Stage: 1
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Cat brought Max to the shipyard. She said she wanted to talk
to him alone, but when they arrived, she didn¡¦t utter a word. Max asked her,
¡§So, what is it that you want to talk about?¡¨
Cat
sighed and leaned against the wall, ¡§How should I begin?¡¨ There was sadness
in her expression. Max stood beside her and waited patiently.
¡§Do you love Esonia?¡¨ she asked finally.
(What would you say in this situation if you were Max?)
Max
said, ¡§Yes. I love her as a friend.¡¨
Cat was silent for a moment, then she said, ¡§She¡¦s my
best friend and I love her too. But Max, have you ever lost someone you love?¡¨
Max thought for a moment, ¡§Yes, my grandmother died when I
was very young¡Xabout five, I think. I don¡¦t really remember the hurt.¡¨
¡§Sorry. I shouldn¡¦t have asked.¡¨ Cat apologized
quickly.
¡§That¡¦s alright.¡¨ Max replied. He realized that she
still hadn¡¦t told him what she wanted to say.
She started pacing the ground. She stopped and turned to him,
¡§I too have lost someone I loved¡Xmy dad. I was an unlovable, rebellious and
disobedient girl. My mom divorced with my dad a few years ago and she left me
with Dad. I guess I blamed them both for breaking the family apart. Dad was a
businessman who spent most of his time making money. I thought that was all he
cared. I was wrong. He tried to love me, but it was I who kept pushing him
away.¡¨
She breathed a sigh and continued, ¡§We moved to Cass Town
one day. My dad wanted to start a new business somewhere near PN Centre¡Xwe
thought it was only a financial centre. I was angry. I thought he never cared
about my feelings before tearing me away from my peers. I ran away from home and
returned to the Vega City¡Xwhere we used to live. Two days later, I read in the
papers that my dad committed suicide. He went bankrupt in a business failure and
it had everything to do with the dark side of the PN Centre. He was just holding
on for my sake. He tried so hard to survive, but how ruthless was I to turn away
from him! How selfish was I to only want him to care about me, yet ignoring his
agony! I wanted to believe that he didn¡¦t take his own life because of me, but
I know that¡¦s miles from the truth. I have never truly loved him until I know
that he is lost to me forever.¡¨
Max didn¡¦t know what
to say. He couldn¡¦t find the words he needed to comfort her. All he could do
was to stand beside her sympathetically.
She continued with a broken heart, ¡§If I had known he went
bankrupt earlier, I would¡¦ve stayed close to him and tried to be the best
daughter I could. If I had known I would lose him, I wouldn¡¦t have run away. I
should have known this. It was my fault I never asked. There isn¡¦t much I can
do, but at least I could comfort him. But it¡¦s all too late now.¡¨ She gazed
at Max through tear strained eyes, ¡§I don¡¦t want to make the same mistake
again. Would you help me, Max?¡¨
¡§If it is in my power.¡¨ Max answered softly.
She bent her head in sorrow, ¡§I know you can do it.
You¡¦re like a big brother to us all.¡¨
¡§Please
name it.¡¨ Max decided to help her.
¡§I¡¦m so worried about Esonia. She¡¦s my friend and I
don¡¦t want any harm to come across her. But you know it isn¡¦t easy. She¡¦s
adventurous, fearless and headstrong. I tried talking her out of her dangerous
actions but she wouldn¡¦t listen to me. If she keeps on gambling with her life,
she would not be able to hold onto it any longer. I don¡¦t want to regret again
and I know the way to make me feel secure. Max, could you please help me protect
her?¡¨
Max was surprised, but then
he promised, ¡§I¡¦ll try my best.¡¨
¡§But if,¡¨ Cat¡¦s
expression sent a chill down his spine, ¡§anything happens to her, please
don¡¦t say anything. Bring her earrings back to the Macher¡¦s. Linda will
comprehend.¡¨
¡§I will.¡¨ Max replied,
though he never thought there would be a day he needed to carry out his promise.
The nine of them met in the shipyard. Cat and Lars brought
the ships before them. Zada said to Heidis, ¡§We shall divide into two groups.
Heidis, does anyone of you know how to work a speed ship?¡¨
¡§Well, I guess I can handle it.¡¨ Heidis replied.
Max seemed doubtful, ¡§It
was sheer luck last time you didn¡¦t crash the taxi.¡¨
Heidis squinted at him,
¡§I wasn¡¦t that bad!¡¨
Zada
smiled. She had no idea what they were talking about but that didn¡¦t bother
her in the least, ¡§What about you, Max?¡¨
¡§I¡¦ve got my driving
license two years ago.¡¨ He told her, ¡§I think I can drive better than
Heidis.¡¨
¡§Oh
yeah?¡¨ Heidis was not interested on the subject, ¡§Then you drive.¡¨
Cat and Lars returned to
report to Zada after checking the speed ships that there were no problems. Zada
then commanded, ¡§Let¡¦s go. Let¡¦s keep in touch on our way. No matter what
happens, we¡¦ll meet at the Port.¡¨
They got into the speed
ships. (In Heidis¡¦s ship: Heidis, Max, Esonia, Yisa and Ponnie. In Zada¡¦s
ship: Zada, Toft, Lars and Cat.) Heidis and Max sat at the front. Max started
the ship. It sped along the narrow underground channel.
They received an intercom
from Zada, ¡§A group of Aqua People¡¦s been detected in Area 2. We have to go
back and take care of them. Keep going. We¡¦ll meet you at the Port.¡¨
¡§I read you.¡¨ Heidis
replied, and said to Max, ¡§Let¡¦s keep moving.¡¨
Behind them, Ponnie started
humming a little tune to herself.
Yisa tried to make
conversation and asked Esonia, ¡§Do you know how to steer a speed ship?¡¨
Esonia shook her head, ¡§I never had the chance to learn.¡¨
