This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2018 by Carlos Vergara
First edition September 2018
Edited by June Colbert
Cover art by Felix Tindall
www.felixtindall.com
This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law.
ISBN: 978-0-6482932-0-0
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
PART 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
CHAPTER 1
THE PHONE ALARM wailed. Seven o’clock. No more time for sleeping in.
Alyssa, a young brunette teenager with blue eyes, switched off her alarm and remained in bed, having no desire to get up. But she did anyway.
As she left her room and passed her brother’s room, she gazed inside to find him snoring loudly. She smiled, amused by his way of sleeping.
Had another late night, I guess...
After her quick glance, she left to prepare herself for the day. She showered and dressed in work uniform––white formal shirt, blue jeans, and black Converse shoes––followed by breakfast and catching up on the news.
When she was done, she grabbed her keys and left the apartment for work. As she headed through the building corridor toward the elevator, she heard a door close behind her, followed by running footsteps.
‘Morning, Alyssa!’ a little boy said.
‘Morning, Edwin,’ she said, turning around to see a young ginger-hair boy, accompanied by his mother.
‘Do you have work today?’
‘I do. Going to school?
‘Yup. Gotta test today.’
‘Good luck.’
‘Thank you. I’m gonna need it as I want to beat my friend. He’s top of the class and I want to beat him this time around.’
‘He’s been studying hard and is eager to do well in the test,’ Edwin’s mother said.
‘I hope he does.’
They entered the elevator and descended toward the ground level. The apartment floor was positioned on the thirteenth floor, but it didn’t take long for them to arrive at the bottom.
‘Have a good day, Alyssa,’ he said.
‘You too,’ she said.
She exited her building and watched her neighbours venture elsewhere until they disappeared.
She gazed past the building tops, toward a large translucent barrier placed above the city on Earth’s surface, protecting everyone from everything on the other side. She looked beyond the barrier at a large white ball hovering behind swirling orange-brown clouds.
In an instant, her heavy heart quickened. A nervous reaction which happened every time she looked up toward the sky.
Alyssa walked through the streets, which livened as people exited their buildings and headed off to work. The buildings around towered over the people, standing seven storeys tall, growing in taller with each sector leading into the city.
The circular city was called Interpol with the main business area surrounded by four ring districts. It was one of three cities, where the remaining survivors of Oblivion lived. To this day, no one knew why it happened. Some considered that it was nature taking its course, while others thought it was the result of something else.
It was a topic constantly discussed, as it was the first time in human history that witnessed a significant increase in the sun’s size, causing Mercury to be envelope out of existence. This event brought major repercussions for Earth as temperatures soared, making living conditions on the surface impossible to bear, which nearly wiped out every human on the plant. The surviving population excavated deep underground and built cities and barriers on the surface to survive the hot, toxic conditions circulating on Earth.
Alyssa arrived outside the café, where she worked. It was a pleasant place, but it never brought her a sense of purpose or excitement. Only her earnings from the job kept her going as she needed to pay the bills.
‘Ready for morning shift, Alyssa?’ a co-worker asked, walking passed her.
‘I am,’ Alyssa said.
The day began. The life of a waiter wasn’t laborious. Dealing with customers, taking orders, ensuring excellent service, all of this was simple for Alyssa. She was well accustomed to the practice. Even handling difficult customers was a cinch.
‘That will be seven dollars and fifty cents,’ she told a scruffy middle-aged man as she stood by his table.
‘I only have six dollars with me,’ the man said, holding his card.
Alyssa flicked a glance at her co-workers before returning her attention to the man, and whispered, ‘I’ll take what you have now, and you can pay me back tomorrow.’
The man beamed. ‘I will, I will. I promise. Thank you, Alyssa.’
She watched the man leave.
A voice spoke from behind, ‘Let another one off, aye?’
‘Eikichi,’ she said.
‘Sis.’
Alyssa turned around, finding her Japanese–American brother, who stood half a head taller than her with a broad physique and brown eyes fixed on her.
‘You know you can’t always do that, right?’
‘We’re all dealing with the same thing, Eikichi. We have to help one another.’
‘Just don’t do too much of it, okay? People can take advantage of that.’
‘Noted. Now, what is it you want? I’m assuming you stopped here for a late breakfast before your lunch shift at the restaurant.’
‘I am. Just get me one of those good sandwiches you guys make.’
‘Drink?’
‘The usual.’
Cappuccino. Alyssa smiled. ‘Alright. Take a seat.’
‘Why, thank you.’ he said, sarcastically. He sat at a table.
Alyssa collected a small steel mug to warm Eikichi’s milk for his cappuccino, when suddenly, loud rattles echoed through the café and city.
Not now...
Alyssa winced at the noise while others around her appeared troubled as they covered their ears. She dropped the cup and covered hers, as well. She held them in place for another twenty seconds until the rattles subsided. She glanced around, exchanged looks with Eikichi, who appeared disturbed, and ventured outside.
Eyes shot straight toward the barriers, where she saw dark orange-brown clouds passing over. Her heart was racing as she continued to stare at the clouds, fearing something far worse was going to happen.
Those from inside the café stood beside her, as did many other people who were in other stores or driving.
‘That was a loud one. A lot louder than last time,’ a customer said.
‘Yeah,’ another person said.
Alyssa looked at Eikichi. ‘You alright?’
He nodded, then looked up.
Eventually, everyone resumed their acti
vities, but were on edge from the rattles, including Alyssa.
Time passed quickly as the day improved and the event became a distant memory.
During her shift, Alyssa checked her email to see if she’d received any response from the jobs she had applied for. There was one, but she wasn’t entirely happy with the position, as it offered her zero purpose.
It wasn’t long until she found the day darkening as her shift ended. She bid farewell and told everyone she would see them tomorrow.
On her way home, she ventured through the usual streets until she found the road ahead were blocked off due to a major accident. She scanned around for the best route and found a dim alleyway which led her onto the parallel street.
As she passed through, her sights were different from what she was usually saw. People covered in dirt, wearing rugged clothes wandered about or sat around bonfires. They appeared hopeless like there wasn’t anything better to do other than sit around. None of them showed interest in her as she passed by.
Before she reached the end, she spotted a man lying half-conscious by a door. Near him was a syringe and an empty vial. Distraught, she immediately approached the man.
‘Sir, are you alright?’ she asked.
There was no answer.
‘Sir?’
‘Don’t worry about him, little lady,’ a scruffy man said, walking toward her with another person.
‘What are you talking about? He’s not awake.’
‘That’s because there’s nothing worth waking up to.’
‘Sir…’
The man got closer and kicked the half-conscious man on the foot, which startled him. ‘See! He’s alright. Now go.’
‘But––’
The man stepped closer with an intimidating look on his face. ‘I said go.’
Alyssa got up quickly and left the place.
When she arrived home, she thought of the half-conscious man, wondering if he was alright, but she knew wondering wasn’t going to get her anywhere, so she called the ambulance and left it at that.
Once the call was made, she remembered Eikichi was going to be working late. She slumped onto her bed and let herself slip away into sleep.
The following day was much the same. Same routine and interactions, with no rattles occurring this time around.
On her break from work, Alyssa paid a visit to Eikichi, who was on break, sitting outside the restaurant by a window with a bowl of soup.
‘Long day?’ she asked.
‘Not quick enough, is what it is,’ he quipped. ‘Want something to eat?’
‘Sure.’
Shortly after, the two were eating opposite each other.
‘Hear from anyone on the jobs you applied for?’
‘I did.’
‘And?’
‘I haven’t responded to them.’
‘Why not?’
‘They don’t interest me.’
‘Come on. Do you really want to continue working as a waitress?’
‘I could ask you the same thing as being an assistant chef.’
Eikichi smirked.
‘Eikichi, I want to do something more than doing an internship for a company I couldn’t care less about.’
‘But there’s good pay there.’
‘I’m not going to waste my time doing something I don’t care about.’
‘Then what’s going to make you care?’
‘I’m not sure… something with purpose.’
‘That’s not easy to find.’
‘Nothing ever is… I want to help people. I want to give them hope.’
He looked at her, curious with a hint of concern. ‘Did you happen to cross some alley on Auxil Ring?’
‘Not by intent. People shouldn’t be living the way they do there.’
‘It happens everywhere. Interpol isn’t the only people with people living like that. Other cities have it as well.’ He paused. ‘And it’s not our position to tell them that. I mean look around, it’s not necessarily a hopeful environment, now is it?’
Alyssa didn’t answer.
‘Look, you want to help people, join a charity or get that internship position and use the money you get from that and help them out in your own way.’
Her eyes moved toward the television hologram displayed along the restaurant wall. An announcement was being broadcast. She noticed everyone inside and those on the streets had their eyes focused on the screens inside other shops.
A woman known as Dominic Thatcher had the camera fixed on him with a banner below, reading: ‘FIFTY YEARS LEFT TO LIVE?!’
‘I don’t think that’ll do much good in the end,’ Alyssa said.
‘Why?’ Eikichi asked.
She nodded her head toward the news report. ‘Take a look.’
Eikichi turned around and muttered, ‘No way.’
Mr Thatcher had fair skin, appearing young despite being in his late forties. He had a hard, unwavering expression––one which held courage and wisdom, and one people could follow in adversity.
The presenter looked toward the camera and spoke. ‘People of the Earth, what I will convey may be construed as the end of our species, a notion that will elicit fear to all who are listening this very moment. A fear I wish I could vanquish before it besets your mind.’
Alyssa and Eikichi had their eyes fixed on the screen.
‘We’re not safe, my fellow citizens. It brings me great pain to say that, but it’s the truth. This barrier that we created won’t endure against the harsh conditions of Earth. With the expectancy of the sun to continue growing in its size, the barrier will only hold for about fifty years.’
The restaurant went quiet.
Alyssa and Eikichi glanced at each other, both holding grave expressions.
Mr Thatcher continued. ‘I know how you must be feeling right now. I feel it too. But we must not let it compromise us. We cannot allow for that to happen. Not now. These moments we have from here on will be the most important of all. Now is the time to begin a conquest for humanity that will become the greatest event in history. That is planet migration. And when I say this, I don’t mean migrating to our neighbouring planet, Mars. I mean moving our entire civilization onto another planet in another system. A Space Academy has been set up, and currently as I speak, we have people close to completing our interstellar station, Edollon, for space travellers to reside after scouting distant planets in far reaching galaxies. Should anyone of you have a desire to participate in this academy, you need to pass the entrance exam at Ascent University Sport and Aquatic Centre, starting from today.’
Everyone in the restaurant appeared sceptical of this plan, though no one made a comment.
Alyssa was intrigued by the idea of planet migration, travelling through space and visiting other places light years away.
‘Before I come to an end, I have one request for you all, and I’ll put it as plainly as I can: don’t waste our time. Time is of the essence and we must ensure every decision we make from here on is the appropriate one. If you so choose to participate, I would advise you to discuss it again. Think it through thoroughly. Talk about it with your family, with your friends, or anybody for that matter. Because once you’re up there, it’s unlikely you’ll never be on Earth again.’
He paused. ‘Thank you.’ With that, Mr Thatcher left the stand and the broadcast was over.
Everyone watching remained quiet for a moment, exchanging looks. Then, the restaurant erupted with conversation on the possibility of space voyaging, witnessing new planets and galaxies.
Alyssa and Eikichi looked around before looking at each other.
‘You’re not actually thinking––’ Eikichi said.
Alyssa smiled and bolted from the restaurant.
‘Alyssa!’
Eikichi’s voice disappeared as she ran toward the city. She passed many other people doing the same.
Alyssa’s heart was thumping fast. After the rush she received from Dominic’s speech, she felt she was capable of doing some
thing more, something with a purpose.
Upon arriving at the university campus, she found many people already queuing up for registration. The speech delivered at the press conference seemed to stir up the spirits of teenagers and adults seeking a new purpose in life.
Alyssa scanned the area. The university was vast with tall tinted glass buildings in all directions. She noticed hologram projections nearby and zoned in one.
T H E S P A C E A C A D E M Y
Please register with one of the officials before proceeding into the building for further instructions on the exam
Best of luck to all
Alyssa smiled in delight. The more she immersed herself in the moment the more she believed that she had found her calling. Her purpose.
This is it.
CHAPTER 2
AFTER SEARCHING THE area, Alyssa stood in line with the others who appeared eager to participate in the entrance exam. Before she could progress further in line, she was dragged away by Eikichi.
‘Alyssa, what the hell are you doing?’ he exclaimed.
‘This is it, Eikichi. This is what I want to do,’ she said.
‘By entering an academy to become a space voyager visiting planets? It’s too risky, Alyssa.’
‘I know and I’m willing to take the risk.’
Eikichi frowned.
‘Come on. Do it with me.’
‘What?’
‘Come on. Do it with me. Do you honestly want to continue working as a chef’s assistant? Cooking for long hours and long nights with a chef who only cares for himself and his image.’
Eikichi exhaled deeply, appearing conflicted.
‘This will be something greater than any of us can imagine, and I’d love for you to be with me as we experience this.’
A few seconds later, the pair got a spot in line. As they slowly progressed through the line, their attention was captured by another holograph projection. This displayed the space suits participants would wear once they were accepted into the academy. It was sleek and robust, resembling military combat suits with metallic plates across the chest, abdominals and limbs.
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