Special thanks to my wonderful partner, Fish_Tales.
Chapter 1
It had begun nobly, as with most things that eventually become corrupted. The Earth had been heating up, so greenhouse gases needed to be reduced. There was widespread poverty and illness. Food was in limited supply. Governments had decided that the best way to manage this was through the use of carbon taxes that would limit the use of carbon and encourage the development of alternative energy sources. Drugs were to be used sparingly and rationing was implemented. Land for the production of food was appropriated. In some cases, whole nations had been appropriated.
Energy companies, pharmaceutical companies and food producers had become the most powerful organisations in the world.
Now, citizens no longer knew if governments ran the world or if corporations did. They had become entwined. The boundaries between corporate and government had become blurred. Information was controlled. Citizens struggled to live any aspect of their life without government or corporate interference.
The Global Energy, Health and Food Management Council (GEHFMC) had become the most important body in the world. The IMF reported to it. Even the United Nations reported to it. Energy, health and nutrition were the most important issues on the planet.
No one could supply any fuel, drugs or food besides governments and major corporations. They had licences that were acquired with huge fees. The money was, of course, recouped from consumers. There was no "leakage".Unauthorised supply resulted in swift apprehension and punishment.
Severe punishment.
Global consumption of these essentials had been reduced, but only for the poor. The minority rich used as much energy, drugs and food, if not more, as before.
Cars were rare and little-used by the general populace because of the metals and energy required to produce them. It was worth almost a year of the average salary to buy a bottom range one. And that was if you could afford to run it.
Houses? Forget it. Houses had long ago been out of the reach of normal people. Now either the Government or corporations owned all of the new building developments and suburbs. Anyone who had owned a house before the change was a multimillionaire. The problem was if you didn't have a high enough regular income to service your energy, health and food requirements, then you were forced to sell it anyway.
To the government.
Because cars and houses were so expensive, everyone lived close to their workplaces. The government and large companies controlled the whole population.
This was life as it was now. Everyone accepted it. The present generation had known no different, but there were still people who remembered what it was like to have a car, or a house or natural food.
Special Police Forces patrolled the streets.
In 2040, life wasn't much fun.
If you were alive.
***************
The Glock felt heavy in his hand. It was old, but it was his favorite. Polymer frame. Ferritic nitrocarburizing. It wouldn't rust.
He was racking his brain, trying to work out how many rounds he'd used.
Eleven? Twelve?
He could check, but he didn't have time. He had to make it to the dumpster.
Or he was dead.
Assume twelve. That means three rounds left. I've got to make it to the dumpster.
He took a deep breath.
The Package was at his feet. That's what he called him: The Package. No point getting personal. They wouldn't know each other for long. He might even be dead soon. Who knew? No point being on a first name basis with a corpse.
"Get the fuck up," he said. "We have to make it to the dumpster. Can you make it?"
The Package was breathing heavily. He was out of condition. He nodded.
"I....think....so," he said between gasps.
Fat fuck.
Why can't they send me to get someone fit for once? Even just healthy. Someone who could at least run more than ten meters without throwing up.
"Well don't
think
so,
know
so," he said. "When I say 'three' we bolt for the dumpster. And...."
"....and what?" asked The Package.
