The 12 Tales of Christmas season 2- The miracle of life
Welcome everyone to another story in the 12 tales of Christmas. For this story the number is 5 and the word or rather words are Christmas tree. This story's prompts come from MaddisonHargrove of the fanfiction site Ao3. For this story we delve into the realm of science fiction.
Young Kyle Stanwick is a troubled teenager. After getting into a fight with the son of a council member for his world he is not a happy camper. But Kyle’s about to learn a shocking truth while performing his public service. A visit from his grandfather will open him up to the truth about his family.
Get ready for the Miracle of life coming up as the 12 tales of Christmas continue.
Kyle Stanwick grunted as he swung his axe at the evergreen tree. This one would be one of the five Christmas trees that would light up the square for the town of Midor’s Crossing. The black-haired teen boy of 16 years swung away hating his life. It’s so unfair, he thought not for the first time.
All I did was stand up for Lisa against that creep Markham and now I’m serving time for doing what’s right. He had that clobbering coming. Kyle growled in his mind.
"Did Jeffery Markham think no one would stand up for Lisa? I don’t care if his dad is one of the high Councilors of this world. That doesn’t give him the right to be a bully." He muttered to himself.
He swung again and again at the Christmas tree. The young man’s thoughts were dark as he thought about all those who’d laughed and called him and his family names. He was so caught up in his dark thoughts that he didn’t hear the booted footsteps in the snow. “I thought I’d find you here boy,” said a voice Kyle knew very well.
He turned to see a man with a pepper-colored goatee approaching him. And like the young man he wore woolen clothing meant for the cold winter months. And this time of year, in the Northwestern region of Viron-7 could be brutal. “Hey grandpa,” Kyle said in a tone of relief and yet shame.
“I heard you got hauled before the local judiciary boy. Care to tell me what happened?” The older man inquired.
“What does it matter as nothing will ever come of it. " The teen boy stated.
“You never know Kyle," Gabriel Stanwick quipped.
The teen boy sighed and spoke up. “I tried to explain this to the Judiciary, but he wouldn’t listen to me. He kept calling me a liar and the grandson of a convict.”
A dark look crossed the older man’s face. “What happened, I want to hear more than the spin, I want your side.”
Kyle sighed in annoyance and decided the whole truth was better than nothing. “Jeffery Markham was making moves on my friend Lisa.”
The older man’s face furrowed. “Lisa as in Lisa Kaplan, Mary and Harlan’s daughter?”
The teen nodded his confirmation. “Lisa made it clear she wasn’t interested in him, but Jeffery Markham wouldn’t leave it alone. So, I stepped in and beat him up when he wouldn't’ stop.”
Kyle swung his axe at the Christmas tree again. “And what do I get for my effort? Arrested like a common criminal and hauled off to juvenile court. All the time Jeffery Markham was laughing and saying that someone of my bad blood deserved it!”
The older man’s face darkened even more at this. “This sounds serious, can anyone confirm it?”
“Lisa can and she stated as much at the trial. But the judge dismissed her testimonial and the video evidence.”
“Dismissed the evidence?” Gabriel Stanwick said then whistled. “Sounds like someone rigged that trial to make an example out of you.”
“And I have a feeling I know who,” Gabriel Stanwick growled in anger.
Kyle snapped, “So you see grandpa that’s why I’m out here. I’m doing public service for protecting one of my friends.”
The older man thought for a moment then nodded as he said, “I get it kid.-+”
That took the teen by surprise. “Wait, you believe me?” the teenager asked.
The older Stanwick male nodded. “Jeffery’s father Tyler has been getting a little too full of himself for some time. His arrogance and dangerous ambition are going to be a problem for Viron-7 if something’s not done about him.”
The boy swung at the tree, and he heard it begin to creak. He swung at it again with all his might and the tree tipped his direction. Grandfather and grandson got out of the way and let the tree fall to the ground. The teen then got a small box out of his pocket and pressed a button on it. “I’m summoning a transport device to bring this tree to the town square. " Kyle explained.
Gabriel looked over the cut and nodded in approval. “Clean cut and very nice form. Glad to see you remember what I taught you about holding an axe and using it.”
Kyle flashed a smile. “I appreciate that grandpa. And I’m sorry I haven’t been coming to boxing training.”
Kyle sighed and shook his head. “Dad ordered me to stop going. He said boxing is a brutal barbaric thing not meant for this new enlightened age.”
Gabriel Stanwick groaned at this. “Oh, dear God, your father has fallen in with that New Dawn group Tyler Markham created.”
Kyle looked surprised at this. “You know of them grandpa? They’ve been recruiting from all over my school.”
The older man sighed and said, “Yeah, I know about those idiots! Their ideas of total pacifism are a recipe for disaster. I swear your grandmother and I should’ve apprenticed your father on that merchant vessel.
"We did that with your uncle and aunt. Your father and that lot need to learn the truth of how dangerous the galaxy is."
Kyle decided now was as good a time to ask a question that had nagged him for some time. “Grandpa I know you were one of those who helped terraform Viron-7 into the world it is now. But what do the others who’ve teased me mean about you being a convict”
The boy saw a dark look come over the older man. Finally, he nodded and said, “I suppose this question would’ve come up sooner or later. I guess now is as good a time as any to show you the truth.”
Without another word he went to a pocket of his coat and pulled out a vial with a strange purple liquid. He pulled back some of the glove on his right hand revealing his wrist. He pressed a button on the container and coated a finger with the substance. He then rubbed it on the skin of his wrist.
Kyle got a surprise when numbers appeared glowing with a white light. The numbers read 6429-7443. Recognition came to Kyle and terrible understanding. “Grandpa, it...it is true you are a criminal.”
“Was, I was a criminal kid. But the circumstances of it are quite a story and now that you’re old enough I guess it’s time you knew the truth.”
He put the bottle away and slid the glove over his wrist. “The truth is yes, I was a convicted criminal from Earth. I got this when I got sent to prison for my crimes. I killed the son of the mayor of Portland Oregon years ago.”
Kyle stared in stunned horror. “But why?” The teen asked as his mine reeled from the revelation.
“Because boy the mayor’s son and several of his friends were taking over the local gangs. And they were bringing them under the mayor’s control. The mayor himself was a lackey for one Leon Kingsley.”
Kyle having read his history knew that name well. “Leon Kingsley, the dictator who brought down the Terran Republic? The Butcher of a million souls?”
“None other boy,” Gabriel confirmed.
“Let me tell you boy prison is no place to go,” the older man stated before he shivered.
“You haven’t seen evil until you’ve been in prison. There are some very bad people there.”
A haunted look crossed his face. “In that first month after my imprisonment I saw people get shanked by prisoners for no reason. It was only when I met Rager that I got the information on how to stay out of trouble and keep my head down.”
Kyle’s eyes widened in surprise. “Rager? Isn’t that the nickname of Mr. Elliott who runs the space dock?”
“None other boy, I owe him a lot for helping to keep me alive. Because of him I overcame the abuse from your great grandparents. He helped me so I could use the computer room of the prison to reinvent myself.
“I got my high school degree and later a degree in Terraforming Science.”
"Those were some pretty wild stories you told Grandpa. You and Grandma Cristina must've had some wild times when terraforming this planet." Kyle noted.
Gabriel nodded and said, “Got it in one Kyle. It was rather ironic when you think on it. My fascination with terraforming tech saved us when this world was a lifeless hell hole.”
“What do you mean grandpa?” Kyle asked.
“Long story short there’s a reason Leon Kingsley is the butcher of a million souls. He sent people off to terraform worlds with broken or at least poor-quality tech.”
Kyle was not naive, and his face paled in understanding. “Oh my God he sent you and the other settlers here to die! "
“That’s right Kyle, Kingsley did. You see deep down he and his cronies knew this truth. If a new habitable world outside their control ever popped up, it would be a threat to them.”
The older man let out a mirthless laugh. “The problem was they underestimated myself, Rager, and my mentor Dr. Theodore Billingsley.”
“I know The Doctor was one of our founders but why did Kingsley send him here?”
Gabriel snorted in derision. “He didn’t like the fact the Doc was speaking out against him. Tyrants don’t like criticism or their actions shown to the public. The Doc did both, so he was a problem. "
Kyle looked around at the life filled world they were on. “Yet you succeeded and terraformed this planet.”
The older Stanwick man nodded at this. “Yeah, we did and I’m damn proud of it! It is true I was a convicted criminal. But life on the frontier caused me to grow up fast, especially when my life was on the line."
The two heard humming and saw a transport device coming towards their location. "Looks like the transport is here,” Kyle said.
The teen sighed in frustration. "Well, that's three down and two to go."
Gabriel said, “Why don’t you let me lend you a hand Kyle? Afterwards we can make a game plan to deal with Jeffery Markham and his father.”
Kyle’s eyes widened in surprise and he felt a faint spark of hope ignite. “Why would you do this?” The teenager asked.
“Because what happened to you was horse crap! You shouldn’t get punished for standing up against bullies. And second the Markham family are opportunistic jackals.” Gabriel Stanwick stated in a tone of grim certainty.
He then put a hand on Kyle’s right shoulder. “Besides that, I may be getting older but I'm still looking for ways to stick it to the man, as I know you want to also.” The older man said giving him a sly wink.
At this Kyle was at once surprised yet elated, his grandfather did understand after all. Kyle and Gabriel loaded the tree on to the transport. A speaker on the automated vehicle said, “Number 3 of the five Christmas trees selected is now on board. Two more and your sentence is complete Kyle Stanwick. Proceed to the next tree location.”
The transport headed off and Kyle let out a sigh of relief. “I’ll make it through this unbroken after all.” The boy stated.
Gabriel nodded his approval at this. “That’s better, that's the little rebel I remember.”
Kyle pulled a map device from his coat pocket and winced. “The next tree is on the other side of this large evergreen grove.”
“You do know they’re doing this on purpose,” Gabriel observed.
“Yeah, Jeffery and his dad want to break me. But I’m not going to give them that satisfaction.” The teen said with a new sense of determination.
“Well, we'd best get to the next location. But it’s going to be quite the walk in this snow,” the teenager observed.
Then they heard the sound of another vehicle approaching. What came into view was a transport with a human operator. The pilot was a girl Kyle recognized as around his age and had dark blonde hair. As she drew closer, he saw she had blue eyes. Recognition came to him.
“Hi Kyle,” the girl greeted in a warm tone.
The boy’s eyes widened, and a flush came to him. He noted his grandfather flashhing a wry smirk. The teenager gave the older man a glare that said, “Not one word out of you.”
“Lisa, Lisa Kaplan?” Kyle called.
“Hey there hero, I thought I’d find you out here.” The girl said and then spotted Gabriel.
“Mister Stanwick is that you?” she asked in surprise.
The older man smiled and said, “Hey there kiddo, how are your mom and pop doing?”
“They’re fine thanks.” she answered.
She then turned back to Kyle. “I got sent out here by my parents to help you with this so-called public service. " She said speaking the last two words with total contempt.
“Look I know you don’t like fighting Lisa but…' The teen boy started to explain.
The girl raised a hand halting him mid-sentence. “Hold on, hold on. Who said I was mad at you? If anything, I appreciate that you stood up for me with that jerk Markham.”
She then added, “As I said I came out here to help you at Mom and Dad’s request. As for your public service mom is going to have a little talk with that judge!”
Kyle’s eyes widened in surprise. “She is, and she can do that?” he asked.
Lisa flashed a wry smile. “Uh hello, mom’s also on the planetary council! Besides which we’ve also been getting rather wary of Markham’s growing influence. Grandma and grandpa tell me Markham is starting to resemble Leon Kingsley in many ways.
“It’s way overdue time he and his family got put in their place.”
The boy was about to ask why but Lisa anticipated his question. “Kyle, you forget my grandparents were also some of those who helped terraform this world. My family owes your grandpa their lives. He helped the founders survive and make better equipment to terraform this world.”
"At least some people haven’t forgotten about what it took to do what we did.” The older man noted then looked at his grandson.
“That’s the miracle of life kiddo. The fact we turned this world into a living breathing planet. One which helped us survive after Kingsley’s egomaniac government collapsed.”
Kyle nodded and said, “That’s right it did. Hey Grandpa thanks for clearing things up with that accusation.”
“Glad I could kiddo. You deserve to know the truth and the proper context.”
Lisa said, “If you two are ready hop on. We’ll head over to the location of the next Christmas tree needing to get chopped down.”
Kyle asked, “Hey Lisa can this transport sync with my mobile map device?”
“This is top rate tech brought in from the space dock. You better believe it can.” Lisa stated in a tone of certainty.
“Well then let’s get to chopping down some Christmas trees. Meanwhile Lisa I imagine your mom will make sure it’s merry Christmas for all but the Markham family.” The older man noted.
The teen girl flashed a devious smile. “Oh, you’d better believe it Mister Stanwick.”
The two hopped into the truck and Lisa turned on the engine. Kyle once again felt the butterflies in his stomach that came from being so close to the girl. “Um, Lisa,” he ventured.
She turned and asked, “Yeah Kyle?”
‘I was, I was…” he gritted his teeth and forced himself to say what was on his mind.
“Would you like to go with me to the winter dance?”
The girl tensed for a moment. “Kyle did I hear you asked me to the dance? " She inquired.
The boy looked nervous but answered, "I did."
The teen girl sighed in relief and said, “I wondered when you’d get round to that you dork.”
That took the teen boy by surprise. “Wait you knew that I like you?”
The girl giggled and explained, “Mom and Daddy have always taught me to trust my intuition. And I had a feeling you liked me but were afraid to ask.”
Kyle noted his grandfather doing a terrible job stifling a snicker. “Well, the thing is…” Kyle began looking shame faced.
“I was afraid you’d not want to be around me with the way everyone calls my family criminals.”
Lisa rolled her eyes at this. “Those morons who call your family that have no idea of the full context. Grandma and grandpa told me the whole story. Markham and his supporters are idiots!
"Also, i hate to say it Kyle but your dad's kind of gullible and soft.”
"Can't argue against that logic girlie," The older Stanwick added.
Kyle smirked and said, “Hey Lisa, thanks. ’
She flashed another perky smile. “No problem bub now let’s say we take care of those trees. Then we give Jeffery Markham and his father a nasty surprise.”
The boy nodded and said, “Yeah let’s do so.”
The vehicle drove onward and the Stanwick teenager smiled. It's going to be a great Christmas after all, he thought.
And another of the 12 tales of Christmas is in the books. Thanks so much for reading this piece of science fiction. But hold on because our journey into the realm of sci-fi isn’t over yet. Another Sci-fi Christmas story is next time. The 12 Tales of Christmas continues.
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The 12 Tales of Christmas season 1
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