Hybrid: Project Vigil (10 page)

He decided to wear sunglasses at all times after Emily pointed out that his eyes “look strange”.

July 1
st 2020

John was making his way home from hiking trip with Emily. Over time she became his best friend, of course he had more friends. The day was cloudy, that's why they went hiking. Nobody had any suspicions about John, his magnetic cannon was ready for testing, he wanted to test it while was away for two weeks. John could do whatever he wanted and that was the best feeling he had in a long time. He found himself a quiet place in the hills where no one could hear him and he built a shooting range there.

Emily was just talking about some rare animals which live around in the forest when John's phone rang. John figured it would be Caroline, she called often because she was afraid he might burn down the house or the town. But it was Hudson, from time to time he came to check in on John but he never called.

“Hold on a second, please.” John told Emily.

John cleared his throat and pressed the green button.

“What's up Hudson?”

Hudson
sounded stressed and John could hear voices behind him.

“John! It's good to hear you.”

“What is it?” John knew some shit is about to happen.

“We have a situation here. I wanted to call you before you read the email they sent everyone involved.”

John opened his inbox using HUD. There was an email.

“I see. Kim
again.” John said.

“They fired missiles from shore. We shot most of them down but one penetrated our defenses and took down one of our patrol ships. We manage to keep it secret but it won't take long before
Korea goes public with it.”

“What do you need me to do?” John knew what
Hudson wanted.

“We are assembling a strike force to sabotage missile facility. It wouldn't be so hard but a bunch of people insists that you should go in with them.”

“What if I don't want to?” That wasn't an option.

“John, we have presidential order. You have to.”

“Fine. But I want something in return.” Why not to gain something? John thought.

“What do you want? We'll get it, just not too much.”

“You know who I want.” John was getting closer.

“I'll make some
phone calls. Maybe I'll get you to see her but no promises.”

“Agreed. Send someone to pick me up ASAP!” John ended the call.

“Who was that?” Emily asked confused.

“Just a friend. I need to hurry home.” With that he started running. When he came home he found the biggest bag he could and put weapons and equipment in there. Meanwhile he heard a car pull over in front of the house. Few seconds after Hudson stormed through garage door yelling. “Move! Damn it, they fired more missiles. We're waiting for you. Take the armor they'll never know what hit them.”

Then he noticed the cannon. “What is this thing?”

John carried his stuff to the car.

“Mk-1 Magnetic cannon. It's not tested.”

When they were in the car and rode for some military base nearby John wanted some more details.

“So. What are they up to?”

“Hell, if we knew I would tell you. I think they want to try us before invasion.”
Hudson looked concerned.

“Invasion?”

“There's been a report or maybe two that they are recruiting people for their army. Also they buy a heaps of old Russian tech. Arising conflicts in Ukrainian DMZ gave them cover to do it. We want to prevent the invasion South Korea, or at least delay it long enough for us to prepare.”

"Prepare how?”

Hudson gave him desperate look. “You.”

“What's the objective?” John asked but in corner of his mind he knew.

“Blow up as many things as possible.
..”