25/06/20XX: Ration depot - 15:20
A couple in line at the ration depot get into a heated argument. Despite the efforts of those around them, the couple turns on the onlookers violently. The depot's Decoder calms the couple down, containing the spread of the emotional trigger.
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25/06/20XX: Ration depot - 15:23
The rear of the depot connected to the external transit is blown off, and machine soldiers enter the hole, slaughtering everyone in the depot. Several charges are placed around the depot, and heavy equipment is brought in as the group marches out of the depot.
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25/06/20XX: Ration depot - 15:27
The charges detonate, and the explosions set off tremors rocking the cluster and the surrounding earth.
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25/06/20XX: Dallard residence - 15:27
Three generations of the Dallard family gathered in the sitting room for their usual afternoon fun, playing with Duan Dallard, the youngest and first of his generation. Duan's parents and grandparents engaged him in fun but challenging games. Now the boy sat in the midst of his father and grandfather, locked in a game of wit. Too young to understand what was going on, Duan enjoyed watching the figures move about on the holoboard.
As he cheered excitedly at the clash of two knights, the first tremors began. Soon their home shook violently, and the loud crashing and cracking as the earth split echoed through the walls. The noise and trembling so frightened Duan that he cried. His father handed him to his mother and left the room hurriedly.
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25/06/20XX: Dallard residence - 15:35
Duan's father, Xu, was a defence knight. The tremors were a sign the enemy was attacking their city. As Xu powered on his vehicle in the bay, Duan's cries became hysterical once he realised that his father was about to leave. His mother, Sulin, stood in the window with him as they watched his father prepare the vehicle to leave. Duan stretched out his hand towards the vehicle and cried louder. Sulin, unable to bear his hysterics, brought him to the launch pad to see his father off.
"Is your armour loaded?" Sulin asked.
"Yes."
"Your shield?"
"Repaired."
"He doesn't want you to go."
Xu looked at his wife and son. Duan was fighting Sulin's hold on him, trying to reach into the vehicle.
"Give him to me," Xu said, reaching through the window.
Cradling the boy in his arms, he hummed a familiar tune, Duan's favourite song, the defence knights' anthem.
"Duan, when you are old enough, you will understand why we must do our duty."
Another series of tremors shook the earth violently. In the distance, the top shield layer sagged and crumbled, bringing down dust and debris. Xu's vehicle flashed a red alert: Roof Breach.
Xu handed Duan back to his wife. A brief moment of silence passed between the two as they stared at each other. Then Xu's vehicle launched, speeding away towards the new breach.
ns 15.158.61.8da2
