Reverence

by Joshua Landeros

  “So I hear you met Unit 23 yesterday,” Kane said to Will as they walked down the path. The expansive courtyard was alive with the smell of roses and the call of birds, both men enjoying the scenery, “How’d that go?”

  “Pretty impressive, actually,” Will said as he walked alongside his superior officer.

  The winding sidewalk snaked through large thorn bushes that rose well over six feet tall. Will gazed up at them, noting the way the dawn’s initial orange light poked through the branches. He sensed an incoming updraft, before staring down at the tiny beads of dew on each blade of grass. Kane focused on the path ahead, and enjoyed the brief gust that caused his creaseless uniform to blow in the wind.

  “Oh, yes, I heard about that, too. Luis told me she gave you trouble during your little play date. Don't tell me she has you outclassed.”

  “I wouldn't go that far, Commander.”

  “Well, all the same, don’t underestimate her. That unit has been through as many skirmishes as you and Luis. She, just like you, brought an end to the Hollow Wars back in 2046.”

  “Productive,” Will said.

  “Productive? That's sugar coating, my friend. She was a member of the New Rough Riders back during The Expansion. Over a period of two months I recall, she single-handedly sent two hundred bastards to their graves.”

  “Is this an attempt to frighten me, Commander? You’d be better off telling me about the provisions of Soviet soldiers during World War II.”

  “Only reminding you to stay alert, wise ass. If there’s one thing you and Luis have in common it’s that your overconfidence blinds you to any change. When you start thinking you can never be put down, you start to get sloppy.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  As they walked past a pond of coy waiting near the surface to be fed, Chancellor Venloran’s assistant came up behind them on the pathway.

  “Commander Kane, Unit 21, good morning to you both,” he greeted them.

  “Mr. Kearney,” said Kane, “a pleasure on this fine day. What is it?”

  Kearney’s eyes narrowed as he turned toward Will.

  “The Chancellor has requested Unit 21 at the Honors Hall, immediately,” he answered.

  After a rushed farewell to Kane, Will followed behind Kearney, who directed him toward their point of conversation. All the while, Unit 21 didn't say a word. He preferred the silence, or better said, would enjoy it as long as he could. The commander wasn’t going to be a part of this meeting, and Will could only assume this was going to be a lecture on his failure to apprehend the enemies. How deserving, the cyborg recounted disgracefully. He would deal with his punishment accordingly.

  On the very top floor of UNR Headquarters was the Honors Hall. The two men stepped out of the elevator, into a large room with golden brown marble tiles and pillars that gave the room a magnificent beauty he'd never before witnessed. Scarlet walls surrounded the room, and from what Will could see there were no windows or other doors. Wait, he spotted one single door on the other side of the room. It was an entrance to the structure's extensive stair well, he realized. The only thing above the room was the landing pad.

  “Welcome, S.S.C. Unit 21,” he heard the Chancellor say as he entered from the stairwell, accompanied by two men wearing hard hats.

  “It's a privilege, sir,” said Will, bowing at the sight of the Chancellor. He had met the Chancellor before, but never one-on-one like this. Venloran smiled before looking at the men behind him. They understood and left the room.

  “You may leave as well, Kearney,” he instructed. His assistant only nodded, heading back toward the elevator. Now it was just the two of them.

  “Where is Luis?” asked Will.

  “Unit 18? No, no, you’re mistaken. You’re not here to be reprimanded. I merely wanted to speak with you personally.”

  “What do you ask of me, Honorable Chancellor?”

  “I’m promoting you to second in command of the UNR Cyborg Security Unit here. Putting your own life on the line, your swift action during the assassination attempt kept me alive. Noble indeed, unlike Unit 18, who I also will be speaking with about this matter. My wife is also forever grateful.”

  As they talked, Will noticed they walked in between a row of pillars, seemingly heading for something on the far right side of the room. It suddenly occurred to him the significance of the honor bestowed to him by the Chancellor. The more he understood the promotion, the more he reveled in it.

  Second in command, the soldier thought. Luis and Valerie were both now his official subordinates. Hell, even Major Johnson’s little death squad is now beneath me. His whole existence since being activated had been the life of a grunt, a mere chess piece in a game of war. Now he had real power.

  “Unit 21, I know you were across the Pacific during the annexation of Mexico and Cuba. Still, I am damn sure you remember the atmosphere back then. I think we all do no matter how much time passes.”

  Will was hurled back into the discussion and memories began to bubble up.

  “Yes, sir. The Expansion helped cancel out the International Exclusion Act. It helped unify and expand the US into the UNR.”

  “Certainly,” Venloran said with a profound smile, “and despite all those with us, there were also so many opposed. The Los Santos Guardianes, remember? The Holy Guardians, I still marvel at the fact they had the audacity to give themselves that title.”

  “It was quite heinous, sir. But we tore them in two all the same.”

  “Quite right. They held to ‘Homeland or Death’ and even with all their valor, that great purge lasted but sixteen months. By October 6, 2051, Bloody Mary Sunday, it was all over. Do you see what I’m getting at?”

  For a few seconds Will did not, but he pieced it together. History truly does repeat itself.

  “The same scenario is starting all over again, sir, isn’t it?”

  “Exactly, Unit 21. I've decided to move the operation ahead of our prior schedule. The three of you, along with our finest soldiers, are all going in on this mission to intercept the next weapon shipment. Leave not a soul alive. That is the priority.”

  Will nodded in understanding. Then something came to him. The incident itself had shaken his thoughts on how seriously they’d perceived the enemy and it was worsened by the people who praised him for saving Venloran. It should never have come to that in the first place, thought Will. He needed to ask the Chancellor something:

  “Honorable sir, I’ve been contemplating. Do you think that these,” he couldn't find the right word, “terrorists, could actually be a threat?”

  The Chancellor remained quiet for the next few minutes as they walked until they approached an unfinished statue of Venloran far on the other side of the room, close to the exit to the stairwell. It basked under the bright amber lights. The magnificent granite figure stood over seven meters tall, built by pure sweat and chisel. It depicted a different pose than the statue at Rock Creek Park, with the same face of power, but stood with one arm pointing forward, like the general he used to be.

  Standing next to it, was another, somewhat shorter, statue. This one was vastly different, not even human. It was the endoskeleton of a super soldier cyborg standing straight up, with its arms to the side, an obedient soldier ready to receive its orders. Will, Luis, and Valerie all had that same eerie structure at their core. It was what made them what they were. An enormous UNR symbol was painted on the wall behind the two statues. Now Venloran turned to look Will in the eyes.

  “To be frank, no, not at all. They’re pathetic really, nothing more than mortal men. More like insects, to be exact. You see, you and the other cyborgs all represent that ‘brightly shining dawn.’ They will undoubtedly attempt to escalate their vicious acts, but they’ll be dead before I let that happen again.

  “Eradicating the enemy is how we’ve gotten this far. No negotiation, only submission and compliance. That is why we have the tremendous amount of influence that we do. If the countries around the world see weakness from the UNR, like th
e kind they saw that day at Rock Creek, they’ll foolishly take it as some sort of blessing or sign from their precious God. Unit 21, are you aware of just why you super soldiers are given your swords?”

  “Yes, sir. Technically speaking, the swords function as the perfect weapon when lacking a firearm, and are perfect for close quarters combat. They are also important remnants from the most vital war in our country’s history.”

  “A war that put this nation to the test. We will remind all our enemies that we own them, especially ones who dare to call the United Nation Republic their home.”

  “Yes, Chancellor! I will not fail you, honorable, sir! I promise they will kneel at your feet before they die.”

  Venloran smiled at this, more so than he had during the entire conversation.

  “Yes, I know you will. The perfect society will stand for all eternity, and no insect can stop that. You are dismissed, S.S.C. Unit 21.”

  ***

  Valerie lay on the table casually with her hands behind her head and one knee raised. She stared up at the telescreens, but she wasn’t truly looking at them. She was dressed in full combat gear, her crimson jacket neatly folded on a chair next to her. She heard the door open, but did not turn to greet the two men that entered. Dr. Krenzler seated himself in a chair only a meter from Valerie. His assistant Myers took a seat behind his superior, ready to take notes on a small tablet.

  “I apologize for the wait, Unit 23. It took my assistant some time to find his data transcriber.”

  Myers also apologized, but Unit 23 made no reply, only continued to stare upwards at the telescreens.

  “Valerie?”

  The woman suddenly snapped to, sitting up and turning toward them.

  “Doctor, I’m so sorry.”

  Krenzler only put up a hand.

  “No need, my dear. It’s understandable that you dozed off while we kept you waiting.”

  Myers had seen that Valerie had been awake, as had Krenzler, but neither gentleman acknowledged the slight. He began to scribble notes on his device, pausing as Krenzler spoke again.

  “You can relax as you were, Unit 23. We haven’t seen each other since your arrival at headquarters. I only want to ask a few brief questions.”

  “All right, sir.”

  Valerie once again assumed her lax position, though the doctor was attentive to the fact that she was no longer as mellow.

  “Good, first I’ll address the elephant in the room: how do you feel about the attack on our Chancellor?”

  “I feel many things about that horrid day.”

  “Well if you had to pick one thing that stands out among the others, what would it be?”

  There was a short stretch of silence, but a smile slowly appeared on her beautiful face.

  “I suppose at a glance it made me think of Einstein’s theory concerning time.”

  “You mean how he viewed time as a river?”

  “Yes. After it was all over, I realized the UNR and our Chancellor are similar in a sense, to the river of which Einstein spoke. The country will go on unstoppable, even if the current is tampered with. It will go on.”

  “A fascinating analogy,” a smile now on Krenzler’s face as well, “I quite like it.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “The next thing I’d like to ask is who is it that you look up to? And to make it interesting, I would like to exclude the Chancellor as an answer.”

  “I like to think back on my comrades, 3-05 and 6-76 more than anyone. Have you ever had the chance to meet them, Doctor?”

  “I haven’t had that honor actually. I hear they were the backbone of the New Rough Riders.”

  “We were the tip of the spear during The Expansion. 3-05 was already a legend after his feats in Mexico City and 6-76 no less in Juarez. When I heard news I’d been selected for a position on their team for the missions in Cuba, I felt…small.”

  “That ties into my next question.”

  “Yes, sir?”

  “I know you’re a soldier at your core. You have been responsible for the death of many of the state’s enemies, and we thank you. However, in your spare time, what is it that you often find yourself doing?”

  “Undoubtedly reading, sir.”

  “Oh yes, I oversaw the transfer of your personal library. In the short time you’ve been here, I see you’ve already ordered several more volumes. I must say I was delighted to see the names among your selections: George Orwell, Mary Shelly, and Stephen Crane, some of my favorite authors.”

  “Their work intrigues me. It’s fun to decipher their messages. Each told in different ways, but almost always leading to one concept in general.”

  “And what concept is that?”

  For the first time in their conversation, Valerie looked at Krenzler. He quickly comforted her:

  “You may speak freely.”

  And with that, she indulged.

  “Not to be offensive, Doctor, but the common theme is that human weakness is ever prevalent.”

  “Hmm, care to explain?”

  “A rare chance to share. Unexpected, but excellent nonetheless. Take Of Mice and Men for example. The climax is supposed to be somber, but I only saw the folly of mercy. Much suffering could have been avoided if someone so mentally unstable was never allowed to enter the world at all. Lennie’s fate was prolonged, but ultimately unavoidable.”

  Myers stared in astonishment for a moment. Krenzler nodded, seemingly stoic.

  “So their struggles were meaningless?”

  “That’s what it boils down to.”

  “I will say this: you have a remarkable perspective on the story.”

  Valerie’s HUD gave her a warning. It’s almost time. She now sat up again.

  “Are you headed somewhere, 23?” Krenzler asked.

  “I had something in mind, but it is not a priority.”

  “No, no, we can pick this up later. Thank you for your time, Unit 23.”

  “My pleasure, sir.”

  She bowed before once again donning her crimson jacket.

  Chapter 9 – The Beach

  April 7, 2065 - UNR Headquarters

  Valerie traveled up the stairwell alone. The passage was dimly lit by long rectangular lamps, but she paid it no mind. It felt good simply to escape her cramped room. By her calculations, despite her windowless room, she knew it was just about time for dusk. She wanted to see it, feeling urgency to. She'd taken the stairs to build up the anticipation. The setting of the sun would only last a few minutes and she wanted to savor those moments.

  Val finally arrived nonetheless, and opened the door slowly. As the rays of bright sunlight streaked through the open doorway, she spotted someone already outside, near the edge of the landing pad. She walked in between two UNR cruisers, not too far away from a helicopter. As she neared, she identified the man as Unit 21. He sensed her unannounced presence, and turned to face her.

  “Unit 23,” he greeted, “I wasn't expecting you, of all people, to be up here.”

  “Yeah, well it's not like I can't say the same thing. I come up here every day, and this is the first time I’ve run into you.”

  Will found himself laughing.

  “I guess you got me there.”

  “The view is something, isn’t it? All of Arlington. I haven’t seen a sunset like this since Havana.”

  “Havana? Kane told me you served during The Expansion, but Cuba? Were you there on October 6th?”

  “Yup. A hundred men met my sword that day.”

  “But not just any men. I’ve got to know, Val. You were the one who carried out Operation Bloody Mary, weren’t you?”

  “That’s classified.”

  “Right…damn.”

  “What I can say is that I got to meet the Socialist Party members and top generals at the Cathedral of Saint Christopher. They weren’t much fun.”

  The two of them shared a smile. Will applauded Valerie outright as she bowed.

  “I finally get to meet Bloody Mary herself, what an hon
or! It’s a real shame Luis can’t know. All these years he had three hundred dollars on Unit 6-76.”

  “And you?”

  Will shrugged with a chuckle.

  “Best I don’t say. I get the feeling my guess would probably offend you.”

  “You two idiots crack me up.”

  Will only nodded this time. She stood close to him now, both admiring the view. The yellowish-white sun had now turned a burning orange-red, the clouds tinged purple against a scarlet-sky. The city had become a field of silhouettes, a series of smaller towers with one that stood much taller, centered among the rest.

  For a fleeting moment, the two cyborgs felt small against the expansive skyline. As Will watched in silence, he felt Val put her head on his shoulder. He felt no need to remove it. It felt comforting, the warmth of her close body as the night's chilly winds began to set in.

  “Have you ever wondered if there’s a god looking down on us?”

  “What purpose would he serve, if you don't mind my asking?”

  “I'm not sure. Hope that the impossible is indeed possible, perhaps.”

  “Now you sound like some kind of philosopher, Will.”

  “I know we were brought together on this mission for a reason.”

  “I sense that, too. But why?”

  “It sounds insane, but I've seen you before. And not from files in my memory bank, but from another source. The dreams are fuzzy, but I recognize your voice, and I remember seeing your name…on a ring. I can’t be absolutely sure, but I think I knew you long before I was ever in the SSF.”

  “All that from a dream?”

  “A number of them over time.”

  “Sounds to me like you’re not well, Will.”

  “What did you say to me?”

  Val hesitated for a second, but she pressed on.

  “You need help.”

  Will grew angry at this remark, like no one had ever seen. He drew in close to Val, and it frightened her to some extent.

  “No, I know there’s nothing wrong with me. These dreams have to mean something! I have this odd feeling, telling me to draw closer to you, but to keep my distance as well. It’s perplexing, but I must figure out what they are, and I intend to do so.”