A Tale of a Dystopian Future

Chapter 2

Over the next three hours, they filled us in on what the CRC is and why they exist. Due to the fact that Canada is extremely fragmented, exports and imports to the country aren't reaching everyone. Also the fact that most of the small territories are harshly controlled and subjugated, only the high ups are happy, and the lower class are unhappy. This, according to Lucas, is not what Canada stands for. He says that Canada needs to be a beacon of safety and greatness is this war-torn world. Vancouver still pretends to the rest of the world that Canada is still united, and handles the trade in and out, but other than that there is no communication in or out of the continent.  All leaders also agree to halt any territorial disputes if the shield wall is in need of maintenance, or otherwise threatened, as the fallout that could drift in from what was once the U.S. and Mexico would be a threat to all. As Lucas finishes his explanation, Doyal called back from the cockpit: "We are arriving at base! Please be orderly on exit, the Brass will be examining you."

The vehicle stops, and someone, probably Lucas, guides me out. I can feel the massive presence of Jim next to me.

"This is IT!?" a sharp, bold, female voice yells, "Only two!?"

"Ma'am," Lucas pipes up, "they had an auto-execution sequence at the facility, we were lucky his was down and he was in a lab at the time. Our intel never covered that, and also reported much fewer troops there than we actually encountered. They had a tank for god's sake, we are lucky we got away before the crew could get in!"

"Mmm, I'll have to have a word with the intel squad," she said. "I am General Saya Bhand! You, big guy, whats your power?"

"I can lift 100 tons," Jim said.

"Uhuh, good good, we need more strong guys, and what about you?" She asked.

"I assume you're talking to me?" I pause, waiting for a few seconds before continuing, "I have basic gravity manipulation powers, though a bit before the rescue, they injected me with some shit and it made me blind. I don't know if another power will surface or not, however, when I was getting on the transport I saw in my mind's eye a brief flash of my surroundings."

"If you are a gravity manipulator, that will be very useful, blind or not. If you are also developing some kind of echolocation or psychic sight, even better. Will you allow our scientists to take a look at you? if we can draw out these powers, it would be a great help to the cause," she said.

"As long as they treat me better than those KoK fuckheads did," I tell her.

The next several weeks consisted of many DNA tests, several injections, and plenty of attempted power use. Over that time, my gravity powers did not develop at all, however, the flashes of sight I got became more and more common, until it was constant. The scientists explained it was clearly some form of echolocation, however, they were lost in explaining how I could tell colour as well. At the end of all this, I ask if I can speak to Lucas. I am told he is out on a mission, but will be back tomorrow evening.

I go to my new quarters and change out of my uniform, fold it neatly and place it on the shelf. I have a standard room, with a bed in the corner, a comfortable chair next to it, facing a 30" tv, where people can watch movies from the archives and get the daily weather report. When focusing my sight on it, I can only see blurs, unless I turn the text size all the way up. Further refinement is needed if I want to watch a movie. Directly across from the entrance door, another door leads to a small bathroom. A toilet, sink, and shower stall all sits in the cramped area. on the same wall as the entrance, a dresser/shelf combo sits.

The next morning, I wake at 6:30, shower, put on my uniform and head to the Mess Hall, eat my breakfast, and then head to the Powers R&D Lab. Inside, I see Dr.Sing, as well as a man, with a strong chin, sharp nose, light eyebrows and dirty blond hair. I can't quite make out his eyes. He turns to me, and in Lucas's voice, says "oh, Mark, how are you? I haven't seen you in weeks! You wanted to talk to me?"

"Yes, I did. I want to go through the training to become a frontline soldier." I say.

Lucas looks a bit taken aback, "Fr...frontline? But you can't see?"

"Actually he has developed some kind of echolocation, one that also allows him to see colour," Dr. Sing said.

"But what about his gravity powers? Those are far too valuable and rare to risk losing like that!" Lucas retorts.

"He can lift at most a pebble and can remove only a few ounces of weight off an object. Those powers are near useless," Dr. Sing says calmly. "He can only get better with his echolocation through constant and rigorous use, one witch the training will provide."

"Fine," Lucas almost shouted, "I'll talk to the General!"