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Welcome to the last city on Earth. Who will survive?
Welcome to the last city on Earth. Who will survive?
Project M150
Project M150
By Paige Sweeney
By Paige Sweeney
Ruins are all that are left. Radiation has spread, and all of the water is polluted. Many people have died. But some people still have a chance. Welcome to the last city on Earth. Do they have a chance? They believe they do, but in order to find out, we must come through with Project M150.
Ruins are all that are left. Radiation has spread, and all of the water is polluted. Many people have died. But some people still have a chance. Welcome to the last city on Earth. Do they have a chance? They believe they do, but in order to find out, we must come through with Project M150.
* * *
* * *
Flin stares at his blank wall like he always does, living in his small bunker, hiding from the radiation. His sister Reagan is what keeps him going. He would do anythi-
Flin stares at his blank wall like he always does, living in his small bunker, hiding from the radiation. His sister Reagan is what keeps him going. He would do anythi-
“We have to get ready." She cut into his thoughts.
“We have to get ready." She cut into his thoughts.
“Reagan, what for?”
“Reagan, what for?”
“I overheard the council talking about a project.”
“I overheard the council talking about a project.”
“Reagan why were you eavesdropping? That’s against the rules.”
“Reagan why were you eavesdropping? That’s against the rules.”
“I had to do what was right.”
“I had to do what was right.”
Why is she in such a hurry? Flin thought to himself, it’s only a project. His questions were soon answered.
Why is she in such a hurry? Flin thought to himself, it’s only a project. His questions were soon answered.
“Excuse this interruption, citizens…” A loud voice could be heard over the loudspeakers.
“Excuse this interruption, citizens…” A loud voice could be heard over the loudspeakers.
Reagan and Flin looked at each other with confused looks.
Reagan and Flin looked at each other with confused looks.
“All citizens should please come to the heart of the city. I will explain more once you are there. Any citizen found in their bunker after the clock hits 5:00 will be faced with consequences. Thank you.”
“All citizens should please come to the heart of the city. I will explain more once you are there. Any citizen found in their bunker after the clock hits 5:00 will be faced with consequences. Thank you.”
“Reagan-- tell me what you heard.”
“Reagan-- tell me what you heard.”
“I didn’t hear much really, I-I- I don’t know we had to get ready.”
“I didn’t hear much really, I-I- I don’t know we had to get ready.”
Flin let it go. He helped his sister find a dress to wear and got himself his favorite baby blue shirt. He pulled his sister along to the heart of the city. They made it to the square and sat down in the cement seats. The chancellor walked out onto the paved roads in the middle of the square. His voice rang out into the crowd.
Flin let it go. He helped his sister find a dress to wear and got himself his favorite baby blue shirt. He pulled his sister along to the heart of the city. They made it to the square and sat down in the cement seats. The chancellor walked out onto the paved roads in the middle of the square. His voice rang out into the crowd.
“My fellow citizens! I have some exciting news…”
“My fellow citizens! I have some exciting news…”
The crowd screamed and cheered with joy.
The crowd screamed and cheered with joy.
“We have made a spacecraft to bring our volunteered 150 citizens to Mars! I will start to call you down. We thank you for your bravery.” He muttered under his breath, “You will need it on Project M150.”
“We have made a spacecraft to bring our volunteered 150 citizens to Mars! I will start to call you down. We thank you for your bravery.” He muttered under his breath, “You will need it on Project M150.”
Flin turned to Reagan, but she wasn’t there. He started to panic, calling her name.
Flin turned to Reagan, but she wasn’t there. He started to panic, calling her name.
“Please come down, Bryn Acadiese, Matthew Corwin………”
“Please come down, Bryn Acadiese, Matthew Corwin………”
Flin’s heart was pounding. Was his sister going to be called? He scanned the center and found no sign of her. He couldn’t stop himself and ran to the back of the seats, leaving through an exit.
Flin’s heart was pounding. Was his sister going to be called? He scanned the center and found no sign of her. He couldn’t stop himself and ran to the back of the seats, leaving through an exit.
“Hey, you can’t leave!” A guard grabbed his arm.
“Hey, you can’t leave!” A guard grabbed his arm.
The words didn’t even process in his mind. He hit the floor hard, getting the wind knocked out of him.
The words didn’t even process in his mind. He hit the floor hard, getting the wind knocked out of him.
“Get off me! I have to find my sister,” He yelled.
“Get off me! I have to find my sister,” He yelled.
There was a long pause as the guard looked up and down at Flin.
There was a long pause as the guard looked up and down at Flin.
“You're Flin Blake. Guys! Take him to the heart.”
“You're Flin Blake. Guys! Take him to the heart.”
“What! What did I do? Let me go!" Finn struggled, but they held him tight.
“What! What did I do? Let me go!" Finn struggled, but they held him tight.
“I can walk myself!” He said, pushing the guards away.
“I can walk myself!” He said, pushing the guards away.
With the men behind him holding his hands to his back, he tried to wrap his mind around why they wanted him. When they got to the heart of the square, he was pushed yet again to the ground. The chancellor spoke with words he never thought he would hear.
With the men behind him holding his hands to his back, he tried to wrap his mind around why they wanted him. When they got to the heart of the square, he was pushed yet again to the ground. The chancellor spoke with words he never thought he would hear.
“Citizens.. this is Flin Blake." He paused. "He is the boy whose sister volunteered him.’’
“Citizens.. this is Flin Blake." He paused. "He is the boy whose sister volunteered him.’’
That moment felt like it was in slow motion.
That moment felt like it was in slow motion.
“What!”
“What!”
Flin was speechless. Reagan had volunteered him into this mission?
Flin was speechless. Reagan had volunteered him into this mission?
“Oh, you didn’t know," the chancellor smiled. "Bring her in!"
“Oh, you didn’t know," the chancellor smiled. "Bring her in!"
Flin watched as his sister was thrown into the heart. He couldn’t decide what to think.
Flin watched as his sister was thrown into the heart. He couldn’t decide what to think.
“Please Flin! Forgive me, I only did what was right," she cried.
“Please Flin! Forgive me, I only did what was right," she cried.
“So, what was right was sending your own brother to his death," he said bitterly.
“So, what was right was sending your own brother to his death," he said bitterly.
“Project M150 is not dangerous”, the Chancellor said quickly, so the crowd could hear.
“Project M150 is not dangerous”, the Chancellor said quickly, so the crowd could hear.
Flin knew that everything the Chancellor spoke were lies. But everyone obeyed him, or else they would be put to death. Flin no longer cared. His death was already awaiting him, thanks to his sister.
Flin knew that everything the Chancellor spoke were lies. But everyone obeyed him, or else they would be put to death. Flin no longer cared. His death was already awaiting him, thanks to his sister.
* * *
* * *
“He’s the last one, put him on already," barked a guard.
“He’s the last one, put him on already," barked a guard.
Flin couldn’t say goodbye to his sister even if he wanted to. He was put into a chair and belted tightly.
Flin couldn’t say goodbye to his sister even if he wanted to. He was put into a chair and belted tightly.
“Why aren’t we getting masks? There is no oxygen on Mars.” Flin couldn't help the small panic in his voice.
“Why aren’t we getting masks? There is no oxygen on Mars.” Flin couldn't help the small panic in his voice.
“Shut up, Blake.” Another voice spoke next to him.
“Shut up, Blake.” Another voice spoke next to him.
“Who are you?”
“Who are you?”
Another boy turned to look at him. “I’m Matthew.”
Another boy turned to look at him. “I’m Matthew.”
“Well, Matthew, congrats, you’ve made an enemy,” Flin said sarcastically.
“Well, Matthew, congrats, you’ve made an enemy,” Flin said sarcastically.
Flin didn’t know what came over him, but he didn’t trust this Matthew kid. But why trust anyone? He knew there would be nobody left to even think about. They were being sent to their deaths.
Flin didn’t know what came over him, but he didn’t trust this Matthew kid. But why trust anyone? He knew there would be nobody left to even think about. They were being sent to their deaths.
(To be continued.)
(To be continued.)
***
Alien Invasion
Alien Invasion
By: Anonymous
By: Anonymous
The vast cruisers glided across the sky of broken New York City, each a distinct color. Pillars of smoke, mottled grey and black rose up to meet them. All the tallest skyscrapers were bent and broken, and when they had toppled, they felled everything in their paths. The defenders of the city had been completely ineffective, and the charred husks of tanks and fighter jets were all that was left of the attack on the vermillion cruiser. On the ground, tunnels had collapsed and made deep furrows going across the city, sparking with electricity. Broken glass lay everywhere, and cars had plowed into buildings wherever the streets hadn’t caved. From above, the people running and crawling looked like ants, disorganized and frenzied.
The vast cruisers glided across the sky of broken New York City, each a distinct color. Pillars of smoke, mottled grey and black rose up to meet them. All the tallest skyscrapers were bent and broken, and when they had toppled, they felled everything in their paths. The defenders of the city had been completely ineffective, and the charred husks of tanks and fighter jets were all that was left of the attack on the vermillion cruiser. On the ground, tunnels had collapsed and made deep furrows going across the city, sparking with electricity. Broken glass lay everywhere, and cars had plowed into buildings wherever the streets hadn’t caved. From above, the people running and crawling looked like ants, disorganized and frenzied.
Across the world, countless cities were in this disarray. No one knew what was happening. No one knews why this was happening. Massive earthquakes and tsunamis wracked every continent, volcanoes bellowing fire and fumes impossibly high.
Across the world, countless cities were in this disarray. No one knew what was happening. No one knews why this was happening. Massive earthquakes and tsunamis wracked every continent, volcanoes bellowing fire and fumes impossibly high.
All the while, cruisers had kept on arriving around the globe in streams from all directions, glinting countless colors.
All the while, cruisers had kept on arriving around the globe in streams from all directions, glinting countless colors.
Finally, they stopped coming. Thousands of cruisers, locked into a pattern around the Earth, began to move as one, otherworldly hues glowing bright enough to blind the eyes. Within minutes they made glowing rings and lines around planet, and in an hour the entire world was obscured inside an eldritch sphere of color and motion.
Finally, they stopped coming. Thousands of cruisers, locked into a pattern around the Earth, began to move as one, otherworldly hues glowing bright enough to blind the eyes. Within minutes they made glowing rings and lines around planet, and in an hour the entire world was obscured inside an eldritch sphere of color and motion.
Exactly three hours after the Earth was blocked from view, the cruisers stopped instantly, seeming to ignore the law of inertia. As the lights died down, not a trace of the planet remained. As their bright lights died down, the cruisers turned their sights to the rest of the solar system.
Exactly three hours after the Earth was blocked from view, the cruisers stopped instantly, seeming to ignore the law of inertia. As the lights died down, not a trace of the planet remained. As their bright lights died down, the cruisers turned their sights to the rest of the solar system.
***
Dead
Dead
By Kaleigh Bosch
By Kaleigh Bosch
Dead. That’s what I think I am. I was just drafted for the alien war. The age was just lowered to 15 and I, Grayson, out of everyone, get chosen to be put into the war. All the other kids took it as an honor to be handpicked from our school. I am not honored. I know what the aliens can do to you. My father was a General during the war, and he told me that there are two things the aliens do to you. Number one - they kidnap you and scramble your brains, and send you back. Number two – they kill you. I would choose the latter. Last year, my dad was kidnapped, and jinxed – what we call it when they scramble your brains – and now he’s basically a vegetable.
Dead. That’s what I think I am. I was just drafted for the alien war. The age was just lowered to 15 and I, Grayson, out of everyone, get chosen to be put into the war. All the other kids took it as an honor to be handpicked from our school. I am not honored. I know what the aliens can do to you. My father was a General during the war, and he told me that there are two things the aliens do to you. Number one - they kidnap you and scramble your brains, and send you back. Number two – they kill you. I would choose the latter. Last year, my dad was kidnapped, and jinxed – what we call it when they scramble your brains – and now he’s basically a vegetable.
So yes, I’m scared out of my wits and not afraid to admit it. Tomorrow, I start training.
So yes, I’m scared out of my wits and not afraid to admit it. Tomorrow, I start training.
Ten boys and ten girls. That is how many kids were picked from my grade. Everyone talked excitedly, even my best friends, Stacy and Espen, who also knew the horrors of the war. We were put into Barrack Eight. We got our new gear right away and headed for Training Building Forty Six. Training was fairly easy – a simulation of what it would look like to be in action. Lasers that weren’t fatal, but shocked like hell. Running and getting used to the heavy gear.
Ten boys and ten girls. That is how many kids were picked from my grade. Everyone talked excitedly, even my best friends, Stacy and Espen, who also knew the horrors of the war. We were put into Barrack Eight. We got our new gear right away and headed for Training Building Forty Six. Training was fairly easy – a simulation of what it would look like to be in action. Lasers that weren’t fatal, but shocked like hell. Running and getting used to the heavy gear.
This went on for three months.
This went on for three months.
“Gray, you gotta get up, they’re assigning roles today!” Espen yelled into my ear.
“Gray, you gotta get up, they’re assigning roles today!” Espen yelled into my ear.
“Espen, already I told you and Stace that the General said I’m going to be Colonel Three,” I said, irritated.
“Espen, already I told you and Stace that the General said I’m going to be Colonel Three,” I said, irritated.
“Oh, yeah.” Espen said, slumping his shoulders. Stacy was a touchy subject for us. After the first two weeks, the girls were taken to Barrack Forty-Seven, in Florida. We were currently in Washington.
“Oh, yeah.” Espen said, slumping his shoulders. Stacy was a touchy subject for us. After the first two weeks, the girls were taken to Barrack Forty-Seven, in Florida. We were currently in Washington.
“Well, you can should still get up! That way you can catch me if I faint of General “Garlic” Thomalson’s breath!” He said laughing, pushing all thoughts of Stacy away. Espen had a strange sense of humor that made him popular in the barracks. I was also well liked, because of my "kindness, strictness, and constant need to become greater."
“Well, you can should still get up! That way you can catch me if I faint of General “Garlic” Thomalson’s breath!” He said laughing, pushing all thoughts of Stacy away. Espen had a strange sense of humor that made him popular in the barracks. I was also well liked, because of my "kindness, strictness, and constant need to become greater."
At least, that’s what General Thomalson said to me when he told me that I was to be Colonel Three. Espen was supposed to be Pilot, which surprised none of us - he had always gotten top marks in the Pilot class.
At least, that’s what General Thomalson said to me when he told me that I was to be Colonel Three. Espen was supposed to be Pilot, which surprised none of us - he had always gotten top marks in the Pilot class.
One week. One week til war, I thought.
One week. One week til war, I thought.
That week went surprisingly fast. Faster than you can say “The Aliens are coming to attack!” Soon we were lined up on the battlefield. Everything went by so quickly - I thought of everything I loved, everything I hated. The night before, we asked God to forgive us for our sins, but I didn’t feel cleansed.
That week went surprisingly fast. Faster than you can say “The Aliens are coming to attack!” Soon we were lined up on the battlefield. Everything went by so quickly - I thought of everything I loved, everything I hated. The night before, we asked God to forgive us for our sins, but I didn’t feel cleansed.
Espen was flying the aircraft we were in. I had talked to him beforehand, as it was highly likely I would never see him again.
Espen was flying the aircraft we were in. I had talked to him beforehand, as it was highly likely I would never see him again.
I thought of everything I loved, everything I hated. The night before, we asked God to forgive us for our sins, but I didn’t feel cleansed.
I thought of everything I loved, everything I hated. The night before, we asked God to forgive us for our sins, but I didn’t feel cleansed.
As the plane touched down on the earth, I ordered the troops forward. I saw the Alien ship and I thought, “Oh man, this is not a simulation.” The minute all the troops were out, the Alien ship’s huge doors opened and the fighting began.
As the plane touched down on the earth, I ordered the troops forward. I saw the Alien ship and I thought, “Oh man, this is not a simulation.” The minute all the troops were out, the Alien ship’s huge doors opened and the fighting began.
Soldiers fell to the left and right, but I kept my head held high and fought. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something. A number. Forty-seven. The number that meant Stacy was here.
Soldiers fell to the left and right, but I kept my head held high and fought. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something. A number. Forty-seven. The number that meant Stacy was here.
I couldn’t help myself. I followed her.
I couldn’t help myself. I followed her.
* * *
I found myself in a large group of girls. I shouted over the fire to a girl on my right.
I found myself in a large group of girls. I shouted over the fire to a girl on my right.
“Where is Stacy Connwell?” I half-yelled at the person next to me.
“Where is Stacy Connwell?” I half-yelled at the person next to me.
“Over North First line!” She shouted back in a thick British accent. I thanked her and ran.
“Over North First line!” She shouted back in a thick British accent. I thanked her and ran.
I found her just as she spilled an Alien’s guts all over the place. That was utterly disgusting. “Stacy!” I ran towards her
I found her just as she spilled an Alien’s guts all over the place. That was utterly disgusting. “Stacy!” I ran towards her
“Grayson?” Her eyes widened and she ran towards me. We embraced for a quick second, but had to go back to fighting.
“Grayson?” Her eyes widened and she ran towards me. We embraced for a quick second, but had to go back to fighting.
I checked my watch. The battle had been raging for over three hours now.
I checked my watch. The battle had been raging for over three hours now.
“How did you find me?” She asked. “I saw some people from Forty Seven and asked for you!”
“How did you find me?” She asked. “I saw some people from Forty Seven and asked for you!”
She laughed, and I realized how much I missed her. And no, not that it’s your business, I didn’t love her, I missed her. As a friend.
She laughed, and I realized how much I missed her. And no, not that it’s your business, I didn’t love her, I missed her. As a friend.
While we fought, we talked. The very notion of half-yelling as we talked in the middle of war was ludicrous. Then everything happened so quickly.
While we fought, we talked. The very notion of half-yelling as we talked in the middle of war was ludicrous. Then everything happened so quickly.
I saw an Alien sneak up on her from behind, ready to shoot. I did it without thinking. I jumped.
I saw an Alien sneak up on her from behind, ready to shoot. I did it without thinking. I jumped.
***
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