NO-ONES POV:

It's been four years since the fall on New York city, most of the civilians we're safely evacuated on that day. But the Polity army took heavy losses and was eventually forced to finally retreat, leaving the city the Unions.

Ever since then, The Union have been doing territory grabs and forming monoculture areas, as the Polity resists them. Unfortunately for the Polity, they began to suffer massive territory loss from the Union and began to be driven out entirety of the United States' eastern seaboard.

Over the years many have suffered from this ongoing war losing their friends, families and loved ones. While many of these people have accepted their loss, others still grief to this day and one of them is someone we're familiar with.

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It was a quiet Friday night today, so everyone was probably sleeping by now, except some people. One of the local bars in town were still opened and already had a few people inside, having a couple drinks.

While some people we're chatting with friends, playing on the pool table and others just peacefully downing their drinks. One man sat at the bar counter, watching the TV hanging from the ceiling, while finishing his drink.

The man had brown hair, light blue eyes and had a stubble beard. He wore a black leather jacket, a plain black shirt underneath, some regular jeans and brown boots. He wore a sorrow face and looks down at his drink, before turning his attention to the bar tender.

???: "Hey Frank, I'm empty again. Mind if I can have another refill?"

The bar tender known as Frank makes his way over to the man.

Frank: "That's your fifth drink tonight, Jack. I really shouldn't be serving you anymore."

The man revealed as Jack, smirks at Frank.

Jack: "Ah, but buying me another means more money for you, right?"

Frank just grumbles, before grabbing Jack's glass and starts to refill it.

Jack: "There we go! You get your money and I get my happy juice."

Frank: "It's whiskey you know."

Jack: "Yep and it's exactly how I described it."

Frank hands back Jack's drink who gladly takes it.

Frank: "That's your last drink for tonight, I'm going to be closing soon anyway."

Frank moves off to serve other customers as Jack just goes back to watch the television. He never thought he'd be an alcoholic in the future, but with what happened in the past it's what's keeping him sane.

New York City wasn't the only thing that fell apart, since the tragic event he's developed PTSD unfortunately. He's tried getting through it and continue to serve in the Vanguard, but he just couldn't anymore.

He could barely sleep, eat, he couldn't aim straight with a gun and every night he'd see his... squad mates death, especially his brothers. He just lost the motivation to continue fighting anymore and was later put on leave. Now, these days he just drinks himself away.

Of course he was offered to see a therapist to talk to, but he respectively declined the request by flipping them off. As he finishes his last drink, he places his glass onto the counter and reaches into his pocket, placing some cash beside his drink.

Jack: "Hey Frank, thanks for the drinks tonight!"

Frank looks over at Jack as he made his way towards the exit.

Frank: "Yeah, yeah just make sure you get home this time."

Jack gives him a mock salute.

Jack: "Hear you loud and clear."

Jack makes his way outside into the cold dark street, looking up at the sky with a tired look. He starts making his way down the sidewalk, towards the area he lives. He didn't know why he puts himself through this, all he had to do was delete that memory that torments him and he'd be back to himself.

But he just can't bring himself to do it and it freaking annoys him. He knows it'll end all those nightmares and he'll be able to get his life back, but he doesn't. Why? Maybe, it's because he feels like he deserves being like this, to feel like a failure. Hell, he doesn't even have the strength to face his parents, he promised them that he'd protect Leo and he watched him die instead.

He lets out a sad sigh and realises that's he's already made it to his apartment building. He makes his way inside, passing by the front desk and heading up the stairs. After passing a few floor levels, he finally makes it to his floor and at his apartment door. Putting his key in and opening the door, he's greeted by the sight of his messy apartment.

Jack: "*Sighs* I should really clean this place up."

He drags himself over to the kitchen and heads over to the fridge, opening it. He pulls out a fresh beer and pulls the cap off, before downing it. As he continues to drink, while making his way to the living room, his whole body freezes as he sees a man sitting on his couch.

???: "Ah, Jack Church I presume? It's a pleasure to finally meet you!"

The guy appeared to be an older man with gray hair and was wearing glasses, a brown coat, black pants and shoes. He had a cheerful expression on his face as he stared at Jack. Jack had the exact opposite expression on his face, pissed off that some guy broke into his apartment he throws his drink at the guy, which... phases right through him.

???: "Well, that was certainly uncalled for."

Jack angrily points at the guy.

Jack: "Who the hell are you and what are doing in my apartment!?"

The man stands up and folds his arms, behind his back.

???: "I'm not necessarily in your apartment, you could say, tho you could clean the place up a bit."

Jack: "That still doesn't give you the right to be here... or to say crap about my place!"

???: "Well, it isn't the main reason why I'm here. I believe we got off on the wrong foot here, my name is Dr. Weller."

Jack crosses his arms over his chest.

Jack: "That still doesn't explain why your here."

Dr. Weller: "I was about to get to that part, I need your help Mr. Church."

Jack: "Just Jack is fine and *Suspiciously* how exactly do you need my help?"

Dr. Weller makes his way around the couch and stands in front of Jack.

Dr. Weller: "You see Jack I'm apart science project, which can lead us into humanities next step in its evolution. And only you can help us with it."

Jack: "Sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm not a genius when it comes to scientific stuff."

Jack walks through Dr. Weller and takes a seat on his couch.

Jack: "Besides why can only I help, surely there's others that can help you?"

Dr. Weller: "You aren't wrong, they're are others that can help with this project. But only you and a few others out of millions can help us, making you very valuable to our research."

Jack gives Dr. Weller a curious look.

Jack: "How exactly can I help you?"

Dr. Weller: "I can't give you all the details, right now. But you'll be playing a big part in our research and help us fight back the Union."

Jack just dryly laughs, before staring at Dr. Weller in the eyes.

Jack: "I'm done with fighting, I put my gun down and don't intend to pick it back up."

Jack gets up and makes his way back to his fridge. Dr. Weller just watches him grab another beer.

Dr. Weller: "What if I could offer you another way to pick it back up?"

Jack closes his fridge and stares at Dr. Weller.

Dr. Weller: "I've read your profile Jack, you exceptionally well in your training, you've served the Polity for six years, had many successfully missions and... fought in the attack on New York."

Jack places his beer on a counter, giving Dr. Weller a cold look.

Dr. Weller: "I understand why you don't want to fight anymore. Losing your friends and your brother must of been hard on you. Feeling responsible for their deaths, like you weren't able to do anything about it."

Jack hands start to clench.

Dr. Weller: "But I can offer you an opportunity to fight back. To be able to save life's, instead of having to watch from the sidelines. All I ask of you, is to think about it for a moment."

A random number pops up on Jack's contact list in his neural implant.

Dr. Weller: "Once you've had some time to think it over, I'll be waiting for your answer."

With that Dr. Weller disappears, leaving Jack to his own thoughts. It's true that ever since their deaths, he's felt like he couldn't do anything anymore. And now, some random scientists guy offers him a way to be able take action?

He rubs his face, letting out a sigh for the whole situation. All he wanted to do was drink himself to sleep tonight, but with all this new information to process, he wasn't going to get any ounce of sleep.

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Inside of what appears to be an office, Dr. Weller is seen sitting behind a desk with a black visor on his face. He takes it off and places onto the desk and adjust his glasses.

???: "How did it go?"

Dr. Weller looks up to see a man standing in front of his desk with dark brown hair, pale blue eyes and had a scar over his left eye. He wore a Basic Strider pilot uniform, except it's black and dark grey.

Dr. Weller: "I'd say exceptional well in my opinion."

???: "Surprised you didn't just send him a message, like the other candidates."

Dr. Weller: "Pyre, we both read his profile a mere message wasn't going to make him join."

Pyre gives him a blank look.

Pyre: "Yes, I've read his profile and with his experience on the field, he'd be an excellent member in the program. But do you believe he'll accept the offer?"

Dr. Weller: "It's a coin flip to that answer. He's lost more than others that day, even his motivation to fight. All we can hope is that he looks at this offer as a second chance."

Pyre: "It depends if he even wants a second chance."

Before Dr. Weller could answer an screen pops up, showing he's received a message from Jack. Opening it up, he says "Alright I'll bite, when do I leave?". He smiles and looks back up at Pyre.

Dr. Weller: "I believe he does, Pyre."

To be continued...
Author: "For those of you wondering, the character "Pyre" is an OC Owned by Taek117. More will be revealed about him throughout the series."