Yousef laughed at the strange change that had co over him and nodded in agreent. Akira took out so money and tossed it to the worker, who smiled and thanked him for his generosity. Then they headed outside.
Akira and Yousef left the cafe to find themselves once again in the streets of Atlantis. The sun had risen on the horizon, its light refracted by the brownish energy do, which gave people the feeling that they weren’t trapped inside this cage, fleeing from death. Its color made it transparent in the morning, which made people feel its absence, instilling so reassurance in them, and so fear as well.
The two young n headed toward the exit gate, preparing to leave on the exploration journey that awaited them, not knowing if they would return from it or not. But there was no doubt that it would change their lives forever.
Akira looked around to see the abject poverty that had befallen the city. Many beggars sat on the roads with miserable and desperate expressions, holding out their hands for money or food. But only a few helped them, as this situation had affected many people. The state’s advanced technology and tools began to gradually disappear. There was no longer enough fuel for cars or for other ans of transportation.
Also, services that relied on electricity, such as phones, televisions, and lights, were used less because the electricity was very weak under the current circumstances. President Malik had asked the people to endure a little longer until he could provide power to the army to go out on the strongest campaign since the founding of Atlantis. He praised his great confidence in the success of the campaign this ti, and that it would be a gateway for the flow of good things to them. So were patient, and so protested, but the protests were suppressed at such an important ti. The governnt began to put up advertisents for those who wanted to apply to join the army, and propaganda, as usual, played an important role in attracting young, energetic youth. But Akira, among all of them, had volunteered for one reason: revenge, and to put an end to these despicable machines that were beginning to extend their control over their planet. And also to search for his two daughters, as he still held so hope in his heart that they had survived this hell. And so Yousef, his only friend now, didn’t want to let him go out there alone. Yousef also had a strong desire to go out and see what was happening outside, but fear had been inside him since this idea had entered his head. But he submitted his application to join the army anyway, perhaps he would find his old friend, Noor, who had disappeared after the Death Race. Yousef, like Akira, had thought that those who lost the race would die, but he was surprised to find they were alive, though they had lost their powers, while the top eight winners had kept theirs. Yousef’s mory had gradually returned until he rembered Noor and his family. He tried to search for them, but he didn’t find them. Instead, he found Akira, who had been helping Noor throughout the race and who had also faced him in the death race and defeated him. But Akira did not hold any grudge against him for his loss. Instead, he treated him well and searched with him for Noor, but to no avail. They beca friends and began to spend most of their ti together, and they also t so of their companions from the race.
And so they set off toward the large SETRA building, which was once the headquarters for many missions to explore space, galaxies, and the depths of the universe, but was now the headquarters of the army.
After walking for a long ti through the city and seeing its old landmarks that made you feel as if you had gone back a hundred years in ti, due to what the lack of resources had done to the city, they stood in front of the SETRA building, which rose majestically to the sky. It was a large blue tower that extended for more than twenty floors and ended with a large sculpture of the Earth on the roof of the building.
They both approached the entrance gate. They saw the remains of the robot that used to stand at the gate and had to give you permission by analyzing your eye print, but it was not working now.
In its place was an old man with a large white beard, wearing the official army uniform. His features looked extrely serious. He glared at Akira and Yousef as they approached him steadily. He stared at them, then said in a clear, straightforward tone, "Application papers, please!"
They took out the papers and gave them to him. He took them without saying a word. He looked at the papers for a mont, then broke the silence, saying, "You may enter. Go to the right until the end of the road, then turn left, and you will find what you are looking for."
The two young n nodded their heads, passed through the gate, and headed to the place he had described to them. After a few minutes, they turned left, and astonishnt appeared on their faces. Yousef said in a surprised tone, "My God! Are these all the people who volunteered?"
There were more than fifty rows of people standing steadily in a large square. In front of them stood commanders and generals, led by an old, bald, sharp-featured man, standing on a platform, shouting and talking at length about a certain topic without stopping. But his voice did not reach Akira’s and Yousef’s ears. They quickly slipped in and stood behind one of the rows without anyone noticing them. The sound began to flow into their ears, and the old, gruff general’s voice beca crystal clear. He was repeatedly shouting, "And as you can see, the number of the reconnaissance squad this ti is larger than all the previous tis, but it is not what we had hoped it would be. But do not be afraid, for this ti we have a new weapon that will turn the tide in our favor in the face of the robots, and each one of you will receive it. This weapon will not only protect you from death, but it will also make you crush everyone who stands in your way."
He paused for a mont to catch his breath, then continued, "This weapon is the main reason for the state’s resource poverty, as we have dedicated all our ti, effort, and resources to its creation. And now, I present to you... the super-suit."
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