Fight Song by Rachel Platten

It was nearly midnight already, and we got three more hours to go before our shifts are over. I was on my own airjet patrolling the north side of Palacio.

"Airjet-001-top north, reporting over," I called over the interface. I have 15 monitors around me. 10 from the other patrollers from Delta company. 3 jets monitor and 2 from the headquarters.

"That is so old school, top north," answered by Lennon.

All the other patrollers laughed at our little joke.

"Down south, so is your fart that could be heard over here," I retorted.

"Everything is normal here in southwest 45", Frial inserted.

"Tonight is a sleepy night," added by one patroller.

"Still, let's be alert. From the news today, it seems that something is boiling. I want everybody to shift positions. I'll stay here at top north." I commanded.

"Toni?" I asked over my mind. I figured out we can do telepathy.

Gabriela, I'm here.

"Please gather some updates on Mission 001-antonio rescue."

I'll try. Palacio is keeping it strictly confidential from outside connections. Pretty secured firewall there is.

"At least try."

Okay Gabriela.

Out of nowhere, I had goosebumps. What the hell is happening?

"Top North, do some are scanning up to 15000 meters."

"Everybody, something is going on. Full alert on."

"Copy, captain."

The Airjet interface was done with scanning. All the lights inside the jet turned red.

"Intruder alert. 15000m away."

"Everybody, intruder alert."

"Top north, give me the dimensions and description. Send full alert status to Headquarters." I commanded the jet's AI.

"Toni. Do further scanning. Visual on."

"It's coming over our territory, captain."

"Send some backups south west 45. Alert the commander below. Be alert."

I flew 10000 meters away from Palacios City to interrogate this intruder.

"Top North. 522, 045 km2. Dimensions." Jet AIs reported.

"Identity?"

Both of them answered. "Paradiso Air_002"

"F*ck." When I got heads on with this intruder, my airjet was a flicker of dust.

"Top North AI. Demand Commanders Presence here."

Hands still shaking, I requested intruders' verification

"Intruder. This is Palacio Air territory. State your identification and purpose."

Instead, I was laughed over my interface.

A deep male voice answered. "This is the Air Commander of Paradiso_002. Lt. Col. Gregorio Sila. I would like to request an honorary representative to greet us instead."

"Sila?" I mumbled.

Our Air Commander Joshua Flemings is on my interface.

"Gabriela..I'm here. Let me take over. Please proceed to your company. Be alert."

"Copy, commander."

I flew down, and I found a thousand of our airjets standing by in the air.

"15 Delta Company?"

"We're here. Southwest 45."

Paradiso_002 is two times larger than the City of Palacio. It covered the whole moon and the city darkened in its shadow. 

"What happened, Captain?"

"Paradiso_002"

"What the hell do they want?"

Then Toni called up my mind.

Something's wrong, Gabriela.

"What is it, Toni?"

I've done in-depth scanning. It isn't Paradiso_002?

"AI. Request for in depth scanning in headquarters." I requested over my interface.

"Toni. Then if it's not? What is that?"

7D version. A decoy. It is made up of 7D pixels generated by drones. Tell the headquarters to do full level scanning in dimensional perspective and electrogenerated power.

I echoed the command to AI.

"Toni...can you connect me to Commander Flemings Communication?"

I shoudn't. But I can send messages to his IF.

Another IF popped out in front of me. It is from Comamnder-in-Chief Agila. "15 Delta Company captain, what are these requests?"

"Sir.. Something is wrong. It might be a decoy."

"How can you say that?"

"It doesn't look right,Sir."

"You can't just send some request in this kind of emergency."

"It's better to be clear and prepared, sir."

"What specifically are we looking into?"

"Drone-generated dimensions Sir."

Chief suddenly went out of the interface and I saw the PM's special air jet went to Paradiso Decoy. I've got to do something. I contacted our Chief in Command, but he's off.

"Toni! want you to interrupt all higher officials IFs especially the PM. Do it anonymously. Send your scans to them."

Caught..we will be.

"We can 't think of that. Nations at stake." "15 Delta Company. Cover me. I'm going to the headquarters."

"Copy captain."

I flew down to the headquarters. I got off my jet. I found an air scooter and flew to the main headquarters.

Inside, everybody was busy. I looked for chief commander Agila. I found him in his overlooking office. On my way, I heard the communication between someone in Paradiso and the PM.

"I have your first class battalion with me and your nephew, Antonio."

"What do you want, Crispin?"

"Refund for what I paid in exchange for Antonio's head. Plus interest. And complete compliance to Paradiso's regulations."

"Why are you doing this Crispin? Paradiso is not serving its purpose anymore."

"We are not talking about that. It's a deal or no deal. I could kill them easily over here. If they don't matter that much to you anymore."

I found myself already at the door of the Chief Commander's office. It was made of glass so everything around him was visible.

The chief didn't expect my presence. He was busy talking to one of his officers.

"15 Delta Company captain. What the hell are you doing here?"

I saluted him. "Chief, this is all a trap. It is a trap. A drone generated. You have to get the PM out of there and the rest. Our drones could take it over!"

"First of all, that is all a product of your intuition, not evidence-based. And we have hostages over there. You're not even allowed here."

"Sir! You have to listen."

Then, an interface popped out in front of him. The report of the scanning.

"How did you know all of this? Captain Sila? Now, I order you to stay in this office."

Then IFs from several higher officials turned on. One from the air commander.

"What is this Chief? Drone generated? We need to get the PM out."

"How…"

He was fear stricken. In his deepest and loudest voice, he shot his orders to everyone.

"Everybody… get our drones ready. All the five million in full military battle mode. Send directives to all airjets to cover the dome. Message the PM pilot to get him back here. NOW!"

"Captain Sila. You have a lot of explaining to do."

Everyone was in full battle mode. In one of the large IFs outside the Chief's office, they showed the drill outside. All our million rones were dispatched. The PM's airjet flew back to the city. Airjets retreated to cover the city's defensive dome. 

In the communication, "What is the meaning of this, Prime Minister?" called out by Crispin.

"Crispin, you treacherous creature! Why send out a decoy?"

"Palacios is a threat now. I don't want you to attack us like what you did to Kingdom Tres."

"We didn't attack them! They wanted to own us."

An idea sprouted in my mind.

"Toni. Can you trace this connection?"

It won't be easy but I think I can.

"You still can. The conversation is still going on."

The conversation is ongoing.

"Release Antonio and everyone else. Or else…"

"Or else what?"

"We'll be waging a war. You know earth-based kingdoms wanted to take you down."

"Just pay the ransom we paid to Kingdom Tres."

"What on earth are you thinking about aiding Kingdom Tres? Aren't you supposed to punish them? Taking over an earth-based kingdom?"

"They have your Antonio. They could've killed him if we didn't, or he could have been sold to his Father."

"I will never let that happen."

"It would have happened."

"How much?"

"1 year worth of fuel. I'll be sending the specifics."

"Deal. Now turn off your drones before we fire them."

On the interface, the Paradiso_002 was indeed powered by more or less three million drone projectors. They flew back to wherever they came from. 

The PM called for an emergency meeting. I was dismissed by the Chief and will be called tomorrow for further investigation. When I reported the next morning to the Chief's office, everybody was on alert. The first class have just returned from their mission safe and sound but with no Antonio. I was outside the Chief's office when I saw Martin with other Generals going inside the office. Martin frowned upon seeing me outside. He might be thinking I am in some kind of trouble and it's true. It was a closed-door meeting.

"Toni? Can you get me some signal inside?"

Oh sure. Small thing, Gabriela. But isn't it illegal?

"Everything about you is illegal. Just do it."

Inside, everyone was quiet except for Martin.

"Reporting from our Mission_01_antoniorescue: As ordered, we went to Paradiso 01 to rescue Antonio. We did our best to go incognito, and we found out something. Antonio is not there."

There are whispers and mumbles.

"We have reported this already to the PM. Again, Paradiso tricked us. We observed that Paradiso is losing its power and influence over other air and earth-based kingdoms. They are getting desperate. Yes, Antonio was sold by the Kingdom Tres after landing in their crashed territory and was taken as a valuable hostage. He was then sold to Paradiso and held hostage for half a year. Then, Paradiso sold him to his Father in Kingdom Uno. He is still there now."

"What should we do?"

"The PM is now negotiating with the King."

"All this time, we thought General Antonio was dead."

"The PM ordered me to wait for further instructions. He'll take care of things regarding Antonio from now on."

I was ready to leave the office waiting area when I was called inside. In front of me are generals and other higher ups sitting around a long oval steel table. Matin was frowning at me.

"Captain Gabriela Sila of Delta Company, 15ty Class, can you tell us what really happened out there yesternight at exactly 0015H? How did you know about the Drones?"

I told them everything minus the Toni part that it was the jet's AI work. I just gave it specific instructions.

One general added, "An anonymous connection sent the scans to everybody? Do you know about this?"

"It was all my fault. I ordered the AI to do so...if I didnt, the message wouldn't get to you on time."

At the same time, I thought about Toni.

"Toni? You heard everything. Please do something to make it true. Look for my airjet and tweak its record."

Copy that, Gabriela.

Commander Agial looked at me with suspicion.

"This soldier's initiative did make a difference and saved us all. But breaking some protocols doesn't justify her actions."

Chief answered. "Sometimes we need to break some protocols for this kind of emergency situation. Captain Sila, you'll still be undergoing some investigation. At this moment, you'll be suspended from your regular assignments until further notice."

"I understand that, sir."

"You're dismissed."

I was back at quarters planning what to do next.

Gabriela, what are you planning? Toni asked over.

"Don't you hear it, Toni? Antonio's in Kingdom Uno. I have to save him if that means I'll be out of military."

Are you crazy? Hey. I picked up some news from the headquarters.

"Don't tell me you got a permanent connection there."

Sure I did. Well, the PrimeMinister ordered a first class mission to rescue Antonio. They are getting off in 10 minutes.

"I'm coming then."

Suspended, you are.

"That makes it easier. I can do more of what I want."

When I saw the first class airjets leaving the headquarters, I looked for my own airjet. I told them that I was told to patrol the whole day as punishment. I successfully sneaked out and followed the first class.

"Toni, connect yourself with the first class. Tell where they are going."

Got it.

We drove a few hundred thousand kilometers away from Palacio when I received an IF from Joshua.

"Gabriela, where are you?"

"I don't know, Sir. But from my coordinates, we are still on the continent. We are going to China, I guess."

"Gabriela, I warn you. You better come back here when you still have the chance. The PM is looking for you."

"The PM knows exactly why I'm doing this."

"Gabriela...this is insubordination. You'll get imprisoned for this."

"It's okay as long as I save Antonio."

"Just trust our First class. I can't have both of my children in danger."

"I can help them Joshua, I was once an Uno. Just promise me that you'll take care Yan whatever happens to me. I love you both. Thank you for everything."

I turned off any incoming IFs from Palacio.

"Toni. Can you connect me specifically to Martin?"

It will take a few minutes.

"It's fine."

The route to our destination is constantly changing. Kingdom Uno is flying out.

"The coordinates are pointing to Europe. We're going to Europe I guess."

Gabriela..connection to Palacio you asked remember?

"Yes, why?"

Same coordinates, I'm getting.

"Shit. Don't tell me…"

Right. You guess… you are now connected to Martin. Speak to him you may.

I connected my interface to Martin.

"Martin?"

"What the hell, Gabriela. What are you doing?"

"I'm here with you."

"Why?"

"For Antonio."

"For God's sake Gab. This is a suicide mission."

"I'm here to make sure it won't be,"

"What? How would you do that?"

"I have my own AI."

"Everybody does now."

"It's in my system. It's in me."

"What? How did that happen?"

"Long story. But she helped me with the Paradiso last night. She did the scan."

"No way. Where is she connected?"

"I don't know. But it's a private cloud."

"Are you sure? It could be espionage."

"No. Antonio made him. I want to help you Martin. I was an Uno before. I still remember the ins and outs. And guess what… my AI tells me that Paradiso is there too."

"How sure are you?"

"She connected during the ongoing negotiation."

"Can it do that?"

"Yes and a lot more. I'll be sending you Paradiso's coordinates. I'll connect with you only. I'm staying away… I don't want to get you involved with me."

"Gabriela. Thank you and be careful."

"You're coming home Martin. I'll make sure of that."

Martin ordered the rest to keep their presence low. When we arrived at Kingdom Uno, we saw the same Palacio-002 the other night. Up in the air, as if they are two talking floating islands. 

"Toni..is that Palacio thing real?"

Real. 100%

"Can you sneak into their communication?"

Sure.

Martin showed up at my interface.

"Is the Paradiso real?"

"Yes, Martin. It is. What are you going to do now?"

"It'll be difficult for us to attack two nations at a time."

"I'm going in, Martin."

"What do you mean? Going in?"

"I still have my Uno mark in my wrist. I can get in. Below the kingdom is an entrance for cargo. I'll sneak in. I'll try to find Antonio. I'll report to you all the time. My AI will connect to you. It's too dangerous for you to attack. Two nations are too many nations. You can stand by."

"Gabriela, I won't let you."

"No Martin. There's no other way."