After I managed to fool them successfully, I began running away.
I heard several shouts and footsteps behind me, I risked a glance over my shoulder and immediately regretted it.
An entire swarm of androids was charging down the street, their glowing eyes locked onto me with unnerving intensity.
To make matters worse, a truck filled to the brim with androids screeched around a corner, joining the pursuit.
And they were closing in fast.
I could hear the relentless march of their feet, and despite the distance between us, one of them shouted, its voice distorted by static, "Can you please calm down and stop?"
"NO!" I shouted, my voice cracking as panic surged through my veins, propelling my legs faster than I thought possible. "Leave me alone!"
"We can't! You're in danger out here!" another android called out
"Damn it," I muttered under my breath,
Despite my refusal, the android were gaining ground fast with their fast feet. They could have easily run at 40 kilometers per hour with just their feet alone, not to mention the numerous trucks that was behind them that I just notice now.
If I kept running, they'd catch me. There was no doubt about it.
Desperation clawed at my chest so I gathered Maso into my arms, summoning a dark blade that materialized in my grip. I glanced around, spotting a tall building up ahead—a possible escape route.
I dashed toward it, channeling even more maso into my legs. Skidding to a halt in front of the building, I planted my feet and swung the sword with all my might, muttering the incantation under my breath, "Dark Slice!"
For a split second, everything went silent. Then, a massive crack split the air as the building in front of me began to tremble. Smoke and debris exploded outward, showering the street as the upper half of the structure started to collapse.
The android and the truck screeched to a halt before the path behind me was completely buried under the rubble. They could take another route, but by the time they looped around, I'd be long gone.
I smirked, adrenaline surging through me. I'd memorized the layout of the area; a quick dash through the nearby alleyway, and I'd be in the clear.
Ha! Nothing is going to stop me now! As long as I survive, I'll be free—I'll explore the world, find a cute wife, and—
A shadow loomed at the end of the alleyway. I tried to stop when I accidentally tripped sending me sprawling. Pain shot through my head as I crashed into the ground, and my vision blurred.
The last thing I saw was the shape of a figure approaching before everything went dark.
Damn it... not like this...
/
"-Fault that he is asleep" "Then what I was supposed to do?"
I woke up to the sound of arguing voices, my head throbbing as if it had been smashed against a brick wall.
It felt like my brain was trying to claw its way out of my skull. Slowly, I pried my eyes open, blinking against the harsh light above me.
"Other than stopping him from bleeding with a bandage, what the hell are we supposed to do?" one voice snapped, frustration dripping from every word.
"Just call the caretaker model! Maybe she knows?" another voice suggested, equally tense.
The voices stopped abruptly, and suddenly when I began to stand up slowly.
They just stared at me, unblinking, their mechanical eyes tracking my every move. I was surrounded on all sides, with no gap to slip through, and no escape route visible.
"Uh... hello there."
I noticed there were 6 people on Android. Mostly armed with AK-47s and wore different types of clothing that were suited for urban combat.
Despite the continuous stare by the android, not moving an inch. One of them stepped forward, his head tilting slightly as if analyzing me. But his face was full of relief "You're awake."
"No kidding," I muttered under my breath, taking in the severity of the situation.
My fingers brushed through my hair. How did that get there? I thought back to the fall, remembering how I'd slipped on a loose rock. Of all the things that could take me down, a piece of rubble? What a disgrace I have become.
"U-uh, sir... d-don't move! Y-you're currently injured," a shaky voice stammered, breaking through my thoughts.
Injure? Suddenly, a sharp throb pulsed through my skull.
I winced, instinctively reaching up to touch my head—and that's when I felt it. My fingertips came away slick with blood, the bandage haphazardly wrapped around the wound. I blinked in disbelief. It looked like someone had used torn clothing as makeshift bandages—black fabric stained with dark crimson.
"So... did one of you bandage my head?" I asked
They glanced at each other before one android shook his head. "Actually… we just arrived and noticed the bandage was already on your head."
Huh... that's strange, but whatever the case. I need to do damage control and escape as fast as possible before the whole Android population knows me.
"Haha… is that so…" I forced a laugh, standing up slowly, brushing the dust off my clothes, my eyes darting to each of them. "Well, thanks for your... concern."
I took a cautious step backward, trying to keep my movements slow and non-threatening. Their heads followed in unison, like synchronized predators locking onto prey.
"Let's just pretend we've never seen each other, then… then…" I trailed off, my voice faltering as my gaze finally registered the full scale of what I was up against.
My heart sank.
The only thing that came to my mind was androids scattered all around the street.
Hundreds of androids were scattered throughout the street, their metallic bodies gleaming under the harsh lights. Each was armed to the teeth, with rifles, and various weapons clutched in their cold hands. It was impossible to get an accurate count with so many of them, and I couldn't even see it. The sheer number was overwhelming.
Every single one of them had their gaze fixed on me, and the weight of their collective stare left me stunned and agape.
I was unsure how to talk with such an intense gaze so I tried to make conversation, waving my hand in front of them "Um... hi?"
They still continued to stare at me even after I had spoken, not speaking a single word. Their silence was so quiet that even the bird's sound was louder than us. It continued for another minute or so when the silence was broken off by the sound of footsteps approaching.
"Aria! You can't come out! it's too dangerous!"
"But! But! This could be my only chance!"
As the androids shifted aside to clear the way, I caught my first glimpse of the newcomer.
It was a petite girl, not taller than maybe 160cm, She had brown ponytail hair that reached around her shoulder.
After she makes her way, she stops not too far away from me. And glance at me.
She has the looks of incredulous and the same looks as mine
And on that day, the only two humans that remain on Earth finally meet.
/
After staring at me for a few seconds, the girl hid behind the android that was beside her wearing maid clothing. Wait why is she wearing maid clothing-
Before I could dwell on it, one of the androids spoke up. He looked human enough, like a man in his mid-30s "Are you here to pick up the other human?"
My heart nearly stopped.
Human
A HUMAN
I felt the blood drain from my face. Another human? My mind reeled, trying to process the weight of those words.
I thought...I thought all of humanity was extinct, after the failure of Project Gestalt.
It was sent directly by the UN, so there is absolutely no way that it was fabricated.
"Wha-? NO!" I blurted out, shaking my head in disbelief. "I wasn't even aware there was another human here!"
"Then... What were you doing here on the surface?"
Everyone then looks upon me in curios. Well, It was obvious that their gaze was curious when their eyes were glancing at every nook of my body.
Shit... this is outside my calculation, how was I supposed to expect that there would be a survivor.
...No choice then, I just need to bullshit my way out. Luckily I am pretty good at this.
After gathering my thought I look upon them again "S-scouting! I was sent for a covert mission to gather information on the planet!"
I then continue "Council Of Humanity is currently blind to what's going on the surface so since humanity doesn't want to add another plate of trouble they decide to send me here on the planet secretly."
"That's why PLEASE don't tell anybody, especially Commander White and the Army Of Humanity!" I even crouch down and clap my hands together like I was asking it.
Anything but that two factions! They both have our biggest hunting of me if they ever got wind of it!
There was a reluctance in their eyes with the way they looked at each other unsure, I know it won't do much. But I have to trust them at least for a day that they can shut their mouth before others hear about me
If that happens, I won't be able to control my fate.
But after explaining them, I begin to direct the question to the real problem.
"...This is a question but, where is the human?"
At my words, every android turned their heads in unison, all eyes focusing in the same direction. Instinctively, I followed their gaze.
The human in question was indeed a girl—the same one who had arrived moments ago. She remained half-hidden behind the android dressed in maid clothing, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and uncertainty.
So it's her huh, seeing how frightened she looked, I softened my stance, trying to make myself appear less threatening
"Sorry if I... have frightened you, I should introduce myself first"
I straighten my body and make a small salute over my head "Part of the maintenance team, and a member of the UN Force 121th Infantry Battalion. Lieutenant Jack Thomson at your service."
I make sure that I speak my introduction loud so other androids in the distance can hear it.
Finally, after a tense moment, the human girl took a deep breath. With a hint of hesitation, she stepped out from behind the towering android.
"Aria Anderson. You can call me Aria if you want," she said softly
As we stare at each other, I begin to feel the android's stare at us intensify and I begin to feel uncomfortable, So I try to make a suggestion to the android and the only human around
"Look," I finally said, breaking the silence "If you have any questions, I'll answer them once we get back to camp." I cracked my neck and shoulders feeling the fatigue of the chase "I'm tired from all this running."
Aria tilted her head slightly, her expression softening but still inquisitive. "But still... the UN?"
"Uh... yeah," I replied, rubbing some dust off my shoulder. "As in the United Nations, 121st Infantry Battalion." I shrugged, trying to downplay it a bit. "I was usually stationed in San Diego, garrisoned in the U.S., but... I got transferred recently. Short on manpower, I guess."
"No, not that I mean... 121? That's... quite a lot... and usually, the United Nations wears gray clothing, right?" She pointed to her head "And they usually wear blue helmets and a logo of the earth" Before pointing at me "You don't seem like it nor wear likes it"
Well, she is not wrong though. Most UN forces in the early war wore gray or blue clothing with a strap of the blue helmet on top of all UN soldiers, but because of lack of steady supply most didn't even bother with clothes and just wore everything that was given to us.
As for the 121, it just means there were far too many enemies for us to handle.
"Hahaha... well I don't have my usual clothing since I am currently blending with the surroundings if I just wear clothes that stand out. it's just asking for trouble. So you have to forgive me"
"Hm... now that I notice, I thought you guys are called Council Of Humanity? Not the UN?"
My step slows down at the realization, crap I accidentally use my real identity instead of lying about my identity
Well, I just need to bulshit like before. I thought for a moment to make an excuse before answering her.
"Well, that's because most androids refer to us as the council of humanity, but from our point of view even when we left the Earth and lost all of our country. Most of humanity still prefers to be part of the UN from the old conflict including me as well."
"By the way... how did you guys notice I was a human? I am pretty sure you guys have never seen human so... how did you guys know that I was human when I am similar to android?'
One of the androids lifts her arms "Oh! It's because of-"
"Heat seeking-"
"-And your facial as well."
The trio of androids who answer at the same time suddenly glare at each other.
I see... seems I was quite lacking in information about their ability.
That means I was not even a quarter done with analyzing the android ability
I thought they were done explaining the reason, but another spoke among the android.
"We can also see from your eyelid and... uh... We can even hear your heart from here."
They can what?
When I glance at the person who speaks about it, I can at least tell the distance was 5 meters away, and they could even listen to my heartbeat from over there.
So that's why they noticed I was human. How was I supposed to know they had that kind of technology? My current tech was state-of-the-art 10,000 years ago, not now. I haven't even fully grasped the potential of androids today.
That means I need to reevaluate the Android and machine tech if most of them can at least do this.
But still, this raises an even bigger question. I glance at the only human among the androids, the woman who was staring back at me, relief flickering in her eyes. Why relief, though? Does she know something I don't?
The fact that she's here means there's a possibility—no, a hope—that humanity survived the WCS. Maybe there was another project I wasn't aware of, one that succeeded in preventing our extinction.
But wait… that doesn't add up. This isn't a hundred or even five hundred years later, this is ten thousand years in the future. The gap is too wide. There's no way she could be from a project like mine.
Could she be… one of the descendants? But if that's true, then… did we win the Legion War? Did we actually survive, somehow?
Argh! Why am I getting so caught up in all these questions? I just need to ask her directly. She has to have the answers I'm looking for.
"What about you?" I finally ask, trying to keep my voice steady and maintain my facade. "Where did you come from? The moon, like the rest of us?"
She shakes her head, a shadow passing over her face. "It's… kind of hard to believe, even if I tell you."
"It's fine," I say, leaning closer, my curiosity burning hotter. "This world is vast and strange. Even if you told me you were born in another dimension, I'd believe you." After all, dragons, the WCS, the Legion, and even I had origins from another world so anything could happen
She flinches, her gaze dropping to the floor as if she's wrestling with something deep inside. The way she averts her eyes sends a chill down my spine. What's she hiding?
"Aria?" I press gently. Her reaction only raised more questions, that were on my mind.
"I… I'll explain," she says, her voice wavering. "When was it again? Maybe two weeks ago…" She crosses her arms, her brow furrowing as she drifts into thought. It's like she's trying to piece together fragments of a story she's not sure she wants to share.
"Two weeks?" I repeat, frowning. "Aria, what do you mean? Two weeks from what? What happened?"
She bites her lip, hesitating. "It's just… a lot, okay? And even I'm not sure how much of it makes sense."
/
I nod, urging her to continue.
She pauses, lost in thought, then finally speaks, her voice low and distant as if she's reliving a nightmare.
"It was the middle of the night, and I was just doing my usual grocery run. Everything was normal, you know? But the moment I stepped out of the supermarket… everything changed. I was no longer in my world. I found myself standing in the middle of an abandoned city."
Her eyes dart around as she recalls the memory, and I can see the fear creeping back in. "The whole city was overgrown with nature. Vines, moss, trees growing out of broken windows. It looked like a place long forgotten, swallowed by time. There were no warnings, no announcements. One moment, I was in my world, and the next… I was just dumped in the middle of this desolate city. And there was… a war happening."
She clenches her fists as if trying to keep herself grounded. "At first, I thought it was a dream. I kept pinching myself, hoping I'd wake up back in my bed. But… when the night came, and I had to sleep on the cold, hard floor without even a mattress… when I felt pain and hunger clawing at me… that's when I finally accepted the truth. I wasn't in my world anymore."
Aria's voice trembles, but she forces herself to keep talking. "The scariest part was when I tried to find someone, anyone. I wandered the ruins, hoping to see another human face. But then… I got chased. It was a machine—one of those hostile. It didn't hesitate. It came after me like I was its target the moment it spotted me."
She wraps her arms around herself, shivering at the memory. "I screamed… I cried for help… I thought that was it. That I'd die there, alone in a place I didn't even understand. But then… someone saved me."
"And I guess the one that saved you was a android."
She nods her head. "They did, I... was lucky when they were close by to hear my scream for help... but the moment they saw me they... were rather shocked seeing me."
"And do you know what their first word was the moment their eyes were on me?"
"You are a human?"
"It took me a few seconds to realize that the way they spoke saying like they had not seen a human before, I brushed it off thinking and... felt relief that I was saved."
She takes a deep breath, her voice growing steadier. "It took a lot of convincing to make them believe I was human. They were rather skeptical when they said I was a human. But After they brought me back to their base and their mechanic.... began checking on me, they instantly believe that I was a human."
I watch as she runs a hand through her hair. "Since then, I've been there, with them. They've taken care of me. Gave me food, a place to sleep, and everything a human needs. And for the past two weeks… I've been living here, protected by androids"
In a world I barely understand even today.
/
ANDDD CUT!
There is not much to say since there is nothing to say other then don't forget to leave a comment and review.
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