Exodus

Night had fallen over the Antioch Complex and Econometric Elation, and everywhere citizens were stepping out from their homes, or peering out their windows, looking up at the sky and the red moon of Styx, which seemed to be surrounded by thousands of glowing fireflies. Spaceships. Or explosions. Whatever they were, the effect made Styx look like a glittering red disc. Something was happening. What was worse, now that night had fallen, everyone could see that the black band that had been developing across the moon’s surface had finally been completed: Styx now resembled an eye. The eye of AssMachenstan.

“Shit.” It was all Jessica Bangs could say when she looked up at the sky, out from the floor-to-ceiling glass window of her office. She snatched up her phone and dialed a number. He wasn’t picking up. She dialed again. Still nothing.

She dialed a new number. “Hello. I need you to put me through to the Space Disk. Now.” She paused. “What do you mean connectivity has been lost?” she asked irritably. “I need to speak to Jagesic, now. Yes, this is an emergency. Wait—” Jessica’s personal cell was ringing. She picked up. “Jagesic, thank God!”

“Jessica,” said Jagesic, his voice grave, tense. It sounded like he was jogging. “It has begun.”

Jessica had already known it, but Jagesic’s confirmation made beads of sweat start trickling down her forehead. “I feared so,” she said. She glanced out the window and looked again at Styx. “Jagesic, we need to step out.”

“Yes.” Jagesic said, exhaling heavily. He was quickly being led down the corridors of the Space Disc by a group of armed soldiers. They were going towards the escape hatch. “Though I feel like a damn coward.” 

“They must not capture you Solomon,” Jessica said, gripping her phone tightly. She knew Jagesic wasn’t one to shy from battle. “You know what could happen if they do.”

“I know,” Jagesic said, reaching the escape hatch. “From here on, I go alone men. Thank you,” he said to his soldiers. They nodded, as Jagesic took his place in the launching pipe. “Jessica, I’m about to launch. I must go. I will see you on the other side.”

Jessica nodded. “Good luck.”

“And to you. Remember to contact Martin and Timoteo.”

“I will.” 

Jagesic hung up, and Jessica was left in her office, alone with her thoughts. It was the calm before the storm. And while the calm lasted, she had to flee. If any of them got caught, they would all be compromised. Everything would be compromised. She picked up her phone and dialed Martin’s direct line.

Nothing.

She dialed again.

Still nothing.  

“Damn it Martin.”