Taksil (Traitor)

June 30, 2168

San Miguel Corporate Zone. One of the most well defended fortresses in the urban jungle that is New Manila, second only to the tallest skyscraper where the seat of the Enclave Authority's power was located--the Isko Moreno Tower. Just like the latter, San Miguel Corporate Zone was the home of the self-appointed monarchy of the newly established Bagong Katagalugan, the successor of the now-defunct Philippine Republic after it fell at the hands of the Megacity Troopers in a devastating event called the Great Unload a century ago.

The existence of the Katagalugan Maharlikans had posed a very big problem for the Enclave Authority as the "Nobilites" took up arms to fight for the power that they think they deserved due to their blood connections with the fractured country's ancient royal "rulers". Both the Maharlikans and the Authority had been involved in numerous brushfire skirmishes against one another as they tried to destroy each other.

This gave the foreign megacorporations an opportunity to exploit the conflict to serve their interests, with the aid of the numerous gangpunkers and syndicate factions under their payrolls to destabilize the de facto (and official) rulers of the nation. The Katagalugan Maharlikans of the San Miguel Corporate Zone has the backings of the mega-conglomerate business owners since the Nobilites themselves had agreed to the Megacorp's proposals to "restore the country's economy".

The Maharlikans enjoyed tactical alliances with the corporations and together, they were united to fight against the Enclave Authority.

If there was one word to describe the San Miguel Corporate Zone, it was 'bright'. Large buildings that boasted the logos of many corporations radiated with iridescent glow, aside from the quartet of leviathan foglights located on the four corners of the gigantic walls that protected the Zone from external threats. The walls itself were armed with automated and organic security that were well-funded both by the Maharlikans and the Corporations.

No one from outside, with the exception of foreign ambassadors visiting the fractured country or the corporate and royal troops returning from off-wall duties, had ever set foot inside the Corporate Zone. Numerous rumors grew surrounding the restricted zone, like the existences of natural grass parks and the organic narra trees despite the last of its specie had died a long time ago, or the preserved mangoes from Guimaras harvested back from the time when the province was still a safe place and not a radiated wasteland like it was now.

In the center of the utopian urban paradise inside the Corporate Zone was the recently restored Malacanang Palace, its halls were bustling with activities as the 65th birthday of the Patriarch Nobilite, Haring Guillermo I, was finally coming to an end. The main hall was packed with numerous personalities, from SocMed darlings to iconic corporate figures who had wallets big enough to feed a starving Barangay for the years to come. Elite corporate soldiers loaned by the British security contractor, Corsair Inc., were posted on every corners of the palace, alongside uniformed Royal Shock Troopers of the Masinag Diwa Clan. Unlike the RST, Corsair Inc.'s personnel were wearing nothing but barong tagalogs, revealing fearsome looking Rapidfire and Automatic Machine Pistols holstered in their utility belts.

The personnel were part of a premier unit within Corsair Inc., colloquially called Cyber-Guards due to their extensive, if not obvious, cybernetic body implants. Most of them had mirrorshades to obscure their incandescent artificial optics capable of detecting body heat signature or seeing through clothes for any hidden weaponry. Very few visitors knew about this, hence they wore fabrics that would counter the effect of the Cyber-Guards' optics. Most of these few were the Nobilites and their Royal Shock Troopers, corporate execs and the CEO of Corsair Inc. himself, Sir Albert Windsor, OBE.

Spherical media drones that transmitted live feeds both to plaza squares and the SocMed web domain floated in the air, capturing important happenings within the immediate vicinity and taking pictures of spotted Vlogfluencers mingling with corporate heirs and bratty youthpunkers while gathered around luxurious tables. The youngsters were related to the big players of New Manila in blood, who were currently sitting with the King in golden chairs.

The stage beyond was bathed in purple sickly lights, currently occupied by a young beautiful hostess who announced the name of the King after a brief speech. Upon hearing it, Haring Guillermo I stood from his seat and earned the applause of those present. He ascended the steps to the stage and approached the mic stand, enjoying the glow of the spotlight directed to him.

"Thank you, my dear friends." He began. "Tonight, we celebrate the reign of 'democracy' for my beloved country, a beautiful nation comprised of charitable men and women who were ready to serve and bleed for all of your needs." He grinned in a bloodthirsty way. He was not referring to the Nobilites, but to the commoners of the city living in tightly packed Informal Settlers' Zones. "Many opportunities are now opened to my fellowmen. It was a big leap for the restoration of this fractured country back to her former glory. But as good as it may sounds, many obstacles prevented us from achieving the Filipino Dream of living in a peaceful and industrialized country." He paused for effect.

Many of his audiences had gone quiet while they listened to the King's speech. Haring Guillermo I continued. A wheeled holographic projector bot moved across the stage and halted behind him. The horizontal automaton activated its primary function and displayed the images of Enclave Flatliners, Holoshifters and Bodydroppers in the violent attack on San Miguel Corporate Zone back on 2150, which necessitated the construction of the meters thick wall that now protected the area.

"The Enclave Authority attempted to destroy everything we had worked for." He lied. "But we have stood stronger than ever. We will not falter and we shall show them that they failed in breaking our spirit."

He paused, silence still dominated. Those present who were old enough to have witnessed the conflict bowed their heads in silence, while those who knew the reason what have caused it simply grinned secretly.

"As long as the Enclave Authority existed, all of us will remain in sufferings. I heard your pleading voices, my fellow countrymen, and I am here with you." His facial expression tried to be as sincere as he could, his hypothalamic implant dispensed artificial chemicals to make sure that he projected the appropriate emotion to aid his facade. "I will be your champion, my people." He gestured at the corporate executives and conglomerate tycoons sitting around his vacant seat. "And with the help of our staunch allies, we will take on the Enclave Authority." His voice-pitch shifted. "Down with the Authority!"

The audience roared.

#

Atop the Isko Moreno Tower, the Administrator sat alone in his cold, dark and quiet office. His left cyberoptic eye glowed in red when he received a notification from the Monitors in the middle level of the Tower. With a thought, he accepted the feed, which prompted the appearance of the holographic projection of the live SocMed feed covering the birthday celebration on San Miguel Corporate Zone above his desk.

The Administrator paused in his current task, artificial eyes locked on to the feed. It was currently displaying the concluding speech of the celebrant King.

"As long as the Enclave Authority existed, all of us will remain in sufferings. I hear your pleading voices, my fellow countrymen, and I am here with you. I will be your champion, my people. And with the help of our staunch allies, we will take on the Enclave Authority." His voice-pitch shifted. "Down with the Authority!"

The feed deactivated. The Administrator paused for a second before he passed an order to the Law Division.

"Senator-77242, enact Extermination Protocol Omega. All Flatliners, Holoshifters and Bodydroppers are to terminate all persons of interests who were related to the Illegal Dissident Government with extreme prejudice." The voice at the other end of the line asked for confirmation. "Yes," the Administrator replied. "We are going to war."