Abby takes a seat as the service starts. The drums thundered through the 500-seat church. The vocals ranged from bass to alto which jelled perfectly. Abby noticed some people around her bowing while others sat quietly praying. She noticed a man double clapping off beat to the drums. To each their own. Abby looks at the 20-foot statue of the Goddess Matra. It was white in color. The history books say she had blue hair, but no one knows for sure. The lyrics to a popular song by famous worship band Melody In Motion echoed throughout the auditorium.
Praise Matra for her blessing
She has been so good to us
The oceans flow with her harvest
Our mouth sing her praise
Lift your voice and sing
On this glorious day
Not a bad cover. She found herself smiling as the worship music filled her soul with delight.
The man who greeted her at the beginning started his sermon. He opens the Gospel of Matra and spoke of love and forgiveness.
Abby notices though the sermon was based in the gospel it had a slightly patriotic message that victory was on their side. How could we be certain that Matra did not care for those who attacked us? She questioned if the war was just, even though they helped those who were in need. Even if they were rebels and outcasts.
Two hours passed as the chaplain closes his sermon.
"If anyone would like to receive prayer, please come to the front," the chaplain says. The band plays a tune as a man stumbles into the isle. "This war can go to hell," the man says, running towards the chaplain with a sword.
Abby's eyes fix on the man as she reaches for her hip. Her hand was reaching the smooth grip of her revolver. She had never shot a man before. Even the homeless who used to steal from their barn in St Lina. Her uncle would chase them off. The gap was closing as she tries to get out of her pew.
A blonde hair man runs from the pew near the front and tackles the man with the sword. The people scream, running out of the building. Abby runs up and puts her gun away, kneeling beside the self-proclaimed hero. "That was a good tackle."
"I knew you weren't going to take the shot," the man says winking at Abby. "Too many people."
Abby blushes slightly looking into his hazel eyes. "I could have hit him. You're right. I've never shot in a building like this."
"Someone send for the military police," the chaplain yells.
"It's Cody." The man smiles, nodding at Abby.
"Abby," she says, looking at him.
The man struggles a bit, trying to move. "Let me go," he yells.
"Don't move, you son of a," Cody says, twisting the arm of the man and pushing him into the carpet.
Moments later, the military police show up and handcuff the man, taking him to the brig.
"A word of advice from me to you," Cody says, looking at Abby. "Do not draw your gun unless you aim to kill. Take it from a city boy." Cody winks, smiling at Abby as he walks out the door of the chapel.
Abby stood there falling to her knees. She felt like a failure. She felt that she did not react quickly enough, nor had she noticed the man acting strangely. Her grandfather always taught her to take note of her surroundings. In this place of worship where she felt safe, evil had crept in from her own people. Those against the war and those for it. Will Flora be defeated by their enemies, or will it crumble from within? Abby's mind raced as she stood looking towards the large Spear pointing towards the heavens.
"Keep me faithful," Abby says, smiling, walking back towards the large statue. The walk back to the dorms was blistering. The afternoon sun beat down on the young woman as she made her way back to the barracks, her hands trembling. Walking through the front door, she noticed a woman with short blue pig tails.
Looking at Abby, the woman smiles faintly. "You must be in my group." The woman walks up, her shoulders square. "Medic Rosemary Courtis." The woman bowed gracefully keeping her eyes locked on Abby.
"Nice to meet you!" Abby paused for a moment, the image of the man attacking the chaplain running through her mind.
"It's rude to keep someone waiting after a proper greeting," Rosemary states with her eyes furrowed.
"I'm sorry," Abby fumbled, her cheeks reddening. "Something was on my mind. It's nice to meet you," she says, tweaking her head to the left.
"You're a peculiar one," Rosemary pauses, pushing out her lips and letting go of Abby's hand. "Work on your communication skills, will ya?"
Abby's eyes traced to the left as she smiled gently. "I'm sorry about that, and I hope we get to know each other better if you are training in my squadron."
"Your lack of awareness is troublesome. Please take care of yourself, because if you are not mentally ready the battlefield is going to eat you alive." Rosemary's glare was as intense as winter air as she gracefully walks by Abby and towards the front door of the quarters.
I'm meeting a particularly interesting group of characters. Abby once again rounded the corner of the stairs up towards her room, almost expecting to be tackled, or maybe get yelled at by Luna who was expecting somebody else.
"Hey Luna, it's me. I'm coming inside now, so you have no reason to be afraid," Abby stood there, her shoulders hunched over.
"I hear you," Luna says, squeaking towards her door to open it. "Since you and I have a level of trust now, I opened the door for you instead of you opening it yourself." Her eyes were soft and sweet like that of a newborn baby when she opened the door. "Are you okay?"
Abby stood there, her eyes narrowed toward the ground, her hands intertwining and unwinding rapidly as if trying to get out a nervous question. "Someone almost died today right in front of me. I didn't do anything well. I reacted slowly. I was in such a state of peace that I didn't see the danger that was lurking."
"What danger?" Luna grabbed Abby by the hand and tugged her into the room.
"There was a situation at church today. The military police had to get involved. I had my revolver, and there was some sort of lunatic who charged towards the chaplain at the end of the service. I just couldn't pull my gun fast enough, and if I did, I was worried about striking somebody in the head. What if I had hit a child? I was paralyzed by fear. Is this going to happen when I face the enemy?"
"Here I thought you were some sort of heroic person without flaws." Luna guided Abby to the far corner of the room. "We all have fears, but true wisdom and understanding can overcome them, is what my mother always told me. Fear stands for 'false expectations appearing real.' It was very real, what you experienced. You made the most logical decision based off the information in front of you. According to my calculations, you did the best you could and if science backs up of emotion then you have nothing to worry about."
"Science! I think I need a little bit of doubt right now, and some comfort. Do you think I could lay in your lap until I feel better?" Abby was trembling, her right hand shaking vigorously. She went to grab the revolver at her hip.
"Don't worry, I'm here to help you." Luna spoke softly as she looked at Abby's right hip. "The safety is on?"
"Yeah, the safety is on," Abby responded, turning her head to the right as she laid down on the bed.
Luna gently removed the gun from its holster and took it over to the case on the shelf beside the bed. Opening the case, she observed the velvet interior wood bullets that looks different from the norm. I shouldn't pry… Closing the case, she walks back over to Abby who was sobbing on the bed.
"You have all afternoon to rest and to cry," Luna says. "As you told me, you come from a long line of people who have overcome adversity. We are starting a class tomorrow, so you have to be ready for that. Who knows who we're going to meet. Honestly, I'm nervous and I don't want to see anybody, but from what I've learned, if you're beside me I think I can make it."
Abby sat up and turned around to see Luna taking her place beside her. "Thank you." Leaning her head down, she closed her eyes. The last thing she saw before drifting and losing her consciousness was the chaplain's face, screaming in terror.