In the year 2052, the vast deserts surrounding the world have spread to what was once the seashores. Countries ceased to exist, limited to only central-political cities with less than 8,000 inhabitants. The world's population dwindled too much, due to the famine and misery that plagued the world.
The city-states had their differences among themselves, as they needed to secure the few fertile lands left in the world. Dublin was the most important city of the 23 centralized geopolitical states on the planet. The largest reserves of coffee were found there, paid as tribute by the other cities since Dublin represented a great military empire that subdued the others.
Coffee became one of the most invaluable things since it began to be used as currency after the hecatomb that devastated the world. Some say it is because coffee beans are one of the few crops that can be cultivated in fertile regions. Others say it is because the beans, with their addictive properties, are capable of alleviating the hunger suffered by the majority of the population.
Whatever the reason, coffee is the most coveted commodity for its now monetary status. In the center of every large city or country, there are huge containers where the rulers of large corporations keep the coffee. The Dublin container is one of the largest in the world. With a height of more than 60 meters high and a width of 120 meters long.
Its entrances are guarded by armed cyborg guards ready to shoot anyone who tries to enter without authorization. All the coffee beans grown and received as tribute by the other cities end up stored here.
Anya is a sixteen-year-old girl living in one of the slums in Sector 9; along with her mother and younger brother. Her family didn't know it, but Anya belonged to the resistance of "The Spilled Beans"; a rebel group organized with the main objective of stealing all the coffee beans from the container, and distributing them fairly to all the sectors of Dublin.
Anya was fed up with only sectors 1, 2, 3, and 4 getting better rations than the others, so she and Jordan; the leader of the rebel group, came up with a good plan.
"Okay, Anya and I will go to the front, while the others will execute the plan as we left off," Jordan said in an authoritative voice.
"Are you sure you want to send this girl to the front with you?" Bastian inquired; a second in command. He was tall, muscular, and with a particular scar running across his upper lip.
"Yes, I'm sure. This girl was the only one who dared to complete the assault on Dallee, and she saved all of our lives. So yes, I trust her completely."
Anya and Bastian glared at each other for a few seconds, then he turned and left the room.
"Alright, get a good night's sleep tonight, in the morning before dawn we will execute the plan. Don't forget your homing devices."
They all nodded and quickly dispersed. As Anya exited the bunker, she met Bastian at the exit; who seemed to be waiting for her.
"Don't go ruining this mission, girl," Bastian manifested. "Taking that shipment of coffee is very important to us. Jordan says you're very strong, let's see if it's true."
Suddenly, Bastian raised his fist and with all his strength and speed tried to hit Anya, the girl dodged his adversary's attack and jumped immediately. With her right knee, she hit Bastian's jaw knocking him to the ground in a second.
Bastian raised his head a little dazed trying to recognize what had happened.
"Please don't bother me," Anya said in a cold tone. "I'm going home to rest for tomorrow, you should also do the same," and without another word, Anya walked away.
"Alright, if you have skills! See you tomorrow!" Bastian shouted to Anya as he rubbed his jaw.
The next day, the time has come, all the rebels moved into position awaiting their target. Trucks drove through the walled main entrance to the city, packed with enough coffee to supply the poorest sectors.
Using neutralizing bullets, the rebels attacked and immobilized the guards. They took possession of three of the trucks, but the fourth was a trap, as it was loaded with military cyborgs. Jordan and Anya did not resist the raid and were captured along with the others. The people around watched in horror as the rebels of the Spilled Grains group were brutally arrested.
Most shouted "dictatorship" while some lashed out at the cyborgs. They picked up the weapons lying on the ground and began to wipe them all out, but the insurrection did not end there.
Soon, all sectors of Dublin were united against the big corporations. The streets were filled with protest marches and armed people heading for the Great Container. Anya, Jordan, and Bastian led the insurrection as a yellowish sky gradually turned blue again.
THE END