"I hate you."
"You know you don't mean it."
"I do…"
"..."
"... maybe…"
"..."
I sighed, raising my hands in surrender, "You got me. Doesn't mean I'll enjoy this."
"You're doing me a big favor, I swear they wouldn't get off my back the entire week!" Her volume fell to a whisper throughout, rightfully so.
After the little incident last week, a lot has happened. Well, that's oxymoronic. A lot happens all the time! Specifics, Johnny!
Right. Somewhen on the third day in the medbay, Miya exposed me to something she shouldn't have, though it wasn't the first time. For whatever reason, the all-knowing, all-powerful and all-righteous, top-of-the-pyramid schmucks decided that I just had to continue the task at hand. The very same task that shut down my brain program and landed me in a hospital bed. My knees were still sore from a lack of use! But I didn't make it known, Miya had enough on her hands.
Obviously, I wasn't too keen on the idea. And I had made it known! No secrets between us. After everything I've seen and pieced? Management can shove it up their arses! I like that word, arse, so very sophisticated. But they had to know. They tasted the forbidden fruit, only this time a human was the whispering vermin. Does that make sense? Probably not. I digress, an hour was all it took for her to break my resolve.
"For the greater good!" she said, "That's what they want," she said, "I know this is… ah, forget it, it's bullshit. And there's nothing I can do," she said, "Please, one last time, I swear on my lo- career it will be the last…" I didn't catch the end of that one.
So, there I was. Back in the conference room, correction, projector room. It wasn't novel or formal enough to be anything more. The memes killed the star, no regrets! Miya surprised her superiors and got me to agree to further damage my psyche!
Under three conditions. First; no visuals. I had enough eye cancer for the next few years, I'll have to see if their internet was as bad as ours. Second; no trauma. Was I asking too much? Was I being greedy, wanting some peace of mind in this particular, ending month? I bet some would take it at plain value and answer incorrectly. Third; per the number of conditions, only three files. Only those of utmost importance were allowed to face me, I will not be defeated again! It was time to even the score.
What the fuck am I even saying? I blinked, the always present pressure around my head pulsing with phantom pain. Around us were half the researchers from last time, three or four new ones. This wasn't like me.
Miya was conversing with the closest one who happened to be setting up the audio player, likely explaining what I had listed previously. I averted my stare down to my lap, turning my palms to me. Flexing my fingers, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and let it out.
„Let's get this over with."
"Did you say something?" Miya addressed me, pausing the conversation with the other animal.
"Nah, just thinking aloud."
She returned to her the original one, nearly a debate at this point. The technician claimed he wasn't informed of the terms, Miya countered that his bosses knew. He fought back with ignorance, she pressed her point, insinuating consequences for disobedience. As much as I liked her, she can be scary as hell when she wants. Makes me appreciate her patience with my sorry ass.
In the end, she won, and the loser had to pick out the best trio out of the pile of spam I knew with all my heart would've burned hours of my life, hours I would never be able to get back. I really can't thank her enough for going above and beyond, though I sometimes wonder an innocent fantasy; why?
"Are you ready?" Miya asked, suddenly a lot closer to me.
"Ah- uh, yeah, yeah," I wasn't startled! I just didn't notice her. My focus…
Something clicked. I wasn't as aware as I should be. Spacing out more often, forgetting what she told me minutes prior. I finally understood what was wrong with me! The impact rattled my skull, but time would fix it. Time fixes everything.
With that out of the way, the technician left the device alone. All that was left was to press the triangle and the fun would begin. However, something came up that I just had to ask her on impulse.
"When- I don't want to seem annoying, but when will you… y'know…" I spoke quietly so only she would hear, the last thing we needed were snoopers sticking their snouts where they shouldn't.
She drummed her fingers on the desk, closing her eyes, "Soon… after this." The answer was satisfactory, and I was a little bit happier. Three files! That was all I had to sit through, how hard can it be?
A finger pressed the play button, the first sound to greet us was a cough and a curse.
„Bloody hell… is this thing workin'? Sure hopes it does, fuckin' youngsters and their boogie tech…" I was confused. My first thought was to ask the researchers what they had dug up, but they knew as much as I did, the difference being I understood the… Southern? He had that tang in his speech as well as something else.
„Ach, how do I do this shit… Name's Mulligan, Arthur Mulligan. I am fifty three years old and serving as a general. Well, was is the right tense. Why am I doin' this? Fuck if I know, boredom probly. I was so fuckin' close to retirement too! But nah, the sun just had to go and have a temper tantrum… not our sun, I think, one from that system closest to us, Andromodi or somethin'."
"Okay, stop, pause. Pause." Miya listened and did as I requested, much to the chagrin of the others.
"Is something wrong?" She asked, giving the technician the evil eye.
"No… yes, there is," I pressed my hands against one another, my index fingers pointing to the table, "you see, what I just heard wasn't… safe. As in, this is very dark. I thought we agreed on something, hmm?"
"What… did he say?"
"Not much, the guy is an army man, a general, he's kinda down because he was close to retirement but the world just had to end, more or less," I shrugged, the same effect becoming weaker with each exposure. "Actually…" All eyes were on me, but I didn't pay them mind, the texture of the table hypnotizing me. Really, there was no way they'd know what the content was, it was a coincidence, there was no one to blame. And backing out now was a bitch move.
"Y'know what?" I looked to the player, giving it an upward nod, ,Fuck it, we ball."
"What?" Miya asked.
"Let's continue."
She was perplexed, "Wha- huh? Why? You don't have to if you don't want to."
"Maybe, maybe. But a deal's a deal, no?" I smirked, my eyes passing over the technician shifting in his seat, "We'll go over aaaaaall the files, all three. And once we're done, I'm never touching that shit again, yeah? Until I want to, that is."
Miya thought about it, and after a few moments of silence replied, "That's… awfully fair. If you're sure then I won't intervene. But remember, if you feel like stopping-"
"I'll tell you. I don't know why I'm in such a good mood, but hey, does it really matter?" She was about to say something before the audio resumed.
„I can't remember the name for the life of me… man, I'm so old…" The general sighed, clicking his tongue, „'spose I should… could tell you my life story, doesn't matter now that…" He paused. After ten seconds of silence, he began.
„As I said earlier, the name's Arthur Mulligan, fifty three years old and a proud 'Murrican! Served my country right, even if it did some stupid shit in the last three decades. I wouldn't give it for anythin' else in the whole wide world…
Recently, there's been an incident- ah who am I sugarcoatin'? The world's over boys, we done did it this time. All the fuckin' libards and sinners gone fucked us all over, ain't no one passin' the pearly white gates, ha! Ha. Ah fuck. Oh god, what am I gonna do?" He strained a swallow, audibly struggling with the next lines.
„It's actually over. I think… I'm pretty sure the chance of somethin' like this happenin' was one in a million, but look at me! Lucky me bein' on bunker duty, inspectin' dusty ass caches and spam. Man, what I would do for spam right now…
I keep repeatin' myself. I'm sorry. Why the fuck am I apologizin'? No one's gonna hear this piece of shit tape. I can say whatever I want! Ni- nah, that ain't right. Maybe the lord is testin' me, testin' my resolve… That's plain stupid. There ain't no lord, we killed the sonuvabitch. I'll end the recordin' here, I don't feel like wasting batteries and… cryin' manly tears. But! At least I'm not alone down here… Lucy!" On command, a bark shouted back, the approaching pitter patter of paws splashing against shallow waters.
„There you are! I told you don't go wanderin' too far, girl!" The dog barked in joy, quiet shuffling caught by the microphone, "Ah dang it. I can't stay mad at ya. You hungry?" At the key word, the dog barked louder, panting in anticipation.
The general chuckled, „Well, alright. I'll see if we got somethin' for your kind in storage, stockpile's pretty big. It was designed to last for years…" I couldn't tell who he meant it for, „I ain't sure about it though…
That's about it folks. The world has ended and I'm stuck underground with my doggie. I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel, but what can I do? Maybe I'll… document this, my half-assed journey, if you can call it that. Don't know how to end this, so goodbye? If there ain't more of my voice, it means I'm dead." And with that, the recording ended.
I sat there, crossing my arms, knee over knee, staring off into nothing. One of the researchers inquired about the man and the dog, so I humored them, "Nothing special. Just the journal of a high ranking officer in the US army, claiming the world ended with a depressing undertone. Oh, and he has a pet dog," I finished without thinking, mentally slapping myself.
As a result, they pried into what I meant by pet. I said what I said and I meant what I meant! It wasn't that deep, bro. When they started bickering amongst each other, I explained, "Guys, guys! It's not that complicated. Back then… in my time," for a lack of a better term, "humans were the only intelligent beings, all other animals, even smart ones like crows and apes lacked true sapience, like what all of us have now. I thought about it a lot, and to be honest? I don't consider the animals back then the same as you guys, maybe… ancestors?"
That did the trick, and many notepads were filled to the brim with information. It felt great to have that off my chest. I never told them that? They never asked the right questions, then. Even Miya's interest peaked, I pondered at what part.
A researcher thanked me for the insight and politely asked if I'd like to continue. I liked that, so I gestured with an open hand to do so. Playing the next file, it was a garbled mess, like the realm between radio stations. Since it was corrupted for whatever reason, wait why did they put that in?
Before I could voice it, the next file was also skipped, and the next, and the one after. I thought we agreed on three? Ooooh, I see how it is. I didn't specify what kind of files, so they selected three collections! I didn't say a thing regarding their sneaky interpretation, opting to save it for later, and Miya.
Alas, a working file was found. Quiet breathing could be heard, a snoring as well. Could they belong to the same person? I got my answer right away.
„Captain's log, number… there ain't much left to say. I'm tired. I haven't… slept… I forgot to count the days, and I don't think Lucy can… can you?" He got no response. "She's sleepin', at least… one of us is… alright," he slumped down against a wall.
„I don't know anymore… I think I… we have a… week? Somethin' like that. Shit's either rotten or used. Way I see it, we got two options… I put her down and myself, or we starve together. Actually, dehydration-" A sob interrupted him, a strained grunt an attempt at leveling himself.
„Fuck, fuck… oh god, I… I'm gonna die," he let out another noise, muffled by clenched teeth and sealed lips, "I'm fuckin' dead, I… I'm scared. I'm so scared. I… I can't let her suffer any longer, I have to end this… on my terms." The recording ended.
I didn't waste time explaining what I understood. The collection was a dead man's tale, that was all. It was sad, both the matter of death and his friendship with his dog coming to an end. But hey, it is what it is. Life can be like that. Once notes were taken, we move onto the next tape.
„-et go! You stupid mutt!" The general shouted, presumably at his dog, „I said… let… go!" A thump was followed by a whine and two barks, "I'm sorry, Lucy… I-I'm sorry, I can't… I should kill you, but I… I can't."
"Damn," I commented, ignoring their reactions.
„I really can't… I'm… such a bitch," he chuckled, the irony not lost on either of us, „Lucy…" The dog barked at her name, awaiting the owner's order, „stay." A moment of silence. Then, walking. Followed by a quadrupedal's footfalls.
„No, Lucy, stay. Stay. Do not follow," the general reaffirmed, the dog whining in a higher pitch, "I know… I know… be a good girl and… stay. Stay." The dog protested, somehow knowing she shouldn't listen to him.
As the general resumed his journey to the unknown, he wasn't followed.
Echoes of desperate cries were drowned by twisting corridors, how else would the sound be interrupted? It was the last time the dog was heard. All that was left was the general, walking, breathing, coughing, humming a… familiar tune.
Little darlin', it's been a long, cold, lonely winter
His pace slowed, coming to a full stop.
Little darlin', it feels like years since it's been here
Quiet consecutive beeps were followed by a loud one, a grinding mechanism.
Little darlin', the smile's returning to their faces
Once it completed its purpose, the general took a deep breath.
Little darlin', it seems like years since it's been here
Step by step, he went somewhere. A staircase? Likely.
Little darlin', I feel that ice is slowly melting
After a minute of climbing, he punched in another code, a hissing accompanied by a metallic screech.
Little darlin', it seems like years since it's been clear
He sighed, stepping out of the bunker.
Here comes the sun, doo-doo-doo-doo
The general's breath left him, his gasps hindered.
Here comes the sun
Collapsing to the ground, a sick sizzling entered the foyer as well as its static sibling.
It's alright
With his last breath, the general sighed, „It's… alright."
Silence. In the room and the file, excluding the faint cooking of bacon on a pan and constant static. Eventually, it became corrupted beyond recovery and had to be stopped.
I didn't know what to feel. When one of them wished an answer for the last part, I just gave it. The reactions were mixed. Some held back tears, some kept a strong front, the rest said nothing. I was one of them. I didn't know the guy, I didn't feel for him, but I knew it was terrible. To go out like that is… admirable, brave and irrational. I have no right to judge him, everyone has their own dark place.
"Johnny…" Miya, her sweet voice, the comfort I needed, "I think we should stop, this is clearly-"
"Nah, I don't want to."
She nearly recoiled, puzzled at my willingness, "Wha… but this…"
"It's terrible, yeah. But a deal's a deal, and I'm not backing down. I mean, it can't get worse than that, right?" I laughed, kicking back a gear into the chair.
"Well… if you say so."
Once the crocodile tears were wiped away and whatever valuable information was stored, the technician prepared the player for the next collection of super duper funtastic experiences! I sure hope nothing depressing happens again to push me further down the pit!
Another sigh, god damn it-
„Log one, this is the captain speaking, all passengers please fasten your seatbelts… you're all asleep, of course, and I am speaking to myself in space, where no one can hear me…
This was way funnier in my head. Good thing no one can see me right now… regrettable. I am Andrew Kleiner, forty earth years old and stuck in space with no way home! Ha ha ha! Isn't that wonderful?!" He forced a louder laugh which was followed by awkward silence.
„I think I'm going insane. Not just because I'm on this… vessel. But the whole… everything that happened. Straight out of sci-fi, I swear! Like, how the fuck does a supernova manage to hit us out of the blue! That's bullshit! Fuck…" The speaker took a break and sighed again before continuing.
„For the sake of preserving the present, I'll… try to be as informative as possible as to what happened. On the third of May, two thousand twenty four AD, I was given a mission…
I was instructed to pilot this ship and create a stable orbit around the sun on a path similar to Earth's, but slower. How slow? 'Minimal difference is most desirable.' Now, it all makes sense! They had to have known the world was ging to end, why else would they send me on a suicide mission!"
My eyes widened, my breath hitching at the sudden shout. The cause and effect didn't go unnoticed by the rest.
„My… apologies. I am not sure if these logs will ever see the light of day, ha ha, day, there is no such cycle in space. Still, I am sorry if I frightened you… Regarding my mission, after searching the entirety of the vessel I have found hundreds of these… pods, containing living human beings, I assume the bodies are alive by the green lights. It's cold too, real cold! Maybe not liquid nitrogen- I'm getting sidetracked. Point is, they fucking knew we were fucked, so they sent this iron box with me as the navigator. And the way I see it, they didn't leave one for me."
Damn.
„And… here I am. I did it. Now I'm just… waiting. They were nice enough to store supplies in the back, long term… in case it took me too long. I don't feel like recording anymore, maybe when I feel less like shit… goodbye." He ended the log.
Puckering my lips, I then bit the lower one, mulling over a way to break it down. The eyes. The eyes! I wanted to yell at them to stop staring, but what would that do? Halfway there, Johnny, then you never have to do this again.
Shutting my eyes, my chin fell closer to the collarbones. I spoke. I saved no details, no theories or hints. They wanted their answers, so I was going to give them everything and then some. It was strange. It was a new feeling, one I didn't know could be. It was like opening the freezer and discovering the ice cream was gone, or hopping on your favorite game and the servers were empty, the project abandoned and funding redirected towards the newer, shinier, plagued by microtransactions sequel.
Their reactions, their emotions, their condolences, they were arrows flung against a castle's wall. I just wanted to go it over with, but Miya had more to say.
"You don't' like this."
"..."
"You don't have to. I keep saying it, I know… but watching from the sidelines…"
"You're right. I don't. But…" I looked her in the eye, calm and neutral, "I want to."
"..."
"I need to. Because once I am done, they'll leave us alone. Right? They wouldn't… lie… right?"
After considering my perspective, she simply nodded. I really did appreciate her concern, but it wasn't needed.
Without further ado, the corrupted were skipped until a healthy one was found. And when it was, it wasn't pretty.
„Log twenty four. I'm bored out of my mind. I remember… hm," he smacked his tongue against the top of his mouth, a sort of tsk, „When I was little, I loved baseball. Football was cool, basketball was for the tall and black, chess was for the smart and asian, so it just stuck to me. My daddy also drilled it into my skull, miss the old geezer. Ah, I can't say nothing. I wanted my son to also play baseball, tradition and stuff. And she'd always watch…" He went quiet for a while. A long while, longer than any previous ones.
Until he exhaled, and confessed.
„I've been making these… useless logs. That's what they are; useless. Maybe the first few, but… I'm speaking to myself," he laughed once, „I'm fucking nuts. I've officially lost it. Huston, send me to the fucking sun, will ya? But no, I have the cargo… I made these recordings because I… I don't want… to be forgotten.
I've been so… alone. A month? Two? Wait let me check… one and a half, forty six days to be precise. I had no one to talk to but myself. Some people do, but not me! I do now… I'm… afraid. Let's face reality, Andrew, you are not getting out of this iron lung. You are not returning home. You are not…
You know what I regret most? I didn't get… to say goodbye. If I had the chance, the option, a wish from god that would come true, I'd go back to my family and bid them farewell. If I knew how fucked I'd be here, I wouldn't have volunteered. Fuck the greater good, fuck the future, I'd kill the whole world twice and again to spend another moment with my loved once. Because…
Because being here, outside the world, overlooking our star. It made me realize some things… that I need to think about… on my own. It's not for you, funny I say it, thinking someone will actually hear my voice. I still treat this piece of metal and wires as a person. That's how insane I am. I'll end it here. I need to think. If this is the last tape, I bid you farewell."
I needn't repeat the same process a fifth time. They were learning. Holding back more tears was only going to delay the dam. Miya did the best, a true ace. Was the pity for me or the starman? My chest was heavy, as if concrete filled my lungs. As the technician checked file after file, I thought back to the morning. How wonderful breakfast was. How nice that lunch lady was. How clean the table was. I had hoped it would remain as such.
„Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. It seems I have run out of oxygen and will be shortly departing the vessel. How unfortunate."
I wiggled my eyebrows up and down, an eye twitching, "Well, that's just peachy."
„To be honest, I just wanted to make one last log. I don't know what compelled me- wait, I do. I'm actually going to fucking die! I never… I never imagined it to be like this. I mean- I knew it was inevitable but… damn," I couldn't agree more, Andrew.
„So, yeah. I've got a few minutes of air left. I lived my life, I've got regrets. The biggest one is that I never said goodbye, but you should know if…" he breathed, "if you listened to the previous ones. Who would? Fuck, my brain is all jambled. I didn't fully come to terms with this shit…" he breathed, swallowing audibly, "I… I…"
Suddenly, a blaring alarm quietly continued in his place, warning the pilot.
„Oh, there it is," he gasped, „You can shut up, Jany, I know I'm…" he sighed, „done for," a few clicks later and the quiet returned, though not the same one. „There we go. Nice… oh, god… I…" He paused, his breath louder than ever. Strained.
"I guess… this is it. I'm starting to feel light-headed… ooo… hehehe…" He sniffled, exhaling a long one before humming contently.
It was nothing. Just a rumble of the voicebox. But it quickly evolved into something much more. Something that tickled a certain part of my monkey brain, a part I've dedicated many years to. When I played along in my head, it clicked. It was a song.
Didn't know what time it was, the lights were lo-o-ow
It couldn't have been better.
I leaned back on my radio-o-o
I swore to god I heard a guitar, but seconded that to the one in my head. The pilot huffed, drawing in another breath. I vaguely remembered the lyrics, but I strongly believed he skipped a string of beats.
I had to phone someone, so I picked on you-u-u
With every second that passed, I could feel the pilot exhausting himself. His breath grew harsher, the hum into a mumble, a low wheeze deflating every exit.
Switch on the TV, we may pick him up on channel two
The alarm returned in full force, fighting for dominance against the pilot's life. If I focused on one aspect, the other would disappear. I didn't want him to.
Don't tell your papa or he'll get us locked up in fright
The pilot sighed, slamming his fist against the board.
Starmaaaan waiting in the sky
„Damn it all…" The pilot moaned.
He'd like to come and meet us, but he thinks he'd blow our minds
„This it is…"
There's a staaarman waiting in the sky
„I did it, sonny…"
He's told us not to blow, 'cause he knows it's all worthwhile
„I… am… your starman…" The pilot sighed, all air leaving him for the last time.
He told me
Let the children lose
Let the children use it
Let the children boogie
Although he could no longer continue, I finished what he started. The ending of the piece played out in my mind, my head bobbing from side to side. The original singer didn't get to see the end of the world, I realized. Many didn't. Famous, unknown. Rich, poor. From one end to another. Some people are luckier than others, but that's no reason to be envious. Life is an unfair dealer, we just make do with the hand we have.
Since the rest of the file was silent, there was no need to sit through the entire battery. The technician shut it off, the pens and keyboards clicked, all that was left was… me.
The new norm was repeated, reactions were had, knowledge was extracted. I couldn't… connect. Empathize. I couldn't tell if they really meant it. By then, they had expected a grim outcome. Such were the audios. They were amazed by the fact we could go to space on a regular basis, if you ignore the cost and training. In addition, it was another clue.
Ha! Clue my ass. Safe my ass. Ass my ass! This entire day was ruined. Down the drain the captain goes! That's where Georgie's ship went.
"Johnathan?" Miya. My savior. How may I entertain thee? I wasn't speaking.
"Huh- uh- yes?"
She let me gather myself before resuming, "How do you feel?"
"Feel? I feel fine. I feel okay. I feel great!" I forced a smile, lying through my teeth.
Pity overtook her features, but it was accented by something else. Disgust? Hesitation? Reluctance? Understandable, all of them. I wouldn't want to be near me right now, but I am me, so there was no getting away from this one.
"Are you sure?" She opened and closed her beak, all of which lasted half a second.
"Yes…" I resisted the urge to comment a humorous remark or hint. I was fine. The world as I knew it was dead. I was fine. I'd deal with it in time.
Looking away in defeat, she asked, "And I presume you wish to see the last file?"
"Also yes."
Closing her eyes, she slowly shook her head, "Go ahead, I can't convince you otherwise."
Without further objection, the last collection waltzed in. However, to my relief, I was wrong. It was single. Unfortunately, I had jinxed myself a second time; it was the worst.
„I don't like this," a man said, worry didn't begin to describe the weak tone.
„Neither do I," answered an older one, stoic and stable.
„The sun will come up soon…"
„I know."
„Sir…" The younger gulped, shuddering, „I… I've been burned… I…"
„You won't," the older assured, „we have the advantage, remember the plan…"
„Hold the line," the younger finished, „I haven't forgotten, but…"
The older sighed, „I know that feeling. All they need is… an hour."
„… And then what?"
„We fall back to the bunkers. The sun will do the rest."
The faux serenity touched my heart in a way I disliked but couldn't oppose. To the animals it was probably something innocent, a change from the general and the pilot. I didn't say a thing, not yet. Let them recuperate, I had a grasp on what was to come.
„Alright," the younger said, „an hour."
„Good man," the older patted something; the younger, „Keep your eyes peeled and listen to the radio."
„Yes, sir," I noticed a key detail I'd ignored before; their voices were muffled. Due to the quality of the recording it was near indistinguishable, but it was there.
Footsteps left the younger man. He then took hold of something, metal, clanking. A feeder opened and closed; bolt-action. No winds whistled into the microphone, no birds chirped their songs. It was eerily quiet, even the trooper was invisible to the naked ear.
Then, the wind did whistle. A constant tune, a faraway visitor. It swiftly broke my assumptions when the pitch and volume increased hand by hand, the trooper's breath hitching before it stopped.
An explosion.
Followed by another.
And many more of its kin.
„Here they are…" the trooper whispered, distant shouts made more incoherent by the rude detonations.
Then, a whizz.
„Fuck!" The trooper cried, though no harm was done, or he just hadn't made it clear, „Desperate this time, aye? Come get some."
Bang
„Hit," the trooper said, ejecting the empty casing before loading a full one.
Bang
„Hit," he repeated, the same for the next ammunition.
Bang
„Miss," he was true to himself, disgruntled at the waste of precious projectiles.
Bang
„Hit," was followed by a scream, not close, though too much for comfort.
Bang
„Headshot," I detected a gleeful edge in that one. I'd feel the same were it a video game.
Bang
„Miss," he chambered a new bullet.
Bang
„Fuck, there's too many…"
Bang- ting!
„Hit- shit!" Another whizz registered, a series of swears under his breath the appropriate response.
My knowledge of weapons was lackluster. Sure, I knew of the classics everyone did like the two-time sidearm of both world wars, the grease gun, the mustache man's machine gun, but that ejection… There was only one gun that I could think of, one beloved and hated by many for all the right and wrong reasons. Would Mister Garand be proud of his invention? Of how long it persisted through the evolution of warfare? One thing was uncertain; why would a trooper of the modern era use it?
„Guess… I'm not the only one desperate…" The trooper loaded the clip into the gun, rocking forward the bolt.
Bang
„Hit," the screams were closer, the next cartridge was swift to enter the barrel.
Bang- bang- bang!
He fired faster, not bothering to comment on the state of the targets. They had to be close.
„Shit… shit…" Unclipping an object from his belt, he did something with it before shouting, "Frag!"
A moment later, the approaching enemy was silenced. No, wait, there was a whimper, though it too was drowned by the never-ending booms. They too had advanced, clearing the way for the attackers. It was brutal, to listen was one thing, but to be there in the flesh… I wouldn't wish it upon my middle school bullies.
His breath was ragged, if we could hear his heart it would've been pounding against his ribcage, beating against the boney bars to be let out.
Bang!
A whizz was returned in kind, but the ammo had no manners.
„AAAAAA- FUCK!" He trooper cried out, struggling to take another breath of air before violently spitting out the blockage.
However, he didn't let a scratch hold him back.
„C'mon… c'mon… you can do this…" He gathered his courage, steeled his heart, and returned fire.
Bang!
„Hit," he chuckled. The game was still on.
Bang!
,Hi… hit," he choked out, drawing a deeper intake. It hurt, it had to hurt.
Bang!
,Hi-"
He gasped. There was no wheeze. Why did he gasp? What happened to him?
A sharp exhale, „F-fuck… o-oh, o-oh…" He fired back another one, but no boom followed. The air invaded and departed his body in short bursts. He had to remain focused, it wasn't enough to supply the command center, he had to fall back. Fall back. Fall back!
A whistle. Not of the wind. A man-made one.
„Sun…" the trooper choked out, pulling the dry trigger.
Good. To the bunkers. He'd done his job, it was the cue to retreat. It was no cowardice, it was tactical! He'd live to fight another day. What for? In a dead world? Hell if I know! He had to!
Then… why wasn't he moving?
Because another bullet found him.
Before he could react to the wound, his body collapsed, falling back to the ground. No words. No cries. His throat was cut off, destroyed, if the gurgling of liquids were anything to go by. A heavy swallow, but even that didn't help. Whether he hurled them out or down, they just kept bleeding. As the battle raged on, the trooper ceased his own fight.
A quiet rebellion, „Ma… ma…" snuffed out.
The recording continued for more minutes, how many? I didn't count. The line was overrun, but it didn't break. Until the sun was fully up, they didn't forfeit even as the voices fell away. It was all theory anyway. I didn't get to find out the fate of the rest, the bunkers and that plan of his, the officer. But in the real present? Victory would've ended the same for either side; forsaken.
The recording was cut short by a stray shell, or shrapnel, whichever fit the narrative. Informing the researchers of what I had been blessed with was as exciting as stepping onto a bed of nails composed of a single. I couldn't stomach the sympathy, it was so fucking fake.
At least, I was done. I could finally leave this wretched room and never return… until I wished so. I didn't see myself doing that in the future, maybe if Miya buys me some beer. Speaking of her, she had spaced out, an uncharacteristic gaze tugging at my heartstrings.
Flicking her shoulder, she rapidly blinked, returning to Earth, "H-huh? Wha?"
"We're done," I told her.
"J-johnny? Oh, oh! That's good!" Her eyes widened, "You… you actually did…"
"Yup. Let's get out of here, I need fresh air," getting up from the table, I waited for her to do the same. Yet, she kept staring at me as if I'd grown a second head. "Is there… something wrong with me? Am I really that ugly?"
"N-no! No, god forbid- no. I…" she shut her beak, "never mind..."
"Oooookay. By the way, did we miss lunch?" Some of the other animals had left, some stayed to continue with their notes.
Pulling out her phone, Miya confirmed, "No. We have twenty minutes before they close."
"And today's Wednesday, riiiight~?" I smirked deviously, following her close behind once she opened the door, I needed one of those cards… as if they'd grant me such a privilege.
"Yes? Johnny, I don't think you're-"
"That means there's ice creeeeeam~! C'mon, gotta hurry or those fatasses will eat it all!" I sped up ahead of her, beckoning her to do the same.
Lightly shaking her head, she complied. I'd answer her questions later, whatever that one was. There was no time to waste! The agenda had changed.
The ice cream wasn't going to eat itself.