Four articulated legs at inverted angles move it silently over any surface, and the torso changes from vertical to horizontal in less than a second when it passes from combat to pursuit. Two main arms end in bladed claws, and two secondary appendages remain folded on the chest until the AI decides it needs precision instead of strength. The surface is matte black armor with exposed hydraulic joints between the plates, as if the designer had wanted it to be seen what's inside or as if it didn't matter because they simply wouldn't be a weakness.
It has no face. Only a horizontal slot in the front plate that emits red light at rest and white when it identifies a target. The only sound it produces is a low rhythmic pulse, almost infrasonic, that's felt in the chest before being heard.
It doesn't stop when it's still.
Nobody in the room makes a single movement; they only observe the hologram reproduce itself over and over. They only stopped when they heard an alarm tinkling on each one's watch, informing them of the assault troops' proximity.
"We must go..."
Individually they nod with their own thoughts and mixed feelings; mostly it was one, fear.
Just because they're supermen doesn't mean they don't have fear. A long time ago they were ready to die, but what the short test video showed left no hint of doubt that this would undoubtedly be the most atrocious and ruthless death they would have, especially painful.
They're perfectly capable of sacrificing themselves for anyone in that room, for a reason that helps them feel free—free to do what they want with their destiny and free to decide when to live and die. But that machine was destiny itself preventing that dream. Who wouldn't tell them that death would only be one more senseless act among all the pile and that they wouldn't end up being a bunch of ground meat in the rotating blades?
"...Sure, let's go"
Everyone mobilizes to their positions, not with the certainty they're going to get out of this, because it's certainly an undeniable fact they won't lose to CRITON's authorities, but with their heads lost in thoughts about their own future. If any would survive the assault against the districts was something that simply displeased them, because they wouldn't know how many of their friends and brothers would be left standing to consider it a victory.
"By the way, Jae, find the snitches; make them witness firsthand what happens when they don't prepare enough to fight against district 2"
With a forward tilt signal, he recomposes himself and leaves the research room.
Malik, who is accompanied by Tariq, examines the laboratory that once was packed to the brim with reports and scale models of rockets; now it was a cold space with nothing of value. The electronic samples would already be erased and incarcerated, just like the sheets with their most intricate details.
On the floor he sees a toy bomb made of plasticine, maybe harmless or without any type of malice. However, for the two of them, it had terrifying meanings; one was the madness printed on each researcher. The years of having been locked away from the world had affected them to a point where most lived contracting rockets and dreamed of them. The other was that these rockets would only carry one passenger in orbit; those would be the biological weapons the districts designed all this time.
One of the branches of possible final events that could occur. The district knew it: don't put all the eggs in one basket; a form of alternatives that in the end would lead them to the same objective, to a directed and focused freedom.
Many of the district's beliefs had their origins in religions themselves, changing perspectives; that's why each district maintained a different focus. Still, in the end, the facts all led to the same and sad truth: the end of the human era.
For that reason, the codices couldn't be completely angry with their purposes; they maintained the founders' origin and belief, and they searched among all hope. The problem in essence would be the humans themselves, who cornered the founders into taking invasive and drastic measures.
They say a donkey doesn't fall twice in the same hole; on the contrary, the human will always fall in the same one until he learns that hole was there, or by another way of thinking, even when he falls, he learns to fall well.
Humanity learns slowly, and for this era it's a threatening danger; that's why many in the world try to direct that path, even if it's forced. The most radical stance of all, the districts have and maintain.
"TO ALL TROOPS, ONE MINUTE FOR THE ENCOUNTER"
The last instructions are heard on the loudspeakers.
"It's time, Malik. Somehow we'll solve it, even if they died believing that idea of freedom; it's our duty to show them the way from wherever they're watching"
Malik's face contracts with mixed emotions; instead, he shows a somewhat trembling and tense smile.
"It's what they would have wanted"
The two leave the iron door offices with reinforced glass; it was time to show the world why they should be prepared to fight with everything they had against the districts.
***
In a room where casually its style makes you believe it has nothing to spare.
A bed with a low headboard of light wood, white bedding without prints, and a night lamp with warm light. The window occupies almost the entire back wall and lets in enough light for the space to feel larger than it is. There's a small desk against the wall, a chair, and nothing more that doesn't have a reason to be there.
The type of room where one enters, sees everything in three seconds, and decides to stay.
Cozy, in one word.
On the bed was prostrate a young man of appearance no older than 18 years. He sweated and contorted; sometimes he had tics or simply breathed agitatedly, as if trying to escape from something.
It's at that moment when he opens his eyes and gets up.
"Haa!"
He takes a mouthful of air, feeling that if he didn't take a breath, he would drown completely.
His gasps searching for air made him seem like he was having a panic attack, and he could well have one from some trauma from the past.
"..."
At that moment I turned and saw around me, it's a room, there's nobody, only the view of a clear sky, I get up and go out to what is a balcony, the sun almost at the crest of the day, showing that the peak of the heat that surrounded the entire city was approaching.
It was the same view from the hotel on the outskirts where they had decided to speak with Kalika.
Observing the surroundings, my senses awaken, and I evaluate my own condition.
The conclusion was evident: I had lost weight.
Besides, I had an intravenous connected all this time, even though my own nerves I had pulled it, making the serum holder fall.
At that moment the memories of the fight against Kalika come to me.
{You finally wake up; that's what you get for not being up to par as you should. While #2 exceeded himself, you shouldn't have been unconscious for so long}
Who I had in front of me was #4 himself.
"...Nobody would be capable of enduring his own abilities. I simply imitated what he did, and still I ended up in this state"
I felt free, almost like cotton, although in a way I also felt more powerless.
{Beyond that, you paid a pretty expensive price; during the next 3 to 4 months, you won't be able to use any of us in combat. You'll have to manage}
"The important thing was to teach those guys; my abilities won't be necessary until the 5th month, so there shouldn't be a problem"
{They're important, that I can see; however, the other personalities are worried you'll grow fond and lose focus on your objectives. You yourself were the one who insisted we accompany you}
Calmly I slowly raise the serum holder.
"Yes, and that's why I want to do it the right way. If in the end we die, I don't want to regret not trying everything"
{....}
A slight reaction makes me smile slightly.
{By the way, isn't it time you go back to speaking to us by our names? It's not a healthy way to keep us like this. Although, of course, schizophrenia wouldn't be either}
"Click—crrrk"
Suddenly the door opens.
'It's... a butler?'
"Oh, but it's young Heiss. I see you've awakened"
"Who are you?"
"I introduce myself. My name is Nile, I'm Miss Kalika's butler"
A man of about fifty years who looks ten less. Thin, straight bearing, with black hair combed backward without a single hair out of place. The clothes were always impeccable, as if disorder were something that simply didn't happen to him. He has fine Asian features, clear skin, and an expression that doesn't change much. His eyes are dark and attentive, the type that registers everything without seeming to be looking.
Apparently he already made sure I'm well.
"...Where are the others?"
"If you refer to your subordinates, they're at the football training field; they're training with Miss Kalika's subordinates"
'So they're okay... that's a relief'
"And where is your lady?"
"She's not participating, but she accompanies them too. Do you want to go see them?"
"Yes, that would be good, but..."
Suddenly I also realize the bad smell; it's me who gives off a dead smell.
"First I'm going to bathe; don't tell them anything, I want it to be a surprise... by the way, how long was I unconscious?"
For there to have been a catheter I saw next to the table, I've probably been here a few weeks.
"One month and one week"
I startle hearing it.
I had really overdone it, not only with the fight against Kalika but also with the overexertion I did since I fell from the third floor and was tortured at the drug traffickers' base, until leaving the base through desperation and hope. It's already a miracle I haven't acquired a disease from being in the jungle and with such low defenses.
"I'll bring you new clothes; meanwhile, you can clean yourself"
"Thanks"
"Clack"
The door closes, and it feels like the cold air from the air conditioning returns to predominate, pushing away the hot air that came from outside.
{It's a bit dangerous, don't you think?}
"Yes, for a moment I felt his pressure the moment he saw me standing, as if he were ready to kill"
It could have been the surprise; still, a normal person doesn't give off a murderous intention at such a moment. He must hold me in high esteem, I suppose, hehe.
{If you have time to laugh, go take a shower; you smell horrible}
"Yes"
Later I was already clean and with the clothes on the bed, that Nile had brought me, it was a Japanese style robe, although more informal and simple. It was airy and white colored, perfect for today when the sun was at its maximum. You can't underestimate the heat in Medellín.
While I change, I decide to turn on the television, and inform myself if anything has happened while I wasn't there.
In the blink of an eye, my expression that was serene becomes serious and tense.
"...As the authorities communicate, the incident that would be responsible for capturing the terrorists called districts by CRITON was a resounding failure. At this hour videos arrive on all social networks about the ultra-secret operation deployed by various government agencies under the organization's command and that had a conflict that ended in the defeat of CRITON's armed forces. The videos were uploaded by anonymous sources, and the actual author is unknown; it can only be stipulated that they were district agents who published the videos and decided to damage the anti-terrorism organization's image"
"...Shit"
"In another source, a message left by the terrorists has just been discovered. At their side are two naked men's bodies... Luckily, they inform me they're unconscious but alive... at their side a message... (Interesting attempt. Are you going to keep playing, or are you going to try seriously?). It's the message the district terrorists give... the casualties in this incident..."
I turned off the television; I had already had enough with what I had seen.
{It's clear the message was from Tariq; he hasn't changed in his joke style and temperament}
"They probably won't tell him anything; they'll most likely praise him in the district for mocking the maladapted and corrupt governments"
{But the real message is another}
"He's telling them to take it seriously; even as a joke, it's the only way to ask them not to send their men to die. The fact that those two survived is complete faith in his words; if they're not capable of capturing it, they're more idiots than I thought"
{Maybe they'll capture it, although I bet their arrogance clouds their judgment}
"Malik..."
{They must fulfill the promise they made you, even if they believe you're dead. But you must help them get out of their predicament, and to do it you must send that inexperienced boy to Central Africa; only then can you truly help Malik and his people}
A promise made several years ago that I tried to fulfill with my little influence until the district decided to betray us once and for all and blocked my communication with the outside.
"I better hurry; I've already rested enough time"
I leave the room and go down to the reception; from there, they instruct me, telling me the direction of the football field.
'For some reason I feel a bit tense; they should be okay. Training with them must have been hard, but they must have been able to enjoy it; after all, the martial path is full of communication and reaction. They should be fine...'
But I immediately close my mouth.
In the distance it's seen how several of them are on the ground, barely gasping, full of grime and dirt all over their body.
One by one, my subordinates and Kalika's were sprawled, with problems breathing. The only ones standing were Caleb, who gasped searching for air, and, surprisingly, Marcus,Marcus who barely held himself up with his hands on his knees.
At a small distance, on a chair with a pile of documents and a device similar to a laptop, was Kalika herself in a loose black shirt that flared along with a skirt that reached her knees and an almost translucent fabric that let her bust be seen slightly. Enough to be discreet and, at the same time, tempting.
She looked at them and gave instructions, like ordering them to get up.
They, of course, tried; despite their efforts, they didn't have the strength and fell to the ground.
"Maybe the training is harder than I thought..."
At that moment Kalika gets up, walks barefoot through the meadow.
"!"
Unexpectedly, she charges against the guys at a terrifying speed. First she kicks Ethan in the abdomen, then goes after Lucius, who can't flee and tries to grab onto something; however, it's in vain; Kalika grabs him by a foot, exerts a monstrous force, and lifts him, to deliver a kick to the chest that leaves him breathless.
Then she goes for Kalika, whom she grabs by the hair and pulls, sending her flying against Jesús, who receives her. For worse, she doesn't stop and finishes them off with a kick.
At one point they try to defend themselves from her, but they're beaten until they can't move a single muscle.
{I don't think they're enjoying it; she took your words very seriously}
"...What a horror"
I exclaim while I observe the slaughterhouse; this day that image of the subordinates being beaten by Kalika was embedded.
{And she'll be your wife}
"...I want a divorce"