Final

The spring of 3277 was the first attack, when eldritch horrors emerged from the sky. Whatever they were, they began attacking. They started with the bigger, more populated cities like in London and in California, but then they spread. No one was safe. The deaths were gruesome. Heads, exploded from the inside, out. Bodies contorted in ways that shouldnt even be possible. Slashes and bite marks so deep... It didn't take long for humans to fight back though. At first, they were armed with guns and tanks, but only the heaviest of artillery could even scratch the surface of the monsters thick skin. The military could always make bigger and better things, but what about the public? How would they survive? They would be the frontline, the military couldn't always arrive to the scene on time. Scientists and engineers tried to help as much as they could. The engineers released high-tech military weapons and armor for sale to the public. The scientists released information on CRISPR experiments on humans in which you can imbue genetic information from other things, the easiest being mammals. And in combination, the two managed to create tech implants for specific parts of the body. The only draw-back however was the cost... For the sake of the billions of lives, they tried to keep the prices low but government scoundrels across the pond (both east and west) were marking up pieces needed, so they needed to make a profit from the sales. In the end, genetic modification only ended up being affordable by the wealthy and upper-middle class while technology was available to middle class as a whole. The impoverished however, were left to try their best to fight back. Many resorted to partnering with the wealthier or stealing from them. Many of them however, especially in America, already had guns that they could modify. [[continue]]

[[The Journey of Calix]]

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The first thing that crosses my mind as I wake is that the class of '77, my class, graduates in 2 months. Only two more months, I just have to push through. Everyone says that only the privilaged kids get to attend in-person school because "it helps us remember the content better than online classes" but I think that's a bunch of bullshit. I just want to be done with hand writing papers and speaking in front of a room of people. It would be so much easier to just type and do Skype calls. The only good thing that has come from my suffering is Noya.. I hop off my Bobbing Bed (tm), timing my jump to when the levitating mattress is closest to the floor. Landing on my feet, I swiftly get dressed into my t-shirt, cardigan, jeans, and sneakers. "Just 2 more months" I tell myself, to motivate myself to step into my smart car, park, and head into the building. [[Head to class]] [[Wait in the hallway for Noya to arrive]]

(set: $personality to 3) I sit down in the chair and tablet assigned to me and patiently wait for the rest of the room to fill up. After a few minutes pass, Noya enters the room and sits next to me. I see that this week she has dyed her hair a different color again, back to a beautiful red-brown, what ever she calls it, auburn? "Ha, does it look that bad?" She reaches for her scalp. "I know I missed a few spots this time, I knew I shouldn't refuse to use technology so much but oh well" She shrugs. "Oh..no, I like it alot. It's almost natural but...not, ya know?" I manage to respond as I peel my eyes away from her hair. Class drones on, literally. This school uses so many drones. I don't know why. It's like theyre just bragging and flaunting their money at this point. I take notes on my touch-screen on how to troubleshoot one of these drones for an hour until we are dismissed for a break. Just as you are existing hte room , Noya catches up you, backpack over her shoulder and breathing heavily "Hey, do you want to get some food with me?" [[Yeah, sure!]]

I had to wait a few minutes before she comes into the building and tiredly shuffles down the hall like the zombies from those old cheesy movies from the 2000's. You see from half the hall away that her hair is a new color again. This time back to red-brown...aaaaand even when she's tired she still dresses in all black. As I smirk, all I can think is "That's just like her." [["Good morning sunshine."]] [["You look nice today."]]

(set: $personality to 2) "Good morning" ,she manages to yawn out as she approaches,"Ready for this assignment?" Without giving me time to answer, she walks into the small classroom and I follow behind her, taking our usual seats next to each other. [[...]]

(set: $personality to 1) "Thanks, I call it //I'd rather be taking online classes like a normal person//" She looks down at her sweater, leggings, and combat boots. We both chuckle a little "You ready to learn about whatever useless thing Mr. Asshat has in store for us today?" [[Yeah, let's do this.|...]]

We sit down in the chair and tablet assigned to us and patiently wait for the rest of the room to fill up. Class drones on, literally. This school uses so many drones. I don't know why. It's like theyre just bragging and flaunting their money at this point. I take notes on my touch-screen on how to troubleshoot one of these things for an hour until we are dismissed for our break. As the two of you walk out of the classroom, Noya speaks up "Wanna go get something to eat? I slept through breakfast." [[Yeah, sure!]]

As you both step into your car, you discuss where to eat. "There's the 'capitalist king' McDonald's that has been around for forever (booooooore) or there's the Robo Diner which is like a scene from old comics. We could get a drone to deliver something to the car but I'm tired of looking at those things, *bleh*" Noya thinks for a moment as she straps herself in "Well, we only have an hour so lets go to McDonald's." [[You set the GPS to go to the nearest McDonald's and sit back and enjoy the ride.]]

After a few minutes, you're just one stop light away from satiating your hunger (especially considering you skipped breakfast). [[.....]]

Before your smart car makes the left turn, you see a horde of...something, destorying a building off in the distance. Entrance in the horror, as soon as the car parks both of sprint in that direction to get a better understanding of what's happening. Moving just a mile closer just enough to get a detailed veiw of these monstrousities <img src = "https://scifi.seejazzwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/yith.jpg" width = "300" height = "400"> Without a moments hesitation, Noya grabs your arm (maybe a little too hard) "We need to go to my house, NOW!"" [[uh...okay, sure]] [[What??? Why????]]

(set: $car to 1) You sprint as fast as humanly possible to make it to your car in time, before something else bad happens. She hastily types in her address in the GPS and you speed and weave your way through a maze of broken down vehicles. [[Speed|....]]

(set: $car to 0) While running, she manages to tell you that her dad is "one of those freaks that prepares for the technology to attack." He has one of those fancy underground bunkers full of supplies. [[Keep running]]

Your car is finally is in sight, but from across the parking lot you see a red car fly trough the air and land on top of yours, making a red and white mess of car parts across the McDonald's. Your heart...broken. But no time for that now. You have to be alive to give a damn about a broken car. You pull Noya away from the..what would you call it? A wreck? Who care, you just run and run and run[[....]]

After what feels like forever, you finally reach Noya's house. You rush into the house and immediately search for her dad. "What's wrong honey?!" The both of you manage to explain everything you saw to Jeremy. "Shit... Noya you know what to do, Calix, call your parents, gather any of your stuff you can, invite thm to stay in the bunker." [[Okay]]

After several phone calls, your parents rush over to the house with what seems likes the entirity of your room packed up. "Here you go honey, I brought over everything I could think of, all your laundry is clean, and I packed some snacks." Your mother begins crying. [["Thank you." You hug her.]] [["You're not staying?"]]

(set: $parents to 0) You hug your mother and father one last time before they leave. You can't help but feel guilty. What if they die? What if this is the last time you'll ever see them? What if this is the last time they'll see //you//? These intrusive thoughts stir in your head for the rest of the night. It takes a while, but you and Noya's family manage to quickly move everything you need down below to the bunker [[You should try to go to bed.]]

(set: $parents to 1) "We figured that there would'nt be much room in the bunker." She looks up at Jeremy. He shugs,"It might be a little cramped but your'e more than welcome to stay. The extra hands will come in handy when we have to start scavaging and any skills you have is a nice plus.." He trails off in what seems to be a monologue of his perfect bunker survival scene. Noya rolls her eyes and smirks, throwing a glance at you. You turn back to your parents, they look at each other and back to you, they shrug. I mean, you couldn't see a reason they shouldn't you're an only child, no pets, and it's safer here. You hug them good-bye and tell them you love as they head back to your //former// house to gather their belongings. Jeremy looks at the both of you [["Let's start moving the stuff in the house to the bunker before they return."]]

You and Noya lay beside each other. You turn to look at Noya. "Do you think this is the end?" She turns her head, "I don't know..but I'm glad you're still alive and here with me." (if: $personality is 1)[She leans over and kisses you.] (else:)[She smiles at you and burritos herself in her blanket "Goodnight Calix"] [[You eventually doze off...]]

The 3 of you manage to carry everything down there in a couple of trips, but woo, those bags are heavy. You catch a peak inside inside and its guns and ammo. The number is concerning but you suppose in times like this, it's a good thing. After your parents return, and heavy physical and emotional exhaustion, everyone decided to go to bed. While you're getting hanged into pajamas, you hear Jeremy and your parents talking "...good. We can talk to them tomorrow about it. I'm sure they've had a rough day already. God knows what they've seen out there." These words rattle in the head while you try to sleep, impeading your sleep more like. //What are they going to ask us about? What did my parents agree too?// [[You eventually doze off...]]

You wake to a breakfast MRE..not the best thing you've ever had but certainly not the worst. After everyone settles in, Jeremy addresses the both of you. "I wanted to talk to you two about something." We both look up at him. "Scientists around the world have released 'older' militray research and is making it available to the public. You guys are reaching the age limit kinda.. but, in order to help you be better suited to handle the attacks and to escape, they can genetically modify specific groups of body cells. They usually use mammal DNA so that the body adjusts better... I think that you two should think about what enhancments you want. And don't worry Calix, I talked to your parents about it earlier and I'll pay for everything and they think it's for the best. You have to the the generation the lives and that can stop this or live beyond it..." [[Wow, that's alot to take in...]]

After a few days of thinking over the situation, you both agree to get the modifications. You eventually decide on the ability to manipulate UV rays from the sun into a concentrated heat blast from an implant in your hand. Granted, the process will be painfully. Large patches of skin or you arms, chest, and legs have to be grafted to go through a sort of photosynthesis. But, it seems logical. The sun always rises, UV lights are available, and you can store power. Noya, on the other hand, decided on a phermone enhancement, modeled after skunks. Its odd, but her logic is to hopefully either be able to attract animals to help fight, or run off aggressive animals, or maybe run off the alien things. Her idea doesn't seem as well put together as yours but it's her body so you don't say anything. [[All that's left to do is wait for the appointment day for the both of you.]]

Finally, after waiting weeks, your appointment day arrives. You suppose that waiting so long wasn't a bad thing. The market is competitive and it gave you time to adjust to the bunker lifestyle. Undoubtedly, you're scared as hell to get this proceedor, they already told you it was one of the most painful ones, but it'll be worth it. (if: $car is 1)[thankfully, your car is still in tact. It's self driving anymore but Jeremy can drive manual, thank God.] (else:)+(if: $parents is 1)[You all pile into your mom's purple mini-van and head on your way to the hospital.] (else:)[Since no one has access to a car anymore, you have to scavenge the wrecks on the highway to find one that will start. After an hour of searching you find a hot pink smart car a few models newer than what yours was that runs. Perfect, as long it runs.] After what feels like fucking forever, you finally get to the clinic...[[Let's do this]]

It's done. This change..is a promise to myself and those I love to fight and keep going. I **will** see the end of this apocolypse. <img src = "https://scifi.seejazzwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Sunlight.png" width = "300" height = "500"> <img src = "https://scifi.seejazzwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Skunk.png" width = "250" height = "500">