As I arrive I see the bustling area, countless people gathered around the central building, I plead to the beyond, please, please don’t be here for me. I land, angling my wings to get as much lift as possible against the soft wind, the windbreakers of the city stopping the violent winds outside the city walls that batter against us daily. My clawed feet touched the warmth of the metal with a slight clang. Some turn to look at me, most don't recognize me, seeing me as just another face, others with disdain or curiosity.
At the front of the chamber lies the daily list of propositions being addressed. Thankfully my name isn't on the list. But at the top, an unsettling statement lies clear for all to see. I read it quietly to myself, shocked at what it could mean. “We may be the last of the Icarus Cities - Discussion of facts at Sun Bell” What facts? The Watchers should have full contact with the other cities… every 10 years we would connect for celebrations with a different City, sharing our people, sharing resources, and information… how could we be the last ones left? In another year we should be connecting. In just nine years Icarus 4 was lost to us?
The muffled sobbing of the people was starting around us, some parents and children had just moved to Icarus Four in the last pairing. Did they all die with it? Did they ascend or become one with Earth? My parent's death was searing and fresh in my mind, from the pairing with Icarus Four despite it now being nearly Ten years ago, the crowds around me chattered and bustled with their comments, theories, and shared pain.
A voice yells out for order ahead, the gruff voice of the Probate, the hand of the council, Nightsky. “Order!” A single scream silences the crowd along with the cracking of his wings against the ground like a whip. “Thank you… There is dire news that has been confirmed, please enter the chambers of the council in an orderly fashion. All wings are to be retracted and held in place until the premises is vacated. Thank you.” He towered over the normal citizens, they say his family only allowed them to marry those of tall bloodlines, even seeking them from other cities or their own.
As I walk past he stares at me unblinking, I move my head down to avoid his gaze, entering the great hall, the large table covering one room and rising high, the six sitting down and waiting for assembly. Although the Voice of the City would be disseminating the information through the city as we speak, to be here in person would be a great honor for most. To experience it directly from the lips of the ruling council.
I find a seat and get as comfortable as I can in the metal chairs, the cushions on top nothing like the softness of my bed, yet still warmed through the city's fires. I glance up and my grandfather, furthest on the right catches my eyes, smiling at me softly in sadness before The administrator, head of the six Dawn-break stands up. Spreading his wings wide and with a gust of air the bells at the back of the halls clank and chime, altering all to the start of the meeting.
With a great breath, he fills the hall with his baritone booming voice, filling all those who sat down with dreams. “I bring dire news, as you would have all seen displayed outside. I fear we are the last of the Icarus Cities to remain in the skies over this poisoned earth. Through collaborating with the various stations of the council and due to the information provided by the Watchers… we can only assume that the rest are lost to us… Watcher Doldrum if you would please…”
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A stoic man stands up, coughing and spluttering as he attempts his best to push his voice outwards. “Thank you Dawn-Break… As of the last five years, we have been closely monitoring all the signals that the Cities have been giving out… sending to us if you will… regularly they send out these signals every quarter… Location, high, simple status’s. Five years ago, we were alerted one fateful night that Icarus 10, didn't send out a status… Then the next quarter Icarus Nine reported being above the line of no return, sending from where there was no air. This was confirmed with the Keeper, one who has the most information on such things.”
I look up at Grandpa and he looks away… he knew all this time that something was wrong and didn't tell me. Did I notice something different… or was I too caught up in trying to be the best Keeper possible… ignoring my own family's feelings?
Watcher Doldrum looks back from Grandpa to the crowd before continuing. “From there, we would not get a status on the next quarterly… assuming that they were beyond communication… For another few years, the readings were okay, but no proper communication between the Cities was possible due to distance. Instead, we started sending more regular updates and then getting the same back. Until a year ago, City after City went dark. The council had decided to not move the City in case this was something that needed segregation, and then we would have proper contact again at the 10-year mark with Icarus 4. As of this quarter, just a month ago... We received the okay signal from the City… but it showed its location and height, to be on the surface of the earth, we can only assume they crashed... We have yet to receive another okay from them despite it being three days past the normal check-in time…
The silence is deafening as the dour man sits down, his wooden chair scrapping against the metal floor. The council all looking at each other in thought, speaking through their eyes, already having known all this and possibly shared their grief with their families at such an occurrence. At least I can only assume… such things having been happened for five years and only now it being common knowledge… much less my grandfather not sharing it with me… Dawn-Son definitely knew… he is the little princess of his father eye after all. I push out my pain into anger at the thought of it all, that the council would keep it from us, that they wouldnt even check and connect with the other cities.
Dawn-Break stands up again, still not breaking the silence, letting the words build in his throat. “The council, have decided that due to the loss of our Sister City’s… We will have to enact stricker rules upon everyone, ourselves included. Until such a time as we have found out what happened to the other Cities, which we will be investigating by checking the sites of other Cities at least to observe them from above as best we can. All thoroughfare through the city will need to be regulated and checked. We thank you for your time…” The croud around me bursts into fear, pain and anguish as Dawn-Breaks chair slides against the metal with his pronouncement and sitting on his high back chair, ending any discussions that could have been had.
A loud noise screams out around, grabbing my head I feel the throbbing of a thousands pieces of metal clanging next to my skull. “COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN ORDER!” The silence is now threatening, I look up to the council and I see Dawn-Break looking directly down at me, a snear on his face.
He opens his mouth while his gaze is glued to my own, knowing his next words may spell my doom, “Ahh yes, next on order of business… The disqualification of Keeper-in-training Gale from her role and the re-instating of another in her place, those who would like to stay for this council session may."
From such pain of knowledge to knowing they have already decided my fate without me, I rise from my seat. To take a stand for myself.
My parents didnt call me gale because they wanted a weak willed girl.