<<Citizen#0023-48325193

Entry#14241

I long sought the truth of our race, and when I discovered it those years ago I set about to prove it. To bring self-realization to our people. I tested humanity to show we are incapable of change. I have proven it without doubt.

And so I hold these four things to be holy and true. We can never be free of our destructive nature. We do not deserve to exist. The universe would be better without us. Humanity must be destroyed.>>

Jupiter’s gut clenches as he makes his way to the front lines, Mars’ furious countenance beside him as they pass soldiers running to positions and yelling instructions. There is fierce fighting ahead: gunshots and screams, explosions from grenades, and smoke hiding the battlefield. He has never entered the Tube before, but Jupiter knows he must. And somewhere in that fog of war is the door he must reach. To reach his daughter. He can’t help but grunt in anger at her foolishness and the trigger he was forced to pull in order to save her life. Could there be no other way? He picks up an assault weapon and clenches his teeth, “Let’s break through these fututorum.”

“Seriously?”

“She’s my daughter. I’m going to get her.”

“She’s a war criminal and we need to collect her.” Jupiter ignores Mars’ remark as they run to join one of the special forces teams. They are Mars’ soldiers so he takes charge, “New objective, priority breakthrough. Wait for bombardment of enemy then advance under cover-fire. We need to get Jupiter through the Gate then hold it until we are reinforced. Copy?”

“Yes, Sir!”

Mars signals for artillery fire as the team move forward through the small army fighting over the entrance to the Chosen One’s enclosure. Control of this gate would give the Lower Levels a massive bargaining chip, one the Council is not prepared to surrender.

Even under bombardment the fighting is fierce; the enemy know the stakes and fight ferociously. Mars’ team manages to snake through and get behind enemy lines before they are noticed. Suppressive fire threatens to pin them, but their training is too good. Flash grenades followed by cover fire and smoke grenades to cover their movement gives them passage to close the gap. Knives and pistols make short work of the lesser-trained Rebellion fighters. Jupiter himself experiences battle for the first time. Seeing a fellow human taking his last breath because of his knife shocks him to his soul. It is difficult for him not to think this is someone’s son. A father who would come looking for him, just like he is looking for Siff. Jupiter pushes the thought from his mind. These are the enemy. These are the reason everything has gone awry. He can’t have sympathy for them. Not if he wants his daughter back.

They move forward again, this time using short bursts of rifle fire to take down another enemy unit. They are very close to the Gate and Jupiter starts preparing his mind for the next phase of the mission. The next unit puts up more of a fight and two men fall beside Jupiter. One of them had clearly moved to take the shot meant for him. Jupiter watches him die, lifeless eyes staring into the distance. Jupiter grimaces and becomes stone-faced, raising his weapon and aggressively returning fire as they advance on the enemy. The last pocket of resistance begins to fall back, and Jupiter walks over bodies, each step closer to the gate. It is then bombardment begins again, this time from the enemy.

They take cover, waiting for the inevitable. Either they are going to get hit, or reinforcements are going to engage. The shells start to drop around their position; Jupiter looks over to Mars who is already weighing options, “We’re going to get her, Mars.”

“We’ll see.”

“She has intel. We need to get her.” He knows that appeals to Mars, but it isn’t enough.

“We’ll see.”

The bombardment stops and Jupiter makes his move. The team follows, watching enemy reinforcements pour forward. He knows there is no chance he will make it, but he has to try.

Gunfire blazes around them, Jupiter notices Mars stays next to him. They have to get to the Gate. Enemy troops burst through in thick number, swarming toward them behind energy shields absorbing the majority of cover fire. Mars is stunned, “Where did they get that equipment? Team, we have to abort.”

“Copy.”

“No!”

“You won’t make it!” Mars grabs Jupiter as he tries to lunge forward, “Hold him!”

Jupiter pushes against the men holding him, screaming in soulful agony, “Let me go! You have to let me go! She’ll die! I have to get her! Let me go!” He is pulled back from the front lines and cover fire starts to surround them again.

“We’re overwhelmed. Pull back. They have the Gate for now.”

The security forces begin their retreat; one of Mars’ troops gives Jupiter a shot to calm him down so they can get out of the fight. Drowsily he still reaches for his daughter as he is dragged away, “Siff…no…”