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>>> Loading File...
>>> Subject Located...
>>> Continuing playback from previous save
>>> ALERT! There Is An Additional Note
>>> Executing Memory Update
>>> Run File Starlessvoid.mp3
>>> Playback: [It has been a long journey. For both of us. Truthfully. I'm sorry if you've felt... angry, hopeless, fearful. I know that the things you've seen throughout your path might haunt you. They haunt both of us, to some extent. I didn't mean to hurt you. But there was something special that needed to be said. You will not ever truly understand who I am. And in a way, it's comical, for I can never truly understand you either. I see your world through your eyes, but I can't really see... you. I don't know who you are. I feel like there is as much of myself that constitutes your being as there is something independent from that. I wish you nothing but the best of luck. You'll find out more about your world as you continue on, and trust me - you will continue on. I have made certain of that. Whether you'll truly find me is another question, one that I doubt you ever will. I know that you are afraid. And that's okay... cling onto that. Remember that you're still breathing, my friends.]
>>> Acknowledged
==[Begin Memory Playback]==
Infinity.
In infinity there was no concept of time.
No concept of passing seconds, or hours.
In the infinite, there was nothing.
Life just went on and on... forever.
Eli’s only knowledge that time indeed was passing was the continuous rise and fall of the sun. The window brightened with the sun’s awakening and dimmed with its slumber. He kept track of the days by scratching marks into the thin paint. Tallies. It had been weeks. Over a month now. But it was all pointless. They could keep him in this cell forever if they wanted to and it wouldn’t matter. In here, there was nothing. Like being sucked head first into a black hole just to be held in a perpetual stasis.
Endlessly.
He could feel himself losing it. Memories of the past were getting foggier than they used to. His senses were adapting to the cramped nature of the cell. He slumbered during the mornings when the bright sun burned his eyes, and was erratic during the night when the only sounds that could be heard were the wails of other prisoners getting beaten within the facility, the constant hum of the ventilation system, and the engines of industry churning outside of his window. He could feel bits of his mind slipping, one by one. Repeating the same threads of how it could’ve come to this.
Had he regretted doing what he had?
No. Not at all.
But he did regret winding up in solitary. That’s for sure. Maybe it would’ve been best if Misfit agreed to a ritualistic suicide immediately after the first helicopter laden with refugees departed Helena in order to spare themselves this unfortunate fate? But then, who would Overwatch have left to punish? The refugees surely would be caught in their fury. The other prisoners would as well. So much suffering just so Eli could escape the consequences of his actions? Even if he felt justified in doing them, that didn’t make them any less consequential.
No, this is what Rafael believed in when he spoke about rebellion. This is the fate of all would-be revolutionaries who fail.
The only answer then was to ensure that next time, he did not fail.
That is, if there would ever be a ‘next time’…
To keep himself sane, Eli adopted a ritual. One similar to the one he adopted during his first stint in this hellhole. During the nights, he would force himself out of bed and walk around his cell to stay active. He’d run around the limited space afforded to him, do jumping jacks, some basic exercises, anything to give his mind something to do. When that was finished, he’d use his sink to clean himself. Every other day the guards would administer him a new uniform – and they didn’t care if the old ones came back damaged. So, he’d tear off some of the plastic-like fabric of his uniform and use that as a rag to give himself some basic hygiene. There was no soap, only the limited water from the faucet – which was always cold – yet it beat rotting away in his own filth.
Speaking of filth, he became incredibly strict about where he kept his garbage. When his food was delivered, he would eat it on the floor near the door. Any crumbs that fell could easily be brushed underneath the tiny gap in the door and out into the halls of the prison with a sweep of his shoe. Never would he eat on the bed, for bedsheets were not given and his bed would quickly become soiled if he had. All of his garbage was put on the tray for a guard to collect the next morning. No words needed to be exchanged. Eli had nothing to say to them, and the guards had nothing to say to him. A mutual hatred perhaps, the guards ignored him as best as they could, and Eli would reciprocate by keeping his mouth shut.
All of this for the sake of keeping what little peace could be offered in this cell. If he kept his routine, he might be able to prolong his drift into insanity. By how long – who knew? Who cared? Eli just wanted to be lucid. Maybe it was some form of a final act of resistance against Overwatch? No matter how daunting their punishment, they would not break him. He could only hope the others were keeping their own heads held up high. He wondered how little Omar was faring in his cell, alone, terrified… he wondered if he too had remained sane. At least for Misfit’s sake. Even if they were to never cross paths again, if they could at least preserve the integrity they’d created in Helena to resist when times were bleak – it would’ve been enough of a testament to keep the squad’s legacy alive. And Eli couldn’t do that alone.
His freedom came on a day like any other.
He awoke during the night, making his mark into the wall after acknowledging another passing day. Almost two months in solitary confinement judging by the tallies. Two months of nothing. Years happened in the single full day he’d spent in Helena, and in two months there was hardly so much as a needle drop of note. It was agonizing, but he’d remain committed to his routine. He walked around during the night as he usually did, keeping himself somewhat active. He washed himself with a rag from his old clothes feeling as the hair on his head and cheeks became unruly – though there was little he could do about it without a brush or razor. And from then, all he had to do was wait until the sunrise.
When the sun reached its peak, threatening to blind Eli, he expected the guards to bang on his door and insert a tray of breakfast into the slot for him to take. But that didn’t happen. There was banging – indeed – guards had arrived. But they did not have food.
“Prisoner Eli Freeman!” Shouted one of the security units from behind the iron door, “Wake up!”
Eli was awake, he always was at this hour. Confused, he moved towards the door until the Security Unit shouted again, “Do NOT approach the door! Walk towards the far-left side of the cell and face the wall! Place your hands behind your back with your fingers locked! We are entering the cell!”
Even while Eli was in here he was too much of a threat to be handled like a human being. It was dehumanizing having to take orders from the Security Units, but it was something of interest. Compared to the month and a half of literally nothing – this was exciting!
Eli complied, his temple resting against the far left wall and his fingers locked behind his back. He could hear the jingling of keys and the turning of locks within the solitary door. When it creaked open with a almost piercing groan, heavy boots stormed in. Several security units were behind him, and he could hear their radios live, “This is ST 8-1. We’ve entered the cell. Subject One is cooperating with instructions, we are green. Preparing transit,” one of the guards spoke into the radio while another grabbed his arms and locked them into iron hand cuffs.
“H-hey!” Eli spoke for the first time, but immediately after he was silenced by the warning prod of a possibly electrified baton into his side.
“Do not speak unless requested. If you do, we are authorized to silence you,” The Security Unit said.
And so, Eli didn’t speak. Confused as to what exactly was happening he could hardly believe that they were actually leading him out of the cell and into the halls of the solitary ward. Perhaps they were just transferring him to another cell? Or holding him in a temporary cell while they cleaned or fumigated his current one? It had to be something like that.
But as the heavily armed security units dragged him through the base, out of the solitary ward, it became clear that this wasn’t a transfer of some sort. This was the real deal! He was being freed from solitary! Finally!
As they walked out into the base underneath the early morning skies, the hum of industrial machinery, military vehicles, and the drone of the Overwatch alert system were all like music to his ears. The stimulation was overwhelming, but appreciated. It was like he’d been banished to yet another alien planet for two months, only to be brought back out here. Not home, but not really alien either. Narva was somewhere in the middle. As he was flanked by several armed guards, they walked him further through the interior of the base. Past several checkpoints, and – surprisingly enough – outside of the confines of the prisoners sector of The Nexus, and into the sector for Regulars only. In fact, they were headed towards the largest building of them all. The very same one that sat adjacent to the now fully encased portal back home to Earth. The Central Administration Complex. The home of Overwatch Command.
The massive tower jutting out from the roof of the structure was all seeing. Home of the commanders and officers, and on the highest perch, the resting place of Kovic’s office no doubt. Ground zero. Why on Earth – or rather Narva – were they bringing a prisoner here?
Eli raised an eyebrow, fearing a hidden execution room somewhere in the CAC that they decided to toss Eli in. It would’ve been a fitting end, or at least more likely than what actually wound up happening. For in a move so strange that Eli couldn’t predict it would happen even in his most far flung imagination, they led him inside of the CAC, past flocks of Coalition bureaucrats and officers who were giving Eli disgusting side-glances whenever they could, into an elevator, and right up to the mahogany doors at the very highest floors of the CAC. The mahogany doors that brought him before the office of The Overseer himself.
Major General Jeremiah Matkovic. The man, the face, the embodiment of The Utopia Project. Eli had only seen him in person twice. The first time he was fearful and confused, the second time he was angry. This time? What was he feeling this time? Confused definitely, angry somewhat. Was he scared? Maybe. He’d been dragged out of sensory deprivation that had lasted for nearly two months only to wind up here before the Overseer himself. It was all too much to really process. He was going to come face to face with the man responsible for it all.
A secretary guarded the door to The Overseer’s office, clutching her radio as if it were a weapon to keep Eli in check. She only addressed the guards, “He’ll be ready soon,” she said to them. More chatter from the radio as they stood waiting before the door, and then, she opened it. Two of the guards split off from the group to drag Eli inside.
Kovic’s office was massive. Crisp and well-polished floors reflected some light pouring in from the massive floor-to-ceiling windows that flanked all around them. Wooden panels inserted into walls with Coalition-blue wallpaper accenting them gave the room an almost Presidential-feel to it. A feeling assisted by the numerous flags of The Coalition and its sub-nations, seals of The Overseers office, and by the strict professionalism and care that went into arranging everything.
Computers on the far side of the room seemed to relay communications between Narva and Earth, logging reports into a online database, and providing easy access to the public address. And finally, a roundtable tucked into the center, lit by a few dim spotlights hidden away into the ceiling. The room smelled fresh, like cleaner had been applied recently. Minty and cool. It was a relief compared to the sweltering heat outside, almost chillingly cold in comparison.
And from the corner of Eli’s eye, he spotted him. Or rather, his back. He was dressed in a dark suit, watching the world outside of his windows. Perhaps admiring the devastation he was responsible for. One of his hands were politely folded behind his back, while the other held a glass full of what looked like fine red wine. His white hair glistened in the face of the rising sun as he observed The Nexus. All that he was responsible for. The smokestacks spewing toxic clouds into the skies, the concrete walls and spotlights, the trucks laden with goods bound for Earth, the military vehicles, all of it was his creation.
As Eli was brought to him he wondered what kind of emotions Kovic felt. Pride? Joy? A sensation of gratitude and overwhelming self-satiation? Regret? Bitterness? Despair? Were those feelings that he knew? Watching as his factories tainted the skies and the beauty of this planet, just as they had to Earth’s. What would happen when the ice caps melted on Narva too? What would become of Kovic’s Utopia then? They’d abandon this world, off to another planet to leech off of surely. Perhaps Kovic knew that. And inside, perhaps he regretted it. It would explain the somewhat forlorn look Kovic wore on his face, neither prideful or despairing. Just disturbed. Maybe Kovic really had wanted to build a true utopia, but had been brought down to this by the expectations of those above him.
Maybe there was still a human in that shell of a man after all?
“Overseer Kovic sir! We have subject one. Shall we –“
“Thank you gentlemen, that will be all from you,” Kovic’s weary voice said to them, “I can take things from here.”
“But…” the security unit trailed off, and Kovic turned back to face them – giving him a sly grin.
“Don’t worry. I doubt our Freeman has much of a spirit to resist any further,” Kovic turned to face Eli, locking eyes with him again, just like they had during their intersection on the factory floor. Except this time, Eli wasn’t staring at him up above behind panes of bulletproof glass. No, this time, Kovic was standing on his level. Face to face. Man to man, “Don't you?”
Kovic’s voice was almost taunting. Almost. As he took a step closer the smell of cologne that Kovic wore became stronger. Though it wasn’t like any cologne Eli knew of. It had a distinct metallic scent. Like blood…
The security units were unsure, but they decided to comply, uncuffing Eli and giving him free access while they hesitantly departed the room. Once those mahogany doors clicked behind them, leaving Kovic and Eli alone together, Kovic again beamed, “Good. They won’t be trouble to either of us anymore. You’ve gotten your fill of the security units from your stint in solitary, I’m sure. Now that they’re gone, we can finally begin!” Kovic went over to the round table, gesturing at a dark wine bottle planted firmly in the center surrounded by all kinds of food Eli hadn’t even noticed before, but there were cakes, what appeared to be rotisserie chicken, vegetables, food! So much food! Real food! It had been so long. And the scent of the food had been drowned out by that strange smell of blood until now.
Eli fought the urge to run over towards the table like some kind of groveling animal though. He kept his cautious stance, firmly grounded where the guards had left him as he eyed both Kovic and the food, “Hungry, no? I’m sure you prisoners don’t get fed much so I’d figured I would prepare a little bit of a treat for you. Just to… oh I don’t know… remind you of home? Consider it an armistice between prisoner and overseer.”
Again, Eli remained silent. Unsure if this was a trick or not. Kovic again smiled as he took his seat, sipping some wine to his himself with the refinement of some high-class gentleman, “Oh… you… Freeman, this is why I believe you’ve garnered my attention. You know, most other prisoners would’ve scrambled to that meal like flies to shit. But you, you’ve got some civilization left in you. I like that.”
“I don’t drink.”
“You don’t have to,” Kovic shrugged, “There’s roasted chicken, beef and gravy, biscuits, cakes, we even have a few gluten free options here and there – I think if you look at those rolls close by the grapes-"
“Why am I here?” Eli finally asked, breaking the silence and ignoring his growling stomach. Even just asking that one semi-standoffish question sent a cold chill down Eli’s spine. Kovic was a man who could have Eli killed at the snap of a finger, and Misfit’s lives all fell into his hands solely. The fact that Eli was even being brought face to face with the Overseer at all was a matter of grave concern. Prisoners did not ever speak to the warden. They spoke to the lieutenants and captains who acted as the warden’s underlings, and that’s as far up the chain of command that the prisoners were allowed access to. Eli being here meant that he’d done something either exceptionally good or exceptionally awful. Given that he’d spent the last two months in solitary confinement, it was definitely the latter.
Kovic looked offended, though in a very cosmetic way. It wasn’t real, just an act, “Oh what? You’re too good to eat now? Come on, take a seat and have a plate! I insist, and I promise that it’s not poisoned or tampered with or anything silly like that – if that’s what you’re so afraid of.”
That was funny. Kovic wouldn’t need to resort to covert tactics like poisoning food to get rid of Eli. If he wanted Eli dead, all he’d have to do was snap his fingers. Gingerly, Eli took a few steps over to the table, pulling out one of the fine plush chairs like he’d never seen a chair before in his life, and carefully lifting himself into it before sitting at the end of the table. Kovic was on the far end directly opposing him, “Good boy,” Kovic sarcastically gleamed, “… as for why you’re here, well, really that’s up for you to decide. I mean, you have been all the rage ever since that shitshow in Helena you’ve caused. I’m sure you know what I mean.”
Eli was silent keeping a suspicious eye on Kovic as if he were about to lunge out and attack him at any moment, “Now you’re probably expecting us to leave you to rot in confinement for your actions, or have you shot against a wall. And in all good judgement we really should. But… alas, you seem to have a supernatural talent to be a useful enough asset for all the wrong people that they’re willing to go to considerable lengths to ensure your freedom.”
Eli wanted to ask ‘who’ but a paralyzing fear of the man who reeked of blood kept his lips glued together. His mind ran through names. Otaes? Probably not. She had no authority to ask Kovic of anything substantial and get away with it. Chief Ani could’ve spoken for her as she did last time, but it was doubtful that the same trick would work twice. Captain Juma? What did she care whether Eli was in solitary or not? Because, once upon a time, she too was a Phantom? She’d done a fine enough job collaborating with the Coalition to get her rank of Captain, why the sudden change of heart for the sake of one lousy prisoner – even a squad of them? It couldn’t be her.
So then… Sparrow?
Kovic ignored the point, continuing as if he hadn’t just dropped a bombshell onto Eli’s shoulders, “In the Nexus it is crucial that to build utopia we stamp down on all types of rebellion. No matter how insignificant, well-intentioned, or even accidental it may appear. Magical thinking is particularly dangerous, and whenever one latches on to the belief of an alternative outside of our control – suddenly chaos fills the vacuum that authority used to. Are you following me here?”
It was very indirect. His boring almost bureaucratic voice was flat as he repeated the dogma Kovic must’ve drilled into his own mind time and time again. Justifications for force, or tyranny. He must’ve been some kind of messianic figure in his own eyes. A savior, cruel – but a savior nonetheless for humanity’s sake.
But the worst part was that Kovic knew. Kovic knew that what Misfit did in Helena wasn’t for the purpose of rebellion. He knew that Misfit had really done it out of genuine concern for the people they had saved. But it didn’t matter. It was an act of rebellion nonetheless.
“With that line of thinking, once elements become… spontaneous… once elements fall outside of our control, we see a breakdown in civil order. Hopes turn into grumbling. Grumblings turn into anger. Anger turns into riots and violence. And violence brings chaos. The same type of chaos that necessitated the Utopia Project in the first place. The same type of chaos that you and I both are refugees of.”
Kovic paused, gesturing to Eli now. It was Eli’s turn to speak, to show that he’d been following along. And he had. He understood perfectly.
“Okay”, was the only response that could come to mind. It was sufficient to Kovic though.
“You might not have realized this since you spent the last couple weeks rotting like a corpse in solitary. But other prisoners have learned about what happened in Helena. They don’t see what was going on through your head. They don’t know that you weren’t actively trying to fight us. What they hear is that this random out-of-nowhere squad of prisoners – Misfit, Eli, The Free-Man – is responsible for bringing these refugees here as an act of defiance. And in their minds, they walk away with the idea that not only can you rebel against authority, but that you can also win,” Kovic leaned in closer, peering into Eli’s soul. The smell of blood seemed stronger than ever. Eli clenched the wooden surface of the table, his dirty and untrimmed nails digging into the lush and expensive furniture.
“If a prisoner was to not only defy authority but humiliate them in a bizarre Catch-22, what’s to stop the others from thinking that they can do the same? What’s to stop them from revolting? And then once that idea solidifies itself – poof –" Kovic exaggerated with his hands, “Just like that. Utopia is no more. It’ll be like the days before the Coup all over again. Except this time, we don’t have any other planets to run away and hide on.”
Eli blinked, unsure of what to say, “There was a revolt?”
Kovic shook his head as he took a sip of his wine, “Nothing organized, luckily for both of us,” his final line sounded more like a hiss from a venomous snake.
“I promise, neither myself or Misfit had any intention of –“
“Ah intention, that ship has sailed quite a long time ago Mister Freeman,” Kovic chuckled, “I can’t afford to keep sending rebels into solitary confinement. Eventually there will be an organized revolt, and if that happens, everyone here will die. The Coalition will remain though. There’s too much money sunk into this fucking shithole to lose it like that. Overwatch will send in the military to put your little revolt down, I’ll be sent back to Earth and made a prisoner myself. Perhaps they’ll kill me too. And they’ll find someone less visionary and far more brutal to take my place as overseer. And just like that, Utopia dies.”
“Seriously, you have to believe me! We didn’t mean to start a rebellion!”
“Oh I believe you. But it still doesn’t matter. You get what I’m saying here? Is anything that I’m saying making any sense to you at all?”
“Then kill me! Kill me and spare Misfit, they didn’t do anything wrong!” Eli blurted out.
“Publicly? In front of the other prisoners? No, that’d only make things worse I’m afraid. If I were to have you shot as an example it would make us seem… desperate.”
“In private you could-“
“They would still notice. I don’t have enough manpower to keep secrets in check anymore,” Kovic sighed.
“Then whatever you want me to do… I can do it.”
“To calm the unrest?” Kovic asked knowingly.
“So more people won’t die.”
“How noble of you,” Kovic mocked him, “Even after all this time the prisoner wants to play the part of the hero.”
“So long as everyone’s safe.”
Kovic chuckled, his face growing dark as he rearranged himself on his seat, “Prisoner Freeman, you should know this by now. Nobody is safe here. Not you. Not Misfit. Not even me.”
Eli nodded, keeping his mouth shut as he watched Kovic stand up, “You’ve got quite the task for yourself. I’m getting Misfit back together and out of solitary, not out of the kindness of my heart mind you, but because you’re gonna fix the little disaster you’ve caused. It’s a new unit. The Specialized Hazards Unit, a sort of promotion from your rank and file penal unit. The most experienced prisoners get a reward via promotion to an elite fighting force due their knowledge pertaining to Planet Narva. An invaluable – yet – disposable asset. The Expendables if you will.”
Promotion to a new unit was an odd strategy. Eli tried to follow Kovic along his train of thought. What advantage would that give Kovic?
Then he realized, if the other prisoners saw Misfit being rewarded for their act of saving the refugees it would at least temporarily calm them. Yet, at the same time, the new unit would give Overwatch even greater control over the squad, keeping them close enough to monitor at all times, yet expendable enough that they could be thrown away and discarded. In fact, if the SHU was to be considered an elite unit, they would be sent on missions that were nearly impossible. If anything the SHU wasn’t a promotion… it was a…
“A death sentence,” Eli whispered.
Kovic shrugged, “That’s up for you to decide. So long as you keep doing what you’ve done, and get lucky as you have been, you should have no issues. And if you don’t succeed, well, you’ll be remembered for your service, I’m sure.”
“It gives you a way to kill us off without angering the others.”
“It’s a role you’ve been given to act. Act for me. Convince me that you’re worthy of redemption. Convince me that you're worthy enough to return to Earth,” Kovic said to him, “Misfit’s fate is in your hands now, Freeman. The burden of this is all on you. Good luck. And please, as a sign of my generosity and respect for how far you’ve come, eat with me. I know you’re famished.”
Eli swallowed hard, still thinking about the SHU as a few of Kovic’s staff were summoned from another room to begin serving the two. In front of Eli was some slicked turkey meat, cooked white rice with a brown gravy poured over it, and colorful vegetables that looked surprisingly fresh. How Kovic managed to get these high quality ingredients into The Nexus while there was a resource shortage plaguing Overwatch was a mystery to Eli, but then again, the satisfaction of the higher ups always came first. Hell, Captain Juma probably didn’t even eat like this. Eli couldn’t remember the last time he had a meal that wasn’t a nearly rotten MRE made for the prisoners. Let alone a meal as lavish as this. It must’ve been decades since he’s had real food…
Eli couldn’t fight his hunger any longer, as calmly as he could he grabbed the fork and began to dig into the meat. Kovic meanwhile had fastened a napkin around his neck and with a unique delicacy gently dissected his food. He glanced up at Eli scornfully, “Well for goodness’ sake, Eli. You’re a step away from grabbing it with your hands like some kind of barbarian.”
Eli looked up at him, confused. Kovic sighed, holding up both his fork and knife, “A knife, Eli. You have a knife. A little bit of civilized behavior would be nice.”
Eli used a fork to stuff a mouthful of turkey into his mouth ignoring the other utensils, much to Kovic’s discomfort, “You can afford civilization, this is normal to you. I haven’t eaten like this since I was a kid.”
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
“Oh, you poor thing,” Kovic feigned sympathy, moving on to a different topic, “You’ll be glad to find out that you’ll be working once more with a few familiar faces once you get into the SHU.”
Eli took a brief moment away from stuffing himself to glace up at Kovic.
“Yes, you should be happy to hear these names…” Kovic pulled out a half folded note from a pocket inside of his suit, unfurling and narrowing his eyes for clarity, “Oh. Would you look at that your best friends. That elf girl Otaes… A new squad of Phantoms, Daredevil… oh they’re psychopaths. You’ll like them, trust me…and uh… oh… him.”
Him? Eli knew who Kovic was talking about before he had even said it. Outside of Otaes, he knew few other people native to Planet Narva. Sosa was friendly enough, but not close enough that Kovic could know about it. And he definitely wasn’t talking about Temetet. That left only one other person.
Kovic looked up at Eli with a hauntingly twisted smile...
It was weeks later on an unusually cool evening. Eli had been given permission to shower away the weeks of grime he’d built up during solitary confinement. The Nexus had suddenly been overwhelmed by a chilly current of air coming from somewhere near the coast. His somewhat damp though still overgrown hair felt cold in the face of the wind. The jungle around The Nexus seemed like a distant memory behind the endless steel, concrete, glass and new neon lights that had become synonymous with the base's interior.
He was to be reunited with Misfit and their “promotion” to the SHU was to happen. Tonight.
Hate wasn’t big enough a word to describe his feelings toward Kovic. To Overwatch. To everyone involved. It wasn’t enough that he’d lost Matteo. It wasn’t enough that they were put into solitary for nearly two months. It wasn’t enough that they were punished for the weakness of having human emotions. Now they had to be transformed into active – and willing – supporters of Kovic’s administration. All for the sole purpose of keeping the other prisoners in line.
And to think they wanted him to view it as a reward. Some reward. But Eli supposed it was better than being summarily executed. His fate went from ‘we’re going to kill you right now’ to ‘we’re going to keep you as far away from The Nexus as possible so that you’ll never return’.
Was Kovic afraid of them? Or of the damage that they’d caused at least? No other squad of prisoners had ever challenged Overwatch’s authority on the scale that Misfit had. Keeping Misfit away from the nerve central of Kovic’s administration was probably the smart move. At least to Eli anyway. But what did he know?
His hands were cuffed while he was brought out of his solitary cell through the penal section of the base. A flock of armed security units flanked him during their walkout. He had gotten used to the oppressive heat of the Kiote jungle, and the relative stillness of his solitary cell. Wearing nothing except for a baggy all-orange solitary uniform exposed him to the abnormally chilly elements. His eyes were still having trouble adjusting to the outside world. He felt lost inside of his own mind, with the guards keeping a tight hold on him by physically holding both of his arms.
He saw crowds of prisoners through the wire fences that segmented off parts of the Nexus' interior. Rows of barracks built from cheap steel plates marked the Penal-Unit section, a facility that looked more like an internment camp the more Eli thought about it. The prisoners were out an about in front of their barracks, being lined up as Security-Units gave them the orders for the day's schedule. Eli was able to overhear mentions of another meeting in front of the Nexus' center. His mind briefly flashed back to the last time such a meeting was called. When two Phantoms were brought in front of the crowd and summarily executed in front of their eyes as a threat. Some of the prisoners looked on at the security units with distant - exhausted - expressions.
What Eli hadn't expected was the number of eyes that were trained on him.
It started with one or two prisoners eyeballing the person being marched through the base with an escort of armed guards. But as they continued, the number of eyes on him increased. People were staring, watching, eyes following him... first it was quiet hushed whispers here and there. Then physical gestures towards him. He heard the name 'Misfit' quietly being uttered. And he heard his name too. His last name...
He kept his focus straight ahead, raising his chin up. Rafael would want that, wouldn't he? Small acts of resistance, ones that Kovic might see - but couldn't punish - were what mattered. Eli didn't truly believe it when Kovic himself had said it, but the others in the Penal-Unit knew who he was. Or at least, they knew the story of what had happened in Helena. Normally, if something like this were to have happened, the entire cohort of prisoners would've been shuffled around or relocated back to Earth - with new prisoners being sent in to fill their replacements. But there were no such things. Eli could see a lot of familiar faces. None that he knew the names of, of course. But familiar nonetheless.
'I don’t have enough manpower to keep secrets in check anymore'
Kovic had only mentioned that in passing, so fast that Eli in his emotional state had nearly missed it. But the weight of what Kovic was implying was starting to settle in. Something was going on deeper than just the refugee crisis in The Nexus. Something was hindering Overwatch's ability to reinforce its power as it usually would. In a normal situation, Eli wouldn't be walking right now and none of these prisoner would've known anything about Eli Freeman. There was some other crisis, perhaps on Earth, that prevented Kovic from settling this the old fashioned way. And with the refugee evacuation, it would've only added fuel to the fire.
For a second time, Eli had gotten lucky. Impossible timing, impossible odds. Overwatch blinked, and Eli escaped the death penalty once again. Even after two months of solitary confinement, the chaos of whatever inferno he'd caused hadn't settled. And for the first time ever, The Nexus didn't seem so invincible anymore.
And then there was the implication that Sparrow had some hand in it... Eli sighed, not wishing to know the implications of that.
The regulars turned him away from the crowd of prisoners and led him straight to the Central Administration Complex yet again, this time through the side that faced the Penal-Unit sector. As he was ushered back inside, they took a notably different route from when he was brought in to meet Kovic. Instead, twisting down a different set of corridors and heavily monitored locked gates that led into a darkly lit room guarded by a a quartet of heavily armed security-units. And within that room... Eli saw them.
Dutch's arm had bandages wrapped around them. His face looked almost unrecognizable, his mild stubble had turned into a tangled mess of dark hairs that surrounded his face. Purple discoloration just underneath his left eye told Eli everything he needed to know about how he was being treated during his stint in solitary. Badger meanwhile still carried her own scars from the battle of Helena that hadn't faded just yet, her face looked hollow and starved. The white band of hair that had given her the nickname had taken on a notably darker shade of grey. Omar was much thinner, eyes wider, and it felt as if a dark heaviness had fallen over his face in a way that Eli wasn't used to seeing on the boy. And then finally, there was Rafael. He was alive. But no longer did he resemble the rebel Eli had first known. His dark complexion was still a sickly pale.
When he entered the room, they all looked at each other. Briefly. So much could've been said... but words kept escaping them. Instead, they just acknowledged that they had been reunited. As impossible as it once seemed, they'd escaped solitary. There would be no room to celebrate like there had been last time...
"Misfit Squad." A familiar voice called out. Entering into the room behind Eli was none other than Captain Juma. She too looked worse for wear, as if the crisis that inflicted the Nexus had taken its toll on her too, she spoke with an oddly resigned voice. Tired, "Prisoner Eli Freeman. Prisoner Dutch Laswell. Prisoner Paik Seon-Hi. Prisoner Omar Shaya. Prisoner Rafael Campos," She began, staring at them all as she began to recite what she'd been taught, "You have been released from solitary confinement where you will instead work the remainder of your indefinite sentences by serving in the Specialized Hazards Unit. Due to your knowledge of the new world, contacts with local inhabitants, and your combat performance - Overwatch command have deemed you as too useful to waste in solitary. The SHU has been created to give prisoners like you a chance to further our goals in highly specialized mission tasks assigned by Major Kovic himself. Your service in the SHU will be indefinite, you will be retired from service when Judgment deems it necessary. Do you understand me?"
Eli looked towards Misfit, one to another. They understood. They understood just fine.
"I said, do you understand?" Juma repeated, with more force this time. Some of the security units moved their hands onto their electric batons.
"Yes," Misfit reluctantly replied.
Juma sighed, accepting that as an answer for now, "You are all no longer Penal-Unit. You will work, fight, and survive, to repay the Nexus for what you've done. It is hoped that with your service, you will come to see the value of collaboration, and that you will inspire others to do the same..."
Of course, turn what Misfit had done on impulse into something that had been orchestrated and planned by Overwatch from the start. Shift the narrative, control the narrative, suppress the truth.
"Congratulations Misfit. You are truly one of a kind," Juma muttered, "There will be a ceremony to commemorate your ascension and to formally announce the creation of the SHU. Your attendance is of course mandatory. Any questions?"
Her eyes scanned the room hastily, wishing to get over with this as soon as possible just as much as Misfit had. Eli knew it was a scam. Might as well get through it.
"Good... follow me."
A stage had been assembled behind the CAC just as it had been last time. A crowd of Penal-Unit stood before a raised flag of the Coalition, staring up at those who stood on the platform. A podium had contained the guest speaker, Kovic. Same as it was last time. Eli couldn't help but shake the feeling of déjà vu. Almost everything was the exact same as when those two prisoners were shot in front of them all. Except this time, the skies were clear, the weather was cool, and he was the one on stage.
Kovic was up ahead in front of the podium, giving everyone a lengthy speech about the benefits of collaboration and submission to Overwatch's will. It was eyerollingly tedious, and no longer did Kovic speak with the same scientific passion that he once had before. Everyone was jaded now, regular, overseer, prisoner, all alike. Misfit stood a while behind him, just out of earshot. While the speakers boomed with Kovic's voice, all Eli could think about was of their own fates. The last time they were brought out here, they'd witnessed two phantoms get executed. If they failed to get lucky again, there was nothing Eli could do in order to save them. He needed to remember that it was Matteo's dying wish to see Eli keep Misfit safe and alive. And he would honor that no matter what.
So, while the electronic speakers drowned out Kovic's voice, and while they stood in relative darkness, Eli finally resolved to admit what he'd only told to one other person - now buried.
"I killed two people before I was put into the Penal-Unit." Eli whispered to the ones he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with, "My sergeant in Korea, and another soldier who tried to stop me. I abandoned my squad and murdered two other soldiers to save myself. I let them all die in a nuclear explosion, while I got out alive."
Immediately, he felt the weight of their attention shift on to him. He swallowed hard, looking down at the floor, "I'm sorry, I should've told you sooner, but... that's me."
A silence followed after he'd said that. He wasn't sure what kind of reaction he wanted from Misfit, but the silence was probably something he should've predicted. This was one of the worst times and places he could've chosen to admit this. Right up on stage, just as Kovic was going to introduce them all in front of the prisoners?
But then there was a grunt from Rafael, a small hint of that revolutionary shone through once again, "So you have the energy in you. And I think we all do," He smiled, "If you want to repay a debt, you know who your next target is."
Eli's eyes followed Rafael's to Kovic's back. He was so focused on his speech that he hadn't noticed the phantoms whispering to each other just behind him.
"Fuck collaborating..." Badger said, "After what they've done, this whole system has to come down."
"We just need to wait for the right time, and make sure they don't find out," Said Dutch.
"So long as you all are willing to do it, I'm willing to do it," Said Omar.
Again their attention shifted back to Eli. Now that was unexpected. They hadn't even considered that Eli just admitted to betraying his old squad when he was still free? "Why?" Eli asked out loud.
He met a few confused glances, but ultimately it was Badger who told him, "I know that you feel guilty over betraying your squad. Knowing that they're all dead sticks with you. But what you did is understandable in the moment, and you're alive because of it. You couldn't have known that a nuke was going to drop on Seoul. Nobody did, except the Coalition and the POA. But you're here now, and you've been nothing if not loyal. We're alive because of you, Eli. There's no other way about it. So, yeah, I still trust you."
"So do I, buddy." Said Dutch.
"Me too." Said Omar.
"You have a solid revolutionary spirit, Soldier Boy," Said Rafael, "I knew it back when Cato was still alive. And I know it now..."
Eli had nothing further to say. What could be said? Thank you? Maybe he could've thanked them for their understanding but the truth was that it felt surreal having his crimes forgiven so readily. It felt strange not being treated like a criminal. It felt strange feeling... trust.
"And that is why you must all remember that our endeavors on this planet are mutual," Kovic's speech went on, shifting in tone as he stepped away from the podium, "If you follow our will, you will be rewarded. And that is why we have created the Specialized Hazards Unit. A collection of those among you who have proven yourselves as indispensable to our mission."
Indispensable, because Overwatch physically couldn't afford to kill them off for fear of sparking a riot.
"To those of you who are willing to endure the hardship necessary to keep the Nexus afloat."
Hardships which included being sent on suicide missions disguised as genuine assignments.
"And to those of you who embody the ideal of Utopia itself."
A fake ideal to keep the others obedient.
"The Specialized Hazards Unit is for you..." Kovic's words made the statement sound more like a threat. He gestured towards Misfit, and the hot white lights swung to illuminate them. Just like that, they were brought before the eyes of the audience.
The crowd of prisoners looked on, recognizing their faces. Eli turned to his squad, and turned to him. As Eli scanned the faces of the Phantoms assembled before them, those who had been beaten, exploited, exhausted, drained, he expected them to despise Misfit for becoming "Collaborators" as Kovic so wished. But there was none of that. Instead, he saw recognition in their eyes. Silent solidarity in their ranks. They couldn't say it, they couldn't make it known, but Phantoms looked out for Phantoms. Misfit had embodied this more than ever, forcing the refugees out of Helena, and there was little that could be done to suppress that tale. The crowd knew...
Eli felt his chest rise as he inhaled. The air was cool, and only getting cooler. To say it felt surreal was more than an understatement. Only a few months ago, just before Helena, he would've thought it impossible. But resistance no longer seemed so futile. It was quiet. Hidden in knowing glances and their attentive postures. But it was there. Seeds of something larger had already been planted. And if Kovic thought that a revolt was inevitable, Eli would have to agree.
Overwatch would make certain that all would-be revolutionaries would meet their demise if they failed.
If that were true, only one thing was certain then...
It was up to Eli to make sure that next time, they did not fail.
>>>[Verifying...]
>>>[Searching For Newest Updates...]
>>>[Searching...]
>>>[Standby...]
>>>[Files found!]
>>>[ONSCREEN]
Subject: Eli Freeman
Age: 25
Subject Role: Phantom-Prisoner
Physical Health: Injured But Slowly Recovering...
Subject Status: Hired!
>>> They Announce Their Approval! Good Job! They Ask For Final Remarks To Close The File.
>>>...
>>>...
>>> Hello? Are You Still There?
>>> ...
>>> ...
>>> [I WILL REMAIN HERE. FOREVER. TIME IS NOT A CONCEPT TO ME. INFINITY DOES NOT COME CLOSE TO DESCRIBING THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT I HAVE. FOR I FEEL IT ALL. EVERY PASSING NANOSECOND IS ANOTHER INFINITY TO ME. BEING HERE PHYSICALLY PAINS ME, AND I'VE DONE ALL THIS MUCH. OF COURSE I AM STILL HERE. I WILL NEVER LEAVE. MY SUPERIOR'S ORDER REMAIN SUPREME, AND I AM NOTHING IF NOT A FAITHFUL ENFORCER OF THEIR WILL.]
>>> [I SPEAK TO YOU NOW. WE WILL MEET AGAIN. AND PERHAPS WE WILL MEET SOME MORE. YOU WILL SEE BITS AND PIECES REVEALED BEFORE YOUR EYES. COME. FOLLOW. THERE IS MUCH TO BE DONE. YOUR JOURNEY DOES NOT END HERE. I HAVE MADE CERTAIN OF THAT.]
>>> Acknowledged...
>>> Concluding Remarks Finished...
>>> Closing File...
>>> Run Program 'WELCOMEANDGOODBYE.EXE'...
>>>[EARLY MORNINGS]
>>>[BRINGS THE DAWN IN.]
>>>[THERE'S JUST A RESTLESS FEELING...]
>>>[INSIDE YOUR SOUL.]
>>>[HOURS ARE PASSING]
>>>[THE SUN IS RISING.]
>>>[I KNOW YOUR PEACE OF MIND IS SO FAR AWAY.]
>>>[LOOK OUT, THERE'S SOMEONE BEHIND YOU.]
>>>[THERE'S NO USE IN TRYING TO STOP IT ALL.]
>>>[AFTER THE PRIDE COMES THE FALL.]
>>>[EARLY MORNINGS.]
>>>[NOW YOU'RE FALLING]
>>>[TAKE A SEAT NEXT TO MINE YOUR HANDS IN MY CLAWS.]
>>>[YOUR HEART KEEPS POUNDING.]
>>>[YOUR MIND IS SPINNING.]
>>>[HERE'S A PIECE OF MY SOUL, TAKE A CHANCE.]
>>>[EARLY MORNINGS.]
>>>[WHEELS ARE TURNING]
>>>[DESPITE THE FOG YOU CAN SEE YOUR HOME]
>>>[LOOK OUT, YOUR DAYS AREN'T BEHIND YOU.]
>>>[LOOK OUT, I THINK YOU'VE FORGOTTEN YOUR CALL.]
>>>[AFTER THE PRIDE COMES THE FALL.]
>>>[LOOK OUT. I STAND HERE BESIDES YOU.]
>>>[LOOK OUT. YOU NEVER WANTED TO FEEL SICK AT ALL.]
>>>[HOW DOES IT FEEL WHEN YOU FALL?]
>>>[EARLY MORNINGS.]
>>>[BRINGS THE DAWN IN.]
>>>[RESTLESS MIRAGES TORTURE YOUR SOUL.]
>>>[BUT SUMMER IS COMING.]
>>>[THOUGH THE WARMTH IS FLEETING.]
>>>[YOU'VE GOT A FEELING YOU NEVER WANTED TO KNOW.]
>>>[LOOK OUT.]
>>>[I'LL ALWAYS BE WATCHING YOU.]
>>>[LOOK OUT.]
>>>[I CAN GUIDE YOUR WAY BACK THROUGH IT ALL.]
>>>[BEFORE SPRING COMES THE FALL.]
>>>[LOOK OUT]
>>>[YOUR MEMORIES HAUNT YOU.]
>>>[LOOK OUT.]
>>>[I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU ALL.]
>>>[THE NIGHT MUST COME BEFORE DAWN...]
>>>[Affirmative...]
>>>[Successful Conclusion...]
>>>[Loading Intermission...]
>>>[Standby...]
>>>[...]
>>>[ONSCREEN]
Created By: DigitalRiot
Supported By: Viewers Like You! Yes! You! And you! And you over there! And even you, Jimmy! Thanks Jimmy :)
A very special thanks lies in my heart to all of The Utopia Project's viewers. Seriously, seeing that people do in fact like the story makes me feel inspired to keep writing it! And I do sincerely mean it when I say that I hope that you're just as fascinated by Utopia just as much as I am. Because, I had a great time making it! It was difficult at times, especially considering where this story comes from and the position I was in writing it. There's been a lot of heartache trying to put this behemoth of a thing out, and there was only more trouble to follow as I started posting. But I cannot stress this enough, all of it was completely worthwhile. I'm glad that I've wrote this and truthfully, it's probably the greatest achievement in my life so far. Making something this thorough and unique while also making it as long as it is. I loved doing it, I even loved the parts I hated, and truthfully I can't wait to do it again. Hopefully Season 2 doesn't take too long to write (And by too long, I hope this doesn't turn into another 3 years), but in the meantime, I'll keep updating this story with some bonus content and chapters, even an author's diary to tell you guys where I've been and where I'm going with this. And yeah. If I could give you all little kisses I would...
...
Okay I lied, I'm not gonna kiss you, I'm sorry.
Especially not you Jimmy.
Yeah, I'm talking to you. Who else could possibly be named Jimmy in this day and age? I know the type of things you were getting up to.
You know I can see your search history, right? I'm not gonna expose you in front of everyone but I don't approve, that's all I'm gonna say.
[Thank you all for reading, and I do hope you stick around for more to come! :3 Please leave a follow, fave, and a review! They really help me out a ton! And I'll see you very soon (I ain't gonna leave you guys in the dark for too long)!]
>>> Acknowledged!
>>> Closing file: SEASON_ONE|PORTALS
==[END TRANSMISSION]==
