DARK STORM ~ Genie Wars

Chapter 1

Osaka Japan; The Hub, in the Freedom Building

The summer heat didn't dare enter this oasis way up here; neither did the noise that filled the rest of the building. The room boasted a lovely green carpet; a waterfall and pond in one corner, and chimes hung near the large set of windows opposite the door to the room. Near the window set off center to the right of the door sat this glass and brass table. Quietly working at a holographic computer was a woman. One Dr. Anna Black PhD. This woman of European stock had been with this project for years now, and was now going over the data the drone that had been sent into the Zone. Still lost in thought Anna didn't notice her boss come into the room.

A tall lanky man with graying hair; he too had been here awhile. In fact this man had worked his way up to the head position and was currently in charge of the Hub. "So; doctor, have you finished?" Almost; she replied as she looked up at him. Santo Kym was a native born Japanese and one of the few who liked Gaijin. "Well; what are your thoughts. I need to make a decision." Yes sir; as I've said - I'm almost done with this data pack. What's the rush?

Anna could tell; there was something wrong here, and Santo now looked down at the floor. It took several moments before he finally spoke. This was said in a soft voice; almost as if he didn't want anyone else to hear. "Anna. The Core has had enough with this experiment. They just sent in a Chorus into the Zone. They say if we can't end this - They will."

"What? ... Why? I mean ..." As this woman yelled this out her assistant came running into the room. A blonde young woman stood just behind Mr. Kym wondering what was wrong. "Sorry ... You can go back. Sorry; nothing's wrong." As this short woman was about to leave Santo told her to stay. "This concerns her too." The assistant and her boss both looked at this man.

As their boss motioned to the small circle of chairs over by the waterfall Anna's mind was swirling. She knew or at least heard of a Chorus. Years and years ago it only took three Chorus units to bring the African Nations in line. Three units; six people, killed three million all by themselves. And now there was a Chorus roaming around in the Zone. This was bad. This was very bad. They both took a seat as Santo briefly looked out the window. The city skyline displayed itself like a jewel. Turning around he did his best to explain what was going to happen.

"Ms. Snowe. Doctor. The Core is sending a Chorus here ..." Here? ... Really? Gabrielle just about jumped out of her chair. The blonde was a super fan of these people, and her eyes just about glazed over at the mention of the word. And now one was; she was going to meet one of them. "I'm going to stay? Oh; doctor Black, can I at least meet them?" Santo smiled and nearly laughed openly. "You Gaijin are entertaining I must say. Yes Gabrielle you will meet Ki Chien. In fact they're coming here so you and the doctor here ..."

The young woman just froze. Motionless. A large smile filling her face. "Are you okay? Gabrielle? ..." Anna was standing over the blonde; who was reclined in the chair, and nearly falling off the thing. "We. Are. A Chorus ..." The dark haired woman quickly looked at Santo still straddling the blonde. "What is she talking about?" Doctor Black; Anna, I would only agree to the demands of the Core if they would agree to this. I do agree that this experiment has gone on long enough, and the Core needs the space for their own experiments. Ki Chien is coming here with the equipment; everything needed to make you and Gabrielle a Chorus. You and Ki Chien will be sent in to assess if the local population can be saved. If not they are to be terminated. The other Chorus that's already over there is making its own analysis. Your job will be to link up with them. Deliver your verdict, and do what you need to do."

The tall black haired woman flopped to the ground near Gabrielle's legs. "You want me to play god with those people?" Basically; the man said without emotion, and told these two to get ready. "Bring Ms. Snowe up to speed, and I'll return when Ki Chien gets here." The blonde gently stroked Anna's hair. This was a bit much; and the doctor was still trying to process all of this, but Gabrielle had always dreamed of becoming part of a Chorus. She had applied many times, and each time - Well; it had always been a near miss, but now. This was a dream come true. And Gabrielle couldn't think of a better person to be linked to than Anna.

The "Shock" factor lasted quite a while, but with the blonde's help Anna did manage to fill in her assistant on everything that was going on. Gabrielle knew some things, but there was a lot that she had been in the dark about. This is to be expected; Gabrielle wasn't the boss, and had been left out of the bigger picture. Now these two were going to be on equal footing. The equal thing was fine with Anna. What was still a shock was that she was now expected to play god; deciding who was to live, and who was going to die. "Well; do you want some stranger deciding that?" Gabrielle's blue eyes locking with the green eyes of Anna's. " Yeah; you're right. We've been with this project, and that other Chorus doesn't know anything about any of this.

The two spent nearly three hours together. Both looking over all the drone flights, and Anna even discovered a new section. This had previously been closed to her, but now there was additional data to be reviewed. It was nearly one that afternoon when Santo returned. Behind him was this woman; a red head, and a young man who was around Gabrielle's age. "Anna. Gabrielle. I'd like you to meet Ki Chien." Again the blonde froze and could do nothing but smile. Letting out a nervous giggle when they spoke; "Glad to meet you both. I'm sure you'll make a great Chorus." When these two spoke it was in unison and had that stereo phonic sound. There was even a hint of an echo. To Gabrielle this was beyond - cool. "You'll have to forgive Gabby. She's a big fan." The woman smiled; and they both said that they were used to it, and they would have to get used to this themselves.

"No. It doesn't." Both answered when the much taller asked if the linking process was going to hurt. "All that happens is that you'll go to sleep. When you wake up everything will be different. That's why we've come. We'll be there with you all the way, so afterwards you can teach others. The Core doesn't intend to make this a long term project. We will give you your start, and the rest will be up to you." Some more time passed; with Ki Chien discovering what they needed to know, and approving Mr. Santo Kym's choice. Things can go oh so wrong and in a heart beat, but these two had a decent chance of success. Making a Chorus isn't cheap, and just not anybody is put through the process. This is a "Boon" or "Bust" affair. Two applicants go to sleep; and either wake as a Chorus, or die. There is now in between. Ki Chien gave these two every option to back out. "There is no going back." Gabrielle and Anna where explained all that could go wrong, and they were also warned that they would know each other in ways that could terrify them voth. In the final analysis - They both agreed; Anna being less sure than Gabrielle, but each willing to take this step.