Free The Clean Slate Accord by Sofia Diana Gabel

Chapter 1
    Alexa sat up straight and repressed the feeling of dread that had plagued her all day. It was only a speech, she reminded herself, but a speech that would change the world. She had no qualms about the impending change, but the fact that her image would be broadcast worldwide made her hands tremble. Ever since childhood, she’d preferred to work in solitude, behind the scene, but now everyone on Earth would know her face. Her entire adult life had led to this moment.
    She ran her hands through her short blonde hair and waited for the time to count down, keeping her hands clasped together under the desk. Five seconds, four, three…then, smile and talk. “Citizens of the world, as your Global Director, I, Alexa Lange, make this announcement from the Arctic Operations Bunker with great pleasure and hope. It’s taken twenty long years of negotiations and trials, but we now stand on the threshold of launching the greatest contrivance ever put before us. The Clean Slate Accord shall finally become reality, creating a clean slate, if you will, where our planet can start over. No more hostilities, violence, murders or wars. Humanity will finally evolve to greater heights without these unnecessary distractions. With all humility, I thank you for your attention and cooperation and I look forward to witnessing this amazing transformation as much as you do. May peace and prosperity bring about New Earth.”
    Alexa kept her eyes fixed on the global broadcast lens until the little red light flicked off, signifying the transmission had ended. She addressed her crew with a relieved smile, “Thank you, gentlemen. I’m glad that’s over.” She looked for twelve-year-old Jonas among the crowd of people. “Jonas, where are you? Can you get the President for me right away?”
    Jonas, small and gangly, peeked out from behind the broadcasting equipment, pushed his empty eyeglass frames back up to the bridge of his nose and nodded. “Already on line one, waiting for you.”
    â€œWhat would I do without you?” Alexa tapped the “one” key on her wrist communicator and took a deep breath. “Good afternoon, President Chandler. You’re free to make your announcement now.” She disconnected the call and went to Jonas. “Turn on the viewing screen. I want to watch Chandler.”
    Jonas flicked a switch on a console panel. “Done, Director.”
    The large wall screen flashed on and the image of President Isabella Chandler leaning against the front of her desk appeared. Alexa held up her hand to quiet the crew and whispered to Jonas, “You watch, she’ll use that same tired choreographed move where she starts talking and then goes and sits down to dispense her grandmotherly wisdom.”
    The President began her prepared speech with a genial smile. “My fellow citizens of the United Continents of America, I come before you to set in motion the much anticipated initiation of the Clean Slate Accord.” The President straightened up and moved behind the desk, just as Alexa knew she would, and took her seat. “I know you might still have some concerns about the aspects of the training process, but I can assure you, there’s nothing to worry about. Clean Slate is perfectly safe. For generations to come, you will be remembered, or should I say revered, for your complicity in this amazing advancement of the human race.” She folded her hands in front of her on the desktop and paused for a brief moment. “I would advise all of you to review your pamphlets just as a brush-up reminder of how the Serum A injections will work in concert with the implants. Any and all questions should be referred to your local magistrate or health clinic. The Accord will officially go into effect as of midnight, according to your particular time zone, when the implants are triggered. I am excited to serve as your president at the start of the Accord and if you