《Generation: Alpha》Chapter 20
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Everyone gathered in the operations center. It was time to become the spark that would light a flame. Lyria stood at the console, Dr. Sukomoto at her side. Behind her, all the members of Generation were gathered around, Maple included. As they had been shown before, the other members of the W.R.A. were pulled up on the screen.
Lyria turned from the console to face her audience, "Today is the day that we will rally to bring an end to Helix. With this broadcast, we will aim to dethrone them from their tower and give a true life to those who are shackled by their reign."
Marcus stared on, his dreams moments from being pulled into reality. If this declaration was able to arouse a fighting spirit across the world, it would be the change that everyone had fought for so long.
"If everyone is ready, I'm going to begin accessing their servers. A video feed will be sent out ot those who are able to receive it while a direct audio feed will be transmitted across a range of frequencies to ensure that we can be heard."
Maple hesitated for a moment. Glancing down at her radio on her side, she wondered if something so small could hear a proclamation so large.
"Good. It looks likes everybody is ready. Once we finish the broadcast, we'll begin loading our transports and Dr. Sukomoto will begin prepping the Red Wing."
At the end of her statement, Lyria went to work on the console in front of her. Everyone watched as different boxes began to pop up, the chattering of keys drowning out their silence. Within moments, a window stretched out across in front of them, a sort of hologram being displayed from the floor.
The words "Awaiting Feed" flashed across the blue hologram, flickering every so often. Lyria's clicking continued on the console, multiple angles jumping to life on the Feed screen. Within moments, the W.R.A. members were being displayed as well as a view of Celestia and the members of Generation.
Everyone felt their nerves tense up. While word of Generation had spread back when Marcus had first formed the group, this would be their first large scale appearance since their existence. It was exhilirating, but terrifying at the same time.
As Lyria turned away from the console, she walked into the hologram, passing through it to join the rest of Generation. Behind them, a small display sprang to life, similar to the one in front of them. Instead of seeing themselves however, there were hundreds of images of bases, cities, prisons and other dwellings of the like.
"Those are all the places that our video feed is transmitting to. You'll notice that on one you'll see the Helix Tower. I intend for them to recieve our message loud and clear."
"You weren't kidding when you said you were prepared were you?"
Briggs had took a shot at humorous relief, but it fell flat with everyone. It just wasn't the time for them to laugh. It was the largest moment of their lives and their purpose. They all felt the weight of the future begin to press down on their shoulders.
"We're going live in 5...4...3...2...1..."
A red lilght suddenly appeared on the hologram in front of them in the upper left. It kept flashing, transmission in progress with a small helical logo spinning next to it. They were definitely broadcasting through the Helix servers. It was like pouring salt in the wound for Lyria. They would die to think that their very servers were being used to announce their downfall.
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"To everyone viewing this and hearing this, I have one thing that you all must hear. We are here to announce our war on Helix. We are the World Revolution Alliance, we are the ones that dare to stand against the might of Helix."
Marcus felt goosebumps begin to break out across his skin. This was real, this was his dream. Whether it cost them their lives, it didn't matter. All they truly needed to do was spread the infectious thought of retaliation.
"For too long we have lived under their thumb. They claim to have brought a peace over the world, but in truth they only brought suffering. They forced us to live as vagrants, clinging to life each day. Only the select few were given the benefit of their peace."
What Lyria said was every bit the truth. The peace Helix had provided had only been a front to give them power and control. They had grasped they world by the throat and refused to loosen their grip, uncaring if it caused humanity to suffocate.
"From this day forward, we of the W.R.A. ask that you rise up with us and defy the illusion that Helix has given us. We ask that you stand with us, be you alphas or humans. It matters nothing to us, for we all deserve a better fate than this."
As Lyria's speech carried on, Maple felt her heart sink. If only Alyssa had been here to witness this. Her mind drifted away from the current scenario and to what would happen after. Lyria had given them access ot let Alyssa have a proper memorial service. Her body had been preserved and would be buried within the walls of Celestia, laid to rest under the peaceful glow of the dome.
"Behind me you will see those that have suffered, those that have sacrificed for the better of others. They are Generation, a group of alphas that all once served Helix. They were cast aside by us and we have allowed them to be hunted down. I ask of you, is that truly what we believe in?"
Lyria turned and faced Generation giving them each a nod, strengthening the comraderie that they shared. They never stood as individuals, but as a whole that shared one anothers losses and pains. Lyria hoped that their image would provoke those watching to become inspired and join them in arms.
"For the longest time we considered them heroes, our saviors. When Helix decided they were a threat, we simply listened, unable to think for ourselves. We never stopped to consider that Helix was the cause of our current condition, not the alphas."
Everybody noticed one screen on the monitor behind them that was beginning to show a large amount of movement. It was a sky view of a forced residential community. These had been set in place by Helix where individuals were forced to live and hold daily routines. At first glance, it would look like a small happy town but in reality, it was nothing but a game to Helix. They treated the people there like puppets, stating that if they were given free will they would only lead to self destruction.
While people were first uncomfortable with this idea, they had little choice when Helix had sent in their goons to enforce this policy. Slowly over time, much like the general hatred of alphas, the idea had become second nature to those living in the communities. They slowly began to accept the ideas as if they were their own. It was also a strong reinforcement when the armed guards appeared to be their protectors rather than their captors.
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There seemed to be a large commotion coming from one of the communities itself. Everyone watched as a large crowd began to gather in the streets. Lyria quickly flipped the feed to display the scene throughout the transmission.
"See? We are not the only ones that feel this way. Watch as the truth comes to light. Join us as they have and rise up against your transgressors."
As Lyria continued her speech, everyone watched as soldiers began to face the crowd that was gathering. There was a bustling among the crowd then they slowly came to a halt, an imaginary line dividing them from the soldiers. In a split second, everything changed.
Shots began to ring out from the soldiers as the crowd charged them. Everyone watched in shock as the bullets tore threw them, scattering chewed up limbs and bodies across the street. Throughout the slaughter, the crowd continued its charge. Marcus felt horror overtake him. Were they so eager to run to their deaths?
Men, women and children began to litter the streets, their blood creating a river of scarlet as it trickled down the cold stone. Just as it seemed that everything was falling apart, the crowd began to break through the soldier's defensive line. Slowly they began wrench the guns from their hands, the soldiers unable to fight in close quarters.
Maple watched as the soldiers began to panic. How were they unable to quell such a small uprising? The soldiers began to fall back, firing at whoever they could. Within the panic they began to gun down their own men. Hot lead crashed through skulls, limbs, bodies, anything they could find to strike. The screaming of the guns began to die down as the soldiers began to turn and run.
The remnants of the crowd seized the opportunity. They began picking up the guns from the soldiers that had been shot down and returned fire. The tide slowly began to change. Through their sheer commitment and spirit, the inhabitants of the community had begun to remove their shackles.
Lyria turned back to face the camera feed and switched it back to the previous display of everyone. She gazed into the camera before continuing her speech.
"What you just witnessed was the potential of the change that we can make. We've lived so long in fear that we no longer believe we have the power to make a future for ourselves. All I ask is that you do the same and drive Helix out. With the factions that make up the W.R.A., we are announcing that we are going to make a full out assualt on their home, Helix Tower."
Lyria looked back over her shoulder and motioned to Marcus and Maple to step forward from the group. She definitely had something planned for them.
"Behind me, you will see Marcus Wright, leader of Generation, and Maple Wright, his daughter. For all of her life she was hunted down by Helix, losing both her mother and closest friend. Helix never bothered caring what that meant to her. They only cared about one thing, the fact that they could use her special ability to further their own power."
Lyria turned and placed a hand on Maple's shoulder. As Maple met Lyria's eyes, she knew what she was asking for her to do. Maple once again channeled the pain she had felt before, her arms slowly beginning to glow with the blue flame. As the flames grew in intensity, Lyria turned back to face the camera.
"For those of you who are unaware, most alphas have the ability to channel a weapon from their body in some material way. Maple is an exception. Her power eminates in an aura, one that fluctuates on her emotional state. We discovered that Helix had plans to try and extract this power for their own purposes and acted accordingly. With Maple in our hands, they have lost the ability to initiate that plan."
Marcus felt confused for a moment. Yes, Maple was now out of the grasp of Helix, but how would that inspire anyone to take up arms?
"The fact that Maple is standing here with us now is proof that they can be beaten. Her and Marcus have evaded Helix since she was a child, and made a valiant stand for refugees much like all of you watching or hearing this. If the two of them can beat an organization like Helix for so long by themselves, imagine what we can do together united as one."
Lyria made a valid point. Despite the best efforts of the hunter squadrons of Helix, Maple stood in Celestia at the moment. Whether it be due to the incompetence of the mass produced grunts Helix used, or just the sheer determination that Generation had, it didn't change the fact that it made Helix looks alot less invincible.
"I have now said everything that I can hope to say. With this, we will depart and begin our assault against Helix and their Tower. I can only hope that we will see some of you on the front lines. The W.R.A. is looking forward to the day that we will send another broadcast out from the Tower itself, a declaration that a true peace has arrived."
At the end of her statment, Lyria proceeded to the console and began shutting everything down. As the feed flickered away, everyone gazed at the hundreds of screens that began to fill with the images of riots. There plans were beginning to work. With just the slightest display of bravery and the largest shout of bravery, the W.R.A. and Generation had set forth a revolution.
Maple calmed the flames from her body, the glow dissipating into the air with a hiss. She felt a relief come over her, the sadness dying back down. For once, something had gone right. She felt that things were beginning to change just as she had witnessed the first rioters change the tide of battle.
Marcus approached from behind and gave Maple a pat on her shoulder, "I know it's sudden, but would you like to give Alyssa a vist? I think she would be proud to see this don't you?"
Maple felt something different begin to swell up inside her. It was sadness, but it was paired with something else. It was almost like a sense of determination but fueled by sorrow rather than ambition. She steeled herself and gave her father a nod. She knew that visiting Alyssa's corpse wouldn't change anything, but she felt that it was only the right thing to do.
As the began to leave the operations center, Maple gazed up out one of the windows. From beyond the glow of the dome, she felt as if Alyssa was looking down on them from somewhere.
"What the hell do you mean that there was a broadcast made across our servers?"
Char felt his anger rise like an angry tide. What fools they had been made out to be. Did they not realize what damage that would result from something like that? As calmed himself, a transmission broke in over the soldiers report. It was Faust ringing in, most likely for the same reason that Char had been contacted.
"Faust, what is it?"
"Oh, you don't sound too happy Mr. Director. I 'spose the recent broadcast is what has you all flustered?"
"Of course it does. Do you know what will happen if they manage to get people armed and fighting against us?"
Char picked up on the aggravation in his own voice. How long had it been sine he had been this rattled? The thought of the armed uprising was severe to him. If they were unable to quell it, it would only lead to the state that the world was in before Helix had taken over.
"I'm very well aware Mr. Director. I would advise that you find the girl quickly and bring her here. I've already dispatched battalions to your current heading. Have you met up with our dear Commander Vossel?"
Char dismissed the snarkiness in Faust's voice. Now was not the time to be sarcastic or snappy. They were in the middle of a crisis for Helix and the people of the world. While it wasn't the ideal way of peace he had first set out, Char knew that if humanity wasn't forced into the lifestyle they lived now, the world would be torn apart and all life would be lost.
"Yes, we're currently en route to Celestia. Kirsch will be leading the charge and I'm going to be commadering a dispatch of WOLF units designed for shock and awe. We're not looking to wage a war, just retrieving the girl and escaping."
"Oh, wasn't that the plan last time? If I recall didn't they shoot you down last time?"
"This time will be different Faust. I won't have someone taking hostages. These aren't refugees, they're an armed terrorist group. It's going to be to shoot to kill. Thanks to their little announcement, I don't have the luxury of morale ambiguity this time."
Char quickly cut the line off and pocketed his transmittor before Faust could fire back with another sarcastic remark. He gazed out from the bridge of the large transport vessel. They would use the vessel they were currently traveling in as a ram to breach the walls of Celestia. It wouldn't be pretty, but they had no choice.
Char thought back to how he had overlooked cities like Celestia and it's siblings. He had never considered them a threat and allowed them to build up their walls and defenses prior, hoping to avoiding armed conflict at all costs. He now was beginning to regret that choice.
He thought back to how the world had been when he had first started the Alpha Program. He had hoped to create saviors of mankind, wanting to induce treaties with their powers rather than crush the forces that waged war. He quickly realized that this was going to be impossible to do. How much had he sacrificed of his personal beliefs to achieve such a state?
He knew that the stipulations put in place by Helix would never fly with humanity, but it was for their own good. If left to their own devices they would only bring a downfall upon all life itself. The oppresion of humankind and alphas were sadly a necessary evil.
As he was lost in thought, he felt an ominuos presence behind him. He turned to face his sense, a large figure before him. It was Kirsch. How did a man of such large stature move so swiftly and quietly?
"Pondering your ethics again Char?"
Kirsch had always been keen to Char's thoughts. It was as if he could read him like a book. It had been that way since they had first met during Kirsch's alpha creation procedure. Char had been one of the first people to tend to him after his body attempted to reject the procedure. Perhaps the common ground of a scarred appearance had given them something to connect to.
"In a way Kirsch. I just wonder if all the choices I've made up to this point were the correct ones."
"Remove it from your mind my friend. If you had not made the decisions you have, we most likely would have died at the hands of our own self destructive ways. I remember fighting in the wars before I became what I am now. It's not something I would have wanted to pass down to my children."
Char paused for a moment, almost forgetting that Kirsch was indeed a father. Despite the alteration of his appearance, his family refused to shun him. Instead, his two daughters looked up to him in a sense of respect, proud of what their father had endured to protect them.
"I suppose you are right. I just hate feeling like the villain."
Kirsch flexed his brow behind his mask. It was obvious that Char had said something that had upset him, most likely the villain cut.
"I do not see how we are the villains. Yes, we may appear cruel in our methods, but someone has to be. It is thanks to you that people still have the opportunity to draw breath for every day that dawns. I do not ever recall any villains to my knowledge that could say such things."
Char casted the weight from his shoulders at Kirsch's words. He was right. What he had done was neccessary.
As he felt the relief come over him, Kirsch grabbed his attention once again, "Come. We are not far from the city of Celestia. I suspect that they will not be expecting us this quickly. They knew we would respond to their little declaration, but I doubt they anticipated that you would know where they retreated to. It's time for us to prepare."
As Char left the bridge, the silouhette of Celestia loomed in the ever shrinking distance...
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