Chapter 17: Any Given Friday
Date: September 24th, 2023
Location: Ellington Central High, City of Ellington
Time: 9:30 AM (Local)
Sophomore Year, 1st Semester
“I’m telling you! They’ve made advancements in propulsion! We’ll be on Mars in 5 years!” A girl with curly brown hair and glasses was having a heated discussion with her friend sitting across from her desk over a subject Allen never would have guessed would occur on this backwoods earth in science class.
“I just don’t see it, too many human variables.” Her blond friend replied with a shake of her head.
“They said on the science channel last night that we have made headway with that! The answer is some type of medical coma. The astronauts would be asleep the whole trip.”
“Pfft, HAH!” Allen gets out before clamping his hands over his mouth.
Both girls turn the heads back at Allen at the same time to glare at Allen’s outburst.
“What would you know, pretty boy? The girl with brown hair says while pointing a finger at Allen.
Allen sits up in his seat with a smirk on his face. “Pretty boy? All looks, no brains?”
“Well, sustained hits to the cranium can affect mental acuity. You do play football.” The blond responds.
Allen starts ticking off his fingers. “Zero Protocol, Allen!” Eve reminds him.
“First, a medically induced coma for extended periods of time will cause body deterioration. Second, no reliable technology exists to accomplish this. Third, solar radiation will bombard the pilots without suitable shielding and that alone is prohibitive due to weight of current options to launch. I can keep going but you get this pretty boy’s point.” Allen leans back and crosses his arms as he smirks at the shocked girls. The blond clears her throat and asks; “So, what’s the answer?” The brunette nods her head in agreement.
“Speed. And well, use a propulsion system that will also double as shielding that can create a field that will nullify solar radiation.”
“And what system could do that?” The brunette responds.
“Eve, give me something that is outdated enough to not violate zero protocol.” Eve briefs Allen on an outdated technology. Allen nods his head and looks back at the girls.
“A Helical Engine. The electro-magnetic field created would act just like the earth's. This is the best I can think of within current available technologies.” Allen spends the rest of the class enjoying the conversation as he whispers with the girls about how to get humans to Mars.
Ellington Central Highschool – Gym
“ALRIGHT COMETS! JOIN ME AS WE WELCOME THIS YEAR’S PLAYERS!” Principal Willow stands behind a podium inside a packed gym. The band and cheerleaders do their best to stir the crowd into a frenzy as Allen leads the rest of the team across the court to stand behind the principal. Students scream and wave various banners and other visual shows of support. Many faces are painted with school colors as they shout and scream. Allen’s a little overwhelmed and has Eve lower the sounds in his ears.
“NUMBER 16! I LOVE YOU!” A shout from the bleachers reaches him but he can’t tell who his admirer is. Principal Willow starts introducing the players behind her one by one and applause and shouts meet each player as they step forward and show off in different and colorful ways.
Principle Willow continues down the roster until she reaches Allen. When he is announced, Allen receives quite the cheer, and he steps forward with a polite wave and friendly smile before stepping back to join his teammates. Principle Willow does a masterful job whipping the crowd up and Allen can’t help but admire her skills with the crowd.
“Alright students! I hope you will all join us tonight at the game. Game starts at 7 pm. LET’S GO COMETS!” Principle Willow steps back from the microphone. The students give one final cheer, and everyone files out of the gym while talking excitedly.
“What did you think of your first pep rally, Allen?” Millie says as she sidles up next to him.
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“Pretty cool, actually. Still trying to recover my hearing though.” Allen says while clearing out his ear with a pinky finger. Millie chuckles and claps Allen on the back as the team makes their way to the locker room to get ready.
Game time, baby! – Ellington Central Highschool Stadium
“He doesn’t look nervous at all.” Aiko observes as she sits with Allen’s adopted family and Amy in the stands. She also has her cellphone out and is recording for Allen’s channel.
“Well let’s see if he can keep that composure once he steps out on the field.” Principle Willow replies as she joins the group. While Aiko, Valerie, Laura, and Principal Willow have looks of anticipation on their faces, Brad and Amy look as if they are about to witness a horrible car accident. Laura pats Brad on his knee and assures him that Allen will be just fine.
“Alright Eve. I guess we treat this as combat. Let’s start with a skirmish package and then we’ll adjust from there.
“Sounds good, Allen. I’m actually quite excited about this. I’m starting to get bored.”
“Heh, me too. I know I’m supposed to try to blend in, but I didn’t realize how, I don’t know. Mundane? Yeah, mundane life could be.”
“I’m glad you said something, actually. I say we just have fun and roll with the punches. We are pretty much stuck here. I stopped calculating the odds of rescue, seemed pointless.”
“Alright, want to show them what a warrior of the UEA can do?”
“YES! Let's do this!” Eve enthusiastically agrees as Allen steps on the field with Kayla and Sarah flanking him for the coin toss. The crowd quiets down so they can watch. The trio walk towards the 50-yard line where the referee waits with a coin. They get there before the opposing team and wait. Allen folds his arms as he observes the girls in orange and white walk up.
“Ooh, I’m going to enjoy sacking your ass!” The girl on the left says as they stop.
“Knock that shit, number 52!” The referee says with a scowl.
“Captains step forward. Number 16, call it.” The referee says as she flips the coin in the air.
Allen watches for a few moments before calling tails. The referee retrieves the coin and announces Allen as the winner. Allen tells the referee that they will receive. The opposite team, the tigers as Allen learns, choose to defend the away side. They all shake hands and walk back to their sidelines. Coach Selene congratulates Allen on winning the toss and then directs the receiving team onto the field. Allen takes a moment and glances towards where his adopted family is sitting. They notice his glance and wave and cheer at him. Allen offers a subtle nod with his helmeted head and turns back to watch the kickoff.
“He’s so cool.” Aiko breathes out.
“Aww man! This girl’s got it bad!” Valerie says to her parents. Aiko ignores this as she continues to record. The Tigers kick the ball and Kayla makes a valiant effort and is rewarded with a respectable 35-yard return. Coach Selene grabs Allen’s shoulders and whispers last minute instructions. He nods along until she is finished and then rushes out onto the field to play. Allen nods to his fellow players in the huddle and they nod back.
“Alright Comets! Ready to do this thing?” His teammates cheer back, and Allen calls his first play.
“I mean. Umm. I just don’t know what to say.” Aiko stands with Allen’s family in the parking lot as they wait for Allen and Kayla to shower and change. Many things were expected from the night. Some expected Allen to be just a show piece or gimmick and that he would be crushed. Some expected Allen to do decent. No one expected Allen to dominate though. What Eve said to Allen before the game must have motivated him. He decided that she was right, this life was for his taking. So, when Allen walked onto that field, he left nothing back. The Comets beat the Tigers handedly. Allen’s performance must have inspired the defense because the Tigers couldn’t do anything with the ball all night. So, with a final score of 49-10, Allen’s first game could definitely be called a success. Coach Selene was beside herself and people couldn’t decide who had been happier, Coach Selene or the players.
“Damn. They would rush, he would just roll out of the pocket and scramble. When they didn’t, he would pick their secondary apart. Kayla must have had 3 touchdowns herself!” Laura gushes and Brad smiles at her girlish display. It wasn’t often that Laura would relax enough to act like this. Allen really has brought joy into their lives.
“Allen’s followers are going to eat this up! A lot of trolls were saying that the practices were faked, and Allen wasn’t really this good.” Aiko says as she reviews her footage. She was waiting to get home before uploading it so she could edit it.
“Guess the president of Allen’s fan club is sorted out.” Brad mumbles to Laura.
“HAHA! That’s for sure!” Laura responds with an eyebrow waggle.
Ellington Central Highschool Locker Room
“Alright Allen, the showers are free!” Coach Selene says as she walks out of the shower room. Allen had waited until all the girls were finished before taking his own shower. Coach Selene was adamant on ensuring Allen’s privacy was observed.
“Great job tonight! You make sure to get plenty of rest this weekend. You keep that up and colleges will be banging the doors down to recruit you. Have a good night. Kayla says she’ll meet you in the parking lot with the rest of your family.” Coach Selene offers Allen a final pat on his shoulders as she walks out of the locker room.
Allen walks into the shower room with his personal hygiene supplies and turns the water on. After it reaches his desired temperature he steps into the warm water and washes up. After he finishes, Allen walks into the empty locker room and changes into his street clothes.
“Allen! Behind you!” Eve desperately calls out.
Allen feels a sharp sting in his neck. He reaches up and feels a small dart. Allen pulls the dart out of his neck and turns around to assume a defensive posture. A figure dressed completely in black emerges from the shadows. A black face mask covers her features.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Summerton, we aren’t here to hurt you. However, it will make things easier if you do not fight the sedative that has been injected into your body. Relax and let it take effect.”
Allen struggles to remain awake as he feels his body begin to weaken and grogginess spreads through his brain. Allen falls to the floor and the last thing he sees before darkness claims his mind is the figure squat down and run her fingers through his hair.
“The Sino-Asian Alliance will take great care of you, Mr. Summerton.”