The Catalyst

Chapter 1

The morning at the base was cool and quiet. There still wasn't much wildlife on the planet, even though it was less than a year away from the 500th anniversary for Cataclysm Day. Regardless, the sky was an almost-healthy shade of blue as the sun rose further away from the eastern horizon. The mountains surrounding the coastal base showed more promising signs of life, with its faces covered in the green of the forest trees.

The base was void of humans, but it didn't mean its reinforced walls were empty. Within it, twenty Mystic Division agents protected it and the most important map of Caracal. The humans had to be relocated to an underground city of their choosing. Their current home was found to be too small for their growing numbers, and too many people were either killed by or became an angler.

Now, it was guarded by fierce dragons, the troop leader Clementine Roux at its head. She could still vividly remember when she arrived at sixteen years old, despite it being three years previous.

Snow white caps flew through the air as the newly-graduated Mystic Division agents cheered and clapped. The sound reverberated off the rounded auditorium ceiling. Despite the classes growing smaller each year, the new MDAs could make a great roar. The noise could leave lesser humans dazed.

Clad in a white robe and golden chords, Clementine pushed through bodies to find her two friends, Alexa and Zara. The other two were holding onto each other's arms in celebration in their own white robes when Clementine spotted them. Breaking into a run, the redhead wrapped them up in a tight embrace. They all began hopping up and down in their heels, Clementine still much shorter despite her own heels.

"We did it!" Alexa cheered, clutching Clementine's hands in their own. Clementine beamed back at them, then at Zara.

"We're agents of Caracal! We're gonna kick some angler ass!" Clementine declared, sending her friends into a fit of determined cries then laughter. A hand on her shoulder made her turn.

"Agents," the man greeted with a firm nod. The trio of friends quickly sobered up and gave him a salute, their backs straight, left arm tucked behind them, and right hand holding their curled fingers like a claw.

"High Councilman Michael," they answered automatically and received a chuckle from the councilman. He was still fairly young, in his very early thirties. His crystal, blue eyes twinkled as they squinted beneath his smiling cheeks. Zara always described his blond hair as "perfect," and kept a magazine cover of him beneath her cot.

"At ease, ladies. And Alexa," he said with a gentle smile. Alexa looked a little awestruck that High Councilman knew they identified with neither gender.

"I'd like to speak with Miss Clementine for a moment, please," he continued. Zara looked like she was going to cry as Alexa quickly led her away from the other two. Clementine watched them go before turning back to the High Councilman.

"Sir?"

"I've noticed how well you've trained, Miss Roux. And, with further recommendations from the Commander Rouxs, I wish to turn your potential into reality. Would you be interested in going further with the conversation?" he asked kindly. Clementine was flabbergasted that he even had to ask.

"Yes! I mean, yes, sir, of course," she stammered incredulously. She received another smile in return.

"Great. I would like for you to train to be a troop leader. The way you naturally gave order to your classmates and remained calm in the battle simulations didn't go unnoticed by your instructor. He sent about a dozen emails suggesting you to be a troop leader within the span of six hours."