The Last Place to Stand by Aaron K. Redshaw Page B

here. I have also decided on a name. It has taken me a lot of thought, but I think I have one I like.”
    “Let me hear it,” she said.
    “Zosimus,” he said. “I learned the name after talking to the boy, Hamlet.”
    “I have never heard a name like that before,” she said, “What does it mean?”
    “It means ‘likely to survive’ in Greek. I am happy that I have survived so far, but I like the idea that I will continue to survive.”
    “That sounds good,” she said. She poked at the fire. “It is a name with some hope attached, and that is always needed.”
    “I think so too,” he said as he sat down. What gives you hope?”
    “I don't know. I guess my family.” She looked to one side for a second as if thinking of something else and said, “and...something else.”
    “What is that?” he asked.
    “The past,” she said. “The past life I had with the Technos was dark and lacked any sense of hope. I was rescued, and knowing that can happen for people, that they can be so lifeless one day and the next full of thoughts about the future. That gives me hope. Not just for myself, but for others. It gives me hope to see them have hope.”
    “That is a good thought,” said Zosimus. “That is a very good thought.”
    After a short pause, Zosimus continued, “You know, I enjoy thinking more than I ever imagined I would. When I had the feeds, I never could think. I did not have time, or headspace. I was lacking a whole life in just thinking. Now I like to observe and then think about what I observed. I like to listen and then think about what I heard. Then there are times that I will just think about things I have thought about before, but from a different perspective. I think that is one thing I enjoy most: the ability to think.”
    She looked at him and smiled. “It's a wonderful thing, isn't it?”
    “It certainly is,” he said. “And what you told me about the past tragedy giving me hope for the future. That was something to think about too.”
    “I'm glad to hear it,” she said.
    Odysseus approached the fire.
    “Hello, Odysseus,” said Poke.
    “Hello, Poke,” said Odysseus. “And hello to you X4287.”
    “My name is Zosimus,” said Zosimus. “It means likely to survive.”
    “A very good name,” said Odysseus. Then turning to Poke, “My wife and I are very excited about the new place. We have talked about how it should look and where the windows will face. I can't believe such possibilities exist. In the city there were no choices. No choice of a spouse, or a job, or a place to live. Everything was assigned to you. I certainly am happy with my wife, but the other choices were much less to be happy about.”
    “Yes, choice is a wonderful thing,” said Poke.
    “You know, one thing my wife and I have been discussing lately?”
    “What's that,” said Poke, staring at the fire.
    Odysseus sat down next to Poke and across from Zosimus. “We heard that in this area there is a rite that is observed when two people want to get married. I know we have been together for a long time, my wife and I, but we had never heard of such a thing before. We were expected to move in together when the government gave us the assignment.”
    Odysseus started to stare at the fire as well now. “It would mean a lot if we could go through the rite of marriage because it was something we chose. It would mean a lot to both of us. It is one thing to know the other person has to be there for you. It is another to know the other person wants to be there for you.”
    “Yes, that's right,” said Poke. “I understand that.”
    “So, how do I go about it?” asked Odysseus.
    She smiled, and looking up at Odysseus, she said, “Well, that takes a little bit of planning.”
     

Chapter 32
    The patient had not stirred that night at all, according to the cameras. Dr. Chin was in the room with him now, looking at his statistics, reading the brain activity. Now that the brain was no longer calling the shots except