The Carvingstone mountain overlooking Maya’s Sorrow was an iron haven. The state-owned mining enterprise Watujaya Co. had controlled the deposit for two decades now. They had giant thumpers to extract stones and ores from the crust. They pound the ground once every minute. The villagers often woke up to them every morning. The thunderous commotion those thumpers stirred accompanied them in their daily task.
Caitlyn’s mansion sat on a hill in the outskirts of Maya’s Sorrow. One could view the mesmerizing view of the village from its gate. Three-stories apartment blocks sat side by side in the village’s center. That’s where most of the villagers lived. They are rectangular in design, with glossy white metallic texture as its exterior walls. They had curved corners and a bulging roof that made them look like slit pastries. The wealthier part of the community lived at their block-shaped two-stories houses arranged in a step at the foot of Carvingstone. The block houses are paneled on two opposing sides, which is then layered with polished woods and glass panes. The site where those houses are situated are always pleasing to look at.
It took fifteen minutes’ walk to the village’s square. The sky was bright. She let a breeze flutter her ponytail and the skirt of her uniform, a breeze that most of the time took her thought with them to a heavenly ballet above and beyond.
There was a monument on the road leading to the square. It always caught her attention. She made sure to spare a moment to admire its grandeur. An absurdly big tractor with a long muzzle sitting on a sloped granite pedestal. Gvozdika told her that it’s a tank, a vehicle made for war. An invincible tracked machinery to project ground dominance. It was the other thing beside Gvozdika’s storytelling that make her eyes glow.
Caitlyn fantasized a version of herself driving the steel beasts, charging it straight into enemy forces as they tremble in fear. She would then gun them down with that large muzzle as they run away. Or even better, she would provide the tank with some orders. It’ll then do what she said while she sat leisurely watching the chaos unfold. That version of her was probably having the time of her life. Maybe she would literally crush her family’s debt too.
An officer halted her as she reached an intersection. He mentioned a convoy incoming. Caitlyn had no idea what was he talking about. Until she felt a shudder on her feet. She turned her attention to the other side where a growing rumbling is heard. Her view was obstructed by the houses and the tree line to her left. The convoy eventually came to view.
A column of six-wheeler trucks, each was larger than any trucks she had seen around. Their back-ends are opened. Caitlyn saw soldiers sitting inside with a bunch of crates. She counted twelve of them. Two-third of those trucks are vacant.
“What’s happening?” Caitlyn shouted at the officer as her voice drowned at the trucks’ rumbling engine.
“We’re going to war, ma’am. Again.” He replied.
“War? Against who?”
“The Terran Vindicator. Those pesky imperials are at it again.”
“At what?”
“Taking our lands. That’s what they do.”
Then came an eight-wheeler. It seemed more compact than the trucks. Its top was relatively flat; sloping at the front, meeting the bottom section of the hull which is also sloped there. It had the muzzle like a tank, only smaller. Behind that eight-wheeler were two tanks. Caitlyn recognized them immediately thanks to their distinctive design. Their shape was slightly different than the one she saw at the monument. The turret was polygonal rather than circular, and it covered lesser part of the tank’s hull. Must be a newer design.
She watched them heading to the village’s square. The sun had just risen. Gvozdika ordered her to get the necessary groceries for lunch. She already had a grocery bag on her hand. But seeing a functioning tank was irresistible. An old tank sitting on a glorified altar could only do so much. She wanted to see the ones currently in active duty. Hence, she rushed to follow the convoy.
The street was bustling with people. It had never been that crowded before. The loitering people of Maya’s Sorrow made it feel tighter than it used to. The convoy did excellent in drawing them out of their houses. Caitlyn nudged her way through the villagers who looked at each other fretfully. These people had lived side by side for years. They were anticipating to lose someone they knew, be it in their own household or others. None seemed to be concerned about her.
Caitlyn was in the square a few minutes later. Despite the apparent worry clouding the villagers, it didn’t stop them from attending the convoy. Murmurs perpetrated among the crowd. They watched as the Proxies erected a tent. The majority were handing out papers to the people. Caitlyn stumbled upon a soldier who gave her one. She was about to read the paper when one of the tanks sent there drove past. She watched it disappear in the distance, wondering what had happened. She turned her attention back to the paper.
It was a recruitment file. The Proxies were looking for volunteers. It was written there that the empire of Terran Vindicator is threatening the state’s security by imposing their dogmatic belief upon civilians within their sphere of influence. The Primus was calling his citizens to defend the motherland, again. The next page featured a poster of a horde of tanks and infantry facing the left side. Above them was a man with a visor that covered his face and a cap featuring the state’s insignia that protruded upward. There are three words written there.
“Scientia…Aeterna…Victrix.” Caitlyn spelled them one by one. It was a language that she is not native of. She hoped to find that out soon.
She turned her attention to the square and find the other tank sitting on a corner. It was alone there. None of the soldiers seemed to watch over it. She was expecting them to erect some sort of barriers to prevent people from getting too close. There was none.
Caitlyn approached the tank up until arm distance. She slowly reached for its hull.
“Boo!”
Caitlyn gasped and stepped away.
“Haha, got you.”
Caitlyn looked at him in astonishment. “You can talk?”
“I’m basically you, in a tank form.” The tank spoke in a deep attractive male voice. “Though minus the pain receptor. Imagine how it feels getting stabbed by a dart the size of your arm, or two, coming at you four times faster than the speed of sound. Yikes…must be painful. Can’t have a tank screaming for help in the field, can they?”
“Why would they make you then?”
“I shoot better, that’s all about it. I think.” He answered. “Oh…that maid uniform fit you well girl. Looking to enlist in the Maids Section?”
Caitlyn shyly chuckled. “I’m just looking around. I walked by a tank monument over there almost every day and they looked amazing.”
“So, you’re interested in riding us huh?”
Caitlyn shrugged. “I guess.”
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Caitlyn.”
“Nice to meet you, Caitlyn. I’m Zolotovich, 36th Tank Division. Do you want to test drive me?”
“B-but I can’t drive.” She said.
“I can.”
“Really?” Caitlyn asked excitedly.
“Yea but you can’t get on me.” Zolotovich responded. “Prohibited, precisely.”
“Aw…” Caitlyn loosened herself.
“You technically could. Just fill that paper on your hand, make sure you tell them you want to operate a tank, and submit it to us. We’ll get you going in no time.”
Caitlyn checked the paper again.
“By the way, we’re leaving in six days. So, make up your mind quickly if you really want it.”
Caitlyn looked at the tank again. She remembered how his friend suddenly went back the direction he came from.
“What happened to your friend, by the way?”
“He forgot his block code to hop on the express.” Zolotovich said. “Heck, he’d forgot his gun if it wasn’t glued on.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
“And are you looking for souvenirs to bring back home? Sorry for that. You’re also not allowed to get a bullet out of here even if you paid more than its cost.”
Caitlyn didn’t understand what was he talking about. Until she realized that she was carrying a grocery bag.
“Oh…I was supposed to do grocery when I saw the convoy.” Caitlyn rubbed her temple. “I probably should go there now.”
“Right,” Zolotovich raised his gun. “Take care.”
Caitlyn walked back the way she came. The tank that had went past her finally returned. She watched it enter the square as she walked away.
She headed for nearby grocery store that is open twenty-four hours. She picked up everything in the shopping list. She started heading home once she paid them. The sun was a fifth to its zenith when she reached the intersection leading to her mansion. Two men in black suit stood on the other end of the crossing. One of them noticed her presence. She was trying not to bother him as she crossed the road. But that man approached her when she reached the other side.
“Good morning, ma’am.” He said.
Caitlyn inched away from him. She glanced past him and saw the other man blocking her path.
“G-good morning, sir.”
“We’d like to have a minute of your time please.”
“Make it quick. I should be home by now.” Caitlyn said indifferently.
“We’re from Prime Respite, a company working for the wealth of state’s citizens. We’ve helped countless poor people across the nation to earn their financial stability. And here we noted that your family had been struggling to return the benefactors’ loan.”
Caitlyn raised an eyebrow. “How do you know that we’re struggling with debt?”
The man smashed his palms. “It doesn’t matter, ma’am. What does is that we offer to cover the loan for you so that you may direct your hard-earned wealth somewhere else. Your benefactors have agreed to allow us do the deed for you. All we need now is just your approval.”
The man projected a screen with his utilizer.
“Just sign right here, ma’am.” He said, pointing at the holographic screen.
“Are you…actually doing this for us?” Caitlyn tilted her head.
It sounded too good to be true. But the debt had placed the burden on her family for years. In particular, she wanted to ease Gvozdika’s pain. The woman had done so much. She treated her like a real mother to her children. She caressed her when everyone else scolded or acted bitter to her. It was the love she needed and she felt like she has to thank her.
The man smiled. “Citizens across the state appreciated us for it. There is no reason for you not to.”
The opportunity was there, right before her. She finally got to set her family free from the crippling debts.
So be it.
“I don’t have a signature.”
“Just write your name then.”
Caitlyn did what the man said. The man quickly withdrew the screen as soon as she was done.
“You’ve made the right choice, ma’am. Thank you.”
The two men walked away from her. She watched as they disappear in the distance. She squinted as she noticed something odd. A smirk on their faces. But maybe she was just overthinking it. The debt was done and that’s all that matters.
She was close when she suddenly saw Gvozdika walked out of the mansion’s gate and looked around. Caitlyn immediately rushed when she noticed her.
“It’s been an hour and a half, Sister Caitlyn.” Gvozdika placed her hands on her waist.
“I…uh…” Caitlyn rubbed her head. “There was a military convoy at the village’s square.”
Gvozdika looked at that direction. “You don’t intend of joining, do you?”
“Me?” Caitlyn put her hand on her chest, smiling hesitantly. “No way. I couldn’t even sweep the lawn in time, let alone putting bullets into a mag as fast as possible.”
Gvozdika took a deep breath. “Alright. Hand me the grocery.” She said, reaching for the grocery bag.
Caitlyn held the grocery behind her, putting it away from her sister’s hands. “Uh…let me be the one to put it on the table.” She smiled to her sister.
Caitlyn had placed the recruitment paper inside there. It would be best that Gvozdika doesn’t see it.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Gvozdika crossed her arms. “Very well.” She said. “You’ll sweep the lawn again this morning, yes?”
“Y-yes, Sister Gvozdika.” Caitlyn straightened her posture.
“Actually do it this time.” Gvozdika smiled. “You’re not the only one who is tired of Sister Gloria’s screaming.”
Caitlyn vigorously nodded. She placed the grocery bag on the kitchen’s table and picked up the recruitment paper. She folded it so much that she could slip it in her uniform’s pocket. She grabbed the broomstick and headed out into the lawn with a renewed zeal. It felt like she just breaks free of her bindings. She was able to smile for the majority of the day.
It was her usual day. It was a bit unusual for everyone given her bright mood. They all remarked on it.
Until night fell, and everyone is asleep. Everyone but the five sisters.
“Caitlyn!” A thundering yell that called her name.
Caitlyn was wiping the kitchen sink. She turned around and found Gloria striding toward her at an unusual pace and might in each step. Caitlyn greeted her. But the girl didn’t show any sign of stopping anytime soon. Caitlyn’s core raced as she noticed the looks on her face. It’s a frown that she had never seen before. Her left palm was also clenched. On her right hand is a letter and an envelope.
She shoved the letter within an inch of Caitlyn’s face.
“What’s this?” She calmly asked.
Caitlyn read the content. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped at what it said. The approval to yield the properties of her father—the mansion and the orchard—to Prime Respite signed by her. Caitlyn trembled and stepped back. Gloria had her cornered. It’s not an angry young woman in maid uniform that Caitlyn saw, but a tank that had its gun trained at her with murderous intent.
“S-sister…” Caitlyn stuttered. “Please…I can explain.”
Gloria reached for Caitlyn’s collar and yanked her close.
“I…had…enough.” She said.
Gloria hurled her behind. Caitlyn grunted as her right shoulder slammed the floor. She raised her shaking left arm.
“Sister Gloria, please…” She begged. “I didn’t know about it.”
“Oh right, you didn’t know.” Gloria rolled her eyes. “What a coincidence. Because it’s time to teach you a lesson!”
Gloria followed it up with a stomp on Caitlyn’s gut.
Caitlyn shrieked. It was a powerful stomp. Caitlyn felt like vomiting her insides. She pressed against her stomach to resist the pain.
“Isn’t it convenient that they gave you pain receptors?” Gloria kicked her again, this time on her chest.
Galicia and Gostinitsa emerged out of the corner. They cheered for Gloria as she kicked Caitlyn for the third time. Caitlyn only writhed in agony on the floor.
“P-please…I’m sorry…” Caitlyn pleaded again, her voice became weak.
“Sorry doesn’t help us in any way!” Gloria shouted at the last word and kicked Caitlyn’s face.
The pain started to grow unbearable. With her scrambled vision, Caitlyn dared to look up. Gloria caught a dough roll mid-air. Caitlyn gave up. She mustered her remaining strength to cover her head. Not to minimize the pain, but to conceal the sight of what Gloria was about to do next.
“I don’t remember agreeing for you to be here…” She said with heavy breath. She slammed the dough-roll to Caitlyn’s head. The crash is heard across the house. “I was right!” Gloria hit Caitlyn again. “You only made our life harder!” She followed it up with another strike.
Caitlyn shed a tear.
“And now you doomed us all!” Gloria struck her again harder.
Caitlyn started to feel numb. “Please…please…please…” She mumbled in an unheard tone as she sobbed.
“You’d better die!” Gloria screamed at her.
Better die…
Die…
…Die…
…Die…
Gloria kept on pummeling her.
“Repent. Repent.” Galicia said to Caitlyn.
“Why didn’t you give her the cleaver instead?” Caitlyn heard Gostinitsa whispered to Galicia.
“Good question.” Galicia replied.
As Gloria raised the roll one more time, her hand was stopped.
“That’s enough.”
Caitlyn peeked. Gvozdika gripped her wrist from behind. Gloria yanked it repeatedly, trying to break free.
“Let…go!” She exclaimed.
Gvozdika released her grip. Gloria picked the letter and shoved it to her face.
“See this, sister? See what she had done!? She sold us out!”
Gvozdika grabbed the letter and skimmed it.
Caitlyn was shaking as she watched Gloria glare down on her again.
“I say we put this junk proper. Uncle Vtoroy could surely use her parts.”
Caitlyn shut her eyes as Gloria raised the roll again. A loud thud, but Caitlyn didn’t feel anything. She looked again and found Gloria bracing her stomach. The roll is now in Gvozdika’s hand. Gloria raised her face to meet her sister’s. A sinister glare, as if demons from all corners of hell converged on her. Caitlyn was also terrified. That woman was ready to kill given a single misplaced touch.
“My sisters will hurt each other no more.” She asserted.
Gloria sniffled. She sobbed as she ran away from Gvozdika. Galicia and Gostinitsa withdrew with their heads down, pretending they didn’t see anything.
Caitlyn pressed her stomach and her left arm. The damage would hospitalize a human. Her body steadily eased the pain. Her system detected no fracture, nor any fiber cut by the impact. It was going to leave a mark on her organic tissue. But she should be physically fine in a moment. Physically.
Gvozdika kneeled beside and stroked her. “Sister Caitlyn, it’s okay.”
Caitlyn then struggled to push herself up. Her arms still felt flaccid. She did it nonetheless. Tears fell from her cheek. Her chest was tighter than ever. She wanted to say her sister’s name to make her feel better. But she couldn’t. Her core squealed, but nothing came out of her mouth.
“Hush…” Gvozdika inched closer and wiped her tears. “It’s okay, don’t worry. We can handle it.” She gently said.
Gvozdika’s gesture started to feel like a charade. There was no way everything is okay after she allowed Prime Respite to seize her family’s properties. As Gvozdika was about to lift her up and pull her closer, Caitlyn shoved herself away. She quickly rose on her feet, trudged into her room, and locked the door. She cowered inside the enclosure of her blanket where she let her tears run free.
Why did it turn out to be like this? She only wanted to improve her family’s condition. Was she not allowed to do that?
Caitlyn remained in her room for the next five days. Not even daylight was able to see her. There were knockings on the door. Often, it was Gvozdika. Sometimes it was Ilya. Caitlyn heard them calling for her from the other side. But she didn’t respond. Too many things were going on in her head. She couldn’t face anyone after the debacle. Gloria’s assault might be painful. But it was justified, sort of. She deserved a punishment for what she had done.
Caitlyn heard another knocking on the door.
“Sister Caitlyn, please open up.” Gvozdika asked in her ever-gentle voice. “Please…”
Caitlyn pulled her blanket closer. If the pain was enough to lock her up for five days, imagine how it felt to Gvozdika who had to take care of everything. Yet she kept going.
“Sister Caitlyn…” Gvozdika knocked again. “It’s just between us.”
Caitlyn lost count at how many times she had pledged at this point. If Gvozdika couldn’t enter the room today, she would return the next day and repeat. Caitlyn hesitantly rose from her bed. She walked to the door and opened the locks. Caitlyn only opened it slightly, enough for her to see a tiny portion of her sister.
“Promise?” She asked.
Gvozdika sighed. “Promise.”
Caitlyn stepped back from the door. Gvozdika pushed it enough for her to slip inside. Her sister then locked the door again. Caitlyn locked her hands in front of her as she woefully met Gvozdika’s gaze. Gvozdika put her hands on her shoulder, a warming touch that was somehow invigorating and disheartening at the same time.
“Come.”
Both walked to the bed and sat there. Gvozdika reached for the curtain.
“Please don’t.” Caitlyn stopped her.
Gvozdika did what she said. She instead lighted a candle which she then put on the desk.
“Sister Caitlyn, I appreciate that you want to mend our situa-”
“Stop it, sister!” Caitlyn glanced away. “You are as angry as Sister Gloria, aren’t you?” Caitlyn stuttered with her words as she sobbed. “Y-you…you also wanted to hold me accountable.”
Gvozdika grabbed her face and gently turned it to her. She placed a hand on her right cheek as if she wanted Caitlyn to look her in the eyes when she was talking to her. Caitlyn obliged as Gvozdika stared her in silence. There was something calming about seeing her own reflection in Gvozdika’s eyes.
“No, Sister Caitlyn. I’m here to apologize.” She said.
Caitlyn gasped.
“I should have told you this. Prime Respite is a foundation that mainly helps children in need, orphanage with extra steps. They knew about every orphanage across the state. And they have been absorbing them since they have the power to do it. So obviously, they saw an opportunity when we’re hit by debt.”
“So…this place is theirs now?” Caitlyn asked.
“Sort of…” Gvozdika said.
Caitlyn tilted her head.
“I took this matter to court. They manipulated you to sign the deal. It is against the regulation. Their decision was to banish Prime Respite and any of their associates from Maya’s Sorrow for fifteen years. But we have to pay a sum to them within that time span. I don’t need to tell you what will happen if we don’t.”
“But…why?”
“The court deemed it the fair outcome.”
“How is it fair?”
Gvozdika shook her head. “I don’t know, Sister Caitlyn.” She let go of her cheek and glanced downward. “I don’t know.”
Gvozdika’s face was impassive. But Caitlyn smelled sadness riding on the back of despair. Her sister told her once that father wanted to help the children in need. He went through blood-stained trenches, storms of steel, and an ocean of flame to earn this mansion and the orchard. Gvozdika inherited his properties. She had promised him when he was in his deathbed not to hand it to anyone else. Her father’s dream was burning before her eyes now. And Caitlyn just added fuel to the fire. She must be screaming inside.
But she always looked calm, and it hurt Caitlyn even more.
Gvozdika took a deep breath. “No. Let’s not give up now.” She said. “We didn’t give up then. Why would we give up now?” She smiled at Caitlyn. “It’s just another debt. I believe we’ll make it.”
Caitlyn felt invigorated. “I will start working tomorrow.”
“You don’t have to. If you still need time you can-”
Caitlyn gripped her hand with the same manner as she did days before. “I insist.”
Gvozdika sighed. She reached and stroked the back of her head. “Very well. But take it easy, okay? You’re not alone here.”
“Yes, Sister Gvozdika.”
Gvozdika stood up. “Anything else, Sister Caitlyn?”
Caitlyn looked away for a moment before opening her arms. Gvozdika smiled at the sight. She helped Caitlyn rise up. Caitlyn immediately wrapped her arms around her waist. Gvozdika hugged her in return, patting her back.
“I love you too, Sister Gvozdika.”
Gvozdika kissed her forhead.
“Thank you. Thank you very much.” Caitlyn tightened her arms around her sister.
“We love you, Sister Caitlyn. Don’t ever act like we don’t.”
The embrace was such a solace for Caitlyn. She didn’t feel like letting go. She embraced her like it’s going to be her last. Because she knew that it probably will be.
Gvozdika eventually returned to her work. It was then Caitlyn reopened the recruitment paper. She looked at the poster attached.
“Scientia…Aeterna…Victrix.” She spelled the jargon again.
She flipped the papers up until the section that stated the benefits. She noted a handful of points: guaranteed basic needs, above-average salary, and unspecified post-service benefits. A tempting offer. Surely an above-average salary would allow her to fill Prime Respite’s hands faster. Moreover, she was keen to operate one of those tanks.
Caitlyn didn’t know anything about war. She only knew that people die there, both humans and Androids. She didn’t feel the horror as much as when she heard Gvozdika told her for the first time. Because she saw no other option. It was her only way to make up for what she did.
Caitlyn took a deep breath. She promised Gvozdika to start working tomorrow. But she didn’t specify what work she was about to do. The convoy would depart tomorrow.
“Fine…”
Caitlyn picked a pen in her room and fill the recruitment paper. She also wrote a letter on a sheet of paper. Caitlyn grabbed a backpack and filled it with two set of clothing beside the uniform she was wearing. Once everyone was asleep, right at one hour before midnight, she snuck out to the grocery store to purchase several ingredients.
She unloaded the grocery back home and pulled out a couple cooking wares. She turned those ingredients into a cake with chocolate icing and white frosting along its top and bottom circumference. She returned to her room and packed her bag as well as her letter.
She left the door to her room unlocked. She headed down to the dining table and put the letter beside the cake. She then tucked a candle in the center. A single candle that represented her age. She then covered the cake with a transparent dome-shaped food cover.
Caitlyn gently intruded the living room. Gvozdika was already asleep. She was fortunate that it was one of those rare nights where she sleeps early. Caitlyn tip-toed closer. She watched her body slowly pulsating. Caitlyn thought that it was not an ideal place to sleep. But the woman seemed serene. Caitlyn was glad that it was the case, given all the troubles she was dealing with. Perhaps she was too exhausted to bother. Caitlyn kneeled and kissed her sister’s forehead.
“Goodbye, Sister Gvozdika.” Caitlyn whispered. “Sweet dreams.”
Gvozdika’s face flinched. Caitlyn immediately stepped back and close her mouth.
“Sister Caitlyn…” She groaned as she flipped herself around. “Can’t bedtime story tonight…”
Caitlyn smiled.
“Here I go.”
Caitlyn left the mansion and rushed into the village’s square. The tanks weren’t there anymore. The sun was going to be up soon. There she boarded a truck along with several people that just made it. The Proxies approved her recruitment paper and gave her a pass. As dawn broke, the convoy departed Maya’s Sorrow. Her seat was right next to the open end of the truck’s container. She watched in awe as her hometown grew smaller, eventually disappearing in the distance. All the while she recalled what she had written in her letter.
Dear my mother and sisters…
I didn’t do this because of contempt. I did this because I love you all. I’m sorry for making the past year harder for all of you. I never wished for it to be. I’m in safe hands now. You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be fine. The Proxies will take care of me, like they did with father. I promise to be a different Caitlyn when I return. I will make you proud. I will stand on my own feet and carry years’ worth of weight which have been sitting on your shoulders. But before that, I first have to do my duty.
Scientia…Aeterna…Victrix.
Sincerely, Grauwelle Caitlyn.
P.S. Please tell Ilya that I’m still holding that promise.