The hylin practiced with her sword in the craft. As Seronn sat in the craft watching her dance. They were flying above the earths atmosphere. He turned back and watched down from there with his binoculars as the war continued. The bombers dropped bombs on ships and humans alike. The crafts fought with each other. Seronn turned back to the craft and opened the package. As Seronn held the package in his hands, the hylin came and cut it with his sword carefully without damaging the package. There was an instrument in it. A self generating energy mechanism. Only a light bulb was required and all that you needed to do was attach it inside. The hylin took a hard look at it. This will do, she simply said and continued to practice her moves. Seronn closed the package and kept it on the side.
How many people do we have left? he asked Jack. None, he replied. He wasn't bemused by that, the colonel as he sat on the desk outside in the open among bodies being carried away who were either dead or needed nursing. Even planes circled above him, mostly theirs. He did not care, the colonel. He jotted down something, mostly nonsense. Jack thought that he was waiting to be bombed. Then he started to talk nonsense as he looked up now and then. Jack was stating to doubt that the colonel wanted to get him killed as well. He held on to his helmet and spoke to the colonel as fast as he could. He just wanted to get out of there. Before he left, the colonel asked him a question. Are you married? he asked. Yes, replied Jack. Do you have kids, he asked him. No sir, he replied. Don't, he said in a very firm tone. Okay, nodded Jack not thinking too much of it.
I wish you were not born, his father said in a fit. What can I do father? he asked him. My wife has left me and does not want to get back to me, said Jack. You live in a van, with no job and with no prospects, his father said. Stop it, interrupted his mother. But is it not the truth? asked the father. I served in the army, said Jack as he hammered the table with his hand. You talk as if you lead the army to many victories. This angered Jack, he wanted to hit the table so hard and cause a hole in it. Tell me? his father pestered him. Jack got up and left through the door. What have you done? his mother asked him. He has no one else except us, she said and took the food away from the table. What did I do? asked his father as he protested his innocence.
Go and apologise to him, his mother said. Fine, fine! his father said and walked out the door. He saw his son at a fair distance. He was too old to run after him. He just started to shout Jack, Jack! which startled the neighbours. But Jack was out of earshot, he walked away.