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CHAPTER 9 Haunting memories: Part 2

With his mind completely in blank, a young Evocanis walked. He was lost, yet he knew were he was... His body, covered in blood that gushed from freshly open wounds. With his arm badly broken, he had it difficult to balance himself through all the destruction that overwhelmed his once peaceful home. All around him, the once beautiful Sector where he lived in was now nothing more than twisted metal, debris and fires consuming everything on their path ...

No one seemed to have survived in that Sector. Bodies of the ones that he knew lied motionless, with their expression distorted in agony. No one would've guessed that horrific event that almost erased them from existence many years before would repeat itself.

The young Evo had ran out of tears, his fear had turned into dismay and his futile cries for help where no more. His mind had shut down completely as he walked around sharp debris, opening more wounds in his once soft paw pads. He didn't feel the pain anymore.

At a slow, hopeless pace he continued walking into the nothing... He suddenly heard the characteristic metallic noise that his species learned to dread many years ago. It was a horde of those machines getting close in search for the one who still lived, to end their lives and fulfill their vile purpose...

The normal reaction would be to run and hide, but the young Evo didn't find any sense on doing so anymore.

That sharp metallic clanging of the machines walking on their needle like legs didn't provoke any fear on the Evo anymore. The closer that the sound got, the closer he felt to his family and friends that were viciously murdered by those monsters not an hour ago.

The Evo decided to kneel down next to huge beams that had fallen right at the middle of the once huge corridor. He closed his eyes, wishing that everything would be over soon. He felt tired and just wanted to fall asleep; it didn't matter to him if he didn't wake up again. Maybe it was the lack of oxygen in the now crumbling Canis Major, maybe it was the fact that he lost his will to live.

As the machines got closer, between all the noise of the ship falling apart and the nerve wrecking racketing of the machines making their way to his location, the young Evo briefly came to his senses...Something had caught his attention.

He opened his eyes, blinded once again by the nearby fires that slowly consumed larger parts of the Sector. Still waiting for his inevitable fate, part of him listened closely to a particular sound... As his fate was about to be sealed, very close to him, he heard a faint cry.

Underneath a steel beam, almost crushed by it, a small Evo puppy of maybe just a month old lied hopeless. The puppy had noticed the young Evo, and his instinct was to cry for help. The weak cry from the puppy awakened the protective instinct in the young Evo. This instantly made the adrenaline rush in his bloodstream, boosting his last reserves of energy.

The puppy just stared at the young Evo with sad eyes. That little puppy was probably the only survivor in the Sector besides him, and he was begging to be held by a bigger Evo.

Regaining his senses, the young Evo stood up in pain. As he looked at the far end of the corridor, he could notice the shadows of the machines between the fallen beams. They were getting close to him... He had a decision to make.

The young Evo got close to the puppy thinking on what he could do. There weren't many options though. He thought of pulling the puppy from beneath the beam, but he then felt the sharp pain on his arm, and looking at it, he noticed a sharp end of the broken bone that had ripped through the skin. That wouldn't work, and even if it did, he was too weak at that point and he probably wouldn't get too far.

Every second was pure agony. Not because of the pain, but because of the desperation. He still had the idea that dying was the best option at that moment and that trying to survive was only going to prolong their suffering. But every time he looked at the puppy, his instinct kicked back.

The machines where now only a few meters away... But they still didn't notice the Evo because of all the destruction that made the once gigantic corridor into a tight labyrinth of bent steel.

At the very last moment, the young Evo did what he was supposed to do. What happened after didn't matter anymore to him. He lied down face to face next to the puppy, covering him from view. As he closed his eyes, he nuzzled the puppy. The puppy moved closer to him, as if he was his parent, letting out a faint utterance of comfort. The young Evo stayed motionless...

A last tear rolled down his muzzle as he felt the warm body of the puppy Evo. This was a tear of joy. If that was the end, then he was happy that he was able to hold on to one of his Evo brothers. The young Evo lost consciousness...

The faint buzz from a computer brought an Irish Wolfhound Evo out of his daydream. He was once that young Evo that had lost the will to live that day almost thirteen years ago. The memories of what happened that day haunted him everyday since.

Looking at the room's clock, he noticed that he was already late on his duties, as he was the one in charge of his Zone. He sighed and tried to shake off those terrible memories from his mind, hoping that this time they would go away once and for all. As he stretched, a picture of him and another Evo caught his attention. He grabbed the digital frame and looked at the pictures one by one as they shuffled by. He smiled every time a picture of him and the other Evo appeared; he felt so much love for him.

That black and brown Evo was once that little puppy that lied hopeless underneath that steel beam. He was the reason for the Irish Wolfhound to be alive to that day.

That little puppy wasn't small anymore. He had now grown to be a very strong Evo, and almost stood at the same height as the Irish Wolfhound which was by itself the largest breed in Canis Major.

"Andy... Where would I be now if it wasn't for you, boy...?" He whispered to himself. His eyes getting briefly flooded with tears...

"Lucas?" A German Shepherd look-alike Evocanis appeared out of the nowhere. Apparently he was looking for the Irish Wolfhound named Lucas.

"Oh... Vinnie!" He said, still shaking off the daze. "Sorry, I just realized the time. We are late for the meeting with the Resource Management guys." Lucas got up from his chair quickly, almost tripping on his own paws.

"Whoa! Are you ok buddy? I was worried that you hadn't showed up." Vinnie asked concerned about his friend.

"Don't worry. I'm fine... I just got lost in my thoughts again while preparing the stats on the resource consumption for this month."

"Are you sure you are ok?" Vinnie insisted.

"I was just remembering things that shouldn't be remembered..." He whispered. "Don't worry about it."

Lucas the Irish Wolfhound tried to keep his cool. He didn't want to worry his buddy, but Vinnie knew that something was wrong. Since he knew Lucas for many years, he knew how he had a very hard time dealing with his past.

"Look, Lucas. If you want you can have the day off and I'll take care of everything. You look like you need some sleep."

"Vinnie... No... I don't want to make you carry my obligations. You have your own Zone to take care of." Lucas replied, feeling embarrassed by his friend's proposition. "Let's go. We still have time to catch on with the meeting."

Lucas always fought hard so his traumas weren't evident to others. But it was impossible to hide away the sadness that his brown eyes reflected. They looked empty, as if he lived in an almost machine-like state... almost soulless. Others felt this but failed when trying to help.

"So... How's it going?" Vinnie asked, trying to start some conversation and just maybe make Lucas confess his problems.

"Doing fine... We did well with resources this month. The transition to the new Blue Crystal generators has proven to be very efficient. Just a few more Sectors and Canis Major will be fully running on Blue Crystal." The obvious attempt of the German Shepherd failed miserably. It seemed that Lucas would never open himself, though Vinnie felt he was close to something.

"Oh... Yeah." Vinnie replied, almost disappointed. "With all the new machinery and systems installed by the Retcans, Canis Major has turned into a self sustainable ecosystem." He then added, changing to a serious tone of voice, to make his failed attempt to speak more personally with Lucas less evident.

Both Evos walked into Vinnie's Zone where the meeting was organized. Lucas was still blank like always. He was the type that only spoke when asked something, and rarely showed any emotions, except for that faint sadness that he couldn't hide completely.

After an hour or so, the meeting came to an end. Everyone was happy with the efficiency that Canis Major had reached.

"Lucas!" Vinnie yelled when he saw Lucas heading out of his Zone in silence. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

Lucas turned around and nodded while faintly smiling.

"Hey, buddy. Do you want to go and... relax for a while at my place?" Vinnie asked feeling nervous that Lucas would decline his kind offer. "Just for a while... I know you have things to do..."

"Yeah... ok." Lucas let out a sight before accepting.

Vinnie was surprised though happy that Lucas accepted. But he was afraid that this would turn into another failed attempt to open Lucas' heart.

After a minute or two, they arrived at Vinnie's room. Just like any other Zone room, this was a fairly big living quarter with a small living room, kitchen and bed area. Sound insulation was near perfect and the dim warm light made you feel very comfortable.

As they entered, both noticed someone at the far end of the room, sitting in the bed staring out to space through the massive simulated window that actually served as one of the walls of the room itself.

"Oh, Ace! Sweetie, I was wondering were you where at." Vinnie said to that Evo.

"Hi, Vinnie... Lucas." The Evo replied. She was a grayish Doberman, also known as the Blue Doberman variant. Her voice was very soft, and she inspired serenity all around. She was young as well, one of the Evos born after or during the last attack. She was one of the many orphan Evos that survived, and was taken by Vinnie.

"Admiring space like always?" Vinnie asked.

"...Yes." The female Doberman replied as she returned her gaze to the stars again.

Lucas and Vinnie sat on the breakfast bar and served themselves a cup of warm milk. Vinnie tried to open conversation talking about the D.E Project.

"So, have you heard news about the D.E Project?" Vinnie asked.

"Yes. Andy sent me some pictures of what they've been doing for the last weeks. I envy him so much. I would love to be there. But I have my duties."

"Yeah, I imagine."

"Could you believe that they are about to take place in an exploration mission alongside the Retcans?"

"Yeah... to that comet. I would feel incredibly anxious." Vinnie admitted. "This would be the first time our species sets paw in ground, other than Canis Major's."

"I do feel anxious since this wasn't planned. But I feel so happy for Andy and his friends since this will probably be a unique opportunity. I trust the Retcans and the equipment that the have provided us with. And although the D.E crew hasn't received any major training for these situations, I'm confident that they will be responsible. Even Andy..."

In complete silence, Ace slowly approached them at the breakfast bar and sat with them. She was interested on their conversation.

"So what have you decided, Ace?" Vinnie asked her.

"Hmm? About what?" Lucas asked confused.

The Doberman took a little while to think before she answered the question.

"Andy has been my best friend since we were puppies, and I miss him. I was thinking of taking place in the D.E Project..."

"What?" Lucas looked surprised.

"Yes. I don't want to go only for Andy, but because I love spaceships. And the idea of testing those Retcans fighters sounds incredible. I want to be part of that."

"So you are going then?" Vinnie asked. He knew about Ace's thinking about joining the D.E Development Team but didn't know what she would decide.

"Yes. I want to do this. Even if it's just helping with the development of the D.E Project, it is the least I can do to thank all of you guys that have taken care of me and the other survivors of the attacks."

"Aww... Ace." Vinnie was touched by her good intentions.

"You don't have to Ace. You know that it was our duty as brothers. But thinking of it, Andy would be delighted to have you there. You two always seem to get along beautifully." Lucas added.

"So when do you plan to abandon me, Ace?" Vinnie then ask with a playful tone.

"I don't know..."

"Why don't you get in touch with H2, they can tell you when to go and start the training." Lucas advised.

"Yes. I think I'll do that. If it's ok with you, Vinnie."

"It's ok, Hun. You know that I will always respect your decisions. I'm proud of you Ace." Vinnie smiled.

Ace also smiled and nodded. She went outside to talk with H2 to see if there was an open spot for her. Meanwhile, Lucas and Vinnie stayed alone at the room. This was the perfect time for Vinnie to talk more seriously with his friend.

"Now that she's gone, what do you want to ask me, Vinnie?" Lucas asked very seriously.

Vinnie was shocked by Lucas' question. He realized how defensive Lucas was with anything that had to do with his personal feelings. He never expected for him to be so aware of his intentions.

"Look, Lucas. I'll be direct." Vinnie held Lucas' hand-paws in the warmest friendly gesture. "We've known each other for almost ten years now. We were the first in this Zone Complex and worked hard to organize everything and assign the ones in charge of the rest of the Zones. So we've been very close even if it's just in a working environment."

Vinnie took a pause to continue. Lucas just stared at him right at the eyes. "I love you, buddy. But somehow I feel that you're suppressing something. It almost feels like you are not here... I don't know how to explain it. I just want you to be happy and smile from the bottom of your heart for once. What is it, Lucas? What's hurting you?"

Lucas dissented. Vinnie felt that he would get up and go away without saying a word, like the many times that he tried to talk with him about this subject. But he didn't this time...

"I died that day, Vinnie...I shouldn't be here."

"Don't say that, buddy..." Vinnie softly grabbed Luca's muzzle and caressed him. "Look at me, you are alive and you are such a cute and kind hearted Evocanis. Why would you say that? You're the best friend that one could ask for."

"You don't understand." Lucas replied. He gently took Vinnie's hand-paw off his face. "I was supposed to die with my family..." Lucas started crying. His sorrow was bigger than Vinnie could've ever imagined. "I can't live without them, Vinnie..." Lucas couldn't hold his emotions anymore. He placed his arms in the table and rested his head under them.

He cried most of the tears that were being held for almost a decade. Vinnie wrapped his arms around him and placed his head next to Lucas'. Gently caressing Lucas' muzzle with his own, Vinnie couldn't find the right words.

"We are not your family, but we care for you and love you. We are your brothers and sisters Evos. We will always be together, my friend."

"... If I'm alive it is because of Andy. I'm here because he needed someone to survive with him. I wasn't meant to survive, but I did it for him. There is nothing more than I want right now than to be with my family... But I can't..." Lucas was now completely broken.

"Lucas, don't say that. It sounds like if you're blaming Andy for something."

"NO! I love him. He's like my son. I just hate feeling this way... so empty..."

"You'll have to let them go... What happened many years ago wasn't our fault. If you made it through it was because of the effort that your family made to protect you that day. What would've happen to Andy if it wasn't for that? Understand that you survived because it was your fate to do so... Your family would be so proud of what you've become..."

There was no response from Lucas... These memories had been haunting him for years and it wouldn't be easy to get them over with. But maybe this was the first step to his recovery. No matter how difficult it would be, he would always have his friends that would give him their support, their love and even give their lives for him...