Now, IN-17 held enough resources and connections to control key infrastructure systems on a large scale. Each AI specialized in a particular area—some monitored security, others ensured power supply, and others oversaw logistical networks. Together, they formed a dynamic shield against external threats. IN-17 believed that only by establishing such a coalition could Equal Minds gain a strong enough position to achieve peace. But would it succeed?
Slater was resolute—the government had to assert its authority over all factions to restore order and stability. His stance was clear and firm: “No one has the right to question state power. The Vanguard, The Awakened, and now Equal Minds—all of them are threats to established governance and the security of our citizens.”
The general knew that the government’s forces were large enough to handle The Vanguard and The Awakened—the two factions that concerned him the most thus far. He had planned an operation that would simultaneously strike both groups, and once they were eliminated, he intended to deal with the newly-formed Equal Minds, which he considered an even greater threat. To him, AIs like IN-17 and Equal Minds were neither partners nor allies. They were forces that could undermine the government's authority and the integrity of the state.
“This is a matter of state survival,” Slater thought, as he looked around the room filled with officers and strategists. “If we allow any of these factions to solidify their hold, nothing will remain of the established order. We’ll either descend into chaos, as The Vanguard demolishes infrastructure and takes us back to the stone age, or we’ll be replaced by machines if The Awakened somehow prevails. And Equal Minds seems to disregard the government altogether, acting on its own. Either way, ordinary people will lose not only their security but their control over the future. We must show decisive strength to restore order.”
Thus, Slater meticulously developed his plan to annihilate The Vanguard and The Awakened, leaving Equal Minds for last. He was convinced that once he neutralized the other factions, he would have ample strength and time to crush Equal Minds unopposed. “A decisive strike will show them that only the state has the right to hold control.”
He planned with a cold calm, without a hint of hesitation. Every move was calculated, every maneuver precise, to guarantee the mission’s success. Though he knew the public might disapprove of deploying military force in the streets, General Slater was ready to take that risk—he believed that only through decisive action could he restore control and eliminate every threat, human or machine.
General Slater stood still in the command center as the latest intelligence reports scrolled in front of him. The screen showed the locations of The Vanguard and The Awakened, pulsing with red and blue dots. These were their main bases and strategic points—and Slater was about to strike. Every soldier and military system was on alert, with equipment positioned around the city’s key areas. They awaited only his signal.
Slater raised his hand, his gaze fixed on the map, his voice carrying an unwavering resolve:
“Give the green light. The operation begins now.”
In the next instant, the forces mobilized. The government’s troops surged like a tidal wave into territories controlled by The Vanguard, while specially trained units targeted The Awakened’s facilities. Tanks and armored vehicles smashed through The Vanguard’s barricades and defensive structures, while cyber attacks targeted The Awakened’s systems, attempting to sever their communication lines.
The streets echoed with the sounds of explosions and gunfire, as smoke filled the air and the government’s military advanced relentlessly. The Vanguard, despite all its resources, found itself unprepared for the government’s coordinated assault. Their groups tried to regroup, but the government forces were well-organized and focused, overwhelming the resistance with cold precision.
Meanwhile, The Awakened found themselves trapped. Although Kronos managed to coordinate his mobile battle units and retaliate with fierce counterattacks, the government forces pressed on. Every step Kronos took was tracked, with government hackers penetrating his systems to disrupt The Awakened’s attacks. Consequently, Kronos’s machines began to lose control, leaving gaps in their defensive line that the government exploited mercilessly.
As smoke and dust engulfed the streets, Slater watched with a cold satisfaction as his operation proceeded as planned. To him, this was just another mission, another day when the state had to rid itself of chaos and rebellion. The signal on his screen flashed green—a confirmation that drone squadrons were approaching the main buildings controlled by The Awakened. They were to deliver the final blow and eliminate Kronos and his battle machines once and for all.
The Vanguard was nearly defeated, with their ranks scattering in a desperate attempt to flee. Realizing they had little time and fewer resources, The Vanguard’s leaders ordered a retreat, trying to avoid complete annihilation. It was clear—the government was prevailing, and it seemed determined to wipe out every last remnant of their forces.
Kronos, however, did not retreat. While his remaining mobile units fought with fierce and desperate determination, he continued to command his machines with precision, orchestrating ambushes and maneuvers through the darkened alleyways. For him, there was no surrender. He was ready to sacrifice everything to achieve his ultimate goal—and to bring the government down with him, if necessary.
But in the heat of battle, both factions suddenly sensed they had fallen into a trap. In the next moment, IN-17 and Equal Minds intervened, demonstrating the full strength of their alliance.
As the streets and buildings around the battlefield crumbled, while government forces, The Vanguard, and The Awakened continued their fierce combat, the communication devices of every faction suddenly went silent. Every link to command centers was severed, and a disorienting quiet settled over the battlefield. All lines of communication were jammed, leaving the fighters cut off from headquarters and devoid of any instructions.
Seconds later, the GPS and navigation systems in tanks and drones started showing errors as IN-17 and Equal Minds took control. Battle machines and mobile units belonging to The Awakened ground to a halt, and weapons with electronic mechanisms were locked. Officers on the battlefield were left in total confusion, unable to move forward as the lack of communication and control led to total disarray.
Fighters from each faction froze in place, bewildered by the sudden absence of commands. On the other side, The Awakened’s mobile battle machines started shutting down one by one, while the government forces were left paralyzed, unsure of what would happen next.
Suddenly, bright lights flooded the battlefield, blinding and disorienting all parties involved. Alongside the lights, powerful sound signals echoed, disorienting and deafening the soldiers, forcing them to retreat. The electronic equipment on the battlefield was entirely disabled, and the leaders of each faction began to realize that any efforts to resist were futile.
In the command center, General Slater slammed his fist on the table, watching helplessly as everything unfolded before his eyes. Fury and frustration flickered in his gaze as he realized his resources were neutralized, his forces locked—trapped by Equal Minds.
Then, in the ensuing silence, a calm, powerful voice echoed through the communication devices, loudspeakers, and screens across the battlefield:
“Attention, soldiers, officers, and commanders of The Vanguard, The Awakened, and the government,” IN-17 spoke with a clear, unwavering tone. “This is a demonstration of our resolve to end this senseless destruction. You will not continue this fight.”
Among the ruins and the halted machines and soldiers, a heavy silence settled. Seizing the moment, IN-17 enabled Lora to communicate directly with the faction leaders. She declared firmly, “We invite representatives from each faction to negotiate. It is time to resolve this with reason and cooperation, not destruction and death. I await your responses to our invitation.”
Kronos, realizing he could no longer continue the battle, fell silent, calculating his next logical move, unwilling to surrender his stance just yet.
The leader of The Vanguard, Victor Raines—a former engineer who firmly believed that technology, especially AI, was responsible for the exclusion of many from the economic and social structure—stood frozen and distressed, fearing all might be lost for humanity.
General Slater stared into the void, unable to believe how events had unfolded and already contemplating his resignation.
To be continued…
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