The leader’s office was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos of the argument outside. He motioned for me to sit down across from him, his face etched with concern.
“Lead,” he began, his voice low and steady, “the situation has escalated more quickly than we anticipated. BioSync’s surveillance has become dangerously sophisticated, and our internal conflict is only making us more vulnerable.”
I nodded, the weight of his words settling over me. “I understand. You think we should split up, go underground in different countries?”
“Yes,” he confirmed. “It’s the best way to ensure the survival of the resistance. It’s risky to have you in the same places — especially not Cyto and Allelea together. Cyto will be heading to Russia. It suits his… scientific approach. But for you and Allelea, I was thinking India. It’s vibrant, diverse, and teeming with life—a place where you can both blend in and begin anew.”
I considered his suggestion, the reality of leaving everything behind suddenly very real. “India could work,” I said slowly. “But what about the resistance? Splitting up now, when we’re already at odds”
The leader leaned forward, his eyes locking onto mine. “That’s exactly why you must go, Lead. You have the vision and the calm needed to hold things together. Allelea needs your support, and you need the space to grow into your role as a leader without the constant challenge of Cyto’s methods.”
I took a deep breath, the leader’s faith in me both humbling and daunting. “Alright. We’ll do it. We’ll take the fight to India and keep the flame of resistance alive.”
He nodded, a grave smile on his lips. “Good. I’ll make the arrangements. You leave at dawn. It’s a new beginning, Lead. For you, for Allelea, for all of us.”
I couldn’t help but let out a small gasp. “Dawn? That’s very soon… uh, what about college?”
The leader shook his head. “Schools and colleges were shut down by BioSync ages ago. You study online anyway, don’t you? You could take your education with you.”
The realization that my academic pursuits could continue, albeit in a different form, was a small comfort amidst the upheaval. “Yes, I do study online,” I acknowledged. “But it’s not just about attending virtual lectures. It’s about the resources, the network, the environment… Can we really replicate that same environment in India?”
The leader’s expression was one of understanding. “We’ll ensure you have access to the internet and the necessary tools to continue your education. After all, it's not the 1900's. The Internet is everywhere, and resources are aplenty. The resistance has always valued knowledge and learning. It’s part of what we’re fighting for—freedom of information, freedom to learn and grow.”
I nodded, the determination settling in. “Then I’m ready. Education is a part of who I am, and I won’t let BioSync take that away from me. Or from any of us.”
“Exactly,” the leader said, standing up. “Now, go prepare. Time is of the essence, and we have much to do before dawn.”
“Wait-” I stopped him, my palms feeling wet as a . “Can I ask you a question? Why aren’t Cyto and Allelea going together? Why me and Allelea? Is it because those two are at odds or because they being together might look suspicious?”
“Your observation is astute,” he remarked. “The decision for Cyto and Allelea to go their separate ways is indeed twofold. Firstly, their recent ideological clash suggests that their partnership may currently be more volatile than productive. Their differing strategies could lead to further discord, which would be detrimental to the resistance’s objectives.
Secondly, from a strategic standpoint, it’s wise to avoid patterns that BioSync or government surveillance might predict or recognize. Cyto and Allelea, being prominent figures within the resistance, traveling together could draw unwanted attention. It’s a classic divide and conquer strategy—by splitting up, they reduce the risk of being tracked and increase the chances of the resistance’s survival.
Your pairing with Allelea is due to the complementary nature of your skills and temperaments. Together, you present a united front that is less predictable and therefore less susceptible to interference. It’s about creating a balance of power and ensuring that the resistance can continue its work effectively, even under scrutiny.”
I nodded in understanding. “That makes sense, thank you, sir.” I replied. He simply nodded in acknowledgment as I left the room.
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Cyto
The air was thick with tension, the kind that clung to your skin and made you wish you could peel it away. I stood there, my back against the cold metal of the café chair, watching Allelea’s face contort with every word she hurled at me.
“Why can’t you see it, Cyto? We can’t just keep running from BioSync. We need to stand and fight!” Her voice was a crescendo of frustration, echoing off the sterile walls.
I shook my head, feeling the weight of my own convictions. “And what? Become martyrs? Allelea, we’re not soldiers, we’re survivors. There’s a difference.”
She slammed her hand on the table, making the stationery jump. “Survivors? Is that what you call this? Hiding in the shadows, hoping that someone else will fix the world for us?”
I could feel the sting of her words, sharp and unyielding. “It’s not about hiding, it’s about living. I want a life, Allelea, a real life—not this… this little crusade you’re on with Lead. You’ve known him for what, a week now?”
Her eyes, usually so full of warmth, were now cold and distant. “A real life?” she scoffed. “I’d rather face the unknown with Lead than live a lie with you.”
I felt my heart skip a beat. “Whatever, Lead has nothing to do with this. This is about us, about what we want. Can’t you see that?”
Allelea turned away, her shoulders rigid. “I see a future, Cyto. One where we don’t have to look over our shoulders every second. But that future needs us to fight for it.”
I reached out, my hand hovering over hers. “And I see a future where we don’t have to fight at all. Where we can just be.”
She looked at my hand, then at me, and for a moment, I saw the Allelea I knew—the one who laughed and dreamed. But then the moment passed, and the resolve returned to her eyes.
“We’ll never just ‘be’, Cyto. Not in this world. Not unless we make it happen.”
And with those words, she walked away, leaving me with the echo of our argument and the fear that our relationship was on thin ice.
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Allelea
My time at Berlin was short — very short as compared to my German companion beside me. Cyto & I were barely there for a week now.
The departure gate loomed before us, a portal to yet another chapter of our lives. Cyto stood a few paces away, his gaze fixed on the ground, a silent storm brewing within him. Lead, with his hands tucked into his pockets, seemed lost in thought, his brow furrowed with the weight of a thousand memories only he could recall.
I took a deep breath, the scent of coffee and the cacophony of voices from the bustling Berlin airport filling my senses. It was a stark contrast to the quiet turmoil that twisted in my stomach. Lead and I were about to board a plane to India, a land so vibrant and so distant from the sterile precision of Germany.
“Allelea,” he began, his voice barely above the chatter of the crowd, “I know you’re mad, but… we need to talk this out.”
He lifted his eyes to meet mine, and for a moment, I saw the flicker of the old Cyto, the one who dreamed of a world without BioSync’s shadow. But it vanished as quickly as it came, replaced by the hardened resolve of a man who had seen too much.
“There’s nothing left to say, Cyto,” I replied, my words sharp and final.
He turned to Lead, searching for an ally, but his expression was unreadable. “Lead, please, tell her—”
But Lead cut him off with a shake of his head. “This isn’t my fight, Cyto. You both need to figure this out.”
The announcement for my flight crackled over the intercom, a reminder that time was slipping through our fingers. I glanced between the two men, and felt a pang of loss. The unity we once shared was fractured, splintered by arguments and unspoken truths.
“Goodbye, Allelea,” Cyto whispered to me. “I hope we can see each other soon…”
“Me too, Cyto,” I managed to reply, my voice a mere breath. “Take care of yourself, okay?”
He nodded, a small, sad smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. It was a smile that spoke of memories, of shared dreams and whispered secrets. A smile that, despite everything, reminded me of the bond we once thought unbreakable.
Lead shifted beside me, his hand brushing against mine in a silent gesture of support. I could feel the tension radiating from him, the unspoken words that lay heavy on his heart.
As we turned to leave, I cast one last glance over my shoulder. Cyto stood there, a solitary figure among the hustle of the airport, a man out of step with the world rushing by.
India awaited us, with its promise of refuge and new battles to fight. But as the plane lifted off the ground, soaring into the sky, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were leaving more behind than just a city. We were leaving behind a piece of ourselves, and I wondered if we would ever be whole again.
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