My eyes awoke to the same familiar bright light above, my body felt refreshed after sleeping.
My stomach grumbled for food as i stood up. I stepped out, preparing to eat something from the cafeteria, nobody was in the living room, either asleep or still in the clinic.
Outside, there were more people walking around. I headed for the cafeteria.
Inside there were many eating, taking most of the seats.
At the front, they were selling coffee and pancakes. Taking a tray, i got a stack of it along with a cup of coffee.
The cafeteria was still packed, struggling to find an vacant slot.
After looking around, i spotted a table almost empty, it's occupants were already preparing to leave. I rushed to the table, quickly sitting down to start eating.
The pancake had syrup streaming down from the top, the stack let off hot steam. Cutting a small slice, i took a bite, instantly heat and sweetness hit my tongue. Delicious and sweet.
I began eating the pancakes, drinking the coffee periodically. The mix of both gave me more energy than before.
After chowing down, i emptied the plate, my coffee also empty. A delicious and sweet breakfast. With my stomach famished, i stood up and took my leave. What else to do today? I haven't watched the news in a long while, last time i watched it was about those cells getting purged. Wonder how it's going now.
Back in my quarters, it was still empty, silent. Don't even know if Luna is still here.
I sat down on the couch and in one click on the remote. The tv booted up.
It showed a scene of police officers rushing inside a house. The lower third caption read: "Anti insurgent purge escalates."
After the short scene, a newscaster appeared.
"The war against insurgency continues as more and more nations have begun taking up arms against them, local police along with military forces focused their efforts into purging all known cells. The death toll continues to rise on both sides, first from thousands to millions. Approximately a total of nearly a million have perished in this war. Experts however are doubtful that the conflict will end despite this tremendous effort. Along with this war," The tv cuts to another scene. A large crowd of uniformed soldiers, all organized into lines and saluting. "Recruitment rises on many nations, men and women of varying nations have enlisted to fight against the insurgent groups to bring an end to this long war."
I felt saddened and mad at the news. So what I and the team did, changed little? I thought it would have quickened the war, but it's still going on, they even said it's unlikely to end. A million already died and it's only going to rise higher. i changed nothing, and more like that man in the mines will die. I attempted to calm down, breathing deeply. Even if many more might die, the doctor said that i saved many more, saving more from becoming insurgents. If i stopped or helped prevent it, then they stopped growing their numbers. I finally calmed down, shutting off the news. Not going to continue with that.
What to do now, i pondered. Thinking of something else to keep me busy. Maybe going to the range can help me calm down.
Back in the armory i pulled out my Shaksha along with the ap-8. Along with an empty bag, i began grabbing magazines from the closets. Until it was nearly full, i stopped and placed the weapons inside.
I walked out and made my way to the weapon's range.
The walk was calm and quiet, there were more mercenaries than usual, most coming from the cafeteria.
Now inside the elevator, i awaited my ascent up.
The door opened to mercenaries in their spaces, firing at targets on different ranges with their weapons. The constant gunfire became the new normal ambience in my ears. The simulation area was still open, with a few already walking through it's doors.
Walking to an empty slot, i placed my bag beside me, taking out my Shaksha, i loaded a magazine in, ready to fire.
The target was 25 meters away from me, i started shooting. Attempting to hit the head and chest.
I continued on shooting, slowly finishing the ammo i brought. As i continued shooting, i felt more and more focused on hitting the target, no longer thinking about other things except hitting the target. Every shot, the butt of my rifle hit my shoulder, slowly it became less and less noticeable with each shot. A heap of bullet casings grew next to me while i shot.
Soon, the Shaksha's ammo was depleted, the barrel smoked after firing so much rounds.
Returning any fallen magazines and my rifle inside the bag, i pulled out my pistol to continue shooting. What else do i do after this? The places i've went to are loud, it'd be nice to try and go somewhere silent. Library it is then.
The pistol's casings piled above the rifle casings. Fire, empty, reload, repeat was what i could only think of while shooting. Feeling my hands become more controlled by something else rather than me.
I kept on firing until my magazines were used. The big pile of rounds standing next to me, a testament to how much i shot in this shooting session.
I packed up my weapons and empty magazines, walking to the bin i started emptying the magazines into it hearing the clunks as they fell inside
Finished with my shooting session, i felt calmer, and had a better handling with my Shaksha. Stepping into the elevator i thought of my new plans for today. First head to the quarters and put my weapons back, then it's off to the library. What do i read though, i thought long until the elevator's doors opened, snapping me out of it. More history maybe. Maybe the ame book i read before even, continuing from where i left off.
I stepped outside, now with a new plan for today.