Chương 4: Notata

The High Council members displayed displeasure and dissatisfaction on their faces, evident in their unattractive expressions. Elder Dominic, in particular, appeared pale as he voiced his concern, "Don't we have mass destructive weapons? Why aren't we using any of them?"

"We have them, but we didn't achieve the desired result. Mass destructive weapons are effective within the range of plasma waves, which produce a bright fireball when a nuclear explosion occurs. They are also effective within the thermal pulse range, but the flash has no impact on their targets."

And we don't have an abundance of explosive weapons to use indiscriminately, as they are all considered strategic resources. Brayden then retrieved a map of the starfield.

"Our only option seems to be migrating to a safer location as far away from the Entomons as possible," Brayden indicated the west side of the Sagittarius arm, offering a glimmer of hope. However, before they could celebrate, he continued with a serious tone.

"However, this strategy would expose us to potential threats from all sides, making our defense more challenging and risky. Additionally, even if we manage to escape to a distant place, the Entomons will always be able to track our whereabouts due to the insider information we possess," he addressed the Lords and Elders with a concerned gaze.

"Everybody was startled.

"How is that possible? How can they know our location?" One of the Elders shouted, his voice filled with panic. It wasn't just him; all the Lords and Elders were gripped by despair.

"Because... we have spies among our ranks," Admiral Jayden interjected.

"WHAAAT...?"

Everyone was stunned, their faces reflecting disbelief at the revelation that there were spies among them.

With a mixture of doubt and worry, they exchanged glances, their expressions heavy with concern.

Amidst the commotion, Admiral Jayden remained composed as he explained the situation.

"We call these people Notata and Blue Bloods. We suspect they are Entomons with psychic abilities. Our evidence suggests that the Blue Bloods are likely the ones orchestrating events behind the scenes.

We believe they have lived on Earth since ancient times, as part of the Entomons. I don't know how they got here, but one thing is certain—they are aligned with the Entomons."

A vengeful look crossed his face.

"They have bred small insects capable of releasing toxins with hallucinatory or psychedelic effects. Every Notata is bitten by these insects at the base of their spinal necks. The insects then release toxins into their brains, inducing psychedelic effects and exerting control over their minds and thoughts, akin to a conversion or brainwash.

We've observed these specific insects spreading across the world. Currently, they have only reached sparsely populated areas like towns and villages. However, if we delay any longer, the situation will only deteriorate," Jayden explained, his gaze fixed on everyone.

"Great job!"

"The three of you deserve your reputation," Lord Adril praised.

"We are very pleased with the way you managed and handled the situation. I'm a little less worried knowing the world is in capable hands. I have more hope for the upcoming war, knowing that the three of you will be leading the battle," Adril complimented, assigning more responsibilities to the three military leaders. Adril was genuinely pleased with their performance.

"Thank you, Lord Adril! We were just doing our duty," the three of them replied.

"Nolan! Come in!" Adril shouted.

"Now let's weed out the rats," Adril snorted, settling back in his chair. He cast a stern gaze at everyone. What he couldn't tolerate was traitors.

Everyone grew nervous and uneasy. They never expected Adril to make such an abrupt decision.

Nolan arrived with a few medical staff and 100 Elite soldiers.

These Elite soldiers were formidable, towering between 3.1 to 3.3 meters tall. They marched in, their entire bodies clad in advanced black and gold bio suits, wielding high-energy guns and blasters.

The black and gold color scheme signified the highest standards in the military, indicating that they were among the best soldiers in their field.

"Lord Adril!" Nolan gave a deep bow, paying his respects to everyone.

As the Lords and Elders witnessed the elite soldiers entering, they were intimidated, and panic began to ripple through the chamber.

"Lord Adril!"

"What's going on? We haven't been informed about any of this," some of the Lords and Elders clamored, causing a scene in the chamber.

They couldn't conceal their nervousness as they glanced at the Grade 3 elite soldiers. Seeking support from their neighboring Lords and Elders, they found none willing to stand up and assist them. Each person in the chamber understood the gravity of the situation and recognized that it wasn't the time for foolish actions. Discussing traitors moments before, they now found themselves encircled by elite soldiers. It was evident that Lord Adril was purging spies, and there was no room for debate. Even the most foolhardy among them grasped the severity of the situation.

"I know this is sudden, and everyone is worried," Lord Adril spoke out.

"Everyone will be given a fair trial, and we will thoroughly investigate before administering any punishment. So until the investigation is complete, I expect everyone to cooperate," Adril said resolutely. There was no room for discussion.

"This is for the sake of humanity. The medical tests will now be mandatory for everyone. We will soon find out if we have traitors in this chamber or not."

"Nolan!! PROCEED!!"

Adril shouted as he flicked his sleeve and sat down, ignoring the pitiful eyes of some of the Lords and Elders.

"Yes, Lord!"

Nolan gave a bow and calmly proceeded with the medical test. He began calling out the names of the Council members one at a time.

Nobody dared to question the authority and influence held by Lord Adril Ryde. His actions were widely recognized as beneficial for humanity, and his motives were unquestionable.

In humanity's transition to a multi-planetary system, traditional boundaries of country and nationality dissolved. Individuals gained freedom to travel without constraints and could join various federations. No authority could impede people's movement or access to resources, provided they were willing to contribute through work—resources were not freely given.

Unlike the old world where power was divided among nations, the power structures in the future underwent significant changes. Presently, the Union holds the most sway and influence over humanity. They oversee all aspects, from human rights to regional conflicts. Upholding the rule of law, fairness, and justice became paramount for global stability.

With the advent of immortality, corruption diminished significantly. Those in power aimed to maintain their positions for a lifetime, and politicians avoided actions that could jeopardize their careers.

The ability for people to vote every 25 years and launch anti-corruption investigations by an independent court is a testament to Lord Adril's influence. He serves as the stabilizer of society, including its fight against corruption. Empowered to strip corrupt politicians of their positions upon presentation of evidence, Lord Adril's authority ensures accountability.

Elected permanently by the people as the head of the Union under specific rules, Lord Adril is entrusted never to betray humanity or engage in actions harmful to it. Upholding the rule of law is paramount in his leadership.

Lord Adril's enduring tenure spans more than five centuries, solidifying his unassailable position. He enjoys unwavering support from the populace, who harbor unwavering faith in his leadership.

Presently, Lord Adril and the Military wield absolute authority. While the lords and elders retain their power and privileges, some alterations have been made to their voting rights and decision-making processes.

The possibility of the Lords and Elders attempting to overthrow Lord Adril exists theoretically, particularly if they had substantial evidence accusing him of collusion with enemies. However, such an endeavor is deemed virtually impossible due to Lord Adril's impeccable character. He has maintained transparency in all his dealings and ensured that no vulnerabilities exist that could be exploited by enemies.

While Lord Adril is known for his kindness and integrity, he is also astute and not easily deceived. Thus, any attempt to undermine his authority would face significant challenges.

In the future, people are extensively informed about all matters, rendering them highly discerning and less susceptible to manipulation by politicians. The military and members of the Union would similarly reject baseless accusations against Lord Adril.

Nobody would dare challenge the will of the people or disrupt the societal fabric, as such actions would brand them as enemies of humanity—a fate worse than death.

Lord Adril's genuine dedication to the betterment of mankind is widely acknowledged, and no one is deemed worthy or capable enough to assume the immense responsibility he carries.

------------------------------------------------

The medical staff escorted the council members into a room under Nolan's supervision. Within, robotic machines delicately pricked their fingers and initiated blood scans. Following a thorough examination yielding no anomalies, the machines sprayed liquid proteins on their fingers, swiftly healing them without a trace.

Subsequently, the medical bots commenced full-body scans, projecting detailed 3D holograms of each person's anatomy. After several meticulous scans, the medical bots relayed their findings to Nolan.

The elite soldiers stood poised on standby, their vigilant gaze scanning the surroundings for any potential threats.

The test was proceeding smoothly when suddenly, a deafening explosion shattered the tranquility.

"BOOM!"

The ground trembled as a massive pillar of smoke billowed from a town in the far distance, capturing the attention of everyone present.

"What was that?"

"I think that was the sound of an explosion!"

Doubts filled the chamber as tension mounted.

"Does anyone know what the hell is going on? Someone come and report to me immediately!" Brayden's voice echoed through the room.

"My Lord!"

An officer rushed into the meeting hall, bowing deeply before Lord Adril.

"There is an enemy attack at the nearby Town 52 miles away from the South East City Wall."

"Soldier, introduce yourself!" Marshal Brayden demanded.

"My name is Cooper String, Commanding Officer of 1st Eagle Sniper Squad. Currently overseeing security for this meeting, my code is MOS 0317. Currently serving under General Rick as a Colonel."

"SIR!"

Cooper saluted sharply.

"What's the current situation outside? How many enemies, and what are their weapons?" Marshal Brayden bombarded him with questions.

"Sir! Current data of the enemy count is 349... The background of the enemy has been identified as terrorist Notata. We have sighted 16 Grade D1 Energy Blasters and 5 D2 Sniper Rifles in their possession, these are military-grade weapons which are extremely lethal. Other than that, most of them have grade E conventional weapons such as E5 laser weapons and E3 machine guns, Sir..." Cooper reported with extreme detail.

"Good job, Colonel Cooper!! I'm convinced that you are General Rick's subordinate. Not many soldiers can earn that distinction," Brayden's tone held a hint of jealousy. "Now, I'll give you an order... Go and solve this problem within half an hour."

"YES SIR!!" Cooper saluted crisply before swiftly exiting the chamber.

"It seems someone desperately doesn't want us to continue, causing disruption to the process," Brayden remarked, his voice tinged with concern.

"Hmpf!"

"Nolan...! Continue with the test. Let me see what kind of tricks you can pull off this time," Adril ordered, his gaze stern as he surveyed the council members.

Suddenly, a long sigh escaped.

"I guess there is no escaping then," Elder Dominic stood up from his seat and walked out slowly.

"Lord Adril! I think we should discuss and take this matter slowly," Elder Dominic said, looking directly at Lord Adril with a sincere tone.

"What do you want to discuss?" Lord Adril squinted his eyes as he looked at Elder Dominic, sensing the direction of the conversation. He felt disappointed that it was Elder Dominic leading this discourse.

"Let us surrender to the Entomons. God Khepri is ready to forgive and willing to take us as his children," Dominic declared with a fanatic gleam in his eyes as he mentioned Khepri's name.

He continued, attempting to persuade everyone. "As you have heard from our great commanders, we stand zero chance against the Entomons. So the best viable option for everyone is to accept the Entomons. We don't have any other choice but to surrender." Dominic looked at everyone sincerely, his eyes filled with hope.

"You sound like you are trying to convince yourself. Tell me. What did they offer you in return for selling out humanity?" Lord Adril's gaze pierced Elder Dominic's eyes. He sought to uncover the motives behind Dominic's sudden allegiance.

"It's simple... I want to live! You and I both know very well that there is no chance of winning or escaping against the Entomons. They have promised to give me godlike powers and take me in as one of their kind," Dominic declared with a frantic voice, as if he had lost all reason.

"Did you actually believe in their lies? If you haven't realized, we are just food for the Entomons," Adril retorted, his anger palpable.

"I know! We just have to sacrifice 95% of our population. The Entomons are willing to let us live and repopulate the Earth again," Elder Dominic said with a righteous tone.

"BAM!!"

Lord Adril slammed his hand hard on the table.

"Are you out of your mind?!" Shouted Lord Adril. "To sacrifice billions of people just so a few greedy and selfish individuals like you could live? We'd rather go extinct than become livestock for those disgusting bugs," Lord Adril's veins bulged with madness. He had never been this angry.

"I would never let the future generations become livestock," he thought fiercely.

"Arrest this traitor!" Lord Adril shouted, fed up with Dominic's nonsense.

Field Marshal Brayden was the first to act. In a flash, he was in front of Elder Dominic and delivered a punch right to his face, knocking him out cold in an instant.

"Freeze him before some bugs trigger and kill him!" shouted Marshal Brayden. Soldiers rushed in and zapped Elder Dominic's body with their static guns, weapons designed to block all senses and nerves from neural networks.

"That was satisfying," Brayden smirked as he cracked his fist and stretched his body. He had long wanted to punch Elder Dominic when he revealed himself as a traitor.

"Take him to the lab and extract all of his memory," Lord Adril commanded. He then turned to Nolan. "Continue with the medical test."

Adril sank back into his chair, feeling exhausted.

"Yes, Lord!" Nolan acknowledged, directing his medical staff to continue.

During the test, they uncovered three more Notata: one Lord and two Elders. They attempted to plead for mercy, but they were frozen before they could finish their sentences.

With the test finally over, everyone sighed in relief, feeling as though a weight had been lifted off their shoulders.

"Everyone!" Lord Adril stood up and called out. "Take down these orders: Hunt down all of the Notata and Blue Bloods."

"Organize a comprehensive array of medical tests.

Make the medical test mandatory for everyone, irrespective of their location.

Any individual who denies or disagrees with the test must be arrested and held in custody for trial.

Invest resources into farming, weapons, and ammunition.

Summon all scientists and their families to the Central Tower.

Provide scientists access to all confidential files.

With these directives, today's meeting is adjourned.

"Everyone is dismissed!" Adril declared, and he walked out of the chamber.

Finally, the High Council meeting concluded. Everyone departed the building, moving stiffly, and entered their respective flying vehicles. Hundreds of these vehicles soared off in various directions, disappearing into the clouds.