January 10th 2553
16 Years ago.
Six year old Ava woke in her bed to a man dressed in black above her. Another standing behind her, holding..her? His dark skin masking him even more in the dark. She tried to scream but a hand clasped to her mouth, and she felt a pain in her neck. Before she knew it she was passed out. The men placed the look alike in her bed, and swooped her up. Carrying her to a black van parked outside her childhood home, her parents sleeping soundly unaware they would never see their real daughter again.
Ava awoke to the strange men undressing her, attempting to pull off her nightgown. While a pair of grey fatigues layed on the floor. Screaming and thrashing her arms and legs to get away, just like her mommy taught her.
The vans internal camera picked up on the exchange, “Marcus she’s waking up. Get her ready... shit shit she’s waking up” The fucker kicked me.”
Marcus managed to administer another shot to put Ava back to sleep.
After driving for some time, they arrive in an old
field hours away from where they came. A Pelican dropship waits, it’s flood lights illuminating the field in front of it. The men and Ava strap in. The six year old falling out of the safety restraints. Moments later the dropship kicks off the ground, heading into orbit where a nearby ship awaits them. Destination Reach._
Ava, was dreaming. Of her favourite show about a princess and a lion, awaking abruptly with a sharp pain in her side. Another man holding a stun baton. Raising it above his head, screaming at her “move trainee”. Jumping out of the dropships troop bay, it’s ramp into an amphitheatre, where many other children with a handler waited. Some of the children were crying, asking about their parents. Or looking straight ahead not knowing what to do next.
A much older woman stood before them, at a podium. “You have been called Upon to serve. Your parents killed. You are the best and brightest. Humanity’s future for the years to come.” The woman said it with familiarity, like she had done it before.
The woman on stage motioned with her hands. The handlers and other children filed out. “You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow. I’d say get some sleep”. The woman said like a caring mother.
Ava was walked to a bunkhouse, unsure of what to except walk forward. Soon put to bed in an oversized cot, she was sound asleep dreaming about her parents, the lion and the princess.
