Re-Creator of Universes - Book 4 of Re-Forge

Joshua removed the hook from his catch and released it into the surf. Feeling that special sense of fulfilment pleasure he gets from landing difficult fish, he said aloud to himself: "This is the life." Then to SP1, who was now standing a little further away, he said: "I want to take the boat out to the reef and get stuck into some big ones. Fancy a fishing trip?"

SP1 said: "I'm not one to say 'no' to such a thing, but I notice that your wife is sitting up there at a table laden with food all by herself, why not wash up and spend some of your free time with her. I'll see if I can get Mr. 'self-pity' over there away from his inner turmoil."

Josh moved to SP1 and put a hand on its arm and said: "Be kind, I sometimes think you lack compassion because you haven't hormone driven attachment. Steve is feeling bad that he lacks the power needed tear Luna to pieces with his bare hands. I totally get it."

Then Joshua said: "Imagine if someone took your GRAV Team and you could do nothing but wait to see if they come back to you... and will you worry?"

SP1 asked: "Worry?"

Josh said: "Yes, worry that they will think less of you for that weakness. Steve is suffering. I would be the same in his shoes, or worse..."

Just then, the strangest sensation came over Joshua, He stopped talking and tilted his head to the side as if listening something, then he almost 'saw' something... beautiful. He couldn't quite grasp what it was, but instinctively, he reached out to touch it, but it vanished.

Joshua shook his head and thought: "I'm having a weird day; this is Karma for ignoring my wife."

Josh handed the rod to SP1 and jogged up the beach. He launched himself onto the bench seat next to Susan with a force that shook the table and then apologised at her wrinkling nose, saying: "Oh, I'm so sorry, wait one second, I'll wash the fish stink off and be right back."

When he got back, he said: "How bad am I? I've been fishing for hours while you were alone and bored. It took a kick from SP1 to show me how self-centred and unthoughtful I am. The rest of the day is yours. Just tell me what you want. I'll do anything for you, anything at all."

Susan said: "Really?" Josh nodded, and Susan asked: "Will you take me on a moonlight cruise out to the reef? Just you, me, and our escort of protectors?"

Josh filled his plate, and as he listened to Susan's voice, he noted that she sounded annoyed with the SPs. He said: "They're here for our protection because they care, and behind every one of those protectors is a real person." Joshua leaned in close and whispered: "Besides, why do you think Adara threw a tantrum in her apartment?"

Susan shrugged and said: "That child is so complicated; I don't even attempt to understand her motivation. She is beyond my comprehension. I just know that everything Adara does has reasons we only see after it's all over and the bad guys are gone. She's now; what? four years old?"

Joshua nodded, as Susan continued through misting eyes: "I just want to hug her like the child she should be. She has carried the weight of humanity on her shoulders since she became aware of who and what she is. We're dependant on a four-year-old. We sit here in Utopia, eating, fishing, and she's about to start a fight that we can't help with. I feel useless here. I feel very much as Steve does."

Joshua looked over at Steve, and said: "I think you could you feel that bad?"

Joshua whispered directly into Susan's ear: "I was about to say that I think Adara sent us here so she can manipulate Luna into springing his trap. It must be that. Adara will force him to reveal the true Luna, and then she'll act. Remember what the SPs did during the last battle with the Family?"