Rating: PG-13

Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Apocalypse

Overview: "Poor is the pupil that does not surpass his master." (Leonardo da Vinci). The evolution of a species is crucial for its survival. Adaptation is necessary in order to live tomorrow. In the year 2200, Genetically Modified Humans (GMHs) have surpassed the amount of naturally conceived humans on the planet. These GMHs were created by scientists in labs. They took the best traits from humans, eliminated the weaknesses, and created the new advanced human beings. Now babies were born stronger, more intelligent and immune to many diseases. As the advanced humans began to overwhelm the "normal humans," governments began to ban the genetic modification of humans. But with more than half of the world's population a GMH, the move only incited a war between the humans and the GMHs. The extinction of a species, our species, is imminent.

***

"These creatures look like us, talk like us, hell they even shit like us, but they are not one of us. They were created by science, in a lab. They are not natural. Now they've come to surpass us. They wish to eliminate us. They cite our own Charles Darwin as there reason to suppress us-survival of the fittest. Well we've gotta show them that we are the fittest, and damn-it we're gonna survive."

The small crowd cheered their leader on. The crowd was in shambles. They look like they've just crawled out from the rubble of a massive explosion. Cuts, and bruises marked their bodies, while scars everywhere showed that they've been at this game for awhile now.

If you were old enough to reload a weapon then the chances were you were carrying one. Children as young as eight years old carried handguns and rifles. The elderly, some using canes, carried weapons. The best fighters of the group were the young men and women who stepped up in such a crisis. Many have given their lives protecting their species from these advanced humans.

It began in a lab in Atlanta, where the CDC was testing out the isolation and insertion of specific human genes and DNA into the embryos and reproductive cells of human fetuses. Their purpose was to create a new human, one that would not die from diseases, and can live naturally for over a century. They took the best traits from humans, isolated the weakest genes and attempted to create new humans that can withstand the worst the universe had to throw at them.

They were called superhuman by many, blessings by some, and freaks by others. Protests occupied the streets both for and against the implementation of this science on the unborn. People for the advanced humans saw this as a way to help guarantee their children a better future. They saw them as the solutions to the world's problems. With less resources being diverted towards medicines, future humans can focus on better adventures....

Such as driving their parents to extinction.

Those against the creation of these superhumans saw it as humans playing the role of God without knowing the consequences. They called these creatures, genetically modified humans, or GMHs. The anti-GMH groups argued that creating GMHs in a lab would eventually take away the natural process of reproduction. Chance was no longer a factor when people can customize their children to be anything they want.

Eventually governments began to slowly approve GMHs. The U.S. was the first to approve them in 2120. They showcased these new GMHs as the "next evolutionary step for humankind." Countries that did not approve of GMHs saw an increase in "black market" activity as biomedical engineers provided expensive illegal services. The potential to gain revenue through taxation was enough to legalize the usage of GMHs in many nations across the globe.

It wasn't until a couple of generations down the line when the humans realized they screwed up. Natural reproduction still occurred, but natural gestation did not. Many people had the embryos genetically modified, and when two humans of perfect DNA mated, there was no need to go through the genetic modification process. Besides the often rare chance of mutations, many babies born from two GMHs were also advanced humans.

As normal humans saw themselves becoming extinct they called for an end to this process. GMHs were banned worldwide at the Seventh Geneva Convention in 2190.

But it was too late. The GMHs began mating with other GMHs and even at the offset they mated with a normal human, the stronger DNA took control-and that was from the GMH.

Eventually GMHs worked their way up in the world. They held positions of corporate power, and soon political offices. The first GMH president of the U.S. took office in 2200. She saw the 2190 ban of GMH practices as a slight towards her race, and declared that it be reinstated. When many national leaders disagreed, the GMHs saw this as blatant racism for being superior to the "ancient humans." Riots occupied the streets as a majority of the world's children were GMHs by 2210. The riots turned bloody and civil wars occurred in multiple countries between the humans and the GMHs.

The civil wars soon turned outward and GMHs teamed up with GMHs from other nations forming the Evolutionary Alliance. Humans were outnumbered and the GMHs overpowered them in every nation across the globe. Many humans were slaughtered.

The GMHs global war effort leader, Thomas Kling, noted, "The world will only be as strong as its weakest link. In order for the real humans to succeed in future ventures, we have to disassociate ourselves with these ragtag animals who seek to bring us back to the Stone Age."

With that short announcement, a massive genocide of the human race occurred. People were gathered into concentration camps and slaughtered in massive amounts. Children, women, the elderly-no one was spared. Any GMH seen harboring these ancient creatures, were arrested and tried with treason. Many people were infected with diseases that the GMHs were immune to. They were fed food tainted with superbugs that wiped out humans in concentration camps across the globe. Then their bodies were burned in massive piles, or left for animals to devour. A favorite way to rid humans was to feed them to Siafu, killer army ants that swarm humans and can clean a human body of flesh within a day. The GMHs also noted that this method was environmentally sound.

Now only a few thousand humans were left, scattered across the globe. The humans are weak. They can still get sick from old illnesses and diseases. Something like the flu could kill a human, but would not be strong enough to register with any of the GMHs. Human beings are an endangered species.

Richard knew this as he addressed the small crowd of survivors. He knew their numbers were few, their strength shattered, but they had made it this far. They had fought and grinded battle after battle with the GMHs.

"They can't catch a cold, but they can catch a bullet," Old Man Willy used to tell those around him. He was the oldest man in the group. He was 86 years old, but fought like a man in his 40s. He still had a lot of life left in him. He wasn't going to give up. He'd been fighting for seven years now, and each year made him stronger.

Richard always consulted Old Man Willy for advise. Richard was the most able bodied man in the group. A tall, skinny dude in his late 40s, Richard commanded respect from everyone in the group. He proved himself in battle over and over again. He had gotten the group to survive for over seven years now. He has managed to start a small colony of survivors in the Adirondacks, which provided food, water, shelter and medicine to some of the last humans on planet Earth.

"Tomorrow's a big day," Richard reminded them. "We've been on the defense far too long now. Tomorrow we bring chaos to their front doorsteps."

Richard got a couple of cheers from the crowd and he continued, "Get some rest tonight, because tomorrow we're taking down an army base not too far from here. We're going to capture there weapons, take out their soldiers and with no army to protect them, we can pillage the areas around the vicinity."

Many people enjoyed the notion of being the ones on the offensive. They wanted sweet revenge. They wanted to harm every last GMH they see.

"Tomorrow will mark the day in our history where we emerge from the depths of extinction and reclaim life on our planet."

With those final words and a few cheers, he hopped off the large boulder that acted as a stage and stumbled to his tent. People shuffled to their camp fires and blankets trying to get some sleep. Others would remain awake for a few more hours on watch for any GHMs who happen to stumble upon their camp.

When Richard got into his tent he took off his faded Yankees cap. He unbuttoned his shirt and revealed the scars on his chest. A slash the length of a small incision near his right breast. He removed a piece of folded paper from his pocket and unraveled it revealing a drawing. The drawing showed three stick figures, one labeled 'mommy,' the other 'daddy,' and the last labeled 'me.'

Richard ran his hand down his dreads. He sniffled and folded the picture back up speaking beneath his breath, "Tomorrow I'll either avenge you, or join you."

Suddenly a woman entered the tent. She unstrapped her gun and placed it down besides Richard. She removed her cap and undid her ponytail releasing her curly hair that did the wave down pass her shoulders. She was a short lady, but the scars on her arms showed that she had encountered some pretty big battles. Yet she managed to keep her face youthful and pretty. Even the small scar above her right eyebrow made her more appealing to the eye.

"You ready for tomorrow?" she asked Richard.

"I hope so-we have no choice," he responded.

The lady saw the folded picture in Richard's hands, "Sammy's drawing?"

Richard bowed his head, "Yeah."

The lady sat next to him and placed her arm around her shoulder, "Don't worry, they'll pay sooner or later."

"Don't you ever get-you know..."

"Frustrated? Of course I do. Those bastards took our son, but I can't let that change me."

"You still against raiding the cities?"

"I'm against killing the people in the cities."

"You know they wouldn't spare you like that."

The lady took her arm off his shoulder and unbuttoned her shirt, "Well that's what separates us from them. We can't blame them for something the government forces them to do. They've been brainwashed by Thomas. Those children, although different in genes, are raised the same way as we raise our children. They are being brought up wrong, but we can change that. There's still a way we can live peacefully together."

Richard sighed, "Look Kelly, I know this isn't us. If I had to choose between fighting everyday and living peacefully with them then I would choose peace. But that can never happen. They hate us. They want to destroy us."

Kelly warned, "What if they don't? They're bound to be some of them out there who don't approve of what the government is doing to us. Maybe some even hunt us down because they are scared. We are no different, we did the same with terrorists, the Japanese and the Indians in the past."

"Look, this isn't your high school history class-this is real, this is now. We need to survive and the only way we can do that is by killing any GMH we find. Each one is a threat. For everyone we spare, ten of us will be killed in the future. I can't let that happen."

Kelly retreated beneath her blanket and turned her back against Richard, "If Sammy were still here you wouldn't think this way. I want to get them back too Richard. But we have to do it right."

"By sparing them?"

"By sparing the innocent."

Richard's volume increased, "And when have they done the same for us!"

Kelly noted calmly, "If you keep trying to be like them then we've already lost the war."

Richard sat back and took that in. But he quickly shoved it aside, "We're carrying out both the attack and the raid tomorrow and that's final."

Kelly remained silent and within minutes she began snoring. Richard violently tucked himself in and muttered some inaudible curses to himself.

Richard wouldn't encounter the opportunity to pillage the cities surrounding the base, because the battle was over before it even started. They were spotted miles beyond the base, and helicopters hovered above the advancing rebels as they were gunned down in the mountainous woods surrounding the base.

"Take cover!" Richard ordered as people scrambled behind trees and rocks. Bullets rained from the sky as machine guns spat millions of little piercing rounds at the rebels. Dozens of the rebels were already dead and more died with each second that helicopter was in the sky.

Richard ordered the anti-air unit to take down the chopper, but they were the first ones targeted. Richard saw a RPG lying besides a dead rebel's body. He raced over to it, slid and picked it up as a row of bullets tracked his tail. He hid behind a rock as tons of bullets ricocheted off of the rock making more noise than the engines of a jet. He waited for the chopper to turn its attention someplace else and then aimed and fired the rocket at it.

"Boom!" he yelled as the chopper caught fire and began spinning out of control. The chopper was falling quickly towards their direction.

"Everyone look out!" Richard yelled as he began outrunning the chopper that was falling alongside him. The chopper blades ripped the grown like a jackhammer and eventually the blades broke off and flew across the woods cutting down a couple of trees in the process.

Within seconds of landing the helicopter exploded releasing metal debris across the sky. Some injured the rebels, but many managed to survive the chaos, until bullets sprayed from across the woods.

"Forces in front!" Richard yelled.

Old Man Willy reminded them, "Make sure they catch some bullets!" He was the first to land a couple of shots on some troops depleting some of their numbers, but he was also among the first casualties in the ground battle. A lucky bullet struck him in the neck. He chocked on his blood as the last noises he made were gargling noises.

Richard noticed Old Man Willy's body as he was advancing to new cover. Richard was furious and ran out like a manic shooting anyone in army camouflage. Then he received a bullet to the shoulder. He gripped his shoulder and began firing his rifle with one hand. Another bullet struck his leg and he stumbled to the ground.

Kelly saw this unfolding and yelled, "Richard!"

Suddenly the gunfighting ceased on both sides.

Richard lied on the ground in pain and emerging from the woods was a general in army fatigues yelling, "Hold fire." The general approached Richard's badly injured body and knelt besides him.

"Well isn't it the famous Richard Dennis. You know there's a large bounty on your head. A lot of people want you dead."

The general, even while kneeling, was a massive figure. Well over six feet, he was buff beyond comprehension. His hair was straight and golden yellow. His eyes were dark brown and his skin was tinted light caramel.

Richard managed to grit his teeth, "You are not people."

"Now is that such a way to speak to your liberator?"

Kelly had her sights trained on the general's head. She waited patently to see what he will do next.

Richard managed a laugh, "You call this liberating? Slaughtering us like its some kind of open season."

The general shook his head and chuckled, "Wasn't that your initial plan for us? Now why won't you tell your wife over there to put her gun down or my snipers will make sure her body drops with the gun."

Kelly heard the threat and her heart started beating rapidly. She began sweating and her grip on her rifle was slipping.

Richard ordered, "It's okay baby. You can put down the gun."

Kelly lowered her weapon.

The general sighed silently, "Now we can talk like rational beings. You see my orders are to kill you on sight. The very fact that I'm not shows some restraint on my part, don't you think?"

Richard answered, "Or you just want to torture me by parading me around like some kind of animal you've finally captured and tamed."

The general laughed, "Oh we both know we can't tame you." Then he shouted very loud, "Soldiers, lower your weapons!"

The baggy sound of shirts grinding against themselves and the metal clangs of guns being lowered echoed across the woods.

The general ordered, "Treat his wounds."

A couple of medics approached Richard but were halted by the general last second, "Richard, I ask that you order your people to lower their weapons."

Richard stutter, "So-so you can massacre them?"

"So we can help them."

Richard muttered, "First you shoot at us, then you try to help us?"

"We were never your enemy. You fired the first bullet-I couldn't let my men die. You saw our chopper and thought enemy. You shot missiles at it and left it no choice but to defend itself."

Richard was furious, "How are we to know that you were not the enemy?"

The general showed him a patch, "You see this patch?" The patch was a picture of the globe surrounded with stars of different colors encircling the globe.

Richard brushed it aside, "Yeah, so?"

"It's the patch of the Peacewalkers-the ones looking out for people like you."

Richard shook his head, "I don't understand."

Kelly shouted from behind a rock, "I told you not all of them were evil bastards."

Richard was confused, "But you guys hate us."

"Not all of us," the general noted. "Treat his wounds and aid any survivors. Let's gather them up and escort them back to base."

A crowd of soldiers all responded in unison, "Yes sir," and tucked their guns aside. They rushed towards the wounded and began removing bullets and bandaging their wounds.

Kelly rushed towards the general and asked, "Are there more like you?"

The general nodded, "There are millions like us. We believe that if we are willing to preserve historical artifacts, why shouldn't we be able to preserve our ancestors?"

Kelly smiled, and for the first time in years, her hope was confirmed.