Hmm, interesting! I'm glad you're continuing this Sue!

I'm guessing when Rebecca's parents get back in touch with her that they're going to notice the huge change in attitude and then things will start happening...

Saless 

RAMI

I have just finished reading all four chapters, so I am somewhat behind on some of the threads of the comments.

First, as always this is a well written story that will keep me coming back, as I did with "Changes" and I continue to do with "Football Girl".

In a prior chapter there was a debate about the new world divisions. Nothing that was stated should be a big surprise or be considered unrealistic.

The U.S. and Canada, have had the closest relationship of any two nations in the World. The last time there was active conflict between the two countries was during the War of 1812. Most other regions of the world have seen conflict and war between neighbors many times with the European continent the place of many battle grounds. The U.S. and Canada have been allies in WWI, WWII and in Iraq 1 and Afghanistan. We essentially speak the same language except for an 'eh' here and a Zed there. The religious compositions of the countries are similar and we have shared the longest open border between nations. Except for problems created by 9/11 it was simple to just walk across the border.

That China was successful in achieving what Japan hoped to achieve in WWII, a unified cohesive East Asia, is not that all remarkable. China before she was humiliated by the West starting in the mid-1800's was the dominate power in the area. The story indicates that China won a war with India, so India is not so much an ally of China, but a subjugated nation.

As to how our hero/ine is reacting, the story-line postures that the world has changed drastically during the 20 years from the start of the plague. He was not raised to be aggressive and is reacting as a child used to being passive would react.

Of course the students are being drugged and or subject to forms of brain washing. Was it that surprising. The "State" is conducting an experiment with a group of students who for the most part are essentially unwilling participants. Even those like Bethany who want the experiment to succeed need to be properly managed. They need to run the experiment with few if any hiccups.

There are other stories on this site where the boy is coerced, drugged or brainwashed into becoming a girl. Most do not start with premise that this story does. Here, if you believe, the underlying premise is true, that no new girls are being born, and that mankind is in danger of extinction, then it can be argued that what is being done for the common good, and that the sacrifice of a few for the benefit of the many is justified.

My question, is if the premise is true? If not then what is being done is a travesty.

Can't wait to see what happens to Rebecca next.

RAMI

Of course they are being drugged, amd probably kept in a relaxed, unconscious state to make them more open to suggestions whilst being given hypnotherapy. Of course States do that all the time, here and now. No State in the world as it is could exist very long without the use of force to make people do things they would rather not do, and to stop them doing things they want to. At least this State in this tale is behaving with some restraint some gentleness and some finesse.

One day, perhaps, people will live together in peace and cooperating to achieve mutually desired goals because they all love one another and they genuinely want to help each other, and there will be no more states and no more use of or threat of force. But we are still a long way removed from that.

Stories are more entertaining for people when the narrative contains some conflict elements. This tale is better for those elements. It is only in Real Life we would, at least some of us, prefer to not have such conflicts.

Briar