“Many of them knew that in order to restore peace, people needed to feel safe and protected. More scientists, engineers, and soldiers desiring peace joined together to create new weapons that would protect but not kill. This was one of the trade offs for peace. A newly formulated Crimson Force deposed all military warlords. World leaders who still had a hunger for violence were forced to step down. We had to create a new world order that focused on development and rebuilding. You see, children, we must remember the past and use it to forge a new world for everyone. War and greed are pointless. The only purpose behind a fight is to create peace, defend the ones we love, and create a world for the next generation. We must create a world that we can all be proud of.”
President Conrad looked up with a big smile. “And here are our hopeful, peace keepers now.”
The children surrounded the recruits. They were received as heroes. Many were put off by the children, but others joyously interacted with them. As Commander Fernandez stood up from playing with some of the children, Charlie said in a scornful, low voice, “This weakling is our Commander in Chief?”
Many heard what he said, including the President and Captain Walsh. Captain Walsh shot him a glare that the entire room felt.
“Captain!” President Conrad exclaimed joyfully. “You seem to have a scrappy group here!”
“So it seems,” Captain Walsh muttered angrily.
“Won’t you join me over here?” the President invited taking the lead.
The group closely followed both of their leaders to the training room. They came to what seemed like a sparring ring. All the children fell in. With the press of a button, a wall opened up containing all sorts of swords, daggers, knives, and other sharp melee weapons. Most of the recruits had never seen these weapons before. The President showed off an impressive collection explaining each and every weapon in full detail, down to its heritage, use, and purpose. After a few more minutes, President Conrad chose a massive sword that he called a Zweihander, explaining that it had always been one of his favorites.
“I’ve always liked the sabre myself, Mr. President,” Captain Walsh chimed in.
“Good choice,” President Conrad said, throwing it to him. “Care to spar?”
Captain Walsh welcomed it with a smile. They made their way to the center of the ring, and Xavier puzzled over the situation. He had no idea what was going on. The officers began to back the group up with smiles on their faces. The children were filled with excitement and ran to the front. One of the smallest boys was jumping up and down trying to see over two of the bigger kids. With a chuckle, Captain Stanley picked him up and put him on his shoulders.
President Conrad and Captain Walsh took fighting stances, the likes of which none of the recruits had ever seen. This was something no one had seen before.
President Conrad started the action with an overhead strike. Captain Walsh evaded it and slashed, but President Conrad parried. He then sliced and Walsh parried. The two exchanged attacks, counter attack following counter attack. The two began to circle each other. The attacks continued to go back and forth, as if the fight was rehearsed. They were inside each other’s heads, and their stares were unwavering. Attack. Block. Attack. Block.
Xavier was amazed at the exhibition. After a couple more minutes of back and forth action, the two came to a halt. They bowed to each other and put their weapons back. The room erupted with a thunderous applause.
“You were saying?” Xavier whispered to Charlie.
Charlie whirled around and glared at him. He had been embarrassed in front of everyone. Commander Fernandez covered a laugh. Looking right at Charlie, the President concluded, “A person’s strength is not determined by their ability to fight or their hunger for victory, but rather their willingness to do what is right no matter what the cost may be.”
Everyone applauded. “Now allow me to show you our top floor. It is without a doubt this facility’s greatest attribute.”
As the group proceeded past the northern concourse that Xavier was looking at, a recruit asked what the area was for. The President replied, “That is our training room. You will learn all about that tomorrow morning.”
They made their way up the main stairwell and went to the northern concourse. Looking around, there were several classroom desks. The walls were painted vibrant colors and intricate art all over the empty space made it feel like a fun and comfortable area. To the back of the room there was balcony that overlooked the city of Berlin. The view was fantastic and Xavier could see why it was President Conrad’s favorite floor.
They turned east and made their way to another massive concourse. As they entered the heart of the room, he noticed it was a living area. It was a beautiful space that felt much like a 16th century castle.
“Who lives here?” one of the recruits asked.
“This is where the impoverished and homeless people in our community live,” President Conrad answered beaming with pride. “We house those with the greatest needs in our community here. We want to ensure that every one can dream of a future. Those who come from the roughest backgrounds seem to have the softest hearts to make a difference in the world. We house them, educate them, and set them up for success. This is why this floor is my favorite. We raise their standard of living and by time they move out of here, they go back into the world ready to raise the standard of living of everyone else. This is a program we started about five years ago, and we have seen several of the people that have come through this program leave here and go into greater things.”
Xavier’s awe could not be contained. In America, many of the homeless people lived in alleyways or woods. He couldn’t believe that there was a politician that actually cared about the people. President Conrad continued:
“Unfortunately, we are unable to house and help all of those in need. We have learned that when you give people a taste of a better life, teach and help them develop life skills, and imbed in people the need to work hard, they can dream again and will work harder than anyone else. My staff counsels and coaches them. We don’t let them stay here forever, but we make sure they are healthy and equipped to make their own way. If they refuse to change, we unfortunately have to make room for those who are willing to change. It’s never easy, but our success rate is quite high.”
Xavier had never met a man that cared so deeply about those in need. They concluded their tour in the eastern concourse of the mansion. It was another room of royal standard and was by far the most commanding and brilliant section of all. The art was comparable to ancient Greece, and as they journeyed deeper into the room, they were met with the smell of finger paint and Play-Doh.
“This is the final stop of our tour, the orphanage. These orphans study in the classroom we passed, and many of the children that I was teaching earlier live here. By time they reach the age of sixteen, they are ready to go into the world and conquer it. Many of the orphans that live here had parents that died in the war or in the subsequent attacks that followed the signing of the peace treaty. These children are the future of our world. We must invest in them so they can restore this planet back to the trust and unity it once had. That is our mission here at Crimson Force: to create a world that lives in trust, peace, and unity. That is why you are here. That is why you will be fighting. That is what you will be competing for. Thank you for listening to an old man’s dreams. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you exceptional heroes. I will now leave you in the capable hands of Captain Walsh.”
Everything Xavier had dreamed about fighting for was being done here. President Conrad was a man that Xavier could follow. He had the utmost respect for him and only wished he could have one-on-one time with him to learn from him and become more like him. As he tried to process everything, Captain Walsh stepped up and spoke. Xavier couldn’t focus, but he heard that he had to be at the training room on the second floor at 0400 hours. Their first test would begin then.
Xavier and David walked together in silence. They were both trying to proc
ess all that they had seen. Once they arrived at their room, Xavier stripped down and collapsed on the bed, staring at the roof. David interrupted the silence.
“What do you think our first test is going to be?”
“I’m not sure. I bet it has something to do with that room we couldn’t get into.”
“Do you think we’re going to learn how to fight like President Conrad and Captain Walsh?”
“I hope so.”
“This place is incredible,” David said.
Xavier responded, growing slightly irritated. “We should probably get some sleep.”
David passed out almost instantly. Xavier continued staring at the roof, wondering what would be in store for them the next day. He was trying to wrap his brain around the fact that a few days ago he was on a mission as a Navy SEAL, and now he was a part of an elite group and was afforded an opportunity granted to a very select few. He was full of anticipation and hope. Maybe he could actually make a difference. Thoughts of being the greatest once again loomed in his mind. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he was ready for them. He would not miss an opportunity to make the world a better place for the next generation. His expectations were high, and the joy of the competition surged through him as he dozed off.
Chapter 9
July 27th 2062 4 a.m. Crimson Training Hall, Crimson Manor, Berlin, Germany
All the recruits were standing at attention as the clock struck four. Captain Jaheem and Commander Pak emerged, dressed in their black Flecktarn camouflage gear. The uniforms were quite intimidating and Xavier thought he would look good in them. He was thrilled to be able to earn his own set. All the recruits were in the same gear—khaki pants, boots, and white t-shirts. Xavier was anxious and excited, but David seemed nervous, keeping quiet and to himself. Captain Jaheem was a middle-aged man from Kenya with a very stern look on his face.
“At ease!” he exclaimed.
In perfect unison, all fifty recruits snapped into the appropriate position.
“Behind me is a large coliseum. Inside this coliseum is the most state-of-the-art and cutting-edge technology. It has been designed to take any number of atmospheres, settings, and weather patterns. We call it the Genesis Room, because it can create anything we need it to. Within this dome we have manufactured four of the toughest living conditions in some of the most horrendous climates on this planet. In each of those locations, you will find three colored flags, for a total of twelve flags. Your mission for the next two weeks is to survive these climates, live in them, and locate all twelve flags. Every recruit will be graded individually by our Captains, Commanders and Lieutenants. Points will be awarded for various reasons, including but not limited to: initiative, creativity, awareness, knowledge, and completion. Failure to acquire all twelve flags will result in a handicap on your final exam. The methods you choose to use are entirely up to you. A meal will be provided once a day in the center of the four islands. It would be wise of you to note that although this is a simulated atmosphere, all plants in this facility are equal to their progenitors. If something is supposed to be poisonous, it is poisonous; if something is supposed to be edible, it is edible. The ten recruits with the lowest scores will be sent home. Commander Pak will take it from here. Please follow her.”
Commander Pak called everyone into a tight circle. She repeated some of the key things that Captain Jaheem said as she ushered the group deeper into the dome.
“Move in closer,” she called out.
They all stepped onto a large steel platform. The dome was covered and the recruits were unable to see into it.
“Jalda nyeoo sip sio!” she shouted in her native language.
Xavier didn’t know what she said, but he recognized it as a farewell greeting. Commander Pak flipped a large switch and the platform the recruits were all standing on began to descend. The humming of the descending terrace grew deafening. They passed through several feet of impenetrable windows, and Xavier was able to see the frontiers that surrounded him.
The four corners varied in appearance. The northeastern corner was covered in miles and miles of forest that seemed to form a fortress of vegetation. The forests thinned out in the southeastern corner and became a gruesome tundra of mountains covered in white. To the west of the tundra in the southwestern corner, there was a vast, arid and lifeless steppe. The grasslands stretched north to become a tawny brown flat land that emanated an exhausting desert heat.
The terrace shrieked to a stop. They stepped off onto a small island of a two mile radius. There were four bridges that extended into each of the four terrible climates. Xavier was trying to wrap his brain around the technology he was immersed in. He did not understand how a dome could have such advanced technology creating such authentic atmospheres. A cool breeze floated over him—how could a dome produce wind? It was official; there was no place on the planet that came anywhere near the advancements of the Crimson Manor facility.
The daunting task before him hit like a ton of bricks. He had two weeks to find twelve flags in the worst conditions known to man. Everyone was overwhelmed with the facility and the task. After a few minutes of puzzling, Xavier set his watch to a countdown to match the timeframe. As the group stood in silence, Xavier decided to step up.
“Well, I guess we should split up and start this thing.”
“That’s an idiotic idea, American,” Charlie retorted with great disgust.
The other recruits stared at Xavier with blank faces. Another minute of silence lingered in the air.
“Let’s split up,” Oscar said. “We can cover more ground that way.”
“What a magnificent idea, Oscar!” Charlie shouted crassly.
Training hadn’t even started yet, and Xavier was already annoyed with Charlie.
“Well, I am going with you,” David said to Xavier. “I know the kind of training SEALs have.”
Six girls followed David to Xavier’s side. The remaining forty-one recruits joined with Oscar.
“Why don’t you guys go that way, and we’ll take this way,” Oscar said condescendingly.
Xavier glared at Oscar. He turned his attention to the forest that Oscar was pointing to. Oscar was going to lead his group into the grasslands.
“We’ll meet back here in a week and see where we stand,” Oscar commanded.
“Don’t kill them, American,” Charlie said with a smug look on his face.
Xavier tensed up. He was fuming, and it took everything in him not to leap on Charlie. David patted Xavier on the back and snagged his attention.
“We have to get moving, buddy.”
Xavier led the group across the bridge stomping with anger. The humidity dramatically thickened as they made their way further into the forest.
Xavier couldn’t figure it out. From the moment he got onto the plane to come to Berlin he had been alienated. His fellow recruits from North America laughed at him and ignored him. When he met people upon arrival, they were full of disdain towards him, and when he sat down for dinner nobody spoke to him, with the exception of a few polite officers. He was the only American there and had been the only American there for a long time. Even now, as he tried to lead when no one else was leading, all the recruits turned on him. There was something going on with him and he hadn’t the slightest idea what it was. After a few more minutes of walking, Xavier realized that he wasn’t focused at all. Out of frustration, he stopped dead in his tracks and whipped around on his heels to face David.
“Why does it seem like everyone hates me? Why am I the only American in a long time to show up here? Why does everyone seem to hate America? And what in the world was that crap about killing you guys?”
All seven recruits stared at him in confusion. “How dense are you? Do you not know?” the English girl name Emily asked.
Xavier’s body language revealed his frustration and ignorance. Abaigeal was an Israeli woman that spent a lot of time with David, and she chimed in. “It is well-known history of the Crimson Force, and it is the reason you are the fi
rst American to be recruited in almost a decade.”
Growing impatient, Xavier crossed his arms. They were beating around the bush and he just wanted them to get to the point. David sensed Xavier’s frustration and explained the situation.
“A little over nine years ago, when the war had come to an end, it was the Crimson Strike Force’s job to enforce and implement the treaties and ensure that they were being followed. It was a lot of diplomacy. If the diplomacy did not work, they entered into aggressive negotiations. Many missions unfortunately resulted in assassinations. During this time, the Captain of the Strike Force was an Australian-American. He had fought in the war, but during the peace keeping time, he led this team on all of these diplomatic missions. On one of these missions he betrayed his team. No one knows why, but he took his life and his team was wiped out along with him.”
Dawn of a New Era Page 6
