Gathering people.
<General perspective>
Cipher was engrossed in the stream of data flashing across her monitor when her subordinates approached, handing her a pendrive. "We found where Shaw went after he left yesterday," one of them informed her.
Cipher took the pendrive without a word, plugged it into her computer, and began reading the reports compiled by the DSS and CIA, courtesy of Hobbs and Mr. Nobody. As she reached the end, a laugh bubbled up from her chest, growing louder as she read the accounts.
"Kidnapping Ramsey from under the noses of 28 military soldiers," she mused, a smirk spreading across her face. "And tossing the strongest agent of the DSS along with Mr. Nobody from a third-floor window."
Her amusement faded into a sigh. "It seems Ramsey and the God's Eye are out of reach, protected by some unknown organization. Their power is a mystery to me."
Just then, her phone rang, the screen displaying an unknown number. Cipher's eyebrows arched in curiosity as she answered.
"We're having a party tonight," came Deckard Shaw's voice, smooth and casual. "If you want to meet Miss Anonymous, you can do so there. But you have to come alone."
Cipher's mind raced, considering his proposition. "Alright," she said finally, her voice steady. "Where do I need to go?"
"You don't need to worry about that," Deckard replied. "I'll pick you up from your location."
Cipher glanced out the window, weighing her options. "Fine. I'll come alone."
"Good," Deckard said, satisfaction evident in his tone. "Be ready; it's a big party." The call ended abruptly.
Cipher remained still, her thoughts swirling. Meeting this mysterious organization tonight was unexpected. Was it because of Ramsey? Or was there another reason altogether? She couldn't be sure, but one thing was clear—tonight's encounter could change everything.
_____
On the other side of the Earth, a day had passed when Nora, Emmett, Zach, and Beau returned. They were greeted warmly by the Abbott family, Evelyn embracing Beau with a sigh of relief.
Emmett, looking at Lee, asked, "So, what kind of task do you have for us? Ava told me to help out."
Lee sighed and said, "Well, we have to recruit people. So far, we've only managed to find 176 who fit Ava's criteria."
Emmett was taken aback. "Recruitment and criteria? Ava didn't mention anything about that."
Lee nodded. "Yes, after we finished our shopping and enjoyed our family time, Katie informed us about the recruitment program. So, Evelyn and I started broadcasting on the radio to gather people here."
Emmett nodded slowly.
Lee continued, "As people arrived, we had them wear VR helmets. Katie created detailed digital IDs for them, which included their professions, criminal records, and moral ratings."
"Moral ratings?" Emmett asked, puzzled.
Lee explained, "It's a simple measure of their morals. Katie calculates it using their memories and the emotions tied to those memories."
Emmett nodded in understanding. "In a post-apocalyptic world, that makes sense."
Lee looked surprised. "You accept it so quickly?"
Emmett smiled. "Of course. In times like these, you need something like this."
Lee sighed and nodded, remembering the initial skepticism he himself had felt. Some of the people who arrived had tried to attack them and take their weapons, but Katie had used drones to stun them, and Lee and the new recruits had locked them up in the nearest police station.
"Do we also have moral ratings?" Emmett asked, curious.
Lee replied proudly, "Yes, I checked our ratings."
Evelyn chuckled at Lee's pride.
Nora, patting Zach's head, asked Evelyn, "Why are you laughing?"
"When we checked the moral ratings, Lee had the highest rating among everyone," Evelyn replied, smiling.
Nora asked, "What was his rating?"
"8.4 out of 10," Evelyn said.
Nora was surprised. She had expected it to be above 9.
Emmett asked, "What about us?"
Lee replied, "You have 7.3, Nora has 7.7, and Evelyn has 7.9."
Emmett patted Lee's shoulder. "Good for you."
Looking around, Emmett asked, "Where are the new recruits?"
"They went to different places to recruit more people and inform everyone living on this continent that a new government will take over in a week," Lee said.
Emmett then asked, "So what's next? You know tomorrow is the party, right?"
Lee nodded. "Katie informed us. We're going to get specialties from each country for the party through the airway and save anyone we can find."
"We can save many, right?" Emmett asked.
Lee shook his head. "I transmitted a message with Katie's help that we'll rescue people who come to the designated warehouses and locations we're visiting."
Emmett frowned. "If many gather in one place, it might create noise and risk their lives."
"I know," Lee admitted. "But if it succeeds, we might save many."
Emmett nodded. "We can get the specialties, but who will cook?" he asked, glancing at Nora.
Nora glared at Emmett. "Do you mean I can't cook?"
Emmett smiled warily. "I never said that."
"But you meant it," Nora insisted, her eyes challenging.
Evelyn intervened, "Okay, you two, don't argue. Among the new recruits, we found 17 people who used to work in restaurants. Some of them were chefs in five-star hotels."
"You should have told me sooner," Emmett said, feeling a shiver as Nora continued to glare at him.
Emmett looked at Lee and said quickly, "Let's go. We have many countries to visit," dragging Lee out of the factory.
Outside, eight Hummers and seven big buses stood ready.
A man in military gear stepped out of a Hummer and approached Lee. "Sir, we have 793 people in San Diego."
Lee smiled. "Good job, Josh."
Josh nodded and then looked at Emmett. "Sir, who is this?"
Lee introduced Emmett. "He's Emmett, same rank as me and my friend. He's been with the leader since yesterday."
Josh nodded and extended his hand. "Nice to meet you, Sir Emmett."
Emmett shook his hand. "Nice to meet you too, Josh."
Lee turned to Josh. "Now that you're back, we have a task."
"What's that, sir?" Josh asked eagerly.
"We have to collect the specialties of other countries for tomorrow's party," Lee said.
Josh's eyes lit up. "You mean we're going out of the continent?"
Emmett, noticing Josh's excitement, asked, "Do you have something to say?"
Josh nodded. "Sir, my family owns a restaurant in Japan. Can we check on them if it's not too much to ask?"
Lee thought for a moment. "We can do that, but don't expect anything, okay?"
Josh nodded, his joy tempered with caution.
Lee handed Josh a list. "Get everyone on this list ready. Half will go with Emmett to Europe, and the other half with me to Japan."
Josh nodded and went to the other recruits who had just exited the Hummers.
Emmett turned to Lee. "Who is he?"
"One of the new recruits. He has the highest moral rating after us, which is 7.2," Lee replied.
Emmett pondered and asked, "What's the criteria for this rating?"
"It's simple," Lee said. "0-2 means you're a pure evil person, like a psychopath. 2-4 means you're a bit evil, someone who would steal without a second thought but not kill. 4-6 is neutral. 6-8 means you're a good person with a sense of justice and a kind heart. Above 8, like me, means you're willing to die to save others." Lee beamed with pride.
Emmett just nodded at the long explanation. "Okay, get ready. We're going. Be careful; there's a family waiting for you."
Katie's voice chimed in, "You don't have to worry, Emmett. Each team will have 100 weaponized drones for protection."
Emmett sighed in relief. "Thanks, Katie."
"I'm just following Miss Ava's instructions," Katie replied.
....
After an hour, Lee stood resolutely before fifty men, each one fully armed with military gear. He wore the armor Ava had given him. Beside him, Emmett stood in the same armored suit, a silent pillar of strength and solidarity.
"Gentlemen," Lee began, his voice firm and carrying over the assembly, "we have a mission to collect food supplies from various countries."
Emmett nodded slightly, a gesture mirrored by the men standing in disciplined rows. The air was thick with anticipation and readiness, a palpable tension that hummed through the ranks.
"You might wonder why I chose you for this mission," Lee continued, his gaze sweeping over the group. "The answer is simple: most of you are pilots and ship captains." At this, Josh moved through the ranks, distributing papers to each man, the rustle of paper the only sound breaking the silence.
"Josh has given you the mission details," Lee said, his voice unwavering. "We will drop each of you at the designated locations marked on your maps. You will have four drones for your safety. Your task is to gather everyone at the rendezvous points and lead them to the marked airports and seaports. Secure a plane or ship and return to America."
He paused, letting the gravity of the mission settle in. The men absorbed his words, their expressions hardening with resolve.
"This is not just a mission for supplies," Lee added, his tone sharpening. "It's a mission for the survival of those gathering after hearing my words."
A unified nod passed through the ranks, an unspoken oath of commitment and determination. Lee glanced at Emmett, who gave him a firm nod in return, his eyes steady and resolute.
"Let's get to it," Lee commanded.
The group divided into two teams of twenty-five, moving with purpose as they followed Lee and Emmett to the respective spaceships.
As the doors to the spaceships closed and the engines started. The spaceships lifted off.
To be Continued....
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