Free Emergence by Adrienne Gordon Page B

neck, and while others wore white jackets, his was tan, and the others seemed to afford him some respect. “To think, one day it flew in the sky, like the levitating cities.”
    Melissa shook her head in disbelief. “What kind of Archsussa could have powered it?”
    “No sussa powered that ship,” sneered the youth. “Science was its only power!”
    “Come on, Richard,” said Ocin, “we need to get under cover.”
    Melissa was led through a small village at the base of the mountain, filled with low homes made of wood and cleared, dirt roads. The rough sound of charaks could be heard, and as they passed through the center, large pens could be seen housing them.
    “Do you use them for battle, or sport?” asked Melissa.
    “They draw our sleds, so we can cross the snow plains while light remains in the sky.”
    They walked up a path roughly-paved with large stones. A thick cheet of ice glazed over the stones, making it a treacherous route for all involved -- especially Melissa, whose feet were almost numb with frost. The thin leather sandals she started out with broke long ago, and the pain from her feet terrified her. Worried she might end up losing her feet, she began to cry.
    “I’m in so much pain!” she moaned.
    Laughter from most of the group was her only reply, and though she met the youth’s gaze, it returned no compassion or pity. 
    The path led to just under the massive ship, and as they approached a panel slid open. Two guards holding more black weapons came out.
    “Don’t tell me you finally caught one, Richard,” said one of the guards roughly.
    “Yeah, finally,” answered Richard. “It was only a matter of time.”
    Ocin gathered Melissa’s long hair into a ball and yanked her head up. “And it was an easy capture too! What a pathetic waste this thing is.”
    The other guard added; “must be one stupid heretic to be caught in the open snow.”
    It was too much for Melissa. She dropped to her knees and cried, bawling in the snow. She had never felt so ugly and stupid in all her life. He refused to let go of her hair, even with her crying, instead laughing with the guards. Melissa struggled, but his hold was too firm. She was shocked to see Richard calmly pull the man’s hand from her hair.
    “Ocin, she’s a heathen, but we can act better than that.”
    Ocin backed away, grumbling, as Melissa pulled her hair back and nodded gratefully to Richard. “Thank you.”
    “Don’t thank me, heretic,” he replied with a sneer. “I act with courtesy towards you because it’s the rational thing to do. You will be of no use to use bawling on the floor.”
    She was led up through the bowels of the metal ship to the second level. The structure rest at a downward angle, and all had to hold onto a wooden rail affixed to the wall to guide them down. The lighting came from small glowing bulbs positioned at equidistant intervals on the walls that emitted a faint hum. Melissa couldn’t help but stop to examine one.
    “What is this?”
    “It is a torch that isn’t of fire, and not powered by a heathen Archsussa.”
    “Then what keeps it lit?”
    “Science,” said Richard, his voice full of reverence. “Science enables us to use all kinds of fuel to illuminate our surroundings, cook our food, keep us warm at night. And when we wake up, we aren’t obligated to give thanks to an Archsussa. We merely thank ourselves for the ingenuity to live by our own means.”
    She hated his arrogance, but he still acted as a gentleman, steadying her through the corridors. His gaze was always stern yet warm, and she didn’t know if his words or his physical acts represented who he really was.
    Into a large room Richard led her, bidding her to sit at a wide table. Food was finally brought along with a tall glass of warm xuno. It was meager, offensive-smelling fare, appearing to be leftovers from leftovers. The food sat on a dirty plate, and no napkin or eating utensils were placed with it. Despite her hunger, Melissa