Chapter Forty-Eight

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Aiden's eyes flew open upon hearing a loud pounding on his door.

"Aiden!" Jace's muffled voice called to him. "It's Jace. Got some news for you."

Aiden groaned, crawling out of his warm bed and unlocking the sliding metal door for Jace to enter.

"What's wrong?" Aiden looked around, his body tensing up for a fight.

"Nothing's wrong," Jace replied hastily. "Zariah just asked me to tell you that Roman's here, in Debriefing Room Six. He arrived at oh-seven-hundred hours this morning."

"Oh-seven-hundred hours?" Aiden frowned. "What time is it now?"

"Oh-nine-hundred hours and thirty-eight minutes," Jace replied, checking his watch. "I know we probably should have informed you earlier, but Farley insisted I give you some more time to sleep. He tried to convince Zariah to do the same, but she refused. She's a tough one, that's for sure."

"Oh, trust me, I know," Aiden smiled. "Let them know I'll be right there."

"Sir, yes, sir," Jace saluted before walking away just as Aiden closed the door. Once Jace had left, Aiden immediately hopped in the shower and changed into fresh clothes from his drawer, grabbing his watch and any other important resources he might need for the day as he walked out into the hall.

The Unit was bustling with business, every soldier doing their part in making sure patrols were being organized and meals were still being served in the dining hall. It seemed that Farley and Kerian had been doing good work while Aiden was asleep. He was thankful for their help, especially now that Aiden was filling some big shoes in regards to the extent of his authority. As he made his way down the hallway and towards the Debriefing Rooms, he heard the occasional greeting or witnessed a few nods of approval as he passed by. Every soldier in Second Unit appeared to support his leadership, and as much as Aiden felt relieved to have the Units behind him, the idea intimidated him as well. The Program was strong, but if the people refused to join forces with the Units, neither of them stood a chance at defeating Eskium.

Aiden approached Debriefing Room Six and nodded his head towards the two soldiers posted outside of it. They dipped their heads respectfully, allowing him to pass through and open the door to where Roman and Zariah were sitting inside.

Farley and Zariah sat on one side of the table, while Roman and the rebel Aiden had met in Oslua, Caspar, sat on the opposite side. They were accompanied by another rebel that Aiden hadn't seen yet. The three men looked visibly cleaner and well-kempt than they had been in the city when Aiden last saw them, presumably because they had taken up residence in Second Unit's bunks and had taken the time to shower and change into nicer clothing.

"It's about time you came to join us, Aiden," Roman flashed him a wry smile. "You Programmers really enjoy taking your time with things. I heard the news, by the way. Congratulations on becoming acting General."

"Thank you," Aiden nodded, returning Roman's gesture. "I see you've reunited with Lieutenant Blanche and Lieutenant Nikolaos."

"We've been catching up," Farley admitted. "Although, I don't think there's much use for formalities anymore. We're all in this fight together now."

"Not yet," Roman reminded him. Uneasiness crept into Aiden's stomach after processing his words.

"We've been comparing perspectives and filling him in on what happened during the live broadcast and intervals of communication that Roman and the other Phantom rebels might not have seen," Zariah explained. "Xylem was doing his best to censor information from both ends, unsurprisingly, but things are starting to make sense now."

"And what is the state of the people at the moment?" Aiden asked, glancing at Roman.

"They're scared," he answered simply. "They know of the threat that Eskium poses. No one has heard from the Program since your broadcast. They're totally in the dark."

"We plan on changing that today," Aiden told him. The brutal honesty of his statement seemed to intrigue the young rebel, and Roman leaned back in his chair, peering at Aiden with a collected expression.

"The Units have all agreed to fight Eskium if it comes to war. They sincerely want to make amends with the people, and start anew. Xylem is in our custody. He's being guarded at all hours, and he's separated from his Officials. We leave it up to you now," Aiden concluded. "Will you help us unite the people to defeat Eskium?"

"I don't think it's as simple as that," the young rebel decided after a few moments of silence. "You're all idiots if you think that the people will be willing to forgive the Program so easily. At this point, they probably think that they're better off fighting Eskium alone, after all the Program has done for them. If you're going to convince them to make peace with the Program and unite to take on the Other Worlders, you're going to have to approach them with their negotiations intact."

"And what are these negotiations?" Aiden inquired.

"No more rigged voting polls. Everyone knows that Xylem's been recruiting people to change the results every election year, and no one ever lives long enough to run against him anyways. Xylem gets to be publicly executed by a representative of the people, and everyone has to watch. Consignment Days need to end permanently. The people have worked hard to make and grow the supplies consumed by the Programmers, and we deserve our own keep. Plus, it's clear that the Program has always used Consignment Days as leverage over the people, and it needs to stop. The people get to control the actions of the Program, and, lastly, there needs to be another person in power aside from the General," Roman finished.

"That's quite the list," Zariah remarked. "Did you have someone write that down?"

"I memorized it," Roman shrugged.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Farley halted. "I'm all for eliminating the rigged elections and letting the people have their rightful share of goods, but another person in power? Who? And what purpose would they serve?"

"The people want someone on their side. For years, the position of General has served both as a political position and a military position. It makes more sense to split the title in half. A person to deal with politics, and a person to deal with the military aspect of things. A General of the Program and a... President," Roman elaborated. "A President of Creatan."

"And both are elected by the people?" Aiden furrowed his brow. "It's definitely a new idea, but we can make it work."

"We're going to agree to a brand new position of power that easily?" Farley hesitated. "I think we should be considering these terms a little more thoroughly before we make any final decisions."

"I don't think we have a choice," Zariah pointed out. "Roman has already mentioned that Eskium is advancing, and fast. We need to appease the people, before it's too late."

"Roman says," Farley emphasized. "But of our own knowledge, do we know this for sure?"

Roman narrowed his eyes. "I think I've proven by now that all I want is what's best for the people. Are you really questioning what side I'm fighting for, Lieutenant Nikolaos?"

"Enough," Aiden growled in a tone that snapped Roman and Farley from their tense positions. "This is exactly the behavior that divided the people and the Program to begin with! There shouldn't be any more sides to this war. It should be between those who want to fight for life, and those who want to end it. The people and the Programmers breathe the same air, walk the same Earth. The Other Worlders don't. Creatan needs a second figurehead to prevent this division from ever happening again. It should be two formidable forces uniting together once and for all to become one powerful nation. There is no personal gain here. Only the gain of all those within Creatan, soldier or civilian."

A hush swept across all those within the room, followed by steely silence.

"Roman, I ask you again. Not as acting General or a soldier of the Program, but as your friend," Aiden urged. "You once told me that you didn't give a shit about what was right or wrong anymore, solely because of the chaos that had been caused while determining the difference. This is our opportunity to finally figure it out. All of the Units are behind us. We agree to your terms. But will you agree to fight alongside us?"

Roman hesitated, considering Aiden's powerful words and turning to Caspar and the other rebel beside him.

"We'll join you," he finally decided. "You're right when you said that this has gone on for way too long. It's time to make amends. The people and the Program will work together."

Aiden sighed in relief, glancing at Zariah and Farley and nodding shakily.

"We should tell the Units," Zariah prompted. "We all need to make some decisions about what happens with Eskium, and how we're going to approach them."

"I'll get Kerian to wake up Virgil, Theo and Rania. I'll also let Jace know to start gathering the soldiers, and let the Units know that there's going to be a broadcast," Farley offered.

"You're going to trust Kerian to wake up Virgil and not get distracted?" Zariah raised an eyebrow.

Farley thought about this for a moment before shaking his head. "You're right. I'll make sure Imogen goes with her."

"Good call. Roman, if you and your friends are hungry, I can take you to the dining hall for some breakfast," Aiden suggested, lightening the mood with the promise of food. Roman dipped his head, standing from his chair.

"Breakfast would be much appreciated," Roman agreed.

"No worries. I'll show you the way," Aiden guided them towards the door. He turned back to Zariah and Farley. "I'll meet you guys in the Foyer for the assembly at twelve-hundred hours."

***

Aiden stood on the podium with Roman as he watched the soldiers file into the Foyer, taking their seats in the ones that Farley's team had spent all morning setting up for them. Theo, now free from the confines of his wheelchair, was busy ordering soldiers around in regards to setting up the final touches of the camera equipment that would be used to broadcast their assembly to the rest of the country. Colonel Asphodel stood beside him, providing him with added help and direction when it came to exactly how the broadcast should look like. Meanwhile, Virgil, Zariah and Rania were assisting Farley in gathering soldiers into the Foyer, as well as checking that the Foyer screens were up and running.

"You've done good work since I last saw you," Roman said absently to Aiden from where they stood, surveying the sea of soldiers before them. "I didn't think I'd be alive to see it happen, honestly."

"Well, between shooting down helicopters and leading a nationwide rebellion in your free time, I'd say that you've done your part, and then some," Aiden replied with a slight smile. "You're not afraid of a little danger, are you, Roman?"

"Who, me?" the rebel smirked. "Never."

"I hate to break up your tea party," Virgil interrupted, approaching them from the opposite side of the podium, "but we're almost good to go. The time's eleven-hundred hours and fifty-five minutes."

"We're ready," Roman assured him. "Are you?"

Virgil rolled his eyes. "I've been ready since this whole mess started. I've just been shot at, kidnapped, nearly dead and lied to along the way."

"You know, I think you and I are going to be really good friends one day, once you can get over what I did. In order to protect you, might I add," Roman grinned.

"Just put on a nice smile for the cameras, pretty boy," Virgil muttered.

"Two minutes till the start of the broadcast!" Theo shouted above the chatter.

Aiden walked up to the microphone that had been placed towards the front of the podium, tapping the fibres to check that it was on. He heard a thudding echo from the speakers surrounding the podium and cleared his throat before speaking.

"Before the broadcast begins, I wanted to thank all of you, my friends and family of Second Unit, for standing by me. None of you had to believe what I said about Xylem, but you did. It won't be an easy road, and as much progress as we've already made, it's still not over. Not even close. I just hope that all of you believe in the same thing I do; that we can make Creatan a place of peace and justice once again," Aiden proclaimed.

Cheers and whoops of support followed him as he took a few steps back to join Roman once again.

"Programmers," scoffed Roman. "Always trying to make a big deal out of everything."

Aiden couldn't help but smile at that one.

"The broadcast will begin in three, two, one... now!" Theo exclaimed.

Aiden and Roman walked towards the microphone as the first few seconds of the broadcast came to life. They could hear the anthem of Creatan playing as they came forward, and all eyes in the nation gradually tuning in to fall upon them.

"Huge changes have come to our country in the past few days," Aiden began once the anthem had finished. "That's a big understatement. I'm sure many of you were expecting General Xylem to be speaking to you from this podium, but I'm here today to tell you otherwise. The General is within our custody here in the Units. His Officials are in cells awaiting proper trials. The Units have come to the mutual agreement that we're more than willing to make things right again with you, the people, and the Units have nominated me to be the one to bring you this change. We weren't there for you when you needed us most. We failed you, and we're sorry. Your representative, Roman Graeme, has come forward with certain negotiations, and we accept them with open arms. We want nothing more than to move forwards, but, unfortunately, there's a lingering threat that challenges this progress."

Roman took the mic from Aiden and continued. "People of Creatan, you probably know by now that Eskium is among us. I know that lots of you are scared. They wiped out a whole Unit to prove a point. What do you think they're going to do to you and your families unless we do something about it? We may have had problems with the Program, but I believe in General Lycroft. He's not like Xylem. He will make this country better. We can't do this alone, and neither can the Program. The only way to end this, once and for all, is to rise up. Rise up, and fight for your nation. You have the power to be the change you want to see in this world. Harness it. Embrace it. United together, we're unstoppable!"

All of Second Unit was on their feet, howling and cheering. Aiden felt a rush of determination course through him. He spotted Zariah standing by Virgil, the two of them wearing faces of amazement. Aiden must have appeared the same way to the rest of the Unit. He glanced at Roman, whose hardened expression had melted into one of awe and pride.

However, a deafening shriek of feedback from the microphone caused their excitement to be short lived.

Static crackled all around them. Aiden saw Theo falter, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he fiddled with the controls. He looked up in Aiden's direction, shaking his head, his eyes dark with concern.

"That was... a really beautiful speech. It was... quite... inspiring," a foreign voice, distorted and sinister, blared over the screens.

"Theo?" Aiden's voice cut across the Foyer. "What the hell?"

"Someone's hijacking our feed!" Theo hissed. "They've completely overridden our broadcast!"

Within seconds, Zariah, Virgil and Rania had joined Aiden and Roman on the podium, looking around as the perpetrator's face appeared on all the screens around them. The pixelated image eventually cleared itself up, allowing for Aiden and the others to properly take in the speaker's face.

"Who the fuck interrupted the broadcast? Did one of Xylem's Officials escape?" Virgil snarled, instinctively reaching for his weapon.

"With the security in the Pit as tight as it is, it's unlikely," Roman grimaced. "That's no Official if I've ever seen one."

"A united nation," the man on the screen mused after a few seconds. "How precious. You were divided for so long, and now, only now, have you finally chosen to sort out your differences. I'm proud of you all. Really, I am. It was far too easy to hide under this barricade that you put between yourselves. While you were so oblivious as to focus on fighting amongst yourselves, you failed to see the real enemy lurking beneath you. Your ignorance is your downfall. And now, you're all out of time."

"Our audio is fully functional," Theo yelled. "Working on video!"

"Who are you?" Aiden demanded.

"It's nice to finally meet you, General Lycroft, so full of questions. Oops, sorry; acting General Lycroft," the man laughed. It boomed across the Foyer of Second Unit, twisted and humorless. "Oh my, if only you knew how long I've been waiting for this day. My name is Orion, General of the Other Worlders, and I am the leader of the nation known as Eskium."

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