Amy sat in front of one of the shelves at the hololibrary, a half-dozen hovering tablets floating around her in a circle as she held a seventh. Looking over the story of a magical hero wandering through a new world, she giggled as her little companion cooed from behind.
“H-hey, alright, alright!” She snickered from the cloudlike creature brushing against her long brown hair. It snuck under her beanie cap as she reached for it, playfully hiding. “I was about done, anyway. We’ll head home in a second, girl.” She patted her cap and the wisps of mist puffed out from the edges.
“Cooh Coooh!” The magicloud bounced with joy inside her hat at the news they could leave soon. It always seemed to understand her.
But the little girl read over the last page as her own long fluffy tail flicked, entranced by the ideas in the holo-book. A person being able to change society like that…it must be amazing.
The other books were a mix of magazines about the other planets and information on newly discovered species. There was always news of new creatures being formed through a fusion of other beings, mixed and matched and giving broader insight of what was possible. Of course, the way they could be evolved from those fusions was equally captivating. Scientists did their best to maintain a catalogue of the newest breakthroughs, although the systemwide regulations on what was allowed helped with that.
Taking a brief stretch, she stood up and waved her hand to send most of the holo-books back to their shelves. “Okay, Aliya. Let’s get you home.”
They made their way outside the freshly built high-tech building and walked down the steps to the hover-bus station. Amy basked in the sun and looked over the lush green landscape down past the road. The forest looked so wide from here, and she could see the faint glow of the far-off shimmering Light Dome in the middle, feeding the surrounding life with light and nutrient-filled soil surrounding the base. She walked over to the railing behind the station and stared at it, always a little curious, but always humble before them when she was in their presence.
The bus arrived, and she turned and hopped onboard.
Aliya flitted around Amy’s seat, purring and nuzzling against her while she stared out the window at the city and lands around them on their journey home. She took out her drawing pad, sketching the sights that she had missed on previous trips, adding little details to make some things look cooler. Extra building here, extra tree there…but she paused when the mid-day sun was blocked by the behemoth in the distance. She glanced up at the giant robot, standing higher than a mountain, watching over the entire terraformed landscape below. Just like on the other worlds, there was at least one of them in every region. Of course, here on the Moon, there were more of them ever since the war ended…
A spark of light snapped beside her.
After a few more minutes, she was finally home and skipped off the vehicle. Thanking the driver with a smile and wave, she walked towards the house. A few kids walked past, some of them snickering as they went by. Amy ignored them as best she could, and she went into the front door of the modest dwelling at a brusquer pace.
“Vlania oolus tooq…Ah, welcome home sweetheart!” An elderly woman turned from her prayer to greet the child.
“Hey, Grandma.” Amy went straight to her and hugged tight, getting wrapped in an embrace from her loving elder. “How’s it going?”
“Oh, very well! I was just praying for good fortune, with everything happening today.” She ushered her granddaughter in. “Why don’t you join me for a moment?”
Smiling, the brunette sat beside her grandma and the two of them looked at a miniature sized version of the Light Domes found across the worlds. It sat on a small altar, made of fine carved wood, emanating a beautiful glow almost like the one from the real thing. They clasped their hands together and implored for their leaders to have the guidance to make the right decisions going forward.
“Givers of Life, Gods of Mystery, Our Holy Mother…give them the strength to deliver us to a brighter future.” The older woman, her grey hair tied in the ceremonial bun typical for a female house elder, led the prayer, while Amy watched the mini-dome.
They held so many secrets that the world craved. Holy sites to some, scientific wonders to others…no one knew after all these thousands of years of research what exactly they were or how they came to be.
“And may we all build a path worthy of the Almighty.” Grandma had finished the prayer.
“Amen,” Amy chimed in.
They got up, the young girl lending her grandmother a hand. Aliya settled on Amy’s shoulder.
“So, what did you get at the library?” Grandma smiled warmly as they walked to the couch.
“Oh, another adventure story.” The brunette pulled the folded holobook from her jean shorts pocket, lifting it up to show her grandma. “This one’s about finding epic quests outside the star system!”
“Oh my, well you’ll be out there some day too! Won’t you, my little rascal?” Grandma lifted her beanie cap and tussled her hair.
“Heeey careful!” Amy laughed and pulled her cap back on. “Aliya just made her nest there!”
Grandma responded with a booming laugh. “Well, of course she’ll come along too! You need to have your faithful companion with you to keep you safe!” She reached out and rubbed the translucent chin of the wisp creature.
“Coooh!” It responded by wrapping around the finger and then slipping back onto the sleeve of Amy’s white shirt.
“Yeah, Aliya will cuddle them to submission…” The girl rolled her eyes at the thought of her friendly magicloud being any level of aggressive. “Well, I’m going upstairs for a bit.”
“Take care, sweety. Come back down in a bit for the announcement and food!”
“Will do!” Amy made her way upstairs into her room. She settled in her bed and listened to music, looking at the ceiling…wondering about the chance to change things.
To be fair, the world was in a great place. But even the leaders saw some reason to take a bold new step, even though they said it was to preserve the good things the worlds had. There were definitely things that she would want to make better, if she was given the chance.
A few minutes passed and she closed her eyes in thought…
“…Hellooo, Amy!”
“Ahh! W-wah?” The little girl woke up after much more time passed than she had anticipated. She looked up and saw her dad at the doorway.
“Woah little beansprout, didn’t mean to scare you!” He chuckled and came in to sit on the bed with her. “Just wanted you to know the event is almost on. Mom made your favorite for dinner while we watch.”
“Aww…” She yawned and rubbed her eye as he wrapped an arm around her. “T-thanks…How was work for you guys?”
“Really good, actually! In fact…we’ve got a surprise for you after dinner.” He had on the same mischievous look that he wore when he was hiding a new birthday present, a smile spreading on his thinly bearded face. “But we will save that for later. Come on down and join us!”
Amy cocked an eyebrow. What kind of surprise did he have, especially one that was related to work? Did he or mom get a promotion at the company? That would be a shock…they had only been working there for two years.
“You’ll see,” he said as he patted her shoulder and got up, noticing that she was trying to figure it out.
She stood up too and followed him downstairs, entering the tight confines of the kitchen to witness her mom placing the steaming dinner on the table.
“Oh, there you are honey! How was your nap?” Mom smiled and patted Amy’s chair, signaling her to sit. “We got your favorite, Valnean pasta!”
Obeying and taking her place at the table beside the monitor, Amy smiled. “Thanks, dad mentioned that already.” She waited for her parents to sit as Grandma winked at her from the opposite side of the table.
“I added my secret ingredient for you,” she whispered.
Amy giggled and Aliya floated her way over to everyone else. The magicloud looked at each of them with wide pleading eyes and whimpered to sample the tasty meal.
As Amy slipped her a bite, her parents looked behind her to the monitor and Dad turned up the volume.
“Okay…let’s see where they’re leaning.” He managed between bites.
“Mmf, I’d be surprised if she can persuade enough people anymore.” Mom wasn’t much better, swallowing and finally getting some nutrition after a busy day.
“Oh! There she is, the darling.” Grandma’s eyes lit up as a woman in her early 30s with long flowing green hair, elegant dark skin, and a green glowing halo spoke with a reporter.
Amy turned around to watch too, nibbling some pasta off her fork.
“…And we’re proud of the concessions we got from the discussion. Moving forward, the best option is to make it clear that the Lunar Empire and our allies won’t take lightly to building a monolithic government. We need to make a government that will stand the tests of time, greed, and power-lust.”
She couldn’t completely understand what Queen Zelinda was saying, but Amy knew all the adults loved her. The young woman spoke so eloquently and always sounded like she knew what she was doing. As Mom said, the Queen had to in order to be held to the same standard as some of her peers. But from what Amy knew of her, their royal leader was as wise and intelligent as she tried to sound.
Mom smiled. “Well, at least it sounds like she’s keeping the worlds from going too fast…”
“Not like she has a choice when he’s around,” murmured Dad.
Everyone was silent for a moment, save for the monitor and a few happy coos from Aliya.
“…We just need to follow Her Highness and we’ll be on the right path.” Grandma smiled and nudged her daughter. “Pass me the fallow beans, will you dear?”
Mom did as requested while Amy kept watching the screen. It looked like they were moving forward with some debate about a new star-wide administration.
She wondered what that could mean as she took another bite.
***
Far off on another planet, a Laserball game had just wrapped up. The winning team cheered, and their captain Jill lead the chant as she pumped her fist in the air to the stadium and cheerleaders applauding all around them.
Finally getting off the field after shaking the opposing team’s hands, she rushed over to her parents and younger brother. “Woah, close one,” she exclaimed as she wiped some well-earned sweat from her forehead.
“You kidding? You smashed those guys!” shouted her mom, her face paint in the colors of Jill’s team. “GOOO SOTRANS!” She bear-hugged her daughter as her dad came from behind and slapped her shoulder.
“Atta go, girl!” Like his wife, his cheeks and forehead were plastered with the Sotran logo. “Way to finish your high school career, now where are those talent scouts!?” He looked around enthusiastically, though partly in a joking manner, as they walked towards the changing room.
“Calm down guys, I’m not there ye-woah!” She tripped over herself, in a way that was not too gracious for a varsity Laserball player.
“You know…” her brother, Kalen, sneered playfully, “If you do want to be a professional, you should probably stop fumbling over your feet like that all the time.”
“Shut up, nerd.” She laughed and lightly punched his shoulder. “You try going out there next time!”
They all laughed with her for a moment, although it faded when the reality sunk in.
It was the end of an era.
***
Back at home, the victory party was raving. All the team members and the cheer squad had been invited to Jill’s house to celebrate their bare yet triumphant season win. While some teens were getting visibly tipsy, the parents made sure to keep everyone in line. Yet the trophy was held high, and the release of school was around the corner. It felt like nothing could stop their momentum.
The young orange-haired woman made her way through the crowd of cheers and congratulatory pats on the back, laughing with the others and doing a few in-team chants along the way. For the moment, though, she planned to head upstairs and check up on Kalen to see how he was doing.
Of course, she wasn’t the only one.
“Heeey Jill!” One of the cheerleaders, a bubbly girl with a rainbow headband and lengthy light brown hair, jumped beside her and rubbed shoulders. “Great job out there tonight, you were able to get us out of that mess in the end!”
“Thanks, I always make sure to clean those ‘messes’ up before the clock runs out.” Jill glanced at the jab from Salina with a smile and a squint. “Glad you could finally motivate us to do it!”
“Ahah…” Salina made a short laugh and delivered the look right back. “Well, I’m always trying to be as focused and composed as you are!” To accentuate the playful insult, she made a dainty pirouette on her toes to walk backwards in front of Jill.
Stolen novel; please report.
They stuck out their tongues at each other.
As Jill made her way up the stairs, Salina continued to follow. Twirling her hair a bit with a bounce in her step, she looked over to her old friend. “Sooo, you asked him yet?”
“Nope. And I still don’t see why you wanna be with him, anyways!” The athlete’s foxlike ears twitched at the idea. “I can’t imagine you two working out.”
“Oh, come on!” Her effeminate friend pouted. “We’ve got so much in common! He likes building stuff and…I like…building new dance moves!” Her face lit up as if she made a brilliant connection. “We can go on that show Dance Planet together, and he can whisk me off my feet with his cyber inventions lighting up the stadium…” Her mind drifted off to places Jill didn’t want to know about.
“Yeah, you really nailed him down. I can see him breaking out his floating gravi-dance moves any day now.” They finally made their way to his room. “Anyways, get your head back to Volda.”
They opened the door and went inside, finding him hunched over his workbench. The redhead was tinkering on a virtual reality headset.
“Hey, bro.” Jill tapped him on the back. “How’s it looking?”
“Oh, hey,” said Kalen without turning away from his project. “Pretty good. The setup’s almost complete!” He used his light-screwdriver to make a few more adjustments on the chipset.
Jill peered over his shoulder. “Looks like you’re missing a connection on the display circuit.” She pointed to one spot.
“Oh, thanks.” Kalen wrapped up the work, then he examined the finished product and turned around with it in his hands. “So! Which one of you wants to try it?”
A spark popped and lit up the air.
Before Salina could even start to reach out, Jill took it. “I’ll check it out! And in the meantime, you can tell Sally how to decrease her levels of Oxytocin.”
“Oh, sure…huh?” Her brother’s face scrunched in confusion.
She gave a conniving smile to her pouting friend and placed the headset on.
Once it activated, the ginger-haired girl was caught astounded by the highly detailed imagery around her. “Oh, wow…you got feed of the Grand Star Station being built?”
“Yup!” She heard his voice as if it was muffled and in the distance. “Have fun standing in space!”
She looked down, and it indeed looked like she was floating in the empty vacuum. The colossal space station in front of her was already unimaginably large, yet it was barely started. Glancing around the serene environment, she frowned. “Isn’t this like, classified or something?”
“Hey, not my fault they made their firewall weak enough.” Kalen snickered. “…So Sally, what was that about hormones?”
While hearing Salina groan, Jill looked over to one of the nearby planets, almost the size of a small round dot in the distance. She could guess by the orange color and bare general direction that it was probably Morphia, a planet that was just in front of Planet Volda in order from the star. She heard of the crazy stories there, of new species of fused and evolved animals being created every day in the vast colony domes. The innovations being made by her…
“Oh! Sis, dad’s calling!”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, sounds like a big announcement interrupted the sports game down there.”
Jill paused and looked to the far-off planet one more time. Pursing her lips, she took off the helmet.
She groomed her neck-length bob-cut as they made their way to the oversized monitor where everyone was huddled. Dad and mom looked pretty annoyed, though everyone else did too in fairness.
“Dang it, who cares about this civics crap…” Mom grumbled.
“I just can’t believe they’re going through with it…It’s insane,” Dad responded. “Oh…there you guys are.” He ushered Jill, Salina, and Kalen over.
Mom glanced at her kids and rolled her eyes. “Take a look kids…a bunch of power-hungry idiots forcing us all together.”
Jill made a slight smile and chuckle, but she looked over to the monitor. So, they were going through with it…
All the countries and planets coming together under one flag, one united system. It was hard to wrap one’s head around how huge this could become, and what exactly the new rules would be. The young woman looked at the screen and pondered. She didn’t disagree with why the vast majority wanted to try something new. In the end, she guessed it all depended on what the system would be. Still, she held her wait-and-see approach to herself.
She wasn’t the only one watching. People from all over the worlds of the star system sat glued to their screens. Alex in his home, Amy in hers, Jill with her family, and a young, jubilant man watching on the celebratory streets of another far-off planet…
Everyone focused on the live footage of the Grand Star Assembly as the reporters and Delegates alike went hushed.
Another spark lit up.
***
“Our esteemed Delegates, members of the press, and devoted citizens across the star system…Please welcome the honorable President of the Delegates: Luc Joln.” The two leaders of the Upper and Lower chambers bowed their heads and made way for the President.
In the center podium of the U-shaped Assembly Hall, a suited man in his late 30s finally came out to make his speech. The darkhaired, bespectacled official was the head of the factions that supported this bold process, championing it since he took on the role of guiding this Assembly. The hall was mostly filled with applause as he entered, save for notable but expected holdouts, and he raised his hand to signal the members to quiet down.
As the ovation subsided, he smiled and gripped the sides of the podium with both hands.
The speech began.
“Ladies, gentlemen, citizens under the Sun…How do you keep a Golden Age?” He looked to them with all the gravity that the subject deserved. “That is the question we have had on our minds ever since the war ended 10 years ago, since prosperity began. We’ve found ourselves in a place that we don’t want to take for granted…a time that we don’t want to surrender lightly.”
Everyone watching agreed with at least this much. Even the children knew of the extraordinary transformation.
Linda smiled somewhat proudly.
“Economically, we are doing better than ever before.” Standing applause sounded from the more receptive side at this. “Near 2 percent unemployment! But of course, we always seek to do better for those who still need it, right? We have also had continuous peace over this era, thanks in no small part to the innovations of robosecurity from the esteemed and devoted scientists at Autosafe Corporation.”
A small group in the VIP section smiled as the applause was directed towards them.
Jill’s mom sniffed in annoyance.
“Most importantly, however, this is a special day for more than one reason.” Luc Joln looked at the delegates, the reporters, the cameras… “It’s the 10th anniversary of deathless life.”
Everyone cheered at this, whether or not they opposed starwide government. Everyone in the hall stood with pride, all the people at home murmured their excitement. Had it already been 10 whole years without a single person passing, whether by disease or famine, violence or age? It still left so many people stunned.
And it wasn’t completely known how it happened, either.
“I am most proud of that accomplishment, to be honest.” Luc was visibly emotional. “The worlds have deserved this, ever since the spark of life shook nature itself many billions of years ago. One day, we must unlock the reason as to why…but until then, we must simply keep it. With all our might, we must keep it!” He pounded the podium enthusiastically. “That is exactly why we are doing this. To keep our worlds, our nations, the humanoid civilization itself at peace. This Grand Assembly, as great as it is, can only do so much to maintain the good faith among us, stretched out as we are. And we will only stretch farther…soon, we may have the technology to expand beyond our sun Amon, to the worlds and stars outward.”
Alex’s eyes lit up and he sat up straight. He dreamed of those places, a space beyond the conquered worlds… into the unexplored reaches. He dreamed of the possibility of alien life among them.
“We don’t know what we will find when that day comes. However, we do know that we need to keep ourselves from dividing and dissolving into separate factions. We need to stay together, as one!”
The young man on the street smiled widely and nodded as everyone around him shouted their approval at the monitor.
Luc’s cadence rose. “We have made a decisive vote in favor of that dream today. Ever since I was elected to lead this body two years ago, I pledged that this would be my number one priority. And today…109 of 160 Upper Chamber Delegates and 1353 of 1600 Lower Chamber Delegates have approved the measure to draft a Star Nation Constitution!”
All the supporting members once again stood up and cheered enthusiastically. Many patted each other on the shoulders, and even those who had held out until the last minute embraced the groundbreaking moment.
The opposition remained silent.
“To be clear, this is not a final vote on the matter. We will still have a vote to ratify the final language of the new Constitution.” He looked to the opposition. “And I swear we will work with all our might to create a system that allays all concerns. It was thanks in large part to Queen Zelinda that we could set a fair and reasonable timetable.”
Suddenly the opposition cheered at the mention of their de facto leader, though one sneered.
Amy made a brief smile as she munched on her food. The Queen could always get a healthy compromise.
“She is right that we need to prevent any loophole from appearing, any chance for the system to be warped into something that goes against our goal. The purpose of this is to protect everyone, to keep us connected as we spread our wings across the stars, to ensure our survival and wellbeing…” He paused at that moment, as if in thought. He glanced to the leaders for a second before looking back at the cameras. “Our survival is so important.”
Jill wondered what was on his mind. He was suddenly more subdued.
Luc nodded to what he had said. “It’s the most important thing. And as your leader, I promise that this deliberative body will ensure that we create a system worthy of encapsulating everyone, a system that achieves that goal.” He smiled and adjusted his glasses, more enthusiastic again. “The new day is dawning, one where we find out if we can keep this extraordinary life we have built in such a short time. One that can sustain this prosperous momentum. One where we keep our Golden Age!”
The Assembly cheered once more, and he became even more jubilant. “I know we can do it! I know we will make the children of tomorrow proud and honor those who sacrificed so much to bring us here! That is what it means, to build a timeless legacy! So let’s get to work, because we are nowhere near done!” With an almost rebellious wave of his fist, he chanted the Assembly’s motto. “May Amon shine eternal!”
“And may we all shine on!” The assembly and many viewers chanted back.
All the viewers at home watched with their various thoughts. They were witnessing history take its turn. The question, however, was if it would stay on this course.
Time had a habit of throwing curveballs.
Luc stood in the applause for a few moments, waving and smiling to everyone that he could, before getting down from the podium flanked by the two chamber leaders. One was an ecstatic, similarly bespectacled man, although slightly hunched and clearly in his later 60s with his grayed hair. The other was a beaming woman in her late 70s, with short-cut brown hair. He descended triumphantly into the mix of Delegates who were eager to shake his hand and congratulate him. Even those in the opposition party wanted to speak with the young President, and he gladly met and conversed shortly with them as he made his way toward the exit. One hand was shaken after the next…
Until he reached out and paused at one.
“Congratulations on your win, Mr. President…” It belonged to a tall, almost snakelike man with a halo of fire over his head. He smiled with all the authenticity of a used hovercraft salesman, a grin that was less trustworthy than being told you could jump into a deep lava pit and survive. “You know I have to say, it was especially clever how you got those last few votes with a little trade concession! Funny how you manage to always buy your way to victory.”
The cameras tuned into them to capture the moment.
Another snap of light in the hall.
“Oh, I only followed in your footsteps, Rodal.” Luc finally shook his rival’s hand with a tight grip. “You seemed to be offering a similar deal, we just had the chance to make a better one!” He smiled wryly.
As quickly as Luc’s lips curved up, Rodal’s bent the other way into a frown. “Well, I’m certainly delighted—” The slick man tugged his hand away from the President’s. “—that you think so highly of my cunning. I’ll have to be a few more steps ahead next time!” He eyed over the leader and his flanking supporters. “It’s always a pleasure to…discuss these important matters with you, sir. We’ll have to catch a bite together in the afternoon so you recognize your opposition’s actual leader in the future.”
Luc’s face lit up. “I didn’t know you ate in daylight! I’m sure we’ll have a swell time.” He patted Rodal’s back enthusiastically, almost causing him to lose his footing.
“Wohoah, be careful with your strength pal!” The snakelike man and his small band of sympathetic leaners smiled and began to walk away. Yet he grimaced and mumbled to himself. “You don’t want to push me too far…”
***
He trudged to his hovership, a massive vessel docked at one of the ports to the capital. Soon the ship would traverse its way back to the home country, but he was pondering on other things.
Rodal turned to one of his assistants. “How are things going?”
“Very well sir…the informants are ecstatic about the amount of recruitments.”
“Glad to hear.” He made his way into a luxuriously decorated main room with a fireplace at one end. On the other, a window overlooked the vast expanses above and below.
The conniving man stood in front of the heat of the flames and pondered. The voice had told him years ago to prepare for an opportunity that could arrive any day now. If they got the support that they needed, perhaps they would be ready for the first major opening...
Many followers sympathetic to the cause already trudged the streets and walkways of the planets, cloaked and prepared to act on a moment’s notice. Their companions would walk beside them, heeding their masters and devoted to fulfilling their parts.
“I heard we have a possible location,” said Rodal as he peered into the strong glow of the fire.
“It’s not certain-”
“Of course it isn’t.”
“…But yes, it’s possible we know where it will start,” finished the assistant hesitantly.
“Hmm…” The pale man paced as he thought. “If we can get a stalemate, that’s all that matters.”
***
Far away, the streets of a planet covered in terraformed patches of cities filled jubilantly with ecstatic supporters of the government unity movement. They chanted the interplanetary anthem, drank, danced, did everything they could to fulfill their urge to celebrate.
Among them, the young man tried not to get mobbed as he listened on his holo-phone.
“I can’t believe it Julian, it’s finally happening!” His uncle was welled with emotions. More than most, Julian’s guardian was delighted to hear that the nations might come together like this. “Goodness, it’s felt like forever since they began talking about it happening…”
“I know Uncle Galo, you should be out here celebrating too!” the spike-haired young man laughed as someone handed him a multicolored sparkler. “Get out quick before all the juice is gone!”
“Ah, that’s fine…I need to finish my shift, anyways. You have a great time for me, and tell me all about it when I meet you at home!” The older man scratched his goatee. “By the way, how’d the tournament go?”
“Oh, great!” Julian sifted his way through the crowd to a slightly more open spot, his blue jacket almost getting pulled off from the friction with other people. “Velin and Stala did a great job as always.” He winked as his famiwolf and morsnake followed closely behind. “Finally got their fusion to evolve to the next level long enough. The other guy didn’t see it coming!”
“Ah, that’s my kid! And here’s a surprise for you: Save those winnings, because I’ve got some splendid news too!” Galo leaned in closely and glanced about. “I finally got selected for one of the company’s famous employee get-togethers!” He grinned like he was 25 years younger.
“That’s awesome! Oh-excuse me…” The nephew got out of the way of some partygoers, including one man covering himself with a hood. “Congratulations, I know you’ve been wanting to join another of those for a while.”
Galo laughed. “Well, you’re coming with me! That way, I might not go overboard this time.”
“Heheh, if you really need a chaperone, I’m happy to help.”
“Oh, it’ll be more fun than that! These things are legendary, you get to meet people from all over and have a swell time. I guarantee that the scenery will be gorgeous. There’s dancing, drinks, probably someone cute too!” Uncle Galo winked.
Julian rolled his eyes. “I’m sure…Well, I hope you’re still able to have some fun there tonight. It’s awesome they’re on the way to pulling us all together!”
“That it is kid, that it is…” The older man looked off to the distance and sighed. “Luc’s right, we need to make a better place for you young folk. I’m just glad we finally have the right people in office to do it!”
“Yeesh, I’ve really gotta move out…” Julian smiled slyly as his dark skin shined from the sparkler. “Maybe you’ll stop thinking I’m a kid.”
Galo boomed with laughter. “Move out and I’ll consider you ancient like me, you brat! Now, go have a good time!”
“Alright, see ya!” Julian smiled back and prepared to hang up. “Love you!”
He looked up towards the sky, standing nearby one of the towering robots. It was as massive as the super skyscrapers around him…The pathway he was on was nearly 15,000 feet in the air, and while putting the collapsed holo-phone in his pocket he couldn’t help but be impressed at how far this planet had come.
When he was 12, just before the war ended, the place was pretty weak in terms of technology and wasn’t the best place to live in. It was basically written off, considered a place that wasn’t worth saving. People liked to look down from safer perches and just assume that those who struggled should just help themselves…ignoring that maybe there were things keeping them from doing even that. But when the Grand Assembly was formed, negotiations and resources among nations helped transform the city of Beliviv into a bustling go-to megalopolis. The other megacities on the planet were similarly revolutionized through heavier stimulus and reformation. It was the big reason Uncle Galo loved the idea of every place joining together under one flag. It represented the belief that every place could be turned around.
As long as the flag stood for a strong system, Julian thought, that was okay.
A few robots zoomed past him carrying confections, and two guys chased after. He smiled and watched the spectacle, but then he noticed a young girl walking the streets by herself, skipping along. She had rainbow-colored hair in pigtails, and seemed to be alone for a moment. Maybe she was lost?He But then a tall man came beside her and she grabbed his hand, the two of them walking off together.
Julian frowned, but he shrugged to himself and kept gazing out in thought until the two guys who had grabbed concessions walked past him again, this time with drinks in hand. The liquid floated around outside of the glasses as they directed it into each other’s mouths.
He listened as they talked about multiple things, ranging from their opinions on the big news tonight to previous stories about big tournament battles and laughable strategies. At one point eyes glanced towards their hands as they held each other tight.
He smiled to himself. That might be nice...