Understanding The Situation

POV - CAL

After the blackout, I woke up trying to make sense of what had just happened. Got kidnapped, the soldier guy tried to tell me about a map that I will govern. As I turn left, a digital clock shows it is 3pm. 1st March 2002.

I looked back at the room and took another look at the clock. The months and days may be right but the year is totally wrong, 20 years too early!

"2002?! What the hell! I would've been 6 years old right now. Gods!"

The two guards burst in hearing the loud commotion.

"You!" I pointed at a guard. 

"YES, SIR!" both guards responded and saluted in unison.

"Uh.. At ease?" Both of them lowered their hands and went to their position.

"What is this place?" I said, trying to regain my composure. "What is this place?" I inquired

"It's your bedroom, Sir. The General is in the Situation Room waiting for you." one of the guards replied, offering an explanation as they escorted me out of the room.

As I stroll out of my supposed bedroom, I realize everyone is dressed in their best suits and the ladies wearing dresses. A stark contrast between my casual attire — my red shorts and a black T-shirt — It is what we Chinese Malaysians call "CinCai", basically carefree clothes we wear due to the heat in Malaysia. But when I walked out it felt a little cooler and the breeze was cold. 

Thinking to myself, I may have to get one of those warmer clothes if I am to be Governor of this region.

As we stepped out of the room. "The General can see me later, do you have cigarettes and bring me to the smoking area" I demanded. The two guards nodded and brought me out the door, took a right and another right before reaching the balcony. We must be on the 2nd floor looking at the height. 

The guards took out their cigarettes and handed me one before lighting it with the lighter. "Take it easy" I said, "Have a smoke. I know that your job is to guard me. What's your name?"

Both of the guards are identical in height, wearing the same identical armor, clothing but to differentiate them, one has a beard and one has a mustache. "Farhan, sir" the bearded one replied. "Hamid sir" before lighting the cigarette.

"I may be new here but what is the situation in this region? War has just ended and the old regime has fallen and is in hiding. I can only assume everything is destroyed and we are using the old dictator's palace as a Governor's office" 

"Yes, Governor" Farhan nodded. "War just ended with the new powers in charge taking over the palace and are going to appoint you as Governor of this region.

"Governor? But I'm just a regular guy from the future" I brush off the title.

"They say to.. Clean up their mess before they move on to another Region doing the same."

"Doing the same?" I was shocked to hear these words. "Does this mean that other regions will have people like me, kidnapped from the future and brought to this world?"

"That's correct, Governor.", Hamid replied. "I've heard the General said to have set up multiple operations to kidnap Rebel, Inc Gamers to stabilize the whole country."

"That is not a good thing." I took my last puff of my cigarette and squashed it on the marble floor. "Let's go, lead me to the General now." I demanded.

They led me back to the hall and made a left, walking past rooms of no importance to me now because all I can think about is going back home to the future and to stop the General from bringing back more people from the future. 

Then right at what seemed like the East Wing of the palace, I walked in, seeing the General talking to his subordinates and hearing about helping to win the Hearts and Minds of the people. "Speak of the Devil. Just the man I wanted to see!" said excitedly

"General, I think this is a mistake. I think you made a mistake bringing me back in time and into a place I have no interest in governing. I have also heard of your new operation to bring back more people from the future. This is not right, General!"

"O' my boy, some men are born great, some men achieve greatness but you have greatness thrust upon you." The General continues "Sound familiar? You use it all the time to impress dates."

"That is when I am working my Barista Job and watching TV SHOWS! Different scenario!" I informed the General. "I would've been 6 years old today if you found me in my home country. Probably just moved into my parent's first home in the suburbs. I do not have the skills and capability to govern a real place! "

"Well, you're here now and you can't go back." he looked towards the room and used gestures to top officials to enter. "Gentleman, I would like to introduce to you, our new Governor, Charles Anwar Layeed."

The room was filled with advisors, intelligence officers and diplomats cheers and claps with all their cheery faces. "So glad to have you on board, Sir." as they try to shake my hand.

"That's not my name. Not even close!" I yelled in frustration with the dismissive reassurances and thinly veiled manipulation.

"We know, we just had to tweak it a little to sound local but it follows your name's initials. That's something right?" snickers the General.

"I…", let out a big sigh and just let it be. "General, hypothetically I will take the job. What would you like me to do as Governor and would you be staying to help finish stabilizing this Region?"

"I will be around under the umbrella of Coalition forces and will be here at most 6 months before deployment ends and we get to go home."

"6 months? Motherfucker. Fuck you. And you. And all of you Fucks. 6 months my ass" I stormed back to the room giving two middle fingers. Hearing those manipulative fucks got me furious that this man brought me here just so he can go home finishing his job.

The two guards saw me walk by and tried to catch up as much as possible. Frustration and anger boiled within me as I stormed back to my room, the weight of the predicament bearing down on me.

Locked away from the world outside, I grappled with the harsh reality of my situation, desperately hoping that it was all just a terrible dream.

But as I lay on the bed, enveloped in darkness, I knew that the nightmare was only just beginning.