The Program [COMPLETED]

Chapter Forty-Nine

"Orion, you don't stand a chance against the Program and the people combined," Roman growled. "End this while you still can."

"Roman Graeme, a pleasure," Orion sneered. "You and your rebels managed to claim our southern camps. I'm impressed."

"What do you want?" Zariah spoke up bluntly, the sharpness of her tone enough to cut diamonds.

"It's good to see you again, Lieutenant Blanche. How have you been since I last met your acquaintance in Fifth Unit? Must be tough, ripping open old wounds," Orion replied, flashing her another sinister grin.

"You could say I'm used to it by now," Zariah fired back coolly.

"I'll end the cute little banter. After all, I'm not here for any of you; not yet, that is. I'm looking for someone else, someone who isn't here today," Orion explained. "I only want to have a civilized chat, like proper adults. Bring General Xylem to me, here, in the outskirts of Abree City. I will permit one other soldier to accompany him. No weapons. You have twenty-four hours. Should you refuse, negotiation opportunities will no longer be available, and I promise that we will rain absolute hellfire on each and every one of you. It's up to you, now, Creatan. What will you decide?"

With that, the screen flickered off, returning to the footage of Aiden, Roman, Virgil, Zariah and Rania standing on the podium, their expressions grim.

"Theo," Aiden said shakily, his voice echoing through the deadly silent Foyer. "I sure as hell hope you traced the source of their broadcast."

"I did," Theo confirmed in a similar tone. "He's telling the truth. He's in Abree City."

Aiden exhaled slowly, reclaiming the microphone from where it was positioned on its stand. He faced the soldiers of Second Unit, all of which wore uncertain faces while looking at one another fretfully.

"Orion wants to talk? We'll talk," Aiden said, slicing through the tense atmosphere. "I will accompany Xylem to Abree City, where we'll meet with Orion and discuss his terms."

Roman joined him a few seconds afterwards. "Don't let his propaganda scare you. Fear is what he wants, and if you allow it to consume you, we will never be able to defeat the Other Worlders."

"For honor, for justice, for Creatan," Aiden concluded.

And with that, Theo ended the broadcast.

Silence.

"I want everyone on high alert. I'd like there to be frequent patrols around the perimeters of every Unit, and I want to work on sending some soldiers out into the cities as well, to protect the people," Aiden spoke finally. "We're on the clock here. Twenty-four hours. You're all dismissed."

The soldiers of Second Unit began hastily standing from their seats and flooding out of the Foyer in small clumps, whispering anxiously. Among them were Roman's rebels, Caspar and Ender, as Roman had called him. Farley, Jace, Darius, Kerian and Imogen followed the stream of recruits, ready to give out further instructions regarding the patrols. Meanwhile, Aiden noticed Theo and Colonel Asphodel deep in conversation while their team worked on disassembling the camera equipment.

"I'll have my rebels on standby in the cities. There are branches of Phantom in all the dark crevices of Creatan; significantly more than the number of Programmers you have here. You guys will need some extra firepower," offered Roman once majority of the soldiers had cleared.

Aiden dipped his head in agreement. "We'll send the patrols with plenty of food and weapons, just in case. Anyone able-bodied should be prepared to fight. Eskium is just too unpredictable."