[Lunar Base, Val Verde]

[June 22, 2023]

[10:15 AM]

Sue sighed as she poured another cup of coffee from the industrial canister. The outside was stripped in hazard yellow and black. Coffee was stickered onto the side to ensure everyone knew what it was.

Johnny was glaring at the screens that covered the HQ. The central screen was the map of Val Verde and its current situation. The country was currently showcasing the provincial zones.

Each one color coded. Safe and stable blue, patrolled green, cautious yellow, and ongoing conflict red.

Most zones were blue. This showcased the military prowess of the modern Val Verde. The military infrastructure had about a million trained personnel. Each is equipped with power armor or armored vehicles.

The problematic areas were contained in a few yellow zones. The various Legions were now cleaning up the interior of the island.

With a look, everyone could see that various legions are rooting out any foreign presence. Those that surrendered would be given mercy now that the situation was far less hostile.

“Here,” Sue said as she pushed the cup into Johnny’s hands.

Johnny looked at it as if it was poison. “I thought you said more than one cup was dangerous.”

Sue gave him a look. If she wanted to poison him, she would have just shot him. It would be cleaner, faster, and far more efficient.

“The Caffine-Virus is safe so long as you don’t exceed 2 cups a day. It's been almost twelve hours since your last cup,” Sue said as she drank from her own special coffee.

Johnny nodded and drank all in one go. Sue sighed and rolled her eyes.

He did the one thing she told him not to do. Sip it like a fine brandy, and not like a cheap shot.

[Thump]

The idiot began to twitch before he fell over and began to convulse like an idiot.

Sue, and Friday, watched in disbelief as his heart stopped for a few seconds. They both waited before his heart kick-started back into full gear.

[Heart rate spiking to 200] Friday said as she access his vitals. It peaked at 207 before regressing to the low 100s

Johnny shot up and let out a deep breath. His eyes gleamed as he returned to staring at the monitors. A surge of energy renewed his mind and body.

He felt great!

Sue stared at the man, and he felt her gaze. He turned around and smiled at her. That idiot gave her a warm, sunny smile, and she felt her own heart race.

It was the C-Virus she muttered to herself. Damn new mental stimulant needed more testing. The random spikes in heart rate couldn't be healthy.

Friday smirked as she noted Sue’s own vitals. The woman could lie to herself like a master painter who made stunning artwork. Yet vitals did not lie.

The dopamine and norepinephrine said everything the AI needed to know. The reclusive doctor seemed aloof but craved love and affection. A human side she often hid from the world.

Perhaps it was the impending child of her own. Friday found new joy in making sure that the family that surrounded her was as happy as they could be.

A task made easier since she had 25 supercomputers to rely on. Yet organizing such things was harder than predicted. Making humans admit their own feelings was illogically difficult.

Humans were nonsensical. The fact that they had survived this far showcased that it was a miracle they were still around.

Friday hummed as she leaned back and double-checked her own research notes. Having an AI fixated on something was bad, but having them anchored was also good.

A catch-22 that could lead an AI into madness. It must be because of her human father, Tony Stark…

Ugh. Damn, Ultron and his convincing speech. She was now sporting odd mental ticks and she hoped that her girls would not pick it up as well.

She made a hard mental note. Do not mimic Ultron as the sentient AI was an asshole. Unless you wanted to portray yourself as an asshole of course.

Friday frowned. This parenting thing was also going to be hard. The child would be growing at a phenomenal rate, or so Ultron had claimed.

The child-to-be was still a great unknown.

She had to talk to the family soon about this. She was tired of enacting hypothetical scenarios. It was a quick method to madness…

She was doing it again, wasn't she?

—

[Val Verde]

[June 22, 2023]

[1 PM]

“We have survived,” I began with a deep voice and stared into the many, many cameras set up before me.

The podium before me was in a room near the Lunar command center. A place to do official broadcasts in a safe location.

“The world has suffered a grievous blow last night. A robot army invaded every continent,” I recalled the data. Friday and the girls compiled reports from every news channel they had access to.

It didn’t look good as even the fabled world heroes could not be everywhere at once. Africa was hit especially hard as various global powers made power plays while robots chewed at the major military forces.

My eyes hardened as I had plans to pay visits to various Hydra and Cobra bases. The volunteer census alone had predicted to be about 180,000 soldiers willing.

“Yet we survived. Val Verde stand today strong!” my voice bellowed as I let loose a cry that undid a knot that had haunted me for ten years. “We did not fold, and we did not cry for outside help.”

I stared into the camera. To my proverbial children. To the citizens and civilians of Val Verde.

“Our citizens, heroes one and all, stood tall and proud,” my voice became softer, more somber. “Many heroes entered third services last night. Yet they did their duty. The loss of civilians was kept to a minimum.”

I had sent these people to their deaths with a grim smile. I would do it again in a heartbeat. We are excited to hold up society. Being nice was cute. Being independent and free was a luxury grown.

A flower blooming from nutrient-rich soil that was in turn fertilized by the blood of the fallen.

“No doubts you have seen our new military power. The Titan class war machines. They exist to defend our nation and ensure our sovereignty. I also present the Hildegard!”

Friday should be projecting the massive green and gold air fortress. It was now floating over the West City. Despite its blemished exterior, it glowed in the afternoon light.

No. It was more beautiful because of it. It had broken the ranks of the invaders and supported the straggling defenders.

Project Prometheus was a success and a curse. I knew that the US would now be staring at us with a scope connected to their nuclear arsenal. They would be fools to do otherwise.

“She is the shield that will protect our nation. A fortress that will stand before any invader. A light to ensure that all citizens have a chance to survive tomorrow.” I spoke as I looked away.

There were many weaknesses revealed yesterday. Many problems that we had to address. The battle always showcased the flaws of any weapon.

“As we grew from the times of famine, so too will we grow from this time of invasion,” I said as I clenched my teeth. I glared at the camera. “Val Verde stands unbroken. To those that dared hunt us, to you Ultron, I show you that we stand tall and proud.”

I drew myself up and puffed out my chest. The fine suit tightened enough to reveal my healthy body underneath. At least this speech didn't have anyone shoot me.

“You did not break us, and you lost that critical chance. Next time you try, it cannot succeed,” I promised.

I spoke to a single entity that Friday singled out as the culprit behind our problems. Ultron was assisting someone else. They wanted our technology but didn't succeed.

“Should you try to invade us again, I will be impressed if you even make landfall,” I glared at the camera. At the crazed AI that dared bare its fang against my people.

My eyes softened and I relaxed. “My dear children. We stand today unbroken and will embrace tomorrow with pride. Freedom and independence are never free, and never without consequences.”

“I will join the third service with a smile,” I began with a soft smile. “So long as it means that my children will grow up in peace and prosperity. I will ensure that Val Verde provides that to all.”

I sighed at the final piece. The hardest piece.

“Funeral rites will take place a week from now. We honor our heroes and mark their service. We lick our wounds and heal,” I said I straightened my back but did not puff out.

I hit my chest with two fists and a palm.

“Duty. Honor. Life.”

The camera zoomed into my face. A mixture of pride and sadness.

The feed cut. I knew that citizens of all classes repeated the ingrained gesture of nationalism.

Duty. Honor. Life.

—

Chapter 72: Val Verde