Jax Makes ANOTHER Sandwhich
by TFG14VR
Journal Entry. March 19, 1993. Earth Time.
"Eden."
I don't think that its inhabitants have a real name for the world...
but I call it Eden. I've lived here for a few years, in hiding,
watching, studying. I've grown to love this world and even its
people. I've watched the way they live. I've watched the way they
die. I know them as intimately as I know anyone. I know their
dreams, the songs that they sing; songs to their gods, thanking
them for life. Their gods are conceived in love and grace,
incapable of hate and destruction, incapable of wrath or
vengeance. A peoples' gods are a reflection of their dreams,
their fears and even their flaws. These people have no flaws, no
fears, only beautiful dreams. I know of no other place in the
Universe that has a more deserving claim to perfection. Our
concept of Heaven is a sullen filth in comparison. But these
people are humble, they don't claim perfection, they don't even
know the meaning of the word. Perfection is all around them, in
the air that they breathe, in the waters they drink, in the very
fabric of existence. To define that is an abstract akin to
quantifying the sum total of life itself.
Tiny, blue, living in houses made of the abundant silicate found
in their soil. These people are something from a fairy tale. But
unlike a fairy tail, they are very real. In my many travels
across the Universe, I've conquered, destroyed, I've killed and
plundered without the slightest care. How beauteous it is, for
once, to stop and smell the roses.
Exotherms, I suppose, is the term for these people. They're cold-blooded;
their warmth comes from the planet's constant semi-tropical
climate. It never gets too hot, it never gets too cold. The world
is an endless resource of energy. It defies explanation. It's a
beautiful conundrum, a glorious question that never needs an
answer.
The people of Eden live only for a short time, twenty Earth years
or so but they live rich, full lives. Three years after birth,
they're mature adults. Living off the fertile land, food is
plentiful. Homelessness is inconceivable, crime is unnecessary.
There is no need or want that isn't supplied. With such
prosperity, one of their homesteads may house as many as seven
generations of one family. They treat young and old alike, there
is no bigotry or hatred, there is only mutual respect. Much like
my people, they have an honor to them that exudes from their
presence.
They have no need of science, of math. Their knowledge is minute;
meaningless, by our standards. They, however, have a greater
understanding of life than I ever will. They love each other
unconditionally in perfect harmony. They are truly a race of
noble savages.
It's understandable as to how these people could believe that
their world was the creation of divine providence. From the twin
moons to the deep lavender sky, life itself is exalted in the
majesty of nature. At every turn there is a new sight, a new
experience. Each day is a veritable feast for the senses. New
sights to see, new sounds to hear, new flavors to taste...to them
there is no sweeter promise than that of a new day.
Journal Entry. April 4, 1994. Earth Time.
A trip to the southern continent proved fruitful. An anti-matter
anomaly was discovered. A cave in grid 14-HR had an anti-electron
well. There were numerous pockets of anti-electrons, encapsulated
in subspace pockets, strewn throughout the cave. Why the pockets
were localized in the cave is unknown--even their existence
defies explanation. I feel slightly insane for saying it...but
I'd almost say that it was something magical. Wonders never cease
on this world.
Journal Entry. May 10, 1995. Earth Time.
I thought I had seen it all. I believed that I had seen
everything this planet had to offer.
I should've known better.
The planet's twin moons are quite close to Eden...the first is
only fifty-seven thousand miles away from the planet's surface.
The other moon has a similar, yet perpendicular orbit...an orbit
that crosses the orbit of the other moon. Earlier today, the two
moons collided.
At that moment, the most elaborate pyrotechnic displays in the
universe achieved obsolescence. It was a living canvas of fire,
flowing, changing as it crossed the sky. Never had any sight been
seen...or so I thought. The constituent chemicals burned as the
debris rained down into the atmosphere. Copper, Magnesium, Sulfur...a
chemists fantasy.
I did the math and, apparently, the moons collide once every
twenty-two years; once in a lifetime.
Each Edenite is almost guaranteed to see this at least once in
his life. Guaranteed! It's like gazing into God's own face
without having to go through the pains of dying. I'm sorry, my
words are an injustice.
Journal Entry. June 6, 1997. Earth Time.
Something happened today. Something I'm not totally proud of...
For the past few years I've remained in hiding, cloaked, using a
modified ability from a friend's power-chip rectifier. Today I
felt like taking in some sun, so I shut it off. I shouldn't have.
I had no choice. I shouldn't have but I had no choice. I
shouldn't have but I did.
I...I was discovered by a young boy. No more than a year old. I
had to do it. He saw me. I shouldn't have but I had no choice. He
stood there, looking at me, smiling, beautiful. But he saw me. I
had no choice. Didn't I? He saw me. No witnesses. That's what I
was told. I had no choice.
It took forever...but I had no choice. I shouldnt have but
I let him go. Forgive me.
Journal Entry. December 4, 1998. Earth Time.
This is my last journal entry. My job is complete.
End Journal.
Epilogue.
The Sun is warm above Eden. The birds sing, and the winds blow.
Picaresque, as ever.
Below the deep blue sky, a large ship rests upon a large
outcropping of stone, nestled against a lush forest. A large,
imposing figure exits and walks towards another figure who is
resting on the ground below, taking notes.
The imposing figure says, "Report."
He stands up and answers, "As you command, Megatron: This
planet is unlike any other that I have ever seen. There is an
almost limitless supply of energy. A supply that makes Earth a
worthless pursuit."
Megatron smiles. "Excellent."
"Geothermal energy, naturally occurring anti-matter, crude
oil, energy even exudes from the soil! This land is ripe with
energy. It's a world without equal."
"What of the native life forms?"
"Of no threat, Megatron. They will make an excellent fuel."
"Perfect. You've done well. Now, board Astrotrain. You're
going home."
"Thank you, Megatron."
He pauses, looks around one last time and smiles. He makes his
way towards Astrotrain, boards and sits down beside of Starscream.
Starscream asks, "What's got you in such a good mood,
Thundercracker?"
Thundercracker sits there, smiling. He turns towards Starscream
and begins to speak. "Sometimes, Starscream," he
answers, "Sometimes it's worthwhile to stop and smell the
roses."
End.