Cybersoldier

Chapter 4, Wilkins Coffee Store

         "This thing, this arena we're in right now" Jensin began, gesturing his arm out at the arena, "Used to the place where the biggest football tournament on Earth would be played." "Now look at it" Jensin followed up, "it's a fucking fortress."      

          When we entered the World Cup Stadium, or Wilkins Coffee Store, in military speak, we were greeted by a near identical welcome party as what was outside. A Kratos UGE in the center far back, two much lesser AED bots, the 250s, positioned by "each side" and at the ends on each of the side and closets to the doors while still reasonably, if not at least relatively, far from them, were what I thought were two Roomba security droids, but were actually a pair of two South Korean knockoff RSDs, the Wamrosut Sunchalja or "Warmaster Patroller" in English. Around the area of the entrance were military grade, makeshift, and sandbag barricades. Behind them were guards, sentries, mounted MGs, a remote gun or two. Luckly since we were cleared the bots didn't respond with hostility. Passing them, we saw military and civilians everywhere. Some grouped together, others alone, and some just walking around. When the field came into view, we saw tents all over the soccer field in the center. A few security drones, such as the Roomba aka the RSD and the Kratos UGE sentries, drones like the ones from the swarm earlier, and the like, were patrolling the field with the soldiers. Troopers were enacting orders from superiors, Civies were piled in and around tents. With some even in the seats around the field. Always in groups of no less than 5 or 7. Some who were experienced were helping the troops. Be it medical aid, or moving supplies, or even acting as armed security. The opening of the stadium roof had been sealed closed. I recalled seeing that there were even some mobile and stationary SAM cites, sniper positions, gunner nests, and turrets on the roof and the turrets and SAMs also in the parking lot of the building. Some these where even on the neighboring buildings. Aswell as sentry guns, police and military ground drones, and mobile turrets patrolling or stationed around the halls, in the field, guarding doors, on the roof, and areas with windows to the city, and in the parking lot. They were hellbent on keeping the KPA and HH out any and all costs. 

           As we made our way, relatively aimless as it was, we asked around where the ambassador is. Eventually we were told that ambassador Gerald Mcoran would be with the other HVIs in one of the skyboxes. We immediately headed there. And as we do, we can see soldiers doing tasks, medical personnel healing injured and wounded, rooms with windows to the city had troops, barricades, and gun emplacements. Every floor seemed to have more and more military apparel. Jensin was right, it didn't feel like this was a soccer stadium, but a military fortress shaped as one.

          We arrived in the skybox section of the stadium and asked specifically for directions to where the HVIs are being held up. "They're in the VIP area" one told us. "Specifically, the area between and left of the home team and behind the home goal post" he elaborated, "The northeast box." "Here, I'll show you" he added as he then walked over to a nearby map of the stadium. He pointed where we were, then to where the VIP room the HVIs are held in. We thank him and make our way to the aforementioned VIP area. When we got there, we saw a Kratos Unmanned Ground Enforcer sentry drone in front of the door. Which is roughly the size and height of the minigun using proto hunter-killer robots from Termintor 3, Rise of the Machines from 50 years ago. And, though it's never been stated, if that film or the Terminator series as a whole isn't where they idea came from, I would furiously call them liars. Next to it on each side was an armed Guard and then a Roomba security droid a small roughly 21-24 and 2/3rds inches tall next to them each on the ends. After giving our clearence IDs, the let us in the VIP room.  

         There were a number of people inside. Businessmen, government officials, a couple members of the national assembly, the British, Chinese, German, and Russian ambassadors, a UN building official whose chopper was shot down by Hana Hanguk militants, commissioners of Seoul police Chang Godeun-gan who was talking to who seemed to be with his mother who was also facetiming his wife and kids for him, and a Kpop artist known as SoulSun that was in area (apparently he and his family lived there) sitting next an elderly woman. But one thing was missing... "Where is the US ambassador" Stalker asked loudly, "Gerald Mcoran?" Many looked around, shook their heads, and/or shrugged. "I don't know" one said. "He lost contact with his family" the police commissioner, "so he went to go look for them." British ambassador then interjected, "HE WENT OUT THERE!? IS HE BLOODY CRAZY!?" "Apparently so" Karen and German ambassador said simultaneously, with Karen adding the 'so'. "Risking his life and well-being just to save his family..." SoulSun began, "Now that's a true father." I smirked alongside the Kpop artist. "We have to go after him" stalker declared. "Seoul police Moccison=Commissioner Chang Godeun-gan then spoke up, "You will have to head out to Seodaemun, where he and his family live." "We're going after him" declared Stalker. "Head to monad center-command center-first" commissioner Godeun said. "Follow me, I'm heading there anyway." While we made our way there, we noticed more military personnel and assets everywhere. The rooms were being used for varying purposes, one being a briefing room, one a makeshift Med Center for wounded, one to the outside window was a gunner nest, one was a lookout to the outside, one a full-on morgue, one was troop barracks, so on and so forth. Many had defenses like barricades, sandbags, a remote sniper, MGs, mounted grenade launcher, and more in rooms with outside windows. Drones and soldiers were patrolling the halls, and some equipment and troops were even littering the halls. One would be forgiven for thinking this was now a permanent military base pr had been one for a long time, rather than temperary military base, or was set up in less than a week. Amazing how effective and comprehensive people can be when they want to be or need to be. As we walked, Meg asked something she couldn't shake off... "Why are you still in the city?" "I'm the commissioner of the police" he calmly declared, "My duty is to enforce the law and keep order. To serve the public and maintain its trust in us" he added, grit determination, and duty palpable in his voice, "and no military invasion is going to stop me for doing that." "This is my city" he added, "and come hell or high water, neither I nor the police are abandoning it." We all were impressed. Even Reckner gave an impressed look. "That is why I ordered every member of the police, S.O.U(what you Americans call SWAT)," he then said 4 words none of us understood... "What" Jensin, Meg and Reckner asked, worried they had misheard. "Speak English" Reckner demanded, "why is that not a law everywhere?' "RECKNER" Stalker yelled as he shot her a look! "I believe you would call them campus cops and mall cops" he elaborated before continuing, choosing to ignore what Reckner had said, "local security officer, paramedics, first responders, and even neighborhood watch; everyone is to remain in the city, report to the nearest RKAF isolation, and aid in any way they can." "That is very honorable" I say with a warmed heart. My distraction nearly cost me dearly as I almost ran into an AED 250 the cut across right in front of us. The robot then walked forward ahead of us before walking to the side and coming to a halt. The ED209 knockoff was as sight to behold. Standing a whopping 7 and a half to 8 feet tall, and built like an APC, it was not to be messed with. I had only ever heard and seen them on screens, never in person. They were a lot bigger and much more imposing that the images and videos made them out to be. And these were the 250s, aka the small ones. They were sold and used by police and security, not military. The 10–11-foot 290s were the ones the military used. But everyone, myself included at times, calls them ED209, because the idea that are anything but ED209 from Robocop with a different look and shape was ludicrous. And to deny it is just that would be to deny reality.