Day before the real apocalypse.
"Michael, I need you to return right now. I will tell details after your arrival here.A seaplane will be landing on the bay of the city where you are currently located, and it will not be staying there for very long. Therefore, it is imperative that you catch up to it as quickly as possible to ensure that you do not miss it. Please make all necessary arrangements to catch the seaplane as soon as possible and return to our location."
Michael read the message he had received. This was special type of messaging his country used, rather the spy used. But it had it's own limitations, like it could only be used one way. The device used for transmission of message was as large as a 3 storey house and the cost per message was insane. He didn't know much but had heard that it was device invented replicating use of some ancient technologies but was failed a product. Michael rode on his bike as fast as he could to the bay after receiving the information. He rode on a bike and sped up to it's limit. The highway was empty except for sightings of some vehicle passing by. It didn't take him long to reach there.
He waited for two hours at the beach ready to run on the first signal till the seaplane arrived. After two hours, he could see a plane coming in his direction as he looked into the sky. The plane landed far from the beach, he had to swim to reach there. The instant plane touched the water, he started swimming towards it, he was faster than what people in Olympics. This just showed how much human had progressed in the span of two days. Immediately after he entered the plane, the flight took off.
"Did India not detect your arrival?"
Michael could see an old man sitting beside the pilot. The plane wasn't particularly large, it was a small single-engine plane used for some missions related to sky diving. It was just a guess on Michael's part. He asked the old man question as he couldn't disturb the pilot.
"No boy, none of the nation can detect us flying over there air space. All the modern device which require networking and signals have stopped working. Only the machines which are purely mechanical and just requires energy to work are still working."
Michael wasn't shocked by the information as he too had the idea as he could use his electric cooker but couldn't use mobile phones. "Then how is the plane tracking the location, if we can't use any form of signals."
"Boy, you think I came here for vacation, I'm the one giving direction to the pilot. Now don't disturb me let me rest."
The plane reached Massachusetts by the time the sun completely sat on the horizon. All three of them disembarked the plane and climbed the speed boat which had been waiting for then. After reaching the coast, the pilot and the old man went on their way and Michael rode the car which would be taking him to their headquarter.
After half an hour, a group of people could be seen sitting facing each other in a circular formation. Nobody spoke, it was filled with silence. There were 15 people surrounding the circular table radiating powerful aura mixed with killing intent which most people lacked. On the head table was someone familiar, the person who had placed third on the last trial and the one among three to pass all the trial before the last one. He slowly opened his mouth and spoke.
"You all must be confused about the gathering but it is important as we have many decisions to make today. I have the feeling that something major is going to happen by tomorrow night. Before that let's hear form you guys about the condition in various nation that you were in."
"No external movement from Indian government, sir."
"Awareness programme from Japanese government, sir."
"Enlisting the people in army and providing them with arms to face off the danger and taking control of all the fighting powers' from Chinese government, sir"
"Same for north Korea, sir"
….…..
….…..
"So, that's the condition in Asia. We pretty much know all about Europe before the signal was cut off, but know nothing after that. And all of you were in Asian powerhouses. Anyways now, it's decision time. All of you just vote and the majority voted decision will be followed. You all remember that the points you each have is according to your contribution so, lets start. Should we work with the government or be independent?"
Listening to this, Michael was confused. He was a justice freak but didn't know much about the inner workings of the government. "But that's against the governance"
"Dear Michael, we work for well being of people, not the dog of government. So take your decision properly" The one who said this was a girl sitting in the seat with the number 2 behind it. The numbering were according to the contribution. Similarly, Michael was ranked 3 and so went the others.
"Independent"
"Independent"
"Independent"
..
..
…
..
"OK, by majority vote we will work independently. I know that among you there are the dogs of government who are used to reporting everything to them. But the case currently is different, so I advice you against it. It's not the normal world anymore. You all have passed the trial, you should know. Also this is not the end, many other things will change. System will change but do you think those old fogies would like to loose their ruling position. It's a no brainier question, obviously not. I don't know about you guys but my ideals are sure to clash with them in certain point of time. So, it's better to work independent. If any of you want to leave the group and stay with the government, then you are free to do so."
"Disperse, only the affirmative ones be present tomorrow."
The man on the chair with one written on it stood up and went out of the room before anyone could react. "Boss has become even more powerful. I should try to become strong too." Michael dissapeared as well. Within a second all of the 15 people in the room vanished out.
Next day:
"So, all of you came. I welcome all of you into the team 'Shadow'. You all will be members of the shadow including me. The one with most contribution will be the leading figure. Everything is same as before. The more you contribute, the more power you have within the circle. Michael, Amber, Ava, Satoshi, Gunther catch Nikoli, Fatima, Mei, Luca and Chang. Everyone relocate immediately. SWAT are coming, we don't need any unnecessary fight till the situation is confirmed. Run and meet up at base 08"
The name five immediately attacked other 5. They were the top 6 of the 'shadow' so they easily overpowered others and resolved the situation quickly.
"Sir, what about them."
"Just incapacitate them so they don't revel our next meeting point. We are already down to 10, I don't want to decrease the number. Change the meeting point to 05. They will reveal it anyways, let's just make them run around more."
All 10 of them dissipated from the scene and met again in the next meeting spot. In the previous sport, one could see the cars belonging to cops were surrounding the 5 bodies. There were few military helicopters above the scene. Table and chair was set up beside the bodies. An old man sitting on the chair and was talking to an robust officer.
"They were caught pretty fast. That Phantom bastard sure has a quick mind, he caught on instantaneously. The dogs are rebelling now, are they? I want all of them to suffer. Do you understand, Mr. John?"
"Yes sir."
As they were standing, an officer hastily came over and relayed the news.
"Sir, they are headed to the base 08. Orders sir! "
Old man stood up and gave the order.
"Chase after them, but not all of you. That shrewd Phantom may have revealed the misleading information. He is a cunning person and his very careful one. Send a team of two assassin in all of their bases and don't let them engage, just make them follow them and relay us the information. They won't be able to handle those 10 monsters."