Cyber Chronicles 1: Crimson's Effect

Chapter 1 : Lincoln (Present)

Lincoln found himself in a state of mental drift, the vibrancy of the hologram before him fading into the background, leaving his focus entangled in memories.

Suddenly, he jolted back to the present moment, his gaze shifting from the abyss of his thoughts to the questioning eyes of his colleagues in the meeting room. Had he unknowingly drifted off again? 

The 3D hologram, displaying an arranged battlefield, flickered momentarily, casting irregular, wavering shadows as miniature human figures traversed the simulation. Lincoln's thoughts turned to the enemy, their origins still shrouded in mystery, but hinting at a substantial faction coming from Germany. They had predicted this surprise attack, but it wasn't the first. The element of surprise implied a small, covert strike force but they must not be underestimated.

Once more, Lincoln's mind slipped into the past, a memory resurfacing at an inopportune moment. He couldn't quite grasp the specifics anymore, only a lingering sense that something significant had occurred.

That day, something had transpired, but the recollection remained a tangled mess. He could only grasp the sensation of falling, but the context eluded him. Where had he been falling? How? Every attempt to reconstruct the memories led to questions about past decisions and consequences. Had he made the right choices?

His memories had been sacrificed for a greater purpose. Yet, Lincoln found comfort in knowing that those sacrifices had saved countless lives.

Resolute, he returned his attention to the present, the enigmatic memory retreating to the depths of his mind. "Alright," he continued, his tone unwavering, "We'll go with this formation. Our frontline units need to arrive an hour in advance. While I'm confident we'll emerge victorious, we mustn't underestimate the need for precautions."

With a sweep of his hand, he pointed to the holographic image, depicting a desert battlefield, the anticipated point of enemy ingress. "As far as we know, the enemy remains oblivious to our readiness. Given the surprise attack and the German faction's involvement, it's likely targeted at me. Therefore, we must be prepared for the worst-case scenario."

He moved several miniature holographic figures across the image, elaborating on their roles in the upcoming battle. His voice brimmed with confidence, instilling reassurance in his team, even as he contemplated the covert attackers and the challenge they represented. The plan set, he dismissed the board, and the room emptied, leaving only one figure behind.

With a heavy sigh, Lincoln activated the button on his side of the lengthy conference table, causing the hologram to dissipate. The table folded itself automatically, and the lights in the room dimmed. Exiting the chamber, he was followed by Dexter, their android colleagues moving in to tidy up.

Lincoln finally broke the silence, his concern evident. "Why don't you go rest with the others, Dexter? I can see you're exhausted."

"I don't know, Lin. I'm just tired of repeating myself all the time," Dexter responded with a hint of smugness in his voice, "If anything, you're the one who hasn't gotten rest. It's like, what, a week since you've actually slept?" 

Lincoln turned away, concealing his gratitude for Dexter's concern. "I know. Even when you're home, you avoid your bed. Don't you realize how much I worry about you? You've been fighting battles for three days straight, and tomorrow we have another one after barely a day of rest. Can't you try to get some sleep whenever you can?" Dexter looked directly at Lincoln, his gaze filled with empathy. "Let me take charge, I'm always back-up anyway. I'm your second-in-command for a reason. Go, get some rest. There isn't much work to do anyway." He placed a firm arm on Lincoln's back.

"I can't... I physically can't..." Lincoln replied softly.

Dexter withdrew his arm, moving forward to face Lincoln directly, "What do you mean?"