The Last City

Prologue

Prologue

The Watchtower, Sierra Outpost 11:49 P.M.

Never had Gorswold Gregory imagined that all his speculations were correct. His mind raced through several options as he rushed towards the elevators. It was just moments ago when he had noticed something strange from one of the several monitors he was keeping watch for the night - camera #23.

The image was supposed to be of the hallway leading to the main security room; instead it was broadcasting a very familiar corridor that was trembling rhythmically up and down. He stared closer, wishing that it would revert back to the main security hallway. The view now started trembling madly as if the person carrying the camera was sprinting towards one large iron door at the end of the corridor – the door to his office. Who the hell would rip off the camera and now attempt to – it was as if a cold bucket was suddenly emptied over him as his whole body went rigid with realization.

Damn old age. He cursed as he finally reached the elevator and quickly smashed on the up button repeatedly. It took only five seconds before the elevator doors slid open. Groswold dashed inside and swore that he saw a shadow at the far end of the room just as the elevator doors slid shut.

He slammed his back on the wall as he held his breath; counting to three before exhaling. He closed his eyes, still unconvinced about what he had just saw from the monitor but his logical self kept screaming that acceptance is the only weapon he need in order to survive the night.

As soon as the elevator doors open, he dashed outside as he found himself in another room with one giant screen. Without hesitation he made his way towards the super computer and began smashing the keys. Just as he had anticipated, his authentication code was denied. Whoever it was that stole the camera must have severed the main server at the security room denying any attempt to activate the alarms.

You are a fool whoever you are. He thought as he began keying in some series of commands for bypassing security shutdown. The system was designed with a backbone which was an alternative access whenever the main servers are down.

The screen sprang to life, illuminating the deep lines of age over his forehead. He wiped off some sweat as he began keying in another series of authentications; breaking into the system layer by layer. A thundering iron gate fell nearby, blocking the entrance to the room as he managed to enter the final authentication code.

I’m safe. Gorswold sat a moment, gasping for breath, reorganizing his thoughts while waiting for the system booting bar to complete.

A voice spoke. “Do not move.”

Gorswold froze on his seat, raising his hands and turning his head slowly.

To his horror, he realized what he had just done. Only ten feet away, stood a figure barely illuminated by the giant screen behind him. He had locked the both of them inside the iron bars.

“Clever move you did here,” The figure said as the screen flashed white, now revealing his attacker’s full profile. She was slender and tall, clad in a fitting black pants over high heeled boots. Her red tank top embraced her perfectly, giving emphasis on her full round breast that heaved effortlessly as she made her way closer to Griswold. Her skin was pale white that gave her that ghastly look, except for her long wavy brunette hair she could pass for an ethereal being. “I must admit, I was impressed.”

“What do you want?” asked Gorswold through gritted teeth. He could feel the sweat trickle madly over his forehead.

“What do I want? Hmm..” Teased the brunette haired woman as she drew a pistol from her boots, still staring at the screen behind Griswold. “The password.”

“I… I dunno what you’re talking about,” stammered Gorswold, trying hard to hide the mounting fear from his face.

Please confirm activation of the watchtower alarm system, prompted an electronic voice, signaling that the booting process was complete.

The brunette haired woman cocked her pistol and pointed it directly at him. Her emerald green eyes burned with intent as her lips curved into a smile.

“There is no password!” He finally said, preparing himself to dash sideways anytime his attacker would show sign of pulling the trigger.

“I was afraid of that –“

“I will tell you though what you need to know if it is access that you seek,” pleaded Gorswold just as she was about to fire.

When he had finished talking, his attacker smiled slyly. “Just as I thought.”

What happened next was so quick that all Gorswold Gregory could remember was the searing heat he felt just above his chest. The force sent him propelling backwards as he stumbled across the foot of the super computer. He struggled to be on his elbows while feeling the floor beneath him beginning to fill with thick warm wetness. Just give me enough time to enter the code.

Another shot came out of the gun again, though he was quite sure he did not feel any pain on this one. It must be that his body was slowly dying, shutting off the senses, giving him the numbness.

As his body became heavier and his vision grew darker, he summoned all the remaining force he had to take one final glance at his attacker – it was all he could do. What he saw explained everything. But it was too late; the darkness had completely welcomed him.