Chapter 4: Children of Tomorrow Part 1

Arc I


*Everything is a blur, Kaeda is gaining consciousness. When she fully gains her sight, she gets up. Around her are children of all ages. They've been kidnapped just like her. The back of Kaeda's head suddenly starts aching, due the truck hitting her.

Kaeda: Agh,That hurt like bitch... Where am I?

Little Boy: You're in an Extremist Recruitment truck.

Kaeda: Extremist Recruitme... What's that supposed to mean?

Little Boy: We're part of the Extremist Army now. Or we are, if we survive training.

Kaeda: No. This is a mistake! I'm not supposed to be here! Let me out!

*Kaeda runs to the door and starts pounding on it.

Little Boy: Do you think we had a choice? We were forcefully recruited as well!

*Kaeda turns around to the boy then examines the children again. He was right. All the children look scared and hurt. They've been torn apart from their families just as she was torn apart from her brother.

Kaeda: This is messed up.

*She gives up pounding on the door and makes her way to the corner of the truck. There she sits and sulks. Slowly she falls asleep.

-The morning of the next day

*The sound of the truck stopping wakes Kaeda up. Men start talking outside of the truck. She tries to make out what they say but they seem to be speaking in another language. The truck's back door opens and the morning light blinds the children.

Extremist: Pick out five of them!

*The Extremists start dragging children out. Kaeda watches in horror until she is dragged out herself.

Kaeda: Hey! Let go of me!

*They tie up her hands behind her back and is thrown in front of a group of men. They seem to be foreigners.

Extremist Captain: Alright boys, which one do you think would give you the best service?

*The foreigners speak amongst themselves. Soon their leader comes out of the crowd and starts examining them one by one.

Extremist Captain: Only one now so choose wisely.

*Kaeda is the last one to be examined. The foreigner feels her smooth, olive skin, strokes her long, black hair, and grabs her face, looking into her jade green eyes. He then smiles, giving Kaeda an idea of his intentions.

Foreign Leader: I believe this one will do.

Kaeda: Like hell I will!

*She spits in his face, confusing him. He looks at her, shocked. She then headbutts him in the throat. This angers the other foreigners.

Foreign Leader: Is this some kind of joke to you?

Extremist Captain: Now hold up there, If you look at the others, I guarantee that-

Foreign Leader: No! If this is how you teach your cadets manners, I believe we have no business with you dogs!

*Tension grows between the Extremists and the Foreigners.

Foreign Leader: C'mon men, they don't need our aid.

*The foreigners turn around and begin to walk away.

Extremist Private: Sir, we need the money.

Extremist Captain: I know, Private. Let me handle this.

*The foreigners are about 30 meters away when suddenly they are stopped by the sound of guns cocking and loading. They turn around.

Foreign Leader: What the hell do you think you're doing.

Extremist Captain: Show no mercy men. Fire!

*The Extremists fire upon the group of foreigners, killing them all. The children who were brought out witness the entire massacre.

Extremist Captain: Loot their bodies, take anything that has value.

*He looks over at the children.

Extremist Captain: Throw them back in the truck, except for her.

*He points at Kaeda.

Extremist Captain: I need to have a little talk with her.

*He walks over Kaeda, crouches down to her height, and grabs her face.

Extremist Captain: Listen you little bitch, if you aren't going to benefit us, then I might as well kill you on the spot.

*She just glares at him. The Captain smiles and stands up. He kicks her in the gut as hard he can. The kick sends her back a couple of feet.

Extremist Captain: Know your place! Throw her back in with the others.

*The Extremists throw her back in the truck. Kaeda passes out from the pain of the kick.

-Later that day

Child: Hey! Get up! Get up! They'll kill you if you don't get up!

Kaeda: Huh?

Child: Hurry! On your feet! We here.

Kaeda: Where?

Child: The training facility.

*The truck doors fly open.

Extremist: Everyone out now! Anyone who refuses to get out will be executed! Out now!

*Everyone starts running out. As Kaeda exits the truck, she hears gunfire and desperate cries from the other trucks. The result of those who didn't want to join the Extremists. She continues walking until the makes it to a stadium-like place where everyone is gather. All the children seem so confused and frightened. The commotion is thunderous. Kaeda looks up at a podium, a man is walking up to it. He leans into a microphone.

Extremist Commander: Listen up!

*Silence fills the room within seconds.

Extremist Commander: Welcome! Welcome youth of all ages! As you all may know, you've all been enlisted to fight against the corrupt Xero Organization. We may all come from different backgrounds, but it's time to put that all aside. Forget where you come from. That doesn't matter anymore. Your new journey starts here. All of you are the Children of Tomorrow. You will fight for what's right and free the people from Xero's tyranny. Your journey starts here... Yes it's true that not all of you will survive during training, and if that happens... you were not fit to fight for anyone. Not even Xero... Before you are dismissed, you will be handed information cards by your fellow soldiers at the stadium exits, that card contains all the information you need, including you room. The guard will guide to your rooms in groups once you are dismissed. Oh, and just a heads up, your rooms don't exactly have the best conditions, but you will learn to tolerate it. Dismissed!

*The Commander turns around and walks away from the podium. All the children start walking to the guards to receive their info cards. Depending on what building, you will be lead to the building with a group of people who live in the same building with you.

Extremist Guard: Alright! Everyone with Building H! Follow Me!

*Kaeda had Building H, so she heads to the building where she finds her room.

Extremist Guard: Inside your rooms, you will find a change of clothes. Those are your uniforms and you are required to wear those outside of your rooms at all times.

*She goes in and the guard locks the door is locked from the outside.

Kaeda: Is this really happening?

*She walks over to her bed and sits on it. The intercom turns on.

Intercom: Cadets, just a reminder that curfew is at 2030 hours and lights out at 2100 hours. Any offenders will be publicly punished.

*Kaeda looks down at her clothes and hands. They're completely filthy, she looks around for a shower. There's a small bathroom on the other side of the room. She walks in and finds a shower in the corner. She undresses and turns on the water, it's freezing. Although, she bears with it. After the shower, she puts on the pajamas given to her and lays in bed.

Kaeda: Forget where you come from... Is that how you really start a journey?