A/N: This is a spin on my other Superpower AU on here, and this one will have a darker theme. Much will not be revealed until later.
As this is introducing the plot and just the bare basis of the story, Lukas has barely any personality. The story will be much more character-centric in the next chapters, and we'll get background stories and more depth into their unique personalities.
CHAPTER 01
TO: LUKAS BONDEVIK
FROM: FAR REACH ENTERPRISE
Mr. Lukas Bondevik,
We are pleased to inform you that your request to join the initial testing stages of Far Reach Enterprise's FINAL REACH program has been accepted. Please wait patiently for a representative of Far Reach Enterprises to come to your residence to help you transition to living at our state of the art facility in New Mexico, in the United States of America. We highly encourage you to follow all instructions the representative gives you to ensure the smoothest transition.
Thank you for your time and cooperation, and look forward to receiving you at Far Reach Enterprise.
Signed,
Allen Cartener, CEO
Twelve Months Earlier
"Class, today I am pleased to inform you that a representative from Far Reach is here to give a lecture on a new program!" The teacher's words had little effect on the rowdy room of 17 to 18 year olds. She sighed and turned to apologize to the representative, but she paused, noting the representative, dressed in a suit and tie, was simply smiling at the room of loud teenagers. He then turned to the teacher, still smiling.
"It's no problem. They're children, it's how they're supposed to act." He walked to the center of the room and clapped twice, the chatter and laughter immediately ceasing, all attention on the imposing representative at the front of the room.
"Hello class. My name is Allen Cartener, and I'm a representative of Far Reach Enterprise, a research firm focusing primarily on human diseases and disorders. We also do a lot of studying simply on the human brain and it's functions and capabilities. I'm here to inform you of an opportunity to help further the human species as a whole."
At his last words, the teacher's eyes went a bit wide. "Sir, Mr. Cartener, it was discussed that you-"
Mr. Cartener cut her off. "I have discussed nothing with anybody! I'm just here to promote my new program. I believe it would be a great opportunity for some of the future's brightest minds to participate in this program, specifically studying the human brain and it's capabilities." He set a stack of index cards on one of the front student's desks. "Once you're 18 years of age, you can sign up. You'll be highly compensated, and you can even participate in helping with the research, if you are so scientifically inclined." The students silently passed around the index cards, looking at them curiously.
The representative turned to look back at the teacher. "I'm finished. Thank you all for your time. I know several of you will apply." He left.
As soon as he exited the door, the room filled with chatter. The teacher mentioned that she would be back shortly and also exited in a rush. Lukas Bondevik was one of the last to receive a card. It was a simple black and white design, with their logo, an "FR" in modern script inside a stylized star, on the front. On the back, there was a website. He was intrigued by the offer. It had been the talk of the students. However, before the actual representative offered to talk to the top 10% of their graduating class, it was just a rumor about human brain experimentation in America.
Lukas pulled out his phone, ignoring the voices around him, discussing the offer and what it all meant, and pulled up the site mentioned on the back of the card.
FAR REACH ENTERPRISE
ENSURING PROGRESSION FOR THE FUTURE
Please select the reason of your visit:
About Far Reach
Research Projects
FINAL REACH Program - Applications Open
Sponsors
Certifications
Staff & Research Teams
FAQ
Request Information
Lukas clicked on the "FINAL REACH program" link. On the page was information all about the program, the stipend attached to it, and the time. It would run during the next summer, about a year from now. The more he read, the more interested Lukas became. It seemed perfect for him, he planned to continue his education as a neuroscientist. This program would allow him to be a part of a great research opportunity, and also gain valuable experience for his higher education.
FAR REACH ENTERPRISE
ENSURING PROGRESSION FOR THE FUTURE
FINAL REACH
Application HERE
FINAL REACH is a brand new study to help the world better understand the human brain and it's intricacies. A variety of exercises, 100% safe and humane experiments, and dozens of valuable volunteer and experience opportunities for aspiring scientists. If accepted, you would be helping to launch the world into an era of better human understanding.
Click HERE to see a list of all experiments and tracks for accepted applicants.
Applicant Requirements:
18+ years of age
Must be available from 1 June, 20XX - 1 September, 20XX
Compliance with all rules and regulations outlined HERE
Must submit to initial medical testing & 5-part interview
*selection not based off of race, sex, gender, religion, etc.
Over the next few months, Lukas gradually forgot about the program, despite researching it thoroughly. He wasn't quite so sure he trusted it, though his school counselor had been encouraging him heavily since the representative came to their school, considering his interest in neuroscience. However, it was only a month after the representative handed out the cards that Lukas and 123 other students graduated from school, off to another life entirely. He busied himself with preparations for university and his new station as a university pre-med student.
Three months into his university education, Lukas received a letter in the mail, addressed to his dorm room.
TO: LUKAS BONDEVIK
FROM: FAR REACH ENTERPRISE
Mr. Lukas Bondevik,
Far Reach Enterprise has received an anonymous recommendation for you to be a part of our FINAL REACH program, a program designed to help ensure the future of the understanding of the human brain. We encourage you to look on our website .org and look at the FINAL REACH program, as well as information about our research firm in general. We do hope we hear from you soon.
Signed,
Allen Cartener, FINAL REACH Representative
Lukas put the letter down on his desk hesitantly. He hadn't thought about the program he had learned about several months ago in awhile. He was extremely curious as to who was the "anonymous recommender" was. Maybe one of his professors? Either way, they seemed interested in him. From the looks of the rules and regulations, the program wouldn't be easy, and not to mention a 5-part interview to pass. However, it was highly stressed back by his old counselor that he applied, and that it would look great on transcripts.
Deciding it couldn't hurt (he had nothing planned for the summer anyway) he went on the website and clicked the same link he did several months previously, then clicking the actual application.
FAR REACH ENTERPRISE
ENSURING PROGRESSION FOR THE FUTURE
FINAL REACH Application
Thank you for deciding to apply to this prestigious program. Please, take your time to answer every question truthfully and completely. Do not leave any part of the application blank. Any mistakes or blank answers will result in your application being immediately dismissed by the selection committee.
The application is estimated to take about an hour to complete. You may pause and save your work and return to it at a later time. Be mindful of the application date. There is no special consideration for those who turn in applications early, so please do not rush.
The questions were simple at first. If they could even be called questions, that is. They were things like "name", "date of birth", "gender", etc. Then a section on medical history, in which he had to pull up a few documents up for. Then there was a personality assessment, and questions asking why he wanted to do the program, what he expected to receive from it, and questions on his availability.
After checking his answers a couple of times, Lukas hit "SUBMIT APPLICATION". A bubble popped up on the screen.
Thank you for applying for Far Reach Enterprise's FINAL REACH program. You will be informed in May 20XX whether you have been approved to move onto initial medical testing and the 5-part interview.
Lukas stared at the message, getting a strange feeling in the back of his mind. Immediately, an image of the man who had come to their school, the representative, Allen Cartener, with his unnerving smile and suit, popped into his head. "I know several of you will apply." He shook the image out of his head and turned to his biology homework, the memory of the application fading after only a few days.
Six Months Later
A letter sat on his desk, simply packaged and designed. Dropping his bag, Lukas opened the envelope and unfolded the paper.
TO: LUKAS BONDEVIK
FROM: FAR REACH ENTERPRISE
Mr. Lukas Bondevik,
We are pleased to inform you that your request to join the initial testing stages of Far Reach Enterprise's FINAL REACH program has been accepted…
*to be continued*
A/N: How did you like it? Any guesses as to what's going to happen? It's pretty clear something suspicious is going on.