A complex of flats comes into view. Structurally only just holding together from the mixture of out of date building materials with remnant scaffolding littering the overall frame of the apartments. Sticking out like a sore thumb in comparison to the immense sky high pristine white buildings littering the city gleaning with the essence of money.
One of the provided military flats pales in comparison to the others having more amenities and equipment but disparaged nonetheless. The door creaks open and a trail of thick smoke follows. A young man steps into the apartment and a cigarette adorned his lips. Exhaling as he looks back.
"Raven. I'm going now." His eyes cast a sincere and affirming gaze, the forming future bringing anxiety and chaos with it but even still he chooses to continue to face it.
"Wish me luck". A frail sprouting of optimism finds its way into a smile for him as he tries to pick up his gloomy expression.
The young man looks to his sister now, fierce determination surging forward the support she's given him wont go in vain. His fingers instinctively start to curl into a fist a subconscious expression of resolve.
"Please be safe Blake, you know I worry, life has been hard on you. But you shouldn't run yourself into the ground trying to prove everyone wrong." Raven's melancholy becomes thicker as it leaks into her voice at the memories of the tortuous past they have had to go through.
"I have to give this my all sis, so afterward I can live without regret!" Blakes exclaims as his eyes look towards the horizon of his desired future encapsulated in his mind, while tightening the bandage where his left arm would be. A gnarled stump is seen instead, the severing clearly not being clean in the slightest.
"I won't push too hard". Blake gives her a comforting smile through his white lie, while pulling a cigarette from his dad's old cigarette holder, the familiar silver star in the middle meets his eye as his thumb brushes against it reminiscing.
"Fondness is the last thing I have for dads old smoking habit. Especially now you're picking it up". Raven's disappointment fills her expression as she lets out an irritated sigh.
"Raven I have told you before, i'm well aware it isn't healthy at all but it's what I have to get me through. It's no excuse but it's my way of handling." Blake says trying to explain his reasoning before his sister can chew him out further.
"When I smoke I can cope with this cruel world easier than without and it almost feels as though dad is with me sharing in my smoke, it's comforting". He says with a bitter melancholy.
"Fine I won't push this any further but please be safe". She says before becoming an unneeded thorn in his side before his big event.
Blake slings his messenger bag over his shoulder the galaxy design giving off an old sense of nostalgia stirring a longing for something so impossibly far away.
He hugs his sister warmly embracing her fully as he pats the back of head. A comforting smile forms on Blake, with that all Raven can do is send her brother off.
"Please be safe Blake, please." Ravens thoughts scream out in worry and guilt.
Taking his leave, Blake puts on his old black boots clearly showing signs of wear and tear on the tread and the stitching. Looking back at his run down government given house and ironic display of luxury housing parallels it. The differences are night and day to those deemed useful, looking at the complete disparity his sombre green eyes continue to gaze at the inequality dragging his cigarette as his mind screams out that this will change.
Checking the time on the translucent screen of his phone, a slight projection is emitted into his view alerting him he's behind schedule to the finals, a desperate sprint enters his mind seeing the dwindling time.
Biting down on his cigarette not to lose it. He attaches some black metal glowing attachments as he fixes them onto his boots.
Having an interest in technology since his youth; this is one of his oldest creations. Having had multiple iterations in design before the incident. Within the year 2400 there's a vast amount of knowledge and technology available at people's fingertips.
His father being in a different position, allowed even more knowledge and information to be accessible to him then most. Allowing him to become renowned on the planet for his works that have managed to contribute to humanities overall knowledge. The Asteria name has since been rooted in a lot of the budding technology. However now though its barely known, slowly dying out in the field.
Blake's father would often spend time with his son showing him a vast array of knowledge that most would consider a blessing to experience at such a young age. After a while of this his father asked him.
"What item do you want to make, whatever you decide I'll help you make it, son"!? This was the gateway for Blake's love of technology. After much deliberation Blake finally came to a conclusion on what he wanted to make. Settling for an interesting form of transport.
Electromagnetic hover attachments that would attach to the soles of most shoes, his dad had helped to adapt his son's creation to work off solar energy and electricity for the safest and efficient form of energy on his feet.
His dad forked out a decent bit of credits for the materials of his son's first item. Giving him a massive battery at the time, though they only held a charge of up to 15 minutes on its lowest setting and 5 minutes at its maximum output.
The batteries had to be small as they wanted a compact form factor of the item. Throughout the years Blake would end up using his creation a lot going through many iterations. Becoming highly reinforced now to withstand the impact of Blakes landings atrocious landings.
The attachments cling on gripping to the soles of his shoes. With a kick of his heels he begins to hover a couple inches off the ground, giving off a silent humm in the air and a bright silver emanating from the bottom of his feet.
Exhaling smoke, he taps his toes on the ground beginning to hover with more precision and power then before A chime from his attachments alerts him of high power consumption finishing his drag, he skates forward gaining speed rapidly.
"Just like the good old days huh dad". Blake says to himself killing off the rest of his cigarette, memories of his dad teaching him how to use his creation flood through.
The memory still being cringworthy to him. Him and his dad naming his first invention saying the first thing that came to mind when the two were brainstorming, mainly inspired by their use.
"I've got it KeepUps"! Blake yells out.
"That's brilliant my son, straight to the point as it should be for any inventor." His Dad begins to laugh.
His father engraves the name into the attachments. Ever since his dads passing Blake has been straightforward in their name showing no embarrassment to honour his dad's memory and faith in his ability.
It's whilst reminiscing in this memory he nearly manages to merge his skull with a tall metal pole as usual his habit of daydreaming while surfing the roads acts up nearly taking him out of the picture.
Having been used to this old habit of his, Blake manages to sidestep the crippling pole pushing off the side of his right foot's arc. Thanking his dad again for making him practise with his inventions.
Starting to pick up the pace managing to go through sidesections and allies traversing the city with ease avoiding getting hit by hover cars and bikes in the process. A partial silver blur follows behind him, having nearly been hit multiple times at this point. The pristine picturesque skyscrapers dominate his view of the cloudy sky above him.
Arriving at one of his last vestiges of hope, the military school. The battery in his Keepups gives out an alert and sends him careening forward from the momentum crashing into the entrance of the military school.
"They really want to send their message, the whole parking lot using Regencrete. I don't even want to think of the bill". Blake says his eyes pulled to the dull grey and shining white.
The grandiose skyscraper, almost piercing the heavens fills his view now. Floor after floor of glass and titanium make up the building. Multiple exams running at a time on each floor. Not a dime spared on the materials to make this building immaculate. Regaining his balance. He looks up at it and his resolve is reaffirmed.
"I will prove them wrong." Blake says through flashes of his highschool memories, the helplessness and vulnerability being a tormenting memory for him as he struggled to deal with the constant abuse with no power to retaliate.
Everyone would always tend to look down on him for his grim situation. Clearly showing the mindset. It's a dog eat dog world. However, today is the day he proves to himself that he is more than that more then a runt meant to lie over and die.
Ascending the worn down stairs showing clear signs of the traffic towards the entrance of the exam building its sheer size gives Blake vertigo viewing its entirety. As he ascends the steps immediately he's spun round in a circle by a flash of orange.
"Oh sorry about that my name's Kiara I'm 18 and I'm mainly known for my iconic orange." Kiara says in an artillery of words.
"I tend to move really fast. It's not entirely in my control so I go a million miles a minute normally." She exclaims before letting out a bit of an exaggerated breathe for air. Her bright hazel eyes meet his as she extends a hand to Blake now she pulls him up from the floor.
"It takes me a moment to slow down, especially when I'm nervous, especially with this exam." She says in a flurry of speech, shaking like a fizzing soda ready to burst.
"Noted", Blake begins detaching his KeepUps clearing showing his disinterest in this person clearly being apprehensive with new people worried if the pattern of abuse will continue, a shielding of sorts. Storing the Keepups in their respective pouch aptly sewn with a star on it.
"I'm guessing you're late as well by your excessive speed and overall nervousness?" Blake looks at the jittering mess or orange before him.
"Thankfully I've just completed mine, my parents made sure I passed swiftly". A nervous chuckle escapes her as thinking about the preparation she had to take for the exam.
"Lucky you". Envy fills his voice as jealousy starts to form the thought of anyone lending a helping hand to him would have been a godsend even now.
"Did you make those yourself, are you a legendary mechanic or something"? Kiara blurts out as she glances over at Blake, storing away his KeepUps. Her hazel eyes light up with curiosity.
"Do you build everything by yourself? She says in awe as curiosity beams out of her eyes.
"If you do, I don't know how you do it with one arm". She giggles before realising her lack of filter regretting the comment.
"Sorry, sorry my bad i got carried away and forgot boundaries again.." Kiara explains with over exaggerated hand gestures as she blurs her sentences by how fast she's going. Blake pinches the bridge of his nose from the overload of information.
"It's fine, yes I do make my own equipment and yes it is a wonder i can still do it with one arm. No I wouldn't say I'm a legendary mechanic more of my own thing which I'm still figuring out. Before you ask, yes this item helped me not be late today". Blake sighs as he explains every detail he can think of to slow Kiaras roll.
"I've always had a fascination for inventors, they can design things to imitate what powers can do." Kiara says in awe as her eyes stare at Blake in pure wonder.
"There's not many that go into that profession anymore, everyone just focuses on their powers. I have not had much exposure to them at all. Wanna be friends?" Kiara asks matter of factly letting curiosity get the better of her. An innocent wonder pours out of her warm expression.
"Why would you want to hang out with someone like me with no power? He says as confusion surges throughout his mind, the irregularity of this makes no sense to him.
"Unlike you, I don't have any powers. My genes were already examined and I'm told that I have nothing to awaken. Just your average joe i guess." Blake says bitterly his grim reality makes itself ever present.
"Can you really be fine with a friend like that?" He asks, hesitating at the prospect of an actual friend. Worry and fear of another friendship going bad or fake protrude his mind.
"It's perfectly fine with me, you're the first person in a while to actually want to keep talking with me for more than five minutes without getting fed up with me". She says pressing her fingers together before rubbing the back of her head as another flurry of words escape her forming an explanation. Her speedy sense of humour makes it hard for Blake to keep up or react.
"You seem like a good person as well so I'm going to trust my gut and go with my own views on you, Okay?" Kiara smiles, the innocent naivety of the world is seen clearly on her as she extends a hand to Blake. Hearing no response from Blake she takes that as a yes, forcing a handshake of sorts a chime is heard as Kiara's watch shares the data across to Blakes devices.
"Alright then we'll hang out sometime soon. Here's my number to get a hold of me. I wish you luck in the upcoming exam!" She yells out before disappearing in an orange blur of speed. Blake, still confused over his new found friendship yells out to Kiara.
"You too!"Blake roars out, the loneliness and solitude he's experienced for so long starts to melt away a little like sun hitting ice thanks to her.
*RING RING RING, THE FINALS SHALL BEGIN IN 5 MINUTES*. A loud robotic voice chimes out throughout the exam site letting its monotone voice be heard by everyone in the facility.
Still getting over the shock of this encounter he finally begins to ascend the stairs, preparing to move forward in his life even with all the cards that have been dealt to him and against him.
Hey all, I hope you all are enjoying gene system so far. If you like my work feel free to check out my new story as well Demon Spirit System. It's going to be released alongside gene system and already have a lot of ideas in the works for it. Thank you all again for reading my work all the best now friends :D
All participants are given a fair chance, powers or not. Anyone to pass is deemed fit to enter our ranks. The military school being an iron fist of power weeding out the weak and controlling the younger generation in a mixture of fear and order established mainly due to the potential threat of interplanetary war.
The exams are based on the performance of the battle and how long they can last against an unfamiliar threat. The grading goes in order from F to S. Earth hasn't had many visitors in a couple of centuries, the universe around them seemingly going quiet to their presence.The threats humanity are facing currently however are numerous and lurking in the shadows, only revealing themselves when the time is right and in their favour.
Earth found it the highest priority to train and control the next generation of powerhouses to survive against all possible threats with brutal efficiency. So oblivion does not claim humanity as it nearly did.
The last time earth had any visitors, it was a massacre that was seared into the memories of all the life existing there at the time, only half of humanity surviving to tell the tale to future generations. With the aid of ancient technology a decent portion of human knowledge and history was preserved only accessible to those with the power to do so.
The genes of the previous generations were thoroughly meddled with in the process of these oncoming visitors as if they had decided to advance the human genome, only after two centuries did a massive change occur in response to this meddling. Powers, a new concept entirely for humanity.
After a while an equal playing field was painstakingly established against unknown extraterrestrial threats. Due to earth being an infant planet compared to the others in terms of their overall technical compatibility in the solar system they were at an obvious disadvantage compared to others.
Earth in response to the past travesties, began enforcing all the youths on the planet to undergo military training at their respected locations. They'll either find the strong ones or make them.
The importance of these exams are paramount for the younger generations. They determine their overall future on the planet. If they will be deemed useful or not. If not, the military deem them useless. If so they are cast aside to the lowest levels of society where most turn a blind eye to those squirming in squalor.
Normally these people are restricted to the most mundane and mediocre life available, not being able to climb any sort of career path whilst lacking all lot of the main necessities and support that most would have. Oftentimes being segregated from opportunities, these people have learned there is no help and they began fostering a burning hatred.
However the military can be more than cruel, often informing the less fortunate weaker people that supplies are needed for the useful. This tends to lead the quality of life of these people to plummet to a bottomless freefall in comparison to those that are deemed useful.
Making his way past the entrance the stairs led up to, Blake is met with a pristine facility stern professionalism reflects at him as he enters. Being guided further in by the immaculate walls reflecting his dishevelled appearance his grungy dark green cargo jacket shows off its battle scars in the reflective walls as he's finally met with the other contestants.
"Power or no power"? The examiner bluntly asks, almost taking delight in asking.
"No."Blake says sternly, trying to wrestle his emotions into submission.
"Only 3 limbs as well." The examiner says as he writes it down mockingly in his registry.
Trying to alleviate his forming stress and anxiety, the familiar flick of his dads cigarette holder is heard comforting him in the process. Pulling out his favourite brand of smoke. A utopian cigarette finds its way onto Blakes lips followed by the lick of a flame.
The examiner notices this, not wanting to let Blake get off easy he chimes in again with a hint of malice in his voice.
"We have a no smoking rule on premises. But for a cripple like you we can make an exception". The examiner says with a sneering patronising tone mocking Blake. The verbal whipping agitated Blake much more than it would normally.
Walking into the exam room now Blake is met by all of the other contestants crammed into one space. The nervous crowd of contestants puts a sense of unease in Blake. The gravity of this exam starts to crash down on him now.His mind is scattered, over the importance of him passing. His inner monologue ran wild.
''If I don't pass this there will be an incredibly small chance of me getting a slot in the retakes. I need to pass this, after everything I've sacrificed I will pass this. Raven won't have to look after her vulnerable older brother anymore.'' Blake affirms to himself as his fingers begin to curl into a first of resolve.
The military gave Blake some mercy and assigned him an assistant for his preparation before the exam. An old philosophy from his father comes forward.
"Remember son if you're up against a wall you just need to create a way through." His fathers words loom in the back of his memory.
A flash of inspiration comes crashing down on him like a lightning bolt. Looking towards his assistant Blake asks him a question.
"If I'm allowed some prep time, then is it okay to visit the military workshop?" Blake questions looking at his assistant lazily working up a snore.
Thinking his job was going to be cakewalk the assistant is met with a grim surprise seeing that the boy before him has more fire than expected considering his situation.
"You are allowed, do you need me to guide you there?" The assistant says through gritted teeth trying to maintain his professionalism through his irritation, annoyed over the prospect of having to actually do work.
Making their way to the workshop, the assistant reminds Blake he has three hours max to prepare for the exam. However this goes in one ear and out the other as Blake sees the wealth of materials available before him in the workshop.
"This is ten times my rent for the month." His mouth fully agape at what he has at his fingertips to work with. A previously impossible idea now starts to surface in Blake's mind.
''Ever since the incident I haven't been the same. I can't compete with the others because of what I'm lacking. So why don't I just build a new arm? These materials should serve me well considering they are provided by the military''. Blakes mind whirs into action as more and more ideas start to brew within his neurons.
He begins to rapidly run through different designs going through multiple drafts and sketches Blake manages to perform a rush job on this creation. Rapidly scribbling out the sketch of his new arm in an almost chicken scratch way of writing.
"Since I'm under a time limit I won't be able to make the fingers operable so a locking mechanism should suffice for now, but I can at least get the wrist to rotate. As long as I can get the general form down though it should be alright." Blake mutters to himself as he runs through lots of different sketches and ideas.
The assistant slowly slips into sleep, trying his best not to alert the focused Blake. Finally taking a drag from his outed cigarette Blake looks over his sketch one more time to make sure he's put all he can with the limited time he has. Finishing the final touches of the sketch the blueprints for his new arm are now complete.
Gathering a variety of materials in front of him now Blake can't help but be greedy, after all it's all provided by the military. Who knows when he'll get a chance like this again. Blake sparks another cigarette before getting to work.
Going over to his assistant seeing him clearly enjoying his snooze he flicks some red hot ash in his face. Jolting the disrespectful assistant awake to do his job properly. Directing his lazy assistant now without remorse. Blake gets to work on making himself a prosthetic. Finally being able to make something of use with the materials being provided to him.
Directing the assistant, Blake instructs him on how to properly cut the metal into the shape he needs. Finishing the final touches and any flaws that the assistant will undoubtedly make. Considering his lack of concern for Blakes finals.
Finally after a while he has the steel shaped into plates and frameworks, now he just needs to work on installing the internals and the plates on the framework. Connecting the internals to the wrist, Blake prepares an ace in his sleeve as he finishes his addition of a red button on the shoulder.
"Let's hope I don't need this." Blake mutters to himself.
Finally going on to fitting the plating a rough attempt at a prosthetic arm is made. He still is grateful all the same no matter what quality it is. Most prosthetics tend to cost you an arm and a leg and he doesn't have many limbs left as it is.
Screwing together the final parts of the prosthetic and tightening everything in place Blake can finally give it a test drive. Ecstatic over having two arms again especially since the new one is holding together.
"For a first attempt this isn't bad" Blake is impressed with his own work.
He leaves his final touch on the new prosthetic, his dads old symbol the shining silver star. Remembering his dads inspiration for the symbol.
''A star's light can shine through some of the darkest of places in anyone and anywhere that's why this is my symbol. Son, know this, there is always light within the darkness''. His dads words flash by as the paint job is finished.
"You have 15 minutes left, kid." The assistant chimes in his lazy tone indicative of his lack of care. He says picking at his nose.
"You didn't think to tell me a little earlier." Blake roars out as a flush of anger surfaces on Blakes face.
"Not really no." A nonchalant tone is heard in the assistant's voice sending Blake into a seething irritation.
"You know you really are useless." Blake says picking up his outed cigarette, relighting it trying to relieve his stress.
With the time that Blake has left he decides to take a gamble. He put his Keepups on max to get here on time. However he has to go all out if he wants to be able to pass this exam.
Without hesitation he starts to plug his keepups into the wall force feeding them as much electricity as their capacitors can handle.Taking a huge risk on the keepups praying they don't buckle under the strain.
After 10 minutes or so the Keepups are fully charged and are humming with excessive energy. Storing them away in his pouch now. With what time he has to spare, he attaches his newly built prosthetic.
Trying to get used to it in what little time he has left. The bulky reinforced steel arm looks rough and out of place looking like boxes of metal stitched together almost looking fresh out of a junkyard. But for Blake this gives him a huge sense of relief just the feeling of bodily balance returning is enough joy for him right now.
"You know kid, I really didn't think you would come up with something like this, especially with what little time you had. Not bad". The assistant chimes in over Blakes satisfaction whilst continuing to dig for gold in his nose.
"No thanks to you." Blake scoffs rolling his green eyes, his anger is evident in the lack of remorse in his tone. Leaving the workshop now, Blake hurries to make the finals on time, yet again.
Tightening the final straps on his prosthetic in place, making sure his stump is secure, it's clunky at first but soon some of the phantom memories of his old arm guide him. Finally managing to store away his keepups.
"I can do this." Blake says letting out a solemn sigh as he forces himself into the unknown. Clenching his fist, steeling his determination one more time.
"Not to burst your bubble or anything kid but your examiner, i heard is going to be the renowned rookie crusher". The assistant chuckles delivering this news trying to piss on his bonfire, whilst guiding him to the exam site. Showing little to know care in the world for him.Finally arriving, the assistant is relieved.
"Thank god, alright kid, my work is done here". The assistant joyously starts to leave Blake now.
"DID YOU EVEN DO ANY WORK!" Blake roars out grinding his teeth together over how useless that assistant was. The rest of the cigarette he had left now burned to the end for Blakes sanity.
Hey all, I hope you all are enjoying gene system so far. If you like my work feel free to check out my new story as well Demon Spirit System. It's going to be released alongside gene system and already have a lot of ideas in the works for it. Thank you all again for reading my work all the best now friends :D
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