Sentinel

1

"Protests against Sentinels have escalated once again," the news reporter disappeared and was replaced by a long shot of people yelling and chanting, they charged their cardboard signs up into the air, Emblence's logo scratched out by large red crosses painted on them, "Sentinel reports state that a further 16 people have died since the beginning of the protest at midday, today."

The reporter's voice faded into static as I receded into my thoughts. 16 more and people still believe they do good. The TV flashed and a picture of a Gen-3 Sentinel appeared on the screen. Gen-3s were bigger and bulkier than any of the newer generations, their pristine white armour overlapped and jutted out in places. These days Sentinels were slim and agile, armour perfectly fitted and designed, maximising their efficiency. What do they need to be efficient for? Raising the death toll? What is Emblence trying to accomplish with this?

"Are you spiralling again?" I looked up to see Kenna poking her head around the corner of the hallway.

"Are you breaking into my house again?" I said jokingly. Kenna tended to just pop into existence in my own home at the weirdest of times, usually when I was home alone.

"Yep," Kenna popped the 'P' and proceeded to flop onto the couch next to me.

"How do you even get in? Everything's locked," I questioned.

"I'm just talented, must be a foreign concept for you," Kenna kicked my legs off of the coffee table I'd had them propped up on and replaced them with her own legs.

I scoffed and returned to watching the TV as Kenna had decided she'd do. Her blue eyes were thoroughly transfixed on the continuous videos of the protestors being harshly shoved back off the roads by sentinels.

"Gen-3s are still in commission?" She seemed genuinely confused.

"Apparently so," I replied leaning over to grab the remote from the other side of Kenna, "Emblence probably just doesn't want to use up all their Gen-6s."

Kenna made a noise of agreement, before snatching the remote out of my hand just as I was about to flick to a different channel. The other girl flicked through channel after channel before settling on one that was halfway through some old movie. Kenna sighed and moved her legs from the coffee table, up onto the armrest of the sofa. Her body now sideways, she reclined her head back onto my shoulder. Her light brown braid had flipped over her shoulder in the act, and Kenna sat there fiddling with it, her mind disappearing somewhere else as she stared at the ceiling.

If I could, I would've paused time in that moment. In that moment before everything had gone wrong. Maybe I would've made some additions to the memory, bringing in Kisho, Arch and Jordie. Then it would be perfect. But just like the TV was showing, Emblence just went and ruined everything.

It had only gone downhill since that moment seven years ago, and it was evident. I walked ahead of my patrol team, trying, and failing to avoid looking around at the deserted city I used to call home. The sun was slowly beginning to dive down towards the horizon, spilling a soft pink into the sky. Forgotten skyscrapers and apartment buildings jutted up from the ground draped in elaborate patterns of overgrown plants.

"EDEN!"

"What?" I sighed and turned to see Jordie charging towards me.

"How on Earth do you walk so fast?" She panted.

"How on Earth do you walk so slow?" I mocked my friend, who attempted to swat at me in reply.

"You're leaving the rest of us behind! What're you doing? Brooding or something?" Jordie resumed walking; I followed suit. Both of our heavy armour made a clunking noise with each footstep.