Chapter 6

REMY II

A cloud of dust kicked up as the cabby drove off, making for the city again. Remy watched the car grow smaller and finally disappear over the horizon. The only parts of Desca he could see from here were some of the taller buildings and the courthouse tower. Such was life outside the major settlements. He was luckier than some, though, as the country road connected with his home's. 'Connected' being a disputable word. The transport polymer of Eden's ground network didn't really mesh well with the dirt road that lead to his family's estate.

Remy turned around and looked towards his home, but he couldn't see it. Along the dirt path, tall trees sprouted on each of its sides, a nice bit of natural decor. He would've exited later on, but the cabby refused to get his 'shiny new wheels' dirty. So Remy sighed and started walking. Rare is he who can get somewhere without going.

With nothing else to turn his attention to, Remy started thinking about his life. Just two weeks ago, he'd turned eighteen, and was well on his way to finishing his final year of studying with a good degree. If he did, he'd receive the title of 'master builder' and be allowed to take up any job within construction. In the government, this meant he'd get to be some junior planning assistant, but in his family's company, it meant he could immediately take over a higher position. On one hand, he could spend time learning about the practical side of his career, and on the other, it meant he could dive right into direct work without being bound. Both great opportunities.

For someone who cares. Ever since he'd went into testing at the recruiting facility, Remy just couldn't let go of the thought of joining the EDF. At first he assumed it was only a passing interest, but soon he found himself looking up history books and war stories and military manuals. He'd pause his studies for the night to browse through online forums and inform himself about it all. There were veterans talking about how they'd fought to protect Eden against pirates and rogue factions back before they made landfall. It seemed exciting at best, and cosy at worst. Death was part of it, too, that had been made abundantly clear to him. Lost friends, lost lovers, and lost self-dignity. There were more than enough discussions about vets feeling that they'd tricked themselves into protecting Eden and feeling dejected about it.

But that wouldn't be a problem for Remy. Unlike them, after all, he not only could, but also wanted, to see the truth of life. Just as he was aware and accepting of his eyes' weakness and his family's rigidity, he'd informed himself and was aware of what war would truly bring him. There was no way that he could end up like those dejected cowards who couldn't handle the truth of life. I know what the risk is, and I know that I can handle it.

Not that his family knew that. Not that they'd accept it. His parents would throw a tantrum and use any means necessary to stop him from joining. It was weird, he'd spent most his life thinking that his parents adored him, but in recent weeks it had become abundantly clear that they had stopped him from achieving his goals and enjoying certain things throughout his life. When he was nine, he'd wanted to join his school's junior Zeerogee team, but they told him they were full, even though other kids would join later on. They pulled the strings behind my back, just so I could stay in their mold. Three years later, Remy was looking to get into the medicinal branch, maybe become a doctor, help people, but his parents kept talking about how bad their doctors had it and putting on various reports about the downsides of being in medicinal care on the television when he was passing by. Oh, they were insidious with it.

It was do what they wanted or bust. No way to avoid it. No way to go around. No way-

"Rem-myyyyyyy!" His brother's voice drew his attention. Remy looked around, but couldn't see anything at first. Then he spotted the car. Even in the distance, the bright red shimmer of his brother's vehicle was unmistakeable. He's probably going on another date. He always is. I don't get how mom and dad don't shoot him down for neglecting his job. He was a chief construction administrator, after all. Come to think of it, he's been able to get away with some sacrilegious things in the past.

The car came closer, slowed, and finally stopped next to Remy. In it was his brother, and, as expected, some girl Remy had never seen before. His brother turned to him and stretched out a fist over the door. Brown hair fell in curly locks across his head, and his green eyes had a piercing quality to them. Today he'd chosen to complement his shapely lips and chiselled jaw with a navy blue turtleneck. "How's it going, bro? Fistbump?" He made puppy eyes and Remy bumped his fist. "Fistbuuuump, yeah. Just got back from school?" Remy was already getting tired. "Yeah, the cabby didn't want to drive me all the way. Something about his 'rims.'"

His brother laughed at that. "Oooh, man, I feel that. Gotta keep the rims clean. Or use some C-Pol to reject any and all dirt particles." He turned and winked towards the horizon in front of him. Remy was confused. His brother looked at him eagerly. "Eh? You get it? I did the whole wink thing like I was on a commercial. You know, how they advertise those car hygiene products?" God, that was lame.

"Geoff, who is this dork? Can we move along?" His brother made a face, then turned to his passenger. "Shanise, don't you ever listen? Can't you ever pick up on context clues?" She didn't answer. "Oh for- It's my little brother! You know, the one I told you about?" "The nerd?" Geoff raised a finger. "Hey! Hey. Don't you ever call him that, yeah? He's a booksmart kid and enjoys the arts. Maybe you could learn a thing or two from him..." Geoff turned back to Remy and shrugged. "Well, I've got some things-" He winked. "-to do, and time won't come back for me. See ya later. Oh, and tell that cabby to get come C-Pol!" Geoff hit the acceleration and sped off. Remy heard the remnants of the discussion from earlier getting picked back up. "Shanise, sometimes I really get the feeling you don't pay attention..." And then they were gone.

He's so obnoxious. And unfunny. And he called me a kid. Why is he the one that can get away with everything? What puts him apart from me? It was true that Remy and Geoff were brothers, but there were more than enough things to put them apart. Geoff had gone into sports many times, and was still actively training his body. Compared to him, Remy was a spindly little kid. Then there were the girls. It seemed as though Geoff would pick up and bring home anything he could get his hands on. Girls came and went like the sun, pets stuck around a bit longer, and Remy was sure he'd seen him bring by a few boys, too. Remy could count the number of people he'd brought home on one hand.

'In the familiar lies the most unknown,' He recalled a poem he'd read some time ago. He'd known his family quite literally since he was born, and yet, as he grew older, it became clear that he never did. Disappointed, Remy continued down the road, passing trees and watching the sun set in the distance. Eventually, when the moons had risen and the stars were gleaming, he came upon a large clearing of trimmed grass decorated by about twenty different species of fauna.

In the middle of the clearing, where the path ended, there stood a tall house, stylized after those of the Terran from about seven hundred years ago. Opulently designed and with a smattering of different mythological figures adorning its supporting bits, it seemed like the product of someone with an excess of money and a distinct lack of taste. Mythologies were mixed, Zeus stood next to Moloch, both of them slinging tridents around, Heracles cast a great net over Fenrir, who had half a broken spear clutched in his jaws. Remy shook his head, disappointed by the garish display. I'd take a box hut over this any day. Hmm. Maybe a cabin in the middle of the woods. Yeah, that'd be nice.

He walked up to the front door, although it'd be more accurate to describe it as a gate, and looked towards the cam. "Hiya, Remy!" His grandfather's simulated voice chimed through the speaker. "Hi, house." Remy responded and walked in. Immediately he was hit with the distinct sound of freestyle synth-noisewave, his parents' preferred 'refined discussion' music. It wasn't very loud, but its sound was unmistakeable. He heard his parents, too, talking about some other suits, no doubt.

"...and he didn't even pour in half the glass! Groth is overconfident, he thinks he has the lot in his pocket." He heard a bit of passing conversation as he approached the doorframe to the kitchen and swung in to say hello. He came upon his parents in fancy attire, a sure sign that they'd been to another corporate party. They were both sipping on something at the table, mirroring each others relaxed poses. "Hey, I'm back." Remy noticed he sounded a bit dejected. Got to crack a smile or they'll keep me here another hour.

His mother was the first to respond. "Hey, honey! How's it going?" Then his father chimed in. "Hiya, sport." Remy forced on that smile he'd been thinking about and returned the formality. "Ehh, I'm pretty fine. I met Geoff on the way back, he was with another girl." His parents both scoffed. "I swear, your older brother takes things less and less seriously every day." His mother said. His father seemed deep in thought for a moment and then shrugged. "I don't think Shanise is a girl." Remy was about to step away when his mother offered him some shmet. He would've refused, but it was his mother's homemade. It tastes nice

As he stood there, holding warm brew in his hands and listening to his parents babbling, Remy envisioned himself in their places. Sure, on the outside both of them were pretty, downright handsome. A pair of well-dressed actors. But inside, the two of them combined couldn't amount to more beauty than roadkill. Insidious and passingly genuine, just like all their counterparts. To Remy, high government and corporate bigwigs were one and the same, despite whatever state propaganda claimed. No way can you go that high without being a dick. No way am I going to become that. He thought back to his day on the hill and the results he'd gotten at the facility. He still had the pad. He'd gone over it many times and compared it to the result guide online. What Crezka had told him back then was true. In almost all areas, Remy seemed to excel. It's like I was born to do this.

A fancy suit or a protective suit? Two roads lie before him, one desirable because of prestige, the other one because of adventure. Remy didn't even need a second to decide. Suddenly as the thought came, Remy blurted out, "I think I'll join the EDF." Bad mistake. Baaaad mistake. His parents seemed not to notice at first, but after a few moments their previous conversation immediately died down and both of them looked at him as if they'd just seen the sky turn green. "What?"

Remy tried to avoid it at first, looking away towards the window, begging desperately for some bird to crash through and move their attention away. But nothing came, and he was forced to acknowledge it. "Oh, uh..." Oh, for- It's already over! Why did I have to blurt it out like that... No. No, I always acted like this before. Always tried to avoid the fight and let them step all over me. No, this time they get it. "I'm thinking of joining the military." He said with a plain and sturdy voice, mirroring the confidence of some old movie heroes he'd seen.

His father laughed. "Now, wait a minute..." He raised his hands in a diffusory fashion. "Remy... Honey!" His mother's face scrunched up to it's limit in a mix of confusion, anger, and what Remy presumed to be terror. "You can't just up and join the military, kid." "Honey!" Remy rolled his eyes. "Every time..." His father shot him a menacing look and his mother shook her head at him, saying, "Every- What?! Every time what, Remy?!"

Courage, courage. This is the moment. "Every time I find something that I wanna do, you pull out all the stops just to stop me from doing it!" His mother was taken aback. "What? Excuse me, Remy, but we support your interests! We get you your poetry all the time, and those glasses weren't so you could see my face more clearly!" His father started twisting his lips uncomfortably. Remy put the cup aside and puffed his chest out. "And that's the worst part of it, you do just enough to claim that, just so you can keep your damn moral high ground!" Now dad spoke out again. "Language, Remy! And what's this about a high ground? You're talking nonsense! You know people die in war, right?" Remy scoffed. "Of course! And I wager I know a lot more about it than you think!" He slung his bag up and fumbled through it, then pulled out the result pad and showed it to them.

"See this? Above average on almost all fronts! If anyone's got a chance to survive, no, to be great at this and protect Eden, then it's me! I'd contribute a lot more like this than by being some guy in a suit." A good bit of pride swelled up within him when he said that. A protector, that's right. His parents, again, did not seem to share that passion, and launched into another tirade about how bad of an idea this was. So it went, back and forth, for hours. His brother had come back in the middle of it, poked his head through the door, and ran right back outside. Dammit, Geoff, back me up here!

They were tireless. If anyone could keep and argument going forever, it was good ol' Mom an' Dad. Remy was tired. His arguments were reduced to sloppy strings of words even he didn't understand any more. I can't beat them like this. Can't beat them... Like this! Yeah! It's not that I can't do it, I just need another approach! Need to... Need to make them think they've won, that I give up. And then I have to covertly outplay them. I gotta... I gotta play their game to stop playing their game. Ugh.

Remy moved back, hung his head. Acted defeated. He accepted their arguments and said whatever they wanted to hear. Confirm their victory. Make them think it's over. And so, after hours and hours, the argument had passed. Remy finally managed to slip away to his room. No doubt they would pull some strings to make it impossible for him to join, but he had options, too. No doubt Crezka was willing to help out if he called. I mean, he was really ecstatic about my results. And I'm an adult now, besides! He flopped onto his bed, too tired to do anything else, and slowly fell asleep, thinking. Yeah, they think they have all the cards. Hate them. Insidious and backstabbing. Same approach to parenting as business. I'll just slip away without word, and when I come back a renowned bona fide pilot, they'll see. They will see.