Two Years Later

Planet: Tarsonis

Year:2529

Place: Confederate ??? Academy

--Prologue--

'Almost two years had passed since Tom's unveiling and the kids were now 13 or pushing 13, which meant graduation day would soon be upon them. However, none of them were happy, joyful, sad, or fearful that was wrong. Emotions were wrong, the confederacy did not need emotion they needed hardened, cold-blooded, loyal soldiers.

The kids know this. Most tried to fight it, to endure it, to overcome it. But after years of abuse, mental trauma, and 24/7 government propaganda. Their minds and hearts were broken then remolded, weakening the base of their psionic powers. And with the advent of Neuro-adjusters, that base was restricted!

While cybernetically reinforcing their loyalty, giving way to safely induce the new growth hormones, bone, and muscle density supplements. Without the added risk of betrayal.

This. For all intents and purposes, has given way to the confederacy's first super soldiers. Are they what they dreamt they'd be? No. They dreamt about controlling futuristic Spartans with world-shattering capabilities. But what they got was easily controlled, extremely efficient, and highly replaceable super soldiers. And if those soldiers are replaceable then we'll soon be trash, fodder...the suicide squad,' said Suki.

To the scientists observing her, she stood alone in deep thought as her energy levels spiked. However, Suki knew she stood surrounded by her 10 most trusted ghosts.

They stood there absorbing her every word while basking in her overwhelming yet calming energy. "Begin," said a scientist. At his order, her energy burst forth, from every pore in her body. Churning so violent that it began to resemble a hurricane.

The 10 watched on in awe as her hurricane formed with them at its eye. The scientists grinned while watching her energy levels spike before rapidly bottoming out. They watched in awe, replaying the devastation over and over again.

"To think. The test subject could still exert this level of power with the restrictions in place. We'd better enhance that on the next model," said A. Speaking over the PA as if his lab rat wasn't sentient. He scoffed at Suki before stating, "began psychological testing we need to know if our latest modifications have made this test subject more obedient," at one of his assistants.

The group glanced at Suki, who gently smiled while bowing to the scientists. 'Everything seems in order but can we trust the results?' thought scientist A. His eyes darted towards an old video replaying on the observation deck's computer.

---Rumm's gun range; video---

The kids, now teens. Stood by their gun range, thinking. 'What is this idiot doing now?' They eyed Clark with silent disgust. Portrayed feelings of rage, contempt, disdain, and anything negative towards him. He glanced at his once former friends then did nothing but continue firing.

To his right and left were Yasha and Bryce, watching in silent disbelief as Clark mowed down today's target practice with brutal efficiency...the slow-growing Korhal rebellion. Behind him were Major Rumm and the guards, armed with taser pistols.

"Listen here ya'h sub-human mut. I order ya'h to step away from the range or get got," yelled Rumm, switching to live rounds. Clark snapped his rifle towards Rumm. Thanks to the hormones and supplements the two stood at eye level. One a chiseled young, 5 foot 4 olympian. The other, old and slightly overweight.

"I said. Listen here, ya'h sub-human mut. I order ya'h to step away from the range!" Yelled Rumm, waiting for Clark's neuro adjuster to activate. They all were, yet when it never did.

Rumm's face dropped as the kids stepped away in shock, the contempt they now held for him returned to adoration while his actions sparked hope.

Clark snapped his gun towards a guard, making nothing of their boiling adorations or fire-flight hope. He understood the amount of damage this place had done, but a part of him hoped they'd endure it like Bryce and Yasha.

"I order ya'h to put that gun down!" Yelled Rumm, his words caused Clark's body to hitch up and down. Flicking, like his group's hope.

"NO!!!" Yelled Clark. His shout seemed to cause a baleful green psionic energy to burst forth from his neuro-adjusters. Freeing him to fire upon the dazed guards.

*Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!*

As the guards dropped one by one, those standing around boiled over with more and more hope for various reasons. They looked to Rumm, who eyed the room's defenses cursing In utter horror. 'Fuck, fuck shit fuck FUCK!'

When he snapped his pistol at Clark, the butt of Clark's rifle smashed against his face. The kids watched in awe as Clark pointed the rifle at the room door. On the opposite side of them, guards gathered with pistols and clustered smoke grenades in hand.

Clark smirked watching them crack the doors open. He lowered his gun, dropping it to the floor. When they saw this, then the guards saw this, ty changed into the room with batons out and tasers ready. "Too bad. I'm out of ammo," chimed Clark.

He smirked in disdain knowing full well the guard's batons would soon be upon him. As the first ones connected with his skull Clark bit his lips welcoming the blow. 'ENDURE! ENDURE! ENDURE!' He screamed Over and over again. His psionic energy carried his message for all telepaths to perceive.

The kids said nothing, moved nothing, did nothing! As the beating continued. Everyone understood this was how they would endure. But most were broken kids with shattered wills, 'and hope will not be enough to fully reignite their once bright flame,' thought Caesar.

It makes sense that the kids to look at him with renewed fever. But the origin does not He watched scientist A testing Suki while replaying Clark's video via his alpha-wave datapad. 'It's almost time,' Thought Caesar, eyeing Clark's cell with evil intent. Everyone around him was now at their limits and could break any day!

'...And when they're about to break, that's when the graduation test should begin. It's only logical. Ghosts are meant to be the confederacy's best weapons. They should be hardened, ruthless, loyal killers, and nothing else. Meaning you'd have to test their resolve while culling the compassionate and the dissident. But to do that you would need a very special test. A test that I must use to reignite that hellacious flame. And there's only one way, how!'