Mana Pool Snippets - The Days After

Five

"Ms. Winchester," Jaruka said. "That's far enough. What did I just say? I'm not sharing my histo...." He stopped himself and stood up abruptly. Jaruka towered over Winchester and he suddenly doubted her sincere intentions. "Unless you tell me the reason you came to see me, then leave."

Winchester nodded, and then pulled her hair behind her right ear. "An agreement."

Jaruka shrugged.

"Ever since I took the oath, my campaign is to restructure the government and rebuild from the Wave. People called me an idiot and other unappreciative words," She said as she stood.

"I can think of a few."

"Hear me out, Mr. Teal. I asked Congress, no, I begged them to hear reason to pull almost all of our troops back to the states. Filling the empty Congress seats after the zombie attack was difficult, even firing politicians that disagreed with change. We are finally assessing our laws to our Constitution that we never done, and should have since Nixon. Most of all, make sure that equality between humans and terrans is set. So it would be really app-"

"Let me guess," Jaruka interrupted her with leveled eyes. "You want me to join you."

Winchester coughed. "Yes."

Jaruka leaned in. "No," he said. Winchester blinked from the alien's breath. "I'm not involved."

"You are. Those spires, you being a citizen of the United States, the research for your people. That makes you involved. More importantly, it's the magic. These people...some think of it as demon powers. I don't. You have to know magic. From what I deduced from the Groom Lake footage, magic exists in this universe. You are a valuable asset. Your experience is needed.

"Please, come to D.C. Let me put you in front of Congress and the UN. This world needs your help."

Jaruka shook his head and stood. "I said no. I want to live out my two years on this rock in peace, not become political leverage. I have to stay close to Walsh Estate Winery."

"With friends?" Winchester asked.

"It's called a boundary curfew." Jaruka pointed at the black band on his ankle. Winchester said nothing else but thought for a minute. He stopped her before she could open her mouth, "anything you say I'll counter, miss."

She turned back to Jaruka. "You could tell us who Griffon is."

Jaruka laughed. "I wondered when you'd bring him up. One, I don't know. Nobody does. Second, and maybe this is the only advice I'll give you, Reapers are dangerous."

"I'm aware, I've read the reports."

"Words and reality are two different worlds. After all, he's crippled and has only half a brain thanks to Mr. Dunne." Jaruka went for the hatch. "Talk to him, he knows." He opened the hatch and motioned for Mathews to be ready.

"Porter told me you'd be stubborn," she said and stood, adjusting her jacket, "but coming from an outdoors enthusiast, living in seclusion has its limits. I guarantee this country will need your help. Maybe the whole world."

"Tell it to someone without an execution date." Jaruka pointed his hand out the open hatch. "Are we done here?"

Winchester was disappointed, but she knew that there was no point in arguing. "I still see you as a valuable asset," she said as she offered her hand to him.

"Yeah, yeah, just go," Jaruka said without shaking her hand again.

Winchester clenched her hand softly and slowly lowered it. "I might understand your reasons, and I'll respect them," she said as she left the ship. She turned back to Jaruka briefly. "Other government ambassadors will come asking to join them."

"And they will get the same answer."

"Why? To protect humans or yourself?"

"Don't test me anymore, miss," Jaruka said, grinding his teeth.

Winchester sighed, and then nodded at Mathews.

"Thought you two would never come out," Mathews said, holding the umbrella over her.

"I wished it was longer," Winchester said.

"Don't flatter yourself, miss," Jaruka said. "My answer is just, but getting any information, and I mean anything, will be your species' downfall."

Winchester clasped her hands behind her. "Are you saying that to protect us?"

"Miss, don't..."

"Or what? If history told me anything is that humans can adapt for the better. After all, plants evolve at rapid moments. Like autumn leaves or harvesting food, actions must be taken for change."

Jaruka was quiet, he could feel his short skindreads curl. He stood still, staring into Winchester's blue eyes.

"I left my card on your bench. If you want to talk, don't hesitate, but I will respect your privacy and security for the time being. You have my word." Winchester bowed her head a little and walked off with Mathews.

Jaruka watched until all the SUVs had left. Campers noticed Jaruka and waved, but he quickly closed the hatch afterwards. He leaned on the closed door, thinking over what Winchester had said last.

Halcunacs were known to humans, Winchester could not have known how his biology worked. She might have been enthralled, but he noticed no signs, her strong stance might have given it away, but he had known people with similar characteristics.

There was no way to trust Winchester without having solid proof that she was not enthralled. His head pounded with a headache from too many unanswered questions.

Jaruka went back to the console to make notes, and then went straight to sleep.