The Ability Era

9: The Boredom of Mastermind

Lena Albrecht

"All prisoners are to follow the guards to their designated ships," the speakers of the prison said. All the cell doors opened. Lena could already see the androids being lined up first. She was confused. All prisoners? Does that mean everyone is conscripted to the tournament?

"Lena you're daydreaming again," her cellmate Savannah said patting her head. Lena couldn't help but smile. Savannah had become her best friend in her time here. Lena knew Savannah still had feelings for her but she just didn't feel the same way. A few years ago, they had attempted a relationship but Lena just didn't feel that Savannah was the one. Lena began to gather her things mostly the devices she had made and put them in her pants. Hopefully they wouldn't be searched.

The speaker came on once again this time with the voice of Mastermind.

"We're going to have so much fun. I have organized a special event that will include ALL of the high threat prisoners. That's right! You're all conscripted. I understand this might be hard on some of you but trust me, your death will serve a good cause. My entertainment of course. As always, last person standing gets their freedom. Everyone else must go! You'll have plenty of time so don't worry about me interfering and stuff. Camping is a valid strategy! With that I'm off. Have fun out there!"

"Holy sh-" Savannah was about to say.

"In line inmate!" One of the guards yelled pushing her into a line. He was bald and had blue eyes. He separated Lena from her and put Lena in a separate line. Savannah tried to sneak over but the guards were watching all of them and she was held back.

"I'll find you!" she said as their lines diverged going opposite directions in the hallways.

"Stay alive!" Lena called back.

Her line continued straight past the other blocks where the other prisoners were being escorted some in the same direction as Lena's the other the same direction as Savannah's. Lena knew that the one group would go to the area of Slaughter City, the others were spread out in the countryside. She did not know which she would go to. She hoped that she would not go to the city but she also feared for Savannah's safety. Though Savannah had an ability. Not a great one though.

"Hey we're Block A buddies," some guy whispered behind her. She turned to see a short brown haired man with a bowl cut and a monocle.

"Want to team up?" he asked.

"Hey can I get in on this?" the person behind monocle guy said. It was an Asian android woman with a buzz cut and a diagonal scar over her mouth.

"You are?" the guy with the monocle asked.

"Miranda. Droid of Defiance."

"Well I mean... Ugh okay diversity right? I'm not a bigot!" he said. "Hey you! You're cute. Wanna join this squad?" he called to a girl who looked like a teenager. She looked awfully normal and too pretty to be in prison, she had long brown hair that was French braided and sparkling large blue eyes.

"Sure!" she said walking over with a smile.

"Sweet!" Monocle guy said.

"What's your name?" she asked.

"Nestor. Stupid I know. Just call me Ness," he said. "The robot is Miranda, and this nice girl is..."

"Lena," she told them.