Chapter1

Chapter 1

Articles of Glory

4/14/2151

Prologue

We the People of Aranon set forth these laws, so that all men and women may enjoy security and live their lives in peace.

Peace and survival is the ultimate goal. That which should be done will be done to ensure the lasting life of this world.

Aranon. District 1. 11/6/2251

Ever since I was a little I used to look up at the night sky and wonder what secrets were held in the stars. I was raised on the stories of planet Earth, the stories of human kind. My ancestors were obsessed with war. It was their passion and their hobby. I wonder what they'd think of our world now. Aranon is a peaceful planet. Ever since human kind got here, war has been nothing more than an entity in a long forgotten past. The United Republic of Aranon mediates everything now. Under their supervision democracy has grown and we as a people have been able to focus on more important matters.

The medical and political fields have grown tenfold. Technology is more advanced now than it ever could have been on earth. In  short, humanity lives on. I can't help but shake the feeling, however, that somewhere out there in the stars hidden secrets lie. Though most of planet Earths knowledge base was brought with us when we left, the books of history were left behind. The stories that remain of that long gone society exist now only as whispers. Short tales told around the fire. Old memories fading away with the dying generation. My generation, designated G-2, were born here on Aranon. Our grandparents, G-0, migrated here from Earth in April of 2151.

                                 

          According to the stories told by those first arrivals, Earth was once a bountiful and beautiful planet. The nations of the world, however, were in constant conflict. From the time humanity began to the time we left our history was told on the lips of war. Finally, October 7^th 2150, the ultimate war broke out. WWIII, humanities last great war.  The anarchist group Torch tricked the world into launching all of its nuclear weapons. Some consider that to have been a planned extinction. Others, the work of unstable minds. Either way, the war occured, and our grandparents escaped. Flying off that dying rock in its last moments, our grandparents escaped into the stars, looking for a better life for all of humanity. They came here to Aranon, and colonized.

Now, in the year 2251 humanity has never been stronger. The planet Aranon is under one government ruled by the people. The division and conflicts brought about by so many nations in the dark years have no place here. As one united society we grow and learn. We share our resources and knowledge in the common interest of humanity. Each person does their part, and so we live on. 15 districts live united, and all under one common interest.

Now, standing at the top of District 1's skyscrapers, I marvel at the beauty of its design. The high domed arch of the Senate building.  The tall majesty of the skyscrapers, dimly reflecting the moonlight upon the streets. The people below who move about their day so complacently. Every day just like the last. The floating billboards high above the cities. The crime watch clock just above the District Capital. Over 5 months since the last crime. Since our resources are shared and housing is public there is no cause for jealousy or greed. Crime has no place here. Everything is the same day by day. Human kind; creatures of habit settled into our little lives. 

As I close my eyes and lean my head back I feel the soft breeze against my face. The moon shines so brightly over the city. A faint glow passes through my eyelids, gracing them with the dancing shadows of the lively city all around me. The sound of a million voices resonates through my head, but only one sound matters. Slowly and gracefully I hear her coming up the steps. One more deep breath fills my lungs just as I hear her voice. That sweet liberation of the daily repetition.

"I thought I might find you here Matt."

Smiling I turn around and face her. Cynthia Tyler. The woman. The only woman that's ever mattered. The only woman I've ever cared about.

"We grew up together. We’re best friends. If after 25 years of knowing me you couldn't find me, I'd be worried."

A smile crosses her face. That sincere smile that makes her eyes shine and wrinkle. The smile that makes you forget about everything else.

"Hard day then I guess? How about a dinner? You can pay. It’s your turn anyway. Come on!"

As we walk into 7th Haven, our favorite restaurant, I can't take my eyes off of her. Cynthia has been working in the media department for eight years, working as a journalist in the field. In recent year the people of Aranon's curiosity has grown. If this planet is capable of sustaining life then there is a possibility that life may exist somewhere else. This interest has caused a growth in the media field. As new information arises the public gets more and more excited. As for myself, I work on the back lines. Every day for the past few years I’ve slaved over data provided by our many satellites. Endless lines of code and data spew across my computer screen. It's my job to translate them and present their findings to Aranon’s Board of Space Exploration. Anything from meteor showers to electric fields. Nothing new ever shows up but it pays the bills, so I’ve stayed where I am, looking for something that probably isn't even there.

Anyone seeing us must think we make an odd couple. Average Joe man in a button down and jeans and a stunning young beauty in her second best skirt. My favorite. The red one, that goes just below the knees. The wave all throughout that makes her look even more graceful when she walks, as if she needed the extra beauty. In reality though, the word couple isn't even in sight. We grew up together. Were best friends. So for now, her company is enough.

"So have you heard the latest news", she says, looking down at the menu lying on the table in front of her.

"Haven't had the time. The boss has had us working extra hard lately. We’ve been getting some weird sounds from satellite five. Seems like some storm is throwing of our equipment. I’m heading up next Monday to make sure everything is okay."

               

          "Looks like I’m not the only one leaving town then. District 10 is hosting a conference. According to them, in the light of our new space exploration program, weapons have to be built in case of the event hostile life is found. Johnson asked me to cover the conference. This ought to be fun."

"Weapons? On Aranon? That doesn't make any sense. All of our weapons were destroyed after we left earth. There no need for them here. It goes against the Articles of Glory. The prologue clearly states "Peace and survival is the ultimate goal. That which should be done wi""

""Will be done." Ever the nerd. Even in middle school you could recite entire sections of law. I know. But you have to admit. If hostile life is found, our very existence will be in danger. And besides, it will be one military in the name of Aranon. The districts soldiers will all be under the same organization."

"Don't you think tensions will still arise? You know the stories. You heard them like I did. War was caused by mans search for power and focus on its differences. Now, if we have soldiers, each man will try to prove himself. And when the cultural differences arise... who knows what else can happen."

In the silence she looked into my eyes. All the people talking and dancing and all I could see were those eyes. Those eyes that could look deep into me, straight past all the lies and into the truth that hid beneath. Those big brown eyes that held my attention. The eyes that made me feel weak. She knew what I was thinking. I didn't have to talk. She knew.

"You're scared it will happen again aren't you?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"Yes you do Matt. You can't forget something like that. They were your parents. I know you miss them. I know you hate what you are but you have to let go"

"It doesn't matter. Their gone. Even if it did happen again, I have nothing left to lose. And it’s who I was. The academy closed after the Battle of Aranon. I was five. I've forgotten my training since then."

Cynthia's hand slid across the table and held mine tightly. That reassuring grip that showed me she was there for me. The same grip my dad had before he died.

In the year 2231 there was an uprising. In those times small militias still remained. Hiding in secret waiting for the final battle. And it came. When G-0 came to Aranon a group of soldiers came with them. Somehow Torch found out their plans to leave. A small group of their militant forces were sent in, pretending to be scientists to help in the new world. Eventually however the day came when they revealed themselves. The final battle was held here in District 1. The battle between the remaining militias and the anarchists looking to claim this land as their own. The battle that took my dad, and mom. We won the battle. Our land was saved. Since then Aranon's and humanities golden age of peace reigned. Cynthia's parents were good friends of my parents. They took me in when my parents died. They raised me till I moved out at 17. Since then I’ve been working and getting by. 

Cynthia's voice brought me back to the moment. Snapping back to reality I realized the waiter was standing beside me.

"What can I get you sir?"

"Oh. I’m sorry. Just water and a burger will be fine. Sorry"

"It's ok sir. I'll take your menus. I’ll be back with your food in just a few."

The next few minutes went by quietly. Cindy knew my mind wasn't in this moment so she let me be. Just when I though the silence was going to drive me crazy she broke it, much to my appreciation.

"You know. If you really want to see what happens you’re more than welcome to come with me. The conference isn’t until next Saturday. You ought to be back by then right?"

"Yea. But I'm gonna be"

"Good. Then it’s settled. Have your bags ready. I'll stop by your house around 12. We can get a cab to the airport. It'll be fun okay? Besides, you need a break from all that work, no matter how much you love it."

The rest of dinner went by smoothly. Just like when we were in high school. I ate my burger quickly while Cynthia took her time savoring every last bite of her dinner, driving me crazy like she always did. We talked about space travel and stars, and our lives when we were younger. Our hopes for the future, and stories of the past. Later that night we walked home under the bright lights of District 1's commercial zone. All the vendors and stores were open, illuminated by the massive screens above and the reflection of the tall metallic skyscrapers towering over head. Finally we reached Cynthia’s building. We said goodbye and agreed to meet up at the cafe next to my building on Saturday.

I walked away and but stopped and turned around. Just to watch her. The soft breeze blew Cynthia's curly brown hair softly and the lights of the city shinned on her cheek. I watched her walk inside then the lights of her apartment turn on. Content with her safe and sound in her apartment I started to walk away. As I looked up and saw the crime clock I realized, five months since the last crime and I still don't trust the city. The war may have ended, but in my mind it still lives on. And no matter how much time passes by that clock I can’t help but worry that somewhere hidden in mankind’s mind, deep in its darkest depth, our base desires remain. All they need is a little push, and all we have worked for will end. Even as I laid down in bed that night and fell asleep the winds of change were stirring a storm like our race had never seen. One we'd never be ready for.