'SEE YOU MORNING' 063 Another Departure

As the time for another departure drew near, Ruth was overcome with sorrow. She rose early in the morning to prepare food alone. When Lübeck woke at dawn and found Ruth not beside him, he dressed himself and followed the light to the kitchen.

Ruth sat before the stove, watching the flames dance in the fire pit. The orange-red firelight glinted on her hair, her face, and her hands held out to warm themselves.

Lübeck walked softly behind her, knelt down, wrapped an arm around her waist, pressed his face to hers, and whispered in her ear.

"Do not grieve. I will be back soon, just as I always am."

"I am not worried," Ruth replied, yet she did not turn around, nor did her mood lighten in the slightest.

Lübeck pulled her tighter, one arm around her waist and the other around her shoulders. He held her fragile form close, trying to shield her from pain.

Every time they parted, Lübeck was filled with guilt. He made his loved ones endure such sorrow, yet he could do nothing to change it. He wondered how long such days would continue. He could only hope that one day, Zufluchtsland would have enough people, so he would no longer need to travel constantly and could stay by their sides for good.

After a tasteless breakfast, Lübeck headed straight for the garrison of the security forces. He met Trudy, sent everyone else away, and spoke to her privately in the office.

"The largest group of survey operations will begin tomorrow. All marker stakes will be distributed before nightfall, so trouble may arise starting tonight. Send men to publicize laws and order once more. Let us hope no one makes foolish choices again."

"Understood. I will make arrangements right away," Trudy answered.

"Bring out the map. We need to work out our strategies."

"Very well." Trudy fetched the map and spread it across the table.

Lübeck pointed to various spots and marked them with a pencil. "These are the survey sites. Post men to keep order here. We also need to keep track of all personnel related to property matters and their travel routes." He then marked several main roads.

"Station a few visible sentries and set up hidden guards around the perimeter, just in case." He handed Trudy a document. "Send men to the space port warehouse with this to collect identification armbands for night friend-or-foe recognition. You will also receive a small number of Dreyse M1841 needle guns. Distribute several to each team of hidden guards so they grow familiar with the sound of the shots. The reinforcement troops I send you are armed with this new rifle, so sound recognition will be critical after dark."

Trudy nodded repeatedly as she listened to the arrangements.

Lübeck marked more locations on the map. "After nightfall tonight, I will order the vessel to set sail and drop off reinforcement troops at these sites. Arrange men to meet them and prevent friendly fire. They will act as your additional manpower. Here is the password." He wrote the password on the map.

"Eliminate any rebel forces, and keep your officers out of harm's way." He looked straight into Trudy's eyes as he gave the final reminder.

"I understand," Trudy replied.

Lübeck stared at her for a moment and asked again. "Can your men carry out these orders?"

Trudy froze, unsure how to respond at once.

"Let me clarify. Deal with ringleaders who resist violently and stubbornly by eliminating them. For accomplices, accept their surrender as long as your men stay safe. Set up complete encirclements; no one involved in the armed rebellion is to escape."

He paused and looked at Trudy once more. "This is necessary for Zufluchtsland to develop steadily and uphold fairness and justice for all."

"I fully comprehend the instructions," Trudy said.

"Assign Joachim's former comrades to the operation teams and make sure they follow the rules I just laid out," Lübeck told her.

"I know what to do."

"That is all for now." Lübeck stood up and shook Trudy's hand. "The rest of the arrangements fall to you. Do your utmost to keep every officer safe."

"Yes, Captain." Trudy saluted. Lübeck then took his leave.

Upon returning to the town hall from the garrison, Lübeck issued an official order for the distribution of survey marker stakes and the launch of the first phase of unified surveys the next day. He skipped lunch at the office and headed home instead, wishing to spend as much time as he could with his family before departure.

The midday sun cast pale, washed-out light across the land and the road home. Moving further from the town, the houses grew sparser. Beneath the pale glow of the open wilderness, the monotonous scenery and slow-moving carriages deepened the sorrow of parting.

When he arrived home, Ruth had already prepared lunch. Emma sat at the table, yet her usual liveliness was gone. Lübeck stepped forward to comfort her with affection, kissing her gently before gazing into her clear bright eyes.

Only the child in Emma's arms remained cheerful, waving his hands and feet joyfully to welcome Lübeck home.

Lübeck stroked the boy's head and held his small hand, filled with emotion. How wonderful it would be to stay carefree like a child forever. But as he looked back at Ruth and Emma, he knew he bore responsibility for them all and could never indulge in such simplicity.

The plain, unremarkable lunch came to an end. Emma took the child back to her room. Lübeck stayed behind to help Ruth clear the table and wash the dishes in the kitchen.

A single beam of afternoon sunlight streamed through the narrow window, illuminating the enclosed kitchen. Steam rose from hot water, stirring the ray of light as if marking the passage of time.

As Ruth moved about, sunlight glinted through her hair and across her face. When she turned to face him, the light caught her deep eyes, revealing the fondness held within them.

"You should go keep Emma company. She needs you too," Ruth said softly, her eyes fixed on Lübeck.

Lübeck dried his hands and pulled Ruth into his arms, his hands brushing gently over her back and waist. He could feel the devoted heart beating within her frail body. The thin ray of sunlight from the window was just enough to outline the two figures holding each other close.

Tiny dust motes drifted in the air amid shifting light and shadow, yet their love would endure forever.

At sunset, Lübeck's U-2513 set sail once again. Powered by anti-gravity technology, it lifted into the air and glided silently along the planned route.

Captain Lübeck stood on the bridge at the top of the control deck, holding a telescope to survey the ground below. The last streaks of sunset still lingered on the horizon high above the vessel, while night had already fallen across the land. He scanned the roads and settlements of each commune, watching for any unusual gatherings of people.

He watched the final traces of red glow fade away in the distance. He prayed there would be no bloody unrest on the ground that night, yet he knew he could not control what would happen.

He closed the hatch and returned inside the vessel. He gathered all the soldiers to distribute supplies and weapons and delivered a final pep talk.

"Soldiers, you are the guardians of Zufluchtsland. It is your duty to protect this land and its people, to defend everyone's lives and property from harm, and to ensure justice and righteousness are never trampled by brute force. Can you do this?"

"We can!" The young men answered loudly and resolutely, filled with high morale.

Lübeck continued. "Today, you will follow your squad leaders to different locations and assist the security forces in stopping all rebellious acts. Some unlawful groups have repeatedly challenged the laws of Zufluchtsland. Many of you knew Joachim. To avoid unnecessary losses like those we suffered before, we must strike back firmly. Do you have the resolve to complete this mission?"

"Yes!" The reply came in unison, even louder and more spirited than before.

"Good. The briefing is over. Move out."

After issuing the order, Lübeck went down to the lower deck and waited by the rope access hatch for the operatives.

Soon they reached the drop zone. The vessel hovered steadily, the hatch opened and a green light flashed on. The team leader stepped forward to be the first to descend, but Lübeck held him back by the chest.

"Complete your mission and come back safely. Can you promise that?"

"Yes, Captain."

Lübeck nodded and clapped him on the shoulder. He watched each operative abseil down to their assigned positions.

Once all deployments were finished, the vessel climbed to a higher altitude. Lübeck returned to his quarters and entered the coordinates for the next leg of the voyage. His thoughts drifted to Ruth, Emma and their son, to his operatives, and to all the people of Zufluchtsland, young and old. He could not tell what the days ahead would bring.