The fragile order of the city begins to crumble when Niam is suddenly taken. Stan is forced to make choices, and neither of them offers an easy way out of the growing crisis. Every decision pulls him deeper into a web of danger, where hesitation can be as deadly as action.
Captain, relentless in his pursuit of control, calls for the rebels’ elimination, risking an all-out war that could consume what remains of the city. Into this volatile moment steps a mysterious helper whose knowledge and skill make her both an ally and a threat. Her arrival shifts the balance, changing the path of the search for Niam, but her true motives remain hidden in the shadows, leaving everyone to wonder whose side she is truly on.
Fox, the elusive leader of the rebels, is willing to use any means to fulfill his goals: cooperation, betrayal, blackmail, murder. Nothing is allowed to stand in the way of rebellion, and his determination pushes the struggle toward a dangerous climax.
As trust frays and secrets rise to the surface, alliances fracture and loyalties are tested. Every step forward brings those involved closer to a truth that could reshape the city’s fragile future—or bring about its final collapse. This episode is a story of power, betrayal, and shifting allegiances in a world where survival depends on knowing who to trust—and who to fear.
Excerpt from draft:
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In the Captain’s office, Stan stood stiffly, the tension from the previous night still weighing heavily on his shoulders. He avoided mentioning the attempt on Niam's life, focusing instead on the calmness of the night.
"In short, the night was calm. Nobody died."
"The town is too peaceful. I don't like it."
"People live their lives. They're probably happier...", Stan said.
"And that makes my soldiers lazier!"Captain said sharply. "I don't want people to be happy. That makes them less obedient. Do you want to give them rights? I am now worried about another possibility. It may mean it's calm before the storm. I want all men to be alert. Make sure that they are battle-ready."
Suddenly, a voice crackled through the radio, sharp and urgent, interrupting their conversation.
"Captain, red alert! Rebels attacked the outpost C in the Sector 14!"
The Captain stood up, his face hardening at the news.
- "Soldier, do you have any information about their number and the severity of the assault?"
- "The report is on the way."
"Attacking the remote outpost could mean they are small in numbers and too weak to attack the base, but they want to inflict casualties." Stan wondered aloud, "It can also be a decoy."
There was a knock on the door.
- "Come in, soldier." Captain gave permission. "Report."
- "The messenger escaped from the 14C, and he said the attack was big. He couldn't estimate their number, but the assault came from multiple sides. He reached outpost 13D, where another Marathon took off. He saw a destroyed patrol nearby in Sector 12 but didn't see any rebels.
He warned the outposts in Sector 12, and then he came to the base. We sent scouts to other sectors to check their status. No news so far."
- "Good work, soldier." Captain said. "Stan, take your men and go to 10A. I will go to 11A. We will exchange Marathons every 30 minutes. Bedridden will cover the sectors around the base in case the rebels try to attack from the back. It may be a decoy." Captain concluded. "Watch for an ambush."
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The air was thick with anticipation as Stan addressed his men in the sprawling backyard of his mansion.
- "Three men will be on each side of the street, and seven of you will patrol the front yard and the backyard." Stan was giving orders. "In case of an attack, you will not get any help because we will be stretched all over the city. You are on your own, but I don't doubt that you will do your best to neutralize the threat. Follow me, my friends!"
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As the soldiers moved into their positions, Stan’s mind worked furiously, considering every possible scenario. His eyes scanned the streets for any signs of movement, but the city remained eerily quiet.
- "Nothing extraordinary here." Soldier was reporting. "Some civilians, but they were not a threat."
- "They may know something, but they are not the target now." Stan replied. "We should focus on the rebels."
- "Here comes the Marathon from Captain." Someone was saying in the back.
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The city’s layout was a system of circular sectors, each more decrepit and crumbling than the last. At the heart of the city lay sector 1, the central hub, and as you moved outward, the sectors grew in number, culminating in the outermost rings—sector 14 at the very edges of the city. Each sector was further divided into subsectors, designated with letters, allowing for better organization of the sprawling cityscape. Sector 14, for instance, was on the outskirts, and 14D marked the third subsector within it.
The Marathons, human messengers trained to run great distances, were crucial in maintaining communication across the city. Given the lack of modern transportation, Marathons were the only way to relay messages between the sectors and the headquarters. The name “Marathon” had become synonymous with endurance, as these runners would travel vast distances on foot, passing through the city’s crumbling streets, often dodging danger and the threat of rebel ambushes. They had become the lifeblood of communication, and in this devastated city, their legs were worth more than any machine.