I

The sun scorched the earth in the middle of nowhere. Only dried rocks and cacti stood in defiance against the heatwave. One dried rock differs from the others. Grey and sturdy man-made structure, burrowing itself down to earth. Leaving only a slight part exposed to the sun behind a thick glass window.

Two military trucks drove to the location, leaving trails of dust behind them. The trucks bumped from time to time on the rocky desert, everyone held their hands onto something each time the vehicle jumped.

“Where the hell are we?” a man held his hat and the truck’s frame. “We spent billions and we can’t spare some for the road, general?” he grunts.

“If we leave nothing behind, nobody will know what we are doing here, Mr Minister,” a middle-aged general decorated with war medals on his chest explained. “But we have an air conditioner inside,” he looked to his left and right. “Do any of you know what that is?”

“Oh!” a man in his suit pointed to the general. “It’s the uh…” he snapped his fingers multiple times to remember. “It’s that thing with the…” he pinched his nasal bridge and closed his eyes.

“It’s the artificial climatic condition in a room. Saw that on the television,” another gentleman replied with a smirk. “I thought you had one in your house, Ira?”

“Damn!” he clapped his hands. “I have it. But I can’t explain it. It’s on the tip of my tongue, Jung.”

“Is it good?” the minister asked in curiosity.

“It’s good. Hueyyad is extremely hot in summer, and cold in winter,” his hands and body exaggerated the climate when Ira explained. “Having an air conditioner helps a lot. Are you thinking of buying one, Mr Thomas?”

“I don’t know,” Thomas shrugged. “I have no problems where I live. Can’t find any reason I should buy it. A fan would suffice for me and my family,” he paused and leaned backwards. “But I do have a robot butler.”

“Gentleman. We’re nearly there,” the general peeked out of the truck, slightly standing. “Best prepare your camera. It’s going to be historical,” he let out a deep breath when he sat back into his position.

“You heard him,” Minister Thomson gave a slight smack to Jung’s arm. “Why don’t you boys ready the equipment? The soldiers will help when we stop.”

Jung and Ira prepared the equipment laying beside them inside the truck. Cameras, cables, microphones, speakers, and other equipment. After minutes of preparation, the trucks slowly pressed their brakes and halted. The general took the first step to jump down from the truck, followed by the minister, then Jung and Ira.

“Is it always this hot in this desert?” the minister blocked the view of the sun with his arms.

“It is a desert after all, Mr Minister,” the general answered when his hands waved for his soldiers to approach. “All of you help these two set up their journalistic toys. They’ll tell you what to do,” he pointed to Jung and Ira putting down their items from the trucks.

A dozen of soldiers set aside their guns on their slings and helped Jung and Ira drop the items. Once finished, Jung looked around to see the endless desert in every direction with insignificant life.

“Where will it be done, general?” Jung approached the general.

“There,” the general’s hand and head pointed to his left.

“And the bunker?” Jung wiped his sweat.

“Down there? Can you see it?” he looked at the man-made concrete structure.

“I see it. Give us a couple of minutes?” Jung opened his fedora and used it as a fan when approaching the soldiers and Ira.

Jung instructed them to set up the equipment required to record the entire events to unfold later. After minutes of hard labour beneath the scorching sun finished by them, everyone was covered with sweat. Jung and Ira relieved themselves from their thick suits and walked around with their wet shirts and suspenders. Jung, Ira, and the soldiers shared water and drank until they eventually ran out of water.

“I can’t handle this heat. What are we doing here?” Ira asked Jung, panting and sweating.

“We’ll do anything for a story, won't we?” Jung slightly nudged Ira.

“But this heat. The desert. Fuck,” he looked around the empty desert, all sweaty. “Where do I Piss?”

“Who gives a damn? It’s all dust and smooth sands here,” Jung left Ira to think to himself when the minister approached, all exhausted.

“Is it done?” the minister kept fanning himself with his fedora.

“It is,” Jung showed him the setup outside the bunker. “We planted the microphones outside. There will be more inside the bunker. We should head in.”

“Good god. I’ve been waiting for this,” the minister moaned before he walks. “Wait,” he halted. “Where’s the other one? Ira?” he turned around and scanned his surroundings.

“He’s relieving himself. Nature calls,” Jung hinted, pointing behind him.

“Ira! Get over here! I’m burning! I can’t tan beneath the sun, I can only turn red!” Thomas shouted as loud as he could.

“A minute, sir!” Ira shouted back in the background, nowhere to be seen.

“Let’s get inside,” the minister invited Jung to come with him to the bunker.

The two of them entered the soothing cold bunker, covered from the sun. On the ceiling rotates a giant air conditioner, with cameras positioned in the centre of the bunker facing out the thick glass window to the desert. The soldiers who helped leaned back on the wall whilst standing at ease. Sweat drips down their forehead when standing in discipline. The general stood in front of the glass and the camera, watching the lifeless desert.

“Are we ready to record it?” the general turned around to see Jung sweating.

“Where are the others?” Jung asked in confusion. “Are we the only ones here? No scientists or agents? Tek-Tus officials who worked?”

“This detonation was rushed. We are the only ones who will watch it,” Minister Thomas explained while walking around the room to cool himself. “This will be a historical event, Jung. After this…” he smiled and reached for his handkerchief. “The Nagarians will shit themselves,” he laughed with the generals and his soldiers.

“That is true. After this, we will be uplifted into a new superpower. Nagarians will shut their mouths once and for all,” the general spoke with his chest puffed outwards. “Hellsum will be another key player. Not in this region, but in the world,” the general clapped his hands. “Right, we have everything here. The switch, good view, a high limit dosimeter to check the radiation at ground zero…”

Jung wrote what the general said, taking notes in a small notebook from his pocket.

“Are you taking notes, Mr Jung?” the general pointed to the notebook.

“This?” Jung raised his notebook. “Just trying to figure out which word I can use when writing the article.”

“I thought we were going to televise this?” the general looked at Minister Thomas.

“We are. But Jung is also going to put it on the paper,” Minister Thomas walked closer to the camera they will be using. “Not everyone in the world has television, General Arthur,” Thomas inspected the camera facing the desert. “After we win this new age of deterrent, we can sleep soundly.”

Ira barges into the bunker, opening the hulking steel door and sealing it after he enters with sweat all over his body. He watched the room staring at him with an uncomfortable stare.

“We haven’t done it, have we?” Ira swallows his saliva.

“We haven’t. So be ready,” Minister Thomas took a step backwards and let Ira take his place to operate the camera.

“What do we need to do first?” the general asked the two journalists.

“We start with your speech, sir,” Ira answered behind the camera. “Just stood in front of the camera, facing the lens. After you finish, please step away from the camera and let us record the entire events unfold,” Ira explained in great detail.

“So, that’s only for the speech. What about the result of the detonations?” Jung asked behind the camera’s footage.

“I have someone who will deliver it to both of you,” said General Arthur when he was readying himself in front of the camera.

“So, are we good?” Jung prepared his notebook and pencil on his arm.

“Ready,” General Arthur took a deep breath.

He walked in front of the camera, looking at the lens with a stern face. He stood tall, brows furrowed. The camera watched him standing before everyone in the world, with determination in his posture.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the world.

My name is General Arthur of Hellsum. I stand before you to unveil a new capability our nation has reached. We have been leading the world in technological advancements. Today, we will show you a new type of deterrence, the neutron bomb.

Unlike conventional nuclear bombs, the neutron bomb emits a burst of intense neutron radiation. This radiation is incredibly lethal to living organisms, especially to human beings. However, its destructive power is focused primarily on neutralising enemy combatants while leaving infrastructures and buildings largely intact.

Now please…” General Arthur stepped aside.

A hush fell over the room. The tension was palpable, the weight of the moment almost unbearable for Jung. But there was no turning back now. A soldier began a countdown, holding a switch in his hands.

"Five... four... three... two... one... mark!"

With a deafening roar, the desert floor erupted in a blinding flash of light. A massive column of energy surged upwards, creating an otherworldly spectacle against the sky. The ground trembled beneath their feet as shockwaves rippled through the air.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Inside the bunker was placed a radiation detector. It raised over the maximum threshold, still showing signs of growing radiation inside the dead zone. Jung’s heart beats even faster, his breathing grows intense the more he stares at the crackling sound of the high-limit dosimeter.

As the dust settled, they stood in awe, their faces a mix of horror and wonder. The weapon had done exactly as intended – neutralizing organic matter while sparing structures. Yet, the magnitude of its power was beyond anything they had ever seen, leaving them breathless.

II

Everyone left the bunker after the grand spectacle of the neutron bomb. Minister Thomas grabbed Jung and Ira quite far from the generals, talking together in secret.

“Whatever you just witnessed today, do not talk about it. Are we clear?” Thomas watched the pale faces of Jung and Ira. “Once I tell you to publish it, then we are in the clear. What I need you to do is prepare the tape and the news article prototype. Send it to me first, please. I know this is your journalism, but for the sake of our safety and the world, please…” Thomas begged with his arms. “Please send it to the Ministry of Information. Bring it to my office yourselves, then be quiet. Don’t say a word until I give the green light.”

“Yes, sir,” Jung and Ira agreed.

“Good. Now is probably the best time for us to pack. I can’t stand this desert, and now there is a lifeless desert with tons of radiation,” once again, Minister Thomas uses his hat to fan himself.

The general pursued them, leaving the site, and waving to them to stop.

“Having a chat?” General Arthur asked when he approached.

“Yes. We got what we came for, sir,” Jung turned around to see him.

“We will bring you those tapes you need from ground zero. It will be hard for humans to record it, but not so hard for a robot to do so,” the general looked into the distance of the blast. “Who will I give it to?”

“Ira will need the recordings, Jung needs the pictures,” Thomas explained while patting both of their shoulders.

“I have a question,” Jung put his hand above his forehead to block the sun. “Will we be showing images or recordings of dead beings? Animals, or plants?”

“We use some animals and plants as test subjects. We can give them to you,” General Arthur offered. “But now. It’s time for us to depart. The world shall tremble before our technological might. No need to bow before the west anymore, the fate of the earth is in our hands,” Arthur clenched his fist.

Jung only stared at the dirt beneath him, wondering what was about to come. He just witnessed a new type of bomb irradiating the earth. If the nuke was enough to terrorise mankind, would the neutron do the same?

“Mr Jung?” Arthur called. “Are you okay?” he shook Jung’s shoulder.

“I’m fine. It’s just the heat, that’s all,” Jung waved away the notion.

“What now?” Ira asked, looking at them in confusion.

“We leave. You have a plane back to Hueyyad don’t you?” Thomas asked Ira.

“Yes. I have it somewhere,” Ira patted himself. “I think it might still be in my bag at the hotel.”

“Do not lose it. We have paid for it. Same plane, no? Both of you,” Thomas slightly turned his head down while raising his brows.

“Yes. Same plane, same hour, different seat,” Jung answered.

“Good. Now let’s get into the truck,” Minister Thomas stomped when walking to the truck. “I can’t stand this place anymore.”

Minutes later everyone entered the trucks. They left the area, with Jung looking back at the wasteland. He could see some remnants of the explosion. Bright colours in the sky of the desert, an aurora which kills.

III

He barely opened his eyes and pressed his face against the soft pillow. He pulled the bedcovers up to his chin for comfort. When searching for a suitable position to sleep again, someone knocked on the door to his room.

“Jung? Jung!? Are you awake?” someone screamed behind the door at the end of the room.

“I am,” Jung yawned and rose from his slumber, stretching his arms. “Who is it?”

“It’s me!” Ira spoke behind the door. “Are you ready?”

“Ready for what?” Jung asked with a raspy morning voice.

“The plane will take off at twelve. Now it’s already nine,” Ira spoke.

“Hold on. I’ll be ready in a moment,” Jung loudly answered Ira to make him shut up.

“Sure, sure… I’ll be waiting in the lobby,” Ira responded before leaving with his footsteps fading.

Jung groaned as he opened the bathroom door. He washed himself thoroughly before dressing up in his suit. Jung packed his belongings in his bag and then left the room after a great refreshing wake-up. He closed the door and locked the room with the key, then continued his steps to the elevator. Pressing the button, he waited for it to arrive. A single ring announced the elevator, opening the door with a single hotel servant to help his descent.

“Wait!” a hurrying step of a heel approached the elevator.

The hotel servant held back from pressing the button while Jung blocked the door from closing. Not long, a blonde woman in a blue dress entered the elevator. She pants after the rush to catch the elevator. She held her white gloves in her hands and wore them once the door closed.

“Thank you, sir,” she thanked them both with a gentle smile.

The two men nodded slightly, and they waited for the swift descent. The woman’s dress covers just about above her ankle, a bright vibrant to wake up Jung’s morning in a good way. Once the door opens after the ring, they both leave with Jung giving her the first step. They walked separate ways, but Jung still watched her walking with such beauty.

“Jung,” a familiar voice called. “Come here. Let’s get breakfast here first,” Ira invited Jung to the hotel dining.

They found an empty table and sat together, waiting for someone to take their orders. The room wasn’t full, but it was lively when they could hear a fountain somewhere but couldn’t be seen. Not long a well-dressed young hotel servant attends to their table, presenting the menu.

“What would you like to have, gentlemen?” the servant asked politely, holding his own hands with a smile.

“What do people like to order here?” Jung asked the hotel servant.

“Here people would like to order something that’s not too full for the stomach. But more importantly, are Ice Creams,” he smiled.

“I’d like that,” Ira’s eyes bulged with delight.

“We take two Ice creams as deserts,” Jung showed two fingers to the servant.

“Any flavours would you like?” the servant revealed a note in his hands.

Jung waited for Ira to answer.

“I’ll have a strawberry,” Ira told the servant.

“Same with me,” Jung followed.

“And the main course?” the servant held his pen prepared.

“I’ll pick the best course you have here. What about you Jung?”

“The ice cream would do just fine for me. Perhaps a glass of milk, please,” Jung ordered with a nod.

The servant made sure the orders were correct before leaving them in the dining room.

“So, you are lactose tolerant? You just ordered ice cream, a dairy product, with milk, another dairy product,” Ira placed his arms on the table.

“I can handle it. I can drink a carton of milk in a day. Elizabeth always bought me milk when I ran out of them,” Jung opened his hat and placed it on the table.

“Oh, your neighbour?” Ira inquired. “Gotta say. I kinda like her,” he giggles.

“Do you?” Jung suspiciously questioned.

“Oh, I’m just toying with you, Jung. Go ahead, take her on a date somewhere nice. I know you like her,” Ira teased Jung. “Make sure both of you nicely wine and dine before—”

Before finishing his sentence, a scream appeared out of nowhere. Everyone in the room looked around to see what just happened. Jung turned around while Ira stood up. Both of them saw a hotel servant calmly escort a woman and her child out of the dining room.

“I paid for it!” she shouted at the servant.

They can’t hear what the servant said to the woman with her child, but eventually, the young woman cursed at the servant in another language before storming off. The room eventually calmed down once more and people sat back in their seats.

“What the hell was that?” Ira sat down slowly.

“I’m not sure, but I think she was Nagarian,” Jung answered, still with his head facing backwards to the scene.

“Let the brown broad leave. I think we deserve some peace after yesterday,” Ira popped a smoke.

“Guess you’re right. We also have more work after this,” Jung’s hand demanded the smoke from Ira. “Lots of writing and editing,” Jung put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it. “What time is it, anyway?” Jung searched for a clock in the room.

“Ten fifteen,” Ira checked his watch. “We still have time, or should we just leave?” Ira puffed a smoke.

“Let’s just eat quickly, then leave,” Jung decided.

After they ate their breakfast, the two checked out of their room and paid for the services. They left the hotel and called for a taxi to pick them up. Meanwhile, a couple of steps beside them was a continuing argument.

“Madam, you need to calm down,” the policeman said.

“How can I live with this? They kicked me out, even though I paid. And because of what? The colour of my skin? The language?” the woman screamed at the policeman.

“Maam, lower your voice,” the second policeman approached the woman slowly. “There’s no need for anger here.”

“I’ve had it with you. My ancestors live in this land more than yours!” she pointed her finger at the policeman’s face. “And you treated me like an animal!? Calling me names?” she pushed the policeman’s chest with a finger.

“That’s it. Hands behind your back, ma’am,” he turned the woman around.

Her daughter cried when the police arrested her. She cursed at them in Nagarian, which Jung couldn’t understand, but he recognised the anger and pain. She struggled in handcuffs, but the policemen threw her inside their car, along with her scared daughter. Some clapped their hands, some just stood in silence.

“Get that dumb broad out of here,” one gentleman said.

“Can we stop these monkeys shouting?” a lady whispered to her husband.

By the time the police car left, the taxi driver exited his car. He walked to Jung and Ira still standing and stepped in front of them.

“Taxi, sir?” he politely asked Jung.

“Yes. To the airport,” Jung nodded as he snapped out of the aftermath.

The taxi driver grabbed both Jung’s and Ira’s bags and placed them in the car's trunk. A valet opened the taxi’s door for Jung and Ira, and they set off as the taxi driver entered. The commute was swift, with four lanes and enough traffic lights to help them reach their destination. Jung watched the building they passed. Tall, but not that tall compared to the skyscrapers in Hueyyad.

“Leaving Dellum, sir?” the taxi driver broke the silence.

“We’re heading to Hueyyad,” Ira answered, turning his attention from the window to the driver.

“Do you live here, or not?” the driver stared through the rear mirror.

“No… We’re from Hueyyad. We’re just travelling here for business,” Ira’s elbow pushed Jung for attention.

“Was it a pleasant experience here?” he asked.

“It was. It could’ve been better though if not that hot,” Jung said sarcastically.

“That’s true,” the driver grinned. “But I heard Hueyyad is also hot now in summer.”

“And extremely cold in winter. But not that cold,” Jung shrugged. “Just cold enough to snow.”

“It’s weird that a desert could snow,” the taxi driver responded.

“Aren’t we on the border of something? I don’t remember. I forgot my geography class,” Ira rubbed his chin.

“Border of what? With the Nagarians?” the taxi driver asked, his eyes watching Jung and Ira from the mirror.

“Not them, but the climate. I don’t know. The Nagarians should have the same climate as ours, but they have the mountains,” Ira pursed his lips.

“Good for them to keep the peace, huh? The Nagarian woman back there sure caused a lot of stir. Dellum is a peaceful city, we had no problems with them,” the driver stated.

“True to that, sir,” Ira’s hand pretended to raise a wine. “We have enough problems with them.”

“I know. What’s so hard to round up the Nagarians and get them back to their country?” he smirked. “Don’t you agree, sir?” the driver looked at Jung.

“Must be one hell of a logistic to throw them out en masse,” Jung showed a little smile.

“Whatever it costs to make them leave, I’ll do anything,” the driver answered.

After a quick drive to the airport, the taxi driver helped them out with their belongings. Jung opened his wallet before Ira and paid for the travel. The two of them watched the busy airport, many people walking back and forth with their suitcases, from families to pilots with their female flight attendants walking together. Jung and Ira walked through the crowds and prepared to board the flight.