. Image source: IMG

Introduction

At the end of the 21st century, humanity found a possible solution to the problem of overpopulation, through the efforts of a biotechnological research organization called NEO. Homus; this solution was linked to a high cost; it consisted of merging two individuals into body and consciousness by means of an induced artificial biological process that they called “singular convergence”. The idea was that two or more people share the same body, in this way, the same space and consume the same resources (food, water, etc.). There were those who questioned if it really was a viable solution. In spite of this, before the imminent chaos in which the planet was succumbing, most governments chose to apply the measure without much consideration. This is how insurgent groups emerged that opposed and demanded respect for the individuality of the human being, they gained sympathizers at a dizzying pace until they became a real threat to the directives of the world powers, reaching this point they became known as Darwin's creed. In the midst of the conflict, the NEO. Homus’ CEO and main responsible for the technology of singular convergence; Astolf Reinhal, disappeared.

Nigel was walking down an alley in the commercial sector. It was not reduced at all, but the flow of people passing through the place was such that it gave that feeling. He carried a heavy backpack on his back which made moving among the masses more tedious.

He stopped at a point and turns into a corner; he found himself facing a closed alley, took a few steps with disdain; going into the antrum. He made a few stops in different merchants of the alley, browsing the merchandise with indifference. After a while doing this protocol, he convinced himself that it’s enough to mislead potential followers. He went to a worn door with a sign that says: forbidden the use of physiological augmentations. He tapped seven times to the door and then he turned the knob as if pretending to open it. Someone looked through the eye of the door. A moment later, Nigel listened to a series of mechanisms unfolding on the other side of the door and then it opened. A red-haired woman with translucent teas is on the other side.

"So you've finally come," the woman said. “The captain expected you to show up.

"I've missed you too, Liz," Nigel said carelessly, then he passed the door and took a few steps inside. “Where is the old man?

“The captain Gadriel is in the meeting room.

Nigel arrived in the room. Someone was sitting cross-legged on the main sofa while reading a book. A tall, black man who was in his 60s but looked like 40 years old.

“So you’ve decided to appear. I guess it's because you have something interesting on your hands,” The old man said as he looked away from the book. He watched Nigel analytically.

“All the preparations are ready for the party. It is possible to perform an attack on the NEO. Homus’ central this week.

“All right, so let’s do it in two days!

Gadriel was one of the 13 leaders at the top of Darwin’s creed hierarchy in addition to having a high degree of respect from the other leaders. He would be the one who would orchestrate the final requiem of this conflict.

The two days passed... And the confrontation broke out in the twilight of the day. NEO. Homus had a personal army comparable to that of a small country, but as the information of the agents of the creed said; today that army would be dispersed.

The explosions and projectiles seemed omnipresent. In the middle of that hell, a small squadron moved with meticulous secrecy to carry out its task.

"We're getting there," Nigel said as he positioned himself with his back to a wall.

“Sir we confirm our positions, we’re right at the headquarters of NEO. Homus,” one of the soldiers said.

“Of course, it's time. It is now or never!” Nigel answered.

"Nigel, detonate an explosive just to open the entrance," ordered Gadriel.

Subsequently, Nigel set out to do what was entrusted to him.

After having created an opening, they passed through in the middle of it and Gadriel muttered:

“The plan is as follows: we will go to the central laboratory and then destroy all the coffers of convergence. Currently, they’re all that exists on the planet and we can end NEO. Homus by destroying all the planes so that they cannot be replicated anymore.

"We will clear your orders, Captain," Liz noosed.

The squadron advanced with stealth and extreme subtlety, eliminating the enemies that crossed the path.

They arrived at the laboratory. After the gate opened someone was waiting for them in the place, it was the woman who was the current CEO of the company

"I was wondering when you would arrive, you don’t have to expect a lady like that," The woman said.

“What are you doing here? You're supposed to be on a plane to another country, " Gadriel replied.

"Nothing about you could surprise me at all, my dear Astolf," The woman replied. “How were your little vacations there?

Nigel and Liz were surprised to hear such statements. They both glanced sideways at Gadriel, who was on his back, as silent and calm as if what that woman had said was nothing shocking.

“You perfectly know that I have to put an end to all this, Wonda. You should’ve already noticed, how rotten smells all this” Gadriel ended the silence that was looming.

“The only thing I know is that you abandoned your responsibilities and that I had to take the wheel to lead humanity to our salvation, you left all that I had entrusted to you.

Then, Liz beckons to Nigel pointing to an explosive charge that nobody had noticed, and then made a gesture of resignation. He responded with a gesture equivalent to what she did.

"Humanity doesn’t need you to save us, Madam. Everyone should be responsible for their own salvation," Nigel retorts bluntly and then urged Liz to detonate the explosive.

Liz runs to Nigel's right and shouts:

“Captain, goodbye!

Gadriel immediately noticed the imminent danger of detonating an experimental explosive such as the anti-matter destroyer Sigma 1567.

“Liz, wait... There are other opti...!” He expressed in a broken voice that evidenced how anguished he was, it didn’t give him time to stop the dangerous improvisation of Liz and Nigel, he could only embraced and covered his wife.

The explosion disintegrated and left a large crater where once was the central laboratory. After a few moments, an alarm sounds and a synthetic voice announces: SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE IN THE COMPLEX. 100% LOSS OF THE SINGULAR CONVERGENCE ARCHES. PUTTING THE PROTOCOL "HERALD OF BALANCE" INTO EFFECT. DEPLOYING NUCLEAR FUSION OJVES WITH DESTINY TO THE POINTS WITH LARGEST INDICES OF PLANET POPULATION.

The end of the world had begun. Or maybe the beginning of a new dawn.

This was my entry to the Tell A Story To Me Writing Contest – Theme Overpopulation by @calluna.