1

The radiation detector emitted a monotonous beeping sound as I stood before the Eden City-State Class A checkpoint.

My worn-out engineering auxiliary armor was covered in wasteland oil and radioactive dust, standing out starkly against the backdrop of advanced combat armor gleaming with blue energy shields. The guards cast disdainful glances my way, as if I were an insect crawling out of the depths of the wasteland.

Seven years have passed.

Seven years ago, in front of the entire city council, I exposed the fatal flaw in Antony's "groundbreaking protective field." However, instead of an investigation, I was met with my wife Jessica's tearful accusations, my adopted son Alex's charges, and a decree of exile from the council.

They said I was jealous, that I was mentally unstable, and that my data was maliciously fabricated.Nobody wants to hear the truth from a "madman".So I was thrown out of the city-state and into that wasteland shrouded in radiation.And now, I'm back.

"Basic identity verification." The robotic arm at the checkpoint extended, and a cold, synthesized voice interrupted my thoughts.

I pulled out the lowest-level wasteland resident ID card; the chip only contained the most basic biometric information. No military rank, no research level, and even citizenship had been stripped away.Just then, a series of heavy footsteps came from behind.The high-level combat armor's energy engines roared. Jessica appeared before me, her guard uniform gleaming, the captain's badge on her chest dazzling. Behind her followed Alex, dressed in the youth academy's dress armor, his face haughty.My ex-wife, and the child I raised for ten years.Seven years ago, it was their tearful accusations in Parliament that I "slandered Anthony out of jealousy," which became the last straw that broke my back.

"Look who's back." Jessica's voice came through the armored speaker, laced with undisguised sarcasm, "Mr. Ryan, the worthless mechanic of Eden City-State."

I didn't look at her and continued waiting for identity verification.“Dad… no, Ryan.” Alex corrected his form of address, his tone full of malice, “Do you remember what you did seven years ago? In front of the entire council, you maliciously slandered Uncle Anthony’s protective technology.”“Fortunately, we exposed your true colors in time.” Jessica took a step closer, looking down at me. “A failed researcher who tries to destroy others’ achievements out of jealousy. Now you know who’s right—Anthony’s force field technology has been recognized by the council as a groundbreaking breakthrough, and the entire city-state’s defenses will be upgraded with his armor.”

The guards around me started whispering; someone recognized me."It's him, that mad scientist from seven years ago...""I heard it caused quite a stir back then, and even his wife and children came forward to testify that he had mental problems...""He deserves to be exiled; this kind of person is a disgrace to the scientific community..."

Alex, hearing these comments, smiled smugly: "And you, Ryan? Seven years. What have you learned in the wasteland? Fixing scrap metal? Or have you finally realized your own incompetence?"

Verification complete, green light illuminated. I retrieved the chip and turned to leave.

"Wait." Jessica reached out to stop me, took a gold-embossed business card from the armor's storage compartment, and casually tossed it at my feet. "Anthony is giving you a chance out of old friendship. Underground Nest repairman, room and board included. After all, although you made a mistake seven years ago, he's a forgiving person."

The business card reflected a cold, metallic sheen on the ground, and read: Anthony Technology Group, Basic Maintenance Department.

"Of course, the premise is that you have to kneel down and admit your mistake to Anthony." Jessica's voice became even sharper, "Apologize for the malicious slander seven years ago, and admit that your jealousy ruined your life."Alex chimed in, "Exactly. If you hadn't attacked Uncle Anthony so fiercely back then, Mom wouldn't have had to testify so painfully in Parliament. Now that Uncle Anthony has forgiven you, you should be grateful."

I finally raised my head and glanced at the mother and child.The hearing seven years ago is still vivid in my mind. I presented irrefutable data, pointing out the fatal flaws of the Anthony force field in high-radiation environments. But Jessica cried and said I was mentally unstable, and Alex accused me of repeatedly defaming "kind Uncle Anthony" at home in a frenzied manner.

The entire city-state believed them.

Ridiculous? No, it's just foolish.“Anthony’s protective force field?” My voice was as calm as stating a physical law. “That kind of inferior technology that can’t even stop D-class radioactive aliens in the wasteland dares to call it a groundbreaking breakthrough?”

Jessica's face flushed instantly: "You're still talking nonsense?! Seven years have passed, and you still haven't come to your senses?""You slandered Anthony in the same way seven years ago!" Alex shouted angrily. "You were proven wrong! Uncle Anthony's skills saved the entire city!"

“I said…” I didn’t even glance at the business card on the ground, “When the real wasteland crisis arrives, you will find out what despair is. Just like seven years ago, you will still choose to believe lies instead of the truth.”After I finished speaking, I turned and walked towards the military-to-civilian off-road vehicle next to me.

"You madman!" Alex roared in exasperation. "Seven years of exile haven't brought you to your senses! What right do you have to attack Uncle Anthony's technology again!"

Jessica's voice was filled with anger and disappointment: "Ryan! We made the right choice back then! Look at yourself now—this is what happens when you go against the whole world!"

I did not respond.

The SUV's engine roared, its wheels slowly turning, precisely and mercilessly crushing the gold-plated business card representing "capital charity" on the ground, completely burying it in the dirty mud.

In the rearview mirror, Jessica and Alex were splattered with mud. Their haughty demeanor instantly transformed into that of pathetic clowns.

After the vehicle left the checkpoint, the previously dimly lit covert tactical terminal next to my seat suddenly lit up with a blue light.

On the screen, a top-level military-grade encrypted command is being decoded:

[Eden City-State Military Committee - SSR Classified Secret]

[To: Wasteland Truth-Level Research Executive Officer]

The highest military council of the city-state will convene tomorrow.

[All members line up for the Mech Military Academy Grand Ceremony]

We eagerly await your arrival.

I closed the terminal, a barely perceptible smile playing on my lips.

Seven years ago, they chose to believe the lie.

Tomorrow, I will show them what the truth is.