Divided by War

Lena

The alien fortress was in an unusual state of agitation the next day. The holographic routes and defense schemes that usually adorned the command room now pulsed with new information—alerts of invasion, intercepted communications, and most alarming of all, news that the human rebels had found a way to penetrate the planet's defenses. It was a discovery that completely changed the course of the war, and everyone knew it.

I was summoned to an emergency meeting, one that shouldn’t have happened so soon. The council chamber was crowded, and the atmosphere was even more tense than usual. There was something different in the air, a desperate urgency that made the environment even more suffocating. The leaders’ eyes were fixed on the maps projected by the holographic table, but there was also something else in their gaze—a fear I had never seen before.

Thorne, imposing as ever, stood at the forefront, his posture rigid and his expression tight, as I had come to know well. But this time, there was something more. Something that showed in his brusque movements and the way he spoke: frustration and, perhaps for the first time, a trace of uncertainty. Kael, positioned beside him, seemed equally worried, his eyes scanning the data with a quiet intensity.

“They’ve found a way to invade the planet,” Thorne announced, breaking the silence. His voice was low but loaded with a gravity that echoed through the room. “The rebels managed to capture a patrol ship and use it to breach our defenses. Now, they’re closer than ever.”

A murmur of shock rippled through the group of alien leaders. They exchanged glances, as if seeking confirmation that what they were hearing was true. I could feel the wave of panic and confusion sweeping over the council. The humans, previously considered incapable of such a large-scale offensive, were now at the door, ready to strike where the aliens felt safest.

“We captured one of the invaders,” Thorne continued, his voice dripping with disdain. “He was trying to access the fortress control systems, likely to transmit coordinates to the other rebels. We don’t know how much he managed before being neutralized.”

Kael stepped forward, activating a hologram that displayed the prisoner—a human, bound and clearly wounded, his gaze defiant even in adversity. He was young, probably a low-ranking soldier in the resistance, but enough to cause all this chaos. His image sparked a wave of murmurs among the leaders.

“He’s just a pawn,” Kael stated, gazing at the hologram thoughtfully. “But this proves that the rebels are evolving, adapting. Now, more than ever, we need to rethink our strategies.”

Thorne scoffed, irritated. “Rethink? What we need is a swift and decisive response. If they can infiltrate this easily, it’s only a matter of time before a larger force tries the same.”

I watched the exchange with growing interest. The sight of that young prisoner stirred something within me that I hadn’t expected. He was living proof that human resistance was not willing to give up, no matter the sacrifices. And, for the first time, I wondered if there was something I could learn from this, something that could turn the tide in our favor.

“Thorne, we need to understand what they know,” I interjected, trying to keep my tone from sounding desperate. “If this prisoner managed to breach the system, he likely has information about their plans, about how they intend to attack. We need to interrogate him.”

Thorne shot me a look filled with distrust and disdain. “Interrogate him? And why do you think he would tell us anything useful? They’d rather die than collaborate with us.”

Kael intervened, leaning on the table and looking at Thorne with a calm yet serious expression. “Lena is right. This prisoner could be the key to understanding how humans are advancing. If we can break his resistance, we might be able to anticipate the rebels’ next move.”

Thorne hesitated but couldn’t deny the logic behind Kael’s words. After all, they were running out of options. “Fine,” he conceded, albeit reluctantly. “Lena, if you want it so badly, you interrogate the prisoner. Find out what he knows. And don’t waste time. We can’t let the resistance gain more ground.”

A cold shiver ran down my spine. I had gotten what I wanted, but I knew Thorne was testing me, putting me in a precarious position. I needed to handle the prisoner strategically, uncover the truth without arousing further suspicions about where my loyalty truly lay.

When I reached the prisoner’s cell, I was met by a cold, dimly lit space with metal walls that seemed to swallow any hint of warmth. He was sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, his hands chained and a cut on his forehead still bleeding slightly. When he saw me, his eyes narrowed, but he remained silent.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he finally said, his voice laced with silent defiance. “This place is for monsters.”

I ignored the insult and sat on the bench opposite him, keeping a safe distance but close enough to make it clear that I wasn’t afraid. “I need you to tell me how you managed to breach our defenses,” I said directly. “The sooner I know, the better it will be for you.”

He laughed, a bitter sound that echoed through the cell. “You think you can convince me with empty promises? I’d rather die than give you anything.”

I could see he was prepared to resist to the end. But I also knew there were ways to break down that barrier. I needed to find the weak spot, something that could make him talk. But for that, I’d have to use everything I’d learned—and maybe go beyond what I was willing.

“This isn’t a war you can win,” I continued, trying a different approach. “But there are ways to save lives, to avoid more deaths. If you cooperate, we can find a solution that doesn’t involve the annihilation of all your people.”

He looked at me, his expression hardened. “Do you really believe that? That they will listen to you? That any of them want anything other than to see Earth destroyed?”

His skepticism was understandable, but this was the only chance we had. I needed to prove him wrong. That, despite everything, there was still a way to avoid the worst.

He watched me with a mixture of disdain and curiosity, as if he couldn’t decide if I was a traitor or a victim of circumstance. “You’re human,” he said, his voice dripping with contempt and disbelief. “Are you on their side? Or did they buy you with promises they’ll never keep?”

The shock of his words hit me like a punch. I knew that in his eyes, my presence there, on the other side of the bars, alongside the invaders, made me something even worse than the enemy. I was one of his own, but betraying everything that meant.

“I’m not on anyone’s side,” I replied, my voice firm but softer than I intended. “But I’m not blind either. I know this war isn’t about who’s right or wrong, but about who can survive. And right now, your chances are slim unless you cooperate.”

He shook his head slowly, a sad smile forming on his lips. “You think cooperating will save anyone? They will never see us as equals. We’re fighting because we have no choice. And honestly, I think you don’t either.”

The truth was that even though I was in a privileged position of influence, I felt just as trapped as he was. Thorne, Kael, and the alien council saw me as a valuable piece, but only as long as I served their purposes. And now, more than ever, I realized I needed to find a way to turn the tables before it was too late.