Spark

Prologue

You can't wake up.

This is not a dream.

Or did you think everybody is following the rules?

Did no one tell you that we invited the monsters in ourselves?

Year 2636

Maxwell Longfellow stands at the window in his study and watches the angry mob, that had gathered at the gate to his estate, with a tired smile. He feels a certain triumph, knowing they can't get to him. Had he opened the window he could have heard them chanting, demanding the immediate stop of the gene therapies. But today there was nothing that could dampen his good mood. So he just gazes down at the people trying to storm the gate. Many of them are carrying small children, he notices.

With a chuckle he lets the curtain fall closed and turns back to his computer. The e-mail from the doctor in charge of the gene therapies is still opened. For years they had been working on improving the serum. And now finally – after eight years of hard work – they had succeeded. Longfellow still couldn't believe it. He, president of New America, would take the gene therapies to a whole new level and perfect the soldiers and their abilities. Just a few more years and he would be able to put his plans in action. He would make New America the most powerful nation in the world.

A knock at the door interrupts his thoughts.
"Come in", he says automatically, his eyes still glued to the screen as if the news would disappear if he looked away. It could only be his wife or his daughter so he is surprised to see Julienne McCann when the door opens. She isn't alone. A dark haired boy is standing beside her. Longfellow would have recognized him among thousands.

His treasure. His greatest success. His soldier who would be the key to everything. The president rises from his chair and straightens his jacket like he would when meeting with an equal and steps towards his guests.

Julienne beams.

"Maxwell, we thought it was time you meet him in person."

"I agree", he replies smiling and bends down to the boy. Longfellow can see the child is struggling to decide whether he should ignore the president's outstretched hand or shake it eagerly. Longfellow's smile broadens. The boy would have to learn how to control his features.

Finally, the boy takes his hand, his intense stare never leaving Longfellow's face.

"Hello", he says.

"Hello, child", the president answers, not bothering, with the boy's name. It is irrelevant and he doesn't care. The child is just letters and numbers. X05212626CCH26XX. In short: 26C

Longfellow lets go of his hand and gestures towards the couch.

"Will you sit with me?"

"Yes." Without hesitation the boy drops himself on the leather couch.

"You are the president.", he says, curiosity evident in his expression.

"That's right. And you, my friend, can call me Maxwell." He seats himself in a chair opposite the couch and Julienne takes a seat beside the boy.

He eyes Longfellow warily.

"We aren't friends."

"Then it's about time we become friends."

"Maybe", the boy says without enthusiasm, but still not breaking his stare.

Longfellow is surprised. He'd always thought children to be easily distracted and manipulated. Then he remembers the test results. They had confirmed 26C wasn't an ordinary child. Apparently that was true.

"What am I doing here?" the boy queries. Julienne shifts uncomfortably in her seat. Almost as if she is scared of him.

"A fine young man like you surely wants to become a soldier, right?", the president asks without answering the question.

Interest sparks in the boy's eyes.

"Of course.", he says without hesitation. "But the people out there don't."

Longfellow nods. "Yes, unfortunately there are some, who don't want to become soldiers.

"I don't understand them."

"I don't either.", Longfellow agrees, nodding. He sighs deliberately. "If only there were more children like you, it could be changed."

"Maybe.", the boy replies with all the seriousness that gives Longfellow the feeling he is talking to an adult.

Longfellow leans back in his chair pretending to be lost in thought. The long silence makes the boy uneasy which is oddly satisfying. He likes to see with his own eyes that his experiments have turned out to be successful.

He audibly clears his throat.

"I need your help. Will you help me?"

"What do I get out of it?" The boy's expression remains unmoved. Longfellow fights a grin.

"What would you like to get?"

"I want to hold a weapon."

"You mean a gun?"

The boy nods.

"Well, that can be arranged."

Julienne blinks in confusion. Of course Longfellow keeps in mind that his future soldier is still a child. But it is never too early to teach children their loyalties have to be with their country, about the importance of war and about the great honor to defend and protect the regime with their lives if necessary.

"But not today.", Longfellow states and tries to seem apologetic. "First you need to do your part and help me."

"As a reward then?", the boy wants to know.

"You could say that."

"Okay, what do you want me to do?"

His satisfaction grows. This is going better than expected.

"I was told you are an excellent student. Dedicated and ambitious. Do the other children want to be like you?"

"Some. But they are never as good as me."

"Yes, I heard you are the best. Always on top of the class. Keep it that way. If there are more children who want to be soldiers we could make this world a better place. All you need to do is a little ... convincing."

"Convincing?" The boy quirks an eyebrow.

"Exactly. Tell your classmates how awesome it is to become a soldier and why you want to be one."

26C cocks his head.

"And when I do that I can hold a gun?"

"I give you my word."

The boy is silent for a moment before the corners of his mouth lift. Longfellow knows he has him. He returns the smile and enjoys his victory. 26C is the answer to all his problems. He would improve the serum further and stop the protests.

After the boy has left with Julienne, Longfellow feels an odd sense of happiness. The years of hard work had finally paid off. The power he craves is within reach and he knows his time to rule has come. It was only a matter of time until the other teams would report the successful conclusion of their experimental research – and 26C would no longer be the only one of his kind.

The president waits day after day. They turn into weeks and weeks into months. While years pass without successful experiments he watches the boy grow up. When he shows more and more symptoms Longfellow is filled with pride.

X05212626CCH26XX will remain the only successful project.

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I know the prologue starts kind of slow and doesn't give any background information. It gets better. Thank you for reading, coments and feedback are always appreciated!