I’ll be the Red Ranger

- Lian Zhiyong -

Atop the skyscraper, Lian crouched low, his knees sinking slightly into the layer of dust that had settled over the years. With practiced precision, he eased his long-range rifle onto the rooftop's edge, the barrel extending just beyond the lip. His calloused fingers deftly adjusted the bipod's legs, securing his position with the effortless grace of someone who had performed this ritual countless times.

The wind whispered softly, carrying with it the faint scent of scorched earth. Lian drew in a deep breath, the cool air filling his lungs as he lifted his gaze to the horizon. He pressed his eye to the scope, and the digital display flickered to life, overlaying data across the landscape before him. The city, though calling it a city was generous, stretched out in a patchwork of buildings and tents. A remote colony on the fringes of inhabited space, it was a place that most would overlook. But to Lian, it had become a second home, its quiet streets and modest buildings etched into his memory.

The thought of it falling to invaders was something he could not abide.

Above, streaks of light sliced through the dusky sky as artillery fire arced towards the enemy’s ships. With explosions blossoming on the horizon. Through the maze of alleyways and roads, Lian spotted movement. A group of Orks moving with unsettling speed and coordination.

However, Lian was patient. He had learned the art of stillness, of letting the world move while he remained a fixed point within it.

Lian tracked the group of Orks as they darted between cover, their guttural communications barely audible over the ambient noise of battle. Then, amidst the buildings, a solitary figure emerged, a scout, perhaps, scurrying ahead of the main force. The grotesque contours of its form, grey skin and eyes gleaming with predatory intent, were unmistakable.

"Got you," Lian whispered.

Time seemed to slow as he exhaled steadily, emptying his lungs and steadying his aim. The crosshairs settled over the Ork's cranium, the targeting reticle blinking green to confirm range and wind adjustments. For a brief moment, the creature paused in the open, sniffing the air as if sensing unseen danger.

Lian's finger tightened on the trigger, applying gradual pressure. The rifle kicked against his shoulder with a controlled recoil as the Energy Pressure propelled the bullet. The sound was a sharp crack, a compressed thunderclap that was swallowed almost instantly by the expanse.

Through the scope, he saw the impact. A flash of red mist as the Ork's head disintegrated, the body collapsing limply to the ground.

He didn't allow himself even a moment of satisfaction. Lian chambered the next round with fluid efficiency, his eye never leaving the scope. He swept the area, searching for more targets. Adrenaline sharpened his senses, but his movements remained measured, controlled.

Suddenly, his earpiece buzzed to life, a soft chime indicating an incoming transmission. He kept his gaze trained on the streets below as he tapped the device.

"Lian here," he murmured.

"I have news," crackled a voice over the communicator, the signal distorted by distance and intermittent interference.

"How is he?" Lian asked, his interest piqued as he adjusted his device to clear the static. His gaze remained fixed on the skyline.

"Not good. The punishment is absurd," the voice responded, laden with concern. "Every day he tries to reach the top floor, only to be shoved back down to the bottom of the Silo."

Lian shrugged slightly, his expression unreadable. "It doesn't matter. This won't break him," he stated with unwavering confidence.

"You don't know what you're talking about," the voice persisted, a hint of frustration seeping through. "He's being tortured. Each day brings him closer to the brink."

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"No, you don't know him like I do," Lian countered. "This won't be enough to stop him." His tone was firm, leaving little room for argument.

A heavy sigh emanated from the communicator. "When you can't be convinced, you just can't be convinced," the voice conceded, resignation evident in every word.

A slow grin spread across Lian's face. "You know me all too well."

He settled back into position atop the rooftop. Sliding his fingers over the trigger of his rifle, he felt the familiar grooves worn into the metal, a companion through countless engagements.

He scanned the cityscape through the scope. With most of the population evacuated to the central building, the streets were empty except for a few soldiers defending strategic positions, making it easier to spot any shadows or unusual movement.

‘Where are you, mister Ork?’ Lian thought while trying to find a new target. ‘There!’

A hulking Ork emerged from behind a collapsed building, its grey skin mottled with scars, eyes glinting ferociously. Lian took a measured breath, steadying his heartbeat. The world narrowed to the pinpoint of his crosshairs aligning perfectly with the creature's head.

A squeeze of the trigger, a muted thump, and the Ork crumpled to the ground.

"Of course, we've been on this operation for years," the voice on the communicator acknowledged, cutting into his focus. "But what will we do if he ends up breaking?"

"He won't break. It has to be him," Lian asserted, his eyes already seeking out the next target.

"Why?" the voice pressed, a persistent echo of earlier doubts. Lian could sense the underlying anxiety. After all, much depended on just one individual.

"You know why," Lian replied, a hint of weariness slipping into his voice. "He's different. Even before everything that happened." He paused. "He's not like us."

"I know, I know," the voice conceded, but pressed on. "But what's stopping us from finding someone else?"

"You have no idea the technology required," Lian answered sharply. "It's not under our control. It has to be him. You can't fathom how much we've invested to secure this outcome."

Silence hung heavy over the channel, punctuated only by the distant artillery echoes.

"Besides, think about it," Lian said, his voice crackling slightly over the encrypted communicator. "He was a kid from the streets, had nothing to his name. Becomes a Ranger. Better yet, a war hero." Lian leaned back against the crumbling parapet of the rooftop, his gaze sweeping over the dimly lit colony below. "The support he'll garner will be immense. Not to mention, he's even friends with the Princess of Mars. Seriously, tell me that isn't the stuff of legends."

Silence stretched over the channel once more.

"Hello?" Lian prompted after a moment, tapping his earpiece. "Did the connection drop?"

"I'm listening," the voice finally replied, holding a neutral tone.

"He's exactly who we need," Lian affirmed, his tone resolute.

"But will he agree?" the voice questioned, doubt evident.

"When he learns more, I believe he will," Lian replied confidently. "He's already seen how the system works from the inside. Besides, he was built for this."

A heavy sigh drifted through the communicator. Lian could almost picture the furrowed brow on the other end.

"We need to push him to the edge," Lian continued. "Show him reality. Make him capable of stopping following orders and start giving them. In that moment, he'll be ready."

"You make it sound so simple," the voice countered.

"I never said it would be," Lian chuckled softly.

"This will be the last group attempting to infiltrate," the voice informed him. "The other squad that was in training has been canceled."

"They want to focus on the other fronts. Makes sense," Lian mused, nodding to himself.

"When they arrive, should we accept just him?" the voice asked.

"No, no. We'll take them all in," Lian explained. "If only he passes, it'll draw too much attention. It's not time for that yet. Let the others come; it's fine. There won't be any useful information for them to report back. Not for now, at least."

"Understood. I need to go before they find me," the voice said hurriedly.

"Alright then. Take care," Lian replied.

The line went dead, leaving Lian enveloped in the ambient sounds of the night. He exhaled slowly, the cool air forming a faint mist as it left his lips.

Shouldering his rifle once more, he scanned the cityscape. Without another target, Lian secured his weapon and stood up, stretching muscles that had grown tense from hours of vigilance.

He walked to the rooftop's edge and sat down on a jagged ledge, his feet dangling over the side. From this vantage point, the colony unfolded beneath him.

Reaching into the inner pocket of his worn jacket, Lian pulled out a small metal card with the words ‘See you soon’ on it.

"Looks like I'll have to head back to New San Francisco," he murmured to himself.