Cyborgs
p.1 The year is 2020. China has risen has a world power in the midst of utter collapse of global economy. North America is struggling to make ends meet. The European nations have each withdrawn into themselves, seeking their own solutions to the poverty. Visitors are no longer allowed in the Middle East. Smaller African nations are being consumed by more dominant ones. There is talk of Russia starting world war III. The drawbacks of global warming are hitting everyone. Extreme environmentalists are deciding to take terrorist action. More and more people are dying each day.
In the midst of this, the UN has decided to hold a meeting in Beijing. As a representative of China, you are there to here a radically new idea. Japanese scientist Daisuke has proposed to use cyborgs “super soldiers” to keep the peace and boost the workforce. The council takes a vote. You withhold your decision. When it appears to be a tie, you decide to step in.
If you vote yes, go to page 2.
If you vote no, go to page 4.
p.2 You vote yes, much to the chagrin of the Asian officials present. It is then decided that the UN would have control of this “super-soldier” workforce and countries which want a share are to send candidates to UN training grounds ASAP.
As the meeting is adjourned, you hear the Russian and English officials talking heatedly about starting their own super-soldier program.
You hesitate, as this idea has come to you too.
If you decide to join them, go to page 3.
If not, go to page 6.
p.3 You walk over and confess the idea has been on your mind too. The three of you feel that it would not be prudent to let the Japanese swagger into the UN with a cyborg army. It is agreed that the men and scientists are to go to a secluded lab in the Xi Zing province to begin tests. You shake and hands, with Harold White and your long time friend Ivory. As you each go to your separate limos, you can’t help wondering what you started.
Go to page 8.
You decide to edge closer and overhear them talking about starting their own secret program. At loss of what to do, you go to your long time friend Igor, the Russian representative, and see him in debate with the African Republic representative Basra. He is strongly against the idea, and you see Igor nodding impatiently. You are not quite sure of what to do.
If you decide to talk to Igor about it, go to page 5.
If you decide to wait and see what happens, go to page 7.
p.5 As Basra leaves, you motion for Igor to come over. You tell him what you have heard and watch as his eyes widen. As you near the door, the two of you decide to go to a restaurant to further discuss the issue.
In your limo, you get a phone call from Harold White. He tells you about his idea to start a super-soldier workforce with the Japanese and wants to know what you think. You hastily hang up, telling him that you’re busy and you’ll call him back.
At the restaurant, you find Igor waiting for you. You quickly fill him in with the latest news. The two of you soon come to a conclusion.
If you decide to join them, go to page 9.
If not, continue to page 10.
p.6 In a brief meeting with the Chairman of China, you tell him of what has happened. To your surprise, he is pleased that you have voted yes. He seems eager to beat the Japanese to it and reveals that China got wind of their idea a long time ago.
You are shocked by this and he reassures you that nothing bad will come of this. However, can’t help notice that glint in his eye.
If you go along with his plan, proceed to page 11.
If not, go to page 12.
p.7 The US and Japan have announced that they will withdraw from further UN meetings. You phone Igor, the Russian rep and listen as he rants about the @#$%^&*Japanese. You then get an idea.
If you decide to talk to Harold, and Aiko, the Japanese rep, go to page 13.
If not, continue to page 14.
p.8 Several years later, the first fruits of the experiment emerge. The paparazzo quickly mutates the news into a horror story. To make matters worse, the Japanese have officially declared that their super-soldier army if fit and operational. Composed of men from all nations, the UN’s workforce is obviously superior to yours. The UN demands total and unconditional surrender, your allies are unsure of what to do.
If you decide to surrender to the wishes of the UN, go on to page 15.
If not, go to page 20.
p.9 You quickly phone Harold and inform him of you decision. Surprisingly, the two of you are no longer invited. Igor loses his cool only for Harold to hang up. You however, keep calm and inform the UN.
Continue to page 16.
p.10 The two of you both agree that there would be no room for humans in a cyborg world. You then decide to call another UN meeting while the reps are still in Peking.
Continue to page 16.
p.11 As China quickly begins to build its cyborg army, the world is bombarded with the news that a Russian-English group of super-soldiers have been created.
The UN meets again, this time in Tokyo. The reps are all very disappointed that the Japanese “workforce” is not ready yet. Daisuke admits that theoretically it is, but it has a few bugs. Everyone groans at this display of perfectionism. You clear your throat and reveal what China has been working on. You smirk at the expression on Daisuke’s face.
A vote is taken and once again you withdraw your decision. But strangely, it is another stalemate. You are unsure this time, whether to declare war on the US and Russia, or try peace talks.
If you choose to declare war, go to page 17.
If not, continue to page 18.
p.12 You tell him that such an idea is folly. He only chuckles and says that it is not as you think. He then goes on saying how he has connections in the UN circle. He tells you about his dream of making China great. He chuckles again and tells you to stop looking at him as if he were a madman. You straighten your composure but can’t help thinking…
If you are willing to go along with his plan, go back to page 11.
If you change your mind about joining Harold & Igor, go to page 19.
p.13 Harold’s line is busy and you finally manage to get a hold of Aiko. She seems surprised you knew about their intentions to go against the UN ruling. However, she reluctantly agrees to meet you in Peking’s Ambassador Hotel.
On the way there, you limo is suddenly surrounded by a Hoverpod gang. You recognize the symbol on their jackets as the Triad. They take out laser pistols and shoot at your hover car. The driver tries to gain speed but he cannot shake them off. Nearing a bend, he accelerates too hard and slides off the Skytrak into a nearby skyscraper.
As your head gets dealt a sickening blow by the door, your last thoughts turn strangely to the fact you’re hungry.
The End
p.14 At the next UN meeting in Tokyo, Aiko stands up and clears her throat. Suddenly, the lights go out and you hear heavy footsteps and screams. Gloved hands are twisting your arms and tying you up.
As the lights flicker on again, you see Harold beside Aiko, the two of them apparently unhurt. She smiles and looks at the gagged and furious representatives.
“Unfortunately, none of you may leave the room, you all know too much,” she paused, as if contemplating, “I will leave now, it is not a sight fit for a lady to see.”
Then you turn around, suddenly noticing the armored men who have subdued the UN. They move too quickly, too orderly, with too much precision and grace for ordinary men. You hear the hum of laser pistols being activated. Before you know it, laser bursts fill the air. And then, all is black.
The End
p.15 You decide to surrender, and your colleagues reluctantly turn in their men. The UN council’s first act is to ban you and your cohorts. Shocked, the three of you decide to start your own little company, at loss of what else to do.
Due to your inside knowledge of the global market, your company soon expands to a transnational giant. As 2033 dawns, the three of you meet, and look back.
In the years since, the UN’s workforce has been bombarded by rights activists, sometimes literally with many casualties. Although the intentions are right, it seems that the UN can’t quite make ends meet. The general public is shocked at the use of humans and machinery in this way.
Deciding you’ve had enough, the three of you retire to a deserted island in the Mediterranean.
The End
p.16 None of the UN reps are answering your calls. Unsure of what to do, you wait for the next UN meeting.
Go back to page 14.
p.17 You’ve had enough with them and declare war. Your old friend Igor calls you, begging you to change your mind. In anger, you refuse and hang up.
The war lasts several years and billions die, 3.7 to be exact. Finally, June 28 of 2029 the US and Russia surrender. However, the war has left hundreds of countries torn apart, including your homeland. Once a war hero, the People’s Republic of China declares you as a traitor for letting the Russians blow up half of Beijing to win the Battle of Peking.
You are taken before the shooting squad.
“Ready, aim…FIRE!”
The End
p.18 You call your old friend Igor first, and tell him to drop the madness, he is unsure and before he can decide Harold White barges in. Suddenly, you hear a muffled grunt of surprise and the line goes dead.
Later, as Igor is taken before court, charged of first degree murder, he tells you that he killed Harold White with a pocketknife in a bar. Despite your protests, it’s obvious that the deed was done, there were too many witnesses. Days later, due to US pressure, the UN executes Igor.
As you sit on the balcony of your beachside home several days later, you pick up the newspaper. You are struck by the headline.
“ONE MAN DIED TO SAVE MANY’
The next day, Igor is declared a hero. With the UN ending the cyborgs project, it seems all will be alright.
The End
p.19 You call Igor as you leave the meeting, but the guards suddenly grab you. You are taken before the chairman again. You shiver in cold sweat at the grim smile on his face. Shaking his head, he sentences you to a lifetime in jail.
“I knew you were many things, but, a traitor…” You are dragged away before you can answer.
The End
p.20 The battle is increasingly bloody, and day by day your men’s morale gets lower and lower. Without the nuclear weapons you turned in year ago, it seems that there’s no hope for victory.
Soon the UN forces their way to your headquarters. In a mad rush to escape, a stray bullet finds its way into your head.
The End
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