The Elderly

Long ago, humankind determined a set of guidelines to colonize inhospitable planets. The first of these is "less is more". This meant that unless there was a specific reason stating otherwise, all colony sectors would be a monolithic building or a giant dome. Whoever designed Asbestos liked the dome idea. Five giant domes dotted the planes of the planet. It used to be twelve, but we lost seven over the past year. I could see the broken arches of the Frakah dome every time I stepped through the front door. It was a painful reminder. Not only was the loss of the neighboring dome a particularly close call, but it was also our most costly. Five Angels and over two thousand citizens lost their lives in the attack.

"Two weeks." I sighed as I started walking down the road.

Personal transportation larger than hoverboards wasn't allowed on colonies like these. I never thought of it as a bother. A spiderweb of pods, trams, and trains connected all domes, so accessibility was never a problem. I sometimes wondered what it would take to make large-scale personal transportation viable for the colonies. A network of roads would be a must, but the construction and maintenance costs would make such a venture unprofitable.

The transportation hub was only a few minutes away. I found it emptier than I expected when I got there. Only a few citizens idled by. Each was too absorbed in their displays to pay attention to me. I was thankful for that. The mechs, and by extension their pilots, tended to attract fame. I wasn't always happy about this. Even less so considering my current mindset. A private pod, while more expensive, would be my preferred way of travel today. Sadly, I would be left wanting - all the pods were spoken for.

"A tram it is," I muttered as I reserved my seat. The station dinged when the tram arrived, and I stepped in. All trams had an "women only" section at the front, which I opted for. It was a remnant from when Asbestos had twelve working domes. The traffic management would create a `women only' section during peak times to assist with overcrowding on the trams. A system glitch during an attack prevented the restriction from turning off. Several months later, a "women only" section was assumed all around. It was empty, save for an old lady sitting at the front. Old hands vibrated the cane between her legs. I smiled a greeting as I entered the cabin.

"My." The old lady returned the gesture. "To think I would be as fortunate to share a cabin with an Angel."

"You do me too much honor, ma'am."

"Nonsense. I saw you fighting out there. We'd all be at heaven's gates if it weren't for you and your brother."

"Just doing our job." My eyes darted to the back of the cabin. Solitude awaited me if I could avoid an invitation to chat. "If you'll excuse-"

"Sit, sit, please." The old lady nodded at the seat opposite her. "A trip such as this begs for good company, don't you agree?"

"I'm sorry. I'm afraid I won't be good company today."

"You would rob an old lady of a conversation?"

I stopped mid-step. Honor thy father and mother. I masked the sigh with a smile. While she wasn't my mother, she was easily old enough to be. "Then, if you don't mind."

"Mind? Never. You learn to appreciate any company you can find when you get to be my age."

She sounds like a bit of a strange one. Or maybe she's just lonely. I wondered as I made myself comfortable next to her. "I assume your family lives off-world?"

"They might as well. They all live on Asbestos, but we hardly talk anymore. My son works himself to death, and his children aren't interested in visiting an old lady who can't keep up with the latest trends. It's been years since I've last seen them. I only get a phone call every month or so."

"I'm sorry to hear. Do you have other family?"

"A daughter. She is sadly not with us anymore."

"My condolences. How did she pass on?"

"She died during an attack. She couldn't enter a vault fast enough and died when a demon pierced the dome."

I hung my head. "I'm sorry."

"Hmm? I sense you are implying more than just your condolences."

"It's... a problem I've been dealing with lately."

"Problems are more easily conquered if shared with others, young Angel."

I smiled. "You asked me to keep you company. I doubt listening to my worries would classify as such."

"One of the services offered by the elderly is providing wisdom to those who are young. Please, share."

"It's just that... hearing your daughter has died makes me wonder whether I'm adequate at my job. I know everybody on Asbestos has suffered loss somehow, but it still saddens me to hear it. I should ensure the safety of the city. Yet all I see is death and destruction. The previous attack claimed more than a hundred lives, previous attacks even more. Yet Asbestos reveres me as a hero."

"Hmm. Well, answer an old lady this, then. Is there any other action you could have taken at the time?"

"I've been asking myself that question a lot."

"That means there is nothing else you could think of. You can hold your head high."

"You make it sound so simple."

"Is it not? We are but mere mortals, young Angel. We cannot see all possible futures. Such a gift is reserved for God alone. We can only make do with what we know at the time. To expect more would be the fault of the one expecting it."

"Even when there are so many lives at stake?"

"There are always lives at stake. Doctors live in fear of losing a patient, and they do their best to ensure a successful treatment. Yet the same doctors are taught that loss is inevitable. While you fight with a sword instead of a scalpel, is the result not the same?"

"I... suppose."

"Believe me, young Angel. Knowing I have you standing guard against the darkness makes me sleep soundly at night. And when my time to stand before the Creator comes, I will thank him for His servant."

I heard a ping as the tram started to slow.

"Oh my, it seems my stop has come quicker than anticipated. Time flies when you're in good company, wouldn't you say?"

"I agree."

"Where are you heading?"

"The Sopoid dome. I want to see the result of the battle and see if they need any help with the cleanup."

"It seems you are carrying your title well."

"I'm sorry?"

The old lady merely returned the smile as the tram stopped. "I hope we'll have more conversations in the future, young Angel."

"Yes, have a pleasant day, ma'am." The crowd outside soon swallowed her when she stepped through the door. What a peculiar lady. I thought as I leaned back in my chair. It would be some time before I arrived at my stop.