A broken watch

[Desmond C'artyom]

[SIZE=11pt]Twenty years ago, Caeliar, outside Chiss colony[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Desmond walked with his father through the broken woods of Caeliar. The Chiss Expansionary Defense Force had recently discovered a Charon death cult that had threatened it’s newly formed colony on the planet. As a result they had been sent to swiftly eradicate the scum. Desmond’s father thought to show him the carnage of war, even though his son was only four years old. They remained quiet as they hiked through the charred forest. [/SIZE]

 

[Desmond C'artyom]

[SIZE=11pt]Desmond had wanted so desperately to come with his father on this mission, but his father had initially said no. His mother had insisted the trip would be good for Desmond, due to how little time Desmond’s father got to spend with him. Desmond’s father reluctantly agreed and the boy got to leave the comfy condominium on the ecmunepolis they called home.[/SIZE]

 

[Desmond C'artyom]

[SIZE=11pt]The pair reached their designated location and Desmond’s father regarded him with a cold stare. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“Look,” He commanded and Desmond did. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]He saw the burned hovels that used to be homes to the death cult that once lived here. The bodies had already been removed, but even so their was still the occasional splatter of blood here and there. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“This is war. If we had not won, this is what would’ve become of us,” Desmond’s father said more softly. [/SIZE]

 

[Desmond C'artyom]

[SIZE=11pt]Desmond took in the sight through round eyes. Such wanton destruction, it pained the boy. But, he also knew it to be necessary. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“Do you understand Desmond?” His father asked and Desmond simply nodded. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]His eyes began to well up with tears, but he didn’t know why. His father knelt low and grabbed Desmond by the shoulders. His father often brought Desmond something home from his trips and his father figured now was the right time to give him his new gift. [/SIZE]

 

[Desmond C'artyom]

[SIZE=11pt]“Don’t be afraid son. While I have been on this planet I found something with mystical powers. It is said to be a protection stone,” His father withdrew a small watch from his pocket and handed it to Desmond “I had the stone turned into a watch, so that you might count the minutes till your protector comes home,” His dad said with a playful smile. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Desmond wiped away his tears and took the watch. His father embraced him in a hug and they prepared to leave.[/SIZE]