Future History

“You were frozen at a time when many epidemics were spreading amongst the people. It was something like the black plague. People were dying left and right, yet no one could find the cause of it. When a few of nation leaders started dying; we took drastic measures. Those who could afford it, those who were extremely smart or had talents or qualities that we found may be useful to us in the future. We froze those who we could and those who paid us to.”1

“What was funny though was that half a century after we’d frozen those people, the epidemic disappeared. People stopped dying, and things went back to normal.”2

“That’s odd.” I remarked.3

“Very odd,” John agreed. “It baffled some of our best scientists.”4

“Well, why didn’t you unfreeze everyone then? I mean… if the threat was gone then why wasn’t everyone unfrozen then?”5

“That’s the next part. You see, although most of the scientists of the world were baffled by the disappearance of the epidemics, they also thought it would be a wise investment if they kept all of you frozen so that they could use you as… test subjects.”6

“Guinea pigs for their own sick ideas.” I corrected him.7

“Yes, well, they thought it was a good opportunity for advancements in science. So, they began testing on the frozen specimens. In time, they found that they could change them – mutate them, if you will. When injected with a certain virus, or as we so delectably like to call it now that the Hive is formed; honey.”8

“So… you injected me, and so many others, with “honey”… and now we’re a part of the Hive? What is the Hive?”9

“Well, things all came into order for a little while. Scientists from all over the world began working together to see how they could manipulate the human’s DNA. When their work actually began paying off and apparent progress was shown, the scientists got a little bold. They believed they were playing God, and in a way, they were. These scientists worked together to form the Hive; think of it as the Ruler of Earth. With all the world leaders still frozen and probably not even human anymore, the public just gave in to their demands.10

“I suppose they weren’t completely aware of what was going on – not many were, but when the first dozen projects were unfrozen and brought into public view was when the Rogues formed their clan. At the time, it consisted of only human protestors who saw the leaders of the Hive to be cruel and insane; however, with time the more projects that were awoken the more of them went Rogue against the Hive’s commands. In time, the Rogues had formed an alliance almost equal to that of the Hive’s, and that brings us to where we are now.”11

“How did they give us powers? I mean… what exactly did they do?”12

“That is something no one but the leaders of the Hive know, they say it is their secret weapon for future projects. As long as no one else knows how they do it, then no one shall be able to stop them.” John answered, staring off into the flames of the blazing fire before us.13

“I see… well, was it really necessary to throw that dagger at me? I mean, couldn’t you have just asked someone what my power was?”14

He laughed. “Well that’s the thing; I can always read what someone’s power is but yours… I could not.”15

“Why is that?” I was confused as to what would make me any different from the others.16

“I’m not sure, but I do know that the Hive leaders don’t always put such a power in common projects such as yourself. I don’t really think we’ve ever had a fire starter.” John looked up at me, but he seemed to gaze right through me as if he was thinking. “Yes, I think you’re the first one we’ve had in a very long time.”17

“I hope no one else throws anymore daggers at me,” I mumbled and John laughed, a loud, hearty laugh that rang through the room and seemed to warm the fire even more.18

“I doubt that will happen… I think you’d be good as one of the Hive’s recruits, I want to see how you do on the battlefield.”19

“The battlefield? You have battles?” I laughed at the thought.20

“Well no, but there are times when we must bring certain Rogues back to the Hive so that we may erase their memories once again and start them over from scratch. Also, every once in awhile the Rogues will try to attack the Hive and we need the strongest we have to protect ourselves from them. You’d be training with me.” John explained with a smile.21

“Hm, why not? I guess I have nothing to lose.”22

“You have much to gain, actually, starting with a name.”23

“Do you assign names?” I mused about what he could possibly name me. I really did feel like a pet now.24

“Yes, usually that is my job. I think I’ll put you through a bit of training before I stick you with a name I find suitable. Sound good?” John asked, standing up and offering me his hand.25

“Sure,” I said with a bit of hesitance, still unsure about all that was going on. When I stood up both of the chairs vanished and the color melted off the walls, once again leaving us in a bright, white room.26

“So how does this whole training thing work?” I asked as John led me towards the door I had entered through.27

“One on one combat at first,” He explained, tapping a few keys on the keypad next to the door, causing it to swoosh open again. Stepping through the entrance and turning on his heel he added; “If you survive that, then we’ll see where you’ll go from there.”28

“If I survive?” I exclaimed. “What?” He didn’t answer me, he only headed down the hall, whistling a slight tune. With no other option, I reluctantly hurried down the hall after him, worried about what it was he had in store for me.29