Clone Earth : MELVIN

The transport kicked up sprays of white snow as it eased to a smooth stop, blurring Ari’s first view of Kiev. She followed Lutz and Robie out onto the platform and through the exit into the city. Farris kept his distance, from her and from everyone else in the crowd. Ari would glance back several times to make sure he was still following.

“Not much compared to Tarkoy,” Lutz smiled, “but, you didn’t get to see Tarkoy -”

“It’s still bigger than I expected,” she admitted. The streets stretched out in all directions, lined with tall, colorful buildings that stood out starkly against the dark forest border. Not a one was the same. Not only in color but in texture. Rough surfaces, smooth surfaces, bulging additions with metal railings. However one thing was consistent, though different shapes, each building had several large picture windows. So even with the sky thickly clouded, the natural light reflected across each glass surface, making the city glow, all on its own.

At least the part of the city Ari was looking at.

It was so unique that she almost didn’t notice Kiev was under military control. There wasn’t much in the way of street traffic, but there was a fairly steady stream of pedestrians walking the sidewalks, many of which were in uniform. The unique style clashed with the strict lines of a military uniform.

“I have to check in at the outpost station,” Said Lutz. He held out his hand as a final farewell. “Ari Kana. I hope to meet you again. Maybe at the Academy, on Tirragen.” Ari accepted the gesture, locking hands in a firm shake before the corporal lifted his duffel onto his shoulder and walked away.

“What about me?” Robie called after him.

“Stay out of trouble, Rob!” Lutz called back without turning around.

“Are you two really friends?” Ari questioned, not consciously meaning for it to be out loud but now that it was out there she just went with it.

Robie smiled, putting his hand on the small of her back to lead the way. “Well, Ariana Kana...”

“I never said my name was short for Ariana.” She fidgeted until there was a more comfortable distance between them.

“But it is, isn’t it.” He said obviously making it a statement.

Ari’s fingers twitched. She didn’t know if this was cause for suspicion or not. He was so kind, and relaxed, he could just be that intuitive. And Ari can’t be short for many names… she tried to think of some, but she couldn’t.

“I-guess that makes sense. But I prefer to be called Ari.”

“Okay,” Robie laughed, holding open a large glass door. “We need to stop in here for a moment, will your pilot like to join us?” Ari caught a glance of Farris settling in on a bench not too distant from their location.

“He’s fine,” she answered. Her attention quickly focused elsewhere.

Entering the opened door without thinking about it, she was met with a mouth watering sight. Rows of monitors mounted on walls and tables. Though the room was filled with natural light from two large picture windows there were no screen glare or table reflections. Kids openly playing computer games, adults were seated on warm, cozy chairs with sparkling white and blue monitors of their own. And the polished counter displaying baked goods she’d never seen before. Not to mention the smell of food mixed with the audible hum of the servers, sent a happy chill through Ari’s body.

“And even though Kiev is military controlled, this place doesn’t have the same network security as military monitored systems.”

She flinched guiltily, though she didn’t know why. It’s not like Robie knew, though his delivery suggested he might suspect her of technological shenanigans.

Robie moved his hand to guide her toward the counter, but Ari sidestepped away. Still grinning, he said, “I’m going to be really blunt now.”

“You haven’t been so far?” she smirked.

He laughed again, “You’ve looked starving since I saw you at the transportation terminal, I’ve been wanting to buy you something to eat. We’ll get something for Farris too. Will you please let me buy you some food before we go?”

Food! The words sung in her head. She’d been craving Tater Tots for days. But the food here smelled twice as good as anything out of the machine. In addition, none of the food looked processed or packaged. They were laid out nicely inside glass cases, some steaming up the inside suggesting its contents were warm. Her cold fingers tucked tightly inside the heavy coat, itching to touch something soft and warm.

A piercing shriek came from outside. Someone pounded past the large picture windows, wailing as they ran. The café’s patrons stared out at the empty street, startled, though the employees tried to calm everyone down.

Robie, however, headed straight for the door.

“Stay put,” he ordered when Ari moved to follow, and she grudgingly did as she was told. But only because Robie knew this area and its customs better than she did.

The door flew open the before Robie reached it, Farris quickly slammed it behind him. The two made eye contact for the first time, even Ari could see that his face was flushed but not from meeting someone new.

Farris’ eyes broke away from Robie’s confused expression and found Ari. Quickly he rushed to her, taking her by the arm and pulling her toward the back.

“What’s going on?”

Farris stopped, glancing back toward the large front picture window. Five soldiers flanked across the street, Lutz being the fifth. Feeling relieved to recognize one person, Ari watched from her place as Lutz met Robie at the door. After a brief exchange of words Robie glanced back, his expression once again telling her to stay put, then both boys exited the building. Taking off down the street, she scowled after them.

“They’re as good as dead.” Farris mumbled.

“What?” She said, louder than intended.

“We have to get out of here, now.” Still having a grip on Ari’s arm Farrispulled her toward the back, but Ari pulled back. “I’m not dying on this rock.” He insisted.

“Who’s dying? What’s going on?” She asked.

Farris stuttered and stammered, Ari knew she wasn’t going to get any answers out of him, but she also couldn’t leave someone she knew, to die. She looked back to the door straining to see Robie or Lutz through the glass. It was possibly seeing her do this that snapped Farris out of his stutter. His back straightened, shoulders back and the female persona returned.

“I’m not waiting. I won’t wait.” He said in his high tone.

Ari shoved her duffel, which occupied the broken ship part, into Farris’ arms. Who, without another word, tucked it under his arm and pushed through the other occupants of the cafe until he was gone.

Now alone, Ari moved to the front of the café, while most everyone else gravitated toward the back and sides. She had a fairly good view out the windows from her position, and could see people running down one of the side streets, away from the town center.

With no one around to tell her otherwise, she inched closer to the door.

SLAM.