The Corruption Games

Chapter One

Everyone's story starts out differently. For some of us, we never even get close to a happy ending. Or some never get a happy beginning. Me? I didn't get a happy beginning. None of us here did. It took a lot to survive up to the point we're at now, and I'm not sure if we'll ever get a happy ending. That isn't going to stop us from trying, though.

Everything all started going downhill after the Third World War. We thought we were prepared for anything the rest of the world could have thrown at us. Newsflash: We weren't. The population of the United States could only watch in horror as our government was torn down until nothing was left but burning pyres, all done by the Chinese government.

China had started working its way through all the other countries even before they got to the United States, and no matter what anyone did, nothing could save us. They were a force too large, too strong. After Two more world wars, finally, everything stopped. At this point, it was the year 2150, and the world's population had made a significant drop. At the time we were supposed to have exciting masses of technological advances. Instead, we were left with ruins of a society that didn't exist. The new Chinese dictator we all had to answer to moved his capital to the United States, for reasons none of us understood, or probably would ever.

This dictator that had taken over, everyone called him His Majesty. Just a title, never a name. We never got anything else to call him by. He had soldiers everywhere, crawling like ants around a trash bin full of rotting food. These soldiers are commanded by generals, and these generals are given orders by His Majesty himself. Nobody is safe here any longer, not really. There are cities still, yes, rebuilt after the wars. But they are nothing like what they were rumored to have once been.

But hidden deep under layers of lies and trickery, is a group working against His Majesty. This group, this organization, calls itself Eleftheros. This group is hellbent on taking what we know as our world back. And perhaps one day they'll do so. Hopefully one of the days in my lifetime.

And me? I'm called Shadow. And if I'm going to be honest here, I know they gave me that name for my looks. Black hair, eyes so dark of a brown they're almost black. It didn't help that before they gave me that name as my own, all through training I showed the Overseers in Eleftheros that I knew what to do to not be seen unless I wanted to, no matter where I was. I could blend in anywhere, with anything, or at least that was how it felt.

And now back to the task at hand. My partner on our current escapade is Sea. He's been my partner for the past 10 missions I've been sent on, but I know that it won't be too much longer until he's sent up a rank. He's done well, and I can't help but feel happy for him.

Again, back to task. Damn. I've never been this distracted before. We're almost off of the grounds of the compound that the Emperor had set up here. All we have left to do is to slip through the hole that's conveniently in the fence if we can avoid the patrols. We're almost there, too, when Sea nearly shoves me to the ground while I'm halfway through the hole.

"What the hell is that for?" I hiss, before he clamps his hand across my mouth and points from where he's lying beside me. Neither of us makes another sound as a massive tank rumbles past, dangerously close to where we are. And to think, my dumb ass had almost gotten us caught. Of course.

Twenty minutes later Sea and I are reporting to the Overseer of our division and handing over the thumb drive full of information about the newest military base that's being made. We risk our lives on a daily basis for what feels like so little. But there is nothing else we can truly do but continue to fight.

After we report, Sea and I split ways. He has his friends, I have mine. With this many people, you can't really expect anything less.

Three days later during lunch, an announcement blares over the general din of the cafeteria. "Agent Shadow, #573, please report to the administrator's office. Repeat, Agent Shadow, #573, please report to the administrator's office. Thank you." Everything quieted for a moment to listen and then went back to normal. With a sigh, I got up, dumped what was left on my tray in the trash, and dropped it off to get cleaned. No point in wasting time. You'll only piss off your division's Overseer if you do.

My division is #12, and our Overseer is known as Sun. She's nice enough, if a bit harsh at times. But when you've got about 2,000 people to keep track of, it can leave you stressed. I'm curious to know what this is about because usually you don't get called to the office unless you've done something you shouldn't have. Just like school, I suppose, from what I know.

After the 5-minute walk to the office and entering, I'm asked to sit. Instantly, something almost seems... off. And I can't quite put my finger on why. But no matter. I was called here for a reason. And whatever that reason was, well. I was about to find out.

Sun sat behind her desk and I took a seat in one of the two chairs across from her. We sat in awkward silence for several long minutes before the door to the office opened again, and we both turned to look. In walked a boy who appeared to be my age, with pale blonde hair and green eyes. Now, I'm not particularly surprised, because by this point I've already gotten a good idea of what's going on. But what does surprise me is the fact that he doesn't say anything. Not a single damn word. Not a "Hello, my name is" or a "Hey, who are you?"

Just silence.

He stares at me until I am beyond uncomfortable, all while sitting in the chair beside me. I do my best to avoid looking at him.

Sun leans forward and rests her arms on her desk, suddenly all business. Almost instantly, I sit up straight and fall into my usual façade when dealing with anything in the office. What can I say? I've always been a problem child.

"Agent Shadow. As you've probably realized, your current mission partner, Agent #475, Sea, has been exceptionally close to moving up in rank. As of now, he has been moved up to become a training officer. Luckily enough for us, we have a new recruit. I'd like for you to meet Agent #1846 of the 12th Division, designation: Snow." And with that, she gestures at the boy beside me.