A Matter of Truth

by Hawki

Oneshot: What is truth for one is falsehood for another, and this was exemplified by the wars between GDI and Nod. Wars that scarred the world as much as tiberium as each preached their own truth. At the end of all things, as ascension came, Parker reflected on all the truths and lies he had been told. And just wanted it to end.

A Matter of Truth

Your word, or James's word? Where lies the truth, if at all? We all hold our own version of truth, after all. Until seconds ago, it was the 'truth' that Lily had died because of Nod. It was the 'truth,' that Kane was going to bring back the scrin.

Enough of your lies!

Full truths, half-truths, falsehoods. As James's voice echoes in the tower, I reflect how I've heard them all.

He took everything. And he'll do it again.

Fulfil your destiny.

This is Kane. We have him. We can end the fighting right here.

Deny me if you must. But do so knowing that you condemn this planet to an endless cycle of war.

"One must have faith, or the truth will elude you." A preacher told me that once. And I laugh silently as I open the portal.

TCN Aligned and Ready

All Hubs Synced

Optimal Implant in Activation Range

Activate Scrin Portal

I'm dying, and I don't care. Either I've saved the world, or damned it. But still, I laugh. Finding the truth through faith. To find the truth you want, it is as if you've already decided what the 'truth' is.

Shutdown Sequence Initiated

There is a truth that I cannot ignore. That I am, indeed, dying. Alone. Probably unmourned, by all on Earth. If there will be an Earth after this.

Reboot

I see Kane. He looks down at me. Monster. Maniac. Saviour. Messiah. So many names. So many truths.

"Thank you," he says.

To whom? I wonder. Me? Or mankind? Of the billions who died so it could come to this.

I'm happy to see him leave. Whatever may come next…let him go. Mankind has seen enough of him to last lifetimes. And I have reached the end of mine.

Vital Signs Failing

System Failure Imminent

Shutdown Sequence Initiated

I know that this time, there will be no reboot. The game has ended, so to speak. My last life gone, with no reset.

These are poor jokes. I cannot voice them. Or do anything.

"Honey?"

But my eyes remain open. These mechanical eyes that allow me to see. Eyes that should show me no lie. That should not allow me to see ghosts.

Lily?

She stands there. And I reach for her, the fallen man, for a departed angel.

This is not real, I tell myself. Lily standing here…this is the one thing that I know, cannot be true.

But it is comforting. A lie, but still comforting. Like all the best lies are.

And with the lie, I lie down, and close my eyes.

Vital Signs Terminated

And go to sleep.