Miyata
09-26-2006, 03:39 PM
This is a short story I wrote a few years back for a science fiction assignment I had to do. No-one apart from my classmates and Teacher have seen it so...enjoy.
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No one would have thought it would be them. Sawyer woke up slowly to find that he was surrounded around his own bed. Staring at him, one of the men pulled out a badge and stated,
“You are now the property of the Intergalactic Training Camp for Specials, or ITCS. You no longer have a life, all of your records on Earth have been destroyed and even your own family think you’re dead. If you do not comply with us we will kill you now and not lose 1 second of sleep over it
So what will it be Mr. Crewman?” He sounded almost rhetorical.
Sawyer felt a tingling sensation in his neck before he fell into a deep sleep. Black.
When Sawyer finally came to, he saw that he was no longer in his apartment, or even on Earth, he was now one of the residents of cell block B, cell no. 7854312, inmate 9876087. The walls were paper white, just as if they had been stripped of whatever colour they had once possessed. Lifelessness. He looked over to see that he was not alone but with another. A strange being that was now, levitating an apple right in front of it. His ears seemed to be controlling this telekinesis as they were directly above the apple. Sawyer looked away, and tried to remember how he had got here.
“What are you in here for?” The alien asked. It possessed a slight American accent but Sawyer didn’t know how that was possible.
“What are you in here for?” The alien asked again, this time with a hint of impatience in its voice.
“I wish I knew,” Sawyer replied.
“So they drag you all the way from Earth and don’t even tell you why you’re here.”
“How’d you know I was from Earth?” Sawyer asked, curious to find out what this creature knew.
“’Cos you look like one of my old friends” The alien answered.
“You know Earth people! Where are they?” Sawyer was excited now. But still trying to remain cautious.
“Well allow me to introduce myself; I’m Cortex, or otherwise known as the detainee.”
“Detainee?”
“You ever heard about area 51, well those weren’t just rumours, it was the real thing, and I was the lucky one that got trapped. 50 years I spent in that containment cell. 50 years!! Those bastards.” It was obvious to anyone Cortex’s past was not of a friendly nature.
“So why are we here?” You could see that Sawyer wanted to get straight to the point.
“Well, you’re now the newest member of the Intergalactic Training Camp for Specials, in other words you’re the latest sheep. So when they say jump, we say how high. It’s not a training camp. It’s more of a harvest camp. They use you for your powers, and when they’re done with you they kill you off. It’s the same sad story every time. And about these collars, if you even try to escape, all they have to do is press one button and your life is over.”
“Powers?” He said confusingly, “But I don’t have any.”
“That’s what they all say. But you’re just the same as me. I never had any powers when I came here as well. They take you to the room and genetically alter your DNA. But ever since you came here, I’ve been wondering. They could have brought an Adamantian but instead they bring a human. Humans have never been associated with power. Either you’ve been brought here by mistake or you’re Him.”
“Him?” Sawyer asked.
“Yes, Him. Ancient prophecies say that one day a man from a low down race will arise to be the one who restores balance to the universe.”
Sawyer didn’t know what to think. He tried to avoid the subject and think of a way out, but nothing came to mind. Time passed. Cortex was now staring into one of the walls, as if he was in a trance, or maybe he was.
“What are you doing?” Sawyer asked.
“Concentration is the key to everything, you just remember that.”
Lunch. Sawyer took a tray and waited in line. He could see that he was not welcome. Being the first human in an intergalactic academy wasn’t easy. There were all types of people staring at him. Some with two heads, some with four arms but they all shared one thing in common, hatred of Sawyer. He sat next to a small alien, for it did not look as intimidating as the rest. It was blue and that was it. It had no arms or legs, only eyes, two of the largest eyes anyone had ever stared into. Sawyer had now regretted sitting here. He saw cortex and moved swiftly towards him, with the mentality of all other aliens as his enemies. They both sat and ate. Not a word was said until…
“9876087. It’s time!” The sound echoed through the large crowded hall. Sawyer was ushered forward by other aliens until one of the security guards took him. Sawyer recognised him. One of the men that had taken him from Earth that day. He had short hair and looked almost human, until Sawyer saw what was hiding behind his dark sunglasses. One look and he was out.
The morning bell. It was so highly pitched that Sawyer suddenly woke to find that he no longer looked the same. His hair was now long and white, with his hands tied. His wrists had slit marks on them. They looked like someone had done them out of desperation. He felt calm, and collected. He could feel a new force running through him but had no idea what it was.
“I see you’ve been fixed.” Cortex said, almost with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
“What did they do to me?” Sawyer asked, curious to find out what had caused the major changes both inside and outside of his body.
“Well, that’s what I would like to know. I sense that there is a new power surging through you but it is not one that I am familiar with.”
“What? How can you sense my powers, if they even are powers?” Sawyer replied, trying to get some answers about the kind of people that lurked in this place.
“Well my power is to sense other people’s auras. In other words, I’m a psychic, but you’re aura’s different. It’s a lot stronger and concealed, I am afraid that once released, this power will be unsustainable, even for the most talented people.”
It took Sawyer a moment to take all the information in.
“So are you telling me, that I’m a homemade nuclear bomb?” Sawyer asked, whilst trying to be funny.
“Well, sort of. But the more power the better.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve been here for three years now, and I’ve spent practically all of my time working on a way out, and now, with you here, it’s a definite success.”
“What kind of plan?”
“If you figure a way to tap into your powers, then with one surge at full power, you could short out half of the collars in the cell block, and with everyone running loose for the exits, it would be a perfect decoy for an escape.”
“But there’s still one massive problem, those security guards.”
“Lets hope we don’t run into one of them.”
“But still to get it all started, I have to blow these collars and I hardly know what my powers are let alone control them.”
“You leave that to me, just be ready for the break out tomorrow. We start precisely when the final meals of the day are delivered.” And with that the two didn’t say another word, but just concentrated on the plan to get them out.
Morning bells. Everyone awoke suddenly but slowly. Sawyer was now getting used to his new powers and his new looks. Cortex was already awake. He was probably in another trance because he was just staring into the wall again. Sawyer was also preparing. He was trying to figure out a way of allowing his powers to run freely but also thought about something. Why had the security guards tried to slit his wrists? Were his powers that dangerous? He decided not to dwell upon that issue for too long and started training. He had no idea how his powers had got there or how to use them he just knew that he had to get out.
Lunch again. The cold porridge was served and everyone took it without question. It seemed that everything was too quiet today. No one had started a brawl yet but Sawyer must have counted his blessings all too soon. A hideous creature; four eyes, six arms and four legs approached Sawyer.
“Hey, I don’t like the way you come in here thinking you’re all big. You humans are the worst. Pieces of shit under my feet!” He exclaimed. His voice has deep and heavy, creating a tense atmosphere in the hall. Cortex abruptly stepped in the way and shouted,
“Move from him or else I will have to hurt you!” This was not the best move, because now, the security guards were coming. The beast pushed Cortex out of the way and as he raised his hand to strike Sawyer a bullet was fired. The target was Sawyer. There was nothing he could do. Now, death was imminent, but out of the blue a figure jumped into the path of the bullet, stopping it from hitting Sawyer but sacrificing its own life at the same time. It was only after it was too late that Sawyer realised it was Cortex.
Rage flowed through him. The power that had somehow been contained had now been released. It was like a nuclear bomb going off. First everyone’s collars deactivated and then sparks of energy flew towards both the beast and the security guard. The impact of the blast against the beast was so intense that as it followed through, it blew a hole into the wall. The security guard on the other hand managed to dodge the attack, but still took major damage. He retreated as any person would do but didn’t get very far. Another spark of energy flew through the air. It just missed the head of the security guard. He was still a problem. As this was happening everyone was fleeing towards the exits trying to get out. Sawyer had no interest in escaping. He wanted revenge and he wanted it now.
He made sure that every part of the camp he went into, he was noticed when he went in. The final office ahead. The door swung open and he saw the final security guard. The one that got Cortex. He unleashed a ball of energy, flying towards the security guard, but somehow he was prepared and Sawyer fell to the floor.
“Have you ever wondered what we did to you in the room? Well, let me enlighten your memory. With our experiment not only unlocking your inner strength but also something else, we had to take safety precautions. So we placed an explosive charge in you head and that was the charge I just detonated. In less than 2 minutes your brains will be fried and then we’re going to go to Earth and kill all of you family.”
“NO!!”
“Goodbye Mr. Crewman.” He left the office, then the building, then the planet getting closer and closer to planet Earth.
Sawyer’s time was running out. He had to destroy the charge in his head but how. Then he remembered what Cortex said, ‘Concentration is the key to everything’. So Sawyer concentrated to eventually find the location of the charge in his head and sent out a force to destroy it before it destroyed him. He felt a quick click and then it was gone, he was now a free man, but not until the guard had been put to justice. So Sawyer set out for Earth to seek revenge upon the security guard and to save his own family.
---------------------------------------------------
No one would have thought it would be them. Sawyer woke up slowly to find that he was surrounded around his own bed. Staring at him, one of the men pulled out a badge and stated,
“You are now the property of the Intergalactic Training Camp for Specials, or ITCS. You no longer have a life, all of your records on Earth have been destroyed and even your own family think you’re dead. If you do not comply with us we will kill you now and not lose 1 second of sleep over it
So what will it be Mr. Crewman?” He sounded almost rhetorical.
Sawyer felt a tingling sensation in his neck before he fell into a deep sleep. Black.
When Sawyer finally came to, he saw that he was no longer in his apartment, or even on Earth, he was now one of the residents of cell block B, cell no. 7854312, inmate 9876087. The walls were paper white, just as if they had been stripped of whatever colour they had once possessed. Lifelessness. He looked over to see that he was not alone but with another. A strange being that was now, levitating an apple right in front of it. His ears seemed to be controlling this telekinesis as they were directly above the apple. Sawyer looked away, and tried to remember how he had got here.
“What are you in here for?” The alien asked. It possessed a slight American accent but Sawyer didn’t know how that was possible.
“What are you in here for?” The alien asked again, this time with a hint of impatience in its voice.
“I wish I knew,” Sawyer replied.
“So they drag you all the way from Earth and don’t even tell you why you’re here.”
“How’d you know I was from Earth?” Sawyer asked, curious to find out what this creature knew.
“’Cos you look like one of my old friends” The alien answered.
“You know Earth people! Where are they?” Sawyer was excited now. But still trying to remain cautious.
“Well allow me to introduce myself; I’m Cortex, or otherwise known as the detainee.”
“Detainee?”
“You ever heard about area 51, well those weren’t just rumours, it was the real thing, and I was the lucky one that got trapped. 50 years I spent in that containment cell. 50 years!! Those bastards.” It was obvious to anyone Cortex’s past was not of a friendly nature.
“So why are we here?” You could see that Sawyer wanted to get straight to the point.
“Well, you’re now the newest member of the Intergalactic Training Camp for Specials, in other words you’re the latest sheep. So when they say jump, we say how high. It’s not a training camp. It’s more of a harvest camp. They use you for your powers, and when they’re done with you they kill you off. It’s the same sad story every time. And about these collars, if you even try to escape, all they have to do is press one button and your life is over.”
“Powers?” He said confusingly, “But I don’t have any.”
“That’s what they all say. But you’re just the same as me. I never had any powers when I came here as well. They take you to the room and genetically alter your DNA. But ever since you came here, I’ve been wondering. They could have brought an Adamantian but instead they bring a human. Humans have never been associated with power. Either you’ve been brought here by mistake or you’re Him.”
“Him?” Sawyer asked.
“Yes, Him. Ancient prophecies say that one day a man from a low down race will arise to be the one who restores balance to the universe.”
Sawyer didn’t know what to think. He tried to avoid the subject and think of a way out, but nothing came to mind. Time passed. Cortex was now staring into one of the walls, as if he was in a trance, or maybe he was.
“What are you doing?” Sawyer asked.
“Concentration is the key to everything, you just remember that.”
Lunch. Sawyer took a tray and waited in line. He could see that he was not welcome. Being the first human in an intergalactic academy wasn’t easy. There were all types of people staring at him. Some with two heads, some with four arms but they all shared one thing in common, hatred of Sawyer. He sat next to a small alien, for it did not look as intimidating as the rest. It was blue and that was it. It had no arms or legs, only eyes, two of the largest eyes anyone had ever stared into. Sawyer had now regretted sitting here. He saw cortex and moved swiftly towards him, with the mentality of all other aliens as his enemies. They both sat and ate. Not a word was said until…
“9876087. It’s time!” The sound echoed through the large crowded hall. Sawyer was ushered forward by other aliens until one of the security guards took him. Sawyer recognised him. One of the men that had taken him from Earth that day. He had short hair and looked almost human, until Sawyer saw what was hiding behind his dark sunglasses. One look and he was out.
The morning bell. It was so highly pitched that Sawyer suddenly woke to find that he no longer looked the same. His hair was now long and white, with his hands tied. His wrists had slit marks on them. They looked like someone had done them out of desperation. He felt calm, and collected. He could feel a new force running through him but had no idea what it was.
“I see you’ve been fixed.” Cortex said, almost with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
“What did they do to me?” Sawyer asked, curious to find out what had caused the major changes both inside and outside of his body.
“Well, that’s what I would like to know. I sense that there is a new power surging through you but it is not one that I am familiar with.”
“What? How can you sense my powers, if they even are powers?” Sawyer replied, trying to get some answers about the kind of people that lurked in this place.
“Well my power is to sense other people’s auras. In other words, I’m a psychic, but you’re aura’s different. It’s a lot stronger and concealed, I am afraid that once released, this power will be unsustainable, even for the most talented people.”
It took Sawyer a moment to take all the information in.
“So are you telling me, that I’m a homemade nuclear bomb?” Sawyer asked, whilst trying to be funny.
“Well, sort of. But the more power the better.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve been here for three years now, and I’ve spent practically all of my time working on a way out, and now, with you here, it’s a definite success.”
“What kind of plan?”
“If you figure a way to tap into your powers, then with one surge at full power, you could short out half of the collars in the cell block, and with everyone running loose for the exits, it would be a perfect decoy for an escape.”
“But there’s still one massive problem, those security guards.”
“Lets hope we don’t run into one of them.”
“But still to get it all started, I have to blow these collars and I hardly know what my powers are let alone control them.”
“You leave that to me, just be ready for the break out tomorrow. We start precisely when the final meals of the day are delivered.” And with that the two didn’t say another word, but just concentrated on the plan to get them out.
Morning bells. Everyone awoke suddenly but slowly. Sawyer was now getting used to his new powers and his new looks. Cortex was already awake. He was probably in another trance because he was just staring into the wall again. Sawyer was also preparing. He was trying to figure out a way of allowing his powers to run freely but also thought about something. Why had the security guards tried to slit his wrists? Were his powers that dangerous? He decided not to dwell upon that issue for too long and started training. He had no idea how his powers had got there or how to use them he just knew that he had to get out.
Lunch again. The cold porridge was served and everyone took it without question. It seemed that everything was too quiet today. No one had started a brawl yet but Sawyer must have counted his blessings all too soon. A hideous creature; four eyes, six arms and four legs approached Sawyer.
“Hey, I don’t like the way you come in here thinking you’re all big. You humans are the worst. Pieces of shit under my feet!” He exclaimed. His voice has deep and heavy, creating a tense atmosphere in the hall. Cortex abruptly stepped in the way and shouted,
“Move from him or else I will have to hurt you!” This was not the best move, because now, the security guards were coming. The beast pushed Cortex out of the way and as he raised his hand to strike Sawyer a bullet was fired. The target was Sawyer. There was nothing he could do. Now, death was imminent, but out of the blue a figure jumped into the path of the bullet, stopping it from hitting Sawyer but sacrificing its own life at the same time. It was only after it was too late that Sawyer realised it was Cortex.
Rage flowed through him. The power that had somehow been contained had now been released. It was like a nuclear bomb going off. First everyone’s collars deactivated and then sparks of energy flew towards both the beast and the security guard. The impact of the blast against the beast was so intense that as it followed through, it blew a hole into the wall. The security guard on the other hand managed to dodge the attack, but still took major damage. He retreated as any person would do but didn’t get very far. Another spark of energy flew through the air. It just missed the head of the security guard. He was still a problem. As this was happening everyone was fleeing towards the exits trying to get out. Sawyer had no interest in escaping. He wanted revenge and he wanted it now.
He made sure that every part of the camp he went into, he was noticed when he went in. The final office ahead. The door swung open and he saw the final security guard. The one that got Cortex. He unleashed a ball of energy, flying towards the security guard, but somehow he was prepared and Sawyer fell to the floor.
“Have you ever wondered what we did to you in the room? Well, let me enlighten your memory. With our experiment not only unlocking your inner strength but also something else, we had to take safety precautions. So we placed an explosive charge in you head and that was the charge I just detonated. In less than 2 minutes your brains will be fried and then we’re going to go to Earth and kill all of you family.”
“NO!!”
“Goodbye Mr. Crewman.” He left the office, then the building, then the planet getting closer and closer to planet Earth.
Sawyer’s time was running out. He had to destroy the charge in his head but how. Then he remembered what Cortex said, ‘Concentration is the key to everything’. So Sawyer concentrated to eventually find the location of the charge in his head and sent out a force to destroy it before it destroyed him. He felt a quick click and then it was gone, he was now a free man, but not until the guard had been put to justice. So Sawyer set out for Earth to seek revenge upon the security guard and to save his own family.