IT’S A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT, LIKE the beginning of a dramatic horror story. In the middle of a mountainous forest, two humanlike creatures are having a ferocious brawl. It’s too dark to identify what exactly is in the midst of this raging struggle, but it’s quite clear that they’re not human. Growls can be heard. The strength of their paws produces uncanny speed and jumping ability. Their eyes are kindled with rage.
What are they? Where have they come from? What are they fighting for? Let’s start at the beginning.
In a secured, secret location lies a large building made for the creation and development of advanced technology. It’s called the Command Center. Inside this building is highly classified activity. There are multiple floors both above and below the surface.
In a certain sector of the building are four kids with special collars on their necks, ranging in age between eight and eleven. They are training inside a giant gymnasium along with animal companions to master their special abilities as scientific prototypes. The oldest, Diesel, and his hamster, Torro are doing strength and problem-solving training. Diesel does the heavy moving and lifting as Torro directs him through a maze machine.
Then there is Angel, and her bird, Phoenix. They’re practicing sonic vibrations control. Angel trains Phoenix to hone her high-frequency voice by targeting things such as the ground and water to see the result. They also aim at objects such as glass, bricks, or metals to see what frequency will break them with the bird’s voice.
Cato and his cat, Lynx, are in an obstacle course with pop-up targets. These test the catlike instincts of the two along with their speed and agility. The targets consist of traps that attack or restrain the duo to put their reflexes to the ultimate trial. With how easily they evade and destroy the targets, it doesn’t seem like much of an ordeal.
Last, and also the youngest, are Chaise and his dog, Coyote. They’re Cato and Lynx’s opponents in the course, coming from the opposite direction. Along with targets to test their canine instincts and reflexes, the two make quick work of their obstacles to meet their feline friends at the midpoint. Their favorite part is to face off with each other there since it challenges them more.
They don’t know it yet, but one day these kids and their animal companions are going to save the world.
The children are taught that there’s a purpose behind the training. Not all the young ones’ parents are present in their lives, so the children report to their primary instructor. The life they’re living isn’t quite the ideal childhood, but the group is granted a decent amount of supervised free time to be kids.
As five years pass, the character inside each child grows more noticeable. The psychic link with their animal partners become stronger as well.
Diesel is kind and enjoys lifting and problem-solving. His hamster, Torro, is more on the aggressive side. Thankfully the attitudes aren’t reversed because Diesel is becoming a big guy, and Chaise antagonizes him. It will be nice to see them fight.
Chaise is the wild, rebellious type. Although the youngest of the crew, he seems to feel the need to prove he’s tougher than he looks. He’s also territorial, and Coyote is unconditionally loyal to him; he follows Chaise’s lead. Because of their duels, Chaise has a level of respect for Cato. That makes the two close friends.
Angel is the most relaxed character of the bunch. She laughs, jokes, and plays with little care in the world. That’s possibly because of the overprotective lookout she has in her bird, Phoenix. Phoenix is mostly quiet. Her voice is too dangerous for occasional singing. Thankfully their telepathic link provides them with the ability to communicate, so Phoenix watches, listens, and warns Angel when necessary.
Cato keeps the team together. His wisdom and sense of understanding helps form a medium where they all can tolerate one another’s differences such as Chaise’s attitude or Diesel’s sarcasm. Lynx is Cato’s right-hand man. He helps Cato when he can and always watches Cato’s back.
Lynx and Coyote have also formed a bond. They both enjoy pouncing on each other, practicing their hunting skills. Chaise and Angel, on the other hand, don’t get along. Angel finds Chaise’s wild cockiness annoying, and she pranks Chaise often. There’s also an intimate bond between Angel and Cato that goes unspoken. This causes Angel and Chaise to respect each other enough for the sake of Cato.
As time and training progresses, the teenagers grow more interested in the outside world. They begin to want to interact with normal kids and try the things they do. The team starts to feel like prisoners. Their inability to engage their interests discourages the team and provokes Chaise to protest for their freedom. Unfortunately, the teenagers’ wish cannot be granted, so they continue with their usual everyday schedules.
One day during their free time, Chaise receives an email from an anonymous sender titled, “In Case You Wanted to Be Free.” Of course it touches a very sensitive place in his mind. He opens and reads the anonymous message.
The next day during training, Chaise proposes to Cato that they should break out of the facility and take their freedom by force. He says he also knows how to take the restriction collars off. Cato, not taking Chaise’s words seriously, responds.
“Yeah! Let’s run away with no food or shelter AND worry about being hunted for the rest of our lives. It’ll be fun!”
Chaise, demanding respect for his words, reacts by destroying one of Cato’s targets as his friend is about to strike it. He stands in place of it and blocks Cato’s strike to get his attention.
“I’m serious,” Chaise says. “Let’s at least run this by Diesel ’n’ Angel.”
Cato realizes Chaise is passionate about this idea. He responds, “OK, but if they think it’s a bad idea, will you let it go?”
Chaise smirks, then continues the training saying,
“We’ll see.”
Later that day during the group’s break, they gather, and Chaise brings up the subject. The idea of a breakout seems refreshing to them. They’ve never thought they could get rid of the collars around their necks, let alone live like normal people. This persuades Angel and Diesel to quickly agree with Chaise’s idea.
Surprised, Cato warns the team.
“The outside world can be way more dangerous than this facility we live in. It would probably be best to stay here where we have food and a decent place to sleep. Plus, the punishment for breaking out may be great. We may have to fight for our freedom for the rest of our lives just to avoid finding out how bad the punishment can really be.”
Chaise nonchalantly states, “I’ll take that risk.”
Diesel adds, “People should have the choice to come and go as they please. I’m in.”
Angel inserts, “I’d rather try and fail than spend the rest of my life wondering if it were possible. Count me in too.”
Cato smiles. He’s impressed at the fact that the team finally agrees on something that Chaise has proposed. He submits.
“Cool! It’s decided then.” He confirms, “We’re breakin’ out of here…But we need a plan.”