Chapter 9: The New Generation Pirates

Cole goes with the men through the forest. He learns everything didn’t end, and that there’s more after life. He gets first introductions that the world is not what it was. He enters the NGP base.

The six men march along a dirt path in single file with Cole trailing along in the back. Their direction leading into a much more intense forest full of greenery. The enormous trees, large as redwoods provide relief from the bright sun. The forest is colorful, alive, moving, slithering, in a constant state of flux. Nothing is static, not the trees, the plants, and especially not the wildlife. The forest has evolved, taking on a personality of its own. The bushes periodically shake from small animals scurrying as the travelers get close. Vines constantly reach out trying to touch Cole.

Blazer leading the group looks back, calling to Cole, “Don’t fall too far behind, we won't be able to protect you.”

Cole scurries up the trail sticking close to the young man packing pistols. He holds his arms close so as to not touch anything off the path. He moves closer nudging Kid Cannon questioning, “Yo man, is he serious? What are there more zombies or ghouls or whatever those things were out here?”

“Oh the drones. There are plenty of them, but we call them drones because they are mindless creatures that just move through life. Everyone has their own explanations of where they came from. They seem pretty scary but they're just wimps. It's when they show up in hoards when things can get hairy. They can swarm you and sometimes they can take more than a few hits before they go down. Drones are the least of your worries though. I mean, Ultras are strong in this world, but there are things that even we fear.”

“Ultras? What’s an Ultra?”

“Man you really don't know anything do you… Ya, you know, Ultras… Ultrasapiens man! That’s what we call ourselves. It's what we are, it's what you are.”

“Ultrasapiens… You mean people with, uhhhh powers?”

“Ya but that’s a lame way to say it.”

“You mean there are more people like, us?”

“There’s quite a few of us. I’m not exactly sure how many of us there are now though. In the beginning we were all alone, same as you, but for a long time. Over time the survivors found each other banding together. You’re lucky to say the least. Where we’re taking you is the biggest compound I know of. Safety in numbers, know what I mean?”

“I guess so. Where is this place?”

“We’re getting close. Once we clear this forest we’re about a mile away from the base. Don’t worry we’ll get there before dark…”

“Sorry this is all just a lot to take in. I mean the last thing I remember is the world going into chaos… I tried to get my nephew into a bunker but they wouldn't let us in.”

“You’re talking about The Event. Man you know how to jump right into the Debbie Downer stuff don’t you.”

“Why is it called The Event?”

“It's called The Event because that’s when everything went down man. That day single-handedly changed this world forever. Anarchy had broken out all over. The people left outside of the bunkers were left for dead. Then the KillShot arrived pushing everything to the tipping point. You remember everything up to that point?”

“I’m not sure if I remember the KillShot. I do remember a bright light… Then maybe a dream? But I don’t remember anything after that.”

“The KillShot hit, and on top of that, huge explosions everywhere, radiation flooded from the sky, and the earth. We had no chance to survive. The face of the earth changed so drastically nobody had a chance. Everyone died, and I mean everyone.”

“What that doesn't make any sense. I mean you guys survived, look at you.”

“See that just the thing, we didn’t survive, we died too. At one point or another everyone died. Every Ultra. I mean we tried to survive but most of us were wiped out by the explosions. Those that remained died from starvation or radiation. Ok, here’s what I know. About a year after The Event Ultras started waking up, lost and confused just like you now. We were utterly alone and abandoned in this crazy world. A new world where destruction changed the planet. It was a dark, barren wasteland. We thought we were in hell at first. In only a few years, life on earth evolved taking root into the state that you see now. Everything is alive, bigger, mutated. Everything is just, more...”

“Blazer said it could be genetic mutations from the radiation?”

“Sure that’s one theory. I’m not sure, but I don’t think so. I try not to think about it. I’m telling you thinking about stuff like that can drive you crazy, trust me. There’s been more than a few who couldn't handle it.”

“Well if Ultras started waking up a year after The Event, then why am I just waking up now?”

“Now that’s a good question! You are the first person we’ve seen wake up this late. Very interesting to say the least. As for the crazy dreams, everyone had dreams like that before they woke up. So that’s not so weird, but that’s a whole topic on its own.”

“So what’s your name?”

“My name is Kid Cannon, but everyone calls me Kid.”

“I mean your real name, like from before The Event.”

“None of that matters now. That person is dead. We are all new people in a new world. We’ve been given a chance to leave the old world behind and start something new. Here my name is Kid Cannon. Cole is dead. You should choose a new name too. Now come on we gotta keep up the pace. We don't want to get caught out after dark.”

Their path widens giving way to the commonly traveled route. Even the strong roots of the forest have been smoothed over allowing for the men to walk side by side. Cole jumps when he hears a pack of wolves howling in the distance. The sound is particularly deep, reverberating through the forest. Small creatures rumble through the bushes finding their hiding places.

Blazer moves next to Cole, “Stay alert. They might be hunting us.”

Cole looks back discovering a gargantuan wolf covered in purple fur. It’s in the distance on top of a large hill. It howls ferociously displaying its extraordinarily defined jaw muscles. A white strip of fur streaks down the center of its chest.

Cole cries, “Holy! Guys look at the size of that thing!”

Thunder, not even looking back says in a low voice, “He’s calling to his pack. We’re almost out of the forest. As long as we keep going they won't gather in time to surround us.”

Nearing the exit of the forest an intense sunset falls behind the mountains, illuminating the sky with a bright orange sherbert texture. Five green dragonflies the size of pigeons buzz past their heads, vibrating the air with the beat of their wings. The men laugh hysterically as Cole drops to his knees in response. Cole laughs at himself letting his guard down. In the moment an acutely furious pink flower reaches out with its roots wrapping Cole’s leg. He falls kicking his leg as the roots tightened their grip. Blazer quickly lunges over Cole swinging an intense light attached to a red hot string. Colorful tracers fill Cole’s vision as the light weapon slices through the flower’s roots, causing it to catch fire. Cole staggers to his feet taken aback.

“You can thank me later.” says Blazer recoiling his weapon.

Cole replies to Blazer, “First of all, I hate this vegetation! Second of all, what the hell was that?”

“It’s my power I guess you could say. I can focus my energy into these strings causing them to have, well, basically a lightsaber effect. Don't underestimate them. I’ve practiced for years to have deadly accuracy.”

“That’s, your power??”

“Pretty cool eh? Don’t worry you’ll probably get a chance to see me in action. Just don’t get on my bad side. You don’t want to be on the wrong side of the show.”

“Ya ok… Got it.”

The further they travel the more Cole can see something peculiar coming into view. A destroyed bunker door nested into the mountain. The massive blast door hangs by a thread on its large hinges. The exposed cavern leaves Cole with an ominous feeling.

Have I? I think I’ve been here before.

His attention is captured by the yellow glow of lights far to the left of the bunker door. Cole comments, “I see some lights. Is that where we’re going?”

Rush replies with a bit of a sigh, “That’s it alright, we’re getting close. Man, I could be back home relaxing right now if I didn't have to follow along with you guys.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Rush looks to Blazer as if asking for approval. Blazer nods his head in understanding. Rush calls to Cole, “Watch this!”

He takes a stance like a track star about to start his Olympic race. His legs tremble in anticipation. The air around him becomes hot causing heat waves to ripple off his body. With a flash, Rush darts down the path towards the base. His speed is so incredible that if it weren’t for the red tracer following behind, Cole could hardly keep his eyes on him. Within one minute he’s seen flying back up the path to the men. Rush stops next to them grinding his feet into the ground, kicking up dust. With the dust still settling, Cole notices that Rush is wearing a new yellow jacket.

Cole walks over to him, “This isn’t the jacket you were wearing before?”

“No it’s not.” replies Rush with a satisfied expression on his face.

“That’s incredible! You were moving so fast I doubt anyone can keep up with you! It’s amazing to think that we are going to a place where there are more people with powers.”

Blazer, still leading the group down the path pipes up, “Sure it’s a cool sight to take in, but make sure to watch yourself when we get there. You don’t want to piss off the wrong person. People tend to develop attitudes, having powers and all. Some of them are just itching for a reason to show off what they can do. Just don’t wander alone, don’t touch anything, and just don’t stare.”

Cole cries with his loud voice that carries, “And you guys are taking me to this place?! This sounds like a bad idea!”

“Hey don’t get us wrong it’s like the Wild West there, but we have strict rules. Rules that you won’t want to break. If Master Death has to step in to settle an argument, you better be running for your life!”

“Master Death?... That’s a scary name. Who’s that?”

“He’s our leader, and the most powerful Ultrasapien that I know of. You will meet with him when we get to the base. Before he came, there were a lot less of us, and we struggled to stay afloat. We were constantly being picked off by drones, humans, and other things we don’t like to talk about. He stepped in protecting us. He gave us order, stability, maybe even more like a direction, something to aim for. Right now he’s sending us out on missions to protect the camp and recruit more Ultrasapiens.”

“Humans? You mean survivors were attacking you?”

“Yep. You see that destroyed bunker door over there? Well... There was a bit of a scuffle. Death did that. That day he single-handedly ended the feud between us. I don’t know how he did it but he must have scared the shit out of them, because we have a treaty now. The deal is we leave them alone, and they leave us alone. It’s one of the rules you will learn.”

“What?! That’s crazy! Why would they attack you guys? I mean they survived, shouldn't they have tried to help you?”

“You were denied safe harbor from a shelter too weren’t you?”

“I was. They said something about my past transgressions, and wouldn't let us in because they were trying to build a new society.”

“There was a lot of hatred that spawned inside of us after being left out to die. I mean how immoral do you have to be to not let a few of us in? We could have been saved! When the humans started to venture out of their bunker they encountered some of the Ultras. The Ultras just wanted shelter, to be accepted, know what I mean? So you can understand that they were furious when they denied us again. It got out of hand and some of the human scouts were killed. When the humans finally retaliated they almost wiped us out. No seriously those guys are just sitting, brooding, in a bunker, with some of the smartest scientists and engineers. The humans are able to build some pretty powerful weapons.”

“I can relate to that. When they let my nephew die, at that moment I was furious, and I would have thought the same as you. I haven’t had much time to think about it yet. I’m still confused on who I am and what’s going on. What I do know was it was a crazy catastrophe, and they needed to survive. I’m not sure if I can blame them for not wanting criminals in it, but tell me more about this place we’re heading to.”

“Ok, well, like I said, at first there was just a small group of Ultras, maybe three or four of us. They found this hidden military bunker deep in the mountainside. Similar to the human’s bunker with the broken door. It’s well built for defense which makes it a natural place to hide out. Just outside of the base it looks like a haphazard encampment. If you do well you will be allowed deeper into the base where you will be able to relish in the finer things in life.”

“The finer things?”

“You know the things you take for granted. We have showers and electricity.”

“How many people are there?”

“Ha well, I guess that depends on what you call people. I’d say there are about forty Ultras, and fifteen humans. Not all humans are bad, you know? Even we realize that. Once in a while we encounter someone who has escaped from their bunker coming to us for shelter. I mean how bad does it have to be that people run away to come live with us?! But if they earn their keep, and don’t cause trouble, we let them stay with us.”

“Are there other places, you know, like where we’re going?”

“Like the NGP? We’ve heard stories from travelers of other settlements, but we are limited in what we know. From what we have gathered, there are other societies with similar struggles. Not everyone lives at our base. Some live on the outskirts showing up only when they want to trade.”

The conversation stops as the men arrive at the base. With the oncoming darkness flood lights kick on illuminating it. A large black skull and crossbones pirate flag flaps in the wind. Barbed wire fences surround the encampment protecting small makeshift huts. Everything appears to be pieced together like the Brazilian favelas. The entrance to the military mountain base is deeper into the town, burrowing into the granite mountainside. Bright lights from a couple guard towers turn, focusing their attention on the approaching men. Cole passes a now illuminated picture nailed to a tree. He takes a closer look noticing a headshot of a man. In large red letters the word “Missing” written beneath it.

The big brute Thunder pushes Cole forward. He points to the three guards standing next to the gated entrance. The bright light makes it hard to make out, but he can see three giant brutes standing guard, even bigger than Thunder. They are easily larger than any human with wide round bellies, two of them holding large steel pipes. One of them carries a wrecking ball over his shoulder. They wear makeshift body armor adding to their massive size.

“That way.” says Thunder with his raspy low voice.

Blazer pulls Cole in front of the men pushing towards the guards. “Hey we're back, and we have a new brother.” says Blazer about to pass the guards.

The guards stop Blazer and Cole by aggressively swinging their arms in front of them. Cole sizes up the guards, instantly becoming intimidated. They are easily four times his size in both height and width. Big, ugly, literal ogres. Yellow skin, sharp teeth, and pointy ears. Their hair is thinning. They have big pot bellies that hide their underlying muscle. Their body armor making them appear that much more massive. A deep voice booms from the ogre in front, “Halt! We need to see proof of power.”

Blazer points his hands towards Cole to introduce him, “It’s ok he’s one of us. He’s an Ultra, we saw his power.”

The ogre remains silent for a few seconds then replies in a deeper voice than Thunder, “You know the rules Blazer... We can’t let him in until we see his power.”

“Alright then. Cole, show them what you can do.”

Cole looks around at the men, then back at the guards. He lifts his hands up looking at his palms then says, “I can’t… I don’t even know how I did it in the first place. It all just happened so fast. I mean before I didn't even think about it.”

Blazer puts his hand on Cole’s shoulder whispering, “Come on man just show them something. It doesn’t have to be spectacular. Just show them something that a normal human can’t do…”

Cole mutters to himself, “Something that a normal human can’t do… You make it sound so simple!”

He holds his hands out in front of him. He starts yelling trying to unleash his power like a Super Saiyan. The group simultaneously steps back in anticipation. But nothing. Cole is left standing in the middle of the group looking like a madman having produced no superhuman powers. The ogre in the back yells, “He’s a spy! He has to be, he is trying to trick us!”

Blazer waves his hands stepping in front of the guard, “No no he is one of us! We all saw his power. Right guys?”

Toxic replies with a distorted voice from his mask, “There’s no way he took out those drones without knowing how to use his power. He’s trying to trick us! Maybe he’s from another camp! He’s trying to get into our base to reveal our weaknesses!”

Kid jumps into the commotion, “Ya man maybe this whole thing was just a stage! I mean we haven’t seen anyone just wake up in five years!”

The ogres surround Cole. The leader says, “You’ve seen too much already. We’re going to have to take you in for questioning.”

Cole yells, “You guys were the ones who picked me up! You guys were the ones who wanted to bring me here! Just let me- And I’ll never come back aga-”

Toxic interjects, “Of course you want to leave now! We caught onto your little plan!”

Cole quickly replies, “No no- I, I don’t want to cause trouble. I’m-”

Two massive hands grab onto Cole’s arms pulling him to the ground. In Cole’s heightened state everything slows to a halt.

What a strange sensation.

His peripheral vision turns black as he enters a trance. A jolt of images flash in his mind. He has left the world and is greeted by a memory of training in the other world. The strange white, endless world. He’s in the middle of learning a new attack. The hooded man speaks to him, “Now remember what I’ve taught you these past months. You need to compress the air as tight as you can, then release it explosively.”

The ogre guards fall to their knees, holding their hands over their ears. The pressure in the surrounding air builds from an oncoming explosion. Cole, still in his dream state, just about to release his attack, is forcefully woken by the pressure. His power is fully cocked on the verge of releasing violently. Realizing he is about to blow everyone away he tries to ease back his power. A concussion of heat and wind booms knocking everyone to the ground. The three ogres, ears bleeding, look at their hands covered in blood.

The ogre with the deep voice cheers stepping towards Cole with his hands in the air, “Well well well. It looks like we do have something here! You are one of us, and you can be an asset to us after all.”

Cole yells out frantically, “I just had a memory! Uhh, sorry I didn’t mean to release that power! It was all I could do to hold it back!”

The ogre has confusion all over his face, “You held back?! Wait wait wait, what do you mean you just had a memory?”

Cole looks back down at his palms talking to himself, “A memory… Or maybe it was a dream?... I’m not sure.”

Blazer abruptly takes over the conversation, “Sorry guys I tried to tell you, he just woke up. He doesn’t have a clue what's going on.”

The surprised guard exclaims, “What?! No way that’s crazy! We haven’t seen anyone wake up this late before. It has to be close to five years since we’ve seen anyone wake up. Your story could almost be considered legend! This is great! We’ve never experienced a youngling who can knock us to the ground. That's just incredible!”

Cole, still questioning his sanity replies, “I’m really sorry I don’t know how to control it yet.”

“Don’t worry about it. We are tougher than you think. We’ll have Master Death fix us up.”

“Wait what you said before. You said my story could be a legend? What does that even mean? Why is waking up now so different?”

“You really don’t listen do you? Like I said before, it has to be at least five years since we’ve run into someone who just woke up. Most of the Ultrasapiens started to wake up about a year after The Event. Over time a bit more trickled in.”

Blazer steps in front of the guard getting his attention, “Don’t overwhelm him too early! Now let us in, I have a job to do.”

The guard, still about to continue his story, is left with his large mouth hanging open. He stands motionless for a moment, then pulls the radio off of his belt, “He’s good, let them in.”

The fenced gate retracts, opening the entrance. The bright lights turn off taking the focus off the group. As they maneuver through the makeshift village Cole notices another missing poster on the side of a hut. It's a copy of the one he saw before he entered the village. He taps Blazer’s shoulder to ask him about it. The men in the group break formation dispersing their own ways. Distracted by their sudden actions Cole forgets his question and instead asks a different one, “Where are they going?”

“I don’t know and I don’t care. They’re off the clock now, they can do whatever they want. Now listen up. To be a welcomed member of this society here Cole, you must pull your own weight, and just as much prove yourself.”

With a confused look, Cole responds, “Prove myself? How would I do that? I mean I just got here.”

Blazer, still guiding Cole continues, “Just keep listening. The world has changed, you’re confused. Realize things will never go back to how they were before. The faster you can get over that, the faster you can come to terms with what's going on. Got it?”

“I guess so. Like those ogres!?”

“Like the ogres... Good. Now I know you have questions, and we will do our best to answer those questions. By the time you are starting to understand you will probably have more questions than answers. There is more to all this than we think. There has to be… Our leader Master Death rebuilt this society. His rule is law. Like I said before, he sends us on missions, to keep the peace, to find people, to protect. He uses his ultimate power to keep everyone safe and gives us a home. He is much like a father to us. If you figure it out, this place can be just like a family. That being said, if you want to live under this roof you must follow father's rules without question.”

“Sounds like a dictatorship to me.”

“Ya pretty much, but without him we wouldn’t last out there. Now before you can join the New Generation Pirates, Death would like to meet you.”

“What for?”

“He wants to get to know you. He wants to make sure that you will be able to carry your own weight. He doesn’t allow just anyone to enter our group. Most of all he wants to make sure you understand what it means to live here. If he likes you then you will go through the initiation ritual.”

“What's the initiation ritual?”

Blazer takes off his jacket revealing two black ink tattoos on his arms. Each arm has a line that coils up from his wrist wrapping all the way up around his shoulders.

“Just a tattoo that represents your power. Mine is the strings I control. Once death gives you one of these you will be initiated. Don't worry you will find out soon enough. We're on our way to meet him right now.”

“I hate tats.” Cole murmurs to himself.

Cole, unnerved by this whole situation feels he has no other option but to continue going with the flow. He passes the men and women of the village, they stare at him like the new kid at school. Some of them wearing tattered pieced together clothing. Initially they could pass for homeless. Another man stands in the walk path wearing a futuristic-looking suit made of a dark metal. It covers his entire body. His enclosed helmet lights up his face from the inside with a light blue. He gawks at Cole with his head tilted slightly, scoping out the new meat.

Cole questions Blazer, “What's the deal with that guy?”

“He’s just a human that survived in one of the bunkers. All the people wearing suits like that are human. They have to wear them or else they will die. It keeps them safe from the radiation. Don’t take them lightly though, their suits make them pretty powerful too. Custom mods and all.”

Cole becomes agitated by this comment, “You mean there is still radiation?! Shouldn't I be wearing a suit too?!”

“Na man, come on, you’re an Ultrasapien. You don’t need a suit to survive. You have already evolved to the point where radiation can’t touch you. At least that’s my understanding anyway.”

“I see… I guess that’s good.”

A group of men outside of the local tavern call out at the new arrival.

“Look what the cat dragged in!”

“Hey Blazer, where did you find this guy?”

Blazer snaps back, “Back off guys he just woke up!”

One man replies with disbelief, “What?! No way, I don’t believe you. You mean to tell me, that this guy is a youngling?!”

“Yep we're on our way to Master Death right now.”

Cole soaks in his surroundings, dim lights illuminate the area. Still leary, he memorizes his path in case he needs to make a quick getaway. Small huts litter the area haphazardly. Some men and women dine outside by a small restaurant. They stop their conversations for a moment, staring as Cole walks past them. Another missing poster comes into view, increasing Cole’s curiosity. Again he suppresses his urge to ask about it being too worked up about meeting this Death character.

A young woman with long blonde hair jogs up to Blazer. She cups her hand whispering in his ear. Blazer replies, putting his hand on her shoulder, “Tell Master Death I have someone new for him to meet.”

The woman in return excitedly runs up the path in front of them. Blazer turns, stopping Cole, “Now when you meet Master Death make sure to pay your respects.”

“Ya got it.”

“No really man you don’t want to start off by getting on his bad side believe me. He is incredibly powerful.”

“You’re freaking me out man! I’m not sure if I should go now. I mean his name is Death for crying out loud!”

“Don’t worry he isn’t an evil man. Actually he has treated us quite well. I mean he is very strict on how we handle ourselves here, but not like evil.”

“Ok if you say so… Then why is his name Death?”

“That’s just a nickname he picked up. I think people started calling him that because he is so powerful. If you piss him off, you could very well end up dead. That being said, if you want to win him over, make sure you treat him with respect.”

“Got it, respect. Can.. Can I ask? What makes him so powerful?”

Blazer gives a hearty laugh before saying, “You’ll find out.”

Blazer points to a building in front of them, “See that building right there? That, is where we are going.”