IN SOME CAMP

11:00 pm

Darius stared into the crackling flames of the campfire. frustration etched across the faces of those sitting around him. Sweat drops from Darius' forehead.

Person wearing cap - But what can we do, Darius? They have all the firepower. They took whatever they wanted from us.

Another Person - that is why we need to fight back!

Person wearing cap - And how are you planning to do this? By attacking them directly?

Darius (his voice firm and resolute) - Yeah. That's right. We should kill them all. I should've done it from the very beginning.

A girl (her voice tinged with worry and reason) - Darius, you know that those we're planning to kill belong to the Dome. They have everything—weapons, technology. We stand no chance against them.

Another person (defiant) - So what? We do nothing and let them take whatever they want from us? Do our lives not matter? If it doesn’t, then why the hell are we so desperately trying to live.

Person wearing cap - Well we can leave the surroundings of Ardonia.

Girl - No place is safer than the ones we know and if we move now, we will be moving for the rest of our lives. This is our home.

Person wearing a cap - This isn’t home but hell.

The man, despondent, pulled out his gun and pressed it against his own neck. 

Person - Just one shot and I’ll be free from this.

The girl reacted swiftly, trying to intervene.

Girl - Don't do it!

Darius (stands and shouts) - That's enough of them.

Person wearing cap (taking the gun from the man) - Enough, everyone! Darius, stand down. We can't do anything against them. If we try, we might all end up dead… Unless you have an ace up your sleeves.

Darius turned sharply to face the person in the cap, Marzell.

Darius - What are you trying to say, Marzell?

Marzell (his tone cautious yet determined) - I don't want to die. But what we need is to eliminate the issue from the roots…. I'm not saying it's possible, but if we eliminate the top soldiers of the Dome's military, their chain of command will fall. The council will have to rely on its citizens for protection, like three years ago. Most likely, the citizens will refuse the call for duty. If we somehow get them on our side, we can force the Dome and use its resources for a better life outside.

Another man (interjected skeptically) - And if they accept the call? What then? Do you expect other camps to go to war just because we asked for it? Against the Dome? That's madness!

Marzell (shrugged, undeterred) - That's why I said, it's not possible, unless we have an ace up our sleeves.

The man (scoffed) - Bullshit.

Marzell (mocking back) - One whining in his pants a moment ago has no right to mock others' plans.

The man stood up angrily, ready to strike Marzell.

Man - What did you say?

Marzell ignored the provocation, continuing:

Marzell - Anyway, even if half of the plan succeeds and we manage to disrupt the military's command, they won't bother us for a while. In the meantime, we can gather weapons and ammunition to fight back.

Marzell started walking away, his resolve clear.

Marzell - No matter what you all think, but, if this continues, me and my boys will do it. Not today, but someday.

Darius watched Marzell depart, conflicted emotions swirling within him. 

DOME MILITARY BASE: ARDONIA CITY

12th March 2162

10:10 Am

The soldiers, all gathered in Hangar No. 8, their expressions a mix of pride and solemnity. Commander Oliver stood before them, his presence commanding and reassuring. The hum of machinery and the distant sound of helicopters formed a backdrop to the momentous occasion.

Commander Oliver - Soldiers, today we stand together, not just as a unit, but as a family. You have completed your mission with bravery and dedication. Your first success is a testament to your hard work and unwavering spirit. But as we celebrate, we also mourn those who didn't make it back. Their sacrifice is our burden to carry, and we honor them with every step we take.

The soldiers bowed their heads in silence, paying their respects to their fallen comrades. Commander Oliver continued,

Commander Oliver - Remember their faces, their names, and their dreams. They fought for a cause greater than themselves, and it's our duty to ensure their sacrifice wasn't in vain. Their bravery and dedication are the foundations upon which we build our strength. Each of you here today carries a piece of their spirit. We owe it to them to carry on, to fight with the same courage and resolve they showed.

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in.

Commander Oliver - We face an uncertain future, but one thing remains clear: our mission. We stand as the first line of defense against threats that seek to undermine our safety and freedom. Our success today is a beacon of hope, a reminder that we can and will overcome any obstacle. The names of our fallen will be etched into the annals of history, and their memory will drive us forward.

Commander Oliver's eyes scanned the faces before him, noting the resolve and determination in their expressions.

As the speech goes on, a helicopter landed on the base, its rotors whipping up a gust of wind. Hugo, standing near the edge of the crowd, noticed a flurry of activity among the military staff. Curiosity piqued, he watched as they offloaded something from the helicopter and placed it in a high-security cage.

Hugo - What's going on over there?

A fellow soldier glanced at the helicopter and shrugged.

Soldier - Not sure, but it looks important.

The scene shifted to the cage as a group of staff members began offloading it from the helicopter. Their movements were precise, their expressions tense.

Staff Member 1 - Careful now, this one's high security. We can't afford any mistakes.

Staff Member 2 - Got it. Keep it steady. Watch the corners.

Staff Member 3 - Who do you think is in there?

Staff Member 1 - No idea, but it's above our pay grade. Just focus on getting it to the cell.

Hugo's eyes narrowed as he tried to catch a glimpse of what was inside. The cage was covered, offering no hints about its contents. 

Staff Member 1 - Alright, on three lower it gently. One, two, three.

They set the cage down with care, locking it securely on the loader to move it to the cell.

Staff Member 3 - That's it. We're done here. Now just move it to the cell. Hey, what about the sedatives?

Staff Member 2 - loading it.

Commander Oliver - As we move forward, let us carry their legacy with us. Let their sacrifices fuel our fire, their courage bolster our spirits. We are not just soldiers; we are the protectors of our people, the guardians of our way of life. And we will honor our fallen by continuing to fight, by never giving up, and by standing together as one unbreakable unit.

He took a deep breath, his voice resonating with conviction.

Commander Oliver: In the days to come, we will face new challenges, new battles. But I have no doubt that we will rise to meet them. We are strong, we are capable, and we are united. Our fallen comrades believed in us, and we will not let them down. Their spirit lives on in each of us, driving us to be better, to fight harder, and to achieve victory.

The soldiers straightened, their chests swelling with pride.

Commander Oliver - Dismissed.

After the assembly is dismissed, Hugo watches the loader moving through the base, curiosity gnawing at him. He took a step to follow, but Mark appeared out of nowhere, grabbing his arm and pulling him somewhere.

Hugo (protested, trying to shake free) - Hey, where are you taking me?

Mark - Somewhere we can discuss this situation.

his grip firm as he steered Hugo away from the commotion.

Meanwhile, the staff members carefully maneuvered the cage through the corridors. The metallic clang of the loader echoed through the hallway. one staff member called out, directing the others.

Staff Member 1 - Watch your left!

Staff Member 3 - Keep it steady, we're almost there,

As they approached the first security gate, it creaked open, revealing Captain John standing with a group of soldiers all armed on the other side. The sight of him made the staff members halt abruptly. one of them muttered, a mixture of respect and anxiety in their voice.

Staff Member 2 - Captain John.

 Before they could react further, Captain June appeared from the opposite direction, her presence commanding attention. 

June - Soldiers, check if everything with the cage is alright. 

One of the soldiers stepped forward, examining the cage. 

Soldier 1 - The sedative tank is empty, ma'am. 

The staff member who had loaded the tank moments ago looked perplexed. 

Staff Member 2 - But I just loaded a fresh tank.

June's eyes narrowed as she considered this. 

June - Refill the tank. And keep refilling it until we reach the cell. Control room, lower the temperature of the whole area and maintain it below 10 degrees Celsius.

Comms - Yes, ma'am.

As the team moved the cage forward again, the tension was palpable. The air grew colder as they moved to the cell block, the chill seeping through their uniforms.

Staff Member 2 - Why lower the temperature, ma'am? 

June (gaze was steely) - We need to keep whatever's in there sedated and under control. Lower temperatures will slow its metabolism and make it easier to handle.

They reached the second security gate, A lift to the underground, the heavy door looming ahead. With careful precision, they positioned the cage inside the lift, locking the lift with themselves securely.

June - Ensure it's stable,We can't afford any mistakes.

The staff members nodded, their movements careful as they double-checked everything.

In the Barracks

Hugo and Mark sat in the dimly lit barracks, Sunlight falling on them, the weight of their thoughts hanging heavily in the air. Mark slumped onto his bed, burying his face in his hands.

Mark - Hugo, I really think it's my fault (his voice muffled by his palms) I left him there to die.

Hugo's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. 

Hugo - What?

Mark sighed deeply and continued, 

Mark - Yeah, three years ago when I saw him last time, I told him I was going to join the military. I told him what I was going to do and imposed what I believed on him without ever asking what his thoughts were.

Hugo nodded, understanding dawning on his face. 

Hugo - It was always a habit of yours back in the day. But I know he shouldn’t have minded it.

Mark (shook his head) - Yeah, but I should've asked him what he was planning to do next.

 Mark put his hand over his mouth, his eyes filled with regret. 

Mark - If only I'd asked him to come join us. He should've been here. It’s all my fault.

Hugo stood quietly for a moment, absorbing Mark's words. The silence between them was thick with unspoken guilt and regret.

Mark - You know that I'm telling the truth, right? (Mark's voice was almost a whisper) It really was my fault.

Hugo looked at him, his expression thoughtful.

Hugo - Sometimes people want to hear, 'Yes, it's your fault,' to lower their guilt by finally accepting it and putting the spirit of resolution at rest…… Is that what you want here?...... No, my answer is that it was not your fault. It was time's fault. None of us knew what was going to happen back then. And if you think you're at fault for what happened, every one of us is on the same page as you.

Mark looked up at Hugo, his face questioning and filled with self-doubt. Hugo extended his hand towards him.

Hugo - Come on, get up, Mark, You are not one of those who lowers their gun, who fails to fulfill their objective. And right now, we have an objective. We have to find our friend…… So get up.... Get up Mark.

Mark (hesitated) But how?

Hugo shook his head slightly, a determined glint in his eye, he raised his hand toward Mark.

Hugo - I don’t know, not right now. But I've been thinking about it for a while, and I know we will find a way. Together.

Mark grasped Hugo's hand, allowing Hugo to pull him to his feet. Just as he steadied himself, the door to the barracks creaked open, and Liam entered, his presence uninterrupting. Liam looks at Hugo and Mark shaking hands and looking in each other's eyes.

Liam - Beautiful.