Allies by C.A. Gleason

Author:C.A. Gleason
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: C.A. Gleason
Published: 2023-08-04T00:00:00+00:00

17. Melvin

When had it been since the last time he’d attempted contact? He eyed the radio. Sometimes, he did things so automatically that he scarcely remembered having done them. He could tell it always made Ash anxious.

“Soon.”

Even though his mind sometimes betrayed him, he was going to live a long time. Many more years. His sense of purpose kept pace with his age, sped past it even, especially while reading the document. Knowledge kept him young in mind.

Imagining what the journalist described, made it seem as if he were actually there. He wished he could have been able to witness the war firsthand. Not to mention all of the experiments he could have conducted. Especially after the final battle.

The war defined what the planet was today. It made everyone who they were. He was probably the lone person on Home who understood that. He knew what really happened because of the document’s existence.

Although Pal may have snuck a peek at it, Melvin took great pride in having the knowledge to himself.

“If anyone deserves such a thing, it is I.”

After carefully sliding his prized possession back into the envelope and inside his desk drawer, he shut it. And then shoved it, ensuring it was closed.

He enjoyed reading the document. Not because he forgot details—quite the contrary, he’d practically memorized them—it was because he enjoyed envisioning himself during the war, as if he were present.

The more his eyes soaked in the words, the clearer the circumstances of the period became to him. As far as he could tell, every word was true. The journalist had no reason to embellish. Maybe somewhat, for dramatic purposes. To accentuate the details.

“Who was he really writing it for, though? Himself? A publication? Who did he eventually wish to read it, once he was being hunted?”

Melvin liked to imagine it was written for someone like himself. There had been tremendous conflicts occurring, but all of it was completely out of the journalist’s control. He had been a bystander from the beginning.

Being a bystander appealed to Melvin because it was familiar. There were many times when he wasn’t in control because of his dependence on others. Unless he was in his lab.

Reading the document allowed him to vicariously live through the journalist and his experiences.

Upon first discovering the document, he was paranoid it might fall into the hands of someone lesser than him. Less deserving. Someone who couldn’t appreciate it.

“Those with important business always possess treasures. Or at least something to steal to covet or trade or sell.”

Melvin was also afraid that he might be killed while he was above ground and out on the flat. Vulnerable.

No one would be able to conduct his experiments if he were dead. Not the way he could. Not even Ash. No doubt there were many outliers who wanted to kill Melvin. For personal reasons or no reasons at all.

Irrational murderousness was a common mentality for those who dwelled in the east. For Melvin though, he always had reasons to kill.

Melvin even

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