A gentle rain padded the surface of a neon-filled London. People walked through the streets and went on about their business as usual. While the more wealthy people sported expensive dresses and luxurious cybernetic modifications, their poorer counterparts were instead almost all fitted with VR goggles around their eyes. At first, it seemed as if the night was no different from all others.
However, just as the ambiance was getting just a bit more relaxed, a group of armed men suddenly stormed out of their vans armed to the teeth with weapons and armour. They immediately overwhelmed the guards in front of the British Parliament building before storming in to take over the building. An intense gunfight ensued as the armed militants cleared the building while elements of their rear guards fought off police enforcement on the streets.
As police cars saturated the front entrance, one of the armed militants suddenly exited his hideout and uncovered his cybernetically enhanced body. In an instant, a hundred small missiles flew out of his backpack and body before decimating the policemen and their covers.
[Police chief] - "Damn it, contact the military, we need heavy-grade weapons and reinforcement! "
Yelled the police chief to his radio.
The militants soon cleared the building of opposition and raised their revolutionary flag above the parliament's top. Meanwhile, the group's hackers quickly began their operation to infiltrate the country's news and propaganda system. After giving the go-ahead to their leader, the man quickly took off his mask and began addressing the public in front of a camera.
[Rebel leader] - "People of Britain, we have suffered under the oppressive rule of the government for too long! We are the Liberation Front of Britain! We must stand together to form... "
However, in the streets, instead of being inspired by the man's speech, people looked at his live feed with confusion and apathy. During this time, the government moved quickly to put the situation under control. Inside the MI5's headquarters, government agents and hackers had already begun to shut the operation down.
[Agent] - "Shutting off media access on the London sector! "
[Agent 2] - "Executing! "
In a matter of a few seconds, the militant leader's footage was no longer displayed in the country as each screen was either replaced with other media or advertisements for special government-founded discounts on everyday essentials. Left stranded without hope, the militants were quickly faced with the ominous sound of heavy equipment being rolled closer and closer toward their position. To the rebels' shock, the sight of a main battle tank quickly appeared before the parliament building.
[Militant] - "Back off, we have hostages in this building! We won't hesitate to- "
Yelled the militant before being suddenly silenced by the blast of a high-explosive shell.
As his men below were being cut down by heavily armed soldiers, the leader retreated alone onto the roof of the building while limping from a wounded leg. To his surprise, he unexpectedly came across a mysterious man dressed in black standing by the edge of the roof. His multi-coloured lights of the city reflected off his coat in the wind as the mysterious man watched over the city.
[Mike] - "That wasn't a true revolution, friend, that was just terrorism. "
Said Mike without turning to face the leader.
[Leader] - "Are you a special operative? What do you want from me? "
Yelled the leader as he raised his rifle at Mike.
[Mike] - "Wrong! I'm a true revolutionary unlike you. You sent your message by spilling innocent blood and caused enough chaos to slander your movement to the ground. Impact is the difference between revolution and terrorism. Your message only angered your enemy while its impact missed the people. "
[Leader] - "What the fuck are ya saying, mate! Fucking die, you fucking government scum! "
Just as the leader was about to fire, he was abruptly gunned down by British soldiers behind him. As the soldiers noticed Mike, they immediately ordered him to drop to his knees.
[Mike] - "The idea of a revolution is a cause which resonates with the concept of a healthy society. Fail this, you become nothing more than a terrorist. "
In an instant, the soldiers' rifles melted in their hands before their feet suddenly sunk into the cement below them. With a step off the ledge, Mike dove onto the street below amidst the crowd of soldiers and tanks. As everyone aimed their weapons at Mike, he simply raised his arm in the air while a blue glow shined through his sleeve. Before anyone could fire, each piece of equipment was torn to shreds by an invisible force, leaving everyone defenceless.
[Mike] - "Well, looks like you bloody idiots won't be able to sweep your actions under the rug this time. The military turning hostages into meatpaste, won't this be such a sensational news article for your propaganda machine? "
Said Mike as he looked over his shoulder at the parliament's ravaged entrance.
The soldiers quickly tried to move but their vehicles and feet immediately sunk into the ground, trapping them where they stood.
[Mike] - "Now, let us begin our real revolution. "
Progress has allowed humanity to build a glimmering society supported by technology. When observed from afar, the major cities from different countries could only be described as a neon-filled utopia marvel of human advancement. When you look at the people inside these cities, you can only observe the high-quality lives they are leading. The skyscrapers, the technologically infused homes, as well as the robots doing some of the jobs humans didn't want to do. A simple walk in the streets might even shock you as you couldn't even find a single speck of dust on the sidewalk...
...That is, if one isn't capable of something more than simple thoughts. Humans are kept satisfied through technology which sets people up with a false sense of perfection. You can't find a romantic partner? There is a life-like android capable of filling that role with sexual comfort, emotional support and unconditional love. You couldn't cope with the pressure of real life? Keep yourself satiated with the comfort offered by the metaverse. All it takes is a single pair of goggles and all your problems will go away as you lose yourself in virtual reality.
A great philosopher called Mill once said: "Better be an unsatisfied human than be a satisfied pig. "
The reason why the big cities were so spotless was because they were only reserved for society's elites. No one, not even those with average income could afford to live inside a major city. Instead, they are pushed outside to live inside cities specially made to accommodate the less fortunate. All that neon and glamour is nothing but a facade so one cannot see what horror lies below the skyscrapers.
The poor and miserable of society were gaslit by the government and large corporations to think that their problems were always the fault of other things than the true culprits. When the populace becomes discontent with their lives, the Secret Service simply has to orchestrate a little bit of hate crime to make the populace fight between themselves. When people tried to speak out, they were simply cancelled by the allegations of false crimes.
To keep the public compliant, some countries like Britain introduced a special drug into the water to instill a sense of euphoria into the people's minds. Others like the USA simply spy on the public thanks to the introduction of brain chips. Drugs are not only promoted by many nations but also distributed openly while no infrastructure exists to help combat addiction once drugs are no longer the answer to life's problems.
Inside one of the poorer cities, a violent protest involving looting and property destruction sent shockwaves throughout the streets. It was a protest about racial equality. How could a society where inequality is reduced to almost non-existent levels still need such demonstrations? How could a protest with a virtuous goal in mind become the grounds for such unfathomable violence? The educational system and social systems were the ones to blame.
How could people be civilized when education only makes you dumber in current society? How could people be expected to not turn to crime when a simple college degree could chain them to debt for the rest of their lives? How could people develop critical thinking when they live in a society which promotes obedience?
You, who were made to believe how cool growing up would be. You, who were fed lies about how you could change the world if you worked hard enough. You who forgot to dream, to believe that you are something more than you are. Why simply accept all this in silence?
A girl sporting the imperial cyberknight logo on her clothes stared at the gates of the MI5 building. As her eyes turned purple, the agents inside suddenly lost control of their computers and instruments. In a matter of minutes, the government and any associated organization lost control of the country's media system. Meanwhile, the same happened to other countries' governments as well. All around the world, from the screen of cellphones to the massive screens in shopping centres, the image of a man in a set of stunning golden-black armour suddenly appeared.
[Sniper] - "I am the emperor of the National Empire, I address to you the people as a saviour. For too long have you all been slaves to a government that saw you all as nothing but cattle! The endless cycle of your confined existence will be broken at last. In a few days, I will commence the liberation of the world from the clutches of these corrupt and rotten elites of society who are ignorant of your suffering. "
People from all over the world temporarily stopped what they were doing to listen as he was the only media available across all channels.
[Sniper] - "Take off your goggles and see the world for what it truly is. It treated you unfairly and drove you to suffer in society. No more pretending, no more virtual world because in the end, only what's real could fulfill the void inside your soul. "
Some of the people in goggles took off their headsets for the first time and were blinded by the real sunlight that shined through their room.
[Sniper] - "You who think you have found a real partner in an android, take a second look at your companion. Think of the humiliation, think of how society conditioned you to be unloved, think about how you were lied to by a machine that was programmed by the people who fucked you over. "
Waves of uproar soon gripped the world as many people were snapped out of their delusion. Some decided to shut off their pleasure bot while others decided to smash their artificial partner into pieces out of anger.
[Sniper] - "Is your misery really worth it? Is serving a country that saw you as nothing but a dog worth it? Soldiers, is dying for a country that ignores your humanity worth it? Young people, is being in debt and working a minimum wage after years of struggle in a rotten education system worth it? The less fortunate, is a country that abandoned you in your times of need really deserving of your loyalty? "
While intrigued people gathered around any screen that was near them, governments and big companies rushed to find a way to shut down Sniper's live feed.
[Sniper] - "Look up to the sky, see the masses of propaganda, advertisements and messages that are meant to make you forget the root cause of your misery. Look at the cooperate building which towered over you to remind you of your place in society. "
As some people began looking up at the sky, they noticed massive advertisement boards and blimp-like crafts floating above them displaying all sorts of advertisements and propaganda. The skyscrapers, meanwhile, stood like giants watching over the tiny insignificant people below them.
[Sniper] - "It's time for the people to respect themselves as individuals and not as objects for another entity's desire. My revolution is yours but your destiny is only accessible if you choose to take it into your own hands! "
Suddenly, in a coordinated effort, cyberknights from across the world detonated billboards, propaganda posters and the server rooms responsible for the VR goggles' services. In an instant, people inside every single country in the world were suddenly forced to quit the virtual world and step back into the real world. People watched in amazement as sparks of the destroyed skyscrapers and billboards filled the sky before disappearing into the clouds. The explosions looked like beautiful meteor showers which inspired a sense of hope in the hearts of many.
[Sniper] - "Rise when the trumpets of my fleets reach where you stand. Deny the leash your government attempts to place over your neck! "
All of a sudden, the internet was completely shut down in every country. That day became the only day in history when the world was left without an internet connection. Despite all the damage control such as propaganda and drugging employed by the different governments, Sniper's words managed to disrupt the balance of society. The silent majority was galvanized and there wasn't anything that could be done to stop the domino effect which would ensue.
On the top of a small building, the beautiful blonde girl from before stood and admired the meteor shower. The beautiful lines of orange and white reflected off her shiny green eyes as she stared at the sky with her mouth agape. As Mike landed a short distance away from her, the girl immediately rushed toward him and took him in her arms.
[Mike] - "Look at that, isn't that mesmerizing? "
Said Mike as he pointed toward the sky.
Kadyn nodded her head and turned to face the meteor shower with Mike's arm around her waist.
[Mike] - "We have been working toward this for so long. "
Said Mike as he looked at the sky with a proud face.
[Kadyn] - "What comes next? "
[Mike] - "War! Freedom cannot be enforced upon others, they must fight for freedom to appreciate and treasure it. Even with Sniper and his cyberknights' godly power, the human mind is the one thing they can't control. War is a necessary evil for the greater good. "
[Kadyn] - "Then after the war? "
[Mike] - "Eternal peace. The world united under one flag, at least that's the plan. "
[Kadyn] - "How long before you must go back? "
Said Kadyn as she turned toward Mike.
[Mike] - "I have to watch over London for now. I have 2 more days to go. "
Kadyn's face suddenly shined with joy.
[Kadyn] - "Hey, quit sporting that serious face. We've two days to ourselves. "
Said Kadyn with a smile as she pocked Mike's face cheek.
[Mike] - "I'm just worried about the repercussions of the upcoming war. "
Said Mike in an anxious voice.
[Kadyn] - "The war, the war... Mike, why don't we make some good memories for now? I want something positive to remember when we both gain that 1,000-yard stare after the war. "
Said Kadyn as she began to pull on Mike's hand.
Mike smiled as he knew Kadyn treasured every moment she could spend with him. After all, respites like these are a rare treat for both of them.
[Mike] - "Alright, let's make the best out of our time then. "
In Italy, as the people went on with their day, a massive earthquake suddenly shook the country. At the Italian coast, to the people's shock, massive aerial battleships and carriers rose up from the bottom of the sea. As they positioned themselves high above the ground and sea, their massive figures cast shadows that left entire cities in the dark.
Meanwhile, the same happened in the Arabian Sea where massive aerial vessels rose up from the bottom of the water. By the end of the process, fleets full of gargantuan carriers, battleships and hundreds of other types of smaller ships floated above the different seas of Europe, Asia and Africa.
The revolution has begun.
To be continued...
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