It was a smooth ride, mostly silence, Neel put on a headphone to listen some songs. The bus stopped several times along the way to pick up more people all humans. Midway the journey a tv screen started playing a video explaining history and current state of the world which fascinated Neel.
It started with world was I & II till modern day. Neel does remember learning about it in the town campus that he only has bad memories about. Most of people living inside of sanctuary are repulsed by people like him and carry heavy prejudice.
'A world full of freaks'
That's what Neel thought while reminiscing of his history classes.
After first and second world war in 19th century, several times in the coming years world was at tipping point for another one but it was always averted due to severe consequences. Eventually transfer of power happened when corporations became defacto ruler of nations with the riches and tech at their disposal. Corp. stronger than entire nations took over majority of the world dissidents were eliminated followed by the era of strife. People revolted just to be crushed, it was inevitable. Some dictated it'll lead to unprecedented peace and prosperity other foresaw greater upheaval, what came nobody saw. Tech revolution, ai, advanced robotics, value of human capital depreciated at a rate unseen ever before. It led to short ter prosperity but long-term dependency.
Eventually humans are an enigma and conflict is impossible, war took place not once twice or thrice but several times after all they needed to test their weapons somewhere, transfer of benefits became a competitions and nations battlegrounds people scapegoats. One world saw misery war, death while rest enjoyed prosperity. One scientific breakthrough after another and humanity finally reached the stars amid the great upheaval. Then the unthinkable happened.
Humans once again enter the battlefields where only metal golems, robots and artificial machines reigned but these were not just any humans, they were 'weapons'
Made specifically for war and bring unprecedented amount of destruction they were called 'Inhumans', designed with numerous fail-saves and self-destruct mechanism their kind was only meant as a tool of bloodshed but Humans are most adaptable creatures that is something no amount of science of math equation could've predicted. They evolved further, capable of tanking legions of machines and robots, mystical powers reminiscing those of legends, withstanding anti-tank missiles with just their indestructible flesh, their strengths varied but they joined hands bonded together amid the madness of war regardless of their earlier masters, a new faction was born to tussle for power and authority. They led revolts, defied authority, some viewed them as messiah other as demons and criminals.
This greatly annoyed the rulers of earth who were on the verge of extraterrestrial colonization. It led to usage of most destructive weapon of humanity that hadn't seen sun for centuries, nuclear weapons. Cornered in one place Inhumans were bombarded with nukes it instantly wiped out 90% of their population, the rulers saw victory in sight but the 'weapons' were not resigned to their fate, remaining who survived the destruction went into hiding, their next appearance brought forth the worst nightmare of Humanity.
One mad trillionaire saw their existence as evolution, took them under his protection, tested perfected and let the curse loose on all of humanity. Same curse that flowed through the veins of the Inhumans was injected into every child on earth in the guise of vaccine. When truth became known it brough forth a disaster of unprecedented scale, humanity had two choices either to kill all children under 5 or coexist, the choice was simple or was it even a choice?
The order shattered, authority collapsed, anarchy took over. The corporations who ruled earth saw no solution to the mess and escaped earth overnight to their established colonies leaving behind a broken world.
Eventually peace returned after establishment of world government and humans-Inhumans sought peace with each other. But the damage was unprecedented, countless families destroyed people dead not to guns and bullets but to their own children. Children from 1 to 8 awaken unknown powers and mutate overnight, unaware of their own situation they often end up being a cause of tragedy for their own loved ones.
Neel was one such individual.
Agartha once told him after his continuous insistence the one who killed his parents, the cause of their demise was none other than Neel himself. This made a big impact on young Neel since then he actively started to restrain himself, for him human children were akin to clay pots, feeble in mind and body to shatter from a single touch thus he mostly avoided confrontation, but that did not stop the impetuous kids from bullying him, thinking of past his mood soured. This contributed significantly to his resolve of escaping that place.
The foundation of world government is prosperity and coexistence, Humans-Inhumans we both share common origins thus we need to push apart our differences and strive for a better world. Stick with us to watch secretary of Mutual Assistance and Cultural Exchange getting interviewed by our top anchor in a few minutes.
The show ended followed by advertisement and Neel closed his eyes enjoying his favorite songs
His sleep was broken by an abrupt shout from the speaker; the bus had reached its destination.
Neel joined other where he was led by a staff for screening and briefing. It was nighttime so he ate some food meanwhile all the process was done and they were let go. There he took a local ride for the nearest city Sarsind. Now Neel had officially stepped outside of sanctuary, there was no going back.
July 8, Year 3176, 366 years after the great upheaval and 125 years since formation of world government
Young Neel leaves the haven of humanity called 'sanctuary' for a new and exciting world
In Sarsind he booked a flight for 'Pantheon' his true destination.
If Sanctuary was known as peaceful and most safeguarded public place for humans under world government then Pantheon was the place equivalent for Inhumans. An inhuman wanting to make it big will reach there one way or another. All major Mercenary Companies, Security Corps and State Houses have a branch in here seeking to hire Inhumans.
The journey was uneventful; he did some small talk with Agartha along the way but slept most of the time by morning the flight reached Pantheon.
'That's it; this is the place' Instead of starting as a bottom tier Mercenary for some 3rd grade company in a backwater place Neel decided to aim for the top one.
Rows of skyscrapers were reflected in his dark eyes, vehicles flying above him, androids walking around poaching people, almost all major guilds in the world have a branch in this city, uncountable number of Inhumans arrive here to fulfill their dreams.
As Neel was roaming around dazzled by the view he too got approached by an android, these things are automated robots preinstalled with commands, the outer garment was synthetic one piece silver cloth that covered it from head to toe, its iris were glowing blue, the scalp had no hair just a steel cover, one of the mass produced units used for odd works, can easily be dismantled by a group of humans.
'You must be an Inhuman. Are you seeking to join a Mercenary company if so then worry no more I Cristela 1106 shall guide you.' Spoke the android as the disk on her chest glowed brightly
'Yup, how were you able to identify me so easily?' Neel tilted his head in confusion
'It's because my sensors felt high radiation emanating from your body, for us who are installed with high tech sensors its akin to a lit candle in dark background'
Cristella 1106 handed him a tab while explaining the pros of joining her recommendation and cons of choosing other company or profession. Neel just nodded and somewhat believed her explanation, ever since he landed in pantheon his senses are running wild, he has never been among Inhumans before but just by one look he can tell people apart if someone is a Human or not.
Humans use technology to spot us but I can easily sense it. Is it just me or a trait all Inhumans possess?
Neel was curious but he kept it to himself, eventually he'll come to know everything, as for whom to join Neel has long been fixated on becoming a Mercenary. A Mercenary Company is a private entity, not under authority of world government, while they do follow the laws of human domain but they are not subservient rather in a cooperative relationship. Mercenaries get paid good, do thrilling work that Humans cannot handle mainly related to Inhuman outlaws or criminals. Coincidently this android serves a mercenary guild as well which made it easier.
Guided by Cristella 1106, Neel stood before a 100-floor skyscraper, he had to stretch his neck just to get a good look, Neel had never seen something such sight before in real life.
'Oooh boy this is what I'm talking about, this is life. I was right to leave that place.' Neel gave an excited laugh as he followed the petite back of android inside.