Her boys both had powers. They were super strong. However, they could not redirect energy. That power was rare. A power Jim had come to treasure.
He got Benjamin’s contact information. He had made a new connection. He was really glad to have met him.
Jim walked up to Benjamin.
“Benjamin, show me your healing power,” asked Jim.
“Could you demand any ruder?” replied Benjamin.
“I am sorry. I just want to see it.”
“You can ask nicely.”
“Benji, can I see your healing powers, please?”
“That’s better.”
“Well?”
“Follow me.”
“Why certainly!”
Jim and Benjamin walked to the back door. He and Benjamin were now in the back yard. He stopped.
There was a huge tree that was as blue as a blueberry. Its leaves were orange. Laverian flora. Its roots dug into the ground.
“Watch this,” said Benji.
His hand glowed with a yellow hue like a firefly.
“Woah! That is so cool!”
“Thanks, Jim.”
He stopped glowing his hand.
“There are rumors of others with abilities far greater than mine.”
“What do you mean?”
“There are Vectars that can enhance a person’s powers after healing them.”
“Ability enhancement?”
Benji said, “Yep. Let me see your energy powers.”
“Really? You want to see them.”
“I heard stories about BladeFist. I want to see them in action.”
“I don’t know how to use them without a source of energy.”
“I have just the thing.”
Benji took out a bracelet out of his pocket. He pressed a button on top of it. It became a gauntlet, expanding like a chemical reaction.
“A wave glove?” asked Jim.
“You know your equipment,” answered Benji.
“What are you going to do with that?”
“What do you think? Get ready to absorb some energy.”
“Whoa, Benjamin!”
He aimed at Jim’s chest.
“This won’t hurt,” said Benji.
“Give me a minute to prepare.”
“You have thirty seconds.”
Jim got in the moment. When he absorbed energy, it was involuntary, like breathing. Redirecting it was a different story. He had to concentrate, like flexing a muscle.
“Are you ready, Jim?”
“Hit me with your best shot!”
Benji fired three waves of clear energy, like ripples in a lake. They reached Jim in his center mass.
The area where he was hit glowed with yellow energy. He absorbed it fully.
“Wait for it,” said Jim.
He gathered the energy in his left palm and shot it at a nearby tree. The branch where the yellow energy connected snapped off of the tree and fell to the ground, catching fire.
“Awesome!” said Benjamin.
“I can do a lot more than that.”
“So what are the limits to your powers?”
“I can’t absorb kinetic energy.”
“What?”
“I can’t absorb kinetic energy.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Why not?”
“Kinetic energy has trouble interacting with my cellular matrix.”
“Well, I’ll be.”
“Yeah, that is how it goes.”
“My powers have limits too,” said Benji.
“Really,” said Jim.
“Yep.”
“What are they?”
“I can’t bring anyone back from the dead and I can't heal someone if the damage is too severe.”
“Good to know.”
“Do you think we will face combat?”
“I am not sure.”
“It is pretty dire.”
“I know.”
“The Volarkian army is very militaristic.”
“I have heard that.”
“I have serious concerns about the survival of Laverian civilization.”
“I agree.”
“Do we have what it takes to stop them?”
“Come on.”
“What?”
“Don’t think like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like we are going to lose.”
“We can’t fail.”
“I know.”
“If we fail, Earth is next.”
“I know.”
Jim thought about Chicago. The Bean. His family. He and the other Protaru were all that were standing in the way of Earth’s destruction. He had to do this. It was not a choice. It wasn't an option. Fighting was the only option.
“You are right, Jim.”
“I know, cuz.”
James, Sr. came to the back porch.
“Dusai, we are heading out in twenty minutes,” said Jim’s dad.
“Okay dad. I hear you loud and clear,” said Jim.
“Say your goodbyes, because we are heading back to New Laveria.”
“I got you.”
His dad went back into the house. Jim turned Ben.
“I am so glad we met,” said Jim.
“Yeah, cuz. I am too. Your powers are so badass.”
“Thanks, man. Healing is pretty useful as well.”
“We are going to have to keep in touch.”
“Definitely.”
“I have your contact information.”
“I have yours as well.”
Benji’s mom said, “Benji, it’s time to leave. Say goodbye to your cuz. We are heading out.”
“Sure, Mom,” responded Ben.
“Bye, Jim. It was nice meeting you.”
“You as well.”
“Give me a hug!”
“Most definitely.”
Jim and Benji embraced in a bear hug.
“Ahh!” said Benji.
“Sorry,” said Jim.
“Don’t kill me before I face combat.”
“My bad. I guess sometimes I don’t know my own strength.”
“It’s okay.”
Benji and Jim stopped hugging. Benji pressed a button which contracted the bracelet. Benji walked back into the house. Jim met up with his father. Jim and his dad said their final goodbyes.
Jim’s dad hugged his grandmother.
“Don’t be such a stranger. Come see us more often,” said Jim’s grandmother.
“I am sorry mom. I have been meaning to come to you sooner, but with my duties and all, the days have been getting away from me.”
Jim hugged his grandmother.
“My dear Buoli, take care of your dad. You hear me?”
“I got you, grandma.”
They got their coats and headed out of the door. Walking to the bus stop, they waited for a bus to take them to the space port.
“How was your first Founders’ day event?” asked Jim’s dad.
“It was amazing.”
“I am glad to hear that.”
“The food great-granny made was amazing. The meat was ambrosia from the gods. Combine that with those veggies and you have a hat trick.”
“I am glad you liked the food.”
“What do you think about the news?”
“It is terrifying. We barely survived the last time we fought the Volkarians. Now, they want to come back.”
“I talked to Benji about it. He had doubts about our chances.”
“I know. We have different odds now.”
“What makes you say that?”
“We are a new generation of warriors. We have you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I would bet on you over any Volkarian soldier anyday.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
The bus arrived and took them to the spaceport. While Jim was on the bus with his dad, he got a phone call. He had a signal. It was weird. He checked the screen, answering it .
“Hello,” said Jim.
“Hey, Jay.”
“Happy Founder’s day, beautiful.”
“Happy Founders’ day, Jim.”
“How was your holiday?”
“I am on a bus going towards the spaceport on Natonia.”
“You are in a different colony?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“It was a family gathering.”
“Ohh, your dad has family in Natonia.”
“Exactly.”
“How was it?”
“Amazing. The food was paradise.”
“Really? What did you eat?”
“Gavarian fowl and veggies.”
“What kind of veggies?”
“Veggies I had never seen before. There were blue carrots and purple okra.”
“You mean Blocovu and Metalia.”
“That is what they are called?”
“Yeah, sweetheart.”
“Cool.”
“I also met someone close to my age who is a Protaru Tenu in Natonia.”
“Awesome.”
“I can’t wait to get home. To get back to you.”
“I will be here, babe.”
“In other news, the war against the Volarkian horde is coming to the Solar System.”
“I know.”
“It is going to take everything to stop them this time.”
“I agree.”
“End of the line,” said the voice in the front of the bus.
“This is our stop, Dusai,” remarked James.
Jim said, “One second, babe.”
“Take your time.”
Jim got off the bus and walked into the spaceport. His dad paid for their fares. They walked into the terminal taking the spaceship back to New Laveria. Boarding the ship, Jim took a seat in the back of the vehicle.
Jim said, “I am back, baby.”
“I just wanted to call you before I went back to sleep.”
“Do you want to talk later?”
“Yeah, I have a shift in the morning.”
“The hospital right?”
“Also known as the Viasoro, in Laverian. I have to fulfill my hours if I want to be a Healer.”
“I know you don’t miss cleaning up the mess hall.”
“Don’t remind me.”
“Good night, Anna. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
With that the call ended. Jim was feeling good about his future. He had Anna in his life. He was turning into an excellent Protaru. The enemy was coming. A storm was on the horizon. He would be ready.
The war for the future began.
