Standing in the kitchen, I felt like a solitary spectator before a silent spectacle. Magic unfolded slowly as the coffee, black as the departed night, poured into the cup. It was as if I were witnessing the creation of a magical potion, a blend capable of dissipating the dense fog that shrouded my mind after a relentless night.
The clock on the wall, unperturbed in its inexorable march, cruelly indicated 9 AM. My own tired reflection stared back at me from the toaster, a cruel mirror reflecting deep circles like scars from a nocturnal battle fought exclusively against my tumultuous thoughts.
As the morning routine unfolded, the holodisk, without ceremony, echoed news about the recent terrorist attacks in New Eden. The distant sound of the ravaged city blended with the deep voice of the announcer, bringing an urgent tone that pierced the kitchen's silence. The day marked the twenty-second of the first cycle of 3042, and the shadows of events in the city echoed in the mornings, stealing even the comforting aroma of coffee amidst the disturbing news.
The toaster, a faithful daily alarm, interrupted my thoughts with its sharp hum. Distracting myself in the daily routine and morning ritual had become essential to keeping myself upright, both literally and figuratively. The cups, precisely aligned on the counter, eagerly awaited to be filled with the hot elixir that promised clarity in a tumultuous world.
I sighed deeply, shifting my gaze to Hawthorne, who was elegantly seated at the table. Her blonde hair flowed freely, bathed in the morning rays that painted her face. Her appearance was impeccable, and her eyes, the color of the sea on a clear day, offered an almost ethereal sight. I stood for a while, unable to look away, before deciding to walk towards her and take my place at the table.
"Whisper, if you don't mind me asking, how did you meet Blackwell?" I inquired, holding the coffee cup, bringing it to my lips for another sip.
"You can call me Lila, Aidan. That's my name," she replied with an angelic smile, before continuing. "I met Evelyn when I was about 11 years old. She rescued me from an accident, and since then, she took care of me. I wouldn't know what to do without her, or Pomodoro."
"11 years old? If I may ask, what happened to you at 11?" I insisted, while savoring another sip of coffee.
"Stories for another day, Aidan," replied Lila, glancing down the hallway where my mother was finally approaching.
In a gentle gesture, I stood up to help my mother, whose frailty seemed to grow every day. Seeing Lila at home, she smiled at me before focusing on the girl. "Look, my little boy is growing up. Who would she be?" my mother asked, smiling as she walked towards the table.
"Good morning, Miss Winters," greeted Lila with a delicate smile.
"You can call me Nashandra. And what's your name, my dear?" asked my mother.
"My name is Lila; I am a friend of your son," Lila Hawthorne replied to Nashandra.
I maintain an uncomfortable smile on my face, unsure of how to handle the whole situation. The coffee in the cup, once comforting, now seemed a silent witness to a complex and unexplored family dynamic.
I walked to the coffee maker, pouring another cup for my mother. Checking the clock, I realized that there were only a few minutes left for the train to depart. I approached my mother, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead, while Lila prepared to accompany me.
In the room, I grabbed my jacket thrown on the bed and the small backpack. Lila watched me from the door, patiently waiting for me to finish my tasks.
"How can I explain to others at the Academy the fact that a Black Jacket is keeping me company?" I commented, grabbing my holodisk as I headed to the apartment door.
"You don't need to worry about that; Evelyn took care of it already," assured Lila with a smile.
"It's strange, the people who turned my life upside down acting like this with me," I sighed as I closed the door and headed to the elevator.
Contemplating the cityscape through the elevator window, my thoughts were tumultuous from the last 24 hours. The notification on the holodisk seemed to disturb my mind, but even before I could read it, the city's security alarm sounded in my hand, indicating the collapse of the New Eden dome.
Lila's ethereal gaze sparkled, her smile indicating something more complex. Reflected in her blue eyes was Pomodoro's massive attack. New Eden was under attack, and this time, Pomodoro had managed to destroy our dome.
Lila's smile seemed to detach from reality itself. My head spun, and I desperately ran back to my apartment. I opened the door and ran towards my mother's room, who was already lying in her life capsule. I ran towards the panel, typing quickly as I looked out the window and saw more and more missiles descending towards New Eden.
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"Please, damn it, wake up, Mom," I murmured as I executed the emergency protocol. I ran to the drawer, grabbing a case with 10 bullets and the injection gun. I opened the capsule through the emergency passage, breaking the bullet ampule, and inserted it into the gun, injecting it directly into my mother's neck.
Hearing her heavy breathing and seeing her sit up, I looked at her worriedly, her gaze meeting mine in confusion.
"Aidan? What happened?" my mother asked.
"We need to get out of here, now," I concluded, helping her to stand.
After helping my mother sit up, I found Lila standing at the door, moving towards me with an expression filled with urgency.
"We need to go, Aidan. Evelyn has already arranged everything for you and your mother," announced Lila, her hand resting reassuringly on my shoulder.
"Alright... you knew, didn't you?" I questioned, assisting my mother and watching through the window as chaos unfolded. Pomodoro's explosions tore through the sky, and our dome crumbled towards the inevitable collapse.
"Yes," replied Lila, she took off her jacket and handed me the characteristic white piece. Aidan Winters' White Jacket, Agent Rev.
"Son, what's happening?" Nashandra asked, her eyes seeking understanding as I wore the White Jacket and let the red one slide to the floor.
"Mom, the city is under Pomodoro's bombardment. We need to get out of here," I explained, feeling the weight of responsibility on my shoulders. I grabbed some clothes for my mother, urgency hanging like an oppressive shadow.
Lila, besides arranging the change of clothes, picked up a small suitcase from the corner of the room. Upon opening it, she revealed a series of devices and medical supplies.
"Evelyn left this for you. It might come in handy," suggested Lila, while I tried to assimilate the reality unfolding before me.
The thunderous sound outside, chaos painting the sky with smoke and explosions, echoed like a symphony of despair. I helped my mother put on the clothes, my mind seeking a safe way out for us.
"Come on, Mom. We need to find a safe place," I murmured, leading her through the corridor. My steps were fast and determined, but my heart beat heavily, aware of the uncertainty unfolding outside.
As we left the apartment, the corridor was empty; the neighbors had already sought refuge. The flickering light of alarms and the distant echo of sirens completed the cacophony that had become our reality. The elevator, our path to uncertainty, awaited patiently.
Lila followed by my side, her expression reflecting a determination that matched the gravity of the moment. As we entered the elevator, the door closed, isolating us from what remained of the familiar routine. The world outside was chaotic, and I, now wearing the White Jacket, was about to face the unknown, with my mother by my side and Lila as a protective shadow in this scenario of uncertainties.
We reached the ground, my mother and Lila by my side. The car was already waiting, and I had no time for deliberations. I ran towards the vehicle, my mother following me as she watched Lila talk to the driver.
"Everything will be fine, Mom. I promise you that," I murmured, trying to deceive myself. I knew deep down that all the chaos around me was my fault. I had never imagined that my life would turn upside down so abruptly. None of this was expected.
Lila got into the car next to me, and the driver started moving. My mother, with a fragile smile, tried to console me in the face of my trembling voice. The car took an unusual route, heading towards the imposing New Eden Academy. My view narrowed, trying to understand the reason.
"Why the Academy, Lila?" I asked, looking at her as she settled in.
"Evelyn intends to use the Academy's facilities to set up the defense and evacuation of our squad. You know the reason well," explained Lila, typing on her holodisk.
Once again in front of the towering New Eden Academy and Artillery School, with its sky-defying structure and imposing walls, this time filled with Green and Purple Jackets hovering around. My arrival did not go unnoticed; two Purple Jackets flew towards us.
The car door opened, and Lila, wearing her Black Jacket, stepped out followed by me, sporting the White Jacket. Our ranks, the highest in New Eden's power hierarchy, were clearly indicated.
"Agent Hawthorne and Agent Winters, we came due to an emergency. Agent Winters' mother needs an emergency capsule, and the requisition comes directly from Agent Blackwell. Prepare the squad for an immediate meeting. Isolate the students from the dormitory and organize the meeting for yesterday," ordered Lila, and everyone complied promptly. The presence of a Black Jacket and, especially, a White Jacket made curious eyes widen in the face of the imminent seriousness of the situation.
The emergency light cast a distorted tone over the chaotic scene unfolding. The ground vibrated under the missiles' thunderous roars, while the New Eden dome collapsed, fragmenting into a dance of luminous debris. Urgency spread through the air, and I found myself alongside Lila, my mother, and a contingent of Blue Jackets who approached to help.
I approached my mother, giving her a kiss on the forehead as I sought comfort in my words. "Everything will be fine, Mom. Later, I'll explain everything." The resignation in her eyes was evident, but she silently agreed.
Lila, observing the scene, began to walk towards the car, and I followed, pondering the twists and turns that had led me to the position I now occupied. As we walked, the horizon was tinged with the trails of destruction caused by Pomodoro's missiles. I remembered the day when I joined the academy as an employee, before becoming a Red Jacket and Combat Assistant, before becoming Aidan Winters, a White Jacket, responsible for events that seemed to elude understanding.
The white-blue uniforms guided and instructed other students, forming a small squad that accompanied us. Lila kept walking with determination, and I followed, thoughtful about what would come next.
It didn't take long for us to reach the headquarters of the staff and the Red Jackets. Upon entering the building, looks of surprise and curiosity turned towards me. Valentina, Albert, Gabriela, and Ethan, my fellow Red Jackets, displayed expressions of bewilderment at the sudden change.
The temptation shone in their eyes, wishing to approach, but the urgency of the situation did not allow it. Our footsteps echoed in the hallway as Lila, I, and the small squad of white-blue students headed into the building. The atmosphere was tense, imbued with the expectation of the unknown that would unfold before us.
The headquarters was buzzing with activity when we entered. The commotion was palpable, echoing in the corridors. Valentina, Albert, Gabriela, and Ethan continued watching us, their anxious looks questioning the reason for my presence there. Lila, in turn, demonstrated authority in every step, and I tried to follow her example.
We crossed bustling corridors, passing by Red Jackets who focused on their tasks. Students in white-blue uniforms maintained apparent order, awaiting instructions. The meeting room, usually reserved for administrative deliberations, was now transformed into an improvised command center.
Lila positioned herself at the front, while I stood by her side, observing the frantic hustle around us. Her serious and determined expression conveyed the gravity of the situation. Amid the expectant silence, Lila began to speak.
"Agent Hawthorne and Agent Winters. We brought Agent Winters' mother in search of an emergency capsule. The request comes directly from Agent Blackwell. Prepare the squad for an immediate meeting. Isolate the students from the dormitory and organize the meeting for yesterday." Her words, firm and clear, resonated in the room, repeating once again her initial order, this time to everyone present.
Red Jackets and white-blue uniformed students moved, responding quickly to Lila's orders. The curious gazes of my fellow Red Jackets now mixed with a growing understanding but still filled with perplexity. Valentina, in particular, maintained an inquisitive look as she tried to discern what was happening.
Lila addressed me, "Aidan, come with me." I nodded and followed her as she headed towards a reserved area. The room was equipped with strategic maps, communication monitors, and an atmosphere of urgency. It was evident that the Academy was now at the epicenter of efforts to contain the crisis.