Chapter One:
Celebration
A brilliant sunrise highlighted the eastern horizon in hues of red and amber. Golden shafts of sunlight filtered through the dense canopy surrounding the clearing, providing a natural shelter for the residents. The trees were filled with the cheerful songs of waking birds and the gentle rustle of their leaves. Houses were set back against the forest, in a wide arc, facing the eastern horizon, leaving the center open for community activities. They were well-maintained, but the exteriors were intentionally left rustic so as not to draw undue attention. Children raced after chickens, trying to catch them to no avail, as their mothers searched for eggs hidden in concealed recesses.
At the edge of the clearing, a small dog began to howl and was immediately joined by a chorus of his companions. A flock of birds suddenly erupted from the trees in frantic flight. A faint sound in the distance grew steadily louder until the distinct beat of helicopter rotors filled the morning air.
Villagers strained to see the inevitable. Some bolted into their houses in a desperate attempt to hide, while others comforted their children.
A black military helicopter with stacked rotors rapidly emerged over the trees. It circled to confirm a landing site before returning and setting down in the clearing.
The side door slid open and four soldiers exited the helicopter, in black uniforms. Their faces were hidden behind masks and visors. They fired warning shots into the air. “Get down, everyone on the ground!” a soldier screamed over the roar of the idling rotors.
The villagers huddled together in the center of the clearing, kneeling with their heads lowered as the soldiers stood over them.
A fifth uniformed soldier exited the helicopter unarmed and took up a position at the front. Unlike the others, he wore a silver armband on his left sleeve, adorned with ornate gold embroidery—clearly a sign of status.
“Check the houses,” he said.
The soldiers spread out to search the houses for residents hiding inside. When found, they were dragged back to the center with the others.
“We need three male and three female factory laborers.”
A young girl cried out, tears rolling down her cheeks as a soldier reached for her father’s arm. “Please don’t take my daddy.”
A woman raised her head, and a soldier struck her, knocking her to the ground.
“There’s no point in that. We have what we came for.”
“Yes, sir,” he replied, stepping back.
The remaining villagers knelt in fear as the selected workers were pushed to the rear of the helicopter and forced inside.
Debris swirled under the aircraft as the rotors reached full speed. The helicopter lifted from the clearing, rising above the treetops before disappearing into the distance.
“Let’s go home.”
The next morning when the survival training course had concluded, the instructor met Alexander and Elise at the door. “It’s been a long road. Are you two getting excited about graduating?”
“I’m going to miss this place,” Alexander said.
“Not me, I want to get on with my life,” Elise responded.
“You have a bright future ahead of you, you’re smart and competent. It’s a real accomplishment moving up to a gold armband. You deserve it—that’s what you were born for.”
“Thank you, professor, for your mentorship over the years. I’ll always look back on our relationship with fond memories.”
They stepped into the chilly afternoon air and walked along the stone pathway. Single-story academic buildings stretched across the elegant campus, their clean white facades broken only by neatly trimmed hedges and flowering trees. As they walked, the afternoon sun emerged from behind a cloud, highlighting Alexander’s silver armband, and its ornate gold embroidery that reflects the light.
“So how did yesterday morning’s assignment go?” Elise asked.
“The same problems with Keller. I had to correct him again. I think he enjoys abusing those people. All she did was lift her head, and he knocked her down,” Alexander said.
“Why does it matter? They’re just workers.”
“It reflects a lack of discipline.”
“I don’t know why they don’t want to be laborers. They live like animals out there.”
“It’s not quite that bad, Elise.”
“I wouldn’t want to live like that. At least here they get a roof over their heads and three meals a day.”
“Neither would I.”
“Hey, let’s get lunch.”
“You seem a little nervous today. Are you okay?” she asked.
“I’m fine, I skipped breakfast this morning, maybe my blood sugar is a little low. Anyway, I guess we need to get lunch.”
“I can’t sweetie, not right now. I have a report that needs to be finished by tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll help you with it later, if you come with me. We’ll get it done faster that way..”
“It’s important, I have something I want to talk about.”
That got her attention. They turned and headed back across the walkway. The Academy Restaurant stood near the center of the elite Imperial Military Academy. Its white stone facade and tall arched windows reflected the institution’s prestige. The Empire provided its citizens with a luxurious lifestyle, enabled by a system of forced labor, but dining here was exclusively reserved for the elite cadets, instructors, and academy staff.
The workers inside the restaurant wore impeccable black-and-white uniforms, greeting the patrons, and escorting them to their tables. Others moved quietly through the dining hall, carrying silver trays and refilling glasses. White tablecloths were draped to the floor on every table. Gold-plated silverware sat on embroidered silk napkins. Crystal drinking glasses reflected the light, sparkling with flashes of color.
Along one wall sat a glossy black grand piano with ivory keys. “Did they get a piano?” Elise said.
“It looks like it.”
He set their bags on an empty seat at the table, then graciously pulled the chair out for her and waited until she was seated. Elise interlaced her fingers and rested them on the table. “So, you wanted to talk to me?”
His knee bounced involuntarily under the table, caught up in the anticipation of what was to come. She noticed it and placed her hand on his leg to steady it. “Okay, what’s going on?” she asked.
“Let’s wait until after lunch.”
“Alexander, you didn’t answer my question.”
“Everything’s okay. I have a surprise for you after lunch.”
The waiter filled their glasses with wine before leaving the bottle on the table.
“You don’t need to be nervous,” Alexander said.
“I’m sorry, sir, this is my first day.”
“It’s okay, you’ll learn.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Elise raised her eyebrows as he stepped away. “You shouldn’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Never mind.”
The waiter returned with a plate of bread. As he was setting it on the table, his hand slipped and he dropped it. From across the room, an irritated voice called out. “Watch what you’re doing.”
The waiter froze. “I’m sorry, sir.”
“It’s not difficult,” the voice snapped.
Alexander turned toward the voice. “It’s fine. It was an accident. Nothing’s broken.”
The waiter glanced at him, puzzled. “You really shouldn’t interfere.”
“How did I interfere?”
“They were correcting him.”
“He made a mistake. That’s all. It wasn’t serious.”
“He’s a worker,” she said. “That’s how they learn.”
“They learn faster when they’re not humiliated.”
“Everybody’s looking at you. Can’t you just fit in like everyone else? You’d be in trouble if you didn’t have that silver armband on.”
Their meals arrived promptly. The waiter stayed at the table, looking on. “Is there anything else you require, sir?”
She reached across the table and took his hand. “I love you,” she said.
He didn’t hesitate. “I love you too.”
“I’m glad to hear that. When you said it was important, I thought you were going to break up with me.”
“Not a chance.”
He leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms behind his head. He widened them before letting them fall back. The movement seemed spontaneous. His eyes drifted toward the seated piano player.
He began to play. A graceful melody filled the air. Surprised, Elise turned toward the piano. Her index finger pointed, moving to the beat of the music. Her face lit up. “That’s my favorite song. How did he know?” Her shoulders relaxed as the melody continued. “Did you do that?”
He shrugged. “Maybe.”
She studied him, unsure if he was teasing. The music drew her attention back. The pianist was outstanding, giving each note a life of its own. She didn’t notice as two violinists rose from nearby tables with instruments in hand. The sound deepened as they joined the ensemble. She turned to see them standing, focused on their table. Her eyes widened. “Okay, now this is strange.”
The music swelled, filling the space between the tables. Conversations around the room softened, and attention drifted toward their table in the center of the room. She sat motionless, caught between delight and disbelief, beaming in surprise, as the pieces started to fall into place.
The waiter approached, carrying a large bouquet of red roses, bright blooms standing out against white wrappings. He set them in a crystal vase on the table.
She blinked, “What’s this?”
She thought he was adjusting his chair when he stood. He stepped around the table and lowered himself onto one knee.
The music steadily continued in the background. He held out an open box containing a small gold ring with a single diamond, light glistening off the stone.
“Elise,” he said, tightly gripping the box. “Will you marry me?”
She gasped, her eyes overflowing with tears. “Yes, of course I will.”
He stood as she drew closer. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders as they laughed. The tension slowly gave way to relief. They kissed, holding each other tightly.
When they sat again, she held his hand, turning the ring in the light. The waiter returned with a small cart and placed two glasses on the table. He removed a bottle of champagne from a bucket of ice, popped the cork, poured and stepped away, leaving them alone in the moment. He took a deep breath, raising his glass to hers before touching them together with a soft clink. They took a sip, set their glasses down, and reached for the bags they’d left on the chair.
They slipped out together, leaving the warmth and noise of the restaurant behind. She slipped her arm through his. “You surprised me at the restaurant.”
“Come with me. I need to get some shampoo,” she said.
“I can’t right now, I have a two o’clock appointment at the clinic for the final genetic screening for graduation.”
“It’ll only take a minute, and it’s on the way. I’ll come with you. Maybe they can test both of us together? I need mine done too.”
They entered a small drugstore. The shelves were half-empty. Not just shampoo, but everything along the back wall was picked clean.
Elise approached the clerk, who was patiently waiting behind the counter. “I didn’t see any shampoo on the shelves. Do you have any in the back?”
“No, ma’am,” she said. “The division that makes personal care products refused to work last week. Manufacturing halted, transport followed, and whatever inventory was sitting in storage ran out in a few days.”
“All this from one stoppage?”
“The workers do everything,” she said. “They make them, pack them, and ship them. When they stop, it all stops.”
“It’s hard to imagine it all failing. The country runs all the way west to the ocean. Everything is connected, people assume it will always be there for them. If the workers decide otherwise, the system will remind them who’s in charge.”
“So what happens now?”
She shrugged. “The authorities will go in. They always do and force production back online.”
“That can be effective.”
“Brutally,” Alexander said.
They snaked through the side passages behind the instructional halls. The noise of the grounds faded as they walked through the buildings.
“You’re not nervous anymore,” she said.
The clinic door slid closed behind them. Inside, everything was orderly, with clean white walls, an elegant wooden desk, and a cushioned armchair positioned for consultations.
A gray-haired medical technician stood to greet them as they entered the room. “Alexander, Elise,” he said, extending his hand. “Thank you for coming. We weren’t expecting both of you.”
“Since she’s here too, can you test both of us together?”
“There’s no reason to separate you. You’re graduating together. It would simplify things if we did the testing on both of you at the same time.”
The examination stations were set side by side, recessed into a separate bench. “Please take a seat. This won’t take long.”
They both sat together in their respective chairs, under the arm-cradles. The clinician stepped forward holding a scanner. “If you place your arms in here, we can begin.”
Elise went first. He held the scanner over her forearm, and a soft glow illuminated her skin. He nodded and made a note in a form attached to his clipboard. “All done,” he said.
Alexander placed his forearm in position. The test was repeated, this time taking slightly longer.
“Thank you, that’s all for today,” he said. “The data will be processed and reviewed. You’ll be notified when the results are finalized.”
“How long will it take?” Elise asked.
“Not long, probably tomorrow. It depends on how detailed the data is. There’s nothing to be concerned about, it’s just routine.”
Elise fastened her armband. He did the same with greater care.
“Oh, I almost forgot. Your brother was admitted to the ICU this morning. He’s asking for you. It would mean a great deal to him if you came.”
“What happened?”
“We’re not sure, but he’s pretty sick.”
“Is he stable?” Elise asked.
“For now.”
“I’ll stop by when I get some free time this evening.”
“Great. I’ll let him know you’re coming later.”
She slipped her hand into his as they walked. “You should go see him now,” she said. “He’s your best friend. We all grew up together.”
“I will this evening.”
An aide found them later that afternoon and relayed a message to see the director as soon as possible.
The director stood as they entered the office and invited them in to sit.
“Congratulations on your engagement. I just heard about it,” he said. “I know you’ll make a great couple.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“You’re almost through the program. I thought it was about time to show you inside the Hall of Ancestors. It’s a little early but you’ll have your gold band in another six months. The Supreme Commander will address the people from the podium and you’ll be there of course. The one-hundredth anniversary, think of it, the first one ever. One-hundred years since the birth of civilization.”
“Yes, sir, I know it’s special.”
“I’ve arranged for a tour tomorrow at dawn. A car will pick you up and you will be met by the guide to show you around.”
“Just me, sir?”
“No. Elise will be with you; the car will pick her up on the way.”
The following morning a limousine arrived early. The chauffeur opened the back door for him and Elise was patiently waiting inside. Its interior was silent except for the muted sounds of the city. As they traveled, the district thinned, giving way to open ground and temporary structures. Massive video screens stood dark, awaiting content. A gigantic photograph of the Supreme Leader loomed over the entrance, as it always had.
“Fireworks will take place along the western ridge, and the air show will precede the commander’s speech. The entire event has been meticulously planned.”
The one-hundredth anniversary was more than a celebration. It was the culmination, and proof that the founders’ vision had endured.
They walked toward the center of the grounds, the walkways spread symmetrically, radiating away from the central plaza. “The platform will be raised here in the center of the plaza. The Supreme Commander, senior ministers and invited guests will be seated there, with the stage in the center of the platform.”
The Hall of Ancestors rose beyond the plaza, its stone facade, clad in marble with ebony doors inlaid in gold. The doors stood open. Two armed guards in full-dress uniform stood at attention on either side.
They entered the dimly lit gallery with spotlights illuminating each portrait. Ten large portraits hung on the wall, each in identical frames and spaced at exact intervals.
“This is the succession of Supreme Commanders over the life of the Empire,” the guide said.
One portrait after another, from the beginning to the present. As they walked, Elise moved closer, grasping his hand. “This is so exciting,” she said.
He didn’t answer. thinking it was a bit spooky. He studied each portrait, unsettled by the coldness in their expressions. He noticed the similarities in their eyes and the way they seemed to project power. They reached the far end of the gallery where the final portrait stood alone and stopped in front of it.
“This was the beginning,” the guide said.
Alexander examined the canvas. It was older than the others, the paint was darker, the surface worn in places where the restoration was preserved rather than renewed. The figure was plainly rendered, almost stark. He stared into the pale blue eyes. They were cold and piercing, raising the hair on the back of his neck.
“Of course,” the guide said. “You’ve already seen this in print. This is the founder of the Empire, the architect of our nation. All this was possible because of him and his philosophy.”
He stared intently at the portrait, hypnotized by the image until the guide’s voice brought him back. “Alexander, are you still with us?”
“Yes, sorry,” he said.
The guide turned and led them back the way they came. “Discipline, vision and competence. Keep those principles and you won’t go wrong.”
His word didn’t register, he was still preoccupied with the founder’s portrait.
“Thank you for the tour,” Alexander said. The guide glanced back as the doors closed behind them.
By the time they returned to the limo, it was late afternoon. The car pulled away, leaving the Hall of Ancestors behind.
After dark there was a knock on the door. The aide stood in the corridor outside. “Sir, the director needs to see you right away. It’s urgent.”
“Is something wrong?”
“I don’t know, sir.”
When he arrived, the office door was open and the director was waiting. “Come in,” he said. “Sit.”
The director was sitting behind his desk with a stack of papers on top of it. He picked up the top one and said, “Well, we got the results from your genetic testing. There is a complication.”
“What kind of complication?”
“We ran the analysis multiple times to make sure it was accurate. The results are definitive. You are carrying an impurity marker in your ancestry, two generations removed—your grandmother. She was of mixed blood.”
“That’s not possible.”
“It is. We traced it.”
“I don’t have a grandmother.”
“Yes, you do. You never met her or your mother, your parents were selected genetic contributors. After your birth, you were transferred into institutional guardianship, and you were raised here by the state.”
Alexander felt a tightness in his chest. “You told me I was an orphan.”
“You are, we just didn’t tell you everything.”
“Now what happens?”
“You will be reclassified.”
“To what, a worker with a white armband?”
“Yes, I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do about it.”
“There’s got to be another way?”
“No, the reclassification is mandatory. There will be a forty-eight-hour delay. You can keep your rank until then.”
He didn’t trust himself to respond.
“There’s a mission scheduled for tomorrow, I need you to lead it.”
“Will it make a difference in my review?”
“No, but I still trust you, and it’s already scheduled and can’t be postponed. Sector Five needs four female workers. Alexander, are you listening?”
“Sorry, sir.”
“We raised you here. You're like a son to me,” he said with a slight tear in his eye. “We didn’t have the technology to identify it twenty-five years ago when you were conceived.”
“There’s one more thing. Peter’s condition has worsened. He’s been asking for you. I suggest you visit him before you leave, and don’t mention any of this to him.”
His movements were slower now. “Yes, sir.”
Alexander stood to leave. “Alexander, I want you to understand that none of this changes how I feel about you. I’ll get you assigned here, where you belong. That’s the best I can do, given the circumstances.”
The corridor outside looked dim and lifeless. Cadets passed and he nodded out of habit.
He sat on his bed with his hands covering his face, too drained to do anything but sit and stare at the floor. The groundskeepers caught his eye through the window, as they went about their routine tasks. He watched blandly until they left.
There was a knock at the door. “Come in,” he said in a flat tone.
Elise stepped inside, bright as ever, the contrast stark. She smiled when she saw him. The smile faded when he didn’t rise. “There you are, I heard the director pulled you in early.”
“Yes.”
“Well?” she said, with her hands on her hips. “What did he want?”
He gazed back towards the window. “It was nothing.”
“Alexander?”
“Everything’s okay, it’s nothing.”
“You’re lying. You’re terrible at it.”
He sighed. “I don’t feel like talking about it.”
She crossed the room and sat next to him. “You don’t get to do that to me. Not now.”
“Elise, you’re not going to like this.”
“Tell me.”
“There was an issue with my testing. An impurity in my background.”
“That’s not possible.”
“It is.”
“From where?”
“My grandmother.”
“You don’t have a grandmother, you’re an orphan, like the rest of us. So what are they going to do?”
“I won’t graduate, I won’t get my gold band, they’re going to demote me to white.”
She took a step back. That can’t be right, they’ll appeal it, someone will.”
“They won’t.”
“Alexander, we can’t get married.”
“Why not?”
“If we do, I’ll lose everything. My citizenship. I hope...I hope you understand.” Fists clasped at her side, she gasped before continuing. “I didn’t want this. “I hope you understand. I really didn’t. I can’t do this.”
He watched her searching for a sign of doubt that never came. He was resigned to the present reality.
She shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks, one hand raised to cover her mouth as if embarrassed by the overt display of emotion. “I’m sorry, I can’t.” She turned abruptly, pulled the ring from her finger and threw it on the floor, running down the steps and into the darkness. The door swung shut behind her. The sound echoed, then faded leaving the room feeling smaller without her. He picked up the ring and slipped it into his pocket. He sat long after the last trace of movement vanished, staring at the place where she had been. When he stood, the motion felt disconnected from reality.
He picked up his jacket and put it on, and left for the hospital. Peter’s room was at the end of the hall. He knocked softly before entering. Peter was propped up on his side with an IV in his arm. He looked pale and emaciated. “Alexander,” he said in a shaky voice, barely audible. “You made it. I’m glad you stopped by.”
He pulled the chair closer. “Of course brother, you know I’ll always be here for you. Do they know what you have?”
“They won’t tell me or they don’t know.”
Alexander lowered his gaze. “A lot of people have been disappearing.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Nothing, really. It just seems suspicious, like the government is hiding something from us.”
“They wouldn’t do that.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry.”
“You’re not yourself today,” Peter said.
He tried to answer but struggled to gather his thoughts. “I’m leading another mission tomorrow morning.”
“What’s the mission?”
Alexander stared at him without answering. “What did you say?”
“I said what’s the mission? You’re worried about me, aren’t you.”
He stared in Peter’s direction with unfocused eyes. A tear slipped free, and was quickly wiped away.
Peter reached out and gripped his forearm. “Hey brother. Don’t do that. I’ll be okay.”
Alexander wiped his eyes with his hands, looking down at the IV, thinking about everything that had happened during the day. “I’ll come back,” he said.
“I know you will.”
He left the room and walked down the corridor before realizing he wasn’t sure where he was going. He stopped, reoriented himself, returned to his room, and lay down, fully clothed. Sleep came, but only in fragments.