YEAR 2175, EARTH.
Visuals of bombs exploding, warcrafts damaged and missiles launching as well as the dead bodies of hundreds, lands destroyed clouds filled with smoke were shown one by one on the big screen.
And in front of the screen, stood Field Marshal Ayub Hankari. He was wearing a khaki military shirt and trousers which outlined every fibre of his muscles to the audience.
And among them was his own grandson, Asashi Hankari, who rose to the rank of a captain with his grandfather’s help. Asashi rested his head on his arm, eyes dull.
He watched the pictures all one by one with a dull expression like always.
“I believe you are all very familiar with these pictures– if not have experienced them yourself.” Field Marshal Ayub said, his voice as deep as thunder itself it rumbled inside the chamber, gaining everyone's attention.
Ayub, glanced around the chamber, his old and grey eyes scanning the faces of everyone present until it landed on his grandson's, “You!” Ayub shouted in his thunderous voice.
Asashi suddenly jolted, returning to the real world from his dreams. He quickly found himself locked eyes with his grandfather. Everybody else present also turned their heads to see who, Field Marshal was scolding. However, Ayub naturally withdrew his gaze elsewhere.
“You all know about the war that washed across the world. A war that humanity never saw coming and will never ever be forgotten. The war that is known as continental clash–also known as ‘The world's end.’” Ayub said as he strolled to the end of the stage and back again.
Asashi slowly sighed as he once again rested his head on his hand, ‘Yeah, yeah. The U.S first found antimatter which other countries also wanted. Then China, India and Russia formed some sort of alliance and confronted The U.S…What a head ache. This lasted a century. Apparently to the sources, every country nuked each other.’
Asashi has heard the same speech from his grandfather over a hundred times and he has memorized it.
“... Apparently to the sources, all countries nuked each other.” Ayub said gently. Every word he said brought tears to the old people listening, but to most of the younger ones, it was ancient history.
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“That was the end of an era. Only thirty percent of life was able to survive. And only ten percent of humans.” Ayub continued, “Four decades ago, the war officially ended. But humanity's war had only just begun.”
The pictures on the screen were replaced by a picture of earth from space. And another picture of earth which was far more beautiful and serene than the other which was grey and dull–quietly dying.
“On the right, is the earth of today. As you can see our planet has lost its greenery. It has lost its blue skies. Now replaced by eternal wastelands and toxic gases.” Ayub said.
As time went on, Asashi didn't know when he had fallen asleep. In his dreams, he saw a clear blue sky. He himself was laying on the green grass ground looking at the birds.
A beautiful bird with multiple colours, the one he has in his glass screen, came down and landed on his shoulder. Suddenly, its head was replaced by Ayub’s.
“GET UP!” Ayub the bird shouted in his ear as a strong slap woke him up from his slumber. Asashi squinted his eyes and looked at the big old man standing in front of him.
“Ahh..grandpa.” Asashi muttered.
“Is this how you're gonna behave when you're a ranked officer of the final legion?” Ayub asked through a grumble.
“...” Asashi, however, didn't bother enough to respond.
“As a punishment, fifty laps around the–” Ayub stopped talking suddenly, when he saw his one and only grandson's teary eyes looking at him, “uhh…. Normally that would have been the case, but this is the first time, this is your last and final warning. Get out.”
Asashi smiled and bowed slightly before picking up his hat, “Have a nice day, sir!” He said as he stood straight with a salute.
Having said that, he quietly walked out of the chamber.
‘Grandpa is so easy.' Asashi thought as a wicked smile pulled at his lips.
Outside the chamber, a lot of people were busy coming and going to different rooms or halls. There were civilians, men from the army and children.
All of them had different purposes. Asashi smiled as he walked towards the exit. On the way he bumped into others but none cared enough to apologise or even turn to look. Everyone was busy. Especially Asashi who had nothing to do except for being ‘busy’.
“Asashi!” Someone called him from behind.
Asashi turned around and saw a hand waving over the heads of the others. The waving hand ran through the crowd and stopped in front of Asashi.
A short and slim man with the face of a baby, wearing a military jacket similar to Asashi smiled at him.
“Glen. Why do you look so happy?” Asashi smiled in return as he asked.
Glen was taken aback by his question. His eyebrows furrowed as he glanced at Asashi, “Did you hit your head or something? Inhaled some toxic gas?” He asked.
“Pfft…No.” Asashi snorted.
“Then why don't you understand? It's the day all of us have been waiting for!”
Asashi couldn't comprehend the words of a ‘kid’, “Come on, man. What are you talking about?”
Glen sighed in defeat, “What were you doing during the Field Marshal’s session?” He asked
Asashi glanced at the roof, lush, soft light reflected in his black eyes, “I fell asleep.” He simply said.
Glen shook his head as he sighed again, “This is why you should listen. The Andromeda-67Z has found a planet which could sustain life and another planet has been found by the voyager in JADES-GS-z14-02. Which is also suspected to contain life.”
Asashi’s eyes widened at every word that just came out of Glen’s mouth. He took hold of Glen's shoulders as Asashi’s face hardened more and more, “Have we found a team?” Asashi asked.
Glen was startled by Asashi's sudden change in demeanor, “umm…Yeah. Wu Lin is the captain.”
Asashi bit his lips when he heard that.
‘Fuck. I wanna go!’
After a few seconds of plotting…planning, Asashi smiled politely, “Follow me, Glen.” He said.
