Year of Rebels

The government’s newest technological advancement; The Nova accelerator. It could manipulate any atmospheric weather patterns to whatever humanity desired. A revolutionary invention of its kind, the thing dreams were made of. America being the first ever humans to dare manipulate something as wonderous and God like as the weather. No more tornedos, typhoons, and other natural disasters.

Once the American government released what time, date, and area it would demonstrate in; every TV and news reporters flocked to the sight immediately. Everyone eager for even a glimpse of this marvelous contraption. Headlines flashed in big bright red font across every tv screen and internet stream hyping up the historical event. The internet almost crashing trying to keep up with the world’s buzz. People discussing the pros and cons of the machine, the ramifications and what could be predicted as futuristic predictions and doomsday garble.

Many of the theories dismissed and focused on the ethics of the machine. Soon even local amateur filmography and internet stars sprang up within hours to the restricted site. Drones hovered nearby but were warned to stay within a certain flight space or they would be shot on site by the American government. Armed guards and secret service sprinkled the lawn along with other high-ranking officials who were present. News stations offered 24/7 round the clock coverage.

All eyes were now glued to America as the Nova accelerator started to come online on the announced date and time. The machine whirled to life and lit up as scientists closely monitored the control console. The Nova accelerator took up two football stadium sized fields and pierced the endless clear blue sky. Humanity just seconds away from reaching an evolution of power. Just as the machine reached its final stage the machine began to moan, and an alarm began to blare.

Warning and error messages appeared on control panels. The world watched in horror as the once great American government lost control of their amazing machine. A screen suddenly appears with eight masked figures across screens all over the world. Surrounded in darkness and voice modifications a loud voice boomed “We are the ‘Rebel Forces’, America is corrupt and should not hold such power. Free yourselves from your slavery!”

The video cuts out and News captions now read “Computer hackers have hijacked the government’s Nova accelerator!”. The government is helpless but continue to watch on in pure terror as the machine changes direction and the earth began to quake as the mechanism was locked into place. A giant buzz and crackle are heard just before it jerks as the mechanism fires a bright yellow beam into the sky. The ground rumbling with such force, knocking people to the ground as the machine fired off. Many of the American government sections spent minutes desperately combing the globe to find the terrorists and shut them down.

Presidential orders were given, and the military used heavy grade ammunition to physically damage the Nova accelerator into an inoperable state. The weather patterns begin to shift dramatically all over the world. Heat waves, ice storms, thunderstorms, hurricanes, and other natural disasters were reported all over the world. Voices screamed for help, others fled to shelters, and phoning emergency services remain ignored as the weather destroyed everything in its path. Innocent people were trampled by hordes of other panicked humans as they fled to safety.

All was in vain, nowhere was safe. Basement shelters were no longer safe as fallen debris either landed on it causing disasters, or simply trapping the people within with no way out. Downed power lines from wild weather, energy outages began, the internet began to fall away and abandoned houses lay full of forgotten heirlooms and trinkets were left behind. A mother’s golden heart shaped locket covered in dust and grime lay within the center of a street. Empty cars scatter the streets forever stuck in unending traffic.

Others deciding to stay behind began panic buying food and emergency supplies. Grocery stores were picked clean. Shipment orders called in urgently. Truckers facing dangerous disaster conditions, some unable to reach its destination. Hospitals and prisons abandoned by staff full of the sick and injured along with lowly criminals. After twenty minutes, the ‘Rebel Forces’ were finally located. Emergency presidential degreed a nuclear strike was deemed necessary. The ‘Rebels Forces’ and the surrounding populations were reduced to nothing but ash and cinder.

News and radio stations bolstered to the world that the threat of terrorists may be over, but the residual effects were here to stay. Most people did not even hear the news announcements. After the ‘Rebel Forces’ were destroyed, the American government scientists quickly regain control of the machine and shut it down. The Nova accelerator groaned, the yellow beam disappearing and then the machine fizzles out no longer operational. The American government begins quickly doubling its virtual security so that this will never happen again.

Power supplies and backup generators start failing at the demonstration site. TV and news cut away from the scene turning into static snow as bloggers try to uselessly stream to their popular channels but quickly fail as well. People realizing that soon technology we had come to rely on was quickly fading away. People of unrest began forming mobs and start random destruction, raiding houses for food, the need to survive calling from deep within.

The news and radio stations within struggling power supplies desperately report to any and everyone who would listen. The catastrophic repercussions of not only a nuclear strike, the wicked weather running rampant but also the damage to the Nova accelerator as well. Hours later after the tense reality sets in the president of the United States makes a devastating statement to the United States.

“My fellow Americans, your government is trying to find a viable solution to this terrorist organization, and we have succeeded so this will never happen again. The ‘Rebel Forces’ as they called themselves have been extinguished, unfortunately fellow Americans in the same location have sacrificed their lives in exchange for our freedom. It is unknown at this time of how many have died in this savage attack, but rescue teams are on site as we speak. Nobody has been recovered yet. We are also working on the Nova accelerator situation so we can correct the ‘Rebel Forces’ grave mistakes! Currently, we ask you the people to have faith in your leaders and do not panic as we will be working hard night and day to solve these issues. That is all.”

As the screens and radio stations goes dark so does the world, erupting into madness and chaos. Companies unable to keep up with suppliers demands, fuel began to run low, driving conditions became impossible to navigate. Riots soon broke out all over the country as people were scared, filled with uncertainty of the future. People of all races huddled into churches and listened as preachers spoke of the end times. Considering all this was divine punishment for daring to become gods ourselves.

People became unsatisfied with the American government, rumors spread of them hiding and protecting themselves from this hell on earth. So, while the world burned away these people lived the easy life safely tucked away in secret bunkers, etc. The nuclear strike site was deemed inhabitable and no rescue teams were ever deployed. The anger and grief cemented the peoples’ resolves. A revolution group now named the ‘Rebel Forces’ appeared.

The American government had been challenged after two hundred years of greed, corruption, secrets, and peace. Videos and audios appeared all over the world announcing the locations of the American government safe havens and leaking personal identities of them all. Millions of people lost their lives in the upcoming few weeks during battles, famine, diseases, crimes, and chaos. War was brutal for both sides but soon the American government was crushed. Once proud American soldiers quickly switched sides joining the rebellion to save their own lives.

They revealed strategies and top-secret information. The soldiers created a strategy of their own to help fight equally with the American government. After the win, the ‘Rebel Forces’ begin quickly forming their own rudimentary government. The rich and popular were hunted down for sport. Many of the once rich, corrupt, and powerful were tortured, slaughtered, or hanged publicly for their crimes and greed.

Scientists involved with the Nova accelerator were dragged behind steeds, stoned and then publicly tortured and hanged one by one along with many others. The world had been plunged into an unending purgatory. The strong survived while the weak were snuffed out of existence. No one was left to weep at the injustices of the world.

Famine became a regular due to the weather destroying what was left of once rich farmlands to decaying airy deserts. The ‘Rebel Forces’ announced hunting down livestock and eating whatever was caught no questions asked. Picked clean bodies littered the ground, once valuable merchandise was scattered along wreckages, packages of empty food containers and packages blow into the wind. Peoples scream heard in the distance, and basic human needs became a daily struggle. Waters began receding and disappear across the world. Icy lands remain unchanged making water scarce. Once giant trees fell as they dried out and died. Sea life was now extinct along with any vegetation. Animals of all kinds became sickly or hunted to extinction.

Money was burned, murders, theft and rape ran rampant across the country. Desperate people clinging to hope turned to cannibalism as a way of survival. As the weathers began to subside to a more predictable pattern, society had evolved. Guns and ammunition long since gone since the days of war. People used anything they could find as weapons. Others used their brains creating strategies to capture their prey.

Ten years pass

The year is 2027, California is now a frozen wasteland ruled by vicious ‘Rebel Forces’. The once glorious Grand Canyon is now used as a giant stadium where people dueled to the death for scraps of food and small sips of water. The loser was to be consumed by the winner along with the bits of food and water given to them as prizes. The lands ranged from scorching deserts, icy death, and then nothingness. Beneath the Grand Canyon lay holding cells.

‘Rebel Forces’ controlled the arena and lived graciously as others struggled to live. One man was deemed “Earth’s last hope” rose among the ranks of the gladiators for the ‘Rebel Forces’ pleasure. Rumors spread across the country of his deeds and his refusal of cannibalism accepting death in its place. People began to gather from all over, putting aside their wicked ways to watch this mighty hero of justice. His name was Graham Cox, a renowned private detective who fights for his own sense of justice.

The ‘Rebel Forces’ became unnerved by the gladiator’s resolve and continued to pit him against impossible odds. The government eagerly wanting to snuff out this problem of a man. Graham continues to prove his might time and time again that this gladiator would not go down. No matter the odds Graham prevailed in every dirty match. Some even deemed him a god as his body refused to give out.

Graham spread the word of first aid to the world and even fellow gladiators. There was no medical aid or help given as medical knowledge was once extremely limited or often forgotten. Injuries were life threatening in this hellish world. However, Graham’s last match with a tricky swordsman left Graham with a crippled leg. Shortly after he slayed his opponent and slipped into the shadows forgoing his prizes.

News of his injuries pleased the government, but they still wanted him dead. Squishing humanity’s hope one last time in these dark times. The gladiator made do with the materials he had on hand and fixed his leg the best he could. Graham continues to fight for our humanity.