Commander Barro Suta strode atop the parched concrete of the city sidewalk, moving swiftly with short, march like steps. Directly above her, the sun exuded its rays upon her back, wrapping her in an unbearable vice of sweat and discomfort. She tugged on her collar, trying to alleviate the unpleasant sensation, but without much success. She could see that other people around her were bothered by the heat as well, sweating profusely as she herself now was. It was quite a new experience for her, dealing with so much heat. Barro wondered if it was always this hot in Southern California.

She plodded onward nevertheless, her eyes fixed dead ahead of her. Through the convection currents rising from the baked tarmac, she saw the street stretching like a pathway through the forest of giant office buildings lining its sides. The City of Cronus boasted itself as being the home to some of the tallest buildings in the world, and so far it seemed to be living up to its reputation.

Barro suddenly felt the temperature drop as a dark shadow passed overhead ushered in by a slight breeze. Instinctively she looked towards the heavens, seeking to measure how long the lofty guardian would protect her from the sun. She need not have squinted; the thick gray mass of clouds had blocked the burning orb completely. The cloud was wide and heavy just as Barro had hoped. It nearly filled the entire sky as it stretched Southwards towards the urban horizon. A strong wind blew from its direction and Barro felt the cool threat of rain come with it. The clouds moved quickly overhead as the she continued to walk. Within only a few minutes they had blanketed the entire city, covering the metropolis in a thick gray mass, cutting it off from the light of the sun.

Drizzle began to fall in a slow mist as Barro spotted an overhanging verandah and rushed towards it. She quickly stepped under its protection just as a strong gust blew a shower of fresh rain droplets in her direction. Were she not dressed in uniform, Barro would have gladly stayed to welcome the fresh downpour of relief, but for now she would have to be content merely to watch it. She rested her gray duffel bag next to her, just as the first few drops began to fall.

A sharp clap of thunder hailed the arrival of the cloud burst. lt fell suddenly in a massive sheet, filling the air with a fearful hiss. Steam began to rise from the parched street as the gutters drank their fill of the newly fallen beverage.

The wind blew through the cooling mist of rain, bringing with it the smell of steam and oily tarmac. Barro moved directly under the verandah as the wind began to kick the rain towards her. She could see almost nothing now. The rain poured steadily, bouncing off car rooftops with a tremendous drum. The entire sky had turned dark gray, giving the day an almost dusk like appearance.

Barro watched as human shadows raced for shelter through the slow moving caravan of honking vehicles. But one figure stood out among them, choosing to walk rather than run. The figure approached slowly, moving in her direction, protected by the umbrella held high over its head. Barro could now see that the figure was that of a woman.

Growing closer, the woman finally stepped through the curtain of falling water and joined Barro underneath the verandah.

"Ah, that's better.'' The woman sighed in relief, shaking her umbrella. "The weather changes so quickly these days."

Barro glanced towards her and smiled politely.

The woman looked to be in her early forties. Her face was attractive and gentle and seemed to carry a sense of caring and calmness. Her jet-black hair was cut in a short business like fashion and contrasted sharply against her gleaming light blue eyes. Barro suddenly became aware that she was practically staring at the woman and quickly diverted her gaze.

The woman smiled, no doubt noticing her. "Some rain isn't it, Ms. Suta?"

"Pardon?" How did the woman know her name? Barro opened her mouth to question her, but then remembered that she was in uniform and that her last name was clearly pinned to her chest.

"The uniform right?" Barro smiled. The woman only nodded.

"I'm sorry. I have a thing for reminding people they are wearing identifying clothing."

"I see." Barro looked back up to the rainy sky. "That is a strange hobby."

The woman chuckled. "I suppose you could say that."

Barro squinted at the woman again. She seemed to remind her of someone, especially the way she laughed, but she couldn't quite place it. The entire situation seemed odd. Nostalgic almost.

"Is something wrong, dear?" The woman said as if sensing her mood.

"Oh, no," Barro said quickly. "I'm fine, thank you."

The woman looked her uniform up and down. "That's a lot of badges you have on there."

Barro couldn’t argue. In her relatively short career she’d amassed quite a few distinctions, but truthfully they were a source of pain more than accomplishment. A medal for her normally meant surviving a conflict her comrades had not.

"I see you’re a pilot." The woman gestured to the winged pendant on her chest. “Air force?"

"No, USSD."

"Ah… Space Defense." The woman smiled appreciatively. "That sounds very exciting."

“Can be…” Barro glanced at the woman again. She certainly looked familiar. But she still couldn’t place her. "Excuse me ma'am, but have we perhaps met somewhere before?"

The woman paused for a moment and then smiled at her coyly. "It’s possible I suppose."

Something clicked inside Barro's head. That voice. She definitely knew this woman somehow. It seemed impossible. This was her first time on visiting this city. But she must have met her at some point before.

"Where are you from?" Barro asked.

"Oh, quite far from here," the woman said with a gentle smile. "Like yourself."

Barro raised an eyebrow at that one. "What do you mean?"

"I have something for you," the woman said. She reached for something in her purse pressed whatever it was into Barro's hand.

"What's going on?"

The woman hushed her like a child, placing a gentle finger upon Barro's lips.

"What is this?" Barro vaguely felt a flat, square-shaped object in her palm.

"You'll find out."

"Who are you?" Barro had to know.

The woman smiled and then leaned forward, her wet lips finding a soft spot on Barro’s flushed cheek. "Someone who loves you, Barro."

Suta's body grew stiff. That voice. That touch.

Shady memories began to flood her mind.

The woman caressed Barro’s cheek. Then she slipped away from her. Barro hardly noticed, her mind still in a daze. Something fell to the ground with a plastic clatter. Barro blinked and looked downward. The small object the woman had given her lay next to her foot.

A datachip?

Barro stooped and retrieved it quickly from the wet concrete. The woman. Where was she? Barro’s head snapped quickly left and right looking for her. But she was no longer there.

Barro arose and turned to face the gray downpour surrounding her. ln the distance she could discern the faint outline of an umbrella. Barro took a step forward but hesitated. What would she say to the woman if she caught up with her? Barro wanted to know who she was, but something deep inside, told her that she already knew.

And it shook her again.

As cold as the icy rain which now blew against her face. The recognition. The realization. A single word entered into her mind. Barro rejected it immediately. It was illogical. Impossible. Yet it seemed so clear. She spoke it just to get it out of her head, the word forming on her lips as alien as the entire concept it represented.

For the first time in her life, Barro spoke the word.

"Mother?"

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