Storm Warnings

Sedona had made plans to visit the museum again with Jakarta. But there was so much going on that she nearly forgot their arrangement. Luckily, he saw her walking home after work and reminded her about it. She was glad, it had been weeks since she had seen him and she looked forward to seeing what new displays the museum had put together. So, she quickly showered, and gobbled down her dinner while throwing a ball to tease Snuggles. Then she was out the door.

The antique chess set was no longer on display. Instead, there was an old game of Go, made from polished black and white stones.

“Oh, Merida would love this,” said Sedona. “I’m so sorry she missed this visit.” She was surprised when Jakarta’s face turned still and cold. He turned and walked away quickly. Uh oh, was there trouble brewing between her two best friends?

Sedona caught up with Jakarta at the area where artwork was hung. He was looking at a painting of beautiful buildings in an ancient Roman city. Jakarta pointed out a lovely domed church in the painting, telling Sedona it was a breakthrough building, using designs by someone named Brunelleschi. He stared at that building for quite a while, as if he had something on his mind.

They moved around the room, both of them walking quickly past the portrait section. Sedona always got the creeps looking at faces of people who died centuries ago. Then they came to the landscapes. They were so beautiful that it was hard to believe the scenes were real.

“I wonder if the entire planet used to look like that?” she speculated out loud. “Maybe even our wasteland looked like that once.”

Jakarta scowled. “It probably did. Stupid sub-humans, just look what they did to the earth. They should all be done away with! They destroyed our homeland.”

Sedona was startled at his sudden display of anger and vengeance. But she recognized some of the words he used, especially ‘destroyed homeland’. She realized he was just repeating phrases they had been taught in school.

But as they walked away, she couldn’t help but wonder, “What if the destruction was not caused by the sub-humans? What if it was caused from something else?” Luckily, she had spoken softly and Jakarta was turned away from her. So, he didn’t hear her.

Before leaving, they had drinks in the lounge. Jakarta was still talking about that painting of the domed building in Rome; sad that it no longer existed. Suddenly he leaned across the table, lowering his voice. Clearly upset, he confessed there was another close call on the roof today. The roofers were all being pushed by their supervisors and that rushing created opportunities for careless mistakes.

“But that’s not safe Jakarta.” She was alarmed. “That’s the first thing you and I learned in our training – never to rush in the toxic zones.”

“I know, I remember all my training,” he growled his response. “But …”

“What? What’s going on?”

“We’ve been finding cracks in the seams! They’re designed to expand and contract to maintain the seal. But there are signs they’re weakening.”

Sedona sat back in her chair, speechless. She had a strange feeling she’d already been warned about this – but why couldn’t she remember where? Or by whom?

Jakarta looked up at her worried face, realizing he may have overdone it. He smiled his reassurance. “But I hear your patrol brought in some new orphans. I’m so glad, hopefully we’ll be able to train them up fast and we’ll have more help. Then may we can get on top of the situation.”

As he was speaking, Sedona glanced at a group of people standing near Jakarta’s chair. And there was Karachi, right in the middle of them. Oh no! Could he have heard what Jakarta just told her? Now she was worried, knowing Jakarta should not be talking like that about his work in public. And, she should have stopped him sooner!

She glanced toward Karachi again. He noticed Sedona looking at him and smirked back at her. She watched angrily as his mouth formed the word ‘VeeVo’, his old childhood taunt for her.

“Jakarta, I really think you should avoid taking about your work in public. I see Karachi over there and I think he might have heard you just now.”

“So what? He’s nothing to worry about. You have too much imagination Sedona. Stop looking for trouble, it’s not your job to think about things.”

Sedona felt like Jakarta just slapped her. He’d never spoken so sharply to her before. But she also knew he was only repeating stupid rules from their childhood. She kept her hurt to herself, managing a pleasant “Goodbye” before heading back to her quarters. She was glad to know there was a friendly, snuggly cat waiting at home for her.