(Y/N)
Everyone's suddenly silent. My head is reeling from the news.
Everybody, including The Correction and our precursors, believed that Columbis was the only home to humans now. That life on Earth no longer existed. It was believable; all of Earth's hope, their best scientists, engineers and doctors, had taken off in a spaceship in a final effort to continue our species. Hope was lost; they were not meant to survive.
But they did. How?
Uma waits until she sees the shock fade from our faces before she presses her hand to her throat to speak again. "Expedition 0012 reached Earth last week. They sent us a report. Based on the information we have received from them and The Correction's knowledge of our history, it seems humanity there has begun from the very beginning. From the supposed cavemen to what the Expedition currently identifies as a Monarchy. However, for some reason, it appears there is one supreme clan controlling the entire planet, which is in contrast to what The Correction explained about the 'British Empire' or the 'Monguls'. Expedition 0012 is an exploration spaceship. It does not have the ability to defend itself properly. They have requested immediate backup as they have detected subtle hostility from the Supreme." She says.
I am confused. I look down and wonder. We are still younglings. This should be the speech given to the Working Sector or Year 10's. They would assemble a team to send to Earth. We are not our predecessors; it would take a mere month to reach there on a defense warship. So why are we currently in the sorting hall we should enter only after Year 10 ? Why are we being given this information?
Uma continues, giving me answers to my unspoken questions, "We have received a directive from the Head of Departments of the Working Sector. They believe younglings will be able to adapt quicker in environments such as the one observed on Earth without compromising your own values and people. They have selected some younglings from Year 10, yes, but some of you have been asked to join as well. Some, who have been observed for a while in case such a situation arises. I will begin to call out the names. Kindly step forward for your sorting. The rest will have to wait until after Year 10 to be sorted."
She pulls out her PDD. Everyone holds their breath. This is a huge opportunity. This chance cannot go to waste, this everybody knows. To get your genetic modification and department earlier than the rest is certainly an honour.
I want to be one of them.
Uma puts her hand to her throat once more.
"I will call out four names. As soon as the name is called, I want to see that person next to me, their hands in front of them with their PDD on their forearms. Ready?"
Everyone's completely silent.
"First name: Oliver Christine."
I furrow my brows in frustration.
I flip my head around to see a blonde, tanned man walking towards the stage. he does as instructed and keeps his head bowed.
"Second name: Amit Aggarwal."
I clench my fists. Why can't it be me?
I see a boy next to me with black hair and dusted skin stand up and do the same thing as Oliver.
"Third name: Chul Eunwoo."
I slump. I've almost given up hope.
I turn to see the guy next to where Oliver was sitting stand up. He has red hair and freckles over his pale face. His mouth is tipped up in a smirk.
He does as the others have done.
I don't think I'll be selected. Maybe I will, but there are 200 younglings here...
The odds are against me.
"The last name is...(Y/N) (L/N)."
I'm shocked. I stand up and stiffly make my way over to the stage.
I got in, I got in, I got in!
I pull out my PDD and place it on my forearms in front of me.
Uma collects our PDD's, downloads some sort of software on it and hands it back to us.
She then speaks to us. "The software downloaded on your PDD will change your current unisex outfit to your sorted department. It will take a couple minutes."
As soon as she finishes speaking, Oliver's outfit switches to blue, Eunwoo's switches to white and Amit's switches to black.
I look at my own outfit but see no changes.
Uma looks at the crowd and speaks, "We have a scientist, doctor and soldier." She looks at me expectantly.
We wait for a few moments.
Why isn't it changing?
"Strange," Uma says, "The software is supposed to detect your score in each subject, add it to your PP's and then select your department based on observations."
I look at her. We are never told our scores, only the mistakes we have made. Only the head of the facility can access them. It's to avoid unnecessary bias from both teachers and peers.
She checks her own PDD and pulls up my scores. Her brows furrow.
Just then, we hear a collective gasp from the room. I look at my peers and notice they're staring at my uniform. I look down and see my outfit.
It's grey with each colour striped alternatively across my chest. There are gloves covering my hands and a white band of cloth around my neck.
Uma looks up from her PDD. Her eyes widen.
I look at her, confused. "What department am I?" I ask her.
The others are staring at me like I've grown two heads. Amit asks me, "This doesn't look familiar to you?"
I shake my head and look at Uma expectantly.
She regains her composure and clears her throat. "This uniform has only been given to fleet commanders. They excel in all areas. Therefore, they are given the role of leadership. The role of controlling a warship."
I swallow hard. "Isn't this given to the more experienced? The Working Sector will train us, won't they?" I ask. To have so many lives at stake... It's illogical to put all that pressure on a youngling.
"Yes. Which is why you'll be heading to the Working Sector tomorrow for a week of training after which you will be genetically modified and ready to accompany the Working Population on the Defense Warship." She says.
I nod. I turn around to see Amit, Eunwoo and Oliver bowing their heads.
I am stunned. They are bowing for me.
Uma comes behind me and speaks gently. "They are your people. They now rely on you. Your weakness is their weakness. You cannot show your emotions; cannot allow yourself to be weak. I do not know why they chose you nor will I ever question it. You are now a leader, a pillar of support, a guiding light for the lost. If the pillar is weak..." She trails off.
I stiffen and harden my expression. She's right. I cannot be weak. I gesture for them to raise.
I already know what genetic modification I will choose.
I already know my fate.
I will go on that warship.
And I will lead my people to protect what I must.
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