New Age

Hellos

Max and I remained quiet for the rest of the ride. He didn't stop smiling the entire time. When we were almost to our destination, he reached over and grabbed my hand. He hasn't let it go yet.

As far as I can tell, we traveled south the entire trip. I knew we had to be going somewhere in the middle of the country, as far from every body of water as possible. The rebels lived underwater and their origins there remain unknown.

I've heard Old Age tales of water people, how they were strongest in the water and weakened on land. The stories told of the great underwater cities they built, and I like to think that the rebels' were just like the water people spoken of in the past. It's easier to think that they're weaker on the land, the only place we can fight them.

The landscape changes from grassy, open land to dry, rocky, hot nothingness. It seems impossible for anyone to live out here. We were coming up over the hill when I saw it. The top of Tracking Headquarters.

It was easily the most beautiful buildings I've ever seen. I let out a gasp, and glance at Max. He doesn't seem amazed at all. I was shocked for a minute, then I remember that his brother has lived here for years and Max probably knows the building like the back of his own hand.

I look back at the building, which is definitely one of the rare Old Age structures left in our country. It was huge, and wasn't made out of glass and other New Age materials. It looked nothing like anything I've ever seen before.

"Don't get your hopes up, the inside is all New Age. It's kind of a waste, really." Max shrugs.

The transporter makes its way to the big pair of doors and comes to a stop. The driver gets out to take our bags inside. We walk in, still hand in hand. Max was right, the inside looks like every other government building I've been in. The only difference are the unmissable security precautions on all the doors and inside every room.

We were led to a large room, I assume the large group instruction area. A lot of people were waiting for us there, both officers and trainees.

Ten minutes later, Sergeant Jackson stood at the front of the room. It seemed like everyone had arrived.

"Welcome to Tracking headquarters," Parker began. "I'm here right now to notify and inform you of your duties while staying in this facility. I'm Sergeant Jackson, and this is my fellow trainer, Officer Diaz." He pointed to a revolting looking man standing in the corner of the room. "You all should know why you're here today, and if you don't, I suggest you leave now while you still have the chance. My job is to prepare and protect you all from the dangers that will face you in the years to come. Being here is an honor, only very gifted people have what it takes to be a Tracker.

You are here for one reason and one reason only; to protect the citizens of our country. You all should be aware of the danger you'll be fighting against. The rebels are Old Age immortal humans, nearly impossible to distinguish from normal, common-day citizens. Our job is to eliminate this race from Earth. Why? Because if we don't, all of your families, your friends, everyone will die. The rebels have a mission to overtake our government and turn it back to the old ways. The Old Age government didn't fail without reason, and nearly all of Earth's population died with it.

The ever-present threat to man-kind's survival are the rebels, and unfortunately, we know very little about them. Trackers will hunt down a single rebel for months and the little information they gather rarely makes its way back here. Rebels are extremely dangerous, which is why you're here. They have powers and strengths you could never imagine being possible. We need to fight back, and take down the only peace threat present since the start of the New Age. Officer Diaz will continue with further instructions. Thank you." Parker walked out of the room, and the officer stepped forward.

"As to the rules applying to you while you're living in headquarters, you are not children anymore. You will be regarded as highly responsible, respected adults until given reason to believe otherwise. You must learn to behave and carry yourselves as adults and be responsible for yourself. While you're here, your personal needs come before others'. You will all be expected to strengthen yourselves, both mentally and physically. Our building offers many opportunities for this to become possible. We have all New Age equipment, as well as most Old Age sporting equipment. Our facilities in these areas are encouraged to be used by everyone. If you'll follow me, I will guide you all to your living quarters. Your luggage has already been taken to your rooms. When we reach the living quarters, you will all be given a code for your doors. The highest security precautions available have been provided in every room. Tomorrow morning at precisely 7:00am you will be expected in this room for a tour of headquarters. If you will all follow me." He leads us up a staircase and into a very wide hallway. We take many turns before reaching the correct wing and I'm already lost. There is a staff member at every door, and Officer Diaz walks down the hallway with a roster, calling names and pointing those people to the correct doors. My room is the seventh on the right. I go up to the staff member standing outside my door and she gives me the specific code to open my sliding paneled door. I step in my new room, suppressing a gasp. The window on the wall across from me offers an excellent view of the outside landscape. A large bathroom is right next to the window. A closet is on the same wall. A bed sits opposite the bed, and a small nightstand is by the headboard. In the small corner next to the door there is a chair and lamp. On the same wall on the right of the doorway is a very long table and an equally long mirror on the wall above it. My suitcases already sit on the bed. The door slides shut behind me and I move forward to unpack my things.

Two hours later, when I'm finally satisfied with my decorating, I step outside to find Max. I pull out my messaging device and send him a quick message asking where his room was.

He replied: My room is right across from yours, I was one of the last people to get assigned their room. I just got inside. I'll meet you at my door

The door across from mine slides open and Max beckons me to come in. His room is set up slightly different then mine; it's fits the needs of a guy better. The bathroom and closet are smaller and the extra space is occupied with a couch. I walk over to it and flop myself down.

"I'm still in the process of unpacking. Sorry for the mess; I can't seem to be able to find any pairs for my socks." He steps back, scratching his head with one hand and placing the other on his hip. I laugh and help him get himself organized.

By the time we fixed the sock situation, it was getting rather late. I said goodnight to Max and headed back to my room. I was punching in the door code when a disgustingly cheerful girl tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around and she stuck out her hand.

"Hi, I'm Alice. My room is right next door!"

"Hello Alice, nice to meet you. I'm Lyla." I give my best business-like smile and turn back to the keypad.

"Nice to meet you too, Lyla. So what do you think of all this?" She asks, gesturing around with her hands. I really just want to get some sleep, so I'm about to answer when Max comes out of his room and heads right towards us.

"Oh good, I thought you'd be half asleep by now. You left your messager." He hands me my device and leans in and grabs me in a tight hug.

"You also need to work on saying goodnight properly." He mumbles into my shoulder.

"Goodnight!" I laugh. He is in such a good mood it's contagious. He lets go and turns back to enter his room. As we're both typing in our door codes, I can see Alice still standing there, smiling at Max's retreating figure as he goes back in his room. I slide into mine too, not wanting to be with the overly-cheerful girl a second longer.