POV: GOVERNMENT OF EARTH
“What?! They portaled during the day?” The President of the United States slammed his fist on the table, his face turning an angry shade of red.
Around him, in the secure underground conference room at the UN headquarters, the leaders of the world’s most powerful nations exchanged uneasy glances. There had been reports of more people being transported to the wasteland, and none of them knew what was happening once they were there.
The secure UN war room buzzed with tension as satellite footage showed the soldiers being sucked through the portal.
“How many this time?”
“Roughly ten thousand people from Earth ,” the intelligence officer reported, his tone grim. “And 1,000 are highly trained soldiers.”
China’s President, his expression unreadable, spoke next. “This is our only chance to establish control over the wasteland. If left unchecked, chaos will reign, and it will become a breeding ground for warlords. We must secure the region before someone like Atlas consolidates too much power.”
“Exactly,” the U.S. President agreed. “If we don’t establish order now, it’ll spiral out of control. This isn’t just about taking land; it’s about ensuring Earth’s future.”
Russia’s President added, “And we all know what’s at stake here. The wasteland is too valuable to leave in the hands of any one man. There is a need for a government to oversee it.”
The room fell silent. The government leaders had no idea what was truly happening in the wasteland. Communication had been severed long ago, and they were gambling on their soldiers—and their threats—being enough to maintain control.
The President of China, a stern-faced man with piercing eyes, broke the silence. “These random portals are becoming more frequent. We can’t risk chaos in the new world. We have to assume the worst.”
The Russian President, always calculating, nodded grimly. “We must assume that every soldier we send is being watched. That they’re being manipulated, possibly even recruited.”
Canada’s Prime Minister chimed in, his voice low. “Atlas is Canadian. We can’t forget that. There’s a chance he’s trying to build something of his own.”
The American President leaned forward, his voice menacing. “If he’s gone rogue, if ‘any‘ of them have, we need leverage. Our only play is to secure their loved ones—show them we’re still in control.”
The room was silent for a moment before the British Prime Minister spoke up. “The broadcasts give us some information, but it’s not enough. We don’t know what they’re planning. We only know what we have seen on that microdrama.”
"Then we use what we have," the Chinese President said. "We protect their loved ones. Make it clear that if they want them safe, that they follow orders. It’s not kidnapping—it’s securing stability."
The leaders nodded in agreement, the weight of their decision settling over them. They had no real knowledge of the wasteland, only paranoid assumptions from what little they had seen. But they knew one thing: they had to maintain control.
—
POV : FORT BONE
The new refugees were all a mess emotionally. Most of them were panicking. Especially after seeing a woman being exploded in front of them. There were exceptions to this though.
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Major Briggs strode forward with an air of authority, his posture stiff as if every step was weighed down by the importance of his mission. He was flanked by his soldiers—tough, armed, and ready for a confrontation. Yet there was a slight twitch in Briggs’ eye as he observed the wasteland, a hint of discomfort that he couldn’t shake. This wasn’t the clean-cut battlefield he was used to.
“We represent the unified governments of Earth,” Major Briggs began, voice booming as though he was addressing troops on a parade ground. “As per the directives of the global council, all able-bodied citizens are now conscripted into military service under my command. You’ll follow orders, or you’ll face the consequences.”
Atlas stood motionless, his arms crossed, twin swords gleaming at his side, his head tilted ever so slightly. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, though his eyes remained steely. The Portal Crushers behind him stood silent, watching with a mixture of curiosity and impatience.
The previously panicked refugees all quieted down.
“Conscripted, huh?” Atlas finally spoke, his voice carrying an amused lilt. “That’s a hell of a welcome speech, Major. But I don’t think you quite understand where you are.”
Briggs’ jaw tightened, his gaze narrowing. “I understand exactly where I am,” he snapped, though his grip on his holstered pistol seemed to tighten. “This isn’t a debate. This is a directive from Earth’s highest authorities. You’re out here running rogue, but that ends today. You’re under my jurisdiction now.”
Atlas raised an eyebrow, stepping forward slowly, the space between them shrinking. He let the silence stretch, the tension mounting as the soldiers shifted nervously, their fingers brushing their rifles. Briggs’ eyes flicked briefly to his squad, then back to Atlas, who now stood directly in front of him, calm as ever.
“Jurisdiction?” Atlas echoed, his voice cold, cutting through the air like a knife. “I don’t think you understand what’s happening here. Earth’s authority doesn’t reach this far. You’ve got no jurisdiction out here. No control. You’re alone. Just like the rest of us.”
Briggs stiffened, refusing to be cowed. “We have plans to restore order. There’s a system in place. You will follow or you will pay the price.”
Atlas’ eyes darkened. He let out a dry laugh, stepping closer until he was face-to-face with the Major. “Order?” he said, his voice mocking. “Your plan? You’re out here playing soldier. While back on Earth, they’re probably watching my microdrama and coming up with paranoid schemes. You don’t know what you’re dealing with. There’s no communication. No intel. Nothing. You’re not giving orders to anyone, Major.”
Briggs' face flushed with anger. His hand hovered near his holstered weapon as the tension between the two leaders reached a boiling point. “We’re here because we’ve been portaled to hell,” Briggs hissed. “You think you can survive this alone? Without Earth’s help? Without structure?”
“Structure?” Atlas sneered. “You’re living in a fantasy, Major. This isn’t Earth anymore. This is ‘my‘ world. The wasteland doesn’t care about your orders. Out here, you either adapt or die.”
A sharp silence fell over the crowd, the only sound the distant howl of wind through the bones of the fortress. Briggs, his face flushed with frustration, pulled out a SAT phone from his belt, the lifeline that was supposed to keep him connected to Earth. He jabbed at the buttons, his face twisting in confusion when no signal appeared.
He tried again. Nothing.
Atlas watched with cold amusement, the smirk never leaving his face. “Having trouble, Major?”
Briggs clenched his teeth, trying to maintain control. “This is a temporary setback. We have the means to communicate with Earth. There are protocols in place.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” Atlas said with a chuckle, stepping back slightly. “Meanwhile, you’re cut off, just like the rest of us. There’s no one coming for you. No rescue, no reinforcements. The wasteland has a way of showing you the truth. And the truth is, you’re on your own.”
Briggs faltered for a moment, the realization creeping into his mind. But his pride wouldn’t allow him to back down. Not here. Not in front of his men.
“You’ll regret this, Atlas,” he spat, his voice low and venomous. “I don’t care how tough you think you are. We’ll take control. We’ll bring order.”
Atlas tilted his head, his expression unreadable now. “You’re not taking anything, Major. You’re just delaying the inevitable.”
Briggs’ hand moved toward his pistol, the motion slow but deliberate. His soldiers, sensing the escalation, tensed, fingers twitching on the triggers of their rifles. For a split second, it seemed like the world held its breath.
Atlas’ hand shot to his swords, the movement lightning fast, his voice deadly calm. “You pull that, and it’ll be the last mistake you make.”