Humanity has been at war since the dawn of history. Bloodshed accompanied them from the beginning. It was unique species. One of the kind. Only humans could create so many beautiful things and at the same time so many ways to destroy them. For centuries, they laid the foundations of moral principles. Only to break them all.

After each war, they modified the old system and replace it with the new ones. The only purpose was to control the world. They destroyed everything on their way. They grew like cancer, devouring Earth.

However, everything in the universe has its beginning and the end.

There was a time that the next generations called annihilation. Humanity has plunged into the depths of war. The world has divided into two camps and so began the end. The iron curtain slowly descended to finish the spectacle called “Humans”.

 ---------------------------------------------------

Two soldiers lay on the hill watching the city destroyed in war. It was already in the dark and they couldn't see anything if not for the night vision device. The town seemed to be abandoned. The collapsed buildings were losing the battle with Mother Nature. Ruins were covered with lush vegetation and the metal lanterns with rust. Empty windows were shattered by time and looters. Now they were called rats by utopian inhabitants of reborn city-states.

- I can’t understand why we couldn’t take moss with us?

Private Bussho was enrolled into a unite quite recently. Corporal Tahasiro wasn’t optimistic about him from the beginning. If not for Noam chancellor he would never take him into ranks. He agreed to this mission in hope at least once the enemy will be useful so he could return home without him. He didn’t wish him death. He just lost so many good soldiers. He couldn’t stand the thought of this fucking bastard would see the end of the war.

Small Bussho perfectly fits the position. Two boulders on the sides was covering him well. In the front bush dried from the radiation hides him like one-way mirror, making him invisible for enemies. He didn’t stand out as anything special from others. Usual paycheck as many. Tahasiro couldn’t even find one distinguishing feature. Well, except for the fact that he had none.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

- You have a plate armor, stop moaning.

Tahasiro grunted and returned to his operational armband. It was real small commanding center. It could be connected to the base, satellites, and even had a live view of the cameras placed in the helmets of subordinates. In couple clicks he could issue orders and send them directly to subordinate googles.

Young man stared for a moment at the corporal like he was tapping something in his CC. He sensed the corporal's reluctance to his person. It is hard not to notice such signals in military and in a mission, it has certain risk. They should trust and rely on each other.

However, Bussho was not one of those whom torments such thoughts. He could would tell him what he thought of him, instead he just huffs the air and looks though binocular.

- Nothing - he said after a moment.

Corporal rose slightly from his place and crouch down. Plate armor could save from direct fire, and even from the small explosion, but in recent times, more and more often the enemy used laser snipers. Combined with motion detectors, night vision and infrared cameras there was no chance of survival. Thanks to long-lasting war such equipment was rare but still appear. He slapped the young man in the shoulder to catch his attention.

- Time to go kiddo.

- Copy that. I started to freeze to the ground.

Wastelands were impossible hot during the day and freezing during the night. In two hours climate has changed from the desert into north pole. Corporal has pointed his left arm towards dry dirt between them and displayed holographic map of the terrain from the satellite.

- We are here and we must get here – said corporal pointing red mark on the map.

- With all respect sir, but shouldn’t we go the base? It was just scout mission...

- Congrats, kiddo! You are just assigned to secret mission. We must meet there with our informer.

Tahasiro has started smiling seeing stunning Bussho. Special mission? Why didn’t they tell him on briefing?

- It’s time to go. Take your staffs and we’re out of here.

Bussho couldn’t even discuss. No. He didn’t even want to. He’s raised his riffle and attached binocular to his armor.  

Seems to be long night – he thought.