CHAPTER 1

An engineer by trade, Adler Shock was born and raised in an American military base in Russia. He lived most of his life within the base walls, learning both Russian and English, but refused to acknowledge himself as an American citizen despite being born on American soil. As a man with no country, Adler was not given the special privileges his peers received, so he spent most of his time in his room experimenting with scraps and old models of the items he acquired for his peers. He grew to love experimenting and learning the mechanics of them.

However, one day Adler's new passion soon became an obsession that got him left isolated to the point of almost never leaving his room for days at a time. Soon enough, he stopped leaving his room during the day all together and began dumpster diving at night for more scraps and parts for more experiments. For a while, Adler wanted a new console for the longest, so he chose to make his own that could do everything the latest console could. Yet Adler, exhausted and malnourished, fell asleep at the last moment and somehow caused an electric shortage in his room that sent him out of the window and halfway across the base yard. His body severely scarred and bleeding as his body jerked about uncontrollably.

Adler regains consciousness and control of his senses after months of rehabilitation in the medical facility, and soon immediately questioned on what happened. He explains the best he could that he was just having fun experimenting as he always did. This didn't sit well with the superior officers as they told him not to continue his dangerous hobby or experiments. After several more months, Alder was assigned a new room with a roommate to monitor him.

For the next two years, Alder did nothing. What could he do? He had no scraps, no tools, and when he tried to fix something, the roommate would call security like he was a threat. He wasn't allowed to have anything, but his clothes, hygiene, and blanket. Most of the time he slept. He tried to talk to the roommate to kill time or ask for something, but he was never heard. Not even a simple greeting.

One more year passed. Alder was told to pack his things. This was so sudden to him, so he asked the superiors why, but wouldn't get an answer. Angry, he does as he's told and heads out. He was escorted to a plane and told to sit next to his parents. Instead, he chose to sit in the far back to ignore his parents rants of disappointment as they take off to their new destination.

Adler's plane arrived in Japan and he and his parents were taken to the American base there, were a few men in long white coats waited for them near the entrance with a woman in a black suit. She greets Alder warmly and begins to explain to him his reason for being at the base. His parents interrupted her and demand for a reason of their presence first. She complies, without question, and guides them to a single room within the building. The white coats ask Alder to sit in the room and wait for the woman to speak to him. Meanwhile, he was allowed to make the room his new home.

The room Alder is put in was simple but nice. Upon entering, there was a small white living space fit for a party of six with a black three seat leather couch, two love seats on either side and a stool all to match. On the far wall was a 60" display with surround sound and filtered access. He chose to ask about that later. Beyond the living area sat a large white kitchen with all appliances in black and white wood counters on black cabinets. The fridge was already stocked with fresh food and drinks. On his way to the bedroom, Alder saw a washer and dryer stacked at the far end next to the kitchen. In the bedroom, a queen sized bed was stationed in the center of the room with two dressers, one at each wall, a walk-in closet, and a nice, spacious bathroom with a large tub and shower. Everything the same black and white setting.

Alder cracked a smile. He didn't think he'd get such a cozy living space. Though, the queen bed wasn't to his taste, he wouldn't complain. As Alder continued to admire his new room, he heard the ugly Shrek of his mother's voice outside the door. Curious, he walks back to the front of the room, letting her banters grow louder the closer he got. He leaned in to listen as her voice died down. He then heard the other woman's voice. Something about government paperwork and signatures.

Woman in black:(WB)

Ma'am, I understand your concern. However, due to government laws, both here and in America, we cannot have him stay here without your presence. We do not have custody of him. You have yet to release him to our care. It is the same as when you lived in Russia.

mother:

Well, do you have the papers? I'm sick of getting letter after letter from you people about him. Permission to give him this, permission to send him here. I don't want to be reliable for him anymore for twenty years, we've been wondering why we can't have peace from that child.

WB:

I do happen to have the documents with me. Here. This may take a while to fill out, so...

mother:

No. We'll do it here.

the father takes the folder and began to fill it out. Alder eases his way out of the door and leans on the wall with his arms folded watching as his father took his time filling out the paperwork. Almost an hour passed before Adler's mother took it and rushed through the papers. After thirty minutes or so, she hands it back to the woman. Alder still stood against the wall patiently watching with an empty expression.

Mother:

There. Now will you leave us alone?

WB:

The U.S.S.F. will take care of the rest, ma'am. As of today Alder Shock is no longer in your care. I will have a plane back to Russia ready for you by tomorrow morning.

father:

No need. We'll take it ourselves. Rather not have any more to do with government "help". Good bye.

Adler's mother glances and glares at Alder.

Mother:

And good riddance.

Alder remains against the wall quiet as his parents vanish down the hall. The woman in black walks to Alder hurried. She was worried about what he heard.

WB:

Are you alright, Mr. Shock?

He only stared at her. His eyes seemed close to tears.

WB:

I shouldn't have asked.

Adler:

It's fine. I'll get over it. I should have figured as much, though. Mind telling me my details tomorrow?

WB:

I will give you all the time you need. Is there anything else you would like? Anything at all, just let me or another staff know we will get it for you.

Adler:

... Yeah, how about disabling the filtered access to the TV? And the latest game console with everything on it and accessible. Or better yet… Probably got a new TV all together.

WB:

Uh… done. Anything else?

Adler:

Nah. That's it. Just wanted some entertainment for tomorrow after you tell me everything. For the rest of the day, I don't want to be bothered until morning. I'm just gonna apologize for the mess.

WB:

m-mess?!

Adler walked into his room and lock the door. For a while the woman couldn't hear anything and assumed he went to his room to calm down. She was wrong.