Somewhere in Ardonia
15th April 2163
5:00 Pm
Several large trucks rumble through a dense jungle, emerging into the desolate outskirts of a once-thriving city. The vehicles come to a halt at an abandoned park, now overrun with wild vegetation, where a medical camp is set up. Soldiers in uniforms jump out of the trucks, swiftly moving to the back to help the passengers—survivors dressed in ragged clothes—disembark.
A young soldier, his face streaked with dirt but his eyes full of determination, extends his hand to an elderly woman struggling to climb down from the truck. He speaks gently, his voice betraying a mix of respect and pride.
Young Soldier (softly) - Here, ma’am, let me help you.
The old lady hesitates for a moment, then places her frail foot on the soldier's hand. As she steps down, she gives him a grateful smile.
Elderly Woman - Thank you, young man.
The soldier blushes slightly, a small but genuine smile creeping across his face as he stands taller, a sense of pride swelling in his chest. He nods respectfully as the woman is led away to the medical camp.
Meanwhile, at the medical camp, Commander June is busy overseeing the operation. She’s focused, her eyes scanning a tablet filled with reports and medical data. A soldier rushes toward her, saluting crisply before delivering his message. Out of breath he salutes.
Soldier - Ma’am, the new batch of people just arrived.
Commander June barely glances up, her voice sharp and efficient as she continues reviewing her data.
June - I thought I made it very clear—check everyone for any fatal injuries or diseases.
We can’t afford to miss anything.
Soldier - Yes, ma’am!
June finally looked up, a hint of impatience in her voice
June - So what are you waiting for? Get moving!
The soldier rushes off, and June shifts her focus to another soldier standing nearby, her tone softening slightly as she addresses the situation at hand.
June (authoritative, yet with a touch of concern) - These people need extensive care. Prepare them for transport to the Dome. And hurry it up—God, you new recruits are slow.
The soldier nods, immediately moving to organize the transfer, while June returns to her tablet, her mind already on the next task.
Near Supermarket
At a once-abandoned store on the edge of the city, a truck is unloading supplies—fruits, vegetables, and other necessities. Arthur, with a no-nonsense attitude, lifts a heavy crate of fruit and calls out to Samuel, who is lounging nearby, sipping a soft drink.
Arthur - Hey! Stop slacking off and lend a hand.
Samuel groans as he gets up, reluctantly grabbing another crate. He mutters under his breath, clearly not thrilled with the task at hand.
Samuel (complaining) - Man, I don’t remember signing up for this. Pretty sure I was supposed to be out there killing headhunters, not hauling groceries.
Arthur, already moving forward with his load, throws a glance over his shoulder, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Arthur - This reallocation mission is a hell of a lot better than throwing your life away in a pit of dead. At least you’re alive.
Samuel, still grumbling, follows Arthur into the store, raising his voice in a mock challenge.
Samuel (annoyed) - The same goes for you, you know!
Arthur chuckles, shaking his head as he places the crate down, his voice tinged with good-natured teasing.
Arthur - At least I’m not whining.
The Power Plant
High in the mountains overlooking the city, a group of engineers is working to restart a power plant. The hum of machinery fills the air as engines sputter to life. Victor, leaning against a railing, a candy stick in his mouth, watching the scene unfold with mild amusement.
Mark (excitedly, with a boyish grin) - Alright, it’s working!
Victor pulls the candy stick out of his mouth, waving it at Mark in mock condescension.
Victor - Look at this kid, getting all excited over a couple of engines starting up.
He points the candy stick at Mark, his grin widening as he continues to poke fun.
Victor - Let’s see if you’re just as thrilled when I offer you this candy.
Mark rolls his eyes, used to Victor’s antics, but he fires back with a smirk.
Mark - Poor Victor, do you really think your crappy little jokes still work to piss me off? Victor (dramatically) - Ah, you’re no fun these days.
Before Mark can respond, Hugo’s voice calls out from outside on the balcony, cutting through their banter.
Hugo (with a sense of wonder) - Hey guys, come look at this.
Mark and Victor exchange a curious glance before following Hugo outside. As they step
onto the balcony, the breathtaking view of the city unfolds before them. From their vantage point, they can see the massive crater left by Darius, now filled with rainwater. The water sparkles, reflecting the golden hues of the setting sun, creating a stunning, almost ethereal scene.
Hugo (softly, almost reverently) - It’s beautiful.
Mark and Victor stand in awe as they take in the view. The city below begins to light up as night falls, the once darkened landscape now illuminated by the glowing lights of civilization.
Victor- As much as I hate that guy, I’ve got to admit, something good finally came out of all the chaos... all because of what he said.
The three men stand in silence, lost in their thoughts, as the sun dips below the horizon, the city and its people finding a moment of peace amidst the turmoil.
The Apartment
Sophia and Maria standing in front of a large Abandoned apartment complex, their faces a mix of exhaustion and determination. The building, though worn and aged, has a welcoming aura, its windows glowing softly in the early evening light. A group of weary people—survivors from the outside—stand before them, their eyes filled with uncertainty and a glimmer of hope.
Sophia (with a warm smile, gesturing towards the building) - Welcome, everyone. From today, this will be your new residence—your new home.
The group of survivors murmurs softly among themselves, Maria steps forward, her voice calm and reassuring.
Maria - Please state your name as you move to your allotted room. The supermarket nearby is fully stocked, and the gas supply has been resumed. You’ll find everything you need.
As the survivors begin to file inside the apartment, a little boy tugs on his mother’s sleeve, his eyes wide with amazement. He points excitedly at the lights flickering on inside the building and the surrounding area.
Little Boy - Mom, look! Electricity!
His mother smiles, her eyes welling up with tears of relief as she kneels down to hug her son tightly. The scene feels almost surreal to the survivors, many of whom haven’t seen electricity or modern comforts in years.
On the Road
Across the city, Emma, Lana, and Ben are busy helping other groups of people settle into their new residences. As they assist the survivors, they suddenly notice the city lights beginning to flicker on, one by one. They stop in their tracks, their breath catching as they take in the breathtaking view of the city coming back to life.
Emma, her hands still holding onto a bundle of blankets, looks up at the skyline, her eyes reflecting the distant glow.
Emma (Calmly) - It’s like the city is waking up…
Lana, standing beside her, nods silently, a smile spreading across her face as she watches the lights stretch across the horizon. Ben, who had been silently focused on his work, finally allows himself to pause and take in the view.
The Power Plant
Hugo stands on the Balcony with Mark and Victor, overlooking the newly illuminated streets below. He smiles to himself, his thoughts turning to the people who made this moment possible.
Hugo (speaking softly) - All thanks to the commander, Captain John, and Artair... that Darius is still alive.
Mark - And it’s all thanks to Darius that things are starting to get back on the right track.
Hugo - Apart from all of us, only he has the courage to do the right thing.
Oliver’s Office
Oliver sitting at his desk, the soft hum of a ceiling fan overhead barely cutting through the silence of the room. Papers are scattered across his desk. Oliver’s face is a mask of calm focus, but there’s a tension in his eyes as he reviews the documents before him. Suddenly, the door to his office swings open without warning. John strides in, a stack of documents in his hands. He doesn’t bother with pleasantries or knocking.
Oliver (not looking up immediately, his voice cool) - You should’ve knocked first.
John drops the documents onto the desk with a heavy thud, sinking into the chair opposite Oliver without waiting for an invitation.
John - I’m just cutting the formalities.
Oliver finally looks up, his eyes meeting John’s with a mix of curiosity and mild annoyance. He picks up the documents, flipping through them quickly.
Oliver - The reallocation operation is going smoothly?
John (leaning back in his chair) - It is. But there’s more. After successfully retaking cities like Ardonia, Bellacus and the others, the council has approved expanding the operation to reclaim other parts of Argan territory ... .Not only that but they also suggested initiating the operation to retake the territory of Yuropa and some of the smaller nations around the other Dome City as soon as possible.
Oliver pauses, his fingers resting on a particularly thick packet of papers.
Oliver - And they know this will require more men and firepower than we currently have? John (nodding) -They do. That’s why they’re ramping up the workforce in the Research and Development department. They want those new Exoz suits and other weapons deployed as soon as possible.
There’s a brief silence as Oliver considers the implications, his eyes narrowing slightly.
John watches him, his expression unreadable.
John - As for the men, I’m sure they’ll start recruiting people from the outside—sending them to fight and die on the frontlines.
Oliver lets out a heavy sigh, rubbing his temples as if trying to stave off a headache.
Oliver (softly, almost to himself) - May God show mercy on us all.
John (with a dry smirk) - I’m pretty sure you’re the only one who needs mercy from God.
Oliver can’t help but chuckle at that, a rare moment of levity between the two men. But it’s short-lived, as John’s expression turns serious once more.
John (standing up, straightening his jacket) - That’s all. Sign the documents, and we’ll proceed further.
As John turns to leave, Oliver’s voice stops him.
Oliver - How’s Darius? Have they found anything vital from him in the research?
John pauses at the door, his hand resting on the knob. He doesn’t turn around immediately, his voice carrying a note of resignation.
John - Aside from what we already learn from him till now, there’s nothing new.
He begins to open the door, but then turns back to face Oliver, his expression more thoughtful than before.
John - One more thing… Do you think the council is desperate? Because we both know that your plan isn’t foolproof, and there will be consequences.
Oliver leans back in his chair, his gaze distant as he considers the question. He doesn’t answer right away, his mind clearly weighing the risks.
Oliver - I can’t say for sure. But I do know they’re eager to rid themselves of Artair’s Upper Hand as soon as possible.
John nods slowly, as if confirming something for himself. Without another word, he turns and exits the office, the door closing softly behind him. Once he’s alone, Oliver’s calm facade begins to crack. He stares out the window, the city skyline dark against the evening sky.
Oliver (whispering to himself) - And how is Darius? Should’ve asked this to John.
A beach, Somewhere Outside the Dome
Darius standing alone on a deserted beach, the gentle waves of the ocean lapping at the shore. The sky is as blue as the sun as bright at the top of the head, casting a
warm, golden glow over the water. Darius gazes out at the vast expanse, his expression a mix of contemplation.
He slowly lowers himself to the ground, his fingers digging into the cool, grainy sand. He pulls his hands out and watches as the sand slips through his fingers, disintegrating into tiny particles that are carried away by the breeze.
Without warning, a cold sensation presses against his cheek, shocking him out of his reverie. Startled, Darius loses his balance and falls back onto the sand. He quickly looks up, his eyes wide with surprise, only to see Artair standing over him, a mischievous grin on his face and an ice cream cone in his hand.
Artair (teasingly) - Relax, it’s no gravity-manipulating energy ball... just a Normal chocolate ice cream.
Darius blinks, momentarily thrown off by the playful gesture. He watches as Artair extends a hand down to him, the grin never leaving his face.
Artair (still smiling) - I get it, we don’t get to talk much these days... Here, take my hand.
Darius reaches up and grabs Artair’s hand, allowing him to pull him back to his feet.
Once standing, Darius brushes the sand off his clothes.
Artair (casually) - So, Darius... now that you’ve got a handle on your powers, at least to some extent, how are you feeling these days?
Darius takes a moment to consider the question, his eyes drifting back to the horizon. The ocean seems endless, a fitting backdrop for the endless thoughts swirling in his mind. He lets out a soft sigh, his smile returning with hope.
Darius (softly) - How can I describe it best... There’s no place better like home, right?
Artair watches him carefully, sensing the deeper emotions behind the simple words. He doesn’t push, though; instead,
The end of the Beginning.
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