Chapter Eight (epilogue) Changes

The drink Zack raises to his lips reflects for a moment the starry expanse that he’s moved through all his life. He takes a long draught from the mug and sets it down on the bar. A news bulletin flashes across the walls.

“After twenty five years of unrest and twelve years of war, the Rebellion has dissolved and the Government has appointed former Rebellion Leader Jacob Cameron to be the official opposition. Finally giving our system the proper checks and balances it needs. Commnder Cameron has this to say about his decision and consequential decrease in power.”

Young Cameron appears on the screen- still wearing his black and red uniform- back rigid but face soft.

“This is not about my individual career aspirations- this is about the good of the people and creating a system of worlds in which we all can co-exist. Chancellor Xerone understands this- and the late Chancellor Grimm wanted this. I am of the opinion that there is little point in being alive if you are not living. I intend to make it easier for all of us to experience this as I have.”

The news anchor reappears- the beautiful woman who once petitioned the galaxy to pass bill 451.

“At last our system can enjoy the luxury of peace. However long it may last- we are always attempting to grow and change to fit your needs- the needs of the people.”

The bulletin ends and Zack smiles. Grimm would have been proud of his prodigy- would have been prouder still of the peace made in his name and his honor. That old bastard- so much older than his years.

The hardest part after Grimms death was convincing Xerone to release Eden- but it was Cameron who petitioned for her – besides Xerone had almost laughed at the absurdity- what she had done was considered perfectly legal under legislation bill 451. Which had since been abolished. Price was dead after all- and terminating a woman with full cognitive function was something entirely different from dumping a weapon out the airlock. Eden wasn’t all there yet- fully functional- but she was slowly unlocking the mysteries of her own brain- every day new memories washed over her- made it harder for her to stay standing- stay sane- for days she hadn’t said a word, just slept, and shook, and cried and dreamed. Zack of all people- knew what that was like.

Zack is shaken out of his musings by a strange figure taking the seat he’s been saving beside him. Zack glances up- mildly disinterested- then back at his drink- then back up again with surprise and recognition.

“Li!” he exclaims. “hardly recognized you without the mustache.”

Li Chen shifts uncomfortably, “Captain- we meet again.”

Zack nods and takes another draught from his drink. “So- you got a job for me?” he asks.

“Work has been harder to come by since the reform. Men who ran for the Government no longer trusted- men who ran for the Rebellion trusted even less.” He clenches his fists on the bar top and grimaces – his next sentence is obviously less than palatable for him. “We need you.”

Zack sighs- studying his fingernails meticulously- he chews on his thumb nail- looking as disinterested as a human being can manage.

“I don’t know- I’m really busy these days- what with the favor I’ve received from the New Reform- not to mention my highly coveted privateer status.” He is gloating. Gloating more than he ever has in his life- and loving every second of it. He dedicates this next minute to Johnathan Grimm.

“We need six hundred pounds of grain transferred from here to Birringham moon- will you do it?”

Zack pretends to ponder this request thoroughly.

“I suppose we got the time. You got the coin?”

Li grimaces again and dumps a bag of coins onto the bar top.

“Pick up the supplies at my warehouse on the tenth- I’ll give you the rest of the coin when the job is done.”

“Fair.” Zack agrees and pockets the coin, tipping his hat as Li gets up and disappears back into the crowd. Zack follows him out with his eyes and notices Joss near the door- he gives her the thumbs up and she smiles back- moving forwards through the crowd and taking the seat that has just been vacated.

“Times- they are a changing.” She sighs, taking Zacks beer from him and drinking from it. Zack glares at her and snatches it back.

“Where’s Jesse?” He asks moodily.

“Outside- waiting.”

They sit silently beside each other- not looking each other in the eyes. Zack stares darkly into his brew- Joss glances up at him without tilting her head- her eyes hooded.

“You ready for this?” She asks very quietly- almost drowned out by the sounds of the bar. Zack shakes his head.

“I’ll never be ready.” He takes a very long drink and drains his mug.

“Lets not keep Jesse waiting.”

Joss lingers at the bar a moment after her captain has left.

On a pale planets surface the sun is setting- there are six people standing around the freshly filled mound amid a multitude of graves.

Jossalyn is wearing a dress- it’s shocking but true- the dress is long and black- she looks uncomfortable but too distressed to do anything about it.

Troy and Alli- arm in arm- look just as well attired. Alli’s dress is black as well- and short. Troy is out of his usual garb and has found himself a relatively dignified suit jacket he’s wearing it with ratty jeans and a plain shirt- but it looks perfect. Jesse too has found himself a suit jacket to throw on- but Zack is in his usual captains outfit of varying colors and textures- his leather overcoat at least, looks very in place.

Eden is wearing what could be a dress originally belonging to Allison- it’s a bit too big for her, long, black and lined in white satin.

She looks radiant.

Joss lays flowers on the stone that reads Tylers name, she doesn’t cry now- she’s done with that, and maybe she will never cry again. She looks up at the sky with a vestige of hope few others who have endured such trials would have been able to maintain. As her eyes turn skyward- it begins to rain.

Troy shrugs off his suit jacket and drapes it over his wifes shoulders- holding her close to keep her warm. Eden looks surprised- shocked even- she turns her face upwards and blinks into the rain. She opens her mouth- feels the water droplets on her cheeks and her finger tips rise to share in the sensation.

Zack steps up to her and touches her arm to let her know he is there. She turns to him- smiling from ear to ear- and then back up to the sky. She laughs.

Zack feels his soul twist- turn- he catches something in his throat and his hands rise and clasp Edens face between his palms. She smiles at him- maybe he is crying, maybe it is the rain.

When Eden speaks- her voice is quiet, strange. “It,” she gasps – surprised to hear her own voice, “It cries.” She manages to tell him- so young, so sweet, so pure. “but the tears wash us clean.”

She turns back to the sky and above her shines billions of stars- faces that stare down at her with their sad eyes dropping teardrops on her cheeks.

She’s never been so innocent.

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