The War of 2200A Story by tbone78flag War has become a game between countries. Is that what humanity was hoping for? It was Red. I mean what other colors could you see? Colors are too beautiful. Red was beautiful. It meant honor, bravery, something, something better. But now it’s just red. Hard, bright, never forgotten, red. August 24, 2200 Dear Isabelle Hansen, My loving wife of the last eight months. I felt I needed to take this last week before I am shipped off to express my apologies. Eleven years ago when they gathered up all of the young teenagers for training I was regretting this very day. I regret it even more now that I have someone waiting for me, praying that I'll come home. I don't think I can explain how I felt when we were sitting on the couch, watching the worldwide broadcast of the drawings. My nervous heart was racing so fast. And when they pulled Russia out of the box it only sped up. Please not the Us, please not the US. But of course when that man pulled out the second worthless piece of paper, he just had to say the most significant thing that would ever happen to me, "the war of 2200 will be Russia versus the US." I remember sitting in disbelief. You started to cry. I write you now to say how sorry I am that I did not properly console you. It's just that I could feel my humanity slipping. I could remember when I was twelve an they pulled me to training. For six years they beat me down and made me an animal. It was when I was eighteen that I was finally released and by then I did not expect to ever care again. Yet now I realize that it wasn't my humanity lost in those years that caused me to be silent. I realize now that sitting on that couch I could feel you slipping away from me. It was when I met you that my humanity was returned. Without you I fear that my humanity will be lost again. Signed, Xander Hansen August 26, 2200 Dear Xander Hansen, It pains me to hear how sad you are there. And I wish not for you to feel as though you wronged me. I hate that you have been forced into war. And for what? Because the "big wigs" of the world say you have to. Because our "rulers" want to have some fun betting on you, buying souvenirs, and laughing at you. They tell us that they are funding the global economy, but they're only funding your execution. Let our President himself go. Off to war. He sure talks big enough. "Die like beasts," he says, "leaving pools of human blood. In death is your glory." Crap, all of it crap. How could death be you glory? Your life. The life you build and the life you live is your glory. You fight because of nothing but faceless words. I don't want you to die for the same reason. Your legacy is here at home. Remember just before you left a couple weeks ago, I had become ill and you made me promise I would go to the doctor? I did. And now I need you home more than ever. I'm pregnant. Signed, Isabelle Hansen August 28, 2200 Dear Isabelle Hansen, I didn't think that I would ever truly care when they announced one day mailing fifteen years ago. Hearing the news about my child has given me hope and drive. I will do whatever it takes to make it through this war. In six months they will call off the war and the country with the most soldiers left will have won. Even if the US loses this one, only half of our remaining soldiers will be executed as punishment. If need be I would do whatever I could to be part of the half allowed home. I will meet my child. Fate could not be so cruel as to allow me one and then take me away. But I guess fate made its decision with the human race, the day it allowed us to drop that first bomb. I once heard it described as “the day that humanity started taking its final exam.” Buck minister Fuller was his name. What a smart man. I’ll have to be just as smart to pass this test. Signed, Xander Hansen August 30, 2200 Dear Xander Hansen, “The Master said, ‘the superior man is catholic and not partisan. The mean man is a partisan and not catholic.’” Confuscius’ Analects have been my only solace since you left. I find his words hold so much truth, and I beg you to be a catholic man. Our world is so full of partisans, who only see the one-sided truths to the fighting. Be the better man, the superior man. Stay universal in your thinking. And understand that there is more to life than war. Signed, Isabelle Hansen September 1, 2200 Dear Isabelle Hansen, When midnight strikes, we will officially be at war with Russia. Just before receiving your letter yesterday, all of us soldiers were gathered up to see the new trainees. The twelve to eighteen year old trainees are always brought in just as their country is about to go to war. That way they can be ready in six years when our country is put back in the drawing. I remember how I felt in their place. I remember my fear. I met a young boy named Peter Smith. He said he was twelve. He said he was scared. He looked me in the eyes and I saw his tears. I asked him if he was alright. “I miss my mom and dad. Will I get to see them again?” I told him yes. But what he said next I couldn’t answer so easily. “Why do we have to fight?” Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori was what the soldier who talked to me as a trainee said. The glorious and decent way of dying is for one’s country. I believed it then, I definitely don’t believe it now. So I just whispered into young Peter’s ear. “Don’t ever forget to question. Because curiosity is the first step to revolution.” Signed, Xander Hansen August 24, 2215 Dear Peter Hansen, Now that the US has been drawn again for war and you have been sent off for training I feel that it is my duty to finally tell you about your father. Fifteen years ago he was sent off to war and after six months passed the world learned that Russia had won. I prayed that your father would make it back with the lucky half of US’s remaining soldiers. But he never did. Several years later a man by the name of Peter Smith arrived at our home. He brought a letter he said that your father wrote for me when he found he’d be part of the executed half. Please read the enclosed letter before continuing. March 1, 2201 Dear Isabelle Hansen, I am going to die today. And in all honesty I do not believe it a loss. As Buddha said, “One who does evil grieves in this life (…).” I feel as though my grief is derived from the evil things I have done to the Russian soldiers. No. The Russian people who have families just as I. I do not believe I will very return to the cheery and loving man you fell in love with. All I can ever remember is Red. What other colors could I have noticed? Colors were too beautiful. Red was once beautiful. It had meant honor, bravery, something, something better. But now it's just red to me. Hard, bright, never forgotten, red. And now as a man waiting for death I know that all that will be left of me will be red. Yet, I most likely will be forgotten. And as a final wish, I ask you to name our future child, if a son, Peter. After the boy who gave me hope that humanity will pass our exam. Love, Your Late Husband Xander Hansen Now son that you have read your father's final words. I want you to keep close the most significant thing your father ever said. "Don't ever forget to question. Because curiosity is the first step to revolution." Signed, Your Mother Isabelle Hansen
© 2014 tbone78flagAuthor's Note
Reviews
|
StatsAuthor
tbone78flagForest hill, LAAboutWriting is more than ideas. My candles burn too bright and much is missed speed by. I am looking for someone willing to believe in my work. more..Writing
|
![[send message]](https://www.writerscafe.org/images/mail.png){kind=small}
![[befriend]](https://www.writerscafe.org/images/friend.png){kind=small}
Share This
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Read Request
My Library
Flag Writing