As Xiao Yan slept, his thoughts drifted over cresting waves, wandering aimlessly through the waters of his mind, until they settled and coalesced at his old life
.... a mere few days ago.
A time when he was living a carefree life in the Shire.
The bright green grass exudes subtle hues and light, as the breeze undulates and brushes gently against the blades of grass.
Xiao's body is slightly curled and his dark hair obscures his forehead. He is laying amid the dancing grass. His uniform is adorned with the atom symbol, the badge affiliated with the academy of sciences.
He is in the central square, a large monument reaching up into the sky, with names etched along the surface.
Across from the square is the maglev train and the shopping center's LED projections constantly transform into various advertisements, the light from the display drifting over the square.
A person is sneaking close to him. A young boy around 16 years of age with golden hair, slightly curled at he ends. His eyes sparkle like a green gemstone, and his lips are curled into an impish smile. His expression gives his face a cherubic appearance, like a perfect porcelain doll in a shop window. His angelic looks are so striking, people can't help but stare.
Xiao Yan is still laying on his side and his mouth lifts in a smile and he keeps his eyes closed as he becomes aware of the person's approach.
The boy excitedly throws himself on top of him and Xioa Yan opens his eyes in mockery and feigned surprise.
"You scared me Casey. Such a bad guy!"
"So when bad guys approach you, you don't mind?"
Casey was of a very small stature, but his strength was astounding. Xiao Yan's wrists were pressed down by Casey's grip, he couldn't move them at all. He sat on top of Xiao Yan's waist and leaned forward, exposing a long and slender neck.
If any other guy had entangled themselves with Xiao Yan in such a position, things would have gotten combative. Casey is special. Xiao Yan enjoys all his childish mannerisms, with the exception of his temper.
"You're so heavy, have you gotten taller? Xiao yan playfully blows onto Casey's nose.
"Are you trying to butter me up? In a whole year, I haven't even gained a centimeter. Here you go again. It's already the end of the semester and you are still a B student. There is no way you can enter into the core curriculum of the Central Academy of Sciences. You will never see the highest level of the system. You will always be less than me."
Casey arrogantly tightened his grip on his wrists and watched Xiao Yan's face twist in pain.
The Academy's main control system runs the entirety of the Shire and is where all confidential research is stored and archived. The operators of the system are called "linkers" and are the elite of the Shire. It is the goal of each Academy of Sciences student to beat the best.
"It has never been my goal to enter the core program of the Academy of Sciences. I want to get out of the Shire."
Casey's shoulders stiffened and the gleam in his eyes dulled to a stern stare, even his voice dropped into a chilly register. Xiao Yan's wrist bones cracked beneath the pressure Casey was exerting.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Leave the Shire? Do you know what the world is like out there? A zombie can easily tear you apart and gorge himself on your flesh."
Xiao Yan sighed longingly looking up at the blue sky that seemed so far away.
"Casey do you know what is above us?"
"The sky." Casey snorted and sneered down at him.
"I want to see the real sky, Casey. Aren't you curious too? What does the air smell like outside? How does the wind feel as it blows across your face? And..."
"This isn't here or there. Why do you think all the techs strive to become elite A class students in school? Because they don't want to go outside! Why do you want to? Do you know that last research ream that left? On their way to the base, they were invaded by a blocker from the Surge and their craft crashed. The special forces that investigated came back with nothing but bones. They could only identify them through DNA sequencing! Is this what you want to become of you? You want your name to join those on that monument over there ?! Do you want to be remembered like that?"
Casey's emotions were becoming increasingly heightened and his eyes reddened.
You will remember who I am, Xiao Yan thought.
He doesn't dare say those words to Casey.
"All right then. I will get better grades by the end of the month." Xiao Yan attempted to placate the angry Casey. He looked up at him, squinting his eyes at the light, and kissed him loudly on the cheek.
Just as Xiao Yan expected, Casey blew his top.
"XIao Yan! Do you think I don't know what you are trying to do?! You are just trying to change the subject. You don't care about the test and you are not serious about raising your grades. You don't care about getting into the Academy. You just want to leave here. I want to lock you in a research room and personally guard you."
Casey's short hair curled around his face. Even with that furious expression he looked adorable and cute. His face would faintly blush as his true temperament emerged. Every time Xiao Yan provokes him he would reveal such a reaction. This made Xiao Yan happy.
"Well, I will head over to the library right now. I'm sure you will supervise me if there are any problems."
Xiao Yan tried to sneak another peck on to Casey.
Casey turns his head away before he made contact. He was a rare beauty with delicate features, the amount of female military officers and researchers were difficult to count but only Casey held his attention. He enjoyed his red face and wide eyes. For a long time Casey and Xiao Yan had gone head to head over this subject. What he didn't know was that every time he forced Xiao Yan to raise his grades he imagined Casey. He would think of him turning into a Barbie doll and dressing him up in cute clothes and wigs-- Have him adopt various cute and provocative poses.
"Oh, only you would dare!"
Casey relaxed his grip on Xiao Yan's wrists and dragged him out of the square.
Xiao looked at Casey, such a King Kong Barbie.
From a distance the sound of a large maglev vehicle roared over his head and Xiao Yan frowned. The commercial screens continued their scrolling advertisement in 360 degrees of detail. The store windows were full of delicious snacks.
Everything here was comfortable and safe.
Such extravagance did not exist outside of the Shire.
The world outside was barren and cruel.
The year was 2210, according to the new calendar of the Shire. Humanity had stepped from the paper era and entered into the biological technology information age. All one had to do was hook up to a terminal and the information would filter in naturally. It required an ability to understand, and retain, the computer cannot do that much.
Xiao Yan and Casey entered the library. All the people who studied and read at the building were students of the Academy.
There are thousands of top talent in various fields, but less than one hundred are chosen to become a linker. Sitting beside Xiao Yan, is one of those fortunate hundred.
Casey is one of them.
As a rare genius in the Shire, Casey garners attention wherever he goes. At 16 he has already earned a doctorate in biogenetics, mathematics, and virology --as well as conducted research for the military.
"Look at that, It's Major Casey! He is so young!"
"No way he is only 16. I heard he proposed a leapfrogging theory for manipulating the x-virus. The military plans to promote him to a high level rank, and he already heads his own research project."
Casey's expression remains placid, he is already indifferent to such envy and adoration. Compared to his virus research, the more difficult project on his hands is getting Xiao Yan to move from a B class student to an A class student.
Xiao Yan has not even finished entering in his information, when a broadcast sounded through the library.
"Attention all students, attention all students. The following students need to report to the conference room 145 of the military department."
Everyone listened to the list attentively, when Xiao Yan's name was among them, Casey's expression darkened drastically.
"Ah, I am sorry Casey. Seems I can't study with you. Gotta go to the conference room."
Casey grabbed onto Xiao Yan's wrist with a peculiar intensify and lowered his voice. "Did you not notice? No one on that list was an A class student?"
"Well I guess I don't have to wait until the next month's assessment. Looks like it is already too late."
Xiao Yan smiled, knowing the road ahead was about to get treacherous.
"You think I don't know what they are thinking? Class B students have always been cannon fodder." Xiao Yan gave Casey a helpless expression.
"I'm going to get someone, there has to be---" Casey's voice wavered and trembled but he was pulled back by Xiao Yan before be could take a step.
"Don't. Casey, I promise that after this task is over I will study, spend my time in the lab, pass my tests, I will listen to all of your orders. But i have to get out of the Shire at least once." Xiao spoke firmly. He knows that there is a whole world outside, even if he has never seen it.
He can't throw that desire away.
Being in such an insulated space for a lifetime, his need to see more of the world just kept growing.
In order to destroy all these fantasies and become a proper researcher, he has to see it one time.
"Come back. You have to come back."
Casey knew Xiao Yan well, he could delay the inevitable but there was no way he could stop it.
"I will."
"If not, no matter where you are or what you become, I will find you."
Shadows play on Casey's face and that cherubic innocence takes on the dangerous edge of a demon.
_______________-
Shen Bing stood looking down at the bed that Xiao Yan was asleep on.
His brows were relaxed and his lips lifted in a hint of a smile. It was as though instead of his mind being entangled and trapped he was immersed in a wonderful dream.
Shen Bing's secretary arrived and coughed to get his attention.
"Colonel the report has been sent to the Shire. Thanks to Xiao's retention of the blocker data, we can learn what has caused the barrage of attack on researcher aircraft."
"What you are trying to say, is this rookie has played a vital role and I won't even lift a finger to save him?"
" "
Shen Bing gave a cold smile to the secretary, gulping audibly, he backed away from the pressure of his gaze.
"Colonel I just wanted to remind you that the Shire will soon receive the full report on the operation. The recent craft crashes, carrying researchers, has left the shire short of talent. Xiao Yan's processing speed will surely capture their attention."
Shen Bing lowered his eyes in fatigue and defeat, a flicker of helplessness shadowing his features.
"I am afraid that if I were to enter another's mind again, I will be unable to extract myself."
Suddenly his communicator sounded, "Colonel, Heine Burton and his team have arrived at the base."
Shen Bing's shoulders jerked violently, his eyes widened in surprise and then an epiphany seemed to paint a bit of relief over the tightened lines etching his face.
"I am leaving now."
Inside the sparse and brightly lit lounge, Heine sat on the sofa with his legs folded under him. He was wiping his blade carefully, the metal reflecting the depth of his bottomless gaze. His soft hair swayed lightly with his movements, the strands moving through the air as though they could cut through the space they drifted through.
His slender fingers drifted into graceful knuckles. His eyes were lowered, his brow casting a shadow that split the light diffusing along his face.
Even in such a quiet position, his figure emanated a tightened readiness.
The door slid open and Shen Bing smiled as he stepped inside. "It has been a long time, Heine."
"Hm." Heine gave a noncommittal response and his men looked with amazed expressions at the Colonel who had just entered.
They have been around their Boss long enough to know that he is cold to everyone. Even a mere 'hm' is enough of a response to show that this person holds a heightened status in the eyes of Heine Burton.
Shen Bing sat on the arm of the sofa with his elbow on his shoulder.
"I know that you are tired after such a long flight, but I have something very important to ask of you. I need your help."
******This chapter didn't have a name so I couldn't help but pick one myself.
I know....I know I feel the same ( I assume we are all a little wide eyed right now).
"King Kong Barbie".
What can I say....
That is what it said, I couldn't think of another way to word that. Took me off guard, as well.
Such an unexpected fetish from Xiao Yan.