Zero to Infinity

Zero was furious with himself. He knew he never should have let Jenny out of his sight. What would happen to someone who lost their patrols. It was their job and expectation to save the existence of the future. It was an expectation that their betrothed would always keep them safe. And today, zero let Gordon get his hands on Jenny.

In flight mode, Margaret and Zero took to the sky. Margaret didn’t seem to be as excited or surprised and their plight. Instead, she seemed to be expecting. It was odd for zero. Because Jenny had so much excitement and enthusiasm in her adventure to this next place but Margaret, average height and average built, had a less than average approach to the danger they were in.

Once on Mount pioneer, Gordon began to explain what was going on and who he was. But unlike the others, Margaret seemed to have too much information. Before he could finish his statements, she began cutting him off.

“I know all about this place zero. I know who you are and I know about the matriarch. This is Mount pioneer. This is what I’m expected to be. And I have been waiting for you guys. I’m not sure who that other guy was in the house but he scared the living crap out of me. He was able to shift without shifting. And I’ve never seen that before. So you can save your speech for someone else.”

“Oh”, Zero responded in shock and almost offense.

“Do you know that the matriarch has been captured?”

“Well no. I didn’t know that. I just explained to you what I knew. Was that you guys were on the way to get me and this is where I belong.”

Such a rude tone. But it reminded him of someone. It reminded him of how he treated Jenny. He didn’t know what was going on. He always felt that he was the only one that knew what was going on. So when he would encounter those who didn’t know, he immediately and unknowingly began talking down at them. And this is how it felt when she spoke to him. That she knew more than he did. In fact, the only thing he seemed to know more than she did was that the matriarch was captured by Gordon.

“Well then. I’m going to leave you with Connor and...”

Before he could finish his statement, Connor ran down the stairs towards them.

“Zero, it’s been many days sir and we now know that Gordon is keeping the matriarch in his lair.”

“Yes. I figured as much. He also took Jenny. I’ve got to go get them both.”

“Took Jenny?“, Connor said as if extremely surprised that someone was able to get over on zero.

“Yeah. Have you heard from November? Or Marcus?“, Don’t worry in zeros tone was very evident. It had been a while since he had seen his other councilman. He wasn’t sure anymore if they were even still alive. He became stressed and fearful that it was solely up to him to capture Gordon and save the matriarch.

“November is back. He’s recuperating from his last reclaim. It didn’t go so well. Marcus on the other hand, is badly injured. I’m afraid he won’t be of any use to anyone for a while”

“Damn”, said zero under his breath.

“Let me get you healed and prepared, I’ll feed you and then you can be off on your way to rescue the matriarch and Jenny with November.”

“Thank you, Connor” Zero said in relief as if this was the first piece of good news he had had in ages.

Connor motioned for another woman to come toward Margaret. The women and Margaret left toward the dining hall. There, she would be fed and cleaned before setting herself up in a room to rest.

***

After a long hot bath, a nice meal, and a few moments of silence, zero began to get dressed. Just then, his room door burst open.

“Zero. My god it’s good to see you. It’s been a rough few day”, November said in a boisterous and hearty tone.

“No kidding, brother” zero sighed. It was good to see someone from home.

“I heard you had a running with our boy”

“Yeah. Poor guy doesn’t know what’s going on. He keeps running on about them lying to us. I know of no such thing.”

“My god, brother. Who’s lying now”, November said in an arrogant tone. The men had heard the ramblings of Gordon far beyond the past few days. Gordon would talk about not knowing the truth and someone lying to them for years. Far into the point where November, zero, and Marcus had to limit conversations with him. It became clear that he no longer felt a part of the group. So much so that he began to distance himself from the trio.

After a while, Gordon was known as a crazy man of the village. And though he didn’t even come out often, it was clear his words were those that were not acceptable. Within a few earth years, Gordon would leave Mount pioneer and make his home on a distant planet close enough to keep watch but far enough to be left alone.

Zero, not wanting to get into it with November, attempted to change the subject.

“Gordon has my betrothed and Madam. We must go and rescue them.”

“Of course, brother”, November added with confidence.

The two prep their items and begin making their way outside. They were going to need some weapons. But not your typical weapons. Because Gordon had become skilled and using mental terror without shifting to control others.

Equipped with special glasses, a helmet of titanium, and a uniform of chromium, the two men informed Connor of their departure and set off to Gordon’s lair.