Rule of Twelve, Double Take - Ch2 Perspective (Passage 2/5)
(… continuing)
An alarm sounded in Marr’s comms. She looked around. It was all quiet. Not good.
She crawled out of the hide and crept slowly down the path that led back to the orchards.
She soon came across a young woman lying flat on a small outcrop. She was overlooking Marr’s colleagues sweating and toiling below. The woman was snuggled up to a sniper rifle with her eye in the sight.
Marr unsheathed her 6-inch blade as she crawled up behind the young woman.
As Marr brought the knife up. The woman whispered, “Cut it out Marr, you are spoiling a perfect view.”
Marr put the knife away and stood up.
“Shit Marr! Get down. They will see us.”
“What? You afraid of getting caught drooling again?” Marr replied.
“You are just jealous of the action I get. Speaking of action, what is the story with your primary companion? We haven’t seen him for a good while?” Luna replied doing her best to change the subject.
“Firstly, Mentor is not my companion, primary or otherwise, you know that. You also know better than to ask questions of his whereabouts. Besides, we have nearly missed our check-in time.”
“You worry too much, Marr,” Luna retorted.
Marr’s demeanour changed. Time for play was over. It was time to step back into teacher and apprentice roles again.
“You don’t worry enough, and you know very well that if we don’t put some seemingly legit chatter on the comms soon, the fake logs may raise an alarm. We really can’t afford at this point in time to draw any scrutiny from the overlords.”
“I know,” Luna replied as she sat up and started packing up the rifle.
She then continued, “I just wish I knew more of what exactly was going on and what the plans for us are.”
“Luna, you know that it is for the best that we only know as much as we need to at any given time. The stakes are just too high. All will be revealed to those that follow the path. Speaking of which, it’s time for some revision.”
Luna groaned.
Marr continued, “Recite the creed.”
Luna replied, “Focus on that which is real in the heart. Create the space so that the process can emerge. Honour that which serves you well. Engage in the journey as it unfolds.”
“And, again with meaning,” Marr demanded.
Luna smiled but ignored her.
Marr had to admit, her smile was a killer. It could break the coldest of hearts.
Luna was twenty-one, ten years younger than Marr. And like Marr, Luna had been recruited by the resistance during the labour rotation. And red pilled at the age of eighteen. She had been under Marr’s wing ever since. She was of average height, with dark brown hair and eyes that matched her complexion. Some would say her complexion was warm with orange-red undertones. She was slim but strong and incredibly agile. And she was one of the best snipers Marr had known.
Marr nodded.
They both then disabled their bracelets.
Marr then said, “that all looks in order, let’s get ready for the pick-up.”
Luna added, “excellent, I am tired and ready for some food and rest.”
Then, they both waved a hand over the bracelet again and a slight green glow reappeared.
Luna looked up from packing away her stuff, “I still find it hard to believe the observers think we only talk once or twice every 30 minutes and that we only say that crap.”
Marr shrugged, “it works. Why question it. For as long as I’ve known, they don’t come looking, if we don’t give them any reason to. If we keep them thinking it takes 8 hours to run those checks and not 1 hour, then we’ve got the space we need to train, learn, and prepare!”
Luna stood up and they both then made their way back down the hill, using the bushes for cover.
“Now recite the Story,” Marr requested.
Luna slowed and looked back. “What if it isn’t true? And don’t go reminding me about poor Billy and his mentor getting picked up for reciting the story without their bracelets being active. I know the overlords crack down hard on any mention of this story. But what if they just want to protect us from lies?”
Marr stopped dead. She grabbed Luna’s shoulders and spun her around to look at her.
“What is real in your heart?” Marr demanded.
Luna looked embarrassed. Her expression saddened. She then stood up properly. Pulled her shoulders back. Allowed her focus to drift and was quiet. Within a few moments, her smile returned. Her whole face lit up with an expression of both love and knowing.
Then she shared, “The story is the truth.”
“Right, now recite it,” Marr replied with warmth and forgiveness.
(to be continued...)
[Rule of Twelve, Double Take, Chapter 2 - Perspective (Passage 2 of 5)]
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