III
Ayden slid behind one of the large pine trees; a couple hundred feet from the house; just in time to avoid the spotlight of the copter now above the dirt driveway that lead to the only road in and out of the property. Letting the duffel bag fall from his shoulder to the forest floor, he crouched down and peered back toward the house. He watched as the copter landed roughly ten feet in front of the house.
Ayden watched the four blades atop of the silver and red craft slowed and finally came to a stop. From the back descended the large door, that doubled as a ramp. From within, came out two medics, each on the side of the large gurney, they now wheeled toward the door. At the front of the copter remained the pilot, at the ready for when his partners returned.The two on foot disappeared into the house, only moments later to return with Leonard strapped to the gurney. Even from the distance he was from the scene, Ayden could see the paramedics struggling to push the weight of the man back to copter. One of them almost falling back as they attempted to push up the ramp.
As they disappeared from sight, Ayden turned his attention back towards the house. His mother was now coming out of the house, limping as quickly as she could manage, to join her husband.
The whirl of the engines and blades filled the night air once more. The dirt of the drive began to lift was the aircraft began to rise. Ayden stared on as the copter rose into the night sky, and finally out of sight.
Turning around, he sat with his back against the trunk of the tree, away from the house. After a moment, he grabbed for his bag once more, threw it over his shoulder, and made his way to his feet once more.
The star filled sky illuminated his way down the long drive. After several minutes, he came to the cracked paved road. Looking in the direction that he knew to be the only other sign of civilization, he let out of sigh. In that moment, he couldn't help but have resentment at the fact his dad had chosen to make their home so far from the rest of world. Though he himself enjoyed his solitude as much as August Alexander had, Ayden also was in no mood to walk miles upon miles. But its not like he had any other choice in the matter. He couldn't stay here. Even with his mom and stepfather now in the care of the medics, eventually law enforcement would come looking for him. And they would start at the scene of the crime. So he stepped onto the pavement, and began to make his way towards the city of Alexandria.
More a metropolis than a simple city, Alexandria acted as the last remaining haven of humanity within a two hundred mile radius. Ayden himself had only been there a handful, one of those times had been when they buried his father. He had always been "home schooled", learning his lessons from the same A.I. that his mother had used to contact help with. As far as he knew, he wasn't really different from other kids. Standard schooling had been pretty much stopped long ago, with the increasing threat of attacks from New Eden. A feeling of uneasiness came over him suddenly. Once again he looked back in the direction of the home he was leaving behind, realizing even more just how much he was letting go of. He had never really been around other people, minus a few times.
His mother had become a recluse herself over the years, leaving him to follow suit. Although he had access to the network of information free to all who lived on Terra, which he used to learn about whatever interests he may have, that his 'teacher' wouldn't teach him about. Which never made sense to Ayden, since the A.I. and network were interconnected. He eventually figured it was because each A.I. was programed to teach the children of Terra a set of predetermined lessons.
He knew the basics, such as writing, and math. A bit of science. But mostly he was taught of the history of the world around him. At least the history of Terra, once known as Earth, before The Separation, the event in which over half of the world's population were sent to the plant of New Eden.
Ayden only knew that the planet was many light years away, accessible only by way of wormhole travel.
That it was roughly two and a half the size of Terra, and that they were the ones to begin The Paradise War.
In the year 2181, the first attack came. An attack that wiped most cities off the face of Terra, taking almost half of its inhabitants with them. Billions dead in a matter of hours. His father had been only eleven when the attack came, left orphaned.
What remained of Terra's defensive forces, formed what was now known as The United Coalition of Terran Intelligence. A single unit which housed all branches of Terra's agencies.
War between the two planets raged on for almost another ten years, both sides at a near stand still against the other. Until the work of a young engineer, named Raychel Young, turned the tides in favor of Terra.
Together with a small team, Dr. Young designed the first Humanized Assault and Response Machina, or HARM Units as they were more commonly known. Giant robots, piloted by a single person, capable of not only combating almost anything New Eden had at their disposal, but also the ability to navigate space much quicker than an man made craft before it.
Within a few years, the first set of HARMs where completed, along with fifty-two pilots who completed the first wave of training, in order to man them. Gen One as they would be come to be known as. Amongst them, August Alexander.
The light of the rising sun behind him snapped Ayden from his own mind. He looked up from the pavement to glimpse a worn out sign a couple hundred feet in front of him. Quickening his pace, he reached it, and read the faded worded printed upon its green metal surface.
Alexandria:30 Miles
Ayden let his breath out heavy at the information. Though he was unsure exactly how long he had been walking, he knew he was already beyond tired. Deciding to rest for a moment, he knelt down between the two metal posts that held sign to Alexandria, dropping his bag beside him.
As he sat there, he began to scan the area around him. A wasteland is the best way he could describe it.
Where were once fields of green, now laid a vast desert of dirt and dust on either side of the long road. Scattered randomly along the pavement were the remains of vehicles, pushed aside to make room those who still used the road. A makeshift memorial to the collateral damage from the war.
Staring off at those closest to him, Ayden couldn't help but wonder how many of the owners had been lucky enough to make it out before the bombs and bullets came flying in. The damage to many of the vehicles told him the grim truth.
Soon the heat on the back of his neck made him stand once again. Realizing the late summer sun would soon grow hotter, he removed his sweatshirt, exposing the white tank top he wore beneath. Placing the hoodie in with his other belongings, he threw the duffel over his shoulder and continued down the road.
As he walked, his mind began to wander again. What was he going to do once he got to Alexandria? The only possible person he might know there, he wasn't even sure was still there. Wasn't sure if they were even alive actually. It had been years since they had heard from him.
He did remember how crowded the city had been the last time he had been. Behind the huge concrete walls, well over two hundred feet tall, was not only countless buildings that housed its citizens, but also the smaller 'communities' of rundown shacks and tents belonging to those unlucky enough to lose their homes else where. Maybe he could find his haven among one of them, while he planned his next move.
The further he walked, the more he began to think just how fucked he was. This isn't how it was suppose to be. Fifteen and on the run. Though looking at the wasteland around him, he was sure this world didn't give a shit about his age. There was no discrimination when it came to the cruelty of this reality.
The sound of his feet against the pavement had become the metronome that pushed his body forward.
His eyes keeping track as one foot moved in front of the other. Every now and then, he would glance up as he passed by one of the forgotten remains of metal and rubber.
The sun was almost directly above him now, evident of the sweat that soaked and stuck his shirt of his bare skin. With each new step, he began to felt more zombie-like, his feet beginning to drag forward.
Right then, the distant sound of what sounded like a siren filled his ears. From in front of him, still far off in the distance, Ayden could see what appeared to be vehicle approaching quickly, strobing lights upon it's roof.
Though it was much later than he had expected, Ayden knew it was most likely the U.C.T.I. coming in search of him. By now they had been in contact with his mother. And Leonard, if he had survived. Now with their side of the story, the officers were on the hunt for him.
Using the advantage of being much smaller than the vehicle approaching, Ayden flung open the back door of the nearest car, threw in his bag, and dove in behind it. Quickly shutting the door behind him, he ducked face down to the floor boards, his face buried in his arms.
From the corner of his right eye, he could see the faint hint of two green blinking light, barely bigger then the lead of a pencil, just below the surface of his right wrist.
"Fuck…fuck…fuck…" he cursed, as he threw his arm under himself, hoping to block the signal of the ID chip within. Since he had had it since birth, it was easily forgotten about. And the one thing that would give him away if he happened to be within fifty feet of one of the coalition's scanners.
The chip held was planted in every Terran the day they were born. Used to access all information on its owner. Including any sort of criminal activity.
Ayden sucked in a deep breath and held it, as the sound of the sirens grew closer. A clasp his eyes shut and waited. As each second passed, the faster he felt his heart begin to beat in his chest.
The sound was just in front of his hidden spot now, and then behind. Ayden let his breath out in a relieved sigh, as the siren grew quieter, and finally silent. Lifting himself onto the back seat of the car, he looked behind him. He let out a nervous laugh when he seen no sign of his pursuers.
The grumble of his stomach turned his attention forward again. Unzipping his bag, he began searching for one of the cans of food buried amongst his clothes. Grabbing a can of tuna fish, with an easy open lid, he began his meal. In under a minute, he had finished, and drank down the water that once held the fish.
Throwing the empty can to the floor board, he returned his attention to the chip in his wrist. If he was gonna make it around Alexandria unnoticed, he would have to find a way to get rid of it, or in the least block it.
Though it was just below the surface, his was personally located quite close to his veins. He could attempt to cut it out, but since the only sharp object near him was the lip of the can he had just discarded, he thought it was best to attempt to go for the blocking method instead. Bleeding out, or getting an infection from the unsterilized metal wasn't something he wanted to add to the pile of shit he had on his plate.
He sat there in silence, trying to come up with anything. After a few moments, he remembered the tinfoil and duct tape in the duffel. Grabbing the foil first, he ripped a piece off, and began folding in onto itself in the rough shape of the chip itself. Turning his wrist over, he placed the foil over the chip. Though it wasn't perfectly sized, it covered what it needed. The tape would do the rest.
Returning the roll of foil to the bag with his free hand, he grabbed the tape. Repeating the process he had used to wrap his hand the night before. Once he was sure the foil beneath wasn't going anywhere, he ripped the tape with his teeth and finished his wrap.He turned his wrist over and examined his work. Though it was far pretty, he felt it was good enough to do its job. It would need to be covered by more than just duct tape he realized. It would be obvious to anyone with a brain he was hiding something with that much tap wrapped around his wrist.
Searching once more through his belonging, he found one of the white and red sweatbands he had seen earlier. He worked it over the wound on his hand, and finally over the tape on his wrist.
"It'll have to do," he said to himself.
Closing his belongings, he adjusted the bag on the other side of the backseat. Using it as a makeshift pillow, he stretched out across the seat. He needed to close his eyes for just a moment, he told himself.
He awoke several hours later, his body shivering from the cooling evening air. The sun was still hanging barely on in the sky, painted a mixture of pinks and blues. Sitting up slowing, he wiped the sleep from his eyes. Another tremble of his body reminded him to grab his hoodie once more.
His legs stung as he stepped out of the car, and into the open wasteland again. Stretching his arms above his head, he kicked each leg wildly to get them ready for the rest of their journey. With a quick grab of his things, he stepped back onto the deserted road, beginning the rest of his trek.
He soon faded into the same routine he had before he had stopped. The rhythm of his feet echoing in his ears, pushing him onward. Before long he watched as the sun disappeared over the horizon, replaced by the glow of Alexandria in the distance.
Even this far away, the city was a sight to behold. Multitudes of color danced against the night sky, coming forth from the countless spotlights and life that hide behind the walls.
It was almost another hour before the city itself came into view. He stopped in the middle of the highway, still a little under a mile away, and took in just how massive it all truly was.
Behind the walls, that were lined with spotlights that shot in every direction to scan the surrounding wasteland and sky, stood so many massive skyscrapers that Ayden lost count after a minute. Varied in size, each shown a different color against the dark of the night sky.
The border itself stretched for as far as the eye could see in either direction, and Ayden assumed just as far to the back, though he couldn't be sure from where he stood.
He threw his hood over his head and continued on. A large number of people were gathered in front of the entrance. Both leaving and entering. As he reached the back of the crowd, he had to stand on the tips of his toes to attempt to see over the mass of people.
Pushing his way forward, he finally saw the entrance itself. Guarded by several guards, checking all those who came through. Metal detectors lined the walls, as well as several of the very scanners Ayden was afraid of.
He jumped up to try and see if there was any other possible way inside, with no luck. This was the only way in or out, minus by air. In his luck though, he caught a glimpse of a portion of the crowd entering the city at once.
Convenience for both the guards and Ayden. Saved time on checking countless people one at a time.
And gave Ayden hope of slipping past, granted his foil blocker did its job.
As he moved forward, he noticed that no one around even looked twice at him. Many of them looked more rundown than he felt. Their feet shifting forward, avoid eye contact with any around them. The scatte red sound of conversation here and there, between those who were on more personal terms. The only other noise came from the A.I. to the front, as each person was scanned and permitted to pass, and the bustling of Alexandria itself.
Almost to the front of the crowd now, Ayden shoved his way past a group of men who were bickering about something.
"Watch where the…," Ayden could hear one of them call after him, as he pushed his way toward the group he had decided would work as his cover.
They looked to be workers of some kind. He really didn't care. All that mattered was there was about ten of them, and they happen to be wearing similar colored overalls as his shirt. Plus they were all inches taller than him, which he could use to his advantage. All he needed was to time it all right. Shift between them as they entered. Avoid the eyes of both machine and man. Disappear…
He was in a light jog now, his eyes never leaving the group. He shoulders bounced awkwardly to and fro, as he plowed past, go only knew how many people. What he did know, is that he felt their eyes on the back of his head as he made his way through more of the throng. Soon it felt like a hot sea of eyes, all watching him intently. All judging.
He made a quick glance behind him, and found nothing. Nothing but his own guilty mind, warping its own reality in a sad attempt to cope with what had transpired in the last almost twenty-four hours.
Imagined some sort of hatred from the world around him, because thats what he felt for himself. But there was no such hate. All he had done is slightly annoy a few people here and there, then vanished from their reality as quickly as he had entered. A scowling face, followed by continued conversation or silence.
Ayden shook the paranoia from his mind, and quickened his pace. He found his way to the back of the group, slowing his steps to match those around him. None of the workers seemed to have noticed he was even there, each only concerned with making it into the the city and ending their day.
He watched as they drew closer to the entrance. Throwing his hood up over his head, he smirked to himself. It seemed that his plan was going to work out exactly how he planned. Soon he would just have to disappear into the metropolis just ahead of him.
The sound of the scanners grow louder, and one by one he watched as his group grew smaller. The moment of truth was upon him.
He stepped between two of the workers closest to himself, so he was blocked from sight of the guards that stood on either side.
His face towards the ground, his eyes filled with the green of the scanning light. He held his bag close to his chest as he stepped in sync with his decoys. He held is breath as he heard the beeps of the scans around him.
"Next, step forward," the words came from one of the guards. Ayden sighed in relief as he began to step into Alexandria.
"Hey kid, what the hell do you think you're doing? You never were never scanned!" the guard on the other side shouted suddenly.
Ayden lifted his head, to see he had made it past the scanners. From his peripheral he seen the guard who had yelled out coming directly at him, hands stretched out.
His decoys had all now taken notice to his presence, and to the guard making his way towards this foreign child hiding amongst them. Ayden's eyes widened as they all began to back away from him, as if he had the plague. They meant to give him up. He was trouble, and that was something none of them had any interest in getting themselves involved with.
He glanced from his new pursuer to the freedom of the crowded city life spread out before him. With a shake of his head, as if to say, 'fuck it, you've come this far, what's one more little run'; he took off into the busy streets of Alexandria.