Papuru Star: Coalition Carnage

Chapter 11: Visions of the Future

Two people sat in a canoe, one, a young Dycordian boy, the other, a much older Dycordian man wearing a yellow broad rim hat. Both held fishing rods, lines over the side of their faded green boat into clear blue-green water. It mirrored the dark purple sky and snow white clouds for great distances all around. Land was nowhere in sight. The two stare out over the great lake, neither moving an inch. When the man finally spoke, it was soft and smooth with not a crack in his bass monotone.

Fisher
Do you know why I brought you here, Claude?

Child Claude
I do not know, but could you make it quick. My friend's mom just died and he needs my support.

Fisher
Not to worry, you will only be gone a second. But the idea of caring for him is commendable. Having friends is important.

Child Claude
Friend. As in one.

Fisher
You will have more as you grow up.

Child Claude
Naw, friends are trouble. Except Kane.

Fisher
Friends will be good for you both. Fifteen years from now, the two of you will meet new friends. They may start out as opposition, but circumstances will draw the good ones to you.

Child Claude
What are you talking about?

Fisher
You know of Coalition Carnage?

Child Claude
Who does not?

Fisher
You and your friend will be Superstars in a future one.

Child Claude
Cool!

FUTURE

Year 1050
Day: 2

Claude walks with Kane within the Papuru Inn's elegant corridor. Patterned purple and grey lined the carpeted floor and ceiling, with crystal fixtures hanging high above. White walls were the backdrop of holographic profiles of past Superstars that lined the hall at intervals. Many people went about their business and several employees were gossiping around a serv-tek before their manager walked by and they scattered. The serv-tek continued cleaning the base of the holographic statues, passing the two friends as they regarded the multicultural displays.

Kane
Our images will be up here after this is over.

Claude
Hopefully, not postmortem.

Kane
Not losing faith, are you buddy?

Claude
Of course not. When you said 'our', I assumed you meant all the Superstars. I have a feeling some may not survive to the end.

Kane
With characters like Van Black and Rampage running around, I understand the feeling.

Claude
The Ja'ir Superstar has yet to show himself since the Opening Ceremony, but he appears even more formidable than I remember.

Kane
Those Ja'ir and their hypernetic implants. Wonder if he's added anything new since the last time.

Claude
Nothing in the SRC about it.

Kane
Hmm. Got any tactics on tackling giant mech suits?

Claude
Not as of yet. You?

Kane
Going the Van Black route. Wreak the crap out of 'em.

Claude
Here comes one I do not look forward to facing in a geodome.

Approaching from the opposite end of the hall, the slim figure of Avia stormed their way, a look of seriousness etched in her features.

Kane
Uh oh. What you do?

Claude
I was about to ask if you were caught spying upon her again.

She stopped a meter before them, glaring at each for several heartbeats before speaking.