Chapter 4: Unreal Reality [4]

In the end, I managed to get myself to move over towards the computer and turn it on. It was password locked but luckily, I found a small note in the desk drawer which had the password for the computer.

Afterwards, I opened a unknown browser named "WorldLink" and used a foreign search engine named "Lingoo".

I was half assing the information gathering about the current world and also looked up where in the nine hell I was.

The other half was casually watching "NetLog" Videos as NetLog is currently one of the most popular social media platforms in todays age.

I don't know what happened with all the older platforms I knew before and why they are all replaced by these offbrand versions. In all fairness though, these offbrand versions work just fine.

While browsing NetLog, I clicked on a intresting looking video.

A popular news video about an "Tedeum" attack, I read the comments down below.

[Comments:]

—WorldAtTurtle: Praying for the refugees near the Alpine wall!!!

—Im1Step: Wow, no one would've guessed that the kilometer long wall that is as tall as a skyscraper which is supposed to protect the last remaining countries of europe encountered a malfunction. Really shows the incompetency of the goverments and especially a waste of tax payer money.

—MekMe: Cheering with the refugees who managed to kill one of those monsters! [Heart] [Heart]

—Herkel Neustadt: This news video fudged the numbers! I was there and saw a bloodbath of at least 50 people dead and even more wounded! WTF

[>>>This comment has been flagged as misinformation by the Community<<<]

—...

I leaned back in my chair and casually scrolled through the comments and began researching bits of history, where I was and what in the world a "Tedeum" is.

I've found a lot of intresting things that just seems too surreal to be true.

Currently, I should be in Ireland, located in the European Delta City HQ of U.N.I.F or also called Delsey which is managed by Director Brice Morton.

The year is 2061 in late January.

Apparently, I'm living in a fully equipped super large military base that also functionally became a developing city. I didn't delve deeper into its history and moved on to other topics.

I looked up what U.N.I.F. stands for. It's the abbreviation for "United Nations Irregular Force".

Still no idea why they added Irregular into the name but I did read that, that Irregulars are humans who became borderline superhumans or just straight up ARE superhumans .

There is also a lot of memes going around that compares them with magic space wizards. As there isn't a lot of scientific informations on how they came to be.

Finding accurate information about the Irregulars is pretty difficult as it is saturated with wild conpsiracy theories.

What's also funny is, that a unofficial fan-made global ranking system for Irregulars based on their popularity and their skills in battle have gained widespread attention all over the world.

Though I still found some controversies where a Corporation basically stole this idea and made their own version with legal and goverment backing to be able to sell merchandise and show advertsiements with the Irregulars and make a profit with it.

Of course it wasn't well received by the original community but as the Corporations version is more accurate and provides cleaner and better combat footage than whatever the Community could put out, the audiences slowly migrated over to the new platform over time.

There was still so much more about the whole debacle but I lost interest and skipped them.

What's more important is, that my basic understanding of normal reality has been shattered. I could safely determine that I am most likely in a whole different world.

I guess the Buddhists are right about reincarnation.

Just not what I expected it to be. . . maybe I should take up Buddhism as my new religion. . .

"Huah?! What the- WaaAh!?"

My computer screen suddenly had a seizure when I was about to research the Tedeum. It flickers as if a ghost is messing with the electronics insde the computer.

I of course got jumpscared and rolled my chair back while flailing around like a scaredy-cat. Only when nothing disastrous happens did I spectate the screen at a safe distance.

"What the hell was that!? Do ghost also exist??"

The screen goes black, but it comes back to life again, giving off a blue ominous hue.

[System Notice]

[Timer: 1:00]

[Your Status have been updated]

===[Stats]===

[System Notice Expiring 0:58]

[Art Keller/Wyland Ountilov]

[Current SP: 7]

[:=:Locked:=:]

===[Temporary Buffs]===

[+0.01 Luck] [Expiring 7:26]

[...]

===[Permanent Buffs]===

[...]

===[Universal Absolute]===

[:=:Locked:=:]

===[Extra]===

[Upgrade System: 500 SP]

[Information: 100 SP]

[Expansion: 150 SP]

[Permanent System Notice: 10.000 SP]

===

I watched the screen in awe. I immediately rushed over to the computer screen and then curiously stared at it.

"I only have 7 points? What's going on? Can I spend it or something?"

I asked the screen and nothing happened. I just watched the expiring timer tick down.

Scratching my head, I looked around the room. There is still absolutely nothing else going on except for the System notice being on my screen and its timer ticking down.

Until the system notice just expires and returned me the websites and videos I had opened previously.

Sitting there dumbfounded, I stared at the screen before just turning the computer off and went to bed.

"I don't care anymore."

•••

"It's all your fault that I scored 3rd place you stubborn dog- . . . where is everyone?"

"I told you that was your own— huh?"

The small statured woman Kishi Yumina finally noticed that they were left behind.

They stared at each other for a moment until the awkward silence was broken by a new voice.

"Move it you two. Caused enough of a scene already. You two are lucky that you're wearing civi clothings. Else I would've handed you two goodbye letters to Alaska."

A wild Irregular Instructor of UNIF has crossed their path!

"Also, you. Why didn't you de-escalate the situation?"

He looked towards the third person who watched by the sidelines the whole time, Charlotte Darryn. Blonde, long haired woman with a slight curl and glistening purple eyes.

She smiles apologetically at the Instructor.

"Ah, well I... kind of forgot... Blehe~"

Silence~

"Haaa, let's just forget that anything happened here and move on.."

The blonde-black haired man Coridan Asker swallowed his pride and agreed.

"Sorry for the inconveniences we've caused, Instructor Obrex."

Usually, he wouldn't give a shit about anyone but his father. Only other exceptions are those he holds in high regard and respect or those who actively tries to be a pain in the ass the whole time.

And it irks him that he unintentionally showed his bad side to someone he respected.

He blamed all the fault on Kishi Yumina. Only if she didn't interfere, nothing like this would've ever happened.

She on the other hand, grinned behind Coridan mischievously. Walking more motivated than ever knowing she managed to poke a hole in his pride.

While Charlotte followed behind Yumina, helplessly letting out a sigh.

When the three finally moved, Instructor Obrex continues on his way to the grocery store.

As the three finally arrived at the entrance of the dorm building, he saw his father talking happily with Warren. A sense of jealousy and a bit of rivalry made him immediately forget the embarrassment he went through.

He walked towards them to see what they were so happily chatting about.

Yumina and Charlotte on the other hand, joined in on the group who were sitting on a couch playing console games.

•••

Warren's eyes lit up when he see his stepfather, but due to Percival being a high ranking admiral, even though he is serving under a diffrent military association, he cannot help but be rigidly formal around him every time.

"Admiral Percival, I have awaited for your arrival."

Warren salutes him.

Admiral Percival knows that Warren is no good with authority figures, so he always tries to be more easygoing in Warrens presence.

"Relax Warren, your salute isn't even the correct one for the UDF. Even then, you are a Irregular serving under a completely different association. I just wanted to visit you. See how you're doing."

"Eeeh..."

He takes off his naval hat and smiles.

"So, do you have one or not?"

Warren looked at him confused

"You haven't answered me if you have a girlfriend yet."

"Aaaeeh... haha... I don't..."

Warren looked away, a bit embarrassed with the question.

"Pff, HA! Warren! How could you not have a girlfriend yet? You certainly have the good looks and a good personality to boast."

"You are thinking too highly of me, I just... don't have the time to think about those things yet..."

"Warren, in the line of combat, life is short. You should enjoy yourself more before its too late. I would still recommend you to leave UNIF altogether and live a peaceful life instead."

He gave Warren a light knock on the left shoulder, and confidently said.

"You should leave the war to old guys like me."

Warren could only look at his father with a sad smile.

"You know my answer is-"

"Still the same hm? I know. I respect your decisions no matter what."

He then half jokingly adds.

"Though, if you get a stupid order from a troglodyte, give em a piece of your mind you understand? I had enough idiots to deal with in my fleet."

Warren happily smiles at that.

"Of course!"

Admiral Percival suddenly noticed someone coming.

"Hey there Pa. What'cha two talking bout? I be intrested."

Coridan unceremoniously chimed in.

"Oh Coridan!"

Percival hugs his biological son, pats his back and then releases him.

"Hey!"

Coridan felt his personal space being violated.

"Nothing of importance, just a little visit. I actually came to discuss with the Director about a upcoming operation that's still being planned out. I wanted to see you two face to face first before that. Now that this old mans wish is granted, I'll better keep on moving."

Admiral Percival puts his hat back on.

"Don't want to keep him waiting because of my little family reunion. I hope I get the time to see you two again. Eat well you hear me?"

Coridan clicked his tongue as his father leaves him and Warren for his important meeting. While Warren gave a warm smile as he left.

"So, you gonna tell me what you were talking about with Pa?"

Warren smirks.

"Nah~."

"Oh you little shit!"

He ruffles his little brothers hair.

•••

It was already late afternoon inside the Directors office. Only a desk lamp dimly lights up the room.

The Director was reading the contents of the new UDF operations document again. Everything was written compactly on a single piece of paper.

The naval hat of the Admiral was already on the Directors desk.

While the atmosphere inside the room was rather tense the Director calmly spoke up.

"I must say it again Admiral. This is prodding the hornet's nest."

"You can say it again a thousand times but I'm still not going to magically become the guy who calls the shots. It's soley up to UDF Headquarters to decide if the plan is total bogus or carried out regardless of consequences."

The Admiral massages his forehead.

"Look, only Korea and Japan didn't support this plan but the majority voted positive. And as things are currently standing in the UDF Headquarters, they won't be swayed otherwise if there aren't any better alternatives being presented... I hope I don't need to explain to you why."

Silence.

"I take it that you don't have an alternative then."

"...why does North China support this idea in the first place? They will be the most affected out of those two nations."

He pauses for a second.

"And Russia... well, no point bringing them up. They are already clinging to whatever hope they can get anyway."

The Admiral leans back on his seat.

"I can't speak for North China, but I would assume that they are hoping, that if the "Hive" is finally destroyed, that the pressure on their defensive line would lighten."

He straightens his seat a bit.

"I would very much assume that they would divert their main resources and attention for "internal" affairs."

The Director sighs.

"I will not share my political view on this. But objectively speaking in how North China is currently standing, especially when its border relations with South China and West China are in a extreme volatile state. That would be the most likely and logical conclusion."

He stares into the Admirals eyes.

"However, if we thoroughly assess everyone else's situation, they are all in the same boat. Especially how Europe is currently providing stop gap measures to delay another crisis. Once Europe collapses at this stage..."

Percival shifts his legs, supporting one leg with the other.

"I know. Europe will certainly be a lost cause after that."

"...we 've wasted enough time on useless debate Admiral. Let's wrap this up."

The Director takes the paper document, rips them into pieces and crumbles them up. Placing them inside an ashtray that was on the desk and lit them up with a lighter.

"Admiral, I have read the contents of the document and have been very well informed by you on the details of the operation. The United Nations Irregular Force from the Delta Headquarters will provide its full support for the United Defense Force... We are done for tonight."

The Admiral stands up and puts on his naval hat back on.

"Thank you for your cooperation Director. I will take my leave now..."

Percival stops right at the door to say one last thing.

"Sleep well, Brice. You will need it."

The Admiral left the room promptly.

While the Director watches with his starlike eyes, how the paper burns up into cinder and ash.

Before breaking the ashy structure apart with his hand.

The last words from the Admiral lingers on the Directors mind.