Antonov stands on a platform overlooking the Eastern Wing of Omnicore, once reserved for data research. Desks and computers have been cleared out to make room for the stragglers who remain loyal to Ben, laying bound in piles on the cold, barren floor. Their hands are cuffed behind their backs along with their feet, and the lower halves of their faces are encased in metal masks to keep them from talking.
"Sir." A soldier salutes to him, then drops her arm stiffly back to her side.
Antonov turns to her with more warmth than typical of anyone else. "Zeline. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Zeline's armor is buffed to a perfect chromatic shine, her medals welded on crisply rather than haphazardly pinned by a magnet. She has a long black cape, a band of white trim on every edge. Her helmet design is also far less clunky than the typical private's, almost aerodynamic, the entire face shield a tinted visor rather than just a slit for the eyes. The plated designs double as regalia, and she takes pride in that.
"Their conditioning is of no use. It seems that Anderson's values have been very pervasive," Zeline says, clasping her hands behind her back, "The common values of an Ordership citizen are despised by this group."
Antonov's eyes narrow. "Such as?"
"Anything having to do with government involvement. Predominantly citizen action control."
"Zeline." Antonov smiles with an uncharacteristic tenderness. "Take off the helmet."
Zeline obliges immediately. Two ringlets of curly nightshade hair fall from her bun and over her sepia-toned face. She reaches a gloved hand up to brush them from her eye and move them behind her ear.
Antonov admires her features fondly, as if reminiscing on an old photo. "You do know how I met your grandfather, yes?"
Zeline nods with a grin. "Of course, sir."
"It wasn't by following the rules. He and I led the siege of Melanesia, even when the Head Councilman at the time said not to. We knew it was right." Antonov gestures to the captives below, "I think it's time you make a decision, Sergeant Holden."
YOU ARE READING
Descension
Science FictionExiled by a tyrannical government and betrayed by his brother, Ben Anderson is hurled from his status as one of the world's top elites and plunged into a dystopian reality. The clock ticks as a revolution comes to its apex, and the fate of humanity...
