《Redemption》


 Prologue

    There I was, entering out of the hyperspace when I gazed out upon a vast planet. Drake 6, the planet which had sparked a growing space movement. Drake 6, which had proved as the last hope for humanity. Drake 6, a way to avoid Operation 77 code named Savior, that was once thought of as the only way to save mankind from extinction. It was the idea where in order to save humanity we would kill all those who were deemed expendable.


    Even though the UN, the Earth''s government had seeked to prevent it from leaking out. Just two months ago the terrorist organization known as the I.S.O. or Inter-Planetary Secessionist Organization released it to the public. Then the U.M.C. (United Military Command) launched covert ops to root out the terrorist group. After it was released to the public the world was on fire. Riots appeared everywhere from New York to London and then to the capitol on the man made island of Atlantis.


    The U.N. was relieved to find that the P.S.O.(Planetary Space Organization) had found Drake 6 in sector 47 just two galaxies away. A special division of the U.M.C., the newly formed I.P.S.C. (Interplanetary Space Core) was charged with the colonization of Drake in order to save humanity from overpopulation and thus extinction.


    ¡°Commanding Officer Crowley we are exiting the hyperspace now¡±


    ¡°Affirmative, lieutenant release the mobile comms array¡±


    ¡°Yes sir commander¡± said the lieutenant.


    "Releasing now¡± The release went flawlessly just as expected.


    "Establishing connection sir¡± said the lieutenant.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "Pilot take us in and lieutenant alert the scientists and tell them that we are entering the atmosphere¡± That¡¯s where it all went wrong. Just that moment the ship suddenly lost power.


    "WHAT WAS THAT LIEUTENANT??¡±


    ¡°It appears to be a concentrated Ionic blast sir¡± At that moment the ship''s hull tears apart and all goes silent except for the roar of the wind as unconsciousness takes me.


    ---------------


    "Mr.President¡± I looked over at the newly appointed Admiral Chang.


    "Why would you wake me at this ungodly hour?¡± the admiral does not chuckle at my jest, noticing that something was wrong I immediately became alert. ¡±What is it... speak¡±


    "We had lost contact with the Exodus about an hour ago¡±.


    "How? It must of been a mechanical failure¡±.


    "No sir, the last signal was of a entire system shut down which didn¡¯t cause the emergency relay to fire¡± said the admiral.


    "It was shot down¡±


    A moment of silence then fills the air ¡°but how?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Ionic pulse weapons are the only explanation for mass electrical failure¡± said the admiral.


    ¡°So admiral what are you trying to tell me?¡±


    "To summon the delegation¡±


    ¡°Why¡±


    ¡°I believe we both know why sir¡± the admiral said. The president appeared to have suddenly aged a few years right before the admiral''s eyes.


    ¡°Gather the delegates we have much to discuss¡±


    "Yes sir¡± said the admiral as he left the room. The last thing the admiral heard was the president saying.


    "God help us¡±.

 Chapter 1

    I opened the door preparing to walk through the remnants of the seemingly war torn streets. One could almost believe that this was once a warzone, but no this was not a battlefield, the war was no longer. It has been twenty years since the remaining nations had joined together to create a new world order. The UN was once a delegation of many nations, but now it was the Earth''s government.


    Even now the grief caused by overpopulation can be seen, even amongst the wealthy. You can see the once great mansions of gold and silver stripped of their wealth and all that was left was but a husk of their once great splendor. Yet the poor were hit the worst, most starved to death but those who did not became emaciated bodies. It was survival of the fittest and the poor could only eat what they could find.


    There were also rumors that spoke of the horrors of Africa, where there was talk of unspeakable stories about those who did not fret from eating even the flesh of friend and foe alike. Although I was thankful that the I.S.O. had discovered the abominable atrocity the UN would try to commit, but even I was beginning think that it may have been our last hope.


    As I walked, I gazed out upon the ruins of a once great city that had now become a hovel of poverty. My grandparents had spoken of better times and I myself have seen pictures of Broad Street, but I can imagine nothing other than this. I looked out and saw a crowd starting to gather. As I moved closer I realized that they were looking at the tvs in the window. I looked in and I hear the unspeakable.


    ¡°Today at 8 a.m. Universal time the research vessel Exodus was destroyed upon entrance into the atmosphere¡±. All around me I begin to hear yells of outrage. I readied myself to flee in case the now massive mob turns violent. Then, ¡°As of this time the cause of this disaster remains unknown¡± said the anchorman. I once again hear the shouts of a soon to be riot. Thankfully...


    ¡°Even though this hinders the plans of colonization¡± the crowd quiets. ¡°The UN are still unwilling to use Operation 77 unless no other options remain¡±. I glanced up dazed by the miracle this presented¡­there was still hope.


    I walked on wondering about what kind of circumstances this turn of events would bring with it. I then headed off towards the New Manhattan Bridge. Looking around as I walked into the hovels that surrounded the metropolitan area surrounding New Manhattan, a manmade expansion of Ellis island for refugees who have arrived due to the turmoil that the Trans Pacific War had caused. In which the cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Honolulu were destroyed in nuclear fire.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    It was unexpected that China had been infiltrating our military and sabotaging our nuclear weapons without us realizing it until it was too late, this had caused our own missiles to be used against our own cities which then resulted in the usage of chemical warfare against China, which in turn caused a global food epidemic that we have yet to recover from. It had also caused over 30 percent of the land on Earth to be uncultivable, causing millions starve until the countries decided to come together when they had realized the only way to resolve this was to put our differences behind us.


    As I was walking into the tavern I was greeted by the rare smell of soup as the waitresses flew back and forth amongst the tables. I figured that I could find more information inside so I sat down and then I hear President Gefferson say.


    ¡°People of The Republic of Earth today I share with you the most wonderful and terrifying news¡± a moment of silence passed. ¡°I am pleased to inform you that the mission to New Earth was a success, it is indeed habitable¡±. I hear those around me start clapping and applauding and then President Gefferson said, ¡±But this comes with a price, yes the ship was destroyed in the atmosphere but it was no malfunction¡±.


    A reporter then jumps in.¡°Well Mr. President what was it?¡±.


    ¡±Well¡± the president responded, ¡±There was an enemy, one where we have no idea of what they are capable of, they had attacked and destroyed our ship unprovoked and have declared war upon all of humanity and we MUST win because if we don''t then all is lost, This goes farther than even order 77 if we fail then all of humanity will fall¡±. The room is silent with not a word being said. ¡±I know you must think that this is crazy, and why can''t we reason with them? Well let me show you the final transmission¡±.


    It then pops up on the screen and we hear voices ¡°Hello, we are Envoys of The Republic of Earth...¡± as the voice stops speaking you hear screams of dying people and the sound of the hull tearing apart the screen then returns to the president''s face.


    ¡°My fellow men I am truly sorry to say this but this is a declaration of war if I''ve ever seen one and based upon the lack of care for human life and the lack of restraint I must say there is an enemy out there and we MUST be ready¡± the feed then cuts.


    ¡­¡­

 Chapter 2

    I knew that this may be the last chance to save everyone, I knew I was just one man but I had to do after this. I realised that this was just the beginning, everything humanity has done has led us to this day. Even though I knew I will be just one of the many unnamed soldiers who will die, I had swore to my parents that I would never give up hope, so I decided to join up with the U.M.D.F. (United Military Defense Force).


    By the time I arrived at the recruitment center it was late afternoon and there was a line stretching as far as the eye can see. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder how the military could take so many people. Maybe I should just come back later but that was when heard the military men say they were removing anyone who was malnourished. I began to panic but then someone tapped me on the shoulder.


    ¡°Yes?¡± I said


    ¡°Hello¡± the man responded. He was dressed in a crisp military uniform decorated with many ribbons.


    ¡°Hello um officer what do you need¡± I asked while performing a sloppy ill formed salute. Even though I was not yet in the military the feeling of embarrassment welled in my chest and I could feel the blood rushing to my face at that moment. I think I could see a faint trace of a smile almost cross his face but he was able to quell it with ease.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    ¡°Well let''s get to business shall we?¡± he said, immediately I responded saying.


    ¡°What are you talking about i''m just trying to sign up for¡± he immediately cut me off


    ¡°Well as I was saying, if you will follow me¡± said the officer while gesturing for me to follow him. I couldn¡¯t believe what was happening. Here I was, standing in a rundown shantytown filled with the odor of human stench, decay and decrepit hovels made out of whatever they could find, and here was a UMC officer in his military fatigues with his white unblemished hat and jacket standing in the middle of this hellscape.


    Unsurprisingly some people were beginning to notice his presence and a crowd had begun to gather around. I could just hear people speaking in the middle of this cause.


    ¡°Who are we fighting?¡±


    ¡°What does it take to be in the UMC?¡±


    And of course the MOST IMPORTANT question: ¡°How do MRE¡¯s (Meals Ready to Eat) taste?¡±


    At that moment I heard above all of the commotion, ¡°Civilians Back Away¡± it was a UN peacekeeper dressed in blue and white combat armor brandishing a battle rifle. ¡°I repeat step away from the officer or you will be shot.¡±


    I began to move back I didn''t plan to die today. The Officer then looked at me said, ¡°Not you¡± I just shook my head yes, dazed that my day had gone so differently from what I expected, meanwhile I was ushered into a white armored car.


    The inside was a lot more comfortable than it looked and then the officer hopped in and said something I would have never had expected to hear, ¡°So let''s talk about your parents¡± as the car thundered down the road to Manhattan.

 Chapter 3

    ¡°What ¡­.but they''re dead¡± I said as memories of my parents flashed in my mind, my parents hugging me, my parents teaching me to walk, but most of all the day they died. I still remember seeing the flashes of the explosion and last thing I remembered from that day were the boils on the faces of my parents as the radiation took them away. I remember the fire ash and the men in Hazmat suits who rescued me from the bunker from under our house and then I remember my life in New Manhattan, but I knew my parents were dead, I had seen them die.


    I saw the man shift in his seat ¡°That hasn¡¯t changed¡±


    ¡°Well¡± I said ¡°What and where are you taking me to, I was going to join the U.M.D.F¡±


    ¡°Well first let me introduce myself¡± the man said as he adjusted his hat, it had been slightly off center due to the crowd and he looked uncomfortable. ¡°I¡¯m Lieutenant General James Haddik of 51st U.E.D.F¡­.and you are Ryan Reynolds, Correct?¡±


    I was stunned as to why I, a nobody was taken off the streets by the General James Haddix, the one who had led the UN troops in the assault on Euro-Kremlin front. The same general that pressed for the full release of the Operation 77 document and the same one which crushed the African Insurrection in weeks.


    ¡±Y-yes sir¡± I stammered, ¡°It¡¯s just that you''re a legend, why would you bother talking to me?¡±


    ¡°Well¡± he began, ¡°Let¡¯s start at the beginning¡± he went silent for a moment, ¡°I began my career in the United States Military, I was young a patriot and headstrong¡±.


    ¡°What does this have to do with my parents?¡± I asked.


    He looked at me with a look of exasperation. ¡°Just let me talk¡± We had just turned down the road towards the UN government building. ¡°As I was saying I was head strong I had just graduated from West Point¡±.


    We stopped at a military checkpoint and a U.M.D.F. soldier began to check out the vehicle. When he saw General Haddik he had a surprised look on his face, then as he scanned the car he saw me and a look of disgust then formed on his face he began to raise his weapon but as he did the general grabbed his gun pulled it away from the soldier with a look of fury on his face. ¡°What do you think you''re doing soldier??¡±


    ¡°Sir this is a breach of protocol and¡­.¡±


    General Haddik had a look of such extreme rage that I was afraid of what might happen to this soldier. The general knowingly screamed at the top of his lungs ¡°I AM THE PROTOCOL¡­.. NOW GIVE ME YOUR FIREARM¡± the soldier handed over his firearm without a second thought and the general leaned over and said ¡°Don¡¯t let these soldiers scare you they''re all just big teddy bears with a lapse of judgment¡± ¡°Isn''t that right private?¡± the soldier with a look of confusion responded.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°Sir if I may, i''m Sgt. First class¡±


    ¡°Well seeing as how you had vastly misjudged this situation i''m not sure you''re fit for command. Go see you''re CO and tell him about your new promotion.¡±


    Through this engagement I hadn¡¯t realized that I was half out of my seat and ready to flee for my life. Looking around me at this checkpoint I can tell i''ve made no friends here


    ¡°Well private I think that that about covers it, how do you feel about raising the? I think that there may be some latrines that need your attention.¡±


    The door closed and the armored car began to rumble forward, there were less bumps and the buildings looked cleaner and there were now skyscrapers surrounding us.


    ¡°Sorry about that, men are uptight with the president''s speech but let''s get back to business. As I was saying, I had just graduated from West Point and I was leading a squad in Iraq against a terrorist cell and I had insisted upon going myself, and when we were crossing a open field we were ambushed by terrorists raining down fire from a series of buildings, and at the other end of the clearing there was a traitor and he must have alerted them to our attack. I was then hit in the leg making me unable to move, there was also no way I could crawl to find refuge and if I had tried it would mean guaranteed death, that was when when a soldier ran over, grabbed me and began to pull me towards the rocky cover about ten meters away.¡±


    ¡°It was your father, First lieutenant John Renolds, I heard him yell suppressing fire 100-hundred meters the schoolhouse. I had blacked out and all I can remember is the sound of LMG opening fire and the radio man calling for air support, when I awoke we were back at base two days later surrounded by medical equipment and machines. I called for a nurse and when she came I asked her who saved me in the field she told me she had no idea and I would have to check with the survivors. But even though I stayed in the hospital for 4 more days but I could never find out who saved me¡± as he spoke on about this and his time in Iraq I saw we were turning a corner and I saw the UN government building up ahead.


    ¡°Then when the Second Mexican American War started your father and I were tasked with joint command of the invasion of Baja, California. Which was the location for a large scale military base used as a staging point for nuclear testing, and our job was to coordinate strike teams to prevent them from seizing the base and using the nuclear weapons on our troops or on our cities.


    You see Mexico was testing nuclear weapons and Uncle Sam didn''t like that very much so we had to stop them, and while this was going on we became more than just coworkers trying to stop Mexican fascist government, we had became good friends.¡± So many questions raged in my head but one of the biggest ones was the identity of my mother,


    ¡°Uh excuse me¡± The general raised his eyebrow, clearly not used to being interrupted.


    ¡°What about my mother?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡± the general replied. ¡°I think it''s time we discussed that, your mother was my sister.¡± A awkward silence filled the truck, all I could hear was the hum of the engine and my own thoughts.


    ¡°Why didn''t you tell me earlier?¡±


    Hesitating the general then said, ¡°I didn''t know you were alive.¡± I could tell he was obviously lying but, if my life in New Manhattan had taught me anything it was how to tell if someone was lying or not, as well as when to press for the truth and I could tell now was not the time.


    ¡°So enough with the touchy feely stuff it''s time to talk about where we are going.¡± I heard the truck stop as a UN Peacekeeper opened the door.


    ¡°Welcome to the UN East Coast Headquaters General Haddik¡±

 Chapter 4

    ¡°Follow me¡± I looked over and I realised Haddik was looking at me. I began to get up and the peacekeeper saw me, in his eyes I must have been a refugee vermin in my rags that are too big for me. I saw the surprise on his face as he leaned over to Haddik, I knew the question he had asked.


    ¡°Who is this half starved boy?¡± the general responded quickly, and a look of wonder slowly formed on the peacekeeper¡¯s face and then he looked at me and saluted. The general glanced at me and said.


    ¡°What are you waiting for?, Follow me.¡± as I began to move I realised that everyone was staring at me. I began to feel embarrassed but when I remembered who my dad was, I straightened my back and I confidently followed the general into the UN building.


    I followed the general through the double doors in between two guards posted in front of the UN building, as I walked into the UN building it seemed as if the world changed before my eyes, the dark sky from the pollution of New York was replaced with a white ceiling so bright it hurt to look at it and I could not smell ass or the stink of unwashed bodies instead it was a smell that could only be described as nothing other than a miracle. As I stood about clearly gaping at the majesty of the scenery before me when I was suddenly grabbed by two soldiers (not peacekeepers soldiers) and they put something over my head as well as blindfolding me.


    ¡°Wait¡± I said, but I then feel the prick of a needle entering the back of my neck and I could hear faint arguing in the background as I slid into blackness.


    ---------------


    I woke to the sound of a door closing, my eyes opened briefly and when I saw General Haddik I quickly closed my eyes. I then heard a chair screech across the floor as I heard the general''s deep voice ¡°You can''t fool me open your eyes and sit up¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    I quickly realized that I couldn''t fool the general ¡°What happened?, I thought I was your guest¡±


    ¡°You are¡± the general quickly responded, ¡°But some of my ¡°coworkers¡± and I don¡¯t exactly see eye to eye on ¡­..issues.¡±


    ¡°So what, this was just a isolated ¡®oh i''m sorry we just tranquilized your guest¡¯, everyday incident.¡± The general was a little less than satisfied with how it was going and I realized I needed to play my cards right ¡°But sir is everything back on schedule?¡± The general seemed to think that the problem was closed.


    ¡°Well yes I believe this is all, we will be moving you to your quarters...and get ready.¡± A question began to form in my mind


    ¡°Where am I?¡± the general responded with a light of success in his eye


    ¡°The I.P.S.C Command Training Facility in the blessed USA. Let¡¯s just say you already know more than what ninety-nine percent of the world know, now let''s have some guards escort you to your room shall we?¡±


    I then walked out escorted by two soldiers carrying rifles in a relaxed position into a hallway filled with paintings of historic leaders from Eisenhower to MacArthur and Robert E. Lee to General George S. Patton. As I was led down the pristine white hallways to my room I noticed something and as I looked at my neck I saw what looked to be a dog tag, I hadn¡¯t seen or felt it with all the chaos caused during my arrival. Stopping I looked down to read what was on the tag, but as I stopped the soldier quickly grabbed my arm.


    ¡°Keep moving soldier we¡¯re on a tight schedule¡±, there was no hostility in his voice as it was just a command. I moved forward and then turned at a corner into a hallway with doors to my right and left.


    ¡°Right this way¡± a soldier was quickly moving forward urging me to follow him as I scanned the room numbers, 50...37...22...13...6 and then we stopped at 1. The soldier opened the door ¡°Go in there and wash up and change quickly there is a meeting in 30 minutes.

 Chapter 5

    I entered the room hesitantly as it was dark in the room, there were no windows it was as black as the night sky in New Manhattan from all the coal and garbage fires. Entering into room the lights suddenly flicked on and I started looking around the room, it was orderly, the walls were painted white and looking around I could see a bed and 2 doors.


    After everything today I wasn''t going to just go and get ready without checking out the doors. I moved towards the door next to the entrance I then grabbed the knob and opened the door slowly while preparing myself to fight, but when I opened the door...it was just the bathroom. I quickly scanned the room, nothing was out of the ordinary so I then turned and walked towards the other door, when I was looking around I realized that the second door must be a closet. With my curiosity cured I finally felt at ease enough to take a shower.


    Taking a shower I didn''t realize how dirty I was until I had gotten in there, granted I came from New Manhattan but I didn¡¯t realize what clean was until I had washed up. The warm water washing away the grime from the years in New Manhattan, but as I went to turn the water off I realized something was up, looking out of the bathroom door I saw a new set of clothes on the cot.


    Moving forward I could see these where no normal clothes, these were U.M.C officer cadet clothing. My mind began to spin with possibilities but what had formed in my mind most was one word, Hope. After living in New Manhattan my whole life the dream for a better life died just like my parents, putting on the uniform made me feel complete like I was meant for this. Just as this thought went through my head the door opened, it was the General.


    ¡°Good, I see you''ve found your new uniform. Well we must get to the assembly where we introduce the new recruits in the new section of the United Military Command, the I.P.S.C.¡± We began to march purposely down the hall as I looked at the details embellishing the rooms.


    As we turned the corner I could see a large set of double doors etched with a logo i''ve never seen before, it displayed a bald eagle gripping a shield that looked vaguely like an American flag with a ancient warrior helmet and a sword sticking through it and underneath was banner saying Duty, Honor, Country, and the other words seemed to be chiseled out so that no one could read it.


    Entering the auditorium I could see what looked to be 100 or more people of all nationalities. I began to panic, the general almost as if he could feel my anxiety said ¡°Son it''s fine just follow me.¡± We began to walk up the stairs towards a podium, the general then leaned back and said ¡°Stand slightly behind me off to my right and look confident, you''re the son of General John Renolds.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    We had arrived at the podium, the general as confident as ever walked up to the microphone while looking around at everyone ¡°I assume you''ve all heard the news.¡± The room soon became quiet with everyone facing the general. ¡°I said i''m sure you¡¯ve all heard the news¡± his voice sounded gall when he repeated himself. The recruits quickly replied.


    ¡°Sir yes sir¡±


    ¡°Good¡± the general said. ¡°Then you all are at least semi informed of the current events¡± the general scanned the room looking to see if anyone would object. ¡°Well as of now the top brass are preparing the battle strategy, i''m expected to meet with them so I will not be here to monitor training. So I expect that Major General Greene will be obeyed without question is this understood?¡±


    ¡°Sir yes sir¡±


    ¡°Now this leads us to our next topic, today the young man next to me is the latest recruit for the I.P.S.C. his name is Ryan Renolds, the son of General John D. Renolds¡±. A round of applause erupted around the room as cheering and shouting and clapping filled the room. As the noise died down a girl towards the back of the room stood up she was slightly taller than average with long hair that was blond in color, she spoke out with a small hint of German accent.


    ¡°But General sir didn¡¯t General Renolds and his family die in the nuclear attack on San Francisco¡±


    The general was quick to respond ¡°Publicly, yes because we needed to ensure the boy¡¯s safety considering his father''s many enemies.¡± The general sounded venomous in his response, the girl looked back with clear anger in her eyes and sat down. ¡°Now it is finally time to assign Cadet Renolds to his squadron, I¡¯m sure you can show him the ropes Miss Schmitt.¡± The girl looked up with a loathing look.


    ¡°Sir¡± she said.


    The general ignoring her wrapped up the speech discussing activities and how things are to proceed following the news. Walking off the stage the general looked at me ¡°Just follow me to my office for a second we need to discuss something.¡± I just nodded and followed, we then exited the room with many eyes on us but me specifically. But the one set of eyes I noticed the most was from the girl.


    We exited back down the corridor towards his office, he opened the door and we both sat down. ¡°So that''s why I didn''t know who my father was, it was to keep me safe.¡± The general stared back at me searching for the proper words.


    ¡°I can''t tell you how sorry I am that you had to live in that kind of environment but that''s exactly why I needed to talk to you.¡± He stared me down, ¡°I need you to understand something, your father was a great man.¡± He let that hang in the air for a second.


    ¡°But¡­¡±, I said knowing very well what this was leading to.


    ¡°But the greatest men in history have always had the most friends as well as enemies.¡± He looked towards the clock, clearly he was pressed for time. ¡°Just know that you''re father was no exception, we will talk later.¡± He once again looked at the clock. ¡°Follow me it''s time I take you to Miss Schmitt¡±