Formatted

Prologue

  The filtered sun shone high above the dome. Today's was especially bright, so much that the sparkle could almost be detected from beneath the protective screen. However, those closest to it were focused on anything but that. Twelve men and women are gathered around an ornate cherrywood table. Everything about them was eagle sharp, from the cropped hair, the tight suits, the cold, calculating eyes. A broad-shouldered man with graying hair clears his throat, breaking the silence. "Miss Key, I just want to thank you for filling in for Madam Fess."

  The woman he spoke to smiles in response and nods politely. "Of course, Mr. Chairman. The Director wants me to apologize on her behalf for missing the meeting. She feels just awful she couldn't come." There are a couple of quiet coughs from the other end of the table and the Chairman's eyes flick sternly towards the dark-haired boys as they look away peevishly. Miss Key silently reaches into the large duffel bag next to her chair and produces a thick, three-ringed binder. Pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose, she flicks through the pages before addressing the rest of the group. "Based on the recent 2520 survey, criminal activity has declined since 2510 by 30%. This means that since starting the reform in 2420, criminal violence and brutality has gone down by 200%." Key glances down to flick through a few more pages. "Hellen Ramsay is working with us to start an experimental trial for her new mind neutralizer, which will calm patients prior to The Formatting process and effectively decrease damage to the brain. I believe that pressing forward and continuing these measures will pave the way for a safer and more productive future for-"

  Slam!  The door flies open without warning and slams into the wall with a deadening thud. In steps a man clothed in bulletproof darkness, armed with a syringe-tipped gun. A tall woman steps out from behind him, arms crossed. Her long silver hair hangs just above the small of her back and her tight black suit only greatens her air of dominance. She looks out across the room and settles her sharp blue eyes on Miss Key. She lifts a delicate brow and nods towards the man. "That's her."

  The Chairman stands, confused written all over his face. "Madam Fess, are you feeling better?"

  The woman turns towards Key. "I am feeling incredible. We've finally caught the little vixen who's been breaking in to steal our files." Madam Fess gives the other woman a warm yet dangerous smile. "You've caused us quite a bit of trouble, Ren Locke."

  Her face twisted in shock, Ren's dull brown eyes widen. "I don't know what you're talking about, Ma'am."

  The director laughs cruelly. "Oh come now, you're too smart to think we would believe that."

  Ren sighs and reaches towards her bag. "I don't understand what's happening, but maybe this will help to explain things." Madam Fess looks at her hand in curiosity as Ren withdraws a file from the bag. "Now this here is..." Bang! Before the guard can seize her, Ren whips out a tiny handgun and shoots him in the thigh. The dark-haired duo at the end of the table lunges towards her as he falls, each brandishing a sparking nightstick. Ren smiles before reaching up and whipping off her glasses. As the frames come away, a pair of glowing indigo eyes are exposed. The other members shudder and shrink back as her light intensifies. Her two attackers groan in pain and briefly shield their eyes, not used to the unprotected light. However, they recover quickly and proceed with renewed vigor. Hurling the gun at the director's face and getting to her feet, Ren reaches into the folds of her skirt and whips out two pistols large. They are jet black, flecked with indigo lines. She runs towards the pair, guns aimed, before sidestepping and striking both men in the temples with the butt of the gun. As they fall, she uses their bodies as stepping stones to climb on top of the table. 

  She smirks at The Madam as she nurses a broken and bloodied nose. The woman snarled and kicks the guard in his wound. "Get up, weakling! If you let her get away, I swear I'll have your brain fried!" Wordlessly, the guard gets to his feet and stomps forward, fists clenched. Ren raises a brow, meant not for the guard, but for the director. The guard flips onto the table and advances. He swings wildly for her face. Ren dodges his initial blow and kicks his uninjured leg, hard. Clang! Her foot connects painfully with his kneecap. It's metal. The guard stumbles as raw fury finally fills his eyes. Ren can smell his coppery blood. A flash of steel, a switchblade appears in his palm. The guard lashes out at Ren. She steps around him, but not in time; the blade strikes her shoulder and runs along the edge, the sharp teeth biting her flesh. Gritting her teeth, she grabs the guard's wrist and twists with unbridled rage. He lets out a cry of pain as shards of pale bone poke through his flesh. "You little bastard! Apologize at once!" Ren screams in his face, high on adrenaline. 

  The man screams and falls to his knees, the anger fading from his eyes. "Please-" he chokes, grabbing her hand.

  "No? Well, cowards such as yourself deserve no penance!" With that, Ren pulls him forward and stomps on the crease of his arm with the heel of her titanium boots. There was a wet crunch accompanied by the horrified screams of the other members. The guard fell, cheekbone slamming into the table with a deadening thud, and didn't move again.

  With one last smile at Madam Fess, Ren Locke ran straight towards the window. The window shattered and glass arched from the aperture. The Director ducked and approached the window, flicking a strand of silver hair out of her eyes. She looks down on the world below, but the countless vehicles completely obscure the street. A small girl who had been otherwise silent stood up. Her tan skin had remained completely unscathed, but her hazel eyes were wide and terrified. "Ma'am?" She asks, staring at the Director.

  "Silence, Gemma !" The woman doesn't even glance at the girl but her sharp tone is enough to frighten her into silence- for a few tense moments.

  Gemma takes a shuddery breath. "Madam, I'm so sorry to bother you. But who was-"

  Bang!

   Wordlessly pulling out a gun, Madam Fess shot the girl without even looking at her If any of the members had had some superhuman power, they could've seen what happened to the bullet before it struck Gemma. They could've seen the way it blossomed in the air, and what came out. But they didn't. All anyone saw was a flash of silver hitting Gemma in the right temple. All they ever noticed of her was the booming thud of her death.