Soldiers of the Dark Future Chapter 1

Soldiers of the Dark Future Chapter 1

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It was one quiet night. It was always a quiet night even at daytime. The thick fog of air pollution formed centuries ago loomed overhead, creating a filter that prevented the rays of sunlight from permeating through. And if any managed to, it only illuminated the sky in an orange glow.

The only difference in the sky when it comes with the season was the weather, but rarely. One would know if the seasonal typhoons are coming is when lightning lit the black sky into light purple in a matter of seconds, followed by a low rumble.

Then a drizzle, then nothing.

Back to the usual night.

Below the depressed heavens were the remaining skyscrapers, both surviving and occupied, or ruined and stripped bare to the foundations. Both of these were home to the, Megacorporate employees and Gangpunkers desperate for shelter.

At the base of each were low lying buildings, maybe one to three storey highs. Like the skyscrapers themselves, it was either occupied or vacated, habitable or ruined. The walls of each nondescript buildings were either riddled with holes or have worn out paint. Some of it were corroded, brought by the harsh chemically polluted air.

And some of it were decorated with gang tags to indicate the current kings of this neighborhood block.

From the shadows of the alleys, the predators of the 22nd century stalked. A woman hooded in tattered cloak moved past such alleys. Fear suddenly reached the peak of her mind, a primal instinct that kept humans alive for millennias. She turned towards the nearest alley and saw from within a blue eyed creature in black battle armor.

She took a step back, stifled a scream and held her opened mouth with her two hands. The creature, whatever it was, simply held a finger over his...face as if he was motioning for her to stay quiet.

She complied but she ran in fear.

"Target sighted, do we open fire?" Flatliner 11938-73 Santos inquired as he revealed himself among the trashbin--his previous form could simply be mistaken as a hunched homeless man or a bodybag tossed in the dumpster.

"No," the creature, Flatliner 11938-61 Alvarez, replied as he glanced at his teammate. "Subject has low chance of jeopardizing the operation." Their faces were obscured behind fearsome faceplates connected to their helmets. "Alpha Squadron," he glanced behind. "Let's move."

Like a pack of ghosts appearing from a diabolically infested structure, they flooded out of the alley with imperceptible speed. They moved mechanically and with total discipline, filing out in a single column like, a liquid plunged by a syringe beneath the skin.

The woman glanced behind, felt something was chasing her, but all she saw was an empty space and gust of wind passing by.

And after that, she was alone.

"Gangpunks will be all over the place as usual." Flatliner Alvarez said. "Expect resistance."

They did not reply, for it wasn't necessary. They are the men and women that comprised the Armed Forces of New Manila, they are the soldiers of the dark future.

No longer humans, these cybernetic soldiers have sacrificed their meat and empathy in favor of steel and wires--the source where they draw their bestial power from.

Far ahead, a two-storey building that should be abandoned was lit in a bluish and pinkish glow. By the doorway, a figure in dark grey flak jacket with light blue battleplates could be seen, standing guard. His irises lit in red rhytmicaly as he communicated someone at the other line.

"Gangpunker spotted, eleven o'clock northwards!" Flatliner Dinozzo spoke as he pointed at the unsuspecting target.

Alvarez slowed down enough for the Gangpunker to see him. The punk, belonging to the Sons of the Lumang Talim, turned to him with a yell and proceeded to reach for his glowing handgun holstered in his thigh.

The world in Alvarez's vision slowed down as his headware perceived a potential danger. He raised his Bushido-Steel rifle, centering the ironsights at the shaven head of the Gangpunker and opened fire.

Three muzzle flashes illuminated his world. Bullets after another went out of his weapon's barrel. He turned off the effects of the implant with a thought and the world resumed at normal speed.

Ahead, the Gangpunker fell to the ground with a splattered head. Screams and yell could be heard inside as they neared the door.

"Dispensing Knocker Gas!" Flatliner Santos yelled as he detached a black cylindrical grenade lit by orange led lights. He pressed the button on the top of the device and tossed it inside.

With a flash and sharp hissing sound, the screaming noise went quiet, followed by a couple of bodies falling. Those who were unaffected must be installed with cyberware, like most Sons of Lumang Talim Gangpunkers.

If an innocent civilian with cybernetics happened to be in the mix, they better drop down because the Flatliners wouldn't be bothered sorting the good from the bad.

And they entered with ghost-like speed among haze and beams of bright light.

"Three o'clock!" Dinozzo yelled as he, Alvarez, Gonzales and Puyat turned to that direction and spotted four men in silver and blue, eyes glowed in red in the haze.

"You coppers are all mine!" One of the Gangpunkers yelled. "You're alleykill!"

They opened fire at very close range. Alvarez fired at the easiest target, then to the man beside the Gangpunker, turning his head in a blur of red. Bullets ricocheted against their chestplates as the Gangpunkers tried to kill them desperately. Another Gangpunker with a hand swordware charged at Alvarez at pointblank distance. The Flatliner sent the butt of his rifle at the face of the Gangpunker.

His target fell, not realizing what just transpired. All he knew was that life is over as he stared at the copper's rifle barrel.

"YOU are alleykill." Alvarez said with a mechanical voice and opened fire.

"Sector clear!" Santos yelled and pointed at the staircase, where a Gangpunker was lying by the first step. "I'm taking point!"

"Proceed." Alvarez replied.

They ascended to the second floor where a handful of men were currently stranded. Santos' presence was a gust of wind. He drew his plasma knife and hugged the nearest Gangpunk by the neck. He sprayed his blood in the air and that was an indication for the occupants that they are not alone.

They felt presence in the room with them. But it was a fraction too late when bullets from Bushido-Steel rifles were fired and dropped them down. Among them was the leader of the Sons of Lumang Talim, the Gangpunker "Ka Sabong".

"Alpha Squadron Flatline Team-114 to Command, Gangpunks were exterminated. Returning to extraction." Alvarez reported.

"Proceed, be advised a Bodydropper is deployed to cover your retreat." The operator replied back.

"Affirmative," was the only reply Alvarez gave.