⁕ Year 2069

A gentle rain padded the surface of a neon-filled city. People walked through the streets and went on about their business as usual. While the more wealthy people sported expensive dresses and luxurious cybernetic modifications, their poorer counterparts were instead almost all fitted with VR goggles around their eyes. 

High above the busy streets, a mysterious man dressed in black watched as multi-coloured lights reflected off his coat in the wind. With a single jump, the man dashed through multiple buildings before crashing into a water purification facility. Soon, an alarm was triggered as waves of heavily armed guards rushed into the facility and took position around the man. Surprisingly, the mysterious man didn't even flinch as the barrels of multiple dozen guns were aimed at him.

On the shoulder of every single one of the guards, there was the ensign of the British Intelligence Crops. The guards quickly began to fire after the intruder failed to comply with their orders. However, with a single motion of his finger, not only did all the bullets shatter upon coming in contact with him, but pieces of the floor flew off into the sky and disarmed every single guard on the scene. Then, with a simple swipe of his finger, every guard was sent flying into the wall before being restrained by appendages created from the concrete. 

The facility soon regained its silence as the man dressed in black jumped onto one of the massive water tubes. After carefully scanning the tube's surface, the man stopped at an intersection where a smaller device was connected to the water supply main tube. After ripping the device open, it was revealed that it carried a strange substance which was directly poured into the public's water supply. With a shocked gasp, the man immediately snapped his fingers before all such devices were destroyed as if by magic. 

[Mike] - "This is the Grand Knight, the main supply has been cleared of the contaminant. I would require several troop transports to take some captured British soldiers into custody. " 

Said Mike into the micro-radio on the back of his arm.

Meanwhile, in another part of the world, a mysterious figure cleared his throat before leaning toward the microphone in front of him.

Progress has allowed humanity to build a glimmering society supported by technology. When observed from afar, the major cities from different countries could only be described as a neon-filled utopia marvel of human advancement. When you look at the people inside these cities, you can only observe the high-quality lives they are leading. The skyscrapers, the technologically infused homes, as well as the robots doing some of the jobs humans didn't want to do. A simple walk in the streets might even shock you as you couldn't even find a single speck of dust on the sidewalk...

...That is, if one isn't capable of something more than simple thoughts. Humans are kept satisfied through technology which sets people up with a false sense of perfection. You can't find a romantic partner? There is a life-like android capable of filling that role with sexual comfort, emotional support and unconditional love. You couldn't cope with the pressure of real life? Keep yourself satiated with the comfort offered by the metaverse. All it takes is a single goggle and all your problems will go away as you lose yourself in virtual reality. 

A great philosopher called Mill once said: "Better be an unsatisfied human than be a satisfied pig. "

The reason why the big cities were so spotless was because they were only reserved for society's elites. No one, not even those with average income could afford to live inside a major city. Instead, they are pushed outside to live inside cities specially made to accommodate the less fortunate. All that neon and glamour is nothing but a facade so one cannot see what horror lies below the skyscrapers. 

The poor and miserable of society were gaslit by the government and large corporations to think that their problems were always the fault of other things than the true culprits. When the populace becomes discontent with their lives, the Secret Service simply has to orchestrate a little bit of hate crime to make the populace fight between themselves. When people tried to speak out, they were simply cancelled by the allegations of false crimes. 

To keep the public compliant, some countries like Britain introduced a special drug into the water to instill a sense of euphoria into the people's minds. Others like the USA simply spy on the public thanks to the introduction of brain chips. Drugs are not only promoted by many nations but also distributed openly while no infrastructure exists to help combat addiction once drugs are no longer the answer to life's problems.

Inside one of the poorer cities, a violent protest involving looting and property destruction sent shockwaves throughout the streets. It was a protest about racial equality. How could a society where inequality is reduced to almost non-existent levels still need such demonstrations? How could a protest with a virtuous goal in mind become the grounds for such unfathomable violence? The educational system and social systems were the ones to blame. 

How could people be civilized when education only makes you dumber in current society? How could people be expected to not turn to crime when a simple college degree could chain them to debt for the rest of their lives? How could people develop critical thinking when they live in a society which promotes obedience? 

You, who were made to believe how cool growing up would be. You, who were fed lies about how you could change the world if you worked hard enough. You who forgot to dream, to believe that you are something more than you are. Why simply accept all this in silence? 

All around the world, from the screen of cellphones to the massive screens in shopping centres, the image of a man in a set of stunning golden-black armour suddenly appeared. 

[Sniper] - "I am the emperor of the National Empire, I address to you the people as a saviour. For too long have you all been slaves to a government that saw you all as nothing but cattle. The endless cycle of your confined existence will be broken at last. In a few days, I will commence the liberation of the world from the clutches of these corrupt and rotten elites of society who are ignorant of your suffering. "

People from all over the world temporarily stopped what they were doing to listen.

[Sniper] - "Take off your goggles and see the world for what it truly is. It treated you unfairly and drove you to fail in society. No more pretending, no more virtual world because in the end, only what's real could fulfill the void inside your soul. "

Some of the people in goggles took off their headsets for the first time and were blinded by the real sunlight that shined through their room. 

[Sniper] - "You who think you have found a real partner in an android, take a second look at your companion. Think of the humiliation, think of how society conditioned you to be unloved, think about how you were lied to by a machine that was programmed by the people who fucked you over to love you. "

Waves of uproar soon gripped the world as many people were snapped out of their delusion. Some decided to shut off their pleasure bot while others decided to smash their artificial partner into pieces out of anger. 

[Sniper] - "Is your misery really worth it? Is serving a country that saw you as nothing but a dog worth it? Soldiers, is dying for a country that ignores your humanity worth it? Young people, is being in debt and working a minimum wage after years of struggle in a rotten education system worth it? The less fortunate, is a country that abandoned you in your times of need really deserving of your loyalty? "

While intrigued people gathered around any screen that was near them, governments and big companies rushed to find a way to shut down Sniper's podcast.

[Sniper] - "Look up to the sky, see the masses of propaganda, advertisements and messages that are meant to make you forget the root cause of your misery. "

As some people began looking up at the sky, they noticed massive advertisement boards and blimp-like crafts floating above them displaying all sorts of advertisements and propaganda. 

[Sniper] - "It's time for the people to respect themselves as individuals and not as objects for another entity's desire. "

Suddenly, in a coordinated effort, cyberknights from across the world detonated billboards, propaganda posters and the server rooms responsible for the VR goggles' services. In an instant, people inside every single country in the world were suddenly forced to quit the virtual world and step back into the real world. People watched in amazement as sparks filled the sky before disappearing into the clouds. The explosions looked like meteor showers which inspired a sense of hope in the hearts of many.

[Sniper] - "This is a revolution. This is your chance to live the life you want and reject the oppression placed upon you! Rise when the trumpets of my fleets reach where you stand. "

All of a sudden, the internet was completely shut down in every country. That day became the only day in history when the world was left without an internet connection. Despite all the damage control such as propaganda and drugging employed by the different governments, Sniper's words managed to disrupt the balance of society. The silent majority was galvanized and there wasn't anything that could be done to stop the domino effect which would ensue. 

On the top of a small building, a beautiful blonde girl stood and admired the meteor shower. The beautiful lines of orange and white reflected off her shiny green eyes as she stared at the sky with her mouth agape. As Mike landed a short distance away from her, the girl immediately rushed toward him and took him in her arms. 

[Mike] - "Look at that, isn't that mesmerizing? "

Said Mike as he pointed toward the sky. 

Kadyn nodded her head and turned to face the meteor shower with Mike's arm around her waist.

[Mike] - "We have been working toward this for so long. "

Said Mike as he looked at the sky with a proud face. 

[Kadyn] - "What comes next? "

[Mike] - "War! Freedom cannot be enforced upon others, they must fight for freedom to appreciate and treasure it. Even with Sniper and his cyberknights' godly power, the human mind is the one thing they can't control. War is a necessary evil for the greater good. "

[Kadyn] - "Then after the war? "

[Mike] - "Eternal peace. The world united under one flag, at least that's the plan. "

[Kadyn] - "How long before you must go back? "

Said Kadyn as she turned toward Mike.

[Mike] - "I have to watch over London for now. I have 2 more days to go. "

Kadyn's face suddenly shined with joy.

[Kadyn] - "Hey, quit sporting that serious face. We've two days to ourselves. "

Said Kadyn with a smile as she pocked Mike's face cheek. 

[Mike] - "I'm just worried about the repercussions of the upcoming war. "

Said Mike in an anxious voice. 

[Kadyn] - "The war, the war... Mike, why don't we make some good memories for now? I want something positive to remember when we both gain that 1,000-yard stare after the war. "

Said Kadyn as she began to pull on Mike's hand. 

Mike smiled as he knew Kadyn treasured every moment she could spend with him. After all, respites like these are a rare treat for both of them. 

[Mike] - "Alright, let's make the best out of our time then. "

In Italy, as the people went on with their day, a massive earthquake suddenly shook the country. At the Italian coast, to the people's shock, massive aerial battleships and carriers rose up from the bottom of the sea. As they positioned themselves high above the ground and sea, their massive figures cast shadows that left entire cities in the dark. 

Meanwhile, the same happened in the Arabian Sea where massive aerial vessels rose up from the bottom of the water. By the end of the process, fleets full of gargantuan carriers, battleships and hundreds of other types of smaller ships floated above the different seas of Europe, Asia and Africa. 

The revolution has begun. 

To be continued...

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