Choice Made

Bell rushes forward, his drone ready to fire and his own weapon drawn with his trembling hands. He runs past dead bodies, both of his people and strangers.

Near the gate of the Syndicate are drones in firefights with the attackers, raiders wearing shoddy armor and using old weapons that are difficult to hit the drones with. Even then, a single shot is not enough to take down a drone.

Some of the Syndicate’s people join the fight, using what little weapons they have to fend off their attackers. Some are armed with guns; others use random tools or large pieces of scrap to take them out. The fights paint the walls and ground red as Bell wonders what decision to make, their terrifying sounds leaving him still.

“Bell!” Akihiko pulls Bell to cover. “Get yourself together.”

“A-Akihiko. Is everyone all right?”

Akihiko shakes his head. “We can focus on that after we survive this. Bell, use that weapon, tell your drone to shoot to kill.”

Bell hesitates. “D1, shoot to kill.” His drone joins the fight, killing two unaware attackers within seconds.

More drones are deployed, robots joining the fray and tearing the attackers apart as the opposing guns are weak against the robots build. More of the Syndicate join the fight, each using their numbers to overwhelm the attackers.

As Akihiko and Bell run forward to help others, Akihiko is tackled. A blade driven near his neck, the struggle to keep himself alive begins as he attempts to shake his attacker.

“Bell!”

Bell raises his gun, pointing it at the attacker above Akihiko. His vision blurs, only the attacker in sight, only his breathing audible. Taking a life is something Bell never wished to do, he dreams of a world where no such sacrifices are necessary. But to reach that world, he must pay such costs.

Bell pulls the trigger, his first life taken. The rest of the battle a flash as he forgets any semblance of remorse or hesitation, these are the cost necessary for his goal.

The injured are rushed into beds where doctors check on them. Most doctors are just those with simple knowledge, but enough to keep many alive. The injuries are vast however, many pass.

Bell walks down the row of beds with injured, at the end is Elizabeth.

“Elizabeth!”

“Bell, I’m glad you’re ok.”

“I am, but you…”

Elizabeth smiles, her left arm missing. “I got lucky that this is all, they had to amputate it but I should be fine. Bell, Issac is in bad shape.”

“Issac? What happened?”

“Took a heavy blow from some blade, they’re trying to save him. The rest of us are ok. Lars is missing an eye but he left already to get another one I believe. The others have bruises and scrapes here and there, but we’re alive for now.”

“I’m sorry, maybe I should have listened to you.”

“This isn’t your fault. We couldn’t have predicted this. But Bell, I’m sorry, you must make your choice.”

Bell walks through the base, the pile of bodies near the gate sickening but he refuses to look away. They block out the sunset, their stench no longer bothers him. Only one thing remains on his mind, the decision he must make, of how the future he wishes to see is now father away.

It will continue to elude him as he is now, it will never come to realization with how he acts. His hands no longer tremble, he took many more lives after the first and feels no remorse. He carried many bodies of his people and felt the weight of responsibility without crumbling.

A week later, the geniuses gather at Bell’s call. Lars has implanted a new eye; Elizabeth has a new prototype arm made by herself and Lars. Issac remains in a coma with the others only experiencing minor injuries if anything at all.

“I know you all are still recovering from the attack; I am not here to rush you. I only need to announce our steps forward, what we must do if we wish to achieve that we dream of. We must accept that is not something that will come unless we take it, unless we build it from the ground up by whatever means necessary.”

“Whatever means necessary?” Akihiko asked. “Bell, that is a dangerous line you wish to cross. Such things are unfortunate yes, but stooping to such levels makes us no better.”

“I agree. We must remain true to the most important rule, we are not to betray our own humanity.” Zara said.

“And what has that brought us?” Bell asked. “This is not the last attack, other will want what we have and can create. We must protect ourselves and our people.”

“So, what are you suggesting? Weapons?” Amélie asked.

“Yes.”

“I do not want to create weapons.” Artem said.

“This is not the last time we will face such an attack. I too do not wish to create technology with the sole purpose of harming another, but we have no other options.” Lars said. “Look at Elizabeth, Issac is a dangerous state, we cannot sit and hope any longer.”

“I will vote for it as well.” Elizabeth said.

“Unbelievable, Liang, what do you think?” Akihiko asked.

“We cannot remain defenseless anymore. I’m sorry, but I will do what is necessary to protect my daughter.”

“Bell, all of you thinking this a good idea, this is something we swore never to cross. Anastasia foresaw this, we’ll be giving everyone the tools to kill each other off.”

“Then you consider him right for creating the bomb?” Bell asked.

“Of course not! What I am saying is that you all are making decisions far beyond your right to do so. Bell, you mean to keep technology here, that is not how we are supposed to act. We were meant to give the people the tools to prosper, what they choose to do with it is not for us to decide.”

“Then you are ignorant.” Bell responded. “We’ve seen it already. What they will do unless we control it… I gave them the seed to destroy themselves, but now I will plant that very seed myself and care for it. Even if it is against their nature, I will give them a world of peace. We are the only ones who can do so.”

“You’re not a god.” Akihiko said.

“A god is not what we need. What the world needs is a leader willing to make the sacrifices for them. I will do so. I will not force you all to do so, but I will allow production of weapons from here on. Elena, you are free to use those we captured for your experiments.”

“Bell!” Artem yelled.

Bell holds his hand up. “One cannot beg for human rights after disregarding that of others. Dismissed.”

Elizabeth and Lars stay behind with Bell.

“It’s what we must do, Bell.” Lars said.

“Yes, I believe so as well. Elizabeth, how is it going?”

Elizabeth projects a blueprint using her personal casa, it depicts a prototype exoskeleton. Thin, but it’s the most advanced and powerful yet.

“I call it gear. With Elena’s help I’m sure we will create something strong and capable for those able to use it. It will be a foundation for the peace we seek, alongside the work of Lar’s biotechnology.”

“Great. I look forward to it.”