Blades of the Future

Chapter One: The Moment That Counts

This is the day my final day to be free and be me. This is the day that I must leave my life behind to become the new man I need to be. This is the day. Why do we always have to fight in this never ending blood shedding dumbass war. There is no point we are all going to die someday but today the day of all day might as well be my deathbed. I get up out of my bed angry that today I must choose my fate I am now fifteen and considered useful to the cause. Hah cause how do they call it that many people working every single day and dieing for what so we can be "safe". No ones safe here but hey im just a kid who cares anyway. God I need to stop talking to myself.
I read the book of things I can be nothing really stands out besides being a soldier or weapon maker. Pretty much everything here sucks so what does it matter what I choose. Ok I'm just going to close my eyes and point at one. Ok! I point at one and open my eyes ok well I guess a scout isn't that bad actually quite good. I get to go outside look for survivors and supplies I get to keep ten percent of what I find too. Ok scout it is then. I take a shower and get dressed in a hoodie and some jeans with my snapback cap. I needed to be at the square by five and it was twelve so I had some time. My mom gave me the book and twenty shells from and old gun. It was ironic we had no guns but bought things with old bullets. Any ammo was worth different money. Twenty shells was like twenty dollars a shell being what a dollar used to be. The better the ammo the more it was worth. This could buy me maybe a t-shirt or a new book to read into about the jobs around here. I might as well get one about scouts. There is a book store near where I am right now I might as well go in.
"Hello son what do u need today?"
"Oh thanks sir I was looking for a book on scouts like what they do and what there benefits are."
"Oh a new scout in the ranks ey ok well I have one right here behind me. Is today your birthday son."
"Um yeah it actually is sir. How did u know?"
"Just a wild guess here have the book I don't need the funds it was only three shells anyway."
"Oh thank you sir have a nice day."
He was nice ill give him a cut of my stuff to repay him. Ok lets see scouts get ten percent of their keep and get to go out for three hours a day. Whatever they find they can pick their ten percent decided by the officiant. They get a free housing with a roomate and 200 shells a day.
Wow I picked nicely but it is dangerous. Ill need some protection but the best I can get for 20 shells is a small dagger set.
"Step right up first one to win in a fight against old blade over here wins a free set of light armor and a dagger set. Only twenty shells to participate."
Dang all my money just for some light armor to be thrown in. Ok whatever I need practice ill do it.
"Excuse me sir I'd like to try please."
"Really kid he's twice your size height and strength."
"Yes sir I need this stuff."
"Ok hand it over. Have at him blade."
A man walked out he was huge like a monster from the old movies I used to watch before this place was created. He hulked over me and asked if I was ready I backed up and said yes. He threw his first punch at my face I dodged and landed one in his gut it wasn't enough to win but it was something. Another punch was thrown I blocked with my small arms it knocked me back but not off balance. People gathered around to watch I was dodging blocking waiting for my turn to strike. He was getting tired of me he stopped and took a defensive stance. Ok brain on the offense against a guy who can tear me in half what to do. Screw it im going for it. I ran full speed past him and used my left hand to swing around and gain speed and I landed a strong punch in the back of his head. He went down and the guy went over to check on his friend.
" He's... out cold I cant believe it the kid wins. Take your prize."
"Yes thank you sir have a nice day."
Oh crap its four and it takes a half hour to get there ok I better hurry.
I made it in the knick of time I sat down and got my card to pick my job and I still had my backpack full of the stuff I got today. Ok I wrote down the job I wanted scout and waited my turn. They finally called me at six.
"Wow a scout Joey that's surprising ok well go over collect your starting gear and head to your living space once you are ready."
"Oh miss who is my roommate?"
"You dont have one yet there are no other people who picked scout yet that's why I was surprised by your choice. Whoever does will live with you and be your scouting partner. "
"Ok thank you."
I picked up the backpack on the scouting table I didn't know what was in it but I was going to wait till my first mission. It was a twenty minute walk to my living space. I put the key in the door and went inside I looked for the better room and set up my gear in there. My mom would drop off my clothes tomorrow. I got out the light armor it was mostly just leather and cloth mixed together to make the armor. It wasnt a full set just a hood and some gauntlets. The dagger set was nice though it had a dagger a sheath and a sharpening stone. I tried on the armor it was comfy and light weight I liked it the hood had a piece of cloth that covered my mouth I really liked it. I swung the dagger around it was really light and sharp but the gauntlets were strong enough to block it. I kept reading about my job mostly when I went outside I would be able to do what I wanted unless I was told not to go somewhere. There was a knock at the door and then it opened.
"Hello Joey where are you?I'm your roommate Mike."
" Hey I'm in the bedroom to your right I'll be out in a minute."
I put my armor away and kept my stuff in the dresser and walked out.
"Hey I'm Joey your partner. So what do u have on you?"
"I'd like to keep it a secret for now but its nice to meet you. Do you have any food on you?"
"Yeah here I have a granola bar I am going to get some sleep but it was nice meeting you night Mike."