Changes in the World
"What? Are you in love already after meeting my perfect bro?" Erica asked Rika in class the next day.
"No! But your brother is like the ideal guy!" Rika blushed.
"If only." Erica sighed. "You know how the world is today. Without abilities and power, we don't have as high of a status. My brother has had to struggle a lot as he grew up, and unfortunately he had no ability of his own manifest. "When I awakened my ability, I decided that I would protect my brother and give him the best life possible."
"Indeed. Having an ability opens up a whole new path in this world." Rika replied.
"Guys have you seen the news? There are big changes taking place." Saito exclaimed in conversation.
"Yeah, I've heard that several bizarre changes are happening across the world. Mysterious regions have been swallowing up air planes and ships, just like the internet conspiracy theories suggested! It seems the governments have finally decided to declassify this information."
"Well that just seems to be one aspect." an astute guy with glasses commented. "Many countries have silently begun becoming more regimented. Ability users are being drafted without consent and several others have revolted in face of these decisions. I hope that does not happen in Japan."
"Things are swiftly changing. Violence is also on the rise. Recently a bloodline family was attacked and a treasure of theirs that supposedly amplified the ability was robbed right here in the city!"
Erica and Rika looked at each other. Interesting times were coming.
At home Erica discussed the changes with Red.
"Hmm, it seems that countries are gearing up for war. But suddenly arming themselves probably means it will be a competition for some resources. Be careful Erica, don't take any rash decisions if you are asked to. Remember, no matter the consequence, I have your back, I'll try to find a way out."
--
A few days later a new commotion spread all across the world through the internet. It was the declaration of the formation of a new global organization by my of the world's most powerful ability users. It was supposed to be charged with the duty of maintaining order between countries to prevent a global self destructive war to take place. But everyone was wondering how exactly this Border Foundation was going to do that.
Soon people found out that the mysterious regions across the world that were suddenly spawning up were precursors to "relics" and the Border Foundation would maintain a neutral guard over the relics to ensure fair competition between countries who would send their representatives to compete for it. What exactly the relics purpose was, was unknown, however, a lot of people suspected that there were treasures hidden in these relics.
Japan too, like many countries had decided to focus on capturing the relics and had decided to fast track their training of ability users. All the thirty High Schools for the gifted had new regimens and were to be hence forth taught like an army regiment. Teachers from the defense forces - ability users in the government were to take part in combat training.
---
Meanwhile, under a suburb in Tokyo, there exists a gigantic inverted sky scraper that goes 100 stories deep. An elevator was taking three people to the 30th floor underground, one of whom was Red.
"Mr. Red, we received your name as a suggested security designer for our headquarters from the CIA. You've done a good job with the underground base of the Pentagon which I recently visited. We wish to make this particular base as impenetrable as possible for hostile ability users or weapon systems." An old man, who was the head of Japanese Intelligence Sato Irouto.
"The external structure looks sound, as far as internal security goes, I can make it as hard as possible to prevent a security breakdown, however, I can never guarantee complete protection. After all, abilities are often predictable. While I am fairly well known to be able to find exploits of ability users I cannot preemptively account for abilities that are as of yet unknown. Also, while ability users are preventable, I can only wash my hands if this area spawns a relic." Red spoke in a business like manner, explaining his baseline.
"How interesting. It appears you are familiar with the mechanism of relics?" The old man asked. He was curious how a non ability user would know this when his own intelligence was unaware, but he wasn't surprised, considering this person's notoriety among intelligence circles it wasn't unfeasible that he had clearance from the CIA about this information.
Red simply smiled and deftly shifted the topic. "I will present my designs and schematics as soon as possible. I'd like you to keep an eye for security. I've been told that the current situation is growing increasingly unstable and I'd like to prevent any event happen to my family."
The old man nodded. "Rest assured, your identity is top secret. But we will make sure to have some security established. Times are uncertain and there are many rumblings underground, but you do not need to worry, we are being proactive."
---
Back in Third High, students were assembled for a major announcement by the principal and what appeared to be a military general. "Students! Times are changing. The decades of harmony that we have had due to the law based induction of ability users into society will soon have abrupt changes. Our world is changing and our society will evolve as a result as well. We have assembled everyone here to make a specific announcement - the Department of Abilities Management (DAM) has decided to incorporate students into their organization. Those who do will be awarded the chance to compete for resources and treasures as well as have the full backing of our government. These chosen students will also get the opportunity to improve their abilities rapidly with the centuries of heritage that has been passed through by our country's foremost experts."
---
Erica had returned home. As usual, Red was preparing lunch. "How was school today?" He asked from the kitchen.
"They have decided to incorporate ability users into the military. Some students were saying that those who join could get the opportunity to enter relics." Erica said, in contemplation.
"Oh? With your ability I am sure you would be selected for recruitment as well. What are you going to do?" Red asked with a smile.
"I don't know yet. The opportunity to improve my abilities and become stronger sounds appealing, as well as the possibility of entering these mysterious relics for treasure. But I do not know if I want to join the Japanese military establishment, after all I don't know anything about this country." Erica said.
Red smiled. "Come with me." He beckoned as he came out of the kitchen, taking out his apron. With raised eyebrows, curious where Red was taking her, followed. They went into Red's car, a sleek but understated Audi and drove towards the central district of Tokyo, towards the imperial palace. There they entered a museum and Erica was curious why.
"Where are you taking me Red?" She asked. Red simply kept walking forward until they finally arrived at a particular section about political history. Red gazed towards a photograph, stopped and stood there silently as Erica was confused until she saw the photo and was wide eyed. It was a photograph of her parents... their parents.
"Mom and Dad... were famous diplomats who performed meritorious service for Japan?" Erica asked dumbfounded. "She had grown up without her parents, but Red had always explained to her how they cared and worried about her, until they passed away due to an accident. She had only thought that they were businessmen who worked in the US.
"Well being diplomats for Japan was only one of their jobs. There is a lot more that they did which couldn't be mentioned in public. They were powerful ability users, whose ability you inherit today and they worked undercover to take down many hostile factions of ability users protecting the peace of the world." Red said. "Whether you choose to join the Japanese military or not, I will always be by your side. As far as resources and being able to strengthen your abilities, you don't need the government for that, you have a path prepared for you by our parents. But I just want you to know what they did and that they chose to work for Japan as well as for the sake of the peace of the world."