Chereads / The Button Age / Chapter 3 - The two sides of Fuzhao

Chapter 3 - The two sides of Fuzhao

It was a typical, uneventful morning, with the morning training session completed and a sense of routine settling in, Matt Stones, one of the new recruits, voiced his frustration in the cafeteria. "It's been three weeks already since Sting's Nexus Euphoria chip demonstration, and it feels like nothing has been done about it."

Another recruit, while munching on his pancakes, chimed in eagerly, "I can't wait for the chip to be launched! They should definitely start with Edenwood and bring some progress to that shitty town."

Laughter erupted around the cafeteria in response to the recruit's comment, but the jovial atmosphere quickly changed when a voice emerged from the shadows behind them. It was Ike, seated at a nearby table. "You have an issue with Edenwood?" he asked, his voice cutting through the room.

"Well, first of all, you're all Neo-ludites, stuck in the past, thinking technology is some kind of threat to humanity. How backwards is that?" Matt retorted, his words casting a heavy silence over the room, making the atmosphere grow dense. Damilare who had been engrossed in his food moments ago, now found himself captivated by the unfolding exchange.

"Dr. Powell, the brilliant mind behind the revolutionary Freeze57 paralysing guns, which have replaced traditional firearms in our armed forces, is often labeled a Neo-luddite. Congressman Mooney, who championed the 1847 law ensuring that every citizen in Fuzhao has access to basic necessities as a fundamental right, is also branded as a Neo-luddite. And let's not forget Prof. Tanaka, a key figure in our fight for independence from British rule in 1710, who is likewise associated with the Neo-luddite movement. These individuals exemplify the values upheld by the Neos," Ike explained, his words resonating throughout the room like a thought-provoking lecture.

Matt's voice dripped with sarcasm as he responded to Ike's speech. "Powell, you say? The student of Dr. Echelon, who founded the Unity code? The same Unity code that has since become a notorious terrorist organization, responsible for bombing high-tech industries across the country? Impressive values you guys have there," Matt mocked, his words laced with disdain.

Ike stood his ground, undeterred by Matt's jabs. His voice carried a strong rebuttal. "And let's not forget the two greatest Techno-Chenists - Echelon and Sting. Echelon, the creator of the neuropager, a machine that transfers consciousness and has brought confusion and inequality to our nation. And Sting, who has developed a mind-controlling chip, about to enslave the entire Island. These are the Technos for you," Ike retorted.

As the verbal confrontation intensified, and tension filled the air. Matt and Ike stood face to face, locked in a fierce standoff. The surrounding crowd, caught up in the moment, began banging their tables and clanging their utensils together in a synchronized rhythm. Their voices rose in a unified chant, "Fight! Fight! Fight!.."

Damilare and Leia sat in silence, observing the escalating clash between the Neos and Technos. After a moment, Damilare decided to break the silence and pose a question to Leia. "Another day, another clash between the Neos and Technos. What are your thoughts on all of this?" he asked, turning his gaze towards her. However, Leia appeared disinterested, her attention fixated on her plate of noodles.

"Well, I can't help but feel there's something suspicious about Ike. He carries himself as if he possesses superior knowledge compared to everyone else," she replied, voicing her concerns.

Intrigued by Leia's response, Damilare decided to rephrase his question. "Hold on, I actually meant which side do you find yourself on?" he inquired, locking his eyes onto hers, as if seeking clarity within her gaze.

Leia instinctively shifted her gaze away from Damilare's intense eyes, returning her focus to her plate. She muttered her response, almost to herself. "Oh... your side," she replied, her voice barely audible.

Damilare, feeling a surge of confidence, maneuvered himself between Ike and Matt, attempting to de-escalate the brewing conflict. He signaled to Ike to let it go, and surprisingly, Ike complied. However, Matt and his group remained defiant, ready to unleash their frustration on Damilare.

Just as the situation threatened to spiral out of control, Leia stepped into the scene. Her mere presence had an immediate impact – the cafeteria fell silent, and a hush enveloped the room. Leia, with a calm yet authoritative demeanor, approached the brewing conflict. It was a known fact within the Harmonia Heights that challenging Leia in combat was a futile endeavor. As Leia drew closer, the would-be instigators thought twice about confronting Damilare. The air shifted, and the potential clash dissolved into an uneasy peace.

The cafeteria gradually returned to its usual hum of activity, but the undercurrent of tension lingered, leaving Damilare to contemplate the complexities of the Neos and Technos clash within the Harmony Vanguard.