Chapter 8

We sat and ate. It was the first time Jonathan and I had eaten a decent meal together since arriving. While it certainly wasn't amazing, I wasn't one to complain. Anna seemed to love it, however. As we ate, we talked about various things; the current state of City Eternal, the politics, how the camp was faring, the basics. Mr. Fisher seemed to lead the conversation, and I felt that all of this was somehow building up to something bigger.

After we had finished, he confirmed my feelings and jumped right into the heart of the matter.

"Yukari, Jonathan, I need to warn you about something. Something very serious." Mr. Fisher said uneasily.

"What is it?" Jonathan replied.

"Michael and I do not believe everything is as it seems with City Eternal. Your mission, Michael has told me about it. Based off my past experiences, I don't think that reactor is their target."

"But if that isn't their target, then what is?" I asked.

"To be straightforward, I don't believe they're after anything at all. I think they're just too preoccupied with something else to truly take care of us once and for all."

"Preoccupied with what? There's nothing out here." I stated plainly.

"Or is there? Think about it. I told you my story, of how City Eternal started. With as much as all the countries bickered and fought over the last remaining inhabitable regions, do you really believe that they finally decided on this one dome? Also, why would City Eternal devote so much time and effort into a full-fledged army when their only enemy is a camp leeching off their trash?" Mr. Fisher suggested.

"But if City Eternal isn't the only city, then… they could be at war with other domes!" Jonathan concluded.

"That is the first idea that comes to mind, yes. But you'd think we would have seen some real proof of this. I know the camp's technology isn't quite the best, but I think we'd know if there was a war being waged only a few miles away from us." Mr. Fisher said.

"Okay, so then what do you think it is?"

"This is actually Michael's idea. He believes that there is a war going on, but it's incredibly one sided, in favor of City Eternal. He thinks that City Eternal is running out of resources, and wishes to expand. Assuming the other domes were not prepared for war, it could be devastating."

"If this is true, then this is larger than just us." Jonathan said.

"Indeed. The General couldn't tell you in the war room, but this is the real reason they wish for you to infiltrate their military computers. This mission is to be conducted under absolute secrecy, and even the General doesn't know who to trust." Mr. Fisher said.

There were so many questions, and so few answers. I knew then that I'd be going on this mission. I didn't have a choice. If there really were other domes, other entire cities out there, I had to know. I needed answers.

"Will you be joining us on this mission then, Mr. Fisher?" I asked.

"Ah, eh, no. I may be a decent historian, but I am no combatant. I'd only slow you all down." He said, grinning at me as he said the last part.

"Funny. I guess I'll go on this mission then. Hopefully we'll get some answers." I said.

Anna, who had been pretty quiet this time, suddenly spoke up. I didn't expect her to really understand what we were discussing, but as I would later discover, she was not to be underestimated from her age.

"If you're gonna go, I am too. My mother is still in the city somewhere, we might find her!" she said enthusiastically.

"Anna, you can't go, you're too young," I informed her.

"Too young? You need me for this! I'll be useful, and I won't get in the way!" She insisted.

"She's right, Anna, your father…" he paused.

"My father what? Died? I know he died, you don't have to be all protective of me! I can take care of myself! And I think he would have wanted me to help mother." Anna said.

"You should probably reconsider, Yukari. She'll be under much better care staying with you, anyway." Mr. Fisher interjected.

We bickered over it for a while longer, but it was futile. I knew that had I not invited her along, she probably would have found a way to sneak along with us anyway. It still left me feeling concerned, and worried. It was probably an omen of things to come. With that, we decided it was time to go. After all, there was the Asian culture festival! We said our goodbyes, and ducked out.

Anna absolutely loved the festival. She dragged us from one side of the place to the other, making sure to burn every single coin we had been graciously given by Sienna for the event. Speaking of Sienna, she also came up and said hello to us while she was on break from the hospital. I didn't want to admit it myself, but by nightfall, I even found myself enjoying the festival.

At the end of the festival, Jonathan took us to this small grassy hill near the entrance. I wasn't quite sure what he was planning, but he had us sit down on the hill.

"Sienna said this is the best place to watch." Jonathan said suddenly.

"Watch what?" Anna asked curiously.

Jonathan just grinned at us and looked up at the sky, or ceiling, or whatever they decided to call it at that time. I looked up also, just in time to see the first explosion of a beautiful firework. A moment later I heard and felt the explosion.

"Amazing!" I said, in awe. I had only seen an actual firework once before, as a young child, back in the dome. "But how are they firing off fireworks indoors like this?"

"There's no smoke… so it must be artificial." Jonathan pointed out.

"I don't care, they're really really pretty either way!" Anna said.

It really was a wonderful spot. The buildings were not obstructing the view, and it was far away from the bustle of the festival. We continued to watch the fireworks for a while, when I suddenly remembered something.

"Jonathan?"

"Yeah Yukari?"

"I thought you said the festival was on the 30th floor," I said questioningly.

"It is, why?"

"Um, Jonny? We're on the 46th!" Anna informed him.

"No, I think you're confused," he replied.

"Uh, Jonathan, Anna pressed 46, I watched her." I said, defending Anna.

"Yeah, so what? Fine, I forgot what floor it was on. Everyone makes mistakes."

"So what? If we'd followed you we probably wouldn't have ever made it here! You've never had any sense for direction, you know that?" I boldly stated.

"Ah, shut up!" Jonathan cried.

Anna and I giggled for a while about that, as we continued to watch the fireworks. It was even more enjoyable without the smoke blocking the view and smelling up the place, I decided. I was thoroughly enjoying the final shots, when I noticed Jonathan began to shuffle oddly.

I didn't give it much thought, but then his hand started to move towards mine. I glanced down at his hand for a fleeting moment, not moving my head. Unsure of what he was doing, I hesitated. Then he placed his hand on mine.

"What are you doing?!" I yelled at him, yanking my hand away from him.

"I… I was just…" he stuttered.

"Nevermind that, I know what you were doing, just don't ever do that again, do you hear me?!" I said furiously.

"Yeah, Yukari, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to both-"

"Well you did." I replied flippantly.

Honestly, my reaction was pretty unfair to him and was completely uncalled for, but I had my reasons for acting that way. Reasons that I would soon come to terms with the following morning.