Dead and Gone

Malik Moreno
Cylinder 2 Lower levels, Corruption level;13/20
I could feel the wind in my ears as I was running. It was sooty and reeked of fumes coming from
industries that built parts for a company I didn't know of. The ground was rusty. The walls were dirty. The
air stung my eyes but I didn't care for it, I had much more important matters to deal with. As I turned the
corner I saw the familiar prostitution parlors that did so many unspeakable things to people who didnt get
it good in life. I couldn't help but feel sadness and anguish to the poor souls and yet I also felt like they
deserved it. Businessman whove cheated, politicians whove failed because they're ideals weren't right
for this so called democracy. Its a dictatorship and everyone seems to like it. Only the poor and disowned
know what's really best for everyone yet they can't pursue true justice because they're poor. I could only
feel the hard metal and trash littering the ground, It made me wonder what the Earth's soil felt like. I
needed off this artificial place.
I hope all those poor people will have better lives than now, I whispered as my destination
came into view.
It was an alley where me and a couple of other radicals were surviving for the time being.
Without any facial emotion they nodded to me in submission although I hated it. They would never tell
me why. I walked into the tent where my friend and mentor--Tamul--was sitting, listening to a stolen
tradesman's radio. Even though we didn't greet each other he always felt my presence as if I were a
shadow that wasn't his.
I said slowly without emotion, Are you waiting for an opening?
"And you aren't?"
"Well my way is a lot stealthier."
"Well your way is a lot more riskier."
We both looked at each other as if we were rivals but we knew that we would have to work
together to reach our goals. He knew he needed me to get through our time of sorrow.

"Have you found anything worthwhile to hi-jack?"

"No, it's just them shipping resources to another cylinder."
"Notify me if they'll be shipping weapons or MK-IIs."
"You do know that'll be from a couple days from now, right?"
And without letting a breath of air out, I nodded. Then I left without saying goodbye. I walked for
what seemed like hours on the first level of the colony. It was beautiful on the first level. If you looked
straight up you could see clouds in the middle of the colony then, if you were lucky, you'd be able to see
through them and see the other half of the colony. It was so artificial, yet it felt normal. How peculiar.
Mostly between houses there were thousands of species of plants. These plants were all now exotic. They
used to be common like the oak tree. Now people protect them from abuse as if they were their own
children. Animals were running along unsupervised. Animals held a special status since there were less
after the desolation of earth. As well as new species after the destruction of earth. Red spotted squirrel,
fox tailed rabbits as well as other numerous animals that you couldn't find on the healthy earth. My
clothes ripped and original color were fading. I stood out so much because of the scars and burns on my
face that little kids were scared of me. All those scars and burns were the result of major turning points
and skirmishes. They were mostly given by myself. My emotionless expression made those kids feel even
worse. They ran away. I didn't care. I started getting closer to a security checkpoint. My breath started to
get heavy. I could feel someone's eyes watching me. They were not of the friendly kind. Their breed was
of a soldiers. And as I kept minding my business a large man wearing a blue beret and black uniform
stopped me. His stoic posture was completely the opposite of mine. I could see the outlines of hidden
sheaths and magazines beneath his dark uniform. "What is your business here on level 1?" "For a stroll." I
gave him a smirk to rouse him. His eyebrows furrowed. The muscles below his face clenched in
aggression. that aggression got so high he took out his sidearm. First he shoved me, then forcefully
dropped me to my knees and spoke "What is your business here on level 1?" My nerves stung as my knee
caps hit the floor. I hate it when people touch me. Especially if they're someone I hate. It was my turn to
get mad. I bit my tongue to get a surge of intense pain and amusement. The taste of my blood. Of Iron.

And as he finished his sentence I grabbed the gun and kicked him in the shin. Disoriented. I pulled the
trigger. A beautiful and mesmerizing response came to answer the call. The gun spoke 3 times in his
kneecaps and then finally his throat. I saw the maroon start to spurt out of him and in his final moments I
bent down and spoke into his ear," Your way of governing is scrutinizing and not of the will of the people,
I will fucking destroy it." His blood started to pool and went onto my hands. The dark shade coating them
and filling the small valleys indented in my hands. I liked it. Although I want peace, I can't deny that even
I have fun with this sort of violence. How contradictory. His choking almost amused me. Blood was
coming out of his mouth, and no air went into his lungs. Just blood. I shot a civilians phone out of his
hand so he couldn't call security. And from that small pause I ran. I ran although it was self defence, that
was one of the best examples of oppression yet I ran because I knew no one would care. I ran towards a
shopping center, sliding on top of automated car hoods and climbing above tall fences to get away from
that area as soon as possible. Hiding beneath a dumpster I waited. boots went past. pair and pairs of the
security forces feet. I knew the news as well as security forces would show up insanely fast. My body
started to relax and in the end I fell asleep. Ive always had problems. Not in the sense of if I was smart but
I could never have an easy dream. Knowing that I started to wake from my nightmare I kept my eyes
shut. My ear started to tickle. What the hell?
A Blue Plated Possum. Its body was of a natural possum species but it had been engineered with
an armadillos armor. For whatever reason it seemed to be fond of me. being careful of not hitting my
head on the bottom of the dumpster I raised it a few inches. The possum shivered a little and started to
strafe around my head. Shimmying my body from under the dumpster I decided to have the creature bite
me. I offered my hand. No response. I guess my way of saying that you don't need to be afraid needs to be
worked on.
Judging that it was 2 pm I walked through the large alleyways to try and avoid more security. But
by karmas grace I had been found again. The chase is always on. sprinting was the only option. I
wouldn't risk a firefight out in the open. This mall was huge, I mean a mall that's 30 square miles must be
a feat. Crowds of shoppers were amazing cover and I had eluded the patrols. Weaving through the waves

of people I ended up in a clothes store. I stopped to catch my breath and hid the captured gun in my pants
with my shirt and jacket above it. I stooped lower and noticed someone's shoes stop right in front of me. It
was a girl who was staring at me with such curiosity. I saw your shootout, who are you? I decided not
to speak but to just look away. She glanced at my attire then glanced back up to my face.
You should really buy new clothes if you're going to walk level 1 without much suspicion,
although I don't know about your scars.
Are you in need of something, maam?
So you do speak!
I dont understand, why are you talking to me? Plus why did you follow me here?
Lets just say that crazy and mysterious entices me.
I gave her a look that wasn't angry but a sad one. When she saw my eyes she didn't see the hate
that I had but she saw the devastation and sorrow. She put her hand gently on my shoulder. Her eyes
turned blue and her face turned into pity and she covered her mouth. Tears started flowing from her amber
eyes.
Hey, hey hey hey, what's wrong?
I saw everything.
Saw what?
Your past. I've seen what youve done. How many people have you killed? And why are you
doing this?
How were you able to see that?
I don't know!
A long pause in time had formed. I kept staring at the ground.
I was starting to get anxious as Id hoped that she mayve seen a memory of my parents and how
they abandoned me. How their greed made all this happen.
"Can we talk somewhere else?"
"If that's what you want."

We'll need to buy you new clothes."

"I don't have money.
"I expected that, I'll buy them for you, what do you like?"
I chose jet black clothes, since no cylinder's temperature goes above 79 degrees. None of them
were too heavy so I could retain my speed and stamina while running, as well as fights.
"Even though it's black, you certainly have some style."
I put my double gun holster on then the jacket. The sweater had a matt black finish on the hood
then 4 buttons on the right side. I buttoned them which made me look as though I had sort of a napoleonic
military outfit on. Next the pants were of pure black material then I put on the first belt. The second belt
sat atop my left shoulder and crossed my chest to connect the first and second at the right of my torso.
This functioned as a hard point so I could attach the sheaths of knives or maybe even swords onto. I
finally felt comfortable in something that I wore. I really didn't understand why she would go to such
lengths to do something for a dangerous stranger.
We walked out the mall and into a large courtyard filled with now exotic trees and flowers from a
once healthy earth. The green and red of the leaves, the white oak trees, this place seemed very magical. A
stream of pure clear water weaved itself like a snake in between the trees and brush. A small bridge let us
gain access into the middle where very expensive diamond tile walkways were placed. As soon as we got
into the middle of the courtyard she turned on her heel and said "your parents seemed afraid."
"You even saw that?"
"They were being taken from you, but I don't know the reason. Do you want to see them again?"
"No, I don't feel the need.
" My name is Aurora Irridence, will you tell me yours?"
"I prefer not. considering if were seen together people may think you're involved in my
activities. I don't want you to get hurt like I've been, Im sorry."
She dropped her head and stared at the ground. I wouldn't blame her if she hated me. After all id
mooched off of her and I just left her there. I am probably if not the most horrible person. I turned away

and started to jog. Jog because I didn't want her to follow me plus look suspicious. I went past the familiar
sight where I killed the security officer, and I went all the way back to the alley.
I heard Tamul screwing with the radio and I heard a garbled man's voice. "Careful, careful! You
don't want to scratch that or our entire workforce is going to be thrown in the gutter. Careful careful, that
MK-II isn't going to ship itself!"
As soon as I heard that I yelled to the others, "get ready! We're going to hijack that and bring it to
the NWLF."
"How the fuck are we supposed to do that? Stroll in there with our thumbs up our ass and say
we're lost?"
I retorted "Shut the hell up. 3 of you will take and shut off the power block that goes to the dock.
That'll shut off the control room and the doors will be unworkable. I'll use the pipe bombs to take out the
doors. Then Ill hook the fuel rods into their position as you men will be running towards the ship.
asshole, are you okay with this plan?
At least its not like your other ones, ill approve it. Then lets go.
We ran through what seemed like a massive maze. We scrubbed past oxidized walls of steel and
slid through the slums of what made level 2. There were no reflecting mirrors to simulate sunlight. It was
only artificial light that was usually off or broken. It would only create night. My legs were dragging
because of all the trash lying around the ground, making me tired of the seemingly endless hopping. As
we were nearing our destination I saw a bright and small flash, like a little explosion, pointed at us, and
miss. It happened again and almost hit me. I had to retaliate so I dropped like I was dead. I waited and
kept waiting until this unknown and armed person would get close to me. I heard the footsteps get closer
and closer. As soon as I saw that black uniform and blue beret I fired until my mag was used up. Bullets
had riddled his body. Most ripped through his body with ease. He was dead almost instantly. You could
here the zipping sounds the bullets made as they entered and left. The body slumped into a pile of soulless
flesh. Nothing was in there now. Almost like mercy killing, and yet I have no mercy in my heart for these
people. I took his pistol and submachine gun, checked the counter, then ran to meet up with Tamul.

"What happened, You were with us a second ago then disappeared!"

"Slight problem, I dealt with it, now let's steal that MK-II".
I started running through how to pilot the MK-II. It's specs say it's a corvette class cruiser
complete with a hanger full of fighters, as well as 20 anti-air turrets. Not to mention its full supply of
plasma based and even ballistic missiles to rival space stations and most certainly cylinders. I remember
dictators used these to wipe out trade ships, then cut off the oxygen in cylinder 4. Instead of the dictators
being shunned by the public, they were praised because they blamed the deaths on radicals for their
supposedly undemocratic ways of thinking. Now these machines lie in wait for their master to command
them. Waiting patiently for the next purge, but on who, I have no idea. I communicated to the men who
made it to the power station to blow it up. As soon as I gave the order I saw everything go black. I lit a
flare then lit a pipe bomb. It hissed and looked like dynamite. Tamul and I ran to a safe distance then
heard the loud explosion. I immediately checked the counter of the gun in my hands then sprinted through
into the dock. As I was nearing the fuel rods I shot into a crowd of men who were about to surround my
position. I checked again.
"26 left."
I dropped the gun as a man got too close. I flailed my knife into his ankle then choked him.
Tamul's position was being fired upon so I shot into the crowd that had him pinned. Some dropped
immediately while others were slowly stooping downwards when they felt the puncture of the bullets. I
dropped the gun for a second time then started to load the fuel rods into their positions. Had the ship been
fully crewed we would've been wiped out.
"Guess I've got a bit of luck."
I ordered the men to re-route the power to the control panel. It's interface flickered to life and
asked for a security card. I checked the bodies then found a black and neon green access card. I inserted it
into the panel then unlocked the doors to the ship. It's hatch door opened slowly and with a large whine. I
heard someone's footsteps walking slowly, towards the docks entrance. 3 non explosive bullets were left

in my mag. I lifted the gun into my hands, changed the sight to longe range and was ready to fire. The
figure came into view.
"Aurora? Shit." " What the FUCK are you doing here?" I realized it wasn't like me to yell at
someone, so I stopped.
"Id like to go with you."
"What?"
Why would she want to? She doesn't belong here. She deserves to not be in my situation yet she
followed me here. Suddenly the power for everything came on blinding us. Those security forces
probably rerouted the power. No one likes to waste electricity.
I yelled "Get inside the ship if you want to be freed from this place!"
I turned to Aurora and stared into her eyes. Softly I said "come on." I couldn't just leave her here.
Not after what happened earlier that day. They probably would execute her.
"I went over and over of your past and realized that this place isn't the haven I thought it was,
that's why Id like to fight."
I stared into her eyes more and said," get inside."
We ran in and I slammed the panel to get the door closed. I looked to Tamul and said, "order
everyone to find the bridge.
As they were scrambling Aurora and I took a little stroll to get a little familiar with the ship. We
found one of the main cannons that are used to take out other ships and even space stations. I've heard that
they come preloaded with its own munition. I looked at the specs and saw that it fired plasma. Supposedly
that process begins with hydrogen being suspended in a photonic state inside some type of container. It is
then put into a fusion core and suspended in this state by magnetic fields until it is fired by a magnetic
accelerator creating a bolt of superheated matter. We walked into the hangar and at that moment we felt
the ship's engines boom. Felt its metal frame shift from stationary to free. It slowly lifted and turned
outward into space, into the dark veil with tiny lights all around. Tamuls face popped up without a body.
We found the bridge as well as the ships interconnected comms system.

"Thanks, do you have the schematics of the ship?"

"Yea, I'll send them to you."
The interface which resembled those 600 yr old iPads went out of existence. I looked downward
and found out it was just a hologram. We walked back to the bridge and surveyed the dead earth. It is said
earth was fertile and had trillions of species of fauna and flora. For thousands of years mankind lived on
planet earth turning it from a haven, to a war ridden and corrupt world. Then came industry. They started
to mine and manufacture. It started to pollute and kill Mother Earth along with the numerous wars. Man
had become so evil earth couldn't keep up. When earth finally couldn't take anymore and started to decay
from all the desolation, the corrupt officials and politicians put their money together and began what
would become the cylinders. Able to hold 10 million people and sustain itself, these massive floating
objects would be mans last home. Huge revolving mirrors will create an artificial day and night cycle, and
automated farms create the food. The people's duty however was to be subjugated into being those corrupt
officials subjects. And even now it's still the same. Those same politicians who funded the projects have
their descendants rule over these fragile ecosystems. I sighed for what seemed like an eternity. I kept
myself silent as me and Aurora stared into the lonely space. We started to walk back to the bridge but we
made some detours. We found the armory and training room which looked so enticing. We found the
captains as well as the commanding officer's quarters. We kept walking down the large hallway when we
both smelled something foul. The stench of blood was seeping throughout the ship. We found the
interrogation room as well as a control room. The room seemed like it hadn't been used but you could
smell it. I checked the records for what happened in here and rewinded the last recorded video. Even
though it was scrubbing it looked like an intense video. It started abruptly with a tall man sitting down
and staring at two people I knew. Two people who are nowhere to be found. My parents. Aurora stared at
me but I didn't flinch, I just kept watching.
He shouted, Where are the subjects XN-7 and 9!. My parents just shook their heads. He
whipped out his electric baton and whacked them in their mouths and sides. He grabbed my fathers black
and grey hair and dragged him to the wall. His arms kept going back and forth, smashing my dads head in

the wall. He let go. The blood dripped from the sides of my dads head and mouth, but was still conscious.
My mother kept crying, silently and my dad dragged his injured body to her.
Their eyes locked and he said", it's alright, as long as he lives it'll be alright." He was talking
about me. Suddenly two guards came and apprehended them, walking them somewhere else. I stopped
the video. I wouldn't cry. I'd lost that ability long ago. I wouldn't start now. I took a deep breath.
Without turning I spoke to Aurora ",let's get outta here." "Will you be ok?" Her eyes were on the
brink of watering. "Of course not, I haven't been ok since the day I was born, lets walk to the bridge.
Tamuls hologram popped up and led the way to an elevator. We stepped in and it immediately took us up.
Its clean white cylinder doors opened and we stepped slowly into a large room that looked like we were
on the set of those ancient star trek movies. Lights were flashing and sounds were appearing from
seemingly nowhere.
I took the liberty in hacking the database as well as turning off all of the ships transponder
systems, Tamul shouted.
Thanks.
I wondered what was Tamuls story. Id have never bothered to question the man who rescued me
from the hellholes of peoples greed. I walked to my left and sat down in a comfy yet sturdy chair. I went
to the captains documents page since it was all hacked. My fingers moved. XN-7 was in the search bar. I
scrolled down and saw a full picture of a boy. Me. Designation XN-7 Eterna. My name. I kept scrolling.
It read that I am the 7th out of 10 subjects to be injected with nanomites. My designation is XN because
the X in experimental as well as the first letter of nanomites. These microscopic machines could travel
anywhere in my body and are mainly used for physical enhancement but also show the power of
enhancing the brain, most notably the subconscious. Able to unlock the full potential of the body and
mind I was created to be the first batch of new soldiers to kill and subjugate more of the poor. These 10
were created from 8 scientists basic genes for the external appearance to look human. They were then
injected with nanomites to carry manufactured genes to increase regular performance of the body.
although those could only go so far. Which is why the nanomachines stay in the body to give even more

enhancement to overall physique. History shows that 8 had died from failures in the process but 2 were
alive and kicking. The status of these 2 are unknown. A pair of scientists went AWOL and decided to steal
the 2 and keep them away from the life of killing. These 2 scientists have been captured and placed in
cryogenic stasis, only to be woken before their execution. The matter having them being launched to the
center of the milky way galaxy to enter the supermassive black hole. The execution was issued by the
royal family to pay for their heretic crimes. End of history. I paused. my hands ran uncontrollably through
my hair. I wanted to pull my hair. I wanted to bite my fingers off for this bullshit. Everything was coming
into place. I paused again. How did Aurora see into my memories that I buried so deep that even the
nanomites couldn't procure? XN-9 went into the search bar. XN-9 Aurora,Was the only subject to
survive the nanomites with one more ability. If the subject touches a living animal or human, the
nanomites will rush toward to the point of contact. upon arrival it goes through her skin and into the other
body. At this point they swarm to the brain and look through the subconscious for the most emotional
memories, regardless if the victim wants it or not. After gathering this information they come back to her
mind as if they were her own. End of history. Another puzzle fell into peice with a massive thud. My
chest went heavy. I felt so bad. I couldn't show it, so as soon as I got the feeling I mustered up all of my
seriousness and forced it to contain the emotion dwelling within my heart. I looked to Aurora. Shed been
reading the entire time. She clutched my collar and put her head to my chest. Her tears were staining my
shirt. I felt stained and tainted as much as she did. I wrapped my hands slowly around her head and held
them there. What else could I do. Her emotions which I could barely understand were pouring out of her. I
tried to understand but in my state of having not felt happiness in so long I couldnt. Yet I strive for
understanding. Mutual understanding and peace. My ultimate goal.
After minutes of intense crying and silence that not even Tamul would dare interrupt she
whispered, Eterna, I finally know your name.
Another one of my secrets lost.
She looked up and stared into my black eyes. The only thing I could do was return the stare,
peering into her soul, the gateway, her peculiar amber eyes. We were still a full week away from reaching

the hidden biospheres on Earth housing The resistance movement New World Liberation Front. Its
main objective was to rid the cylinders of those assholes who were running everything. Not going against
my goals in the slightest. We just needed to last a week.
She finally stood up and lifted her jet black hair. It flowed downwards with curls at the bottom.
Something came over her in that moment. She was still the same girl as before but her resolve
strengthened. She only glanced at me and I knew what she wanted. To train and become stronger. Id have
to become stronger as well, and regain my humanity. And at that moment I returned the stare. I grabbed
her waist, then pulled her in close. We kept staring at each other and we both knew what was coming. We
both leaned in and shared our first kiss. As we stopped her expression was confusion. I gave her the most
rarest thing I've ever done. I smiled. In that moment I felt good. My heart wasn't cold, And I wanted it to
stay this way, In this confusing, warm way. "I never knew you were capable of love Eterna." "You had to
ruin the moment." "Hahaha, being an asshole never felt so good!" "How bout we leave Aurora, do you
want to start training now?" "Please, anything to do besides talk to the worst captain." Tamuls smile went
upside down. As we left I noticed Aurora was squeezing my hand. I gestured silently to her that she was
squeezing it quite hard. That was the first hint that she was stronger than she looked. "Am i squeezing to
hard?" "Yes actually, tell me how strong are you because my fingers are getting purple. Are you nervous?"
"Very. Ive never been out of cylinder 3. It's weird to go out into the unknown." "Things are only going to
get weirder." We made it to the armory and training room. "Well doesn't this look fun Eterna?" "Oh, very."
As we looked around we saw some fun stuff.