The box that raised me: Part 4
I sat at my desk, staring at the list of people left alive in this city, on this planet, and likely in this whole section of the galaxy. I wasn't on Earth, I was on some other planet I had no idea about. All the books I'd read and stories I'd heard made me presume I was on Earth this entire time. And this whole section of the galaxy had been lost to the enemy, at least it had to be, for them to have decimated the whole planet like they did. The whole planet, like they? Who were 'they' anyways?
"Hey, yo computer! Who exactly attacked us? What is the enemy of humanity like anyways? Aren't we the most powerful?"
"Can you please put on a shirt first? You're within company grounds, you shouldn't be walking around without the top part of your uniform," Sayla responded.
"Yes, yes, whatever you already told me, now answer! Thank you...please?" I rolled my eyes, reluctantly pulling on my shirt.
"Besides, my name is Sayla, not 'computer'. That's the default name for AI UX terminals."
"Oh, sorry about that, I keep forgetting, I'll try to remember." I have such a terrible habit of calling out to 'computer', I didn't realize how bad it was until I left the confines of my apartment.
Sayla began explaining, "Well, humans have a lot of enemies. But I guess you're asking specifically about the ones who are actually able to push us back. Truly, there's only one enemy that can, and we've been fighting them since we became spacefaring. Technically, they've been trying to exterminate us since our kind discovered the dimensional engine. It's a type of technology that only humans have. They have something similar, but we can't use what they have, and they can't use what we have."
I picked at a scab on my arm, "And is that why they want to exterminate us? Because of the dimensional engine?"
"Well, because of our knowledge that makes the dimensional engine possible, we have many technologies that leverage that knowledge, the branch of science that we humans like to call 'magic' when presenting to others. But, the real name is, Veral Dimensional Math, our way to interpret one of the three core systems that run on top of the Sub-Reality Network, the SRN, the operating system of reality itself."
"There are three? I thought it was only the physical realm sciences and Veral Dimensional Math."
"There is a third. But I can't give you any details on it other than telling you it exists. Regardless, our enemy is a type of evil that wants to see all of humanity eradicated. They are fine with destroying entire star systems that they even suspect we might be in. Just a rumor is enough for them. We believe that because of humanity's unique mind, we are the only species capable of even developing that branch of science. And we believe they know that as well. And if they leave just a few humans alive, we will eventually redevelop it. In a way, it is an extension of human nature to develop it, and it will come back in one way or another as long as we exist."
I stood up abruptly, pacing the room. "That's crazy, so they want to just kill all of us? What's the enemy like? Will we have to fight them?"
"The enemies are an amalgamation of entities that defy comprehension," Sayla explained, her voice steady and clinical despite the disturbing subject matter. "There are humanoid and nonhumanoid ones. The humanoid ones resemble twisted, corrupted versions of ourselves. Some appear as towering figures cloaked in shadows that seem to consume light itself, their forms flickering in and out of perception. Others have… hybrid appearances, melding human features with those of beasts – gnarled horns, writhing tentacles, and maws filled with jagged teeth."
Sayla paused, her cooling system whirring softly. "The non-humanoid entities are even more abstract and, according to human description, terrifying. Imagine colossal, pulsating masses of golden energy that warp the very fabric of reality around them. Their presence alone can sometimes shatter the minds of those who gaze upon them If they aren’t wearing at least a standard issue personal shield, driving normal humans to the brink of insanity. These beings seem to embody the very essence of chaos and destruction. When observed through a shield or cameras, they take up the form of various human concepts and constructs, like goats as large as planets or a hand made up of eyes. We aren’t fully sure why yet, but we think that’s just a form they had to collapse into when crossing over. Both the humanoid and the non humanoid ones are extremely powerful and virtually indestructible and unaffected by all conventional weapons like nuclear or anti matter. Although certain calibrated energy weapons do affect them, they are not enough to matter in a war."
I listened intently, my eyes growing wider with each horrifying detail. A cold sweat broke out on my skin, and I could feel my heart pounding erratically in my chest. The descriptions triggered something deep within me – a primal fear that I had never experienced before. It was as if the mere knowledge of these creatures' existence had awakened a dormant terror that had been lurking in the darkest recesses of my subconscious.
Suddenly, I leaped up from my chair, sending it clattering to the floor. "No, no, no!" I screamed, my voice raw and shrill. "They can't be real! They can't!" I began to pace frantically, my hands clawing at my face and hair. Images of shadowy figures and writhing tentacles flashed through my mind, merging with the fragmented memories of my own traumatic past and the things I would imagine in the darkness.
"Jan, please try to calm down," Sayla urged, her voice laced with concern. "I know this information is deeply unsettling to hear for the first time, but we need to focus on—"
"Calm down? CALM DOWN?" I screeched, whirling to face Sayla’s screen. "How can I be calm when there are literal monsters out there who want to erase us from existence? How can I be calm when I'm trapped in this fucking bubble with no way out? How can I be calm when my entire life has been one big nightmare?" Hot tears streamed down my face as I collapsed to my knees, my body shaking with uncontrollable sobs.
Sayla remained silent for a moment. "Jan, I understand this is incredibly difficult and terrifying to hear fo the first time. But you are not alone in this. We have each other, and we have the other survivors. Together, we can find a way to persevere and, perhaps one day, find our way back to Hatnode HQ where you will be safe."
I looked up at the screen, my vision blurred by tears. "Safe? How can humans possibly fight against something like that?"
Sayla's voice took on a fevered intensity as she declared, "Hatnode is humanity's greatest hope against this threat. Our brightest minds have been working tirelessly to develop the technology and strategies needed to fight back. Even now, we are turning the tide of battle in our favor."
Her words carried an undercurrent of… something, but I was too focused on the prospect of victory to register it fully. "With Hatnode's guidance, all of humanity must unite as one. Only by placing our unwavering faith in the company can we hope to triumph. There can be no dissent, no questioning of Hatnode's authority."
I nodded along, eager to hear more about our chances of success. The idea of a united human front was comforting in the face of such a terrifying enemy.
"And what of the aliens we're also fighting?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. "They don’t seem as bad. Should we tell them so they can join humanity? I’m sure they would help us if they knew."
"They are our also enemy," Sayla stated simply as if that justified any action we might take against them."In a war like this, there can be no mercy, no half-measures. Anything against us is against the safety of all life— and we will do whatever it takes to ensure humanity prevails."
Her declaration filled me with a sense of righteous purpose. I was ready to do my part in the fight for our species' survival—well, at least for the 22 stuck in here with me. I looked back down at the page. “Ok, let’s start with Kaito. He’s the closest one to my age.”
---
The hallways outside the door of his apartment actually had oxygen. In fact, the whole building was sealed from the outside, unlike my singular apartment. It turns out Kaito was from a very wealthy family, and so his apartment was in a building that had higher levels of security.
As I approached the door to Kaito's apartment, a sense of unease settled in the pit of my stomach. The tablet in my hand confirmed that this was the right place.
I knocked on the door, the sound echoing in the empty hallway. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit interior. I stepped inside, my heart pounding in my chest.
The apartment was vast, at least 5 times bigger than mine, lucky! Well, it was filled with shadows that seemed to writhe and twist in the corners of my vision, so maybe my place wasn’t so bad.
I walked inside and followed the tablet to the glowing blue dot that represented him, and entered one of the rooms. In the center of the room stood Kaito, his back turned to me.
He was shirtless, his lean muscles rippling under his skin. A large, intricate tattoo of a dragon covered his back. How did he get a tattoo on his back? Did he get his nanny bot to give it to him? I have a lot of questions.
I moved around slowly. This was actually creepy, the dragon's eyes seeming to follow me as I moved. I was finally close enough to start seeing the side of his body. In his hand, he held a sword, i think that’s a katana, its razor-sharp edge catching the light.
"I've been expecting you," Kaito said, his voice low and menacing. He turned to face me, his eyes dark and intense. "The voices told me you would come."
I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. "Kaito, I'm Jan. I work for Hatnode. I'm here to—"
"Silence!" he hissed, his grip tightening on the katana. "I know why you're here. You seek to challenge me, to take my place as the Chosen One."
He began to pace the room, his movements fluid and predatory. "The voices have guided me, have shown me my true purpose. I am destined to be a warrior, to protect what remains of this world from the evil that seeks to destroy it."
I held up my hands, trying to appear non-threatening. "Kaito, please listen to me. The world has changed. There's been a catastrophe. We're some of the only humans left. We need to work together if we want to survive."
Kaito laughed, a harsh, grating sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Work together? With the likes of you? I am a warrior, a chosen one. I do not need anyone else."
He raised the katana, pointing it at my chest. "The voices demand blood. They demand proof of my worth. And you, Jan, shall be my first sacrifice."
He lunged at me, his blade flashing in the dim light. I stumbled backward, my heart pounding in my ears. This man is crazy.
As Kaito advanced, his eyes gleaming with madness, he had something broken inside of him. And now, I was faced with the consequences of that brokenness.
Kaito lunged again, his katana slicing the air. I jumped back, narrowly avoiding the blade once again. He pressed forward, relentless. I ducked and weaved, trying to gain distance.
Suddenly, pain seared through my arm as his blade found flesh. Blood dripped, but I barely noticed. I lashed out, my fist connecting with his jaw. He staggered, and I pressed my advantage, driving my knee into his stomach.
He leaped to his feet with a roar, his katana flashing. I twisted, feeling the blade whistle past my ear. My heart raced, breath ragged.
We circled each other, eyes locked. Kaito's gaze was wild, unfocused. I had to end this fast.
He charged. I sidestepped, drawing my gun in one fluid motion. I aimed at his chest and pulled the trigger.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Kaito's body jerked. He crumpled, katana clattering beside him. Blood pooled around his still form.
I lowered the gun, hands shaking, adrenaline pumping. The cut on my arm stung. I was alive, but it didn't feel like a victory.
“Well, I guess I’ll have to rescue the other 21 survivors next. It’s a shame one died in an accident because of his carelessness. I’m sure he was a great guy.”
Suddenly, my tablet started speaking to me, oh, it’s sayla. “The man is still alive, Jan. Grab him and we can teleport him to the company hospital with your access imprint. Register him as a guest. Quick! You shot him in the heart. We only have a few minutes at most before brain damage.”
"Ugh, fine," I muttered, reaching for the handcuffs. "But I'm not taking any chances."
Stepping back, I surveyed the pristine apartment. At the center of it all lay Kaito and a pool of blood around him. He was still shaking. He kept this place clean; he was much more organized than I could ever have been.
As I gazed out the window, I saw nothing but darkness. Somewhere out there was a dead cityscape, but I couldn't see a thing. Boring. Boring?
The darkness seemed to seep into the room, blurring the edges of my vision. The once-pristine apartment now felt distant, as if I were viewing it through a hazy lens. At the center of it all lay Kaito, his body still, the pool of blood around him growing larger by the second. I tilted my head, observing the scene with curiosity, it felt as if it were a painting in a gallery rather than a real-life unfolding before my eyes. What a mess. I knew the others were probably just as crazy, if not worse. But hey, at least things were getting more interesting around here.
I watched as my hand reached for my tablet, my fingers moving. "Sayla, teleport us to the hospital already," I heard myself say, my voice sounding muffled and far away. "And let's hope the next one is also interesting. I need some fun in my life."
The world around me shifted, colors blending together in a dizzying kaleidoscope as the hospital materialized before me. I blinked, my surroundings slowly coming back into focus. I glanced down at Kaito's unconscious form, now lying on a sterile hospital bed, and felt a flicker of something—anticipation, perhaps, disgust?—stir within my chest.
As the medical team of robots rushed to attend to Kaito's wounds, I stepped back, a small smile playing at the corners of my lips. I watched as my feet carried me out of the room, my mind already racing with possibilities. 21 more to go. This was going to be interesting, but I was ready for it. After all, what's the point of being one of the last humans alive if you can't have a little fun along the way?
The hallway stretched out before me, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glow on the white floor. I walked forward, my footsteps echoing in the emptiness, my mind strangely calm. The city may be dead, but I was just getting started.