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The Constant Star (5)

Writer's picture: Stephen TaylorStephen Taylor



Baldr had been Jupiter for three years, but the name still feels new for Siff.

Father and daughter take a deep breath and sink further into the soft cushions facing each other, “Are you going to watch the Chosen Ones tonight? I’m sure there’s some interesting things going on down there.”

“Nah, I’ve got homework to do. It’s the class trip to the Needle tomorrow, and I don’t want to fall behind.”

“The Needle? That’s tomorrow? Wow, that came up fast! I’m sure you’ll have so much fun! There’s a lot to see, and there’s something truly special about seeing the Chosen Ones from that viewpoint.”

“I’m definitely looking forward to it. It’ll be great to see a new environment. Things can get a bit same-y sometimes.”

“Same-y? Even with the hundreds of sectors to explore on this level alone, multiple parks and entertainments…plus VR that can literally take you anywhere you can imagine?”

“Ha! Yeah, but still on this ship.”

“If you want off the ship, you could still apply for the Pilot program.”

“Janus’ AI already has me sorted for the Political program, I doubt that will change.”

“Me too, you are very good at politics. You take after your mother that way,” Siff lets out a frustrated sigh, “I know you’re not a fan, but your mother is a gifted politician and excellent at her job. It’s not a bad thing to take after her.”

“Anyway…I’ve got schoolwork to get done.”

“Sure thing. Oh, by the way…”

“Mm?”

“You mentioned the VR was malfunctioning?”

“Oh yeah. My headset glitched and overlaid a yellow path that led nowhere.”

“Which game?”

“The Hill Climb, and Fantasy Detectives.”

“Two games? And it led nowhere?”

“Yeah, just a wall by a pile of garbage. Any reason?”

“Hmm, Okay. No, just interested in your day. I’m going to wash up and get some sleep, have a good night, Sweetheart.”

“You too, Dad.”



4



<<Citizen#0021-48374639

Entry#10951

We drift as an ornament among the stars. This single vessel. Monumental in its construction, silent in its passage. An unknown pen to write the future of our race. We pray only that it writes true. We serve the Chosen Ones.

And though they live simply, with no understanding of their import nor the nature of our co-existence, all our hope rests on them.>>


The next morning Siff catches the transport to school and joins her excited classmates as they travel to the Needle. There are several checkpoints and with each stop the atmosphere in the twenty-seven teenagers becomes more electric. The Chosen Ones are unknowing celebrities to the crew of Janus, especially among the young. They all have their favorites and excitedly watch highlights every night. Getting to be in the mechanism that creates and sustains their heroes is a dream come true. A few will be brought into the Needle program, but for most this will be their only venture into this environment for the rest of their lives.

When the final checkpoint is passed the class pulls up to a large glass door in front of a massive white wall with polished steel highlights. They file out and line up in front of the waiting technician who is their tour-guide for the trip. She is a tall, elegant woman with a natural smile. She hands their teacher a package of passes and begins her pre-tour introduction, “Hello, class! My name is Ceres. Please put on and wear your passes at all times. We don’t want the Needle security protocols seeing you as a threat. Through this door is a world unlike any you’ve seen before. I know many of you believe the scenes you see on your displays at home give you an idea of what to expect, but reality is always much more powerful. I will be explaining the inner workings of the Needle, and answering any questions you may have as we tour inside.

“Now, does everyone have their passes on? Good. Please follow me.”

She takes a step back then turns around as the door opens for her. The group is buzzing with excitement as they follow into a large foyer with several security guards stationed about, “Our human security is only one stage of our protection protocols for the Chosen Ones. Our AI systems branch through every section and are programmed to respond to any and every threat with appropriate force. There are a multitude of automated defense procedures kept behind our walls and ceiling panels. You can rest assured that our mission and our hope are extremely well protected.”

The group is led straight through to another set of doors and then to a grav-rail transport, “We use grav-rails in the Needle as our primary means of traveling. The length of track make this necessary or it would take too much time to travel its considerable length. You will notice you feel no acceleration or deceleration as we travel; this allows for incredible speed without any harm or discomfort to our passengers. This grav-rail has been reserved for us and shall take us through to each of our stops on todays’ tour. We shall be visiting some exciting sites and watching our very best scientists at work.” The doors shut and they begin to move, “As you all know, the Needle is the center-point of our mission, and stretches 782 kilometers to the centre of the Chosen Ones’ environment, commonly known as the Tube. We, of course, prefer to refer to it as the Habitat. Within this vast structure we observe, study, and keep safe the Chosen Ones, and with them, the hope of our species. There are many scientists at work here: only the best from every school on Janus are accepted. Their studies include environmental sciences, psychology, biology, anthropology, sociology, physics, chemistry, botany and everything in between. We work on individual projects with an eye on the whole, knowing that it is not just one of us, but the whole team that will make this



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