Revolution: The New World

1 Month Later

August 5, 2071

1700 GMT

Apollo's Food Court, Earth's Orbit

Li Wu's Point of View

Such a ridiculously long text! Befriend a peasant? You’ve been corrupted, Anna Robinson. Your foolishness doesn’t even deserve a response. Therefore, I shall leave you on the almighty “read” for all eternity.

“The filthy cookies and cream ice cream cone is not your foe, Li” Abbas calmly declares from across the table, as he raises an eyebrow.

“It must be defeated, Abbas!”

“It’s ok to miss your friend. I miss her too.”

“Shut up! You know nothing of friendship nor quality ice cream!” I say as I prepare to continue licking the ice cream.

This is disgusting!

My communicator is buzzing.

“Your table manners are lacking,” Abbas says in a calm tone as he interlocks his fingers.

“I see. The commander has requested my presence.”

*

Inside Angela Blackwood’s Private Quarters

*

Wow! The commander lives more humbly than I thought. It’s the size of a large bedroom and is decorated by pink lamps and posters of nature and animals.

“I am often misjudged, Li,” she says in a genuine tone as she feeds her cat. “I’ll cut to the chase. Trust is something I severely lack, however, to succeed in life, I must pick and choose my allies wisely. As tough as I am, I’ve learned that I am quite sensitive; nevertheless, I cannot allow my emotions to compromise my tasks. The overuse of emotions can result in one’s death; therefore, my decisions are based on logic and intelligence. Li Wu, you, along with Abbas, are my top soldiers. For obvious reasons, I’ve only invited you here to discuss confidential info,” she explains as she slowly approaches. “What if I told you that I was responsible for the Robinson family’s disappearance?”

“What?!”

“Heh heh. I shall make this easy for you,” she says as she hands me a pistol. “The safety’s off, it’s fully loaded and ready to use,” she says as she kneels and places her forehead onto the barrel of the gun. “Let’s see how well you were listening,” she says with that damn smirk.

You sent Anna and her parents away?! Why?! HOW COULD YOU DO THAT?! I… I…

“Prove it, Commander,” I say.

“Such utter foolishness. Have you forgotten to whom you are speaking?”

“You’re lying.”

“Oh? Prove it, Li.”

“Because you’re you, Commander Blackwood, and… (Put the gun down, Li!) you never lie.”

“An excellent response,” she says as I return her gun. “I prefer to nip things in the bud in order to prevent catastrophic failure,” she says with a deep yawn as she stretches. “You’ve passed my test and gained my trust; however, I propose you calm your rage before it consumes you. But hey, it’s your life and your choice,” she says with a shoulder shrug. “You may leave now.”

“What about Abass?”

“I’ve already assessed the intelligent boy, and I’ve determined that there are no immediate actions I must take to gain his trust,” she says as I slowly open the door. “Li Wu, if Anna Robinson were to one day foolishly oppose the Majestic Royals, who would you side with?”

*

4 Years Later

June 24, 2075

1200 GMT

Inside Angela Blackwood’s Private Quarters

*

“I was about to die of unsatisfaction, Li, but the news of this Luke Miller child has revitalized my appetite!” She says with a bright smile. “We shall be able to assert our supreme dominance and save Gaia with his or his guardian’s brain! Oh, but I must have a duel with him if I wish to surpass them,” she quickly says in excitement with a mixture of emotions on her face.

“You have ants in your pants, Ms. Blackwood.”

“Ah, appreciations, Li,” she says as she calms down. “I cannot help but be constantly driven by thoughts of the future. Imagining life without zombies is a common foolish dream among us, a dream that I shall soon turn into a reality, upon the swift execution of one little teenage boy.”

“One life over a million is the correct thing to do. I am prepared to help in any way I can.”

“Heh heh. There’s a twist in your statement that I shall shortly address, but for now, I must commemorate you. The Death Angels would not be the same without you. Not only did you soup up our apparel, but you even managed to make Edit not look like a complete dumpster fire,” she says with a hug.

This is unexpected.

“I-I only do what I love,” I say as I hug her back.

“No need to lie, Li, for I am perfectly aware that your heart resides with art, and there’s nothing wrong with that. There’s a lot of hardship and difficulty involved in pursuing a passion, but I believe that it’s all worth it at the end of the journey,” she says as we finish the hug. “Upon the separation of Luke Miller’s head from his torso, I shall honorably discharge you and your sister from your military services. Operation: GodSlayer is humanity’s greatest mission, and success means that your cute nephew, Chi, will be able to live in a safe world with no zombies. This is not a manipulation tactic, despite how it sounds, however, this is a mission that I will not be able to complete without everyone’s help. I’ve foolishly grown attached to the Death Angels. If anyone were to die under my command, then that would pain me more than any injury I have and will ever receive. I love every single Death Angel, and I will do my best to minimize casualties. Sadly, death is inevitable, and all birds must eventually leave the nest,” she says as she slowly stops herself from crying.

“We will not disappoint you, Angela.”

“Unfortunately, the ones who hurt you the most, tend to be the ones closest to you,” she says in a menacing tone, combined with a cold stare.

“I know the feeling…”

“As do I,” she says as she stretches. “Li Wu, due to the events in Olympus’s Operation Aurora, your old friend, Anna Robinson, has been transferred to Squad Zeus.”

Anna?

“To put it simply, if she still believes herself to be a Royal, then she shall capture and detain all members of Squad Zeus as soon as she gets the chance. Virtual simulations and real-life combat are very different. The peasants are proof that life on Earth corrupts you, but my policy is to always give people the benefit of the doubt; however, I fear that Anna Robinson may have turned traitor.”

“Oh.”

“Due to these extraordinary circumstances and your prestige, I must ask again. If Anna Robinson has become a threat to Mother Gaia, I am curious to know what it is you shall do, Li Wu?”

*

End of Act 5: Athens

*