Juxtaposition

Chapter 1

Year: 3021

Day: Tracking Ceremony

Today was the day where the rest of my life would be handed to me. The tracking ceremony. Most of the other 16 year olds are excited, me...not so much. Were told all our lives that this would be the happiest day of our lives, but for me it was just another set of chains. After this chip is implanted and I turn 18, my whole life will be mapped out. Who I marry, where I live, what job I'll hold, when I'll die. I loved where I lived, my family has lived in the Chronar constellation since the time of The Old Ones. It's not like you could escape if you wanted to, we live in deep space, 400 light years from the nearest star group. Life here isn't all bad, from what we've learned in school the home of the first people, a aging planet called Earth,was horrible. Wars ravaged cities and over 75% of the population was starving and in poverty. At least here in our capital city, Aleiasi, it's a beautiful place. Our building are made from a most durable glass known as Stratis. Our trees and vegetation are all different shades, the grass a deep emerald, flowers all sorts of jewel tones and the trees grew the most succulent fruit I have ever known. Our live are wonderful, even if we are told how to live our lives. Tonight I go to have to attend my chip ceremony.They say it's just a pinch, but it's so much more, it's me signing away my life.

*****************

I walk into the Grand Hall, the seats are crowded with the families of the Implanted. I stand in a back hall with the rest of the kids my age. All of us in our traditional gowns for the ceremony. Each family had a different color. Our family, the Noir's, had a gorgeous shade of amethyst. I was dressed in probably the most elegant gown I would ever wear. As the ceremony was being prepared, I peeked through the curtains that hid us till we were called. There in the center front row were the Guardians. They were the elected officials that governed our constellation, along with the Empress of course. I wondered why they were here. Every city had special seats for them, but very rarely did we see them, The lived in a different part of the constellation,far from us.

I heard the speakers hum the tone that told us the ceremony was about to start. I went back and found my place in line. I waited patiently as each name was called. Each person would go up there bow to the crowd and sit with their heads bowed forwards. The Master of Ceremonies would then take a syringe and pierce the back of our neck and inject the tracker. We would then go sit with our families. As the line dwindled and my turn was approaching, my nerves grew. Finally I was about to be called up, just a few seconds before my freedom was cut from me.

"Aracely Noir," My name came through the speakers. I received a quiet applause.

I walk up the steps to the dias where I will be tracked. I curtsy politely to the Guardians and take my place in the chair, my head bowed and eyes closed. I feel the pin prick of the needle, but before I felt anything go in the whole crowd was gasping. Confused I opened my eyes and looked around me, a silver light surrounded my whole body.

"W-what's happening" I ask shakily. My eyes search the crowd for answers.

A slow clap started from the center of the crowd, a few more claps joined in as it speed up a little. I finally realized it was the guardians clapping.

"All hail Aracely Noir, empress-to-be" a deep voice calls out. It is the head guardian.

He is a tall man, nearly 6'7" and he had the most incredible dark skin, smooth and taut over the muscle and sinew of his exposed arms. Gabriel Lessir was not a man to be toyed with, nor did he ever bow to anyone but the empress, but here I could see the top of his shaved head as he sunk to a knee in front of my chair. Soon the whole room followed suit, men and women bowing and curtseying to me. To say i have never been more confused would be an understatement.