I found myself thrust into a world of chaos and uncertainty, far removed from the familiar streets of New York City. All of the best soldiers and generals had abandoned them for a good life in the underground bunkers. At least that's what Alex suggested. Although it was my idea to continue our mission, Alex seemed to give us hope when we had none and had knowledge none of us had. So he became a natural leader. We set out for our first task, we needed a base. A place to lay low and train.
" It needs to be secure," Alex suggested as we walked side by side through the ruined streets at early dawn. "Something hard for these things to get into." He frowns in thought.
" What about that?" I stared at an armored truck from a distance. It seemed practically unscathed and its back doors were open as money spilled out onto the empty streets.
" That...is ingenious," Alex said with a smirk as they walked up to the truck. " We can take it to the nearest base, it's not that far from here. We can train there and probably collect some weapons."
" You know on a normal day this would be a block party, all this money just flowing free." I joked as we removed the bags from the back of the truck.
"On a normal day, I'd probably be the one to cause it." Alex joked back. " I was a bit of a troublemaker."
" What kind of trouble?" I asked curious. Alex just didn't seem like he would, but then again...
" I used to run the streets, steal, got into plenty of fights, play pranks on the cops all that good stuff. I never had any respect for authority whatsoever. That's why my parents sent me to the military, to teach me a lesson."
" So what, the military changed you?"
" You can take a boy out the hood but.."
" You can't take the hood out the boy!" They both joked together saying it with laughter and understanding.
" Aight I feel you." I laughed.
We finished clearing out the truck and collected gas for it before we regrouped finally boarding the truck and left for the base. We found it abandoned with not much inside. The military had taken almost everything. However, they left a few guns and uniforms to spare, not to mention military food packages. It was good enough, for now.
There were no recruitment centers or formal military protocols—just a group of young recruits learning to survive under the guidance of Alex, an experienced soldier. Alex quickly took charge, his years of experience and natural leadership qualities making him the de facto leader. He taught us everything we needed to know, from basic combat techniques to advanced survival skills. The next few weeks blended into a relentless cycle of early mornings, grueling physical drills, weapons training, and survival exercises. Topped off with night watches and combat. I was not getting any sleep. This guy was asking for it from me.
I quickly learned that the only way to survive was to rely on my fellow friends as well as myself. Despite the harsh conditions and the ever-present fear, friendships, and bonds began to form as we hid out. Our unit was a diverse group of young men and women, all from different parts of the states, each with their own story and reason for fighting. One of my closest allies during this time was Sugar, a southern boy with a sweet tooth and French braids. Sugar was not only hilarious, often making jokes to lighten the mood, but he was also incredibly skilled with weapons. His marksmanship and ability to handle various firearms and make them quickly earned him respect among the recruits.
"Man, can you believe this? One minute we jus kids from the hood, and the next we soldiers fighting some crazy ass aliens," Sugar said one night as we sat together, exhausted from the day's training.
I shook my head, still tussling with the surreal nature of our situation. "Yeah, it's like something out of a nightmare bro for real. That's why we gotta stick together, right?"
"Always, bro always," Suddenly he looked at me like I was crazy. "What you think I was goin' somewhere? This ain't a scary movie where people leave for no damn reason so they could just get picked off. Whatchu think this is bro, naw" We'll get through this, together, mark them words fo me bro. Let me hear you say it?"
"Together," I repeated with him as he nodded in approval.
I also grew close to Serenity, a tough but soft-hearted girl from Brooklyn who quickly became one of the best shooters in our unit. Despite her femininity and gentle nature, Serenity had an unwavering resolve and a sharp eye, making her a formidable soldier. Her presence was a comforting balance to the harshness of our new reality.
Another recruit who stood out among us survivors was Cinnamon, from New Mexico. He was a teen boy with a short fade cut and freckles that matched his red hair. His easy-going nature and quick reflexes made him a valuable member of the unit.
Then there was Braylin, a light-skinned boy with cornrows who often acted like a preacher, offering words of encouragement and hope to his fellow recruits. And prayer, lots and lots of prayer. He was from Georgia.
Tiny, the youngest in our group at just ten years old, was a tech genius. His small stature and young age belied his incredible skills with computers and electronics. The nickname "Tiny" was both a term of endearment and a testament to his surprising abilities. He was from DC.
Rose, a daring girl from Compton, brought a fierce determination to the group. Her courage and boldness inspired everyone around her. Then there was Angel, a short with braces who was head over heels for Alex. They were both from LA. Despite her feelings, she was funny and brought a light-hearted energy to our otherwise intense training. She loved to tease me about being in love. I think she is just trying to throw her faults and guilt on me.
One evening, as we were preparing for bed, I felt the weight of our situation more than ever. My mother was gone. I was no longer a boy, but a man. I realized this was the only family I now had. I knew we had to rely on each other to survive and protect our families and our world. I felt a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility. We were no longer just a group of scared teenagers; we were a united front, ready to face whatever horrors awaited us.
As training intensified, reports of increased Nemeses activity flooded in. We were pushed to our limits, learning advanced combat techniques and tactics to face the alien threat. My determination grew with each passing day. I knew that I was fighting not just for my own survival, but for the memory of my mother and the future of humanity.
During one particular exercise, we were taken to a mock urban battlefield through a virtual simulation. I didn't even know tech was this advanced. The sounds of simulated explosions and gunfire filled the air as we navigated through the debris-strewn streets. I found myself leading my squad, which included Sugar, Serenity, Alex, Cinnamon, Eric, Tiny, Rose, and Angel.
"Keep low and move fast," I whispered, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins. "Sugar, cover the left flank. Serenity, watch our six. Alex, you're with me."
We moved as one, our training taking over as we advanced through the simulated war zone. Suddenly, we were ambushed by a group of AI posing as Nemeses. The AI were made to look exactly like them, their grotesque appearance meant to mimic the terrifying aliens. One must wonder how long they knew about them.
"Contact left!" Sugar shouted, opening fire.
I reacted instinctively, raising my rifle and firing controlled bursts at the approaching "Nemeses." The mock battle was intense, the air filled with the sounds of gunfire and shouted commands. My squad fought with a ferocity born from desperation and determination to get this right.
Serenity took down a "Nemeses" with a precise headshot, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos around her. "Nice Serenity!" I called out, my voice filled with admiration.
"Thanks, Ant. Let's keep moving!"
As we pushed forward, I saw Alex engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand combat with one of the AI. Alex's movements were fluid and precise, a testament to his years of training. With a final, decisive blow, Alex incapacitated his opponent and rejoined the squad.
"Everyone okay?" I asked, quickly assessing our situation.
"Yeah, we're good," Alex panted, wiping sweat from his brow. "That was intense bro serious."
We continued our advance, our teamwork and training allowing us to overcome every obstacle in our path. By the end of the exercise, we had completed our objective, earning praise from Alex.
"Good job guys," Alex said, his stern expression softening. "You've proven that you can handle yourselves in a combat situation. I'm proud of you guys. Remember, what you did today could save your life and the lives of your comrades."
The bonds formed during those hard weeks of training became a source of strength for me. Together, we faced fear and uncertainty, finding hope in our unity. The world outside was falling apart, but within our unit, we found a sense of purpose and brotherhood that kept us going.
As night fell, we sat around a makeshift campfire, sharing stories and laughter. The friendship we had built was a lifeline, a reminder that we were not alone in this fight. We were ready. We had been transformed from ordinary teenagers into a formidable force, bound by our shared experiences and our commitment to protect our world. The war was far from over, but we were prepared to face whatever came next, united in our resolve to fight for our future.
The following week brought new challenges. We were now being trained to work with advanced military technology and tactics. We found a few drones and learned how to use them for reconnaissance, how to pilot exoskeleton suits found in the nearby silo, that enhanced our strength and speed, and how to coordinate with air support although there was no air support save one helicopter that only Braylin knew how to fly. He said he learned from a flight simulator. He is good I'll admit but I just wouldn't ride with him unless it was dire.
One hot afternoon, we were in the silo when we were briefed on the latest intel about the Nemeses. A holographic display projected images of the creatures, showing their anatomy, known weaknesses, and combat behavior. So they did know before and they knew these things took a whole round of bullets to kill. I was lucky to have killed the one I did kill. We listened intently, absorbing every detail. My mind raced as I studied the holographic images. The more I learned about the Nemeses, the more determined I became to fight them seeing they were not invincible.
Alex pointed to the display. " Not all the Nemeses are just mindless beasts. They have a hierarchy and a strategic approach to their attacks made by what seems like a queen. We've identified different classes of Nemeses, each with unique abilities. Your mission is to learn these classifications and adapt your tactics accordingly. The Ravagers are only out for food and follow the Queen's orders in doing such like ants. Second the Summoners who call the Ravagers and direct them. The soldiers are all male. They are the bigger ones and the flying ones we call drones and lastly, the Queen which we have no intel on" He finishes switching the hologram off. I looked at him with concern in my eyes.
" So they knew before this happened, you knew?"
Alex sighed. " We all knew, but there was nothing we could do or say about it without losing our own lives or the lives of our families."
" But that was gonna happen anyways...right?"
He stared at me with guilt in his eyes. " That wasn't the way it was broken down to us. It wasn't the way it was supposed to go." With that, he got up and left. I looked down in thought. Maybe I was being too rough. He was, after all, left like the rest of us.
Our first real deployment came sooner than expected. Our unit ran into a mission in a small town that had been overrun by Nemeses. The town's residents were trapped, and it was up to us to rescue them and secure the area just as we practiced.
As we approached the town, the sounds of battle grew louder. The air was thick with smoke, and the distant roars of the Nemeses echoed through the streets. My heart pounded in my chest as we moved into position. A man with a fatty build ran up to us.
" Wait, you're not who I was looking for. Where is the army? You're just a bunch of kids."
" Sir," I started.
′ Of all the people in the world, they sent a bunch of hoodlum children to,"
" Sir.." He rambled on. "Sir! You need to step yo jelly ass aside and let us handle this." He stepped aside offended as he muttered on.
"Aight les group up, " I said ignoring him, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins. "We here to save these people and take down any them bastards we encounter. Stay sharp and watch each other's backs. If you need help call. I want y'all back alive that understood?"
"Sir Yes Sir!"
I loved how that echoed in my ears. This was my team, My family. We were ready for anything.
" Aight les move out! Get these maggots to safety!"
We moved with precision and determination, our training taking over as we advanced through the war-torn streets. My mind raced, but my focus remained unwavering. We were soldiers now, and we had a job to do. We entered the heart of the town, we were met with a scene of devastation. Buildings lay in ruins, fires raged, and the ground was littered with debris. The Nemeses were everywhere, their grotesque forms a stark contrast to the familiar urban landscape.
"Kick they asses!" I shouted, raising my rifle and opening fire.
The battle was intense, the air filled with the deafening sounds of gunfire and the guttural roars of the Nemeses. My squad fought with fierce determination, our training and teamwork allowing us to hold our ground. We retreated to a nearby building for shelter as we practiced. Sugar suddenly spoke providing a brief respite from the chaos, his humor a welcome distraction from the horrors around us. "Hey, Ant, think we gone get paid fo this shit? " he quipped, his voice steady even as he took down another Nemeses with a well-placed shot. " I feel like I'm doin' free child labor."
I managed a grim smile. "Ain't that how it's always been? I mean we went to school, right? " I asked sarcastically as I used all my rounds to take down another. Suddenly one fell through the building and behind it, Serenity stood. She smiles softly.
"Saved your asses, literally."
Sugar and I looked at each other in shock.
Sugar smiled almost in love.
"Damn girl, shit maybe you should be my partner."
Serenity's sharpshooting skills proved invaluable, her calm and steady aim in taking down Nemeses with precise shots was unbelievable. I could hug her.
" Aight follow me," I shouted as we moved closer to the town square.
At the square, Cinnamon's quick reflexes and agile movements allowed him to outmaneuver the aliens while Brailyn took over as the distraction. I followed Cinnamon's aim with my eyes to a propane tank and realized our peril.
" Get Down!"
We all took cover grabbing a few civilians and the propane blew. wiping out most of the Nemesis in one blow. I got up quickly looking over in Cinnamon's direction. He was behind a metal part of a building structure with one fist in the air. I smiled brightly at the fact of knowing that he was ok. I let out a breath of relief as we moved to the next part of the town. Tiny was well hidden behind a huge concrete slab throwing makeshift grenades he had made himself from things left over at the military base. As we approached he looked up at me.
" I can't get close there's some people trapped down there and Rose went to get them out."
" I got it! Just keep the distraction up and you guys hold down the fort here." I yelled out as I snuck out.
Rose's daring nature saw her charging headfirst into danger. She dived out shooting bursts of shots before retreating to unload taking turns with Alex. I ran to their side finding Angel as well. She was focused on keeping the young children calm. I knew a lot about her, but I didn't know she had such a nurturing nature. I noticed the scared look on the faces of the children. It fueled my determination. I watched as Tiny threw out a grenade and took aim. As soon as it got close to a creature's face I took the shot and immediately it came down with a loud crash. It was done, the battle over as the people cheered. It was the best feeling in the world.
" Yeah!" I yelled out of pure excitement and happiness as we all celebrated our first victory with hugs and laughter. Training had paid off, now it was time to enjoy the moment.