"On with our main news : The mass blackout that occurred in Massachusetts last Saturday was investigated not by the local police, but by the FBI. The cause of the incident was revealed to be an accident in the Massachusetts Laboratory of Medical Research. The accident seems to have occurred during an experiment led by Dr. Maximilian Wolfstein, although authorities have refused to divulge any information regarding the experiment in question. Dr. Wolfstein was found dead inside the laboratory along with the bodies of the 5 other members composing his experimental team : Dr. William Wertheimer, Dr. Howard Johnson, Dr. Bernard Tremblay, Dr. Yuri Orlov and Ms Haruka Ibuki. The cause of death is still unknown as further investigation is under way. The deaths of Dr. Wolfstein's team is a heavy loss in the medical industry, yet this same industry is not seeing the incident as an accident, but as a discovery..."
* * *
4 months later
*Massachusetts local radio*
"Welcome back to Jack & John!"
"Okay okay, let's talk about the news that have been going around for the whole week : the re-opening of the Massachusetts Laboratory of Medical Research."
"Actually now it's called the 'Wolfstein Laboratory', Jack."
"Oh yeah, the Wolfstein Laboratory, thanks John. Because they thought it'd be a good idea to name it after the guy that made what they call, and I quote : 'The groundbreaking discovery of the century'."
*cough* "More like the groundbreaking failure of the century."
"Thank you John. If it's such a great discovery, why don't they tell us what it is? From what we can see this discovery is the way to make a massive blackout and destroy everything and everyone in the center of it. No offense to Dr. Wolfstein, but all he brought to us were 6 bodies and an overblown story."
"Yeah. To me Jack, it seems like the medical industry is trying to make us believe that the incident wasn't a failure so that we'll keep our trust in them and let them do as they please."
"Speaking of which John, they announced this morning that the laboratory's first order of business is to pick up where Dr. Wolfstein left off. The crazy old farts are going to try the same thing that killed 6 persons and almost blacked out a whole city!"
"Really Jack, I can't believe that the government, or the population for that matter, are letting this happen without so much as a word."
"Well it's time that the population made its opinion known : we're taking calls right now. Marc, tell us what you think about this..."
* * *
Year 2105
*American Press conference*
"Hello and welcome. We've called for this conference to announce that absolutely nothing has happened."
Laughter echoed in the conference room.
"Alright, all jokes aside, there's an important announcement that we have to make. Yesterday, at around 4pm in the Wolfstein Laboratory, the Wolsftein experiment was successful!"
The people in the room applauded.
"Thank you, thank you. Finally, from the bits and pieces left by the brilliant Dr. Wolfstein, god rest his soul, we've rebuilt the equipment and succeeded with no casualties. Let's open up the questions now."
A reporter was given the right to speak and he stood up. "Not much about the experiment has been divulged, could you tell us a bit about what it entails?"
"Yes. Well, you all know that the experiment had the purpose of removing a memory, or rather a digital part of brain, into a third party object so that it could be re-accessed at will. There is something more to the experiment though ; it targeted a specific part of the brain. Through his research in brain exploration, Dr. Wolfstein discovered an anomaly which was in every brain he had observed. This anomaly never changed or evolved or deteriorated. The image it presented was that of a beast, mostly not a realistic one, but more like mythical beasts."
Another reporter stood. "What relation does this have with the incident that happened with Dr. Wolfstein's team?"
"We don't really know what happened at that time. That's why we took a good number of precautions during the experiment, but nothing dangerous occurred. This brings us to believe that what might've happened was simply a malfunction from the equipment used."
The third reporter tried to stand, but tripped in the process, making the whole room laugh. He hurriedly got back to his feet. "Sorry about that. What object was used for the experiment? And also what purpose or use does the 'beast' have?"
"The object used was a normal ring we bought at a local store, there isn't much importance in the nature of the object used apart from durability. We don't yet know what use or purpose the 'beasts' have though, Wolfstein produced a lot of theories on the subject. Last question."
The last reporter anxiously stood. "What are your future plans considering the experiment?"
"We'll be keeping an eye on the subject, test him regularly and make sure there's no problems down the road. Everything else comes after. Thank you for your time and good day to all of you."
* * *
Year 2132
*YouTube video*
The man's hand was on his face in an exasperated manner. "How many times have I sat here, seemingly talking about the same problem over and over, and every time it gets more ridiculous?" The man sighed. "I'm sure a lot of you have already seen the government's announcement about making Spirit extraction open to the public. I'm also sure some of you who did uttered from small to big cries of joy for it. 'Yay! Finally! Power to the people!' And all that shit. Are you crazy?! Do you really think they'll just give away so much strength to the people? A people that they've forced under their control for hundreds of years I might add. You might have noticed that they subtly didn't mention anything concerning money. Of course, they wouldn't want you to know such important details. Maybe, to them, over a billion dollars isn't important. Oh yeah, you heard me right : OVER A BILLION DOLLARS! Even the richer of the rich will have trouble paying that amount. Okay, so if they don't want us to know this, how do I know this? Hold on, I have it right here." The man searched through some papers off the screen. "Here it is. The exact amount with taxes, yes they're applying a tax on it, is... 1 210 012 684$. And this..." He pointed at the sheets of paper. "Thank god for that old law on access to information that they never take the time to abolish. This is just another thing to increase the distance between the poor and the rich, except this time it's a thing that'll make them literally walk all over us! Oh and you can guess that some high-positioned people will likely get a free pass for Spirit extraction, say the president for example, and don't forget his close friends too. Remember : people with power only want one thing... more power. With Spirit extraction they won't have to worry about that for a long time, and who do you think is left out? The little guy, the working man, you basically. I can confirm you that they will NEVER let regular people have access to Spirit extraction, never as long they rule!"
* * *
Year 2155
*Online News*
TERRORISTS STRIKE AGAIN
You might be wondering when was the first time that the terrorists attacked. It's actually the third time that they have : another private clinic was found thrashed yesterday morning. Although the incidents look like harmless vandalism, nobody has taken into account that all three clinics do a lot of business with the government. The last clinic, the most recent target, is even rumored to have been in contact with the president. A person involved in the cases, who shall remain anonymous, has also told us that every one of the three clinics had Spirit extraction equipment on site, equipment that was found destroyed with signs of unauthorized use. The question is : did they succeed in extracting a spirit? We can't be sure, but one thing that is certain is that if they did succeed, they will cause a lot more trouble in the future...
* * *
Year 2180
*Special international live broadcast*
"...It has now been three hours since we lost contact with the White House. Sounds of what seemed like a great battle could be heard until a half hour ago. The defense force is still not moving from their perimeter and they refuse to communicate with the media. There's a huge crowd that has gathered here at a safe distance from the White House and everyone is anxiously waiting to see what will be the outcome of this incident. Back to you George."
"This has been an update from Tricia Parker. We'll be back with more footage from the scene later. You're watching C-"
The broadcast was suddenly interrupted to be replaced by a live feed from the Oval Office. No one could be seen on the screen. After a moment a voice sounded : "Did it work?"
Then an urgent whisper : "We're live right now!"
A man stepped in front of the president's desk. "Citizens of America, and the rest of the world, we have taken over the country! Who are we? Well, contrary to what you've been hearing, we are NOT terrorists. We are flesh and blood Americans; we've been born here, we've fought here for what our country believes in, and we have prevailed here! We are NOT here to oppress you, the people, we are here to give you back your freedom!" The man raised his fist. "NO MORE corruption! NO MORE war-mongers! NO MORE power-drunk fools keeping everything for themselves, fools like THIS person!"
Another man was thrown on the ground at the speaker's feet. The viewers recognized him immediately as the president, except that instead of being clean-cut like he was always seen, he was bruised, disheveled and bloodstained. His face was racked with pain as he clutched his side.
"You all know this person. Look at him now, torn and twisted in defeat." The man grabbed the president's shoulder and raised him to his feet. "LOOK at your people! Do you have anything to say, Mr. President?"
The president looked directly at the screen. For a moment he had a pitiful expression, then a frown formed on his face and he remained stern.
The man made a dismissive sign. "If you have nothing to say; just leave."
The president willingly limped away from the screen.
"You see, he knows what he's done to you people and he doesn't regret it. He also knows he can't do anything now that we've destroyed the sources of his power: his image and his Spirit. That is how we will give you people back your freedom; by taking this power and giving it to you. Take it as proof that I am no dictator : we will make Spirit extraction free to the public! Let mankind be reborn and live with their full potential!"
* * *
Year 2200
*Ordinary American home*
The phone rang throughout the house. Once. Twice.
"Hello, this is Smith." said David Smith as he picked up the phone.
"Can anyone hear you?" the voice on the other end said.
"I'm sorry, who is this?" Smith replied.
"Right... Codename Raven. The operation will take place today : we found him."
"Oh it's you, Ryan. I couldn't recognize your voice; did you catch a cold or something?"
"We'll brief you at the meeting place, be there in an hour."
"Thanks for the heads up Ryan. Okay, I'll tell her you said hi." Then Smith hung the phone with a big smile on his face.