Chapter 1: Family

The air ventilator units are emitting a low roaring sound of its rotating component across the hall. The hall that is located twenty-five levels beneath ground level is, other than the noise from the air ventilators, quiet in this early time in the morning. The hall is brightly lit by fluorescent lights—cleverly installed at an interval of two meters across the ceiling of the hall. The hall is painted with a sort of military like color of khaki and the floor is like any other concrete floors. A few doors appear at a set interval on the walls of the straight, long hall—indicating rooms are in them.

‘Well, today’s the day!’ a lady comes out of the elevator at the end of the hall. She has medium stature body. Her eyes are long vertically and blue in color. Her hair is blue and has a messy appearance with the front ends curving towards her face. She is wearing a maid-like uniform that is blue. She also wears a nurse-like headgear that seems to be very worn out but still nice to be worn. She is wearing a nametag—Roussi Rinn, which apparently is the lady’s name, is engraved on it.

Roussi is walking towards a door at the opposite end of the hall. The door is different from other doors in the hall. It is made from metal and huge bolting of security features are on the door. She opens the door after going through various process of unlocking and security clearance protecting access to the room the door is closing.

Apparently, the room behind the door is a very important room—that is obvious—from the tight security procedures in obtaining access to the room.

The room is actually a mere bedroom—protecting a person that has among the utmost importance in the world.

‘Good morning Bong! Today’s the day!’ Roussi enters the room and switches the lights in the dark room. The lights shine brightly that every inch in the room seems to be lit by the lights.

‘Hey, wake time. Com’ on its morning. It’s time to wake up and have your bath.’

‘Huaaah— oh, mommy, good morn—,’ says Bong while yawning again—rubbing his eyes as usual.

‘Alright Bong, it’s time to get out of bed and wash yourself, get into the clothes I bought you and get your breakfast. OK!’

Bong gets up slowly, stretching a few times before walking straight to the washroom. There, he washes himself, gets himself his early morning shower and cleansing his body like he has never had a shower before.

Today is an important day for Bong. He will be meeting with someone who is very important—someone who has been keeping watch on him since he was little—yet Bong himself never met this person face to face.

‘Alright Bong, I think I’ll be waiting for you at level U2, in the main hall, near my secondary room. OK’ Roussi tells Bong who is still in the washroom.

‘Huh…Okay!’ he replies.

Roussi leaves the room and heads towards the elevator—fifty meters on the opposite site across the hall. She heads up to level U2—50 meters below ground and four hundred and fifty meters from the level where Bong is.

Down there, Bong has already finished his self-washing thing. Finishing that, he gets into his collection of wardrobes and easily spots the clothes his mommy bought him. They are the first set of cloths that appears when the wardrobe doors open—he wears it quickly and smartens his appearance swiftly before going on to his way up to level U2.

‘Alright Mai, when will the VIP guest arrive?’ Roussi asks a young girl—Mai is her name as Roussi has stated.

‘Emm…the VIP shall arrive at around a few minutes from now,’ Mai answers. Mai Green, a 24 years old girl of Australian origins, is the Head in Command for the group of Boy Independent Guard—an elite group of soldiers trained and assigned to guard the Boy—at the facility; responsible for security there. She is also the General of the South East Asia Federation BIG. As she speaks while facing herself towards Roussi, her pimples appear very clearly in the brightness of the overhead fluorescent lights. Even then, she still has a very cute, young face—but her eyes are locked in a gaze that seems emotionless although her verbal expression doesn’t reveal an emotionless person. Her green hair messily branches out from her military helmet. She made up her hair in such a way that it appears that two branch of straight hair symmetrically fall down on her side burns. Her hair behind is tied into a low piggy head style. She appears very outstanding in her custom Boy Independent Guard uniform. ‘The ushers are getting ready outside,’ she adds.

‘Well, it’s been a long time since the president visited us here to check on us—and Bong,’ replies Roussi.’ I believe the secondary room is—ready?’

‘Yes, I did help out—a bit.’

‘Hee...hee...you naughty girl! Alright, now all are set. I’m getting some breakfast for Bong. Now if you have any work to be done, just do it—more, OK,’ Roussi goes to the main kitchen then brings out some delicious-looking "roti canai" to her secondary room. By the moment she enters the room, she finds Bong standing in front of mirror next to a shelf of books.

‘Now, look at you. You look handsome—very handsome,’ she is right indeed. His round black hair is combed neatly into two symmetrical parts. However, his hair still seems messy when observed carefully—with two branches of hair standing up on top of his head. His outfit—a green blazer worn over a white formal shirt with green trousers—shows a very formal appearance.

‘Uhh…mommy I hope Mai doesn’t see me in this. I look very—,’

‘Don’t worry. She will—not tease you for sure because the president will be here. Anyway, if you impress the President, you may get your permission to go out early, OK.’

‘Really?’ he asks in a very childish manner. Years of living in confinement and having a very limited social life with no other friends except girls and women has made him rather spoiled, childish and a bit feminine in behavior.

‘Yes—really!’

‘Yay!’ he jumps excitedly.

At the very same moment, Mai barges into the room. Roussi notices Mai’s sudden entry but Bong does not. ‘Emm…the VIP shall—,’ she stops at the sight of Bong jumping around in his formal attire.

‘Don’t ask—,’Roussi tells Mai, smiling.’ Well, just continue on with what you wanted to say.’

‘Umm, hee…heee Bong,’ Mai is actually holding her laughter within her!

‘Alright, Mai, just tell me what you wanted to say—,‘ Roussi insist.

‘Okay! Umm… the VIP shall be here in around ten minutes so I guess you may want to—.’

‘Ahh! Mai…what are you doing here?’ Bong suddenly shrieks.

‘Bong...Ah...Man. don’t yell like that!’ Roussi reacts due to the surprising loud shriek Bong gave out.

Mai cannot hold her laughter any longer. She bursts out in an explosion of laughter. Soon, the three of them laugh together.

‘Alright, eat your breakfast, OK!’ Roussi says to him again.

 

Chapter 2: The Last Boy(s)

‘This is Shuttle One —reporting normal preparation for reentry—over,’

‘This is Shuttle Two—having problems with reentry angle—but still fixing—postponing reentry countdown--over,’

‘Roger that Shuttle Two—! Shuttle One—do you copy—reentry countdown postponed by ten minutes. Over,’

‘Roger that ground control—over!’

It was 5 January, Female Era 2. Two shuttles were preparing for atmospheric reentry.

These two shuttles were carrying forty most important children—boys. Shuttle One was carrying twenty-nine children—they had no parents or official guardian together with them. Either they were abandoned or their parents had died. Shuttle Two was carrying eleven children. Together with them were their parents or official guardians. Shuttle One, with its extra cargo space, was carrying a quick glimpse of hope to human being—a cargo of frozen semen containing male sperms. They had been extracted from the few living adult males that had lived at a space station—before they died due to extreme side effects from a vaccine given to prevent MX-10 from infecting them. The MX-10 is a virus that had caused a horrible pandemic all across the world—killing males all over the world and certain women with a relatively high level of male hormones. It was hoped that these life sparkers would be used to artificially give birth to more males.

‘Umm…Captain—I have a bad feeling about this. Making a reentry when the landing site is having a really nasty weather,’ the co-pilot of Shuttle One expressed her uneasiness.

‘Don’t worry, we’ve done a lot of reentry like this, didn’t we?’ the Captain tried to calm her co-pilot.

‘It’s just that we are now carrying peoples. Previously, we have never made a reentry with passengers on board.’

‘Well, you got a point there. However, we must do this—for the sake of humankind.’

‘This is Carrier One. Our sensors are detecting thirty four unknown objects approaching. Shuttle One and Shuttle Two—be on alert. Over!

‘Roger that! Both shuttles replied.

‘This is Carrier One—escorting Destroyer 6. Check out for the clusters at sector Orange Nine Alpha Seven. Distance 800.’

‘Roger that!’ Destroyer 6 replied. The destroyer maneuvered 235 degrees facing the direction of the said sector and cruised towards it.

‘T-minus 6 before reentry phases,’ ground control reported.

’Unknown objects near by—what do you think they are, Captain?’ the Shuttle Two co-pilot asked.

‘Hopefully, there are not some group of terrorist. Say the Female Army—.’

‘Uhh…I hope it’s not them. Just look at what they have done to the world. They almost annihilate us all.’

The Female Army—or its official name the Female Liberation Army was an extreme feminist movement—aiming to make a new world with females as the dominant gender. Their motivation were said to be the rise in female movements in the late 140’s. Their super extreme activities, inspired by a feminine idealistic nation, has led the world into a global crisis—the Gender Conflict. The five year long conflict had brought global unrest and terrible destruction all over the world.

It was during that time, the MX-10 pandemic came and engulfed the whole world with its grim reapers call. Destroyed health facilities had hampered effort to contain the pandemic. It went on until a vaccine was found—after a lot of trial and error. After several prototypes of the vaccine, the only vaccine that can stop the MX-10 was found to have serious side effects—for males, they suffer a critical overload in their body defense system that eventually kill them. As for females, those given the vaccine were rendered infertile, which meant they cannot produce babies. However, a special exception happened to the forty male children that were given the vaccine in space station Quidruine. They did not suffer any extreme side effects and their bodies build up sufficient antibodies to prevent infection from the MX-10 virus. Because of that, they still live that they can finally return to Earth—or being planned for it.

‘May day—mayday—Carrier One—we are under attack from—-,’ the signal faded.

‘Destroyer Six—Destroyer Six—this is Carrier One—do you copy—Destroyer Six!’ the captain of Carrier One called out.

‘Ma’am, they’re gone—sensors aren’t showing any signs of them. But—oh my God, the cluster of unknown objects is heading this way, ma’am!’ the CIC operator exclaimed.

‘ Those object must be…hostile,’ the captain grieved. ‘Prepare for battle…protect the shuttles at all cost! All destroyers…commence defensive formation! Deploy fighters…NOW!

The carrier began deploying fighter and interceptors. The destroyer task force was encircling the shuttles. Every arsenal available in their disposal was deployed—just to protect the two shuttles.

‘Shuttles—I would recommend an emergency procedure of reentry. Just disregard non-vital reentry measures and proceed to reentry phase one!’ the carrier captain almost shouted over her communicator.

‘Shuttles—we recommend the same thing as the captain said—proceed to reentry phase one!’ the ground control agreed.

Across the darkness in space and twinkling of stars in the background, a lot of shining and moving dots appeared and approached the reentry task force. They were quick and fast approaching the group.

The fighters deployed from the carrier—thirty of them—formed a formation of clusters—three fighters per cluster. As they rushed for contact with the unknown group of objects, the carrier’s CIC officer reported,’ Oh my God, heat signature confirmed the objects to be FF-r4 class fighters—this means—the Female Army!’

‘This is Shuttle Two—the reentry navigation processor is having a problem—if we reenter NOW—our landing site would be of by several hundred of kilometer off the predetermined landing si—‘

‘Never mind—our landing site is having a bad weather now, anyway!’ the ground control responded.

‘This is Shuttle One—reentry angle had been fix—getting ready for reentry—maybe we should make a reentry first rather than waiting here!’

‘Alright Shuttle One—you may proceed to Reentry Phase One. Shuttle Two—repair your problems and get the hell out of there!’

At the same time the fighters and the terrorist had already begun their combat. The terrorists’ fighter, claimed to be the most maneuverable fighter in space, proofed what was claimed. They were fast and agile—within a few minutes the carriers’ fighters were overwhelmed and destroyed, one by one! They rushed towards the main fleet—meeting with the battleships’ main anti-fighter weapons.

Shuttle One had already begun reentry. ‘We are gaining speed—I repeat, we are gaining speed!’ the captain reported.

‘Temperature increase detected under the hull—proceeding with activation of internal heat control and side heat shields!’ the co-pilot worked very hard.

The battle between the main fleet and the terrorists’ fighters didn’t last very long—the terrorists’ fighters just went pass the main fleet and rushed towards Shuttle One that has already begun its Phase One of reentry.

‘Oh my God—Shuttle One—they are after you!’ Shuttle One called out to Shuttle Two.

‘No way—they’re not going to attack us at such a low altitude. Those fighters will burn themselves up,’ the Captain said—optimistic.

‘Err…I don’t think so, Captain. I’ve know what they can do—they are willing to sacrifice themselves just to accomplished their objectives.’

‘If then…God help us—during reentry we can’t maneuver much.’

They continued their reentry as friction between the atmosphere and the shuttle’s hull generated heat and heated up the lower hull very fast. The fighters’—terrorists—are experiencing the same thing. The main fleet could only watch the pursuit.

‘That’s strange, why is it that the whole group of fighters went after Shuttle One? Don’t they know there’s another shuttle here.’

‘ Probably, they were poorly informed.’

‘Well we were expecting an attack from them because they had clearly announce their intentions to disrupt the process of sending back the boys to Earth—However, we didn’t expect such a dedicated attack of such large magnitude to be executed by them.‘

‘Probably—I mean come on, can’t we do anything about Shuttle One? We must do something!’ the Captain of Shuttle Two exclaimed.

‘ I think they’re just killing themselves there. I think we should give priority to what has greater chance…Shuttle Two—are you ready for reentry?’

‘Yes, ground control—our navigation processor back up has engaged. The only problem is that the adult passengers are panicking!’

‘Just tell them to calm down and start reentry procedure.’

Shuttle Two started its reentry procedure immediately. Having set the reentry angle properly, the vernier thruster of the shuttle on the upper side was activated to change the vector of the shuttle towards Earth. Slowly the shuttle moved down—being pulled by earth gravitational pull.

‘Passengers—this is the pilot speaking. Please calm down. We are going to make the reentry. Make sure your safety belts are strapped and just relax. Thank you!’

Slowly, the shuttle gained speed and small shocks due to friction with the atmosphere are building. The temperature beneath the shuttle hull had begun to increase.

‘Ground control—shuttle now entering phase one of reentry. Can we know the status of Shuttle One? I insist this—!’ the carrier Captain asked. ‘I’m seeing explosion in the atmosphere but I cannot confirm whether Shuttle Two is alright. Those explosions are probably, terrorists’ fighters burning out in the atmosphere.’

‘ Err…carrier. Shuttle Two may have entered Phase Two of reentry so communication with it is now impossible—‘

‘How about your sensors, can you detect the reentering shuttle. It is in Phase Two now right—so your sensors should be able to detect it as it is now in lower altitude!`

‘Negative. A lot of fragments are detected!’

‘Don’t worry, those should be the terrorists’ fighters—or what remains of them!’

‘—We mean the fragments are jamming our sensors effectiveness—‘

‘Now we have to wait until they enter Phase Three of reentry—‘

‘Anyway, we have better things to concentrate—Shuttle Two.’

‘I—I agree!’ the captain replied.

‘Shuttle Two is now entering Phase Two of reentry.’

‘Shuttle Two is already beyond reach of any space assaulters. The question is with Shuttle One—hopefully it’s alright.’

‘Err…escorting task force…you can now dismiss—,’ the ground control ordered the captain of the carrier.

‘No, we want to know what happened to Shuttle One—we’re staying!’

‘Suit yourself, escorting task force.’

None of the ships in the escorting fleet moved from the area. They were anxious on whether Shuttle One was alright or not. Moments later, it was reported that Shuttle Two had landed but Shuttle One was no way to be founded. A few hours later, it was declared missing or destroyed. A few days later—its ruins were found together with fragments of fighters—spread across the outback of Australia and some found floating on the Southern part of the Pacific Ocean. It was officially declared—destroyed.

Twenty-nine boys were killed, with the two shuttle pilots blown to smithereens, on that day, together with the sperm collection bank Shuttle One had been carrying. The Female Army—Female Liberation Army had been done too much destruction about the world. A few months later, a massive global military operation had been done to exterminate the FLA—it was dissolved a few months later after receiving severe offensive from the World Military—later established the New United Nations.

As for the saved Shuttle Two, its passengers were sent to their origin Earth nation—and later a few other boys, four of them—from other individual stations, were secretly sent to Earth. These boys were later raised and they grew up to be "The Last Boys".

 

Chapter 3: President Visit

‘Ahh…welcome Madam,’ Mai greets the President while holding the President’s vehicle door open. The President steps out of her Vall’s R class diesel powered car. As she steps out, the moving air within the facility’s entry tunnel—huge air circulators are forcing fresh air from outside into the tunnel to make sure input of fresh air into the deeper parts of the facility is for sure.

‘Thank you…Mai—it been a long time since we met!’ the President gives out her hand for and exchange of hands. Mai gives a welcoming military salute before receiving the President’s hand. Syariff Ariffin is the President’s name—a strong politician who has endured though life during the Anarchy Period almost twelve years ago. She rose to power after the Anarchy Period in which she was the highest ranking working minister of the past SEAF government that is still alive after the Leo Incident.

‘This way, ma’am—right to the elevator!’

‘Thing’s sure changed around here—‘

‘Hmm, I guess you haven’t seen the intensive modification this facility has gone through for the past few months.’

‘May be—?’ Syariff smiles. She reveals her puffy cheeks on her face when she smiles. Her tinted spectacle—a very famous physical personality she has—hides her wide eyes from other people. She is wearing a casual attire—a white t-shirt and black trousers that match very well with her medium stature and black hair. Her hair is neatly combed into two with her front combed curvedly to the sides. ‘So how is Bong—is he OK?’

‘He’s alright…only that hmm—nothing special. He’s studies, according to Roussi, is good and—he has been strongly anxious about this meeting with you, ma’am.’

‘Really—that’s…nice,’ she laughs as they enter the elevator that will be taking them underground—to Level U2.

The elevator they are taking has an average speed of 60 kilometers per hour. This means taking the whole journey from the surface to Bong’s room at the lowest level—which is a 500 meter journey—will take around thirty seconds. As for the level Mai and the President is going—Level U2—which is 50 meters below ground, it will take around 6 seconds, not including the time to close and open the elevator’s door.

Down under on Level U2, Bong and Roussi are waiting near the elevator’s door. They are clearly getting ready for some simple welcoming greet. As the door opens slowly, a shiny flash of light comes to Bong’s eyes. It blinds him for a few fraction of a second. It is the Presidents tinted spectacles, reflecting the bright neon light in the elevator. Bong nearly shrieks as he sees the glowing "eyes" of the President.

‘Uhh…I thought—!’ he mutters to himself.

‘’Oh, Madam President, dear! Welcome!’ Roussi welcomes the honorary guest. ‘Bong, this is Syariff Ariffin, the President of SEAF.’

‘Umm…nice meeting you. I’m Bong—‘ he nervously holds his hand out to greet the VIP. It is the first time he meets the President.

‘I know—I have been watching you ever since you were little….’she whispers to Bong while accepting his hand. ‘Just don’t sweat it—your hand is cold.’

‘Errr…welcome to the A-1 Facility—madam….I mean Madam President…. I mean Madam Syariff…’ he almost mispronounce the President’s name. Roussi who is at his side almost at shock for what Bong has said to Bong.

‘Hee…hee! You’re still cute like you were then ten years ago. I like you,’ she jokes. ‘And yeah, no need to say Madam. I feel like I have been married and reached old age. Call me Mrs. Ariffin—‘

‘Alright, everyone…this way to the Secondary Room!’ Roussi invites everyone to enter the Secondary Room.

Bong , Ariffin and Roussi take their own sit in the room. Mai goes away to get some welcoming meals as ordered by Roussi.

‘Heh…Mai, just sit down here. No need for any meal—I would settle down for some mineral water here,’ she refers to ten bottles of mineral water on a desk just to her right. Mai follows what the President says.

‘So let’s go to our business, ma’am,’ Roussi tries to start discussing their agenda.

‘No need for any ma’am—call me by the name, I prefer it like that.’

‘Alright…Ariffin. Let’s start with our first agenda—the first public appearance of Bong which is, SEAF’s turn to make the Boy public— after the South Africans’ turn to make their Boy public—which is today.’

‘Ahh…yes, as the M-10 Declaration stated, our turn is two weeks after the South Africans,’ Ariffin remembers.

‘Uhh…I am going out right?’ Bong interrupts—politely.

‘You’ll get your turn alright,’ the President remarks while taking a bottle of mineral water from her side and opening it before taking a gulp of water.

‘And about the field trip to Kuching suburbs. To expose him to the outside after his public appearance,’ Roussi reads a file.

‘Hmmm…I strongly suggest we do it in secret. A suitable disguise can be made for him—the Guards should also escort him in disguise…not too many guards because that it would attract too much attention from the public two or even one should be nice,’ Mai states her plan. ‘There is a military show in Kuching in about two weeks from now. That can distract unwanted attention from the public as many people will go to the show…so Bong can move freely in town.’

‘A very nice plan,’ Ariffin agrees.

‘The key to this plan is secrecy and disguise—and also diversion of public attention.’

‘Alright Mai, that a pretty nice plan you have laid out there—Good job!’ Roussi praises Mai.

Suddenly, among the conversation, a mobile communicator rings. ‘Oops…sorry, just excuse me for a moment,’ it is the President’s. She takes it out of her trousers’ left pocket and walks too a corner in the room. ‘Excuse me!’ she apologizes to her hosts before answering the communicator.

‘So, Bong. How do you feel about your public appearance?’ Mai asks him.

‘I’m more anxious of getting out and do…what is that called…?’

‘Shopping?’ Mai interrupts.

‘Ahh… yes, shopping. I want to buy things!’ he says eagerly.

Roussi watches both of them talk to each other. She has the feeling that the two of them are like brothers and sisters rather than a guard and the guarded. ‘Huh…if only you were here to see him go…’ she mutters to herself.

‘Everyone, the South Africans are making the first public debut of their Boy in six hours. I have to return to the capital for a briefing and some speeches among the MN-10 leaders—through video conference,’ Ariffin speaks out.

‘Well, you better be hurry ma’am—I mean Mrs. Ariffin. The flight to the capital is a long one!’ Mai stands up and goes to her side, apparently to escort her on her way up.

‘So, Bong it is nice meeting you in person!’ Ariffin approaches Bong and gives out her hand.

‘Err, thank you Mrs. Ariffin. It’s a pleasure—meeting you—‘replies Bong as he returns her exchange of hands.

‘Alright, thank you for visiting us here…Mrs. Ariffin, no, Mrs. President,’ Roussi gives her hand out for a shake of hands with the President.

‘Hee…hee—I appreciate you calling me by the Mrs. Title…but drop the "President" and call me by my name,’ she laughs while accepting Roussi’s hand.

‘No—I insist in calling you Mrs. President—it sounds better…really!’

‘Okay…suit yourself. Anyway thank you for your hospitability—!’ she follows Mai out of the room. Roussi and Bong send her till the front of the elevator’s door.

‘Goodbye, Mrs. President,’ Bong byes the President.

‘This way, Mrs. Ariffin,’ Mai shows her the way.

‘Oh dear, an inconsistency of calling me is happening in this facility. I better learn to get used to this,’ she jokes one last time before the elevator closes. Seemingly, Roussi laughs—quietly.

‘So, Bong, do you want to watch the South African Boy first appearance on the Network? I’ll se it up for you,’ Roussi looks at Bong.

‘No, I’ve known his face already through the MN-10 secret files. His name is…Chaka Irebu, right?’ Bong smiles. ‘I’d rather prepare for my field trip!’

‘Well, that’s the…not fun part of being among those involved in direct contact with the Boy. You know every secret available and this lessens the surprise factor,’ she sighs. Bong is already walking ahead of her. ‘So, Bong. What kind of disguise would you want to wear during the field trip? The disguise shall of course make you superficially—a girl!’

‘What?’ Bong stops. ‘A girl!’

 

 

Chapter 4: Operation Adam

Some building near the Lunar Intercity Transit Station,

Taurus City, Moon.

‘Today’s the day when the South African Federation government is going to make their Boy…open to the public. This means Operation Adam in SAF is over,’ a shadowy characters speaks on a monitor via video conference. She is Dr. XX and she is speaking to a line of young women—participants of the underground Operation Adam.

Operation Adam is an operation with a mission to expose the world’s Last Boys and make known of their secret hidden place. The whole objective was said to give the whole world an opportunity to see the male individuals that have been very mysterious and elusive from the public eyes. It was devised by Dr. XX, a masked, bionically enhanced and unknown person who now heads the Female Lagrangian Association— an association that is a huge trading society for women population in space, especially those living in colonies at the Lagrangian areas. Its membership is, of course, recently, not only opened to space dwellers but also to the Earth dwellers and Lunar dwellers.

‘Even then, my female friends, don’t give up hope on this operation. There are still some nations, which made the public appearance of their Boys…but refused to reveal their secret place of stay…which is unacceptable because we all want a chance to visit them…!’ Dr. XX continues her speech before stopping for a while. She is looking at each participants face. The participants are actually second intakes for Operation Adam after some of the first intakes gave up after the MN-10, the "Group of Male Bearing Nations", announced the program of public unveiling of the male individuals—Boys—in each member nation. Operation Adam II was revived after the 18th MN-10 summit on the Moon—in which it was revealed that some nations were not transparent in unveiling each Boy.

‘This Operation shall be a good one. Hopefully, our goal can be accomplished!’ she ends her speech—or actually a briefing to her participants. ‘So, are there any questions? If you do, raise your hand.’

A young woman—or rather a middle teenage girl raises her hand. Her name is Karen—stated on her nametag, sewn on her uniform. She has red short and wavy hair. Her wavy hair apparently is more obvious near to the ends—where they curve a lot. Karen steps out of line and introduces herself.

‘Ahh, yes Karen. What’s your question?’ Dr. XX is happy to see a responsive member among the participants.

‘As we shall be departing. Shall we know where our destination shall be?’ she asks with a relatively high pitched voice.

‘Now, girls, you all are supplied with your compact PC. Your destination and further briefing shall be in the first file when you boot them.’

‘Ohh, OK. Thank you Dr.’ Karen steps back in line.

‘So, are there anymore question…?’ Dr XX looks around through the monitor. ‘No questions, then you’re dismissed! Thank you.’

The line of participants of young woman and girl dismisses. The participants then begin heading to the Lunar Intercity Transit Station. As they arrive there, they take the seats in waiting for the next Fast Train. They are all going to the same destination: Lunar Space Port, before they embark for their own journey. Karen—the most outgoing among the participants— decides to sit down and clear her mind.

‘So Karen, where are you going?’ a young girls, probably the youngest in among the participants, takes a sit besides Karen.

‘Oh, I haven’t checked it out…I’ll check it out later…probably at the space port. How about you Rina, have you checked it out.’

‘No, but it’s really exciting…to be joining such operation in searching for the Boys!’ Rina speaks excitedly.’ I just hope that I don’t have to go to South East…’

‘What? I can’t here you. Were you trying…to say something?’ Karen asks at Rina who suddenly becomes quiet.

‘Ohh…nothing it’s nothing. Really!’ Rina stands up. ‘And…oh look, our Fast Train has arrived.’

‘Really…ohh quick. We don’t want to be standing throughout the journey,’ Karen rushes to get her things before walking quickly towards the platforms, where she gets into the train. She gets a seat and of course, Rina, her good friend sits besides her.

‘Are all your things…?’ Karen asks her friend.

‘Yupp!’

They sit there, talking aimlessly like what friends should. Of course, after the one minute warning is sounded, Karen begins to talk in a very serious tone. ‘I’ll miss home. I hope I will be able to complete my mission quickly and returned home as a dedicated FLA member. Hopefully, I can…get some sort of reward in doing this.’

‘So that’s your reason of joining Operation Adam…’ Karen’s trustful friend tries to joke.

‘Yes…so that I can meet my mother again.’

‘Wait, you’re serious…aren’t you?’

‘Of course, I haven’t met my mother for the past twenty months!’

‘Twenty months…I see,’ Karen’s friend looks outside through the window. ‘At least you’re better than me, I left my mother and…’ she says in her heart.

‘Train is heading to Lunar Space Port in 10 seconds. Keep clear of the automated sliding doors—!’ the Fast Train driver announces.

‘Well, we are going finally.’ Karen says while taking out her compact PC from her luggage.

The Fast Train—among the fastest terrestrial vehicles ever made, makes its way to the launching catapult that provides the initial propulsion. An electromagnetic catapult it is—but unlike those giant catapults called CREV at space ports on the moon or CREGEV on Earth, it provides an acceleration of 1G or ten meters per second every second. After clearing the catapult, the magnetically floating train is propelled by alternating change of pole via electromagnetic methods. The train reaches its top speed of 600 kilometers per hour after a few minutes. The straight rails interconnecting Taurus City and Lunar Space Port enables the train to continue on a steady speed without having to slow down—that is common among trains on Earth because of corners and chicanes. The Lunar Space Port is about 400 km away from Taurus City—a really quick course for it. At 600 kilometers per hour, the journey would take about forty minutes, straight on.

Throughout the journey, Rina is taking a short nap. Whereas, Karen is taking a look at her supplied compact PC for her Operation Adam mission. Her place of mission is fully supplied by the FLA. She is given a money of 20 000 units in bank account and a small motorcycle with a side rider is sent to her destination.

‘Enough money supply, a small motorcycle for my mission…I can start a new life on Earth!’ she jokes to herself. The money supplied by FLA, is enough for renting an accommodation and living supplies. ‘With the money I have form the lotteries…I think I’m buying myself a new house on Earth.’ Actually, a few weeks ago, Karen won a lottery of two million international monetary units. However, no publication were made because at that time, people were busy talking about the public appearance of the Boys of the Republic of East Asia—which has the most Boys among the MN-10 nations; four to be exact.

Karen reads some more of her mission and finds out about her nation of target: the South East Asia Federation. And the place is Kuching Town.

 

Chapter 5: Public Execution

‘…And we hope, this, another unveiling of the world’s male individual…is, for the better of our species. Thank you!’ the President of South East Asia Federation finishes her worldwide telecasted speech, from the capital of SEAF, regarding the public appearance of the South African Federation sole remaining male individual. She is given the honor to do so because SEAF is currently the chairman for MN-10 and also the NUN General Council.

Claps and cheers of people all over the world, especially from the nation that is showing off their Boy, roar loudly as the time for the arrival of the African Boy at the Parliament building inches closer. The SAF decided to reveal their Boy at Parliament first, in front of representatives and members of Parliament—which will be broadcast, live throughout the networks all over the world.

A huge crowd of people is waiting in front of the huge SAF Parliament building. The people there were mainly proud African women. Among the crowd, a number of journalists, local and foreign, are doing their work. Along the road to the Parliament building, thousands of people are waiting excitedly for the arrival of, their Boy. A number of people are carrying banners, stating supports, good wishes and all sort of statement. Some even state a feeling of "love". In the background, the huge crowd is being monitored by the enforcers—police and military.

‘Do you feel the excitement?’ a young lady tries to be friendly with a woman that is sitting besides her—that is expressing a low face.

‘Probably…’ the woman looks at the lady that is trying to "make friend" with her and draws a fake smile.

‘Come on, be happy! The Boy is coming…we got the front row in front of the Parliament entrance. You should be happy!’

‘Okay,’ she replies.

‘Hey, I notice the badge you’re wearing. Is that the…sign of participation in…the Operation Adam—sponsored by FLA,’ the young lady tries to continue the conversation. ‘Are you a participant?’

‘Huhh…oh, the badge…’ the woman appears a bit anxious. ‘I…I am a participant. What’s wrong?’

‘Nothing, it’s just that when I read on the network about the operation, I found out that it was almost—cancelled when the MN-10 started to reveal their Boys.’

‘Uhh…it was actually cancelled…in nations that have unveiled their…Boys.’

‘Umm…so what are you doing here?’

‘Just…joining the fun,’ she laughs—that sounds phony.

‘Ahah…so don’t make those funny faces,’ the young lady holds the woman’s shoulder. ‘And you should put down that heavy backpack of yours,’ referring to the big backpack the woman is holding on her laps.

‘Heh…heh…’she refuses.

‘Ladies—announcing the arrival of our Boy—Chaka Irebu—!’ a loud announcement is made.

The crowd becomes very excited as people begin to applaud in welcoming the Boy’s arrival. A black Vall’s E class car arrives—escorted by an army of security forces.

‘Look, the Boy is here!’ the young lady stands and waves about. The woman besides her continues sitting. Apparently, she is in a world of her own—not joining the crowd in welcoming their Boy. ‘Hey…look there. It’s the Boy! Oh my God—what’s his name just now?’

The woman doesn’t stand up. Instead, she is trying to fix something. It seems that, the whole crowd is busy applauding the male of their dreams while the introverted woman continues with her own business

The Boy is sitting in his roofless Vall’s and waving around shyly to the crowds. Apparently, he has been under hidden living for a long time. A squadron of fighters makes an aerial march pass—roaring through the air as the fighters fly by at almost the speed of sound. A display of a troop of space paratroopers—making their landing after reentering from space. It is a very merry situation indeed.

The Boy—Chaka Irebu has finally made it to the Parliament building main entrance after a slow journey through the crowd. Roars of cheers and applauds fill the hall of entrance as Irebu steps out of his car—being escorted by a dozen of guards. He has a medium black complexion. A typical African stature and his black hair are cut short—very short. As he walks through the hall of entrance, VIPs and members of Parliament take turns to introduce themselves to the Boy.

‘Well, that’s the Boy…his rather cute,’ the young lady says as she turns the woman that is besides her—or was. The woman besides her has disappeared. ‘Well, that’s a goodbye…!’

Actually, the woman has infiltrated the hall of entrance. She is now near the entrance to the main hall of the Parliament. Her special journalist pass, which she got from someone, enables her to do so. Carrying her huge backpack together with her, she stands just next to the front limit of the journalists’ area. She is well ahead of the Boy, who is busy receiving hands and a brief introduction of the members of Parliament.

‘Quick sir, the Prime Minister is waiting inside,’ a guard reminds Irebu.

‘Alright, just…a moment,’ he shakes hands with another MP.

‘Okay, Boy of Africa—or can I say disgusting useless males,’ the woman says as Irebu walks more closely to her position. ‘FOR THE NEXT STEP IN HUMAN EVOLUTION—!’ she shouts and presses a button on her watch. And before anyone can react—.

Instantaneously, in a fraction of a second, a huge explosion occurs. Everyone is stunned and quiet for a while before realizing—or what they just guess—a bomb attack has occurred. Mass panic among the crowd happens. Security forces are in total confusion, as a bluish fog rises from the site of the explosion and flows down back—apparently being denser than air.

‘The Boy…how about the…Boy!’ one of the guard desperately searching for Irebu. A few guards were lying on the floor. It is a total mess. Blood is everywhere; dust and a strange bluish fog blurred the surrounding vision. Several journalists are seriously injured—some has their intestines thrown out of their opened abdomen—which they are trying to put back in. A gruesome scene of detached, bleeding limbs and organs scattered around. A lot of people near the blast was thrown unconscious—either by physical shock or psychological shock.

‘Where is the Boy?’ a Guard, despite injuries, desperately searches among the grisly disconnected body parts and bodies and rubbles for any sign of Irebu. She flips over another gory body, and another—looking at each faces to find Irebu. A few other surviving Guards join her after recovering from the shock. Suddenly, a loud, terrifying and unforgettable shriek is heard before a loud cry, ’Oh my God—!’

Inside the Parliament’s building main hall, people are getting out through any exits they can find. Panic is everywhere after the blast was heard and shook the building. The emergency sprinklers initiate— dousing the main hall with water although the actual blast is outside the main hall. After a few seconds, an electrical failure occurs in the whole building—a main safety feature.

‘What’s going on outside there,’ the Prime Minister of SAF, Uru Swazi rushes to the exit towards the entrance hall. However, three body guards stop her and drag her away.

‘It’s dangerous there ma’am. We believe a bomb attack has …occurred and we’re getting you to a safer place,’ one of the guards says as Swazi struggles from the guards take hold of her.

‘Stop…don’t care about me. What happen to Irebu?’ Swazi asks, as she is literally carried off the ground by the three guards. The guards do not say a thing as they bring the leader to an underground exit—just behind the main stage of the main hall. She is brought to an escape vehicle before she is sped away.

‘Alright, I demand to know what happen.’ Swazi inquires. ‘No…forget that—what happen to Irebu?’ she looks sternly towards on of the guards that carried her just now.

‘We don’t know anything, ma’am! But…Talia is trying to contact the security commission at Parliament,’ pointing to the other bodyguard who is using a communicator.

‘Give me that communicator!’

‘Err, yes ma’am,’ Talia gives Swazi the communicator. The prime minister takes it from her—appearing very desperate.

‘This is the Prime Minister…what has happen?’ she says that just before the person she is talking to can say a welcoming—"yes" or "hello".

‘Uhh…ma’am. We believe a terrorist suicidal attack has occurred…but we’re still—,’ the person—apparently the head of the security commission of the Parliament—who one of the bodyguards accompanying the Prime Minister has stated.

‘Irebu…how about Irebu…?’

‘Uhh…he’s…he’s…’ she cannot finish her sentence.

‘Oh…my God, don’t say…’

‘Yes, ma’am…the body is…seriously…burnt and... uhum…the head severed…’ her words are like they’re stuck in her throat.

‘No…’ the prime minister sheds tears—but tries to maintain a cool head

‘Uhum…ma’am…we believe…a poi...poisonous gas has been release by the attacker…’ she reports with a tone of sadness. ‘Several people have suffered burns and respiratory arrest and…’

‘Never mind…just save as much people as possible,’ Swazi loses hope.

Far in the darkness of space, as images of the attack goes on live throughout the network. A person—a woman—grins. Wearing a military outfit, she is sitting on a seat in front of a PC. With an eerie white glow on and around her head—which is her hair, letting light partially going through— she talks to herself.

‘That’s just the beginning!’ her nasal voice echoes in the room she is in.

 

Chapter 6: The Dust Hasn’t Settled

(continue)