Chapter Text
Alarm buzzed - - - - - - -
She squeezed her eyes and rolled over pretending she didn't hear the annoying repedative tune which eagerly filled the room and probably the hallway outside it aswell. Dragging the thin plain blankets over her head, she sighed inwardly. It was 0500. Early. Too early she felt. It had been a long previous day at the SpecSchool getting prepped for the 'big day'.
The alarm continued to buzz - - - - - -
She finally turned over and slapped the system silent, sitting up she rubbed her eyes and followed with a satisfying stretch. She knew somebody was going to check up on her tardy alarm response, and her not wanting to make yet another point of argument, she managed a quick jump out of bed and began dressing quickly.
"Miss Palmer.." Spoke the gentle yet firm neutral voice which originated from the alarm system's base point on her empty night stand. "-It has been two minutes and forty-seven seconds since your 0500 notification. Is there something wrong?"
It was Pleyus. (pronounced: Pleh-yoos) Luna's, Planet 12's global AI and personal governer and invigilator for all citizens. But 'most importantly' communicator and dispensor of any information and decree to and from the Capitol planet, New Earth. His natural gift; knowing everything about everything.
"No. Of course not." She answered as placently as possible. The last thing she wanted today or any day was an escort to the Anakara's central public evaluation center or anywhere. And besides, she had an early date in the outer restricted zone, not that anyone knew. But if she wanted a quick poke at an early morning buzzard-she'd have to get moving... Maybe he'd be awake by now.
"Excellent." He answered, pleased. "Do be sure to prompt yourself in the following mornings..That is, if you are still with us, miss Palmer."
"Thanks." She answered dryly as she buckled her boots and finished tugging the cuffs of her grey slacks over them.
"You are most served." It was his way of saying 'you're welcome,' but she knew that it was only his progamming to say that as a reminder of the "benevalance" of the Capitol. After all, wasn't the thin blankets, poor clothing and equipment, cold homes, little food and over worked people- sign enough of the Capitol's "generousity"? She finished pulling her hair into a tight low ponytail then threw on her heavy sand-blown jacket. It was also grey, like much of Planet 12's customary clothing- big and thick. For her size, it was just that. It hung, but it worked and she liked it. Style wasn't exactly her priority. Ever.
"Morning jog, miss Palmer?" He nosed.
"As always." She headed for the white door.
"Arn't you forgetting something?" He was reminding her of her citizen pass. It was required for checkpoint passage; carrying all immediate and personal information about oneself. She didn't need it where she was going but for the 'show' she complied and grabbed it before leaving the room the second time.
"What would I do without you, Pleyus?" She mumble mockingly. She hated him.
"Interestingly, you would most likly be dead." He smugged.
"Okay-so I'll see you later then.." She was trying to shut him down, sick of his empty conversation and in a hurry to get out and away from Him. Them.. Everyone.
"Of course. I'll be seeing everyone." She sighed again silently.
"..."
And exited her designated quarters, slipping silently down the hall. It was long and dark, only a few lights shown since the early hours were still on energy revocation and wouldn't be running for a few more hours. But at least the planetary hours were early when it came to brightening up the place, so that was nice. She hurried down past the seemingly endless line of doors on either side of her. The others would be up soon, others meaning: the building's additional members apart from her and her mother. It's name: Complex B, located in the outer suburbs of Anakara. It had become their new 'home' after.. after the drilling accident six years ago. She was eight at the time of the acident, among this and other opstacles, it became impossible for the two of them to keep their old property. She and her mother were eventually relocated here, to Complex B. Her mother, Enetta..wasn't exactly the same after that. She didn't take things very well. If ever.
She opened her mother's door and gave a quick peek. She was asleep still which was good. Hopefully she forgot it was Procuring day, the less stress for her the better. Closing the door gently and before the other members began to stir- she exited the Complex and entered the cold early air.
Planet 12. The current title of the former Luna, since the time the Innie war ended, it became unpopular according to the Capitol for Planets to carry their own individual names. So instead, labled them by number. Luna's-12. Numbers made everything easier.
Sarah Palmer, young and 16, stuffed her hands inside her jacket's pockets and with casual experience, moved down the street past the numerous utopian houses that made up the blocks, and the blocks that made up the city. Her Sector of residence was designated Section B, like Complex B. All of this; monitoring, mandating, co-operation, co-equalism and complete and utter disreguard for individual quality- which was suppose to be normal, felt anything but- to her. Though she had grown up and been indoctrinated into it the 'system' in which she was just another insignifacant moving part in the system's co-funtioning aparatus, she couldn't have felt more apart. She was dead to it and all they forced. The fact that the Capitol beleived that- as a people- individuals couldn't be trusted to keep themselves safe from themselves. And that was tha big lie that everyone fell for at the closing of the war so long ago, and many still die for now. Not for it, but because of it..
Like her father. If it weren't for him, she'd probably be just another bee in the hive. It was because of his actions and words spoken against the President and her Capitol- that the acident ocurred, and she knew it. The bastards always killed or 'removed' the trouble makers. But it was also because of it and his actions- that she now knew what she knew, and didn't have the blindness to follow the Capitol's every whim. She only had to pretend.. And even that was bad enough.
Within a few minutes, she made it out and past many of the checkpoints without trouble; exiting Section B and entering Section A, she approached residence Davis. She smiled, and after wiping her hands against the lap of her slacks, she began to climb with practiced ease, the side of the building, targeting a specific window. His. A few more pulls and she reached it, bracing her legs strongly againts some outer decorative framing, she hung onto the windowpane and carfully slid the unlocked glass upward and open. She poked her head inside, and looked to the bed. It was dark inside but she could make out vague outlines..sort of.
"..hey." She whispered. But no answer. She sucked in a sharp sniffle to stop the nose from stuffing up, do to the ridged cold. Re-adjusting her grapple and foot position, which was wearing, she called again. But a little louder this time.
"Hey..you awake yet?" Still no answer. "Lazy-shorts. Up." She demanded sternly yet still no one answered. Damn he's a hard sleeper sometimes. Oh, wait. She let her eyes adjust to the dimness and saw an empty bed. Great. Just where could he be now? Agh, forget it. Concluding to go by herself. She'd already wasted enough time already- and besides, he'd be there at the City Center for the Procuration anyways..Still, she would have liked to talk with him a little bit before hand. Just in case..
No.
She climbed down and left the residence behind her. And headed for the poorly guarded restricted zone. There was only a few guards inbetween here and there and she could easily by-pass any of those pricks as easy as any clueless bum. If she wanted to, she would. A little manuvering past some sensors, survalance cams and armored weaponry plus guards- and she was in.. Actually out. Out of the city, and out of the madness. Back there she felt nothing but frustration and hate. Empty. She was black and white. But out here, where there was no lie and no order, there was color. Meaning. And she could actually feel something worth feeling. Even the wind felt warmer and less sharp. The ground and rocks rounder, and although grey colored..Painted. It was beautiful.
In the far distance, she could see Bosque de Negro. The local forest; thick and black. It was a terrible place but she loved it. She travelled there only now and then, do to it's trecherous terrain and innertwined trees. It made hard to venture but at the same time, a great place for hiding and making all sorts of trouble. Or friends. It was worth the pain.
But right now, she was after a buzzard. Any buzzard. And if this was her lucky morning for it, she'd need her M363. She carfully retrieved both the stock and bolts, from it's covert hiding place beneath an insignificant boulder. True, her M363 model wasn't exactly fit enough to be designated as such a weapon; it was missing a few parts, and had different ones added to fit her needs as a bolt-projectile shooter. Trading the illegal explosive tip magnet for a much more humble and less conspicuous metal bolt. She had aquired the parts long ago, black market style, and once assembled- used ever since. It was perfect for hunting.
The hunting ground, however, was a little more fun than the usual trap and seize method that most used in the forest. Here, in the 'zone' there was unpredictable ruptures of burning hot underground gases that liked to 'pop' out of nowheres and blow off your legs and the like. Aside for watching your step for your life.. It was more than fun, it was a thrill. And besides, where else would she find those damn birds and their eggs anyway?
She searched and manuvered carfully through the mine field. The ground was covered in craters and large rock pillers. The pillers; pertruded pieces of rock, were pushed up over the years or remains of exploded boulders. And the craters; evidence left behind from an underground combustion gone bang, releasing the hot vapor and later cooling. Leaving behind a crater, and sometimes after a hard rain, a pool.
0641 and still nothing. It was turning bright in the morning and there was little sign of any local buzards. She checked the notible and familiar sites for nesting but still they were empty. Vacent. Maybe tonight or somthing, but she thought for sure there'd be at least something to bring back for all this trouble- She heard a squack. Finally! She aimed her ear toward it's frantic hooting and shot off running for it. Evading the weak volatile ground.
There it was!- up at the top of one of the high rock's peak. Clever, but dead bird. She hooked her M363 onto her belt and began a quick ascent up the piller, grabbing hold of rock nuckles and fitting her boots into cracks. If it was anything she was good at, besides hoopball, it was rock climbing. Too bad the bird wouldn't be alive long enough to brag about it; being the only witness and all. She reached the top and pulled herself up on the ridge with the captured bird. It was bigger than usual, full grown- about five feet long with wingspan about ten. It was flailing about, panicing at the trap which held it's foot secure and fixed to the rock of the ledge. Just who the hell placed a trap up here? It certainly wasn't her, she'd never been up here before.
"Easy there." She drew up her weapon and slid in a bolt into it's barrel. Staying far enough away from the bird's wings without falling off the piller's peek. She pushed in the prong of metal, releasing a 'click' of security once in place. She switched off the safty and aimed.
Breathing in....
It continued to flail wildly. Bareing it's sharp ugly teeth inside it's beaked muzzle. Its movement making it hard to shoot. It eyed her out of one side of it's face. For a split second... She breathed out, and squeezed the trigger -It spread it's wings to the max- and clawed at her. She jolted back and away from the attacking beast nearly falling off the edge- losing her bolt to the sky. A metallic 'snap' sounded, as the trap securing its foot broke! Now freed, it dove at her with all it's feral rage-
-when a sudden whizz of steel plunged through the creatures right eardrum and tore out a-now split- beak. The buzzard squacked and spasmed, as it fell and writhed uncordinatedly in its death spasms. Sarah heard a- much missed and now probably hated, familiar as her own breath-voice burst out in laughter. 'Someone' came into view with his favorite companion-besides her- now crooked in the leisure safty of his elbow. With his wieght settled on his sturdy left leg he looked down at her in humor.
He chuckled loudy. "Did you forget everything I've ever taught you the day I'm not here to remind you? Or were you planning to...I dunno-" He chuckled again.
She recovered her lost balance and moved to the middle of the narrow ledge, avoiding stepping on the large dead bird, and breathed in a sigh of relief. But by his 'joke' that relief quickly turned to anger.
"I had it handled, Davis!" Her usual term for him when she was upset. "Just where were you this whole time?" She spat her words at him. She had no idea why he was laughing. Yet he wheezed in genuine halarity; clearly enjoying how 'upset' she was.
"Well..?" He asked after holding back another out burst long enough to get the question out. "What were you gonna do?"
She cooled down and sighed, placing her hands on hips, holstering her pal. Damn, he could be so cute sometimes.. And clueless.
"What do you think, stupid?" Brushing her attention off him for a second, to look at the bird. "Why don't you get your smartass over here and find out?" She smiled and turned her back towards him. She needed his knife anyways.
He shook his head and smiled warmly. Slinging his own modified M6 sling over his rounded shoulder, he carefully stepped his way over to her. The bleak cliffs and precarious peaks in the area were very popular for their favorite foul, so it was her's and his favorite spot too. Or had fast become it. Any meat was valuable now-a-days and those who could 'acuire' any, were sought out and traded with. He skipped onto a neighbor ledge then lept over the space that separatated the two 'rocks'. All with abandon and charm; he just never seemed to fear anything...
'Stup-ED.'
"Okay-!" He finally made it to Sarah's side, and sighing in the cold morning air he nodded vocally observing their prize.
"...Looks like we got a dead bird." He gave her a teasing look, raising his brows. "-Do I gotta tell you whats up next..?"
She pushed her hands on his chest and shoved him backward. Completly taken with his irresistable smart yet stupid demeanor and big mouth. As usual. He just couldn't help himself and she wouldn't want it anyother way.
"Just give me the knife already." She didn't want to say that she forgot her's, she always counted on him to bring his because normally- he just came along with her instead of sneaking around like a wierdo.
She held out her hand out toward him as she strattled the beast. She eyed him, waiting for the knife. He pulled it from his right boot and handed it to her with a little twirl of 'macho'. She took it, leaving his hands free to rest on hips as he watched her get to work.
He huffed softly. "You do know today is Procuring Day...."
"Mm-hm.." She huffed, quiet and resigned; beginning to slice through the bird's thick oily skin. Processing it.
He continued. "So-you do know that you shouldn't be out here, doing these things today- when we could've- tomorrow, like we had planned..."
He paused for emphasis. "Alone."
He was scolding her again. Typical 18 year old.
She stood straight up, still over the beast. She released a breath of- not complete frustration with him, just a little. The rest was... everything else; the 'Day' itself. She hated the Procuring; 'Recruting' kids to fight and kill, struggling helplessly to survive. And for what? The promise of wealth and stability?
She had a feeling, a bad one- unlike the previous years. This was different. Maybe she was just realizing now, that- nobody from Planet 12 had ever won. And year after year, two kids were recruted for this deathmatch and never came back. And anyone of them could be next. Dave, herself, or maybe Pria.
It was her first time this year, finally coming to age, and Sarah was scared sick for her.
"Dave.." She asked, replacing his question with her own. "How is she?" Wiping a loose strand of hair out of her face, eyes still glued to his. Worried.
He sighed at the change in subject. A subject that was- what must have been on his mind too, because his eyes softened and he persed his lips to the right side, a moment or two before answering.
"She's fine. Anxious, but fine. We all were the first few years.." She could see and hear the concern on his face and in his voice, the depth of it that he held for his beloved little 'sister'. She looked back down, equally concerned but prone to show it a little bit more.
She violently ripped the useless wings from the dead beast; tossing them aside. "yeah.." She sighed. "I just.. wish it was different, Ed. She shouldn't have to live like this. Like us."
She shook her head, upset. "She's too young." Her cutting motions becoming stronger. "Maybe we could take off somewhere's or you two could go and I'll stay-and say you've gone missing or something-."
"Shut up, Sarah- I'm not leav'in you and neither is Pria. You're freakin out, ok?" He stepped right up to her and bending down, he snatched her 'rabid' wrist and plucked the knife from it. He "shushed" her protest firmly, worry darkening his usually cheerful continence as he then slashed and sawed at the bird's tough skin and muscle tissue, taking it apart piece by piece.
"Listen-" He started to scold her, again. "-I'm not going to let anything happen to either of you. Alright?" He looked her in the eyes, serious. "Its gonna be like every year and we are gonna be fine. So come on and help me get this thing done so you'll have enough time get ready and help Pria too..okay?"
She silently conceded, and together they processed the animal; wrapping it in a draw-strung tarp he brought along, and (him carrying) they decended the mountain of rocks to the solid ground. Moving together inbetween the conbustable death-traps.
She breathed in a deep breath. "Rahrdy is gonna be happy when he hears what we have." She smiled lightly. Damn Kig-Yar were too lazy to hunt for themselves, She mused keeping her eyes fixed to the ground-watching his steps aswell as her's.
Ed snorted. "He better. This thing-" He hefted the body bag. "Broke my trap -snapped the spring latch- and I don't know when I'll find another one. Thats my third, ya know, outta five...But- on the bright side-" He side stepped a spiderwebbed crack. "-Watch out...is that the birds seem to be getting bigger. Which means better deals for us. You know, our time and efforts. Awesome, huh? A real win-win, I guess." Finally smiling again. "The only down side...the climb down."
"Oh, you pussy." She teased softly. Still facing down. "It isn't that bad.." She lifted her head and caught his large blue eyes with her dark brown. He was a boy. Sweet, smart and strong in every way. Brave too, he was the only person who'd helped her family in their time of need, when they were removed from their old home and transferred to the complex- he was the only one there to help, and did where ever he could. He taught her how to hunt, rock climb, blackmarket, hoopball- of which she soon surpassed him in, and most importantly- assisted her in careing for her mentally 'slow' mother. He was only 10, and for 8 years-stuck it out and never left her. She owed him her life, her everything. And besides Pria- was the only one she ever considered worth living for. Dying for.
She pulled her eyes away from his, slowly, and checked the time. 0825. They'd better hurry and drop off the carcass if they wanted enough time to clean up. She took a deep breath and turned again to her Edward Davis.
"I'll drop off the bird if you wanna start getting Pria ready."
"Nah." He shook his head. "I got this. You get goin, k?" He leaned in and pecked her on the lips then nodded in his home's direction.
"Pick her up, and I'll meet you there at yer place." She lingered a bit. It was just too soon to leave- but he swatted at her butt, teasingly.
"Go-!" Then he turned and trod off to the market district, whisteling an illegal tune.
O
Okay now I call that: The Dagger of Cutsie. It means that it was just so adorable that it hurt so bad, like a dagger shoved into your gut. Yup, Dave is a cutie and we've only just begun our wonderfully horrible journey of pain, dispair and lies!
Sarah is a boss, you'll find out soon enough. And wait til you meet Pria. Hope you all like the switch up and overall idea. I thought it was something awesome and totally fun, and couldn't resist! For many of you that may not be Sarah Palmer fans- just give her a chance. She's not a bitch, although her tough nature may suggest otherwise, she is a good person. And I hope to show that to you while she's young and in circumstances that you havn't seen her in before.
Alot of the other characters to come will have interesting rolls to play, that I hope you all will enjoy it, and have fun.
There are more chapters to follow, so stick around!
PLEASE DROP A COMMENT AND TELL ME ANYTHING. I'M VERY PERSONABLE. I GIVE HUGS AND STUFF. I MAY EVEN GIVE OUT A PINCH OR TWO. SO COME ON AND SAY IT. I'LL BE AROUND.
Oh, and of course- May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor.