They were now all in a large truck, with Ian and the leader conversating in the front seats, while the others were in the container, stocked with weapons of all sorts.
"I believe we haven't introduced ourselves to you," the leader spoke while driving. "My name's Joseph, and we're a group of rebels. Most of us escaped from that oppressive capital and want to end its systems once and for all"
Ian replied softly, hoping to not strike a nerve, "why? I mean yeah, the servers seem unreliable at times, but I don't think destroying them would make it better?"
"No that's not why we want to get there! We've scoured through a lot of history and found a world completely different from todays! It was more natural, none of this Artificial intelligence crap ruling over us. We were free to choose what we wanted to do! People could even have jobs! They still had technology, but it was way better! Take this transportation tool you're sitting in. Nowadays you have to walk with those quirky high-speed boots but back then, you could just sit and drive!"250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpzouPc3wg
"Yeah, but it's two or three times slower," Ian argued, pointing out the vehicle's pathetically slow speed, "I don't think this one is even suitable for driving- "
"But that's the point!" Joseph asserted, "The world was moving at a much slower pace and this is just a sign of that. There was a time when you could just have your car break down and all you could do was sit around and talk! Nobody seems to have time for that besides simple texting on phones!"
"I mean, I've read up that phones are way older than they seem, so this probably isn't a new issue."
"Maybe they did exist back then, but I imagine they were for much more useful things!" Joseph pridefully replied.
The truck was nearly at the left entrance of the capital at this point. "Anyway, we'll be finding a use for that phone of yours, so hold on to it for now- "
Suddenly, their path was met with explosions. The dust blocked his view while bullets were felt clanking against the metal frame of the truck. The truck swerved around in zigzagging, unstable motions, until it suddenly crashed on its side. Luckily, nobody had died, yet. Joseph and Ian began to collect themselves and peaked out of the car window placed side up from the crash. 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytd7qdgMU7
"Drones," Joseph mumbled angrily to himself, "of course, they had to come out right now of all times."
He hopped out of the door, helped Ian get out and walked towards the container, full of his injured fighters and rebels. He banged at the door to call for them and they all came out grunting and wincing in pain.
"Alright people!" Joseph shouted, "We all have to protect Ian and, especially his phone at all costs!" 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92hlzV3gYI
The soldiers gathered themselves with their weapons and all gathered around Ian. 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgfTr10JAP
"We only have one shot at this!" The leader commanded, "CHARGE!" and the fight was on.
With shields, spiked bats and guns, they all ran towards the drones guarding the entrance and with a fell swoop, they pounced onto their aerial enemies. Many shot the drones down, while an insane few decided to try to jump and hit them down like piñatas. Joseph was right beside Ian, shooting down as many drones nearby as possible. One by one, the drones were taken care of as they went closer towards the entrance until there seemed to be none left. 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ460KQkvrz
The army let their guard down by that point; and then another ambush hit them, except this was even more deadly. Bigger drones came by with worse weapons, including high energy lasers and aerial bombs, blowing them far away from the path. 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQO1WaVNdLL
While everyone was busy trying to recover and revolt, Ian was left to fend off for himself. He saw a drone flying dead straight towards him. He tried to ready himself for a possible swing at the drone, as if the drone wouldn't shoot him beforehand. The drone was heading closer and closer, as if a distant shot would've been unsatisfying and something riskier would be justified. Ian closed his eyes and hoped for the best. 250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJUioMZjju
The drone merely flew by, slightly upwards to shoot at the army. Ian was shocked at how he was still alive. Then, he realized the drones were only targeting the rebels. In a moment of opportunity, both to get inside the capital and to get away from the lunacy of the situation, he dashed towards the entrance gate and finally got inside. The first step of his journey was finally complete.
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