Chevrolet Camaro "Nifty Package"

 

Chevrolet Camaro "Nifty Package"

350 V8 - 375 hp

The Trooper

Trooper Cameron Rhodanos of the Darkingshore Police Department

Trooper Rhodanos was the son of one of the PD’s founders, a man who devoted his life to two things: cars and freedom. He believed in justice and had raised his son to always stand for a cause and never step back. His example was ultimately sealed by his sacrifice when he died in the line of duty during a car chase. Trooper Rhodanos never forgot his Father’s words knowing that being a Police officer wasn’t a job: it was a calling.

 That late Spring afternoon, or Primavera as they called it in Italian, Trooper Rhodanos had just escaped his Father’s fate when three hoons in a modified motor-vehicle went after him with the intention of killing him. His radio was having issues after the dispatch office had been attacked, so he had no way to know updates from his colleagues around the province. The chase had led him to the border with the Nowhere Land, the way it was called the now deserted territory that once was a flourishing nation. After a long fight using their cars as weapons, the hoons had crashed against the guardrail and rolled over a dozen times. Their speed was above 100 mph and the accident was fatal, leaving no survivors.

 The Trooper found himself alone, 30 miles away from the MPC headquarters and with only a half tank of petrol left to cruise. He ran to the forest, conscious of still being in danger, and turned off the engine in the hope of receiving good news from his colleagues.

 -Dear God, please, take care of them!

Νεράιδα...

 -Νεράιδα…

 He pronounced her name in Greek, which transliterated would be “Neráida”. She lent out her hand and he stood up, immensely grateful to see her.

 -Walk with me! – she whispered.

 She moved with the grace of a dancer and her beauty was unmatchable with that of any living human being. There was a reason behind all of this. Notwithstanding her traits, Neráida was not human at all. As they treaded on soft grass and fallen leaves, our hero didn’t know how to begin the conversation. His reverence made him silent, even though he had dreamed to see her again since he was a teenager. For many, she would be called “a guardian Angel” and that’s what Cameron knew her for.

 -Neráida, I need your help!

 -I know, my dear. We all know what is going on!

 Yes, they knew. She and her tribe, the most ancient of all: the Milujite. They represented the link between humanity and the Gods, sharing the basis of DNA with ordinary human beings, but with an extra secret element in their genetic code that allowed them to have the consciousness of their cosmic heritage. Neráida was a woman in terms of flesh and blood, but her mind was directly connected to the Celestials and she could see and understand things that terrestrials could not. 

Legend of the Trooper

Legend

of

the Trooper

 The city was under attack. Yes, their enemies had finally reached the metropolis and laid siege to the Police headquarters. All the available officers had been chased across the province in order to scatter them away and prevent them from defending the centre. Some of them had survived, some of them had been killed and others’ whereabouts were unknown. For the citizens of Darkingshore, their future and freedom were at stake.

 Their enemies were called “the hoons”, a reference to the ancient Huns that almost took over the entire Old Continent thousands of years before. The hoons were not organized and their only intent was to cause chaos and mayhem. They were the anarchist armed force at the Multinational’s service which had already devastated several nations with the same criminal plans. The strategy was simple: to strike the borders, break in, reach the centre and burn it to the ground. It was because of them that the Darkingshore Police Department was born in the first place and every woman and man who decided to join knew that the task would be a hard one.

 Officers and troopers had always been able to send them back and protect Darkingshore. Its territory is comparable to a 20^th century metropolis, delimited by lakes, rivers and mountains. The motorized unit, called the Motorway Patrol Command or MPC, was the elite team assigned to patrol the streets, highways and motorways.

 Lord Darkingshore, colloquially abbreviated Lord D, had assembled the best police car-fleet from all around the world, especially from the Great Overseas Nation that once set the standard for police equipment. Their fleet included models such as the Taurus Interceptor, Impala, AR156, AR159, Caprice, Firebird, Charger, AR Julia and the most celebrated of all, the Crown Victoria. With this said, our futurytale begins with what happened to Trooper Rhodanos and his faithful ’92 Crown Vic.

1992 Ford Crown Victoria DPD

 Trooper Rhodanos was the son of one of the PD’s founders, a man who devoted his life to two things: cars and freedom. He believed in justice and had raised his son to always stand for a cause and never step back. His example was ultimately sealed by his sacrifice when he died in the line of duty during a car chase. Trooper Rhodanos never forgot his Father’s words knowing that being a Police officer wasn’t a job: it was a calling.

 That late Spring afternoon, or Primavera as they called it in Italian, Trooper Rhodanos had just escaped his Father’s fate when three hoons in a modified motor-vehicle went after him with the intention of killing him. His radio was having issues after the dispatch office had been attacked, so he had no way to know updates from his colleagues around the province. The chase had led him to the border with the Nowhere Land, the way it was called the now deserted territory that once was a flourishing nation. After a long fight using their cars as weapons, the hoons had crashed against the guardrail and rolled over a dozen times. Their speed was above 100 mph and the accident was fatal, leaving no survivors.

 The Trooper found himself alone, 30 miles away from the MPC headquarters and with only a half tank of petrol left to cruise. He ran to the forest, conscious of still being in danger, and turned off the engine in the hope of receiving good news from his colleagues.

 -Dear God, please, take care of them!

 That was it. His chances of survival were a few and he could only rely on his 9mm Beretta 92FS, 4 magazines with 15 rounds each and his Father’s Winchester 1894 in .357 Magnum. He got out of the car, looked all around him and raised his voice to Heaven looking for an answer.

 -What shall I do?

 No answer came. He sat under the shades of a sequoia, colloquially known as redwood tree, and he prayed with all his strength and mind that help could come his way. He was not much concerned about his own safety, but the safety and freedom of all his fellow country women and men. If the hoons took over, it would be the end of Darkingshore.

 Pictures of all his good friends came to mind. He wondered how they were, if they had been killed or were still fighting to survive. He considered them his family, sisters and brothers united by the Flag of Darkingshore and always motivated by the love for their community. According to partial census, approximately 3000 souls lived in their province. They all had a different background, some escaping from religious persecutions and others from political tyranny. There were no distinctions of race, ethnicity and social background. Anyone who pledged allegiance to the Constitution of Darkingshore with a sincere heart was allowed to stay. Because of these strict rules, those who accepted were still a few, much preferring the luxury and totalitarian control of the Multinational.

 The world had changed to the point that most people from the early 21^st century would not recognize it at all, especially the new nations which borders were now redesigned. The majority of people had intentionally moved within the perimeter of a giant agglomerate called the New Globalized Community, or NGC, where the Multinational kept them under constant surveillance and monitored all of their actions. Somehow, these people liked it and encouraged it, so much that they worked alongside the Multinational itself in order to reshape history.

 Those who didn’t agree had tried to flee to the Overseas Nation while the fate of many others was unknown. The Nowhere Land was a scary scenario in the first years because nobody knew the truth about what happened. There were legends and rumours about it, most of them revolving around the tragic fate of the rebels who challenged the Multinational. Some say it was a hecatomb where half of the population was exterminated by armed forces and others by the savage hoons.

 Lord Darkingshore had established his property as a free nation above all others, so no-one was allowed to come in unless being vetted. People could only become darkingshorians if they accepted its Constitution and founding principles. This constitution was based on an older one written centuries earlier in the Overseas Nation, with many claiming that it was an almost exact duplicate and that Lord D kept an original copy in his secret archives. To sum it up, darkingshorians were inspired by that ideal of freedom and justice that the Overseas Nation stood for, even though they had never seen it, except in old movies and books.

 Trooper Rhodanos grew up with a bit of this Nation’s story thanks to a TV show called The Hazardous Knight. He spent most his childhood enthusiastically watching an episode every evening with his parents. The show was about a lone rider or modern cowboy who drove around the West with his modified 1976 Cutlass Salon nicknamed Trinity. He fought injustice and criminals with the aid of his friend the Princess and each story contained a lesson of life. To modern standards, the show would look cheesy and naïve, but to the young Trooper that was the most inspiring material. He learned how to drive by watching the stunts and became proficient in English, when his first language was Italian. All the fond memories of his childhood years would turn him into the person he wanted to be: a Knight who championed the cause of freedom!

 However, in that particular moment, our hero was discouraged and depressed and wasn’t sure as to the future developments of such a terrible situation. He cried in silence knowing that no-one could hear him and prayed harder as minutes went by.

 -Please, dear God, send me an Angel! Please, save us!!

 His beloved Crown Vic was parked less than 20 feet from him and he was always ready to escape or engage in a shooting, if necessary. He stared at the black and white livery and read the motto on the mudguards: safety and service. Regardless the ordeal, he was willing to pay the ultimate price in order to fulfill his duty as an officer.

 -May Thy will be done…

 As he uttered these words, a strong wind arose and the trees whistled unnatural melodies. He heard footsteps all around him and noticed that the air was getting colder as the sun was setting. Eerie movements around him and all of a sudden, a vulpes vulpes, commonly known as red fox, entered the scene and stood a few feet from him. He wasn’t scared, but genuinely surprised nonetheless.

 -What…?

 Then, a large bird flew over his head and landed on a branch of the tree cawing out loud.

 CRAAAA CRAAAAAA

 It was a corvus corax, a beautiful example of black raven with a plumage that expressed fierceness and boldness in every feather. The raven was also the symbol of Darkingshore, drawn on its Flag and the Police Department badge. The unusual concomitance of events raised suspicions in the troubled Trooper and he acknowledged that something had to be going on.

 -This… this can’t be real.

 Then, to complete the scene, the final character made her great entrance and our hero felt an unspeakable emotion gracing his heart. He knew her and was conscious that if she had come, there had to be a seriously important reason. Was he about to die? Was that his final countdown? He knew not and marvelled at her presence with eyes wide open.

 -My dearest Cameron…

 She called him by his first name. Her long raven hair waved fluently with the wind, her amber brown eyes gleamed as if she spoke from Mount Olympus and her lips whispered words of consolation.

 -…you asked for our help. Here I am.

 She graciously walked towards him. She was a messenger from the Gods and he knew too well that his prayers were finally answered.

 -Νεράιδα…

 He pronounced her name in Greek, which transliterated would be “Neráida”. She lent out her hand and he stood up, immensely grateful to see her.

 -Walk with me! – she whispered.

 She moved with the grace of a dancer and her beauty was unmatchable with that of any living human being. There was a reason behind all of this. Notwithstanding her traits, Neráida was not human at all. As they treaded on soft grass and fallen leaves, our hero didn’t know how to begin the conversation. His reverence made him silent, even though he had dreamed to see her again since he was a teenager. For many, she would be called “a guardian Angel” and that’s what Cameron knew her for.

 -Neráida, I need your help!

 -I know, my dear. We all know what is going on!

 Yes, they knew. She and her tribe, the most ancient of all: the Milujite. They represented the link between humanity and the Gods, sharing the basis of DNA with ordinary human beings, but with an extra secret element in their genetic code that allowed them to have the consciousness of their cosmic heritage. Neráida was a woman in terms of flesh and blood, but her mind was directly connected to the Celestials and she could see and understand things that terrestrials could not.

 -What am I supposed to do?

 As they walked through the woods, the red fox and the raven followed them step by step until they reached the water lilies’ pond. Their scientific name is nymphaea and it derives from the ancient Greek mythological creatures known as nymphs. There was a symbolism in all of that because Neráida herself descended from those divine beings and she had a perfect relationship with Mother Gaia.

 -Do you see them, my dear? They are so beautiful, so perfect, that only the Gods could design such flawless creations. In the same way, you humans have the exact same potential, even when you are led ashtray. Darkingshore is a safe haven for all of you and you’ve been blessed with peace and freedom, just like these lilies are.

 -We are under attack! They want to destroy this freedom, they want to strip us of our independence and subject us to tyranny! This is why I need you!

 She smiled and caressed his right cheek. He felt an indescribable emotion running through all of his body and that was a direct consequence of her unique essence. To him, it appeared like a soft electric shock that made him quake just a bit. He stared at her and her stupendous Mediterranean traits, with her deep brown eyes that spoke by themselves and her fair skin that reminded him of The Princess in The Hazardous Knight. They had been friends since childhood when she first appeared one Night inside his room. He loved her and his heart beat faster than a V8 every time she gazed at him.

 -Cameron, the answer is already before your eyes. You only need to see it.

 -I don’t understand.

 She took his hand and they started walking again when he noticed that they were not completely alone. All the animals in the forest were gathering around them and it looked as if they were listening to their conversation. The Dame was trying to enlighten his human friend by giving him tiny clues, but still his comprehension of divine dynamics was limited. As they sat on a bed of daisies, the sun broke through the trees and helped him understand.

 -Do you remember when we were younger? Through the storms we wandered, many mountains we climbed and all those bad times now seem just a faded memory. You had to fight to defend your freedom and I guided you so that your perspective could be higher, not just a material one. You told me many times that you understood my words and I loved you with all my heart knowing that you were ready to give all your best to this community.

 -I wish I still were that young.

 -You still are. That same boy lives within you, but you have forgotten him. You have gone through much hardship. You have seen pain, sorrow and suffering. This has mined your faith in humanity, even though you still love your fellow darkingshorians.

 In that small frame, her words got him completely. He remembered the many fallen officers, saw their faces and heard their voices. He heard gunshots and explosions, he saw cars roll over and victims trapped inside wrecks. His memory went berserk and threw all the images and sounds at once until it was too much for him to bear, a distinct manifestation of post-traumatic stress disorder.

 -No, my dear beloved – she whispered – don’t let memory drown you to a pit of misery. None of those tragedies were your fault, never been and never will be.

 She held both his hands and realized that the boy she had saluted years before was now carrying the heaviest burden of emotions. He had devoted his life to service and the siege of Darkingshore looked like the destruction of all the effort and sacrifice to build a better world, even within the limited space of that province. He wept and Neráida cuddled him in a sweet embrace because the wounds were still open and he feared this time he would fail.

 -I know your heart is heavy and so is your mind, but this battle can be won because you have an unstoppable ally. We will all be by your side, just trust us!

 He took a quick look around and noticed that the entire Milujite family was listening. He saw Neráida’s Father, Vrontí, her mother Koraki and the priestess Kárgia. There were also many others, but they had the ability to become invisible in the woods and camouflage with the environment. He had seen that same behaviour before and Cameron was acquainted with the Milujite culture because they had welcomed him as a son.

 Now, to all those who are not familiar with the Milujite, as the narrator I better give you a short introduction. First of all, their name is a Celestial word that is pronounced “mee-loo-hee-teh” and the term “tribe” may not be the most formally correct. The Milujite have lived alongside humans since the beginning of times, created by the Celestials so that they could guide the terrestrials and protect them in any an all circumstances. Mankind never accepted them and so they had to live in the shadows for millenniums, always relying on a few women and men blessed with a more spiritual connection with their creators. This said, the Milujite do not have a race or an appearance that distinguished them from others. Because their DNA is partially human, they have always looked like ordinary women and men. Whoever is spiritually elevated to accept them will receive a visit. This is why, since the early days, people have believed in guardian Angels. They were not mystical characters with wings: they were the Milujite.

 As he saw them move around, Neráida reassured him with her warmth. The love that united them had nothing to do with human precepts and physical contact was a way to soothe and heal. She was using her scent and presence to calm him down after the violent exchanges of previous hours, when some of his dearest friends had been shot down during the mob attacks. They had destroyed several patrol cars and set buildings on fire. The Multinational had equipped them so that they could inflict the maximum damage, which proved that the strike was planned long in advance. All the shake and emotional turbulence had wounded him worse than bullets would ever do. Neráida kissed him on his cheek and the tenderness of that action relieved him of physical stress. For the first time in hours, he was feeling better.

 -Neráida, may I ask you a question?

 -You sure can, my darling.

 He hesitated because he was scared. Regardless the circumstance, his heart was still in the battle field with his fellow police officers. If those criminals hadn’t driven him far away, he’d have still been in downtown Darkingshore defending the precinct and his citizens.

 -When I was younger, so much younger than today, I always believed that you Milujite were kind of aliens, nothing in common with us mortals. Then you explained me many things about you and your tribe, but there’s something I’ve never fully understood.

 -What is it?

 -Can a human being experience mutual feelings of love with one of you? I mean, either a man or a woman, can actually fall in love with a Milujite?

 She sighed and held back some tears because she was not expecting such a question. The reason behind it was clear to her and she held his hands even tighter. He was afraid of dying, of being captured by the hoons and tortured to death. That being the case, it would have been their last time together and he wanted to reveal his love to her, a love he had kept for himself since they were children.

 -Cameron, we sure can experience mutual feelings of love and attraction. My body is a human one, with flesh, blood and all the basic functioning system. It’s just my conscience that is different and I see things with a higher perspective. If you feel pain, then I feel it too because of empathy. If it was within my abilities, I would never let you suffer because I love you of a divine love. I can’t tell you what’s gonna happen because it’s up to you to write the next pages of your story, but I want you to know that when the time comes, I will be with you forever and never leave you again.

 He felt rejuvenated by the sound of her voice and the movement of her lips. All he needed in that fragment of his existence was to recharge his batteries and remember where he started. As a beginner, he always found motivation by watching his favourite TV show and dreaming of a kiss from the Princess. In what looked like a fairytale scenery, with emissaries from the animal kingdom watching over them and the Milujite guarding the forest edges, he grew self-confidence and realized what he needed to do.

 -I think I must go! – he stated.

 -No, not yet – she replied.

 -My city needs me!

 -True, but you need energy first! Remember: your body has limitations that can be overcome, but still it’s a mortal envelope.

 -What should I do then?

 She opened her satchel, took a small bundle of cloth and opened it up. It contained berries of all kinds.

 -You need energies, my dear Knight. Please, eat some of these delicious fruits of the Earth and then your strength will come again.

 Just like a fairy, Neráida was keeping faith to her name and delivering a special potion to the courageous cavalier. The Milujite had a perfect understanding of science according to the Celestials’ knowledge and were always ready to share it with women and men.

 -Why do you do this? – he asked.

 Her lips whispered softly and for a moment he believed that nothing was real.

 Because I love you…

 It was not just about food. Those fruits reminded him of the strawberry fields where they used to sit and have picnics when they were children. He remembered her kindness that was no match with any other friend he knew and the way she was capable of reading through his heart and soul. There were a thousand reasons why he loved her and he was gradually regaining all of his strength to face the final battle against the hoons.

 Sadly, he also remembered the day she left. They were both 15 years old and she decided to go and help the people in the Nowhere Land. She felt it was her mission, notwithstanding all the pain and suffering she’d have gone through. For a brief moment, she let herself go as well and vivid images of her days in the deserted nation arose. She felt as traumatized as Cameron was after all the violence witnessed in service. She had seen children starve to death, marauders assault villages and the wicked Multinational stir people against each other. The authorities of this abominable company sought pleasure in destroying lives and erasing history, so they put all of their money in the despicable plan of re-programming people’s minds with their totalitarian control. Neráida saw all of this and wept with Cameron.

 -Why do you cry? – he asked.

 Her answer was a way of releasing an unbearable load of discouragement.

 -Humanity has lost its sense of reason. I have seen violence, devastation and a deranged attempt to distort our past. As soon as the government collapsed, the richest decided to submit the people to their will by confiscating all of their properties. When I arrived, the scenery was terrifying and entire cities had been burned to the ground in violent revolts. More corrupt politicians were sent from the Multinational and they stirred the population one against another, because their new orders were to wipe the Nowhere Land off the maps. They considered the defunct nation a mistake and it was necessary to re-write history books in order to indoctrinate the newest generations.

 He knew all about it, but she needed to ease that burden from her shoulders anyway.

 -Do you still believe in mankind as you used to?

 She paused and pondered. The raven came closer and picked some of the fruits from the ground, an action which prompted a small hooded crow to do the same. Neráida petted both and they flew away with a gratifying reward.

 -I still do. This is why I’m here now!

 She opened her satchel once more and extracted a huge piece of clothe. It was carefully folded and it couldn’t be recognized at first.

 -This, my beloved, is a gift that I received from a dying man. He was a soldier, one of the last who served in the Nowhere Land before his troops retreated and went home. The nation was already irremediably compromised and he never understood what he fought for, but he did it because he believed in this.

 Trooper Rhodanos studied the object and it took him a while to believe his eyes. Yes, he really couldn’t because most of those items had long gone lost. He had a small one in his room, a gadget from the Hazardous Knight franchise. He unfolded it, saw it and felt his heart pulse like a marching drum.

 -This is… I can’t believe it!

 It was a Flag of the Overseas Nation. Hardly any kid remembered the name of that long forgotten country, but he did and that Flag meant so much to him. His Father taught him that if he ever held it and waved it in his life, it would be a sign from God that he had to keep on fighting. It was a call to arms and a divine message to stand up for something.

 -These stars and stripes…

 He touched the embroidered fabric, admired its red, white and blue and felt the spirit of a thousand warriors living through him again. In a world where all hope was lost, a token returned from the past and resurrected that spirit. The Milujite came out of the forest and responded to the call of the Flag. They all paid respect because among the many humans they had met, only a few could match the fearless spirit of the Overseas Nation.

 The Milujite had no flag and no nationality, but they could read people’s hearts and see through their sincerest desires. Whenever a soul they knew had a chance to see the Grand Old Flag, there was a boost of emotions that was incomprehensible for anyone who didn’t love the Nation. Thanks to this sentiment, the tribe had been able to guide many beautiful souls and inspire them in their devotion to the Celestials. They always operated in secret and there was no record whatsoever of their existence, something that not even intelligence agencies had ever proven or documented.

 -How many of you are here now? – asked Cameron surprised by the number of people that unexpectedly emerged from the woods.

 -Many, my friend.

 Their faces expressed the admiration for humanity. They wanted to help preserve Darkingshore in its purest form and their desire was divinely inspired.

 -Would you help me defend my city?

 Neráida’s Father, whose name was Vrontí, meaning “Thunder”, came forward and placed his hand on the Trooper’s shoulder.

 -Dear boy, we are not allowed to interfere with human deeds.

 The poor officer was about to give up forever when the man continued.

 -However, nothing prevents us from giving you a different kind of aid.

 He raised his hand and pointed it to the forest. Not only the entire Milujite tribe that resided in Darkingshore was there, but the animal kingdom was answering the call. There were ravens, crows, hawks, falcons, eagles and all species of volatiles gathered on every tree. They were all waiting for a sign and they needed something to stand behind.

 -You are here so that we could meet – intervened Neráida’s Mother, Koraki – and we have gathered an army for you. We won’t be on the battlefield, but they will. Just keep your sign high and they will follow you.

 Kárgia, the priestess, came closer too. She was the oldest woman in the tribe, yet she looked no older than 50 years. She gave the Trooper a pole where to place the sign and there it was, waving high and proud like in the most glorious of days.

The Flag

 -Go now, our dear Cameron! Don’t ever stop believing!!

 His eyes were teary and he couldn’t express his joy. The Milujite had always watched over him, though he never was aware. As one final boost, Neráida gave him a kiss and enveloped him in a magical embrace of passion and confidence. Thanks to her cosmic knowledge, she knew that her feminine characteristics would give him an almost undefeatable strength, so much that he would only dream to face his metaphorical dragon and come back to his Princess.

 -I love you… until the end of time.

 She uttered those words with gleaming eyes because she still couldn’t assure him victory. He may have died on the field while fighting for the freedom in which he believed, thus preparing him for the fatal eventuality. He held the Flag high, got back to his ’92 Crown Victoria and pondered on this name as well.

 -Victory, Vittoria…

 It derived directly from Latin and Victoria was the only word he wanted to keep in mind as he appointed the Flag out of the passenger window. He started the indomable 4.6 litre V8 upgraded to 250 hp, set the gear and drove away.

 -Live free… or die hard!!

 His Father often mentioned that motto, a modified version of another one. As he crossed the bridge over the Nameless River, he drove along the river itself with that statement in mind. He didn’t have a plan in advance and he was only driving with the intent of calling all the many patriots to arms.

The Nameless River

 The V8 was screaming for vengeance and all the people in the smaller towns around Darkingshore were puzzled as to the meaning of that Flag. Many of them didn’t know it because communications with the Overseas Nation had been cut long before they could know about, but others who had studied history immediately understood its meaning and came forward. The first person was a man with an overused 1995 Ram that grabbed his shotgun and followed the Vic. The second one was a woman holding the Darkingshore Flag who asked the Ram for a ride. As they got to the highway, one of the surviving patrol officers joined the group. Cameron was overwhelmingly joyful as he recognized his partner and brother in arms.

 -Eddie!! Eddie!! You’ve made it!!

 The man was injured and couldn’t move his left arm, so he laughed and rolled down the power window.

 -Yes!! I have… just barely!!

 His name was Eddie because he looked so much like a famous comedian from the Lost Years. He drove an Interceptor SUV which was riddled with gunshots, but still running. He had a superficial wound on the left forearm and a rivulet of blood flowing out of his right temple. His uniform was torn and he looked as if he had fought the mob with his bare hands. With his limited energies, he asked his friend:

 -Where are you going??

 The Trooper didn’t hesitate in stating his desire.

 -I’m gonna take my city back!!

 Officer Eddie felt compelled to cry, but he held his tears back. There still was hope and it was more alive than ever before. For a brief moment, the sun was literally clouded by a thousand birds that were all flying over the sky. Cameron took a good look and prayed God that the promised backup could overlook from above.

 -Man – said Eddie in pain - I’m coming with you!!

 -You’re hit! You need medical assistance!

 -No way! I want to get my city back too!!

 -Does your CB radio work??

 -It does!!

 -Call every available unit!! Call citizens as well!! Tell them we are going to Darkingshore!!

 Eddie trembled and some tears turned his eyes red. That was the final call, the one that could change history forever. He did like he was told and contacted all the surviving members of the DPD and the MPC. The message contained the coordinates of their position and they found out that there were still available officers nearby. Three citizens joined the team with a banged up Vandura from the 80’s and the Darkingshore Flag painted on its side doors.

 -Hey!! We’ve heard the radio!! What’s going on??

 -They are holding the city hostage!! We’re gonna get it back!!

 -We are with you!!

 The community spirit was soaring and every soul only had one goal in mind. Still, they didn’t have a plan, but they trusted the Trooper as he led the liberation team. They were now 20 miles from Darkingshore city limits and more people had received and relayed the message. 10 patrol units had survived and at least 30 citizens with their personal vehicles had decided to join the darkingshorian army, while in the sky the huge storm of birds was following the troops.

 There were countless flags, more than one per unit, and a true patriot arrived with his precious historic sports car, an AR155 Q4 nicknamed “The Long Distance Runner” with the red and blue Flag painted on the roof. As 3 more patrol units answered the call, they were now 10 miles from the city and ready to organize a strike. They pulled over, gathered in circle and the Trooper gave instructions being the only superior officer left alive. He jumped on the roof of the ’92 Crown Vic, grabbed the patrol megaphone and delivered a message.

 -Friends, sisters, brothers, patriots. I am here determined to deliver our beloved city from the invaders. We are not motivated by greed, ideology or appetite for destruction. Not at all! We are only here because we believe in Darkingshore and its freedom! We’ve always known that this day may come! We all knew that freedom wasn’t free! Well, sisters and brothers everywhere, raise your hands into the air: we’re not gonna sit and watch!! We have one dream and one goal: FREEDOM!!!!!!

 As he spoke those words loud, every one chanted the exact same word in return.

 FREEDOM!!!! FREEDOM!!!!

 There were no differences in age, sex, colour, personal background and profession. They were all united by the same Flag and only identified themselves as darkingshorians, faithful to the cause and determined to preserve their legitimate peace.

 -I know many of you, including myself, do not have a real plan on how to achieve our goal. We’re simply heading to the city not knowing in advance what’s gonna happen. We are moved by faith, the faith that God and all the Angels will stand by our side. We’re waiting for a sign from the sky and we believe it’ll come. When this sign is shown, we must regain our headquarters first and move on across the city to get all the other buildings. It’ll be a matter of minutes. Not hours, not days, MINUTES!!! If we can’t get our city back in that short time frame, our liberties will be compromised forever!! Who’s still with me??

 The improvised army responded unanimously. They all cheered and raised their flags even higher. People let their engines roar like lions while others chanted patriotic words in order to boost the spirit to higher levels.

 Contrarily to what many may think, there was no military strategy in their actions. They were acting by faith, believing that something could happen according to the intricate patterns of Synchronicity and pave the way for the defence of their integrity. Each woman and man had a different background and personal belief, but they were all united by the cause. As they saw the Stars and Stripes, some people remembered where their original ideal came from. It was never a matter of blind ideology or domination: it was always about being free from the Multinational. They were the last stronghold of liberty and had they fallen, the world would have lost its final hope for a better future. They were all united against the Multinational, a common enemy who threatened to destroy their lives. As they pondered on this, their spirits unified and became one.

 Within minutes, there were over 50 cars identified by their waving symbols of liberty. Alongside the Trooper’s 1992 Crown Vic, 13 patrol cars led the way: 2 Taurus Interceptors, 5 Crown Victoria’s, 2 Impala’s, 3 AR159 and 2 Charger’s. As they reached the city limits, they agreed to turn on their sirens and strobe lights as soon as the signal was given. One citizen had a spectacular stereo on his F-350 Super Duty and he was ready to blast some heavy metal to cause even more panic among their enemies.

 -Cameron, what are we waiting for exactly? – asked Eddie.

 He didn’t know the answer, but he knew the sign would be given.

 -We will know!

 As they reached the barricades mounted up by the hoons, they stopped and waited. They had destroyed countless cars, set buildings on fire and demolished numerous private properties. The hoons were infamous because they had no respect whatsoever for other people’s lives. Their only goal was to loot and destroy, as savage as animals and as furious as a hurricane. One of the main streets before the DPD headquarters had been covered with litter because they had emptied rubbish bins in order to generate the foulest stench. There were citizens scared inside their houses, mothers holding their children afraid that this was the end. Some apartments had been attacked, bricks thrown against the smashed windows and even dead officers on the ground. It was a true war zone and the hoons were feasting upon the innocents’ fears.

Darkingshore Police HQ

 The sun was still up in the sky later than its usual time, as if it wanted to give light to our heroes. Like previously said, they had no real plan. They wanted to fight and if necessary to die for a cause, so in that moment, they were all citizens and all citizens were police officers, united by the love for Darkingshore. Medieval Knights wore armours and carried shields while brandishing their swords. These modern Neon Knights, like the strobe lights of their patrol cars, wore a black uniform with pockets and epaulettes, carried side-arms and their shields were appointed on their chests. Trooper Rhodanos wore his Father’s Fedora, a black one with tall crown and wide brim. It was an exact replica of the hat worn by the Hazardous Knight and some of his colleagues had decided to imitate the style as well, kinda like the original troopers that inspired their profession.

 All at once, the silence fell as the bell ceased its chime, so much that the footsteps of Death were almost audible. In their hearts, a voice reassured them “don’t fear the Reaper”, but the possibility that his sickle fell upon their heads was a tangible one. No-one granted them victory.  Engines were running and ready to roll, but the sign had yet to be given. Some of the improvised warriors were sweating, uncertain as to their fate, but not inclined to step back an inch. They spotted the crowd in the distance and they saw the hoons come their way, probably notified by a lookout. One of the thugs came alone with a megaphone and started screaming:

 -THIS IS NOT YOUR CITY ANYMORE!! WE THE HOONS CLAIM IT AS OUR OWN AND YOU MUST GO AWAY!! OTHERWISE, WE WILL KILL YOU ALL!! YOU HAVE 1 MINUTE TO LEAVE!!

 Hoons didn’t have real names. They called this one “the Count” because he wore an outfit reminiscent of Dracula and he was probably the blood-thirstier of them all. His henchmen were punks and criminals trained by the Multinational to hate Darkingshore and everything it stood for. They had no conscience and no purpose in life. None of them had ever built anything and they had dedicated their entire existence to tear the Nowhere Land to the ground.

 Trooper Rhodanos knew them well because they were the ones that killed his Father when he still was a rookie. When he received the news, he didn’t even cry because he had been taught that “every one dies, but nobody really lives”. His Father had lived his life to the fullest and left him an inheritance of will and courage. That was the most prized of all treasures.

 Nobody moved. It was all about that sign, a matter of life and death split between faith and reason. The crowd grew and there were now at least 300 people in the streets and more hidden inside the police HQ. They were heavily armed and seriously dangerous, so it was just as frightening as it sounds. They chanted “kill the pigs” as if the darkingshorians were animals and their ferocity was untamed. Every warrior was ready, even with their hearts pumping blood at the fastest rate.

 -Cameron, what are we waiting for?? – asked Eddie.

 He told them to wait. The crowd got closer and closer and closer. The hoons were like barbarians, a well lubricated killing machine that worked as a unit. Taken one by one, they wouldn’t hurt a fly, but in mass, they were as deadly as a virus. Police officers knew that because they tried to break in a thousand times. This was the very first successful attempt to attack Darkingshore city. 300 enemies against a bunch of patriots, that was all. Then…

 The Trooper looked at the sky and he saw the sign come to their aid. An uneven battle was about to begin: 2000 flying soldiers on one side and 300 on the other.

 -Eddie, tell our army to stay steady!

 -OK, but what are all those…

 -That’s the sign!

 And all at once, it was an unfiltered, sweet pandemonium. If anyone has ever read of biblical plagues and paranormal phenomenon, then there they were all together. Every one heard the sound come, both darkingshorians and hoons. The frightened mother dared look out the window and she saw the sun completely blackened. Some of the patriots raised their heads and one even ran away believing it was God’s punishment against every one indiscriminately.

 -The wrath of God… - murmured Officer Kelly.

 It was more than that. As they all watched in disbelief, thousands of birds came down from the sky and attacked the hoons. Not just with their beaks and their wings, but with their claws as well. All kinds of birds united against those criminals. Crows, ravens, hawks, falcons, magpies, eagles, seagulls and even smaller ones like sparrows, blackbirds and swallows. This flying squadron aimed at the enemies without thinking twice and they dropped from Heaven like a mythological curse.

 -OH MYYYYYY, NOOOOOOO!!!!!

 It all started like this. The rioters and thugs were unable to fight back. Every single one of them was attacked by up to 5 birds at once and it was a horrific scene. Nature was turning her wrath against them all and they were paying a heavy price.

 BANG BANG BANG RATTTTATTTTATTAAAA

 Some tried to fire the weapons they had stolen, but only ended up killing each other. One bird on the ground meant 30 hoons wounded. It was at this point that the Trooper gave go to the charge.  

 -OK, let’s go!!

 -FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!

 WWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 Sirens started wailing so loud that the knights themselves were almost deafened. The F-350 blasted some heavy metal with high pitch screams that not even a painkiller would sooth. The hoons’ aching ears were frantically under attack from both birds and guitar riffs, one shot at glory as the crossfire turned the horizon into blood red skies. The patrol cars led the way and there was literally nothing they had to do, but to roll up their windows and turn the windscreen wipers on because bird feathers and red were flooding like waterfalls. No gun was shot yet and their enemies had no chance, but to run away and hide, to no avail though. Crows and ravens were the angriest of all, with some hoons lying on the ground with these corvids pecking at their lifeless shoulders.

 -My goodness, what on Earth is going on?? – asked someone on the radio.

 -Don’t ask me! – answered another.

 They reached the DPD headquarters, parked their cars and left strobe lights on and sirens wailing. The birds had broken through the building as well and they were seeding death just like outside. The Count had retreated inside the station and equipped some of his goons with rifles. As they started shooting, they killed a dozen of patriots that were in the frontline.

 BANG BANG BANG

 More shots were fired by the rioters trying to keep their position inside. They had laid their hands on part of the police arsenal, while the rest was locked in a vault. As the Trooper counted, they were a few rounds away from running out of ammo. In the first pause to release and reload, he gave the signal to break in.

 -OK, watch out!! – said Cameron.

 AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH

 Another storm of birds broke in and started attacking all the criminals. One of them jumped out of a 2-story window and landed on the asphalt. Police officers and some well armed citizens advanced and took down 15 hoons while 5 begged for their lives. The Count didn’t accept surrenders, so he shot them in the back as they pleaded for mercy.

 BANG BANG BANG

 -CEASE FIRE!!! YOU’RE SURROUNDED, THERE’S NO ESCAPE!!!

 The Count also had the only automatic rifle in the group and was riddling the walls in an attempt to exterminate his enemies. Before he had a chance to reload, a large raven attacked him directly.

 -OH MY GOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

 He fell to the ground with the angry volatile pecking his neck. Then, another raven joined in and they pecked his eyes with gosh and gore everywhere. Within a few minutes, the Count lied on a pool of red and the ravens were flapping their wings celebrating a full scale victory.

 BANG BANG BANG

 2 goons were still alive and the Trooper decided to handle them in person.

 -Cover me!!

 He got out of his safe position, crawled to the ground and as his companions covered him, he got a clear shot and took them down with his 92FS.

 BANG BANG

 The siege was over and the police had regained control of the station. They ran to the arsenal and grabbed more ammo and weapons in case of emergency. Some people had remained in their cars because they couldn’t get out in that hurricane of feathered soldiers. It took a longer while to pacify the “Hitchcock” squadron and only when the enemies were decimated, they ceased their attack. A remaining 50 hoons surrendered with no conditions and were all handcuffed, with many of them injured in the most severe manners. As an immediate act of conscience, Officer Kelly contacted the local hospital with her CB and asked for a few ambulances to be sent.

  None of the enemies resisted because they had been physically impaired by the ferocious flying battalion. As if nothing ever happened, the same battalion simply flew away with only a few fallen from their sides. The same couldn’t be said of the hoons, with at least 250 of them dead and others lying in critical conditions. It was a true war scene and the numbers of casualties made many citizens cry. Darkingshore had never been at war with any other nation and they had all led peaceful lives. To see that horrific carnage made them feel like saints in hell, reminding them that the evil that men do lives on and it was about time to renew their allegiance with the Gods. The city was safe, the order was re-established and the headquarters regained, but the price for this was the heaviest.

 -Eddie, are you alright? – asked Kelly as she approached her friend.

 -Yes… I think so. I just need a doctor… so bad.

 Cameron came to check out on his colleague. He was losing consciousness and he was in dire need for help.

 -Hang on, pal. Ambulances are on their way!

 -Cam, if I… I shouldn’t make it, please, tell my wife… that I love her… and my son that I died for… my country.

 -Nobody is gonna die!! You stay with me and hold on!!

 Cameron ran to his Crown Vic to get the emergency kit. He popped up the trunk and grabbed the small box when he heard a hammer cocking behind him. He turned around and it was a split-second-fragmented flash. One of the hoons was still in combat mode and carrying a PPK. The Trooper had the instinctive reflexes of grabbing his Beretta and with the round already lodged in the barrel, he shot.

 BANG BANG

 Two shots came out of different handguns, one from the Beretta, one from the PPK. The hoon was hit in the face and pushed back by the inertial impact. Trooper Rhodanos got hit in the chest, a few millimetres below his right shoulder.

 -Oh God…

 He fell to the ground and immediately lost consciousness. His adrenaline had run low, so that sudden spike caused him a shock.

 -NOOOOO!!!!!

 Officer Kelly ran to him and so did other patriots. They surrounded him and offered him immediate help.

 -Cameron, no, NOOO!!!!

 She grabbed a piece of clothe from her pocket, pressured it on the wound and then caressed his friend’s cheek as she saw him non responsive. His Fedora had flown away with the impact, desolate on the ground and awaiting to be picked up.

 Three emergency vehicles arrived, including a fire truck from the fire brigade and an auxiliary paramedics unit. They tried to revive him, did whatever they could, but after a few minutes, the tragedy became reality. His pulse rate was slowing down, his face was lifeless and his breath was becoming feeble. One doctor gave every one the news.

 -I’m sorry. He’s… dead.

Epilogue

 Dead… dead… dead…

 Cameron Rhodanos woke up behind the steering wheel of his 1992 Crown Vic. He looked around and that word, “dead”, echoed a million times in a row. Its sound was so deafening that he had to cover his ears while puzzled as to the nature of it.

 -What on Earth??

 Everything in the environment appeared to be normal and even his patrol car was in excellent condition. He remembered a few fragments of a shooting, but he wasn’t sure whether it was a dream or the memory of a real event. He grinned at the thought of being dead because somehow he had prepared himself for it long before he joined the force.

 -This may be… the afterlife!

 He gazed at the sky and its colour was unnatural. There were shades of deep purple mixed with bright orange and along the horizon a thin layer of cobalt blue. He immediately recognized his position: the small town where he grew up, a lovely place called Rocca San Regi. It was an Italian name, his Father’s mother tongue, and he had learnt the correct pronounce as a kid: Raw-ka Sun Reh-jee. His Mother taught him a bit of Greek, a complicated language to learn, but he had given his best to try because he loved his heritage. Rhodanos was a Greek surname and he envisioned himself like a modern-day Odysseus or a Hektor with a police uniform. According to this view, he had to be in the equivalent of Hades, the mythological “underworld” where the patron god of the same name reigned.

 -I can’t believe it!

 The legitimate question was: had he actually died? Was it possible that the fire siege of Darkingshore was a dream instead? He stepped out of the car and brushed the bonnet checking his tactile abilities. If he could feel it, then he still had a body. Had he been dead, his spirit would have been unable to feel the metal body of the Vic. To much of his surprise, he did feel everything with the most intense touch.

 -This is not a dream…

 Rocca San Regi was lovely touristic town located by the shores of Loch Marea. His parents had first met there and when he came to the world, his relationship with that old village quickly grew to be a love story. He loved Rocca San Regi and wanted to spend his entire life walking around its streets, taking long hikes in the forest and surrounding mountains and swimming in the clear waters of the lake. At the time of our events, Cameron was 35 years old, so if he was dead, much of his wishes had already been granted and he had lived with no regrets. However, one thing he loved more than his home town and he wondered:

 -Will I be alone?

 The answer came in the blink of an eye. He heard footsteps behind, gave a quick look and his beloved friend entered the scene.

 -Neráida!

 -Cameron…

 She looked rather sad, hiding her sentiment behind a smile and her raven hair.

 -Where are we? What is going on?

 As the Milujite stood beside him, she raised her left hand and caressed his chin. No answer was given.

 -Please… tell me!

 Their hands met one another, she hid her tears behind a veil of happiness and they started walking. The promenade of Rocca San Regi looked as lovely as never before, with no passing strangers and a luminous sunset painting the sky. There were flowers like in Primavera, but the air was chilly like in mid-Autumn. The entire town stood still and it was as if there was no life whatsoever, a frozen picture from a hundred years before.

Paradise...

 Neráida wore a black velvet gown with a corset and she looked like a Dame from the medieval days. Her footsteps were as light as if she was floating and her hands as warm as the most passionate soul. They stopped and sat on a bench, with the Lady carefully trying to introduce the subject.

 -My darling Cameron, I have something to tell you, but you must listen to my words and understand with your heart. This is no ordinary situation and I’m not supposed to be here.

 -My dear, I just want to know where I am. Am I dead?

 -No, you’re not.

 -So why is this all happening?

 -Because the choice is yours. Your mortal envelope is in a temporary coma. You have abandoned your body and you’re being shown what the afterlife looks like.

 -Well, it’s beautiful! I mean, this is where I’ve grown up!

 -It is, but there’s a price for it.

 -What do you mean?

 -See, your human life’s purpose is to collect information. Sounds, images, stories, experiences, all of them are for your growth and benefit. Now, I know that you have seen horrors that nobody would ever deserve to see, so if you feel like abandoning this mortal experience, you can do it.

 -It doesn’t sound negative. I mean, I think I have collected enough information.

 She sighed, controlled her emotions and engaged in a full eye contact with him. Her amber brown irises were the most spectacular creation of the Gods and it was a long journey to search them and come back. He got lost for a few seconds and she graced his lips with her fingertips because she loved him. He felt it as the most realistic sensation and listened to her more carefully.

 -I won’t be here. My mission among you humans is not over yet. If you choose to terminate your earthly experience now, we will not see each other for a long time. You have all the rights to quit and enjoy this peaceful evolution of your condition, so if you decide to let it go, you will be happy and ready to know all about your cosmic inheritance.

 Those words struck him like a thunder against a tree. To choose between peace and happiness, but being without the woman he loved so much, was a cruel compromise to reach. His cerebral gears began to move faster and his conscience evaluated every option in the most rational way. He needed more answers and wasn’t ready to make a choice yet.

 -What else can you tell me?

 -I can tell you that you have fulfilled so much in your long journey as a Trooper. Defending other people’s freedom at the cost of your own life is no easy task. You’ve often said that it’s a calling, not just any other job, but I assure you that it takes much more than that to become successful. Your colleagues are amazing souls and we Milujite are watching over many of them, so we wholly understand the divine calling of serving others. Nevertheless, the emotional fatigue that it generates can destroy a man’s heart from the inside and the Angels acknowledge the enormous toll that must be paid.

 She gave him a kiss, he kissed her in return and then she proceeded to enlighten the tough story behind law enforcement.

 -Many Moons ago, women and men who decided to serve were mistreated and vilified by large groups of people. They were always under fire, not just from their enemies, but also from those who were supposed to protect them. My Grandmother, Nas’ta, saw some of the most horrific days when corrupt leaders decided to turn their backs against police officers and destroy them as a whole. In those dark years of grieving, the future of mankind was compromised forever. It was for this reason that Lord Darkingshore founded this free nation: because he didn’t want to let the wicked leaders win. He used all the power that he had, constituted a new experimental community and shaped it after his own wisdom.

 -My Father told me about it. Many of the documents regarding those days have been erased by the regime, who has instituted a new kind of totalitarian police system and an electric eye in the sky, but he saw what happened for a brief time.

 Their mood went downhill and Cameron was more inclined to let it go than to keep on fighting. Nobody would have blamed him for his choice, but he didn’t want to lose the love of his life either. They clang to each other in a sweet embrace and they desperately cried knowing that either way, they were going to suffer. The choice was not just between an ordinary pain and an eternity of sorrow, but the torment of being eternally together and forever apart. With their backs against the wall, they perceived that physical contact as a farewell to arms.

 -Cameron, my love, just choose what will make you happy and don’t think about me.

 And as they were united both in body and spirit, the Trooper remembered everything his Father taught him. Before he joined the Darkingshore PD, he knew he was going to see pain, violence, horrors and injustice. He knew the Multinational was ready to strike them with its full evil force, but he chose to wear the badge nonetheless. The world was a cruel place and they were there only to lose, but there was a strong difference between losing after surrendering and losing while fighting. If there was the smallest particle of a chance to live on, a man had to be ready to stand for what is right.

 With these thoughts, Cameron’s soul began to glow like a supernova and he realized that his happiness was only partially complete. Yes, he could choose to keep on living in the afterlife and not be worried about human struggles anymore. However, he also knew that if he didn’t offer his strength to others, many more could fall. For a policeman, safety and service is not just an ordinary motto: it’s a way of living! He wanted to preserve his fellow citizens’ safety and serve them at the best of his abilities.

 -Neráida, my sweetest love…

 She broke the embrace and looked at him deep in his blue eyes.

 -…it’s not just about you, but every single thing that I’m going to lose. Being a policeman is a mission and I have not fulfilled it yet. I wanna go back to life and live the remaining years to the fullest.

 Before he could complete his sentence, the final doubt arose as the conclusive step of his rational reasoning. It was all about the things he could do and a voice spoke softly within his soul:

 There’s nothing special you can do that others cannot do in your place…

 A few seconds of doubt, then a second voice contradicted the previous one:

 Please, don’t let it go!

 He acknowledged the reasonable truth behind each advice and answered accordingly.

 -I don’t care how special I am. I am nothing but a servant of the Darkingshore Flag! If I can do something meaningful, even the smallest thing in the universe, then I will! I won’t let it go!

 Neráida rejoiced in hearing those words. She touched his lips with hers and for the longest beat of a heart, that kiss was the incarnation of the most divine love. Yes, love was behind every choice in the first place and in all its shades, loving was companion of living. To love and to live couldn’t be parted.

 As they sat on that bench by the lake, their love illuminated their consciences. They saw each other in future years, hand in hand, walking towards a metaphorical sunset together. On one side, a woman with the DNA of the Gods who deliberately chose to love a meaningless mortal. On the other side, an extraordinary man who was willing to give meaning to his mortality. In the intricate plans of life, changing the world could be achieved by fulfilling the basic duty of loving and living.

 -My brave Knight, before you go back, there’s one last thing I want to tell you.

 She hypnotized him with her irises, held his hands tight and whispered words of wisdom.

 -The reason why I have been sent here is that God and all the Angels want you to carry on your mission. They knew you have all the rights to enter what many call “Heaven”, but they all hoped you would choose to stay.

 -Am I going to change the world?

 -No. You’re just going to change your world. You will help an elderly lady in need, you will rescue a child who has lost his kitty, you will play football with the teenagers in the street and run to the rescue of an officer in need with your beloved Crown Vic. Your days will alternate between moments of bliss and hours of decadence, your courage will be tested and you will regret having chosen to stay in service. In all of those moments, you will never be a superhero in a comic book, but you will be the superhero that every ordinary citizen deserves.

 And as she said those words, she wept and smiled at the same time. This time, it was personal. She had seen unspeakable horrors in the Nowhere Land and always felt the world was going to crumble once and for all. To inspire a young man to press forward in his police duty was the highest aspiration, an opportunity to reinvigorate faith and give more people a hope.

 As they were thus celebrating their love, they realized of not being alone. Along the promenade, several people appeared and Neráida held Cameron’s arm.

 -They’re here to thank you! – she said.

 He couldn’t believe his eyes. Right before them were all the police women and men that had fallen in the line of duty. He knew many of them and he stood up and saluted them in return.

 -Oh my goodness!

 Neráida was always by his side giving him strength in that most emotional encounter. As a Milujite, she had the power to let miracles happen and her truest desire was to help people experience the most divine joy the Gods ever allowed.

 -Trooper Rhodanos – one of them said while stepping forward – we are thankful for all of your service!

 Every one wore the original uniform. He saw police officers from around the world without distinction of jurisdiction, country of origin and rank. They represented all the brave women and men who had served their duty with honour, always defending the innocents and protecting their freedom. He searched among them and saw someone he wasn’t expecting, but wishing to see.

 -Dad!!

 Yes, his Father. He was standing in the middle of the group as a humble member of the force, not trying to be more noticeable than others. As his son called him, he walked to him.

 -Cameron – said while shaking his hand – you have made me so proud. You have stood up for Darkingshore and its citizens. All of us are here to celebrate you!

 -Dad – said the Trooper in tears – it is I who celebrate you, not the other way around. Thank you for helping me understand what it really means to be a representative of the law.

 They saluted each other as militaries and then hugged one another as father and son. It was the most paradisiacal sensation and every single officer who had laid his/her life to serve others applauded.

 -Thank you!

 The vision was destined to fade and it was time to go back to his mortal body. As he received a warning from Neráida, he prepared himself and saluted all his colleagues that were now treading on the soft land of the afterlife. Every one who had accepted the ultimate sacrifice to serve the cause of freedom saluted in return.

 -It’s time to go, my love.

 He felt his muscles regain sensitivity and his sensorial system come back to life. His breath, his pulse and even the pain were real once again. Before leaving Heaven, the Trooper uttered his message to the Lady he loved:

 -I’ll see you on the other side.

 She smiled and blushed simultaneously. Since he had chosen to live on, she had another chance to love him after all these years away. A Milujite loving a human being was not an exception to the rule, but a man choosing to keep on living rather than resting in peace was the biggest exception of all.

 My dear readers, friends, sisters and brothers who are scrolling their eyes over these pages, I cannot tell you the true ending of this futurytale because it has not ended at all. Neráida and Cameron set a new standard of communication between the Heavens and the Earth, proving that there’s enough good on this planet to never stop believing.

 The Trooper survived and kept on patrolling the streets of Darkingshore with his 1992 Crown Victoria for many years to come, more than he had ever dreamt of. Citizens were blessed by his brave and valiant devotion and did everything in their possibilities to reward him. In the just kingdom of Darkingshore, women and men cooperated to create a better community by working side by side. No nation shall ever endure unless its citizens first believe in the basic principle of reason. When reason dies, so does the future of such a nation.

 Neráida worked alongside humans to improve and nurture a better generation, always conscious that words and actions can make the difference. She never turned her back on these imperfect beings because her cosmic heritage allowed her to see the best in each and every soul even in the midst of darkness. Thanks to her contribution, Darkingshore prospered and became a beacon of hope on the border with the Nowhere Land.

 They didn’t live “happily ever after” like in a common fairytale, but they certainly lived and that was enough for all of them.

 This is, my friends, the legend of the Trooper, a Futurytale set in the not too distant future.

Gabriele Funaro, 6.13pm, July 2^nd 2020

Dedicated to all the brave women and men in uniform!