Awakened New Earth - Book 1 Chpt 1 [English - US]
Awakened New Earth [English - US]
Description:
Awakened New Earth is a futuristic / sci-fi cyberpunk story, inspired by my brother's cosplay of a futuristic smuggler / soldier from an Anime Event we went. The narrative of the story follows in first person and the structure is based on the following way: Character (action or expression): speech (in italics when it is thought or speech is transmitted through another device, such as a microphone or television set).
The story focus the life of Ford Darbbin - a retired Captain from the old Military Guard that fought the Warren War, where an alien race (the Warren) almost annihilated planet Earth with its deadly weapons. After the restoration of Earth with the help of another but benign alien race (Nadeeco Naem’jeen), Darbbin lived in a simple life until he got involved in a bank assault where he fought the bandits who raided the place while he was going to renew his account to receive the Government's benefits.
My second Youtube channel:
My other Blogspot places:
My Instagram:
Note: Don't you dare to download these images and re-share it without my permission. If you do, please, leave the original author name.
Synopsis
In the year 2107, humanity faced a more difficult challenge of all. Earth's natural resources has been exhausted quickly. The population reaches 500 billion human beings, making the Earth an overpopulated planet. Crises of terrorism and wars have taken over countries, which of the most important and precious Laws have become things of the past and the Constitution has been extinguished.
And to make matters worse, on October 8, 2107, a fleet of alien ships from an unknown world came and decimated almost half of the planet. In response, governments from various countries gathered to form a single form of government and responded to the attack with all they had to stave off the invasion that brought the end of the earth. On January 27, 2108, humanity and Earth survived after a violent war against a hostile alien force and won a victory, despite the cost they had. The Earth became an arid and dead planet after the war. Humanity faced serious situations such as starvation, overpopulation and poorly structured slums.
Until on February 2, 2108, another fleet of aliens came, but they were not those invaders that almost culminated the end of humanity, they were able to aid in the reconstruction of one part of the planet, managing to save mankind from another end. Peace and prosperity reigned on Earth again, and now, with new supercities reigning above the clouds, the so-called New Earth was created, while the arid and dead surface became known as the Old Earth, now housed the memories of a violent war and those who did not want to leave their old houses.
New colonies were established in worlds beyond those known to mankind, and with the help of their new residents from other worlds, they began to found new forms of Laws to replace the previous ones. But there was still a lot of humans who retains the old forms of segregation and discrimination towards the new neighbors and allies.
Chapter 1: Morning for a Chase
March 14, 2113. The Earth that was once known now no longer exists. What remains now is the arid and dead surface, called the Old Earth. Many say that those who go there may be extremely dangerous criminals, enemies of the State who have turned themselves against our Government, prisoners and the mentally ill.
We live in the supercities, built as a symbol of our union with the Nadeeco Naem’jeen, a race of extraterrestrials who helped rebuild part of our planet as a gesture of gratitude by almost losing it to another extremely hostile alien race called the Warrens. The Warrens destroyed a part of our Earth, vaporizing our oceans, deforesting our flora, exterminating our animals and people. Those who gone were our loved ones who mattered most in life. Husbands, parents, children, brothers, companions, colleagues and fighters. Those who survived the initial attacks fought with everything they had, even though the technology we had did not seem to be equated with theirs. But we managed to send them away with all we got and the blood and soul of those who sacrificed themselves to save this planet. That was six years ago.
Now we live in prosperity with the Nadeeco Naem’jeen and visitors from other worlds to form a New Earth, which is the world we have today. While there are people who retain traces of our old discrimination and ideas of radicalism about our purity, and that some alien communities live in districts and neighborhoods reserved for themselves because of our discrimination, we try to live as close as possible. I believe that someday, we can keep ourselves as one, without these ideas and discrimination.
////
In an apartment, in the middle of the busiest neighborhoods on the New Earth, a man found himself having breakfast. This is me. Ford Darbbin. 22 years old, Caucasian, brown hair and eyes. I am, well, for what I was in the Army, Captain of the Military Guard who survived the darkest chapter in the history of mankind because of the Warrens, and forbade me to tell others about my actions taken in the war to keep respectful and fidelity to my post. The Military Guard disbanded after that episode, some of my comrades decided to follow different paths and others had died, fulfilling their duty for mankind.
So far, I have no idea what others are doing now, but I know they are fine. They must already be civilians, doing everyday things, and may have already married or had children. I'm just a bachelor, behind uniforms and a laser pistol, making my day worthwhile.
Henrich, the computer in my apartment room: “Sir, when you finish breakfast, please do not forget to put your bowl in the dishwasher. I'll take care of the rest.”
I finished my breakfast by placing the spoon in the bowl.
Ford Darbbin: “Sure thing, Henrich.”
I took the bowl with the spoon and went to put it in the dishwasher. Done it, the door closed and began to pour jets of boiling water around the bowl.
Ford Darbbin: “How's the day, Henrich?”
Henrich (evaluating the meteorology of today): “The day consists of pleasant weather. 83,66 degrees Fahrenheit. Moist and fresh air. Open sky with no sign of cumulus clouds.”
I looked at the window and saw the day was well described by Henrich. After that, I went to get my things, like my vest, laser pistol and the shield generator.
Henrich: “Sir, I must remind you that you have a favor that needs solving in the bank before receiving new benefits.”
The service that was provided as Captain of the Military Guard allowed me to receive Government benefits as part of my compensation in case I face situations of financial difficulty. It almost works like retirement, only with a few exceptions. The favor I needed to resolve there was the renewal of the benefit, where it could only be done personally at the San Royal Bank and would cut me the benefit if I delay or do not answer the calling.
As I put on my boots, I looked at the terminal where Henrich spoke.
Ford Darbbin: “No problem.”
Moving down the garage, I placed my fingerprint on the access panel reader to unlock my car. The safety locks and alarms work when the vehicle owner places his digital device in the device and identifies if is actually himself. If it were someone else, the car alarms would trigger for theft prevention. There are cases where some smart person got the finger of the owner and implant it in place of his finger, or they can pass security using break-in devices, which is the most used today by the smartest assailants.
Upon entering the vehicle, I pressed the start button. The cars of today have no more starter, manual gearbox, combustion engine and a single form of aerodynamic vehicle. Now there are several car models, designed purposely with different models, and a little bit weird. Some flattened, others very long, others very tall and others very wide. In addition, the gearshift is automatic, the engine runs the battery power, the wheels have restructuring systems, where a hole or a scratch in the tires can be patched, the doors open turning up and not forward, as of old, and comes with GPS located near the radio and the windshield, autopilot, voice command and other things.
Car's voice command: “Destination?”
Ford Darbbin (giving the location of my destination): “San Royal Bank.”
Car's voice command: “Thank you and have a good trip.”
The car gained power and was on our plotted route. While driving, other cars could be seen through the window, traveling in their traced places. The highways are no longer pavement and asphalt, but conductive runaways that support the fleet of vehicles. Many vehicles have been designed with motors that allow magnetic traction with the tracks. So far I haven't seen a flying car like in some science fiction movies, and just don't know if they will do it. But I would be grateful to someone with the brilliant idea of putting a mapping system on vehicles.
Halfway to San Royal Bank, I turned on the radio to hear the news of the day. And one of them was an armed robbery, located in K-11 Sector. Victims: two human people shot and one alien was assaulted and then murdered.
Ford Darbbin (thinking while listening to that): “Those cretins!”
////
On the other side of the lane, where the robbery happened, three punk-looking thugs – because of their dyed hair, Mohawk hair, and dark jackets and clothes – ran away in a stolen car and fired high.
Orange-haired bandit (laughing): “Well done to those miserable guys who tried to stop us.”
Dark-green haired bandit with pierced ears: “Yeah. With this new car and some credit cards, we can go further.”
When things seemed to be good for them, the police were soon engaged. The vehicles began the chase in the middle of the morning to detain the fugitives with a stolen vehicle.
Half bald bandit with purple bands on the head: “Ah, guys. Looks like the cops are coming.”
Orange-haired bandit (not interested in that): “That's nothing. We have a fast car. They cannot handle us.”
But what they didn't expect, is that the toughest police guy was preparing to take action. A tall man, with a molded physique, dressed in a bulletproof vest, bracelets, boots and a helmet with a visor, as well as armed with a pistol and a laser sword to engage his targets. For the pursuit of the stolen vehicle, he carried his motorcycle to intercept the bandits.
Chief Stones of the Police Department of Special Operations (on the other side of the call): “Phantom, the units went into action in K-11 Sector. They are chasing a stolen car with three trespassers inside.”
Phantom 71-T9 (calibrating the dampers on the dashboard): “What is their strength?”
Phantom 71-T9, the hardest man and consequently the strongest arm of the Law, acting with brute force and questionable methods, but legalized. He is one of the special agents with several special missions given by the Police Department, or by the abbreviations PDSO to officers like him.
Chief Stones (on the other side of the call): “About two energy machine guns, a rifle with piercing ammunition, steel rattles and break-in devices.”
Phantom 71-T9 (starting the bike): “So these punks want to get stuck in an ugly robbery, huh? I'll make them get back to the hole where they got stuck by themselves.”
As he advanced to the lane from where he was, Phantom accelerated the vehicle and reached the ground, the bike had a small force on the impact but remained intact. When one of the bad guys looked back, it was a motorcycle in front of the car, gaining range.
Half bald bandit with purple bands on the head (shouting): “Oh no! They brought the Phantom to chase us!”
Dark-green haired bandit with pierced ears (shouting): “Shit! I heard this guy's a hard nut to crack. Stop him!” (ordering the orange and the purple to take up the guns and shoot the bike)
Seeing the guys getting ready, Phantom accelerated up a little more to intercept them. And when they exposed their machine guns out, he went into readiness to take care.
Phantom 71-T9 (analyzing the weapons through the scanner on his visor): “Rapier R20 type machine guns, with energy ammunition. Accuracy of 27.83 in automatic. They have no idea they're going to dispense ammunition for nothing just to bring me down. Fools.”
Seeing the projectiles coming toward him, the agent maneuvered the bike to the right and left when a few shots came in a straight line. Others who came at random had no reason to dodge. And sometimes, some of the shots hit the metal frame of the incoming police cars, but they didn't have enough strength to pierce the bodywork and the engine and detonate anyone inside the vehicle.
Policeman on the steering wheel: “We are under crossfire!”
Policeman on the other side: “Damn.”
While the thugs were firing on Phantom, the machine guns were on the verge of exhausting their magazines. And when it was over, they returned in the car to recharge.
Dark-green haired bandit with pierced ears (asking while driving): “Didn't you knock the guy down yet?!”
Orange-haired bandit (reloading): “He is very agile on the bike! We need more ammo to knock him down.”
Dark-green haired bandit with pierced ears (ordering furiously): “Then do it quickly!”
As they reloaded their weapons, it gave Phantom the opportunity to take his laser pistol and prepare it in combat. Waiting to see one of the thugs come back to shoot, was to analyze the scenario. And seeing the first guy out the window, he pointed the pistol and pulled the trigger, reaching the right arm to immobilize.
Orange-haired bandit (shouting as he felt his arm immobilized): “Argh!”
Half bald bandit with purple bands on the head (shouting): “He's shooting!”
Dark-green haired bandit with pierced ears (ordering): “Kill him!”
Phantom waited a little longer. Seeing that the first target hit again to shoot again, he pulled the trigger from the pistol. Only now, pointed at the head.
Dark-green haired bandit with pierced ears (screaming to see the orange being shot in the head): “Barnnes!”
And when the body fell out of the car, it rolled to the ground because of the speed and kinetic of the vehicle and of being thrown with force.
The other one who was firing returned to fire. And this time, one of the shots hit one of the wheels of the bike.
Half bald bandit with purple bands on the head (seeing the shot successfully hit the wheel of the bike): “I got him.”
Phantom almost lost stability, but saw a ramp that could exert an impulse to reach the stolen car. Taking this ramp, he climbed up to the top of the place.
When they saw that they had only the vehicle behind them, the thugs were a little relieved to think the agent was gone. But what they did not expect, Phantom was preparing to advance in them.
Gaining speed and seeing the end of the border, the agent triggers the autopilot in the vehicle and jumps out, heading toward where the car would pass. It was a visible silhouette in the middle of the sky, seen from those on the ground.
The bandits heard a sound that something fell on top, and when they realized he reached them, the purple tried to find a way while putting the machine gun out. Phantom reached for the barrel of his gun and jolted the gun carrier out of the car. The dark-green haired bandit saw his colleague rolling on the floor, bursting his face and body. Picking up a remaining rifle in the car, he braced himself to be approached by the officer.
Phantom was still at the top of the vehicle. Realizing there was only one, he prepared to get in the vehicle and knock down the pilot. Placing the head in the right window, he backed away as the thug began to shoot. Breaking through the right was the wrong way, the way it is on the left. The man knew that his pursuer was still out there, so he started firing up. Phantom dodged to one side as the bullets climbed. Seeing the gap on the left, he positioned himself and jumped in.
Entering, he kicked the villain's face and the two began to punch. Fortunately, the autopilot was triggered, which wouldn't be a problem. The guy punched Phantom's face and as he took the rifle, the two struggled to take the gun. Suddenly, as he pulled the trigger, he hit the steering wheel and dashboard, which made him lose stability and fall when it hit the edge of the track.
The vehicle fell, and from there the man with the dyed hair came out first, with a face partially painted with blood. He could barely stand, but he could walk. Taking away from the fallen vehicle, he tries to escape unscathed. The situation changed when he heard someone leaving the vehicle. It was the Phantom.
Dark-green haired bandit with pierced ears (thinking scared to see the tough guy come out in one piece and alive from the car): “Fuck!”
He started to run off the cop. Phantom, who was intact thanks to his armor, and a layer of shock-absorbing bubbles, saw his target fleeing away. The cat-and-mouse chase returned with two humans.
Entering a building, the fugitive started firing at the top, scaring innocent customers, visitors and civilians. He climbed up again. The agent came in and went after the thug. They both ran inside the building. At times, when they were aiming for their guns, they would start shifting pistol and rifle shots. They shied away from the shots.
Phantom took an energy magazine to his pistol and reloaded it. With some of his cybernetic components that amplified his senses, he could hear the steps of his target that took away. He came back in the chase.
Hearing the guy entering a room, the agent approached the wall on which the door was. With the pistol in his hand, he came in with everything and faces an unpleasant situation. The thug of dark green hair had taken a hostage. A 19-year-old human who was about to dress after her shower.
Phantom 71-T9: “We both know we do not have to end up like this.”
Dark-green haired bandit with pierced ears (holding the girl harder and pointing the barrel to her head): “But of course. You killed Stew and Barnnes. They were good men.”
Phantom 71-T9: “Good men usually don't take lives and hurt people, whether humans or aliens.”
Dark-green haired bandit with pierced ears (holding the girl harder and pointing the barrel to her head): “Shut up! Aliens don't deserve to live on the same planet as us humans.”
Phantom 71-T9 (facing the bandit while adjusting a laser sight through his visor, without the punk could see): “If you believe so much about it, why don't you look for another world to live that are only for humans?”
Dark-green haired bandit with pierced ears (clenching the girl's arm): “Because here is my home. If you won't let me out of here in peace, I'll blow the brains out of this bitch!”
Phantom 71-T9 (concluding his laser sight on the target): “Always threatening civilians. You have lowered yourself to nothing.”
As he adjusted his sights, Phantom directed the laser into the bandit's head, and in a moment a concentrated beam punctured the head that left a glowing, magma-like mark. He dropped her arm and his gun on the floor. She ran into Phantom's arms crying.
Phantom 71-T9 (comforting the hostage): “Don't worry. You're safe now. He is dead.”
Human lady (crying): “Brandon… My… Brandon. He killed my Brandon.”
Phantom saw that was a boy of 20 years, with shots in the chest and the head.
Phantom 71-T9: “Brandon. Was he your acquaintance?”
Human lady (crying): “He was about to spend the honeymoon with me.”
The officer called a police team with several body bags.
////
A stolen car. Status: Ruined. Two wounded humans. Severity: Light. An alien. Dead. Four humans. Dead. All this in one day.
Phantom was outside the building, looking at the last sack being taken to the police vehicle. The girl was not well. Losing someone she loved so much wasn't a pleasant experience at all. Then a policeman arrives at Phantom. Wearing the same uniform as him, but not wearing a helmet like his.
Ralph Armstrong, Caucasian male, 25 years old. He is the Commander of the Metropolitan Police, but who acts as part of the PDSO. Despite his rank being higher than most other officers, the agent was superior at the hierarchical level.
Phantom 71-T9 (senselessly): “Speak, Ralph.”
Ralph Armstrong: “Phantom, Chief Stone called. He informs that General Gavorsky will pay a visit to the Department. He would like to meet you.”
Phantom didn't seem to care about it.
Phantom 71-T9 (senselessly): “Another day, Ralph.”
Ralph Armstrong: “But sir, Gavorsky wouldn't take ‘another day’. He wants to meet you today.”
Phantom 71-T9 (walking to his bike): “The mission to stop the punks is over. I don't want to get too involved with matters of Gavorsky or any General of the Government.”
Ralph Armstrong (suggesting while following the agent): “Just at least pretend you'll care about the meeting.”
The agent sighed. He was not disposed to meet. But he had to accept, even if it wasn't his best interest.
Phantom 71-T9 (unsatisfied): “Very well. I will return to the Department and try to satisfy the will of the General.”
Phantom got on his bike and started to go to the PDSO. It remained intact after the chase, with a few bullet holes.
////
Back where I was, I had to put my car in the parking lot. The Bank was four miles away. I was walking to exercise my legs. It is for a living being to exercise his body at every moment. The Government has encouraged people and aliens to exercise before and after every hour, whether in school, at work, at home, or on the road.
It's not very common for those who served in the Military Guard to get out uniformed in the middle of the street, doing ordinary things in life, like going to the bank, eating somewhere else, shopping, or watching some movie in the cinema. Currently, things work very differently. For example, if you are out for lunch and need the ingredients for a chicken potato casserole, instead of going to the grocery store or a fair, the refrigerators come with an ordering system, where by typing a certain item in your order list, he sends it to the supermarket or nearby fair and the payment is done on the credit card. The credit cards of today hold all your bank accounts and credentials and the money you receive, spend, lose or invest in is contained as an electronic currency in these cards, called the E-Coin. Some cinemas and theaters feature movies with environments beyond 3D where customers themselves can interact with the environment while watching the movie or theatrical performance. But sometimes, some of the things that were made before lost importance that became obsolete, like going to a store, supermarket, bakery or anywhere and picking something that matters. Everything was very centralized at home.
I walked in a park to look a little at the lawn, the water source, people having a little fun with their families. Some of them with their mascots. After the War we had with the Warrens, many species of animals and plants were recovered thanks to Nadeeco Naem’jeen, others are gone forever. And unfortunately, not all people have more interest to leave the house, organize a picnic with the family, bring their dog and throw a disc or feed the birds. With advances in technology, young people prefer to lock themselves in the bedroom or living room with their virtual reality video games, or what we call multiphasic games. I don't have a dog in my apartment because Henrich is not scheduled to take care of me while I'm gone and the room I live in is very small. But I wish I could have one. A good part of my life I have been a lonely man, without any company and family, I have only my mother, some uncles and cousins who got married and had children after the War. Too bad none of them usually come here and visit me. Only sometimes do I get calls from my mother. Sometimes I step next to my neighbor's room, Teresa. She is kind to me and makes me a lunch when she invites me. The last few days she's had some problems because of her boyfriend, Douglas. The reason was that he got involved with alcohol problems and even got into fights and was arrested by the police.
I leaned my arms against the bar to contemplate the garden. And then I sighed. Sometimes I don't sigh for anything. Others because I miss anything or anything in life.
Before I could resume my course, a lady was on the bench next to mine. I noticed that she threw some bread crumbs for the birds to eat. Although there was no sign saying not to throw bread crumbs on the floor and I was no longer an active officer, I decided to see it.
Old lady (looking at the birds): “It's a beautiful day for a walk, isn't it?”
She wore a pair of sunglasses and a scarf around her head and neck. Her skin was a little brown and her clothes were very wide and long.
Ford Darbbin: “Perhaps. But I wouldn't define it as a walk.”
I stood on her right side as I watched her remove another portion of crumbs from a food case.
Ford Darbbin: “Do you always come here and feed the birds?”
Old lady (looking at the birds): “Always. I hardly see anyone around here who comes to feed them.”
Ford Darbbin: “Right. Also in some places on the square there are posts with bird food. And when one doesn't show up to eat, they usually call the vacuum robots to collect the leftovers.”
Old lady (looking at the birds): “True. Too bad they don't see something very attractive in the rations. Sometimes they prefer something more interesting when it comes from home.”
The lady removed a new portion of crumbs and threw them on the floor. The birds were not bothered by my presence when they pinched those pieces. I looked at the clock on the lamppost and realized that it was close to 11 am.
Ford Darbbin: “Sorry for having to end this conversation suddenly, but I have to go.”
Old lady (looking at the birds): “I understand.” (in an instant, she turned her face to me) “There is something very important that you need to resolve. At San Royal Bank.”
When I heard that, I was surprised. How did she know I was going to San Royal Bank without having told me where I was going?
Ford Darbbin (astonished): “How? How do you know where I'm going?”
Old lady: “I know you have a lot of questions. Captain Ford Darbbin. I know you need to go there and do something important there.”
Who was she? How do you know my name? I hardly know her and only saw her today.
Ford Darbbin (swallowing dry while surprised): “Who are you?”
When I got up, the birds took flight after feeling my disturbance.
Old lady: “About who I am is beyond comprehension, but I can say that I know a lot.” (looking at the floor) “All I know is that you must be careful around you. I know your world went through a difficult time when you fought for humanity and saved it from a terrible end. But this does not mean the evil is over.”
I had no idea what she is talking about. Out of nowhere someone with the appearance of an old lady who gives bread crumbs to birds appears in my life and speaks of a possible reorganization of hostile forces wanting to test our resolve and defeat us again.
Old lady: “Hidden forces move in the shadows of these great cities, wanting to take care of your planet and their lives. Including yours, Captain.”
Ford Darbbin (astonished): “And… do you know more or less who they are?”
Old lady: “This I cannot say for sure. I just know that you must not let your guard down and let your world fall into their hands.”
I had several questions to ask her. However, my time here at the park is over. I needed to go to the bank as soon as possible. The birds returned from that astonishment in order to receive more crumbs. And before I could say goodbye, I thanked her again.
Ford Darbbin: “I don't know how to say about it, but, I appreciate the conversation.”
I got up from the seat to continue walking to my destination.
Old lady (smiling): “I hope to see you again, young man.”
Ford Darbbin: “Who knows, if conditions and time can favor.”
Old lady: “I hope so too. Until next time, Captain Ford Darbbin.”
I said goodbye to her and resumed my way to the bank and resolved that issue of the new government benefits. I don't know if that brief conversation with that lady can bring any kind of benefit. The only thing I can say is that I must be alert to what may happen from now on.
Comentários
Postar um comentário