Meet the Rebels: Bardo

Bardo is a bear, working as a fisherman, who lived a quiet and secluded life in the caves of Evergreen Forest. He wasn't fond of socializing, and almost all his interactions with the forest animals were limited to selling his catch and buying supplies to take back to his cave. One day, the Sapiens appeared at his door, looking for local Animals to help with security at a new plant they were building in the heart of the forest. Of course, this did not interest him, and he immediately rejected the offer. However, a few months after the plant was built, the climate of the forest changed radically, freezing rivers and lakes and destroying his only source of livelihood. One day, his door rang again. This time, it was a group of animals. They were organizing to protest against the Sapiens plant and the destruction of the ecosystem. Bardo decided not to help, requesting not to be involved in the matter. But days went by, and hunger grew stronger. Hungry and alone, he decided to accept the security job offered by the Sapiens to obtain provisions for the season. They gave him a weapon and a uniform and stationed him at the entrance of the plant, with orders to dispatch any intruders. Until one day, a group of animals—the same ones who once knocked on his door for help—arrived at the plant, intending to sabotage the facility, armed with sticks and rakes. Bardo heard the order over his intercom to open fire at the slightest provocation. Having never harmed anyone in his life and trying to avoid a massacre, Bardo attempted to talk to the animals. But before he could convince them to leave, he heard a gunshot from behind him, and one of the animals collapsed in front of him. What followed was total chaos. From the watchtowers, security forces opened indiscriminate fire on the animals. Some were running for their lives, while others, furious, tried to attack the walls of the plant. Bardo froze in the midst of the chaos, and before he realized what was happening, the gunfire stopped, while the group of animals lay lifeless on the ground. Horrified, Bardo returned to his cave, reflecting on his actions. The next day, he heard someone calling at his door again. It was Quincy, an opossum from the village, asking about her husband, who had not returned home. The image of an opossum who was with the protesting group came to his mind. The same one who had collapsed in front of him and now lay lifeless in the snow. Consumed by guilt, he returned to the plant, this time to recover the bodies of the deceased animals. He heard over his communicator the order to leave the bodies where they were, as they would be collected for experimentation. Bardo did not want to listen; he just wanted to take the bodies back to their families. However, the order turned into threats. He had to desist from what he was doing at that very moment or there would be consequences. Bardo ignored the shouts in his communicator and turned it off. Carrying the bodies of the animals back to the village. However, as he turned, he heard another gunshot behind him. This time, he could feel the bullet in his back. That is the last thing he remembers before waking up confused in a dark prison. But this, was but the start of his adventure…