The Rifter: Machi Harkness

Currently, the most powerful known person in the world is Evermore Harkness. She is the epitome of all things beauty, power, and more. A war hero, a legend, an inspiration. She was always talked about as the Ruler of Academy City. People always wondered why she never grew beyond that meagre position, but she turned Academy City into one of the most sustainable and self sufficient cities known to man.

"She never loses her temper. She's always so graceful."

Evermore - known to the world more so as Lady Harkness - never let her power get to her head. Growing up in a corrupt world herself, she aimed to make changes.

"You went up a level? I am still stuck on 3.6."

Levels. They determine your rank, your placements and more. Though opportunities are the same for every level, some things are more suited for certain classes. Level 1's are the weakest so they are business owners or teachers... day labourers...

"... they are those that possess the red band. Level 2's are your pink bands. They are your engineers and your assistants and secretaries. They can also possess a level 1 job if so they wish. Level 3's are now your junior agents. They'll handle tasks such as hacked robots and more. Level 4 - and I know there are some - are your senior agents. Most Level 4's are trained, not born. But do not let..."

As the class went on about the announcement of levels, one of the teachers noticed one of his students sleeping. Considering the class have heard this numerous times, he didn't say much and when the announcement ended, he woke. "Now we have a broadcast from our Lady Harkness herself." As everyone was entranced by her message, the student left and left the school premises.

Walking to the corner shop, he watched as Lady Harkness was shown on the screen there too and he bought some ice cream tubs and left money on the counter and left. The robot allowed him out and the kid walked through the plaza and noticed he was right by the announcement of a new school ceremony.

"I am pleased to open the Training School for Agents. This way, we can formally train anyone who shows potential to become an agent here, also serving as a base for missions for agents to collect and cash in their reward."

As the announcement ended, Lady Harkness took questions before being escorted back to her office and reporters followed her back. "I am sorry Evermore they really do have a lot of questions."

"It's alright Zac, just make sure that nothing is misinterpreted." She smiled and he nodded before dealing with the PR madness.

*

"Machi, are you ever going home?" He turned around and saw his best friend Rocco and shrugged. Sitting on a bench, he looked to the sky and sighed. "I've been asked to join the TSA."

"TSA?"

"Training School for Agents."

Making an 'o' shape, he nodded and saw that many students were transferring to the TSA. "Didn't make the cut. I'm barely a 2.0." He chuckled. "Nah I think my mom moved out 5 years ago mate to be real with you."

"Machi--"

He got up and began walking off someplace - not caring about the laws set for curfew for under 18's - and when a surveillance robot approached, it pestered him until civil officers arrived. "Kid you can't be out here. Curfew laws still apply to you." Seeing his band, they realised he was a level 2 and they sighed. "Look, we have to take you to a station and call your parents."

And that is exactly what they did. Machi was taken to the station, written up for defiance, and they asked for his parent's number. "We aren't calling Lady Harkness. This isn't a joke."

He sat there and asked for his one phone call. Which he received and he dialled her office.

"Hello, this is Jo, Lady Harkness' personal.. oh Machi its you. Hold on a second..." he waited to be patched through and they all waited for the voice, "Machi?"

"Send someone to pick me up."

What no one expected at all was for Lady Harkness herself to arrive to such a part of town. "Sorry about my son, I hope he didn't do too much."

"N-No... of course not." It was just unbelievable. Lady Harkness herself giving birth to an ill-mannered weak child. But she smiled as she walked out with him, most assuming she was keeping up appearances but she truly did love her child.

"Machi, why were you out so late? Again? Jo got the email about you skipping from lunch onwards." She asked her son. Looking to the bag he held, she sighed and didn't press on. "Promise me you'll stay the entire day?"

"School starts at 9am and finishes at 5pm. Clubs begin at 5pm and finish at 6pm. Curfew begins at sunset and now its winter it is way earlier and I'd like to go out a bit but no." She sighed and they arrived to their dainty small country house and Machi just walked in without a word.

Falling asleep, he wondered why someone like him was given the life he was given. A level 2. Not even 1. Right in the forgotten zone. Evermore walked into the living room and saw her fiancé, Zac, sipping on some tea and she sighed. "At this point, I am praying on a miracle that he attends the wedding."

"Don't say that Ever... he's your son, he'll attend." She nodded and sighed. Looking at the date, it was three days until the fated day.

"He's made no attempts to get to know me so I think we both are worried about this family." He admitted.

Evermore walked back to her son's room and saw him sleeping soundly and leaned against the frame. "Send a message to Jo. Tell her I won't come in tomorrow."

"Can't do that love, you have that press conference tomorrow and a photoshoot. And they can not be rescheduled."

She nodded and looked to him again. "It's his teacher conference tomorrow. Then rehearsal dinner."

"Ever," he held her hands and smiled, "I got it."

The next morning arrived and Machi was shocked that he was smelling breakfast when he saw Zac cooking up a storm. "Morning kiddo." He rubbed his eyes and yawned before seating himself on a stool and looking at the breakfast being made.

"What's the occasion?"

"You needing actual breakfast." Zac quipped and Machi looked at him and sighed before leaving. "It's the teacher conference today."

"And you're not my parent so I am not going--"

Machi pressed his lips together and apologised for the sudden outburst. "No, you're right. You are right, I'm not your parent. But kid, I do care, so, we are going." Machi was handed a plate and he sat down and ate. He owed him that at least.

Changing into jeans and a hoodie, he hid his wrist with his level band and Zac opened the door. "No car?"

"No, I'm not your mother rushing everywhere."

"You don't have--"

"I do have a licence I'm always rushing around on missions or being the PR fiancé." He joked and Machi began heading to the hyperbaric subway. People snapped photos of the future husband of Lady Harkness and her son who was always rumoured to be a weak kid and therefore adopted.

Entering, they found a pair of seats and Machi put his head down to avoid seeing his own mother's face everywhere.