Narrator: ...The year is 2155, and an incredible discovery has been made; LAND. Just when the world was on the brink of overpopulation and lacked the area necessary to continue our existence, an entirely new continent the size of Australia rose from the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. The cause was due to the continued plate shifting created by our constant damage to the Earth, and as you can imagine it brought destruction with it. This new land caused a major uprising between the governments of the world, for no one could easily decide who would own it. Feeling as if they had no over options, another major war broke out. All parties agreed to avoid a nuclear catastrophe knowing it would only destroy the one thing they all needed most. While every government on the planet slowly crumbled from funding their military pursuits, corporate superpowers swooped in and picked up the pieces. One corporation known as GAMA now owns every previously established government through wealth and fear. With all of the world at their disposal they focused on the new plans for an ideal society built upon the foundation of logic and science. In that time human kind had reached many breakthroughs in modern science, but none came close to their creation of artificial intelligence. Soon all machines were implemented with A.I. traits. Not long after that, our new global government took notice and gave them special citizenship rights to the various nations. This race of living machines was given the name, Wohmaschines. A global police force was then crafted to protect humans and Wohmaschines alike and restore peace to the continents after months of harsh war. This agency was known as PRU , or “Priority Response Unit”. It didn't take long before signs of corruption among its members sprung up, and there was a debate for power over PRU and GAMA. As the world fell into a stream of war, death, technology, and evil...several scientists sought to find a solution. They agreed that since our problems began with technology, they will end with technology. So they tried to create a device that would finally return peace and harmony to their dying world. Their dream was left to a lone scientist, one who was capable of great things on his own. This is where his story ends...and another heroes begins...
(The scene opens on two men in a laboratory. One is a scruffy young man wearing a standard lab coat, and the other is a playboy styled youth wearing an expensive suit and is gazing into the foggy pod next to him. The pod is glowing and there are several flashing tubes coming out of the back panel. The man in the suit is Anthony Lanhorn, head of GAMA, and the scientist is his lead on their project. Lanhorn moves closer to the pod.)
Lanhorn: ...It's indescribably beautiful...
Scientist: It sure is. And its functions are almost complete. Only a few moments longer and we'll have created the most powerful Wohmaschine the world has ever known.
Lanhorn: How long until it's fully grown and its systems are functional?
Scientists: Approximately...twelve years from today.
(Lanhorn looks deep into the tube and grins to himself.)
Lanhorn: Once it's grown, I'll finally be able to put my plan into motion.
Scientist: You mean our plans of course?
(Lanhorn gives a devilish smile with his back turned to the scientist.)
Lanhorn: Actually...I have plans of my own.
(Lanhorn removes a pistol from his jacket.)
Lanhorn: I'll be taking over this operation.
Scientist: What?!
(Lanhorn turns around and aims his pistol. The scientist tries to draw his weapon, but Lanhorn shoots him in the chest. He falls to the floor with his gun in hand. They aim at one another.)
Lanhorn: It's nothing personal Chris. I just can't leave any loose ends.
Chris: I can't let you take my creation from me Anthony. Too many people have some much invested in this being.
Lanhorn: Don't regard this thing as a human being. It's nothing more than a computer. Another piece of useful technology.
Chris: How can you say that?! After watching its birth...I can't let you take it.
(Chris aims at the pod and fires. The bullet pierces the seal and the dense fog fills the room. Lanhorn is blinded and moves to a corner to escape. He searches the fog for any movement, but sees none. He runs to a nozzle and turns it, and the fog disappears. Chris is gone, but his blood trail leads to an exit door. Lanhorn looks into the pod and what was once inside is gone. He pulls out a cellphone.)
Lanhorn: We've got a problem. Send a team.
(He reloads and follows the trail to the roof. Chris is on the edge of the roof holding what looks to be a large white bag. Lanhorn steps up behind him calmly.)
Lanhorn: Is that what I think it is?!
Chris: Yes. And if you shoot me...what we've worked on for the last ten years will have been for nothing!
(Lanhorn smiles and steps closer.)
Lanhorn: Come on, Chris. You don't have it in you to kill yourself. But I can help you with that.
(Lanhorn raises his pistol.)
Chris: I will decide my fate Anthony. Not you.
(Lanhorn takes another step.)
Chris: Not another step!
Lanhorn: Lets just discuss this rationally.
Chris: ...I'm not in a very negotiable mood right now...
(Lanhorn steps closer.)
Lanhorn: And what of your creation? All that work YOU did to bring us to where we are...where will that go? Be reasonable...there's no way out for you except one.
Chris: Yeah? And what way is that?
Lanhorn: ...Submission...
(Chris looks over the edge, then back down at what he's carrying. A single tear drops from his eye as he makes his decision.)
Chris: ...No...there's another way...
Lanhorn: And what way is that?
Chris: ...My creation dies with me...
(Chris drops off the roof.)
Lanhorn: NO!!!
(Lanhorn runs to the edge. He reaches it as Chris hits the street below. The PRU team he requested is landing behind him, weapons and armor at the ready. The team leader comes up to Lanhorn.)
Team Leader: Sir! We've arrived and are awaiting your orders.
(Lanhorn looks over to them casually, but this time with an unsatisfied frown.)
Lanhorn: ...Ah yes. Thank you for arriving late!
(Lanhorn shoots the team leader. He takes a moment to collect himself. Then he points to another agent.)
Lanhorn: You've just been promoted. Get down to the street quickly before someone finds them and causes us more problems.
Agent: Of course. On our way. TEAM! MOVE DOWN!
(The PRU team exits the roof and makes their way to the street to pick up Chris and his package. Lanhorn walks slowly back into the lab. He skims over the journals Chris made over the past few years. Random sentences are visible. The team leader calls him on his radio, Lanhorn answers.)
Lanhorn: Yes, this is Lanhorn. Have you got it?
Agent: Sir, there's no body down here.
(Lanhorn's face turns to shock.)
Lanhorn: ...What was that?!
Agent: There's no trace of a body down where you mentioned. Was there a miscom...
(Lanhorn crushes the headset in his hand. End of scene.)
Scientist: It sure is. And its functions are almost complete. Only a few moments longer and we'll have created the most powerful Wohmaschine the world has ever known.
Lanhorn: How long until it's fully grown and its systems are functional?
Scientists: Approximately...twelve years from today.
(Lanhorn looks deep into the tube and grins to himself.)
Lanhorn: Once it's grown, I'll finally be able to put my plan into motion.
Scientist: You mean our plans of course?
(Lanhorn gives a devilish smile with his back turned to the scientist.)
Lanhorn: Actually...I have plans of my own.
(Lanhorn removes a pistol from his jacket.)
Lanhorn: I'll be taking over this operation.
Scientist: What?!
(Lanhorn turns around and aims his pistol. The scientist tries to draw his weapon, but Lanhorn shoots him in the chest. He falls to the floor with his gun in hand. They aim at one another.)
Lanhorn: It's nothing personal Chris. I just can't leave any loose ends.
Chris: I can't let you take my creation from me Anthony. Too many people have some much invested in this being.
Lanhorn: Don't regard this thing as a human being. It's nothing more than a computer. Another piece of useful technology.
Chris: How can you say that?! After watching its birth...I can't let you take it.
(Chris aims at the pod and fires. The bullet pierces the seal and the dense fog fills the room. Lanhorn is blinded and moves to a corner to escape. He searches the fog for any movement, but sees none. He runs to a nozzle and turns it, and the fog disappears. Chris is gone, but his blood trail leads to an exit door. Lanhorn looks into the pod and what was once inside is gone. He pulls out a cellphone.)
Lanhorn: We've got a problem. Send a team.
(He reloads and follows the trail to the roof. Chris is on the edge of the roof holding what looks to be a large white bag. Lanhorn steps up behind him calmly.)
Lanhorn: Is that what I think it is?!
Chris: Yes. And if you shoot me...what we've worked on for the last ten years will have been for nothing!
(Lanhorn smiles and steps closer.)
Lanhorn: Come on, Chris. You don't have it in you to kill yourself. But I can help you with that.
(Lanhorn raises his pistol.)
Chris: I will decide my fate Anthony. Not you.
(Lanhorn takes another step.)
Chris: Not another step!
Lanhorn: Lets just discuss this rationally.
Chris: ...I'm not in a very negotiable mood right now...
(Lanhorn steps closer.)
Lanhorn: And what of your creation? All that work YOU did to bring us to where we are...where will that go? Be reasonable...there's no way out for you except one.
Chris: Yeah? And what way is that?
Lanhorn: ...Submission...
(Chris looks over the edge, then back down at what he's carrying. A single tear drops from his eye as he makes his decision.)
Chris: ...No...there's another way...
Lanhorn: And what way is that?
Chris: ...My creation dies with me...
(Chris drops off the roof.)
Lanhorn: NO!!!
(Lanhorn runs to the edge. He reaches it as Chris hits the street below. The PRU team he requested is landing behind him, weapons and armor at the ready. The team leader comes up to Lanhorn.)
Team Leader: Sir! We've arrived and are awaiting your orders.
(Lanhorn looks over to them casually, but this time with an unsatisfied frown.)
Lanhorn: ...Ah yes. Thank you for arriving late!
(Lanhorn shoots the team leader. He takes a moment to collect himself. Then he points to another agent.)
Lanhorn: You've just been promoted. Get down to the street quickly before someone finds them and causes us more problems.
Agent: Of course. On our way. TEAM! MOVE DOWN!
(The PRU team exits the roof and makes their way to the street to pick up Chris and his package. Lanhorn walks slowly back into the lab. He skims over the journals Chris made over the past few years. Random sentences are visible. The team leader calls him on his radio, Lanhorn answers.)
Lanhorn: Yes, this is Lanhorn. Have you got it?
Agent: Sir, there's no body down here.
(Lanhorn's face turns to shock.)
Lanhorn: ...What was that?!
Agent: There's no trace of a body down where you mentioned. Was there a miscom...
(Lanhorn crushes the headset in his hand. End of scene.)
Twelve Years Later...
(The scene opens on Wade Armstrong waking up from the dream he just had. He's sweating heavily, even in nothing but shorts. Wade stands and makes his way to the bathroom. He splashes water in his face and gazes into the mirror.)
Wade: Maria...What would you do?
(Wade has an intense flashback of Maria. He grips the sink in pain as he watches her die over and over in his head. He shouts out.)
(Wade has an intense flashback of Maria. He grips the sink in pain as he watches her die over and over in his head. He shouts out.)
Wade: Damn it!
(The memory ends. He grabs a towel and exits. As he walks back into his bedroom, a R-SEC flies by his window. (R-SEC: “Reconnaissance Security Transport”) Startled, he pulls out a pistol and aims shakily at the window. Once the R-SEC is out of sight, he relaxes. Wade tosses the gun onto his mattress and slumps down into bed.)
Wade: What the hell am I doing here?
(He grabs the remote and turns on his window TV. It's a late night news network. Words sprawl across the bottom of the screen, “GAMA's president, Anthony Lanhorn, announces the release of their newest artificial limbs to the general public. These will further the advancement of human survival and rehabilitation across the planet.” Then the news anchor comes on.)
News Anchor: “Across the nation Wohmaschines are being criticized for their new found citizenship rights. The general public feels that they should not be regarded as actual 'living' lifeforms because of their numerous mechanical parts...In recent news, PRU Agents are still looking for former ACS agent WADE ARMSTRONG, who recently escaped from authorities three weeks ago. Armstrong is considered to be armed, and extremely dangerous. If you happen to catch sight of this man, call your local PRU district hot line. Back to you...”
(Wade mutes the TV.)
Wade: Ugh...I hate the news...
(Another R-SEC flies by on its patrol. Wade looks over more calmly.)
Wade (Narrating): ...R-SECs...They're always on patrol. Makes it impossible for me to travel at night. And PRU agents make it impossible to travel at all...
(Wade walks through the TV screen that's projecting from the window and stops before the glass. He looks out across the city. Cars are flying over head, billboards are lit up across the roof tops, and street lights are shining brightly. He scans the horizon and looks on at another huge land mass just off the shore. Wade's pupils suddenly dilate, and he starts to shiver.)
Wade: That feeling. I've felt that before from...Chris.
(He grabs his head in pain and confusion. Wade looks down and scans the street. Down towards the street he sees a young girl and her friend walking along the sidewalk. He stares intently at her for a moment focusing in on her. He quickly grabs a set of binoculars from his jacket, and looks down on her.)
Wade: ...No...That can't be her...can it?
(Wade quickly gets dressed and exits the apartment. End of scene.)
Alex: I swear! It's the hottest place in town. And now that you're finally eighteen you can get in!
(She laughs.)
Terra: I'm just not into the whole “club” thing, Alex. I'd rather just hang out with you.
Alex: But we are hanging out.
Terra: No! I mean at your house watching movies or something.
Alex: Come on, Terra. Nobody controls you anymore. You decide what you do now. You're an adult now you know.
Terra: It's not about that. I just don't like this kind of stuff.
(She looks around nervously.)
Alex: I promise. Nothing is going to happen tonight. Let's just have fun, okay?
Terra: (Smiles.) Okay. Lets go!
(The two round the corner and spot the club entrance, They run up and get inside quickly. Inside there isn't very good lighting, the music is very loud, and the people are hard to make out. Alex goes up to the bar while Terra grabs a table near the back. Three guys spot the two young girls. They make their way over to them.)
Man: Hey cutie!
Terra: Hello.
Man: What's a pretty little thing like you doing here all alone?
Terra: Oh, I'm just waiting for my friend, thanks.
(Guy moves in closer.)
Man: Maybe I could be your friend? (Smiles and wraps his arm around her.)
(Wade is now visible in the back of the club. Wade is keeping a close eye on Terra and the men. The an attractive woman sits down next to him.)
Woman: Looks like you're having a rough night too.
(Wade looks over towards her.)
Wade: You don't know the half of it.
(He looks her over. She sees this.)
Woman: You know...it's not polite to stare. (Smiles.)
Wade: I thought that's what you wanted?
Woman: What gives you that impression?
Wade: The way you're dressed.
(She laughs and calls over the bartender.)
Woman: Can I buy you a drink...?
Wade: ...Only if I drink it?
(The woman laughs again, and Wade looks back over towards Terra. The woman looks over as well.)
Woman: ...Friends of yours?
Wade: No...just making sure they're alright.
Woman: Ahhh. How sweet of you. Checking on the children. (Smiles.)
Wade (Whispering to himself.): ...She's no ordinary child...
Woman: So how about that drink?
(Wade sees Terra get up.)
Terra: Sorry, but I have to go.
Man: Wait! We just got started.
Terra: And now we're done. Goodbye.
(Wade turns back to the woman and smiles.)
Wade: Sorry...Maybe another time.
(Terra turns to leave and the man grabs her arm.)
Man: But I'm not done!
Terra: Let go of me!
(Alex runs over and knocks the guy off of Terra.)
Alex: Come on! Lets go!
(They run out the door. The guy recovers from his hit and he calls for his buddies.)
Man: Lets go after those bitches!
(They exit the club. After observing the whole ordeal, Wade calmly gets up, leaves money on the bar, and follows them. End of scene.)
(The scene opens on Terra and Alex running down the street towards Alex's house. Then they reach the front door.)
Alex: Alright. Let's go inside.
Terra: No thanks. I'm just going to go home.
Alex: What?!
Terra: I'm tired now. I think I'll just go to bed.
Alex: OK. Let me walk you.
Terra: It's alright. I'll just walk myself.
Alex: Are you sure?
Terra: Yup! (Smiles.)
Alex: See you tomorrow!
(Terra begins walking down the street when the three men from the club corner her outside Alex's house.)
Man: Ha! Finally caught up with you!
Terra: Please! Just leave me alone!
Alex: Hey!
(Alex runs over. One of the men punches her to the ground. She hits hard. Then they turn back to Terra.)
Man: I think you owe me something.
(He lunges out and grabs her. She pulls free, but her shirt is ripped and her bra is showing. Also showing is her partial tattoo of computer strips across her neck. She falls to the ground and screams. From the angle above her a figure is seen on a rooftop just over head. The man becomes more anxious at the sight of her breast.)
Man: Now we're talking.
(The figure leaps down to the street and lands behind one of the men. The man turns to see. The figure grabs the man's head and slams it into the wall behind him.)
Man: What the hell?
(The figure then grabs another man and kicks him in the chest twice, then catapults him over his head into a dumpster. The last man pulls out a gun and aims at the figures head.)
Man: What are you?!
(The figure pauses, then turns.)
Figure: ...Your end...
(The man yells in fear and fires three times. The figure deflects the first two bullets with his hand right, then aims the last shot back at the man. He's hit in the head and slumps to the ground. Terra falls back in horror. The figure sees her and walks over to her. She faints at the sight of him. The figure picks her up and runs off into the night. Alex comes to and sees what's happening.)
Alex: Hey, wait!
(Alex runs inside to call the police. End of scene.)
(Artist/Comic panel credits to Common Cents Comics "CCC", digital art credits to CoolGuyWallpapers/CCC)
