Nature of Clones - Chapter 26

Memory Transcript: Ella Smith, Coalition Representative

Date: [Standardized Human Time] November 14th, 2134

I walked through a hallway, it was weirdly long and didn’t seem to want to end. The sounds of my steps echoed throughout. I heard something up ahead and I ran towards it as it came closer and closer, finally I stopped to see a.. Venlil eating an Arxur?! What the fuck?! I fell back and scrambled away from that sight. I turned and saw shadowy figures all around me. The room went black as one stepped forward, it was Elias Meier. He looked younger. He stepped forward and began to speak, “You really failed all of us. I mean, it’s your fault after all on why Earth entered a civil war.”

I was frozen to the spot as more people came forward. My mother, James, the other representatives, even Ryder. They all hurled insults at me, true ones at that.

“You are a failure to the Coalition and UN!”

“It’s your fault this is happening!”

“The clones are going to be seen as lesser once you fail again!”

Suddenly, Meier shoved a hand into his suit and pulled out.. A gun? Ok, why the actual hell? I felt my heart race but I just shut my eyes as the shot came. I woke up. My heart was still racing and I was covered in a nervous sweat.

I groaned as I realized I was asleep. It's been a few days but I can’t afford to sleep. I must keep on working to finish this invitation to talk about the clones and their future. I can have a great sleep once I get this job finished.

I won’t fail the clones like I failed Earth.

I rubbed my face and realized that my laptop was a bit too far from me. I tried to stand up to grab it, but I just fell down. I couldn’t bother finding the strength to get back up. My side ached now from the fall, my head feels like I just took a bullet, and I’m exhausted. I grabbed my holopad and saw the time: [5:37 AM].

Fuck I’m tired and it’s this early? Whatever, a little exhaustion won’t stop me.

I was close enough to my laptop so I quickly pulled it over to get back to my work, I’ve wasted enough time by that accidental nap. I could only stare at the screen as my eyelids became heavy. Despite how much I tried to keep my eyes open, I just couldn’t and I eventually reentered the land of slumber.

—5 hour fast forward—

I jolted awake as I heard a loud knocking at my front door. I was hesitant to answer but the persistence of the knocker finally won. I yawned as I got myself up, stumbling to a wall but I got myself over. I cracked the door open and saw the familiar paint pattern of Ryder. The two red stripes going down either side of his helmet and body armour. “Oh, ma’am! I’m glad to see you’re awake. I came to see how you were doing. You haven’t said anything for a few days.”

“Oh! Don’t worry Ryder, I’m a-ok!” I tried to wave him away, but the clone did not take the clue.

The clone's head moved slightly closer. “You have some big bags under your eyes, ma’am. And you look paler.”

“I’m just a little under the weather! No need to worry!”

“Then you should go and rest.” He paused, then added, “I’ll leave for now. But, if you need anything please tell me.”

I watched him leave before shutting the door. I should get back to my proof reading.

It would be fine if you did take a quick refresher snooze.. I mean, it’s not going anywhere and you’ve spent the majority of the last 4 days doing exactly that.

Don’t forget what happened last time you wasted time.

Shut it. Let this person sleep for a few hours! Besides, a well refreshed brain can help make sure that everything is actually fine and not accidentally send some stupid sounding proposal.

I sighed as Ryder’s suggestion finally won the mental fight.

Plus, once you’re done that you can get the house all cleaned up.

I felt a huge yawn coming as I stood up and went to my bedroom. I jumped into the bed, not even bothering to throw the covers on as sleep came fast.

—10 hour fast forward—

I blinked awake, slowly sitting up as I looked at the time.

Damn, it’s 8pm already? Guess I had a good rest.

I quickly got out of the room and went to the laptop, sitting and beginning a proper proofread.

That was a good choice. Fuck this looks like when I was in debate class at highschool, alright but can be much better.

I quickly changed what needed fixes and finally sent it to three different people: Jer, the Thaiphrel representative, secretary general Zhao, and whoever the TCA’s new head is because I doubt they still have Jak in charge.

I shut the laptop and looked around the living room. It was and wasn’t a mess at the same time, honestly my lack of self care over the last few days prevented something worse from befalling this room. A few empty dishes and some trash littered the table and floor while beside me there was a bundle of blankets from the last few nights on the couch. Things that wouldn’t take me too long to get done with. After that I’ll probably go outside for a little, get some actual air.

I quickly cleaned up, then washed myself. When I finally looked at the time, it was now 10:35. I glanced out the window: there was a sunset just beginning.

This will be nice, I haven’t gone out during a sunset for too long.

You don’t deserve anything nice.

I grabbed a t-shirt and some shorts and threw them on before walking out the front door. As I did so a warm breeze hit me, that helped blow away some of the darker thoughts.

I took a deep breath as I began the walk, I moved through the bustling streets. There were many people still hurrying home and a few clones on patrol strolling around the capital city. After a few minutes, I made my way out to the familiar path I found back when I first moved here. The pathway leads to a field and beyond that a beach from one of the many lakes that cover this continent. My footsteps are the only sound that fills the silent land as I move from the pathway to the grass and finally to the sand until I have reached a bench.

The sun lowered across the horizon, pinkish red and orange covered the sky, bouncing off nearby clouds and covering the lake in its beauty. I’m not sure how long I sat there for, just staring at the disappearing colours as night approached and took over. Eventually, I stood back up. I sighed as my focus fell on the rising moon of Sollarus, it was a light grey like the moon from home. The main difference was that it had many, smaller craters covering its surface without the larger ones like Earth's moon has. I sighed as I turned and began to head back to my home.

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