Chapter 1

Military training and research centre, Free Country, September 21th, 2109

"Daisuke, could you give me a hand? The measuring units seem to be malfunctioning." A man in red lab coat started yelling at a man in a blue lab coat.

"Of course it will probably be one of the logic gates. They burn out quickly. I will replace it."

Daisuke jumped down from his chair and walked over to a giant machine.

"How is the measuring logic going on? Is there still problem with CNOT gate?"

"No, I fixed that yesterday. You just fix the measuring and I think this is it." answered a dark-skinned man in a white lab coat.

"So this is it then, our hard work finally paid of. As for tomorrow, we should start with basic unit tests and then move to-" Daisuke was in the middle of explaining their next course of actions to his colleagues, as well as friends Sato and Mandi, when someone interrupted him.

"I am afraid we don't have that much time, boy." It was general Shirokawa. As soon as everyone saw him they stood up and saluted.

"At ease, soldiers." Shirokawa waved his hand as a return to their greeting.

"General, what do you mean that we don't have much time?" asked baffled Daisuke

"I mean exactly what it means, Hamasaki. As of yesterday evening, we are under siege from 'them'. We have to proceed with the plan immediately."

"But sir there are tests to be done and all the eq-"

"Do you trust your work, Hamasaki?" suddenly asked general Shirokawa

Daisuke became silent for a moment and hung his head. Then looked general straight in the eyes.

"With all my heart, sir."

"As do I. This is the last stand we take. We either do it or perish forever. You have until tomorrow to do everything necessary for your departure. Then you will meet us at 14:00 for strategical meeting." Shirokawa turned toward the exit and walked away.

Daisuke then turned back to his coleagues and continued.

"Well guys we should hurry and do some tests before we c-. Wait a minute. What did he mean by my departure?"

"Well, if you ask me, he meant that you are going there." answered Mundi when he saw Daisuke's face.

"WHAT?! Me? No. No. No. Why would they pick me. I am a mere engineer. I can't-" Daisuke went in state of panic.

"You may be an engineer, but you military training record is perfect. You are the best soldier here."

"That's right buddy. You're genius. In more than one way." Sato and Mandi made jokes about bewildered Daisuke.

"What's this ruckus. Are you done with the testing already?" A female, that seemed to be in her mid-thirties entered the room. It was Shirokawa Reiko. The project leader and General's sister.

The count of women was not as great as that of men, when the deportation to Free Country began back in 2027, but there were a lot of opposing women as well. Reiko's grandmother was one of those. She was against the idea, with her words. "How can I not have a grandson." and she was always on the front lines of all protests held back then. Reiko often told the team stories that grandmother told her about when "the world was great."

After the great moving to Free Country, it was basically a refugee camp. No organisation, no society. But there was a will and a common goal. To take back what was lost. Soon, from all that chaos, a structure of new country emerged.

Everyone worked hard. Be it engineers, politicians, soldiers, economy experts, managers. Everyone from former presidents to gardeners took part in shaping up this country. Soon, it started to look just like before everything happened.

But it was just an illusion. A shadow of what once used to be. And when the shaping of the all-female society began on the other side, everyone understood, that soon they will become a hindrance to their ideals, or even a treat.

So it was established, that a military organisation will be created as first and last line of defense.

"No Ma'am, we were just-" Sato and Mandi started apologizing.

"I don't care what you were doing. But if we don't test properly, your friend here could appear in the middle of an ocean, or be entangled with an amoeba. You want that?"

"No Ma'am, We do not want that." Sato a Mandi apologeticaly bowed their heads and as if running away moved to check the giant machine.

"And you Hamasaki. Are you ready for jour departure?"

"No I am not Ma'am. In fact I don't see any reason why they would pick me in the first place-" Daisuke finally wanted to make an objection, but Miss Shirokawa stopped him in same manner as her brother did. Siblings indeed.

"Everything will be explained tomorrow. As of today, you can go."

Daisuke left research room and headed to his quarters. He has lived there together with Sato and Mandi, that's why they became so close. He laid down on his bed and looked at the ceiling.

He started to remember the early days of his military training. He was a young engineer, no more than 15, but he already became an expert in field of quantum computing. Not being the sports type, physical training was hard.

Once he even thought about giving up, but then he met Mandi. Mandi was built like a bull, with strong arms and sturdy body. He cleared all physical courses with absolute ease always envied him.

Once they were running 10 kilometer run, everyone started to get exhausted, Daisuke as well. He then suddenly tripped and couldn't get up again. He thought that this is it. He will leave the squad and give up. But then, Mandi, who came to him, stood him up and told him:

"Don't give up. We are almost there." cheered him Mandi.

"Well, it's easy for YOU to say. This is nothing for you." replied Daisuke lifting heavily from the ground.

"Yes. But I wasn't born like this. Achievements take blood and sweat just as well as talent. You of all people should know that? Am I right Hamasaki? C'mon now or we will be left behind."

That was the deciding moment in his career as a military engineer. He decided to work hard and never ever give up. Eventually he reached the top of his class in both physical and scientific prowess.

When working on his final project. He met Sato. Fellow quantum engineer. His study focused more on mechanical structure of quantum machines than alghoritmic principle that Daisuke pursued, but soon they also became very good friends.

Rewinding those precious memories, he also stumbled at some from his childhood. Since young age, Daisuke often joined his Father in his lab observing his work on quantum computers, designing algorithms and tweaking computers. He also enjoyed little trials, that his father was preparing for him. Whether it was some mathematical formula, or programming exercise. He would always try to solve them, never giving up.

He grinned at those memories, resurfacing to him, but then he recalled what general said about the siege. Is this really the end?

He suddenly sat up on the bed with his eyes full of determination. All those happy memories will not be taken from him.

"Not if I can help it."