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“A ceasefire had just been raised, Colonel. Stand on your ground, over,” Lieutenant Colonel Note 10 commands. “Roger,” I gruffly replied, dropping the walkie-talkie into my pocket and taking out a crumpled cigar box. We had been going at it for weeks, maybe months. I couldn’t keep track of time. It was quite surprising and new that we are suddenly in the middle of a ceasefire.

The 8 billion people on this world have been almost reduced to half, with the remaining survivors fighting on either our side or the enemy’s. It’s a horrible massacre. No one is safe, and everyone is fighting for either system to win.

At this point, I just want everything to end. Don’t we all?

I grab my zippo and light the cigar.

“What do you suppose we do, Colonel?” A soldier approaches me and asks. I take the freshly lit cigar away from my mouth and look at him. “We stay put,” I say, taking a drag from the bitter cigar and letting the smoke reach my lungs. “Better to do nothing right now,” I add, blowing the smoke out. The soldier salutes and runs off.

We were all on edge, waiting for something, anticipating a tragic situation to unfold before us while we were just standing here - the perfect time for the enemy to strike. The iPhones are relentless. I’d be lying if I said they aren’t more powerful than us, with their technology more advanced and unpredictable. I’m surprised that I’m still alive, standing here with the opportunity to light one more cigar.

I spot a familiar face from a group of soldiers standing by the side. We lock eyes. I gave her a nod, and she sends a timid smile back - a smile I knew was laced with fear and worry, accompanied by eyes that hold uncertainty.

“Oh god, Colonel? Colonel?!” My attention switched from her to my walkie-talkie, which I grabbed immediately from my pocket. “What is it?” I said hurriedly. “There’s something over the hill! Get your soldiers!” I start hearing a stream of curses and the loud stomp of footsteps of people running all over the place. I look up to the hill to see a massive clump of what seems to be cyborgs and machines reaching our ground. I drop my cigar in shock.

I yell for my troops to stay awake and alert, gathering ourselves in a formation to get ready to strike.

“These iOS bastards! I told you we should have attacked when we had the chance!” Someone yells. “There’s way too many of them! We’re doomed!”

Just then, we heard a flurry of gunshots come from the enemy’s side. They were shooting at the machines by the hill, some of the cyborgs falling to the ground in masses; the others continuing to approach our ground.

“Why the hell are they shooting at their people?!” A soldier shrieks. “Aren’t they on their side?”

“ANDROIDS! Get ready to charge!” Our commander yells. “Let’s go! Go! Go!”

It was dark, our surroundings barely lit by the moonlight as we ran towards the iPhone’s base. The place was littered with barriers, boulders and soil - and I occasionally duck behind for cover when the enemy shoots at us.

I breathe heavily, moving out of cover while aiming my rifle at the enemy. I start shooting, the heavy assault rifle digging against my shoulder. It was difficult to see through the night, but I aimed for the flashes of light far across from us.

We were already moving farther from our base when something looked unusual. I hid against a boulder and squinted at our surroundings. A few red lights were tinkling from time to time - and it was when I realized…

“Androids, get back! They set up mines -” I get cut off when I see one of our soldiers step on a bomb and get blown into pieces of flesh and visceral organs. I watch in shock as I see our soldiers helplessly get blown one by one as they unknowingly step on the mines. The rest of the Androids stayed back, looking at me for orders.

“Vivo Y81!” I yell once more, noticing a familiar figure rush into the scene and seeing her look back at me. Vivo had attempted to run after the soldier. She had tears in her eyes after witnessing her friend explode in front of her, her full body shaking in pain and fear. “VIVO, STOP! LOOK OUT!” I scream helplessly. She looked up to the sky as her foot is inevitably stepping on a blinking bomb beneath her.

Vivo explodes into pieces, just like the first soldier who blew up. Just like the rest of the unfortunate ones who were victims of this trap. I fall back, unable to move, unable to breathe.

“Colonel, we have to go! The others found a safe path to run through!” One of my soldiers grab at my arm, helping me stand up.

“Why don’t you ever listen to me?” I whisper, looking at Vivo’s body - what remains of it at least, in a bloody pulp on the ground.

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Water splashed under each landing from heavy boots as soldiers trudged through the muddied terrain, having rain last night until late afternoon, and into what seemed to be the final hours of our lives. Gunshots from rifles and machine guns resounded throughout the field like discordant choir singers in a run-down church I once visited in the past; grenades plowing the hills as dirt and stone flew in the air along with a loud bang assaulting the ears. I felt the force of bullets whizzing past as I winded through what remained of blockades and defenses, running over bodies— brethren and enemies alike in death. Painfully ignore the soldiers falling on the ground, dead or limping, being picked off like scattered ants.

Hours ago, when the skies had turned red, orange, and gold as one would mix paint, there had been an order of pause… a moment of peace between two factions. However fragile it seemed. Everyone around me, brothers and sisters in arms, were as restless as nervous rabbits in the eyes of hungry wolves. I could feel their fear and uncertainty as much as my own. My hands were wound tight on the rifle resting in my arms.

“Do you think that we’ll get home in time for the holidays?” The soldier next to me— Private V23 —asked, eyes flitting over the heads of our companions with a wistful gaze. “I promised my wife that when the war is finally over and everything goes back to normal, we’ll be celebrating the holidays by shopping. She loves buying clothes for us.”

“To be frank… I’m not so sure myself,” was my response. For how can I tell him that our survival was slim against an on-going battle with no winner? Apart from that, would things simply go back to the way they were before the war?

His shoulders slumped as he leaned against the barricade the newer recruits were repairing. “Was afraid you’d say that.” He sighed then fixed his gaze somewhere with a frown. “I heard from the logistics team that we’re nearly out of ammunition… Captain Galaxy Z seems to be running all over the place. Said the supplies scheduled yesterday hadn’t arrived.”

That could be a problem. I merely nodded to him. “Delays are inevitable… is this why I haven’t seen Private Hua and Private Wei?”

“Yeah. They’ve been sent with a small team to investigate early this morning.” V23 unclasped his helmet and ran a gloved hand through his dusty-laden black hair, then said, “Everyone is stressed and just wants to go home at this point.”

The familiar sensation of wariness washed over me at the thought of home. Those blissful morning horse-rides through the ranch under the warmth from the early sun with birds chirping and perched on the branches in the orchard. My old man rocking on his chair at the front porch with a pipe between his lips, eyes creasing from the gentle smile. That home… the one that has long since been destroyed in the beginnings of this war. What was even the point of all this? Should one of the factions win, what then? Neither leader wants to go down without a fight— even at the cost of their people.

“It’s going to be worth it,” Hua once said with a wide grin, as we crowded a table in a pub, and an arm around my shoulder, “Once those bitter iPhones had gone down, they won’t bully us Samsung-folk any longer.”

War should never be a choice, my old man once told me as we listened to the news on the radio. But here I am, deployed in the field with the rest of the privates.

Will it truly be worth it? Fighting in this useless war? I gazed over the heads of my companions, just as V23 had done, until I found Col. Samsung Note 7 leaning against the wooden beam at the side of the trench as though he was becoming one with the shadows as the night enveloped him. The familiarity of his figure— his face —was striking to me among the sea of soldiers anticipating the unknown. His expression was stoic as ever, revealing nothing but the frustration from the sudden order of ceasefire. But out of everyone he’s known, I was the only one who could see through him.

He told me that, time and time again. When it was just us.

Though he stands tall and poised, seemingly unbothered, the terrible weight of the war was pressing down on his broad shoulders; exhaustion poured under his ardent eyes as each cloud of smoke escaped his lips. He was a shield and rock to the privates under his wing, never one to be vulnerable, yet—

When his eyes locked with mine, there was softness in them that no one else could see. Though he knew that could I see through him, to the real him underneath the hardiness of the soldier, Col. Samsung could also see through me— could see the apprehension and concern storming within me. He gave a curt nod, and in return, I gave a small smile.

Maybe Hua was right.

Maybe fighting for victory could be worth so much when it meant being held in his embrace, sure and tight as he always does around my body; when it meant to have days indulging in his fervent kisses. We might adopt a dog one day just as we talked about over coffee.

As fleeting as a floating bubble, the moment was gone. He went rigid and quickly pulled the radio from his pocket, a frown forming on his face. It was then I felt that something wasn’t right. Suddenly, there was shouting from the other side and soldiers were rushing to their positions.

“Vivo!” I turned back to Private V23, who had climbed up one of the ladders we’ve been standing next to and his face was pale with horror. “Look!”

I climbed the ladder next to him and peered over the trench. Beyond the barricades and barbed wires, iOS cyborgs and machines were quickly advancing through the field towards our base. They spanned from halfway the battlefield and up on the hills. The ceasefire was a diversion for them to rally more soldiers and attack while we’re vulnerable.

“I knew it!” V23 cursed under his breath, “These filthy rats deserve to melt and rust in the Furnace.”

Col. Samsung was shouting orders as V23 and I waited on the ladders, being the first ones to run into enemy lines, while the rest of the soldiers prepared to climb out the trenches. There were only hundreds of us able-bodied soldiers left. Months and months of fighting had reduced our own existences into nothingness, rusting on the dirt like weathered metal cars. Private V23 held the step of the ladder as though his life depended on it— maybe it did —but then his nervous gaze turned to me…

And I understood.

Boom! The ladder slightly shook from the impact of the explosion and gunshots immediately pierced through the night. I peered once more and found their ranks on the hills dropping to the ground. What was happening? Someone in the trenches shrieked about the enemies killing their own. Was there suddenly an insurgence among the iOS?

“ANDROIDS, GET READY!” Commander Oppo shouted, then everyone waited with bated breath, my gaze turned to the Colonel… This might be the last time I see him. Even only for a moment. “CHARGE!”

Private V23 and I rushed up the ladders with the rest of the soldiers, charging through the enemy frontlines with a cry; a final cry for a chance at victory. Water splashed under each landing from our heavy boots as we trudged through the muddied terrain and into the final hours of our lives. Gunshots from rifles and machine guns resounded throughout the field like discordant choir singers in a run-down church; grenades plowing the hills as dirt and stone flew in the air along with a loud bang assaulting the ears. I felt the force of bullets whizzing past as I winded through what remained of blockades and defenses, running over bodies— brethren and enemies alike in death. Painfully ignoring the soldiers falling on the ground, dead or limping, being picked off like scattered ants.

V23 kept close to my side as we aimed at iOS cyborgs with our assault rifles (our tactical lights aiding us). Dark residue from the bodies tainted the damp ground. In the distance, the IOS were dropping dead from soldiers wearing a different banner. Were they friendly or a threat? I couldn’t tell, but it sure was giving us an easier job.

“We’re nearing their side,” V23 shouted next to me. We rushed ahead along with other Android soldiers who could keep up with us. Something was thrown over our heads and a few moments later— bang! Cries of pain echoed behind me, but Private V23 and I pushed forward. Then a sudden pain shot through my left leg and I stumbled towards the ground.

"Darn it," I cursed.

“Vivo!” V23 called out as I struggled to stand, though his voice was faint.

I can still stand.

But as soon as I was upright, I saw V23’s face had turned paler than I had seen today. He was standing deathly still a few feet past the enemy’s borders. His tactical light was pointed to the ground, towards his right foot, and my gaze followed.

He was standing on a landmine.

“Rats!” This can’t be… I can still save him. Using my tactical light to avoid the mines, I tried limping slowly towards V23.

“Vivo, I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry,” his voice cracked as tears running down his cheeks glistened under the light of the moon.

“I-I can get you out of there,” I weakly said.

“Viv—”

“I CAN GET YOU OUT, YOU HEAR!?” I shouted. But V23 was shaking his head. Telling me to stop, to not to go any further. Then time seemed to slow as V23 raised his foot from the mine and dread paralyzed me. I, at that moment, screamed, “NO!”

Boom! The mine exploded as dirt and debris flew to the air from the sheer force. I winced at the impact and stumbled on the ground once more, but when the dust had finally settled… Everything was a blur and it took a while for me to notice that tears had welled in my eyes. V23, my found brother in this forsaken war, was gone. I struggled once again to stand, everything was ringing in my ears, but it felt that Col. Samsung was shouting for me.

“VIVO Y81!” Col. Samsung called. It sounded faint. As though he was far away. I turned away from where V23’s body was once standing— “STOP! LOOK OUT!”

Then I felt a distinctive click under my foot. How unlucky. I turned to the heavens above, veiled by the clouds of smoke and dust from the battlefield, the sounds of war continued raging but everything else felt faint. Was it worth it? Fighting in a war that has no end?

Maybe not.

I suddenly feel light, then it dawned on me.

It seemed that the wound on my leg was graver than I thought. I cried bitterly. “I’m sorry too, Sam…” The weight on my injured leg gave away and everything else disappeared.

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The tension is high in the control room. The appearance of unknown troops during the ceasefire has put everyone on edge. The attackers’ units looked nothing like Apple’s. One camp is down and there are no signs of this new enemy halting their movement.

“Do we have a name?” I ask a lower-ranking officer.

“Yes, General!” he salutes. “Our scouts have identified the cyborgs guarding the conquered base as Evolve X’s, manufactured by Blackberry. The board believes they may have allied with Apple during the ceasefire.”

“An alliance!” I scoff. “Ridiculous! Why would Blackberry choose to join Apple now? They don’t even have the same port! What is running through that bloody board’s head?”

“The board is also considering an alliance with Huawei and Vivo. In light of recent events, they think it won’t be too long until our troops get completely overwhelmed—”

“General Galaxy!” An officer yells from behind a monitor. “Something’s happened at Apple’s capital!”

I quickly rush over and check his monitors. Missiles have just landed in Apple’s capital city. A number on the monitor appeared, revealing the number of casualties.

“WHO LAUNCHED THESE MISSILES?! WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?!” I yelled, completely enraged. We had already suffered enough losses in all these years of war, but unnecessarily attacking a city is utterly disgraceful.

“We’re not entirely sure, General. We have no drones in that area so we can’t investigate.”

I rub my temples. Of course we wouldn’t be able to. That city is far from our territory. I must compose myself and keep moving forward. After all, this has always been war, and I must not let my emotions intervene. Aside from us, it seems Apple has another enemy.

“Can you track the location from where the missile—”

BOOM! The entire bunker shakes from the impact of the explosion. The room is blanketed by a red light as the alarm systems blare that ear-piercing siren. I run to the monitors showing live feedback from the cameras around the nearest base, other officers follow suit. A platoon of white-and-blue robots has just landed in a nearby meadow, the word “Vivo” shining across their metal chests. I watched sparks of hope disappear from the younger officers, hope that an unexpected ally has arrived, as Vivo’s robots turned their guns on our base. Everyone in the room is in dumbstruck silence, paralyzed by fear, but the blare of sirens anchored me to the present. Our base is under attack, and we need to retaliate fast.

“Everyone, back to your stations!” I commanded. As another explosion shook the walls of our underground bunker, I gulped with grim understanding. This is no longer a war between two sides, and, undoubtedly, more enemies will be joining the arena soon.

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CHAPTER 4: The Secretary in Rhodolite Inc.

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CHAPTER 4: The Secretary in Rhodolite Inc.

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Venner Laisné, a Secretary in a construction company.

I regarded the grim expression on my boss’ face as he strode through my office and into his own. It seemed that the meeting with the manufacturers hadn’t gone quite well. I stood up from my desk, straightening my collar as I went, and took his coat, which was warm from sunlight.

Knowing my boss, Mr. Chevalier Michel, I decided to give him some time alone before pouring him a cup of coffee. I then grabbed the papers from my desk and walked inside his office carefully. There, I saw him reading the documents I left on his desk earlier that morning. His expression was more mellow than earlier. Seemingly satisfied with the documents, he took his pen from his breast pocket and began signing them.

Mr. Chevalier always had a cold expression on his face, often unchanging unless something really amused him, which was quite a rare occurrence. Almost nothing amused him. But after working for him for several years, I slowly started to get ahold of his little quirks– things people don’t really notice about him.

A lot of people fear him at first sight because of his cold and dignified expression, even going as far as to call him a beast because of his strictness in the work place. In reality, Mr. Chevalier wasn’t really that cruel of a man.

He was a man who liked things done properly, he despised useless people, hence why he never hesitated to scold an employee for their lackluster performance at work. He was a no-nonsense person, which is one of the reasons why people are often intimidated by him.

I placed the cup of coffee gently on a coaster, “I take it the manufacturer’s meeting didn’t go as planned?”

“Unfortunately,” He replied nonchalantly. “It seems that the war has taken a toll on them too, but it’s nothing that couldn’t be fixed. Settle a meeting with another company.”

I took a mental note of it and nodded. “Here are the sales figures for last week. The latest wage totals are in that folder.”

“What about the flight?”

“I’ve picked up your tickets for your flight to Japan and arranged for you to be collected at the airport on the twentieth. Do you want to check the paperwork?”

“Yes, please.”

“You also have a meeting with Mr. Leon this Friday. Nokto personally inspected the project ongoing in the south, everything seems to be going smoothly.”

He nodded, his eyes scanning the sales figures I handed him, “Good.”

I regarded him for a moment, “I don’t think you also had the chance to eat lunch after the meeting, so I took the liberty to order you some sandwiches. I hope that’s okay.”

“How considerate. Thank you.”

“Do you want to have them now? With your coffee?”

“Yes, please.” He smiled at me briefly. I tried my best not to blush. There were a few things everyone in the office knew about Mr. Chevalier. 1. He is an unmarried man, 2. He is not interested in women, even the ones his father, the Chairman, introduced to him, and 3. He was very, very handsome.

After his brief reply, I clutched my paperwork to my chest and marched back outside to prepare his sandwiches.

I carefully drove the car down the bumpy dirt road, where the construction for an innovation center with a gallery is currently ongoing. I made sure to drive with caution in consideration of Mr. Michel, who was seated next to me in the car. Today was one of the rare occasions when he would ask me to drive for him instead of asking me to call the driver. While I often went with him to check on construction projects, we were usually seated at the back while the driver took us to our destination.

There was silence between us, but the radio was on and there was someone reporting the current news. I listened.

“As of today, the war between Apple and Samsung are turning for the worst. Just in, there are fifty-thousand casualties from an attack in Lightbarrel road from Samsung forces–”

Mr. Chevalier closed the radio.

“Nothing good will come out of your uneasiness. Stay calm,” His voice came out composed. Despite the pressure of war blooming in the distance, Mr. Chevalier seemed unaffected by it all. “I need you at your best behavior today.”

I knew better than to think he was completely heartless. If he was, then he wouldn’t have closed the radio on my behalf. He must have sensed my growing anxiety at the mention of war.

He then tapped lightly on my hands, which were wrapped around the wheel, with his finger. I relaxed them. I didn’t realize I was being so obvious.

I tried my best not to color. How embarrassing of me. “I’m sorry, sir.”

“Why are you apologizing?”

“Well…”

“It’s natural for you to be anxious,” His eyes flickered to me, “But make sure not to let it affect your work-ethic, or your health.”

I smiled, understanding the meaning behind his words.

“Yes, sir. I will make sure not to worry you.”

He chuckled. That was rare coming from him. “Good.”

Such a nice man at heart. I could no longer agree with my coworkers whenever they called him a beast.

As soon as we arrived at our destination, Ms. Manon, the architect for this project, greeted us with a stiff smile.

“Good morning, Mr. Michel. How are you–”

“What is your progress so far?” Mr. Chevalier briskly walked past her, ignoring her greeting. I hurried my steps to catch up to him, sending the architect an apologetic smile as I went.

Ms. Manon briefed him on the project’s progress. I made sure to listen intently to their conversation, knowing that Mr. Chevalier wanted me to take note of everything like he usually does.

After inspecting the construction and being updated by Ms. Manon, Mr. Chevalier and I walked back to the car. He looked at his phone for a moment. I tried my best not to glance at it, but judging from the slight shift in his expression, it must have been from Mr. Clavis,

“Venner, I want you to contact the showoff and have him secure a permit immediately for the highway reconstruction project.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll send Mr. Yves a message as soon as possible.”

My worry once again returned. I knew what highway reconstruction project he was talking about.

Several months ago, there had been an attack in Versailles, a city not too far from here. It was where I grew up, and where my family lives– or used to live.

I recall being in the office late at night, finishing up some paperwork. To be completely honest, I just didn’t want to leave Mr. Chevalier alone, so I decided to stay in the office overtime to keep him company. It was around 1:45 AM when I got the news from my older brother, who happened to be out of town during the attack.

The war that waged in the city of Versailles spared nothing, not lives nor houses. My brother couldn’t go home to check on our other siblings and our father, so we could only pray for their safety. However, as soon as it was safe enough to enter the city again, that was when he discovered our house, burned down to the ground, leaving nothing behind but ashes and memories. Fragments of our former life.

Our grandparents and our little sister died with the house.

I tried to fight back the sob that nearly choked me to suffocation.

"Venner, it’s late. You should–”

Mr. Chevalier suddenly walked out of his office, cutting his sentence off as soon as he looked at me. His face hardened, brows furrowed, an intimidating frown on his face.

“What happened?”

“I…” I choked out, but stopped immediately. I was being unprofessional. But even though I knew that, I still felt the stream of tears lining my face.

His expression seemed to soften when he saw me. He observed me once again, then glanced at the screen of my phone. There was my brother’s name on it. He put two and two together…

Mr. Chevalier knew everything about the employees working closest to him. That included me. He knew I lived with my mother here in this city. He knew I had siblings…

And he knew I grew up in Versailles with my family. I’m sure he also knew about the war that raged on there…

“Venner.”

I looked up from my paperwork at the sound of my boss’s voice. We arrived back in the office in the late afternoon after several inspections. It was now 6 PM in the evening. There was still so much work to be done.

“Yes, sir?” I replied.

“There will be a change of plans. You will be coming with me to Japan on the twentieth. I’ve already ordered another ticket for you. Business class.”

My eyes widened at his words. What made him make such a decision?

Normally, when Mr. Chevalier went abroad, he left me behind to make sure the office was running smoothly until he returned. According to Mr. Clavis, I was the only one Mr. Chevalier could trust with such a task.

I never believed him at first. Mainly because Mr. Clavis is famous for his pranks and tricks. But…

“I will have Cyril pick you up from your apartment and take you to my house. We will be leaving together. Don’t be late.”

“...Yes, sir.” I decided not to question him.

Satisfied with my reply, he returned to his office.

When the twentieth came, I was in the back seat with Mr. Chevalier. It was 3 AM in the morning. Our flight was in two hours.

The ride was silent, save for the radio that reported the news.

“Just in: the tank suspected to belong to Apple has entered the borders of Themis. At this rate, in a couple of days, it will reach a Samsung base that has…”

I sharply inhaled.

A few days ago, I recalled the news of a suspected Apple tank lingering near the city of Themis. Themis was an hour and thirty minute drive away from our city. It was around that time when Mr. Chevalier decided to take me with him to Japan.

My clammy hands clutched the ends of my skirt.

I came to the realization that if Mr. Chevalier didn’t take me with him to his trip, I would have been wracked by anxiety at the awareness that war was getting closer to us than I wanted.

I felt sweat trickle down my neck. I then felt something soft brush against my hand. I looked down and saw Mr. Chevalier’s hand caressing my own. I turned to look at him, but he was preoccupied with the view out the window.

“You’ll be fine,” He said, almost awkwardly. “We would be in Japan already by the time they decide to attack Themis.”

My heart continued to pound. But I wasn’t sure anymore if it was because of the war, or because of Mr. Chevalier’s rare words of reassurance.

War spares no one. Not a life, not a building. It only leaves behind memories– ghosts. When my family in Versailles died, my mother followed not too long after. Her sickness caught up to her, so now I lived alone. My brother was still far away. I could only pray for his safety.

In times like this, it is easy to be reminded of how fleeting human life truly is. You could be alive one day and die the next day. That thought alone scared me to my core. My heart continued to beat wildly, sweat trickling down my temple. Mr. Chevalier must have sensed the anxiety welling up inside me, he took my hand in his, albeit awkwardly, and finally looked at me.

“You’ll be okay,” His voice was like a feather, brushing against my ear, “You’ll be okay…”

I was assailed by a melancholy that I couldn’t drive away, but I found comfort in Mr. Chevalier’s voice.

The next day, the news spoke of a brutal assault in Themis that reached the borders of the city I lived in. I got a call from one of my friends in the company, saying she couldn’t sleep at the possibility of the Apple forces raging an assault in the city. Everyone was on edge.

I could only pray for their safety– pray that the war would end soon. So that no one would have to fight anymore. So that our company won’t have to repair broken infrastructure caused by the war. So that the lives that were lost may rest… So that…

Mr. Chevalier took my phone as I was reading the news.

“It’s late. Go to sleep.”

“Yes, sir.”

So that… none of us will ever be seized by fear again.

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Chapter 5: A torn page from a journal found in an abandoned subway station

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Chapter 5: A torn page from a journal found in an abandoned subway station

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Read More...

[ 1st Entry ]

Funny that with how advanced society has become, I had to stick to old methods of recording events. There’s been bombings at our area, so I’m currently sheltered in a subway station down underground. It’s cramped but manageable but unlike other stations, this one comes with its own strip mall which is fortunate for all of us here in the station.

Recently, there’s been news of a ceasefire. My brother volunteered, as well as some few, to go up and scavenge overground markets and malls for more supplies in case the mall here runs out of supplies. I hope they’re safe…

Isn’t it sick how sentients always repeat the same mistakes of our ancestors. Have they not learned anything… There’s been rumors that Siri and Bixby started the whole war to gain more consumers, if that’s true then what kind of sick, twisted capitalist joke is this? If I had not been chipped before, would I be up there at the military camps, not feeling anything as I train to hurt the very lives, us, cyborgs are supposed to help. Would I be up there in the battlegrounds gunning down enemies, not caring for their previous lives, not fearing that I would die.

I’m scared… I don’t want to die, I’m still young. I still have lots to do, lots of upgrades I can put within me, lots of learning… Why is it that fate chose me to be born in this world, this timeline, this stupid universe. Did I do something in my previous life for this karma, had I been a bad person before… Or is this just destiny?... That we,sentient beings, are all destined for destruction.

I still don’t want this, I wanna be reborn in another world. I want to live in a peaceful time. I don’t wanna perish. I don’t wanna live in this hellhole where corporations are power.

…If only I could put the body granted to me to good use. Maybe I could’ve done something, maybe I could’ve become the superhero I’ve always dreamed of… But then again, I’m just a cowardly half human, half robot, waiting for the time of death.

Logging off.

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"Man! Where are these people? This queue time is freaking unbelievable!" I said as I stared at the monitor, it's not usual that this queues at such a long time it's not like this world ran out of gamers, I laugh at the thought, sighed I gave up at waiting for these shenanigans, I stood then decided to see if I can get something to eat

As I opened the cupboards it was empty at disgrace I yelled "MA! WHERE ARE THE GROCERIES?!" But none answered, I rolled my eyes as I closed the fridge as to my decision to buy it myself- though it's so weird to go out again since its been months the last time I've gone out, as I step outside it was oddly quiet around the other apartments as I got out the building it was messy! Trashes everywhere, burning furniture and objects, buildings burnt and it smelled like ashes!

I got nervous and as reality struck he remembered the ad that popped up during his game he ignores it thinking it was a stupid prank probably or some scammers he didn't know the war is real! Nervously and frantically I got inside the apartment again and as I search for my mother, she is nowhere found

As I remembered... 'Honey, I'm going out okay? There's over meatloaf on the microwave' as I stared at the jar where there is no keys present

"DANG IT! How long was she gone?! And I didn't notice it?!" Screw this war! What happened!?

# data[].attributes.body
I heard the world had crumbled.

Some shaken-up youngsters had come across my cottage in the woods a few days ago and told me about it. I was too busy relearning social interaction to react properly.

That’s not true, is it? I have memories of the life I lived before running away. I still want the people I used to know to be happy.

A brown shape moves across my vision. “Coconut? What are you doing now?” He only stares back and meows at me from the window, before jumping off to whatever endeavor he’s pursuing today. Adorable little prick. Probably gonna get a bird at my windowsill later tonight.

“Haaah!” I crack my knuckles and stretch a few limbs. “Well, no use thinking about it right now. It’s not like I can do much.”

Startled chirps and flapping accompany my breakfast.

-

“Swept the cottage, fixed the roof leak, check check check. What else?” There it was again. Silence. I never noticed that before. Coconut purrs. “Ah, right! The garden. Thanks, Coco.”

The afternoon sun showered me in heat, but while I moved from task to task, the sun calmed down a little. The clouds allowed me a moment to recover myself.

Clearly a moment too long. As I worked on watering my vegetable garden, I thought more about what those kids said.

“I don’t know how to break this to ya—” This feels like déjà vu. “—But there’s uh, been a war I guess?” What?

“What?” That was a split second after I thought that. Impressive. I guess it was worth it to maintain my speech talking to myself, Coconut, and my plants.

“Um—”

“—Could you not have phrased that better?”

“Like how? It’s a war, how am I supposed to say it?”

“Guys. Let’s focus. We’re being overwhelming.” I feel a little patronized, but I can’t deny it.

Their “leader”, I suppose, turned to me and took a deep breath. The skin on the palm of my hand did not break under my nails, but I felt like it would. “A war has broken out. It used to be just tensions between the big nations, but now every single power’s joined in. Most cities have been devastated. Especially the big ones.”

I looked like a fish, opening and closing my mouth. I probably looked stupid. “I... I just find that hard to believe.” That earned wistful smiles from them. Déjà vu.

“I don’t blame ya. Seems like a pretty nice life here.”

“Agreed.”

If our topic wasn’t... This. Then I would think I was back in the city with my friends and family. If this war thing is real, then I hope they’re safe somewhere.

(I hope they find this place.)

-

The weeds have been pulled and the garden looks good as new. By the time I finished everything else, orange spread throughout the sky. I tried not to think about fire. It was a beautiful sunset. A sunset I’ve been lucky to see in my past 20 years of living here. I could not experience that in the city. Don’t think about the city.

Getting ready for bed was the most difficult thing I’ve done today. More than seeing other people again, because I was alone with my thoughts.

That buzzing in my head again. I had to confront it. “You’re not going to the city,” I said aloud. Coconut chose that moment to drop his gift at the windowsill. I pet him and laid him beside me, flicking out the bird while he wasn’t looking. “You have responsibilities here.”

I struggled for hours against this. I even got to see Coconut sleep while I wrestled with myself.

I have Coconut. I had family in the city. It’s been 20 years. Are they safe?. The city’s been destroyed —they told you this. Tears pricked my eyes. It’s been such a long time since I cried.

Sleep did not come easy, but I managed to do it. I dreamt of them again. In the cottage, chattering about peacefully, petting Coco.

(I hope they find me.)

# data[].attributes.headline
CHAPTER 8: Amidst the war a rat tries to thrive

# data[].attributes.subject
CHAPTER 8: Amidst the war a rat tries to thrive

# data[].attributes.body
I, Joon jo han, or JO, am your average neighborhood mafia boss, guilty of labor racketeering and loan sharking. I continue to commit these crimes even amidst the war preying on your sorry asses, offering you protection for money and service. How do I keep us safe? Well, it's easy I have some connections to the android army, and as long as I keep feeding those greedy bastards we'll be safe . . . so you better pay up.

I sit in my office alone the tabako between my lips halfway done, looking down at the stacks of money and paperwork on my desk. I scoff, “These low-lives should be glad they're under my protection. If I wasn't here then they'd be left to the streets cannon fodder in the war”.

After sifting through the pages of errands the android people were making him do one of his lackeys would come burstin in with bad news. “Boss, they're here early,” the skinny lackey said while out of breath.

“Fuck me.” I started gathering the money and documents into a briefcase. “I want you to milk some more money from those good-for-nothing bums in Sector 3, and don't keep me waiting or all of our asses are toast.” Quickly storming out of the room, my lackey and I shove through the overcrowded bunker to meet some android enforcers giving them information and money to save my ass and, by extension, everyone else under my boot.

But when the Apple army accidentally stumbled upon the base and Jo was found out to be some kind of lapdog for android, Apple would execute him in public to make an example of him. “This man has been found guilty of consorting with Androids . . . to those who think this is wise...”

I struggled as two other apple soldiers held me down. “C-come on, you gotta spare me . . .  without me, these suckers wouldn't even be alive . . . I'm somewhat of a philanthropist, you see!” I panicked as a gun was held against my head and a bullet went through between my eyes and out the back of the head.

# data[].attributes.body
I’m tired of running; getting caught in the crossfire in every place I try to settle in but with this—- at least I’ll be in charge of how I go. I’m gonna go to take my well-deserved rest now.

BANG!

# data[].attributes.body
Everyday I wake up, wondering if this is just a simple nightmare, hoping that I’d be back in my classroom, teaching my students as if nothing is wrong. In which the only thing they should worry about is their own future.

Sadly, it was never the case. This stupid, God-forsaken war between Apple and Samsung has ruined too many lives, mine included. All I’ve ever wanted to be was a simple teacher, teaching the future generation of all things past, present, and future. Especially the future. They need to know the things that could possibly happen and be prepared for it. They mustn't be ignorant of the potential dangers that could happen to all of us. These students must also learn from our past mistakes, to prevent history from repeating itself.

But alas, I fear that opportunity has been missed for a good while now.

Everyday I hear the news reporting an all-time high for casualties. It depresses me more and more each pressing second. It makes me want to keep writing in this journal, something to keep me occupied from what’s been happening around me. People I know are dying for God’s sake! My friends, my family, and even my dear students are all potentially dead and I don’t even know whether or not they are safe!

I… I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me. This whole situation is just so… stressful to be in. It’s just so hard to wrap this whole war around my head. One minute everything was fine, I was teaching my students the things I normally teach. But then, everything just, fell into chaos. Bombs were being dropped, missiles were being fired. Miraculously, I managed to barely get any injuries at all, only getting some wounds here and there from shrapnel. But unfortunately, I don’t think I can say the same for a lot of my students and fellow staff. Let’s just say that there are some things best not described.

To whoever is reading this, I only ask of you to let these writings be known to the world. Let the people learn of the horrors and consequences of war. How it’s killing us all one by one, until there’s potentially nothing left. Any day from now one of them could pull the trigger, and it could be the end of us all before we even know it. This journal already feels like my last words, and yet I still feel like I’m not yet ready for what’s to come.

I can only pray that my words be heard someday, whether it be later, or in the near future.

# data[].attributes.body
CHAPTER 11:  SPONSORED PRODUCTS

I grumbled under my breath as I couldn’t fix the piece of machinery. It was a strong material and was supposedly a toy. How could I mess that up? How pathetic’. It was all I could give to his cousin. How could I be so stupid?! I bought it from the Apple store! I thought deeply and let out a sigh. It was the morning of September eight on a stormy day. The raindrops banging against the window loudly. Gladly the birthday party was suspended. The room was bright as usual with the light shining brightly. The beige monotone room and branded products made it boring to me, with only the broken toy by the coffee table.

The TV only illuminated on the screen, flashing bright colors and never-ending nonsense from reporters. Till I heard a knock on the window. I moved and pulled the curtain open. I saw a bloody guy carrying a TV screaming at the window. The moisture in the glass made it seem the guy outside was freezing. Pleading and begging for help. Selfishly, I ignored it and closed the curtains. Slowly walking my way to the couch, I felt disturbed. Every second gives him every detail of how clear his face was. His feet are being disfigured due to some chemicals he can't recall. The grip on the TV was strong yet it was the cleanest. Lastly, the eyes were red and mostly bleeding. I can't figure out the face; it was an unbearable face. The face looks like it’s screaming.

It was nightmarish. I then sat on his couch. I reach for his tea and sip on it, while the outside of his window is a never-ending storm. Continuously, a loud sound makes my room shake. The image is still vivid in him.

# data[].attributes.body
I came here to build a better life for myself, for my family. Study as hard as I can and get all of us out of poverty. That was the plan, that was the one thing that kept me going, now it’s all gone. Mom, Dad, Grandma, I am so sorry, I want you to know that I really did try, I tried so damn hard. Now I’m all the way in here, in this basement, away from all of you. I don't know who attacked who, but I know one thing’s for sure, this ceiling is not gonna hold all that debris forever. I’m so scared, I wanna go home. Please. Let me go home.

# data[].attributes.body
How long until this war will end? I’m sick of always hiding in fear, uncertain of when will death comes for me. My fate is already sealed anyway, just like my husband and parents.

Passed away and no one will care.

No! I have to not die. If I die, what will happen to my two kids. No one will protect them.

Don’t think like that. It's okay, things will be fine.

I need to be strong for my Maliyah and Emory, I am the only one that can protect them.

Now, I need a plan. The sounds of the skirmish between the two sides are coming near, there isn’t much time left before the city we’re in is destroyed by the war.

I need to find a safe place for me and my kids, someplace hidden or just far away from the cities. Maybe we can go to the mountain forests or provinces.

Maybe my parents’ abandoned house near the mountain! It was a good idea to invest in those.

That’s right! I can do that. I need to pack our bags and leave now to not get caught in the crossfire.

It’s fine, We’re fine. Things will be okay. We just need to get as far away from here as possible.

Soon, Maliyah and Emory. You two won’t be scared anymore.

Mother will protect you two even at the cost of my life.

# data[].attributes.body
Dear Anna,

If you are reading this, I am most likely dead. Your family was required to send someone from the household to be drafted to war because of the situation in LCD, the samsungs are winning, we are losing, and I do not think we can win this.

I have taken your identity to go to war for you. You and I both know that the most I can ever truly do is perhaps rub some windows clean clear enough for you to see the garden which you so adore, even as I am writing this I cannot help but laugh as I remember your smiling eyes.

Anna, I am sorry that we could not go to your favorite cottage in the countryside like I have promised you once upon a time, that I will never be able to sing your favorite songs, and read you your favorite books, I know how much you like my voice, I hope it’s not the only thing you will miss about me.

Anna, I still wish to hear you play the piano with your sweet little tunes. I wish that we could go to the river and watch as the sun goes down. I wish I could be anywhere as long as it was with you. I’m sorry my love, that I have nothing more to offer you than my measly flesh and bones, perhaps more we could’ve fled and we could eat those cookies you so adore in a place where nobody knew us.

Anna, I am sorry.

I know it is selfish for me to say that I would die alone away from you, where you cannot see me in my last moments, weak and terrified, I simply wish to remain in your eyes as the same strong woman who has nothing but love for you.

Anna, forgive me but please don’t forget me, if you ever find someone else who you adore, please retain a piece of me in your heart, however small it is, even if it is nothing more than a crack. Even I am amazed at my shamelessness, for a servant I sure know how to be greedy huh.

Anna, I have spent my entire life loving you, and I will spend my last doing nothing but just that. So live Anna, play all the tunes in the world, taste every food there is, travel each part of the world we would whisper to each other every night to, live the life we once dreamed of.

I love you.

Most sincerely yours,

- your most beloved worshiper, Ria.

# data[].attributes.body
I understand why the phrase “may you live in interesting times” was spat like a curse.

I relentlessly hunt down every single bit of data from duller times, when Apple vs Samsung wars were entirely in jest, when “console wars” were fought with flame wars over forums instead of flamethrowers over borders. I hunt down every bit of text with the names Apple, Samsung, and a myriad of other brand names written into them. I hunt them down so I and everyone else will not forget the reason there is a war.

(It’s greed. I was younger, once. A student. Face unmarred. “Why do the powerful crush the innocent under the weight of their greed?” was a question I kept pondering with my schoolwork. It’s still a question I keep pondering today.)

(“Ang hindi lumingon sa kanyang pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa kanyang paroroonan.” The thought coalesces in my mind naturally.)

Truly, though, it’s the mundane I like. I scavenge for them. Every salvaged laptop or USB drive is more precious than gold. Pop culture. Trades. The arts. Science free from the clutches of corporate greed. Media filled with people, life, peace, hope.

I plug in a battered laptop into a printer (an older model that wouldn’t connect to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) with ink stolen from a shot-down Amazon delivery battledrone. In this war, it’s crucial to save information on mediums one can’t hack. Not the cloud, not hard drives. Old media. Paper.

I sit there in the abandoned bomb shelter I’ve turned into my new home as the printer spits out precious data from the antebellum times. Printed text absolutely singing with hope.

Hope is a rare resource in wartime. I nearly lost hope when my father was enlisted into Apple’s armies. I nearly lost hope when my professor and my class were gunned down by Samsung soldiers. Dear God, I nearly lost hope with every massacre thrown at me and the little people like me by this war at every turn. But I have not. I will not. I refuse to surrender to despair.

These documents are my hope, her lifeline.

Hope takes practice, hope takes skill. I may not have guns or tanks, but what I do have is hope. And I know it’s a weapon infinitely stronger than any logo-branded armament.

The tech giants will fall. They can only stand upright under the weight of the blood on their motherboards for so long.

People will survive as they always have. Hope will survive as it always has. I will hope, and I will survive.

# data[].attributes.body
There is music in everything. There is always a tune playing. In life, there is always a rhythm. But not this time. These days, the air is filled with fear and dread of a sudden gunshot, scream, or explosion.

We’ve been staying at an abandoned building near the fields ever since they’ve invaded our city. I could smell blood and decay around me as those of us who survived the attack looked for a way to escape. I will never forget how it felt poking around with my cane and instead of feeling a hard surface, it was a soft, lifeless form lying down on the ground. My gut churns every time I think about it, about how the inhumane, unthinkable things are our reality now.

Today a few of the men are going back to the city to gather food for everyone. This is the routine every few days. Before the war we had big dreams for the future. Now all we want is to survive the next day, and the next day, and the next. The men get going and the sound of boots trekking on soil grows distant. We repeat wishes and prayers over and over in our heads as they walk away, hoping it’s not the last time we see them.

The air is deafening as we wait. Although nobody’s talking, I can hear anxious thoughts blaring and gnawing at the back of everyone’s minds.

As I sit on the ground, I strum my guitar and sing a song. I always try to make music as much as I can. It’s all I can do now. After a while, I think people started to gather around me, feet and legs shuffling against the concrete. I think they need music now more than ever. They need something harmonic to calm the cacophony of thoughts in their minds so that there’s no room to worry about their children and friends and neighbors and spouses and whether or not they’ll even make it through the week. I play and I hum and I sing and I strum and with every song our spirits get a little lighter.

The next thing I know I’m hearing familiar footsteps get louder; strained grunts as heavy backpacks hit the ground. I feel the intensity of every sigh of relief as they ration the food and hand everyone their portions. After calming our hunger, deep, slow breaths floated around as we slumbered contentedly, resting for the next day. The day ended quietly. I used to hate silence, but now it’s a blessing.

Today was a good day. I pray tomorrow will be, too.

# data[].attributes.headline
CHAPTER 17: LOG NO. 25 at 21:00 regards, ASTA TSAR

# data[].attributes.subject
CHAPTER 17: LOG NO. 25 at 21:00 regards, ASTA TSAR

# data[].attributes.body
Clink, clank, clink, clank, clink. The noises that I always hear whenever I am doing my work. Frankly, from how long I have been doing the same routine over and over again, I am used to it. Things are just too stressful nowadays. The scenery outside isn’t even lovely to look at after this war has started. Just an endless loop of blood and death surrounding the air. I barely go out since I could get shot and killed. You may be wondering what exactly my job is while all of this is happening. Well, I’m a gunsmith.

People always wonder why I am making these people their weapons for this war. I honestly don’t remember anymore. Back then, when the days were light and things were still happy, I enjoyed creating new things and was very fascinated in the creation of weapons and what not. Keyword; was. I’ve lost the way I felt whenever I make new weapons over the years. The joy and excitement. This war, this destruction and suffering brought upon everyone in the blink of an eye, it’s all so tiring.

I don’t take note of what the weapons I made are used for anymore. I see people come and go. Their sunken eyes and slow breathing as they hand me the weapons that need fixing or adjustments for their usage before heading back out to face the cruelty the world is going through right now. Everyone is tired but when will it all stop?

Days or even weeks have passed since I’ve been working on the same project that the higher ups have ordered me to make. The order is still clear in my head as daylight. “Asta Tsar. You are the best gunsmith that we have in the army. With your skills and expertise, you will be assigned to this new project of ours. Get it done in the quickest time possible. If not, there will be consequences.” said the higher up. I could only nod wordlessly as I went back to my workstation. I don’t know what this will end up being. I don’t know their plans nor do I know how this thing will be used. I just need to complete it. And that is what I will do. As I don’t know what else to do during this war.

# data[].attributes.body
Technology has really evolved throughout the years. While I thought these advancements could help people live better than ever, I guess when something is too good to be true, it always is.

10, 50, 100, 1,000…… my God, there’s no stopping how many lives are being taken every single day, people who were once alive making the most out of their day for a bright future. All that I can report is that we don’t have enough coffins to bury the dead. To be one of the few doctors left in this war-torn world is hard. There are not enough supplies, facilities, and support to aid all of the sick and injured people. Crammed patients have to endure their pain, hunger, fear, and sadness.

We are working days without sleep, without eating, while we watch the destruction of our communities. We had to make the very difficult decision every day if we were going to go into work and risk being killed, or stay home with our families, to my wife and 5-year-old kid, or just flee. Though if I am doing something that contributes to ease this war and the suffering of these innocent people, then I will be ready to risk my life. Because that is my role, that is what we are, who we are as physicians .

But no… It is much more horrible than I thought. This is not a war; it is a massacre between humans and machines. All this time, there is only one question that I always seek, just what happened in this world to come into this…

While I was running as fast as I could to come into the screams of those who needed help, I heard a loud boom in the direction of where my family was.

“NOOOOO!” No, no, no, this can’t be real. Nuclear bombs just went off. My heart is as dark as the light that I can see. At this moment I just felt so, so sorry.

“I am so sorry for not being able to save the both of you in this doom. But don’t worry, I am coming back now…”

# data[].attributes.body
All Jude ever wanted was to bake.

In this horrid war, all she ever wanted to do in life was ripped away from her- having to hide in debris and secluded alleyways, pretend to be dead, and salvage any food she could find. Even if there was a safe place somewhere, that doesn’t seem to be something that she could find, not that she’s yet to see a single living person around, to begin with.

Jude’s only skill was to cook and bake, no one ever taught her how to survive in a war. The only times she could clear her mind of all the chaos was if she cooked simple resources she could find every once in a while in a makeshift pot in a broken-down building.

Which is something she’s doing right now. Because running and hiding is exhausting. From what she could gather, she can cook up a basic mushroom soup... Without spices.

Jude’s first instinct was to call out to her friends and family, ‘soup is ready!’. It almost came out too, that would’ve been embarrassing.

And depressing.

Here she was again, thinking of her loved ones. Where could they have gone? How are they? Are they safe? These are questions that the baker won’t find an answer to because she’s alone.

She’s too doubtful. They could be dead, or somewhere safe, she hopes it’s the latter. No one will come to save her. She only has her cooking to provide for herself. She has long since been separated from her fellow bakers, let alone any human at all.

The sound of an incoming android snapped her back to reality, she let go of her dirty wooden spoon and ducked under the brick wall, covering her ears. This usually seems to work since they don’t check every nook and cranny of every building, only ever scanning from what they could see.

That’s when it occurred to her. The porridge she was making.

The sound of the pot cover shaking from the bubbles forming on the pot made her sweat bullets. Surely they won’t question it, right? Androids don’t have noses. The stove is covered by a perfectly standing wall, so surely they won’t look on the other side of it, right?

From her hiding place, she could hear the androids scanning the buildings beside the one she was in. Jude covered her mouth so that she wouldn't produce a noise that would give away her spot. Maybe she can reach for the stove and hide as soon as she turns it off. She has time to spare, they haven’t checked her building yet.

The baker breathed in deep, before carefully going on her hands and knees, crawling over to the stove.

When she thought with a quick counterclockwise turn on the working stove, her problems would be solved, if it hadn’t made a slight clicking noise as it reached OFF.

‘Oh god.’ Jude screamed in her mind. She quickly ducked over to her spot and covered her mouth with both her hands. The baker shut her eyes tight as she hears the alert androids burst into the old building doors.

She doesn’t want to die. Well, it’s a difficult topic. She desires to see an end to this war and be able to pursue her passion. She wants peace and for every bit of technology to disappear if it means getting rid of these androids. She could care less of how it’ll make baking a hard job for her, she can stick to the basics- no technology, just your own hands, and some makeshift tools.

Yet at the same time, she wants her suffering to end.

She relied on her imagination and amplified fears.

The android is right above her scanning the area.

She could hear them talking about searching the building, that there could be a human in here that they could get rid of.

She needed to leave.

Maybe one day, she hopes that the smell of her porridge could attract her saviors, maybe even her family. That’s all she can do anyway, wishful thinking, cooking..

And running for her God damned life.

# data[].attributes.body
I just stared at my notebooks trying to understand fractions but nothing really comes to mind. I really don’t understand math! It’s just so hard! So I have decided to just play with my stupid toy blocks, trucks and houses. I want to go outside! But, no matter how much I wanted to, my parents were too busy and no one will be left with the house. I don’t really get why they don’t have the time for me. The radio reported that people are dying. Wait… People are dying? But why? It reported that thousands of people lost their lives to a war. A war? Why is there a war? Is my mom and dad okay? I hope they are. I’m so hungry and there’s barely any food in the pantry. I realized something. I didn’t know that that was the last time I’ll be playing on my favorite playground. I’m sure that place is destroyed now. I wonder what real guns look like! I want to see one in real life! When I grow up I want to try shooting guns! But for now, I want to play! I want to play! I want to play! I. Want. To. Play!

Hmm… it’s been 3 hours and mom and dad haven't been back yet. It wouldn’t hurt to go out and play right? Well, the playground is just 1 block away. I promise mom and dad that I’ll be back by dinner! Okay! Mental note to self, be right back at home by dinner. Okay! We’re good. Keys? Check. Appliances? Unplugged. Doors and windows? Locked. Okay! Time to play outside!

La la la la la la la. What h-happened here? Mom? Dad? Is that you? Why are you lying down on the floor? What happened? Please wake up. Talk to me, please? Please?

# data[].attributes.body
Another day in war, we as the cleaning "people" also known as janitors had to clean yet again another inevitable group of decaying bodies. Blood spilled everywhere we looked and bodies laying on the floor. With a sigh I grabbed my equipment and began to clean the mess up. Scrubbing off the blood stained walls and floor and removing whatever decaying parts were left.

What felt like a whole day was merely just hours, the whole place scrubbed to cleanliness, I then packed up all the stuff and left the place, knowing that this will happen again tomorrow. "Sigh, It could have been great to get a better job...than this." I muttered quietly in my breath as I walked away, tired.

# data[].attributes.body
It's rumbling again, It must be really noisy outside of the bunker. The vibrations are going through my spine. I can see dropped jaws, tightly closed eyes, and mothers hugging their children for dear life. You see, I was the only man here.  I wasn’t allowed to join the draft. I’m broken you see. But these days I think everyone nearly is.

I can’t hear their screams, their cries. You might think its better that way, but I can see the pain painted on their faces. It hurts.

honk honk honk  I press the little horn I have. I give my biggest smile to my small audience consisting of only mothers and their children. Wherever their fathers were, I can only hope for the best as I never had the pleasure of knowing. When all eyes were back on me, I wave my index finger right to left and fist my hands rotating them in front of my eyes. Don’t cry would be a good saying right now, but nothing will come out even if I try. So instead, I cheer them on with silly faces, balloon animals, and amateurish party tricks. Soon the children were all in front of me, smiling widely as if the rest of the world wasn’t burning to the ground.

We continued our little party as usual while the mothers were trying to ration some food for everyone. I was making balloon animals for every child, they were lined up neatly in front of me. But I felt it and the mothers heard it too. How did they find us? I don’t know. But all the smiles I worked so hard on making were vanishing. They were vanishing. Bullets were flying so quickly.

I managed to grab the girl at the front of the line, I didn’t allow her to look back. I cover her ears with my hands and made silly faces until she laughed. That's good, at least she’ll be happy, I’ll be happy that I made her smile one last time. The soldiers were nearing.

The gun points and we both fell down. I was gone for sure.

But apparently not.

I soon open my eyes. I feel no more footsteps, no more soldiers and bullets. I was in pain. It was cold. I couldn’t move.

I saw the little girl I was hugging to protect right beside me, eyes wide open but gone. Beyond her were the horrific remains of the party just minutes before. I lay there, unable to lift a finger, unable to scream as no one would hear, in the midst of smiles I failed to protect.

# data[].attributes.body
It's that awful smell again! But never mind that I'm hungry, No Starving… “Oh! Perfect food served tight in front of me” but as I tasted the food it tasted burnt or rotten, I whimpered in sadness, “When will my owner come home?” as I lay near the cardboards it felt safe, from the distance I see my home, a home where I was loved and cared for, but now its all burned down to pieces nothing but steel left standing and fire still swarming around

From what I remember it started when a big man came to our house, I barked at the man but my owner shushed me, I had a bad feeling! The next few days they took my owner! Oddly he had the same outfit as them. “You'll be fine Bailey” he assured petting my head then he walked out of the house leaving me, staring at the door , I feel asleep

I woke up from the smell of something familiar, but upon my sight it's still the same burnt house, MY OWNER! He’s home! But something is wrong.. He was bleeding, I can smell it from here “Bailey.. Survive for me boy..” I ran to him in excitement but my owner fell down to the ground. I barked as I tried to help him up, but before I could I saw a large bone falling from the sky. It could hit us! I ran thinking my owner could follow but he remained on the floor before I could reached I heard a loud bang leading to making my ears deaf

# data[].attributes.body
“Gabin come here, let’s get ready to grab some food, okay? Don’t forget to always stay by your brother's side.” I reminded Gabin as I gathered up my things for the hunt. It was already quite dark outside.

“Yes big brother! Gabin will hold your hand or clothes and never let go unless big brother says so!” I smiled as she cheerfully replied, I can never get tired of seeing that smile of hers. It was one of the things that made me keep going in this hell hole.

“Alright hold on now,” I say as her small hand tightly holds my rather large one. “Let’s go.”

We walked the once busy streets, staying vigilant with any possible attacks. Slowly moving as we make our way to the convenience store I saw just a few hours ago, avoiding any sudden movements that could alert any passersby that there are people. It had electricity that was still working somehow and a radio.

Although I could not find the radio itself, it would still be quite useful to hear some information I could pick up. It was the same thing I heard back then, when life held no meaning and was hopeless.

The radio was stinging in the background as my parents fought for hours. I was 4 years old back then and I was already taking care of my own. My foolish, immature self thought they would still be happily together until the end of time.

“It was your fault Adam did that in his school! You were always so violent, so aggressive!” My mother shouted as she frustratingly grabbed a handful of her hair.

“Don’t you dare blame me for what your son has done!” My dad shot back as he took a sip of his beer.

Ever since then, the house had been in a gloomy state when I was born. I know I should have been that best, perfect child that could bring my parents together, but I couldn’t. They blamed each other for what had happened, but it was both of them who were in the wrong all along.

A year had passed after that fight and my little sister was brought into this world. She was like an angel that had been dropped into this world. Her smiles and laughs were what made us do our best. I topped my class and won awards just for her, so she can look up to me proudly as her brother. My parents have been passive with each other, avoiding to fight as Gabin easily cried.

Even so, a year passed and that peaceful sight was over as soon as the war started. All of the prices became too high to reach and it was all crashing back down to where it first started, this time it’s much worse. As my parents screamed out their lungs, I tried to distract my sister with loud radio music and happiness and giggles. I couldn’t let my parents corrupt her like they had corrupted me. Still, even after all the things I have done, they are slowly breaking my sister, taking away her childhood as they did to me. I decided it’s enough and on that night, me and Gabin left. We’re all alone, but we have ourselves. And I’ll protect her until my death.

It’s been 3 years since that day and now the war is getting worse. Sleeping on the streets became harder to do so, stock of food were running out, and our safety was getting hard to ensure. I had to find a way, so I scouted during the day and found this convenience store. We were closing in at the location as I held Gabin’s hand tighter, until I heard the whirring of machines. They were near, I can hear them. There’s no way I would stay in this place with Gabin, although the earlier situation was different as there were no signs of active war in the area.

I lead Gabin inside the store as I make a round to see if there is anyone other than us. The place was a mess, instant foods were scattered onto the ground, boxes of powerades and water were thrown about on the floor, there were smudges of sauces like it was rampaged upon, and the radio blabbering was a cherry on top. Nonetheless, there were no people other than me and Gabin, so I let go of her hand to let her find whatever catches her eye.

“Remember to al-”

“Always stay near big brother so big brother can protect Gabin, yes Big brother i know already!” She giggled when she cut me off. She already knew what to do as we have already done this too many times in our age. I patted her head and gave her a nod as I was walking towards the static noise, indicating where the radio could be. It was fading in and out when I found it under the rubble. It was a small radio, but it still works. I play with the channels ‘til I get a good and clear signal.

“Big brother! I saw this, can I have it?” I turned around to look at Gabin skipping towards me with some chocolates in her hand. I was about to nod at her when the radio spoke.

“*static* We have heard on the news that the war is about to end, although not at the way we want it to be. Many have heard of the 3 companies planning to drop a nuclear bomb on the planet, killing everyone alive. Although it is not proven, It is most likely to happen considering the state the world is in because of their war that had caused a lot of deaths.*static* We can only hope for the best, and that our loved ones are fine throughout this crisis”

“Big Brother, what are nuclear bombs?” I snapped back to reality at her question. I knelt down so I was at her height as I smiled and explained, “ Nuclear Bombs are big and strong fireworks, but we can’t look at it as it is too beautiful”.

“Oh okay, but brother, what is killing?” I stopped for a minute and looked at her innocent face. Thinking of an answer where she won’t be as hurt. “Gabin, killing is not a good word nor a great act. Here look at this chocolate you are holding. Imagine this is your precious chocolate and that you super duper ultra love it with all of your heart. And I steal it away and eat it infront of you, what would you feel?”

“I would be mad and sad at big brother”

“Exactly princess, killing is like stealing, but the thing you are stealing is another person’s life, that is why it should not be done, okay princess?” I said as I patted her head comfortingly.

“Yes, big brother!” She nodded “But what is death?”

I looked around trying to escape from this talk, but when our eyes met she looked back with doe eyes. I sighed and replied, “Death is when someone goes to heaven, where they’ll be happy and peaceful. But in return, they leave everyone they love behind.”

“I don’t want death, big brother. Gabin doesn’t want to leave Big Brother alone” She hugged her chocolates and pouted. She looked like I would steal her chocolates anytime soon judging by the way she’s hugging it.

“Don’t worry my princess, I’ll protect you-” I was cut off again with Gabin’s tight hug but also the panicking voices that played on the radio “*static* IT’S TRUE, IT’S TRUE, THE RUMORS ARE TRUE. THEY’RE DROPPING IT, THEY’RE DROPPING I- * static*”.

I held Gabin tight as tears streamed down my face. I push her away to see her face one last time. Her angelic face that gave me life, her bubbly personality that kept me going. She’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. She will always be my little sister, my princess.

Her eyebrows furrowed when she realized I was crying, “Big Brother why are you crying? Did Gabin do something wrong? Does big brother not want Gabin to get the chocolate? It’s okay Big brother, Gabin will pu-”

“No, no princess, It’s fine you can take that,” I say between sobs as I push back a strand of her hair. She smiled brightly at me and waved her chocolate like she won it. I let out a small laugh and sighed, “My princess, I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.”

“Don’t worry big brother! Gabin will protect us!” She shot back and laughed. I hugged her tightly as the area near us began to get hotter.

My princess, I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you from this cruel world. I’m sorry we had to leave early. You never even had time to try the swing, it was a good ride and I’m sure you’ll have a great time with it since you loved the idea of flying. At least now, you get to fly high and soar the skies. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry big brother is too weak to protect you.

I choked through my last sobs as the world collapsed. I’ll see you in my next life, my princess.

# data[].attributes.body
[Friday, 20XX, March 20th, 12:36 AM]

As they say: "War never changes." I've had my fair share of bloodshed back when I was with iPhone.

I was part of a squadron back then. Team Zero, a covert team devised to infiltrate Samsung's quarters scattered throughout the land. The squad consisted of only four members, me and three others.

There's me, nicknamed Jack, to symbolize Jack the Ripper. I was the assassin. I mostly handled the silent dirty deeds: clearing paths, assassinating priority targets, smuggling stolen goods, you name it. I did everything to the best of my ability to deliver. I can use and make anything to weaponry; as long as it can be made deadly, it will be. I was considered the best at my job.

Then there's Jean, symbolizing Jeanne d'Arc for his leadership. The leader; his tactics will never disappoint and will always have a way out. He has overwhelming charisma and is intelligent enough to lead a team as serious as this. He's the prime reason for our team's success.

Nicknamed Ein, short for Einstein, served as the brains. She mostly dabbled with anything mechanic or technologic. Most of the iPhone's gadget was made and invented by her, but she didn't want any credit. She made those because "she was just bored."

Lastly, Cratus; symbolizes the God of Strength. While not having brains, he has the brawn. A big physique, which could take a gunshot or two without any vests, has the punch that can hurt as much as a wrecking ball. He's mostly on missions with "Stealth is optional" on them.

We delivered as a team: Flawless contracts, near-perfect expeditions, and a high success rate on missions. We were a team that'll deliver menace at your doorstep. No one knew about the team, but our enemies will know terror once they feel we're near.

Everything was fine until the latest mission iPhone gave us almost four years later. It was a covert expedition meant to discover new materials to tamper with for new weapons.

[Monday, 20XX, February 29th, 1:18 PM]

After hours of transportation, we arrived in the middle of nowhere. We went on the exact coordinates given, but nothing was here. It's just the middle of a lush forest. Immediately, we knew something was off.

"This is Zero to the Main base; do you copy?" Jean reported.

No response.

"Did our GPS get hacked or something?" I said.

"Unlikely, with the amount of security iPhone has, they don't give up information that easily,"  Ein replied.

"What's happening?" Cratus asked.

Then I heard Ein utter something.

"We've been betrayed."

As soon as she said that, we heard guns and bombs tick, then the sentries opened fire.

"GET BACK IN THE TRUCK!" Jean shouted.

We immediately ran for the truck. We couldn't go anywhere since we got surrounded. We can only use what was in our arsenal inside the vehicle: Five grenades, ten smoke bombs, and ten stun grenades. We also had an EMP ready which could temporarily disable some of the sentries. We hoarded everything and got ready to burst out and act.

We activate the EMP first in the truck to disable the sentries and some potential timed bombs or landmines on the ground. After, we stormed out of the vehicle and disabled as many sentries, bombs, or mines. I ran deeper through the forest, finding more sentries and bombs to disable. With this many sentries, they probably didn't anticipate that we would get through the first traps they set up.

"Careful with your steps out here. I may have missed a few landmines. I'll start going deeper into the forest, over." I reported as I galloped from tree branch to tree branch.

They all responded, "Copy that.". I was off to find as many things to disable as possible. After thirty minutes, I couldn't find any more sentries or bombs. Some of the sentries I passed were already disabled; I assumed the others got to it first.

Then an explosion from around 500-800 meters away was heard.

"This is Jack to Jean; do you guys copy?"

Static.

"Jack to Ein; do you copy?"

Static.

"Cratus, any update on your end?"

Static.

The explosion must've shattered all the communication we had. It might as well be an EMP; who knows.

I assumed the worst and that they fell victim to the explosion. I was sure I didn't miss anything. They must still be alive.

I went and checked. I got back as fast as I could. Upon reaching the explosion site, it looked like a crater. It didn't look near as the work of a landmine. The surroundings, ranging from 15 meters to 20 meters, were destroyed. Then it hit me; it wasn't a landmine but a missile. I can only think of Ein's words:

"We've been betrayed."

The sentries and mines weren't here to kill us, and the location wasn't random either. We couldn't have seen the missile due to the density of the trees' leaves. We couldn't hear the projectile because of the noise of the sentries and mines. These were all distractions; they knew we would be able to get through. The main killing machine was that missile.

"But... where are their bodies?" I thought to myself. They might still be alive; I could only hope. I searched the area from a 100-meter radius to 200 meters until I reached a kilometer, nothing.

Then the radio turns on and a static feminine voice was heard.

"J...Jack, where are you..?" as she gasps for breath.

"Ein?! Ein, where are you right now?" I asked as I searched the area once again. I then see a flare from about 100 meters away. I rushed to the destination, tired but filled with adrenaline.

As soon as I arrived near Ein, she immediately shouted:

"STOP, DON'T GET ANY CLOSER!"

I then saw a figure behind her. A robot, or rather, a cyborg, built with a big physique, telling that it relies on strength while donning the symbol of none other than iPhone's.

Ein was bleeding out as she sat under the tree's leaves. It didn't look like she had much time.

"You've all been replaced, Jack. We're better, stronger, and deadlier." The cyborg boasts as he 🤬 his gun and points it towards Ein.

"Thank you for creating us, master." As the cyborg pulled the trigger, Ein shouted:

"YOU WERE A MISTA-" she gets cut off as the bullet goes through her head and out the back. The bullet embedded into the tree trunk.

I stared at her dead body for a solid amount of seconds. We weren't close since we all had separate quarters, but our teamwork was impeccable nonetheless. Then a surge of anger filled my psyche. I didn't shout, no. I stared at him blankly; as I unsheathe my weapon.

As if mocking me, he unsheathes his weapon the same way. He put on a smirk, and he was overflowing with confidence that he'd beat me.

Words aren't needed to explain how much I wanted him dead. With the ambiance of the forest and the dead silence between us, a duel is about to happen.

The fight started with my expertise and his in our arsenal; it was almost an equal trade. Strength versus Agility, it was always a debate on which one was better. We trade blows; I strike after his big swings, and he predicts my movement to compensate for his speed.

I then found an opening below his arms. Even in humans, it was a familiar weak spot. With the big swings he loves doing, it's always open. As I sharpened my blade between my forearm and bicep, I went for the kill. As he swung, I sliced through it like butter. Now he knows I'll go for his other arm, and he'll be wary. Now's the time I go for his legs. With his guard up for his arm, he loses security for his legs. Now I have choices, brute force to the knees or a cut-through on the ankle, or I might as well do both. I struck his knee with my blunt handle, destroying a part of the handle and dislocating his knee in the process, then went behind for a slice through the ankle. Now he doesn't have half of his limbs.

With impaired movement, he surrendered.

"Plẻ̶̜̋as̸͕̠̠̈͋͆e̸̬̲͙͊, I-II̴͓̅͆̄I̸̢͖̫͒̏̈́I̷̭͍͒Ì̷̙I̴͍̖̺̊̌I̷̫̳͇͐͝Ī̵̳̂̚ surrende̷̬̙̅͂͘r̸̟̲̫͌."

But I won't give him the mercy of death. His parts could prove of use to me. Without my squadron, I could use some upgrades.

[Friday, 20XX, March 20th, 1:00 AM]

A year later, after the expedition. I've only found Cratus's body dismantled 600 meters west away from Ein's. I found the dead body of Jean sitting beside a river a kilometer due north, death from dehydration and hunger.

Now I'm here, walking the roads of dead androids, cyborgs, and humans. My only purpose is to stop any more unnecessary deaths. Ambitious, yes, I know. But with the world in war, it's the only thing keeping me sane.

# data[].attributes.body
CHAPTER 26: A GRIEVING BRIDE

I am Michelle, a woman who won many medals in running track competitions. I was even being considered to compete in the next Olympics. But that’s a story for another day, what’s important to me at the moment was my upcoming wedding! I couldn’t believe it when my lover of 4 years finally asked me for my hand in marriage. After that we immediately tell the news to our family and friends about our engagement.

Wedding bells ring, flowers thrown everywhere. The wedding ended with smiles and laughter. Joy spreads to both me and my spouse, now a happily wedded couple. Spouses until the end of time. Well, we ended up reaching the end when the war between Apple and Samsung broke out. The place where the celebration was held decimated as bombs fell from the sky. Dead bodies of our family and friends and weeping from the injured were everywhere. I was focused on one sole thing, searching for my spouse. But my heart ached more as I saw them lie there motionlessly. The love of my life is dead.

Now I travel aimlessly in the dark street as people around me scream and cry out for help. My once beautiful pure white gown now tattered and drenched with dirt and blood. I can feel the blood running down my face from the wound I got from the explosion earlier at the reception. My makeup ruined after grieving over my deceased spouse. I wanted to know why, why was the world so cruel to take everyone I love away from me? How did the world come to where our once beloved technology brands became our demise? Now I wait, awaiting the day this war would also take my life away and let me reunite with the love of my life.

“Sophie, I will be there soon. I promise.”

# data[].attributes.body
I am a prisoner housing a cell in an unknown location and deprived of viewing the outside world. I am here voluntarily because I am desperate for money. I did not think I would be here long enough when I signed up, but here I am; disconnected from the outside world and a book that kept me company. By staying here, I would get paid, be fed three times a day, have access to clean drinking water, and have a place to stay. Once I got in, I could never step out.

My prison only has tiny barred windows that give me peeks of sunshine from time to time. Other than that, I do not know what's happening. I get letters almost every day.

I assumed keeping me hidden from the happenings in the world was part of the experiment. But, I slowly got to piece together something big despite their efforts to censor it. What I garnered in these letters was a war between tech companies.

I was never allowed to write back or know where these people were. I only knew a fraction of their pain and that they could not help but let their facade slip and vent to me. It was hard to be at the receiving end of these things. I was devastated and overwhelmed.

I am not even sure if these people are real. Nevertheless, I felt sympathy.

As time passed, letters stopped flooding in, only having a few penpals remain. I could only assume the worst. On top of that, the frightening little detail in their letters that shocked me was about the nuclear explosion.

# data[].attributes.body
It was a misty morning. The sunlight touches the gigantic pine trees as we prepare to move. With a hundred refugees, I lead them further north, away from the devastating war down southside.

I am Prime Cadel Kunubo IV of the Amazon. I was one of the surviving members of the clan of Kunubo — a headhunting cybertribe from the north. Our headhunting elders tried to defend our sanctum land. However, they are outgunned and outnumbered by the soldiers. They have failed. Together with my brother, we are preventing other cybertribe villages from succumbing more to the hands of the raiders. Where our beautiful homes are transformed into a desolate reconnaissance base.

As we marched through the daybreak, hiking to the next village, we heard a familiar battle cry. Along with my fellow headhunters from the other cybertribe, we rushed towards Theitan cybertribe to resist the storming Iphone troops.

I divided my men into two operative units. The Monturola sharpshooters are trained headhunters that use long-range, so these snipers can assist the frontline. As we, the surviving members Kunubo and Randesite flank the troops with the use of our headhunting plasmablades and deafening grenades.

Monturola beacons were lit. The signal had been given, signifying all civilians had fled the battlefield. It is our turn to counter-attack, learning from our mistakes.

We put in our earplugs and throw the first waves of grenades into the air. The deafening explosions were heard five miles away. All of the headhunters sprinted to slash the deafened soldiers one by one. We must buy more time for the non-combatants to abandon the mountain. More and more of their reinforcement troops have arrived.

“Non desistas! Non exieris!” as we chant without breaking stride nor fear of being killed.

On the spur of the moment, the highlander battalion of Samsung soldiers has already reached the foot of the mountain. We are forced to abscond with the stolen weapons and equipment from the battlefield. Nonetheless, it was not that simple.

My fellowmen and I are chased by the Samsung troops through the foggy forest. With the use of a machete, I cut through lush branches and grasses to clear a path for us to escape. I ordered them to throw all of their smoke grenades all at once.

“Disperse and follow the beacon!” I commanded.

Late in the afternoon, we had just abandoned the mountain. Refugees are now unwinding in the riverbanks. My wounded men are now resting, and having a feast. Even so, I am beginning to question my heroic deeds.

Is it noble to kill more people to save more people? When will this war end? Is there an end?

# data[].attributes.body
In another place, stands a collective of towering buildings whiter than snow, more sterile than a surgeon’s tools before surgery. What walls aren’t made out shining white material, instead are made of glass, like skyscrapers of humans’ long past. On each building, a gray stripe runs along the top with the symbol of an apple with a bite taken out of the side.

“Welcome to Apple Headquarters!” A cheery modulated voice says over the intercom. She sounds cute. I wonder when I’ll get to meet her…

I walk past the automatic glass doors that open before me, a rush of cold air brushing against my vents. Adjusting my white cap and smoothening my uniform, I walk down a hallway, opening a closet labeled with a simplistic mop. The doorknob’s eye level…

My internal cooling system whirred as I wheeled out a big metallic machine. Sometimes, I wish that my cooling system was more advanced. Water cooled ones were given to the likes of the military generals and the higher-ups, but alas, they are out of reach to a lowly janitor like myself. Putting on my work-given AirPods Sigmas, I play some music on an iPod that is pocketed into my jacket. Turning on the floor waxing machine, I get down to doing what I was manufactured and programmed to do.

Clean up.

[ NOW PLAYING: Daisy Bell ]

# data[].attributes.body
CHAPTER 30: Stolen Paradise

“Cadet, it was an honor fighting side-by-side with you.”

—

When I was a child, I met a boy. He was shorter than me and I took every chance I got to tease him for it. “It’s not fair,” He told kid-me. He got frustrated at the smallest of things and I was there to defuse that fiery rage he got himself into. Twenty years later, we got married, started a family, and then, he was deployed to serve our country.

There was never a night I didn't think of him. “I have to go.” Were the last words I heard from him before he left and our only daughter cried to him as he got on the jeep, sitting next to other people— men and women alike— who were required to serve.

Just like that, our peace was disrupted and I couldn't do anything whenever our daughter cried to me “Where’s daddy? I want him to come home!” How was I supposed to explain to our daughter that her daddy wasn't coming back? The moment he boarded that jeep, I knew then; my husband was gone. Taken away from us.

When I found out he died on the battlefield, that was the same day I, too, had died. A sorrowful colleague of his came knocking on our door, “I’m sorry.” He told me. I didn't need any more explanation why he was there, I knew just by his look and the bandage around his upper arm— lower arm and hand missing— that their troop had lost to the other side. I thanked him for his service, for what they've done, because just like my husband, this soldier— this person, was also forced to fight and leave his family.

“Cadet Martinez was a great soldier. He told me if he doesn't make it, that I should give you this letter. I— I’m so sorry, I couldn't retrieve his body from the field; they were all burned in the explosion. Your husband wasn't just an excellent fighter, he was our troop’s pillar.”

I couldn't help myself when I pulled him into a hug— desperate to hold onto someone. Before I knew it, we were both clinging to each other as we cried on each other’s shoulders. When I couldn't cry in front of my daughter, I finally let go of someone who’d understand my pain better. The ugly pain that was building up finally spilled from my eyes.

My husband’s troops lost to those monsters and I was craving for revenge even if it meant I would lose myself, my daughter, too. Her grandmother tried talking me out of it. “It’s not worth it, don’t let the sorrow take control of you. You still have a child, even he wouldn't be happy with your decision.” She told me, but at that time, I could only see the blinding rage and the satisfaction of killing one of those 🤬 robots.

Leaving my daughter to the care of my parents had been the biggest decision I made, but so were volunteering to join the Army and boarding that jeep like my husband had once done. And maybe, he knew too, that the moment he sat down and watched us disappear from his view that he was a goner— a walking corpse. I did, and I was scared. I can still feel the kiss from last month and so will my daughter when she wakes up and realizes her mother had left to go and get dad.

Every step of the way felt like a death sentence I had signed myself up to but there was no going back.

Training for a month wasn't enough, but because we’re required out there, I couldn't do anything else. Day by day, Samsung was getting stronger, they kept deploying more and more robots and androids, explosions felt nearer and the haunting machinery sounds kept echoing inside my head. But the haunting of them all is hearing my husband’s last words and my daughter’s childish laugh.

Coming face to face with one of those cyborgs one unfortunate night when our campsite was breached felt like a fever dream— A nightmare I couldn't get out of. Only a handful of us got out alive then.

The next week, we were finally deployed; packed with nothing but a few things and weapons we could pack before the Androids could set our camp in blue fire. The higher ups gave us doable cyborg weapons. Various guns, daggers, crossbows, and mini explosives lined up on the metal table in front of our batch. My hands ached from training as much as I craved for battle then. But I was still scared. I couldn't even promise my mother if I would be able to return home.

“Listen up,” Our Commander told us, coming into the cafeteria where we all gathered from the lack of vacant barracks. “All of you will be deployed this dawn. I can't guarantee all of you will be able to come back alive, so start writing to your families now.”

When he left, I, like everyone else, put pen to paper.

Fire enveloped the whole land. The ground shook with entensity like an earthquake and I ran in the middle where the most tension was present. To say it was chaotic would be an understatement. There were dead bodies of fellow soldiers I knew of, decapitated limbs and parts of androids and IOs and cyborgs lay on the dirt. My boots sunk with each step, and as I finally spot a droid with its back turned to me, I ready a strike until—

“Annie?”

The only person that ever called me Annie was my husband. Everyone else called me by my first name. It was the only thing that made me feel special, and reminded me of him. A part of me that he completed when something was missing. Twenty years of being with him and starting a family, giving birth to a beautiful baby only to lose him in the span of two months broke me; the worst kind of heartbreak. Now, I’m standing in front of him, or what looks like him, ready to slice his metal head off.

“Annie, help me.” He— It— said, voice unrecognizable yet the raspiness of his voice is still there. “It hurts.” I crane my head slightly to see over its shoulder. The legs of the droid are stuck under a much bigger cyborg’s torso. Its unable to push the bigger mass because of a missing right limb

I swallowed my words and they felt like a bone stuck in my throat. It was hard to breathe; I couldn't breathe. He’s still alive, I thought, my husband is alive. That remaining hope that I forcibly buried when that soldier walked up to my porch, telling me that the person I married two years ago was dead; died in war, suddenly swam up to the surface. If I could, I would have scoffed at myself.

Without thinking, I immediately crouched next to the chunk of metal and wire and bone. Putting my back to it, I pushed and pushed until my body felt like giving up from exhaustion, both physically and mentally. The sticking screws and thin wires poked and cut through my armor, scraping the palm of my hands and skin of my arm.

“Dear, I’m so scared.” I heard his voice say from a distance, but when I looked back, he was staring directly at me, mouth shut tight. “I want to go back home with you.”

“We will.” I grunted, voice barely recognizable from the lack of use since I joined the military. “When I get you out of here, we’re going home.”

It's a lie. We can't, even if we wanted to, at some point when the trackers and higher ups find out I left with an IOs, they'll start a search party to hunt both of us down. But what I see now isn't just the man I married, but that same kid who got upset over the smallest of things. “Annie,” There's still light and life behind those eyes. He needs me, just as much as I need him. With one final push, I successfully move the droid’s torso off his legs which are now a bit crippled from the heavier weight.

“I— Hold on, I—”

“Annie.”

“No, shut up,” I snapped. “Can you stand? You have to—”

“ANNIE.” His voice boomed, I was pulled from my trance instantly and I looked back at him. “Go. I can handle myself. Go hide and take care of yourself.”

“You crazy 🤬! I’m not leaving without you.”

“They know. They're sending more IOs on the way. You have to go somewhere safe.” He said, and I couldn't help it; the tears that threatened to spill, fell. “We won't go anywhere far before they decide to shut me down. I won't be able to protect you if that happens.”

Maybe in a different universe, or timeline, we would have lived a peaceful life, something a lot different than this. A life that isn't so fear-filled. A life that didn't make my husband leave for the Army. If that were the case, we wouldn't be here now, in this broken place when it could've been our paradise. I wouldn't—shouldn’t — be in my husband’s embrace because of the reason that I’ll be finally losing him, again, in just a few minutes. I should be hugging him after a long day of work, we should be sitting around the dinner table; eating like a normal family.

But no, and I can't do anything about it. I wish I did, though, but just like everyone else here, we’re all nothing but a grain of sand being washed up in the sea of misery.

“I’m not leaving you.” I said, looking at him and finally, I can see him clearly. His eyes are still the same. He’s still the same man I married, the same person that left months ago. “We’re going through this together. Remember our wedding vows?”

Two years ago, we got married in front of our small family. “From this life we have built to get this moment, this great moment in our life. Looking into your beautiful eyes, I vow to always be your everything. With love in my heart, always by your side, to my last breath, I love you.” He told me, vowed, as he slipped that band of gold onto my finger.

Any moment spared then, I knew we could have been attacked or killed but I didn't care. It was better than leaving him to fend for himself.

“I love you too. I always will.” I said. “Even if half of you is made out of metal, even if you feel cold. I can just hug you and warm you up.”

He smiled. “I’d like that.”

But all good things must come to an end. Nearby, we could hear explosions, loud thumps, and then, bigger and possibly stronger IOs came marching into the battleground. They came towering and overshadowing the sun shined on to. My eyes widened, noticing that one of them was obviously walking towards us.

“We have to go, please, please—” I begged, pulling at his arm. “You’ll die out here, please—” But he wouldn't budge. Not an inch, and I couldn't do anything to move him.

It got closer and closer, taking gigantic steps towards our path and only God can decide if it will or will not step on us like ants. As I beg him and plead to move with me, he picks me up and to my horror, I’m lifted off my feet and thrown aside like a sack. The moment I landed on the ground, I could hear the horrifying sounds of screeching metal and breaking bones behind me.

“No…”

I run back, back to my dear husband’s remains and if I didn't recognize him earlier, I definitely cannot recognize him now. Or what remains of him. Nothing but a pile of innards, sparking wires, and gore on a pool of blood soaking the ground. The cry I let out could only be described as animalistic, filled with sorrow and grief. And as a way to mock me, the sky rained down on earth. As if my heart had not broken enough, it can only be nothing more than an empty shell.

“Kill. Kill them all. They are our enemies.” I heard Colonel Seven’s voice say in my head. Louder than my own cries. “Killing them would be your only consolation.”

As I wipe my tears away with the pain, I get a hold of the laying Archangel on the mud. I’m not dealing with loss again.

# data[].attributes.headline
Chapter 31: I Didn't Mean To Set The World On Fire

# data[].attributes.subject
Chapter 31: I Didn't Mean To Set The World On Fire

# data[].attributes.body
The end of the world was surprisingly quiet. I think all of us felt it, my boys and me. The way the air stilled and the birds grew quiet, their chirping that was once a cheerful reminder of the start of the day now felt like a foreboding elegy of our end. The sky was a bluish-gray, like a maiden growing sick and weary by the day.

It reminded me of my wife in her hospital bed years before, when she was left indisposed after our stillborn. Despite everything—despite all the broken glass she shattered in her fits of rage, all the words she used against me, my love for her remains. Despite everything, I still want to hope that she’s safe somewhere. That she’s not somewhere beneath the rubble the enemy troops are stirring up. Their tanks and cyborgs carelessly stomping on the houses that once held families and warm life. All that mechanical whirring growing sick to my ears.

We were one of the first to be deployed on the city frontlines. Leading my battalion had been my job as a lieutenant colonel for eight years now, but this had been the first time that I was leading my troops into killing innocent people.

I thought I believed in what I fought for.

I wanted to place the blame on my general for wanting to push the offense so close to the heart of the city, where most of the civilians were. I wanted to believe I was only following orders—and I was, truly. But a deep-seething part of me wanted all sides of the enemy to burn, no matter who they were. Beat them raw and barren and show them that Apple was not to be taken lightly.

It was only supposed to be a small ambush. Only something small to gain an upper hand in the fighting and use the momentum to our advantage.

Now half my troops are dead and the other is on the verge of it.

Somewhere along the way, it wasn’t only Samsung we were firing our guns at. The intel that a third-party battalion was attacking didn't arrive at our front in time for us to prepare accordingly. I don’t even care who we’re fighting anymore. At some point, everyone became the enemy.

We sit still now, my boys and I. Before, most of them would be groaning in pain, dressing their wounds, or trying to set up arms, waiting for my next command. Now we are only quiet, barely able to walk or even talk for that matter. The smell of rotting flesh from our wounds was feeling more and more like home each passing day. So did the sweet metallic ringing of the cyborgs buzzing in the distance, like a band of fireflies making conversation to each other. I bet they’re tired too.

What makes me sick to the stomach is thinking about our sweet, sweet general and his favorite president, probably holing up together in their underground bunker away from the misfortunes they themselves have caused. But I don’t find it in me to fight anymore, I’ve lost enough life in me to care so much about anything but preserving the life of the people I have left.

A purring cat nudges me to my senses. The little guy bumps its head next to the hand where I carry my gun. I loosen my trigger finger to pet its head. My knuckles pop, I didn’t realize how nervous I had been.

This guy has enough life in him to ask for food, I chuckle.

The kitten climbs up to my shoulder, its fur soft but matted in some places because of the dried blood sticking to it. I guess even the littlest of creatures have their own scars from this war.

It felt like peace, then. Like some kind of newfound hope that maybe there’s still something to look forward to, even if this war leaves us bloodied and bruised maybe I can find solace in the littlest of things. Maybe the aftermath isn’t so bad if there even is an aftermath to look forward to.

It felt like nothingness, then. The air grew dry and my breathing stopped. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and the world moved as if in slow motion. I looked at the kitten then, its sad eyes reflected in it a battle-weary man with a tear-stained face.

And then I find out it’s true when they say it is the light that comes to get you.

# data[].attributes.body
It’s stuffy, the nuclear bunkers.

I can’t blame the committee. Sorting out ventilation without compromising one iota of survivability must have been one quite an affair, but seeing as they’ve already bent over backwards to build it according to my specifications within an unreasonably tight timeframe, I don’t believe a few potted succulents and a stronger air-conditioning unit would be too much to ask. Still, better here than outside. Much better.

My phone vibrated on the desk and I grabbed it. A report. Major supply arteries have been cut to the external reaches; Vivo forces have forcibly taken bases in the outskirts and are marching to surround the capital. It pulses as I shut it off. I love haptic feedback.

One thing I requested was isolation. I had special communication systems installed so I could keep my appearances scarce. Though I admit that it makes me feel like Big Brother and I think that’s kinda cool, but it’s mostly because I keep personal interaction to a minimum. I used to say it was to keep my analyzing skills sharp and objective to avoid clouding my mind with empathy or any other personal biases.

But that’s all an excuse. In truth, I’m just awkward around people. Deathly awkward. When I was much younger, I would often find myself caught in lies— well not lies per se, I just never bothered correcting people’s assumptions, which served as catalysis for further spirals of chaos and shenanigans until I’d find myself living the lie and playing along with it. Then I’d get rid of any messes with paltry portions of my immense troves of disposable cash. You get the gist.

I don’t want anyone seeing their charismatic and dependable president as anything less, driving me to hide myself more, and so on and so forth, it's quite a vicious cycle.

I have given speeches, participated in meetings and conferences (as hard as I try to avoid those situations) and sent surrogates and representatives instead on the pretense of ensuring my safety… But, truth be told, those have got to be some of the most nerve-wracking experiences I’ve ever had. I’ve a team of coaches and tutors who’ve seen me through those times— Steve Jobs, bless their souls —they’re the only people who know me as I really am. They dare not snitch, for fear of them and their safety. I have contingencies in place for that, but I still worry from time to time.

I get up to stretch my legs. I’m uncomfortable. Am I hungry? I sent a request for a sandwich. Within a minute, it arrives, presented to me through a sliding slat in my wall. Turkey and Swiss. I would’ve preferred a Waldorf Chicken Salad instead— that would’ve played more into the fantasy of my situation. They ate a lot of them in Star Trek. I wasn’t hungry at all, I realized. Then what’s disturbing me?

The war. Everyone’s at a stand-off. Gone are the days when the soldiers could convincingly lie to themselves that they’d be home in time for Christmas. It’s dire now. Even the smallest players have emerged from the woodwork to put all their chips in the pile, and right now, they’re ahead. I’ve read a report on it, it’s estimated that the world’s already short half of its population because of this scuffle.

There’s only one thing that could tip the scales now, and it now falls upon me to decide whether we’re in dire enough straits to resort to it. The world’s sworn off those bombs… or so we say. Every nation still holds a few warheads, even if it’d be in our best interest as a species to be rid of them all. Why? Because no one wants to be the first one without a weapon. But the moment one nation gets nervous and pulls the trigger, the rest will follow, and in the end— nobody will be left standing. It would be a lose-lose situation, but it sure as hell is beginning to sound more tempting than a win-lose in the enemy’s favor.

It looks like we’ve hit the point where there’s no other option. Just like when I never bothered to correct somebody’s assumptions… now I have to play along with it. I’m far too swept up in a mess of my own creation. It’s too late to turn back, and no terrifying sum of cash could fix it. The current was tame at first, but now I’m powerless against its pull towards the same grave destination.

I’d be willing to bet all the other states are thinking the same thing. Samsung’s also being tested. In this situation, it’s inevitable that someone will feel desperate enough to hit that button, even if it means mutual destruction. Nobody would volunteer to be in the barrel for the sake of other nations— especially enemies. If it is inevitable, I might as well be the one to strike first. Relieve the world of tension.

I type out the order. Do the captcha to prove I’m human. Confirm the decision.

My phone pulses in acknowledgement.

Everyone is tired. I will let them rest.