The Four Chapter 6

IN THE THIRD YEAR OF THE NEW ERA
Stee laughed as he fell down on the couch, but Helmus refused to be discouraged. "I'm telling you guys it was amazing." Helmus pointed to Boon. "Have you gone yet?"
Boon shook his head. "I'm signed up, but I haven't had a chance to go yet."
Helmus pointed to Mulder. "Have you gone yet?" Mulder shook his head. "Your signed up, right?" Helmus asked.
"I haven't gotten around to it yet," Mulder replied. "I'm planning to though."
"Well what are you waiting for," Helmus inquired. "Do it now, immediately."
Stee laughed again. "Don't do it Mulder," he said. "It's a waste of your time."
"It is not a waste of your time," Helmus responded. "It's probably the best use of my time I've had in my whole life."
Had Stee felt comfortable laughing at that statement, he would have, but it was a little too strong to simply dismiss in a laugh. "Your whole life?" Stee asked, finding it hard to believe.
"With out a doubt," Helmus answered.
"Even better then that date with Jen?" Stee asked.
Helmus nodded. "Three times better."
"That's a pretty strong statement," Boon noted. "Care to elaborate on it?" Helmus needed little prodding. The trip to Kalka had been foremost on his mind ever since he got back. He immediately launched into the tail of his trip, telling everything in as much detail as he thought his friends would sit through. He told of seeing the faces of the hungry after they had been fed, how they walked away from the ship with a full stomach, how he would never forget what he did. How he had really made a difference in Fabulae.
When he was finished, the others sat in respectful silence for a few seconds. Then Boon, who could never stand to be quite for too long, said, "wow, that does sound pretty neat." The understatement brought a smile to everyone's mouth.
"So are you guys going to sign up?" Helmus asked again.
"Immediately," Mulder answered.
Trying to hide his enthusiasm, Stee responded, "I might, as a favor to Romulus."
"But the Kalka project only has three ships anyway," Boon responded. "They have more than enough volunteers as it is already."
Helmus agreed. "That's another thing. I'm going to write to Van tonight, complaining about that. If need be, I'll write several letters. If enough other people do the same, he'll have to listen to us, that is, if he wants to get reelected."
"I'll write a letter too," Boon said.
"Me too," Mulder added.
Sensing the focus was on him, Stee grudgingly remarked, "I guess I could write a quick letter also."
Helmus smiled. Throughout the city, many similar conversations were being enacted.


Andrew entered location seven, surprised to see Romulus and Julius already there. He was surprised because he had arrived fifteen minutes early.
"What are you two doing here?"
Romulus laughed. "We might just as well ask you the same question, Andrew."
Romulus' laughter was contagious, and Andrew soon found himself smiling. "I had nothing better to do anyway, and I was eager to get started."
Romulus gestured for Andrew to have a seat. "You can join us then. Julius and I were just sharing our experiences in Kalka."
Andrew's eyes light up at the word Kalka. He quickly took a seat, and grabbed Romulus by the arm as he asked, full of enthusiasm, "Wasn't it the most wonderful experience you've ever had in your life?"
"It was incomparable to anything in the city," Julius added.
Just then, Remus entered. He too was surprised to see that the others had gotten there before him. "What are you three doing here?" he asked.
It took a while before the other three could stop laughing, much to the confusion of Remus. "What are you doing here?" Romulus responded.
"I asked you first."
Andrew abruptly changed the subject. "Remus, you have no idea what you missed."
"On Kalka you mean?"
Andrew nodded. "It was incredible."
"So I've heard," Remus responded. "If fact, I don't know if you noticed, but ever since you guys got back the day before yesterday, the Kalka project has been on everyone's lips."
"I expected as much," Andrew said.
"It was before we left too," Romulus pointed out.
Remus placed a stack of papers on the table as he took a seat. "Maybe you haven't considered the ramifications of this yet. I got hear early, hoping to get things set up, and review a little. Since everyone's already here, I'll just wing it."
"What are you talking about?" Julius asked.
Remus passed a stack of papers over to Julius. "Read this. It's a list of all the new volunteers. All two thousand of them."
Romulus couldn't believe his ears. "Two thousand?"
"Two thousand. Two, zero, zero, zero. Two thousand."
Romulus leaned back in his chair, staring off into space, stunned by the news. Julius rapidly scanned the names on the sheet of the paper. The obvious question was left up to Andrew to ask. "How did you get that many volunteers?"
Remus shrugged. "You tell me. But whatever happened on Kalka, it's got people in this city more excited then anything ever has before."
Romulus leaned forward, struck by a new thought. "What about transportation?"
"I was just getting to that. It appears, not even Van is immune to the pressure. He's granted us as many ships as we need or want. We have free reign."
Romulus couldn't believe what was happening. It was as if he was living in a dream, or watching someone else's life. He had two thousand people under his leadership, two thousand people who had signed up to follow him. He was going to be solely responsible for not only transforming Kalka, but the city as well. Thoughts, ideas, and questions poured into his mind, too much for him to handle at once. "I need a glass of water," he said, in a tight voice as he stumbled out of his seat.
Andrew took the news somewhat differently. "This calls for a celebration," he said. He proceeded to replicate all sorts of junk food. This done, Andrew didn't stop there. He replicated confetti, party hats, noise makers and the like. In a matter of minutes the somber location number seven was transformed into a party zone.
Romulus' head was still spinning when he returned with his glass of water to see what Andrew had done. "Excuse me a moment," he said. "I need a breath of fresh air."


When Romulus returned an hour later, he had things much more in order. He had accepted the position of power he now held, in fact, he rather enjoyed it. "What a privilege," he thought to himself, "to command two thousand people. To be in control of so popular a movement."
His timing was excellent. The other three were just beginning to clean up from the celebration as he arrived. "Are you feeling better?" Remus asked.
Romulus smiled broadly. "Yes, a lot better."
The four quickly got down to work again, right where they had left off.
Remus started talking first. "Obviously, the second mission to Kalka will be different then the first. How do we want to do it?"
Romulus wasted no time thinking. "Use all two thousand volunteers," he said immediately.
"All right," Remus said, writing down the answer. "Then what kind of ships should we use."
"I think the ships that hold ten people work nicely," Romulus answered.
Remus hesitated slightly before writing that down, then looked up at Romulus. "You realize of course, that this means were going to have to use two hundred ships. We'll need two hundred different leaders."
Romulus nodded. "Look over your list of volunteers. I'm sure you'll find enough deserving people."
Remus could almost feel the rest of the day going down the drain. "You want me to make up two hundred crews?"
"Make sure you choose the leaders well," Romulus reminded him.
"I did have plans for the rest of the day," Remus protested."
"Cancel them," Romulus ordered. "This is much more important."
"Helmus has indicated an interest," Andrew suggested.
"Good idea," Romulus agreed. "Put down Helmus as a leader." Remus jotted down the name.
"Why don't you put my sister down too," Julius said.
"Put down Kile also," Romulus dictated. "And Drusus too, and Kyoko, and Lauto, and Mucius. See how easy this is? You'll be done in no time."
"Anything else?" Remus asked.
"Yeah, you did a good job finding locations for the three ships to land. I trust you'll do the same job with two hundred."
Remus sighed. "Consider it done. I'll hand out the lists to all the leaders tomorrow." Remus gathered up his papers and stood up to leave.
"Remember Remus, we appreciate this," Romulus said.
Remus forced a smile. "Thanks. I won't let you down."