“Captain, today’s the D-Day,” said the lieutenant.
“Yes… it is. How many generations had it passed? Three? Four? I tend to forget,” said the captain. He buckled his buttons of his jacket and started towards the main deck.
“As I recall, it’s 98 years, 5 months and 12 days since Phase 3 of Project R.E.” she said excitedly. In her hands, were series of digital documents for the captain, recording everything going on in the ark: vegetation production, population loss and increase, social happenings and so on; everything that may happen in a normal community.
The captain and the lieutenant entered the main deck. Inside were 100 crew members working hard every day to keep the ark intact. They had no time to say ‘good morning’ and greet their esteemed captain, this was a special day, so special that they did not have time to lose. Already expecting such situation, the captain himself exited the deck soon after checking everyone’s attendance. He normally travelled to break his fast but the captain went to the broadcasting center instead. The workers inside were also expecting him for he was due to make a speech on this particular day. As soon as the gears were ready, he took the mike that broadcasted throughout everywhere; even inside toilets.
“Citizens of the 2nd Ark. I’m pleased to announce you, after almost a century, we are finally ready. I know most of you lived in this ark all throughout your life and many were actually born here. I am not an exception. I may look like someone who lived quite a long time, but I too, have never seen our home,” he said. The captain was also trying to control his exhilaration from being expressed through his words. Even he could not believe that he was the one saying this. “Our older generation told us over and over again, how it is like down there; that one day, we will see it with our own eyes, the massive mountains and the deep blue seas, the brilliant sky and the thick green forests, not just from pictures and holograms. The computer device planted there just informed us last night. That the planet is cleansed and brand new. Citizens, we are going back to Earth.”
Cheering was heard, even from inside the center with the doors and windows closed shut. Some of the workers broke to tears and patted each other in the back. The captain wished he could join them and cry in happiness and joy; maybe even dance and sing the hell out. No, he had work to do.
Back at the main deck, the captain started to do his job.
“Let’s contact the rest of the arks; 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th. Get ready to warp in,” said the captain. The crews moved busily. Some instantly went to their contact the others. The rest readied for initiation for a space warp.
“I never knew we had a portal at Earth,” said the lieutenant. The captain just smiled.
“We don’t. They destroyed it after warping out. Instead, there’s one in the moon. I just hope that old machine works,” he said with a chuckle.
“Captain, we have confirmation from the other arks that they are ready to warp in,” said one of the crew.
“Let’s get the hell out of here,” he said. The huge screen in front of them popped up, showing everyone the ship’s status. “Initiate the warp.”
“Initiating warp, in five. Four. Three. Two,” said a crew. The ark started to shake a little bit and they could hear the engine roaring. “One.”
The captain saw it for the first time. A planet that actually looked like it was living; not livable, but living. The irregular shape of the white clouds looked magical, covering the green of the land here and there. The great blue sea was a marvel. Even from thousands of miles away, the ocean he looked through holograms looked realer than ever. His mind was simply filled with enthusiasm and extreme exhilaration. He had to really suppress his feeling of simply maneuvering the ark himself and break through the Earth atmosphere, land anywhere possible, and breathe the fresh air and smell the scent of ocean and grass and tree. And all this time while he imagined, he grabbed the chair he was sitting by the arm so tight his hands started to numb.
“Right, take her close. We’ll rendezvous with the other ark when we land. There’s a rally point anyway. So let’s be the first one to set foot,” said the captain calming himself. He was a captain, he must to as planned. “And, have the scouting team armed and ready,”
The 2nd Ark traveled closer and the planet looked more fantastic as they did. Being enthralled by excitement, he captain, and the lieutenant was standing up with their mouths opened. The crews, who most should be working with their screens, were all watching out of the window as they moved closer.
When the ark was closer enough, the captain allowed for the scouting team of 12 people enter the atmosphere first. Just after the ark received information from Earth’s device, they started a ‘lottery’. Nine from the citizens, three from the soldiers. And they were going to be the first to set foot on Earth (of course along with other 12 people from other arks) – it was a great honor.
“Air status is normal. We can take off our masks,” said a soldier holding a detecting device. Everyone took off their masks and walked out of the aircraft that landed just in the middle of a forest. Everyone ran out and looked around in awe.
“Oh my god!” said a middle-aged woman. Everyone else did not need to say a word. They were too busy filling their eyes with pleasure. It wasn’t just the thick forest and the lush grass beneath their feet, but also the sound of birds and insects close by and flying above that brought their mouths to open and smile; their eyes so wide and their nose so fresh.
“What’s your status scout team?” buzzed a soldier’s microphone.
“Um… this is… wow, I don’t know how to explain this,” said the soldier looking around. The rest of the soldiers and civilians were all over the place already, each admiring the environment. “I mean… I really wish there’s a word for it. This is… this is Earth, captain.”
“Hey look at this,” said a man who was checking out the texture of a very tall tree. The tree had some mark, more of a scratch. It was fairly large and it carved in the tree quite deep. “Some kind of animal? I never have seen such a thing.”
Everyone gathered to the mysterious tree. They asked and looked at each other for answer, and at the same time, walked around it, admiring it.
“Scout team, do you have confirmation on people from other arks yet,” asked the captain. He was eager to shout at the god-forsaken soldier, to answer him quickly. This soldier took too long to speak; the captain was at risk of a heart attack. After a few moments, the microphone buzzed back.
“Not yet captain,” said the soldier back. Then suddenly, there was a violent rustling noise from the speaker. “Whoa, what’s that?”
“What do you see soldier?” demanded the captain. All eyes were on the main screen, where the soldier’s voice came back. The captain, regretfully, cursed himself for not installing a camera with the soldier’s uniform. “Answer me.”
“I see this… um… animal? Wait, it’s coming close…” the soldier stopped abruptly. Then there were about five rounds of gunfire.
“What was that, scout team?” asked the captain.
“…”
“Scout team?” asked the captain, a little puzzled from no reaction.
“…”
“Scout team, respond. You know I have the authority to arrest you for not following orders. Respond,” said the captain. Of course it was pretty much nonsense, but the captain was now feeling desperate.
“grrr…” the microphone finally responded. The sound was not normal. It was too deep and hoarse compared to the tone of the soldier. The roar, which it seemed, stopped, replaced by a very heavy noise of someone, or something breathing.
The breathing stopped. Then, there was a slight sound of grass being stepped on, bushing on whatever that walked on it. Everyone on the main deck lost their words and had their ears opened.
Cra-boom
A deadly explosion was heard. The microphone died instantly. The captain dropped to his chair without a word.
2: 1“Captain, today’s the D-Day,” said the lieutenant.
“Yes… it is. How many generations had it passed? Three? Four? I tend to forget,” said the captain. He buckled his buttons of his jacket and started towards the main deck.
“As I recall, it’s 98 years, 5 months and 12 days since Phase 3 of Project R.E.” she said excitedly. In her hands, were series of digital documents for the captain, recording everything going on in the ark: vegetation production, population loss and increase, social happenings and so on; everything that may happen in a normal community.
The captain and the lieutenant entered the main deck. Inside were 100 crew members working hard every day to keep the ark intact. They had no time to say ‘good morning’ and greet their esteemed captain, this was a special day, so special that they did not have time to lose. Already expecting such situation, the captain himself exited the deck soon after checking everyone’s attendance. He normally travelled to break his fast but the captain went to the broadcasting center instead. The workers inside were also expecting him for he was due to make a speech on this particular day. As soon as the gears were ready, he took the mike that broadcasted throughout everywhere; even inside toilets.
“Citizens of the 2nd Ark. I’m pleased to announce you, after almost a century, we are finally ready. I know most of you lived in this ark all throughout your life and many were actually born here. I am not an exception. I may look like someone who lived quite a long time, but I too, have never seen our home,” he said. The captain was also trying to control his exhilaration from being expressed through his words. Even he could not believe that he was the one saying this. “Our older generation told us over and over again, how it is like down there; that one day, we will see it with our own eyes, the massive mountains and the deep blue seas, the brilliant sky and the thick green forests, not just from pictures and holograms. The computer device planted there just informed us last night. That the planet is cleansed and brand new. Citizens, we are going back to Earth.”
Cheering was heard, even from inside the center with the doors and windows closed shut. Some of the workers broke to tears and patted each other in the back. The captain wished he could join them and cry in happiness and joy; maybe even dance and sing the hell out. No, he had work to do.
Back at the main deck, the captain started to do his job.
“Let’s contact the rest of the arks; 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th. Get ready to warp in,” said the captain. The crews moved busily. Some instantly went to their contact the others. The rest readied for initiation for a space warp.
“I never knew we had a portal at Earth,” said the lieutenant. The captain just smiled.
“We don’t. They destroyed it after warping out. Instead, there’s one in the moon. I just hope that old machine works,” he said with a chuckle.
“Captain, we have confirmation from the other arks that they are ready to warp in,” said one of the crew.
“Let’s get the hell out of here,” he said. The huge screen in front of them popped up, showing everyone the ship’s status. “Initiate the warp.”
“Initiating warp, in five. Four. Three. Two,” said a crew. The ark started to shake a little bit and they could hear the engine roaring. “One.”
The captain saw it for the first time. A planet that actually looked like it was living; not livable, but living. The irregular shape of the white clouds looked magical, covering the green of the land here and there. The great blue sea was a marvel. Even from thousands of miles away, the ocean he looked through holograms looked realer than ever. His mind was simply filled with enthusiasm and extreme exhilaration. He had to really suppress his feeling of simply maneuvering the ark himself and break through the Earth atmosphere, land anywhere possible, and breathe the fresh air and smell the scent of ocean and grass and tree. And all this time while he imagined, he grabbed the chair he was sitting by the arm so tight his hands started to numb.
“Right, take her close. We’ll rendezvous with the other ark when we land. There’s a rally point anyway. So let’s be the first one to set foot,” said the captain calming himself. He was a captain, he must to as planned. “And, have the scouting team armed and ready,”
The 2nd Ark traveled closer and the planet looked more fantastic as they did. Being enthralled by excitement, he captain, and the lieutenant was standing up with their mouths opened. The crews, who most should be working with their screens, were all watching out of the window as they moved closer.
When the ark was closer enough, the captain allowed for the scouting team of 12 people enter the atmosphere first. Just after the ark received information from Earth’s device, they started a ‘lottery’. Nine from the citizens, three from the soldiers. And they were going to be the first to set foot on Earth (of course along with other 12 people from other arks) – it was a great honor.
“Air status is normal. We can take off our masks,” said a soldier holding a detecting device. Everyone took off their masks and walked out of the aircraft that landed just in the middle of a forest. Everyone ran out and looked around in awe.
“Oh my god!” said a middle-aged woman. Everyone else did not need to say a word. They were too busy filling their eyes with pleasure. It wasn’t just the thick forest and the lush grass beneath their feet, but also the sound of birds and insects close by and flying above that brought their mouths to open and smile; their eyes so wide and their nose so fresh.
“What’s your status scout team?” buzzed a soldier’s microphone.
“Um… this is… wow, I don’t know how to explain this,” said the soldier looking around. The rest of the soldiers and civilians were all over the place already, each admiring the environment. “I mean… I really wish there’s a word for it. This is… this is Earth, captain.”
“Hey look at this,” said a man who was checking out the texture of a very tall tree. The tree had some mark, more of a scratch. It was fairly large and it carved in the tree quite deep. “Some kind of animal? I never have seen such a thing.”
Everyone gathered to the mysterious tree. They asked and looked at each other for answer, and at the same time, walked around it, admiring it.
“Scout team, do you have confirmation on people from other arks yet,” asked the captain. He was eager to shout at the god-forsaken soldier, to answer him quickly. This soldier took too long to speak; the captain was at risk of a heart attack. After a few moments, the microphone buzzed back.
“Not yet captain,” said the soldier back. Then suddenly, there was a violent rustling noise from the speaker. “Whoa, what’s that?”
“What do you see soldier?” demanded the captain. All eyes were on the main screen, where the soldier’s voice came back. The captain, regretfully, cursed himself for not installing a camera with the soldier’s uniform. “Answer me.”
“I see this… um… animal? Wait, it’s coming close…” the soldier stopped abruptly. Then there were about five rounds of gunfire.
“What was that, scout team?” asked the captain.
“…”
“Scout team?” asked the captain, a little puzzled from no reaction.
“…”
“Scout team, respond. You know I have the authority to arrest you for not following orders. Respond,” said the captain. Of course it was pretty much nonsense, but the captain was now feeling desperate.
“grrr…” the microphone finally responded. The sound was not normal. It was too deep and hoarse compared to the tone of the soldier. The roar, which it seemed, stopped, replaced by a very heavy noise of someone, or something breathing.
The breathing stopped. Then, there was a slight sound of grass being stepped on, bushing on whatever that walked on it. Everyone on the main deck lost their words and had their ears opened.
Cra-boom
A deadly explosion was heard. The microphone died instantly. The captain dropped to his chair without a word.
3: 2“What were you doing out there? You could have gotten yourself and her dead!” said Commander Jerrod. He was the captain of the 3rd Ark, now a commander of Sector 3 who controls everything – literally, everything.
“I – uh, we, held the Hunters back. If that reached the barricades, I bet more men would have been lost. So in the end, it’s a win-win situation and you are way overreacting,” I said cynically. This person, who calls himself commander, is a stuffed up guy and a pain. From the moment I got to know him since the Crusader project, I never liked him. What I couldn’t believe was that this stubborn bastard was an esteemed figure in this Sector.
“But you did violate orders,” he demanded. “You instigated confusion within the bureaucratic system of the Crusaders and I had to organize a convoy team to get you inside again. Yes, you may have prevented the Hunters from causing further potential death, but I cannot just let and see the chain of command becoming more and more unclear. Thereby, I suspend you from any Crusader activity for the next three days.”
“What am I – ten? A real mature decision, commander,” I scowled at him and stormed out. Michelle was just waiting by the door. She walked with me as the door closed behind.
“You know he dictates everything here – and that you just spat at his face,” she warned. Michelle and I walked down the alley exiting the main headquarter. “You should really start to be careful; you can’t always solve problems with physical force as yours.”
“I’m going down training, do you want to come?” I asked her, completely neglecting her caution. I turned direction as soon as I stepped out of the building and strolled towards the structure right next to the command center.
“When in the world will you listen to my advice?” she said with a heavy sigh. I replied with a smile. Michelle waved her hands. “You go and train yourself. I’m getting some rest.”
In the end, I didn’t go to the training center – just lost interest. Instead, I visited to see Scarlet at the airfield just several buildings away. She was a helicopter pilot. I never actually saw her driving one in combat, but she seems to be quite good at it; since not much pilots are selected to own an aircraft. When I just arrived at the field, I saw her landing onto one of the landing zone. The engine ceased roaring and I watched her as she exited from the aircraft. Then I noticed there were some passengers also climbing down the helicopter. It was strange. Not only did Sectors rarely communicate with each other’s these days, but air travel was confirmed by many that it was extremely risky and dangerous. Scarlet finally noticed me standing, waiting. She ran for me at once, with her long, bright brown hair brushing her face and the big blue eyes fixed on me. She was wearing the same cap she always wore when driving her aircraft; some sort of lucky charm I guessed.
“Now this is new. You don’t often come down here,” she said in her normal, cheerful tone. “I suppose you have nothing to do because Michelle is off to do something else?”
“Uh… yeah,” I staggered. “Who are those people?”
“People from Sector 1 and 2. The famous Dr. Greg is also among them. Beyond that, I have no idea. But guessing by the position of all those people, I think it’s quite serious,” said Scarlet looking back at the five people just gathering around after leaving their ride. An airfield crew greeted them with a solute and led them straight for the road that points to the main headquarter. “See those two people in their military cap? I think they’re commanders of Sector 1 and 2. The two in suits, probably the analysts from each Sector, and the last old man in his white jacket is Dr. Greg from Sector 1.”
I followed the six men walking hastily towards the main headquarter, curious of why they were here, at Sector 3 specifically.
“Where are you going?” asked Scarlet.
“Finding out why they’re here,” I answered.
“They’re meeting is most likely going to be confidential. I mean I don’t think they’ll allow you. If I had the authority I will obviously –“
“Yes, I know. Still, it’s worth a try,” I said waving back. Scarlet was probably unimpressed of being interrupted because she followed me the rest of my journey complaining about it. When we entered the command center after the six men went in, I went straight into the control room of the building with Scarlet following my tail.
Though it’s somewhat embarrassing to say, but I was never really sociable with others, so I had only few close people within the population of over a thousand in Sector 3. One of them, besides Scarlet and Michelle, was this senior official managing the control room, Bill Ornell. He was in his middle-age and was quite a ‘large’ man for his height.
“Hey Bill,” I said to the man who was on the upper deck of the control room. He saw me and immediately looked ten years older. “Guess what? I have a favor to ask.”
“No you don’t. I advise you to leave,” he snapped frowning. When Scarlet showed herself up, Bill looked happy again. “Oh, hello Scarlet, what can I help you?”
“I –“ Scarlet pushed me backwards and intervened me during my talk.
“I was just curious with the content of the meeting that’s about to start right now; involving four executives from Sector 1 and 2 and Dr. Greg,” said Scarlet straightforwardly. Even Bill, who always welcomed Scarlet (and other women), looked uneasy when he heard Scarlet’s request.
“How did you know these things? It was strictly classified information,” he said. The next moment, his eyes glared at me.
“She told me,” I denied, pointing at Scarlet at her back.
“I was the one who flew them here. Now please, I really want to know what’s going on,” said Scarlet in her sweetest voice. Bill looked around, eying the workers in the lower levels of the room. He looked through corridors near us and on the ceiling. When he finished scanning, he still stood in front of us, scratching his head and replacing his glasses.
“Hey, aren’t you curious of what they’re going to talk about?” I finally asked him. “We haven’t had any senior executives like them flying around the air and landing at foreign Sectors for a secret meeting in ages. Isn’t this… a little funny?”
“You are hopeless,” he said with a heavy sigh. Then he signaled us to follow and we did. Bill carefully proceeded deeper into the control room with Scarlet and I following behind. We reached in front of a white door – looking just as same as every other doors in the control room – and the door clicked open as Bill swiped his master card. “Come in.”
The room was small as my sleeping room, which was also very tiny. The room had a computer, several headphones connected and couple of foldable chairs. With an additional three people, the room already felt like a full house. Bill booted the computer and connected to a certain camera that just showed a full view of the six executives and another two, probably with Sector 3. Scarlet handed me a chair and I settled myself, putting on the headphone. I wasn’t quite surprised when Bill also sat down with a headphone just beside me. When I started to hear the voices, the meeting seemed just begun.
“We beg you to provide refuge for our citizens. We are well aware that Sector 3 is a powerful settlement,” said a man in suit. The six men were sitting at two sofas, each opposite side of others. As the man spoke, the other man in a suit opposite of him nodded.
“I think we must be briefed with everything you people know first,” said Commander Jerrod in his stubborn voice. “After that, the settlement will be fully cooperative with your people.”
“Commander! We already promised that! This is not the time. There are people dying as we speak!” a man in his military uniform raised his voice. “We need to combine forces and start right now!”
“Commander Soren, we also promised that. But I have to say Sector 3 needs information of what we’re up again first,” claimed Jerrod. This man who seemed to be Soren was unsatisfied with his answer and looked as if he would punch him in the face any second.
“Commander, you need to think carefully. If we try to stand individually, we have no chance. Our soldiers are still able to fight. Creating a perimeter first is our priority! I guarantee you that Sector 3 will not be an exception to… to this catastrophe,” stated the other commander. “You have our words that we will reveal everything down to the last letter, if you just open the gates. Think about your citizens.”
“Beg your pardon, Commander Rackel but I am thinking about my citizens more than anything else. For all I know you haven’t been in touch with us for the last ten months. Now you’re asking us to open the gates for evacuee of over one thousand people along with combat soldiers of nearly five hundred. I honestly have to say suspicion is the first thing that pops to my mind,” said Commander Jerrod sternly. “I hope you gentlemen will not misunderstand my statement but I insist that I am considering very seriously about citizens of Sector 3 by doubting your claims and that I need visual proof or intel on this ‘incident’.”
The seven men went through deadly silence. With my headphones on, I glanced at Scarlet and Bill concentrating on the monitor. Commander Jerrod and his analyst sat on the single sofas facing the two long ones that the six executives were sitting. They were sitting comfortably on it and almost looked as if they were enjoying people pleading them for something. Four officials of other Sectors were either sitting at the edge of their seats or uneasily folding their arms for consideration. The only person from the visitors who looked just as calm as Commander Jerrod, was Dr. Greg who hasn’t spoken a single word yet.
“I suppose none of you wish to speak so… Dr. Greg, what do you have in mind?” questioned Jerrod.
“I can only say commander, you are one stubborn bastard,” stated Dr. Greg with his typical wry smile. The commander only responded with a smirk. “But I can understand how you feel.”
“I’m pleased to hear that from you, doctor,” said the Commander. He scanned the other four officials quietly listening to the talk. “It’s a pity that only one of five gentlemen here understands my concern. Then Dr. Greg, I know you’re not a specialist in this kind of matters but what do you suggest?”
“I’ll stay in Sector 3 until everything’s settled,” said Dr. Greg. The four executives looked taken aback.
“Doctor! You are our crucial medic needed on the front line. You can’t just stay here idly waiting for this man to confirm any decisions!” wailed Commander Soren in disapproval.
“Commander Soren is speaking the truth. Your presence is almost everything that keeps us fighting,” pleaded Soren’s analyst.
“I’m afraid my company doesn’t allow my leave,” shrugged Dr. Greg casually. Jerrod did not say anything. “Then how about this, Commander: I will give you as much information as possible while I stay here. In return, you can lift your barricades for the evacuees from Sector 1 and 2. After all, we are all human being. We need to stay as one against mutual enemy of our race, don’t you think?”
Commander Jerrod scratched his shaved chin, fixing his eyes on the ground. Dr. Greg leaned back on his seat. The rest looked first at the doctor, then at the Jerrod consecutively. Just then, Commander Jerrod’s eyes met with the camera in the room. It was a sharp gaze; as if he was actually watching us, inappropriately spying on the meeting without permission. His stare went on for a few seconds. Glancing once again at my sides, I noticed Bill, especially him, starting to become very uneasy.
“Gentlemen –“
The monitor showed black and white.
Then there was a sudden knock on the door.
We instantly removed our headphones and stood up to replace the chairs back where they belong. Just before Bill opened the door, he signaled us to back off from the door, so we stood just behind the doorway.
“Mr. Ornell, I have some reports to hand in,” said a voice from outside. I almost heard Bill’s sigh of relief that moment. “Is there… something wrong?”
“No, not at all. I’ll take that, and… yeah. Keep up the good work. But… how did you know I was here?” asked Bill cautiously.
“Well, I asked Chris about it and he said you went into one of the rooms of this corridor with two other people,” said the voice casually.
“Right,” answered Bill awkwardly. This worker must have stayed in front of him for a few seconds. “Well, you can go on and do your work now.”
The footsteps faded away and Bill exited the room first, signing us to follow. He guided us just outside the control room and turned directly at me.
“Damn you Leon, you are bound to cause me trouble,” he said distastefully.
“Who’s the one watching that monitor so closely, other than us two?” I rebutted. “You didn’t get caught anyway. And, that wasn’t something you hear at meetings every day, don’t you agree?”
“Well…” he let out a sigh. “Just don’t go around talking about what you heard today.”
Bill left us as he reentered to his workplace. I shoved my hands to my pocket and walked idly with Scarlet at my side. Instead of heading out, I sat down on one of the vacant benches around the lobby.
“What do you think the commander will say?” asked Scarlet when we sat down. From her tone, I realized she was still excited by the content. “Do you think he’ll reject the doctor? But Dr. Greg is… you know, a legend! His words are not only highly respective but hard to turn down.”
“Well, I won’t be surprised if that stubborn bastard rejects him. He doesn’t seem to give a damn about other people,” I smirked. “Or, he might not care about us either.”
“The officials said something about a catastrophe in Sector 1 and 2. Do you think…?” she ventured.
“That’s ridiculous. For all I know, Sector 1 and 2 was quite cooperative with each other and they have fighters almost two times of ours. If any one of their settlement goes through some ‘catastrophe’, I bet the other Sectors would have known beforehand,” I replied. Basically, Sector 1 and 2 had better resources, I mean in all areas of resources, than any other settlements. Their distance wasn’t so far and was known to protect each other when needed. Yes, the Hunters were strong but destroying an entire settlement? That was impossible. “And, they have Dr. Greg.”
Then, the small telephone on my wrist beeped, signaling the Crusaders to rally up to the Crusader headquarter.
“Well that didn’t take long, did it?” I said looking up at her. She shrugged back. “I better get going. I’ll see you later.”
Located at the 3rd floor of the main headquarter, not many was punctual arriving back at the meeting place. Most likely, they were hurrying back from whatever ‘leisure’ they were enjoying. Though many of the Crusaders were theoretically capable to fight Hunters after biochemical engineering, almost a third of their abilities degraded due to laziness or excessive reliance towards scientific power. What was more hilarious was that not even one of them recognized their flaws.
As I entered, I saw Michelle sitting down on a chair, still looking very drowsy. She failed to notice me until I sat beside her.
“I hope you cleaned my room too,” I said. She glared at me with her eyes red.
“When your parents had me to look after you, it didn’t mean you can just order me to do choirs,” she said. “Now, please. Let me have some peace until everyone arrives.”
“That’s not going to happen for-“ I looked at my wrist watch. “Like the next five minutes or so.”
“Exactly,” she said and drowsed off to sleep.
And… guess what? It wasn’t five minutes until everyone arrived; it was five minutes later when the director arrived, another five for the rest to gather up. I woke Michelle up and Director Han began his talk.
“We have a very special guest today. Doctor Vincent Greg from Sector 1 arrived today and decided to stay here to inform you about our enemy more specifically,” announced Han. “Now, we all know the Crusaders are, in reality, his work and his talents are still useful for the survival of Sector 1 and 2. I expect you to greet him with absolute respect. If it wasn’t for him, there wouldn’t be a Crusader nor will we be able to sustain our lives for so long on this wild planet.”
Dr. Greg appeared from the back door with the same white gown I saw at the airfield. I got to get a better look at the old man. He had that typical doctor-glasses and short white hair covered his head. The first impression as he walked in: a very, ordinary-looking doctor of some very, ordinary-looking hospital. He was, the ‘father of biochemical-engineering’ and a ‘genius scientist of the century’ but his looks weren’t so special.
As he stepped in, the Crusaders welcomed uninterestedly with a series of applaud.
“Today, we aren’t going to go through any specific matters, because, well, I’m sure I bothered you off guard from whatever you were doing. So, I’m just going to say hello and allow your leave,” he said. “What I’m going to do while I’m here, is to inform you with the investigation regarding the ‘Hunters’ and brief you guys with a better understanding of your enemy. And through the result of this research, I was able to give a better chance of defeating the Hunters to the other Crusaders back at Sector 1 and 2.”
“But, to tell you the truth, I decided to stay in Sector 3 because I was curious. I was reported that other Sectors, 4 and 5, are always struggling with Hunter attacks with Crusaders. But Sector 3’s defense results are very successful, despite the fact that you are less aware of your enemy than Sector 1 and 2,” said Dr. Greg. He then flipped over his sheet of papers in his hand. “Then I found a reason just before I arrived while looking at the performance of all Crusaders of this settlement. So, I’m really cutting short today, everyone can leave except Leon Veridi.”
“Pardon me?” I asked surprised. All the others were indifferently emptying the room already. In seconds, the only people in the headquarter were the director, Michelle, the doctor and me.
“Well, well, I guess you are finally getting promoted,” whispered Michelle from my side. Then she left the room as well.
“Yes, son. Let’s have some talk in private, shall we?” said Dr. Greg smiling.
4: 3
“I refuse,” I said, determined. Dr. Greg raised his brows. We were in a secluded room with no camera or people watching and hearing out conversation. “I don’t give a damn about things like that. All I care about is earning a comfortable, pleasurable living with people around me.”
“I am very sorry to hear that,” said Dr. Greg. “I thought you would understand me with Han and Jerrod.”
“I do, but not with the last bit. That’s beyond my interest,” I repeated.
“Do you think, you can seriously earn the life you want?” questioned the doctor. His tone was much more demanding. But I knew better to not fall for it.
“If you people don’t intervene in my life and let me be, yes I think it’s possible,” I answered casually. Dr. Greg leaned back on his chair, keeping his eyes on me. His face looked extremely vexed and irritated; most likely my answer wasn’t the response he wanted. Finally, after a long term of silence, he stood up and pushed his chair inside the table dividing me and him. He started to walk out without a single word.
“I’ll just say I understand you; for now,” he said. Just before he left the room, leaving me sitting in the middle of it, he turned to stop. “But remember. My deal will always be valid.”
I waited until Dr. Greg was out of my sight. Then I quickly exited the building. The old man’s words were nonsense, but the strength in his voice convinced me that he did have the power to implement whatever he was expecting of me. Still, even if he had such influence, I didn’t think it was a logical move; I presumed it will create only chaos.
The director and Michelle was nowhere to be seen in or outside of the headquarter. I didn’t even see Scarlet at the lobby. With nowhere to go and no enemies to kill, I decided to get myself some exercise.
The gym wasn’t far from the command center. Just a few more buildings and it was hard for anyone to miss it. The structure even had a huge label written ‘SECTOR 3 GYMANASIUM’. The gym wasn’t an ordinary gym, nothing like back in the 3rd Ark. Most of all, general ‘exercise’ was for ordinary citizens. On lower sections of the structure, was couple of more levels featuring shooting ranges for soldiers and sword practices for Crusaders.
I hopped into the elevator inside the gym and went down three levels. Inside the practice center, I didn’t see any Crusaders with their swords practicing with each other. It was completely empty and rarely used by anyone; which was fine for me because I got to have the entire space to my one. Now, at first I had no idea how you can ‘train’ a group of Crusader with physical abilities overwhelmingly surpassing any human being. The answer the Sectors came with was simulation training. They had every piece of high-tech gadgets from the Arks and made this state-of-the-art machine. Of course the technology wasn’t completely new, but it was the first time they made it this large.
Inside the third level were ten rooms, each, sadly, larger than where I live. The rooms look smaller because the simulation machine takes up the entire space. I went into one of them and launched the machine. I attached all the sensors and the world shifted.
I was inside a thick forest. It didn’t just look like one, it sounded, smelled like a real forest. Birds and insects chirping, far cries of small animals, sunshine squeezing its way down to the bottom and the strong scent of grass and trees creeping up my legs; it was all beautifully animated.
Then a group of birds somewhere behind me flew off opposite to my directions, as if fleeing from something. The sun light gave up working its way through the leaves and insects went quiet. The forest immediately went dark.
A stomp from behind.
I turned around quickly and saw the monstrous figure of the Hunter facing down at me, ever so real. I launched a preemptive strike as soon as I saw it. With a stroke of sheer force, I smashed down at the Hunter but it blocked with its two arm-blades. The Hunter was thrown backwards from the impact, colliding with a tree behind. I stood up before it could and stabbed my sword against the disgusting head of it.
The second of the third Hunter was already coming for me from two sides. I pulled myself upward and targeted one of them. When I clashed my sword against it, the Hunter evaded. The two launched a coordinated attack against me. The impulse was unbearable and was thrown off meters away. Horrible thing was, the exhaustion in the real word depends of how much you got hurt in the simulation; it was the part I truly hated about these things.
I drew out my ability. Silvery shadow followed behind my sword and I charged against them. With a simple swing, I would be able to kill both of them. I landed just in front of them, avoid their blades and leaped with my sword swinging wildly.
Then everything disappeared.
I looked around and saw the huge simulation machine and myself attached with these weird wires and sensors. Then I saw Scarlet in front of the ‘on’ button.
“That wasn’t necessary,” I grumbled.
“Actually, that was. There’s a problem,” she said. “We need to get out first.”
“You have to be joking,” I scowled as I walked with Scarlet out of the structure. “Who gave the order?”
“Jerrod. But that’s not the real problem,” said Scarlet hurrying. “The Crusaders are surrounded and reinforcements are nowhere to be seen. Leon, they’re all going to die, not even Michelle has a good chance fighting her way out.”
“Where is this place?” I demanded.
“It’s just by the ground route from Sector 2 to here. I –“
“Do you have your aircraft?” I asked her, gripping her by the wrist and dragging her to the airfield. She nodded. “Fly me there, Scarlet.”
“What? No… I can’t do that, not even for you,” she said, suddenly releasing herself free. “I’m sorry, but I can get my license cancelled… I… I’m sorry but I have a family to feed and…”
“Please,” I pleaded. “Say that I threatened you by force. I’ll take all the responsibility. Just fly me there!”
She hesitated. I was extremely anxious. Every second she being indecisive was a waste. Michelle might be at the verge of death for all I knew. I grabbed her again and continued to drag her to the field, whatever her answer was to be. When we finally arrived, I turned at her in front of her helicopter.
“You brought me this information for a reason, Scarlet. Please, I beg you,” I cried. She was certainly flustered, for I never saw such a face from her ever since I met her. “Fly me there, and you can leave right away if you want, just… please!”
“All right! All right…” her voice faded. She unleashed her keys and unlocked the cockpit door. I aboard the helicopter at the back and grabbed a handle beside me. I equipped the headphone and the chopper started to lift off soon enough. Scarlet asked me if I was ready. I answered back with a yes and the aircraft was on its way.
For the entire flight, I readied the rope and gripped the hilt of my sword hard as ever. I walked side to side of the chopper to catch sight of any battle, and most importantly of Michelle. But for minutes, all I saw was a vast ocean of green trees. Beads of sweat ran down my cheek and back. I wiped off and tried to calm myself, but sweating did not seem to stop. I wildly looked around from above to find even a small glimpse of her.
“I found her!” buzzed the headphone. “9 o’ clock!”
There I saw. In between the thick forest, I saw the monstrous black figures running through the woods. My right hand grabbed the rope and other, the hilt.
“Lower a little bit. I’m going to rappel down, leave as soon as I hit ground. Just tell them I threatened you,” I said through the headphone.
“Leon…!” she yelled back just before I removed the headphone. “Just... try not to die.”
“Will do,” I removed the headphone and went down with the rope. About a few meters, I just jumped down in hurry. I almost sprained my legs but that was least of my concerns. I ran towards where the black figures were.
The area was in complete chaos. I saw quite a lot of dead Crusaders but only a few Hunters ceased to live. The woods echoed with screams of terror and the eerie howls of Hunters. I ran past bodies, closer, closer to the sound’s origin. I leaped myself to run faster – when all of the suddenly something slammed my body onto a tree nearby.
“Rachel, Daniel, get up, we have to run!” shouted back Michelle to her companions. Only about twenty seven or so were left… after original number of more than 50. Ambush… has they evolved so quickly? Was that even possible… She couldn’t think more. She was one of the few who can actually fight off Hunters alone within the Crusaders. If she could have managed a more organized defense position, less would have died. But in this kind of confusion and chaos, the probability was zero. “Come on! Let’s get out of here! Sector 3 is this way!”
She came to sudden halt. The others also stopped running. In front of them, was a Hunter much smaller than normal ones; almost size of a normal human. But despite being smaller, it looked too frightful for its size. The skin was more purple than black. The blade from its arm was abnormally long and menacing. Its eyes gleamed bright red, as if longing for blood and human flesh. Now that its size was smaller, in eye line of a normal human, its red eyes seemed to penetrate right through her, paralyzing her with fear. The grotesque mouth was also different; it became more terrifying – smaller but with sharping and longer fangs.
It started to move. There are no other Hunters around us… if we can just attack all at once…!
“Everyone!” ordered Michelle. But before she can give the next order, the only thing in front of her were pieces of human flesh, and the red eyes just in front of her, only inches away from her face. “What…”
This Hunter did not move as quickly as when it killed the others. Michelle felt weakness… She tried to unleash her blade but knew that the Hunter’s blade will fall onto her first. Still, she wanted to die at least trying. She saw it… the purplish blade coming down at her. And then…!
“Michelle!” I yelled and bashed my sword onto the Hunter from the top. The Hunter was incredibly fast and blocked my surprise attack with a simple stroke of its blade.
“Leon?” she said. She collapsed to the ground, her hands still on the sword.
“Don’t worry…” I murmured. Blood trickled from my head from several Hunters on my way to her. I wasn’t injured badly but I was worried it might influence my strength. But I said to her. “Don’t worry…”
5: 4
It dashed in. I stepped sideways, evading. It slammed my sword with its blade. I was heavily bounced off, horribly collapsing down on the ground. The purple Hunter hurled around its blades at me. I was just standing up, gripping my balance; just in time for me to block its stroke of blade – that should’ve deflected the blade.
I was under Hunter, with only my sword and the hand gripping it above my head. And the sword was the only thing between my body and the lethal arm-blade of it. Normally I counter attacked as soon as I successfully blocked a blow; but the blade kept on crushing me. Slowly and slowly, but sheer force. I felt my feet drilling through the grassy land, the coldness of the mud underneath. The more it pushed me, the more disadvantageous it was for me; all I had to do was pray for it to lift the blade.
The Hunter must have underestimated me. It raised its blade high up and attempted a finishing blow. The window must have been only a second; but that was all I needed. One second was a big difference in fights like this. Sometimes, in desperate times, it’s the ‘second’ that makes all the difference
I leaped up, with everything I’ve got, bashed the Hunter’s body and freeing myself.
Kreeeeeeeeeee!
Horrible was the sound of it, but it was the first time for me to be actually afraid. Hunters were animals; beasts, they were creatures bound to die by mankind one way or the other. After all, it was Michelle who taught me that we were the most intellectual organism on Earth. But somehow… I already started to sense the chain of events twisting, tangling, in a way that no one could foresee.
I started to hear sounds behind the trees around us. I glanced around and saw about a dozen Hunters with their ruthless eyes glaring back at us. The Hunters started to close on us. Michelle was still frozen on the ground, I was fighting the purple one and I knew I couldn’t deal with more Hunters. My eyes met with Michelle’s and probably we were thinking about the same thing.
Death… was waiting for us.
Then suddenly, the Hunters stopped. Their slow march around us ceased like magic. Then I saw it. The purple one moved its eyes, pointing at the group of Hunters besieging our position. Perhaps it was talking by some unknown communication system. And perhaps the purple Hunter…
The Hunter lashed at me, in sudden. I released my ability, knowing I had no chance without it. I stepped sideways, leaving only my sword where I was standing. The Hunter drifted its way and braked itself in front of my sword, turning to me just beside it. I swung myself, making a crescent with my sword. The purple monster blocked it, attempting to kill me with the other blade. But this time, it was different. The block wasn’t deflected; instead it stayed stuck with the right blade, restricting the Hunter’s movement. I released my sword from the position, hastily pushing myself towards the Hunter – that was my trick, the closer the enemy is to you while fighting close combat, ironically, the harder it gets to swing a cleaner blow.
I kicked the Hunter’s abdomen and it went struggling backwards. Before it recovered, I threw the sword like a spear. The crazy thing was that the thing blocked fatal injury by blocking it with its left arm. It could have penetrated its head and end the whole thing, but even such injury was enough. Barehanded, I hurdled upward attempting to crash on it.
“Michelle, sword!” I yelled. She was, thankfully, still managing herself to react as normal. She understood immediately and threw her weapon towards my direction.
I caught it. Swung it towards the left, where the right arm cannot reach easily. The Hunter screamed, in agony, I guessed, and I landed lightly on the grass behind it. And due to its similar size as humans, I gave a clean decapitation from the back.
The purple Hunter collapsed to the ground with a head short.
I woke up and found myself on a familiar bed, with white blanket on top of me. I looked around and found Scarlet. Michelle was nowhere to be seen.
“You’re awake,” she said drowsily. She was leaning against my bed and looked like she just woke up just like me. “Michelle’s in the command center debriefing what happened.”
“I thought she was injured badly… and why am I here?” I asked her puzzled. My head ached, when I touched it, I felt bandages wrapped around.
“Actually, it was you that was injured badly. You don’t realize but you have scars and bruises all over your body. And about why you’re here… you dozed off in the returning helicopter,” she explained calmly. “According to Michelle, the Hunter was… what, overwhelming than normal?”
“Agh, I don’t want to remember,” I said and tried to get off the bed. “Can you take me to the headquarter?”
“No, even if I did, I won’t,” she snapped. She leaned back on the chair just beside my bed. I frowned; it wasn’t common for her to act like this. “I know how desperate you are to see her but you and I cannot go out. You know that you were supposed to stay inside the Sector and I wasn’t supposed to ride you there. That made Jerrod mad. I don’t know about you but I almost lost my license for my helicopter; thanks to you.”
“But you didn’t,” I said. She froze for a moment, just looking back. Then sighed and nodded. Then none of us spoke. I pushed myself back to the wall and leaned against it, staring downward. I glanced at her and she was quietly looking out the window. “Um… I’m sorry. I thought it would work… the thing… the excuse I suggested.”
“It did work; I didn’t lose my license. Instead, I cannot ride for five days,” she said casually, which was more frightening. Then she avoided my eyes and continued to look afar. Scarlet suddenly laughed lightly. She turned back. “Don’t worry, Leon. You came back in one piece and saved dozens of Crusaders including Michelle. It was a right thing.”
“…” I lost my words.
“Here comes Michelle,” she said. Just like she said, Michelle came inside looking very tired.
“Oh, you’re awake,” she commented. Then looking at Scarlet, “thanks for taking care of him… again.”
“No problem. I won’t have many things to do for the next couple of days,” shrugged Scarlet.
“Can he walk?” asked Michelle. Scarlet nodded. I got off the bed feeling quite fine. My left leg felt a little numb and my head ached like hell but it wasn’t so bad.
Scarlet left us as we exited the hospital. Then she started to trudge onward with a reason or word. I simply followed her. After a few minutes, I found myself inside the Crusader command room. Michelle looked uneasy and nervous and in front of me were three people: Dr. Greg, Commander Jerrod and his second-in-chief which I had no idea what his name was.
“What are they…?” I asked Michelle, carefully so I wasn’t overheard. She looked reluctant to react.
“No, Leon, what are you?” questioned the commander with his voice ever low and hoarse. “You ignored my orders and threatened one of my pilots to give you a ride!”
“And I saved dozens of lives which would have been dead corpse by now,” I replied angrily. If you think about it, I mean seriously, I’ve done something no one else could have and the result was a happy ending for everyone coming back to Sector 3. I recognized as the commander overreacting – wasn’t this something that you can just go over with? “And I earned more intel about the Hunters now –“
“I don’t give a dam if you killed a whole colony of Hunters and saved an entire settlement of people. What I do care, is that you disobeyed the system, the strict chain of command on the shoulders of every soldiers regardless of uniqueness. Now this system, as you decide to disobey so easily, is something that keeps all of us alive from that horror out there. This strict system is what keeps everyone and everything intact,” Commander Jerrod scowled like he was going to shoot me any second. The two other sitting on either side of him said nothing. “If you start to ignore this and wander off freely like some uncivilized person, you are ruining the society like a cancer cell. If you go on like this, there will be confusion of order within the settlement that I cannot prevent. And that, is not going to happen. So you will never, ever disobey my orders. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yeah sure,” I said tiredly. Sick was his ‘moral’ of the day and I refused listening to such any more.
“Gentlemen, I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can handle watching this under-civilized soldier and listen to him talking. Charles, please write me a report of what he told you,” said the commander. Then he stormed out of the room, slammed the door shut behind.
“What a moron…” I muttered, eying back at the door the commander just left. And he calls himself a commander...
“Forget about him, Leon. Jerrod acts like a jerk sometimes,” explained Dr. Greg. He flipped over his sheets of paper and readied a small fountain pen.
“Oh, sometimes,” I murmured.
“Leon, the doctor will have some questions for you. I’ll wait outside,” said Michelle from my side. Then she walked over to the door.
“No need Professor Nathans. We also need you,” said Dr. Greg stopping Michelle from exiting. Then he pointed at some chairs for us to sit down. “Now, tell me, everything from head to top.”
“You have to be joking... are you sure they weren’t lying or… you wrote down the wrong thing?” asked Commander Jerrod. Charles shook his head side to side, denying. Jerrod only stared at the report his executive gave him. Dr. Greg was sitting on a chair, smoking a cigar. He looked over at the commander cynically. “Charles, contact the other commanders of the four Sectors.”
“Will do, sir,” replied Charles. He soon walked out of the room, leaving the doctor and Jerrod in the room.
“Vincent, I trust you as my friend but –“
“What you see with the tiny eyes of yours, is all the bloody truth you have. And please, I don’t remember developing a ‘friendly’ relationship with you, Jerrod,” snapped the doctor. He breathed out gray smoke and continued to smoke his cigar. The commander only looked at him with an annoyed frown. “The lad’s words are all true as well. At least… the professor isn’t a person who would lie.”
“So what do we have now? We not only have to fight enemies that are physically overwhelming but also systematically organized? Hell, this was a disadvantageous fight in the first place and it’s getting worse every day,” exclaimed the commander. His hands were rounded up into fists and his face was getting redder. “Vincent –“
“You know what you can do to save the citizens as a whole. War is not measured by loss, but gains. We destroy the Hunters, at least access power to oppose them, with a few sacrifices, and we take back the entire Earth,” suggested the doctor. He finished smoking and discarded the leftovers. “You’ll be a hero to integrate the five Sectors to win the bloody war. And I get a generous amount of respect. It’s a win-win for both of us. When this goes well, why you can make your own kingdom or something.”
“...” the commander only glared at Dr. Greg with his red face and fists curled up. He looked down and did not answer back for a few minutes. The doctor calmly waited, looking down from the window at the scenery outside. “Fine… I’ll give you anything you want – all the resources you need… Just give me what I want… I’ll give you everything for it.”
“I’ve been waiting for that answer for too long Jerrod… and I will gladly carry out your order,” said the doctor, leaving the room, managing to hide the cold laugh that could have burst out.
“That wasn’t so bad,” said Michelle cheering me up. “He didn’t give you any additional penalty.”
“Yeah… I guess that’s true,” I said. The sun was already starting to set. When we reached the market place, people were already ready to close their shops and stack up the left overs. Michelle stayed back to buy the remaining stacks for a bargain, but I was too tired to follow up with her. When I finally reached my room in the residential area, I jumped onto my bed to realize how badly my head ached.
“Aw… shit…” I muttered out. As far as I felt, I practically just wasted like two hours listening to a jerk, who so maturely left the room because he couldn’t control his emotions, and two nerds who asked me to recite every single thing that happened in the woods. I stayed lying down on my bed with my face dug onto the softness of the sheet.
It was after some minutes or so when Michelle finally came back. I finally got off my bed and asked her for supper. She sighed and told me to wait a few more minutes until she set the meal up. I wandered around my house with Michelle restlessly cooking in the kitchen. So bored was I, and decided to scan some of the books Michelle always liked to read. It was obviously, all history books. But it was quite a collection. Michelle told me that many of the books from masterpieces to third-rated novels were lost during the hurrying extraction from Earth of Project RE.
“Michelle, I can’t believe you have all these boring history books and not the exciting novels you always talked about,” I shouted so that she could here. My eyes were still scanning through the columns of the bookshelf stacked up with history references.
“Because I’m a history professor, Leon. I had a proper job in the Ark,” she yelled back.
I scanned through the books and a bold cursive title caught my attention. I turned my neck sideways to read the letters on the side of the book. I pulled it out curiously and looked at the cover.
“Leon, the meal’s ready come and –“ she came over and saw me holding the book. “Can I guess you’re finally getting some interest in books?”
“… just had a curious title,” I answered.
“It was your favorite,” she said suddenly, when I was just about to stand up and leave.
“What?” I asked her.
“What were you, four? Five? It was your parents told me to read you some books. Now all I had were thick, boring history books like you said,” she said. Then, slowly sat down beside me. “But this was really the only book that you liked. All the others were like some sleeping pills for you. When I challenged myself with this one, I had to make all kinds of sound effects to keep you awake.”
“I wonder why I don’t remember…” I murmured awkwardly.
“Keep it, Leon,” said Michelle handing the book to me as she stood back up. “Maybe even try reading it yourself. You liked it when you were young, you’ll like it now just the same.”
“How do you know that?” I asked her, fidgeting with the book.
“Believe me, I know things with books than you,” she answered. “Come on, the food’s getting cold.”
“Knights of the Medieval Age…” I repeated after the book. The title wasn’t mind-grabbing. But somehow it just lured me in. The title was tedious just like any other history books, and yet… “Yeah, I’m coming.”
After the meal for my empty stomach, I was mentally and physically exhausted to do anything. Still, it was one of those times when it just felt too early to just sleep. I just wanted to spend some times not fighting out monsters and listening to morons but just to relax and get a normal life.
It was after couple of minutes lying down on my bed when I finally decided to read the history book. Michelle went to bed straight after eating so the questions regarding the past days had to wait until later on.
I opened up the first page and read through the contents: not much things that impressed me. After I finally opened the first chapter, a disastrously large amount of words and letters and vocabularies I’ve never seen seemed to encourage me to close the book and get to sleep. The funny thing was, I was kind of glad I didn’t read through it. With nothing to do, in the end, I settled myself comfortably inside the bed, under the blanket. The first thing that popped in mind was the matter earlier in the day. What I could have done and… what I’ve shouldn’t have done. I never knew why regrets don’t come in mind in that certain situation – or maybe that’s why it’s called ‘regrets’.
Sleep swarmed over me as I lied down doing nothing but closing my eyes. I started to dose off, with the most uneasy thought that seemed to have popped out of nowhere.
Do you think, you can seriously earn the life you want? That was his words from the first meeting with him face to face.
And I hated him for it.
6: 5“For over two years, we human kinds have suffered from unknown creatures of the planet once ours. But the Hunters are merely beasts, and humans have seen and survived in more hostile eras. For the Earth was rightfully human’s habitat and will be so in the future, I, Commander Jerrod McKnight of Sector 3, previous captain of the 3rd Ark, announce the unison of five Sectors and the united settlement for all human kind –“
A great series of applauds and praises, hails and shout of excitement flowed through the main plaza. On the balcony, Jerrod stood in middle, with two commanders of the Sectors at each side. Incredulous was it when Jerrod was the only one to give a full speech and the others only a short comment. I turned around to leave in the middle, sick of the hypocritical behavior.
The other Sectors must have started to move things to Sector 3 during the night. The Sectors wasn’t very far from each other – especially 1 and 2. It was early in the morning but noisy cranes and the construction workers were boisterous as ever. So in the end, the five Sectors united. With an estimated number of almost 10 thousand citizens, 3 thousands soldiers and 600 Crusaders, the humans had a better chance to defend and attack.
Of course, Jerrod’s power grew every day.
The official training session of the day was the only time when Crusaders were in the gym. That day, the gym was quite crowded with soldiers and Crusaders from other Sectors. Though the construction and moving operations just started, many, even civilians, were already making trips to their future homes. A camp outside the barricade must have been set up because the gates were open and people were coming in and out. It was certainly not a scene you can see every day. I had a small hand bag and inside was the book Michelle gave me, just in case I get… well, the feeling to read stuffs.
I casually walked down the gym’s lobby and into the Crusader’s section. Underground, entering the practice room, the area was again very crowded with people I’ve never seen. Of course the simulation rooms were taken. Even the arenas were used by some pathetic looking fighters.
For once I was glad I brought something with me. I found a spot on a bench and started reading until someone gets tired of swinging swords. And hopefully it will happen soon because it took great willpower to sit and read the pages literally packed with words. The first few minutes were fine and I actually thought I was enjoying it – the tales of castle grounds weren’t so boring after all. But at some point, my eyes were on the arenas, watching two Crusaders fight each other as a practice. I reminded myself to concentrate on the book and lied down on the bench.
“Leon,” said a woman’s voice. I woke up with a thick object pressing my face.
“What? What happened?” I looked around, puzzled.
“Apparently you dozed off while reading the book I gave you. But I guess I’ll have to be content with the fact that you’re actually trying reading it,” Michelle sighed. I shrugged back. She helped me get up and she sat beside me on the bench.
“What’s new?” I asked her. “You don’t come down here often.”
“The directors met with each other after the speech. And I think these directors have some sort of rivalry with each other,” she said. “They’re opening a public tournament among the Crusaders of all the Sectors.”
“Great, I won’t be bored for the next few hours,” I said indifferently.
“No, it’s not great. We should be taking the fight to the enemy, prepare for war and quicken the unification of the settlements, not play around like this,” she blurted. Discontent flowed out of her mouth as she kept on explaining. Though it wasn’t the best thing to listen after waking up from a sleep, I sat down dumbfounded and just nodded to her words. “Besides, the tournament is going to be against the best of each Sector. When someone gets injured… or even die, it’ll be one less elite Crusader against the Hunters.”
“Yes I agree,” I responded emotionlessly.
“Then there is –“
“Oh, there’s Han over there,” I interrupted. She turned towards the entrance where the director and a few others in the same uniform walked out of the elevator. They were certainly having a boisterous conversation. They talked to each other so loud that Michelle and I were able to overhear the conversation from some distance away.
“Han, your fighters are no match for mine! They’ve been toughened and strengthened by hundreds of battles. You have no idea each and every one of them is like after fighting for their life lines!” exclaimed a tall man in his suit. Han didn’t respond, instead he continued his way through the rooms and arenas. When they disappeared through the corridor, their voice faded away.
“Our director doesn’t look good,” whispered Michelle. I had to nod.
“He never looks good. Besides the Crusaders of Sector 3 are not great fighters; you need to admit that,” I commented cynically.
It was after a few minutes or so when a sudden announcement froze everyone in the practice room to a halt. And indeed, Han’s voice informed that there will be a small tournament inside the gym soon and that all Crusaders ranked within ten should group up on the lower level beneath the practice room. The others were free to watch for there were plenty of rooms to spectate. Michelle and I stood up and when down with the lift. The fourth underground level isn’t opened often; only for special occasions. And today, was obviously, a special case that will either trample Han’s ego or let him keep his head high up. Soon, the two of us, now, with more Crusaders grouped up inside some waiting room.
“Do you know how young Hugo is? He’s twenty-five! And he’s the hero of Sector 1 and 2. Gods, he is one masterpiece. You have to see his speed, the agility! I believe the tournament has a winner already, my fellow directors,” exclaimed the tall man called Rick. Han was tired listening to his godforsaken friend. The directors of Sector 4 and 5 called Nelson and Lamy respectively, were also doing things of their own. Sector 2’s director Fran used to assist him and support Rick’s word a few minutes ago but he was also annoyed by then. “You know once, Hugo –“
“Hey, Nelson, Mark, you have any news from your settlements before the unification? It’s been a long time we talked,” said Hugo quickly. Director Rick looked blank for a second and Nelson and Mark looked lively.
“Well, isn’t every settlement the same? Hunter attacks, deaths… well, at least we didn’t have so much Hunter attacks as you did. Somehow it seems like Sector 4 and 5 is somewhat far from the ‘homes’ of the Hunters,” said Nelson with a shrug.
“Yes, though we still had precious lives taken, the Hunters’ invasions were not as bad as yours. I read the reports of the recent attacks of Sector 1, 2 and 3 and… well they’re no match for ours,” agreed Lamy. She sipped some coffee into her mouth and sat down comfortably on the couch.
“I think the tournament’s ready. Let’s go down and see whose student is the best shall we?” said Fran who was quiet for some moment. The five directors stood up and exited the room and into the balcony that was just above the main arena, having the best view. Spectators surrounded the dome-formed arena completely filling the room.
Rick came to Han just as he sat down on his seat.
“Watch, Han. You’ll be amaze. I’m actually testing this one – to see if he’s really talented,” he whispered to Han’s ears.
“Of course you are. I’m testing one as well, Rick. You should watch carefully as well,” spat Han. Rick gave a mocking grin and sat just beside Han.
The tournament has started.
To tell the truth, it was a boring tournament. The fight either ended very quickly because one was too strong for the other, or dragged for very long because the two were both horribly bad. Out of fifty contestants, I doubted some of them of how they survived fighting with Hunters. The only combat that was not an eyesore were the battles between the elites of the five Sectors. Among the elites, and my elites I mean within 3rd rank in each Sector, this Hugo Camell from Sector 1 was really showing off. His sword was fast – probably faster than me. And his strikes were accurate. He had the skills to make each swing of his blade, a telling blow for his opponent. Most of all, he was as young as I was.
“Hugo Camell versus Leon Veridi.”
“Think you can beat him? Somehow we made it to the semi-finals…” said Michelle worried. I gave a sign that I’ll be fine and went into the dome. And in front of me was this Hugo fellow and the five directors were just above me, watching down from the balcony. I clipped the safe guards on my sword and Hugo did the same. One of the directors rang a buzz to start and our blades unsheathed simultaneously.
It was a flash of seconds. The coldness of the blades kissed each other; each and every blow was barbarically strong. But it wasn’t unbearable. In fact, the strength itself wasn’t match for the Hunters. But what did bother me was the speed.
His blade strokes were delicate and light, but accurate and quick. What he was doing was like a circus man walking on a tightrope. One mistake will bring everything down and eventually end up with death or fatal damage. But somehow Hugo was manageable to stay rather balanced. Considering my type of style, where I simply crush the enemy with pure ‘force’, it was a tricky technique to fight against. But still, everyone had their flaws and after crossing a few swords, his was too obvious.
“By the gods, you are slow. There are dozens of people like you in my Sector, how did you even come this far?” said Hugo mockingly. He was playing, or he thought he was, with me simply because I was slightly slower than him. But the thing was: the dexterity was all he had.
“What you failed to notice is that you’re not fighting a Hunter,” I said. I swung my sword sideways. Hugo’s sword blinked and blocked it without much difficulty and right after, initiated a consecutive counter attack. Foreseeing the direction of his sword, I lashed my sword to the direction – with additional force from the ability of mine. Hugo looked aback, staggering backwards, then regaining his balance after getting some distance away. “And you rely on speed too much.”
I lunged, leaping towards him with full force. From sky-high, my sword crashed on his direction like a meteor strike. The silver shadow followed. Hugo desperately jumped sideways to evade but failed a stable landing and fell to the ground. Just when I was about to finish him, he disappeared. In front, just where he fell, was only the thin air.
“You’re not the only one who can use abilities,” a voice growled from behind. A chill went through my back. I turned as fast as I could, trying to block his strike with my weapon. Hugo’s sword hit slightly slower, but much more heavier and stronger and I was bounced off by the attack. As I stood up from the concrete arena, I felt streak of liquid from my forehead. Most likely, not sweat.
It was the first time to meet another person like me – user of some unknown ability that seemed to remove me from the category of human. His reliance on speed gave away his strategy; made him predicable… but the power of the ability was not something I could ignore. I took a deep breath. Gripped my sword with both hands and slowly marched forward. Then he disappeared again. It was the same – I guessed – no wonder he was so stubborn with speed and accuracy. Whatever his ability was specifically, it had something to do with unimaginable haste. And so far, it was impossible for my eyes to follow.
Which let me one choice.
With full force, I brandished my sword, drawing a perfectly beautiful circle around myself. He had to engage melee at some point, and my strategy was very clear: sheer force and simplicity.
Half way around the circle, the sword came to a halt, with an enormous sound of blades crossing. Left side. I thrust myself sideways, instinctively knowing his location, I body-slammed Hugo with an unexpected attack. Consistently using my ability, I managed to deflect his irrational attack to get me off his range. With my other free hand, I struck Hugo’s abdomen with a full thrust of force.
And Hugo flew backwards, crashing on the protective glass enclosing the arena. The glass of the area came to a serious crack and my opponent lay unconscious on the concrete ground. I simply stared at him indifferently until the medical team came.
“You wanna know a secret Rick?” asked Han to his fellow director right beside him. Rick was in total shock, unable to believe what just happened. “In fact I was testing one of my students as well. I guess mine earned a better score this time.”
“What… is he?” stammered Rick, still with his eyes and mouth wide opened.
“He’s the one. He’s the one you saw at the front page of our Crusader report,” said Han. He had to smirk, looking at his rival coming to a total mental shock. But his smile faded, seeing Leon with the sword in his hands… Because Han saw and knew too much about him.
The medical team rushed inside and carried Hugo away. Leon exited the arena. He had to fight the finals. He only had ten minutes to rest. But through Leon’s expressions, Han knew too much.
“And finally! The finals! With all the competitors from other Sectors eliminated, it only leaves two Crusaders from Sector 3. Leon Veridi and Michelle Nathans from Sector 3. Give them a round of applauds!”
“Is this the fifth time?” I asked her. She was holding a sword, facing me, and so was I.
“No, first in public,” she replied gently. She unsheathed and I followed her. “I know you were tired controlling your ability.”
“Was it that obvious?” I asked with a slight smile. “Full force?”
“Give it your best shot. You know I won’t die, Leon. I was one of the people who taught you,” she said. Her naked blade was raised between us.
“I know you did,” I positioned my sword as well. The crowd as silent as the dead. The arena roared with silence and the air grew heavier.
The buzz rang. And the fight began.
7: 6There were two who made me who I was. One was that moron director. The other was Michelle. Specifically, Han taught me swords, Michelle taught me how to become a Crusader. Han said I had talent. Michelle did not say anything. Then Han stopped teaching me. Michelle was the one who taught the rest of what she knew. I became stronger. I had greater power. I surpassed Michelle, probably even Han too. From some point on, the relationship of teacher-student reversed. That was why she was the only one in Sector 3 who could handle my strength at maximum. She learned what I knew; I learned what she knew – to the last, smallest movement of a blade.
Two blades flashed. In just a second, the swords were already dancing around us. I revolved sideways, thrusting a monstrous blow at her. She flipped her body to evade and leaped up at me without a second thought. Stepping backwards, I defected her strike with mine, offsetting the impact.
“Using your ability is cheating, Leon,” she said. I spoke nothing, simply stared at her movement. She did not charge for me. So I came in firsthand.
Using sheer force, the momentum granted me speed fast as Hugo. I dashed up to her. I hurled myself in midair and struck my blade down at her. She failed to avoid and instead blocked it with two hands gripping the sword. She gritted her teeth and the massive impulse crushed her down, making a small crater on the concrete floor of the arena. One knee collapsed on the damaged concrete and my blade was still crossed with hers. Just when I was about to lift the sword, to deliver a consecutive attack, she caught the chance and kicked my hands grabbing the sword. I was unable to react by a surprise attack and my sword went flying in the air and landed far away from my position. She instantly stood up and swung her sword at me. I leaned back to avoid. I slowly back stepped towards my abandoned sword with Michelle pointing the sword at me. She brandished it on my position and every time I had to risk my life evading it – yes risk my life. It was not as mine, but her strategy was same as mine; to strike a blow that is not defendable, so one hit was certain to give a critical blow against fragile human bodies.
She boldly charged in at me, slammed my body with hers and attempted a powerful and hasty stab. I easily dodged it by sliding sideways and exerted an immediate counter attack. With my two bare hands, I struck the joints of her shoulder and her sword arm. Then, kneed the broad side of her blade and made it bounce off her hands. Her decisive judgment in situations was always astonishing. She instantly grabbed my leg and pushed forward, smashing my body against the ground. I felt the pain as well as the cracks and debris of concrete beneath my back. I rotated my body, swinging my legs violently to make some distance. She backed off for a second and I tackled her right leg with my left. She was left unbalanced and tumbled on the ground. I stood up, ran for my blade and firmly grabbed it. Meanwhile, Michelle also recovered her weapon. The two of us charged against each other, but I was slightly faster. With a blitz of swings and strikes of lethal metal, she suddenly became busy of deflecting and blocking my strikes. I readied myself for a final blow; concentrated all my ability on one single stroke of a blade.
From the top, I drew a vertical line of gleaming silver to the very ground of the arena floor. The impulse created a massive colloidal damage, shattering the protective glass that should’ve enclosed the arena under any circumstances. I heard screams and yells from the spectators and the dust from the damage failed my line of sight. I lifted my sword in front of me. When the dust calmed down and confusion from the spectators settled, my sword’s point was directing at Michelle, sitting on the ground with a broken sword in her hand. She wasn’t hurt, just the blade was broken, meaning inability to fight further.
Soon the buzz rang. The announcer stated my victory. And medical team rushed up to help us exit.
“His ability is astonishing,” stated Fran. Then he looked at Han. “I cannot believe you taught those two. I think they can alter the drift of this war.”
“I’d say it’s fearfully powerful,” said Rick pursing his lips. “They are beyond the category of human kind, thus should have another regulation for them.”
“Rick, that is too harsh. One is a boy who’s not even 25. The other is his practical mother and a teacher the boy’s known for his entire life after his parents’ death,” explained Han. Too much was among his concerns, most was beyond his power. The fight in the arena minutes ago reminded him a distasteful past that filled him with regret.
“Yes, I’ve seen his report and the woman’s. It’s not really humane for us to regulate two people, most likely vital for the protection of the people, simply because they have too much power,” said Lamy. “We can always make them use their abilities in the right situation.”
“I have to agree… but Rick here has a point. We know what they are capable of since we know every single information about the Crusaders. Whereas, Michelle and Leon doesn’t know that; how much people can their abilities can influence,” said Nelson. “Actions cannot be taken at the present, but Michelle Nathans and Leon Veridi are, and should be, subject to surveillance. Do we all agree?”
I was walking with Scarlet, just outside the borders of the camps of settlers. The area was practically hostile but the soldiers knew I had the capability to save myself and didn’t impose any sanctions. Scarlet was delighted to come outside from the forest of metallic buildings and the busy airfield where she worked. She ran around like a child, examining all kinds of natural monuments Earth has produced over the century of human vacancy. Michelle was resting inside the hospital, probably sleeping by now. The doctors strongly insisted I go to rest as well. But I refused. Lying on a bed and doing nothing for the next several hours was the last thing I wished to do.
“I heard you defeated the strongest guy from Sector 1. And Michelle,” said Scarlet, picking some wild flowers around the trees. “I heard it was quite a fight.”
“You weren’t watching?” I asked. She shook her head.
“I believed it wasn’t worth it; the result is always the same. The scenario where you and Michelle reaches the finals, and in the end, victory goes to Leon Veridi,” said Scarlet.
“Should I take that as a compliment?” I muttered. She looked back and smiled.
“Of course. It means I have utter faith in you,” she said.
I leaned against a huge tree and watched Scarlet as she continued to pick up anything she thought pretty. A short breeze from the forest seemed to refresh my mind. The wind smelled of leaves and the breeze was gentle as fur and cotton. It was almost unbelievable that such foul creatures habitat in such a beautiful planet. I wished a better life. And honestly, life in the Ark wasn’t bad. I had a normal parent. A normal teacher. Normal friends and normal happenings. Now, I was in the only human-habitable planet in the solar system; also one of the most beautiful and marvelous planet, and every day duty were to sharpen my sword. It was all unfair.
“Scarlet, what was your life back in the Ark?” I asked her. She halted, cocked her head.
“Horrible,” she said. She instantly looked depressed even just by watching her back. “It’ll be better off unknown.”
“Uh… okay. Sorry…” I stammered. I felt immensely embarrassed and tried to find a topic to cheer her up. “Um… you have any interesting news from your side?”
“…” she seemed to refuse responding. But after several seconds, she managed to open her mouth. “No, not really. Though I heard the airfield is undergoing renovation to hold birds from the other four Sectors.”
“That’s something new,” I said. She quietly moved to another location. I have to say it was one of the most awkward situations in my life.
“Let’s go back? I have quite a schedule today,” she said standing up. I was relieved and followed her into the settlement.
Just after Scarlet took off, Han called for me. It was uncomfortable leaving Scarlet like that but my legs soon carried me into the command center. When Han and I entered the Crusader command, there was no one present. He took a seat at the very back of the room and I stood just in front of the door.
“What do you want?” I asked cynically. The director’s eyes stared at me. Then he straightened himself up.
“I’m just worried,” he said.
“What’s in your mind?” I asked him impatiently. “Is it because of the ‘rivalry’ among the directors?”
“You did a good job. Thanks to you, I can keep my head up high when I’m with those four,” said the director.
“Then what in the world do you want from me?” I demanded.
“I’m worried about you, Leon Veridi. You’re the one that’s in my mind,” said Han. “You’ve been using a lot of your ability lately; how do you feel?”
“What do you mean how do I feel? I use my ability at times I want that’s all,” I answered.
“I said: you’ve been using your ability a lot. I mean much more than before. How do you feel?” the director questioned. I was starting to become annoyed.
“Nothing! I feel nothing, absolutely normal…” my voice faded off. Han raised his eyebrows.
“You see? Your body is adapting very, no, too quickly. And catastrophe can happen, just like before,” said Han suddenly. I was baffled and had no idea what he was getting to. He glanced at me. “Just, don’t use your ability too much. Don’t use it unless absolutely necessary.”
“Why? I’m getting stronger; isn’t that good news? – a better chance to defeat the Hunters?” I demanded. First of all, he was talking insane; telling me this and that when I was actually developing. And it was unfair to tell me to use my ability less without any explanation. “You can’t be serious!”
“I’m very serious, Leon. As you teacher, I stronger advise you not to use your ability frequently. In fact, the influence can be both physical to your body and political,” he continued. “I’m sorry for lack of explanation but you have to understand, things are becoming more complicated than just killing Hunters. There are eyes watching you and –“
“You know what, Han?” I interrupted. “Go fxxx yourself.”
I slammed the room and went out. It was outrageous. No one told me what to do, not even Michelle ordered me to do things.
“You’re horrible at talking people into things,” said a voice behind. A man entered from the back door. “Han, I am disappointed.”
“I was never good at words. I had no idea what I was saying?” Han said with a sigh.
“Keep on persuading him. It is the truth anyway; you’re not lying. At any cost, the Raptor Project should be finished in a few months,” said the old man.
“Already? The Crusaders are not ready –“
“Don’t. I cannot delay the project anymore. Jerrod is providing everything I need,” he said.
“And what are you offering him?” asked Han coldly.
“What he wants,” said the old man. “Keep up Han; you don’t have a promised future. Or maybe I can offer you a job – if you satisfy my need.”
It was almost supper time and the sun was setting, with the day growing darker. Michelle was nowhere to be seen. And most importantly, I had nothing to do. I hated being alone, I was, in fact, tired of it. So despite all odds, I decided to visit Scarlet; partly due to how I simply left her feeling like that. I dislike admitting but she was one of few people I had that was close.
She was at the airfield, as always, inside her helicopter. She caught the sight of me and waved at me. Until then, I was anxious how I’ll approach her and was worried whether she was still keeping it to her. But that should have been no one’s concerns after all.
“What’s up?” she asked me, stepping out of her seat. Scarlet scanned me and blinked. “I suppose you’re bored?”
I nodded. I sat on the passenger seat and Scarlet hopped on next to me. From behind, she opened up some kind of small cabinet and grabbed out two can of Coke and handed one for me.
“Do you realize you look awfully exhausted these days? I mean, when you’re not fighting,” she said. I frowned at her. Just moments ago Han said I should’ve noticed that despite the large usage of the ability, my body and health was perfectly in shape, now Scarlet was telling me I looked tired.
“What do you mean? I’m fine. Only bored; that’s all,” I answered with a shrug.
“I’ve seen you fight with Hunters and other Crusaders. But I’ve also seen you in your ordinary life – like shopping, sleeping, things like that. And, in case you don’t know, you are acting noticeably slower at non-combat situations,” Scarlet said quite assertively. I drank a mouthful of Coke, trying not to think about it.
“It’s probably the special skill I have that differentiates me with other Crusader. That skill tends to consume more physical energy,” I blurted. “I had to use it quite often these days.”
“Really? How come you never told me that? How did you come upon this skill?” she said suddenly curious. I was taken off guard and for a moment my mind went blank as a piece of paper.
“I... I don’t –“
I was interrupted by darkness.
If it was during early afternoon, nobody would’ve noticed. But it was time when night started creeping in and it was evidently darker with every single electric light turned off.
“What is this? Black-out?” questioned Scarlet puzzled. She looked around. I jumped out of the helicopter and did the same. All I found was more confused people bobbing their heads around to see what was going on. “That’s weird, we –“
“Never had black-outs for two years,” I said instead. My instincts told me something was wrong. My hands automatically headed for my right hip but only the thin air was present. I cursed and turned to Scarlet. She started to look frightened. I gave her a hand and started walking towards the command center with haste.
“I thought the generators were the same ones from the Ark – which had no problem for a century…” she murmured. But without a word she followed me.
We were half way through the distance from the airfield to the command center. It was then I heard an eerie, screeching noise from beyond. I stopped. Scarlet stopped. And so did everyone else close by. We all stared towards where the sound came from. It was not bad until then. Not so bad…
Except that the noise was too familiar.
8: 7“What the hell is going on!” shouted Jerrod inside the darkened room. All the directors and executives and commanders of each Sector were present.
“It’s a blackout. It’s the same as –“ Fran tried to explain.
“The problem is not how the blackout occurred. More urgent matter awaits outside our disabled barricade,” interrupted Commander Soren. “We have to deploy the troops. Every Crusader and soldiers available should be armed right now.”
“Then the directors should leave right now, have the Crusaders armed as quick as possible. With the power down, the barricade will be destroyed in no time,” said Commander Jerrod hurriedly. The five directors left quickly. Jerrod was sweating like hell and his hands starting to vibrate like some motor. The other Commanders watched him silently. “Put up the thermal image.”
“The electricity is down –“
“Shit!” yelled Jerrod so loudly that some of the commanders jerked backwards. He slammed the table in front with his fist.
“Security breached! Security breached!” yelled a soldier from the tower of the barricade. He was madly shooting at whatever he saw that wasn’t human outside the barricade. His arms moved violently and his rifle’s bullet danced in the air. The other soldiers in their towers were not much different. Their minds were in chaos, rationality smashed into millions of pieces. The entire settlement was dark. The slight sunlight from the setting sun seemed like nothing. “Shit! There’s too many of them!”
My head was spinning, doing a backflip and a windmill. I grabbed Scarlet’s hand. She didn’t say anything and followed me. I changed course. Right when I caught the sight of the command center’s main gate, I turned around, heading straight for the armory.
“Where are you going? Shouldn’t you go to Director Han?” she said when I turned around towards another direction.
“It’s going to take ages to go inside and take a blade and come back outside. Now I need a weapon to protect myself right now. Don’t you agree?” I said. I was running now. Scarlet was dashing just beside me and I had no need to hold her hands anymore.
When we reached the armory, the gun racks and piles of ammunition were barely touched. Almost every single firearm was laid right they weren’t supposed to be right now. I took two and threw Scarlet another. We loaded our rifles and shoved the several magazines in my pockets. Then I exited the armory fully armed with Scarlet. I immediately decided where to go.
“Now what?” she said. It was an awful question to ask.
“Think about what guns were made for. I’m going to the hospital,” I said. I wasn’t surprised when she followed me. We entered the hospital and I started to bust in room by room.
Most of them were evacuated surprisingly fast. I guessed the alarm went off at least. The reception was empty. Doors of all kinds of room were left opened. Many of medical instruments were lying around making a mess of the place. There was even hospital gowns were trashed on the ground with some slippers.
“Leon? Scarlet? What are you doing here?” sounded from the back. The two of us turned behind. I was relieved to see Michelle in one piece. “What’s going on? What are you doing with a gun?”
“Blackout. Hunters. Disabled barricade,” I said. I threw her the second gun I carried with me. She caught it and loaded. “We need to get our weapons.”
Then there was an ear-piercing explosion. I saw out from the window and saw the red-orange flame illuminating the settlement like daylight. The whole place was lightened for a millisecond. Then the source of the light turned into a devilish flame.
The three of us left the abandoned hospital. Instantly, I saw groups of scattered soldiers, even some Crusader with their swords. The citizens were running like they’ve just seen the devil itself – only they actually did. The soldiers with guns opened fired towards the direction where the Hunter’s eerie scream roared with the flames. The rifles rattled and empty bullets landed helplessly on the ground beneath. I saw the riflemen’s faces and saw only fear; not the determined, courageous expression of an ideal soldier. Most likely they weren’t aiming properly.
Everyone knew the Hunter armor was impossible to penetrate with ordinary bullets; so they had to shoot their abdomen, where the flesh is soft enough for the bullets to go through. Even in normal, non-chaotic situation, it was difficult to aim accurately, but in a state like this? The soldiers with guns were wasting thousands of ammunition every second they pulled the trigger.
“Let’s go, we need to get to the command center,” I said. The other two nodded and turned to different direction with their weapons lock and loaded. We didn’t run and didn’t open fire without thinking. The last thing we wanted was dozens of Hunters on our tail all the way to the command center.
Just around the corner, a swarm of Hunters rushed in like a huge swarm of locusts. Some of them were climbing on top of small buildings, destroying it piece by piece to find any flesh to devour; most were dashing among the structures of the settlement. The Hunters tore, ravened and dissected human bodies as they see it and more and more were coming through the destroyed barricade. Opposing such ferocious monsters, were scattered soldiers with various weapons. But without a specific line of order, bodies of sacrificed soldiers started to pile up. There were a number Crusaders with their matching weapon, but the odd of numbers were against them.
“What a catastrophe…!” she lost her voice. Michelle also looked unusually hesitative.
“Keep your head straight. I’m not going to die today and so are you,” I said. I readied my gun and stood to meet my foe.
As soon as the Hunters came within range, I open fired. I never had constant rifle practice but I always had some knowledge to use it correctly. But still, I was under-experienced with guns, especially against Hunters. I certainly had the hard time of applying the idea of killing a Hunter with a gun.
Michelle and Scarlet must have had the similar problems. The Hunters seemed immune to bullets as they did not even hold back a single second while charging towards the thin line of riflemen. The creatures closed on rapidly. The ‘proper’ soldiers with guns started to flee backwards. A few Crusaders had their blades unsheathed but repeated stepping forward and backward. It was a matter of second when the Crusaders finally started to run away as well.
“This is hopeless, we’ll need to make a run,” said Michelle. Her voice sounded weak; perhaps she was weak, or it must have been the gun fires and Hunter screams. I nodded and ran towards the command center with Michelle and Scarlet right beside me.
“With the unification, the settlement should have at least five hundred Crusaders and nearly a thousand soldiers; even if they left most behind their own right now. Where the hell are they?” I scowled distastefully. I glanced back. Behind Scarlet and Michelle, I saw probably hundreds of Hunters; not tens, not dozens, but hundreds. It was the first time I saw that many. I even doubted if the Hunters were able to group up such a size.
“There! We’re almost there!” shouted Scarlet on top of her voice. We saw the largest structure of Sector 3. And, thank the gods, there were a whole lot of troops with all kinds of weapon ready in front of the main gate. At the vanguard stood the directors and the Crusaders, behind were the soldiers with the guns up.
“Leon! Michelle! Get your shit over here!” shouted Han. He ordered the gunners to fire at will. The bullet danced over our heads, bringing a metallic storm over the swarming Hunters. Han delivered two swords for us. I immediately drew out, faced towards them once more. “Charge!”
The Crusaders, mixed with the ones from all five Sectors, charged against the monster ruining the settlement. The Hunters also didn’t stop when we started running for them. Like slow motion, the disgusting, grotesque figure of Hunter came closer and closer. And the two sides collided.
The roaring of the Crusaders stopped. Screeching noise from Hunters ceased. They were replaced with sounds of metals, flesh being ripped apart, and blades swishing through bodies. It sounded like some battle scene in a medieval movie, except this was too real and too shocking to compare with it.
The first Hunter was severed in half by the thigh. I had no time to think about controlling my power, like Han said. All I concentrated was my hand clutching the sword and the beasts around me. I unleashed my ability without hesitation and brandished my sword, delivering a blitz of sword swings and strikes to anything that wasn’t human. At some point, I lost Michelle and Scarlet. I tried to slash my way through to find them. But I soon had to give up. There were simply too many.
Streaks of sweat rushed down my face. I probably killed like thirty Hunters but even that did not seem to affect the flooding beasts, replacing the dead every second. Nearby Crusaders started to fall one by one; only that they weren’t replaced like the dead Hunters. Gun fires continued but that too did not do much good – it was a relief if any one of that flying bullet didn’t penetrate human flesh. The fight was unfavorable for us in the first place, as time went by it only exacerbated with lesser and lesser fighters to repel the attack. If I think back… it wasn’t too much to say that humanity was at a verge of being banished from Earth; since, practically three quarters of the soldiers were in Sector 3 at that time.
Minutes? Hours? I lost count of time long before the all-out war – though the Hunters’ wouldn’t have said it was a battle with everything they’ve got. I did not stop using my ability. My body was whirling like a tornado, flourishing my blade everywhere. The Hunters collapsing like falling autumn leaves did eliminate some worries, but not everyone was fighting well. At some point onward, battle cries were replaced with screams of agony; boisterous voices of Crusaders were replaced with shouts of pain; orders of ‘charge’s with ‘fall back’, and vivid sounds of blades crossed with painful sounds of penetration of human flesh.
In the middle of the fight, I saw one or two helicopters that were one of few that were working. I ducked amongst the Hunters to avoid the showers of metal and explosive missiles targeted at the streets imbued with rampaging Hunters. The explosions of land missiles did make a devastating noise; but was it effective? It was certainly better than meaningless wastes of metal bullets. The firepower was enough to fry Hunters that were directly within the hot zone. But again, those that weren’t did not get a scratch from their thick, protective armor. And soon enough spikes, or whatever they call it, from Hunters retaliated back at the flying aircrafts, destroying it right above the group of human fighters. The colloidal damage from it is needless to say.
“Fall back! Fall back! Fall back to the soldier line!” shouted a voice from behind. Whoever he was, the voice was barely heard because most were buried by other screams of yells. I managed to look back and saw rows of Crusaders turning their back against their enemy. More of them started to die, with a sharp Hunter blade plucked to their back.
I stayed at my position. Running was not something I did. The Hunters must have dropped in numbers; it had to, so there was still hope. I hurled myself against the rows of Hunters, all of them eager to sever my body and eat my flesh for supper. Driving my blade at them, I killed the Hunters one by one. Leaping at them, I delivered a tremendous force, crushing them to the ground, destructing their bones. My sword was already sticky with greenish blood from numerous Hunters. I almost lost my grip time to time. But my sword wasn’t my only weapon. What I hated and what I disgusted, what I believed and what I trust. Even all the answers to the questions and emotions related were the impetus that kept me going, deny failures and loses. And perhaps, it was because of holding firmly at the answers that actually made me strong.
Hours have passed. I realized the totally darkened sky. The only light source was the dimness of the moon, raging eyes of the Hunters and the flares occasionally fired from behind. I had to admit, it was a miracle we’ve actually made this far. The sight of continuous gun fires, rocket fires, and sword slashing was still present regardless of the fallen. And in ages, I finally caught glimpse of Michelle.
My stamina was starting to test me. It wasn’t exhaustion or fatigue, but I felt my energy beginning to wear out bit by bit; if the fight went on like this, I knew I’ll be unable to fight at some point before midnight. I pushed my way through towards her. When she finally saw me, she looked delighted.
“By the gods! Where have you been?” she asked. Her movement was noticeably slower than normal and her voice also sounded rough and hard.
“Everywhere, I guess,” I replied back.
“Watch by back, would you,” she said. Michelle lashed her weapon with her back behind me.
“With honor,” I took a deep breath. It was good to have someone watching your back. It really relieved some of the burden – and even more if that person is someone you’ve trusted your entire life.
My breath became hoarser. I was breathing with my mouth, huffing more often than ever. I noticed my sword strokes becoming clumsy than usual. It became harder and harder to kill one more Hunter as time passed. I glanced back and heard Michelle coughing. There was good news though. Those who saw me and Michelle, the Crusaders, started to group up. But every one of us was at a verge of exhaustion, while the Hunters seemed like ‘tiredness’ wasn’t in their nature and besides. I stopped using my ability by then. Every drop of energy was starting to become a waste.
The group of Crusaders, there was perhaps a hundred of us – maybe more scattered beyond our reach – rounded up in one circle. Pushing our limits, we desperately tried to find the line of soldiers which we lost long time ago. And when I straightened my mind and recognized what was going on, we were isolated, surrounded, enclosed by indestructible wall of Hunters. A few Crusaders collapsed to the ground, letting go of their swords. Pathetic, I thought. If I were to die, it was my dire wish to kill one more of these freaks before I depart this world. But these people giving up… they deserved to die with their weak willpower.
Every one of us was the same at one thing: we were waiting for our destruction. The Hunters closed in; slowly eating the space between us and them. They did not barbarically jump in to kill us. Instead, they tried to fill us with fear and anxiety – and it worked for nearly all of us in the circle. Michelle was just beside me and when her eyes met mine, I knew she was thinking the same thing. I gripped my sword hard as ever, waiting for the final stand…
Then, all of the sudden the Hunters stopped.
They did not move, as if paralyzed by something. They ceased encroaching in. More abnormally, they backed off. Couple of Crusaders realized what was happening and fell to the ground from sudden relaxation of their muscle after extreme tension. But I stayed doubtful; the actions taken by Hunters were unprecedented, the pure nature of them was killing the enemy. Stepping back from an enemy that was nearly dying was impossible. Michelle also didn’t let go of her sword, let alone fell to the ground. The Hunters backed off. They continued until we actually saw the line of soldiers in the distance and the directors’ emotions all shocked in awe.
Then there was a devastating scream from atop.
I looked up. And saw it. On top of the gym, dimly figured by the moonlight, I saw the red eyes gleaming down at me. The gunners fired a flare. The night was instantly illuminated by artificial light. It stayed for in the air for several seconds. And I saw the figure on top of the gym. And I realized, the worse has just come to reality. It jumped down, harmlessly crashing down on the ground. It slowly walked towards us. As he came closer, the flare made it clear what the figure was. It was walking, walking among Hunters which made way for it. I only saw such thing once, but I never forgot the first impression it gave me. The red eyed, purplish bodied Hunter. Size smaller than normal black ones and due to the size, the unimaginable speed and power it can display.
I had no idea what to call that thing. Purple Hunter? Human-sized Hunter? But here’s what was certain: the arrival of that thing to the field was probably the worst scenario that could’ve happened.
9: 8The group of us dispersed. They ran back to the line. The Hunters took no notice and stood unmoving. I slowly stepped back. Unless I was seeing some fantasy, the Hunter looked exactly the same as the one I fought last time. My stamina was already quite drained from the fight and Itruly had my doubts. And still, among the ones who didn’t flee, I was at the foremost.
“That’s… Leon, it’s the same…” Michelle’s voice shook. I didn’t need to answer that.
The purple one glared at me with its ruthless red eyes but did not make any sudden moves. After a moment of total silence and unmoved, the purple Hunter stepped closer. It advanced its legs, closing in one step at a time. The long blades on its arms – much longer than the normal ones – was intimidating enough to frighten the others. Around fifty fought with Michelle and I a few minute ago; only a couple left. The rest was with the line of surviving soldiers and the directors. With the tension so great, no one dared to fire a shot; only raised their guns and peeked through the scopes on their enemy.
“Can you do it?” asked Michelle from my side. When I hesitated, she added. “You’ll be saving everyone. Me, Scarlet, with another thousand people… you’re the only one who fought it, the only one who can overthrow this calamity.”
“Do I have your luck?”I responded.
“As always,” she answered. I must have been crazy but I do remember: I actually managed a smile, a slight laugh. It just reminds me how someone’s belief, trust and love can affect you; how they can draw out extraordinary performances, because it was hell of a miracle what happened. After all, being relatively strong wasn’t being unconditionally strong.
“Watch my back. I’ll need a proper stage like last time,”I said determined. I raised my sword and looted another from a dead Crusader just under my feet. I unleashed my second sword, releasing its sharpness from the thick scabbard. The Hunter did not stop closing in. The other normal ones were statues and so were all the other soldiers.
I lashed in, hurling my swords from the side against the purple Hunter. At the same time, gun fire revived and all the other Hunters broke from their pause. The settlement became a madhouse again, but Michelle was doing a marvelous job of keeping other Hunters away from me and my foe.
I was forgetting how fast this one was. It back-stepped with incredible haste, then struck its blade on top of me. I had to use both of my blades to block it for I wasn’t in the state to handle the force with ease. As soon as the force receded, I launched an attack straightaway. From the side, aiming at its abdomen, I slashed the two blades left to right. The Hunter evaded, but this time, it didn’t move fast enough to perfectly dodge the blow. A sense of stagger was seen for a second, but it recovered as if it was a simple scratch. The purple Hunter came right at me like a whirlwind. Its arm-blade came from the right. I deflected with quick reaction. The blow was lightly struck. A consecutive attack came from the left; again, not accompanied by devilishly heavy strikes. Soon, I found myself being embroiled by the Hunter’s deft strikes. The pace wasn’t too hot; I afforded to block or deflect all of it, but it certainly circumscribed by range of attack as well as losing the initiative to bring crushing blitz to the enemy.
All of the sudden, the Hunter leaped up, soaring downward at me. The moment I realized my status, it was too late to avoid it. I drew up my ability and slashed upward against the Hunter commencing a devastative attack. With the silver aura shadowing my sword and the lethal blade of the Hunter colliding, it resulted with a massive impulse. The air was compressing on that moment, releasing a considerate amount of pressure with the impact. The Hunter was bounced off backwards, but successfully regaining its balance.
Amongst the ongoing chaos, with every single personnel fighting to survive, I was making a solo performance. Michelle must have been exhausted but protected me from other Hunters’ interception the entire battle. If I failed, everything and everyone was bound to die. Losing was not an option.
Even so, my body wasn’t in the state to overwhelm the Hunter like last time. Blood trickled down my right arm – the one that I used from trying to offset the last attack from the air. I felt it. I knew how long I was able to use my ability from that moment and how long my body and withstand. I had to kill the thing quickly.
I started throwing everything I’ve got. Releasing a maximum thrust of my ability, I went inside first. The Hunter was certainly quick to react, but I initiated a consecutive barrage to overwhelm that speed.
The silver shadow danced under the night sky. With almost random-looking swings, my blows began to surpass the Hunter’s; at the same time, abating its speed. The Hunter roared; so loudly that it made me dither for a moment. Using that second of a window, it charged right at me. Its destructive blade collided with my swords frontally. My head was inches away from the blade as well as the Hunter’s. Its monstrous face was enough to fill my mind with distaste. I pulled one sword up and struck downward.
I expected some damage. The distance between us was not even a meter. To avoid a melee attack within such range was a miracle. The sword striking its way down was interrupted by another blade. With agility that was literally ‘blinding’, the Hunter slipped the other blade out and stabbed against the direction of my heart.
The blade penetrated my flesh. A millisecond before the blade pierced my heart into two; I flung my sword to intercept as best as I could. I didn’t die – thank the god, but my left shoulder started to spit out blood and red ooze. My left arm was numb; paralyzed might be a better description. One of my weapons landed helplessly on the soil below and most likely, the adrenaline was the only thing that kept the insufferable pain out of my concern.
The Hunter seemed to be enjoying this situation. It didn’t attack right away, nor did it give a fatal blow to finish me off. Surrounded by confusion between the humans and the Hunters, the purple one looked down at me with its red eyes. Its disgusting mouth with huge fangs opened and closed. If Hunters had any kind of expression of emotions, it must have been cold, cynical smile, belittling its foe that was about to die.
But again, I didn’t die that day, nor did I wish to. What that purple thing overlooked was that it underestimated me by… let’s just say a lot. I was still the strongest Crusader the settlements had. I wasn’t going to die because of some purple, mutated creature. Beside, death didn’t just mean losing my lives at that time.
I stood up straight. The creature’s red eyes followed my movement. Its mouth opened again and closed. I gripped the sword with my right hand. The left was useless with blood stained all over it. I started walking towards it; gritting my teeth, glaring right back at the ferocious eyes.
The Hunter charged. It threw its body on me, blade forward. I already had a silver aura lingering around the blade. I brandished to deflect its movement. The Hunter braked in the middle, swirled left and responded with a sheer force. I ducked low, dodging it unscathed. Then, I drew myself inward again, making the distance incredibly close. I didn’t swing my sword right away, but calmly bashed its leg with mine. The Hunter staggered and I found my opportunity. The silver aura lightened up, illuminating nearby areas. I spun myself, slashing my sword from left to right. The aura, the ability was strong as ever; I was forcefully drawing out every drop of energy left to display such power. I failed to disconnect Hunter’s chest from the leg, but the green blood was vividly seen even during the night. The Hunter’s energy was crippled. Now, it was the creature who was staggering down, trying to regain its balance, and me who was looking down at it. But I didn’t make the same mistake as the beast did. I kicked its body, making it crashing on the ground. I raised my sword on top of the Hunter’s helpless body and pushed the blade inside it. Green blood squirted out and the red glare faded.
It may sound crazy; but I felt very drowsy. With my body reaching total fatigue and blood pouring out of my wound, I collapsed to the ground. Before blackness caught me, I must have heard Michelle’s voice, but I fell backwards before saying a word.
Everyone stood up, clapped; gave a round of applause as Commander Jerrod entered. His expression didn’t seem that fond of the celebration. With indifference lingering his face, he sat down on a chair right at the center of the oval-shaped table. Directors, executives, counselors and commanders of the five Sectors were present.
“Commander Jerrod, I have to admit the defense system of Sector 3 was miraculous. Sector 1 and 2 had to abdicate our land to those beastly creatures after such a massive attack,” exclaimed Commander Rackel.
“Our esteemed commander did not mention the greatly increased manpower mobilized for this defense, but the performance of the soldiers and Crusaders of Sector 3 was certainly praiseworthy,” said Dr. Greg. When he spoke, Jerrod glared at him. But the doctor took no notice and everyone else nodded responded with agreement. “Now, I’ve seen the report of the two Crusaders called Michelle Nathans and Leon Veridi but this battle was an opportunity I – we – could really see their potential directly. I suppose this is the result of such supreme leadership of the Commander and the director of Sector 3. Doesn’t everyone concur?”
The mumbling of agreement continued with more credits and praises from others. Jerrod frowned in inconvenience at Dr. Greg. But the doctor simply ignored and retained his leisurely smile.
“Commander Jerrod, you don’t look so well. Aren’t you not glad of our victory?” asked Commander Soren. All eyes focused on Jerrod.
“No, I am certainly exhilarated by our success of defense. And I have to say Dr. Greg exaggerated too much. It was more of the Crusaders’ efforts that made them what they are. The simple reason I cannot smile is that the loss of the soldiers, regardless of Sectors, does break my heart,” said the Commander quickly. He added an appropriate acting to make it believable as possible. Everyone fell for it. “Um… speaking of losses, we should move onto the casualties.”
“Well, yes. If our statistics are correct and didn’t miss out anyone on the list, there are 368 KIA soldiers,” announced Charles. Many of the people looked relieved; considering that the population of soldiers reaches nearly 1300 men. “But, we have a lot of dead from the Crusaders, who, in truth, prevented the KIA rates of soldiers elevating. Our numbers show 307 KIA Crusaders… which leaves only 353 Crusaders left in the settlement. There are some Crusaders remaining at other Sectors, which fortunately did not report any invasions, but they are too little to recover to its original size.”
“How about civilians?” asked Jerrod. His face became darker as Charles spoke.
“We have 146 civilians’ dead. Luckily, it was supper time and most was inside their houses. As soon as the alarm went off they retreated underground,” said Charles. The cheerfulness disappeared instantly and the table went silent. “Uh… sir? I’m afraid we have more problems…”
“Out with it,” blurted Jerrod. He sighed and closed his eyes.
“We are running out of resources. The materials from the Arks are running low. If this rate continues – and considering the incoming population – resource shortage will hit us soon,” said Charles. “The Earth regenerated for over a century. It’s time we make use of the regenerated materials.”
Jerrod said nothing. The others murmured with each other and Jerrod tried hard to ignore.
“Commander, your orders?” asked Charles.
Everyone left. Jerrod was still sitting on his chair. Dr. Greg, to Jerrod’s annoyance, stayed.
“What do you want?” demanded Jerrod irritated.
“I imagine you must be feeling horrible,” said the doctor cynically. “In situation where your least favorite card is your only hope – the same card that will one day make you fulfill your ambition.”
“Shut the crap, Vincent. If you’re here – from the moment you arrived days ago – to mock me and provoke me, you did very well. So leave me alone. I don’t need to hear that from you,” scowled the commander. He waved his hands, insisting Dr. Greg to exit the room.
“The Raven Project is bound to be finished soon. You won’t have to rely on him from that day on,” finished the doctor as he left.
10: 9I woke up sitting underneath a tree. In a thick forest I was, with the infinite greenness surrounding me. The sun was hidden from the layers of large leaves, but it was vivid it was sometime between midday and late afternoon. I stood up and stepped off the shadow. Instantly as I walked into the slight sunlight, massive heat overtook me. It wasn’t summer, not yet for the sun to radiate such heat.
The hotness began to strengthen and I doubted whether it was the sun’s heat in the first place. The fierce heat seemed to burn through flesh and I started moving, hopefully away from the heat.
Then I smelled ash. Like magic; or some kind of trick, thick gray smoke reared its head from behind along with wild flame dancing towards my direction. The trees only aggravated the situation and the flames rapidly drew up speed. I started to run.
I ran, without a chance to figure out what was happening. After several minutes of sprinting down the woods, I saw an exit in the distance. I jumped, throwing my body out of the forest.
I tumbled on the grass and warm sunlight struck me. I looked back and saw the entire forest dying from the ruthless inferno. I let out a sigh of relief. I scraped off the dirt and turned away from the woods. The fire came to an immediate halt as the forest ended and there wasn’t much need for hurry. I saw Sector 3 in front of me.
But Sector 3 was on fire. This time I panicked. Screams and yells came from the settlement. I suspected Hunters but they were nowhere to be seen. I reached my side but no weapon was present. I was in my casual clothes, not in combat armor. And…
Flame suddenly exploded from inside the metal barricade. With a destructive noise of a boom, the entire yells and screams suddenly came to a mute. My mind wailed. I tried to scream out but not a sound came out. So I ran towards the gate, which was opened up widely.
I stood in front of the gate. I strived to find a way to get inside, but waves of flame refused my entrance. I helplessly gazed at the orange flame. My head was blank and my legs felt powerless. Then I saw a blurry figure of a human. A sudden spark of hope managed me to reach out close to the flames, regardless of how strong it was. The inferno devoured my flesh. I ignored and tried to reach out to the shadow.
The figure also seemed to speed up. It became clearer and clearer every second. Then I started to hear a faint voice.
“Leon…” the figure said. I recognized the voice. It was Michelle. I was certain. “Leon…”
I felt a touch on my burning hands. I managed to ignore the pain and dragged the hand of her.
But it was not her. The ‘hand’ was black – not from burns, but literally colored black. When the face came out, the head was much larger than human’s. Its mouth had monstrous fangs and green blood was all over it.
“Leon Veridi…”
“Leon!” shouted a voice.
I woke up. I looked around. I saw white wall, blue blanket over me, and window in front. I was on a soft bed and in a white hospital uniform.
But my heart pumped like some freight train and cold sweat wet the top and the back of the clothes. I was breathing heavily. I looked at my side. And to my greatest relief, was Scarlet Dane. I threw myself backwards, supporting myself with the soft pillow behind. I used my sleeves to wipe off the sweat from my forehead.
“Are you okay?” she asked, looking astonished. “You were suddenly twitching so violently, I called you and…”
“I’m fine,” I said. My head ached. It was a dream. A very disturbing dream… “How long was I out?”
“Three days,” she said. She handed me a cup of water. I took it gladly. “The doctor says the only major injury is your left shoulder. The only other reason for such a faint is suddenly exhaustion and fatigue.”
“Is Michelle –“
She smiled. Scarlet helped herself a drink. “She’s fine. The professor’s leading a group of Crusaders to scout the area.”
“What kind of mission?” I asked.
“Something about finding raw materials; they say the resources from the Ark are running out. The Commanders must have decided they needed to make use of the ‘revived’ Earth’s,” suggested Scarlet.
I sat up straight. Then I tried to get myself off the bed.
“Wait, you’re not going anywhere,” said Scarlet sternly. “The doctor and even Michelle told me not to allow you leaving this room.”
“I’m fine. You said it yourself. There’s no major injury except my shoulder and shoulder has no influence with my walking,” I responded.
“But –“ she tried to say.
“Don’t worry, I won’t leave the hospital,” I said. Before she could say anything, I left the room, shutting the door behind. “Just stay here for a minute.”
I was out in the balcony. From the third floor, I saw the entire view of Sector 3. Was it the desperateness that united everyone? The settlement and the camps outside were being restored at an astounding pace. In fact, I remembered seeing more of the camps outside of the damaged barricade.
The restoration of structures looked well enough. But despite the enlarged population, there were less people in the marketplaces and in the streets. I also saw a lot of people in groups, wearing black suit; most likely for funeral ceremonies. The soldiers guarded the barricade and the outer perimeter of the camps. Some inside the settlement ground were busy cleaning or fixing up streets. Overall, Sector 3 became awfully quiet since the day of the attack.
“So the hero has awakened,” said someone from behind. I turned back. He was certainly familiar, though the first impression of him wasn’t the best.
“Hugo, was it?” I asked. He nodded. He was in the same white clothing as mine. While I only had some bands around my shoulder, I noticed his right arm was broken. I stared at it and he slightly shook it.
“Look at it. I can proud myself to say I fought valiantly. But I almost lost my right arm,” said Hugo. He sat down on a bench beside him. “But you… fought against one of the commanding units, and not only survived, but killed it. The result was fatigue and a cut on the shoulder.”
“What do you mean?” I said indifferently.
“I mean, that if there was someone like you at Sector 1 or 2, this wouldn’t have happened at all,” said Hugo. I must have looked puzzled because he gazed at me like I was some fool. “No one told you about what happened at Sector 1 and 2?”
“No one. All I knew was that this started with a visit from your Sectors,” I said. Hugo’s expression darkened.
“Sector 1 and 2 were… well you can say they were allies. We practically merged our settlements. United, we had more men, Crusaders, citizens, and resources. But it was one day…” he stopped for a moment. I patiently waited until he continued. “There was a blackout – a terrible one.”
He looked at my reaction. When I did nothing, he looked up at the sky.
“The settlements were burned down to ashes. Remaining citizens, soldiers, and Crusaders ran with everything we managed to carry with us. We made camps and had to put up almost half of the troops at guard, since we didn’t have a barricade to act as a defense mechanism,” he said. I have to say, I cannot deny startling when he said the settlements burning. The nightmare was too vivid that I could remember it even now. “That’s probably when our commanders went over to Sector 3.”
I nodded. What I felt really strange was that between his attitudes in the arena and the balcony, there was too much of a gap. I was never interested in him, so I decided to leave the place. Like earlier, I always admit myself that I was never a sociable person anyway. Anyhow, this Hugo guy must have felt very awkward seeing me simply taking off without a response.
“Leon,” he called out. I turned back, acting so that I didn’t look uncomfortable. “Why can’t I be that strong?”
Now, that question, I still remember, was some question. It was so simple, yet probably the hardest one a Crusader can ask oneself or the others. I never thought him as a friend, just another person of a group called the Crusaders, nothing more or nothing less. But it was the first time (probably the last) I actually answered him sincerely.
“How did you become a Crusader?” I asked him. He took a few seconds to think.
“Dr. Greg recognized my talent just before the 1st Ark landed on Earth,” he said. “By talent, I mean the ‘ability’ you use.”
“How did you learn to fight then?” I questioned.
“My parents were wealthy enough to arrange me with private trainings from Crusaders out in the field,” said Hugo, almost proudly. I frowned.
“Did any of your parents died from Hunters?” I continued, feeling irritating.
“No,” he answered casually.
“Did or do you have a lover?” I asked him.
“No,” he responded. I shrugged, smiling coldly.
“No wonder,” I concluded. The poor fellow looked baffled. “You have talent, I guess I can guarantee you that – but some things just can’t be done with talent alone.”
“What?” Hugo demanded. I glared at him; he did not realize how arrogant he was.
“You lack only one thing, but that one thing will kill you before you realize if you don’t fix it,” I said. “You lack the direness when you’re fighting.”
I faced my back against him and left him be, cursing, for wasting my time. It was a question that encouraged an answer, but the response discouraged for more.
Back at my room, Scarlet was anxiously looking out the window. When she heard the door open up and saw me entering, she gave out a sigh of relief. I climbed on top of the bed and crept inside the blankets to settle myself comfortably. The wide window was just in front of me. It was grim days, with losses beyond expectations but the sky was blue as ever. White clouds floated around like small ships and the tips of the tall trees of the forest far in the distance reminded me the very picture of a wide ocean.
It was unlike me – to stay inside a small room, suffocating from boredom and helplessness. Yet, even without many things for Scarlet to do when I wasn’t talking to her, she stayed until the sun set – which was a horribly long period. If I think back, it was one of many things I couldn’t thank.
“Scarlet,” I said after a long time of silence. She was looking out the window the whole time. When I called her, she turned back. The sun was already orange and the sky was red and yellow. “As someone I can really trust, will you back me up however I may seem wrong?”
“Like what?” Scarlet slightly giggled. She then looked back at the scene outside.
“I don’t know… something like… running away from this world,” I ventured. I stared at her back, waiting for an answer. “You don’t have to –“
“I will,” she said. “On a condition that you believe yourself in that decision. And me. And Michelle. And everyone with you.”
“Even if it costs your family?” I wandered further. “I mean, even if you had to leave your family?”
“…” maybe I heard Scarlet mumble something to herself; or it was my imagination. But she soon spoke aloud in a slightly sorrowful tone. “My family can live on their own.”
Michelle came back when darkness colored the skies. She looked exhausted and she hadn’t even taken off her armor. It was smudged and scratched in mud and her face was also dirty. She was still armed; I found a trace of green blood from her hilt.
“You’re late,” I said in a japing tone. “I heard I could leave this place tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I was on my way after discussing it with the doctor. As you know, you don’t have much of a problematic injury,” she said. “And Scarlet. Thanks for watching him.”
“No problem,” said Scarlet.
“Well, I’ll have to go. I pick you up tomorrow. People from the top will want to speak to you,” finished Michelle. She quickly left the room. Scarlet seemed to hesitate. She glanced at me while keeping her position beside the window.
“I’ll be better off alone tonight,” I said. She nodded awkwardly and walked out. Just before she closed the door, I remembered. “Than–“
The door closed shut. Scarlet didn’t come back inside. The night just grew older.
“Dr. Greg, this is the full report of the battle three days ago,” said an assistant. “Including every single dead people, along with performances of major Crusaders, everything you ordered to record is monitored and incorporated this file.”
“Excellent,” said Dr. Greg. He skimmed through the bundle of digital texts. “Good, good. This is perfect. You’ve done a fabulous job Mark.”
“I appreciate it doctor,” said Mark. He waited. “Um…”
“Oh, of course, I almost forgot the most important thing,” said Dr. Greg. From his inner pocket, he drew out three full bundle of money. “I… uh, hope we continue our business.”
“My pleasure doctor,” said Mark. He soon disappeared out the building. The area was a blind spot from cameras, recorders or any kind of surveillance. The doctor had maneuvered this very carefully, and so far the result was very successful. He left the area and into his personal laboratory. The lab was built underground. With 76 assistants from the five Sectors, the speed of any experiment implemented was above imagination. Every single one of them was also ‘fanatics’ of Vincent Greg so he never felt any burden to launch an experiment. Funds and instruments were provided by the Sector 3 finance itself. The area was a paradise.
“Jean, how’s the project going?” he asked one of his chief assistant.
“Everything’s continuing as planned. The extra manpower we’ve earned after the unison and the battle three days ago is boosting up the speed. I hypothesize the process will be finished sooner than we’ve thought,” said Jean. She looked over the files in her hand. The doctor was feeling even more pleasant. “But we have one small problem.”
“Oh, and that is?” questioned Dr. Greg, his face darkening instantly. Jean must have noticed this.
“Um… it’s just that… when we finish the process, there isn’t any appropriate sample for the actual experiment,” stammered the assistant.
“Ah… of course. We can’t apply the technology immediately in real life,” he thought for a second. “I have an idea of my own. You people only need to focus on this process.”
“Yes, doctor,” confirmed Jean. She was then off to work. The doctor watched her descending to the lower level – where the actual work was going on. At the upper level, he monitored everyone’s results and movement.
He sat down on a chair and looked through the files he was handed. He stopped on the page about Leon. He pulled it out to take a closer look. Even the doctor had to admit, he didn’t knew genetic engineer for Crusaders could have advanced so far; Leon’s performance was godlike. But the doctor couldn’t smile and have pride. He looked at the page and smiled coldly.
“Leon Veridi… It’s time you step down.”
11: 10“After considerate amount of time and effort, sacrifice and loss, we now know that without full cooperation, mankind will only perish. Couple days ago, the commanders of the five Sectors agreed to merge the five settlements; sharing resources and feelings for losses and victories. But we all know that the battle that took place four days ago gave us deep grief. Families died without knowing what hit them. Comrades fell without living out the future. And people, our own race, the last of our race, simply dropped to the ground and ceased to exist.”
“We may feel regretful; regretful because we were not there to save them. We may feel sorrow; because it was the very people we talked the other day in front of our doorsteps that died on the cold muddy ground. We may feel anger; longing to destroy the merciless creatures that have not only damaged us physically, but cut deeply through our hearts and wills.”
“And yet, the whole lot of us, the entire mob of mankind lived through that day. Despite the Crusaders having to lose nearly half of their men, they still carry out orders. Despite the soldiers being depressed after seeing their companions shredded into pieces, they stand up again to protect us. And the citizens! They too must have lost their families, but still carry on efforts to recover our home.”
Commander Jerrod paused. From the huge balcony of the command center, directly facing the large square in front, he suddenly kneeled down.
“As chief commander, all of the people, currently in this square, have my gratitude and greatest thanks. The settlements were not always for the commanders’, but were always the citizens’, the soldiers’, the Crusaders’. I kneel before you, for every soul listening to these words have my honor and respect.”
There was a long pause again. The commander had dropped his head downward so there was no know what his expressions were. The people in the square watched him. Some had tears glittering, hesitating whether it should roll down the cheeks of the moved citizen. Then someone started to clap. A couple of people began following, and soon, the entire population was giving passionate applause for the man kneeling before them. After that, whistling and shouts and cheers followed, filling the area with great enthusiasm. Everything gradually died out as Commander Jerrod slowly stood up. His expression was stern and very determined. He made a fist and drew it high up. The crowd went wild. Now, he was almost shouting when he spoke next.
“What I believe, is that all this was possible because we were united! The five sectors showed humans will not abdicate their planet without a proper fight! But! Are we fully combined? Are we an absolutely integrated society of mankind? No! We are here, as one but we still have names – people from Sector 3, soldiers from Sector 1, Crusaders from Sector 2 and all those useless names are still present. We, the last of our kind, must fight under one name in order to repel the enemy out of Earth! Even the Hunters know it and the latest attack did give a valid damage on us. Thus, as Chief Commander of the five Sectors, I hereby declare the establishment of Earth Dominion – a complete nation under one name and one flag, a banded society with more courage and valor against our enemy.”
The following was needless to say. I turned my back and left the square.
Inside my house, Michelle wasn’t present. Guessing she went on some mission again, I headed for the gym. As I strolled down to the gym, I saw the effect of the speech was quite noticeable. Unlike yesterday, many of them had smiles, cheerfulness in their faces. Even their movement, since most of them are striving for reconstruction, seemed lighter and quicker. As if Jerrod expected such reaction, and planned everything out just for today, a new flag started to go up at the top of the command center and major posts of the barricade. The flag had a simple design: a black background with a red planet-looking sphere in the middle and a blue ring around it. Small wonders what it had to do with this planet, but it was certainly a color that was noticeable from a distance. Even the soldiers wore uniforms that had a miniature version of it attached on their right arm.
Just in front of the gym, I heard Scarlet calling me from behind.
“Leon!” she shouted. I turned back. She ran towards me. “You left the hospital early.”
“I’d rather stay outside than lying down on that bed for another hour,” I said. She looked up at the building in front.
“You are not going in there. The doctor said to have absolute rest until tomorrow – at the least,” she said. I looked at my clock that was ticking almost 11.
“Scarlet you’re late, you should be going,” I said innocently.
“Come on, there’s no telling what can happen if you push yourself again…” she said hurriedly.
“Don’t worry; I have no need to push myself. Besides this is rest for me,” I said and waved back as I continued for the door.
Inside the Crusader section, the rooms were partially full. I took one empty room and entered. The large simulation computer stood at the end of the room. At one corner were wires and sensors. I went over to the main control and turned the computer on. As I designed my simulation practice, I found something interesting that triggered my curiosity. It was the data of all the kinds of Hunters known so far. Assuming that the five Sectors became one, I expected a great deal of increase in data. And I was right.
A diagram was shown in front of me, forming a pyramid like the hierarchy system of the medieval times. Only three kinds were shown but it was better than one.
At the very top, there was a reddish black colored Hunter. The caption read: controller of one hive. Only found through imagery from old satellite. Information insufficient.
The next was a Hunter very familiar. It was the purple one. The caption read something like this: commanding unit of normal Hunters. Expected to lead around 30 to 40 Hunters. Found during the battle for the collapse of Sector 1 and 2. Recently found during invasion of Sector 3. Expected to have another kind of chain of command within the same type.
Below the two was the black one. Most basic type of Hunters. First found on Earth Day two years ago.
I clicked the one at the very top. The simulate option wasn’t present. I clicked the next one. The simulate option seemed to blink as if it was taunting me. I mindlessly confirmed. Then, I walked over to the sensors and attached them all over my body. When I finally put the headset on, the surrounding rippled and changed into middle of a thick forest.
I was inside a forest. No spatial area of grass, not even the thinnest room for sunlight to pour inward. The leaves casted shadow dark enough to baffle someone of time. Some kind of insect; or bug, buzzed loudly, which echoed through the woods. The sword from my hilt reared its blade very slowly. The moment the tip of the blade reached the very end of the sheath, the sound of the wild stopped. My right arm stopped as well.
Only the soft wind blowing the leaves was heard. I took a deep breath, drew a crescent in front of me. The sword collided with the Hunter’s blade. The impulse blew out a strong wind around us.
It was perfectly recreated. Purplish skin. The huge fangs. Smaller in size but longer in blades. Incomparably faster than normal. And the red eyes that always seems to be filled with fury. Unconsciously I smirked at the creature. The Hunter, as if reacting, growled lightly. It charged at me with its blades pointing towards me.
The left blade slid past my shoulder. The other, I defended with my sword. I went low, gave a powerful stab against its abdomen. The Hunter jumped backwards to avoid. But my sword was faster, and it couldn’t avoid all the damage. Green blood trickled down. It took no notice – since it was more of a scar than an injury.
We both charged at each other. I swung the sword upward, and used my ability with it. The momentary force was not something anyone or anything can bear simply by trying to deflect with a weapon. The left arm blade was destroyed – so easily that I had to check again at the shards on the grass. The Hunter also seemed confused. It turned its back and tried to run away from me.
I looked at my sword, noticed there was a huge crack. The sword seemed to break at any moment. Without second thought, I threw the sword towards the running Hunter. The blade made a clean penetration and the lifeless Hunter collapsed.
The background shimmered back into the simulation room. My hand was slightly trembling due to a sudden release of mass force. I went over to the control monitor and rechecked whether I really chose the right one. The enemy was evidently classified as ‘commanding unit’. The small image perfectly correlated with the ones I saw when I went to save Michelle and several days before. But it was hard to comprehend how it was defeated so easily. On top of that… how I was able to destroy a Hunter’s arm blade, theoretically impossible to break with human weaponry, with such ease was also a mystery.
I tried two more times; one with two purple Hunters, the last one with three. The result was almost the same.
“What you saw four days ago was certainly the same kind of purple Hunter you fought with in the simulation center,” said Dr. Greg. Michelle was staring at me from the side. I tried not to notice but it wasn’t easy. “But why are you asking this?”
“Unlike the fight on the day, this one died like thirty seconds after starting to fight,” I said. “I want to be debriefed about this because I know there’s a difference between these two. Also I want to know how I’ve come to have such immense power after waking up from a faint.”
The doctor leaned back on his chair. He raised his glasses and rolled his chair sideways, revealing a large screen behind him. He turned it on.
“I can give the answer to your first question,” he said. An image of the purple Hunter came up. “The one you fought, when I mean the one, I mean it wasn’t the first time I saw the exact same Hunter, is called Roach.”
“You give names to Hunters,” I said distastefully.
“It’s a code name. The first commanding unit was seen about a year ago. At that time, Hugo Camell successfully defended off for several weeks. I recall… that was around the time when the Hunters’ invasion started to be organized and more… systematic,” said Dr. Greg. “The defense mechanism and system was fine with two settlements united. But problem happened with Roach.”
“Like an army, the commander unit types have their own status system. Apparently, though we don’t have a vivid theory to explain everything, Roach wasn’t a creature playing in the lower section. We predict this Roach has been active for more than fifty years, and like its name it never died in battle. Well… of course until you killed it.”
“Anything else?” I demanded. The doctor calmly shook his head.
“The rest is classified information only for the eyes of senior officials,” shrugged Dr. Greg.
“You have to be joking,” I scowled. The doctor didn’t flinch. He took out a cigarette and lit a light on. He stood up and started to walk away. “How about a deal?”
“Pardon me?” the doctor turned around. He let out gray smoke in the air. I looked straight at him. “Persuade me.”
“You give me every single piece of information you know. I want information whenever you know something in the future as well,” I said.
“And what do I get in return? I originally thought only about the Hunter, but this is quite a demand,” said Dr. Greg smiling.
“You said your offer was still on,” I said. The doctor almost looked surprised. “I’ll accept the terms and give you full aid for it.”
The doctor threw his cigarette in an ashtray. He stared at me and then at Michelle, who was most likely having no idea what was going on. He chuckled, which made me frown.
“I have to say I’m astonished by your request,” he commented. “Very well. We have a deal.”
He sat back down on his rolling chair. He pulled out a remote control and monitored the screen that was still displaying the image of Roach.
“Again, I say this is classified information. You cannot tell this to anyone,” he said. I nodded. The doctor looked at Michelle. She only shrugged back. “The rest of the information, I’ll give it to you in files – I’ll send it to your house. This piece of intel is related to another commanding unit; it’s still alive.”
A new image came up. The color of the Hunter was exacting the same, but it gave a completely different impression.
“Freaky isn’t it? This one is probably the first and the last Hunter that’ll look so… mutated and disgusting. We call this one Chimera. A bloody monster this thing is… well, we’ve only seen it once: just the day when the two Sectors were destroyed,” said the doctor. He stared at the image without a word for a moment. “Lots of people died. If we hadn’t retreated at the right time, the kill counts of Crusaders must have reached three digits. Of course, it went away alive and it could be living in the ruins of the settlement for all I know, but we have no information about it anymore.”
The third image popped up the screen. If the second Hunter was surprising, this was shocking. At that time, I couldn’t help gasping.
“We caught this image four days ago, from a satellite image. It was taken a click away from the battle ground,” said the doctor. “You’re actually the first person apart from my fellow researchers to see this. The Hunter’s code name is Adam. If you’re thinking about the Bible, you’re right about it. And you might be able to guess why it’s named like that.”
“That thing is…” Michelle lost her words. She walked over to the screen to get a closer look. “This is impossible.
“No fangs. No arm blades. No disgusting mouth, drooling with saliva. No huge size,” said the doctor. “We have no idea how this happened. But one thing’s for sure: if we paint that thing in skin color, give it a nice plastic surgery, I doubt anyone would see it as a Hunter.”
12: 11The files were really there when I returned home. Doubting whether there’s some kind of trap, I kept my distance. After all, I never liked him from the day before we met. I never liked him because he’s the one who pulled me into this kind of life. Even without becoming a Crusader, I knew Michelle from the Ark. Scarlet went to the same school with me, and my parents’ death was all together, inevitable. If it wasn’t for this doctor, injecting in some biochemical substance into me that somehow made me like this, I would be living an ordinary life – have friends, live a life of my own, and worry about things my age level would; at the same time, sustaining every good relationships I have.
“Are you going to open it?” asked Michelle from my side.
“Not yet,” I replied. The file was quite thick. And what was queer was that it was in paper, not in digital holograms. I found a place to keep it safe while I was absent. Then I followed Michelle to the command center.
“What was the deal you had with Dr. Greg?” she asked suddenly during our trip. I had to say I was taken aback. I hesitated for an answer. She glared at me as I did not respond.
“In return for information… it’s –“ I stopped, trying to figure out how to trivialize. “Just helping out his newest research. That’s all.”
“Really? It seems like an awful bargain for you,” she said.
“Now that Leon is here, I hope we’ll get through this much faster. Well, everyone else will know what we’re doing so far: scout the area and find anything that will serve the Dominion; it will be best if it’s some kind of raw material or a mine field, but bountiful food source or information of enemy encounter is also welcomed,” announced Director Han. He cleared his voice and showed us the wide map on the screen. “You all know we’re located at the area once called Siberia. Apparently a century of climate recovery and change made this place a forestland. But it does not have to mean that all of the abundant natural resources of Siberia have disappeared. So, let’s get this over with.”
Our group set out west; specifically, Sector 3 set out west. It was four days since I dropped my sword, but it obviously did not feel awkward holding it again. It felt natural. It felt satisfying and… safer. A weapon could have been some stake, or some knife or a gun – they were all something that could have kept me ‘safe’. But they all felt reluctant for me.
Just then, the others who were at the front of the scout let out shouts; some shouts of awe. When we ran towards their direction, we knew what they were awed at.
“Is this like the one we only saw in pictures and videos?” said one of the members.
It was marvelous, fascinating, enchanting; so tantalizingly beautiful. The blue water sparkled like sapphire in the sunlight. The sparkles rippled on the surface like rows of jewels. And just in time, a gentle breeze scarfed around my body and the entire area. The tall plants just around the rim of the water swayed back and forth, boasting its colorful flower to the spectators. Small region of soft grass surrounding the body of water was like another form of water in green.
“It’s a lake,” said Michelle. She was also captivated by the scenery stretched out in front of us.
“A lake isn’t so big,” said one of the other Crusaders. “I saw in pictures; the biggest one I saw was like only a quarter of our settlement, not counting the camp sites.”
“No. It’s a lake for sure. If you gave more interest, you should’ve found more that was larger; huge ones enough to cover Sector 3,” I responded. I walked down. The lake was larger when I saw it closer. When I was just reached the point where the water met the soil, the end of the lake was invisible. Only the tall plants and endless body of clean blue water was seen in front of me. I sat down on the bank of the lake. “I think we found something useful for the Dominion already. Everyone can take a rest here.”
Some of the scouters cheered in joy. They formed small groups of their own and started chatting, enjoying the warm wind and the magnificent view. Michelle came down and sat beside me.
“I remember when you showed me pictures of Earth,” I said to her.
“I’m impressed you’re remembering that. The last time I could afford showing pictures to you was like when you were seven or eight,” she said. She closed her eyes and hummed a tune. I listened to her.
“You showed me all kinds of things. Famous canyons, lakes, rivers, oceans, islands, waterfalls….” I continued. I reached my hand and swayed around the lake water. It was cool. “But I never listened to you at that time. Instead, I demanded you to play games with me.”
“You did. You were a very hard student to get to pay attention. Sometimes I can see why I was able to teach you for such a long time,” said Michelle. “It’s probably because I’m used to your behaviors after more than ten years of teaching.”
The lake rippled down my direction. I stared at it curiously. What was interesting was that the lake stimulated my brain to recall the past. I blurted out things and Michelle kindly responded, none of those were something she didn’t know or remembered. In some ways – in many ways, actually, she was a better person than me. And probably better than my parents.
“I wonder whether we can move here,” I said.
“You’ll have to walk for more than four hours to get here from the settlement. I would love to live near such place, but I refuse taking ages to come back and forth,” she said with a slight smile.
“I think I could withstand that. So far Earth was a place of tension and nervousness. But this place seems to be the only place that gives me peace,” I said. I closed my eyes and lied backwards. I was cushioned by the softness of the grass and the blue sky on top of me drew white clouds for me to see. I was sincerely calm, at peace, and liberated.
The entire 3rd platoon (Han suddenly called us when we came back) really took a day off while the others strived very hard in search for anything useful. Apparently, the directors had some sort of tracking device and seeing our platoon unmoving for nearly three hours did not grant a smile upon Han’s face.
“I truthfully that you guys were dead,” said our director. “1st and the 4th at least tried to find, but the 3rd not only failed to find resources, they didn’t even try hard. How in the world do I have to debrief this to the commanders? You seriously want me to say the scenery was too beautiful to carry on a search?”
“Is there any group who scouted something useful?” I asked him cynically. Han seemed angry because I didn’t answer his question immediately.
“2nd platoon found a potential mine field. 5th platoon found natural gas deposit,” he said.
“I can’t believe they actually found underground resources with that stone-age radar,” I shrugged innocently. Han certainly looked furious by that point. I looked at him indifferently and he sighed.
“So… where was this… lake you found,” he asked, almost in a resigning voice.
“Are you interested?”
“I need at least some things to put in my report,” he demanded
“About eleven clicks west from this settlement,” I said. He typed down what I said; about the view, the atmosphere, the state of the lake and some things too trivial to remember. “Just say the 3rd platoon found a ‘haven’ for psychologically pressured humans. Now that’s a resource – mental resource – and it’s going to be very useful for the Dominion.”
“There are Hunters out there,” he said coldly.
“We stayed there for more than three hours but there was no activity. Some of use took a nap and nothing happened. It’s pretty safe,” I said.
“Yeah, good for you,” said Han. He turned around and faced backwards. “You’re dismissed.”
When I arrived home, it was almost supper time. I was alone at my house so I decided to go through the files Dr. Greg gave me. The paper file was quite thick and supposedly, it held every detail about what I wanted to know. The files were actually wrapped around, separating one bundle of file from another. The first bundle was written HUNTER in bold on the cover, the other was blank; but both were labeled classified.
Just when I opened the Hunter file, there was a knock on the door. I quickly covered the files with some cloth and went for the door. It was Scarlet.
“What’s up?” I asked her.
“Just bored. Figured I’d just come to see how you’re doing,” she shrugged casually. I looked at her, then at the covered files on a table. “What’s in there?”
“You know what, come in, I have something interesting you’ll find less boring.”
I explained how he received the bundle of confidential files. Scarlet became immediately excited. She looked so eager that I was worried whether she would to rip the cover to see the content. So I finally uncovered the Hunter file.
The first few pages were nothing special; the same rank system I saw at the simulation room.
“Woah, this page looks interesting… they give names to Hunters?” she frowned. The paper she saw recorded couple of major Hunters which also had their own name. I recognized Roach and Chimera. But the one that looked like a human was not there.
“This one – Roach. The doctor said that’s the one I killed several days ago,” I said pointing at the black and white image of Roach. I fingered downward at Chimera. “And this… is the very Hunter that practically led the Sector 1 and 2’s devastation.”
“It looks horrible,” she said almost in disgust. “Speaking of looking horrible, what do you think the Hunters think of us? I actually thought of this for quite long.”
“No idea. Probably just some slimy, fleshy, fragile creature with metal weapons,” I replied. I flipped one more page; again I did not see the humanoid Hunter. Instead the page for major Hunters came to an end. This is disturbing.
“Look, there’s information about the lairs,” she exclaimed. Scarlet pointed at the large greyscale picture that filled an entire page. “They named it HCZ-1. It’s the one only a few kilometers away from Sector 1.”
“Largest lair found so far, estimated Hunter inhabiting… 700,” I read from the caption. “You remember how many Hunters invaded Sector 3?”
“Around 70, as I recall…” mumbled Scarlet. Then she flipped back to the page of the major Hunters, and then came back to the picture. “All of the major Hunters named are from this lair.
“And that means the 70 Hunters mobilized for the invasion was also from this lair,” I said. I turned over more pages, but the rest were wordy reports; minor compared to the ones we’ve seen carefully. We finished reading through the Hunter file. Again, the humanoid Hunter was not written. What is going on? Why hasn’t Greg incorporate anything about it?
“Let’s go over the other one,” said Scarlet, very motivated. She settled the second bundle in the middle of us and opened the cover. “This is bizarre…”
“What’s wrong?” I looked at the papers. Save a few words per page, every single line and pictures and images were either cut out or lined out so that it was impossible to see. The several words left readable, didn’t give any information at all. I was instantly furious and violently flipped through the papers. All the papers were in the same condition.
“Are you sure Dr. Greg gave you this for you to look, because overall, there isn’t much in it. Even the Hunter file was half useless,” said Scarlet. She started examine the cover, shook the bundle side to side, hoping to find some hidden piece of paper. Nothing came out. He lied to me. Why? He’d gain nothing if he lies; if he did not give me the information I want. If I don’t co-operate his experiment, he had nothing to gain. I thought over as Scarlet continued to search through the pile of paper. Michelle… is it her…
“Scarlet, let’s burn this thing,” I said. She blinked.
“Can we burn it?” she said with a frown.
“It’s my file anyway.”
I carried it to the kitchen and activated the stove on. Just when I attempted to burn the first bundle, there was a knock on the door. Scarlet looked at me, and then ran towards the door. In the doorstep was a Crusader.
“The director wants you in the command center right away,” said the Crusader.
“I’m a little busy right now. And I remember being dismissed like an hour ago,” I shouted back from the kitchen. The files caught on fire. Grabbing the tip with a set of tongs, I watched it burn.
“This is urgent. They say all the rankers from the Sectors are joining as well. It looks quite important,” yelled the Crusader back. I ignited the second bundle. Without a word, I watched the orange flame consume the pieces of paper. “I sent you the message. It’s not my fault when you don’t come up.”
“Aren’t you going?” asked Scarlet carefully after she closed the door. I stared at the ashes.
“Should I?”
“Unless you want to hear a lecture from Michelle again,” shrugged Scarlet. “I’ll take care of the ashes, go ahead.”
I was the last to arrive. There were fifteen Crusaders and five directors were all present. Dr. Greg was also there. Just as I entered the door, the doctor began to speak.
“Now that everyone’s here, I’ll explain the operation,” said Dr. Greg. Operation? It was a queer word to be heard at such times. “Four days from now, we are launching our first attack on a Hunter lair.”
The directors looked uncomfortable. And the command room immediately began to bustle. I found my way beside Michelle who also looked very shocked.
“We expect around 600 Hunters dwelling in the lair, and therefore will be fighting about that number. I realize this is quite shocking; nobody will have thought anything about a firsthand attack from the human side. But… that is exactly why we are commencing an assault. The Hunters apparently can think. They are not emotionless animals unaffected by psychological factors. In their perspective, we are fragile. We are weak. We always defend and act passively against any sort of invasion.”
“We’ve done a good job so far,” said someone.
“Who is this? Dill, isn’t it?” snapped the doctor. He located him and pointed at him. “Do you think we will retake Earth with that kind of mind? No, we cannot. What you think is foolish and cowardly; to satisfy with mundane defense results. I hope everyone disagrees with Dill here. To the Hunters, we need to show them that humans aren’t dying. That humans aren’t falling apart every time they attack. Through this assault, it’s time to show the Hunters that we were once rulers of the Earth; that we are not an enemy to underestimate.”
“Everyone in this room is veterans; best of best. You’ve all proved your personal skill, but now it’s time to prove your skill as a leader. From now on, you’ll be squad leader. Until the fourth day, the directors will assign each of you a balanced squad you will each lead in the battle. And on the day before D-day, we will meet again to debrief the specific tactics,” said Dr. Greg. He showed us the picture of the lair, HCZ-1, that I saw in the file. For a moment I thought he was looking at me when he turned back from the screen to us. When I looked around me to see whether he really was, there wasn’t particularly anyone around me. When I looked back, the doctor’s eyes were on the screen. “This is the lair. The first lair we’ve found, and the lair that supported for every Hunter responsible for Sector 1 and 2’s collapse. It’s only several kilometers away from the ruins. Some might think this some kind of joke; but it isn’t and it’s happening right now. All Crusaders without fatal injury will engage in combat as well as majority of the soldiers. But remember, they’ll always be back-ups for additional firepower. You guys are really the ones who will have to kill the 600 Hunters. This operation, as you can expect, cannot fail. You cannot fail. The executive circle expects greatly from the Crusaders, on the directors and even me. So I will expect to see disciplined soldiers until the lair is destroyed.”
“What about the others? I think we know how to train ourselves,” said one of us.
“The other Crusaders and the soldier will be announced tomorrow. But I’m telling you people first because you are the rankers of the old Sectors. You all need to be the main characters of this battle,” he said. He raised his glasses. “To say the truth, the fifteen in the room account for more than 50% of all our military strength. So straighten things out and get your mind trained up. I say again; Operation Hornet’s Nest starts today.”
13: 12D-3 until the invasion, the directors told the squad leaders to meet their squad members as soon as they receive the list. When a courtier handed me the list in the morning, I counted 25 members and Squad 7 at the top of the list. The first thing that popped in mind: how many of 25 will survive? And how many will actually follow orders? The operation was certainly a rash decision. They should’ve informed, at least the rankers, some weeks before the D-day. Only three days maximum to get to know the group members, train, and debate strategy. This was absurd; I wondered whether Jerrod has gone mad by then.
It would have been much easier if I knew the listed people, but half of the people, I did not recognize, and all the people in the list were strangers. Michelle was a separate squad leader so there was no one I knew around me during the battle. At least, I read at the very bottom, they had Scarlet to be our squad transporter.
It was unlikely for me to wonder about how to fight in battle. Until this moment, everyone fought as individuals. And I especially fought the Hunters alone because I had enough ability to do it. To lead a group of two dozen people who I barely know to survive was something I did not expect, nor did I intended to strive for. And the thing was that nobody would care apart from their families. The executives will encompass them to the KIA list and that would be all. Of course, underlying that victory is achieved. Reluctantly, I walked to the command center to have a glimpse of my team. My concept and strategy was simple: as long as they follow my pace, they will survive.
I was the latest to come as usual. The directors assigned spaces for the rankers to meet their squad members and have a talk. Entering Squad 7’s room, twenty five faces turned and looked straight at me. I saw exhilaration, eagerness and motivation from their expression. But there were also doubt, anxiety and uneasiness in some. To who the feelings point at, I did not know.
I stood at the middle with fifty eyes focused on me. Uncomfortably, I looked back to see a screen. It was thoughtful of the directors to turn the computers on and had a project file ready. Then I realized… not even the rankers were debriefed specifically. I awkwardly turned back, facing the faces of twenty five Crusaders. Beyond the door and the wall, I already heard slight sounds of conversation. With nothing particular to say, I stared back at them in silence while they continued to focus on me. Perhaps a several minutes passed when Han burst in.
“Wrap it up in one minute…” he lost his words looking at twenty six people in one room soundlessly. He glanced at me and sighed, closed the door and left. The faces began to lose focus on me, which was good news for me. Still, with Han bursting in, I felt a queer obligation to say something. Finally after like five minutes of total quietness, I opened my mouth.
“I don’t have much thing to say but I if you follow me well, I guarantee you survival,” I said aloud. Then the directors announced to leave the rooms and go back to training. I met Michelle on the way out of the building.
“How’s your team?” she asked me. It was a meaningless question I did not need to answer. She knew better that I wasn’t sociable enough to run around with other Crusaders. Yet, when I did not answer, she seemed taken aback. “Then tell me how many people are in your squad.”
“25 Crusaders.”
“The transporter?”
“Scarlet,” I said. She brightened up.
“That’s good news,” she said. “At least you have her. I guess you haven’t debated anything during the meeting time.”
“You have no idea,” I muttered. Michelle only sighed in response. I took no notice. I was already used to such stuff.
Michelle and I went down to the training room and into the arena. Michelle wanted me to teach her something more. She said she wanted to protect and lead her squad members with confidence.
“You’re already strong,” I said before we began training. “You’re the only person other than me to fully perform my technique.”
“I look strong because I am the only person other than you to perform your technique. We have duty to protect people and that does not always mean the civilians Leon,” she said. She raised her sword. “Almost half a year passed since I began to master it. I want you to teach me everything else.”
I looked at her. And all of the sudden, an image of a Hunter replaced her figure. Surprised, I stepped back, rubbed my eyes and saw straight at her. Michelle is human; this nightmare is not getting away…
“Leon, are you alright?” asked Michelle. She came closer. I waved my hands.
“I’m fine…” I said. After stumbling a little, I regained my balance. Then unsheathing my sword, I readied myself. “Let’s get back to work.
A few strokes of blade went back and forth. After some time, we began to fight almost at our maximum. Each strike of the sword made enormous sound and the protective glass and wall around the arena seemed to shake. I noticed she was starting to feel tired.
“Your weak point is stamina,” I said, putting my sword down. She took a deep breath and lowered her sword. “So you either need to overwhelm your enemy so that the fight does not last long or control your strength.”
“In a war, I can’t fight for a short time. I’ll go with the latter,” she said.
“Then you’ll have to rely on strategy to on fighting. Since I’m not the delicate type, I’m reluctant to use the technique, but I’m still working on it. Once you can fully practice it though, it will be incomparably stronger than simply using sheer force,” I said. I raised my sword and dashed towards her. She interrupted my stab and deflected sideways. With my free left arm, I struck her side. She stumbled backwards but managed to maintain her balance. “The point is to force a certain movement. I’ll require speed, decisiveness and wits, but it’s possible to deliver an ‘economical’ strike against your enemy.”
She charged at me, twirled around and swung her sword from left to right. I blocked it with my sword and at the same time, back-stepped. She swung her sword once more, from the opposite direction. I deflected it fasters this time by foreseeing it. Then she suddenly loosened her sheath and with her left hand, smashed it against my chest. I staggered back, but instantly caught the sheath with my free hand and pulled it towards me. Michelle let go of her scabbard and freed herself from getting pulled. She leaped forward and attempted to strike me from the top. Turning sideways, I glided behind her and swung my sword against her back. She rotated quickly and blocked it.
She suddenly kicked my hand holding the sword and let it flying over a distance. She brandished her sword against my weaponless body. Then I rolled inside so that the blade was unable to reach me. I pushed myself and slammed her body towards the glass wall. Michelle legged my foot and tripped me to the ground. Without hesitation, I tackled her as well. She fell to the ground and the sword slipped out of her hand. I stood up first and caught it. Michelle stayed down and sighed.
“You didn’t even use your ability,” she said with a cynical smile. “And…”
“You’re strong; more than you think,” was all I could say. I helped her stand back up. Out in the arena, there were around a dozen of people watching. The spectators were curiously watching. I looked around at them with distaste and walked out of the arena.
Michelle and I fixed ourselves lunch right after. From the balcony of the restaurant, Sector 3 was really becoming a city. With nearly thousands of people striving to construct a new district of houses, the process was astonishingly fast. Already, the camps started to diminish and the outer patrols were standing on top of towers instead of grass. Soldiers already made a foundation for a new barricade as by disposing the inner one. Thinking of soldiers, the number increased noticeably. Did Jerrod already take control of the entire army of five settlements?
“Michelle, do you know how many soldiers there are combining all five Sectors?” I asked while looking out to the settlement.
“Probably around 1300 soldiers. Maybe less from constant fighting and stuffs,” she said. She was vigorously eating her food. “Why?”
Because 1300 soldiers mean he can force anyone to do what he wants. “Just curious,” I said. The thought disturbed me. Jerrod was a born dictator as a captain from the Ark, but somehow the normal people did not see him as that way. They saw him as a magnanimous captain of an Ark, floating around in the space for nearly a century, who ‘faithfully’ serves the people. He engaged in every single major event in the Ark even though he had no authority over it. He altered them to his favor, but somehow managed to hide his intention and package with something that seems beneficial to the citizens. The same thing was bound to happen on Earth.
“You are not thinking about Jerrod are you?” she said after some time. I was so surprised, I fell from the chair.
“Pardon me?”
“When you’re not in combat, you are very predictable, Leon,” she said with a shrug. “He’s not such a bad person. You should let go of that time when…”
“How can I simply let go of the time when my parents died?” I blurted.
“Your parents are…” she paused. As if she made some mistake, Michelle continued eating her food. I tried to ignore what she was going to say.
“My parents are what?” I demanded.
“I mean… it’s not all Jerrod’s fault they died,” said Michelle. I was furious. Out of all people I knew, she was the last person to say such thing.
“Then is it the Hunter’s fault that happened to be there? I don’t think so,” I said. I looked back to the distance out from the balcony. “It’s more convincing that it’s Jerrod’s fault to send them there. And refusing sending aid to help them.”
She did not say anything back as I continued to stare out into the distance. The sun was high up in the air and the weather was marvelous as always, but an inevitable feeling of emptiness and discomfort was all I felt. Everything was supposed to be right. Scarlet, Michelle and I lived rather satisfied with our lives. We withstood the Hunter invasion without any of us dying or getting harshly injured; the days after were quite peaceful and calm. And yet, everything just did not seem right, like the silence before the storm – or more like peace before misery.
Not much Crusaders were seen outside of the gym that day. Exhilarated with the shocking mission they received, everyone was busy training. They were fools though. They only knew about killing their enemy. People would comment that a soldier’s job is killing their enemies. But we’re not soldiers. Crusaders are not soldiers. Soldiers form lines, follow direct orders and have a strict chain of command. Soldiers are systematic in combat and non-combat status. And have a sense of companionship with one another. But Crusaders do not. They were never trained as soldiers. They were cooks, teachers, parents, businessmen before they were genetically ‘enhanced’. So Crusaders simply rampage around with swords in the middle of the enemy. No system. No order. No typical companionship with others.
‘Crusader’ sounds noble – like some savior for the mankind. But they are killers; killers without much to think. And if they were given the right cause, by ‘right’ I don’t always mean just, I don’t think they’ll hesitate to kill each other or the citizens.
And now, four, no three days onward, those group of unorganized killers were going to come together and strike a Hunter lair. I expected more than half of the entire population of the Crusaders dying in the process. Most of them will be those inside the gym, eagerly training. They might have motivation for themselves, but death will come to them all the same. I imagined myself in a middle of a war. A warzone not some battle like days before; with hundreds of enemies swarming towards and petty squads of Crusaders and soldiers against them. What would it be like? Would I feel fear? Would I die? Would Michelle die? Would Scarlet die?
I was probably going way ahead of myself. I was exaggerating, imagining the worst case scenarios and stuffs like that. So to get rid of my complicated thoughts, I took out the book Michelle gave me and opened the cover I haven’t in days.
The thickness of the book and the size of the words was enough to make me drowsy. I still remember, I at least read it until the chapter that began to talk about the First Crusade.
“My timing is perfect, Jerrod,”
“I can’t believe I accepted the invasion. This is suicide mission. Hundreds of Crusaders will die. It’s better to abort –“
“But most of the soldiers will survive. And Crusaders are bound to cause trouble in the future. Your power comes from the military of the Dominion, not the Crusaders.”
“The soldiers are not going to be enough to protect the settlement! We are bound to lose –“
“No. We are bound to win, I can guarantee you that. Maybe three quarter of the Crusaders will die but we will win in the end.”
“Leon and Michelle is it?”
“…”
“Well, fine. But what happens after that lot of Crusaders die? Even if we have the best surviving, we don’t have enough fighters to pull off any additional invasion.”
“As I said, my timing is perfect. Raven Project will be ready to launch, then you won’t need any Crusaders. If the Crusader Project was phase 1, this is phase 2. But it’ll be much orderly and obedience.”
“But what if –“
“I’m about to make history Jerrod and there is no ‘what if’s in history.”
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