EARLIER THIS MORNING, a group of Created—employees of the defunct TOXIC organization who were injected with the illicit Creation Drug and now possess a vast array of abnormally strong Talents—stormed UNITED’s Manhattan facility. UNITED is the world-wide governing body for Talented citizens. In a statement released shortly after the siege began, the organization’s spokeswoman, Victoria Walburton, denounced the unnatural offshoot of the Talented species. The councilwoman is quoted as saying: “The safe release of the hostages is this organization’s top priority, but UNITED will not negotiate with terrorists.”

The ringleader was seventeen-year old Alana Stillwater, one of many former students of the McDonough School for the Talented who were called up to TOXIC prematurely and injected with the controversial drug. Under the belief that the only remaining vials of the drug were being housed at the Manhattan facility, Stillwater demanded the confiscated vials of the Creation Drug be turned over to her rogue group, in exchange for the lives of the UNITED agents inside the same facility. The ransom demand led to a nearly six hour standoff, with both sides refusing to surrender. Sighting no better alternatives, Councilwoman Walburton gave the order to take the building by force just after midday.

In total, ten Created were taken into custody. On behalf of UNITED, the councilwoman expressed sympathy for the families of the hostages, several of whom sustained minor injuries when the organization’s agents reclaimed the facility. As for the fate of the Created detainees, Walburton said, “They will be dealt with both swiftly and justly.”

Which begs the obvious question: Will they really?

Since the emergence of the Created, the most hotly debated topic has been the jurisdiction under which they fall. UNITED continues to argue that, as Talented, even if not natural-born, the Created are theirs to apprehend and discipline—a task that many governments were initially glad to leave in their hands. But the attack on UNITED’s own facility has caused those same governments to question the wisdom of such a decision. Many fear UNITED is incapable and ill-equipped to handle this destructive problem, for which they are ultimately to be blamed.

UNITED scientists developed, researched, and tested the Creation Drug approximately one decade ago. Ultimately, it was decided that the drug was too dangerous. Since then, both the manufacturing and use of the drug have been illegal. However, it is painfully apparent that they have neither upheld nor enforced this decree. Because of this, countries are appealing to the Joint Nations for the right to deal with any Created in their territories as they see fit.

Thus far, UNITED has been able to retain control of the exclusive right to arrest and penalize the Created. But between attacks like the one today and the general chaos the Created are causing, it is unlikely that this will be the case for much longer.

Proven by their actions over the last three weeks, the Created are a legitimate threat to humans. Infection with the Creation Drug alters one’s moral compass, establishing a gray area that blurs the line between right and wrong. The infected individuals are no longer in control of their mental faculties, a fact shown by UNITED’s own research with the drug. This also calls into question the Talented, a species the general public knows very little about, despite comingling with them for nearly a century.

Are they, the Talented, those born with abnormal abilities, any safer than the Created? Have countries like the United States segregated the Talented for their own protection, as they claim? Or is it for our protection? How much do we, real humans, have to fear from the Talented? Are they just like us? Or are they monsters, disguised as docile creatures? Has the time finally come to separate our races for good?

These are the questions we all need to ask ourselves now, when we are in a position to rid our world of this dangerous breed of individual. The Coexistence Treaty, the accord that affords the Talented the right to live among us as equals, is up for renewal. Should the law be rejected, the Talented will be forced to live in designated areas only. If you, like me and so many others, want a future free of fear and chaos, contact your Joint Nations representative and urge him or her to vote against renewal of the Treaty.

 

 

Dana Duval

Senior Correspondent, World Broadcast Frequency