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:
— — —
In Captain’s office, Stan stood confidently. 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.” Stan started his report.
“The town is too peaceful. I don't like it.” Captain replied.
“People live their lives. They're probably happier…” Stan continued.
“And that makes my soldiers lazier!” said Captain with frowned face. “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.”
Captain sat on the Chair by the desk, “I want all men to be alert. Make sure that they are battle-ready.”
After a brief pause, Captain continued.
“I want to discuss another thing with you. It seems we found the mine. The problem is, we didn’t get there first. The intel we receive from the scouts is slow, but we are taking steps to speed up the process. Rotating our men ensures constant vigilance and a steady stream of information from the mine.”
“Machines haven't started extracting the resources yet, but we cannot afford to give them the time to do so. We must act fast to disrupt their supply chain, and if possible, to claim the mine for ourselves.”
“The stakes are high. Our enemy, is one step closer to their ultimate goal of accessing the satellites. The ability to communicate with the outside world was critical in their fight against us, and we can’t let the machines gain that advantage.”
“Our engineers believe the robots have the potential to crack the encryption and unlock the satellites, but they require the raw materials from the mine to build the necessary components.” Captain continued.
“They need chips for antennas, and chips require the earth's resources from that very mine. This is our chance to strike, to divert the enemy's focus from their primary mission and to keep the machines from gaining a decisive edge in the war. The fate of humanity now rests on our shoulders and we need to plot the next phase of our strategy.”
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!”
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.” Said the voice over the radio.
“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 was giving his opinion. “It could also be a decoy.”
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in, soldier. “Captain said urgently.” 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.”
The soldier caught a breath and continued, “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.” said Captain.
“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. Watch for an ambush.”
— — —
Stan stood in the backyard, the headquarters’ facade looming behind him. As the sun dipped below the horizon, a sense of reckoning settled over his assembled team, their faces a map of creased concern. The air vibrated with the promise of a storm to come, as if the very fate of the world was about to be decided.
“Three men will be on each side of the street, and seven of you will patrol the front yard and the backyard. 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 possible threat.”
We’re not here for glory,” he added, eyes scanning each face. “We’re here to fix what’s broken. Let’s go and clean the mess.”
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. Some civilians, but they were not a threat.” said the scout. “They said they’ve heard distant shots and they moved from the street.”
“They may know something, but they are not the target now. We should focus on the rebels.” said Stan.
While he was observing the area, Stan saw the Marathon from Captain coming.
The messenger transferred the message, “Captain reached the outpost. It is severely damaged, some soldiers are dead but most of the soldiers abandoned the outpost and took better position to defend. They reported that the skirmish with the rebels took some time before the rebels retreated. Captain’s order is to get back to the headquarters. If possible, do it immediately.”
A decoy… the thought crossed the Stan’s mind. “All right, We organize and move in a minute back to the headquarters!”