AIM Chapter 5 – Border tensions fly
Epilogue
"REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE SITUATION IS, I WILL STAND WITH YOUUU EVEN IN DEATH, COMMANDER! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"FATHER…"
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Chapter 5: The Borderline Conflict
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Missiles and explosives rained down on the Zambian army at an insane pace.
"MAKE SURE YOU DON'T GIVE INNNN! REGARDLESS OF THE SITUATION, WE CAN STILL MAKE IT!" yelled the commander, his bark carrying miles across the battlefield, motivating soldiers to pick up their weapons and push forward.
"ANOTHER INCOMING MISSILE ATTACK!" yelled a soldier from the metallic watchtower.
"ACTIVATE… THE SONIC SHIELDS… AND GRIP THEM TIGHT!" the commander commanded.
"SIRRR!"
At the front, soldiers activated their sonic shields, energy barriers powered by coded tattoos etched into their bionic arms. Geometric symbols and digits glowed as each shield came online.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BAM! FYUUU WOOOOO BOOOOM!
"This place is absolute explosion mania!" yelled a young soldier, holding his shield with all his strength.
"But look at us," Mutale said, steady and composed despite the chaos. "Blocking their explosions with raw strength and tech proves we've got this covered."
Mutale, delicate-faced yet athletic, moved with speed and precision. BOOM! BOOM! He and his comrade held their shields against the onslaught.
"MUTALE!" barked the commander through his battle earpiece.
"Sirrr!" Mutale responded.
"MAKE IT BACK TO THE TENT THIS INSTANT! YOUR SERVICES ARE NEEDED!!"
"While in the middle of battle?" his comrade laughed.
Hah… he knows why he's calling me. I am the star of the game, after all, Mutale thought with a wink.
He darted through allied soldiers, dodging a mini-tracking missile launched at him. "Think I didn't spot you coming?" he said casually, twisting through trenches and boulders.
"That… was Mutale!" yelled another soldier. "Pay attention, you idiot!"
BOOM!
Mutale executed a backflip, shot down the missile with his Electron Pistol — BOOOOM! — and rolled into the tent, landing upright.
"Seriously… no cheers?" he raised his hands casually. The battlefield was too intense for applause.
"SOLDIER!" the commander barked. Mutale flinched slightly but stayed composed.
"Sir," he said, looking up at the towering commander — 7'5", robust, broad, and intimidating, with striking eyebrows.
"Mutale… you're doing fine. Made it here alive in under three minutes," the commander said softly.
"Yeah, right," Mutale replied with a grin. "Why summon me in the middle of battle?"
"Because if I let any of my personal allies die…" the commander began, locking eyes with Mutale.
"I've always failed to understand you pretty boys of these days," he continued calmly. "Anyway… I summoned you for reasons you are aware of."
"Which are?" Mutale asked.
"This border dispute has gone on for two years. Our nation's security is at risk. We must win, by any means," the commander said. Mutale's gaze remained plain but attentive.
"ARE YOU EVEN PAYING ATTENTION?" the commander knocked him on the head.
"I AM! IM PAYING MORE THAN ATTENTION, YOU OLD DARN!" Mutale barked.
"WELL, MAKE IT SEEM LIKE IT!" the commander snapped.
"Right," Mutale said, facing the map.
The commander pointed to a holographic battlefield map. "This bomb… I want you to deliver it as a personal gift to the opposition. Their commander general is heavily guarded, along with their head scientist and engineer."
"So you're saying…" Mutale looked at the map.
"Yes. But this isn't a suicide mission. Drop the bomb, then use the hidden underground tunnel behind their camp to escape before the explosion."
"Once the commander and scientist are gone, that gives us the edge?" Mutale asked, running his fingers through his hair.
"Not total victory," the commander clarified. "But without their science personnel, they can't upgrade weapons or strategize effectively. Their formula… will be lost."
"Their formula?" Mutale raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. Let me explain."
The commander continued:
"The formula I speak of was developed to test Compression and Extinction of molecular particles."
"Excuse me?" Mutale asked.
"Years ago, Roderick Gamber, their head scientist, attended an international tech summit," the commander explained. "He met Zambia's prodigy — Professor Banda. The two presented a formula that could theoretically end future warfare. Whoever controlled it would dominate any opponent."
"So… what happened?"
"Professor Banda foresaw the danger and backed out, avoiding offers to work for militaries worldwide," the commander said.
"Bastard…" Mutale teased.
"Pay attention!"
Roderick, however, suffered personal tragedy: the death of his daughter, a disloyal wife, bankruptcy. He chose destruction as his path, fueled by love for violent video games and war movies.
"Yeah, yeah… got it," Mutale said, adjusting his vest carrying the bomb.
"Such a tiny thing… kinda exciting, isn't it?" Mutale grinned.
"You do understand this is dangerous… no joking around," the commander yelled.
"Classic. Exploded while I tried to put it on," Mutale quipped, adjusting boots and hair. "Even if I die now, I've always lived on the edge. This is what I need to feel alive."
The commander spanked his face. "Be safe. Remember… this is for your nation, your people. One Zambia, one nation."
"Yeah, yeah," Mutale said, stepping out of the tent.
He paused to glance at the battlefield. "Both nations using science for war… sickens me," he muttered. "In the end, I'm only doing this to get your approval, Father."
Zwooooshhh! Mutale sprinted, leaving shockwaves behind.
"Ugh… that tendance," the commander muttered. "Always showing off… even younger, son."
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To be continued…
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