The Core

Her eyes lifted amidst the flurry of freezing air rushing around her gasping as she inhaled the bitter cold. The door above her slowly lifted and dozens of tubes disconnected from her arms and legs. She was locked inside of an old lab with dust covered monitors & equipment. The word ‘veto’ & the command to keep the heart shaped locket around her neck close to her sprang into her slowly waking memory. She reached for the locket, relieved as she felt the cold steel hanging loosely upon her chest.

“Wake sequence initiated” a computerized voice announced from outside of the glass wall that separated her from the room. A hologram appeared before her in the image of a man she recognized immediately. Her Father was older than she remembered and seemed flustered. “Lana, welcome back. I know you’re confused at where and when you are, but I don’t have much time and I need to say so many things. The last time you were awake was 3004. The world is nothing as you remember it. Gangs took over after Earth was deemed no longer safe for long-term life. The privileged were granted access to a sky city called Earth Moon 4 while those who remained now live in a state of chaos. There are territories ruled by gang leaders which are the safest places to be now. If you are awake that means we don’t have much time and the Core must be initiated. You have access to the wake sequence which I’ve hidden in your memories. As they return, you’ll know exactly what must be done. Trust your instincts and no one else.” The door behind her father began to shake as someone attempts to force their way inside. Her father remained still and focused on the screen. “I bet you’re so beautiful.” He said, tears filling his eyes. “You have everything that you need, don’t be afraid.” The door behind him breaks down and soldiers rush inside. The footage cuts off leaving Lana quivering from the horror of what may have been her fathers last words.

She attempted to lift her leg which flopped back into place making her throw her body from the chamber and on to a nearby table. She grabbed a silver bottle containing liquid that would reanimate her body quickly and drank it. Memories continued to flood in of training's, stories & her father promising one day they would save the world.

A bag near the doorway containing clothes, weapons and a micro-computer designed to integrate with her body awaited her. She quickly got dressed, and wondered if everyone she’d ever known were dead and if she was truly alone. Through the misery she felt her mission was ever clear; get to the core, initiate the sequence, and drive it into the heart of the Earth.

The microcomputer which she inserted into her flesh immediately activated and began downloading files into her mind. The location of the Core flashed as a mental image detailing the 2-day trek she had in front of her. It was located just outside of a gang territory she had little information on, The Rasser Clan territory. The map showed 2 other territories she needed to pass through and scored each area’s threat level. The computer calculated she had a 50% chance of surviving her journey which was the percentage her father always said was the perfect stage for perseverance.

She reached for the carbon fiber mouth breather in her bag and activated the filter connected to the bottom. The map directed her towards the first territory under the reign of The Moon Clan. They were peaceful, productive and powerful controlling the last unsullied water supply and one of the largest military forces. The Moon Clan’s customs were inspired by their pirate trade roots, meaning they must offer aid if an adequate trade is presented. She would need a hefty payment to get into the city,

After opening the doors to the lab a self-destruct sequence initiated leaving her with 30 seconds to clear the area. She was shocked at how much worse the outside world had become. The sky was discolored and the land was cracked and parched accompanied by carnivorous trees that were in place of all vegetation. They were engineered to feed off the bodies of humans and emit the ingested C02 to counteract the heavily polluted air. She downloaded news stories detailing how the disoriented seasons and elements caused snow, acidic rain and hail to fall all at once. The Earth seemed to be dying a slow, confused, and painful death.

Her Father along with a team of the world’s most brilliant minds were tasked with finding a way to save the planet. Her father would succeed, but there were many that wanted the brilliance of his discovery for themselves.

He created a machine called The Core after discovering the formula for vitality allowing him to yield a powerful energy that could regenerate dying organisms and cells. Her Father died protecting his invention forcing him to entrust the brutal mission to his then 8-year-old daughter, Lana. Stowing her in a sleep chamber after faking her death, he made sure that she would awaken only when the world neared its final cycle of life.

The towering metal gates of the Moon Clan territory were in sight. The city looked normal a part from there being one way in and only one other way out. The gates were heavily guarded by unnaturally tall disfigured men who had mutated from radiation pollution.

“Your business here?” The grotesque giant asked beneath his mask. “I’m passing through and need water, I have rechargeable batteries to barter. “You must be new in town; we haven’t seen those in decades.” The giant asked waiting for her response. Lana said nothing as she waited to be granted entrance. The giant grinned at her bravery and motioned the gates to open. “You’re not going to check me for weapons?” Lana asked stepping through the door. “If you try anything you won’t get far.” The giants laughed.

The inside of the city was well formed with several armed men patrolling the streets staring into the crowd intently. She quickly made her way to the barter station trading more batteries for a fill of her canteen while searching for the exit. “Looking for something?” A small boy in tattered clothing asked. “No.” Lana answered not paying the child much mind. “You’re not from this territory I bet you’re looking for the exit. If you pay, I can show you where it is.” “Why would I trust you?” Lana asked skeptically. “If you don’t leave soon, you won’t leave at all.” The child said pointing towards the guards who were looking in their direction holding the batteries she’d just bartered. “Deal.” Lana confirmed quickly. “First, payment for the favor.” the boy commanded folding his arms. Lana retrieved a bag of cotton of seeds and a small pot of soil from her bag. “How would you like to make yourself some new clothes?” Lana asked holding the items in front of him. The boy excitedly took them. “This way.” he said running through the crowd.

Lana hurried behind as they approached the back gate that was guarded by more giants. “Give them something simple to open the door, anymore extravagant gifts and you won’t make it out of here.” The boy whispered running off. “Present your parting gift.” The giant said. Lana slightly opened her bag and handed over a handful of copper wires. The giant stepped aside and the door opened. Lana dropped the wires in the bin and rushed through the doorway.

She knew the next ordeal wouldn’t be this easy, it would take hours to reach the Wae Clan city and the outskirts of this territory were dangerous. The computer also warned of robbers and Biodene addicts. Biodene was a drug speculated to originate from the Rasser clan that drives its users mad with intense cravings for human flesh. As terrifying as these cannibals were, they were minuscule compared to the other mutated hybrid like beings lurking.

After hours of marching, the Wae clans’ moat like city came into view. It was nicknamed the City of Silence due to no one a part from leaders being allowed to speak. Their boarders were shared with blind mutated jackals that could hear noises from vast distances. These beasts hunted at night and were kept at bay by the tar like substance surrounding the city.

She walked steadfast towards the front of the deep trench and a drawbridge cascaded down resting on the dry land. Three men in carbon fiber armor approached her carrying a black satchel. They silently motioned her towards them and after a few steps, instructed her to halt. One of the men opened the black bag and rolled a severed human head down the bridge. Lana had never seen a dead body before and cringed at the sight of what came towards her. She stopped the head with the bottom of her foot, pausing while keeping eye contact. She swiftly kicked the head into the tar river and shook her finger at them. They continued to stare but began nodding among themselves. As she had passed the Biodene test, the gates to the city opened.

With only one day left to make it the Core, she prayed for things to go smoothly once inside.

She bartered more seeds for a room at an inn and quickly learned the people here did not require much gesturing to communicate. They seemed trapped inside of an existence that no outsider would be able to comprehend.

The room was quaint with only a bed, small table and chair inside. She tossed unable to sleep comfortably on top of the flat blankets piled to create a mattress. Finally, her eyes grew weary from the days walk and fell.

Suddenly, she woke to a bag being placed over her head and her arms and legs being bound. She was carted up several stairs and finally settled into a chair. The bag was removed and the inside of a lavishly decorated room was revealed. The room was sound proofed and filled with treasures of the past Lana hadn’t seen since her childhood. “I know who you are girl,” A man standing by a window boasted. Lana remained silent. “Your father taught you well, but not how to be discreet. Did you think trading cotton seeds to a child would be smart? There are spies in every city.” He chuckles. “What happened to the boy?” Lana asked angrily. “He cooperated so he lives, but one thing is certain, you will not be making it to The Core.” Lana’s eyes widened. “All the gang leaders from every territory are on their way here to watch you be executed. We heard whispers of a fable that the daughter of Doctor Borne lived. When my head guard saw that heart locket around your neck, he recognized your face. He worked with your father and even went to your fake funeral.” He said waiting for Lana’s response. “Don’t you understand, the Earth is dying and so will everything on it If I don’t get to the Core.” She said pleading with him. “ So it does exist! Your father found the formula for vitality. You know, people have been saying for decades that Earth is dying and we’re still here! Me & the other territory leaders like the way that things are, & we plan to keep them this way.” He said with a smirk.

The computer calculated her percentage of escape to be 50% asking if she wanted to engage program ‘Veto’. It was in that moment where she remembered the function of the heart locket.

“Veto.” Lana whispered. The locket lifted from her chest and sent out an electric pulse causing everyone around her to faint.

She would wait for other Clans to arrive before she left for the final territory where the hardest part yet would require another stage of perseverance.