Blanks: Part one- Chapter 2- Human Defense Works

As Noland descends in the tunnel in the Ares he can only wonder what will happen. Will I be taken prisoner? Will I be killed? The people on the radio didn’t seem mad more happy. This is a new experience for Noland. He never made someone, let alone a whole group of people, happy before. Then he wonders about those people and the fact that they knew of the Ares. Who are they? Why do they know of the Ares? Then he starts to think that they are the ones create the Ares. Makes sense since they did know the radio channel, which he noticed is on a military channel. Are they military? Were they the ones trying to kill that monster before I arrived? What was that monster anyway? A torrent of questions came into his head. He shakes his head and concentrates on the lights he passes. It’s almost hypnotic. He starts to calm down, his eyes getting heavier. He tries to force them open, but he can’t.
Quickly! To hangar C-43! Yells a man in military uniform. A group of people quickly rush to the hangar located deep underground. The woman that was in the room led the group.
Hurry! We must retrieve that pilot! As the group turned the corner they finally reached the hangar. The Ares finally arrived. The hangar itself looked to be costumed maid for the Ares, with a two part bridge leading to the chest piece. One of the men swept away from the group and walked to a control panel. He pressed some things on the holographic screen and a bridge extended from the dual lock mechanism right to the chest piece. He then continued to fiddle with the control panel until he manages to open the chest of the Ares. The women who lead the group and a couple of military personnel wait waiting anxiously waiting to greet the man who had saved the city. The chest piece emitted steam it started to open. Once fully open the woman, who couldn’t hold it in anymore, quickly jumped in the cockpit to congratulate the boy. HEEEEEEEY BOOOOOOY! NIIIIC- she was stopped short of hugging Noland.
What’s wrong major? One of the military men asked.
The apparent Major let out a joyful sigh and turned around to reveal a now passed out Noland. The boy passed out. Can’t blame him, it does tend to exhaust people the first time they pilot one, she said with a joyful face. She turned to face the sleeping Noland. He seems so peaceful, how can someone actually sleep after that, I know it can be taxing but man. Oh well, just haul him up to my office.
AYE MA’AM, yelled the men as they quickly grab Noland and begin to move him. The women started to get follow but then turned back to face the Ares. Just thinking of the things the boy will face now that he has become involved in this war. She turns back around and walks back to her office this time with a sour look on her face.
There is a boy. The same boy and is still happy. The boy is laughing, holding the hand of a woman who is smiling back at him. They are walking down a sidewalk. There are lots of people passing by. The woman look around, she seems to be looking for someone. Ahead of them a man starts to wave at them. The woman notices and waves back with a smile on her face. The man runs toward to boy and gives him a big hug and puts the boy on his shoulders. They walk down the sidewalk. The man and woman are talking but the boy can’t seem to understand. The boy notices a candy shop; he starts to fidget and wants to get of the man to look at the candy in the window. The man puts him down and singles to the women. He starts to point at the other side of the street. The woman nods her head and walks over to the boy. She bends down and says something, but the boy still can’t understand. As the woman walks away the boy turns around to look at the candy again, a little drool comes out his mouth. Suddenly a loud crash, a piece of metal flies and hit the glass to the candy shop and it shatters. The boy knocked back by the glass finally gets his bearings back; he can hear the sound of a screaming. He notices a crowed behind him and walks forward. He manages to get into the front. He can see people holding their hands to their mouth. He sees a car and a man crying, he is yelling something, but the boy can’t understand. He sees a trail of red. He follows the trail of red to a man. It was the same man that was holding him. The man is not moving. The boy starts to shake. Then he notices the woman. She is on the road, covered in blood. Her body seems to be cracked in half. She manages to lift her arm and starts to reach out to the boy. The boy starts to shake violently then collapses to his knees, still looking at the woman. The woman starts to say something, but the boy doesn’t understand.
Noland shoots up, covered in sweat and out of breath. He starts to feel dizzy and his heads starts to hurt. He puts his hand on his head.
What was that? He said to himself.
As Noland starts to collect himself he notices that he is in a room. He is sitting on a black leather couch, he look down to see a purple rug and a large black bookshelf. He looks around to see a black desk with a very frightened looking woman sitting in a black leather chair. This woman has long light brown hair and blue eyes, and a slender body. Noland is surprised to see such a striking woman. The woman calms down and introduces herself.
My name is Melissa Corthart, I am a Major in the HDW, and you know you really helped us out there during that fight. Noland had completely forgotten about that, he tries to remember it but his head is throbbing, he can’t seem to get past the pain. Melissa continues to speak but Noland’s head hurts too much to listen. The pain dies down enough for him to listen.
Well, can I know the name of the boy who saved the city? Noland shrugs, but gives an answer.
My name is Noland Mitchell, and aren’t you getting the wrong idea here? I didn’t fight to save the damn city. I could care less what happens to them. Nolan looks around for a door. Can I leave now?
Melissa seems perplexed. If you didn’t fight for the city why did you fight then? Noland becomes annoyed.
NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS! NOW, CAN I LEAVE! Melissa is shocked; she didn’t think that the person who saved the city would be such a violent person. She looks down at her desk and sighs.
Yeah, you can leave now, their two men that will escort you off the premises. As Nolan get up off the couch and walks toward the door Melissa looks at Noland’s face. His eyes show such loneliness; this boy must lead a hard life. Melissa stands up and says, Mr. Noland I thank you so much, even if you did not mean too, you did save this city and its inhabitants, for that I thank you. As Noland heard that, he was confused, he had never been thanked before. This was new to him. He looks back but doesn’t know how to react. He tried to say something but nothing would come out, he didn’t know how to react. Melissa looked at his face; she could tell instantly that this is not a regular assurance for him. As the men take Noland out of the room, the door shuts and Melissa sits back in her chair. She seems worried. She can’t figure out which side of Noland was the real one. She lets out a sigh and looks down at the report on Noland. Her eyes widen as she reads the report. She now understands why Noland acts so anti-socially. She quickly gets up and runs out of the room. She runs down the dark green and grey hallway to reach the men who are escorting Noland. Out of breathe she finally catches up to them. W-Wait a sec. I want t-to ask you something. She tries to catch her breath as the confused Noland looks on. Melissa stands up and puts her hands on his shoulders. Noland, do you really live their? Noland becomes more confused looking sort of skeptical.
Uh-Live where? Melissa squeezes his shoulders.
WHERE!? I'M TALKING ABOUT THAT DILAPIDATED SHACK! DO YOU LIVE THEIR!? Noland squinting from the pain of her squeezing his shoulders manages to give out an answer.
Ye-Yeah I do live there. Why do you care? And will you please release your guerrilla grip from my shoulders!? Noland rips Melissa’s hands from his shoulders, grabbing them to try and ease the pain. Melissa now pushed back doesn’t notice that this has happened; she is too deep in thought. She can’t believe that this boy has been living alone in that shack for ten years, no wonder he acts the way he does. She looks up at the very confused looking Noland, and makes up her mind.
Noland! You are now going to live with me! OKAY!? Noland can’t believe what he just heard.
The only thing he can say is, HUH!?
Melissa emerges from an old model Dodge carrying a bag of what looks like liquor. She reaches into her denim jacket pocket and gets out a ring of keys. She fiddles with it until the desired key is reached. She walks up to the front door of a white medium sized home, hedge brushes located under the windows on the first floor on each side of the front of the house. She unlocks her glass French Style door and heads in. She quickly remembers that she forgot something and leans out the front door.
She yells, NOLAND WILL YOU HURRY UP, YOU GOT THE DINNER REMEMBER! She returns into the house as Noland comes forth from the car’s trunk.
Jesus Christ, what the hell is that woman thinking? Noland makes a sour face as he grabs the bags from the trunk. He continues to talk to himself; that demon; that witch, I haven’t even been to the fuckin’ house yet and she already has me doing the work. She should at least have some damn common courtesy and help me with the damn bags! Noland lifts the bags and closes the trunk, then proceeds to walk into the still wide open door. He stops short of entering; he can’t believe what the house looks like. As he looks around the house he can see garbage strewn across the floor, beer cans laying on what seems to be the coffee table in front of the TV. It looks like a College male bachelor lives here. Is this chick really a girl, maybe she’s a cross dresser, that would explain her strength. Just then Melissa emerges from a door at the end of the hall wearing nothing but a bra and what seem to be men’s boxers.
She yells out, hey Noland! Can you put those into the fridge!? Thanks!
Noland is completely speechless; he can do nothing but look blankly at the door Melissa had come out from.
His theory of Melissa being a cross dresser now shattered he continues to the kitchen which, for its benefit, was the cleanest part of the house, except for the pile of dishes in the sink. Noland keeps wondering if he made the right choice in moving in with this crazy woman. He recalls the argument at the base that led to this.
WH-WHAT!? MOVE IN WITH YOU!? ARE YOU FUCKIN CRAZY WOMAN!?
Melissa got annoyed; I think “crazy” is going a little too far there, besides it will be better than to go back to that shack, it could be a lot of fun. Noland is completely shocked, all he can do is look at this woman who, for now, seems to be telling the truth. Melissa goes onto say; Plus this will make it easier to keep an eye on you. Noland becomes worried.
WOAH! Wait a seconded here woman, what do you mean “keep an eye on,”
Melissa replies; First of all my name is Melissa Corthart, I would appreciate it if you would call me by that, and seconded of all, since you piloted the Ares you are now accepted as it’s “true pilot” you have no choice but to join the HDW.
Noland is getting annoyed; “Join the HDW,” I don’t even know what that is or what the Ares is. Also I have absolutely no reason to pilot that thing, why should I fight monsters I never knew existed until yesterday and protect a city which doesn’t even deserve to be saved. I mean CHRIST, I have been looked down my whole life, I have been alone my whole life, and now I have to protect this pathetic city and its dumb ass citizens!? FUCK YOU!
Melissa looks shocked; this is the first time this has happened to her. She pulls her strength and manages to speak; yeah, you’re right, you don’t have a reason to fight. Noland is surprised; usually when he speaks like that he gets yelled at back, but not this time. Melissa continues to speak; but you know what, even if you hate those people, despite how much they looked down on you, you should still fight for this city, you are still a part of this Earth, this is still your home. You still live on this planet, and take away from its resources. Shouldn’t you at least honor your pledge to this planet, not the city, but our Mother Earth, the only place we can live, humanities only home. Shouldn’t we all at least fight for our home? ‘Cause you know what will happen if we let those monsters run loose? We won’t have a home anymore. All of us will die, so if not fight for humanity, at least fight for our home. Noland was speechless; all he could do was to stare at Melissa, not able to speak. He looks down at the dark green and grey carpet of the hallway. He can’t help but think of the speech she just made. In truth he actually wants to fight, being in the Ares allowed him to feel happiness for the first time that he can remember. He didn’t want to be separated from it, also he wanted to meet that girl again, and he never even got her name. He has just been looking for an excuse to do so, he couldn’t fight for humanity who had shunned him as an outcast, that would make him a hypocrite, and he hates hypocrites. He looks back up at Melissa and makes his decision.
Fine, he says, I will do it.
Melissa’s mood immediately shot up; really, that’s fantastic! Just let me contact Comm-
WOAH, WOAH, WHOA, Noland interrupted her, First you need to tell me about everything. What those THINGS are, what this organization is, and what Ares is, got it? Melissa looked at Noland. She has never seen a boy so straight forward before, but she gives in.
*sigh* Alright, I get it, I will tell you, can we at least get you moved into my house first?
Back at Melissa’s house Noland finishes stocking the refrigerator, which was filled with nothing but beer. He looks around the house and gets mad; how the hell can a woman live like this, I thought they were all neat freaks; Noland had no vague conception of women before this, he only thought of girls for what they were made out to be in magazines. He manages to find a garbage bag and begins to clean. As the bag becomes full he steps out and brings the garbage to the can outside by the curb. He stops and looks up and down the street. He has never been in this sort of situation; he has only known that shack back in the woods. He looks at all the houses, the white picket fences, the dog houses with the names Spot, Spike, Freddy on them; he can’t help but feel uncomfortable. He heads back to the house only to be greeted by a partially wet Melissa Corthart.
Well, you seem to be making yourself at home. Thanks for the cleanup; I didn’t know you knew where to put those. Noland looks at her with a blank look; Hey, I just lived by myself for ten years I wasn’t a wild animal. Noland walks past her barely giving her a seconded look and continues the cleanup. Melissa looks at the floor, this is the first time she had clearly seen the oak hardwood in months, her eyes shift to Noland as he is cleaning the living room remembering that she had promised to tell him everything. She walks into the room where Noland is still cleaning and sits down on her brown leather couch. Noland notices this and looks her way. She makes the signal for “sit on the damn couch.” Noland glares at her but goes to sit down, abandoning the cleaning.
So do you still want to know everything, she asks him.
Yea, he replies.
Okay, just pay attention because I’m not going to repeat this. Now, do you know the explosion that destroyed part of the Northeast, USA and caused part of the northern icecap to melt seventeen years ago?
He responds; yeah, that was caused by a meteor right?
Melissa continues; No, it wasn’t caused by a meteor, what if I tell you that it was us humans that caused it? Noland looked puzzled, but she went on. At the date of December 21, 2012 in a secure facility just north of Stockholm, Maine a test to see is there was a possibility of creating a genome to jump start an evolutionary cycle in humans took place. For all their effort they did exceed, but what accord was a jump into a whole new evolutionary field. The scientists accidently created a whole new life form from this experiment. The only problem was the amount of energy that was released when this thing was created. Our current Commander, Gen. Charles Mulligan, says that the excess energy was cause by an anti-matter reaction created by those things. He’s is the one who named them Blanks. It’s a good thing that when they mature they lose all anti-matter that they were born with. This event led to the creation of the Human Defense Works, or HDW, which I am, and now you, are a part of. As for those creatures, we have no idea of what they think or what they are driven by. All we know is that they are currently going to certain parts of the world. One is In Russia, but they won’t exactly tell us where, one is In Tokyo, Japan, and the last is right here in Actite City. As for the Ares, all I know is that it is a part of a defense plan along with her sister H-RAD’s, I don’t actually know more about them for they were kept a top secret even from the government. The only one who knows a lot about them is the Commander, but he is not the friendliest person, so… any questions? Noland was surprised, not at what she said but the fact that that’s all she said.
Is that really all you have to say? I thought there would be more.
Melissa makes the “I don’t know” sign, Hey I’m only a Major, I’m not exactly given permission to know these things, and I don’t even have high security clearance. Noland thinks for a seconded, Hey wait you said that Ares is part of a series? Is there more than one? Melissa replies; Yea, Ares is the third R-HAD made so far. The others are being relocated here, one of the pilots is already in the city, and the other one was relocated to the Japan Headquarters just today. Noland sits there and just takes all this in.
Hey, enough of this talk, how about we get some food in us. For the first time Noland looked sort of happy but it was quickly diffused. So… Noland, do you know how to cook? Noland looked at her rolled his eyes and left the room. I guess he’s in a bad mood. Melissa gets up and looks up at the purple night sky. Well I guess he is going to have a lot of free time on his hands, not like he can go to school. Meanwhile Noland begins to cook dinner while thinking if the choice he made was the right one. He looks out the window to the night sky, the lights from the city covering the stars in the sky making it a deep blue.