IMMOLATION: Chapter 18

It was a pleasant afternoon. Summer hadn't taken hold yet and so the Sun was still a welcomed warmth on the face. Another benefit of the time of year was the fact that school was still in session and so only a handful of children played in the park.

Green Tea smiled to himself, enjoying his stroll across the grass before the meeting. He always liked to familiarize himself with his surroundings before having to focus on other things. He felt safer that way, prepared. And this meeting would be a difficult one. Perhaps the others knew about Leaves Early already, perhaps they knew the truth, or guessed it. Perhaps not. Either way he wanted to be prepared. His conversations with Tea Leaves and Early Bird had at least made certain that they'd have the same story to tell.

Green Tea's smile fell slightly. He didn't like lies. Honesty was what defined a person, their integrity. But some times one had to make sacrifices, make exceptions, in order to build something greater than themselves.

And this was greater than them all. The world was dying and if no one acted soon it would be too late. Green Tea had seen how the governments worked, how false their promises were. They lacked integrity.

Green Tea would see to it that their promises were fulfilled, whether they wanted them to be or not.

A strong hand came down gently and rested on his shoulder. Green Tea tensed and made a quick step to the side to get out from the tight grasp on his shoulder. The hand tightened and held him where he was. Green Tea turned his head and found Early Bird smiling down at him.

“You need to be calm,” The old man said, releasing Green Tea's shoulder and patting him on the back.

Green Tea frowned. They weren't supposed to meet like this, out of order. There had to be order or they would fall apart.

“We are over there,” Early Bird said, his voice rumbling as ever even though he spoke softly.

Green Tea looked to where Early Bird was pointing and saw the familiar crowd gathered.

“How are they taking the news of Leaves Early?” Green Tea asked as they made their way over to the picnic table where the rest of their group stood waiting.

“Hmmm,” Early Bird said, thoughtful, “Some better than others.”

Early Bird gestured again and Green Tea could see Feather Weight arguing with Tea Leaves, though they were still far enough away that their words were lost to the general babble of playing children. Tea Leaves, for his part, didn't seem to be backing down before Feather Weight's obvious displeasure.

“But why?” Feather Weight demanded as Green Tea and Early Bird joined the group.

Tea Leaves glanced to Green Tea, a plead for help in his eyes.

“What is this?” Green Tea asked. The grimace on his face was only feigned in part. His dislike for more lies made up the rest of his grimace.

“Leaves Early is gone?” Feather Weight asked, turning his attention to Green Tea.

“Yes,” Green Tea said, nodding his head and sitting down at the table. Most of the others followed his example and sat down as well. “I believe this has already been explained to you?”

“But why would she just quit?” Feather Weight demanded, “She'd want to see this through to the end.”

Green Tea pulled out his notes and began organizing them. “I thought it was clear,” He said, “With her phase of the operation completed she thought herself no longer needed,” Green Tea looked up from his notes and met Feather Weight's eyes. “She knows, as we all know, that the more people involved, the more risky things become. By removing herself from us she is protecting us all.”

Feather Weight still frowned but he didn't argue. Green Tea wasn't sure if he'd convinced Feather Weight, or any of the others for that matter. He always spoke too much and talked in circles when he lied. He only hoped none of the others noticed.

Green Tea pulled a thermos and some cups out of his bag. “Green Tea?” He asked.

“Tea Leaves?” Tea Leaves asked, hopeful.

“Oh come on!” Feather Weight exclaimed, “We all know each other by now so can we just skip this childish farce?”

Green Tea bristled. They had to have order. If there was no more order—

“I believe that would be wise,” Early Bird said.

“And I,” Tea Leaves agreed.

Green Tea hesitated, then nodded. “Let us move on with our meeting.”

Green Tea passed out small slips of paper to each of them and allowed them time to look them over before continuing.

“As you can see,” Green Tea said, “Our plans are accelerated.”

“You can say that again,” Feather Weight muttered.

Green Tea ignored him. “The nuclear phase will only take a month now, and we will be running Bird Feather's and Feather Weight's phase directly afterward, at which point—

“What's this here?” Feather Weight interrupted.

Green Tea frowned at Feather Weight's continued hostility. “I'm sorry,” He said, “What's your question?”

Feather Weight pointed to an item on the slip of paper, far down the list near the bottom.

“That is my task,” Green Tea said nonchalantly, “Now if we can return to—

“Wait, that's it?” Feather Weight asked, “No more explanation?”

Green Tea looked to Early Bird but he was pointedly looking to Bird Feather. Her face gave no inclination toward any emotion or even acknowledgment of the current argument. Green Tea turned his attention back to Feather Weight, not knowing what was going on with Bird Feather or what he could do about it even if he understood.

“I was going to walk us through the entire plan, then explain my part at the end, but if you'd prefer I can skip to the end now.”

“I think that would be best,” Feather Weight said, putting down his slip of paper and crossing his arms.

“Very well,” Green Tea said, “Up to now we've been focusing on saving our planet from the pollutants that are killing it. We have not put much consideration into what our actions will do to the people of the world. They depend on these sources of energy and if nothing is available to replace them, we may end up saving the Earth but destroying its people,” Green Tea held up his slip of paper and pointed to the item Feather Weight had been referring to. “This is how I hope to prevent humankind from destroying themselves.”

“And what exactly is a heat machine?” Feather Weight asked.

“It is a machine that converts heat into energy,” Green Tea said, “And I have a meeting in a few days with some people who should be able to help me make sure it is ready to replace the worlds energy.”

Feather Weight grunted but sat back on his bench and relaxed a bit.

“I think the rest of this is self explanatory,” Early Bird rumbled in his soothing voice, “Will you and Feather Weight be ready I time?” He asked Bird Feather.

Bird Feather did not look at Early Bird but considered the time line Green Tea had drawn out for them.

“Yes,” She said after a moments pause.

“The last of Leaves Early's package have been delivered,” Early Bird went on, “So once they begin, we will have to proceed more carefully.”

They all nodded.

“Then we should go our ways for now, I think,” Early Bird said and stood to leave.

Green Tea hid his displeasure with Early Bird taking control of the meeting but he knew not to question him in front of the others. As the others began to leave, Early Bird sidled up beside Green Tea on the bench. Bird Feather also did not leave.

“I do not disagree about removing Leaves Early,” Bird Feather said, “But do not insult us by lying about it.”

She got up and left the picnic table.

“Were we wrong?” Green Tea asked.

“No,” Early Bird answered.

“Is this going to cause us problems?” Green Tea asked, still watching Bird Feather walking through the park toward the parking lot.

Early Bird didn't respond at first. He too was watching Bird Feather. “If it does,” He said, “It won't be her that we'll have to deal with.”

Green Tea nodded in ascent as he scanned the park for any traces of Feather Weight.

“Any more news about the girl?” Green Tea asked.

“Not yet,” Early Bird said and they both sighed heavily.