The Family by Saxon Keeley

Author:Saxon Keeley
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2019-07-12T04:00:00+00:00

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The thick polluted morning mist of the Industrial District turns the sunrise a faint yellowish green, a sight more recognisable to those from Earth than those native to Shanxi. A circumstance that would have never of been allowed under Charles’ environmental restrictions.

Offset from the splendour of its neighbouring districts, each street is lined with characterless factories and storehouses.

Leading the two brothers through the back streets, Chairman Zhang takes them to a small workshop in the very centre of the district. The door has been left unlocked and the three enter inside.

Cumbersome machinery sits static. Metal shavings litter the ground. There is a heat to the shop floor that only comes from hard labour. Ticking of a large clock hanging in the far end of the room fills the workshop.

Still unsure of where they are going, Wesley keeps close behind as they make their way through into the back and down a series of dark staircases. The deeper they descend below the colony, the colder it gets.

“One. Two. Three. One. Two. Three,” yelled a harsh commanding voice.

Entering a large training hall, the three watch from the balcony whilst senior officers run through their morning drill. Men and women move to the rhythm of the instructor’s calls. Upfront, he too participates in the routine.

Though not much younger than the Chairman, the instructor is fitter than any of the young officers before him. Shaved hair and darker skin than other Chinese on Shanxi, his body covered in scars.

Noticing they have guests, the instructor halts the drill. Showing both class and discipline every one of the officers stand to attention.

Climbing the stairs, the instructor rushes up to greet them.

“Good morning Chairman.”

“Good morning. I would like to introduce to you my grandson, Wesley Jung. Wesley this is Sun Tzu.”

Neither of them say anything.

Sun Tzu sizes up the youngest of the brothers, inspecting the dragon crawling up the side of his neck. Wanting to square up to the old soldier, Wesley is unnerved by a frenzied glint in his eye. He turns to Alistair, who gives him a reassuring nod. Wesley then knows there is no negotiation to be had.

Met with a crazed smile from Sun Tzu, the old man begins to chuckle to himself.

“You will be in Yong Squad,” said Sun Tzu, then called out to the commanding officers below, “Sun Ren, show Mr Jung to his quarters.”

“Yes, Sir,” replied a female voice.

Stepping out of line, Sun Ren waits for her newest recruit to follow. Unconventionally and boyishly attractive, her features are accentuated by her hair shaved at the sides. Her sports bra shows off an old tattoo of carps leaping up a waterfall transcending into dragons. A tattoo that covers her entire back. One that she is now ashamed of.

“The rest of you are dismissed. We reconvene at zero-eight-hundred hours,” announced Sun Tzu.

“Wesley, I hope that you find purpose here. Sun Tzu is a good man and true to the prosperity of Chinese in the Charted Systems. Do what he says and you will pave the way for a better tomorrow for us all,” said his grandfather.

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