Smiling, their guide walks over to a control panel and speaks with the scientist there. Suddenly their view is magnified and the mountain villages come into sharp focus. Siff can clearly see villagers walking about, socializing, trading, and riding along the paths.
“The Needle is surrounded by a hologramatic forcefield, all they can see is sky when they look up, and anything that might fall from the Needle is instantly vaporized on contact with the forcefield. We started with three communities of Chosen Ones, set in three very different portions of the Habitat. The Entellin live in the valleys and forests near the main ship, the Abinsinna live close to the star of Vesta, and here we observe the Korykn who inhabit these mountains and their surrounding plains. The three communities have grown and begun expanding, but as of yet they have not met each other. If we can bring up the other sites? Thank you.
“As you can see, each of these peoples have adapted excellently to their environments. Their new villages have grown to the point where they trade with one another, and there are even some explorers seeking out new lands among them. From what started as a small select group, they are becoming more advanced. The Abinsinna are developing well with boat-building and fishing techniques, harvesting from the sea and exploring distant shores. The Korykn are already masters of mining, trapping, and hunting. They have many artisans and masters of crafting jewelry, and are probably the most ornamented of the three peoples. And finally, the Entellin have developed farming to a very advanced stage. They have a multitude of grains, vegetables, and fruits. There are also those who hunt among them, bringing back hares, deer, and the occasional boar. I’m sure you’ve all seen Lucas, who even hunts some of the more dangerous creatures closer to the cliffs and mountains at the wall of Janus.”
The Chosen Ones are everyone’s most loved show, and everyone has their favorites. Siff, as much as she wants to be aloof from the shallowness of it all, is desperately attracted to life among the Entellin. Peaceful farming, simple garments of wool and linen dyed in bright colors, adventure among the forests, a warm and loving community, and even hunting among the wild places seems so romantic. And yes, she hates herself for it, but Lucas is her favorite. From the small village of Travos, closest to the End Forest, he is handsome and charismatic, a young leader of his people. He will often ride to the forest and hunt among the beasts, wearing skins and small trophies of the creatures he has slain. Always testing himself to become better at survival, yet completely at peace with who he is and with his fellow people. When the image zooms in on him there is a collective sigh from several in the class. Lucas is very popular.
Leaving the farmland on his horse, Siff can only assume he is going on another hunt. He looks upward—directly toward his onlookers—smiles, and kisses the knuckle of his index finger as a salute to the gods. The Needle is hidden from his sight but Siff feels as if he can see them all, and wonders what he would think of his gods if he really knew them. She watches him for a few minutes before pulling her eyes away, hoping no-one noticed how trapped she was by her emotion. But she has nothing to worry about, all eyes are on the screens.
It is in this moment Siff wonders if Janus’ AI might be right after all. If she joins politics she can have a say in changing how the ship and even the mission operates. But also perhaps, maybe, she can find a way to join the Chosen Ones and experience that freedom she so longs for. And there it is. Siff is stunned. All of a sudden, something to hope for. Hope that has been denied her for so long. Siff’s eyes glaze over with shock, and her heart beats faster than it has in a long time. This is what hope feels like? Wow. This feels good. I’m going to change Janus, I’m going to give freedom to our people, and I’m going to join the Chosen Ones. Somehow. I’m going to. Somehow.
The rest of the afternoon is spent in a haze of fantasy, their guide’s voice a droning backdrop to the adventures Siff is having in her imagination. Changing the lives of those on board, joining the Chosen Ones, being a celebrated leader and liberator of the hopeless. Redefining the mission. Living in the fields and exploring the forests. Being free to question, free to dream, free to love, free to hope for the future.
She barely notices returning on the grav-rail, or the walk home, or eating supper, or climbing into bed. One dream-state blurs into the next as Siff’s mind and senses are filled with wonder.
5
<<Citizen#0022-48299735
Entry#21945
I sit in my majesty and watch the struggles of my peers. I must keep them in line, keep them focused on the one true mission. Nothing else matters, all else falls to the wayside. Janus exists because of this one purpose. We must not fail our forebears or those they put in our care.>>
Siff wakes up before her alarm and prepares her books for school, she is still in a haze of joy about her trip and cannot wait to share with Noven about all she saw. She grabs a snack to go and begins her walk across town, munching down on breakfast and smiling at every little thing she sees. Life has a new meaning and purpose for her now, and Siff can barely hold in laughing for joy at the thought she may be able to make life better for herself. She swims in the new birth of hope in her soul. Seeing the Chosen Ones reminded her of the potential of humanity, and though the average person
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