Chimerical_Knave
Alpha
1
Earth was no more—well, Earth as we knew it. It wasn't a place for everyone and it certainly wasn't a safe haven anymore—at least not where I was. It was you and them. And it was either them or you're dead.
Humanity? What a bunch of chestnuts. There were barely any humans left alive to go about spouting stuff about protecting each other and other nonsense. Though, I've got to say that Liberty City is a new light in this dark era.
I've read a lot about extinct species but never before had humans been on that list. What was the cause you might ask yourself? Stem-cell research. Well, not exactly, you can't go and give stem cells all the credit. You'd have to include nano-bots and science . . . also technology.
Sometimes things happen that people just don't see coming. And who can blame them? Who would've thought that the result from that new technology caused the human's demise? Who could've thought that those innovative researches brought forth a new kind of human species:
Stalkers.
Signed, Larry.
Late February. I forgot the exact date.
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February 5, 2540
In the trashed and ruined semi-wastelands of what used to be New York City there stood a huge barricade that surrounded the former great city. A large steel wall that kept out foreigners and Stalkers.
The term that had replaced New York City was Liberty City.
Liberty City was a sort of safe haven founded almost sixty years ago by former billionaire Sylvester Sinner, a Wall Street stock/share-holder who had foreseen much potential in the NTL, Nano-Tech Labs, and Jacob Eager, a scientist who had successfully fused stem-cell's regenerative ability with nano-bot technology; a shocking breakthrough even for the 25th Century.
But that was eons ago. Sylvester was now buried in the ground with a tombstone commemorating his cause, sadly, Jacob's name was a sort of a taboo thing. Even though he caused the infection, it was far from his intentions.
Liberty City was currently being overseen by both Patrick Sinner and John Eager. Even though Jacob was something of a taboo subject, the citizens of Liberty didn't seem to pass the grudge and status of his father down to his son. John was in the safe zone . . . for now. And since Patrick was the main one in charge, he had to do all the talking, kissing, and sometimes killing. Currently engaged in a heated meeting with John and a dozen others inside the Tower, there was Patrick as cool headed as ever.
The Tower, by the way, was the only skyscraper left standing in New York City, hence it's name. It located in the center of the complex infrastructure of Liberty City. A tall erect structure that stuck out like a sore thumb. Anyone wanting to cross through the area would be able to see that from miles away. It not only served as a beacon for survivors but it also served as a warning to hostile raiders. Liberty City was well protected by walls and it had a functioning military of its own. All attacks on Liberty City in the past had been warded off easily.
Other than serving as a large signal to by passers it was probably one of the few surviving multiple story buildings out there. When Sylvester found it, it was bare steel bones but through renovation and sheer willpower he managed to build the protective wall around it and expand the city, fixing up the building later on in the Liberty project.
"So . . . after ten years, there's still no indication of the virus receding or weakening?" Patrick lazily looked around the table.
Jacob responded first. "Correct. Matter of fact, I do believe that they've grown vastly in numbers and strength."
Patrick ran his fingers through his hair, his palm slapped the surface of the table. "So you still haven't been able to create the cure, much less have a lead to it?"
"I'm afraid not." John folded his hands patiently.
Another scientist spoke up.
"A cure is impossible to find. The effects are irreversible. This is hopeless."
Patrick frowned. "So do you suggest that we open the gates and let them all in?"
"That's not wha-
"It must be what you're trying to say, since finding the cure is impossible and continuing to survive is hopeless . . . according to you, that is."
The scientist remained silent and Patrick turned his attention back to the rest of the members.
"Since finding the cure is out of the question at this stage we must take the next best step."
A pause to which Jacob inquired, "And what would that be, Pat?"
Patrick leaned forward in his chair and clasped his hands together. "No cure? No problem. What about a solution."
Jacob's right eye rose in interest. "A solution?"
Patrick locked his eyes with Jacob's. "Precisely."
Walking past dark brick apartments in the setting sun were two figures: a father and his son. As the father led his son past empty alleyways, the young sport pranced around him, happy. They were making their way to the Market.
The Market was an open stall free market where any and all sorts of people made their living by trading through vendors. While useless trinkets were usually sold, treasures could be found if one took the time to go through every single stall.
The Market, strangely, did not sell any fresh produce. Food, in general, was rationed and the military distributed them every afternoon through human convoys to various areas of the city called sectors. As far as meat went, everyone could only dine on fish and seafood. There were no farms out West from which they could transport red meat. No one was alive to do that. At least, to their knowledge there wasn't anybody left.
Libertan City had its own produce garden so there was no need for farmers. The produce farm was kept securely in a large greenhouse-like structure, located near the Tower. It was also connected to the warehouse that stored the fish meat, among other foods. The warehouse was in constant lockdown and security checks so stealing was deterred for the most part.
"Dad?" The youngster piped. "Why can't we ever go outside the city?"
Ben chuckled and sat down on the foot of some weathered stone stairs. "You know, about two hundred years back we wouldn't have lived this way. Before, we could've chosen to go outside the city whenever we wanted to."
The child cocked his head to the side. "So . . . what happened?"
The father beckoned him to sit on his lap.
"Well, you see, there's a couple stories about what exactly happened. Anything ranging from mad scientists to government conspiracies. But I think the one that my father told me is true. It all happened two hundred years ago when...