Pathfinders Rebellion

By Ariel McMillan

Quest Landing is celebrating her sweet sixteen in the year 2055. She's a normal teen who lives for gaming and is on the honor roll. The biggest monopoly in the country is releasing a ground-breaking virtual reality game called Universal Gaming. The company is Codingz. Quest has been a diehard fan of the company's games and his been following their progress as a company for as long as she can remember until she meets a strange teenage boy. He's expressionless, quiet and very odd. The more Quest gets to know him, the more she learns about Codingz and the other worldly people she fights to help. She sets out to stop Codingz with her friends. This hopeful group of teens will stop at nothing to defeat Codingz.
Sixteen years earlier in 2039, the U.S. suffered a major economic depression after a massive technological boom. The rest of the world was struggling to keep up with the changes and the cost of living soared. Some blamed technology and others wanted compromise and a small but influential group welcomed and funded the new age. After the country scraped its way out of the depression, the government decided to break up the U.S. into districts so each political group could dictate their side of the country in a last ditch effort to create harmony between citizens. These districts separated the rich from the poor and the middle class hung somewhere in the balance. Years went by and people began to let large corporations make all the decisions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ariel McMillan
• Release date: Jul 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370206520

Ariel McMillan

Ariel McMillan learned fairly quickly that life is an adventure. Of course she is a real life mermaid. Her name required it. She loves to make music on the piano and her golden doodle Butterscotch. Ariel was born in Massachusetts and moved to Florida when she was eight. A few years after moving to Florida, she began developing an interest in writing and was determined to become an author and didn't let anything get in the way of that. She loves classical music, tea and is addicted to soda. Her favorite genres when reading are dystopian, fantasy, romance and scifi novels.

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Pathfinders Rebellion

By Ariel McMillan

Published by Ariel McMillan at Smashwords

Copyright 2017 Ariel McMillan

Smashwords Edition

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the author constitutes unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the author, Ariel McMillan. Excerpt From: McMillan, Ariel Pathfinders Rebellion. 01/01/17This material is protected by copyright.

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Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Three

Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Five

Chapter Twenty Six

Chapter Twenty Seven

Chapter Twenty Eight

Chapter Twenty Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty One

-1-

In 2039, the year I was born, the United States had a massive technological boom. Advances were made both in the military and in civilian's lives. Some of these changes were thought to be possible only in movies. Countries were intimidated by the military advances and struggled to catch up with the changing times.

Despite the country’s enthusiasm for the new technology, citizens struggled to afford the rising cost of living. The lower classes were hostile towards the new advances and boycotted buying the technology all together, destroying aspiring businesses and much of the economy.

These new developments divided the country into three sides: those who are for technology, the richer class, and those who are against it, the lower class and neighboring countries. The third side was made up of those who were in the middle and wanted compromise, the middle class. Constant unrest and the terrible state of the economy pushed the government towards even more change.

The decision was made for the country to be divided into districts. These districts separate the richer classes from the lower ones to achieve a new balance of the masses. The system, although it is somewhat unethical, restored the economy and solved a lot of problems.

Due to the imbalance, the country suffered severe damage to large monopolies and massive debt from investments in military advancement. Efforts to make change were eventually successful, but despite the victory, it turned out to be a huge disaster. People were forced to face the reality of the government’s decisions. Jobs were scarce and most of the country lived in poverty. The middle class, right below the rich, was disappearing quickly.

It is now sixteen years later, on the anniversary of the districts establishment. The air throughout the country has a mixture of contentment and regret. Many would agree that it’s a pretty gloomy mood for a girl's sixteenth birthday.

My name is Quest Landing. I live in District 27. It is currently May 12th, 2055. I live in one of the few areas that aren’t completely in poverty. The only things I know in life are video games and school. Games are all online these days, and the quality of game play sometimes seems to me beyond reality. Video games never cease to amaze me and keep me entertained. I am a straight A student and excel when it comes to physical fitness.

I have a best friend named Nyx who also loves video games and lives in one of the richer districts. Ever since we were kids, Nyx’s tallness and thick build has amazed me. He has always been able to reach high places and throw big rocks into the river. Playing video games with him is the only time we are on the same level physically. He has dark brown hair that is soft to the touch and fun to play with, but he gets angry when I mess it up.

My parents have benefits from their jobs, so I go to one of the most prestigious high schools in the country sponsored by a company named Codingz. The school is called District 27 Preparatory High.

My parent's work benefits also allow me to get a first look at new products, so I have quite a collection of consoles and games.

Because Codingz is a huge part of my life, I know almost everything about its history. Codingz Inc. is the biggest Company in the country and is the leading manufacturer of new technological devices. It is also known for its popular games, but most people don’t know that Codingz has a large charity organization that sponsors politicians and helps people in need

This year on my birthday, Codingz is planning something big. Everyone is calling it a gaming revolution. A new game called Universal Gaming, or UG for short, is coming out, and no one knows what it's about or what it looks like. Millions of pre-orders and media postings have been making the Company even more successful than it already was.

Recently, newsletters I’ve signed up for have been posting special inside reports on the company’s affairs. Rumors have been spreading about research labs and illegal scientific practices taking place at headquarters. No one has been able to prove that these speculations are true, and since Codingz is the beloved all-American company, the reports remain mere rumors.

I am counting the days until the game comes out, but there is just one problem: I haven’t ordered it yet. I’ve mentioned it several times to my parents and saved up all my cash from my low-paying job working at my Aunt’s bakery over breaks. What’s worse is even though today is my birthday, I can’t skip school.

Good morning and happy birthday! The robotic maid says as it sweeps the floor by my room.

Thanks Betsy, I say. Betsy is our maid-bot. She cleans, acts as an alarm, and even plays the radio.

I make my way downstairs to the kitchen were Mom is fixing herself some instant breakfast and watching the news. The anchorman is going on about the weather and recent crimes as usual.

Hey honey. Good morning and happy birthday!

Thanks Mom. So not to be selfish but…For my present this year, I’ve been really wanting this new game that’s coming out today called Universal Gaming. I figure that I should get this out of the way as soon as possible since I’m on a time crunch.

Here we go, she mutters.

Ever since I was thirteen, I have been obsessed with the gaming world. I’d buy any type of game, from fantasy to war games. I’d much rather pick up a controller than a jump rope, and my parents never had to be worried about me getting in trouble playing outside with kids. Crime in our district is rare compared to the poverty-stricken districts where crimes happen every day. Everything in my neighborhood is safe, from the homes to the people.

Well… it’s not that we don’t want to get you the game. It’s just that we have limited resources and can’t afford it right now. You’ve heard over the news that it’s one-of-a-kind and everyone wants it, Mom says.

I won’t ask for anything else for the rest of my birthdays, I say. I’m not trying to whine or beg, but I have my mind set on this game, so I’m not about to give up that easily.

Why don’t we go to the store and get you some of those nature holograms you’ve been collecting?

I stare at the floor in disappointment, realizing that being pushy isn’t going to get me anywhere.

No, it’s fine. I understand… I’ll see you after school. I give them a wide smile, barely managing to hide my disappointment.

Happy birthday, sweetie! Mom calls out cheerfully.

I leave without even finishing my breakfast. Once I walk out of the house, I take a deep breath and run to the bus stop.

Hey Quest. Happy birthday! Nyx says excitedly.

Thanks, Nyx. Where’s the hover bus?

That’s a good question. My watch says the bus should be arriving at a quarter after eight.

Out of the corner of my eye I spot the hover bus. We’re lucky it came when it did, or else we would have been caught in the rain. As I get on the bus, I look around for a seat. Every seat is taken except for a few in the very back by this strange boy who is looking out the window. Nyx and I take our seats and immediately start talking.

So what are you going to do for your birthday? You should get that new video game that’s coming out today. It’s destiny! After all, you are the most successful student and the nicest girl around, he says, lightly blushing.

I actually don’t feel like doing anything this year. I really wanted to get that game but… well, let’s just say things are hard right now for my parents financially. The boy next to us says nothing and doesn’t even acknowledge our presence. He continues to sit with his eyes glued to the window, watching the rain.

Hey, don’t feel depressed. Since it’s your birthday and you’re my best friend, I’ll let you use my game and we can play together!

Nyx really is the best guy ever. Ever since the beginning of middle school, we’ve been really close. We were both so happy when we found out we would be going to District 27 Prep together.

Oh my goodness! Really? You would do that? I would love to. Thanks, Nyx.

The strange boy to our right gives us a quick glance then continues to look out the window in a deep daze. He puts his hand on the window and starts to speak.

Such an interesting and natural occurrence, he says softly. I look in his direction, confused by the sudden comment.

Are you new here? I ask. His face expressionless.

I’m Quest. This is Nyx. What’s your name? I ask uncertainly.

Thank you, he says.

Oh um… you’re welcome?

You are the first person here who has acknowledged me, so thank you. My name is Kalvin. I shake his hand.

He looks to be about the same age as I am. His hair is an ominous shade of white, a style that went out of style years ago. His eyes are a bright clear gray. He is tall and not very muscular, but he has a young and attractive exterior. I can tell he is shy and unsure of his surroundings. Whenever he looks at a raindrop, his eyes deepen and fill with a curiosity that I’ve never encountered. His aura reminds me of a confused child.

Which district are you from? I ask.

Um…23. I live in the city

You must have an exciting life. I live in District 27, the quiet district, so my experiences can’t compare with yours. Well Kalvin, it’s nice to meet you. We should hang out sometime.

He nods and turns his head towards the window. I can’t tell what he is thinking, and he seems really odd. The bus comes to a halt. The robotic voice states that we have arrived at school. As we walk off the bus, the ground is damp and the air is humid. I hold my hand out in the air as a few drops of rain fall into my palm.

The big sliding doors to the school open slowly. We walk into the large hallway and the scanners make a faint buzzing noise as they examine our faces and backpacks.

Hey, did you think that Kalvin guy was suspicious? Nyx asks softly. As we walk to our lockers, several classmates come to wish me a happy birthday. I check my watch and realize that I’m about to be late.

Come on Nyx, we’re going to be late, I say, power walking down the hall.

You didn’t answer my question, he says, following behind me.

Not really. He was probably just shy,, he is new here.

Our first class is Language 101. It definitely isn’t one of my strong suits, but I still manage to keep a low A. Upon entering the classroom, the late bell rings loudly and the doors lock behind us. The class isn’t very large. There are only about fifteen or sixteen kids.

The blinds are open, letting in a dim gray light that makes the mood of the classroom seem mellow. The clouds outside show signs that they could start to pour at any minute, but they only let out a few warning drops.

Alright class, take your seats and please be quiet, the teacher says coolly.

As everyone sits down, I look to my right and see Kalvin taking the seat next to me. I wave to him in a cheerful manner. He waves back without a smile or any kind of expression and then takes out his books. I scour the classroom, looking for Nyx. From across the room, he is giving me a warning look while slowly shaking his head. I respond with a death stare. The teacher snaps us out of our stare down. I give Nyx one more glare for almost getting me in trouble.

Good Morning class. Today, the school board has agreed to try out a new technology that increases the language learning process. This class, out of many, has been chosen to test this in the educational process.

Tinted goggles attached to cords come out of the ceiling and fly in front of each desk. It is common to see these types of scanners in a hospital for brain scans, but surely not in a school setting, let alone language class! Everyone gasps and murmurs to each other. Everyone except Kalvin seems bothered. Another government testing, someone voices through a cough.

Now class. Please put the eye scanner up to your head, and wait for the flash. If you are feeling skeptical about the process, do not worry. Long-term tests have been conducted with other subjects and none have been harmed, the teacher comments.

A large chunk of students continue to look around and some blankly stare at the teacher, silently begging her to show mercy.

Students, I assure you that there will be no side effects. Your parents have signed a form and agreed to this educational experiment. But since I am sensing a lot of discomfort, is there anyone willing to participate first? Kalvin raises his hand instantly.

Oh, how good of you to participate. You are Kalvin… she says, scrolling through the tablet on her podium.

Yes. The class turns around to look at him and the students whisper amongst themselves.

Quiet class, the teacher says sharply. You may proceed.

Kalvin slowly puts the goggles to his eyes and a bright light shoots into his pupil. Without even blinking, he looks up at the teacher. Well done, Kalvin. As you can see, there are no side effects. The flash automatically uploads data of whichever language you choose by directly transferring the language into brain waves, then synchronizing the information with your memory. Kalvin has been given Japanese, she says. The class gasps and watches Kalvin with intense curiosity.

Kalvin. Can you recite one phrase in Japanese for us?

Without hesitation, Kalvin begins to recite several complex phrases and the crowd breaks into a frenzy of whispers. The teacher nods, although I wonder if she understood any of what he said.

Good, Kalvin. Now everyone please follow Kalvin’s example and put on the scanners, the teacher says.

Everyone puts the mechanisms to their eyes with great enthusiasm, but Kalvin continues speaking

Hallo, mein name ist Kalvin.

I suspect the language is German, but how did he know that? He only received Japanese.

Bonjour, mon nom est Kalvin, he continues. The class stays silent, listening to him speak.

Salve, Kalvin nomen meum. Latin! I think. But that is a dead language.

Um… Kalvin, that is great … but may I ask how you know all of that? she asks uneasily.

I don’t know, I guess I got access to all of them. I can’t explain it, but… the system gave me access to all of them. The teacher pauses and stares at him questioningly.

Class, could you please excuse me? This is now a study hall. No talking please, she says icily.

She walks briskly out the door and the class breaks out into a full on whispering frenzy. None of the kids even once look at Kalvin. The poor guy has managed to become a social outcast on his first day.

-2-

The bell rings and the teacher doesn't come back to the classroom. No one bothers to find out what happened to her. Everyone leaves except for Kalvin. He sits there, looking down, expressionless as usual. I can’t tell if he is upset or horrified by what just happened.

Hey Kalvin. I thought what you did was pretty cool, I say.

He looks up slightly, but then looks away.

So, are you going to stay here all day? Come on, let’s go, I say cheerfully. We walk out together.

As we walk down the hall, everyone looks our way and starts playing with their phones when I stare them down and some just blatantly gossip in front of us. Kalvin doesn’t seem bothered by it at all, but he never seems bothered by anything.

What class do you have next? I ask.

Um… I think math.

Me too. I’ll meet you there.

He nods and walks off. When I reach my locker, Nyx is waiting for me and seems concerned.

What is it? I ask, grabbing my math book.

Oh nothing… don’t you just find it a little strange what happened in language?

No, not really. The teacher said that it was experimental. There was probably a glitch.

Listen. All I am trying to say is that I get a really weird vibe from Kalvin. I think you’d be better off staying away from him.

Since when do you get vibes? I ask, slamming my locker closed.

I don’t want to hear anything more about it. Kalvin is a nice guy; I can tell, I say. Nyx sighs and continues walking with me.

Whatever. I’ll see you later, he says.

Fine, I reply angrily.

I walk in right as the late bell rings and take my seat in the very back. The whole class goes silent and watches Kalvin as he sits next to me. He watches me as I take out my things and get out my homework. The class is so quiet that the teacher takes notice and clears his throat.

Okay, class. As you know, we have a new student today, Kalvin. He is new here and is unfamiliar with many of you. I want you all to be respectful towards him, the teacher says.

The class starts whispering. In school, gossiping and rumors are forbidden, but today people are blatantly ignoring that rule.

Okay then. Let’s start our in-class math tournament. Everyone break up into teams of four.

The class starts picking teams. Usually I would go right to Nyx, but I don’t feel like talking with him right now. Kalvin doesn’t even make an effort to join a team. He just stands there, looking around at everyone blankly. It’s hard to feel sorry for him, because he doesn’t show any emotion.

Team four reluctantly takes him in, but he doesn’t seem that excited about it.

Alright. Teams two and four come to this side of the room. Nyx and Zak come to the smart board and pick up a stylus, the teacher says.

Nyx lets out a loud grunt and walks to the board, followed by light laughter from the other teams. Zak and Nyx are arch-enemies and are always competing with each other. No matter what the setting, with those two it’s always a battle. Even though they argue all the time, they are really good friends (although Nyx will never admit it.)

Here are the rules. I will give you the problem. Write it down and don’t solve it until I say go. Zak picks up a stylus and so does Nyx. They lunge in front of the smart board like they are about to charge into battle.

This math competition is a little childish, but the teacher is nice enough to give us a review before the test. She gives them a really tough problem from a section we learned a week ago.

Nyx and Zak begin scribbling madly at the smart board, but they both look puzzled. In unison, they make a few nervous glances back at their teams. Half of the room’s faces scream, Seriously?

Watching the brawl, I can feel Kalvin staring at me. Whenever I look back, he stares blankly out the window as if I don’t notice.

After a while, Nyx scribbles the answer, looking rather confident, but the teacher shakes his head. Defeated, Nyx keeps looking at the board, scratching his head.

Zak is struggling in his own way. Eventually he gets the problem after support from his annoyed team and they end up earning the point. On the way back to his desk, Zak gives Nyx a swaggering look.

Next we have Kalvin and Quest up to the board.

The classroom goes silent, but again Kalvin doesn’t seem to care. The teacher gives out some amazingly difficult looking problem, but I immediately start to break it up in my head.

I start to write down my problem. All it takes is a simple equation, but before I can finish, Kalvin already writes the answer. Almost instantly after the teacher said go, Kalvin had written down the problem. The room gasps loudly in unison. I am the top student and have been since I first came to this school. It’s a huge surprise that I lost—and it’s even more shocking that I lost to the new kid.

That’s right, Kalvin. One point for team four. The team cheers as he erases his answer.

I look at him as we walk back to our teams. For the rest of the tournament, he continues to stare at me. I decide that I should just ignore his gaze and focus on the lesson, when a note appears on my desk. The student sitting next to me points at Kalvin who, for the first time in class, was not looking at me. I open the carefully folded note and along with a smiley face at the top of the note, there is a rather nice message.

Happy birthday.

I’m flattered by the message. I start to giggle silently, because I realize that small smiley face is the closest thing to a smile that I’ll ever see Kalvin make.

After class, lunch starts. I make my way to the cafeteria and hope the line hasn’t gotten too long. I arrive early and the line only has a few people in it. I grab a tray and hold it under the lunch dispenser that has a hamburger sticker plastered on the large, noisy machine. The tube distributes a cheeseburger, fruit, and a drink, carefully placing the contents in order. I pay by scanning my school ID on the wall next to the machine.

The cafeteria is very large and filled with hundreds of students and faculty. I spot my usual table with a few of my friends. Kalvin walks right by me to the exit leading to the courtyard. Curious, I follow him, trying not to spill my food as I push the door open with my back. He is sitting on a bench facing a tree that’s in the center of the courtyard.

Despite the beautiful scenery, few people actually sit outside. The fountain sits at the center of the paved walking and seating area. The sun is barely shining in the overcast sky, but the colorful trees and green grass still create a peaceful mood. I notice Kalvin sitting on one of the benches in the grassy area. I decide to sit next to him, mostly because I feel bad that he is alone at lunch on his first day.

I watch him from the corner of my eye. Kalvin puts down his tray and stares at the tree.

So, how has your experience at this school been so far? I ask, breaking the peaceful silence. He acts like he hasn’t noticed me.

"Well…school is a new experience for me. Everyone is so different. There is such a