CHAPTER 1 "THE PROCEDURE ARC"

“Boys, can you come help me with this?” my mom called out. I rushed quickly to the kitchen to help carry the plates to the dining table. My mom sat across from my dad while Michael and I took the side seats. 

 “Are you excited for the Procedure?” my dad asked. 

“Yes, we are Mr. Jamerson,” answered Michael calmly. 

“Good. The procedure is very important and will determine your future,” he said.

"To understand the procedure, you first have to know what happened to the world. Back in the 2020s, a virus tore through humanity, followed by wars that escalated into nuclear devastation. These wars were worse than any before, destroying many human lives across the planet.  Countries were forced to choose sides between the most powerful of two countries, either Russia or China. When Russia and China unleashed weapons that mutated the virus into a deadly toxin, humanity retreated to survival bunkers. Years later, scientists developed the Teratogen Mist, a breakthrough serum that made life outside possible again—barely. By combining the DNA of the animal that survived the nuclear devastation, the serum made it possible to live outside for 24 hours.

the serum injected into the spinal cords of individuals managed to mutate the human cells. a few years later a child was born that was not affected by the virus. The human society attempted to rebuild on the outside thanks to this miracle mutation, but they discovered challenges in the shape of the DEVIANTS. The Deviants were the animals that lived and evolved while on the outside with the virus. They began devouring the humans making it impossible. A solution was presented, to protect themselves while on the outside.

 By 2030, survivors emerged from their bunkers, banding together to construct the Dome—a haven that shielded us from the mutated environment and deadly Deviants, creatures born from the same chaos. it took two whole years to finish the construction of this large transparent hollow sphere. The dome covered about 60% of the area while the remaining world was left bare, home to the Deviants - The Outside. Life inside the Dome was safe but tightly controlled, with resources rationed and strict laws governing who could stay. Food was grown using both artificial and natural means, the cleansing of the world left the land very fertile and crops grew quickly. Teams would go out to harvest food grown outside in groups, although it was dangerous.

The Dome became a technological marvel, built with nanotech and other unknown technology to resist any attack. Not even 100 nuclear missiles could perforate the dome's outer shell. However, it soon became clear that the increasing population could not be sustained in the Dome. A list was compiled of the necessary and important individuals; the engineers, doctors, teachers, physicists and other professionals. Each included 20 members of the absolute best they had. The rest of the population was chosen randomly while the excess were exiled. My dad often spoke of Wallace Obrien (Wally), one of the Dome’s designers, who was exiled with his family despite his contributions. No one knows why though. Outside, Wally discovered survivors who had adapted to the virus, gaining extraordinary powers. These mutations, originating in the spine, allowed them to fight the Deviants. His son, inheriting these abilities, became a beacon of hope.

Inside the Dome, children began showing similar mutations as well leading to the rise of the Mutant Society. Mutants were therefore classified into three categories: First Class- those with recurring abilities inherited from the lineage; Second Class- they had entirely new abilities(Usually two different abilities) that were not in their family and finally the Unsanctioned – those capable of wielding multiple abilities. The unsanctioned were deemed dangerous since they were unpredictable, controlling more than one ability was extremely difficult and extremely dangerous. It is rumored that an unsanctioned tried to break through the Dome after losing control of their powers which caused herself and 25 people to explode resulting in their deaths. The Procedure was introduced to determine one’s category and suppress dangerous powers when necessary.

10 years after the procedure started, there have never been unsanctioned individuals ever recorded. Now, in the year 2230, 200 years have passed since the mutation of the world. At the age of 17 the mutant gene manifests itself in the body. being 17, Michael and I are among those preparing for the procedure. If our powers manifested, we’d gain entry to the Glades House, where mutants trained to protect the Dome and its people.  Those exceptionally talented join the Taskforce X program taking on various duties. My father, once a Second Class mutant, had renounced his powers to live among the non-mutants in the Regen House. His obsession with preparing me for the Procedure puzzled me. If he had rejected power, why push me toward it?

It is an achievement and source of pride when you have a member of your family in the Glades. Uncle Darren lives in the Glades and I can tell my dad doesn’t feel too happy about it, especially when both of his children are also mutants in the Taskforce X program. 

Other than the Glades and Regens houses, there are two more houses namely the Elite House and the Founder House.  All 4 of the houses are managed by one of the Four Families. That's basically the gist of everything.

At the table, my twin siblings, Imogen and Orion, were immersed in their books on mythology. Though younger at 13, their sharp minds often made me feel like the odd one out.  Imogen was fiery and impulsive, while Orion was her calm protector. Despite their differences, they shared an unbreakable bond. My dad sat at the head of the table, poring over research papers, his bracelet glinting—a reminder of the powers he’d chosen to suppress.

After dinner, Michael and I retreated upstairs. Our favorite pastime was the Deviant Neutralizer game, where we simulated battles against the creatures lurking outside the Dome. Hours passed as we played, exchanging banter and blows, until Michael finally won for the first time. His triumphant shout brought my mother upstairs, scolding us for ignoring her call."

 “Ha I got you this time,” Michael yells.

 “Damn it’s been hours you just got lucky,” I recant. 

We’ve been at it for about two hours straight and this was the first battle he won so I understand his excitement. Michael is my best friend, so he knew Mom hated unnecessary noises. She came up and as usual, scolded me leaving Michael alone even though he was the responsible party.

As the night wore on, the weight of the Procedure loomed over me. This wasn’t just about survival; it was about becoming something greater—or something dangerous. For all his secrecy, I wondered if my dad feared what I might become or hoped I’d succeed where he hadn’t.