EVO-VERSE 1: THE BEGINNING

MARS

27 A.R

Here lives us in the Age of flying cars, Robotic pets and Androids, holograms and buildings straight out of Sci-fi movies. A world built on, by and with Science, the new home of manki-

*Whiz*

"Watch ouuuuuut!!!"

"Whoa....easy on the Flycycle kid!!"

".... I'm sooooooorrrrrryyyyyy!!!"

*whiz*

*whoosh*

Almost hit me there, ha...kids. As I was saying, Earth, our most beloved planet was forsaken at the moment of Retribution....

I, the Author, unfortunately enough, made it into this new home world as they like to call it. We've lost family, friends and foes but alas, we live. We now live in a new world, a Tech-world, where days of mortality are now gone by. What do I mean by that? I'll tell you.

In a world where signs of life is non-existent, a place desolate and devoid of 'natural' Oxygen. Mankind, pushed to the edge, facing extinction that they so despair, had no choice but to resolve to a final solution, Bio-Cybernetic Augmentation. This is, however, by choice for those who made it into this world in one piece. For, some feared losing their humanity while most were just tired of being human. Some were thrilled with the discovery while some scorned at how scientists go about life against their 'God'. Of course, nobody knows who 'God' is up until this date, but we still believe that there is a superior being, somewhere out there in the unexplored cosmos, even after going through 'that' on Earth.

My view? I think humanity went through a necessary evolution. It was no different from being human, which is, living, even if at the cost of losing 'Natural features', as long as one lives. Believe it, I'm not willing to die when it's clearly evident that there's no next life and that it's the end of the line. When death comes, existence is erased and never to be again as newborns are made to fill in the numbers.

Food? Shelter? No, Nature? Yeah, matter of factly, biotic factors have been replicated after several studies and research, but to a certain level, all that's left is time for the new world to grow.

Despite the tussle, everything is just as it used to be. The good ol' days where a boy hits on a hot girl, where a man comes home from work and beats his wife.

AHEM!!

Out here on this roof, looking down at the new world, I'll tell you a story, the story of how mankind evolved.

‡

Earth

Year 3500

March 4th, Monday

Bargon city, Lower Lands.

"Oh my World, I am so late..... I am so going to eat Oatmeal this month, it's no curse." I couldn't help but admit fault with a tightened hold on my suitcase in fear and anxiety as I sat impatiently in a Maglev commuting train with my feet tapping loudly on the footplate.

My name is Jenkins... Jenkins Curtis. I'm a young adult-of age 23, and right now I'm on my way to an interview. I recently got a shot at a top Technology Company and well, coincidentally I slept off 'dreaming' of me being granted the same job. Isn't it funny how hilarious fate could be?

I mean, my 'Alarm', which is typically a part-function of a Home AI device that had never for once missed a minute on the clock was broken, today, of all days? Surely, this must be it, the age that life puts one in disappointment and sorrowful youth; where you eat oatmeal at breakfast and Beans for dinner, definitely no lunch.

I'm, only recently, a Two Star-Honored Alum in Space Technology. A dream profession since I've been a 4 year old, looking into the sky through the windows of the walls of Cate's at leisure. Wondering what was up there beyond the skies, what those shiny little dots and the big flabby balls in the sky were?

I'd ask the nannies in the orphanage and I clearly remember how Ms. Lee had told me about the Universe. Her knowledge on space was basic but back then, it was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard. The planets, the Moon, the Stars and the Sun. Of course, there were doubts and when I had asked her, she told me about Astronauts who explore the Space in discovery. From then on, I had reached a conclusion, a resolve and I was determined to see it all for myself. I would brag about it and they would all say

"Jenkins, you surely have a dream bigger than the World." Only now do I know the meaning of those words.

At age 7, I was adopted from the orphanage by the late Sir and Madam, Rowe and Roselle Curtis respectively. Moments in the orphanage were pleasant and life in the Curtis' family mansion was more than blissful. Oh, Mother, she was so kind and such a beautiful woman with compassion and genuine love for me. She always treated me with utmost care as if I was the only child in the world. Father, on the other hand was always away, he was a successful businessman with lots and lots of riches and fame. Although, less can't be said that he was a good father on his own terms but, apparently, the only thing he loved more than money was Madam Roselle. He would cherish her like an egg every second of the day and would do anything for her. It wasn't that the two were not able to produce a child on their own, in fact, they had two successful children who had actually made their name known in the world.

Sir Rowe Curtis was a busy man and Madam Roselle was a slightly aged woman of age 53, who resented loneliness and thus requested for a 'little brat', consequently me, to keep the house going and rumbling while he was away with business so as to keep her company. It was in the Mansion that I got to learn and got proper education. I would delve into the world of books and novels to read about space till I slept off with the lights on. Mother would come tuck me in with a lovely smile that I always appreciated in a daze as I fall into deep slumber, I would never forget how beautiful those smiles were....

The brat grew into a 14 year old soon enough, home alone while my adopted parents went on a summer vacation. I was watching a TV show, Space discography precisely on June 24th year 3491, when suddenly, siblings that I have never met for once in my life came visiting. Both dressed in black, precisely the moment my life turned south.

Kingsley Curtis, a slightly built man with sharp facial features that he definitely inherited from his old man and Elizabeth Curtis, a total contrast of lovely mother but with a superior beauty and elegance both announced the death of our parents, with remorse written all over their faces, to me: It was a plane crash. I felt pained and at the same time lost, for I knew my days in the family were numbered. Soon enough after the burial, my thoughts became realized as the Mansion was sold, leaving me stranded and with nowhere to go.

I knew I was just a possession, not a child of the family. Even if they had considered me a legitimate child, I was not their child by blood and I knew I was in no position that entitled a property. Expectantly, neither of my presumed siblings admitted to cater nor take responsibilities of me, so I knew I was on my own, again. I wouldn't have known what to do nor where to go if it wasn't for Mother, who had always loved me to the extent that she had registered an Emergency funds account in my name with all the details in my possession. She' had said it was the only gift she could give to me for what I've done for her, which I could never fathom till today, because, reverse was absolutely the case. She not only filled-in the Mother figure that I lacked since birth, she also gave me family warmth, love and finally, this, a future. I could never thank her enough even for thousands of years to come, her memory would forever be etched all over my entire existence.

I enrolled at Stargaze University of Space Science and Technology (SUSSAT), a renowned college specialized In Astronomy, Space Science and Technology, after going through high-school humiliation and bullying saga. I lived in the dorm with a really weird four-eyed roommate whose only word to me was;

"Don't touch my stuffs!" that was it, afterwards we never spoke for four good years.

I graduated months ago and eventually moved into a Zero-Star Motel, if anyone would ever have to rate them. Well, the poor have no choice, I couldn't go about spending my Emergency funds recklessly, I'm still 23, and I still have a big dream way bigger than what's in my pocket, or bank account in this case.

Story of my life, sucks to be me for a second in.

"Attention, the train number 227 has arrived at highland, platform number 6 on time." Even though I had just arrived at my destination, it's no exaggerating that my journey had just begun.

◌

Even the longest journey begins with a single step and so I took a leap out of the train. I managed to slither my way out the crowded Train station which is so far the cheapest means of transport after the World war. The whole World had been amalgamated and divided into two lands: The Low-lands and The Highlands. It was a simple hierarchy set up to distinguish the classes of people in the world. Undoubtedly, everyone from the Low-lands had to go by train as they were the only means of transport available at long distance. Of course, there were those with maintenance private Auto-mobiles but their numbers were at minimal. On the other hand, there were Transporters that commute people by pre-recorded co-ordinates in The Highlands, although there were Flobiles of different sizes and shapes on highways mostly for sightseeing functions. Luxuries basically resided in the Highlands.

Facing the slightly congested highway, I decided to take a walk as my destination was only few blocks away, wouldn't it actually be my destiny that was a few blocks far away?

Nevertheless, after literally running all the way down here, I now stand in front of the wide open huge matte black gate with several guards ready to face all sorts of threat. Beads of sweat were sliding down my face as I pant heavily. i tilted my head to the side and sighed in anticipation as I saw the large banner standing on the roadside of the gate with only a phrase written on it

'SPAX Corp. Inc.'

My heart thumped hardly like a man that had fallen in love with a beauty at first sight. The 3d-like Spiral structure of the building was mesmerizing enough to melt my heart and the thought of working as a staff in the building was already tantalizing. SPAX was the 6th on the technology companies ranking list. Although it had been ranked higher in the previous years at its prime, to a lowlife like me, it was definitely a dream come through.

I approached the building and was allowed in not after being interrogated and thoroughly searched. I actually do not understand why they go to such extent as this was only a business enterprise, not a Universal agency with State secrets. But I just concluded that they were only doing their job as securities. Being a Business Space-Tech Enterprise doesn't mean they wouldn't be involved in evil schemes of some big-bellied 'opportunists' and on top of that, the company was ranked 6th.

SPAX Corp Inc. had several branches in the highlands and there is only one branch office in the Low-lands. The headquarters is situated in the most developed part of the world, Kress City. According to history, Kress City was where the last world war ended, located in the previous 'Oceania' continent, popularly known as 'Australia'. An island continent that had been modified into an exotic sight to behold, the whole continent is a city and the capital of Earth. There were underground Maglev railroads and passages which -due to circumstances I couldn't appreciate- looked quite breathtaking in the pictures that I've seen.

Notwithstanding, the whole world is full of underground and underwater railroads linking the continents separated by Seas and Oceans. The city was named after the American hero, Kress Meyers, a veteran soldier who committed suicide at the last battleground after yelling out his speech on the irrelevancy of the war and his cry for peace and freedom- from my view. If anyone ever said a loser can't be a hero someday. Although, it was more complicated than that... Well, all in a nutshell.

The war was originally between two world powerhouses, The United States of America and The Republic of China, which turned into a world war as both parties associated with their respective allies. Most history fans would deem this phenomenon as one of those Shakespeare's tragic works, a touching moment worth an 'Aster' award, but to me, it's nothing more than a war of pride and ego between two rich brats showing off their 'toys' to see who's better, eventually trampling upon the interests of others.

I stepped into the spiral-structured sky-scraper and I approached the reception to state my appointment.

"Hello, I'm Henna, how may I help you?" an aged woman probably in her late 50s with not even a slight wrinkle on her spotless skin said pleasantly.

"Hello ma'am, my name is Jenkins, I have an appointment with Space principal Sri." I said with a nervous smile.

"A moment please." she said and nodded politely before dialing a number on the improved landline on the desk, A Spherical Vector device well-suited for the job. Her gestures and movement were smooth, perfect and precise, indicating how experienced she is.

After speaking for several short minutes, she dropped the call and smiled politely towards me and then directed me to Mr. Sri's office- what I'd call him when we were alone. The elevator stopped at the 15th floor, the highest floor in the building and I made my way towards his office. All the offices on the floor, save few, had a transparent sound proof door and a tag indicating the number of the office and it didn't take long for me to arrive in front of Office 3, which the receptionist had told me to look for once I got to this floor.

I knocked the door gently and a bald aged man raised his gaze from the documents which he was studying towards my direction, his bifocals sitting comfortably over his nose bridge as he gives me a beckoning sign, however with an irritated expression on his face that says otherwise.

I softened my stiffness as I opened the door and stepped in, I hadn't finished closing the door when a slightly shaky voice resounded in the room;

"Now tell me, whoever shows up for an interview past 12pm?"

'Yes sir, you called!' I couldn't help but assent jokingly in my mind.