Disclaimer: This is a work of original fiction. Any names or characters, businesses or places, events or incidents, are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Chapter 10.2 -- Erika (Part 2)

Main Conference room (Underground), Somewhere unknown, Kentucky-Tennessee State Border, USA, 25 November 2020, 0806 hrs

Later…

There are several high-ranking Young Templar officers seated at a large conference table, and they are here today to attend a virtual meeting with the leader of the Young Templars. “Alright, Lieutenant. It’s time for us to start this conference with Chief General Simon. You can now bring him in from the online in-call waiting room.” Jordan informs the Young Templar Lieutenant, and he nods in acknowledgement. In the next moment, the leader of the Young Templars - Chief General Simon, appears on the LED TV screen with his assistant standing beside him.

Without hesitation, all the Young Templar officers stand up to salute the leader of their kind upon seeing his presence on the television screen. “At ease, officers. Let’s settle down so that we can begin this meeting.” Arthur commands them to sit down after seeing their salute. Then, he turns to look at the Young Templar Major General before asking him the following question. “What’s the purpose of today’s meeting, General Claude?”

“We are here today to discuss the Fledgling we recently converted. Her name is Erika Zander, General Simon.” Jordan begins. “Ever since we converted her, her body undergoes a rapid transformation pace where the DNA of her human cells is rewriting itself to the Young Templar’s DNA genes. By now, her body shouldn’t have any more cells containing human DNA genes in it. Also, we found several cells within her blood containing the ISM2 (Intel-Strength-Mutation-2) gene that would enable Erika to have higher strength, intelligence and powerful abilities than ordinary Young Templars. Since she has the ISM2 gene within her body, this is solid proof that Erika Zander could be a reincarnation of the first-gen Young Templars.” .

“Just because her body possessed the ISM2 gene doesn’t mean Erika Zander is a reincarnation of our ancestors. You need more scientific evidence to prove she is indeed a reincarnation, General Claude. I was hoping to hear she is indeed a reincarnation, but it turns out your evidence isn’t convincing enough to me.” Arthur says in a disappointing tone. “I thought you had better results to show me today, general.” .

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, general.” Jordan bows his head as he apologizes to Arthur. “Erika was being reborn as a Fledgling two weeks ago, and her transformation pace is so quick that we didn’t get the chance to perform more tests on her. Hence, we want to seek permission from you to allow us to perform some research tests on her. Then, we can find out whether she’s indeed a reincarnation. Still, your call, sir.” .

“Alright, General Claude. I grant you and your team permission to conduct more tests on Erika Zander.” Arthur agrees with Jean after considering his suggestion. “However, there’s a catch to that. If the test results show she is not a reincarnation of our ancestors, I want to see her become a test subject for future bio-virus strains. So, if you and your team fail to deliver the expected results during our next meeting, all of you will face punishment from me. Do I make myself clear, General Claude?”

“Yes, sir! We will not disappoint you when we show you the results.” Jordan vows to Arthur. “We will call you again once we have the desired results you requested.” .

“Good. Alert my assistant when you are ready to meet me again via an online in-call session. I’m looking forward to hear your good news about the tests conducted on Erika Zander. Alright, that’s all for now, and we can end this meeting session. Thank you for your input, officers.” Arthur says as he ends the virtual meeting before saluting them.

“Thank you, sir!” All the Young Templar officers stand up and salute him in return before ending the video call.

At the same moment in Chief General Simon’s office...

“Erika Zander…” Arthur mentions her name with enthusiasm as he looks at the pile of papers detailing information about her. ‘Well, well, well, it seems we gained the upper hand by converting your daughter into our kind, Daniel Zander,’ Arthur mocks him in his mind. ‘You think you and your fellow Tri-Sixers can beat us by assisting the traitorous bleeding-heart ones to annihilate us? You are dead wrong, Mr Zander. I will ensure your daughter will become a die-hard Young Templar that espoused hatred for humankind, and she will kill his human brother in front of you when the time comes.’ .

Then, he turns to his nearby Young Templar assistant, Colonel Regina Hildegard — intending to give her a new order. “Colonel Hildegard, I want you to notify Lieutenant General Ian Clancy of the Owls Corps and tell him that his Owls need to scan all airwaves and intercept phone calls mentioning Daniel Zander and the traitorous bleeding-heart ones. Regardless of how big their conversations are, I want the Owls to document everything and pass the details to our Global Joint Command. We must not let our enemies win.” .

“Roger that, sir. I shall take my leave then.” Regina salutes at Arthur before leaving his office. To Chief General Simon, he was glad that his followers had converted Erika into their kind as a Fledgling. Plus, the capture of Kodey Zander delights him further since he can order his fellow Young Templars to harvest his brain for further use after killing him. With both the Zander kids at his mercy, no one will oppose him and his vision of replacing humanity inch closer and closer.

Mess Hall No.2 (Underground), Dining Section Area, Somewhere unknown, Kentucky-Tennessee State Border, USA, 25 November 2020, 1140 hrs

Later during lunchtime…

There is lots of noise coming from the mess hall as there are lots of new Fledglings seated while consuming their lunch for the day. Among them seated was Erika, as she ate the food with sorrow. ‘Why did they convert me into a Young Templar against my will? Is it true I will shed off my humanity in future?’ Erika wonders as she stares at the food hopelessly. She wishes the Young Templars didn’t capture her and her family. If it wasn’t for them, Erika and her family would be somewhere safe in the West Coast states by now. However, it is too late for her since they had converted her, and she has to face the reality of becoming a future full-fledged Young Templar.

“Stop staring and finish your food.” A Fledgling turns to look at Erika after seeing her stop eating the food. “If you don’t finish them, they will question why you didn’t finish consuming them. Then you will get into big trouble, miss.” .

The word trouble rattles Erika as she remembers what Sergeant Major Perez told her earlier a few hrs ago:

Flashback

After getting thrown by the Raven Young Templar onto the side of a corridor wall where no CCTV cameras can see them, Sergeant Major Perez issued a veiled threat to Erika — “You are getting on my nerves lately, stupid Fledgling. Let me warn you, the next time you get into trouble again, I will think twice to save you.” .

“Why are you doing this to me? What crime did I commit that warranted me to join your kind by force as punishment?” Erika broke down in tears to protest her rough treatment against her.

“We are saving you from the evilness of humankind, you stupid Fledgling,” Katie says in an intimidating tone. “We are giving you a new purpose in this world of chaos and anarchy. We only select those worthy enough to join our righteous brethren, and you are one of the selected humans to join our kind. Hence, you should be grateful to us for liberating you from your pathetic human family!” 

“You are wrong! My family are not bad people, and you shouldn’t have…” Katie slapped Erika before she could finish her statement. “Don’t talk back to me, you brat!” Katie howls at her fiercely. “I detest Fledglings like you who still love their human family after being converted. In our world, our civilization is far different from humanity, and we cannot co-exist with humans peacefully. It’s our job to eradicate all of them and rebuild the world under our leader’s vision. Since you are one of us, it's time for you to embrace your new identity and hate humanity as a true Young Templar.” .

“Please spare my human brother! He is not an evil human, and he would do anything to protect me.” Erika begs as she breaks down in tears. “I will shred off the remnants of my humanity just like you said and follow my true path to become a full-fledged Young Templar. Just tell them not to hurt Kodey, please!”

Satisfied by her response, the Raven Young Templar takes out her Young Templars’ Karambit knife from her Quickstrike Chest Rig before threatening Erika with the knife. “You better remember this knife of mine, Erika,” Katie warns. “Try to stir trouble with anyone. This thing will slash your throat, and you will bleed to death from it. So, you better start following our orders, or your life will pay the forfeit.” .

Shaken by her vicious threat, Erika nods in acknowledgement out of fear. “I don’t want you to nod to me! I want to hear your damn answer, Fledgling!” Katie roars in anger. “Yeess!” Erika replies in a shaky voice filled with fear. 

“Good. You better remember who you are, Erika Zander.” Katie smirks in pleasure upon seeing the Fledgling’s helplessness. “We have our eyes and ears everywhere, so better watch yourself. Now, I want you to walk before me while I give you orders about where to go next.” With that said, Erika walks in front of Sergeant Major Perez before continuing to walk down the corridor to an unknown destination.

Flashback ends…

‘Kodey. I hope they still let you live so that I can see you again in future…’ Erika thinks about her brother as she finishes her remaining lunch portion reluctantly.

To be continued...

End of Chapter 10.2

Note: All the characters, places and storylines are owned by Jeremy Mountbatten. All rights reserved by the author. Feel free to give some feedback and don't forget to vote for this chapter. If you want to support me, you can tip me on Ko-Fi (link provided below).