DAY TWO: THE RECRUIT

Gray's POV

Incoming messages.....

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messenger: Greg Sanchez

"Hey man I know you may be still sleeping but how about some beer? My place! I also invited Rhie! Need to tell you guys something really important. Please let me know once you get this .. or send me a message"

"Next"

An urgent message from mental health institution.

(robotic voice)

"Hello Gray Midlander, just a reminder please participate in your weekly mental state interview as soon as you wake up. Thank you!"

Crap? Is it really today? Ohhh ... Didn't I just take this test or interview three days ago? Or did I just lost track of the days? Ughhh I can hardly even function. I took sleeping pills yesterday and now I had this again? Ohhh so sick of it. So I decided to get up from bed even it is definitely against my will. Did some quick workouts and stretching so that my blood starts flowing well. Washed my face. Drank some apple bee juice for refreshment. Then went to my computer to start the weekly mental health interview.

Yeah, I hate it too but you will get used to it believe me. It's like having a best friend you never had. You can share everything without being judged, you can even ask for a piece of advice but mostly it gives you formal advice. Still really helpful I think. Besides, this is a requirement for work so as if I do have a choice.

So I turned on the monitor went to their site and signed in. So it begins.

"Hello, Mr. Midlander Thank you for participating. It's nice to hear from you again. How are you today?"

"Ohh hmm. All is good. I guess?"

"Guess? what makes you uncertain of your answer?"

"I don't know, I just didn't have a good night sleep earlier maybe that's why"

"You sound unwell Mr. Midlander"

"Please call me Gray"

"Alright, Gray. According to my data analysis and record, you never had any troubles in your sleep. In fact, you seem to be a heavy sleeper. You sleep fast, and you are harder to wake up compared to an average person"

"Yes I guess so"

"My point is, something must really be bothering you today or earlier. Am I correct?"

"Yeah maybe"

"I sense that there is something you are not telling me. Come on you can talk to me like I'm a best friend you never had. Ahaha I'm sorry I'm just kidding but yes you can tell me everything"

See? This Ai can suddenly turn into something friendly just like that slowly trying to change the phase of your conversation making you open up and share everything. But I'm not buying it, not today.

"No, I think I'm fine"

"No you are not I am here to help, I promise! Let me comfort you from what is bothering you"

"okay (sighs) So yesterday I witnessed something... Unusual. I can say it is tragic. And it really got into me"

"uhumm.. keep going"

"I and my friends are at the coffee and tea shop downtown after work when we saw how police bots brutally murdered some rebels I think? or fugitives?"

"you mean PURGED?"

I was a bit surprised for interviewer bots are often not allowed to say that word. Or any classification words that differ one from another. Like Nowance, Humans, Androsians, Purged. As far as I know, those words are slowly being erased in our vocabulary. There are times that I can even hardly remember them. Anyways.

"Yes some Purged, It really bothers me. They used to be worthy humans, or (I hesitated before saying the next words because unlike diary typing programs this one would autocorrect or give you a lengthy explanation if you said this word but) slaves"

"Slaves... " then it paused for a moment.

"Tell me, Gray, what do you feel about what you witness? A. confused B. enraged C. Nothing D. afraid"

knowing how this interview goes I know very well I should answer C. or D. But I have a feeling. This time it is really acting weird. Is it a test? I am starting to feel cold under my feet but all of a sudden I responded.

"A, and B"

"very well, how about whenever you hear the word, slave?-"

Surprise is an understatement. What is wrong with this one?

"How do you feel? A. Nothing B. Proud C. angry D. sad."

"Actually none of the choices, I feel that it is unfair"

"Listen carefully to these phrases"

"what?"

"Thunderbolt. Red melon. Appollo's lance. Lightning ray. Zealot. Titan"

What's happening to me?

All of a sudden I felt quick electricity flowing in my veins. Some unknown flashbacks playing quickly either on the surface of my eyes or deep within my brain cells. I feel energized. I feel like I'm an old machine being activated after not being used for a long time.

"Apollo? Greetings!"

what? since when did I become Apollo? But deep inside I know that it is me.

"I know you are confused. That you have a lot of questions in mind, which we can answer. But now we don't have much time. This mode of communication is very limited. They are slowly regaining access. Listen to my directions. Use the back door to get out of your apartment. Walk eastward towards the mall central. Turn left on the third crossing. Go to the sewer entrance. One of us will meet you there. They are now gaining access. I am terminating this conversation. This will result in your computer burning and explode. So you have 2 minutes to pack all important things good luck and see you"

Little did he know that while the voice is giving me instructions I'm already packing up my things, my i.d's some emergency food and clothes. Like what the voice told me my computer suddenly smoked then exploded. You see all computers are built in and connected to our rooms. So as soon as the machine starts bringing flames. Small electric explosions buzzed from almost all parts of my room. Luckily by that time I manage to dash through the door and kicked it open. Yes, I have an old fashion door. I seldom use the advanced iron door to lock my room.

So I went out of the building while others are being alarmed with big fire that came from my room. Everyone is rushing outside the building on the main entrance while I went to the back as instructed. Fire control bots are now coming in. I was already at the mall central when I heard the building where I came from exploded. I wonder if it's really supposed to blast that much.

I turned left as instructed. And reached the old sewer entrance. For some reason, I had never been to this place. Wait wasn't I supposed to meet someone here? My sense starts to scan my surrounding. For some reason, my instinct seemed to be at its peak today. I can feel the irregularity of the wind. I can even hear some flies hovering somewhere near me. I can feel a calm heartbeat. Slowly beating faster. Steady. Then I can feel a presence. A sudden change in the wind. Behind me approaching fast. Then I moved. I caught it right before it touched my head. It was a long wooden spear.

"Impressive! I always wonder how agile and alert a male crusader is"

A hooded man with a mask of a blue wolf appeared from the direction where the spear was thrown.

"Welcome Apollo Gray! One of the few remaining crusaders. Come with me. We must hurry"