disapprovingly.
“Just as we explained A518’s appointment. The world is changing and the Legion moves with the times,” A350 says.
“Then people will ask what changes we are talking about, it would make unnecessary thoughts,” A489 says, still unconvinced.
“No, they would not. They would be grateful for any change,” I steadfastly disagree. “I speak from personal experience.”
“I think we’ve all heard enough for us to be able to get an idea of this plan. Therefore, we should now vote,” A233 says. “Who votes in favor of the introduction of a common food system in the safety zone?”
A350 immediately raises her hand. I raise mine as well. A489 leaves his hand adamantly on the table before him. To my surprise, A233 raises her hand. After a few seconds, I count ten raised hands. Eleven more are left on the table. We have lost.
“Are there any abstentions?” A233 asks around the room. Nobody answers. I look around and see A566 grinning at me. Is he glad to see me fail? Suddenly he raises his hand.
“I’ve changed my mind. I am in favor of the introduction.” His eyes are fixed on me. “A518 has convinced me.”
Now we are eleven against ten, but instead of rejoicing at A566’s change of heart, I am overcome by the uneasy feeling that he will ask for something in return. Although we never entered into an agreement, I have the feeling that I am now in his debt.
The conference is over.
07. ITâS ABOUT LIFE AND DEATH
T oday is the day when I can return to the safety zone for the first time. Not only that, it will also be my first official appearance as a Legion commander. The new food program will be governed by three food counters in the atrium. It is my job to open the new system and explain to the people in the safety zone the new flow. It was my idea and I am pleased and proud that it has been put into use so soon. The atrium will now what it always should have been: A place of communication. No matter what classification someone is, they will all mingle in there. It will swarm with people talking to each other. From free conversation arise opinions and feelings. This tiny change in the lives of the residents returns a piece of humanity to them. I am convinced this is only the beginning.
If the other Legion commanders see how well this common food tablet system works, they will soon make the transition to proper food. But these are only small steps on the way to my ultimate goal. I want to show people the starry sky. Not the artificial one in the atrium, but the real thing. They will see the sparkle of the stars with their own eyes and stand with the red sand beneath their feet and the wind blowing through their hair. They will smell the scent of the damp Earth after a rain shower and let the needles of the fir trees tickle through their fingers like sand. Maybe I am not much different from the rebels. I am fighting. Even if itâs a fight without weapons that will last years, I will eventually lead them to victory. All I need for this is patience and a strong will.
There is a knock at the door. I rise from my bed and look through the peephole. A350 and D560 are standing outside my door. Through my fingerprint, I open the door for both of them. This too is new to me. Although I cannot open any other door in the Legion commander area, I at least have power over my own door. This door can only be opened with my fingerprint. No one else can gain access without my permission. My room is no different from those of the other Legion commanders, yet it belongs to me alone. It is my home. My refuge.
On A350âs face is her beautiful smile. While she rarely smiled at the beginning, she now smiles radiantly. I have gotten used to the sight as she smiles more and more often. She has even begun to joke. I enjoy her presence more every day. Even our lessons are effortless, but are more like the conversations I would have in the caves with Florence.
A350 naturally caresses me slightly above the
“Just as we explained A518’s appointment. The world is changing and the Legion moves with the times,” A350 says.
“Then people will ask what changes we are talking about, it would make unnecessary thoughts,” A489 says, still unconvinced.
“No, they would not. They would be grateful for any change,” I steadfastly disagree. “I speak from personal experience.”
“I think we’ve all heard enough for us to be able to get an idea of this plan. Therefore, we should now vote,” A233 says. “Who votes in favor of the introduction of a common food system in the safety zone?”
A350 immediately raises her hand. I raise mine as well. A489 leaves his hand adamantly on the table before him. To my surprise, A233 raises her hand. After a few seconds, I count ten raised hands. Eleven more are left on the table. We have lost.
“Are there any abstentions?” A233 asks around the room. Nobody answers. I look around and see A566 grinning at me. Is he glad to see me fail? Suddenly he raises his hand.
“I’ve changed my mind. I am in favor of the introduction.” His eyes are fixed on me. “A518 has convinced me.”
Now we are eleven against ten, but instead of rejoicing at A566’s change of heart, I am overcome by the uneasy feeling that he will ask for something in return. Although we never entered into an agreement, I have the feeling that I am now in his debt.
The conference is over.
07. ITâS ABOUT LIFE AND DEATH
T oday is the day when I can return to the safety zone for the first time. Not only that, it will also be my first official appearance as a Legion commander. The new food program will be governed by three food counters in the atrium. It is my job to open the new system and explain to the people in the safety zone the new flow. It was my idea and I am pleased and proud that it has been put into use so soon. The atrium will now what it always should have been: A place of communication. No matter what classification someone is, they will all mingle in there. It will swarm with people talking to each other. From free conversation arise opinions and feelings. This tiny change in the lives of the residents returns a piece of humanity to them. I am convinced this is only the beginning.
If the other Legion commanders see how well this common food tablet system works, they will soon make the transition to proper food. But these are only small steps on the way to my ultimate goal. I want to show people the starry sky. Not the artificial one in the atrium, but the real thing. They will see the sparkle of the stars with their own eyes and stand with the red sand beneath their feet and the wind blowing through their hair. They will smell the scent of the damp Earth after a rain shower and let the needles of the fir trees tickle through their fingers like sand. Maybe I am not much different from the rebels. I am fighting. Even if itâs a fight without weapons that will last years, I will eventually lead them to victory. All I need for this is patience and a strong will.
There is a knock at the door. I rise from my bed and look through the peephole. A350 and D560 are standing outside my door. Through my fingerprint, I open the door for both of them. This too is new to me. Although I cannot open any other door in the Legion commander area, I at least have power over my own door. This door can only be opened with my fingerprint. No one else can gain access without my permission. My room is no different from those of the other Legion commanders, yet it belongs to me alone. It is my home. My refuge.
On A350âs face is her beautiful smile. While she rarely smiled at the beginning, she now smiles radiantly. I have gotten used to the sight as she smiles more and more often. She has even begun to joke. I enjoy her presence more every day. Even our lessons are effortless, but are more like the conversations I would have in the caves with Florence.
A350 naturally caresses me slightly above the
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