Return of a Civilization

This chapter re-imagines the story of David, enjoy!

David: “The year is 2992. Nearly 9 centuries ago, my home world was ravaged by a great war. The war rippled across the planet and divided us in two. It began from a feud amongst the leadership, whom were dedicated to protecting and keeping alive the Code of the Architect, a sacred document created between one of the original Builder’s Moshez and the Architect himself. Not much is known about why the two factions split and began to fight, the only thing we know is that our world was lost in the struggle. The two forces that were created were the Independent Nations of Judah and the Sovereign States of Israel. The two factions have been fighting ever since and have established outer colonies away from our home world in hopes of one day being able to restore it to its former glory and return. I guess I should introduce myself. I am a ship-docker, names David. Son of Jesse, a local Port-owner in charge of keeping fuel and rest stations for traveling Indies (nicknames for Independent National soldiers). You know, real important work. Unfortunately, we are not very wealthy, so the port is in less-than optimal conditions; I mean, we constantly are having issues with the electronic systems (which almost killed Jonny the other day by the way. Who knew plasma from an engine in meltdown could melt through titanium and cotton?) or the mysterious and absolutely putrid stench of livestock (which doesn’t make sense being in a space port and all). But it’s what my family does, well at least the non-indies of the fam. My older brothers have all enlisted, fighting the invading threats of Ssisies (nickname for S.S.I soldiers) or the Palestinian Navy. Speaking of Pale’s, they are an outside force that has been raiding us and secretly crippling both factions since we left the home-world. They find our belief of the Architect to be an insult to their pantheon and openly war against us because of it. Now there not all bad, but the radicals (which are most of them) are the worst. Not too many people seem to be bothered by them insulting our creator, which makes sense mainly because they are usually more worried about being raided or enslaved, but our people used to stand for something more than just, “survival”. We used to live and dream, thanks to the Architect, but most of us have forgotten that time and have given up. Me? I feel like that’s stupid, I want to stand up for what we belief in, but I’m not exactly Indie material. I’m 15 and most of ‘em are in their late 20-30s and touting around massive rifles or shaving with rocks, real tough stuff. I’m not really cut out for that kind of stuff. So, I stick around home, taking care of the port. Waiting for when I can finally do something that matters.”

Geckos (Ships with defective positioning software)

Fireflies (ships with malfunctioning lighting systems)

David looks out into the stars hunched on his arms on a fence overlooking the port next to a big box.

Jesse: “David! What the hell do you think you’re doing over there?! Stop yer day dreaming, we got 6 Indie Geckos and 4 fireflies! You’re brothers are gonna get back from the war front soon! I don want them to havta worry about nuthin!”

David: “Come on! They don’t even do anything out there, they just sit around watching the Pale ships all day! The least they can do is lend a hand, it’s better than waiting on some crazy monarch all day!”

Jesse stomps up to his son and grabs his tongue literally out of his mouth.

Jesse: “Watch yer tongue boy! We do not insult the Architect’s chosen! ‘Asides, that “crazy monarch” is looking out fer his troops. With the Goliath patrolling the region, anyone dumb ‘anough to challenge ‘ems bound to be ashed! Now I don’t wanna here ‘nother peep out of yer gob until you can show respect!”

David: (Muffled) “Okay! Okay! I’m sorry!”

Jesse releases the tongue and David spits out the tar and grime from his father’s fingers.

David: “That is so disgusting!” Apathetically “Fine, I’ll get started…”

Jesse: “That’s a good boy, ‘emember yer place, and nuthin’ will go wrong. Architect’s not some plaster-brain, ‘ee knows what ‘ee’s doing. He got you ‘ere fer a reason. I know it ain’t exactly the most respectable work...”

David: “… more like the most degrading work…”

 Jesse: “…But! Someone’s gotta do it. If yer given a job, you gotta learn to do it and do it good. How ‘lse ya gonna be ready for the real work if ya can’t handle whatca got now?”

David looks down upset but in agreement. He walks up to his dad and looks into his eyes, visibly disappointed as his father looks on him with compassion. His dad pulls him in for a tight hug.

Jesse: “Our luck‘ll change soon, just hang in there. You gotta better grip on it then ya realize. Ya won’t be stuck here forever.”

David pulls away still upset and walks towards the work bay.

David: “How do you even know that… You got stuck here…”

Jesse stands there watching his son walk away and drops his head in frustration.

Jesse: “Don know if ya can hear me Architect, but the boy needs ya. Don let ‘im do anything stupid… Well, nuthin else stupid.”

Jesse walks towards the work bay deep in thought.

Next Scene: Brothers Return

The brothers walk in looking confident yet tired. The main brother steps in and drops luggage in room before letting out a massive yawn and stretching.

Eliab: “Oh man, I have missed this sink hole! Yo, pops! Ya here? Didn’t get too old and die did ya?”

Jesse: “My boys! Welcome back! Been pretty crazy since ya’ll up and left to the front lines! Good to see ya, ya little scamps!” Jesse says snarky.

Eliab: (Laughs) “Missed you too dad. Speaking of scamps, where’s the little rebel at?”

Jesse: “Grel ‘if I know, said somethin ‘bout working on his little pod.”

Eliab: “The little shrimps still got that thing? The stupid little pod you got me and passed down to every one of us since? I thought you crashed that thing Shimea?”

Shimea: (Chuckles) “Sure did, chasin that girl over near the city of Ben like 5 years ago. The tow back here cost more than the dinky thing.”

Jesse: “ ‘An I’m still pain the loan off fer that by the way!”

Shimea: “Whoa, hold the fire there dad. I was kid back then, besides, I got me a new pod and a well payin job now!”

Jesse: “Well! That’s great, now ya can start payin me back!”

Shimea: “Ugh… Shoulda kept my mouth shut.”

Eliab: “Ah, it’s good to be home! Well boys, might as well get comfy. Probably wont be called back for a while now. We can get some rest and finally rela…”

Communicator goes off. Eliab pulls it out of his coat and press a button on the side.

“This transmission comes directly from King Saul himself. ‘All of duty personal are required to return immediately to the war front. Your vacations are over. Head immediately to your posts and prepare for next order’”

Communicator beeps off.

Eliab: “Aaaaand that was the fifth time this has happened… Well, at least we made it home for a few minutes.”

Jesse: “What? He can’t jus do that! Ya have been out there for nearly 6 months without any Sabbath! He’s gonna work ya to yer graves!”

Eliab: “The quys lost it. We almost got to come back a month ago but then called us all back midflight. Starting to really regret joining this army.”

Eliab frustratingly shoves the communicator back into his pocket and calls the brothers back.

Jesse: “Well, David wanted to see ya but he probably didn’t expect ya to leave so soon. He left that box there fer ya and wanted you to take it with ya when ya left. Got some food and little trinkets in there to keep ya going.”

Eliab: (Laughs) “You’re training him up good dad. Pretty soon, he’ll notice how degrading his work is.”

Jesse: “Don’t talk like that! We do what we gotta do, ‘asides… He already kinda does. Well, ya better git, hate fer ya to get in more trouble.”

Eliab: “Were not in trouble just yet, good bye pop. We’ll try to come back soon. Tell the scamp I said hello.”

Eliab walks out the door following his brothers as Jesse sits down in his chair. He lets out a deep sigh and reclines back before snoring.

Next Scene: On Base

The doors open of the ship and the brother’s step out holding their equipment walking towards a building. The back end of the ship opens up and the rest of their luggage is set down. The box given to them begins moving. The top pops open and David peaks out, no one is around so he gets out. He closes the top before pulling a line of tape from his pocket and taps the top down. David sneaks towards the building and peaks in to see his brothers meeting with Saul. Saul begins shouting and throws his plate at them visibly panicked. His eyes dart towards the window David is at and David drops to the floor to not be seen. He then moves towards the side of the building to see across the river a massive camp. With superior weapons and more units. He swallows a lump in his throat and sneaks back to the box.

David: “Why would I ever think this was a good idea… I am so screwed…”

As he gets to the box he sees the brothers walk out of the building looking grim and distraught. Shimea grabs Eliab and hugs him before the grab their gear and walk towards the other side of the camp.

David: “Uh… What the heck is going on.”

He sneaks back to the windows and sees the king talking to himself. Clearly deranged David looks in shock as the king begins screaming and yelling at nothing. He puts his ear to the wall and tries to listen in.

Saul: “Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! Get out of my head! You don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Silence

Saul: “I can kill that thing myself if I wanted to! I’m not a coward! The people need me though… yeah, they need me. Its better is I wait! Maybe they’ll realize how pathetic it would be to fight and leave us alone! No… no that wouldn’t happen… Why can’t you just leave me be! I need something to drown you out! Argh! Anything!”

David looks back into the window confused to see Saul with his hand on his temples grumbling on. He then moves away from the window slowly when he smacks into Eliab. Eliab looks shocked and grabs David by his arms.

Eliab: “What are you doing here?! How did you even get here?! The king will kill you if he sees you! Anyone he hasn’t met before he thinks are gonna try to kill him!”

David: “Uh… Surprise? I was in the box…”

Eliab: “You idiot! This is no place for a kid! Oh crap… How the heck are we gonna get you back! Ugh! I would kill you myself right now if I could!”

David pushes Eliab off of him and backs up.

David: “What’s going on? Why is the king freaking out?”

Eliab: “That Goliath guy has been really messing up our operations. He has single handedly defeated two platoons himself. No one has been able to stop him. The king thinks he sent spies into our camp and is preparing to invade us. We don’t really know for sure and many of us don’t want to try and face him head on.”

David: “Why would you do that?”

Eliab: “Well, Golaith has been offering a challenge, if anyone can beat him in a fair fight, they’ll leave us alone. Apparently he’s pretty respected among the… Wait, why am I telling you any of this! You need to get out of here!”

David: “How? It’s not like I can walk home. Your stuck with me!”

Eliab: “Don’t get cute right now… Fine, you’ll stay with us until we can figure a way to sneak you off the planet. Until then, you do what we say and stay low. Got it?”

David: “Sure, yeah, I’ll do whatever you say.” He says with a sneaky grin on his face.

Eliab: “Just wait til dad hears about this.”

David’s face turns into that of worry and swallows a lump in his throat.

Author's Note

The ending to this one is pretty bad because I made it more like a stage play so yeah, it needs editing. Anyway, let me know whatca think!
See ya planet-side! ✌