Chapter 1: Code B3

Act 0: The Prelude to an Unknown Fate

01/12/2078
06:30
Office, Central District

Capital is on the far side of the moon. "It is a city filled with prosperity and positivity, ruled by the well-respected Four Temples, the Senior Sister (SS), and the Three Foreign Gods. On top of that, the thriving economy, modern technology, and powerful military make it a safe and suitable place for everyone." That is the announcement I has heard for the last 20 years. It is also printed on the first page of every piece of newspaper currently in use. In the eyes of a normal person, or a visitor, the place is heaven, a dream come true. It is an enormous city, and area-wise, you could say it's an entire nation. In fact, Capital represents an operational country on Earth. It has a society with different classes based mostly on income and position. The government officials and all military officers from the rank of corporal and up are considered the upper class, and the rest is the middle class, which includes every worker, citizen, and tourist. Most of the middle class is Lunarian (moon rabbit). They either have a normal job or have the desire to climb up the society ladder, to finally become wealthy and famous. However, what most people don't realize is that the city has a third class. I would say that the government and the press did an excellent job in keeping it secret, but I do want to disclose a bit. Deep below the city lies a large, crucial, and impressive system called The Underground. This is where the third class, the lower class, resides. It consists of all other races except rabbits, including humans. The Underground is responsible for the energy and stability of the city. If, for some reason, it malfunctions, Capital will immediately descend into chaos. The Underground has its own society: the engineers are the people who specialize in a particular field and are the brains for the entire system; the tools are those who do the dirty work, mostly entertaining others; and the tools owner doesn't need any explanation. Most people living in The Underground are not allowed to access the surface and are therefore banned from every route leading up, except for special circumstances: the tools are legally permitted on the surface if and only if a Lunarian gives them the privilege, and if the tools are already owned, the owner can either refuse or accept the offer. If accepted, the owner too must come to the surface.

02/12/2078
07:00
Bunmaru Restaurant, Central District

Why do I know all this? It's difficult to explain. Instead, I will tell you my life story and hope that it may help you. I was born into a middle-class family. Both my mom and dad were soldiers, and they encouraged me to become one. My childhood wasn't perfect. I always played truant, and it caused me to be kicked out of school when I was just eight. However, my giftedness in strategy, logic, and commanding, combined with my motivation and skills, led me to be enlisted as a soldier and military advisor in 2070, when I was just ten. Thanks to my intelligence and hard work, I managed to climb to the highest rank of the military system at that time, which was general. Now I have some seniors; they were my colleagues but soon got involved in politics and become government officials, so they got promoted. I can say that I have become upper-class and can finance myself easily. The commander-in-chief made me captain of Division 1, which is the second-strongest team in the city, only beaten by the Special Division. My team has Rabbits 11 to 100, and I'm Rabbit 12, the second-in-command, and the strategist for the whole team. I cannot fight very well, but that doesn't hinder my job. My future is bright, as I'm still very young and ambitious. I am the true embodiment of a perfect citizen: a high-ranking military officer with strategic intel, wealth, and respect. The money is still pouring in, and honestly, I would have no problems continuing to server the city if one or two things didn't happen. First, Rabbit 2, the brain for the whole Special Division, disappeared, which created endless duty for Rabbit 11, who in turn gave me more work to do. Second, because of my position, I had access to all the secret information about the city, and I can't say that I could keep my cool when I read about The Underground. Since then, I have always been dissatisfied with how the city is operating, and I really wanted to retire and leave the city for good. Fortunately, the city council respects my decision, but I must do one last job to prove that I, Rabbit 12, can do the job better than anyone else. Although this mission is the most difficult and complex one yet, for me, it's just a piece of cake. It was an investigation duty; no fighting is necessary, and I also have a special radio to call for reinforcement, so I was safe to go solo. I would get to The Underground, check if any of the lower class may be a part of a rebel organization, and report it to the SS. After that, I'm free to do anything I want.

04/12/2078
22:30
Gate 1, Central District – The Underground

It took me a whole two days of deep investigation and questioning for the job, and fortunately, or I would say suspiciously, no one seemed like a target. The job was done; all I have left to do is come back and hand in the resignation paper. I was on my way, thinking about what I had done and that I might miss the days in the army. I wouldn't imagine what comes next will change my fate forever. I was held back by a strange doll. I was about to hit it off when a girl approached me. She has short blonde hair with an armor, glove, and glasses that cover most of her body. Beside her were two other dolls, on which I can see the letters: one read "Shanghai" and the other was "Hourai". It took her a short while to speak.

Girl : .... / . / .-.. / .-.. / ---?

Me : Morse code? I can understand it, but I would prefer you use normal language.

Girl : Ah, so you're not from The Under Ground?

Me : I'm an officer on duty. What do you need?

Girl : Ah, officer! I sincerely apologize; the dolls are mine. Did it interrupt your work?

Me : It's OK...No need to worry. It's my last day after all...

Girl : That's good to hear.

Me : May I ask what your name is?

Girl : It's □□□, but I usually go by my codename, Puppeteer.

Me : Codename...?!! So, you are the rebels that the SS talked about-.

Puppeteer : Shh! I just want to talk.

Me : ...

I accepted her offer, as I had nothing to lose. We went to an unknown, guarded section where we had a meeting. It was a long talk, yet we couldn't reach an agreement. However, Puppeteer had seen through my mind. She reminded me of my hatred toward the city and persuaded me to join her. I told her I had prepared my resignation and wanted to lead a normal life as an ordinary and wealthy rabbit, but she insisted. Before leaving, she said there would be an opportunity to join a group called The Resistance, which is a rebel organization that opposes the city. They will be patrolling the outer area for the next seven days. She also gave me a pill and a map. I was told to either drink that pill if I refused the offer, which would make me forget who she was, or go to the marked location on the map to meet with The Resistance's leader and be free. "Or you can go down here and join us whenever you want. We are allies, and one day we will bring peace and fairness to everyone.", she added. I bid her farewell and went home. "Just get my job done, and I will decide later.", I thought.

05/12/2078
12:00
Rabbit Mansion, Room 12, Outer District

The plan was a real mess. Rabbit 11 gave me even more work to do, and worse of all, I must finish transferring my position to Rabbit 13, which will take at least 2 weeks. I was perplexed because if I went on with my plan, Rabbit 12 would be and will forever be a defector. My wealth and property will be seized, and my reputation will be tarnished. Moreover, I hadn't decided whether to join The Resistance or that Puppeteer's group. The patrol group will leave in six days, leaving me no time for any contact. I also wasn't allowed to access The Underground until after my resignation. I was deep in thought and could not sleep for five days straight.

11/12/2078
23:53
City Outskirt, Outer District

In the end, I decided to flee the city and join The Resistance. The reason being that fighting outside the city is more convenient and worthwhile than from The Underground. It was risky and may have cost me this fragile body, but I wasn't able to really think about it. The things I brought were two guns, a book, this diary, my ■■■, and most importantly, the pill. I left the mansion in silence. Now that I had no way and nowhere to turn back, I started to run.

12/12/2078
00:07
Recorded logs from the control center.

"Alert! A soldier has defected. Alert! A soldier has defected."

Commander : Rabbit 11 is calling in! Requesting backup from Rabbit 3 and Rabbit 4!

Rabbit 3 : I'm fully ready! Rabbit 4 is on her way; she has one minute until her arrival.

Rabbit 11 : Good! Now go to the vantage point; I'll need your sniper skills.

Rabbit 3 : Roger!

Rabbit 11 : Border troops, this is your commander speaking! I order a full retreat! Repeat, I order a full retreat!

Rabbit 4 : I have arrived, commander. Awaiting orders.

Commander : Perfect! Now, Rabbit 4, pursue the target. Be careful.

Rabbit 4 : Roger!

Commander : Rabbit 3 will be on the radio.

...

Rabbit 3 : Target spotted, three kilometers to the east of Outer District. Requesting permission to fire. Over.

Commander : Permission granted... Good luck. I will take my leave. Over and out.

Rabbit 3 : (Just one shot is enough...)

(You can do this, Rabbit 3, believe in yourself.)

It was at that point that I spotted Rabbit 3 on the roof of the Mansion. As a sniper, being spotted can only mean one thing: dead. However, I can barely shoot. Why did they send two of their best soldiers at me? Time was ticking, and the next thing I knew, the bullet came out, precisely hitting me on my back. The sharp pain prevented me from running any further. I collapsed on the ground.

Rabbit 3 : Direct hit!

Rabbit 4 : Did you kill her?

Rabbit 3 : Who do you think I am? The professional Rabbit 3 here never kills anyone in her life.

Rabbit 4 : Then, why did I see? You missed her, didn't you?

Rabbit 3 : You are saying the best sniper in the army missed? She was shot, and the reason she is still alive is that the bullet I used is not a physical one, it's □□□. The pain is real, but no damage was done. There are side effects though, as it has not been evaluated properly.

Rabbit 4 : So, mission completed? Do you think it was too easy?

Rabbit 3 : You're just overthinking. Now, I want you to go down and bring her back. Then we get our prize.

...

Rabbit 4 : Are you sure that she is here? I can't see her anywhere.

Rabbit 3 : Impossible! She can't just get up and run away with that pain in her back.

Rabbit 4 : Get off the spot and follow me please! I can't find her!

Rabbit 3 : Fine!

...

Rabbit 3 : Rabbit 4, please respond. Where are you, Rabbit 4? Please respond.

Calm voice : So, this is Rabbit 4 huh? It's a shame to see how weak you all had become.

Rabbit 3 : That voice... No! It can't be! ... Why are you doing this?

Calm voice : Why? It seems like you already had the answer.

If you have nothing else to say, I shall make my move.

Rabbit 3 : This is Rabbit 3 speaking. Requesting immediate backup. Location: East Hill, five kilometers to the east of Outer District.

Commander : Hear you loud and clear. The Special Division is on its way.

Rabbit 2 : Trying to call for reinforcement, huh? Not cool!

Rabbit 3 : No way I will let you take my friends away. Come at me!

Rabbit 2 : Such a fool!

...

SD : Special Division calling in, we found Rabbit 3 and 4. They are severely injured. Awaiting further instructions.

Rabbit 11 : Bring them back, and retreat.

SD : What about Rabbit 12?

Rabbit 11 : Forget about her. We already got what we came for... I order a full retreat!

SD : Roger!

...

Rabbit 3-4 : It's our fault that the operation failed. We didn't see the threats.

Rabbit 11 : I'm the one who needs to apologize.

Rabbit 3-4 : What...? Why...?

Rabbit 11 : There is a certain lady here who can you a proper explanation.

The SS : You're not being so formal, commander.

Rabbit 3-4 : (It's the SS!)

The SS : I'll make it quick. The Rabbit 2 that attacked you was a double agent sent to infiltrate The Resistance. She planned to make her way back, but she was followed by the rebels. Therefore, she had to battle you girls and rescue the defector so that she can safely return. I had prepared a house for her, it's next to yours. Now go back and give a proper welcome.

Rabbit 3-4 : Roger!

Rabbit 11 : So, what do you have in mind?

The SS : Rabbit 2 had brought back a ton of information. I took a brief look and can predict that the raid will happen within one or two months. Nevertheless, careful preparation is needed. We'll strike when we get the chance and sufficient equipment.

For now, I leave the preparation to you. Goodbye!

Rabbit 11 : Roger!

(Many things had happened. First Rabbit 2 disappeared, and a large amount of work poured onto my desk. I was deeply stressed and went as far as writing a resignation paper, and the fact that my subordinate defected made it worse)

(However, Rabbit 2 came back from nowhere, and now I can take some good rest, I hope. I swear that I will never want to further get involved in any of this.)

(This will be the busiest month of my life. I will quit after this.)

Rabbit 13, will you forgive me? 

My responsibility and duty, as well as 12's, can you bear it?

Act 0 - End